Sushi On North Beach — Restaurant in San Francisco

I love a good neighborhood restaurant and I used to love sushi on north beach over 10 years. The two previous owners did a fantastic job. I believe the first owner was a Japanese chef and then he retired and sold the place to someone who used to work at the restaurant. The transition was seamlessly done. Foods, service and atmosphere were always great. Over the years, I took my family and tons of friends to SONB and they were all impressed by the quality and values. I feel really bad for the second owner cuz he and his team suffered a lot during Covid lockdown… I’m not sure if that’s the reason he sold the place. Fast track to the latest owner… Unfortunately, I don’t like everything I ordered. The happy hour menu was the bomb that drew people in before. They still have it but a lot pricier and portion is much smaller. That isn’t the most disappointing part, it’s the taste… completely off. I had tempura, rainbow poke and crispy spicy tuna roll. Both the poke sauce and tempura dip are way too sweet. I don’t think the chef understand what is the bliss point. It’s a savory dish but just plain sweet. The roll was the worst. Tuna has no seasoning, sushi rice isn’t season in Japanese style. I thought I was eating Chinese food or weird version of Korean style kimbap. The entire dish depends on the mayo based sauce, which is again very sweet and not spicy at all. The craftsmanship of the roll is disappointing. It wasn’t wrapped tightly. I couldn’t pick up a piece of roll without having the entire thing falling apart. The whole idea of the former happy hour menu was made sure alcoholic beverage was as cheap as you get a can of beer from stores so you would rather eat at the restaurant, enjoy some food while having a drink with friends. This isn’t the case anymore. I wouldn’t call it a happy hour price tag drinks… the service is the only highlight because I was able to laugh with the old staff....

11/4/2023: Update: Read the review from the business owner. We were not upset after eating at your place but now WE ARE after reading your misleading response.

For the records. Thanks for the offer to comp the food. We would like to remind you that WE DID NOT TAKE YOUR OFFER AND ACTUALLY PAID FOR THE MEAL FULL PRICE. We asked you to NOT make the entire order if the food were not made. But we were happy to pay for the food that were already made. Because we didnt want to waste your food. So please be honest with your response. Thanks.

We go to different sushi places very often. There are definitely way better places for sushi in San Francisco.

I am so sorry you had to respond to the customer with NOT truth.

11/3/2023. Tried this place after reading the good reviews. Unfortunately have to disagree with the good reviews. We go to sushi restaurants pretty often and this experience was a little shocking.

Not sure how to describe the atmosphere. Not my favorite.

We ordered 4 rolls and one set sweet shrimp nigiris. The fish is ok. But the rice is NOT the way authentic sushis are made.

Not a very good food experience. We left the restaurant pretty hungry and...

Great sushi spot in San Francisco near Pier 39. There were a few places to choose from but I decided on this one. What’s to like:

friendly staff, helpful, attentive & patient environment- odd in a good way...but great for a sushi place, music! and I don’t mean zen meditate music, pop, hip hop etc., Lights, lively conversation and energy the food- Good sushi. I had the rainbow poke, butterfish and hamachi toro. The poke was amazing, go on happy hour, get it, love it and get a large sapporo to wash it down. The hamachi was good and the butterfish was amazing. Hmmmm can you make a butterfish poke? Is that against some rule idunno. I’ll come back and see if it’s on the menu, if you wanna name it barianno’s poke that’s cool too.

So go, check it out, ask for some recommendations, tell em barianno sent you and wait for the blank stare.

Well at least you’ll enjoy the sushi.

SUSHIIIIIIIII..... NORTH...