Be sure to avoid at all costs. Cheap cut rate fish and unbelievably rude staff who as other reviews note insist on you waiting outside while it's raining. Save your money and aggravation and go literally anywhere else. read more

It's refreshing to experience a traditional Japanese restaurant in the Castro. The establishment is pretty tiny and could only fit a small volume of customers- we ended up sitting outside and our server put a heater on the bottom to combat the normally cooler SF evening. The menu has a variety of items and we ordered some unique traditional dishes including sesame spinach, mackerel (Saba) with bitter melon, 2 types of homemade tofu: hot and cold, the regular sushi chef special with 7 pieces of nigiri and a tuna roll, house made gyoza, rainbow/ dragon rolls, and a large hot sake. We enjoyed the homemade tofu, gyoza, and mackerel- they were tasty, flavorful and comforting. The nigiri was decent, but some fish didn't taste as fresh and were a bit tough. The rolls were ok, but small. I appreciated the real crab in the rolls but found a few hard crab shell pieces I had to spit out. Prices are steeper and for 3 ppl, our bill was about $120 and we weren't that full. Good thing we had planned to get dessert afterwards. Glad to have tried it, nonetheless. read more

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This hole in the wall restaurant in the middle of a neighborhood is a hidden treasure. I grew up in Japan and am quite a connoisseur when it comes to Japanese cuisine. We ordered home made cold tofu and chirashi zushi with Nigori. The tofu was more than amazing I think I could have eaten 10 of them. The presentation of the chirashi was magnificent. The fish was fresh and the rice excellent. The nigori was yummy but I could not finish it and I was able to take it with me. I drank the rest in my room and had a good night's sleep. I highly recommend this wonderfully charming restaurant in the middle of the Castro District. I was so excited I forgot to take photos! read more

My gf and I were really pumped to try this place after its raving reviews on Infatuation SF and man I couldn't be more disappointed. Service was good and ambiance was great - I felt like I was in Japan. But the food was subpar. The ceviche roll barely came with fish in it and tasted mediocre. Alaska roll was standard, nothing special. The fish wasn't that amazing. Cucumber salad was standard. A lot of people ordered udon soup - maybe we should have gotten that? We won't be coming back. read more

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Quaint & cozy neighborhood sushi spot known for their tofu. The setting is quite intimate with only ~6 tables closely spaced together. We tried their homemade ankake tofu that was sooo soft and umami. We ordered some various sushi rolls as well which we enjoyed. This is not the place to have a rambunctious gathering but more so a place to enjoy a peaceful meal with a partner, friends, or family. The service was lovely, and it really felt as if we were in a local family-owned restaurant in Japan. read more

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I visited on a Thursday evening and it speaks to Eiji's popularity that there was a wait out the door! My party of 2 was given a 30 minute wait estimate but it felt much faster than that - I think it was because it wasn't actually 30 minutes but maybe I just enjoyed my company. There isn't a yelp waitlist so you'll have to go there in person to wait for a seat. I imagine the wait times are longer on weekends so plan accordingly. My table got the ankake tofu as an appetizer and I got a chirashi for myself. The tofu was so soft I could barely feel it in my mouth. If you thought the silken tofu at the supermarket was smooth, wait til you try Eiji's homemade version. The chirashi was delicious and had a great variety of fish. The food came out very quickly and our server made sure our glasses were full throughout the night. My only issue with the experience was that it was exceptionally stuffy inside the restaurant. The interior is quite small but cozy, which would be lovely on a cold night but every other night, maybe not so much. To their credit, this was an exceptionally hot week and I'd bet money it's not usually that stuffy. Please note that the menu prices are assuming you pay with cash and there is a % fee if you decide to use a card. I would absolutely come back again with a friend or a date! Good food, attentive service, and a cute restaurant - what's not to like? read more

Eiji is an intimate authentic Japanese dining experience. I was expecting rude service from some of the reviews. However, when I got there, I was told there was a wait and was promptly taken inside as soon as a table left. The food and dining experience reminded me of Japan. We ordered the oboro tofu which had a super fun texture and was served with a few toppings. It's quite a big portion but didn't feel too heavy. The miso soup and miso black cod were so umami and flavorful. The nigiri (tamago, salmon, meguro) and the spicy tuna uramaki were all delicious and already had wasabi inside. I loved everything and will be back soon! read more

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Eiji has been my go to for sushi for more than 5 years because of the food quality and intimate seating. The service we got last night however was so horrible that I will not be going back. When we arrived, the restaurant was empty except for one table. It was raining and we were told to wait outside until our party arrived, even though there was space to wait inside. When seated, as a table of 4, we ordered multiple rounds of drinks and food. I tipped generously and we were kicked out of the table immediately after paying. Literally took the check, returned to the table and said "you need to leave, we need this table" when there was not another party waiting and immediately after taking the bill, which we didn't sit on either. Throughout the meal, the server forgot basic service like water refills, silverware, etc and was very rude to one of our party. I was embarrassed having recommended this spot to our visiting friends. I'm used to brusque service elsewhere; this was legitimately unfriendly. Huge disappointment for what used to be a local gem. Also note that they have 4% surcharge for credit cards; that's why I brought cash. read more

After a relaxing massage my gf and I wanted some sushi so decided to try this place out-- we tried the special tofu which was unique and fun, the miso was good-- the sushi selection was quite basic honestly, and the unagi roll was very scant on the unagi. But it was good enough, we were enjoying our dining experience. Then the bill came, fine enough, we put down our card. My gf and I are talking and the waitress comes over with the pay thingy and charges us and fine, cool. I swear, ONE minute later after paying as I'm nursing my last sips of hot sake, I'm in the middle of relating something about my day to my gf and the waitress interrupts and is like "the next people are waiting for this table"... essentially kicking us out. It was terribly rude. We bought a ton of food, and that's how we're asked to go? I'm supposed to just scram right after we've paid? People wait for tables... this is normal, I literally just paid A MINUTE ago, get off my back. This isn't the service you find in Japan, nor any other decent dining establishment. If you look at my other reviews I am a generous reviewer-- but that interaction was so off-putting I felt compelled to come here and warn people against this. We will not be coming back, the food is nothing special, and the staff will be rude, just go somewhere else. read more

The fish was fresh. They were good about refilling tea and checking on us. The place is really cute and intimate. read more

Eiji - Chirashi - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I love writing updated reviews for places I originally visited 7 years ago. That was the case for Eiji, which I've been to countless times starting in 2015. This is such a quaint and peaceful place that will satisfy any sushi craving. It's a small restaurant, so you have to get lucky sometimes with the wait. Once seats are filled up, waiting can be anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Regardless, totally worthwhile. The first time I came here, my friend ordered the Chef's Choice Deluxe Sushi Platter ($26.25) which has 11 pieces of nigiri and 1 roll. We also got the Chef's Choice Regular Sashimi ($14.25) which has 9 pieces of sashimi. This was a good amount of food for two people, and our waitress actually encouraged us to order more since the kitchen was closing. I love that they have these Chef's Choice options to save me from actually making a decision when I just really want good sushi! This is probably some of the freshest sushi and sashimi I have ever tasted. Coming here, I would prefer eating nigiri and sashimi instead of ordering a fancier roll. Keep things simple, you know? We also had delicious hot tea and an ice cold Asahi to complement our meal. These days I just get the chirashi bowl. Overall one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco. Wonderful, authentic experience. Thank you Eiji! read more

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Nestled next to kitchen story, Eiji is a cute little Japanese restaurant with delicious homemade food. Seating caps out at 5 people. The staff speak Japanese to each other - a very authentic restaurant with sushi, fish, among other entrees. My go-tos are the seaweed salad, homemade ankake tofu, chirashi bowl, and strawberry mochi for dessert with hot tea. Both tofu and mochi are only available for dining in. I don't usually like red bean, but the light smear of it does really blend well for the strawberry mochi. Chirashi bowl is generous in fish and the sushi rice is delectably done. There's never been a wait in the times I've gone, but it's gotten pretty full with only a handful of tables. Reliably delicious and quick to serve entrees, I always stop by here on my way to u:dessert for bingsu after! read more

Eiji - Strawberry mochi - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

In an ever changing world of robot cars and AI, this is a time capsule of the SF I remember and miss. The food is simple, authentic and fresh. I would say the service is the same- sure maybe it's not inauthentically full of smiles and niceties but you are taken care of by real humans that clearly take pride in their craft. I think the prices stay low where they can, which I notice and appreciate. I felt obliged to write a review given some of the poor ones- maybe it depends on what you value. If you're an analog girl trapped in a digital world, then you may appreciate this gem as much as I do. (I did come at 4pm with my 4 yo son and had no issues bringing a child, but clearly it wasn't their busy time. If you're worried about getting a table or dining with children I would suggest going when they open at 4). read more

Stopped by w no reservations on a Friday evening. The space is cozy w strong Tokyo mom and pop shop vibes. They have a nice selection of apps you don't commonly see such as Ikura Oroshi, and r most well known for their house made tofu. I'd come back but order the sashimi regular instead w a bowl of rice. I love fish and found the chirashi to be thinner slices than I'd prefer w lots of rice. Rice was good tho! The gyoza tasted very home made. The texture was softer than store bought and flavor was good. Savory soft was ultra pudding like and the sauce b minced ginger was nice Ikura oroshi was a bit underwhelming. I love ikura and I learn I prefer it on its own than with daikon. Chirashi ($26): 9 pieces of thin cut fish with lots of sushi rice. Sushi Regular ($24) 7 piece nigiri w tells maki Sashimi Regular ($24) 9 piece thick sashimi cuts. 4 types of fish. Ikura Oroshi ($9.5): Salmon roe w grated daikon Gyoza ($8.5) Edamame ($5) House made ankake tofu ($6.5): home made soft tofu w ginger and sticky sweet sauce on top read more

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Really cute low-key, no-frills spot for a simple sushi lunch or dinner. Friendly service, and you can sit with your dog if you eat outside. Warm sake was great, and our favorite was the simple tuna handrolls! Looking forward to visiting again read more

Eiji - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Eiji is a treasure! It is our new favorite. We will definitely be back. The fresh tofu, made while you wait, is great. We ordered many dishes, including beef-wrapped okra, we were happy. It is a sweet, small restaurant and they put care into the food and menu. I see a lot of comments on the service- this is not a typical restaurant with obsequious service, but they are honest and straight-forward in guiding you about the food, how much to order, and I appreciate they don't try to upsell. They seem to have a lot of demand so if you get in, consider yourself lucky, but probably I would head in the direction of Eiji with a back-up plan (check out Mezze and Moore, nearby and also great.) read more

Wonderful food in a cozy small restaurant~ the tofu is a must try! Very easy to get to! We ordered a variety of dishes and were impressed with their presentations read more

My friend really wanted to come here for the tofu and I'm so glad he suggested it because I never would have found it otherwise. This is a really small hole in the wall kind of place that can really only sit 10-15 people inside. Since it was full there, we sat at a table outside with a heater blasting by your feet, but still got a bit chilly during the windy SF evenings. Oboro Tofu ($10.75): definitely the star of the meal. It's a homemade tofu that is made once ordered and our waitress even told us she had been working on it before bringing the dish to the table. You add some toppings and a little bit of soy sauce, which gives it just enough flavor. I loved the texture and never had anything like it before. Nabeyaki Udon ($23): the broth in here was absolutely delicious and there was such a variety of seafood (shrimp, clams, oyster). I wish I could recreate this myself! The udon was a little bit too soft and overcooked for my preference though. Black Cod Broiled w/ Sake Miso ($16): this tasted so good and the cod basically just melted in your moth. However, it was only a very small piece and basically gone in only 3-4 bites. Ikura Oroshi ($8.25): I thought this was good and nothing too special. It tasted exactly the way it was described -- grated daikon with salmon roe on top. Sushi: we got the Rock'n Roll and the Kampyo (seasoned squash) roll. Both were delicious, but nothing too special. Overall, the food here is really good and I would definitely recommend the tofu. I would say that some of the dishes are a bit overpriced, but everything was still high quality and tasted great. read more

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One of those rare truly Japanese sushi gem still thriving in SF. Located right next doors to kitchen story and U dessert. Hard to park but worthwhile to try. Eiji is reasonably priced and perhaps more affordable than most sushi places. High value! Gomaae spinach Perfectly plated, packed with generous topping of sesame paste Ankimo fresh, perfectly plated cut monkfish liver Usuzukuri: thin slices of white meat fish sashimi, usually a show case of chef's knife skill and plating, beautifully done, very fresh and thin yet sliced Unagi don delicious rich high quality, generous rice portion Salmon teriyaki delicious, comes with a salad. Fillet portion- standard Japanese, may be smaller than a salmon steak If they have the strawberry mochi dessert, get it it is the best ever To-go was easy to order, expertly packed. Ready fairly quickly. Though on busy nights and weekends, will take longer read more

My favorite cozy Japanese spot in San Francisco! I loved the interior seating area of this restaurant- super cute and great for a date or a catch up with friends. The Asari miso soup is a must try and the dragon roll and sushi set were also very good. The service was friendly and highly recommend taking a friend if are near the Castro area! read more

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Will come back!The inside is quiet and intimate and the food tastes fresh. The uni was soft and butter. The ceviche roll was my favorite and the salmon skin roll had a fantastic crunch read more

Eiji - Top to bottom: Rainbow roll, Alaska Roll, Salmon Skin Roll Bottom from left to right: Dragon Roll, Ceviche Roll, Uni - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Really good spot and the ambience reminds you of Japan. The sushi was made really well, and each piece was really large with fresh fish. We got the sushi combo, tofu and strawberry daifuku, all of which were really good. As someone who usually doesn't like tofu, the tofu was spectacular and super soft. The strawberry was also really good and comparable to ones we had in Japan. However, the restaurant did not have AC and can get extremely hot in the summer. Service was really good as well. read more

Eiji - Sushi combo - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Solid three star restaurant. Sushi is good and service is good; the staff/owners are very nice. There was no wait for a Saturday lunch. Ordered the ceviche roll, salmon nigiri, kanpachi nigiri, and sushi lunch special. Everything was really good. I'd go back if in the neighborhood and craving sushi. read more

Eiji - Kanpachi nigiri, sake nigiri, ceviche roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Hole in the wall! Just walk right in! Feels like you're in Japan with the decor, service, and efficiency. I loved how fresh the food. Reasonably priced. read more

Great ingredients, great flavor and perfect atmosphere, for real authentic Japanese cuisine. Excellent service.

Didn't get to eat here because the waitress/hostess was extremely unaccommodating. My four year old daughter and I walked in, and the waitress said that we needed to wait for my partner to join us since it was a party of 3. That is fine since my partner was looking for parking, but she refused to let us wait inside while it was raining, HARD. I told her it was raining, and I obviously had a child with me but her only response was, "Sorry," and that there wasn't enough space for us at the door to stand. The restaurant wasn't packed, either. It looked slow enough to have only one person servicing the floor, and we wouldn't have blocked anyone from entering/exiting/serving. Wish I was able to try the food, but I cannot stand restaurants who do not understand hospitality. read more

Top notch sushi spot The chef's choice was delicious Would definitely come back again read more

Eiji - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Delicious homey authentic comforting Japanese food, a good friend of mine brought me here the food is delicious, of course it is Japanese portion, need to order more items. The black cod was tender, strawberry mochi was handmade Kyoto style. Highly recommend read more

This place is simple and straightforward with what they have and isn't exactly a place to go all in for just sushi. Eiji is much more about the collection of side dishes and mains they have that make it shine (like their in-house made tofu). People complain about wanting authenticity with their food, so here you go--a really Japanese spot. I highly recommend getting things like their hot tofu, steamed clams, miso black cod/eggplant, ankimo, yose/misonabe, negitoro/negihama, some of their sunomonos, and some nigiri. It's definitely a cozy type of situation for an evening where you order an assortment of these small dishes with a side of sake (if you drink) or tea and enjoy simplicity at its best either on your own or with a small group. Again, this isn't a place where you depend your experience on gyoza, teriyaki chicken, and sushi rolls. This is probably one of the most Japanese spots in the city and I'm very happy that they exist. read more

Oh my god, the ichigo mochi. I actually sighed when it hit my mouth and the woman behind the counter laughed. This tastes like childhood in Japan. The fish is fresh and cut the way it's supposed to be cut (unlike so many U.S. sushi places that dumb it down). But the star here is the mochi. I've been told to try the tofu, so I'll be back for that next time. read more

Eiji - Ichigo mochi - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

This used to be my go-to restaurant: whether I wanted to charm a visitor from out of town or just treat myself to a good meal, Eiji was a reliable and frequent choice. Yesterday I went for the first time since the pandemic and it was such a disappointment. Firstly, the place looks really run down - what used to be a tight but quaintly decorated space in Japanese style, is now need in need of a fresh coat of paint, furniture refurbishment and thorough cleaning (lots of objects tucked away and/or poorly disguised by fabric). The service was indifferent - it bordered on amusing to watch the server hand plates and glasses to my 4 year old to put on the table herself. Perhaps most tragically though, the food was just average - the salmon skin salad was the sole highlight of an otherwise bland, forgettable meal. I won't be back - there are too many good-to-excellent sushi restaurants in the City to repeat this experience - but I so wish I hadn't ruined my fond memories with this lackluster final visit. read more

Came for lunch with a few friends on the weekend and thankfully didn't have to wait in line. The sushi set and the homemade tofu were both very good. It's a nice little family business. Would definitely return to try other dishes! read more

Eiji - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is an absolute mess when it comes to seating and service. We arrived and they told us to wait 20 minutes and showed us the exact table we were waiting for. Given it was cold, we got into our car right in front of the restaurant entrance to wait. Once the table opened up, we got out of the car to get seated, and she claimed we "left" so we could no longer be seated, and had to re-join the wait if we wanted to eat. She said anyone who isn't within her direct line of sight forfeits their spot, and that because we went into our car for 15 minutes, we had to give up our table to the next party. This is truly the most absurd system I've ever seen in my life, and is extremely illogical, disrespectful of our time, and completely unacceptable as an operating system. Unless you plan to stand like a soldier, and are willing to move yourself into the host's line of sight with every move she makes, you're probably not going to have luck with a table here. read more

So I've been here about three times and each time was spectacular. Let's start with the location: super quaint quiet street, and the inside feels so homey. The service is prompt and respectful. The food is where the money is at. Everything is fresh, seasoned well, flavorful. I love their tofu, their soups, their salads, their home made mochi and they have delicious sake! I don't eat meat or fish BUT when I've gone with company that does they have always sung their praises. read more

Authentic Japanese spot near Mission. Sushi was delicious, fresh, and excellent quality. Looking forward to dine here again!

Not the friendliest of service and so many rules for diners for sub par food. There are signs before you enter denoting the rules such as no use of cell phones. That's fair enough as you should be there to dine and enjoy the company. However, you need your phone to pull up the menu! The service was below average with hospitality. It seemed like she was just there to enforce their weird dining rules. The check is presented with a disclaimer stating that you will be charged and additional 4% if you use a credit card. With all the notes posted about their rules, that should be a primary one. It's honestly just bait and switch theft. Spend your money elsewhere without all the stipulations. read more

Located next to the Kitchen story. It is a small place holding maybe 20 people inside and the outside seating maybe 10 people. We ordered the Salmon skin salad for appetizer. I didn't know it was a thin Daikon wrapped a skin salmon 4 tiny rolls and a few slices of cucumber not enough for 2 people. I forgot to take a picture of it. $14,00 . I thought it mixed salad with the salmon skin instead of wrapping it with a thin daikon. Warm tofu was yummy. The rainbow roll and Poke roll OK. read more

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Found a gem. Love the cozy, small restaurant vibes. Would order the beef wrapped Okra again.

I recently moved to the Castro area and I have been looking for my local sushi joint. After trying Eiji tonight, I think I found it! Super small (probably only fits 15 people or so) and super cute restaurant. Really friendly and fast service, despite only 1 server and 1 sushi chef. The sushi was also excellent. Hubby and I ordered the dragon roll, tornado roll, and salmon skin roll. The sushi was very fresh and high quality. Would order all three rolls again. Looking forward to returning to try the other rolls. read more

Eiji - From bottom to top: dragon roll ($16), rainbow roll ($16), salmon skin roll ($8) - Sushi Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Went here on a lazy weekend day of errands, as a last minute try. Great little nook-in-the-wall, and intimate setting with an authentic ambiance. We had the pleasure of sitting in the corner next to the bar, and got the omakase, which was fresh and velvety. We finished our meal with the famous strawberry mochi--which was just melt in your mouth delicious. This is a great spot for a quaint date night, or intimate friend group. Although the seating is limited, the service and food were excellent. Definitely try and get a table the next time you're looking for a temporary getaway. read more