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    Kibatsu

    4.4 (408 reviews)
    Closed 5:30 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Kibatsu Reservations

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    KIBATSU ATMOSPHERE

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    Sharon S.

    Kibatsu is a cute, little Japanese restaurant in the Haight. It has been on my list of restaurants to visit for some time now. Sadly my recent experience only resulted in this being an average meal for me. I made reservations for two on a Saturday night. Upon arriving before our reservation time, we were seated promptly. The first thing we were told by our server was that they don't accept credit cards. Payment is only accepted in the form of cash, PayPal, Venmo or Zelle. That was definitely a new for me. What higher price restaurant that advertises they accept credit cards actually don't? We were given the a la carte menu. I asked about the omakase menu and was given two menus, one for $120 and the other for $180. We opted for the $120 menu and sadly I didn't snap a photo of what came with the omakase before the server took away all the menus. I wish I took a pic as I didn't catch every dish the server quickly shouted out as she dropped it off at our table. The $120 omakase came with about 10 different courses. All of the dishes were fresh and average, but nothing stood out as amazing. All in all, the total bill with a bottle of junmai daijingo, tax and tip came to $440. This is a steep price for the experience and the food we got. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Was anything I ate something I dream about having again? No. Sadly, the hype and anticipation of Kibatsu did not live up to my expectations of what I thought it would be.

    Omakase
    Vivian H.

    A neighborhood gem! This is the coziest friendliest sushi spot I can recall, from the decor to the service. We were able to get reservations only a few days in advance (my boo is not a planner) so great for casual or short notice outings. We came for my birthday and splurged on the omakase as a treat. We had maybe 9 courses including a large nigiri course with appreciated all the different preparations. All was incredible. The wagyu on the ice cream took the boo by surprise (because he didn't hear the server as she put it down) and bit into what he thought was a brownie and it was a very savory piece of Wagyu instead. SO GOOD. We'll definitely be back for another omakase as well as a la carte menu which is super reasonable. We can tell some others were regulars as well. I'm not sure how this spot has remained relatively hidden but they're killing it! I believe they weren't taking credit card but Zelle/venmo which for us was fine but would have been disastrous for folks like my parents.

    Pheap T.

    The location was perfect for a quick bite before a concert at the Faight Collective. If you like sashimi and sushi, the food does not disappoint. We got a mix of different dishes to share and they were all very yummy. The blue fin sashimi was well balanced, moist, not super salty. The unagi was perfectly flavored. Everything paired so well with the Japanese beer. The service was good. The wait staff came over with food almost perfectly timed. The restaurant itself had a super cool chill vibe with warm wood and lights. It felt very homey to eat there. We got to sit by the window and look out while maintaining our privacy. Very cool spot. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because we had to pay for the meal via venmo. I never did that before so that was odd to me. That's a me thing though. Overall great food and great experience.

    Golden Mountain Roll
    Samuel C.

    First things first, the taste of the food is amazing and everything I ate here was delicious. The interior is cute and homey, with good vibes and a cool sushi counter setup. I would rate this a 4.5 if I could, with 0.5 being taken off only for the following: (1) They get BUSY so expect to wait a bit for the food. While our initial orders came out pretty promptly, we ended up waiting 25 minutes for our last dish (which we ordered later) to come out. (2) Payment is in venmo/zelle so make sure you have one of those apps. On venmo, you are sending money to an individual which seems a little strange but you can see the history of everybody paying for their sushi to this one individual

    Paolo B.

    Went back to Kibatsu this past weekend, and it didn't disappoint! We kinda decided last minute to go, so we had no reservation, but we were able to snag a seat at the sushi bar which honestly our favorite seat in the restaurant. Why do we love sitting at the sushi bar? Honestly it's because of two things, the guys behind the making the sushi are so incredibly nice and it allows us to see a variety of dishes made that we ultimately end up ordering lol During our dinner we saw them making a seared toro sashimi dish, and we ended up ordering it ourselves. For $35 you get a generous portion on toro and it was so buttery and melt in your mouth, it's something I could eat everyday! It was on special that night, so hopefully it'll be there on our next visit. Another new thing we tried was their walu nigiri, which we asked to be seared, and it was so damn good. Those are the two menu items I'll never skip. The lady in restaurant is also the sweetest. Always remember my girlfriend and I and the service here is always 10/10. Kibatsu is our go-to sushi spot because of the amazing food and service. Definitely a place where we'd feel comfortable taking anyone who is craving sushi!

    Hamachi Sashimi
    Jennifer L.

    We did a walk-in this evening, but I think it wasn't because people left the city for the holiday weekend. We were promptly seated and chose bar seating. Everyone was very attentive to us even when the restaurant started to fill up as the evening went on. | f o o d | We decided to order a la carte. Here's what we ordered: - 49er roll: a classic roll! Love the salmon and lemon for some citrus. - golden mountain roll: A MUST. This roll is loaded, but all the components work together very well. It's very rich but not overwhelming. - hamachi sashimi: the sashimi was worth it because the slices were THICK. So incredibly fresh! They - toro nigiri: we know toro is always a hit and yup this was delicious. Because of the holiday, the sushi chefs threw in some items on the house for us. We were so grateful and left even fuller than expected. - albacore with crispy onions: the fish was seared which paired well with the crispy onions. - wahakamachi: whoa an explosion of flavor and textures! I would gladly order this next time. We enjoyed each item we had and appreciated their creativity. Thank you to our chefs Roy and Jimmy for the dinner service! | t l ; d r | A cozy neighborhood sushi place with amazing service and quality fish. We will definitely be coming back!

    Diego B.

    Super nice cozy vibes, love the decor of this place! Mid to low light, great for a romantic dinner with good food! Although it is not the best sushi in town, for a little above average price you're getting some good stuff!

    Joseph M.

    Came here with my sister yesterday to treat her out early for her birthday and she wanted to go here so here we are. My sister and I both ordered the 13 course omakase which is $180 a person at the time of me making this review. Note, one of the courses contained a 5 piece nigiri and another course w/a 3 piece nigiri. Most of the courses were plated on a neat bark. The highlight for me were the 5 piece nigiri course. Each piece of nigiri tasted good and had its own flavor/texture. I also found the ice cream dessert w/wagyu on top unique and enjoyable as well. My sister had the yuzu sorbet while I had the green tea. It's the perfect combo of savory and sweet. The restaurant has a nice minimalistic earthy woody design to it. The restaurant is also small so I'd recommend getting a reservation ahead. Overall, I would honestly give them a 4.5 if it was an option. The one thing that I feel like this place can improve on just a little bit is the service. But I would say in fairness, they only had one server in a packed restaurant so it's kinda understandable. Anyways... try it out if you like. :)

    Stephani P.

    Came here to try the omakase "bad bunny" edition, and it lived up to the hype. The fish was fresh and high quality, buttery and you got a good amount of food for the price. I will be coming back to try the rolls also on the menu. The servers were very nice and catered to any requests. The space is small but it creates a "homey" vibe which I appreciate. Highly recommend!

    Salmon sashimi
    Ying Z.

    Superb intimate sushi spot for our catch up dinner. The tableware was eye catching, it matched very nicely with the decor. Loved the dim lighting! Not a huge space so be mindful of making reservations ahead of time. I would recommend this place for small close groups, and for date nights. We ordered the edamame, three rolls, the salmon sashimi, and two carafes of the hot sake. The price was extremely reasonable and worth my penny. The staff even gave us each this complimentary salmon tostada. The sashimi was incredibly buttery, there was no chew or tug, it just melted in your mouth. Fish felt very fresh overall. Will be back!

    Waygu beef nigiri
    Bob K.

    Took a group here just before New Year's and Kibatsu continues to deliver. Excellent "new style" sashimi and amazing classics. Uni was perfection in addition to a host of other delicacies. Chanel and Chef Roy make this place super friendly, definitely a neighborhood jewel.

    Golden Mountain Roll
    Darin T.

    tried kibatsu tn and overall it was solid, not mind-blowing, but definitely a chill little spot. we got the golden mountain roll (3/5), dragon roll (4/5), and super crunch (4/5). dragon roll flavor was on point, but it was so loosely rolled it just kinda fell apart every time i picked it up- like i probably should've just used a fork. ended up as a little deconstructed sushi situation. service was excellent. super friendly, fast, but not hovering. and the ambience was actually my favorite part- felt super homey. they've got this couch + coffee table area up front that just looks like the coziest waiting spot or a place to sip tea and hang. kinda wanna go back just to sit there. overall, decent rolls, excellent service and ambience. good for a date!

    The sashimi can turn into grilled salmon within five minutes

    Food was standard and not memorable, especially at this price point. The ambiance was pleasant, but that is where the positives end. I was seated directly next to a ventilation outlet blowing constant hot air. Everything on the table -- plates, water glass, even my phone -- became hot. There was barely space for belongings, and sitting normally meant being blasted with heat. I asked twice to change seats while other tables were available and was refused both times without explanation. This seat should not be assigned to reservation guests at all. The service was equally disappointing. The server repeatedly pushed omakase and additional dishes despite the obvious discomfort caused by the heat. It felt like aggressive upselling rather than genuine hospitality. What made it worse was the inconsistency in service. No one offered to hang my coat upon arrival. I only realized coat service existed when the same server immediately offered it to the white guests seated next to me. I do not make accusations lightly, but the contrast was difficult to ignore and came across as discriminatory. I left in under 30 minutes because the situation was physically unbearable. Very poor seating management and unprofessional service. 热得我受不了,我从来没想过我吃着吃着饭会开始羡慕冰柜里的鱼,空间小到我甚至没办法在碗前面放个手机看视频麻痹自己,对顾客的态度也是相当神秘,别人家都是顾客就是上帝你们家服务生感觉特别无神论者啊!

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    2 months ago

    Always a great experience! Very kind and generous - our kids love it, family friendly.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Kibatsu Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kibatsu

    Do you have outdoor dining options?

    No Yelp says not enough characters- sooo No… 

    Do they serve fresh wasabi?

    Yes, on the Omakase.

    Is it all you can eat sushi?

    No, they have an a la carte menu aswell as omakase style chefs tasting menu.

    Do you need reservations?

    It's a small spot, so I would recommend a reservation.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Ganji

    4.6
    (631 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Free WiFi

    What a gem amongst all the restaurants in Japan Town! It's in the outside center near the…read morestationary store Paper Tree for reference. Been here a couple of times already and the service never failed. Even came here during the Cherry Blossom Festival and the staff were still friendly / accommodating. They even put a spicy sauce on the side of one of the katsu plates when we mentioned that my dad couldn't handle all that haha. This cozy spot mainly focuses on katsu plates, but I like how they had off menu or specials to choose from if you'd like another option. I will say though them katsu plates were just chef's kiss. The meat is pounded thin enough where it's still juicy and tender, but doesn't affect the exterior from being crunchy and a bit flaky. Nothing was dry here yallll! I also like how it already comes with miso soup and salad. Huge fan of that Hamachi Truffle special though. Think of a citrusy flavor from the ponzu, fresh fish, a bit of micro greens, and a thin slice of jalapeño that just ~works~ on a cute wooden spoon that you want to steal I could honestly eat like 5 spoons of this. I'd skip on the calamari as it was kind of skimpy to share with a large group. Only note was that their fried katsu curry was a bit underwhelming with having more slices of carrots than potato! Would love to come back if I am ever in the area.

    Ganji is a solid spot for katsu in Japantown! The service was excellent--the staff were friendly,…read moreattentive, and quick to take our orders, which made for a great dining experience. The miso soup was a delicious way to start the meal, and when my katsu arrived, it looked amazing. The meat was hot, tender, and the portion was huge, so I definitely left full. My only suggestion is to ask for the curry on the side if you like your katsu extra crispy. I had the curry poured over it, and the breading got soggy pretty quickly. The only reason I'm giving four stars instead of five is the price. My dish was around $30, which felt a little expensive, although I can understand it given the quality of the meat and generous portions. Overall, it's a great place if you're craving katsu, and I'd definitely come back--just with the curry on the side next time!

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    Tadaima - Mission

    Tadaima - Mission

    4.2
    (646 reviews)
    1.1 mi
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    A delicious sando spot. I got there around 2 PM, and there was a long line outside the store. I was…read morereally glad I had placed an order online in advance for pickup. The space is very small and has limited seating for indoor dining. I ordered two savory sandwiches: tonkatsu with pineapple, and potato & egg salad. I also got a musubi with unagi, spam, and egg. Everything was really good. Their bread was so soft and airy--perfect with the hojicha latte. I can't wait to go back and try their fruit sando series and matcha drinks!

    This wasn't on my radar. I just so happened to walk past it. Of course the line outside peaked my…read moreinterest. Small space, consistent flow of customers, and busy workers fulfilling in-store and online orders. Had myself the Matcha Latte with Strawberry Cream. Not a huge matcha fan but I appreciate the smoothness in this drink. Not as earthy as other matcha drinks I've had. The strawberry cream for me elevated the drink. I tried their Katsu with pineapple sando. Katsu could've been more crispier and warm. Sure it tasted okay but it's a messy one to eat. With each bite the ingredients fell out. Making it challenging to eat. Thankfully I snagged the only high top table inside the shop. Hopefully I didn't look like a fool trying to eat it haha I doubt I'd order it again. Also ordered two onigiris: salmon and chicken curry. There was a bit of a wait for this order. Not sure why. My favorites out of the items I ordered. Both had a generous amount of filling and the rice ratio imo was just right. The salmon was just right, not fishy nor full of sauce. The chicken curry had a subtle curry flavor. I appreciated how warm it was. I didn't care to ask but I wish they had hot sauce available. Overall, decent spot for a matcha drink and a snack. Don't expect to eat there unless you want to wait around. The workers are so busy, that it took away the welcoming customer service one would expect (I know it ain't Starbucks but a smile would've been nice).

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    Shoji

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    4.2
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    1.9 mi
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    Omg genuinely such a beautiful and amazing cafe!…read more I had to try the matcha einspanner because it was so popular on tiktok! And wow was it delicious. The vanilla foam with kinako powder was SOOO good. The barista recommended us to eat the cream separately from drinking the matcha and omg that was life changing!! I've never tasted cream top this good, it did not have any milk/cheese taste! It also wasn't too sweet. The matcha itself was pretty strong, but not the best matcha quality I've had personally. Don't get me wrong, it was still really good! The hot hojicha latte was also good and strong, but nothing too special unlike the matcha einspanner. Matcha einspanner definitely the star of the show :) Space was beautiful and so aesthetic, it was bar vibes! At night they do serve cocktails :) Service was also amazing, workers were so kind! I NEEED to come back to try the dinner menu!!!!

    This shop is served as a cafe in the morning and bar at night. I came here in the evening to check…read moreit out, and highly recommend to make reservation in advance. Their drink menu is full of unique creations, and their non-alcoholic cocktails were especially impressive. We ordered two: Cold Noodle and Dashi Apple. Both were delicious and totally my style - light, refreshing, and full of layered flavors. I honestly didn't have high expectations for the food, but it ended up being a pleasant surprise, especially the chicken wings. They were incredibly juicy, perfectly seasoned, and so good that I seriously considered ordering another plate. The oysters also stood out, served with a unique sauce that was bright, refreshing, and had just a subtle kick of spice to whet the appetite. We also tried their signature burger. The beef patty was cooked perfectly, staying juicy without being dry. To finish, we ordered the Matcha Affogato. The matcha is slowly poured over the ice cream tableside, making for a fun little presentation and the perfect ending to the meal. The interior design is modern, thoughtfully designed, and aesthetically beautiful. There's also a spacious, bright outdoor patio.

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    Izakaya Yoki

    Izakaya Yoki

    4.1
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    1.5 mi
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    Casual dining
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    So glad this neighborhood finally has an AYCE sushi spot, and at a price that actually makes sense…read more For $40 a person you are getting a serious deal. One tip: get there early. The place fills up around 6pm so arriving ahead of that will save you a wait. They don't take reservations, so first come first served. The ordering experience is really smooth. Everything is done through an iPad at your table and the food comes out to you. They won't let you place a new order until your previous one has been delivered, which honestly is a smart system and helps with pacing so you don't over order right out of the gate. What sets this place apart from other AYCE spots is the variety. It's not just sushi. You can also order appetizers, salmon, teriyaki chicken and more, so there's something for people who want to mix it up beyond rolls. Delicious, easy, affordable and in the neighborhood. Highly recommend!

    -Food is just okay. 3 stars. Some good value sushi and cooked food won't be available in menu. It…read morelimited to order every single round. In average, waiting time for food is 10+ minutes each round. -Hopefully this staffs will have more training in buffet style dining. Server will give you check when there's still have available time to order in system. -Environment is just okay too. They just stuck some paper towel underneath the leg of table to balance.

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    Bon, Nene

    Bon, Nene

    4.2
    (577 reviews)
    1.4 mi
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    Bon, Nene is a cute small Japanese spot with excellent food at a fair price for the quality. We got…read morethe Gyudon over udon noodles, curry with chicken katsu, and shared the Hokkaido cheesecake. The gyudon was excellent with a lightly sweet and savory flavor, I'd definitely get this again! The Hokkaido cheesecake was light and had what seemed like whipped cream in it which isn't my preference for cheesecake so I would skip this item next time. You put your name and number of people in your party at the list on the door, but the wait goes bye fairly quick. They have indoor and some outdoor seating. We loved their entree items and would definitely come back here!

    Cute Japanese spot tucked away in the quieter part of the Mission District. The menu and style of…read morethis spot reminds me of a cafe restaurant that you can find in Tokyo. As a party of four, we made a reservation a few days in advance on a weekday with no issues. Even on a weekday though, the restaurant got pretty busy so it's definitely a popular pick for a dinner spot. We ordered the mentaiko spaghetti, champignon pasta, takoyaki, gyudon, and katsu curry. I also ordered the frozen beer which seemed to be their most popular beverage. It looks cool when it comes out but it melts fairly quickly and is just a regular cheap beer. A bit gimmicky so I'd skip this. However, the food was really delicious with the standout being the mentaiko spaghetti. Noodles were cooked al dente and although it's considered a creamier type of pasta, it didn't feel heavy or thick. It was light but packed with flavor at the same time. I'd definitely come back just for this dish! Everything else was good as well but nothing extraordinary that you can't get elsewhere. Not many places in SF sell mentaiko spaghetti so definitely drop by for this one!

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    KUSAKABE

    KUSAKABE

    4.6
    (1.2k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$$$

    Kusakabe creates the kind of dining experience that feels carefully designed from the moment you…read moresit down. We walked into a refined but welcoming space where the sushi counter is the main focus, and the meal unfolds course by course in front of us. There is a sense of calm throughout the room, allowing the attention to stay on the chefs, the ingredients, and the details behind each dish without the distraction of a busy dining room. The omakase experience balances traditional sushi with more creative touches. Each course brings something different, from fresh sashimi and nigiri to warmer dishes like chawan mushi that add depth to the progression of the meal. The sushi highlights the quality of the fish while incorporating thoughtful flavor combinations, with dishes like scallop and the dry-aged fish courses standing out for their texture and seasoning. The sake pairing fits naturally into the experience, adding another layer without overpowering the food, and the sommelier's selections complement the progression of flavors across the meal. What makes Kusakabe memorable is the craftsmanship and pacing of the meal. The chefs take time to explain each course, making the experience feel personal rather than rushed. Sitting at the counter adds to the atmosphere because you get to see the precision and care that goes into every piece, from the way the rice is formed to the final brush of sauce on the fish. The pacing of the meal allows you to appreciate each course without feeling rushed, and the team's attention to detail creates a rhythm that keeps the meal engaging from start to finish. Kusakabe feels like a place made for special occasions, celebrations, or anyone looking for a more elevated Japanese dining experience. It combines technique, hospitality, and creativity in a way that makes the entire meal feel like an event rather than just a dinner. The balance of traditional and modern elements, along with the warmth of the service, leaves you with the sense of having experienced something complete and thoughtfully composed.

    What an experience! We were celebrating an anniversary and planned a bit last minute, but were able…read moreto snag a reservation here pretty easily. Immediately, the ambiance and service was quite nice. We were seated at the table, but typically I enjoy sitting at the bar to watch the chefs make our food. The service was amazing and they were very attentive. They also offered to take photos and gave us a little gift of hojicha tea since we were celebrating. We got the omakase, which was massive and had 18 courses. They gave us a menu so we knew what to expect for each course, and we ordered some sake. The omakase was delicious and more traditional than other places, each course was so beautiful and delicately made. This is definitely a lot of food, I would recommend the petite omakase in the future as I was stuffed, but it was a great experience if you come hungry! Courses: - Chawan-mushi - super tasty and every bite was delicious and umami forward! - Otsumami - 7 seasonal appetizers presented in a beautiful box, there was a stuffed crab claw in there that was delicious - 4 kinds of sushi - each piece came out one at a time, the first piece was my absolute favorite and blew me away, it was a seared chutoro that immediately melts in your mouth and tastes smokey - Hamachi soup - very tasty and warming soup with hamachi inside, was perfect in between the sushi course - 4 kinds of sushi - A5 Waguyu shabu - this course was extra $10 pp but was so delicious, the wagyu was melt in your mouth and had some grated daikon on top in a ponzu dashi, the toppings help balance the meat so it's overwhelming since it does melt in your mouth, one of my favorite bites! - 4 kind of sushi - they brought out some really great sushis, including more chutoro and an unagi handroll, but I was so stuffed at this point that I felt I couldn't enjoy it as much - miso soup - this soup was so tasty and kind of revived me after all that food, it felt comforting and a great way to end - dessert- I got the hojicha ice cream in a waffle like cookie and it was delicious!

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    Zen bathroom
    Zen bathroom
    Otsumami...
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    Eight Kinds of Sushi

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    Eight Kinds of Sushi

    Kibatsu - sushi - Updated July 2026

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