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Kushi Tsuru

3.6 (1.4k reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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KUSHI TSURU ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Happy hour specials
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Kushi Tsuru

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Croquette Curry
Madison B.

Ambiance: Kushi Tsuru is one of the Japanese restaurants located within the Japantown mall. It has both booth and table seating available without being too crowded. There is no bathroom located in the restaurant but one close by in the mall that can be used. Service: The service was okay with the waiters filling the drinks once through the service but did not check munch in on how the food was upon serving it at the table. Wait time. Hardly any wait time to get into the restaurant and to be seated. After ordering food it didn't take long for it to arrive, though there were some people around us who seemed to have to wait longer for the same food despite ordering before us. Food: Croquette Curry was good with a decent serving of rice to curry ratio with a croquette served on top. Despite the food tasting good, the food is extremely overpriced for what is being provided likely because it is a touristy location.

Yer T.

First time here. Stopped for ramen since the other place we originally wanted to go was too busy. Service was quick. We were seated right away. Place was fairly warm inside. No AC or fan. We were seated by the window but that did no justice as there's no breeze in a inclose building. Was told the ice machine was down when asked for ice water. Food came out shortly after we ordered. Ramen was alright. Flavor was there but the spice was not. We ordered the spicy ramen and it definitely was not spicy. We also had the combo tempura. Portion size for both was fairly small for the price we paid but we had to remember we're in the Bay Area. Overall, it's an okay place. Would come back during cooler weather as it was too stuffy and hot for us to enjoy our ramen.

Takumi A.

Kushi Tsuru is one of those places I keep coming back to whenever I'm in Japantown and simply want something reliable, comforting, and quietly competent. It's not trying to be trendy, and that's exactly why it works. This visit, the order stayed close to my usual rotation: Cold soba with tempura - The soba is properly rinsed and chilled, which matters more than people realize. Clean finish, no residual starch, and a firm but not brittle bite. The accompanying tempura is light and well-controlled - no excess oil, no soggy batter. This is textbook execution. Pork katsu curry - The curry base carries a gentle sweetness with a noticeable spicy edge, not just a lazy sweetness masked by chili powder. The katsu itself is juicy inside with a clean crust, showing good temperature control during frying. This is comfort food done with discipline. Monkey Brain - This dish deserves specific credit. The outer crust is extremely crisp, while the interior remains soft and structurally intact, not collapsed or greasy. When it arrives, it's hot inside and crisp outside, which only happens when oil temperature, timing, and moisture control are dialed in. This must be eaten immediately - wait too long and you lose the contrast. Properly executed, it's a strong example of Japanese-American frying technique done right. Sushi rolls - Solid, consistent, and predictable in a good way. Rice texture is stable, fillings are balanced, and nothing feels rushed or sloppy. This isn't a place chasing novelty - it's about execution. What I appreciate most is the overall reliability. Service is friendly and efficient, food comes out quickly, and the kitchen clearly understands its limits and strengths. In Japantown, this matters. When you're hungry and don't want to gamble, Kushi Tsuru is a safe and satisfying choice. It's not a destination restaurant - and it doesn't need to be. It's a place you return to, again and again, because it delivers. Dr. C Consistency over gimmicks. Execution over noise.

Spicy Ramen
Rosting A.

How an entire experience can completely fall apart! We arrived at the place and it was quite clean. They had good music. Everything seemed fine at the beginning. It was our first time at the restaurant, and when we ordered a glass with ice, they told us the ice machine was broken. That's understandable, that's fine. The good part is that at least my Coke wasn't warm! Our food arrived on time, and I was able to try everything we ordered--it honestly had good flavor. I even mentioned that I could see myself coming back; we were having a good time. But when we went to pay, one of my friends took a sip of water from her glass and suddenly started making strange choking sounds. We asked her what was wrong, and she spit out a piece of glass. Then she said she felt another small one in her mouth--and she pulled that one out too. We notified the waitresses, and all they said was: "sorry." WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE IS THAT?! This is about the safety of your customers! This is food and drinks we are consuming! No one came to check if we were okay, no sincere apology, no expression of real concern... ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! If you're going to run a restaurant, customer safety must come first, and here it clearly did not.

Skipp E.

Took my daughter and her friends here today for lunch. They sat our party fast. The prices aren't bad, and portion sizes are nice too. My only gripe is my beef teriyaki was super, super fatty. Like 60% of my portion was fat. The deep fried California roll was really good, and the curry fish my daughter got was very good as well. Staff was friendly and attentive

soba
Natalie Y.

cant really mess up soba! no complaints here. i finished it all! service was a little lackluster. pretty casual spot for a lunch or dinner.

Marie B.

Had to get a Japanese curry fix, so ordered the katsu curry for lunch at Kushi Tsuru. It was really tasty and delicious. Mr B ordered a bento of shrimp tempura, California rolls and gyoza. Meh... The gyoza had no flavor, probably store bought frozen. The shrimp tempura were a joke. Measly dried up shrimp. It looked nothing like the food display in the window. The California rolls were OK, but the salad didn't have any dressing. Ambiance is fine, service OK, but the food needs improvement. I did see a sign asking for an experienced chef, so maybe that's the problem?

Steffie P.

Ordered the curry and the spicy ramen and both were really good, flavorful and comforting. The service was a little slow, but the staff was friendly and welcoming, which made up for it. Overall, a solid spot for Japanese comfort food.

Jeannie Y.

I was very disappointed with this restaurant, especially considering that this area used to be known for consistently good Japanese food. Unfortunately, that standard no longer seems to be the case. The atmosphere felt far from a Japanese dining experience. Staff members spoke very loudly across the restaurant, creating a chaotic environment that was more reminiscent of a busy non-Japanese eatery than a place serving Japanese cuisine. Service also lacked professionalism and attentiveness. As for the food, it was the biggest letdown. Nothing tasted fresh, and several dishes were overly salty and soggy, lacking the clean and delicate flavors expected from Japanese food. We barely ate and ended up having to get another meal afterward. It appears that ownership may have changed, as not only this restaurant but others on the same side seem to have declined significantly in quality. Overall, this was not an authentic or enjoyable experience, and I'm leaving this review mainly as a reminder to myself not to return.

Just saw they were giving out soda or miso soup for a yelp or Google review so thought I might give it a go.
Tomohisa W.

The katsu curry is nostalgic and so yummy. Although it came in a donburi rather than a large plate like it is done in traditional Japanese restaurants, the flavors were just like a home cooked meal with big soft chunks of meat, carrots and potatoes. The tonkatsu was perfectly crunchy breading around juicy and an almost sweet and tender pork cutlet. I asked for some fukujinzuke, a red pickled vegetable which I was informed was. Underneath the tonkatsu that almost covered the whole bowl. When I got there, a little before noon, the place was empty but by the time I was leaving, there were a couple of customers also enjoying the curry rice and a couple of tourist families had come in. I noticed the katsu curry took about 10-15 minutes to serve whereas the curry by itself was almost instantaneous so I'm guessing they have it heating in a huge pot ready to plate up if you're in a hurry and can't wait for them to freshly fry up some katsu.

tonkotsu ramen
Char V.

no line at 12pm on a sunday and was seated in the back dining area. it gets more ambiance points since it feels like you're in a nicer establishment and not in a strip of restaurants. was echo-y though, especially with multiple large groups in this small area. servers were fine, but nothing special stood out. fried gyoza: 7/10. good crunch, wrapper not too thick, good pork flavor. just wish there were veggies or greens to add flavor contrast and color. dipping sauce was good and complimented the gyoza flavors well. tonkotsu ramen: 4/10. broth not overly (but still) salty and oily; i like that it isn't too heavy slightly lacking in flavor (compared to marufuku, my gold standard). the pork was very thin and fatty, nearly no meat. tbh just suck up the line and go to marufuku bc the extra $2 makes a huge difference. would only go here IF your party is split on what they want to eat and you all want the convenience of going to one place together (hence what happened at this meal).

Katsu curry
Oleg H.

Japanese curry is woefully under represented in the American Japanese restaurants -- but KT is working hard to be the exception. The katsu curry is delicious and hearty and I highly recommend it

Miso soup and salad
Bob K.

This is in Japan Center mall, and was a cozy little nook. We had no trouble getting seated, and orders were taken promptly. It took a while to get water. I was with Blondie and The Wife, and together we ordered veggie tempura, a couple house salads and miso soup, one salmon lover roll, one CA roll, and an avocado roll, with a large hot sake and a Sprite. It seemed pretty expensive for not much food. The tempura was a small plate. $20.95 for the salmon lover, which is basically a salmon roll with an extra piece of fish on top with some sauce, seemed excessive. At least everything was tasty.

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Reviews are mixed. People highlight the friendly service, cozy ambiance, and varied menu options, with some enjoying generous portions. Food quality receives praise, though some cite inconsistency.

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Kushi Tsuru Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Kushi Tsuru

Which sushi bar in Japantown Center San Francisco has a river or water trough delivering sushi plates around and in front of you?

Izumi Kaiten Sushi

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Mensho Tokyo - Vegan Miso

Mensho Tokyo

4.1(3.4k reviews)
0.9 mi•Lower Nob Hill
•$$

Back in December 2018, I passed by and caught a whiff of something pleasant. There was a remarkably…read morelong line, but I decided to get in it thinking I could order quick, chow down, and be on my way. Alas! it was not to be, as I had to meet up with my group, and the line only moved in smidges. The intervening years visiting SF didn't provide me with any opportune moments to stop by. That is, until one Saturday evening August 2026 while I was walking around and by chance happened upon the same lovely scent. Although it was a few minutes before 11pm, the line to get in was closed off. Tomorrow was my last night in SF, so I made it my primary objective to dine here. Well, Sunday I was at the Chase Center till about 9:20pm where the Muni line was packed and going nowhere fast. In the spur of the moment, I ran all the way from Chase Center to Lower Nob Hill, a 2.3-mile journey, yielding to red lights and Pokémon fans. Exhausted, it was a couple minutes past 10pm when I arrived. Lo and behold, the line had not closed yet. Ordered their Signature Toripaitan ramen and was very pleased that it was ready in about two minutes. I'm not afraid to admit I literally vacuumed the contents of that bowl. Sure I was sweaty and famished, but the combination of chashu, menma, burdock root, ajitama egg, chicken broth, and every other element checked all my proverbial boxes. The waitstaff who took my order was likely aghast that I ate so violently, though she was professional and responded energetically when I showered her with thanks and praise for the meal. I also ordered a mazemen to-go for the next day's lunch, and that was a real treat. Recently, I learned that there is a location in Culver City. Heck, why wait another 8 years?

really rich flavors!! personal favorite was the lamb cumin ramen. the signature was good too but…read morenot as impressionable. corn ribs were delish as well! I will say everything was a little (a lot?) on the salty side for us so the edamame was a good palate neutralizer and then we were chugging water all day lol but ramen is always salty to us so no surprise there. the seating is 98% all high stools with one table in the corner that is normal height. staff is kind and moves at a slower pace than you'd expect for a restaurant with a queue but they're still efficient!

Photos
Mensho Tokyo - Counter seating

Counter seating

Mensho Tokyo - Enoki chips

Enoki chips

Mensho Tokyo - A5 wagyu sushi

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A5 wagyu sushi

HINODEYA Ramen Japantown

HINODEYA Ramen Japantown

4.2(2.4k reviews)
0.1 mi•Japantown, Lower Pacific Heights
•$$

I don't care if it's tourist-y, I've tried every ramen place I can in the city and Hinodeya stays…read moremy favorite. I always stick with their Hinodeya House Ramen. I wish they kept the spice level adjustment option but you can add spice at the table. It's very fairly priced for the city and for everything you get, noodles are a great thickness, egg is always cooked consistently, menma is always just soft enough. And the staff is attentive. If you go during the weekend, especially around dinner time, you could probably expect a wait, but I've come to go during week nights and it's never an issue. Parking in J-town is probably my biggest gripe but we'll deal. I've also been to the Hinodeya in Chinatown, Union Square, and in San Jose near Valley Fair. All have been consistent but this one is my go-to. They once accommodated my party of ~14 people on a Saturday and we didn't wait longer than 30min.

Hinodeya Ramen House Ramen - $17…read more2x spicy miso butter corn ramen $21 Addictive garlic crisps that really added an extra umami and depth to the ramen. The ramen noodles are perfectly al dente, and the broth is salty and umami. The spicy miso butter corn ramen has a blob of butter and corn, which made it instantly flavorful. There was a bit of a wait because there was a huge line. Once inside, it was hard to flag down someone to provide us with menus and water, but after we got their attention, it was all good.

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HINODEYA Ramen Japantown - Inside restaurant

Inside restaurant

HINODEYA Ramen Japantown - Spicy Miso Ramen

Spicy Miso Ramen

HINODEYA Ramen Japantown - Crispy Chicken Karaage

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Crispy Chicken Karaage

Nojo Ramen Tavern - Our signature ramen!!

Nojo Ramen Tavern

4.2(1.4k reviews)
0.8 mi•Hayes Valley
•$$
Free WiFi
Outdoor seating

Alright Yelp friends and others, strap in for this. I really don't leave reviews but I've been here…read moreseveral times and feel compelled to share about my experiences eating here. For some background I actually lived in Tokyo and also have worked in restaurants for a few years ranging from your favorite Mexican joint to high end dining, so I know a little about ramen and service. I understand ramen is completely based on your own palate and opinions so I will try not to yuck anyone's yum here. That said this pace is extraordinary. The service is always 10/10 and impeccable. I'm consistently left speechless by the amount the staff knows about the menu and their different offerings. They are so efficient and wonderful. Do you want to be in an out!? Too easy for these pros! They will have you checked in, fed, and happy within 30 minutes of walking through their door. Want a sit down for a nice date night? Easy! They will talk you through menu options, what food goes well with what beverage you want or whatever your palate desires and will not rush you. I cannot emphasize this enough, the service is incredible. Now for the food... AMAZING. 10/10. I have never left here wanting for more... trust me that happens to me as a big guy lol. Their chicken paitan soy sauce ramen has become probably my favorite ramen I have ever had. Nothing out of that kitchen has ever disappointed me The prices are a bit expensive and it may not be for every week or everybody. It's around 25$ just for the ramen and is a special occasion and treat for me. I really do wish I could eat here more often So all in all, if you're looking for a good ramen place with amazing service and food, please check out Nojo. I love them so much and am looking forward to continuing eating here and enjoying all their amazing work.

The chicken ramen is really good. Broth is viscous and gelatinous in the best way, without feeling…read moreheavy. Noodles are quite special - they taste so fresh, bouncy with the perfect bite. Salmon hand roll is in taco format - not cheap but very delicious and tender fish, and plenty of ikura.

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Nojo Ramen Tavern - Chicken chashu, Ginger, Corn, Daikon sprouts, Green onion, Yuzu peel, 
Ear mushroom, Radish

Chicken chashu, Ginger, Corn, Daikon sprouts, Green onion, Yuzu peel, Ear mushroom, Radish

Nojo Ramen Tavern - Shio Ramen with home made chicken meatballs.

Shio Ramen with home made chicken meatballs.

Nojo Ramen Tavern

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Ippudo San Francisco - Karaka Spicy Ramen, 9/10! So much flavor and minced tofu on top

Ippudo San Francisco

3.8(1.7k reviews)
1.4 mi•Union Square, SoMa, Financial District
•$$

Around 1, a friend and I stopped in for lunch. On a cool day we were craving warmth, so ramen…read moreseemed about right. Neither of us had ever been to this location before. Upon entering, we were greeted and seated immediately. Our preference of seating was accommodated and waters were provided as we sat. Our hostess greeted us minutes later and shortly following both ramens arrived. There was a two-sided stand on each table, each the size of an index card. Both sides were a QR, one to access the menu and the other to leave feedback/review. The ramen menu was pretty extensive with two options for vegetarian. The prices ranged from $20-25 for ramen excluding add-ons. For San Francisco, location and quality of food, the prices were beyond reasonable and affordable for the experience had. My selection, Nirvana (that it was!), is plant based composed of Japanese soy-milk mushroom-infused broth, Tokyo-style thick wavy noodles, fragrant garlic oil, and fried enoki tempura. To elevate my dish, I added the Onsen Tamago (a silky, milky-soft white and a firm, custard-like, creamy yolk) and allowed it to infuse with the broth. The broth was a creamy, smooth, mouth-coating explosion of umami from the savory mushrooms. The portion size was appropriate for a feeling of fullness in absence of feeling overly stuffed - not American portions. The restaurant itself was dimly lit with intimate seating amongst separate parties. The furniture was deeply stained wood, elegantly complementing the decor spread throughout. The bins between seating held personal belongings without the need of locating where to place them. Would we return, definitely, especially since the weather is getting colder and warmth inside is needed more. Exceptional service, even better food!

Cost is high for a bowl of ramen but after my boyfriend and I sipped the broth of the Akamaru…read moreModern, we understood. It was a flavor bomb, so many layers stacked on top of the warm silky bone broth that gave the soup that thick body mouth feel. The flavor does get a little rich over time but luckily by sharing a bowl and a large karaage, we were able to offset that experience. The noodles were thin, straight and al dente. The soup clung to them well. The restaurant is located in a plazza between buildings, not a storefront you can drive up to and park. Dining space is in the back of the establishment with a combination of tables fit for 2-6 people and 2 communal tables. They were not very busy when we visited Friday night around 9 PM. Menu is a QR code on the table. All the food came out quickly after we ordered with our server, within 5-10 minutes for sure. The Karaage is $16/5 pieces. 4/5 A steep cost for fried chicken but they were hefty pieces, fried to a gentle crisp with juicy steaming chicken underneath. The chicken tasted marinated but the fry coat didn't. Akamaru Modern ($22) 4/5 It did seem like a small portion and only the soup was extraordinary in my opinion but the little bowl was tied together well and ended as a very satisfying meal. I really want to go back to have the first sip again but there were other menu items that seemed a rival contender.

Photos
Ippudo San Francisco - Inside. Dining room. Busy on a Sunday early afternoon.

Inside. Dining room. Busy on a Sunday early afternoon.

Ippudo San Francisco - NIRVANA KARAKA (DD)

NIRVANA KARAKA (DD)

Ippudo San Francisco - French fries

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French fries

Taniku Izakaya - Spicy beef ramen

Taniku Izakaya

4.6(356 reviews)
0.6 mi•Tenderloin
•$$

I've been there twice and everything I've tried is delicious!…read more They have vegetarian ramen and different, unique appetizers. Their sake is also great! There is a line to enter, but it usually goes fast. The ambiance is cozy and nice.

We were exploring town late at night and found this place on Yelp. Unfortunately, it shocked us in…read moreall the wrong ways. I'm still a little speechless 48 hours later. Granted, we came in around 9 PM, about an hour before closing, so we understood that the kitchen was getting toward the end of the night. We ordered a few dishes to share and there were actually some highlights. The scallops: These were great! Easily one of the better dishes we ordered. The karaage chicken: The chicken itself had great flavor, but the creamy sauce on top was extremely rich and ended up overpowering the chicken. I think with less sauce, this could have been a really good dish. Now, the ramen: This is where I was genuinely left speechless. I don't think I've ever had ramen with absolutely no umami. Like, none. It was one of the strangest things I've ever tasted. I was biting into something, there were textures in my mouth, it smelled great... but that was it. No depth. No richness. No umami. The broth, meat, and even the noodles somehow had almost no flavor. The only thing that really came through was the greasy chili oil that lingered on your tongue afterward. After a couple of bites, we looked at each other and decided to leave. At that point, most of the food was still sitting on the table practically untouched. Maybe we caught the kitchen on an off night, especially coming in later in the evening. The scallops showed us that there's definitely potential here, but unfortunately, the ramen was such a miss that it overshadowed the rest of the meal for us.

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Taniku Izakaya - Inside 9/22/25

Inside 9/22/25

Taniku Izakaya - Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !

Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !

Taniku Izakaya - Calamari

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Calamari

Kushi Tsuru - sushi - Updated October 2026

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