House of Sushi San Francisco: A Quaint Spot for Japanese Favorites on Polk Street

House of Sushi Introduce

For Californians with a taste for Japanese cuisine, particularly those seeking a local and authentic experience in San Francisco, House of Sushi on Polk Street offers a charming and diverse menu. This quaint establishment has become a go-to for many in the bustling Russian Hill neighborhood, providing a comforting and varied selection of Japanese favorites beyond just sushi. It’s the kind of place where you can start your meal with flavorful grilled skewers and enjoy fresh sashimi, making it a versatile choice for different cravings.

House of Sushi strives to deliver a pleasant dining experience with its cozy atmosphere and a wide array of dishes. While some specific items might garner more enthusiastic praise than others, the restaurant is recognized for its commitment to offering fresh ingredients and a broad menu that includes more than just raw fish. Customers particularly commend the "flavorful chicken and beef skewers" and the "perfectly cooked and delicious salmon kama." Whether you're looking for a quick and convenient pickup or a sit-down meal in a "quaint little place," House of Sushi provides a familiar and accessible option for San Franciscans eager to explore Japanese flavors. With its central location and varied offerings, it's a solid choice for a casual and satisfying meal.

Location and Accessibility

House of Sushi is conveniently located at 2157 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA. This address places it firmly within the lively and popular Polk Gulch area, part of the broader Russian Hill neighborhood. This area is known for its energetic atmosphere, diverse restaurants, and local businesses, making House of Sushi easily accessible for residents of Russian Hill, Pacific Heights, and the surrounding areas.

Polk Street is a major artery in San Francisco, well-served by the city’s public transportation system. Numerous MUNI bus lines operate directly along Polk Street, providing straightforward access from various points across San Francisco. While street parking in this vibrant and busy neighborhood can be competitive, particularly during peak dining hours, the strong public transport connections make it a feasible option for those without a car. Its location on Polk Street, a hub for local dining and activity, ensures that House of Sushi is a convenient and frequently visited spot for San Franciscans looking for a casual and satisfying Japanese meal. The "quaint little place" description suggests an intimate and welcoming setting once you arrive.

Services Offered

House of Sushi provides a range of services designed to cater to the diverse preferences of its San Francisco patrons, offering both in-house dining and convenient off-premise options.

Dine-In Service: The restaurant offers a "quaint little place" with a calm and pleasant atmosphere for dine-in customers. It's suitable for casual meals, whether dining solo or with a group.
Takeout and Online Ordering for Pickup: House of Sushi facilitates easy takeout orders. Customers can order ahead for pickup, with orders often being ready "much sooner than expected," highlighting their efficiency.
Delivery Services: For maximum convenience, House of Sushi partners with popular third-party delivery platforms such as Seamless, Grubhub, and DoorDash, allowing San Francisco locals to enjoy their favorite dishes from the comfort of their home or office.
Extensive Appetizer Menu: Beyond sushi, the restaurant boasts a strong selection of appetizers, including "flavorful chicken and beef skewers," salmon kama, takoyaki, various tempura options (shrimp, vegetable), gyoza, shumai, fried oysters, and more, providing a robust start to any meal.
Wide Variety of Sushi and Sashimi: The menu features a broad selection of nigiri (e.g., tuna, salmon, hamachi, uni, saba), sashimi combinations, classic rolls (e.g., California, Spicy Tuna, Rock & Roll, Spider Roll), and specialty rolls (e.g., Dragon Roll, Rainbow Roll, 49er Roll, Godzilla Roll), catering to diverse sushi preferences.
Cooked Japanese Entrees: For those preferring cooked dishes, House of Sushi offers a range of options including various Teriyaki (Chicken, Beef, Salmon), Tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet), Chicken Cutlet, and Unagi Donburi (BBQ eel over rice), all served with miso soup, salad, and rice.
Combination Dinners: They offer combination dinners that allow patrons to enjoy a mix of items, such as Tempura and Sashimi, Chicken Teriyaki and Sushi, or Beef Kushi and Gyoza, providing a comprehensive meal experience.

Features / Highlights

House of Sushi on Polk Street is recognized by San Francisco locals for several key features and highlights that contribute to its appeal:

Delicious Grilled Skewers (Yakitori & Beef Kushi): Customers consistently praise the "flavorful chicken and beef skewers," indicating a strong start to the meal with well-prepared, savory options that go beyond traditional sushi.
Perfectly Cooked Salmon Kama: The salmon kama (grilled salmon collar) is highlighted as a "delicious" and "perfectly cooked" dish, showcasing the kitchen's skill with grilled seafood and making it a must-try for many patrons.
Fresh Nigiri and Sashimi Options: Despite some critiques of rolls, the quality of the raw fish in nigiri and sashimi is generally well-received. Reviews specifically mention "fresh and enjoyable" uni, saba, and hamachi sushi, indicating a commitment to quality ingredients for these essential items.
Good Takoyaki: The "takoyaki was good," according to a customer review. These deep-fried octopus balls are a popular Japanese street food and appetizer, adding a unique and authentic touch to the menu.
Quaint and Pleasant Atmosphere: The restaurant is described as a "quaint little place" with a "calm lighting and atmosphere," suggesting a cozy and comfortable environment suitable for a relaxed dining experience, whether for a date or a solo meal.
Efficient Pickup Service: For those in a hurry, the ability to "order ahead for pickup" and find it "ready much sooner than I expected" is a significant convenience, making it a reliable option for a quick meal on the go.
Extensive Menu Variety: House of Sushi offers a broad selection beyond just sushi rolls, including a wide array of appetizers, cooked entrees (teriyaki, katsu, donburi), and combination dinners, catering to diverse preferences within Japanese cuisine.

Promotions or Special Offers

House of Sushi primarily focuses on delivering value through its comprehensive menu and consistent offerings, rather than frequently advertised external promotions. However, for San Francisco locals, there are inherent ways the restaurant provides value:

Combination Dinners: The menu features various "Combination Dinners" that allow patrons to enjoy a selection of items, such as Tempura and Sashimi, Chicken Teriyaki and Sushi, or Yakitori and Gyoza, bundled together. These often provide a more complete meal experience at a potentially better value than ordering each item separately.
Lunch Specials (Potential): While not explicitly detailed in the provided reviews, many Japanese restaurants of this style offer specific lunch specials or bento box deals during weekday lunch hours. Locals are advised to check their menu online or call directly for any such offerings that could provide a more economical midday meal.
Generous Portions for Main Dishes: For items like the "salmon kama" and the various skewers, customers note that they are "delicious" and satisfying, indicating good portion sizes relative to the price. Similarly, the "sashimi and rolls were decent portion sizes," ensuring a fulfilling meal.

For the most current information on any rotating specials or unique menu additions, San Francisco locals are always encouraged to check House of Sushi's online ordering platforms (like Seamless, Grubhub, DoorDash) or call the restaurant directly. The focus remains on providing a diverse selection of Japanese dishes at competitive San Francisco prices.

Contact Information

To plan your visit or place an order from House of Sushi, here is the essential contact information:

Address: 2157 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA

Phone: (415) 441-1797

House of Sushi operates primarily during evening hours for dinner service throughout most of the week, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Their typical operating hours are:

Monday - Thursday: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Friday - Saturday: 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sunday: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM

It is always a good practice for locals to confirm these hours by calling the restaurant directly or checking their official website or online ordering platforms, especially around holidays or for any seasonal adjustments. Whether you plan to dine in, pick up an order, or have it delivered, House of Sushi makes it convenient to enjoy their Japanese cuisine.

Conclusion: Why This Place Is Suitable for Locals

For San Francisco locals seeking a reliable and varied Japanese dining experience, House of Sushi on Polk Street presents a compelling option. Its location in the vibrant Russian Hill neighborhood makes it easily accessible, while its "quaint little place" ambiance provides a comfortable and relaxed setting for a casual meal. This restaurant caters to a broad spectrum of Japanese food cravings, moving beyond just sushi to offer a diverse menu that appeals to many.

What makes House of Sushi particularly suitable for locals is its balanced approach to dining. While some specialty rolls might be generously sauced, the consistent freshness of key items like "uni, saba, and hamachi sushi" ensures that the core quality of the fish is present. Moreover, the strong performance of their non-sushi items, such as the "flavorful chicken and beef skewers" and the "perfectly cooked and delicious salmon kama," adds significant value, offering satisfying options for those who might prefer cooked dishes or a more varied Japanese meal. The "good takoyaki" further broadens its appeal.

Despite some notes on pricing being "a little pricey for what we got," the overall consensus suggests that "with smarter ordering," locals can find excellent value, particularly when exploring the diverse appetizers and combination dinners. The efficiency of their pickup service is also a huge plus for busy urban residents. Ultimately, House of Sushi is a practical and pleasant choice for San Franciscans looking for a convenient, diverse, and generally enjoyable Japanese meal in a welcoming neighborhood setting, making it a place many would "give it another try" and integrate into their dining rotation.

House of Sushi Food & drink

Appetizers
1. Yakitori US$12.00
Skewer chicken with onion.
2. Beef Kushi US$14.00
Skewer beef with onion.
3. Ebi Kushi US$16.00
Skewer shrimp.
4. Tempura US$17.00
Lightly butter dipped and deep-fried.
5. Vegetable Tempura US$17.00
Assorted deep-fried vegetables.
6. Gyoza US$8.50
6 pieces. Pork pot stickers.
7. Shumai Dumplings US$8.50
4 pieces. Pork-filled dumplings.
9. Age Tofu US$9.00
Deep-fried tofu.
10. Fried Oysters US$12.00
5 pieces.
12. Soft Shell Crab US$15.00
Panko covered fried crab.
13. Hamachi Kama US$19.00
Grilled yellowtail jaw.
14. Edamame US$6.00
Green soybeans.
15. Miso Soup US$4.00
Flavored with seasoned soybean paste.
16. Hiya-Yakko US$8.00
Cold tofu.
17. Vegetable Gyoza US$8.50
6 pieces.
18. Takoyaki US$9.00
Deep-fried octopus balls.
19. Crispy Chicken US$11.00
Fried chicken with tonkatsu sauce.
20. Green Mussels
Mollusk.
Jumbo Tempera Appetizer US$18.00
6 PC. Lightly battered shrimp

Salads
1. Sunomono US$13.00
Cucumber, crab, shrimp, and octopus, in a special dressing.
2. Hiyashi Wakame US$8.00
Seaweed salad.
3. House Salad US$8.00
Green salad with ginger dressing.

Makimono
1. Special House Roll US$11.00
Tuna, hamachi, avocado, fish flakes. Spicy.
2. Kamikaze Roll US$11.00
Eel, shrimp, salmon. Spicy.
3. Salmon Skin Roll US$11.00
4. Shrimp Tempura Roll US$11.00
5. Rock N' Roll US$11.00
Eel, cucumber, avocado.
6. Spicy Tuna Roll US$11.00
7. Unakyu US$11.00
Eel and cucumber.
8. Spider Roll US$11.00
Soft shell crab.
9. Hamachi Roll US$11.00
10. Alaska Roll US$11.00
Salmon and avocado.
11. Golden Gate Roll US$11.00
Salmon skin and assorted vegetables.
12. Phil Roll US$11.00
Salmon, avocado, and cream cheese.
13. Vegetarian Roll US$11.00
Assorted vegetables.
14. Tekka Roll US$11.00
Tuna.
15. Futo Roll US$11.00
Jumbo Roll. Crab, vegetable, omelette.
16. New York Roll US$11.00
Shrimp, avocado, and cucumber.
17. Saba Roll US$11.00
Mackerel, ginger, green onion.
18. Crispy Roll US$11.00
Deep-fried yellowtail.
19. Spicy Toro Roll US$11.00
Fatty tuna.
20. Godzilla Roll US$16.00
Deep-fried salmon and asparagus. Spicy.
21. Chicken Teriyaki Roll US$11.00
Marinated or glazed in a soy based sauce.
22. Spicy Scallop Roll US$11.00
23. 49er Roll US$11.00
Crab, eel, avocado, cucumber.
24. Ume Roll US$11.00
Plum paste.
25. Kappa Roll US$11.00
Cucumber.
26. Shitaki Roll US$10.00
27. Sweet Potato Roll US$11.00
28. Asparagus Roll US$11.00
29. Avocado Roll US$11.00

Specialty Rolls
1. Dragon Specialty Roll US$19.00
Eel, shrimp tempura, tobiko, crab, avocado.
2. Rainbow Specialty Roll US$19.00
Assorted raw fish and crab.
3. Swamp Specialty Roll US$19.00
Eel, avocado, cucumber, fish flakes.
4. Volcano Specialty Roll US$19.00
Tuna, tobiko, avocado, asparagus. Spicy.
5. Hamachi Lover Specialty Roll US$19.00
Hamachi, avocado, green onion, tobiko.
6. Hana Roll Specialty Roll US$19.00
Spicy tuna, albacore, avocado, green onion, tobiko.
7. Salmon Lover Specialty Roll US$19.00
Salmon, avocado, green onion, tobiko.
8. Crispy Spider Roll US$19.00
Soft shell crab, crab meat, cucumber, avocado, tobiko with crispy.
9. Phoenix Specialty Roll US$19.00
Shrimp, eel, cucumber, avocado, tobiko.
10. Beef Specialty Roll US$19.00
Beef, asparagus, crab meat, green onion, tobiko.
11. Special Veggie Roll US$19.00
Seaweed salad, avocado, cucumber, asparagus.
12. Gyoza Specialty Roll US$17.00
Pot stickers, avocado, tobiko with crispy.
13. Crispy Chicken Specialty Roll US$17.00
Fried chicken, avocado, tobiko with crispy.
14. Season Specialty Roll US$17.00
6 pieces. Tuna, hamachi, salmon, butterfish, green onion, tobiko.
15. Boston Specialty Roll US$17.00
Lobster salad, avocado, cucumber, tobiko.
16. Oregon Roll US$19.00
Fresh Salmon, avocado, cucumber, shrimp, tobiko. Spicy

Temaki
1. Vegetables Temaki US$8.50
Sushi hand roll.
2. Crab Temaki US$8.50
Sushi hand roll.
3. Shrimp Temaki US$8.50
Sushi hand roll.
4. Eel Temaki US$8.50
Sushi hand roll.
5. Shrimp Tempura Temaki US$8.50
Sushi hand roll.
6. Hamachi Temaki US$8.50
Sushi hand roll.
7. Scallop Temaki US$8.50
Sushi hand roll.
8. Spicy Tuna Temaki US$8.50
Sushi hand roll.
9. Salmon Temaki US$8.50
Sushi hand roll.
10. Asparagus Temaki US$8.50
Sushi hand roll.

California Roll Lover
1. California Roll US$10.00
Crab, cucumber and avocado.
2. Special California Roll US$11.00
Crab, cucumber, avocado rolled in tobiko.
3. Super California Roll US$12.00
Extra tobiko with seasoning.
4. Winter California Roll US$13.50
Deep-fried crab and asparagus. Spicy.
5. Golden California Roll US$15.00
Deep-fried California roll.

Udon
1. Chicken Udon US$17.00
2. Beef Udon US$18.00
3. Tempura Udon US$18.00
Shrimp and vegetable.
4. Veggie Udon US$17.00
Steam or tempura.

Sushi
1. Sushi Combination US$30.00
Chefs choice. Assorted nigiri-9 pieces.
2. Vegetable Combination US$20.00
Assorted vegetables - 12 pieces.
3. Tobiko Sushi US$10.00
Flying fish eggs.
4. Amaebi Sushi US$18.00
Sweet shrimp.
5. Ikura Sushi US$16.00
Salmon roe.
6. Hokigai Sushi US$7.50
Surf clam.
7. Ishidai Sushi US$7.50
Striped bass.
8. Maguoro Sushi US$7.50
Tuna.
9. Hamachi Sushi US$7.50
Yellowtail.
10. Albacore Sushi US$7.50
White tuna.
11. Izumi Tai Sushi US$7.50
12. Sake Sushi US$7.50
Fresh salmon.
13. Katsuo Sushi US$7.50
Bonito.
14. Hotate Sushi US$14.00
Scallop.
15. Kani Sushi US$7.50
Crab.
16. Unagi Sushi US$8.50
Eel.
17. Ebi Sushi US$7.50
Shrimp.
18. Saba Sushi US$7.50
Mackerel.
19. Tako Sushi US$7.50
Octopus.
20. Ika Sushi US$7.50
Squid.
21. Tamago Sushi US$6.00
Omelette.
22. Inari Sushi US$6.00
Tofu skin.
O-Toro US$19.00
fatty tuna

Sashimi
1. Maguoro Sashimi US$20.00
Tuna. 6 pieces.
2. Hamachi Sashimi US$20.00
Yellowtail. 6 pieces.
3. Albacore Sashimi US$20.00
White tuna. 6 pieces.
4. Sake Sashimi US$20.00
Salmon. 6 pieces.
5. Saba Sashimi US$20.00
Mackerel. 6 pieces.
6. Tako Sashimi US$20.00
Octopus. 6 pieces.
7. Chefs Choice US$32.00
Combination. 12 pieces.
8. Combo Sashimi US$37.00
12 pieces.

Special Dinner Box
1. Sashimi, Chicken, Beef, California Roll Bento Box US$30.00
2. Sashimi, Tempura, Chicken, California Roll Bento Box US$30.00
3. Tempura, Chicken, Beef, California Roll Bento Box US$30.00
4. Sashimi, Tonkatsu, Gyoza, California Roll Bento Box US$30.00

Combination Dinner
1. Yakitori & Gyoza US$23.00
2. Beef Kushi & Gyoza US$24.00
4. Chicken Teriyaki & Sushi US$25.00
Marinated or glazed in a soy based sauce.
5. Beef Teriyaki & Sushi US$26.00
Marinated or glazed in a soy based sauce.
6. Tempura & Sushi US$25.00
7. Kaki Fry & Yakitori US$23.00
8. House Combination US$26.00
Chicken teriyaki and tempura, vegetables and shrimp, and a choice of either sashimi or salmon teriyaki.
9. Beef Teriyaki & Tempura US$24.00
Vegetables and shrimp.
10. Beef Teriyaki & Salmon Teriyaki US$25.00
Marinated or glazed in a soy based sauce.
11. Beef Teriyaki & Sashimi US$23.00
Marinated or glazed in a soy based sauce.
12. Beef Teriyaki & Chicken US$23.00
Marinated or glazed in a soy based sauce.
13. Chicken Teriyaki & Tempura US$23.00
Vegetables and shrimp.
14. Chicken Teriyaki & Salmon Teriyaki US$25.00
Marinated or glazed in a soy based sauce.
15. Chicken Teriyaki & Sashimi US$23.00
Marinated or glazed in a soy based sauce.
16. Tempura & Sashimi US$23.00
Vegetables and shrimp.
17. Salmon Teriyaki & Sashimi US$24.00
Marinated or glazed in a soy based sauce.
18. Salmon Teriyaki & Tempura US$24.00
Vegetables and shrimp.

Dinner
1. Beef Teriyaki US$23.00
Marinated or glazed in a soy based sauce.
2. Chicken Teriyaki US$21.00
Marinated or glazed in a soy based sauce.
3. Salmon Teriyaki US$23.00
Marinated or glazed in a soy based sauce.
4. Tempura US$21.00
Shrimp and vegetables.
5. Unagi Donburi US$23.00
BBQ eel, vegetables over rice.
6. Tekka Don US$22.00
Tuna over sushi rice.
7. Tonkatsu US$23.00
Fried pork cutlet.
8. Chicken Cutlet US$22.00
Fried chicken with tonkatsu sauce.
9. Hamachi Don US$22.00
Hamachi over sushi rice.
10. Sake Don US$22.00
Salmon over sushi rice.

Desserts
1. Green Tea Cheesecake US$7.00

Beverages
6. Soft Drink US$3.50

Liquors (Must be 21 to Purchase)
1. Imported Beer US$12.00
Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin Must be 21 to purchase.
2. Orion Beer US$15.00
Must be 21 to purchase.
3. Hot Sake US$11.00
Must be 21 to purchase.
4. Cold Sake US$13.00
Must be 21 to purchase.
5. Nigori Sake US$15.00
Unfiltered sake. Bottle. Must be 21 to purchase.

House of Sushi Details

Service options
Delivery
Takeaway
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Table service

Amenities
Toilet

Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy

Crowd
Locals

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

House of Sushi Photos

House of Sushi Location

House of Sushi

California San Francisco County San Francisco Polk Gulch Polk Street

2157 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA

House of Sushi Reviews

Dinner started off strong with flavorful chicken and beef skewers, and the salmon kama was a highlight—perfectly cooked and delicious.The rolls were less impressive. The Rock & Roll and Spider rolls were drenched in eel sauce, which overpowered everything. I’m always a bit cautious when sushi comes heavily sauced—it feels like something’s being covered up. The sushi rice was also a bit soggy.The uni, saba, and hamachi sushi were all fresh and enjoyable, though the uni portions were smaller than expected.Bill came out to over $150. A little pricey for what we got, but with smarter ordering, I’d give it another try.4 stars
May 17 · Nancy
Quaint little place, the takoyaki was good, but the sushi is too large imo. They'd be better off cutting it into smaller pieces which would give the illusion of more sushi and would be much more manageable to eat. I would rate it 3.5/5.
July 06 · Krystine B
Super casual sushi spot that won’t make your wallet cry. The food options and quality aren’t the best but hard to argue given the price tag. The lettuce included with soft shell crab wasn’t fresh; both color and flavor were off. The sushi combos came with a few repeat. The salmon was good, but the tuna tasted bland. The menu description for “super california roll” implied there’d be an abundance of tobiko. However, the amount seems more appropriate for their “special california roll” instead. Nothing bad to say about the sashimi other than the tuna.Well here are the goods: location, prices, overall vibes, supporting local businesses, and no food poisoning. Service can get a bit slow but they’re making it work with the # of workers they have. Not gonna ding them for that.
September 11 · Edison Huang
Cozy neighborhood sushi spot. Food is always served promptly. Love the very smiley & warm chef behind the counter!
April 28 · Ellen P
While the service and atmosphere is great, my gf and I unfortunately had food poisoning after eating here for dinner. About an hour after we ate, the symptoms kicked in which is not fun to say the least. We had the miso soup, a few of the nigiri’s, and a specialty roll. Don’t know if it was from the rice or fish but had a terrible night going into a workday especially after spending a decent amount of money.
January 27 · Javid Kazimi