House of Sushi

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

2157 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA