Sushi Zen: Your Go-To Spot for Fresh & Affordable Sushi in San Francisco

Sushi Zen Introduce

sushi zen san francisco ca, sushi on taraval, sushi zen taraval

Introduction / Overview

For those living in or visiting the dynamic city of San Francisco, particularly within the charming and community-oriented Outer Sunset district, the search for a truly satisfying and consistent sushi experience often leads to a hidden gem: Sushi Zen. Located on Taraval Street, Sushi Zen has cultivated a loyal following and established itself as a go-to destination for fresh, delicious, and remarkably affordable Japanese cuisine. This isn't just another sushi restaurant; it's a place where quality ingredients, generous portions, and genuine hospitality converge to create a truly memorable dining experience. What sets Sushi Zen apart is its commitment to both culinary excellence and community engagement, making it a beloved spot for high schoolers, families, and long-time residents alike. Whether you're craving perfectly rolled sushi, a hearty teriyaki bowl, or a crispy katsu bowl, Sushi Zen delivers with consistent quality and an inviting atmosphere that keeps patrons coming back, sometimes multiple times a week. The ethos here is simple: provide amazing food with amazing service, all at a price point that makes it accessible for everyday enjoyment. It's a testament to their dedication that even in a city known for its diverse culinary landscape, Sushi Zen stands out as a reliable and cherished local favorite, embodying the very best of San Francisco's neighborhood dining scene.

Location and Accessibility

Sushi Zen is conveniently located at 1041 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA 94116, USA. This prime spot places it directly in the heart of the Outer Sunset, a vibrant and welcoming residential neighborhood. For locals in California, particularly those within San Francisco, this address offers excellent accessibility. Taraval Street is a major thoroughfare, making it easy to reach by car, and street parking, while it can sometimes require a bit of searching in San Francisco, is generally manageable in this area compared to more congested parts of the city. What truly enhances its accessibility for a broad range of San Franciscans is its direct connection to the city's robust public transportation system. The N Judah Muni streetcar line runs directly along Taraval Street, with a stop often just steps away from the restaurant. This makes Sushi Zen an incredibly convenient dining option for students, residents commuting home, and anyone looking to avoid the complexities of driving and parking in the city. The surrounding Outer Sunset neighborhood offers a relaxed, beach-town vibe with a mix of local shops and residential blocks, making a visit to Sushi Zen easily combinable with other neighborhood activities like a stroll towards Ocean Beach or exploring nearby Golden Gate Park. The location underscores Sushi Zen’s role as a true community staple, easily woven into the daily routines and leisure plans of local Californians.

Services Offered

Dine-in Service: Sushi Zen offers a comfortable and welcoming indoor dining experience, popular among high schoolers and families.
Takeout Service: Customers can conveniently order food for pickup, making it a great option for those on the go or preferring to dine at home.
Delivery Service: Sushi Zen partners with popular third-party delivery platforms such as DoorDash, Grubhub, and Postmates, allowing residents across San Francisco to enjoy their menu items delivered directly to their doorstep.
Student Deals: The restaurant is known for its special student deals, particularly for takeout orders during school lunch hours (typically between 11 AM and 1 PM on most weekdays), making it a budget-friendly option for local students.
Kid-Friendly Environment: Sushi Zen is accommodating for families, demonstrated by their thoughtful gesture of providing a birthday treat with a candle for a child, highlighting their welcoming approach to younger diners.
Diverse Menu Options: Beyond sushi, the restaurant offers a variety of Japanese staples, including teriyaki bowls and katsu bowls, ensuring there's something for every palate.
Loyalty Program: Sushi Zen offers a Royalty Rewards program where customers can earn points for every dollar spent, redeemable for future discounts and special offers, including birthday rewards.

Features / Highlights

Fresh and Generous Portions: A consistent highlight from customer reviews is the "very fresh" quality of the sushi rolls and the "amazing" and "generous portions" across their menu, including sushi combos, teriyaki bowls, and katsu bowls. This ensures great value for the price.
Exceptional Customer Service: The staff, including the main sushi master Akisan, are consistently described as "so sweet," "very friendly," and "attentive." This creates an incredibly positive and welcoming dining environment, making every visit a pleasant experience.
Student-Friendly Atmosphere and Deals: Sushi Zen is a popular spot for local high schoolers, known for its student deals during lunch hours. The restaurant is "so sweet to let them dine in," fostering a lively and inclusive community vibe.
Consistently Great Food: Patrons rave about the consistent quality, noting they "never had a bad experience here" and that the food is "amazing," regardless of the dish chosen, from sushi rolls to hot entrees.
Affordable Pricing: Despite the high quality and generous portions, customers find the food to be "great for the price," making it an accessible and attractive option for regular dining in an often-expensive city.
Special Occasion Recognition: The restaurant goes the extra mile for special occasions, as evidenced by their thoughtful gesture of providing a complimentary banana tempura ice cream with a candle for a birthday celebration, demonstrating their attentiveness and kindness.
Popular Sushi Rolls: Specific rolls like the "salmon lemon roll" and "Philly roll" are called out as favorites, indicating popular and well-executed items on their sushi menu.
Skilled Sushi Master: The presence of Akisan, described as the "main sushi master" who is "always fun to talk to," adds a personal and expert touch to the sushi preparation, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Promotions or Special Offers

Sushi Zen is known for its commitment to providing value to its customers, particularly the local community. While specific daily or weekly promotions beyond what's mentioned in the provided reviews might vary, some key offers and programs are highlighted. Foremost among these is their student deal. During weekday lunch hours, specifically between 11 AM and 1 PM, high schoolers can take advantage of special pricing on takeout orders, making it an incredibly affordable and popular choice for students in the area. This demonstrates Sushi Zen’s dedication to supporting the local academic community. Beyond student-specific offerings, Sushi Zen also features a "Royalty Rewards" loyalty program. By signing up for this program, customers can earn points for every dollar spent, which can then be redeemed for future discounts and "FREE Loyalty Certificates." As part of this program, new sign-ups typically receive a $10 off coupon, and members also receive a special birthday coupon to celebrate during their birthday month. These initiatives highlight Sushi Zen's appreciation for its repeat customers and their desire to make quality Japanese food accessible and rewarding. For the most current and comprehensive details on any ongoing specials, seasonal promotions, or new menu additions, locals are encouraged to check Sushi Zen's official website, their pages on delivery platforms like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Postmates, or simply call the restaurant directly at (415) 681-1789 or +1 415-681-1789. This ensures you have the latest information on how to maximize your dining experience at this beloved San Francisco establishment.

Contact Information

Address: 1041 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA 94116, USA

Phone: (415) 681-1789

Mobile Phone: +1 415-681-1789

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Californians, especially those residing in or frequently visiting San Francisco's Outer Sunset district, Sushi Zen stands out as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended dining destination. Its enduring appeal to locals is built upon a foundation of delicious, high-quality food, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and a genuine commitment to community engagement. The consistent praise for "amazing" food and "generous portions" across their menu, from fresh sushi rolls like the "salmon lemon roll" and "Philly roll" to comforting teriyaki and katsu bowls, ensures that every visit is a satisfying culinary experience. This high standard of quality, combined with prices that are "great for the price," makes it an excellent value proposition in a city known for its high dining costs, allowing locals to enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine regularly without breaking the bank. Furthermore, the outstanding customer service provided by the "sweet," "friendly," and "attentive" staff, including the renowned sushi master Akisan, fosters a truly personal and inviting atmosphere. This familial approach makes diners feel at home, whether they are regulars who visit "1-3 times a week" or new patrons discovering their new favorite spot. The restaurant's embrace of the local community is evident through its popular student deals and its thoughtful gestures for special occasions, such as birthday celebrations, which add a personal touch that resonates deeply with residents. Its convenient location on Taraval Street, easily accessible via Muni, further solidifies its status as a local staple, minimizing travel hassles and making it a practical choice for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner. Sushi Zen is not just a place to get sushi; it's a cherished neighborhood hub where quality, affordability, and genuine hospitality create a perfect dining experience for the everyday life of San Francisco locals.

Sushi Zen Vibe

Sushi Bar Appetizers
51. Hamachi Sashimi US$16.45
5 pieces.
57. White Tuna Tataki Or Salmon Tataki US$18.50
Seared albacore or salmon with ponzu sauce.
52. Salmon Sashimi US$15.95
5 pieces.
50. Tuna Sashimi US$15.95
5 pieces.
56. Tuna Poki US$18.50
Fresh tuna marinated in spicy sesame soy sauce with seaweed salad.
53. Albacore Sashimi US$15.95
5 pieces.
58. Tuna Or Ika Natto US$18.50
Fermented soy beans.

Sushi Roll
101. Rainbow Roll (8 Pcs) US$17.50
Crab meat and avocado inside, assorted fish on top.
Salmon Maki (6 Pcs) US$7.50
Salmon
92. Spicy Tuna Roll (5 Pcs) US$10.50
Spicy tuna, cucumber and kaiware (daikon radish sprout).
96. Vegetarian Roll (5 Pcs) US$9.95
Vegetarian. Mixed fresh vegetable.
91. Rock'n Roll (8 Pcs) US$10.50
Eel, avocado, cucumber and tobiko.
84. Futo Maki (5pcs) US$9.95
Vegetarian. 5 pieces, mixed veggies, shiitake, inari and tamago).
99. Dragon Roll (8 Pcs) US$17.50
Shrimp tempura, cucumber inside, avocado, eel and tobiko on top with sauce.
98. Philly Roll (8 Pcs) US$10.50
Cream cheese, smoked salmon, avocado.
104. Crunchy California Roll (8 Pcs) US$15.50
Breaded deep fried California roll.
94. Spicy Hotate Roll (8 Pcs) US$12.50
Scallop.
93. Screaming Roll (8 Pcs) US$10.95
Spicy yellowtail, cucumber and scallion.
87. Shiitake Maki (6 Pcs) US$6.95
Vegetarian. Mushroom.
83. Oshinko Maki (6 Pcs) US$5.95
Vegetarian. Japanese pickle.
81. Avocado Maki (6 Pcs) US$5.95
Vegetarian. Avocado.
102. Caterpillar Roll (8 Pcs) US$17.50
Unagi, cucumber inside, avocado on top with tobiko and sauce.
89. California Roll (8 Pcs) US$8.50
Crab meat and avocado.
85. Tekka Maki (6 Pcs) US$7.50
Tuna.
97. Hawaii Roll (8 Pcs) US$10.50
Tuna, avocado and tobiko.
103. 49ers Roll (8 Pcs) US$17.50
Crab meat, avocado inside, salmon and tuna on top.
90. Sake Kawa Roll (8 Pcs) US$9.95
Grilled salmon skin, cucumber and scallion.
100. Spider Roll (5 Pcs) US$13.50
5 pieces, fried soft shell crab, avocado, crab meat, kaiware (daikon radish sprout and tobiko.
86. Hamachi Maki (6 Pcs) US$7.95
Yellowtail.
95. Shrimp Tempura Roll (5Pcs) US$12.50
5 pieces,crab meat, cucumber, avocado, kaiware (daikon radish sprout) and tobiko.
88. Alaska Roll (8 Pcs) US$10.50
Fresh salmon, avocado.
82. Kappa Maki (6 Pcs) US$5.95
Vegetarian. Cucumber.

Soups & Salads
24. Seaweed Salad US$8.50
19. Green Salad US$6.95
Small.
20. House Green Salad US$10.50
Avocado, cucumber, tomatoes, and seaweed salad
21. Tako Sunomono US$10.95
Octopus with cucumber and vinegar dressing.
16. Miso Soup US$3.50
Small.
22. Ebi Sunomono US$10.95
Shrimp with cucumber and vinegar dressing.
17. Asari Miso Soup US$9.50
Miso soup with clams.
18. Enoki Mushroom Miso Soup US$8.50
Miso soup with enoki mushrooms.
23. Veggie Sunomono US$8.50
Cucumber and vinegar dressing.

Appetizers
05. Veggie Tempura US$13.50
Mix vegetable tempura.
07. Kaki Fried US$16.50
Fresh oyster breaded deep fried.
06. Calamari Yaki US$18.50
Grilled giant squid.
11. Saba Shioyaki US$16.50
Grilled mackerel.
14. Edamame US$6.95
Steamed soy bean.
04. Tempura US$14.50
2 pieces shrimps and vegetable.
Sushi Rice US$3.95
15. Rice US$3.50
13. Yaki Nasu US$10.95
Grilled Japanese eggplant with ginger sauce.
08. Soft Shell Crab US$18.50
Fried whole soft shell crab.
02. Agedashi Tofu US$9.95
Fried tofu served in broth.
09. Hamachi Kama US$18.50
Grilled yellow tail neck.
10. Lamb Chop Yaki US$19.25
Grilled lamb chop 2 pieces.
03. Gyoza US$9.95
Steamed pork pot sticker with house vinegar sauce.
01. Tofu Teriyaki US$9.95
Fried tofu with teriyaki sauce.

Drinks & Desserts
Soft Drink US$3.50
Soda
Bottled Water US$3.50

House Designer Roll
Pink Dragon US$17.95
(Baked) crab meat, avocado inside, salmon and tobiko on top
107. Super Dynamite US$11.95
Fried spicy tuna with house sauce and tobiko.
113. Tsunami Roll US$17.50
Spicy tuna, unagi, cucumber inside seaweed salad on top.
108. Crazy Roll US$17.50
Shrimp tempura inside, spicy tuna on top with house sauce.
Ocean Beach US$17.50
Spicy tuna, crab meat, avocado inside, unagi on top
Green Paradise US$14.95
Vegetarian. Shiitake mushroom, avocado, mango, cucumber inside, seaweed salad on top
110. Wasabi Hama US$17.95
Albacore, avocado inside hamachi, wasabi tobiko on top.
111. Winter Wonderland US$16.95
Shrimp tempura inside. Crab meat on top with house sauce.
19th Ave Roll US$17.95
Unagi, cream cheese, avocado inside, smoke salmon, shrimp on top
109. King Kong Roll US$17.95
Soft shell crab, crab meat, avocado inside, unagi, tobiko on top.
Taraval Roll US$14.95
Unagi, shrimp, smoke salmon, avocado, with tobiko
112. British Columbia US$16.95
Fresh salmon, avocado inside. Fresh salmon and slice lemon on top.
Salmon Delight US$17.50
Salmon tempura, avocado inside, fresh salmon, avocado, house sauce, tobiko on top
105. Sunset Strip US$18.50
Hamachi, mango, unagi inside, tuna and salmon on top with house sauce.
106. Lazy Summer US$17.95
Salmon, yellowtail, spicy tuna, mango inside wrap with cucumber.

Sushi Nigiri
62. Albacore US$6.50
White tuna.
70. Saba US$6.50
Mackerel.
69. Tako US$6.50
Octopus.
65. Sake US$6.50
Fresh salmon.
76. Ika US$7.50
Squid.
67. Ebi US$6.50
Prawn.
63. Hamachi US$7.25
Yellowtail.
59. Shiitake US$5.50
Cooked mushroom.
72. Hotate US$9.50
Scallop.
68. Tai US$6.50
Red snapper.
74. Kani US$6.50
Crab meat.
75. Unagi US$6.50
BBQ freshwater eel.
71. Tobiko US$6.50
Flying fish roe.
73. Spicy Hotate US$9.95
Scallop.
61. Tamago US$5.50
Japanese omelet.
60. Inari US$5.50
Tofu skin.
77. Ikura US$9.50
Salmon roe.
80. Escolar US$6.50
Super white.
66. Smoked Sake US$6.75
Smoked salmon.
64. Maguro US$6.50
Tuna.

Dinner
40. Yosenabe US$23.95
Assorted seafood, vegetables and white thin noodle soup.
33. Chicken Teriyaki US$19.95
Grilled chicken with teriyaki sauce.
39. Chicken Katsu US$21.95
Breaded fried chicken.
42. Sizzling Tai US$27.50
Red snapper served on iron plate.
49. Tai Fish Katsu Donburi US$20.95
Breaded fried snapper fish with onion and eggs over rice.
46. Tonkatsu Donburi US$19.95
Pork cutlet with onion and eggs over rice.
44. Oyako Donburi US$18.50
Chicken with onion and eggs over rice.
36. Tempura Dinner US$20.95
3 pieces shrimp and vegetable.
37. Veggie Tempura Dinner US$19.95
Mix vegetable tempura.
47. Spicy Crunchy Chicken US$21.95
Fried chicken with sweet and sour sauce.
38. Tonkatsu US$21.95
Breaded fried pork chop.
41. Sukiyaki US$23.95
Beef or chicken, vegetables and white thin noodle soup.
48. Tai Fish Katsu US$21.95
Breaded fried snapper fish.
45. Chicken Katsu Donburi US$19.95
Chicken cutlet with onion and eggs over rice.
35. Salmon Teriyaki US$22.50
Grilled salmon with teriyaki sauce.
43. Unagi Donburi US$24.95
BBQ eel over rice.
34. Beef Teriyaki US$24.95
Grilled beef with teriyaki sauce.

Sushi Bar Combination
124. Sashimi (7 Pieces) & Nigiri (7 Pieces) US$36.95
Chef's choice.
120. 30pc Sashimi Chef's US$78.95
30 pieces.
121. Nigiri Deluxe US$29.50
7 pieces, nigiri and spicy tuna or California roll.
123. Assorted Nigiri US$29.95
10 pieces, Chef's choice.
118. 10pc Sashimi Chef's Choice US$28.95
10 pieces.
Party A (For 2 To 3 People) US$61.00
California roll, Alaska roll, super dynamite roll, 10 pieces nigiri, 2 pieces inari with crab meat.
122. Chirashi Sushi US$28.95
Assorted slices fish over sushi rice.
119. 15pc Sashimi Chef's Choice US$40.95
15 pieces.
Party B (For 3 To 5 People) US$105.00
Sashimi 12 pieces, nigiri 12 pieces, dragon roll, sunset roll, super dynamite roll.

Combination Dinner
E. Saba (Mackerel) Shioyaki & Sashimi (5 Pieces) US$26.50
D. Chicken Katsu & Sashimi (5 Pieces) US$26.50
T. Tempura & Sashimi (5 Pieces) US$26.50
F. Tai Fish Katsu & Sashimi (5 Pieces) US$26.50
B. Beef Teriyaki & Tempura US$27.50
A. Chicken Teriyaki & Tempura US$25.50
C. Salmon Teriyaki & Tempura US$26.50
V. Tofu Teriyaki & Veggie Tempura US$25.85

Noodles
27. Seafood Udon Or Soba (Soup) US$19.95
32. Seafood Yaki Soba Or Udon US$20.50
Pan fried Japanese noodle with seafood and vegetable.
31. Chicken Yaki Soba Or Udon US$19.50
Pan fried Japanese noodle with chicken and vegetable.
30. Zaru Soba US$11.50
Cold soba noodle with dipping sauce.
25. Chicken Udon Or Soba (Soup) US$18.50
29. Tenzaru Soba US$19.95
Tempura and cold soba with dipping sauce.
26. Beef Udon Or Soba (Soup) US$20.50
28. Tempura Udon Or Soba (Soup) US$19.95
Shrimp and vegetable tempura.

Sushi Zen Details

Service options
Delivery
Takeaway
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Wheelchair-accessible car park

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Comfort food
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Toilet

Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy

Crowd
Family friendly
Groups
University students

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs

Parking
Free of charge street parking

Sushi Zen Photos

Sushi Zen Location

Sushi Zen

California San Francisco County San Francisco Parkside Taraval Street

1041 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA 94116, USA

Sushi Zen Reviews

I'm always here for school lunch when they have a student deal for to go (warning: between 11am and 1pm on most weekdays, theres usually a lot of High Schoolers eating inside, they're so sweet to let them dine in). I sometimes come after school and full price isn't bad. I usually get a sushi combo, teriyaki bowl, or katsu bowl. All portions are amazing and the food is amazing. Literally everyone serving and making the food is so sweet. I've never had a bad experience here and I go here 1-3 times a week.
April 02 · Leslynne
This has been my go to sushi spot since living in Snohomish for the past few years. Akisan is the main sushi master and he was always fun to talk too. All the staff is very friendly and attentive. The rolls are very fresh and generous portions. I always get the salmon lemon roll and Philly roll and it's great for the price. I took my daughter there for her birthday and ordered her the banana tempura ice cream and they took it off the check and put a candle and lit it for her. Definetly recommend for sushi rolls!
February 06 · Lindsay Chriswell
This is one of the best hidden gems around. The sushi is phenomenal and the prices are insanely low compared to other sushi of the same high quality. The staff is wonderful and so kind and warm. This is the spot to patronize both for dine-in and take-out. Great work, Sushi Zen!
April 24 · Melanie Lennon
The best sushi place in town. Always fresh and easy to get( quick service online order or dine in), can customize your plates( several time we ordered big plates) great for up to 15 people. In the place they serve fast and easy. Great price with great quality.
March 31 · Tatevik Holikyan
The best value combo box you can find.. I suggest getting their combo during lunch time. Slightly cheaper and it also comes with California rolls. They are amazing! 🤩I am a regular here since I moved here a few years ago. Probably eat here at least every other month. It’s also great for solo diners; the waitress (probably owner too) is super sweet.
May 14 · Claire