Based on 89 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.5 stars. Price
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ No takeout ✔️ No delivery
Address:
2316 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 827-6898
Website: http://www.restaurantnisei.com/
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Friday | 5–9 PM |
| Saturday | 5–9 PM |
| Sunday | 5–9 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 5–9 PM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Order and Reservations
Reservations: exploretock.com
Reviews
S W
It’s different from other Japanesefood in terms of texture and flavor. I didn’t mind that the beef cheek and tongueare very chewy,and I do prefer beef cheek cooked in a way just melted inthe mouth. And finally, the eel was not coated with sweet teriyakisauce; it’s probably the most successful dish for the night. However, the rice ispacked and dense under the eel. The bread under Ankimo pate was a bit dry; thinnermight help too.
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Keiko Arzouman
Worth a try for elevated Japanese cuisine! Food presentation outshined flavor. The dish I thought was the most creative was the nori cotton candy like sticks (pictured). Waitress was also a tad pushy on ordering full bottles of sake, though that’s not what we were interested in at all. And inside space had nice distance between tables, but interior design felt a little cold and plain.
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Amanda C. Sun
Came here with a reservation for my friend’s birthday. We got seated by the window and was greeted by exceptional service. Once seated, you’re already opted into the 12-dishes course and they don’t share the menu until the end for that element of surprise. One if favorite dishes of the 12 was the 3 tiered taco-like dish (grilled corned, local uni, permeated blueberries and popcorn dish) because of the texture and all flavors in one bite. The black outer layer was like a chip texture and easily sticks to your teeth but the sweet, savory, umami, salty flavors all came out in this one dish, yum! My second favorite was the ankimo pate milk bread (with raspberries on top) – I could’ve totally eaten a few more of these. It was so rich in flavor and delicious in every bite. I had to savor each bite 🙂 all other dishes were solid too. Very expensive meal at almost $1,480 for four people. Definitely a very occasional meal, but left full and happy. They provide the menu in cute stationary at the end of the meal too. They also had a special dessert given to my friend for her birthday.
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Nils Barth
Spectacular innovative Japanese cuisine, attentive service, and interesting wine. Memorable, unique experience!
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Carolyn Feng-Friberg
Overall a disjointed experience. From the stiff formal service from our main waiter to the casual diners wearing tees or Midwest plaid shirts to an odd seating layout (if you’re in the middle tables) in a room awash in unattractive dark taupe brown tones, there was a lack of the magic that comes from really great fine dining experiences. There was no story tying together all of the dishes, no brainwashing with the chef’s philosophy or cooking methods or anecdotes or influences. It seemed to take forever between dishes and towards the final few dishes, I just wanted it all to end.
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Krystalina Rattanavong
Beautifully designed interior. The staff were very welcoming and easy to converse with.
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Maria Zarif
Service was excellent but not worth the price for me. The tea we got (for $33) was so bad couldn’t finish it!
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Bonnie A
What a fabulous experience! My husband took me to Nisei for a big birthday (ending in a “0”) and we were delighted by the whole evening. The staff–all of them–make a special effort to make you feel welcome and like an honored guest. The food is exquisite. Chef David and his team create unique dishes that are beautiful to behold and so tasty. You want to take your time and savor every bit. I was especially impressed by a cold noodle dish they made with a cucumber dashi. Who does that!? It was AMAZING!! And the salmon–crispy skin and yet the fish was so moist and delicious, presented with a tempura “branch” of burdock and “cherry blossoms” carved from umeboshi.
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Yun Xie
The quality of the dishes did not match the price (530$ for two). Several dishes were oversalted (e.g. mochi in the soup). The desserts we’re decent but still should be better. The service was not perfect in many details (e.g. asking to take the plates when they were obviously unfinished).
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Chen Pang
The dishes are quite different from other high end Japanese restaurants and every single dish tasted great (and that’s what mattered most to us). A few dishes are slightly too salty but still ok.
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