Sushi dishes ranging from traditional to experimental have earned this restaurant a devoted Noe Valley following.

by Contributor

In Short
The handcrafted blond-wood sushi bar and matching wood tables highlight the decor. The crowd is made up largely of young neighborhood professionals, many of whom are regulars. The menu ranges from traditional sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi to tempura and teriyaki plates. More unusual dishes include fried tofu in a soy-ginger sauce and miso-braised cod. There is also a nightly specials board for the freshest (and most unusual) sushi offerings.

02/16/06

Too much....

by ncalcharger

flavor! One of the rolls I ordered had an overwhelming tuna taste that I strongly do not recommend. By contrast, the nigiri was great. The ambiance was that of a local restaurant, so this place is perfect for a night of an easy dining.

07/19/05

Great fresh Sushi

by tanakaayako

I eat at Hamano regularly and I always enjoy the freshness of their Sushi. What's great about Hamano is that they come up with new appatizers and rolls all the time, and they are beautiful and delicious. I look forward to trying their new dishes whenever I go there.

• Pros: freshness, service

05/20/05

Great Sushi

by pmulliki

It's nice as the chefs are always the same and you know the staff. Cool local sushi bar with great food. Expect to pay ~$30 each.

04/08/04

pescado fresco

by el_guillermo

I returned to hamano on a sunday night. Our party of 3 (and a half) had to wait a little bit, but the waitress made room for us at the sushi counter. They were cool about our little 3 month old baby. The food was as good as ever. I ordered the squid salad for the first time, and it was delicious. We had all kind of rolls (unfortunatly none with big fish like tuna, because of mercury issue while feeding the baby), and all of them were excellent. Tempura was crisp on the outside, tender inside. Our friend had uni for the first time, and liked it. Hamano made another converted!

• Pros: one, of, the, best, sushi, counters, in, San, Francisco
• Cons: , of, one, right, now

10/22/03

Good, but not the best

by ochubb

I have lived for decades in Japan and still go over 10 times a year, Hamano's is okay, but if you want good Japanese Sushi I would go to Murasaki on Clement. It is not even a westernized sushi place (e.g. sushi groove)

07/30/03

always a smile

by sffoody

Hamano has never let me down. I just read the next review, and I too miss the previous chef (I tracked him down to fuku sushi in Japantown, but he was gone to his next sushi counter already). Going to fuku reminded me why I loved Hamano: the generous sushi servings (with the fish/rice balanced tipped towards the fish), the bustling atmosphere, the cosiness at the sushi bar, the right price and the new chefs do quite a good job. First, they have the right attitude, and can chat with you while they prepare the food. And the rolls are as good as ever. Less of the decorating the plates, but I always think it is a bit gimmicky anyway. All I care, after all, is to have fresh tasty fish, and I don't care if a sprouts looks like a caterpillar antenna.

• Pros: first grade sushi, fresh fresh fish, no-nonsense
• Cons: sometimes the wait, parking in noe

01/09/03

no longer the best

by suet68

The food and service has gone downhill ever since the new owner bought over Hamano Sushi about two years ago. All the once incredible sushi chefs are gone. Sushi selections are now limited; customer serice is terrible. My friends and I used to dine at Hamano at least twice a week. Now we hardly go once a year.

12/23/02

good but definetely not great

by sashasf

The service is very nice and the quality of the fish pretty good. BUT....its not going to knock your socks off and its a bit more expensive than other sushi restaurants that I think are even better (Ebisu, Kabuto, Tokyo-Go-Go). Also, I wasn't a big fan with the amount of mayo (too much) they put on their rolls. In case you didn't know already....most of the rolls you get in any sushi place have it. But definetely worth trying.

• Pros: service, intimate, quality
• Cons: price, loud, mayo

11/20/02

Best sushi I have ever had.

by MonkeyAries

Hamano's has consistenly served the best sushi I have ever had. The toro, toro tataki, albacore are all must try's.