TLDR: Saru Handroll - A tranquil oasis on Polk Street offering excellent handrolls and service Here's my breakdown: Food Quality: 4.5/5 stars Saru's handrolls are a perfect balance of crisp nori, well-seasoned rice, and supremely fresh fish. Market specials and luxury add-ons like caviar or real wasabi ($4) are reasonably priced and offer luxury at a reasonable price. Most handrolls are under $15, with 3-4 rolls providing a satisfying meal elevate the experience. Atmosphere: 5/5 stars Stepping into Saru transports you from bustling Polk Street to a zen-like oasis. The all-wood interior, bathed in soft, low lighting, creates an intimate ambiance. A respectful murmur of conversation completes the tranquil setting, perfect for dates or peaceful solo meals. Service: 5/5 stars Despite a full bar, handrolls appear quickly, crafted with precision before your eyes. Staff are attentive yet unobtrusive, allowing guests to linger without feeling rushed. Even near closing time, they gracefully offer last-order opportunities without pressure. Value: 4/5 stars Most handrolls are under $15, with 3-4 providing a satisfying meal. While not the cheapest sushi in SF, the quality of ingredients and overall experience justify the price. The affordable luxury add-ons are a particular steal. Overall: Saru Handroll earns a solid 4.5/5, rounded up to 5 stars. It's a standout in SF's sushi scene, blending culinary excellence with a serene ambiance. The first-come, first-served policy adds a refreshing spontaneity to dining out. Pro Tip: Ideal for dates or small groups. Not suitable for large parties due to limited space. Consider off-peak hours for a quieter experience or shorter wait. Don't miss the market specials for the chef's seasonal creativity.

Quality and service was excellent. They let me try the uni before I got a roll made with it and I was so grateful. Eveything was amazing 10/10 would come back.

Came here for a girls night and the rolls were delicious! I got the following: * Fatty Tuna for $14.00 with Caviar (10g) for $22.00 * Spicy Tuna for $10.00 with a Shiso Leaf for $1.00 * Salmon for $10.00 * Spicy Scallop for $14.00 * Bafun Uni (JP) for $27.00 * Hot Tea for $6.00 * Shrimp Tempura for $11.00

My partner and I stopped by for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon and were seated immediately. The space is nice but there is only counter seating available so it may not be the best for larger groups. Between the two of us we shared the 5 roll set and also ordered an additional 5 rolls a la carte as well as some fresh wasabi. Fatty Tuna (3/5): Tasty but nothing remarkable, didn't really have the richness I expected. Spicy Tuna (3.5/5): Was similar to above but I liked the spicy kick. Yellowtail (3/5): One of my go to fish selections but I felt that the amount of negi in this one was overwhelming and overpowered the fish. Red Crab (5/5): My second favorite of the meal! Fresh, flavorful, and plentiful. We added on another because it was so good! Salmon (5/5): My partner's favorite of the meal! The cut on the salmon made it easy to eat and whatever they marinated or pre-dressed it with made for the perfect savory bite. Mountain Yam & Roe (3/5): Definitely an acquired taste and texture. Thankfully, I've had mountain yam before and so was prepared for the somewhat slimy texture. The roe was what really imparted the savory flavor. The combination didn't quite work for me personally and think I'd prefer the two flavors individually instead. Lobster (4/5): Similar to the crab in texture and was pretty fresh/not heavy. Between the two, I thought the crab had more flavor (for cheaper too)! Spicy Scallop (4/5): I'm a sucker for a scallop and I liked that the pieces in this roll were nice and plump. The mayo was also really tasty and I honestly think it would go really well with something fried, maybe like a fried kabocha. Eel (5/5): My absolute FAVORITE! We ended on this one and it was soooooo good. While it had a similar sweetness to other unagi I've had, the caramelization and slight char added so much to the overall flavor. The eel also had a good amount of fattiness and was a perfect richness to end the meal. If we weren't so full I would've ordered another one of these too!! I'd recommend adding on the fresh wasabi - it feels a bit expensive considering some other places have it for free, but it's just so good. Also their pickled ginger was tasty, not too sweet and had that natural spicy ginger kick. Service was kind and attentive despite only having one person making rolls at the time - I do feel like it'd be best to have at least 2 people working at anytime though as it did get a bit busy towards the end of our meal. Definitely a place I'll be coming back to for a fresh and easy meal!

I really wanted to give Saru 5 stars after almost a year of waiting to try it, but I'll have to reevaluate during my next visit. We joined the waitlist remotely and had 11 tables ahead of us. Got seated after 30-40 minutes. The food was good, the crab being my favorite. Uni was a close second but I'm definitely biased. Fatty tuna wasn't super special and I would skip the spicy scallop. It was ok. The interior is pretty cute and I like the bar style seating. I felt pretty rushed during this entire experience and we were in and out in less than 25 minutes (not by choice). I could feel the chef eyeing us to see if we were ready for our next rolls but I would take the last bite and be immediately served a new roll. Totally understand seating is limited and there's people waiting but I definitely feel like I didn't have enough time to digest or enjoy the food the way I usually would. I would like to come back on a weekday when it's less busy and I feel less rushed.

I've had Saru on my list of places to go to for a while, and I'm so glad it didn't disappoint. We walked in for a Saturday dinner around 6pm and were seated right away. It's all counter seating here, so everyone has a good view of the food being made right in front of them. Our server gave good recs, and we started with the set of 5 handrolls and 2 glasses of sake. I love that the handrolls are made right in front of you and put on your plate right as they are made. Everything was so fresh and the crispy nori was a highlight of every bite. The fatty tuna and yellowtail were standouts from the set and we ordered a la carte from there. We loved the spicy scallop and shrimp tempura out of the a la carte options. The premium uni handroll was insanely sweet, creamy, and fresh and definitely worth the splurge. This spot is more expensive than regular sushi but I think it's worth it. The ambiance is relaxed and casual yet the food is elevated through the premium ingredients. I'll definitely be back if I'm ever in the area, this was such a good dinner.

Finally got the chance to try this place! Came here 30ish minutes after they opened and there was no wait. The place looked so clean & cozy, filled with little Japanese trinkets, and I do appreciate the hooks for your personal belongings. I got the set of 4 and what stood out to me the most was the shrimp tempura and the salmon! I love how the nori is kept all crispy and toasty so I do recommend you consume each roll for that optimum crunch. Will definitely come back to try the rolls from the a la carte section!

I normally don't opt for hand rolls but these are delicious! I got the Fatty Tuna & Scallion, Lobster, Spicy Tuna, Spicy Scallop, and Bafun Uni. Honestly, everything was a highlight, but the scallop was one of the best rolls I've had (maybe because of the unique spicy mayo!). I also ordered a Miso Soup and the Pinot Grigio. This is a wonderful place to meet up with a friend and dine in an intimate setting. Seating is pretty limited, and it seems like your group might be broken up if you come with more than four people. I was on the waitlist when I arrived around 6:10pm, so come early if you want to eat right away! Gratuity is also "appreciated but not required" because their prices are adjusted to account for living wages, so this is something to keep in mind when you look over the menu.