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Amasia Hide's Sushi Bar
Categories: Restaurants Sushi Bars Restaurants Japanese Sushi Bars, Japanese [Edit]
149 Noe St(between Henry St & 14th St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
Neighborhood: Castro
(415) 861-7000
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5:30 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
234 reviews for Amasia Hide's Sushi Bar
Review Highlights
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"Also, don't forget to bring your own chopsticks for a plate..." In 12 reviews -
"They have a great menu, and great sake specials." In 21 reviews -
"After the origami we had lots of yummy sushi and sake." In 55 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
234 reviews in English
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Review from Amar K.
5/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place was great. Very nice knowledge servers- sake specials (anniversary)!
my bf loved the takoyaki, yum and all our sushi was great too. parking was a bit of a challenge, but I liked the quaint location / interior -
Review from Spanky M.
San Francisco, CA
5/7/2012
so
It was OK at very best.
The service was great and generally friendly.
I had the Gyoza, Ansari sakamushi, and the following nigiri: sake, hamachi, ikura, kani, ama ebi, and ika.
So the portion of the fish was just as I would expect it for a good sushi place. Large enough to cover the entire piece of rice, no meat skimpping. So common at other no tradtional sushi places.
Here's why it get's two stars
The Gyoza was a soggy mess. no crunchy bottom.
The ansari sakamushi : the first one tasted a little off. the others were OK. I am guessing the ansari was a day or two from having to go. But the sweetened dashi helped to take the edge off.
The sushi rice was undercooked and cold. I did not taste nor see any wasabi between the fish and the rice.
Overall the fish was OK, nothing amazing, although a little less than I expected for $4-$5 per pair of Nigiri.
All of this plus one genmaicha and tip came out to $52.
Hide's is a nice cute spot on Noe in the Castro, maybe great for dates who don't know crap about sushi. Lets put it this way. If they like their sushi from a floating boat or love a Godzilla roll and want something more authentic. This wouldn't be a bad place to bring them, in lieu of a more expensive place like Ryoko's. -
Review from Daisy C.
San Francisco, CA
4/23/2012
This place went from "Wow! What a great place! love it!" to "never again!" within a year of us living in the neighborhood.
At first, it was great! Solid recommendation from a friend, great quality sushi, bring your own chopsticks and get free edamame, orgami at your table, fun waiters!
Then... it just started going downhill. There was that one time we waited FOREVER to get our food... then there was that other time the sushi wasn't super fresh tasting.. then, the last time totally put the nail in the coffin for us.
Ignored, (most likely forgotten orders); waited well over 45 minutes for our sashimi plate (!) while we saw people around us get seated, orders taken, and served. Then, when we FINALLY got our sashimi, it was the bottom of the barrel "end of the night" quality and selection.
Me thinks not. Sorry Amasia, Sushi Raw's way better, quality and service wise! WIsh you had kept up the stellar work, but each time got worse and worse for us. -
Review from Talia G.
4/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is SO adorable and quirky. We walked in and the hostess was standing at the counter making origami. Anyone who folds origami is automatically cool in my book. That stuff got me through boring classes in high school and sometimes still gets me through meetings at work.
We ordered:
+ Shrimp Gyoza. 6 delicious dumplings.
+ The Firecracker Roll. Weird, but my friend's favorite. Spicy and covered in rice puffs.
+ A roll with fish and ginger. Gingery, duh.
+ Shrimp Tempura Roll. Yummy, but only 4 pieces.
+ A roll with yellowtail, avocado, and cucumber. Pretty standard.
Overall, the bill came out to around $32.
At first glance, I thought this place was really cheap, but it turns out that although they have cheap rolls, the rolls aren't as large they are at some other places. The decor is cute though and seems to have good specials, so I'd definitely come back. -
Review from Jonathan J.
San Francisco, CA
4/23/2012
Love this place, only about 15 tables and usually never packed, so a waiting to sit down is rare if ever (15min max). Fish is very fresh, the Amasia tataki rolls are amazing, my favorite is Walu Aburi. Also, the Firecracker role is great. On busy nights service can be a little slow, but i really could care less about that because the food is so fresh and good, not worth docking them a star for this.
special notes:
- work on your origami skill before you go
- half off saki some nights
this place is a must go if you're a sushi lover, no frills, just good food, they mean business, sushi chefs are all really nice!! -
Review from Ben W.
Stanford, CA
3/29/2012
I'm a big fan of this place. In the neighborhood, this is my go-to sushi place. They always have great specials. The restaurant is nice and has a very pleasant, comfortable ambience. Never a wait, and always great service. Vegetarian options available for those who don't do fish.
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Review from nicole s.
Los Angeles, CA
3/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
$1 Sake when it's raining, origami on the table and delicious sushi. I can't wait to go back next time I'm in San Francisco on a rainy day.
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Review from Caitlin H.
San Francisco, CA
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
The sushi was on par with any other sushi location I have been to in the city, but guess what?? THIS PLACE ACTUALLY HAS SERVICE.
If you like to be coddled and chatted up, than this is the place for you. You can ask for recommendations and the staff will give great suggestions and explanations.
Also, though its cool that they have origami, the directions have been photocopied so often, they are impossible to read, so good luck!!! Our "butterfly" ended up looking more like a lopsided pyramid.
Oh, and they have mochi ice cream!! -
Review from Monica S.
10/29/2011
Four stars for taste, one extra for character.
The sushi here is great. The fish is fresh, and though the offerings are pretty standard, there are a few unusual (and spectacular) items. We will cross the Bay Bridge to order their Ankimo (monkfish liver appetizer), and though a standout seaweed salad sounds impossible, Amasia somehow pulls it off. Their green tea cheesecake is also a nice treat.
The reason Amasia wins my heart is that it is so delightfully quirky. There are origami instructions and paper on your table, as well as a cat's cradle (and if you can beat your waitress at cat's cradle, you win free food). Sake is 50% off when it rains, which was great back when I lived across the street. And if you bring your own chopsticks, you get free edamame.Listed in: Best Bites, Bay Area Braggin', Best Cheap Eats
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Review from Dave G.
San Francisco, CA
9/5/2011
I used to order from here all the time. Today, I purchased some sushi with tobiko, and the tobiko had gone bad. I took one bite, swallowed a bit, and realized it had a sour taste. I then immediately spit it out.
I called them and asked if I could come in to get a refund. They said sure, come over. I walked in to the restaurant, and they presented me with $5.25 and edamame - the refund for the tobiko, not for the entire order. My entire order was over $60.00.
I informed them I wanted a full refund, and they asked me where the rest of the food was. I told them my girlfriend and room mate had already eaten it. I then told them that since I was most likely going to get food poisoning the next day, I should probably get a profuse apology and a full refund.
They refused, so I walked out. I will not be returning, and also informing my friends not to go there. -
Review from Arnaud T.
San Francisco, CA
1/9/2012
Very nice simple restaurant, almost hidden in a block of mostly residential places. But very close to the busy corner of Market and Noe streets.
Food is usually good, not outstanding (fish cuts tend to be fatty), but always fresh and everything is tasty.
I would give them a better rating but the service is mediocre. The staff is very slow to take your order (they have a ranking system among them, making that each of them has a different task and only 1 person can take the order) and if you don't keep an eye out they will remove your plate before you are done eating. -
Review from Brendan H.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2011 6 photos
Amazingly delicious sushi in a charming neighborhood location. We tried a wide range of sushi, including challenging selections like uni and hawaiian butterfish, and they were all fresh and tasty. Previous reviewers have mentioned the quirky decor, origami, and the short set of traditional Japanese music played live by one of the staff (or is she an owner)? We came early on a rainy Monday and the place was empty but filled up by 7pm. I doubt there would be much of a wait for a table at any time.
Amasia is well worth the trip, whether you're coming from out of town for a taste of authentic San Francisco, or taking a pleasant walk through the back streets from any of the surrounding neighborhoods. Parking was not bad either. -
Review from Sonya D.
6/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Um, how have I not written a review about this place yet? It's a super adorable hole in the wall sushi joint in the Castro, and I love it. It's in the cutest neighborhood and the food is delish! Every time I've walked past it, I've thought to myself that it looks like the perfect friendly SF restaurant.
I especially love the servers. Last time I went we had a super funny, outgoing, and friendly waiter, who added much enjoyment to our meal. The food itself has never let me down. My last visit was especially good. I ordered the Butterfish appetizer (a must!), the Ah-Mango (Yellowtail and mango) roll, Miso Soup w/ Clams, and Green Tea Ice Cream. Everything was tasty, and I want to eat it again soon!
They also have good Sake prices, which is nice if you are a sake fan like myself! Maybe it's just the kid in me, but I also love their make-your-own origami instructions on each table. Fun! -
Review from Eric M.
8/30/2011
This review is going to be a bit biased, seeing as how I still have a sushi buzz going from late last night - but I must declare that Amasia serves some of the best sushi I've ever had in my 28 years on this planet.
I was in a group of four that came here at about 9:15 on a Monday night. We were worried that they might want to shut down, but they had no qualms about serving us right up until closing time and even letting us chat while they cleaned up. The server (I wish I'd gotten his name......wonderful, wonderful fellow) was amazingly energetic, helpful, and made some suggestions that turned out to be delicious.
Notably, the lemon-sake and caterpillar rolls immediately entered my top 5 of all time. For appetizers, the Hawaiian butterfly fish and tuna tartar were delicious and we locked it up with a green tea cheesecake at the end.
Definitely recommended. I'm coming back soon. -
Review from Mark G.
San Francisco, CA
4/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Boring. No chef interaction at bar. Broad menu, but didn't feel special. Fav in SF is still Ejii, and I shoulda just gone with that. Oh yeah, its overpriced too.
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Review from June M.
San Francisco, CA
7/17/2011
My bf and I have been coming here together for a few years, at least once a week if not twice some weeks. Recently though, we've cut down to once a month or less. Something has gone horribly wrong with the service over the last few months. We used to be able to count on the excellent service of the waitresses but they seem to be gone and have been replaced by waiters who are ever so sweet but don't seem to know the menu and unfortunately don't compare with the former waitresses.
On our last visits, it took some time before we got our saki. We ordered appetizers (mussels) as we always do and the waiter told us those weren't appetizers even though the menu clearly stated such. We ordered dinner and it took a very, very long time. In fact, the waiter came by at one point and asked us how dinner was and if we'd like the check. We reminded him that we in fact had not had dinner yet! He was nice, apologized, and eventually we ate.
We are sad to have apparently lost our sushi place, especially since we live across the street from it. How handy was that?! Every time we go now, which as I said, isn't much, we brace ourselves before we walk in and hope for a good night. Hasn't happened in months :(. We would go back if they could get their service together, but for now.... -
Review from Scott G.
San Francisco, CA
10/6/2011
This is a great place to go fore some good fun, sushi, and sake. They always have some sort of 50% off sake deal and are more than willing to explain the differences between all their bottles. We each got a "box" of sake and it was just the right amount for dinner.
They had a lot of sushi to choose from with prices ranging from $5 to $15. I've always liked ordering from my stable of favorites plus a wildcard or two that I have never tried before. This time it was the tako(octopus) nigiri. The actual octopus on top was pretty big and cooked very well (I've had very rubbery octopus in the past). I did not read reviews before going so I did not bring my own chopsticks(damn!) to get the free edamame.
P.S. They have origami + instructions at the table! It's like the japanese version of crayons and paper! -
Review from Bradley E.
Oakland, CA
6/25/2011
A friend and I were determined to find a good sushi place Friday night and happened to stumble across Amasia Hide's Sushi Bar on Yelp. The walk was a little over a mile but was well worth it!
First off, we were seated instantaneously, which was awesome because we somehow worked up quite an appetite walking a whole mile. The entire wait staff was very friendly and our waiter, in particular, really added to the overall experience with his really outgoing attitude.
Of course I couldn't say no to the sake special, which was quite reasonably priced as well as tastey. Aside from this, we had the Walu (butter fish) and Ah-Mango (Yellowtail and mango rolls), which I both recommend, alongside the Rock n' roll (eel amongst other things), Maguro nigiri (tuna), and some spicy tuna rolls.
Also, as everyone else has mentioned, there is origami! Seriously, how many sushi places have you been to where they have origami sets at the table?
It suffices to say, we will be going back. -
Review from Phuong M.
San Francisco, CA
7/6/2011
Came here with an ex recently who loves the place and has been here so much that he is recognized by staff. It wasn't all that crowded on a friday night, which is good for a small space with only a couple waiters. They were sort of attentive--i asked our waiter for more hot tea, but he forgot and the other waiter eventually offered it to me. Waiter1 was very apologetic.
As for the food: Miso soup was okay. Not that great, just okay. I got a salmon skin roll--which i enjoyed--and a firecracker roll (jalapeno tempura with some other stuff i can't remember). It was tasty, but it may have been too spicy, which is a rarity for me. I had to drink a lot of water to get rid of the burn, too bad the waiters were busy and not refilling my glass fast enough.
The guys were nice enough, but i don't really see myself coming back. -
Review from Amy W.
San Francisco, CA
11/26/2011
Delicious fresh tasty fish! Don't order rolls. Nigiri all the way. Walu carpaccio appetizer is delish! Great sake selection and prices as well.
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Review from Toby C.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 6/27/2011 4 photos
I feel like I need to update this review for the lousy service we got there on Saturday evening. The restaurant was more packed than usual but the 2 waitresses seemed way too overwhelmed than they should have been. What happened?
-they forgot to bring my sake (twice). don't stand between a man and his drink!
-they didn't give us any plates
-it took 10 minutes and 2 reminders to bring extra ginger at our table
-wasabi apparently doesn't come automatically with the sushi
-took 15 minutes to pay the bill
Also, the sushi wasn't as amazing as I remembered it the first time. I'll probably give them another chance since I live in the hood but they are going to have to work harder for my money from now on1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/4/2011
Since moving to the hood, I've been wanting to find a cheap, casual sushi spot similar to Wayo Sushi… Read more »
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Review from Aubree S.
San Francisco, CA
3/15/2012
Great sushi, great atmosphere and great pricing. A small warm sake is only $1 on rainy days!!
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Review from Monique K.
Laguna Niguel, CA
4/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Amasia Hide is awesome. Run by an all Japanese wait staff, this was the closest thing my immigrant father had that was like home. According to him, his chirashi was amazing, and is definitely worth a recommendation.
I had the beef don. It's cooked kind of sukiyaki style (the beef) but is still amazingly delicious. My boyfriend had Sushi B, which was also delicious.
Go during Happy Hour, there's not as many people, and the sake they have are awesome! Also, don't forget to bring your own chopsticks for a plate of edamame.
This is the coziest, homiest, family Japanese restaurant that does not compromise quality. It's my new place to go! -
Review from Jarrold O.
San Francisco, CA
4/12/2011
I've been here a couple of times and it never disappoints. The staff are friendly too! Once there was a big to-go order and our sushi took some time to come so the staff treated us to some anamame and even took 10% off our bill! And we weren't even complaining.
Ingredients are fresh and sushi is not rice heavy. Reasonable prices too! I highly recommend it if you are in the neighborhood. -
Review from Haley B.
San Francisco, CA
2/4/2011
I haven't been here for a few months, but back when I lived in the neighborhood we'd frequent Amasia Hide quite a bit.
It's a great neighborhood spot - the prices are really reasonable, and we've always had very fresh fish and good-sized portions. Usually no wait for a table, although this was typically a week-day venue.
That's about the extent that I can comment on the food, but the atmosphere is worth noting. It's a nice medium between hole-in-the-wall sushi and glammed-up sushi: it feel a little rustic, very homey, and is located on the nice stretch of Noe street across from L'ardoise.
Staff is always friendly, and I'm pretty sure they have some good sake/beer specials.
Definitely a gem if you're in the neighborhood.Listed in: Sushi in Castro [area]
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Review from Keegan M.
San Francisco, CA
5/8/2011
The name does allude to it's secret nature. This little neighborhood gem is a great sushi hideaway in the Castro. The place is small and quaint, but perfect. I went on a friday night and there was absolutely no wait- hard to find in the city fo a good sushi spot.
The staff there were oh-so-nice and I fel like I teletransported to Japan overhearing their native language being spoken across the restaurant. Great ambiance and artwork throughout made it feel authentic.
We ordered the saki special, which was amazing. I'm not a big fan of sake, but this won me over. I will be going back just to have a few more tastings. Some of my favorite items on the menu that I got was the clam miso soup whoever knew you could have bottleneck clams with miso soup and tast SO delicious!), rainbow roll (fish was fresh and looked delectable), and the spicy tuna roll. There aren't too many adventurous rolls creations, but certainly very delicious and fresh tasting. My only issue is with the thickness of the rolls. There were quite lare and I would have preferred something that I didn't feel like a chipmunk eating. -
Review from Will N.
Castro, San Francisco, CA
Updated - 7/3/2011
Maybe because it wasn't busy, or maybe they finally got their act together, but the service has been great my last couple of times there.
The sushi continues to be some of the best that I have had. The premium cold sake specials are also rather nice. This is now my top pick for sushi.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/1/2010
I would've given this place 4-5 stars if they could get the service together.
The sushi is amazing.… Read more »
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Review from Manabu M.
8/10/2010 6 photos
Duboce Triangle is the triangular residential area shaped by Duboce St., Market St. and Castro St.
There, many objects mysteriously disappear. Socks disappear in the laundry rooms of many residences. Dog droppings disappear especially when considerate dog walkers are with their dogs. Even Muni N line trains with full of passengers disappear.
Amasia Hide's Sushi Bar is located near the center of the triangle.
It is owned by a Japanese couple, the chefs and waitresses are Japanese as well.
I couldn't imagine that they had such a spacious dining room by looking at the entrance.
The décor is somewhat simple.
This restaurant is very unique. There are so many things that you should know BEFORE you go there.
1. If you bring your own "non-disposable" chopsticks, you will get free boiled edamane. When they serve edamame, they will bring a recycled paper origami bowl so that you can put the empty pods.
2. From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. is their "Happy Hour" and you get 50% off on Large Hot Sake and Asahi Super Dry Beer.
3. From 6:40p.m., "live" Koto music is played for 20 minutes. Koto is a Japanese string musical instrument with 13 strings which is similar to a Chinese "guzheng". When I was there, they played "Sakura Sakura" and it was really wonderful. I had not heard the live Koto sound since I was 13 years old.
4. They will choose a "lucky person" of the day every day. The lucky person will get 50% off on drinks. When I went there on the "7th" of August, the 7th customer, who was a friend of mine, was the lucky person and he got the deal.
5. On a rainy day, small hot sake is just $1.00!
We ordered "Steamed Shrimp Gyoza", Sushi Combo B, Sashimi Combo A, an extra "Negi-Hama" roll (green onion + yellow tail) and extra Mackerel sushi.
Steamed Shrimp Gyoza was delicious! Very delicate and full of shrimp flavor.
My Sushi Combo B ($16.00) had 8 pieces of nigiri, which were Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail, Albacore, Red Snapper, Shrimp, Egg Omelets, Eel and 6 pieces of tuna roll called 'Tekka." Although each piece was a little smaller than those of other sushi restaurants but the quality of fish was good enough to enjoy the dinner. If you come here with an extremely empty stomach, you should order some appetizers. The Negi-Hama roll and Mackerel sushi were good as well.
As for the dessert, I had "Taiyaki" and it was good. But I had never had bad "Taiyaki" before so it was a safe dessert to me.
The service may be slow but they have "Origami paper" and "Cats Cradle string" with instructions at each table so you can have fun learning Japanese culture while you wait for the meal as well.
Overall, my dining experience was good and I liked it.
Amasia Hide's Sushi Bar is not just a place to enjoy Japanese food but also a place to enjoy Japanese culture like origami and Koto music. The smallish portion may have come from a famous Japanese saying, "Hara-hachibume (=Tummy should be 80% full)" In Japan, people are taught not to eat 100% full to be healthy. Some people stop eating before they are stuffed. This restaurant may be teaching us the Japanese healthy eating habit.
When I got out of the restaurant, the cold air of San Francisco gently touched my cheeks heated by sake drinks. And I walked two more blocks to check out my lesbian friend's dream address.
69 Beaver Street.Listed in: Japanese restaurants
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Review from Paul M.
San Francisco, CA
6/22/2011
Only rating my favorite places for now :P
More than a neighborhood gem, the staff is Japanese for a change and so is the LIVE music and table entertainment--origami, anyone?
Ordered the House special's chirashi and other delicious sushi on the three visits I've made and left happy and satisfied every time.
Also a very kid friendly place in the otherwise canine dominated Castro, did I mention the origami? -
Review from Patty L.
Berkeley, CA
8/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
My Japanese ancestors would be proud of this joint. It's like having a true Osakan experience right in the heart of Duboce Triangle!
Here's why:
Really tasty and affordable sushi. $5 maki rolls that are generously stuffed with fresh fish and veggies. My favorites are the Salmon Mango and the Hama Hide rolls.
Having a dad who makes bomb ass sushi, I hold high standards for taste AND presentation. A+ for both Amasia! The sushi arrives at your table on a beautiful platter and the servers take their time to name each roll you've ordered.
Fresh and flavorful wakame salad.
Amazing hamachi kama that's grilled perfectly so the giant collar's tender and flavorful. Drizzle some lemon on your kama and you're good to go!
Half off sake specials for when it's raining or if you're the "n"th customer on the "n"th day of the month.
Super friendly sushi chefs and servers.
It's owned by a Japanese couple Hideji and his wife Shoko who plays koto, a beautiful looking and sounding Japanese instrument. You can see it here http://en.wikipedia.or... or at the restaurant.
Clean bathrooms
Lovely background music complements the quiet and laid back atmosphere.
Cute little 4 tops or 2 tops with benches against the back wall. Or sit at the sushi bar and mingle with the sushi chefs.
I've been a regular at Amasia for several years now and have always had a terrific experience. Never had to wait for a table or great service. With authentic sushi, servers, and Shoko playing the koto, an Amasia experience can't be beat.
Tip: They knock 10% off your entire bill if you pay with cash.
I can't wait to return and stuff my face with delicious sushi and grilled kama. 5 stars for everything! -
Review from John R.
San Francisco, CA
12/6/2010
At first sight it looks like a quick sushi place: no-nonsense decor, small tables, and a long catering counter taking up half the place. The menu is also quite basic - no real surprises on it.
But the staff are friendly, and there's lots of little touches which make this place adorable. If it's raining, you get a $2 (or 1$?) warm sake. If you're the Nth customer on the Nth of the month, you get 25% (or was it 50%?) off any sake. I'm sure there's been something "special" or "lucky" every time I've been there or perhaps I'm just quite lucky :) There's origami all over the place and there's a kit on the tables if you need something to fill the short time to get served.
The fish quality is good - it's not the best-of-the-best but excellent value, well prepared and very tasty. I'm not a sake aficionado but they've all been quite tasty and leaving me wanting more. Yes, it gets served and overflowed in a silly plastic box, but I kind of like that.
So yes, it's a no-nonsense sushi restaurant, and normally that wouldn't be my thing, but it's so charming and reliable, and I always leave with a smile - I just have to keep coming back.Listed in: Reliable Dining
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Review from Gabe S.
St Paul, MN
11/26/2011
Nice laidback restaurant. Decent food.
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Review from sam s.
San Francisco, CA
4/17/2011
love this place- it's so quaint! Service is always stellar- the japanese wait staff are adorable. So polite.
Food =
amazing!
i recommend the hawaiian butter fish (there is a specialty roll also which has butter fish and it is well worth the extra $$)- and the vegetarian roll with eggplant in it- the eggplant is warm in the centre when they serve it. My friend that lived in Japan said it is the closest place he has come to being 100% authentic, outside of Japan. He always orders the beef don. -
Review from Tim W.
San Francisco, CA
11/5/2010 1 Check-in Here
This is a decent sushi place. It's traditional Japanese (not the saucy Korean stuff). Fish is very fresh. Walu (butterfish) items are FABULOUS!
If it's raining, RUSH down to Amasia Hide's for half-price saki! (or maybe it's dollar saki? I don't remember so don't quote me).
Someone on Yelp said they give you ten percent off if you pay with cash. I do not think this is true. We brought cash and when we asked about it, we got some really awkward looks and the nice waitress had to go ask the boss. We did get the 10% - but you won't get it unless you are prepared to have an awkward, possibly unpleasant experience negotiating over the check, which might feel kinda tacky after you've finished the meal.
One final note: the prices are not great. They border on being too high. I would give this place four stars if the prices were lower. -
Review from Julie K.
San Francisco, CA
11/24/2011
Cute little sushi place. It's really close by to my place which is how i found it, since it is a little hidden. Smaller portions that I'm used to at a sushi place but it tastes great and is average priced (though they have some good happy hour specials that change throughout the week). Cute atmosphere and they have origami paper at the table which I love (though I can only make cranes haha)
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Review from Carol L.
I wanted to take my sister out to a nice sushi restaurant as a thank you for several favors she had done for me recently. When choosing sushi restaurants though, she said she would rather find a cheaper but good sushi restaurant that she could start frequenting instead of going to a new fancy shmancy top of the line sushi restaurant. Amasia Hide delivered just that. The sushi snob in me would not recommend Amasia Hide if you are looking for the highest quality fish and the largest selection of interesting varieties. However, if you want decent sushi at an affordable price, Amasia's fish was still fresh, and the quality was much higher than other sushi restaurants with similar prices.
The three of us ordered:
- 2 orders hamachi (yellowtail) nigiri
- 2 orders Hawaiian butterfish nigiri
- 2 orders saba (mackerel) nigiri
- 1 order amaebi (sweet shrimp)
- 1 hamachi negi roll (hamachi and scallion)
- 1 Philadelphia roll (salmon and cream cheese)
- 1 hamachi kama (broiled yellowtail collar)
- 1 hamachi don (hamachi rice bowl)
- 1 chirashi don (assorted sashimi rice bowl)
Total: $79 before tip. Wow! My favorites were the butterfish and the saba, but I was underwhelmed by the hamachi.
I also liked the little details that this sushi restaurant offers:
- Free edamame if you bring your own chopsticks!
- Origami paper, origami instructions, and cat's cradle offered at each table
- 5% off if you pay cash
- 50% off sake specials
- Japanese-owned
Overall, it was enjoyable. Worth coming back for a satisfying sushi fix if you don't feel like splurging on the highest quality good stuff! In other words, if you were to qualify sushi into my friend Chris L.'s 3 categories: Budget, Better, or Baller... Amasia Hide would fall into "Better!" Amasia is 3.5 to 4 stars, but worth rounding up. Pictures uploaded.Listed in: Itadakemasu!, ROTD
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Review from Ravena F.
4/17/2008
With so many sushi restaurants in the city, it's rare that I get to say I had a unique experience. And further, that it would appeal to many types of Japanese food-lovers.
For the serious:
- Fresh fish, well cut (not huge slices), good rolls (creative & standard)
- Nice presentation, served in order of sake, miso, sake, sashimi, sake, rolls, sake, warm fish, sake (ok, ok, the sake interjections are my own preference, & probably aren't part of a typical meal)
- Excellent specials menu
For the nervous:
- Decent selection of cooked fish, noodles, rice dishes, vegetarian rolls etc.
- Unpretentious environment & staff, not likely to turn their noses up at dropped pieces, holding the chopsticks wrong, or dipping things in sauces that aren't meant for said "thing"
For the conversationally challenged:
- Tables have origami supplies (w/ instructions) & cat's cradle
- Quiet restaurant even when crowded, so when you do finally hazard a conversation starter, at least you'll be heard
For the glutton:
- Wide variety of various Japanese cuisine
- Cheap to average prices, so you can order a lot and not break the bank (recent friend's birthday dinner for 2 - we stuffed ourselves, drank plenty of sake & added desserts, total: $75 before tip)
For the family:
- Lots to look at on the walls
- Aforementioned craft activities provided
- Tile (read: easily cleaned) floors
For the weird:
- Some sake comes poured at your table into square cups - purposely poured to overflow onto the saucer below
- You can leave your origami artwork on the shelves - my most recent favorite is a mini-fan - so silly next to the fancy frogs, hippos, calculators etc
It's one of the most charming neighborhood restaurants and it's on one of my favorite streets in San Francisco (community gardening project in full effect). You know, you really ought to try it. -
Review from Nobu K.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2006
I came up with a theory.
Authentic doesn't mean for every one.
And, it is all-right for you to dislike it.
Maybe because too authentic sometimes.
I do understand it.
It'll take for while to understand to get used to it.
I don't dislike American things in general but I dislike MacDonalds.
I dislike Tom Cruse.
This place has great authentic Japanese flavor.
The Sishi Chef is First class.
But, too small for me even it has dimple.
I do like and expect a Nigiri has nice big sliced meat over Shari.
( of course exept Ika and Tako )
I just don't appreciate that person who always say " Oh! it's too big! "
I always say, " You fxxxin' shut-up! "
Again,
There is No double bites and double dipping when you eat Nigiri.
That's turned-off.
Anyway,
This place,
Sushi chef knows how to slice.
This makes big different.
not a chopping-cut.
His Neta is over sized shari.
I appreciate that very much.
but still,
Nigiri was too small.Listed in: Authentic Japanese in SF, Sushi Nazi
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Review from Keisha A.
Los Angeles, CA
4/4/2010 2 photos
Since I've returned from San Francisco and eating at Amasia, I've been almost singularly focused on having sushi. I want it for lunch and dinner everyday. Amasia served some of the freshest, thickest cuts of sushi I've had in a long time - and for a crazy price. For less than $20 I had a small bottle of sake, edamame, miso soup, and an 8-piece sushi set including yellowtail, albacore, tuna, mackerel, salmon and cooked egg.
The staff is really friendly and happy to help you decide what to order should you be undecided. The origami hanging from the ceiling, aligning the piping on the walls add kitsch. The hip-hop playing adds trend.
Amasia is definitely worthy of a return visit on my next trip to SF.Listed in: California Love
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Review from James M.
Oakland, CA
11/6/2006
Cozy and welcoming is this wonderful little neighborhood sushi joint.
The minute you walk into the corner spot, everyone greets you with a smile that sets the tone for a nice meal.
Seaweed and cucumber salad is good, hijiki salad is good, miso is good. The sushi is extremely fresh, and the sashimi cuts are generous and include both miso and rice. The prices are reasonable for the high quality fish.
I actually went here based on some yelp reviews, and it's fast become my happy neighborhood sushi experience.
Arigato people!
