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Category: Sushi Bars [Edit]
Neighborhood: Cole ValleyTue-Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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I heard from my friend that they are great but their service is bad. I found it opposite. They were super duper nice. They came over, talked about their trip to Japan, asked how we found them, asked where I am from, what I do, which fish is fresh today....
So the chef is from Nagano and the wife is from Tokyo. Kurosawa is the sake to order here since chef is from Nagano, to be a good side of the chef.
Sushi is fresh and good. I still say Ino may be one centimeter ahead in my sushi experience. But they gave us complementary mochi dessert, and great service.
I'm pretty much going to chime in with what others have said:
-This place is just kind of funky all around.
-It's a Japanese husband and wife couple running the place, so it's a lot more like going over to somebody's house rather than going to a restaurant.
-It's a very small seating area and it almost feels like you are in a basement.
-It seems pretty traditional, and the Sushi is really good.
-The service *is* really slow, particularly if all tables are full. Take note that I do not mean a little bit slow, I mean slooooooooooow.
-The $12.50 minimum per person is kind of weird. I actually thought it might be some kind of typo until reading some of the other reviews here on Yelp.
-Do not ask for rice, my friend did, and was denied. The wife pointed out that what my friend ordered did not come with rice. This is a little odd because I've heard that restaurants in Japan pride themselves on their service, and basically go out of business if they do not provide top quality service. I was told this by a friend in Osaka, so I don't know if it's the same in all of Japan.
-I'm not sure if I will come back or not. It might require a vicodin prescription just to slow down my world enough to be patient enough to enjoy myself. Especially now that I know it wasn't a fluke.
ps. Go to Kitchen Kura for a homey place with better service.
pss. You've been warned.
We just met the Sushi-Nazi of San Francisco! Amazing.
At first I was a bit surprised by her curtness. I thought I had misunderstood what she said. "Order only one time all your sushi" HuH? like, you're not allowed to order more if you are still hungry? okay, that's a bit weird. But wait-- there's more! A young couple came in with an infant in a stroller, the chef calls out from the kitchen, asking if the baby is "calm.," that the ("very nice baby") could disturb some customers. wow. They basically made them feel wholly unwelcome and they left.
Non breeders only at this establishment.
Then there is the line on the menu reading 12.50 minimum per person. WHAT? Okay, maybe if the place was nice looking, fancy, or something...... but the cardboard in the window and dust on the empty bottles, random art and a 14 year old article leaning against the wall where they had been featured in some local paper, the very chinese restaurant chairs and mismatched tables are no sign of a place deserving a 12.50 minimum order request.
There are only a hundred million sushi places here in S.F. to choose from.... Choose wisely.
I have not had the pleasure of eating at this place.
However, we made an honest attempt to come here last night, based on a friend's recommendation. Considering they don't take reservations, we showed up at 5 pm, thinking we'd get in as soon as they opened.
Even though their hours said they opened at 5, there was still no sign of life at 5:15. No one picked up the phone either, or answered the knock on the door.
We literally looked up Yelp reviews on our iPhones and went to Koo, another sushi restaurant close by instead. Wonderful place!
Best sushi EVER!
The quality and freshness of fish, the precise cut of the chef...it doesn't get better than this.
The husband (chef) and wife duo are very nice and very cute.
Everything that they serve is melt in your mouth and prices are very reasonable.
I would fly across country to eat here!
Oh, Yelp review highlights feature...you can't help but be insightful, can you? While most restaurants yield top 3 keywords like "gingerbread pancakes", "falafel burrito", or "mango panang", for Hama-Ko you just had to bring up Junko and Tetsuo, the elderly and punctilious Japanese couple who run this sushi basement hidden in plain sight off the corner of Carl & Cole (amazing what not having a sign will do). But J&T *are* the defining feature here; while a lot of SF restaurants claim to do "homestyle" food, there's precious few that truly turn out food indistinguishable from a home kitchen, and that's because it really is a family making it all (New Ganges also comes to mind).
But that's exactly the kind of sushi you'll get at Hama Ko. As with all things homemade, the first thing you notice is that portions are smaller and presentation less lavishly professional--you won't get any artful, pimped-out "dragon" or "rainbow" rolls here. But as Nobu points out, at Hama Ko they're not pulling any spicy, tempura-fried wool over your eyes. You're going to taste the quality of their fish straight, no chaser (in fact if there's one place to kick the roll habit and go straight to nigiri/sashimi, this is it--just throw yourself on the mercy of the $25 chef's choice platter).
Conclusion? Yes, that fish is damn good (especially the eel--I wanted to try giant clam too but they didn't have it). But honestly, I'm not ready to go 100% substance-over-style just yet. I mean, those trendy Sangha concoctions are damn innovative and worthy of praise in their own way. But either way, Hama-ko is undeniably a cult classic on the SF sushi trail.
Hama-Ko is a difficult one for me. I think the rule is this: Do not eat here if you are not a true sushi-enthusiast, or if you don't have time to dedicate to a leisurely and lengthy meal.
I've eaten here probably a dozen times. The fish selections are insanely fresh. There is no crappy Americanized sushi available (try to order a dragon roll and get kicked out). I love that-- it's very much like the Soup Nazi, in that there is a strict protocol of behavior appropriate to eating in another's home, and it is not at all yuppie-washed out like many other sushi restaurants have become.
That being said, here's the bad-- it's tiny and often crowded. Getting a seat is not a foregone conclusion, even when there are empty tables. There is definitely a sense that certain people get treated better here. The place reeks of moist fish, and has 100% humidity, all the time (the windows fog up like a bad frat party). The service cannot possibly be slower.
If you know all that going in, you will be rewarded with a great meal and a great story. Otherwise, just go to Grandeho just up the street, where you can order crappy rolls with fun Americanized names at ridiculous prices.
Why do people write bad reviews of places they've never even been inside? An extra star they get from me to balance out this arrogance.
They're hard-core, and definitely have their rules, but if you can get past that, the food is quite… Read more »
Hama-Ko is a hidden treasure, as most restaurants-in-garages are. There's not even a sign out front. An older couple run the show, and a visit to Hama-Ko is like visiting the kitchen of a private Japanese home. There may appear to be a lot of rules, but it's really a matter of common sense, understanding of a culture, and proper etiquette. Do not be deterred by reports of poor service. Just know that you will spend your evening here. Enjoy it!
They'll seat you when your entire party arrives. It's hard to tell how busy they'll get at any moment because of their prime location by the Carl and Cole intersection, so that's completely understandable. As I waited outside, my dining companions for the evening trickled in one at a time. Luckily, the restaurant did not fill up before we were seated.
I ordered the Omakase [Chef's Choice] Sashimi Dinner. The others ordered the Sushi Dinner. Fresh [selected daily!] and absolutely delicious! The scallop sashimi was foodgasmicly [definitely not a word, hah!] phenomenal and possibly a favorite now.
Plates were cleared as we tackled the sushi and sashimi. Hot sake and cold beer were replenished as we enjoyed the food and the company. Near the end of our meal, hot tea was offered to the table.
I'll definitely revisit when I'm feeling a little nostalgic for Japan. There's always room for a little hot sake, and a whole lot of fresh sashimi. Note that there are no jive ass rolls [http://www.yelp.com/bi...] here!
Living in the neighborhood, I always wondered what this place was. Sake bottles lined the windowsill, so I figured it was a Japanese restaurant of some sort. I also never knew when it was open. Very mysterious and enticing - I had to try it.
Walking into Hama-Ko was like walking into someone's kitchen. We were welcomed warmly, but then felt pressured to make our sushi selections quickly. Turned off by the high prices, we ordered only a few sashimi to try and planned to go to Burgermeister down the street to fill our stomachs.
Big mistake. It was rudely pointed out to us that we neglected the $12.50 minimum per person. Tricked AND trapped! The sushi we got was fresh...but wasn't worth the money we spent. You can get just as good or better sushi elsewhere for less. Service got considerably worse from that point on too.
I guess curiosity killed the cat.
The service here is beyond awful but the sushi is very good. It's owned by an elderly Japanese couple. At first I thought they were adorable but we know that appearances can be deceiving. The wife runs the dining area and she takes FOREVER to refill your pot of tea, bring the check, etc.
I haven't interacted much with the husband but I like his approach. He's a sushi purist who picks his fresh fish daily (at the fish market) and keeps things simple - fresh fish and a bit of sushi rice. No fancy rolls. The menu is limited. I like the simplicity of the décor and the tucked away, hidden feeling of the restaurant (they don't have the restaurant name displayed).
Don't come hungry or thirsty and be prepared for a SLOOOOOOOW meal. Forget about asking for a bowl of rice. Don't even think of asking. Read the other reviews and you'll see that you really shouldn't ask for anything.
I don't really have the patience to deal with this place or earn the respect of the husband and wife. I'm not asking for much. I just want decent/okay service, what you can get at most restaurants in the US. I'm not looking for chit chat or a smile but some efficiency and responsiveness. Sadly, I don't think I can ever come back here because I just don't feel like dealing with the wife. I've been there a few times because I went with people who really wanted to go.
I would give the wife 1 star for service (or zero, if that were possible) but I respect the husband's approach, so the overall restaurant gets four stars. I'm being really nice because I always have a rotten service experience here.
Cute. It's like going into someone's house. Actually, it is.
I don't know why people complain about needing to bring proper etiquette; if you have manners already, you'll be fine. The couple actually turned out to be extremely friendly and I was welcomed and dismissed warmly.
This is about sushi though, right? Delicious. One of my favorite places to go. There's no weird sushi rolls here - just the real stuff. Their fish is so fresh that I could die peacefully right there, and everything about eating here has been perfect for me.
Go, you won't regret it! Just be a civilized human being for once.
Kawaiiiiiii. That's how Japanese school girls describe really really cute things. Like that live dog puppy cam on Ustream (geek out with me for a minute) swears is going to be the biggest phenomenon. That's how I'd describe this spot.
This "family" and by that I mean, husband/wife team, who run this 4 table sushi joint on their own really deliver on low key, no bullshit, sushi. They hold it down with tradition and seem to enforce a code of conduct which the undiscerning California roll seeker might find offensive.
When two gainjin walk in, like I did last night with a female companion, they might not get seated or served promptly, that's just a guess. Lucky for me, my date is a neigborhood local, and I flex a little Japanese speaking skills. Truth be told, the female half of this propreitership who does the serving was happy to accept my order in Japanese, but didn't really want to take the conversation in Japanese farther. Not cuz she's rude, but because she's seen it and done it all.
My date urged me to play it cool... be patient to be served. I was. We laughed and drank some more, but waited long enough that I was sober again.
I dont' usually give up the reins on ordering, but i felt comfortable with my date's selections, a) she'd been here and b) she's got good "taste" (for food yo! stop your dirty minds) Look, I'm no snob, but when it comes to sushi, i like to think, i've had some of the finest fish la mer has to offer, knaw mean? The sushi at Hama-ko is legit, but not top tier. Let me rephrase, it's very very good. The uni was sublime (yeah, I said it.) After 2 tall sake and a large Asahi and an hour later, I was ready to grub. Get the hamachi toro, splurge and be thankful.
If you get two mochi on the house at the end of the meal, you'll know your business was appreciated and you should go back, if not... stick to your Westernized and bastardized sushi bodega, sucka!
0 Ambiance (or a 10 if you're into the whole stark minimalist, no frills look make it more authentic tasting)
7 for food. 8 if you're super hungry already
10 for the family that runs it. Classy. Dear Hama-ko, don't change.
PS, goto the bar up the street, with live jazz if you're there on a sat night. ignore the yuppies in the bar and get loose... forgot the name of the spot, but you'll figure it out.
Sushi was great. It really tastes fresh!
This is a cute little place that is fun by a couple. They are adorable, service is not fast so if you are in a rush not a great place. They love to chit chat and they remember the regulars.
The chef special is perfect because they pick what is fresh that day.
More Nigiri and Sashimi than rolls.
I am just so surprised this place has such mixed reviews.
Frankly, we had a great meal, were treated respectfully and warmly by the owners, were able to make changes to our choices, got all our items along with our miso, and were allowed to linger over our meal without feeling rushed.
The owners seemed genuinely pleased we came in and we were greeted with warm smiles!
My friend knows Sushi. I woefully do not. He ordered lots of interesting items and had a conversation with the owner about better choices for the evening and what would please me, a novice. She was clear to tell us that they pride themselves on being authentic Japanese style sushi.
The chef, the owner, came out to show us photos of his famous return customers. We laughed and called out across the restaurant to him complementing him on the wonderful food and presentation.
I was pleased with the food, the service, the presentation, and the price. I would definitely return - and I feel they may even recognize me!
Don't let the cute old Japanese owners and funky little space fool you! Hama Ko sucks. My wife and I use to live down the street and whenever we passed by the little space, we thought "What a cute little sushi joint." We finally made a night of it and were so disappointed.
First of all, we wanted to sit at the sushi bar, but it's only reserved for singles. We then were told that we had to order all of our sushi at once and that we couldn't add anything more after our initial order. I'm not sure about others, but when I eat sushi, especially at a new place, I like to sample bits and pieces at a time. If during the course of the meal I get a craving for some unagi, then I should damn well be allowed to order it.
The wait to get our sushi was rather long (they only have one sushi chef) and the pieces of sashimi that we did get resembled fish bait rather than something one would eat. If you are in the neighborhood, wander down Irving and try out Koo. The service is great, the sushi does not resemble something you would stick your fishing hook through, and you can add to your order anytime.
Fondly referred as the "no name sushi place" due to the lack of signage, I still rank this mom & pop restaurant as one of my absolute favorites. Not sure if it is due to their various unspoken rules (yes, good manners will earn you brownie points) or the fact that you feel like a guest at a B&B without all that annoying small talk. Hama-Ko is definitely a refreshing change to the designer sushi establishments that seem to overpopulate our city.
But if a SoSuMi Roll with its spicy tuna, crab mix, red onion, shrimp tempura and spicy aioli rolled in soy paper is what you are craving then Hama-Ko is not place for you.
So this is my most favorite sushi restaurant in the city/possibly I've ever been to, which is sort of saying a lot seeing as I've been eating sushi with chop sticks since before I could say spaghetti (it was sort of a hard word for me...).
Anyways, there are many reasons I love this place, but I can understand how it's not for everyone. I love simple sushi...no frills of Japanese American sushi rolls, just deliciously fresh fish on top of rice, which Hama-Ko delivers in plenty. I also love Uni and other things similar to Uni such as the house special monk-fish liver cooked in Sake (yum! but you have to like creamy things with a side of slime). So, if California rolls are your thing, don't come here. You will not be able to find a CA roll nor will the hubby and wife team be happy with you...
And speaking of the hubby and wife team, I love them. One time, about a year and a half ago, my wallet fell out of my purse when I was leaving and the next day, they had walked over to my apt (I live locally) and written a note on the door saying I should come by to pick up my wallet. Now that is just beyond nice and is wonderfully adorable. At this point, they know me by name and always ask about my father (a 6'4" man who gets almost more excited than I do about good sushi, except he's bigger than me, so it's funnier...they really like my dad too). I also get fresh mochi at the end of my meals and sometimes even a few extra pieces of sushi. (shhhh, they say to me when they hand them over).
So Hama-Ko is my fav sushi in the city for many reasons not all of which are listed here, but might not be your cup of tea if you are a frequenter of place like Tsunami and heart Philadelphia rolls.
I
Hama-ko is a gem.
You will eat the freshest fish and enjoy it's rare simplicity.
Basically you are dining in an old japanese kitchen. The ambiance is not why you come here. The service is not fast. However if you want to eat amazing sushi served by the cutest older japanese woman I have ever seen and made by her adorable husband then this is your ticket.
It's all about the food. There is no sign on the window, i like to think of it at a secret little spot you are lucky to come across. go there!!
Disclaimer: I know Junko and Tetsuo. I may get preferential service.
I celebrated my birthday there last Saturday and my meal was perfection. I have had the worst cold in recent memory for the last week and their clam soup worked miracles that chicken soup can only dream about.
I'm not too fond of ordering uni, but at Hama-ko the uni is sweet and delicate. The giant clam is also so fresh that it contracts when you tap on it. Tetsuo insists on procuring only the best fish like Alaskan king salmon.
When you commit to eating here, just know that you'll be here the whole night.
Hama-ko is only for the most devoted sashimi/sushi connoisseur who has perhaps experienced this… Read more »
I'm going to start off here by saying that I'm a huge sushi fan. I love the stuff. I could probably eat it every day of the year. (For multiple meals)
So it pains me to admit to even eating here. It had such promise..
I pass this place every day on the N train and up until today thought that I should give this place a chance.
Well, let my experience guide you. This place is SO not worth going to. I took my wife, who isn't much of a sushi fan, but does appreciate quality. She now can't stand this place.
Here's what happened.
We got there at about 8:30. There was a table with a reserved sign open and the rest of the place packed. After about 20 minutes of not being acknowledged the chef's wife asked us where we wanted to sit. We pointed to the bar. She said no, and the chef barked at us for even suggesting such a thing. So we waited another 10 minutes and she offered the reserved table.
Once seated we waited another 15 minutes for the menus. We looked them over and had a very good idea of what we wanted. We then waited, and waited, and waited. After 40 minutes, she came and took our order. And they never came by and asked how we were doing.
I should also note that a party of one came in and was turned away. And, this is just a feeling, but since we're white, we barely got noticed, whereas the asian customers and repeat customers got plenty of attention.
Here is what we asked for.
1. 2 orders of hamachi, sake, maguro
2. 1 order each of saba, uni, natto, ankimo, scallops, engawa, california roll (for the wife :) ), teka maki
3. An order of miso
Here is what we got.
1. 1 order of hamachi, 2 orders of smoked salmon. (They emphasize fresh, you call this fresh??)
2. uni, maguro, ankimo, scallops, engawa, california roll (fake crab) and teka maki.
We didn't get the other order of hamachi, and I asked three (3) times for the miso soup and she said yes each time. (Other customers got theirs)
We also got verbally abused for even thinking of asking for bonito, evidently its not in season right now (Even though most other bars carry it regularly)
The bill came to $75 for that.. Most other bars that would go for about 50-55$
I guess you pay extra for being verbally abused.
As for me, I will never, ever step foot in that place again. If I want to be verbally abused, I will call my mother.
Don't bother with Hama-Ko, go to Shi-mo or any number of better bars in the city.
When my sister told me about her sushi dinner at some Easy Bay restaurant where $17 got her so much food she had to take some home, I thought of Hama-Ko.
No, it's not because Hama-Ko has giant nigiris or cheap, it's actually the opposite. My fiance and I had dinner there on a Friday night, afraid that it'd be crowded because this no-name place was always packed every time he wanted to try it in the past few years when he walked by. But it wasn't bad at all. We were seated right away.
The husband-wife team is a bit intimidating, not only because we read all these "bad service" warnings on yelp but just the fact that they are elderly Japanese---kinda makes you feel like you are eating at your friends' grandparents' place. Sure they don't have the right to discipline you, but you still check your sitting posture once in a while so they don't think of you as "bad kids."
Service will be slow, as it is a two-person team. So take your time, sip your tea, watch the window slightly fog up and imagine the pedestrians walk around Cole Valley in a cold and misty summer night. Meanwhile you are sitting in a cozy little restaurant with 5 other couples, salivating for the coming fresh sushi.
I had the sashimi appetizer and a sunomono salad. My fiance had a few different sushi, including some that were recommended by the wife because they were out of his favorites such as Uni.
The quality of the fish is top notch. Thai snapper, tuna, hotate, and salmon all tasted buttery and melted in my mouth. I tried to savor them longer but alas, I just didn't order that much.
And then we remembered Yelp reviews mentioning the rule against ordering more after you have put in your order. So we decided that we in fact ate just enough and should head home.
The moral of the story? Yes, Hama-Ko may not stuff you up like the $17 dinner combo at other places (in fact, our bill was a hefty $56 with no drinks), but the sushi was worth the semi-hunger feeling you must endure for the rest of the night.
And for those of you who are concerned about our bellies and general health, we did munch on a bunch of stuff when we got home.
If you enjoy a side of abuse with your sushi, have an entire evening to kill and a wallet to empty, you'll love Hama-Ko.
Can we sit at the bar? NO!
Can I get sake sashimi? NO! Not tonight. How dare you!
The fish is not noteworthy. The variety is lame. The wait is atrocious. The abuse unnecessary. Plus, one of my dining partners found a bone in his hamachi nigiri. If these things appeal to you, you should totally eat here. It means you probably suck and should stay away from my good sushi restaurants.
Here's the thing: I make it a practice never to engage in that, "The nasty people who run this place really like ME" kind of one-upsmanship, because I don't like giving assholes my money in order to feel special.
The sushi here is very good, and if you're the kind of person who likes to be in the know and is immune to rudeness, you will enjoy this experience. Personally, if I want an old lady yelling illogical rules at me, I will go visit the nuns who ran my high school.
If you notice, people either give this place one star or five... the reason, "if you're rude and impatient, they don't want you to come back!" The truth is, as a loyal customer, I don't want you to come back either. Go get your sushi fix at Whole Foods... someone like you wouldn't know the difference anyways... I love how the typical SF diner thinks that they're royalty and should be treated as such.
Hama-Ko is like going to your friends grandparent's house for dinner. Be on your best behavior and you'll be given one of the greatest experiences ever. Act like an asshole, and you'll get what you deserve.
Want the best sushi SF has to offer? Shut up, and only speak when spoken to.
The absolute best sushi experience. If you like authentic sushi and very fresh fish, this is the place. We were told of the "rules" and made sure not to upset the owners. The women seated us and was extremely nice.
The sushi was mind blowing. We ordered a wide variety and were impressed with each. My personal favorite was the Thai Red Snapper.
We also managed to have some of the best oysters on the half shell, we've ever had!
Yes, you may not get seated, as the place is first come, first serve. However, if you have the patience and can dine without being over-demanding and are appreciative -- on a good day, this may be one of the best sushi restaurants in the city.
My perfect sashimi plate.
Junko and Tetsuo (proprietors) are the best store owners ever. Of anything. I'm serious. Junko serves everything, and Tetsuo makes everything. They are both sweet and polite as ever. If you compliment Tetsuo on the fish (and you'll want to, because it is always fresher than fresh), he'll hold up a slab for you and tell you how to identify a good piece of fish. I've received this lesson about four times, and I never get tired of it.
Everything that comes out of the kitchen is quality. The sashimi plate I get is always always delicious. The tuna is firm and flavorful, and comes out looking gorgeous. Junko will tell you the fattier the better, and she's right, but all of it is amazing. I've had all sorts of fish there, and I'm never ever been disappointed. Sometimes sashimi can give you the same disappointing feeling as biting into a mealy apple, but I'll tell you what: if Hama Ko's sashimi was an apple, it would be like eating a perfectly crisp and crunchy one with just the right slightly tart flavor...in a gorgeous apple orchard. This simile might be getting out of control, but what I'm saying is, it's magical.
This is not a speedy place, or a place to just go get something to eat. It's an experience. I always kind of feel like I'm in Junko and Tetsuo's home, because it's a very small restaurant, and they are the only people serving you. Therefore, it's slow, manners are really important, and it's satisfying in a way any old restaurant rarely is. So instead of whining about the no cell phone policy, take the opportunity to slow down, shut out the world, and eat great sushi.
How did this place get an average of 4 stars? I like to support mom and pop stores but I just can't for this one. They were a nice couple. That gives them the 1 star.
We can't seat you til your party is here. My friends are parking. COME ON! You had 3 empty tables.
No cell phone - I can appreciate that but dude, the sign was quite hidden. Put it where people entering the restaurant can see it and I would have turned it off and talked outside.
The wife comes over to take our drink order and brings it back. We want to start ordering some food. No, you have to order everything in one shot. Are you serious? I'm hungry and I want to order some to start and then figure out what else I want. The menu only has nigiri and a few rolls and sashimi. So if you're looking for anything else, go somewhere else. The food came and we were not impressed. The fish was very, very, very average. No taste at all to the rice. Portions were small too. We weren't full but we didn't dare to order a second round. Plus it wasn't good so we didn't want to waste any more money here. I was quite disappointed because I was craving for sashimi all week and this is what I get for trying new local restaurants. I would not come again and I don't recommend it.
I have been thinking about re write my Hama-Ko's review for a while because I want to know what the heck is the problem.
Problem is, the fish and the price.
GOOD RAW FISH IS EXPENSIVE!
BAD RAW FISH IS CHEAP!
So, If you are STILL Jive Ass Roll eater, take a moment to think about why they put the spicy sauce on?
Why they need to mix with raw tuna and spicy sauce?
Why they put a FXXXin' TEN-PURA SHIT in the roll?
Why they have to deep fried the whole roll?
The answer is, IT'S ALL ABOUT CAMOUFLAGE.
The reason is very simple.
They want to keep using OLD, CHEAP, CRAP RAW FISH THAT CANNOT BE EATEN BY ITSELF!
IT"S NOT FRESH AT ALL, PERIOD.
So, they have to mix with the junk hot & spicy sauce.
So, you won't taste the SLIMY SHIT OLD RAW FISH almost ROTTEN flavor.
All those Pseudo sushi places are taking advantage of the customers.
This is morally, socially, and politically corrupted.
At Hama-Ko, sometimes he doesn't have much selection because THIS CHEF WON'T BUY CRAP FISH. NEVER!
THIS CHEF ONLY BUYS THE BEST FISH AT THE TIME.
THIS CHEF DOESN"T GIVE A SHIT.
So, you have to follow his recommendations.
That's why you have to follow his rules in his store.
HE IS THE BOSS.
NOT YOU!
Not the customers.
Well, customers need this attitude with any other Japo sushi chefs.
So, why not 5. I have 2 reasons.
1. his nigiri is not my kind.
2. the counter has only 4 seats. So, he has no choice but to keep the 4 seats for Omakase (about $80 for 1, I can't afford that, I have 2 kids in school for crying out loud.)
Dan V. just told me that he paied $50 for 1 Omakase.
So, Omakase price changes often because his fish selection changes. That's really understandalbe.
But, this place is the MUST GO place.
because 2 reasons,
1. Excellent Neta. HE ONLY GIVES YOU THE BEST FISH.
2. Shari (sushi-rice) is the way it should be.
P.S. The chef said, " YoYo-Ma was here, at the same seat that you are sitting."
My old review focused on his attitude, treating no-Japo people badly.
But I think this chef will always keep Japanese tradition to be a good and responsible sushi chef to get good fish. He won't back down. He just wants good fish.
I decided not to erase my old review even though I regret I wrote this.
Hey, nobody is perfect, not even this chef.
-------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
This is old review. about 8 months ago.
Authentic, Japanese-chef from Japan,
who is certified chief for preparing blow-fish.
In Japan, you need to pass the Goverment test to cut blow-fish because of the poison.
So what?!
He was a good and sincere person before but he became a snobbish man.
He thinks he knows every thing about sushi, fish and Japanese food.
Which is true.
But,
Something must happened to this guy.
So as the waitress, his wife. She was very nice.
But she also became rude person.
He seems pissed off by every thing about the American culture.
He criticizes that Americans just don't understand about Sushi.
He reminds me of a fanatic Italian chef in the movie called " Big Night, 1996".
But,
I don't know why he hates everything about America.
This is a sad case.
He has been here too long and change his personality?
People change.
Personality changes some times.
well,
I think It is over priced.
Rude to Non-Japanese people.
He wasn't like that at all when I was there in 1985.
The year he just opened the place.
He was once, a well-manner great sushi chef before.
Not any more.
Hama-Ko is very serious about their sushi, but I have to disagree that they are rude to non-Japanese. They were extremely nice and friendly to us, and were definitely in the Mom and Pop shop spirit as they were even trying to make conversation with us after our meal, and I told them that we're a fan of Ino's and they seemed quite impressed.
The menu focuses a lot on nigiri, but they do have a very savory miso soup with slices of mushroom which was rather nice.
I am not giving it 5 stars because even though they're authentic, they need to give this place a little refreshing or somethin'. The walls are pretty meh and the sushi bar can only hold 4 people. Not only that, but we dined for DINNER, not lunch, and they closed the entire sushi bar for dinner- I find that pretty ridiculous.
The fish is top notch, but their style of nigiri is too bland for me. Good rice grains yet lacking in flavor (perhaps not enough vinegar or somethin') and also they put their wasabi dabbed on top of the fish, not in the middle. Finally, their fish pieces are pretty big (I know..why am I complaining about this? I just feel weird shoving a giant piece of nigiri in my mouth); their salmon nigiri is also smoked which I found kind of interesting..
Overall yes, the sushi is top quality and I would go again but I still prefer Ino or Koo.
P.S. Don't expect rolls here, I can tell they are the owners' pet peeve.
1.) Food taste - 4.5 stars
Top notch in fish. - .5 for bland rice
2.) Cleanliness, freshness - 4.5 stars
Very good, but the place itself could use a fresh coat of paint. Also, they should let some air when they can because theres a stuffy-fish smell when you first come in.
3.) Presentation - 4.5 stars
Standard/simple/cute
4.) Location/price - 2.5 stars
Location parking is on the street, decent if you can get pretty lucky. Price is standard. It's not cheap.
5.) Service - 4 stars
Friendly people and pretty good service.
Eating out with my parents is always a challenge. Eating sushi with my parents is like running through a gauntlet on American Gladiators - pure chaos, humongous (though heavily padded) weapons, and lots of senseless yelling. Love you mom and dad, but you're crazy and together we bring craziness to a new level. The fact that our family knows fresh fish makes it very very difficult at certain times, like sushi-eating times.
So here's what Hama-Ko looks like to the non-crazies. An 8-table mom-and-pop sushi restaurant open for 23 years in Cole Valley. No sign outside, homey decor, no music, a clientelle of neighborhood regulars. The wife waits the tables and the husband makes the sushi. It's a no-bullshit menu - just nigiri, sashimi, and some simple 2-ingredient, max, rolls.
And then there's the crazies' perspective. "45 f'in minutes?!!" (yes, my dad is a teensy bit of a potty mouth - in Cantonese - and I'm already toning down what he said) We were already seated, but we couldn't even place our order until the rest of the tables had gotten their food, which coming from the one elderly gentleman behind the counter, was understandably going to take a little while. "Give me 2 sakes and a large beer," he orders, passive-aggressively complaining that the service is too slow by doubling his drink order. (No one else is drinking). Well, except my mom who asks for the fifth time, "Can I have some of your sake, Daddy?" "No, you drink too much!" "No I don't!" "Yes you do!" "No I don't!" Back and forth for a while between my mother, the 5-foot tall asian lady with zero tolerance for alcohol and my dad who's innately a couple decibels too loud. Perfect.
The nigiri finally come, and the Hamachi-toro is AMAZING. +1 star! THANK GOD. If the food sucked after waiting for an hour to order, my dad would have lost it. The uni, tho I don't eat uni, is unanimously the highlight. "Well, of course, this is the one place in the world where you can eat uni with abandon. It all comes from northern california." Says my brother who is a little fishing-obsessed (the guy has a FoodSaver and a freezer just for the fish he catches). Well, THANK GOD again though no plus or minuses on stars here since good uni is assumed I guess.
So thanks Hama-Ko for having pretty damn good fish and saving me and yourselves from even more of a scene. The one criticism my parents walked away with was the rice. The rice is the de-facto sign of a great sushi chef, and it was hard and flavorless. I actually had to agree with my parents - for once - even though the sweet old couple running the place totally won my heart.
I ate monk fish liver for the first time last night.
I must say that all their fish was very fresh, but I will not be eating monk fish liver again. Never again. My liver doesn't need other livers meshing with it's flow. It does fine on it's own. With the amount of alcohol it filtrates after DYL it's doing a damn good job.
But hey, I will try anything once.
Except chicken feet, midget wrestling, or heroin.
(somebody told me midgets are a LOT stronger than they look)
But thanks to the lovely yelper, a a, for suggesting such a delicacy.
Fuck you very much!
I will give the yellow tail-scallion rolls every one of these pretty little stars, but take away one star for not being able to split our bill (over $40) equally between two credit cards.
I know you are a nice old authentic Japanese couple that makes your sushi fresh out of an old school refrigerator, like the one in your grandmothers kitchen. But this is San Fransisco, July of 2007, the age of Kenmore stainless steel kitchen appliances and identity theft. Get with the program.
The place has great fish and a nice little couple who run it.
I'm a bit surprised to see some of the awful ratings- but I must say this was never my experience. I usually left feeling like family. Once i saw a famous guy here, but I can't remember his name. They were nice to him too.
My original review of Hama-ko from 2 years ago was lost in a duplicate listing merge or something but hey... Yelp's working the bugs out, I'm flexible and I have some time on my hands (at some times more than others), and also this review is so much better it's not even funny.
When I first moved to SF, I received a list of the oldest Japanese restaurants in SF. Sushi is not my favorite Japanese food but it's pretty easy to find and I used to live not far from here.
At one point in time, Hama-ko (est. 1983) had a clientele comprised entirely of Japanese salarymen and ex-pats (like Nobu K!). Fastforward a few decades later featuring a bubble economy collapse and a massive mainstream culinary shift towards Asian flavors and cooking and... well, things have changed for Hama-ko.
Many reviewers (on and off Yelp) have a very polarized reaction to Hama-ko. Some people seem to be charmed by the authenticity of an intimate sushi bar owned and operated by an older Japanese couple (Tetsuo and Junko) serving edomae (old school Tokyo-style) sushi. Other customers are turned off by the owners harsh reaction to certain customer behaviors and their (losing?) battle with a modern mainstream American culture.
Having dined here more than a few times over the years, I can attest that there are some really great things about Hama-ko and some not so great things.
First the bad:
If this is the first review of mine you're reading, I like Japanese food a lot and try to eat it often. Some of my friends call me an elitist Japanese food snob but that's not entirely true and allow me explain:
To get the best fish and service at Hama-ko, you have to "win" Tetsuo and Junko's affection (or be a regular). If you are not a regular, you will have to perform a couple "tricks" to show that you are a knowledgable sushi eater before he breaks out the good fish and spends more time giving you extra subtle attention on your orders. To begin, you have to wait patiently at the entrance until Junko greets you. To get counter service (ie, sitting at the sushibar), you pretty much have to be invited. You have to show respect for the chef and service constantly (as many "thank you"s and "this is delicious"s you can manage). And you have to order and eat sushi generally without looking like an idiot.
Over the past decade, I have seen people get kicked out of the restaurant, refused entry or service and generally been abused here for minor "infractions", many of which can be attributed to cultural differences between 1960s-1970s Japan and early 21st century San Francisco. I have seen the owners chuckle to themselves or even loudly after some particularly brutal incidents.
And that my dear reader (if you've made it this far, congratulations), is where I draw the line with regards to my elitism and snobbery for good quality ingredients, prep and cooking and gracious service VERSUS a condescending schadenfreude towards people who just don't know understand or care about culinary culture politics. Personally, I think there are far better ways of handling customers in this situation, so I've never really felt comfortable with that aspect of this restaurant and maybe the reason I don't go very often.
To round out the negatives: They don't have a large variety or selection (10 types of fish/seafood on a good night if you're lucky).
That said, here's the good:
If you are on their good side, you get great food and great service: Slightly large nigiri and subtle rice recipe (great balance of sweet, sour & salty). The saba is lightly marinated rather than some of the more pungently vinegared types offered citywide. The smoked salmon is recommended (esp. if you're really "in there" and ask for a drop or two of yuzu juice and zest to complement the smoky flavor). The ankimo (gunkan or appetizer) served with homemade ponzu is somewhat of a signature dish here, sometimes it's better than others (too dry at times). Japanese tai is also offered with yuzu zest and Hama-ko is one of a handful of places that serve the real thing rather than NZ snapper, a common substitute. Belly cuts of fish are very fatty and rich in amino acids, and here the tuna and yellowtail belly is very popular and for good reason.
I usually order umeshisoyamaimo hosomaki for dessert and sometimes Tetsuo will break out some of his precious dried bonito flake personally obtained from the 100+ year old Muramatsu Katsuoboshi stall in Tokyo's Tsukiji market to give it that little precious detail that melds the flavors into subtle perfection.
So you have a choice, you can either (A) go to Hama-ko or (B) just go to a sushibar where you get good service just by coming in and sitting down and eating without having to perform any tricks and/or risk abuse. Your mileage may vary, I know mine has.
Best sushi in San Francisco. Best experience - perhaps, if you know the rules and show up early. First rule, no cell phones. Second rule, order all you want to eat in one shot - if its busy and you're still hungry after you finish what you ordered, too bad, go out for dessert. The couple that owns this place is very charming. The space is literally in a garage, which I thought might be offputting, but it works. Parking is awful - take Muni or a cab. Prices are very reasonable. I don't know where else you can find Toro flown in from Japan that morning for $7/per order.
Yum.
Nestled into an unmarked, subterranean Cole Valley storefront, Hama-Ko is a mom and pop operation in the most literal sense. The only people working here are the waitress and the chef. Mom does everything front of house, Pop makes sushi and they share dish duty. She is the quintessential grandmother and he reminds me of a Japanese incarnation of Al from Happy Days, but they serve awe-inspiring sushi in a cozy little shop.
Their miso soup is mellow, with slivers of mushroom and firm tofu. My dining companion attributed the superb flavor to the extra scallions, but I would wager on superior miso paste and dashi stock that didn't come from a packet. We were also floored by the sunomono, a deceptively simple seaweed and cucumber salad in a light vinaigrette with sesame seeds.
They offer a basic selection of sake and beer. My date ordered a glass of plum wine after declining to split bottles of Sapporo and sake, and our server asked with great concern, "Isa very sweeeeeeet. You sure?"
The specials were hamachi, tai snapper and scallop, all of which were melt-in-your-mouth-while-melting-your-brain good. When we requested more hamachi and snapper, our server was so proud that she gave a sermon on their freshness and provenance (hamachi from Japan and snapper from New Zealand).
The hamachi induced visual and auditory hallucinations. Empty chairs were reaching out to embrace me and the lamps were sweetly singing my name. I could order twenty pieces of hamachi nigiri and go sit in the corner all day, happily mumbling to myself and chewing euphorically. This is my opium den.
WARNING: If you seek the Benihana experience, please go away.
As a young party of three waited to be seated, the chef announced, "We only serve real sushi here! No Spider Roll. No Dynamite Roll. No tempura!" I appreciate a purist and worry about the Japanese restaurants that eschew tradition for the Gaijin style of something mediocre for every taste from every style.
You don't ask your family doctor to remove a brain tumor, and you don't visit a general practitioner for a spleen transplant. You go to a specialist. It's the same with sushi. If you want someone who can grill, deep-fry, roll, simmer and dance for you simultaneously while catching eggshells in his hat, don't expect any of it to be very good, but if you want great sushi, check out Hama-Ko.
I'm really torn about writing a review for this place because it definitely was an experience and I'm sure I'll end up going back...but dinner shouldn't be this stressful...
If you decide to go, I highly recommend the following:
1) Go with someone who you like a considerable amount. Or, better yet, someone who is a talker (if you're not a talker)...because you'll spend a longgg time waiting for your food. And even if the conversation sucks, it's better than staring vacuously down at your chopsticks as I saw many other guests do.
2) Eat pre-dinner. Don't go nuts. Just something to pad your stomache - otherwise, you will be tempted to jump the other guests for their sushi.
3) Read, learn, memorize and if possible, practice the tips & techniques outlined in these reviews for maximum service.
I feel like eating should be an experience where I am graciously served , well-fed and leave feeling a little roly poly. There is no doubt that the sushi here is delicious. And "cute" old couple running the place CAN and should dictate how they choose to treat their clientele. And maybe it's "fun" to play into all the rules...but I for one, found it pretty darn stressful.
With that said, and because i'm a freaking masochist...I'm going to go back and try again.
Hama-Ko Sushi is a celebrity favorite - so says the chef and owner. This literal hole-in-the-wall only holds 5 tables and has been in existence since the crepe place next door used to be a comedy club.
It offers melt in your mouth authentic sushi and sashimi - expensive but exceptional. Everything is strictly raw and there is not one offering of a Westernized "special" sushi roll. There seems to be no use of ingredients that are foreign to Japan and pickled ginger is made fresh without the food coloring.
Hama-Ko only consists of Mr. and Mrs. Owner, both of whom speak very little English. Only eating and drinking are accepted, laughing out loud is prohibited.
With the freshest raw scallop I have ever experienced, I may return for another quick and quiet date.
In keeping with the theme of violence in my yelp reviews these days (this is America, after all! YAAAYYY, violence!), I've now found a sushi chef to do battle with the chef at Okina in the ultimate authentic Japanese sushi-samurai showdown!
I give you...
CUTE-LITTLE-OLD-MAN-SUSHI-CHEF-GENIUS-AT-HAMA-KO
vs...
CUTE-LITTLE-OLD-MAN-SUSHI-CHEF-GENIUS-AT-OKINA
Dang. This is a tough one.
Both know their fish. Both are ACTUALLY JAPANESE (why is that such a rarity in this town?). Both serve it up RIGHT (I'm talking simple sushi and sashimi, properly proportioned, no tempura, no freakin' MAYO!).
Okina's hirame is unbeatable. But the toro at Hama-Ko is BUTTAH. Okina wins on atmosphere, but Hama-Ko has the sweet little wifey waittress.
Anyone wanna join me in the ultimate-sushi-eat-a-thon to determine the winner? I'm all about getting fat in the spirit of crowning a victor...
Great nigiri sushi, maki sushi are so so, the seaweed is too stale and chewy. Slow service as there seem to be only a husband and wife team. And they don't do take-aways, which is a disappointment. But very nice low-key neighborhood surprise.
UPDATE -- they've become increasingly rude and oblivious to customers service. We were the only table there recently at 7pm on a Sat night, not only did they "advise" us to order soon before the hordes of invisible customers arrive. They combined two sushi orders together and "suggested" we rearranged our seating so that we could eat of one place. What, were they running out of detergent? Finally, they told us to lower our voices down...hello?? We were the only table there, of course we were loud relatively! I'll never return again. I've given them the benefit of the doubt 3 times now. Sushi is great but not enough to withstand the abuse you get in there!
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