Juni Teppan and Sushi Bar - CLOSED
Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese, Steakhouses, Asian Fusion, Seafood [Edit]
Neighborhood: Nob Hill1217 Sutter St
(between Polk St & United States Highway 101)
San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 292-5864
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sun 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
202 reviews
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights
"I am trying to figure out if my totally overstimulating experience here was a result of the company or the rapid-fire, haphazard,…" read more »
30 Reviews for Juni Teppan and Sushi Bar
This place seems to be closed down. Phone number is disconnected and the website is empty. Opentable reports it as being unavailable.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
I seem to remember that the sushi was really good, but I was on one of those dates that was so bad that I was starting to feel physically ill.
I went to the bathroom and wished I had brought my purse so that I could run out the front door. This dumbass European guy was waiting for me that couldn't figure out how to order food off a menu and so I ordered, and then he kept asking in an accent straight out of Beerfest, "is it spicy? I don't like spicy" and then tried to look deep into my eyes and psychoanalyze me. He was worried about me because I like being single and I need my alone time. He didn't think that was healthy. He thought I was putting up a tough exterior to protect the fragile little girl inside, and his love would make me feel whole. Condescending piece of shit.
I would totally go back with someone else!
People thought this was:
Funny (4)
Cool (2)
This review is, for now, for the sushi and other stuff side of the menu only. We actually wanted a couple things on the teppanyaki side, mainly the fried rice, but got a hint of attitude from the waitress when I asked if we could order any of it. Granted she was the only waitress for the back half of the place, so maybe she was having a rough night, but still.
The sushi was pretty good and fresh. The mexican roll was good, as was the crunch. We also had the shortribs which were pretty tender. The kalbi spring rolls were good, but wish the kalbi had a bit more kalbiness. Also had an amuse to start, but have no idea what was in it because I didn't catch what the waitress said it was. The food was good and the atmosphere was pretty cool too, considering what type of atmosphere there is right outside the door.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (3)
I find I agree with Allison B. It's Benihana without the pomp, without the circumstance, without the show, and with better quality food. We dined here as part of the dineaboutsf month. Our waiter changed halfway through our meal, struck me as a little odd. Also, the neighbourhood looked a little sketchy. Parking was a bit of a challenge to find, especially given that we were not dressed to walk very far. The price was a bit higher than I usually pay for dinner in this area, but still lower than what I'd pay in Europe. 4 stars for the waiter who didn't explain the change of person.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
It surprises me why this place isn't packed on a friday night.
When we walked in around 7.30pm on a friday night, the restaurant probably had 10 customers. 2 of the teppanyaki stations were occupied.
I love the food here as well as the service. It is not cheap but for the quality of food and service provided, it is quite a good value.
I will definitely be going back.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Be advised, the name was just changed to Ajiyoshia 2. And you really don't want to have to wander around the Tendernob muttering Japanese names wondering where this mythical restaurant has transported.
But it's still in the same spot and the food, I suspect, is just as high-quality as before. Beef and fish on an open grill taste good. Salad and mango icees taste good. Fresh fried rice and grilled veggies taste good. Sushi and edamame taste good. Beer tastes goooooooooooooooood. I would not be surprised if it's normal for hibachi chefs to receive warm hugs and marriage proposals at the end of their stint at each table. In addition, the place is very quiet and calmly lit, so you really can feel comfortable as sneak one of your friend's Philly rolls and drool at the sizzle of meat.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (2)
***************UPDATE*************************
I hate to say it, as this was really one of my favorite places to eat. BUT
I'm pretty sure its closed
May 12, 2007
__________________________________________________ ___
I absolutely adore this place. Its authentic, its clean, the owner is very nice and sweet ! The food is pretty healthy granted it has some butter but otherwise quite cleanly cooked.
Their sushi is to die for, excellent rolls. Very Creative.
Their Lychee sake is also to die for.
This place is nothing like benihana. Their salads are very creative and do not taste like they came out of safeway bag. Their soup is far superior to benihana and also does not taste like a dry powder mixed with water. It is true authentic shitake mushroom soup. Their appetizer is wonderful fresh vegetables with zuchini and yellow squash and carrot. Along with fresh shrimp cooked and then sliced into bite size pieces!
For the main course they offer many selections from an excellent cut of kobe beef for 65. A rack of lamb ( my favorite) cooked with mint and garlic butter and then topped with breadcrumbs! mmm! They also have a seafood combination! Another great choice with shrimp, scallops and lobster. The scallops are topped with a wonderful mango salsa and taste delicious. For dessert which is included in your price they offer you a shot glass of mango sherbet. A perfect ending to a great meal. At the end of the dinner you dont feel too stuffed. You feel great!
Plus... This place is directly across from " the club" if you get my drift :)
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
Came here with a girl friend and we had a grand old time. The staff was super nice and attentive even though they probably wanted us to get the hell out of there (closing time). Great presentation on their dishes. All the fish was excellent, some of the best I've had in SF. Happy hour looks like a real deal and the interior is clean, simple and cool. Need to come back soon. Both the rainbow roll and crunch roll were superb.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
I need to go back here during happy hour. Mellow atmosphere and decent prices. I dont have sushi too often, but it was pretty good to me! As with any other place in the Tender-nob, parking is a PITA.
J says: Not bad but nothing special. Our group tried both the chateaubriand and the filet mignon and the chateaubriand did taste superior. Medium-rare is the way to go. Service was overly enthusiastic (think they just opened recently, it was pretty much empty on a Monday night) verging on annoying. The experience is less tacky than benihana's but the food tastes about the same. We didn't try the sushi rolls so can't comment on that. Won't be running back here anytime soon.
K says: 3 whole stars? I guess after a glass of wine I could be generous enough to give them that... I can still taste the garlic in my mouth (in a bad way).
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
This is a very nice place. I would almost have to say that their Sushi is probably the finest I've ever had in SF. Everything is very delicately made. Just order something common like Tuna roll. You will see a drastic difference in the quality of the roll compared to other places say Sushi Rock. The best deal is probably their happy hour (daily from 5-7PM). You get to choose from 5-6 types of rolls for $3 each. The Teppan is also very good. But probably a bit too pricey for me. Service was a tad slow but they were very nice. Great place for those that have never tried it.
My 1.5 cents
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
It was tasty, but....I was not overwhelmed. The food was fresh, the atmosphere was fun, but I expected a little more, especially considering the price (approximately $120 for 2 people including sake and tip). The dishes were not as creative as I thought they might be. Although the happy hour sake special ($3 for a nice big glass of sake) is a great deal.
The Teppan comes with mushroom soup, appetizer of shrimp and vegetables, a main dish (I had scallop and lobster) and a desert of mango sorbet. My date opted for tempura ice cream - green tea ice cream and bananas, dipped in tempura batter and deep fried - which was Very Yummy.
I'd go back, but maybe some day when I'm feeling like I've got a bit more money to burn.
I stopped in at this place last night because I was too lazy to walk up to Nara. It was empty at 6pm on a Monday, which I guess makes sense, except they have killer happy hour specials. For $3 you have a choice of six specialty rolls that I think are really good, plus $3 LARGE draft beers. The sushi is a little fancy pants, with special sauces decorating the plates, but it tastes great. The decor inside is really cool, I would definitely go back later at nigth with a group. The regular menu seems cool too, with some small plates and seafood dishes. Maybe a bit pricey, but maybe it's worth it.
The only negative is they were playing disco jams of 1974 during happy hour and I like disco but it was kind of a bummer. It would have been more fitting if maybe something like Air French Band was playing.
But I'd say check it out, esp. for HH.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
My friends and I went here for happy hour on a Sunday night and while I was a little worried that there were no customers in the restaurant, my mind was put at ease when the food came out.
The sushi was surprisingly decent. We opted for the happy hour menu which included hamachi, spicy tuna, rock and roll, tempura rolls all for $3 each. One thing we all noticed was that the rice used for sushi had a very different texture to it, almost like a nutty brown rice. While we were not used to this, it made for a heartier meal.
We supplemented with their small plates and had the deep fried amaebi, short ribs and yellow tuna sashimi. Also decent for the price.
The interior of the restaurant has a very elegant and modern feel. The staff was attentive and did not try to rush us out of our table which I thought was very accommodating of them.
While I've had better sushi at places like Zushi Puzzle, Chaya and Ozumo, this place is a good value for what you pay, especially the happy hour menu!
Not a traditional teppanyaki offering. The food is good, served with innovative recipes, although the portions are rather traditional.
I'd go back JUST for the tempura dessert.
I also have to go back to give the sushi a try.
Solid 4 star restaurant - very good food, friendly service, good sake.
Not too expensive. Spent about $40, which is not bad given that I drank and ate a good amount.
Very empty restaurant, though. Hope more people start visiting.
I recommend the Jungle Roll and the Mexican Roll.
Forgot to menion the fruit flavored sake in the previous review. They use real fruit in the sake - amazing!
I went to Juni last night to celebrate my birthday with my friends.. there were 8 of us... we sat at the Teppanyaki table. all of my friends enjoyed their food. I got the tuna with foie gras absolutely delicious... and the fuji apple sake and tempura ice cream~ yummy! The set up was like a mini benihana but with a more sophisticated style and class... staffs were very friendly and attentive... Amy the owner came by and chatted with us... and I got a special sushi treat for my birthday from her :) I am definitely coming back to Juni! they have good food, atmosphere and friendly staff. I guess since it's still new.. not many people know about this place... that's why I'm writing this... people~ u have to check this place out! u won't regret it.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
This place was really tasty and fun although a bit expensive.
They sit 6 people around a grill with a chef. I went with my boyfriend and they sat another couple at the same grill. That and the loudness of the music made it hard to talk comfortably. I think it would be much better with a rowdy party of 4 or 6.
The food was really good (buttery and salty), as was the sake. The Kobe Beef was worth the $65 price (other dinners were about $30).
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Great food! A treasure in the dumpy part of polk street. Totally worth dodging crazy drunks and the homeless guy in the alley! Newly remodelled, nice people and great service. I was worried at first when we arrived to an empty restaurant. Try it while you don't have to wait in line for an hour. Don't expect an onion volcano! Although disappointed by the non-cheesiness, I was impressed by the food. I was full before the main dish! The prime rib was amazingly tender. It did not need any sauce at all!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I found this place on restaurant.com. I had a gift certificate to use and was in the mood for sushi. The location and the lack of people on a Thursday night made me skeptical but I was pleasantly surprised by Juni. The hostess (owner?) was very friendly and was happy to share her menu and sake recommendations.
Next time I go I'd like to try their teppanyaki but some of my favorites from the sushi bar are:
- mexican roll - don't be scared by the salsa, it's sweet and compliments the roll nicely
- crunch roll - spicy tuna with a panko coating
One thing I wasn't too impressed with was the Juni roll. It was coated in panko, fried, and topped with a fish salad (tuna and mayo). It tasted just like a Van de Kamp's fish stick.
A very VERY solid 4 stars (more lik 4.5 star) for this place. I went out with my ex coworker turn very good friend for dinner tonight after not seeing each other for 4 months and me getting a promotion. After reading the reviews here I went in with great expectations and I came out not being disappointed at all. This place is absolutely fabulous. We both start out with the carafe of lychee sake and hamachi sashimi, the lychee sake with it subtle flavors was a very good complement to the one of the freshest hamachi sashimi that i had in a long time. There blue fin tataki that we also order came out great.
I had the tuna and steak combo and my friend had the filet mignon as the main entree for our 7 course meal. The brought a mango papaya wetter appetizer which was pretty good. Next they brought out the shitake mushroom soup.......that soup, so clear and so packing with flavor that both of us groan in delight the goodness of the soup. The salad was very well done and light. Next the chef came over to our teppanyaki station and made the veggie and shrimp first.....that was well done too. But my major props for the night was the shrimp fried rice that was made in front of us. That is possible the best fried rice I EVER had in my life. This even beats out my dad and I am a picky eater! Both of us agree that we can live off on the fried rice. Next came our main course which both off very well done. Done to medium rare and everything was light. We finished off with the mango sorbet and additional kicker, a shiso ice cream which I thought was very good with a lot of complex flavors. Oh if you want to get one of the flavor sakes, get the fuji apple one. That one was sinfully good.
The service was super nice and unobtrusive. Even the chef was very friendly and unlike Benihana. He knows how to cook and does a very good job of it. The bill came out to be over 150 dollars but we ate a lot of high quality ingredient foods and drank a lot. We were happy to paid that price and went home happy. It's definately worth coming to a ghetto area of town for this place.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
dined here using the $25 restaurants.com gift certificate, which was welcomely accepted without any fuss. since there was a 20-minute wait for the teppanyaki (with only 1 teppanyaki chef serving another group), we opted for just small appetizers and sushi... and was pleasantly surprised!
the waitress gave us a free tartar trio sampler to start off our meal, which had minced tuna, salmon, and yellowtail with a tangy mango/passionfruit sauce. we ordered the ceviche, spareribs, crunch roll, spicy spider roll, and juni roll. the crunch roll was by far the biggest surprise, and was rolled in what seemed like crushed doritos!! trust me, it's actually kind of good!
would love to come again and try the teppanyaki... but would be happy just the same having small plates and sushi again!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
This place is amazing! I stumbed in on a weekend evening with no expectations and it quickly became my favorite sushi spot in the city. If you're considering trying the place, go between 5-7 for happy hour (7 days a week) and just try anything on the happy hour menu. Once you discover how great it is, try some of their unique creations that you won't find anywhere else. Oh, and be sure to order a couple lichee sakes for $3 to go with your meal. My girlfriend and I have been regular customers for a few months now and it just keeps getting better. We've brought guests from New York who have said this is by far a better experience than anything on the other coast. The decor is fabulous, the service is top-notch, everyone is incredibly friendly, and again, the sushi can't be beat. It's a shame that the place is never really packed. All those people going to the other sushi spots along Polk have no idea what they're missing... those places are good, but all they would have to do is walk down a little further for a truly amazing experience at Juni.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Needed a light meal before heading out on the town and found Juni tucked in next to Polk Street. We walked in about 8 pm and the place was deserted except for a trio at the sushi bar. They told us we could sit anywhere: the hibachi grill, tables, booths, or the traditional Japanese seating, sans shoes. After getting comfy in the booth, we took a look at the menu. We were in the mood for sashimi, which they offer in 12 or 20 pieces at "market price", which is always a little scary in such a nice place. We ordered a round of the flavored sake, lychee and fuji apple, and started off with edamame. The owner, Amy, came over to introduce herself and answer any questions. We were interested in the deluxe sashimi platter, which she said offers some very unique cuts and creeds of fish and we would not be disappointed... so we went for it. Before it came out, she came over with a small plate to cleanse the palate: toro (rare tuna) over pineapple jelly. While we waited, we sipped our freakin' DELICIOUS sakes from their cute martini glasses... they were amazing. Then, the platter arrived and boy was Amy right! Very unique indeed! Her husband, June, is the sushi chef and he came over to explain what was what: two types of tuna, salmon with the skin still on it which gave it almost a smoky flavor, an unusual type of mackerel, halibut fin, king crab legs fresh out of the shell, monkfish liver, and shark fin! It had a great presentation and was served over a bed of seaweed (not edible I soon found out). It all was amazing... my faves were the crab legs and salmon. The bf said the shark fin was great and had a tasty sauce (I wouldn't touch it... surfer superstitions) and I found that the monkfish liver looked a little imposing but was pretty good with some of that red spicy sauce it came with. Throughout the meal, Amy checked on us to make sure we were enjoying everything. We went for another round of sakes, raspberry & lychee this time, tummy's content and curiosity quelled. Amy encouraged us to come back and try the hibachi, which she insisted put Benihana to shame, so I'll save one star for the next visit : )
UPDATE: 9/27/06
So Amy was right, the hibachi was freakin' fantastic! We made it in after happy houring it on Polk Street. I wasn't very hungry so I settled on an app (oysters) and the bf went for the special of the night- tuna and steak ($26). Of course, we ordered the flavored sake again... a carafe of fuji apple sounded just right. They brought us out the cleansing plate and they must have been reading my mind because it was smoked salmon with a bit of the skin on top over a unique fried noodle. They brought out the bf some mushroom soup and salad... the soup was so good I had to order some for myself. The hibachi master brought out his little cart and began to work his magic... fresh prawns & veggies sauteed to perfection, then the steak served with shittake mushrooms (wow!), and some unagi fried rice they made right there (egg, chopped veggies, eel, brown rice). Amidst all the sizzling deliciousness going on, I ordered the Lion King roll (soft shell crab & avocado, topped with salmon and a Parmesan cheese sauce, which gets torched and all melty). Amazingly delish! Just when I thought that maybe we heard wrong and it was really shrimp & steak, *poof* a big slab of tuna appeared. They seared it and served it with a cognac reduction sauce... I can't even begin to describe how scrumptious the two went together. We chatted with Amy and another regular for a bit and they brought out the last bit of the bf's meal.. mango sorbet. A nice finishing touch to a great and entertaining meal... Juni has made it as one of my faves!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
quick note...the name is still JUNI...i loved this place. the service was excellent!! the restaurant was empty, maybe another 8 people other than my party. everybody is extremely friendly, the owner even came out a couple of times to see how we were doing. The main course is a LOT better than Benihana, my only complain is the apetizer soup they give you, i actually thought it was pretty bad. everything else is excellent, even though the place is quiet, they let us get rowdy with saki bombs!!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Picture Benihana without the cheese. Delicious meal, fun presentation.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Had a pre-bar crawl meal here with my girlfriend last saturday night. Very impressed. Sat in the sushi section, and everything we had was delicious. Word is the sushi chef / co owner used to be at Ozumo. The service was excellent. The restaurant was amazingly empty, but I think that is just because the place is under new ownership. Somehow I doubt this place will stay empty for long.
Update:
I tried...but failed.
To my dismay Juni is officially closed. Their phone is disconnected and you can't make Opentable reservations.
...I even walked by to confirm it, and there is a notice of transfer of ownership posted in the window...
The new restaurant will undoubtedly use the grills, but with the bar set so high by Juni - the new place will almost certainly live in the shadow of the former.
I'll miss you Juni.
************************************************** **********
I live within crawling distance of Juni, and as a result I have been here around 5 times within the last two months.
The food is so good I can't help myself coming back.
They have traditional Japanese style seating on the floor in the back of the restaurant. Note: This is not the Americanized version where there is a hole to put your feet in. It can be a little uncomfortable for the unflexible.
The presentation of the sushi is delicate and thoughtful. They use a mixed rice, rather than white sushi rice which gives the sushi a good flavor. The Lion King and Crunch rolls are amazing, but after trying the Mexican last weekend I think it is my favorite (They have this delicious green salsa they put on top of the shrimp).
The Teppanyaki is great, and it is a fun place to take visitors. Included in the Teppanyaki is mushroom soup, salad, vegetables and shrimp fried on the grill in front of you, whatever entree you order, and mango sorbet. The prices range from $18 (for vegetables) to around $35. There is also Kobe beef for around $65.
The tuna sashimi is the best I've had anywhere. The cuts fish have none of that chewy white stuff, and the fish basically melts in your mouth.
I recommend a combination of teppan and sushi.
In addition to this, Juni has a great selection of alcohol, especially Sake, which I would talk about if I knew anything. They have Sapporo, Widmer Hefeweizen and two other beers on tap. The flavored sake is great, especially with the slice of fruit in the bottom of the glass (Lychee is my favorite).
And here is a little secret: Their happy hour is effing amazing.
Flavored sake is $3 (down from $6), beer is $2 (down from $4), and they have five or six sushi rolls for $3 each.
In other words - two people, tipsy and full for around $30 at a pretty nice place. The happy hour sushi is really good quality just like everything else they serve.
It lasts from 5 pm 7 pm.
when i used to live in this hood, this place was called osaka grill. recently under new ownership, it is JUNI. still GREAT teppan. The meal includes soup, salad, appetizer, a variety of grilled items and dessert, presented beautifully and served by a very friendly staff. it is always such a treat to have your food prepared in front of you. fresh instant gratification!
Update: My boyfriend and I took friends here for a "thank-you" dinner. This time we sat at a teppan table. We each ordered a different item and all were delicious. The vegetarian option was tasty (stuffed tofu) - the chef was careful to ask if the veggie in the group was okay with seafood being cooked at the same time, which was very thoughful. All of the seafood was fresh and light and the garlic chicken smelled amazing. I had the fruit sake sampler - YUM! The presentation was great and the meal was filling and delicious. Again, the service was very attentive and friendly. I'm sure we'll be back again. =================================================
looking forward to the teppan...however this time, our first time, we sat at the sushi bar. nothing like sushi on independence day... the restaurant was farily slow given that it was a holiday, but perhaps that meant extra service for us. all of the staff were super friendly, ready to answer all of our questions and even gave us extra treats. both sushi chefs were outgoing and talkative and informative. the seating arrangements were nice too; with the teppan tables up front, sushi tables in back and even several tradition japanese style seatings - plus a "secret" screened in room for a more intimate party. we had a great experience and we will be back.
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Japanese Food
I eat a lot of it. Here is a long list of my… -
Eat Out More Often
Although since all I ever get is cheap take out I… -
Top Restaurants
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the… -
San Francisco, how I miss…
After 8 wonderful years, I moved away from SF a…
Hot and New
- yoCup
143 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
- Universal Cafe
352 reviews
Neighborhood: Mission
- Swan Oyster Depot
291 reviews
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
- Jubili Frozen Yogurt and…
254 reviews
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA
- Caffe Ambrosia
103 reviews
Neighborhood: Financial District