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Kamikaze Sushi Bar
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Mon 5 pm - 9 pm
Tue-Sat 5 pm - 9:30 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
49 reviews for Kamikaze Sushi Bar
Review Highlights
"The staff is always fun and will take a sake bomb anytime."
(in 6 reviews)
"...bf loves the sushi, try the volcano roll if you like spicy..."
(in 2 reviews)
"This is my favorite sushi spot in Marin."
(in 8 reviews)
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49 reviews in English
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Review from Lana P.
San Rafael, CA
12/16/2011
I'm a long time customer, love the sushi here, everything is fresh and delicious!
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Review from M S.
San Rafael, CA
11/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have been going there for 20 years. I love their sushi and the staff, Tina and Gene makes me feel like family,
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Review from Victor G.
Oakland, CA
11/3/2010
Kamikaze is celebrating it's 20th anniversary. years ago, they were a pioneer in illumination with led lights. really trippy eating in high tech lights.
decor: blue ocean mural behind sushi bar, 2 big kimonos on walls, handdrawn japanese scenes on walls.
flatscreeen: sports, game shows, movies
sampling:
*chirashi (18.00)
miso broth premade in large pot, waiters adds fresh ingredients (tofu, green onion, etc ) to it. pretty good stuff. little msg detected.
-ebi(1)
-tamago(2)
-tuna(3)
-tuna (2)
-hamachi(3)
-albacore(2)
-sake (3)
-mystery tuna? (2)mushy: not so fresh
-sushi rice nicely vinegared, a meal in itself
-sashimi slices very generous, pretty fresh.
*kapachi nigiri(5.25) small piece of rice with generous slices of fresh fish on top
*hot tea (1) ok , not the best though
temaki:
-happy hour, 5-6:30, $2 drinks, appetizers, handrolls
-amigo sushiman, not surprising. amigos have worked here since their opening. (kitchen).
-relaxed atmosphere, mucho takeouts....
-most nigiri is 4ish.
-good value, great food here.Listed in: japanese eateries
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Review from Selina Z.
San Rafael, CA
10/1/2011
The rice used with the sushi was mushy and wet. The fish was moderately fresh. Although I do like the paintings and decorations around the place, the food did not make up for it. Maybe they were having a bad night. I probably wont go back again.
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Review from Mel B.
Hercules, CA
10/5/2010 2 Check-ins Here
If you have been following my reviews (which you should) you'd know this will be my seventh review of Japanese Restaurants. I really love Japanese food. I think Sushi are gifts from the Japanese gods.
The first time I went to Kamikaze I wasn't really that impress with their Rainbow Roll. I thought it was kind of dry and bland. I thought of giving them a review then and I would have given them two stars, but I decided to hold off and give them another try. "I'll be back" I said, as the Governator would say.
So today I came back, and I'm glad I did. This time I ordered the Kamikaze Roll and the Chicken Teriyaki lunch specially. They started me off with the Miso soup, and it was very good. Then I had the Kamikaze Roll and it became my instant favorite. It was a little spicy but it was delicious. The Chicken Teriyaki was ordinary and was served in a large portion. I had three bites and I was full.
Overall I give them another star for their Kamikaze Roll. Although my second time was better I don't think I'm coming back anytime soon. So I'm finalizing my decision to 3 stars. -
Review from Lianni C.
San Rafael, CA
Two words - Happy Hour.
From 5pm - 6:30pm you can satisfy your raw fish addiction without breaking the budget.
$2.00 Handrolls. You can choose from salmon, white tuna, escolar, eel, crab, and avacado cucumber hand rolls. Very generous with the fish.
$2.00 drinks - wine, beer, sake bomb. AWESOME!
$2.00 little appetizers - Yakitori, Yaki shrimp, chicken karaage, oyster.
The Dynamite roll is my favorite along with the House Designer roll. The staff is also really friendly. I sit at the bar most of the time with friends and have on a couple ocassions gotten a free piece of something delicious or a free refill on wine. Become a regular - you won't be sorry. -
Review from Lauren S.
Stockton, CA
5/13/2009
I mean, I don't eat a lot of sushi for a couple of reasons...Most of the seafood I really like I happen to be allergic to. (Well...you have to eat crab to find out you're allergic really). So sad day. And that being said, most of the other seafood doesn't really do it for me. So I'm totally lost everytime I either go out for sushi or am offered it.
So out of my confusion and not knowing what to do in this crazy panic, I went for the chicken teriyaki with miso soup and rice combo. Teriyaki is pretty legit, and pretty good in terms of standards. Chicken was pretty tasty although a tad dry.
The Power Exchange Roll was prettyyyy tasty but I'm not a HUGE fan of tuna.
I guess this review was essentially useless. -
Review from christine e.
Oceanside, CA
9/11/2007
I used to eat here ALOT. Once a week atleast. I would have given it 4 stars.
Lastnight though, it was rough. The hamachi, which is usually very fresh, was very fishy and chewy. I told the waitress and she said I must have gotten the tail piece. HUH? She said tail pieces were fishy and some people like that. I am sorry, in my 20 years of eating sushi I have never heard of that. She replaced the pieces with belly pieces. Again, information new to me. I really could not taste much difference.
Sadly, I am done here. They also use some seasoning in their rice that leaves a metallic taste.I will save my sushi fix for dinner time at Samurai in Mill Valley. Where I know the hamachi will always be sweet, tender and fresh. Just too bad they aren't open at lunch. -
Review from Tracee E.
San Rafael, CA
9/12/2009
This is a family friendly restaurant with warm and friendly staff that seems to generate the right atmosphere for return customers (and there were plenty there on the Friday night we visited).
This place rocks in terms of the quality, atmosphere, presentation and value. Minus 1 star for one type of fish (maguro) on the $20 sashimi 15 piece plate that seemed to have been previously frozen and wasn't quality fish. All the other items were quality and were really enjoyable (fresh clam was excellent!).
They also offer some fun rolls- but be prepared to pay... the excellent volcano roll ($15) with poke style spicy tuna and hamachi on top of a carefully crafted circular roll jalepeno roll. The rock'n'roll ($7.25) with eel, avocado and cucumber was also good.
While it may be more expensive than the other sushi places in the area, the quality matched the price. Well worth a visit. -
Review from Deric H.
Novato, CA
5/22/2011
Fast, friendly service with decently fresh fish overall. Good variety of rolls. Prices are moderate. If San Rafael wasn't such a cluster, we'd come here more often, but we'll come back again.
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Review from Jason H.
Sacramento, CA
12/14/2007 1 Check-in Here
This place will always be memorable to me. Why is that?
Well, it wasn't the food. Okay... the sushi is pretty good - not great but not bad either. The fish was definitely fresh, and given that this was a pretty fair priced sushi joint, it was what was expected. We ordered the giant boat thing with the sashimi and the rolls (there were 8 of us) and it was definitely enough to fill us all up.
It wasn't the ambiance. I know there was some artwork or decor on the walls, but the overall feeling was beige. Really plain everywhere.
No, why this place was awesome is that it's the only place where my friends and I were all able to get sake bombs and do it the right way. The waitress (I think she was the owner) did it with a smile, brought us our Sapporos, our shot glasses, a huge thing of warm sake, some extra chopsticks, and a towel. The other customers in the restaurant seemed to get a huge kick out of it. Too many sushi places take themselves too seriously (Sushi To Dai For is the first to come to mind), and while I don't intend or expect to do this every time or at every sushi place I visit, I appreciate and respect an establishment whose management and regular patrons have established an easy-going atmosphere and outstanding level of service.
Whenever I'm in Marin and in a sushi mood, this will be the first place on my mind. -
Review from Jamie D.
2/9/2008
Unagi bones AGAIN. Yuck. I know that's normal for the occasional bite here & there, but Kamikaze's pieces are riddled with bones & not the tiny ones you can swallow.
I keep going back here again & again thinking that I won't be disappointed & one time out of three or four I'm not, but it just happens way too often not to mention.
What is going on with the cuts of fish? Why does the unagi always have bones & why is the dragon roll barely warm & sometimes without the unagi sauce?
Convenient, but mediocre. I'm always told 20-25 minutes for a take-out order & it is usually quite a bit longer. Parking in the Montecito lot is a huge pain in case you're not already familiar.
Don't get your hopes too high. -
Review from Cowbella H.
San Rafael, CA
4/18/2008
Really good stuff. This place has become our regular sushi restaurant. It's fresh, quality seafood and inventive rolls are second only to Sushi Ran (as far as Marin sushi restaurants go). Don't go here if you're more of a "Sushi to Dai For" type, which I happen to think is really gross and low-quality. But, that's a story for another time...
My only complaint.... Once, the waitress challenged my husband to a sake bomb contest. She said "loser buys the bombs". Well, I'm ashamed to say she won. (To be fair, my husband's more of a wine-guy than beer-guy.) I thought she was kidding about the buying part, but lo-and-behold, TWO sake bombs showed up on our bill. So... not only do I have to tip her, but I have to buy her drinks too?? Don't say I didn't warn you.
Oh, also... once we saw Jonny Mosely there. -
Review from Tiffany D.
Richmond, CA
10/30/2008
This restaurant as taken me way back and now. I use to go to Kamikaze back in Jr.High and High School. Hands down, this is one of my ultimate favorite restaurant in San Rafael. The fish is absolutely fresh and very appetizing. Try their Kamikaze roll, it melts right in your mouth. They sprinkle a hint of red, spicy powder on top and properly rolled. Their Sashmi and Nigiri are excellent and well presentable, esp their large sushi boat. They have the best chefs and well trained. Gene is the one that makes the sushi happen. He'll make your sushi incredibly delicious.
Beautiful atmosphere with a wonderful mural background and two Kimono's that sets the Japanese vibe. Kamikaze symbolizes the Japanese tradition with their artful creation in such a way that lightens the place.
The staff are well-mannered and very helpful. They serve me right then and there no matter how busy they get.
If I'm craving for some scrumptious and mouthwatering sushi, Kamikaze is always my first choice. -
Review from Alex P.
Corte Madera, CA
3/20/2010
This is my favorite sushi spot in Marin. The staff is always fun and will take a sake bomb anytime. Definitely order the "Power Exchange" roll.
They are flexible with their orders and will accommadate most requests. Ever had Torro topped with Uni and lightly charred with a torch? -
Review from Rey T.
San Francisco, CA
6/25/2007
If you're looking for bargain sushi, especially for lunch, get out of here. Seriously. You probably just want wet fishiness in your mouf so you can tell your friends when you get back to the office "I had sushi for lunch" in that "I ate well, but not a lot cause I'm watching my figure" voice that would do you better to use on Lean Cuisine. No, this is not the place for you, my friend.
Gene orders fish from Tsukiji Market in Japan twice a week. And if you're local to this area, you are one of the people who flock to Kamikaze on delivery days.
Kamikaze's rolls are out of this world. I love how Gene mixes all the flavors of his wild creations together to make a cohesive whole that simply delights your palette. Their crab salad is just the right thing to get your appetite going. Order the Namakaki (oysters) and you won't be disappointed.
If you care about how buttery and fresh your salmon sashimi is, if you care that Gene, the owner, marinates his own Mackerel, if you care about doing sake bombs with the awesome wait staff, (Tina especially), then yes; this IS the place for you.
If you're a loyal customer, I have nothing I need to add to tell you to keep coming. Gene's been in business for 16 years. He'll be around for 16 more at least. But if all you're doing is bargain sushi hunting, please stay away. And tell your Lean Cuisine eating friends to stay away too. -
Review from Ahna P.
Novato, CA
8/25/2008
I have to say this was the first time I've ever had lettuce in a roll before! Doesn't really add much flavor, just more crunch.
The Sake Nigiri was very fresh. This is a good place to keep in rotation when we don't feel like driving far. I really like their low-key atmosphere and family friendly vibe. -
Review from Colleen A.
San Anselmo, CA
9/8/2011
I am giving Kamikaze Sushi Bar: 0, yes, zero stars. It's shocking to me that this place is still in business. As long time Marin resident I have eaten here many times through the years. I hadn't been back for several years and I will certainly NEVER go back. In fact, I'm thinking of calling the health department and I have never done that. We had lunch today & here we go. Food: Sushi had a bad smell, could not eat (We tried!) Ramen was flacid, murky tasting, again really NOT good. Pork Tankatsu, barely ok...at least it did not seem spoiled, simply mushy and pretty tasteless. The bathrooms were filthy, the restaurant had an odor of disinfectant which pretty much was an overlay for everything else. Service was confused and indifferent. It feels like a dying restaurant that should be put out of it'd misery. P.S. In order to rate this place I had to show 1 star, it's a lie!!!
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Review from J F.
San Rafael, CA
3/3/2011
We went because they have $2 menu for happy hour. The BBQ oysters were perfect. The hamachi Kama was the best one I've ever had. The grilled squid was good as well as the salmon had roll, the unagi hand roll and the spicy scallop. I will definately go back. The unisex bathroom was not very clean.
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Review from Kev M.
San Francisco, CA
8/28/2009
Had a really fun time here last week with a large group.
Ate way too much good sushi and drank some super good sake.
The people that work there were a lot of fun and friendly.
And I found the fish quality to be very good.
It's a little pricey, but I'll pay for good fresh fish.
Living in the city means going over the bridge to get here, but I'd go back. Maybe after the drive back from Napa?
Hmmm. I think it's time for a trip to Napa. -
Review from Cristel B.
San Diego, CA
12/23/2009
I stopped here for a light lunch with my mother-in-law. it started out well with the Ocean salad. I wasn't very hungry so I only ordered a Cali roll. I ate one bite and was completely disgusted when it tasted like old tuna! I told the waitress that I think the crab/Mayo mix soured and instead of apologizing and offering me something different, she quipped, "we just made it," took the plate and walked away.
To make things worse, I noticed she, nor the two guys rolling the sushi, didn't even check to see if the mix was still edible! I would not recommend eating from their sushi bar for lunch. -
Review from Robert S.
San Rafael, CA
10/5/2010
Been going to Kamikaze for 15 years...Awesome Food, Great Atmosphere, Great Service, Tina Rocks...If you want excellent Sushi in Marin go to Kamikaze!!!
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Review from Picky P.
San Rafael, CA
2/16/2011
We love Kamikaze! The food is consistently good and most important, the fish is fresh. We can be found at the sushi bar once a week. My 11 year old daughter even has a roll named after her, how cool is that?
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Review from Laura G.
San Rafael, CA
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Review from Andrew S.
Kirkland, WA
6/9/2010
Fun place with great staff and specials.
I noticed a review where the person said the chief was Mexican! Well a couple are and they have been there for years. If skin color bothers you check your head. -
Review from Barbra K.
Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, CA
6/21/2008
I have to give this place 5 stars because I have been eating here for at least 10 years and it has always been super delicious. I have never had a bad meal. Very relaxing atmosphere and you get to watch tv too. And where else can you go and get surf and turf for 15 bucks? Their shrimp tempura is huge, not to mention the awesome steak teriyaki. And the sushi is very high quality and always fresh, and the bf loves the sushi, try the volcano roll if you like spicy, it's awesome.
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Review from Dana G.
7/7/2009
Kamikaze is an old favorite of mine. It's always quality sushi. And now that I notice, it has very nice vegetarian menu. Oh, and the waiter Peter is so sweet and made sure that I didn't accidentally order anything cooked with/on/etc meat or fish. Thanks Peter. And thanks Kamikaze for always being consistent, reliable, and tasty.
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Review from julie g.
San Rafael, CA
4/27/2007
Their food is good, their service is not.
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Review from Jacob C.
San Rafael, CA
8/17/2009
Ive been to most of the local japanese restaurants in the area and none have fresher fish, friendlier staff or an easier going envrionment. I eat at Kamikaze at least once a week and strongly recommend the Pinky Roll and Screaming Roll!
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Review from Judy D.
San Francisco, CA
12/21/2007
They have no idea how to make sushi the right way. Having said that, the roles are creative and some of them taste good. However, the rice and fish (how they select and cut) are all wrong.
I wouldn't pay the price for this kind of food. The space is big so it might be a good place for a big group of people who don't care about the food that much. -
Review from Rachel L.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2005
Great fresh sushi here, and if your lucky Carlos Santana might be dining at the table next to you. They use to have a couple rolls made up after me, i doubt if they still do since im not a regular anymore. Lots of fun at this place, one time the WHOLE restaurant did a sake bomb together all at the same time!
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Review from Noelle Q.
San Francisco, CA
1/26/2006
Fresh sushi, great lunch specials, and they pour your diet coke into a wine glass so you feel classy. Good stuff.
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Review from Siamak S.
Santa Monica, CA
9/13/2007
The atmosphere is not great. It's too bright. I think it's because Kamikaze is geared a bit more towards families. The sushi is excellent. I just wish the atmosphere is a bit cooler. The sushi is really cool and the staff is friendly and attentive. While in Marin this is the Sushi spot I choose to frequent.
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Review from Aaron J.
San Francisco, CA
12/16/2006 13 Check-ins Here
Kamikaze is a lot like the other sushi places in/around downtown San Rafael, in that it has delicious sushi and other Japanese foods. I have been here many times in my life, and thoroughly enjoy it every time. Everything is great there, my favorite meal consists of 6 (real crab!) California Rolls followed by the Beef Teriyaki Meal. Might leave you with a big bill if you come really hungry, but it's well worth it.
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Review from Richard C.
San Francisco, CA
7/2/2006
Lunch specials here are at a great price point (for a Japanese place in Marin), and they give you a good quantity for your money. Definitely one of the regulars in the rotation.
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Review from C J.
San Francisco, CA
1/29/2010
I stopped by here with a friend tonight, the food was OK to good (not great) but the service was very poor!?! I was surprised when I have to ask for a spoon for the soup, and the hot tea is served in a glass cup, good thing the the tea was "lukewarm" other wise I would have burned my hands! The waiter never checked on us, or even asked how the food was, I wanted to try the desert, but by that time we were just ready to leave. The amount of food was small, extremely small amount of wasabi and ginger?! I left hungry, and went back to the city to find a better sushi place...
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Review from larry c.
San Rafael, CA
2/20/2010
our "go to " place for sushi in town
love the food and the people there
we feel very welcome everytime !
check it out and thanks for having such a wonderful place to ear sushi so close to our house ! -
Review from Tala L.
San Rafael, CA
4/27/2007
mMMMMMmmmmmm sooo good and great price and they have soy wrap if you are like me and do not like sea weed. Good vegetarian soup as well.
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Review from Bob H.
Tucson, AZ
1/6/2009
Atmosphere = 6 out of 10
Unusual dishes = 9
Quality of fish = 9
Service = 10
If you like sushi, you will love this place. If I owned it, I would clean it up a bit.. just my opinion. -
Review from E T.
Novato, CA
3/2/2009
This place is hit or miss. Last week the food was pretty good. Tonight, it was horrible. I had the same sort of experience last year when I gave this place a couple of tries, and the year before that. I guess I'll be waiting another year to try again.
One thing that's consistent, though, is that smell in the bathroom. What is up with that?
