Hello dear
Welcome To Koo Japanese Restaurant
At Koo Japanese Restaurant, we are passionate about bringing the authentic flavors of Japan to San Francisco. Nestled on Irving Street, our intimate and classy space invites guests to indulge in exquisite sushi, sashimi, and thoughtfully curated omakase courses. We pride ourselves on using the freshest ingredients, creating mouthwatering dishes like our renowned "Spoonful of Happiness" and expertly crafted rolls. Our attentive staff ensures every visit feels welcoming, whether you're dining in or enjoying takeout. With numerous vegetarian options and happy hour specials, Koo caters to every palate, making it the perfect spot for both family gatherings and cozy dinners. Come experience the joy of Japanese cuisine with us!
Taste the best
Discover Our Menu
Kubota Manju Sake, 720 ml
$102.00Koo Omakase
$90.00Nigiri and Sashimi Omakase
$90.00
Nigiri Omakase
$78.00Kubota Hekiju Sake, 720 ml
$76.50Dassai 45 Sake, 720 ml
$68.00
Born Gold Sake, 720 ml
$68.00Tenbu Sake, 720 ml
$63.75Onikoroshi Wakatake Sake, 720 ml
$63.75 About
Koo Japanese Restaurant
Welcome to Koo Japanese Restaurant, a delightful oasis of Japanese cuisine nestled in the vibrant heart of San Francisco at 408 Irving St. With a commitment to offering authentic flavors combined with exceptional service, Koo stands as a must-visit destination for sushi lovers and food enthusiasts alike.
Inviting Atmosphere
The moment you step into Koo, you're greeted by a warm and unpretentious atmosphere that feels both casual and elegant. As you settle in, prepare to be enchanted by the magic of the sushi bar, where skilled chefs transform the freshest ingredients into exquisite culinary art. Numerous reviews from satisfied patrons echo a common sentiment—Koo’s ambiance is both welcoming and engaging, making it perfect for everything from family dinners to intimate dates.
Highlight Dishes
- Marinated Artichoke: Grilled to perfection and served with zesty shichimi soy mayo, this dish marries texture and flavor in a delightful balance for just $11.00.
- Godzilla Tofu: Crispy tofu paired with spicy garlic miso promises a bold and exciting taste, all for $10.00.
- Stuffed Jalapenos: A creative twist on traditional sushi, these jalapenos stuffed with chopped yellowtail and drizzled with lime aioli offer a perfect kick for $11.00.
- Spoonful of Happiness: A signature dish that seems to echo the restaurant's philosophy, this delightful creation consistently receives rave reviews for its remarkable flavors.
The extensive selection of hot share plates is complemented by an impressive array of sushi rolls that patrons rave about—particularly the Dragon and Caterpillar rolls, hailed for their expert preparation and freshness.
Exceptional Service
At Koo, it’s not just about the food; it's the experience. Guests often mention the attentive and friendly service that enhances their dining experience. Whether you’re ordering for dine-in or take-out, the meticulous care from the team ensures that you feel valued, making every visit memorable.
Perfect Pairings
For those looking to maximize their experience, Koo offers an impressive selection of wines and sake. From fruity red wines like Santa Ema to refreshing whites like Joel Gott, there's something for every palate. The unfiltered Nigori Sake presents a wonderfully smooth pairing for your sushi, enhancing the flavors and overall enjoyment.
Conclusion
If you're seeking a place that embodies the essence of Japanese cuisine with a personal touch, look no further than Koo Japanese Restaurant. Whether you decide to eat in or take out, you're bound to leave satisfied, happy, and planning your next visit.
Visit Koo at 408 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122 or call them at (415) 731-7077 to experience this culinary gem for yourself!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Excellent food, unpretentious atmosphere and attentive and friendly service. What's not to like? All good and recommended. ”
“ Magicians. Sit at the sushi bar, prepare to be amazed. So, I'm biased. This is my local sushi joint. But every single time I pop in, I leave happy, full, and content. Could any of us really ask for more? The team behind the counter is exceptional and the rest of the house is caring and attentive. Eat in, dine out. I promise you will be one happy camper. ”
“ I love their dragon and caterpillar rolls. All of their sushi is expertly done. I had to-go and eat-in experiences with Koo and both are exceptional. Super attentive staff and great service for eating there and nicely packed food for taking things to-go. ”
“ Was literally craving for their spoonful of happiness and man it did not disappoint! Had to get the sweet shrimp and one of their specials while I was at it! Service was nice and quick and we beat the rush so we didn't have to wait long! ”
“ The spoonful of happiness is amazing. Came here on a whim and just wanted to sample a few items. We ordered the spoon full of happiness, amaebi, and hamachi toro. Service was quick and server was friendly. This restaurant seems family friendly too as there were tables with families and little kids. Atmosphere seems like a blend between casual and fancy? Overall, the nigiri were fine and the seafood was fresh. Didn't feel very "wow'd" but it was good. I did notice the pieces were smaller than other establishments I've been to and the prices are a bit higher here too. The star is definitely the spoonful of happiness. The sake pairing was smooth, refreshing, and delightful. My wish is that they will have happy hour one day. ”
“ Came here for the first time for dinner and it's a a pretty standard sushi restaurant. Would come here for the happy hour menu if I were to come back. Not too fancy, not too casual. The shrimp tempura are smaller than I anticipated. ”
“ Food: spoon full of happiness, crawfish hand roll (my fav), duck salad, spicy tuna, and koo roll Service: quick attentive Ambiance: romantic, dark, intimate Cost: ~80 for just me Parking: a bit hard to find parking on Irving but park on the side streets usually 2 hour parking Overall: love coming here and will continue, dine in and take out ”
“ 4.5* I think I may have found my regular go-to sushi place based on convenience and balance of quality to price! The $30 sushi combo is always very satisfying --a variety of 5 nirigi + the California roll that comes with it is substantial and tasty (wish there was less Mayo but I'm in the minority on Mayo) + the wakame salad has a good "crunch" texture to it + miso soup! The amaebi nigiri $12 was decent, the shrimp heads had good crunch. The hotategai nigiri $9 was delicious! Compared to Amami SF, the quality here is bit better though you get less sushi for the same price. It works out though because with delivery fees from Amani the price evens out. (It was the last straw when Ubereats delivered me fast food instead and refused to refund or replace.) If dining in, ambiance is also classy at Koo vs hole in the wall. *Their online ordering system from their website did not work for me. I was charged but Koo said they did not receive the order. Call in for take out. ”
“ Cane here for my cousins bday and we all had a blast. Food is fresh and delicious . Service is awesome and fast. I definitely recommend this place if haven't tried. They been here for years even before pandemic. It's a yummy hidden gem. My favorite was the spoon of happiness since it comes with a shot of sake. Happy Face. Overall we all had fun and loved the place. ”
