San Francisco · Sushi · omakase
Kusakabe
OmakaseSushiKaisekiEdomaeFine DiningMichelinJackson Square
Kusakabe offers a kaiseki-inflected sushi omakase in the Financial District, led by Kyoto-born World Sushi Technical Competition champion Mitsunori Kusakabe.
- Price
- ¥¥¥¥
- Area
- Financial District
- Since
- 2014
- Chef
- Mitsunori Kusakabe
Plate № 08
About
Opened in May 2014 in San Francisco's Jackson Square, Kusakabe was the city's first restaurant devoted exclusively to omakase dining — a pioneering concept at the time. Kyoto-born chef-owner Mitsunori Kusakabe trained under legendary Edomae masters before earning a Michelin Star at Sushi Ran in Sausalito, and went on to win the World Sushi Technical Competition as the United States representative. His 13- and 18-course menus — built around seasonal fish flown from Tokyo's Toyosu Market — earned Kusakabe a Michelin Star within five months of opening, and the restaurant has remained a fixture of the Michelin Guide California ever since. The live-edge elm counter, oyster-leather chairs, and unhurried pacing make each sitting feel like a private audience with one of the Bay Area's most technically accomplished sushi masters.
Neighborhood & visiting
Kusakabe sits in Financial District, one of San Francisco's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. Reservations are available online — for a focused sushi counter this is strongly recommended. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional sushi restaurants often close between service periods.
Why it's on Washoku Guide
- Pioneered omakase-only dining in San Francisco — no à la carte until after the full course
- Kyoto-born chef Mitsunori Kusakabe is a World Sushi Technical Competition champion with decades of Edomae training
- Seasonal nigiri sourced directly from Tokyo's Toyosu Market, paired with a thoughtful sake selection
- Consecutive Michelin recognition since 2015, including current Michelin Selected status
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Frequently asked
About Kusakabe
- Is Kusakabe an authentic omakase restaurant in San Francisco?
- Yes — Kusakabe is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for omakase in San Francisco: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused sushi format.
- Where is Kusakabe located?
- Kusakabe is located at 584 Washington St, San Francisco, CA 94111, San Francisco, USA in the Financial District neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at Kusakabe?
- Kusakabe accepts reservations online. For an authentic sushi experience, especially at a focused counter, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
- What is the price range at Kusakabe?
- Kusakabe sits in the ¥¥¥¥ price range — typical for omakase of this format in San Francisco.
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