San Francisco · Sushi · omakase
Wako
OmakaseSushiEdomaeOmakaseMichelinInner RichmondNeighborhood Sushi
Wako is one of San Francisco's most beloved neighborhood omakase counters, where Japanese-born chef Tomoharu Nakamura has earned four consecutive Michelin Stars with seasonally driven Edomae sushi.
- Price
- ¥¥¥¥
- Area
- Inner Richmond
- Since
- 2014
- Chef
- Tomoharu Nakamura
Plate № 12
About
Opened in 2014 on Clement Street in San Francisco's Inner Richmond neighborhood, Wako quickly established itself as one of the city's most quietly excellent sushi counters. Japanese-born chef-owner Tomoharu Nakamura, who spent eleven years at Sanraku before opening Wako, brings a deeply personal Edomae sensibility to a daily omakase built around the season's finest fish. The restaurant earned a Michelin Star in 2016 and retained it for four consecutive years through 2019, a remarkable run that cemented Nakamura as one of the Bay Area's most respected Japanese chefs. Though no longer holding a star, Wako remains a fixture of the Michelin Guide California as a Selected restaurant and continues to be regarded as one of the best-value omakase experiences in San Francisco.
Neighborhood & visiting
Wako sits in Inner Richmond, 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
- Four consecutive Michelin Stars (2016–2019) earned on Clement Street — a testament to Nakamura's understated excellence
- Japanese-born chef Tomoharu Nakamura trained eleven years at Sanraku before channeling that discipline into his own omakase counter
- One of the most accessible and genuine neighborhood omakase experiences in San Francisco, with deeply personal service
- Daily menu built entirely around seasonal availability, with seatings that feel unhurried and intimate
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Frequently asked
About Wako
- Is Wako an authentic omakase restaurant in San Francisco?
- Yes — Wako 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 Wako located?
- Wako is located at 211 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118, San Francisco, USA in the Inner Richmond neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at Wako?
- Wako accepts reservations online. For an authentic sushi experience, especially at a focused counter, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
- What is the price range at Wako?
- Wako sits in the ¥¥¥¥ price range — typical for omakase of this format in San Francisco.
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