Vegan
Japanese
Vegan sushi bar and izakaya, eat. Jan 2015. Offers sushi, ramen, and Japanese food in small plates in a unique dining set-up with matching wood beams and tables. Open Mon-Thu 5:00pm-9:00pm, Fri-Sat 4:00pm-9:30pm, Sun 4:30pm-9:00pm.
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370 14th St (at Valencia, Mission District), San Francisco, California, USA, 94103
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Last update on 09 Apr 2025 by taiwanesetexan
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Added by condekedar on 14 Jan 2015
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265 Reviews
First Review by AshleyLorden
Charlotta11
Points +28
Best sushi I've ever had - Edit
Wow! This place is just incredible. Their speciality rolls are just out of this world. And it's really not expensive for what you get. I ordered 5 different rolls and 3 starters (plus dessert) and me and my boyfriend just loved everything. This is a must for every vegan who loves good food.
Read morePros: delicious rolls , cheap , good service
Cons: can't book a table
Guest
Purple Sara
Points +146
Meh. Decent sushi but a bit too expensive for me - Edit
Full review: https://www.carobcherub.com/shizen-sushi-review/
Read moreThe main reasons I only gave Shiizen 3 stars is because I wasn't a fan of the atmosphere or the prices and many of the reviews hyped the food up to be better than I thought I was.
This restaurant just isn’t for two practical, money-conscious people who eat at normal speeds (i.e., us). I’d prefer a cheap restaurant where the bathroom doubles as a utility closet, the waitress speaks broken English and they serve authentic food.
What we ordered:
-Nameko Mushroom Miso Soup: Balanced between simple and complex. It had a distinct umami flavor from the fermented miso and the mushrooms. I appreciated that the soup wasn't super salty from the miso. 4 stars
-Shizen Shiitake: Turned out to be my favorite dish. Overall, an interesting flavor and texture combination. The sauce was sweet and tasted similar to teriyaki sauce. 5 stars
-Yuba Nigiri Sushi:The yuba sushi was bland. The best part of the yuba sushi was the wasabi and konbu shoyu sauces. 3 stars
-Smoked Bean Curd Nigiri Sushi: Wonderful. It was a perfect balance of sweet and spice. It reminded me of a gingerbread cookie. 4 1/2 stars
-Eggplant Nigiri Sushi: Visually and technically, the eggplant sushi was the most impressive. The eggplant actually looked flaky. Unfortunately, not much flavor other than smokiness. 3 1/2 stars
-Futomaki Uramaki Sushi: all 6 ingredients sang in harmony. All the flavors combined really well. It's difficult to describe.
Pros: Beautiful presentation, 100% vegan sushi, Innovative recipes
Cons: Loud music, Long wait time (no reservations), Pricey
Guest
chamokc
Points +35
Amazing - Edit
very cool ,hip,and trendy location. But the best part was the food!
Read morePros: all vegan , great atmosphere
Cons: expensive, can be busy
Guest
LeeDee
Points +42
Amazing - Edit
Best food and ambiance I've seen at an all vegan restaurant in SF by far. Great, classy spot for a special occasion or place to treat yourself.
Read morePros: 100% vegan, serves alcohol, good service
Cons: crowded due to small space
Guest
vegan_ryan
Points +3873
Good but I've had better - Edit
I'll admit that this place is good, but I've had better: Beyond Sushi in NYC.
Read moreThat being said, they have an extensive menu, and the service is really good. There's ample seating, even for busy times. The food is also very fresh and delicious.
Pros: All vegan, Varied menu
Guest
eric
Points +21347
fantastic! - Edit
I was lucky enough to try this place yesterday, even though I almost didn't go because they don't take reservations and I heard there's often a long wait. there was no wait, Friday at 630pm, but did notice some as I was already eating.
Read moreI ordered gyoza which was good to start, but not best ever, but the spicy garlic ramen was excellent. That would have been enough but I also had 3 of their sushi dishes as well. These were all beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. This place rivals Shojin in L.A., though much more adorable, and the food wasn't nearly as salty, which I loved. Wish I lived nearby, I'd eat here often!
Pros: fantastic food, not too salty
Cons: busy, little loud
Guest
abhaya
Points +92
excellent sushi - Edit
So many amazing gourmet vegan sushi rolls.
Read moreGuest
clovely.vegan
Points +1110
Truly out of this world vegan sushi! - Edit
I had been looking forward to eating at this establishment for months and I was not let down!! The food is so original and unique. Unlike any sushi I've come across, quality and character. I wish I didn't live on the other side of the country!
Read moreGuest
VictorHugoLimachi
Points +381
Don't eat Japanese food anywhere else in SF - Edit
Once here you will experience serious awesomeness. Especially eating the sushi, edamame beans, sea weed salad the stuffed mushrooms.
Read moreNext time I'll try the advanced Sushi rolls.
/Food explorer
Guest
JsemVeganski
Points +58
BEST MEAL OF MY LIFE! - Edit
Everything here was amazing, and this may have been the best meal of my life, and I am old!
Read moreWe started with the okra nigiri, and I have no idea how they made it that soft. It wasn't stringy or undercooked!
The croquettes were the best sweet potatoes I have ever tasted. They were smooth and sweet, with a crunchy browned crust.
The soy ramen was just perfect. Made from scratch noodles that weren't too squishy. It had mushrooms, tofu, and seaweed in it. Perfect if you were under the weather.
We had the California roll and Philadelphia roll, and each roll melted in our mouths. One of the best things my tongue had ever tasted, until we ate the dessert.
Only one option, but there didn't need to be another. It was ice cream with fried bananas. It had a mountain berry compote attached with it, and each scoop of ice cream had flavor bubbles. I don't know if it was tapioca or ice, but it didn't matter. My taste buds exploded and I left my heart at this restaurant.
If you hear about me on the news, it's because I started camping out back so I could visit everyday.
It deserves more than five stars.
The best place EVER.
Pros: everything
Cons: small space, tables tight, wait time, they don't take reservations
Guest
JBR
Points +56
AMAZING - Edit
We went twice during a three day trip, and would have continued dining there if we had stayed for longer. Incredible food. Mouthwatering
Read morePros: Excellent Food, Good value
Guest
DSpocklington
Points +44
Great place - Edit
Shizen was busy on a Saturday night, but we got our food promptly and it was excellent. The wait staff was very helpful with first-timers who were unfamiliar with the menu and they helped us choose a delightful meal. It is such a pleasure to dine at a place where they understand vegan food and offer a wide array creative choices. An excellent value.
Read morePros: Simple/sophisticated decor, Excellent food, Good Value
Cons: seating is a little tight
Guest
Fit_Fathers
Points +307
ichiban - Edit
Authentic vegan sushi experience in San Fran at #Shizen - We went with the spicy garlic miso Ramen, vegetable tempura, edamame, a few rolls and the mushroom plate. Yes, we're highly satisfied! #VeganPro
Read morePros: many options , fulfilling
Cons: uses white rice
Guest
kasia
Points +144
Amazing. - Edit
We went there in about a week ago and had spicy garlic miso ramen, scarlet smile, plot twist and flying colours and it was one of the best meals of my life.
Read moreThe ramen and scarlet smile were absolutely amazing and I wish there was a place like that in UK where the only vegan sushi you can get is an avocado or cucumber roll.
I'm dreaming of that gorgeous heavenly ramen as well.
Superb!
Guest
ryann
Points +32
Suuuuuppaaaa - Edit
A bit pricey for a college student, but completely worth the treat.
Read moreGuest
LorenaH
Points +88
OK I give them credit - Edit
First of all, it is good that they try to make sushi that is creative and tasty without using meat or dairy, and the "fake meat", they claim, is soy-based and locally made. My problem was that they advertise brown rice on the website and on the menu, but it is not available, not at all, anymore. Secondly, a little too much salt and soysauce, and way too much sugar for me. The diner at the table next to me asked if they could make gluten-free tempura, nope; but it doesn't hurt to ask, does it?
Read moreUpdated from previous review on Saturday April 25, 2015
Pros: Vegan, creative, tasty
Cons: no brown rice, too salty, too much sugar
Guest
Worldvegkitchen
Points +1383
amazing - Edit
I thought it would be hard to top the vegan sushi place in New York, but shizen is just incredible. I went with 2 big meat eaters and they claimed it was the best restaurant they ate at in SF! Very creative, great presentation, and utterly delicious. Highly recommended!
Read moreGuest
niambi
Points +30
Outstanding!!!! - Edit
I'm not gonna waste your time: JUST GO RIGHT NOW. Its not a game! The *only* downside--they don't take AMEX (who friggin cares?!? GO.)
Read morePros: All
Cons: Stop that. GO.
Guest
FoodAndLoathing
Points +294
So freaking good - Edit
Omg, I can't even take it, this place. It's too much yum. It's better than any sushi you've ever had ever. I think a fish-eating person might not even realize there's no fish. This place serves up enormously creative and delicious dishes. It's pretty affordable, too.
Read moreThey don't take reservations and the place was packed when I got there. I suspect people don't know it's vegan, they just think it's an awesomely hip, yummy new sushi place.
The only thing I'd warn about is that if you are going to this place with an alcoholic who is in recovery, you may want to beware. We got a dish that had one piece in it that was spicy, while the rest were not. It came with a shot of sake in the middle. Whoever gets the spicy piece gets the sake. That's definitely a cute and fun idea, but since it is not indicated on the menu, I feel it could do harm to folks in recovery.
Guest
Yakimom
Points +74
So Very Yummy - you won't regret it! - Edit
OMG this place was amazing! Went with my omni friend and he was impressed. We ate so much- spicy ramen, the hidden agenda special roll, the body and soul special roll, gyoza, shizen shiitake mushrooms, the grilled asparagus, and the mochi. Everything was delicious and so beautifully presented. We were stuffed! For that level of service and presentation the price was reasonable. I can't wait to go back again!!
Read moreGuest
aps101
Points +341
My new favorite in San Francisco - Edit
My new favorite restaurant in San Francisco and one of my favorites ever. Shizen has been open just about a month now. I am still dreaming about this meal one week later. It is tastefully and minimally designed (but not stark in the least). A warm and inviting place to dine. The atmosphere is great and the staff is friendly. The manager especially was fantastic, accommodating and knowledgeable.
Read moreThe menu is one of the most creative I have ever seen. I was blown away by the variety of choices, the breadth of ingredients and the combination of flavors. (I will list below what I can remember of what we ordered, though there was more.) Everything is presented beautifully. Stunningly so. Every new item brought with it incredible delight. Nothing disappointed. Nothing. And just when we thought they couldn't do better, they did. This food is amazing and easily satisfied a party that included vegans, vegetarians and carnivores. All I want to do is go back and eat there again.
Some of what we had...
Beet salad
Ramen
Agedashi
Avocado
Asparagus Robata
Sweet Potato Tempura Roll
Body and Soul
Scarlet Smile
Professor Puzzle
Pros: Food, Menu, Atmosphere
Guest
AshleyLorden
Points +1278
Classic Japanese in a classy space - Edit
Shizen brings a variety of classic Japanese dishes (ramen, izakaya/small plates, sushi) to the table; the element of creativity is making them entirely plant-based. There's a fair amount of imitation on the menu, from "eggs" in the ramen to "cream cheese" and "mayonnaise" in the rolls, to "crab meat" all over. There are also the favorite vegan dishes from Tataki, a related omni restaurant -- vegetable tempura, avocado/ cucumber/ shiitake/ sweet potato tempura rolls.
Read moreThe restaurant has an intimate feeling, with almost all furniture and decoration being natural wood, 6 seats at the sushi bar and room for about 40 in close-together tables. I thought it was lovely but could also imagine it turning into a super loud echo chamber if full of people.
Menu includes a few cocktails, sake, wine and beer along with the array of food selections. No dessert menu. My partner and I got 3 small plates, an uramaki roll, a special roll and 2 drinks for around $60.
Service was nice, although obviously the waiters were new since they've just opened this week.
As a vegan person, I sometimes don't enjoy eating things that closely resemble animal foods I would normally avoid. Unfortunately that happened here -- some of the dishes we ordered left me with a "fishy" feeling in my mouth which I did not like. I bet that is a great feature for bringing mixed groups or tentative vegans here. For me, I will go back and order dishes featuring planty flavors next time :)
The location is sort of in between a few neighborhoods -- not far from anything but not in a busy center either. I would probably pay for parking rather than leave a car in the street in the evening around here for security, but it's not unsafe to walk from public transit either.
Pros: Classy, pretty interior, Interesting food, Nice service
Cons: Loud
Guest
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