Sushi Ran Head Chef and Ijji Team Up for SF Omakase Spot

Shocker: San Francisco is about to get another omakase spot (SF food writers correctly identified the rise of sushi as one of the biggest dining surprises of 2016). But this one is particularly exciting, as Takatoshi Toshi, Sushi Ran’s Michelin-starred head sushi chef, has left Sushi Ran to run this kitchen. He’s partnered with Billy Kong and Kua Chuang, who own Ijji in the Lower Haight, for an edomae-style omakase restaurant called Kinjo in Russian Hill.

Courtesy Kinjo

The collaboration debuts in just a few short weeks on Tuesday, January 24 at 2206 Polk St., and chef Taka-san will focus its food — at $120 per person — on edomae-style sushi, meaning a focus on uncomplicated, fresh raw fish over rice. At Kinjo, that translates to every dish being in the form of sushi (over rice), so even the soup, grilled items, and more will take that form. Tokyo’s oldest fish company, Sakasyu, will provide the fish. In addition to high praise here at home, Taka-san won third place in the 2015 Global Sushi Challenge, as well as first place in the World Sushi Cup in 2014.

The space has 42 seats (eight at the bar), with an open kitchen and private room at the front. The team wants it to be a livelier environment than some of the more hushed spots around town, but don’t expect crazy loud music or sake bombs. Michael Brennan is designing the restaurant (he’s behind Ijji, Jardiniere, House of Prime Rib, and many more) to be a wood-filled, minimalist space.

Kinjo opens on Tuesday, January 24 with beer, wine, and sake, and will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Stay tuned for more.

• Ijji, Nigiri-Only Sushi Spot, Now Open in the Lower Haight [ESF]