Shizen
Vegan sushi. Let it sink in first and then hear us out: it may seem like a ludicrous idea, but Shizen pulls it off flawlessly. Imagine egg-free noodles in savory ramen broth; green mango nigiri, piquant with sweet ume vinegar and avocado crema; and specialty rolls like the Open Invitation (pumpkin tempura, spiced burdock, shredded tofu, tapioca, and renkon chip for crunch) to create a veritable umami inception. In a minimalist, sleek wooden environs, this Mission hotspot is a vegan’s paradise.
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What if we told you that one of our favorite sushi restaurants in the city was a sushi restaurant where the sushi has no fish? Would you think we were a little crazy? Well, guess what: we are because Shizen has become one of our go-tos since it opened a few years ago. It doesn’t hurt that the space is stylish, with a minimalist vibe, lots of wood, and air plants hanging on the walls, but the real thing that keeps bringing us back are the gyoza, the spicy tofuna rolls, and the spicy garlic miso ramen. The ramen broth and noodles are made from scratch (the latter is made in-house every day), and the soup comes with so many yummy veggies, you won’t even notice that it’s lacking meat.
How to enjoy: Reservations are required (max party size four people) and can be made on Yelp Reservations; there are no walk-in tables available at the moment. To-go orders may be placed online or by calling 415-678-5767
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