Food first, thoughts after... Overall a good choice. We went…read moreback after so many years because our friends wanted to go before moving away from Birmingham. The sushi was good. My husband enjoyed his udon but both of us were thirsty when we got home due to the saltiness.

Stopped by Okinawa Sushi & Hibachi Steakhouse for a late lunch and decided to sit out on the…read morepatio.... such a great choice!! The outdoor seating was relaxed and perfect for enjoying the beautiful weather without feeling rushed. Service was friendly and attentive, even during that in-between lunch/dinner time. Our food came out fresh and well-prepared. We both ordered hibachi. Our server even offered us to go drinks which was a nice gesture. Overall, it was a laid-back, enjoyable experience. Definitely a solid spot for a casual lunch date or catching up with friends. I'd come back again for sure.

Excellent sushi, excellent service & and an overall A+…read more The reviews for Samurai Japan were very accurate. When I walked in at 7pm on a Wednesday night, it was a full house. I immediately knew that I was going to be happy with my decision to eat here. I started off with the Shrimp gyozas. Since most gyozas are made with pork, I cannot remember eating shrimp gyozas before, and these were phenomenal. I highly recommend that you give them a try. I was pretty hungry, so I decided to order the Sashimi Deluxe dinner. 21 pieces of sashimi seemed pretty ambitious. If I had known how thick the sushi was going to be, I probably would've gone for a smaller dinner, but I'm glad that I didn't know because it was amazing. As for dessert, I always go with Red Bean ice cream. For those of you who have never tried red bean ice cream - you have GOT to try it. I know what you're thinking...red beans and ice cream do not go together, right? Well, you are absolutely WRONG! I don't know what breed of red beans go into this delicious dessert, but it is amazing and incredibly refreshing. Do yourself a favor and drive directly to Samurai Japan...eat until you're totally full...and then order the red beans ice cream anyway. You'll thank me later!

Stopped by Samurai Sushi in Vestavia for a Sunday lunch after church for Easter, and it was a…read morepretty relaxed experience. The restaurant wasn't crowded at all, which made for a quiet and easygoing meal. The sushi itself was just okay... nothing particularly memorable, but it satisfied the craving. Service was smooth and timely, likely helped by the lighter crowd. Overall, a decent spot if you're looking for a low-key lunch without the wait, but the food didn't quite stand out compared to other sushi spots in the area

Quickly becoming our favorite sushi spot in Birmingham!! (The noodle dishes and hibachi are also…read morereally good) The staff here is SO nice and always great service. You don't feel like you have to dress up but can be a great date night spot. You won't get much sushi, that's this good, for this price, anywhere else. Try the Green Jacket Roll!

Ha'nei Sushi & Hibachi is a fantastic spot in Homewood for fresh sushi, quality sashimi, and…read moreexcellent hospitality. We had the opportunity to try a variety of appetizers, sushi rolls, and sashimi, and every dish showcased fresh ingredients and thoughtful presentation. We started with a Spicy Margarita, which was well-balanced with just the right amount of citrus and spice. For appetizers, the Gyoza came perfectly pan-seared and was served with a unique red curry dipping sauce that added an unexpected layer of flavor. The Bang Bang Shrimp was another standout--crispy, lightly spicy, and coated in a creamy sauce. The sushi was the highlight of the evening. We enjoyed a Spider Roll and a Spicy Salmon Roll, both prepared with fresh ingredients and generous portions. The 9-piece Chef's Choice Sashimi featured tuna, hamachi, and salmon, and each slice was fresh, buttery, and beautifully presented. Our favorite dish of the night was the Ha'nei Special Roll, which the chef customized to our preference for fresh raw fish. Topped with tuna, salmon, and albacore, it was incredibly fresh and allowed the quality of the seafood to really shine. If you enjoy sashimi-style rolls, this is definitely one to order. Beyond the food, the service was exceptional. The staff was welcoming, attentive, and made us feel right at home throughout the meal. It's always refreshing to dine somewhere that pairs excellent food with genuine hospitality. Overall, Ha'nei Sushi & Hibachi delivers high-quality sushi in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. My personal favorites were the Ha'nei Special Roll, the Chef's Choice Sashimi, and the Bang Bang Shrimp. I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu.

I've just unlocked a new go-to sushi spot! Jinsei left us impressed and happily full…read more To start our dinner, we ordered the Honey Sriracha Brussel Sprouts and the Kadoma Tuna. I have a hard time refusing any brussel sprout dish when dining out, and this one did not disappoint! The Brussels were perfectly crispy and had a perfect sweet & spicy flavor. The Kadoma Tuna is a circular, crispy rice cake, topped with spicy tuna and avocado. I love trying rice cake dishes whenever I see them. This one was more rice-heavy, but it's still packed with flavor. We then ordered the Beef Wrapped Asparagus, along with the Bangkok Sushi Roll and the Suteki Roll. My favorite was the Bangkok Roll, which was topped with matchstick potatoes. The Suteki Roll was super unique, filled with sliced apple, cream cheese, avocado, and salmon. The Beef Wrapped Asparagus was a good addition, but I'm most impressed with the rolls we ordered. The menu is unique and comprehensive. There's detail put into every dish! With more dishes left to try on the menu, I imagine I'll be back shortly!

I came here for the very first time on a Friday afternoon. They offer lunch on Fridays ONLY from…read more11-2. When I arrived, it was slightly awkward because I wasn't sure if I entered the correct door or not. Thankfully, I was in the correct place. I sat wherever since it wasn't crowded. My server ( the only server) was busy but she did a good job handling everyone. I ordered the pick 3 lunch special- you pick 2 apps and 1 sushi roll for $20! I really enjoyed my choices- steamed edamame, seaweed salad and the spicy hotate. Everything was packed with flavor and super fresh. The space is casual but has a sleek vibe to me. It's way smaller inside than I envisioned. Overall, I enjoyed my inaugural visit to Jinsei Sushi- can't wait to return soon!

It's nothing like some ramen on a cool Fall night. If you're wanting authentic ramen look no…read morefurther than Shu Shop. This place is a hidden gem open late at night. The vibe is intimate and low key. The hostess is always so nice and the waiters are always so nice and helpful with the menu. We got the crab claws and if you've never had them it's a must! So good! I got the spicy miso ramen. It's definitely has a kick so if you don't like moderate spice I would not recommend. I love this place!

Shu Shop is definitely a vibe. It's open late, so it's a perfect stop after a late night at the…read moreAlabama Theatre across the street. We had the short rib with rice, and it was falling apart with such an amazing flavor. We also had the fried pork cutlet and yuzu slaw. The cutlet was tasty, but the yuzu slaw was not my favorite. I'd like to go back and try to ramen when it's cooler outside--it looked really delicious!

I am ashamed to say I had not been to Bamboo on 2nd in quite some time. I live a 15-minute walk…read morefrom it. I took my family there for by adult son's 40th birthday. That is so hard to say, 40th???? Well, I am getting old. I was more than impressed by our dinner. From the drinks to the Appetizers to the sushi. Outstanding. The service was also on point. The first thing I said to my family when we got there was, "I love the vibe of this place. So, if you have not been to Bamboo for quite some time, give it a try. I will be going back soon I assure you. Eat well, Drink well and stay healthy.

My first time in Birmingham and this spot in Downtown is a gem. The energy is great, especially if…read moreyou snag a seat at the bar. * Service (The Star): Shoutout to Bianca at the bar. She's an amazing bartender--super friendly, helpful with recommendations and kept the space spotless. She turned a 4-star meal into a 5-star experience. * Fish Quality: The sushi and fish quality were impressively fresh. * The Rolls & Ramen: Both rolls recommended by the Bianca were well above average and the ramen exceeded my expectations. * The Rice (Shari): A bit of a letdown. The rice was too mushy/wet and the portion of rice per piece was way too large. * Pork Bao: Not worth the mention (or a photo). Skip this one. Verdict: 5/5 stars. Mostly thanks to Bianca's top-tier hospitality. Solid Japanese spot in the heart of Downtown.

IKKO Japanese Fusion…read more IKKO Japanese Fusion was a pleasant culinary surprise! We ordered delivery one night and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. We tried both the Salmon and Beef Poke Bowls. The Salmon was outstanding -- fresh and flavorful, easily my favorite. The Beef version was a bit bland and dry for my taste, though. The sides really shined. The Takoyaki (octopus dumplings) were delicious and unique, topped with Takoyaki sauce, tempura scraps, and perfectly cooked. The Gyoza, Japanese Egg Rolls, and Shrimp Tempura were all light, crispy, and excellent. The Squid Salad was also very good and made a nice addition. Overall, a tasty experience with some standout items. We'll definitely be back soon!

Literally the worst with to go orders. 30 minute wait for a poke bowl you've got to be kidding me.read more

Spicy, sour, and seriously satisfying! That's how you describe the soup at Fuji Hibachi Express…read more When I'm looking for a quick dinner, one of my favorite pickup spots is Fuji Express. You can order online by going directly to the website. They make the food quick and my orders have always been correct. My go to order is a large hot and sour soup with a side of rice. By getting the large, I have plenty of food for lunch the next day.

Our go to hibachi take out! I am a huge fan of the spring rolls and the chicken hibachi. The…read morehibachi is the best deal! You get noodles and soup and salad. Flavors are great! They are so quick, literally ready in 10 minutes after I call it in.

If your craving Ramen right now, go ahead and just go to this spot! Don't let the window fool you…read morethey made it really hearty and it was served super hot! I didn't try the appetizers but the options for the appetizers here were very surprising because it's such a small spot. I didn't expect them to have such a variety! The staff were super sweet and attentive, too. They had a fast service even with a line. I did have to wait a while for my bowl, which was fine because I do understand that they made this as soon as I ordered so it is gonna take a little bit! The kitchen looked spotless and there's plenty of seating!

On a recent visit to The Edge, I decided to try something different. I noticed that there were few…read morecustomers (at the time) here, so I wanted to give them some business, and try something I haven't had before. I ordered the gyoza, which are fried dumplings filled with meat and veggies, served with soy sauce. After ordering from the sweet cashier lady, I was given a buzzer to alert me when my order was ready. After a short wait, I picked up my order. The dumplings were amazing! They were not piping hot as if they had just come out of the fryer and they were not greasy. I'm not sure if they were fried or air fried. But I do know they were flavorful and me and my guy enjoyed themselves and agreed that they were the star of the evening! I can't wait to go back and try something different!