I really wanted to like this place, but honestly, I left feeling a little disappointed. I am not sure but, I believe this restaurant has been around since around 2006, and I really hope the owner will consider making some improvements. There are several things that stood out during our visit. First, cleanliness was a concern. When I went to the men's restroom, there was a significant amount of urine on the floor around the urinal. Unfortunately, it made me question how much attention is being paid to cleanliness in general. There were also quite a few flies flying around while we were eating, which definitely affected our dining experience. Our server seemed fairly young, so I don't want to blame her personally. However, there were several basic things we had to ask for. When our sushi roll was brought out, we had to ask for the small dishes normally used for soy sauce and wasabi. We also had to ask for a spoon for the bibimbap, and the spoon that was brought was more like a small soup spoon. We also had to wait and wonder when our water would be refilled rather than having it checked on regularly. The bulgogi was another disappointment. As you can see in my photo, there were a lot more vegetables than meat, and the pieces of beef were quite small. When people order bulgogi, I think they are generally expecting a reasonable amount of meat. I believe this could definitely be improved. Also, at most Korean restaurants, steamed rice is included with bulgogi, but here we had to order it separately. Thankfully, there was no extra charge for the steamed rice. I consider these points areas for improvement, rather than reasons to give the restaurant a low rating. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like the owner pays much attention to the reviews on Google or Yelp, which is a shame. I really hope they will take the time to look at some of the lower-rated reviews and see what customers are saying. There may be some valuable feedback there. So why am I still giving 5 stars? The owner was very friendly, and I really appreciated that. Also, the servers at the Hibachi table next to us did an amazing birthday celebration performance. They were singing and playing along with such great energy that it almost felt like watching a marching band. That was definitely one of the highlights of our visit! Overall, I hope the owner takes this review in the spirit in which it is intended. There is a lot of potential here, but cleanliness, service details, and food portions could definitely be improved. For Korean visitors who are specifically looking for good Korean food, I personally would not recommend ordering the Korean dishes here. read more

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Underrated gem. Was pleasantly surprised at the food being delicious. The dinner entrees were served with the classic clear soup and a ginger dressing salad so it's a very big portion of food. The lettuce was kind of wilted and starting to brown. As a result, it feels like the lettuce was drowning in dressing to try to cover up the older lettuce pieces. I didn't enjoy the salad because of this, but everything else was really good. read more

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The servers were nice, that was the best part. The sushi was not good. We got two different rolls and could not distinguish one from the other because they were both drenched in some strange caramelized sauce and that's all you could taste. The hibachi was ok, nothing spectacular. We've eaten similar at Panda Express. The kicker was the container of yum yum looked like it's never been washed. The picture is the handle. That did me in, I stopped eating. read more

Samurai - Inside the handle of the yumyum sauce - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bowling Green, Kentucky

This place is so under talked about! It's probably the best Japanese food in bowling green! It is a little costly, but if you go during the week and get a lunch special they have a 7.99 hibachi Lunch special that is most definitely worth more than what you're paying! read more

Korean BBQ! The only place in BG to have it. I had been reluctant to go to this place because of the outward appearance, but I was wrong. The staff were amazing, kind and helpful. The dining experience was very enjoyable and made my kids love Korean food. The sides were perfect and the meat was outstanding. I feel like this is a hidden gem. read more

So: no. This place will try to take advantage of you, by assuming you know nothing of their cuisine. Want to cook your own meal? Yay! Order the Sukiyaki. If you have good camp stove skills (they give you a janky camp stove and a shallow pot, with a pile of ingredients, to cook it yourself. I'm not kidding). The price for the privilege of cooking your own dinner? $23 plus. And the staff thinks it's hilarious if you complain about or even notice the con. Be careful: they wait for it, if you order the Sukiyaki. They snicker and point. Try it and watch. It's like they're placing bets on how quickly you ask for the manager. The "Sukiyaki" (it's not really sukiyaki, but bear with) arrives piece-meal, meat and veg, water (not dashi) and hoisin sauce, a battered camp stove... and no instructions. That's it. A pile of ingredients and a camp stove. $23. A former sous chef, I was like, "Challenge!" But then my wife's entree arrived (tepid), and she was so worried about helping me cook the raw meat and veg in my dish, helping me try to make this pile of crap into my dinner, that she didn't even enjoy her own. That's when I felt my hackles REALLY rise... You want to collect my money and make me cook my own dinner, especially considering there are NO authentic ingredients in this dish? Fine. NO dashi. NO waygu. NO burdock root, shiitake mushroom, black mushroom, cellophane noodle...not even a damn spoon. This isn't special, it's insulting, but: fine. You ruin my wife's dinner too..?! It's a sucker punch and a middle finger to people that just want to relax and enjoy a meal FREE of exactly the problems and issues this place serves up like side dishes. They HATE you. They just need an excuse to show you how much. They laughed when I complained. To their credit, they compensated us for the sukiyaki. But f*ck that! I left hungry and had the privilege of hearing my wife apologize to them, (after eating a cold dish because she was helping me cook my own) to these people, "for the trouble". No. You don't get to take my money and my time and give us such complete crap food and service that you embarrass me and (unforgivably) my gentle wife. No. Don't eat here. They don't care about you, or their own product; instead of introducing you to their food and culture, they look for opportunities to make you a fool. They deserve to reap what they sew. Not even a breath of recommendation. They are what's wrong. Avoid them. read more

Food and service has always been good. I have never seen roaches like people have posted. Yes, this restaurant needs to be updated and BRIGHTENED UP. It is dark and grungy. I will say this that is very negative about their choice of music. At the entrance you see this picture about God and I am all for that, however when music is played with cursing that is clearly heard, it is terrible. Music that is degrading it makes me wonder if that scripture is just for show because promoting that kind of music is not from God. They should just stick to instrumental music with no words. I won't keep going back if I have to hear what I heard again. It made me leave early with disappointment. read more

Disregard the negative reviews. Sushi rolls are consistently good and great price! Had the Rib-eye hibachi dinner and they gave me as much yum yum sauce as I wanted. Friendly service. Will definitely be going back! read more

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Arrived with family around 6:45pm. There was a large group celebrating a birthday also. There was only one cook. First thing I noticed is that the paper menus are dirty. The sushi menu was laminated and clean. I ordered a Philadelphia roll and vegetable delight. The roll was as expected. The vegetable delight was lacking vegetables. Being my main dish I expected more than a few prices of potatoes, a single mushroom, 2 slices of carrots, 3 small pieces of zucchini and 3 pieces of broccoli. There were so few vegetables that they were easy to count. Oh I forgot the one tiny peice of onion. The guy that prepped the food was funny and entertaining. He did a great job considering he had just left a very large party of people. Service was a good as could be expected with only the one cook. Overall the service was better than my food, and the rest of the family that ate meat was happy. Me not so much. Will I return. No. The meal ended at 9:10 pm read more

I ordered a sushi roll and edamame. I spit the roll out and didn't eat the rest. The edamame was cooked correctly. We waiting a long time for our food. Our server was not very attentive. Our table was sticky. Overall I was not impressed. read more

Great restaurant! The sushi chef is very kind and very good at what he does. Never had a bad roll there! Servers are nice as well! Don't be alarmed by the outside, inside is very nice. Makes for great date night. read more

My wife ordered from there and for almost $20 she never got her money worth at all , She said the food taste good just that she was shorted. read more

I've been here twice both times my service was good. Food is excellent both times I went But hibachi is were its at. read more

Samurai - The hibachi side. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bowling Green, Kentucky

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This was not good.... One of the rolls had slices of lemon, but the slices were so thick and the rind was so bitter it was all you could taste. Typically when they add lemon, it's just a sliver - but these were chunks and not good. I ordered six pieces of the white tuna Nigiri - and it was next to inedible. The fish was water logged and it was incredibly salty - like it had come out of a salt brine - not good. I ordered six pieces of the salmon nigiri - the flavor was okay - but the flesh didn't have any texture to it - it was mushy - not good. Got to say - I wont' be back. read more

Service was great but the food was not edible. Spent a lot of money by trying several things but all of it was gross.

Been a few years since I been there figured I give it another shot. Order hibachi steak and shrimp and a sushi roll. Food was ok, small portions. I got 4 shrimp and 6 bites of steak. I asked about my sushi roll after we were done eating he said he forgot ???? Where did it get written down at ??? I said cancel it. The brought it out with my boxes and charged me for it. I tried to say I don't want it now. After dinner is not an appetizer. Not worth the argument. read more

I can be very verbose but only one thing needs to be said......roaches. Not just one, many!!!! There were 4 dead roaches on the sushi counter. If the roaches are on the bar I can only imagine the status if the kitchen read more

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I was seated as soon as I entered , greeted with a big smile. I ordered the Hibachi Chicken and it was delicious. Plenty to fill up just about anybody. Samurai is located in the right corner of this strip mall. A little hard to see but well worth the effort. I'll be back later this week to try a different dish. read more

OMG , I loved the food ! The sushi is so damn GOOD . I had some pork kalibi with kimchee and rice , the best meal ever . We got lucky we went earlier before the crowd . Prices are high and fair if you're looking for Korean food . The servers are fast so as the cooks . read more

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Use to be our favorite place to get sushi. This place has went so down hill. After this horrible experience we will not be back

Okay first of all beware of the negative comments. We went tonight and it was awesome. Monica, our server was amazing. She had great suggestions and ALL the food was top drawer. As for the comments about the sukiyaki in other posts, I asked the servers about the item and she stated that they try to explain to the customers what if entails and unfortunately people think it sounds fun and cool, but you really have to be familiar with the process. Note to self, don't order it unless you know how it works. All I can say is this is my new sushi place. The sashimi appetizer was plentiful and the variety of rolls was grand. We saw several people at the hibachi tables and they all look to be having a great time and enjoying their meals and entertainment. Definitely for us, worth more that 5 stars. read more

Great food, fair price, kid friendly. Our family of 6 loves this place. We are about 2 hrs away and enjoy visiting when we travel.

My boyfriend and I found this place a while back and it's our new favorite in BG! We love the variety of sushi and Tues/Weds are half price! The service is good and everything is always clean. While the outside leaves something to be desired, the inside is very nice and perfect for a date night. read more

Good sushi, seemed fresh and had good flavor. The spicy tuna roll had too much cucumber in it for my taste, but still good. Also had the Tony roll which is along the line of a rainbow roll. Also very tasty. read more

Samurai - Spicy tuna and Tony roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bowling Green, Kentucky

We just attempted to eat here for lunch. A Roach ran across our plates!!! DO NOT EAT HERE. This also happened to our family several months ago and we were under the impression it was handled. It has not been. BEWARE! They are infested and have not solved the problem. read more

We moved here from San Francisco area, the king of asian cooking. I'm not sure where the other complainers went, but there food and service was amazing. Oh and for the others it wasn't open 2 years ago. Recently opened where another asian restaurant was, never went there it was never open. Try it yourself, don't take the naysayers word. You won't be sorry. read more

Haven't been to Samuri in years but what a disappointing visit. The broth soup taste like chic bullion. No wontons, was not good at all. The salad was mostly iceberg lettuce which I like but the salad dressing has changed and not for the better. It is very sweet which seemed to be the key ingredient in the ginger sauce too. This was also undesirable. The waitress was very polite and the kitchen chef did remake my meal without the overly sweet sauce that was on it and it was good. But I can eat filet and chicken anywhere. I came here for the Asian flavors that were lost when the sauces were changed. Won't be back. Where is Benihana when I need it? read more

My mom and I came here for the lunch. It was our first time in the restaurant and we chose to sit at a table instead of the hibachi. The service was great and our waiter was very kind. However, the sushi was very uneventful and mediocre. I mean you can't expect much from bg I guess. But it was sloppily put together, the rice tasted strange, and our avocados were brown. Maybe the hibachi is better! read more

Very dirty place, ate here 3 years ago and found a baby cockroach in my food and they refused to foot the bill. Came here a few days ago from out of town with my family hoping for the best and unfortunately not much has changed. The windows look like they haven't been cleaned since it opened, tables all sticky, menu papers were old, wet, and heavily used, no music or atmosphere, the drinks were somehow totally watered down and the ice was melted in the drinks by the time the drinks made it to the table.. every different kind of soda we got was totally flat. the entree was $25, a decent amount of food, okay quality. My girlfriend and I split an entree, (it states it's $5 extra to split a meal) which was fine until they billed us for 2 whole separate entrees and wouldn't negotiate with us to take it off. I feel dirty not saying anything so I downloaded Yelp just to let people know what's going on with this place. the experience as a whole was very run down. You can pay the same amount in a coastal area and have a way more legitimate experience. read more

The interesting thing about this place is that it's tucked away in a strip mall. I first thought based on outside appearance that the inside was going to be terrible, but don't judge a book by its cover! We ordered the Hilltopper and Blue Sky Rolls and both were delicious! The fried Calamari was well cooked and tasted great. I had the short rib bento box and it was good. The short ribs had a good Korean barbecue flare to them and were a little tough but were also cooked on the bone. The Bimimbap was really good, and the Shrimp hibachi dinner was excellent. The only concern was that there was only one server, and service was slow, but other than that we were impressed. Will come back again. read more

If you are looking for 5 star dining, move along. This place is excellent, but in it's own way. It's almost like a dive bar for hibachi. The tables are worn, the floor has seen better days, but the wait staff is friendly and attentive. The food? You aren't going to be blown away, but you will leave full! The food is good, the flavor is there, and the portions are on the larger size. The 6.99 lunch is the best value for your buck, and on Tuesdays the sushi is half off. took my kid there for her birthday lunch. we both got the 6.99 lunch, hibachi chicken for her and hibachi steak for me. it comes with salad and a soup with were both good. We also got 2 sushi rolls since they were 1/2 off. everything came out fresh and quickly, and the waitress made sure to keep the drinks refilled. read more

So gooooood!!!! One of my favorite hibachi restaurants in BG if you want the full hibachi experience. The chefs are entertaining and friendly. Good for small or large groups. Quick and fresh! read more

Sadly, they were close when I showed up at 2 PM today. Wasted money on the Lyft ride. read more

Came to this restaurant off the interstate on a long car trip. The location is nice and close to coffee which is always good, good service, good food. Our sushi was very good and the stone bi bim bop was excellent. read more

Mahi-mahi was the best I've ever had. Very enjoyable evening. Haven't had such good calamari since San Francisco.

Tried to eat here again just to see if it was one bad experience... went In and waited 15 mins at the door to be checked in, at least 5 different employees saw us and basically looked away like it wasn't their job.... this topped on not being open on Monday? Nah... gonna forget this place even exists..... read more

Decent sushi all around but very basic in selections. The ambiance is interesting and really close to being great. Good color scheme, modern colors and layout, and Asian feeling without being cheesy. They could divide up the spaces a little better though and utilize better lighting to help it out. Wait service is good and attentive and most are easy to understand. Overall a good place to go. It's super close to our house which helps motivate us to go there on lazy nights out. It's not the most spectacular, but it is good overall and consistent. read more

We usually go to Shogun's but lately the service has been hit or miss :( I tried to make a reservation for 15-20 people for the patio at Shogun's for a surprise birthday party and they were difficult and wanted everyone to be there before seating us which is retarded since we would having been drinking and spending money from the time we got seated. So I decided to try out Samurai, next to Ford's Furniture, and I'm glad we did :) The food was delicious and our server, Christophe, was unbelievable. He juggled 18 people and kept us all happy! Our cook, Walter, was great and kept us entertained! The specials they have are definite incentives to come back by ourselves or with another large party. You can't beat $2 drafts and 99 cent saki bombs! And we ordered 2 adult entrees and got a free kids meal! Can't beat that :) read more

This place was so weird. I eat a lot of places. This one was weird. Someone said it was a renovated bowling alley, I don't know if it's true but it's believable. Really the highlights of my visit were the $1 sake bombs and the half price sushi rolls. And the rolls...were, well, weird. Most of them had some sort of fruit in them, many were strawberry. (This is the specialty menu, which was half price, they had more traditional stuff too). I tried a few, all were good, not spectacular, but definitely good. Service was very attentive - the place was empty, so not surprising. I suppose it's worth giving samurai a try if you're feeling kind of plucky one evening. read more

Solid sushi and reasonably priced for specialty rolls. Had the Tony and Dragon II. Great find and would recommend.