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    Shu Shop

    4.1 (324 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Ramen, Izakaya
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    Shu Shop Photos

    SHU SHOP ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
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    Recommended Reviews - Shu Shop

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    Camille F.

    Small restaurant/bar right across from the McWane Center! Street parking is relatively easy in this part of downtown. 21+, they'll card you at the door. Service was quick and friendly. They have an extensive cocktail and sake menu. I opted for a Sapporo. Most of the menu is set up as appetizers/shareable plates. We tried the crab claws, tempura veggies (squash and okra!), and pork gyoza. Everything was very flavorful and they're not afraid of spice here. Be warned. The pork gyoza had an odd flavor to me, kinda flour-y. Although I'm always hesitant to knock the flavor on something when I'm unsure if this is me finally having the authentic version of something, haha. But the star of the show here really is the ramen... I had the spicy miso ramen, after reviewing fellow Yelpers' recommendations. It was... delicious. I believe I saw them packaging up several to-go orders. Next time I'm sick, that's what I'm getting.

    Phillip B.

    I always love this place! Got the spicy miso which is a for sure winner every time! The mood and vibes are always great for a chill night! The people there are always wonderful and full of conversation! If you have never tried ramen this is a great place to start!

    Andrea R.

    A phenomenal experience here! The service was wonderful and attentive, and the ambiance was very lively. The ramen was delicious and the perfect way to warm up. It is small, so make sure to head there early since it fills up fast. Overall, it is a great spot for a cozy dinner!

    Seafood Ramen

    Stopped in on a random Friday evening and this place should have been much busier than it was! The food was mouth watering, the service was amazing and it felt very authentic inside! We tried the pork dumplings and tako puppies to share and I secretly wish I had gotten the tako puppies all to myself--they were SO good! The ramen was excellent and perfectly portioned. We also tried the ice cream selection from big spoon creamery and we were very impressed! The flavors were unique and very tasty! Overall, I felt like everything we had was full of complex well thought out flavors and I will definitely come back. My only issues were that the host took forever to seat us even with the restaurant being not very busy and it was very dark inside. Our server was great and offered extra lighting as needed though!

    Spicy miso ramen
    Victoria L.

    Shu Shop has been and always will be one of my favorite spots in Birmingham. The vibe is dark and moody- the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the best ramen in the southeast. The spicy miso ramen is delectable, you won't regret ordering this. Special shoutout to the crab claws. The best crab claws I've ever had- including claws from the gulf coast.

    Gabrielle L.

    There's a reason there is always a wait at this BHM gem The food is soo authentic and the atmosphere is low key and warm. I always suggest that we check on the wait after (or before) a night out. I love that they added a few different things to the menu, like the Catfish and Short Rib, but the Japanese cuisine is to die for!

    Hibiscus Margarita
    Charmaine C.

    Made a quick stop in for late night eats and as always it was delicious! Shu shop is a great place for date night, girls night or even solo! I had a margarita which was wonderful and the seafood ramen which was also amazing! If you are thinking of visiting... do it because you won't be disappointed!

    Soy Butter Scallops
    Matthew M.

    Came in last weekend for a quick drink and a few appetizers. Seating was quick and we took a couple of stools at the bar. Great service by our bartender who got to us fast and we ordered and shared a bottle of Sake (Wandering Poet, totally recommend). Small plates were very tasty, especially the agedashi tofu, which was quite silky with excellent (and ample) dashi included in the bowl. The remoulade for the tuna tataki wasn't quite as smooth or as unctuous as I would expect. Good sear on the tuna, but the seasoning on the sear was so intense it took away from some of the raw tuna flavor. Next time, I'll pass on this and try the Hamachi or mixed sashimi plate. Scallops were fantastic. Only small complaint was the price for four scallops ($18). Tasty, but pricey. Overall, a very fun experience and a lively atmosphere. A small warning for anyone with glasses and/or over the age of youthful exuberance: this is a dark, dark, dark restaurant at night. Like, the bartender needed to bring us a lamp to read the menu. I know, the ravages of age. I am attempting to rage against the dying of the light.

    Tonkotsu Ramen
    Joanne J.

    What a fun, moody spot for a cozy dinner! Even though this is a small spot in downtown, they usually can seat you pretty quickly, and the whole space has a unique softly lit ambiance! They have a lovely drink menu of cocktails, wines, and sake. I had the ginger daiquiri which was sweet and tasty. My friend had the lowball, which was a nonalcoholic cocktail. The food menu features small plates that are actually quite big. I had the unagi don which was a generous portion for a small plate and really tasty. The ramen has a good broth which you can customize with a spice bomb, but the noodles were a bit overcooked and you can tell they are cooked from dry rather than fresh. The service was quick and they are helpful with recs. Overall, a vibey intimate spot for dinner in downtown!

    Tonkotsu Ramen
    Chalandra G.

    Came on a Friday and was able to get seated in 10 minutes. The Brussels sprouts and seasoned rice are super good! We ordered those and some pork gyoza. The catfish my friend got was super good and gave a surprising taste! The Tonkotsu Ramen was rich and filling. We were seated upstairs and it gave a very intimate feel to the experience with only two other tables up here.

    Tuna Tataki, Hot and Sour Brussels Sprouts, Pork Gyoza
    Natalie F.

    Shu shop is a whole vibe and I love it. On a cold winter day, there's no better spot than Shu Shop with a warm bowl of ramen and some hot sake. I love some spice but warning on the spice bomb addition for the ramen! I'd start with a little at a time Also- get the Brussels.

    Spicy Lobster Miso Ramen

    The spicy lobster miso is one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life! Ambiance, staff and food is all next level. If I were on death row I'd ask for this to be my last meal, no question. Hamachi Kama had great flavor as well. Our server was super knowledgeable with sake and guided us through wonderful options. The flavors in every dish all melded together so beautifully. This is the perfect date night spot. I don't often write reviews but this one deserves it. This place is !

    it's a moooood!!!
    Gina W.

    This place is all dark and moody and there's definitely a whole cool vibe going on. If you are 37 or older, you'll need to use the table light to read the menu, cause this place almost as dark as a 1998 Abercrombie store. Wear your young hip clothes. Do not dress like a mom with 3 kids who found a last minute sitter, cause you will stick out like a bowling ball in a punch bowl and wonder at exactly what point you stopped being effortlessly cool. We got there around 8:30 for dinner. The restaurant is tiny and there was a wait- 2 couples ahead of us. Our name was put on a list, but we were the only ones on the list. Then a party of 3 came in maybe 10 minutes after us- and the hostess knew them. Hugs were exchanged and they were seated in a downstairs booth 15 minutes before we were seated upstairs in the tunnel at a table that could've fit 6 people. Not sure what that was all about- it wasn't space and the number of people in our party versus theirs- but I felt like it was a thing. I didn't like how that made me feel. No one likes to feel second class. Our waitress did not smile one time. My husband tried so hard to get even a tiny smile. Maybe she was tired, but she wasn't very helpful when we were deciding what to order. But the food. The food was SO GOOD. We got several of the snacks/small plates that were good but the portions were just so tiny. The dumplings were mostly dumpling and not much filling. The fish was just a few strips. The hush puppy things were an adequate size/amount (and they were SO GOOD) The ramen was excellent. We both got the spicy miso ramen and I added burnt ends (which I do not recommend- it made it too oily and heavy. If you love burnt ends, get them in the vegetarian bowl. Order the bowls as they come- these people know how to perfectly combine food. Trust them on this.) I wanted to give it 5 stars because the ramen was so good... but the portions were on the small side. And for whatever happened with the people that were sat before us- I spent entirely too much time wondering what was up. If it wasn't a thing and there was a legitimate explanation, it would've been considerate for the hostess to communicate that. But the food was so good, we will likely go back...even if we are seated last, and our waitress is in a funk, and we have to find some way to split small odd numbered foods between even numbered 2 of us. The ramen is that good.

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    6 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Excellent Food and Drinks. Ambiance : very dark. You get a lamp for ordering to read the menu. Then they take it away

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Food always amazing I enjoy this spot annually when the jazz festival is in town. Service is good staff always attentive.

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    Ask the Community - Shu Shop

    Is this place kid friendly?

    I would say no, unless the kids have very versatile palettes. It's definitely more of a bar vibe than a restaurant vibe as well, which is not super great for kids.

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    IKKO Japanese Fusion

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    3.7(266 reviews)
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    My favorite place for Japanese food in Birmingham! This has been been a staple, reliable spot for…read moreme for the past 4 years of college to take friends and family since they have something for everyone. They have so many different types of ramen that are perfect when you need something warm, flavorful, and comforting. My absolute favorite, however, is the build you own sushi burrito. They have so many different additions and proteins to choose from at a very affordable price for the volume you receive. My friends and I also love stopping in just to grab boba at the front to-go counter. The boba always comes out very quickly and they have a large menu of fruit teas and milk teas to choose from. Service is always quick and friendly and I usually am able to be seated immediately. Definitely recommend this place if you are looking for Japanese cuisine, or just to gather at a restaurant where there is something everyone can enjoy!

    Absolutely amazing ramen spot!!!!!! From the first sip of broth to the last noodle, everything was…read morebursting with flavor. I've been craving ramen since January of 2025 (literally LMAO) The ramen was rich, comforting, and perfectly cooked, with a great variety on the menu so everyone can find something they love. The boba tea was also fantastic, sweet, refreshing, and a perfect match for the meal. The prices were super affordable too! About 15-20 per bowl which was much cheaper than what I've seen previously. What truly made the experience unforgettable was our server, Accep. He was a total hoot and had us laughing the entire time. So silly, energetic, and genuinely fun, he turned a great dinner into an amazing memory. His personality alone could light up the whole restaurant, and his service was just as top-notch. We absolutely LOVED him. I can't wait to go back just to see him actually, LOL. Delicious food, great selection, awesome boba, and an unforgettable server.

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