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    Genki Japanese Cuisine

    4.1 (62 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese
    Open 12:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Order Genki Japanese Cuisine Takeout or Delivery

    Genki Japanese Cuisine Photos

    GENKI JAPANESE CUISINE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Genki Japanese Cuisine

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    Spicy Tuna Pizza Yellowtail Jalapeño (limit one order per person)  Ika Maruyaki (plate above the pizza)  Salmon Skin Salad
    Vivian V.

    If someone asks me if I've been to a new AYCE place yet, I probably have. With all the new spots popping up, I have to give each a try! Genki is a huge and clean space. Everything came out FAST! Hands down the most variety of appetizers and dishes outside of the sushi/sashimi realm. 10 pieces of sashimi may seem not enough, but they are thick(!!!!) pieces and more importantly, fresh! They do limit you on the sashimi and premium plates, but they have plenty of other options for you to try! Some of my favorites include: Bacon wrapped enoki, sushi pizza (spicy tuna on top of a scallion pancake), Ika Maruyaki (grilled squid), and miso eggplant. The sushi rolls themselves are okay, but I prefer them at other AYCE locations. When I am in the mood for apps and sashimi, I will definitely happily find myself back here!

    All you can eat
    Rosalenny V.

    If you love sushi this is a great place to come for an all you can eat experience. One thing I am very impressed with is that unlike my normal all you can eat spots, Genki offers more than just appetizers and sushi they also have options to order ramen, udon noodles, fried rice, etc. Now of course all that food does come with a time limit of 90 minutes which I feel is fair for the price you pay and the vast variety of food you can choose from. Customer service was good when it came to picking up our food tickets, serving, refilling drinks, etc. However, one thing I will note that shocked my group a bit was that we were told "it's a lot of food" a few times even though we were a table of 4. I didn't take a picture of our sheet but I did take a picture of our food. Those were both of the plates as well as the only plates we ordered and each time we were told that "it was a lot" and to "be aware that it's a lot off rolls". I am not sure about everyone else but to me this doesn't look like a lot of food for 4 people that are coming to an AYCE restaurant but me and my party may be a bit biased. Other than that the sushi as well as some of the other food on the all you can eat menu was good. The restaurant itself is much bigger than I expected and has some cute decor all around.

    Sushi Pizza
    Taylor P.

    Saw this place on TikTok and was excited to try it. Fun to go to once if you're hungry but probably won't return, sushi was really mid. We came in at 5 on a Saturday and were able to get a table right away, but it got busy pretty soon after that. We had to wait about 15 minutes to have our drink orders taken, you can tell staff is very busy. After that though, we just caught the attention of staff any time we needed anything and service was much better. We did all you can eat for $30 and filled out our first card. Kitchen apps came out pretty fast and it seemed like as soon as each individual one was ready it was delivered. Winners: chicken fried rice, fried eggplant, edamame, sushi pizza!!! Wouldn't order again: gyoza After finishing kitchen apps we waited about 5 min and our sashimi came out. The yellowtail was delicious. We got another intermission waiting for our sushi to come out ordered 4 rolls. None of them were notable, definitely won't return for the sushi. Overall, a fun experience, especially if you're very hungry, but if you're looking for sushi specifically I would recommend trying somewhere else.

    Fried Rice, Aged Tofu, Rock Shrimp, Fried Shumai, Veggie Gyoza, Zucchini, Mushroom, Eggplant & Edamame
    Lindsay N.

    Make sure you come hungry, Genki Japanese has all you can eat! This little spot in Hamden has made waves on social with their kitty robot, but we've returned for the variety and of the all you can eat option. It's our new go to spot to enjoy sushi, ramen, dumplings, and more. Luckily, the times we've dined in, it hasn't been crowded (Saturdays 1pm-2pm). It's also about $30 per person. Once you are seated, you are given the menu to check off how many items you want to start. I personally prefer this method over buffet style for all you can eat. Everything comes made to order so the sushi is fresh and the kitchen items are hot. There is the regular all you can eat menu with the staples; salad, soup, kitchen appetizers, udon, fried rice, ramen, sushi, maki rolls, and specialty rolls. Then there is the premium menu that 1 piece per person is allowed, these items include premium sushi appetizers and sashimi. There is a good balance for sushi and non-sushi lovers. Do not overload your items in one go, you can always order more because it becomes a lot of food quickly. Note that you will be charged for wasting food and there is a 90 min time limit. Trust me, you'll be full before you know it. Some of the must tries are the spicy tuna pizza, pepper shrimp, and mango salmon. A few of my favorites are the aged tofu, rock shrimp, veggie gyoza, and fire cracker roll (salmon, tuna, yellowtail, avocado, jalapeño, miso sauce, and sriracha.) One of my new discoveries on my last visit was the sunshine roll--I've been loving sweet & savory sushi rolls lately. It was tempera shrimp, avocado, steamed shrimp, mango, and a special sauce. It was so good! They also have ice cream for desserts, nothing like green tea or red bean ice cream to hit the spot after a good meal. The cat robot is cute and fun, but it may not visit your table. It befriended it our last visit and brought us a few of our kitchen dishes. The staff has always been friendly too and they are quick to take an empty plates. Give Genki Japanese a try. I highly recommend coming in a small group to be able to try a variety of things and don't for get to come hungry.

    Cassie R.

    I would really give this place 3.75/5 stars. I would have liked staff to be a bit more attentive. It felt like sometimes it was a while before they checked on us. When you're limited to 90 minutes at the table being checked on infrequently meant we didn't get as much opportunity to order. Otherwise, the food was absolutely incredible! Everything came out hot and fresh. Though there were somethings that took a while to come out. The restaurant is very clean, nicely decorated and had plenty of comfortable booths. However, it's one big room without any dividers so it gets noisy when its full. The highlight was definitely the delivery robot! It was so neat to have it delivery food right to out table. It also played music!

    Ivana F.

    Ever been served by a Robot at an all you can eat sushi restaurant?! This is one of the coolest experiences I've had in dining. You get greeted and seated and given a piece of paper and pencil. The paper has every sushi roll made, down to specialities. There is an appetizer menu, a salad menu a dessert menu, and the list goes on. There are so many options from tempura choices, to gyoza, the menu is endless. This location also offered different flavored Japanese sodas which are delicious and fun. After you're done ordering, the Robot comes over and drops off your food! Talk about futuristic! It was so fun seeing the Robot come and all you have to do is get your food off the tray press a button and it leaves. I had so much fun and all the food was delicious. This place is fairly new and super clean too. Love that!

    Vy H.

    The best all you can eat sushi place around! Variety of apps including grilled octopus and fried calamari. Included in the dinner price is 20 pieces sashimi for guest. There's many sushi options to choose from. For the non sushi eaters, there's a good selection of ramen, fried rice, udon stir fry, and teriyaki dishes. The service was very quick and the restaurant is very modern and up to date. I highly recommend this place for the food and value!

    Beef and Pork Bun
    Kyle M.

    Genki Japanese Cuisine is one of Hamden's most reliable spots for fresh sushi, generous portions, and an enjoyable all-you-can-eat dining experience. The restaurant has a clean, modern, and welcoming atmosphere, with warm lighting and simple Japanese décor that makes it comfortable for everything from family dinners to casual date nights. A fun highlight is the use of robot servers, which adds a lighthearted, memorable touch without getting in the way of attentive human service. The food is the real draw. Genki's all you can eat menu offers an impressive range classic sushi rolls, sashimi, creative specialty rolls, tempura, teriyaki, dumplings, fried rice, noodles, and more. The sushi is generally fresh and well-constructed, and many of the specialty rolls strike a nice balance between creativity and flavor. The variety makes it easy for groups to find something for everyone, and the value is excellent, especially at lunch. While most dishes are consistently good, a few hot items can be hit-or-miss, but the overall quality remains strong for an AYCE restaurant. Service is friendly, quick, and efficient, even during busy hours. Genki can get crowded during peak times, so the dining room may feel tight and waits are possible, but the staff works hard to keep the experience moving smoothly. As with most all you can eat spots, diners should be mindful not to over-order, since leftover charges may apply. Overall, Genki Japanese Cuisine delivers a satisfying mix of freshness, variety, and value. Whether you're craving sushi, looking to sample a wide range of Japanese dishes, or just want a fun night out, Genki offers a dependable and enjoyable experience that stands out in the Hamden area.

    Sashimi
    Chan N.

    If you love sushi and eating like it's your last meal, Genki Japanese Cuisine in Hamden is the place to be. It's all-you-can-eat, which means you can make some questionable life choices and roll out of there like a sushi burrito yourself. For the sushi lovers, they've got a ton of options, including 10 pieces of sashimi per person--which, let's be honest, is probably for the best unless you want to be personally responsible for a tuna shortage. The pepper tuna? Absolute perfection. The sashimi? Thick, fresh, and dangerously addictive. Not into sushi? No problem! There's fried rice, stir-fry noodles, chicken wings, fried gyoza, and soup--basically, enough variety to keep even your "I don't like raw fish" friend happy while you inhale your 87th piece of sushi. But let's talk about the real star of the show: the tiny, adorable kitty robot that delivers food to some tables. It seemed to only visit tables of five or more, probably because it sensed my soul and knew I would adopt it on sight. Of course, I had to end the meal with red bean ice cream, because my stomach still believed in me even when my waistband did not. The price? Around $30 per person--a small price to pay for eating enough sushi to question your life choices. Would I come back? Absolutely. Would I attempt to befriend the robot next time? You bet.

    I forgot this name of menu. But recommend it was yummy
    Thanchanok P.

    I got recommendations from my friends, so I had to try it. Food was excellent But I was not impressed with the service of the staff who were not very attentive, such as only one set of wasabi and pickled ginger, the seating arrangement was very bad, cramped and loud from the speakers above my head, ordering more food took a long time to come and get the bill to process, not cleaning up the finished dishes, and finally sitting and waiting for the bill for a very long time.

    Sana G.

    This is such a great all you can eat sushi spot in CT! The menu has a huge selection of items, with enough choices for even people who don't like sushi. The booths in the back are super comfortable and private, and the robot cat bringing kitchen dishes out is a nice touch. The sushi does take a while, so prepare to enjoy the kitchen appetizers while you wait.

    Shay K.

    Came here with high hopes based on the buzz, but left with mixed feelings. The atmosphere is definitely a highlight--modern, clean, and cozy without feeling cramped. Great spot for a low-key date night or casual dinner with friends. The appetizers were solid too: plenty of variety, and a few creative options that stood out from the usual fare. But once we got to the sushi, things started to dip. The rice was just... meh. Slightly over-salted, almost like it's intentionally done to keep you reaching for your drink (and ordering more). The fish itself tasted fresh, but the cuts were inconsistent--some pieces were thick and tender, others were stringy or awkwardly sliced. I will say the sashimi was a win in terms of portion--thick cuts and well-chilled--but they cap you at 10 pieces per person, which feels unnecessarily stingy for what we're paying. Also all the shrimp tempura in our maki rolls was cold and hard... awful. Overall, it's a no From me dawg

    Seafood soup
    Ana B.

    As a child of the 90s, I remember learning in school about the future, that we would have robots assisting us in everyday tasks. I'm still waiting for this robot 30 years later. Tonight at Genki Japanese Cuisine I encountered one of these very delayed robots. More on the robots a bit later. Genki is an all you can eat Sushi restaurant. It was very busy when we arrived at around 5:00. You're given two menus, one is "Premium" this means each guest may select just one item from each category, one time from this menu. The other menu is more unlimited. In the first menu there are some fancier salad options and some sashimi. In the other menu there's a ton of rolls, teriyaki and more. We selected the avocado salad, Hawaiian salad, seafood soup, as the lesser common options at other places. For the sushi, we got a variety of tuna rolls. Our service was entirely provided by people. It seems like when it's very busy the robots might be overwhelmed. I did see it a few times by the table next to ours. It would light up as it arrived, then the server would take the trays of food off its shelves. You're not guaranteed to be served by robots at Genki. The sushi was very fresh, flavorful and delicious. So were the soups and the salads. We never received wasabi or ginger with the sushi, or a drink menu. We concluded with a scoop of vanilla and chocolate ice cream. This ice cream was average. Genki sushi is the place to go if you're looking for tasty, fresh sushi. If you're looking for futuristic service by robots this isn't the place.

    Assorted Sushi, Chicken Katsu, Fried Rice, tempura.

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    11 months ago

    Place is awesome, prices fair. Fun place to eat with great service and food. Nothing negative to say, all good...

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    For $30, ayce is worth it. The interior is nice and well thought out. The food is good and staff is around if you want anything.

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    7 months ago

    The food and service was excellent. I also like the way they designed the restaurant. It's very welcoming and delicious too!

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    Ask the Community - Genki Japanese Cuisine

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    Akatsuki

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    Seems the owners spent more time on decor than on training staff…read more We ordered several items and none were any good. I also asked the server if they had sashimi and he said "Not Yet" Huh? Food: Then I tried the rolls and pretty sure I know why. All the rolls are covered in SO much sauce that it's impossible to actually taste the fish. Tuna or Salmon, who knows? The rainbow roll, which I have never had any sauce on in 30+ years of ordering, was covered here. The sad truth is that is typically an indication of using low quality or not so fresh fish. The fish should be able to stand on its own! The yakitori? The beef was not chewable, the pork belly was decent and the scallops were good. Outside of the beef, this may be the only decent edible option. Service: One server, even though it's a small place, it's not enough. Also factor in that he seemed to be somewhat clueless of how the process works. We almost left, as it was 5 minutes before we could get his attention to take our order. The rest of the meal time was not much better. Overall: Seems this place has been open long enough to fix these issues. I guess the owners do not care enough to do so.

    Anime fans, this place is for you! Especially, if you love Naruto - that's where the name Akatsuki…read morecomes from - Akatsuki in Hamden is calling your name. A small, cozy restaurant that is decorated to full anime vibes: anime art covering the walls from floor to ceiling for favorites like One Piece, Dragon Ball, and many more (how many can you name), dividers, lanterns, cherry blossoms - it's a total vibe! The menu is small, but has a variety from entrees, sushi, noodles, and shareable appetizers. There were specials as well that we took advantage of and ended up with a lot of food. My husband and I shared the Yukitori Platter, something that I haven't seen before on a menu. It's a Japanese street food that has skewered meat. Our platter had chicken, shrimp, beef, pork, and zucchini and each were very good. My husband got the Gyu Don (which is a beef bowl) and for $5 more, he got the set that included three side dishes and a miso soup. I ordered the Shrimp Tempura Udon and made it a Combo for $5 more which included a classic Brown Sugar Bubble Tea and a Pork Bun. I loved my Udon, was flavorful and not too salty. The bubble tea was perfect, even the tapioca pearls weren't too hard or gummy. The service was good, but it was a slow start since there was only one staff member hosting and serving the dining room. It was a little busy with a couple of other tables. The staff were very kind and respectful. The food came out fast after we ordered. Akatsuki is really a hidden gem and it's a must try. My husband and I look forward to returning soon.

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    Roishi

    Roishi

    4.4
    (105 reviews)
    1.1 mi
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    Tried this place on a whim after seeing the 4.4 stars on Yelp, and once again, my fellow reviewers…read moredid not steer me wrong. This spot absolutely did not disappoint. The ramen was fantastic, but honestly, the service was even better. Everything came out super quickly, the restaurant was spotless, and the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive. I ordered the shrimp tempura ramen and it was SO good. The shrimp tempura stayed crispy, the broth was flavorful, and the portion was generous. We also got the edamame, which tasted really fresh with the perfect crisp bite to it. I wasn't sure if I wanted to fully commit to the spicy garlic sauce, so I asked for it on the side... and immediately fell in love with it. We ended up dipping EVERYTHING in it, including the dumplings, which were absolutely delicious. My friend ordered a boba tea without the boba and really enjoyed it. They also got a sushi roll, and I tried some of the California roll myself. Sometimes all you want is a nice, fresh piece of sushi, and this definitely delivered. Also, points for serving the Diet Coke in a bottle. Nothing is worse than an inconsistent fountain! If we're ever back in the New Haven/Hamden area, this will absolutely be our go-to ramen spot. We'll definitely be back!

    We were a group of 20+ people the day after Thanksgiving…read more We called to make sure it was OK to load up. They accepted and the service was really good. The food was excellent and hit the spot after all the food the previous day. (Satisfying different taste buds). Lot of orders around the table, with drinks. They managed it really well. (Given the lethargic start to the day after Thanksgiving everywhere) Great spot.

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    Donburiya Cafe

    Donburiya Cafe

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    When I see gyudon on the menu I have to eat at the establishment as it brings me back to some cold…read morenight memories of Yokohama, Roppongi and Tokyo at large! Cute little cafe in strip mall setting with shared parking lot. Number of smaller tables to utilize within the cafe. Staff is super friendly and very attentive to ensure the experience is an enjoyable one. The gyoza were cooked perfectly and had great flavor to start the meal off. Then came the gyudon and it was nearly as I remember from my time in Japan. Very glad they had togarashi as I always enjoy a little extra kick in bowl! To finish had to go with the green tea cheese cake which was also highly recommended by the staff. It hit the spot to close out the meal. The Thai iced coffee came in a to go cup to sip through my meal and wall out with which is always a plus for the drive home! Only downside here has nothing to do with the food, it is just a little warm in the dining area so be mindful of how many layers you come in wearing. The menu has plenty of variety to meet your dining needs and look forward to coming back in when in the area! Well done Donburiya!

    Awesome new spot right outside of New Haven!…read more The music was good and at a perfect volume to where you could hear and the decor is soo cute! Lots of cats! I got the tteokbokki which were the perfect chewy soft texture coupled with that nice spicy sauce. It has a lingering heat that I personally really love. For my main I got the Japanese curry with chicken cutlet (chicken katsu) it was AWESOME!!! This is my fav dish ever and I haven't seen anywhere with it so I was absolutely elated when I saw it. Absolutely perfect, the curry itself has carrots and potatoes in it which were nice and soft. It also comes over rice! The owner came over to our table to check on us and she was so sweet. Everything came out quickly, and hot! As we were leaving all the staff said goodbye. I highly recommend coming to Donburiya!

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    Sushi Palace

    Sushi Palace

    4.0
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    I just ate at Genki about a mile up Dixwell from Sushi Palace with the intent of a comparison of…read moretwo similarly priced all-you-can -eat sushi restaurants. The difference was amazing. Sushi Palace pieces of of fish were honestly twice the size of the cuts at Genki. The service was excellent at both, both are clean and pleasant. Parking is easy at both if you use Sushi Palace's new lot on the right-hand side. No comparison, go to Sushi Palace!

    Went to Sushi Palace with a group of friends who have been before but this was my first time…read more Everyone was in the mood for all you can eat sushi so we decided this was the place to go. Everyone ordered what they wanted . Shared sushi and apps. The restaurant is small with enough table to seat others . When we walked in , it was very quiet! Where was the music?! Everyone can hear your conversation. It was that quiet. The menu offered apps, sushi, salad, noodles,Entrees, desserts and drinks( alcoholic) . One thing that was a disappointment was that staff is not fully knowledgeable about gluten allergies or the term gluten free. Our waitress didn't know what gluten free was. Also, when I ordered one of the rolls there was discrepancy in 2 of the menus on the description. I didn't realize until after. One did not say there would be crunchy things in it . The other said it did. I noticed after consuming and tasting something crunchy in the roll. That roll was shared will all my friends so luckily even though I ordered it I didn't consume it all . It was busy , the order of sushi was good and fresh .

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    Hachiroku Shokudo & Sake Bar

    Hachiroku Shokudo & Sake Bar

    4.6
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    4.4 mi

    This is my second review and I would give it more stars if i could. Whenever we're in New Haven,…read morethis place is a must for us. Wonderful Japanese food and great selection of sake! Service is always fantastic and attentive. The dining section is small so I highly recommend reservations! The downstairs is the main bar area with a few high tops. The upstairs dining room is cozy and intimate. The restaurant is very minimalist Japanese core.

    Hachiroku was a highly anticipated place after being nominated for Restaurant of the Year in New…read moreHaven County for Connecticut Restaurant Association's annual Crazies awards so I had it on my list of must go to restaurants. I have also never been to a sake bar. Have to say....I was underwhelmed. We came in last Friday and apparently it was slow because Yale was off (according to our waiter). If a restaurant is good they should not be slow on a Friday night. We sat by the door on a cold night and there were two other couples practically on top of us. Rest of the seating are high tops against a wall by the bar or up the stairs on another level. We would have liked to sit upstairs but they were closing off that area. Menu was complex as the restaurant is authentic Japanese. Lots of beef options. Lots of Wagyu. I was hoping to be blown away by this restaurant trying something different. I was struggling trying to find something to order that sounded appetizing. I knew going in that this place was authentic Japanese but I don't know, nothing sounded great to me. I love mushrooms so I got the Mixed Kinoko Mushroom appetizer which was $15. To add scallops was another $8. Mushrooms were tasty. Scallops were not. $23 for a small dish. I also got the pork short ribs. Not a ton of meat on them, however, nice flavor. I was still hungry after this so I ordered a dessert which was the best part of the meal. They get some of their desserts from Hen & Heifer which is a well established place in Guilford. I got the Ube Panna cotta. Boyfriend got the Black cod Yu-an Yaki and upgraded to add the salad, pickles and rice for $3 more. The pickles were maybe two bites. Salad tasty but again, very small. He said the cod was just ok too. Very small portions and pricey for what you get. $30 for a mini sake flight. Not impressed with how it was served either. Small tasting glasses just placed on the table with no description. The server explained which was which, but I didn't remember. Not sure if he didn't care or this is how it's normally served, but if you go to a wine bar/brewery, they provide descriptions with flights usually written underneath the glass, or at least serve it in something. Not just tiny glasses placed on a table where you have no idea what you're having. Especially for $30! I was not impressed with this place whatsoever. As this is part of a newer restaurant group with a few different locations nearby in New Haven, we then went to their cocktail Lounge on crown street (116 Cocktail Bar) thinking it might be better, however we were equally disappointed. It was dead in there and the bartenders were miserable. They couldn't wait to get out of there. I have heard that their hand roll bar is very good (Handroll on State St). We have been to their Grocery Store called The Loop and it's cute. They have a brunch at the Grocery/Kitchen location that looks really good. They also have a wine lounge at The Loop that I'd like to try.

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    Upstairs seating area
    Upstairs seating area
    Signature Jako Salad
    Signature Jako Salad
    Giant Octopus Sashimi

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    Giant Octopus Sashimi

    Genki Japanese Cuisine - japanese - Updated July 2026

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