My wife and I have been to Japan and we're very picky about our Japanese food as a side effect of that trip. This place wow'ed us both. The service was just as amazing as the food too. Give it a shot. We hope you love it as much as we do! read more

If you're looking for the best sushi restaurant in Wilmington, this is it! The sushi is always good and they offer so much variety. Would strongly recommend the Mochi ice cream for desert. read more

Genki - The dragon Roll 9/10 - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

This place is incredible. I have traveled much and eaten sushi in many cities/countries. A true barometer of a great sushi restaurant in my view is: first, do they have Uni (sea urchin) and, second, how good/well curated is it? If they can get that right, all else is bound to be amazing. And Genki gets it right. Chef/owner Danny is super friendly and knowledgeable, a true master of his trade. Go visit, often, you won't regret it. My only regret is that Genki isn't close to where I live, but luckily I come to Wrightsville often and, because of Chef Danny/Genki, I have yet another reason to do so. Can't wait to come back. read more

Genki was my favorite restaurant in Wilmington when in it's original location. It is still one of the best. The food is excellent. It's fresh, well made and relatively uncomplicated. I have had many delicious and affordable meals here. The owners and their staff are wonderful as well. read more

I've been a loyal client to Genki for 17 years. I was a good friend of Reiko(the original owner). I received gift cards and I also purchase gift cards for friends every year. Unfortunately I lost a giftcard my boyfriend gave me for Christmas. I made a copy of the credit card transaction with giftcard number and presented it to the owner. She talked in circles and made the situation awkward. Ultimately she wouldn't accept my gift card. It was only for 40.00. Was is really worth losing a long time customer? I will say Genki is the best Sushi in town, just don't lose your giftcard! Also for the long time patrons... You'll notice the pieces are significantly smaller. I emailed the owner to resolve my gift card fiasco but no response. goodbye Genki :( Response: I called you and presented you a card number(you talked in circles) Nothing was declined because the card was lost. I emailed you on Genki website. If you benefit from GC$$$$ then you should have a system of tracking them. There's a reason for GC# You're basically telling your customers...if you loose a GC too bad. Do you really think a long time customer that spends $$$money would try to scam you? I mean it was 40.00 I usually eat 50. not including 20% gratuity.I own a business and understand the frustration GC come with. I also have a tracking system. I would give all customers the benefit of the doubt, especially loyal ones. I'll drive to Raleigh good sushi. read more

Amazing locally owned sushi restaurant! Always quality food and service! Besides amazingly fresh seafood, I absolutely love the beef curry, it's the ultimate comfort food! My kids love coming here and enjoy trying new things. This is a must visit restaurant! read more

Top of top: I suggest anyone who visits Wilmington for the first time to choose some seafood restaurant instead of this Japanese restaurant. I went to many seafood restaurants as well as Japanese restaurants. The seafood at Wilmington is extraordinary but Genki is definitely a disappointment. Readers beware: I edited it because I wanted to give a more objective description. I tried to remove the words that might make the owner feel offended but obviously even doing that can offend her or make her feel unhappy. So careful when you want to write a negative review especially it's a one star! I think if the owner is truly sorry or truly cares about her business, she may want to put more effort into improving the quality of food and service instead of thinking about how to underplay the mistakes or picture me as a difficult customer. Some restaurants serve amazing food and attracts more and more customers but some, you know, really need to nag at every negative comment because their mediocre food is not attractive enough to customers who are scared away. Okay, here's what happens: I came here for the first time and ordered tonkatsu. It was okay. Personally I think it was over cooked but the flavor was good. But seriously the rice tasted better than the fried pork. Overall service was great as well. What brought this experience to 1 star was the service in the end. After I finished the meal, I waited for over 5 minutes to get my check because my server needed time to giggle and talk to two young guys at the table next to me. Eventually I got the check! I rushed to the bathroom before I signed the receipt. After I came back, I signed it and was about to leave. I sipped the last bit of water and found that it turned brownish, but was too late to stop and guess what it's soy sauce water! I tried to ask someone but my server was busy serving other tables. I left 3$ tip at first and I believe it's about 15% or more of my order. (I usually tip 18% at dinner but the food here was really not that good as it was rated.) After I found no one was there for me I scratched off that and changed to 1$. I explained next to it which was interpreted as a nasty note by the owner. The note was "maybe you shouldn't put soy sauce into my water". The owner later came out and apologized to me and she was super nice. She explained that one staff put the left-over soy sauce into my water. According to the owner, the staff didn't know if I left or not although my personal stuff and take-out were there. I was mad at the mediocre food and terrible service but what else could I say besides it's ok to the owner - a person neither prepared my food nor served me. I understand that the owner cares about her business and her staff, but amateur mistakes (and in spoken language we call it stupid mistakes) did happen and the decoration was more authentic the food. In the end, what makes a great restaurant is great food. read more

Absolutely the best sushi place I've had in Wilmywood so far. The chef has been there forever and he's polite and skilled in his craft. All of the wait staff has always been nothing less than stellar. Would (and have) recommend it to friends. Plus the unagi is AMAZING. read more

Some of the best sushi I have EVER had! Genki is amazing, as are the staff/owners. Get the shrimp tempura roll and add cream cheese to it -- thank me later. I used to not be a fan of inside-out sushi rolls, but the rice at Genki is so fresh that I'm now addicted to this type of roll. There are also additional touches to the meal -- like a small edamame dish that comes with your sushi, and caramels to eat once you're about to leave -- that make the experience unforgettable. GO HERE if you're in Wilmington! read more

Excellent! Really impressive food. In town for weekend and wanted great sushi. Found it! Service was prompt and eager to help. We had an excellent dinner. read more

How should I begin.... This place is amazing, a place I've been going for years. Authentic. Fresh. Simple and full of flavor. The sushi chef knows what he's doing- and boy does he select some great tasting fish. I would like to add that I have had a TON of sushi in my time. I've tried almost everything...and while there have been some here and there experiences, nothing can impress me more than Genki. I will always be in love with this place, the food, and the warm loving people who work here. I currently reside in NYC, manhattan. Have access to many sushi places..have travelled, have eaten...and have yet to find a place that compares. If you get a chance, eat here, frequent here. If I could, I'd live there. You cannot go wrong!! read more

Who knew there would be such a legit sushi place in Wilmington? I really wish I could come back more often and try more things but this place was fantastic! I loved the fact that it feels more authentic and traditional, everything is homemade and amazing quality. Even when you look at their special rolls, you'll notice not everything is fried or sauced which I can appreciate so come and try this place out. You won't be disappointed! read more

This is the ONLY sushi I've been satisfied with since I was on the West Coast in SLO Cal two years ago. It blew me away!! I got a rainbow roll, snow crab nigiri, & then red bean mochi for dessert. This UNCW student 10/10 recommends it. Well worth the wait!! read more

Just left genki's. Never tried sushi but wow what amazing food!!! Tried salmon skin roll(not raw) and sushi pizza(not raw). Now for the sushi i tried the salmon,bluefin tuna and the best ever mackeral!!! Definitely try it you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!! read more

Genki is always amazing! But make sure you reserve a table ahead of time it's small and always busy. I have never been disappointed here!!! read more

Genki - Michi balls - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

See all

Best sushi in Wilmington! We've been twice now. Service is incredible, and the food is superb. Fresh, flavorful, and artistic in every way. The prices are super fair for what you are getting. The after dinner candies are wonderful as well. I can't wait to go back for a third time! read more

Genki - Green tea and red bean mochi - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Definitely the best sushi in Wilmington, hands down. The sushi/sashimi dinner was fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. I walked out stuffed to the gills. Five stars for the food! That being said, as other reviewers have stated, the wait for my entrée was close to 30 minutes. Prices are a bit steep, as well - the sushi/sashimi dinner, including miso soup, a small salad, and a small appetizer, is almost $30 per person. I'd love to eat here more often, but sadly, Genki will have to remain a special-occasion dinner. read more

How disappointing! For years I have supported Genki and today when I went to enjoy their food, I am rejected because they are now only seating advanced reservations. So much for enjoying their food again. Avoid Genki if you planning to "drop by". read more

Japanese food here are the best I have had since I moved to NC. It is very authentic Japanese cuisine. The sushi was good not the best I have had, but it's pretty close. I am going out on a limb and assuming the owners are Japanese (at least they looked Japanese to me) with that said, the flavor was near perfect. We ordered Gyoza, Agedashi tofu, sushi, and seafood cream croquette, The Gyoza was dynamite, agedashi tofu was pretty good, too. My boyfriend loved the seafood cream croquette. Sushi was fresh. I am from California and used to eat a lot of different authentic cuisine. It's hard to find real authentic cuisine around here, but this place was spot on. read more

Genki - From left cream seafood croquette, seaweed salad, agedashi tofu, pork gyoza pan fried. - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

See all

This place is absolutely amazing! Would definitely recommend to all my friends and family. The service is incredible as well as the food. Did not disappoint! The owners are amazing and greet everyone just as if they are family. Can not wait to come back!!! read more

Our go-to for authentic sushi in Wilmington. We LOVE Genki! We always sushi pizza and black cod miso soup for appetizers. Sooo good!

I'm not Japanese, but man this food was all home made and authentic and AMAZING to say the least! Chef Danny is an amazing guy!!!! Everyone's gotta come here if you want awesome Japanese food! read more

Genki - Best HOME MADE CANDY! I feel at home - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

First, the service was so awesome here. Felt like it was about 1 1/2 people helping each table, which was so nice. The owners were so inviting and the server was very knowledgeable and attentive. So incredibly impressed with this place! The sushi was so fresh and delicious and beautifully presented. My only small, small criticism is the sushi rolls were sliced a little too thick. It's a lot to put in one bite! All delicious, but a little smaller would be ideal. ;) our table ordered several rolls and I ordered a bento box with teriyaki salmon. It was delicious!! Came with some tempura, some seafood croquettes, which were so creamy and crunchy! It also came with steamed rice, some pickled vegetables, some shumai dumplings, and seaweed salad. It was incredible and so much food. Beautifully presented and it was just as tasty as it looked. The oxidized water here was soooo refreshing and delicious!!! I'm not a big water person, but this water was so tasty!! I can't wait to go back, I've been dreaming about it since we went yesterday!!! read more

Good sushi, My daughter had the chicken fried rice and its is some of the best I've tasted. Sushi is pricey if your buying sushi, the nigiri was cut to my liking and they were reasonably priced. We will be back, lots of options for sure. read more

Always delicious! A must for sushi lovers visiting or living in Wilmington. My husband and I make it a priority to stop here whenever we are in town. The sushi is fresh and more than reasonably priced. We've never had a bad experience. read more

My husband and I are formally of NY. We ate this evening at Genki Sushi. It was excellent. The fish was fresh and delicious. The ambiance was friendly. They honored our reservation as soon as we walked in. (the restaurant was full.) The service was a top draw and they made sure that we were happy with our selections. This definitely will become one of our favorites. Kudos to the chef and his wife Lana. read more

Best sushi place we have found in this area so far. Staff was really friendly and the food was delicious. I would recommend this place to everyone and we will definitely be back here again. Thank you! read more

Service in Genki is SOOO good! Mary is REALLY friendly and attentive! Good dishes, appetizers. We had hot sake, shumai, bento box, grilled salmon and udon. I won't say they are amazingly great, but still good enough to make us come back again. They have made their own candies, with green tea, almond, coffee flavors. Quite special~ read more

The fish at Genki is some of the best in Wilmington. They have Uni from California, Aji, fresh Ikura and other items you can't find elsewhere in town. Service can be slow at busy times but the staff and owners are so friendly like a traditional Japanese restaurant that it's a pleasure to be there. The fish is great but don't skip the starters. Besides being yummy (the goma-ae has a tasty homemade sesame sauce) they'll come quickly and keep the meal moving while the sushi is being made. Great Japanese beer selection and home-made saki. read more

Simply delicious! Great authentic style Japanese sushi. Sat at the bar while traveling alone.Met some very nice people. By the end, felt like family. Chef Danny's custom makes almost all the amenities and the sushi was Amazing! Rainbow Roll, egg drop soup, edamame with hajiki seaweed, smelt roll with quail eggs and yellowtail Kama (jaw). Can't get these and especially this quality very many places. My new Fave Sushi place in all Carolinas! Try it and you will be made to feel like family too! read more

Genki - Smelt Roe roll with Quail egg - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Quite possibly the greatest Sushi on the entire planet. I honestly wouldn't spend my money anywhere else. Not even exaggerating.

This place is amazing. From the management down to the food. Service was great, food was outstanding. The owner was so nice! Found our new favorite place!! read more

Great food and service, great management as well! Five stars all around. If you're an NPC who wants everyone to live in a mask, at all times, forever, because the TV says so, then do not go here or you will be triggered by seeing individuals exercise their right to breath oxygen/live. read more

Best spot hands down for sushi, I lived in Wilmy for a bit and ended up driving back down with my fiancé and took him there first thing. Friendliest staff ever, cool environment. Highly recommend for anyone, you're probably not a local if you don't already know about this gem lol read more

Want the real thing? From the greeting when you walk in, to the mom-and-pop shop look, to the sushi menu to the everyday menu to the down-home decorations to the gloriously authentic food, this little place offers a taste of real Japan. Hey. They fed a Japan-raised girl like me and sent me home happy and less homesick. That's not an easy task. That's gotta count for something. read more

Go only here if you are not hungry , no kids and if you don't suffer of diabetes . The waiting time is approximately 2 hours ( no kidding ).. The sushi is delicious but is not worth the waiting read more

The often elusive search for good sushi has come to an end. Having a hankering, I used the Google machine to track down a noteworthy establishment. After living in Japan and knowing what a quality, authentic sushi bar should be like, walking in and being greeted in the traditional Japanese fashion was a good indication my search was not in vain. My desires were focused towards sashimi on this day and sashimi I found. Johnny (forgive me if I spelled it wrong), a Japanese native and the purveyor of these delicacies, informed me he just got some fresh Blue Fin and Toro in stock. I chose the Blue Fin, 2 orders, and a side of fried gyoza. The gyoza came out first as my app and I could immediately tell this would live up to the gyoza I became accustomed to in Japan. Following the gyoza, Johnny handed me my 2 orders of Blue Fin on the same plate, beautifully presented with the accoutrements of pickled ginger, wasabi, and fluff material. Each order consisted of 3 slices which I would say totaled around 2-3 ounces so all in all, not too much but similar to other establishments I've visited. The Blue Fin was fresh and delicious, immediately melting in my mouth. 2 orders down and a 3rd quickly followed. I inquired about the Toro which for those that don't know is a different cut from the same fish. It is the very fatty portion near the tuna's stomach, very marbled and full of flavor and almost twice as expensive. The Toro exploded with flavor but I felt was a bit more firm than the standard Blue Fin cuts. I sat and conversed with Johnny and his staff for quite some time about sushi and general pleasantries. The entire staff was friendly and accommodating and at no time did I feel I was anything less than a valued customer and friend. The establishment was clean and organized with a fair amount of seating available. Music synonymous with ancient Japan was playing in the background which only added to the authentic ambiance. Don't let the fact this little gem is tucked away in a strip mall fool you, it's the real deal. Once again, after living in Japan, I was happy to find somewhere in the greater area that truly cares about delivery quality sushi. read more

Susan and I arrived shortly before 6pm Fri (6/12/15) to find people at tables, etc., but no one at the sushi bar (if you really like sushi, and the restaurant is known for good sushi, you should really sit at the sushi bar) so we sat down, and Chef Danny talked it up a bit while preparing our food. We ordered some nigiri (snapper, bluefin, scallop, salmon, uni), and one rainbow roll. The temperature of the fish was perfect, not too cold, nor warm. Highlights of the nigiri were the scallop, snapper and uni. The rice was simply awesome. Rainbow roll was good! Of note, I had yet to have good uni in North Carolina, but I finally got some. There were two to choose from (one from Cali and one from Chile). I chose the Cali uni. All in all, Genki is a must if you're in the area. Chef Danny has a great personality, and above all, and why you are here, he knows quality! Do yourself a favor and try Genki. read more

Easily my favorite sushi restaurant in Wilmington. I've visited Japan and Genki is most authentic. The sushi is simple but very high quality. They can be a bit slow since it's a small place but I'd you're not in a rush it's the best. read more

The food was great. Place was packed at 9pm on a Tuesday so you know it's good. And definitely the nicest staff of almost any restaurant I've ever been to. Great great experience! read more