Fantastic fresh sushi! I cannot remember ever having sushi where the fish was so delicate in flavor and texture. We were lucky to get dinner reservations last minute for two that had us at the sushi bar. A little cramped but worth it to watch the skilled chefs at work. The service was also spot on. We will definitely return when in the area! read more

I had the lunch special sashimi with egg drop soup. The sashimi special came with salmon, octopus, tuna, red snapper, albacore tuna, and surf clam. My favorite was the salmon, shrimp, octopus, and red snapper. Surf clam was bland and the tuna was okay. 4/5. Egg drop soup was hot and flavorful. Would recommend as a side. 5/5. Service was great. Servers were attentive. read more

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This place has been on the to do list forever and we finally went by for dinner on a Saturday night. The strip mall location and the ambiance of the restaurant were fine, but the food was pretty good. I started with the seaweed salad and my husband had the miso soup. They brought around samples of the hijiki seaweed salad as well; that was very good. We had an order or pork gyoza, and then shared a spicy tuna roll, Philadelphia roll, spider roll, and firecracker roll. The rolls were all good. I could see us grabbing takeout from here on the way home in the future, but are pretty unlikely to dine in again soon. Overall it was an enjoyable meal. read more

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Love this place. Everything is dialed in. If you want a great experience, relax, take your time, and enjoy. Thanks for being in our town! read more

Genki - Great way to start the evening! - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Had lunch today for the first time. Place was nearly packed at 1145am. Great sign. Food was delicious, quick, and the service was great. I will hesitate to go again, only because I found it more expensive than expected. Edamame, Rainbow Roll, and Avocado Roll...$30 before tip. Again the food was tasty; I just usually look for a touch cheaper spot. read more

My husband and I recently moved from Los Angeles California. This family owned and run restaurant is unbelievable, best in the Wilmington area. The service is outstanding with the best rolls, sake and entrees. Book early because it's that good! Thank you for an amazing evening read more

Raw fish heaven for those that love real sushi. My husband enjoyed his teriyaki chicken and fire cracker roll. Expect a wait for your sushi creation especially on weekends. Sushi ninjas only can make so many in a minute. Great service. Down to earth atmosphere. read more

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This is my favorite Sushi and Japanese restaurant in town. I have visited this restaurant multiple times and it has never disappointed. I haven't tried too many sushi places in Wilmington because there is just no point. This restaurant is all you need for your Japanese food cravings. It's a small restaurant but it gives you such a homey feel. You're instantly greeted (in Japanese) when you walk in and when you walk out. Everyone is friendly and welcoming. Service is consistently exceptional, always very attentive and polite. You're never rushed to finish your meal. Sophia, who was our waitress today, was awesome. You usually can make reservations on their website, which may be a good thing to do for bigger groups of 4 or more. I made a reservation through the phone for today's visit. It's located in a small plaza with plenty of parking. Burikama, they say is the best part of the fish jaw with tons of meat and cooked with a hand torch. Takes a while to cook, 15-20 minutes. It is really good fish. Fresh, tender and flaky with crispy skin. It was served with a sweet, tart ponzu sauce. The beef curry satisfies your craving for authentic Japanese Curry. You get a mouthful of umami, salty goodness in your mouth. Just eating the curry sauce alone is delicious. There is a tinge of spiciness but it's really not noticeable for people who usually eat spicy food. There are plenty of beef which are tender pieces that just melt in your mouth. There are also a few pieces of tender carrots. It's served with a big portion of sticky white rice and a side of Japanese pickles-I believe Fukujinzuke. My father-in-law ordered the udon noodle soup. Wow, the broth is amazing! It has a strong dashi umami flavor. Shrimp tempura can be added for an additional cost. The dish was served with Nanami Togarashi chili pepper seasoning. Will have to order this next time. Kimchi is tasty but I prefer Korean kimchi. Their kimchi tastes salty and sweeter than Korean kimchi. The salmon miso soup is great. The broth has a wonderfully salty umami flavor. It had small pieces of fresh skin on salmon, soft tofu, potatoes, and carrots. The egg drop soup is delicious and salty. Plenty of eggs. Side salad is good too- a hefty bowl of fresh salad served with Japanese sesame-ginger dressing on top. Sushi is always good and fresh. The sushi rice is perfect-sticky and the right balance of sweet and salty. Had the crunchy lobster roll, which had asparagus, cucumber, avocado, some green onion, slightly spicy mayo, Masago caviar, wrapped in paper thin pink soy paper. The only complaint with the sushi is that some arrived in different number of pieces than listed on the menu. Sushi comes with an appetizer of shelled edamame, hijiki seaweed, and sesame seeds. I love the chewiness and sweetness of the hijiki. One issue our dinner companion had was he wished he was informed that he was already receiving edamame before ordering additional edamame for an appetizer. There is an option to get wasabi made fresh, grated for an additional charge. It's worth it, it is way better than premade wasabi. I loved the texture and bite of the fresh wasabi. For my father-in-law's birthday, they gave him free 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. We also brought our own homemade dessert, which they were cool with and provided us with their own plates and utensils. I love the complimentary housemade caramels at the end of the meal. Pre-COVID, it was served in a big platter full of individually wrapped caramels. Today, we were served a bunch of the caramels in a small appetizer bowl. There are 4 flavors: plain, almond, green tea, and coffee. Coffee is my number one favorite and almond is my second-favorite. Pretty cool that they filter their own water, called Pi water. It tastes fresh and pure. Pi water has reported multiple health benefits. They have plum wine, which you can get by the bottle or by the glass, chilled. It has a pleasant strong fruity plum smell. Tastes very sweet, rich, and has a thick mouthfeel. They have a sign posted on their front door that some of the staff are not wearing masks. They have papers with reasons why. Masks are provided to customers free of charge if requested. Fyi, they allowed different parties to sit in every booth, with no distancing. read more

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Was really excited to find they had uni. Unfortunately I was left disappointed. The wasabi completely overpowered the taste of the fish. I would definitely ask for wasabi on the side rather than traditional if you want the fish to be the star of the plate. And for $10 for a piece of uni, I wished I could taste the actual uni as I'm sure it was delectable, but all I could taste was wasabi. The eel and avocado roll was good. Edit: I did miss the portion at the top of the menu about the wasabi, I was more focused on the actual food options. Perhaps have staff ask if customers have been there before and if not, verbally let them know read more

Genki - Salmon roll, uni, eel & avocado roll - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Intimate location always packed. Make sure to get the spicy edamame. The sushi is very good but the service is unbelievable. Been here multiple times and the service is what stands out. Every single person that works there treats you as if you are their only table they are helping even if they are just walking past you. Love this place read more

Sushi with tuna that just isn't fresh. Ever. Went once-disappointed. Gave them the benefit of the doubt, tried again same thing. Got dragged there a third time. Never went back since. Service was good however totally overpriced for what you get. About the same quality as Nori, Nikki's, etc. The fact of the matter is if you want good sushi you have to travel outside of Wilmington. If you think this is good sushi, you don't know what good sushi is. This is "at least they have it sushi". Nevertheless as we do travel a lot, we don't need it. It's warm in there and space is tight. Not fun. Not worth the money sorry. Left feeling like I got ripped off. I would be thankful for this pragmatic review and use it as an opportunity to improve. read more

My local friend took me here for lunch. The egg drop soup was the best i've ever had and I don't typically order it as i generally dislike it at most restaurants. we shared two rolls which were excellent. the sashimi lunch was good. I would highly recommend the restaurant. the staff and owner were exceptional my friendly. read more

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I can't get over how great this place is. My dad and I wanted to try a different sushi place so we gave this place a try. We did not realize you had to make a reservation but the owner said she could get us in within 30 mins. Once we sat down we were greeted and welcome with fresh hot towels which I loved. My dad and I split one of there sakes which was amazing. We've tried there sushi, sashimi, dumplings, edamame and much more. The hot green tea was also very good as well as the green tea ice cream. We loved this place so much we came back the next weekend to bring my mom and she loved it as well and than came back for a third time. Safe to say we found our new fave sushi place. The staff are family oriented and very friendly. Chef Danny is also the best! I 15/10 recommend this place great people, great food and amazing little candies they give you after dinner!! Everyone should go here read more

Genki - Sake - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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WOW WOW WOW! What an amazing sushi gem! We discovered this place by accident and upon seeing its good ratings, we decided to try it out. We came in on a Friday night and they were pretty busy. The place is significantly small so it can get busy fast, but to our surprise they do take reservations. We sat at the sushi bar and felt very comfortable as we had plenty of space between us and other guests. We tried several items on their menu and all of them were just wonderful. However, our absolute favorites were the lobster roll and the blue fin tuna tartare. The service was very welcoming and friendly, from the second we walked in, the host (who seemed to be the owner) was genuinely happy to welcome us in, and the servers were also very friendly and attentive. We were very pleased to have discovered this wonderful place and we cannot wait to be back!! read more

This place is amazing. The servers are very attentive and friendly. Every sushi roll I had was made fresh and was so good! I will admit the close quarters means it can get pretty loud and filled up quick. I would heavily recommend a reservation especially on the weekends. read more

Better than average sushi with a side of Covid to go! Decided to take everyone's advise and give Genki a shot since my go place for sushi in Wilmington closed down. Their sushi was pretty good but sadly their blatant disregard for any and all safety precautions will keep my from coming back. The online ordering process is fantastic. I love how you can customize the rolls by adding and subtracting ingredients this is the best ordering portal I've seen. 5 on this one guys. The Sushi: We ordered 4 rolls to go and all were crammed into one container making them impossible to get out and plate without them falling apart. The spicy tuna roll was great and they use chunks of tuna instead of purée that you often see. You can actually taste the fish and not just the sauce. The three other rolls we all really good and not drowning in sauce which I definitely appreciate. All too often we are served the giant rolls smothered in overly sweet or spicy sauce so we'll done here Genki. I was super excited what they offers fresh Wasabi for $3 extra but was disappointed when I got a container of the same neon green stuff that comes with the rolls. As per usual I orders a side of chicken friend rice because I'm on the search for the perfect CFR which I had only once in Cincinnati and been seeking ever since. It wasn't bad here but nothing special but this is a sushi joint so I'd rather the sushi be quality. It really is unfortunate that they have this politically driven stance on masking and distancing. The restaurant is packed wall to wall with people, most of the employees and chef's are not wearing masks. It's just irresponsible. As a trauma RN I can save your live wearing 2 masks, plastic gown, face shield etc you can put a mask on making sushi.... read more

Genki - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

This place is wonderful! It is the best Japanese food we have had since moving back to the US; so the bar is high! They are always so busy and it is well deserved. Not only is the ambiance and food authentic, made in house by trained Japanese chefs, but also the wait staff are all so kind and attentive. The entire experience from the moment you walk in the door is so very Japanese and fantastic! It really makes us feel like we are back to the years we spent living in Japan, it is absolutely a new favorite. If you love Japanese food/culture, I highly recommend! ‍ We particularly liked the miso soup, the sashimi dinner, the gyoza and bang bang shrimp. read more

Genki - Japanese sashimi sushi - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I do not know how this place has good reviews. When I walked in the place wreaked of fish, and I have eaten a lot of sushi, never smelled that before. We got a table right away and then saw a few other couples get seated. I know places are short staffed so we were patient, but after waiting 20 minutes and seeing all four couples who were sat after us being waited on, we decided to leave. Ridiculous. Should have known by that smell it wasn't going to be a good experience. read more

The reviews didn't lie - this place is legit. We stopped here for dinner and absolutely enjoyed it. When it comes to sushi, I'm pretty spoiled and I've been to about 100 different sushi bars in the US and Europe. From the outside, Genki doesn't look super fancy but it's once you walk inside you know you're about to get some good stuff. The kitchen is authentic Japanese and it may take some time to get your order cooked - quality takes time so be patient. Our order actually was done fairly quickly despite high occupancy. Those who are into sushi know that rice quality is a big deal and it can make it or break it taste-wise. Rice at Genki was cooked to perfection. Sticky, warm, soft but not too soft. Another important point is temperature. Our rolls were served with the right temperature and were a pleasure to eat. Some places bring freezing cold rolls or overly warm rolls... but not here. Everything tasted perfect and was very fresh. I was also pretty happy to see they made gunkan sushi and you could ask for temaki (it's not on the menu). In addition, they have a list of real Japanese craft sake if you're into that. Last but not least, I have to point out their service. While you get a dedicated server, you also get the attention of the whole team. You don't wait until your server picks up an empty plate or a dirty napkin, all of their servers grab plates and empty glasses as well as bring food to your table - it's freaking efficient and is a great example of smart load balancing on a restaurant level. Keep this up. Price-wise, it's above average but worth every dollar. You'll leave happy and you'd want to come back. Domo arigatou. read more

We had been missing authentic fresh sushi but finally found our "goto" sushi place. Fresh fabulous and delicious. Go on Thursdays when they receive their weekly shipments for the best selection and make a reservation. They fill up quickly. read more

Genki - Deluxe Sashimi & Deluxe Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Some of the best sushi we have ever had and we are from Los Angeles where we get amazing sushi. Their yellowtail is always superb. If you get a roll that contains crab, upgrade to the "real" snow crab... It is worth it. The service is excellent with genuinely happy people. What I love the best is that you get traditional sushi and interesting rolls. The King Roll with "real" crab is perfection. They also have items that are hard to find at most sushi houses: Bluefin, Toro, cheek (Salmon & Yellowtail), and Monk Fish liver (Ohh how I wish they would make a pate out of that on some tempura seaweed or crispy rice!) We come here whenever we are in Wilmington. It makes us want to live here! read more

best sushi ive ever had. crab crunch roll ... outrageous incredible cant stop thinking about it. the caramels??? outa control. nicest people, coolest vibe. cant wait to go back. read more

Best sushi I have had since trips to Japan! This has to be one of the best in Carolinas - and at a reasonable price. Friendly and attentive service despite the place being crowded (as a single I bagged a counter seat right away but recommend reservations). Yo! A big shoutout to the sushi chefs from 福建! The Matcha ice cream was also exceptional. read more

Genki - I sat at the counter right in front of the cat - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Dropped into Genki Sushi for lunch at 12:30 pm. First impression, very busy. This place is the place to be for lunch. I opted to order take out, for convenience. Despite it being very busy it seemed like this restaurant was very efficient in taking orders and bringing orders to customers. The servers were constantly busy and very friendly. There is plenty of parking, and close walking distance from nearby hotels. However, if you're crossing from across the street, the highway is pretty dangerous. I ordered the veggie yakisoba that comes with a spring roll and one side. The choice of side includes egg drop soup, miso soup, or salad. While waiting, they let me sit on one of the chairs up at the bar. The server said my order would probably take 30 minutes. They seems like a very traditional place at an affordable price. I hear Japanese phrases being yelled across the restaurant, along with lively conversation. This place is noisy, but not loud. The bathroom is very clean, neat, and has a full length mirror in it! The electronic monitor with advertisements in the bathroom is amusing. After about 12 minutes the server brought put my order. I returned to my hotel, and was pleased to find everything packed up neatly with care. They even wrapped the box containing the yakisoba with plastic wrap to keep ot warm. The salad came with carrots, celery, and a miso-ginger-sesame dressing. I can tell that the salad was very fresh! The lettuce was recently washed and chopped, and very crisp. The yakisoba was really hot and came with carrots, onions, and cabbage. The yakisoba also came with mustard sauce and a brown tangy sauce. I used alot of mustard sauce and I shouldn't have, it has a lot of horseradish in it making it very spicy, so be careful with the mustard! The brown tangy sauce was very good. The spring roll that came with the meal had vermicelli noodles, carrots, green onion, and wood ear mushroom. Overall everything was very delicious and satisfying, I highly recommend this place! read more

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Wife and I did a date night here from out of town. Great environment. Service was good. They take reservations and it seems that is needed, however we did not have any and didn't feel slighted. They got us a good spot. Menu is good and great choices. We did the teriyaki chicken, real California roll, snow crab, and the chefs special roll. All perfect. Will come back next time in town. read more

TLDR: Fantastic Food. Masks not enforced. You could dine in but to go is also great. I've been an irregular regular of this spot for the last 20 years. I started coming here before they changed owners and even before they moved to this current location. This is all to say that I love this restaurant. The sushi here is probably the best I've had in the Eastern part of this state. What makes it stand out is the care that Chef Danny puts into the preparation. The rice is actually seasoned and not dry. The fish is handled with care. Take for example their spicy salmon handrolls. Most places have this kind of finely chopped salmon salad that is akin to a thick chicken salad. Here Chef Danny cuts choice pieces of salmon and mixes it with their spicy mayo. You can actually feel the chunks of fish instead of a rough pate of fish. If you want great sushi this is THE place to go. Now I will have to point out that currently not all staff wears masks but some do. When I asked my server why they told me it had to do with how it was interfering with productivity since they do a lot of verbal orders. I understand where they are coming from as a long time customer I have seen how they operate and they do a lot of quick verbal calls to the kitchen for ingredients. I can see how any slow down of their communication could cause problems because this place is always busy. While I respect their decision not to wear masks. I have to say that I personally will probably be only ordering take out until this pandemic is over as I am surrounded by immuno-comprimsed people. But I WILL be ordering take out from them again as often as I can. read more

Genki - Spicy salmon tamaki - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

We went twice in December with family. Service was great, even though we brought a 3 year old terror, who spent her time under the table. I always get the chirashi and it was amazing both times, so fresh and generous. My daughter thought the white rice was perfect, she even ate some! read more

Super authentic sushi in Wilmington! We came in half an hour before they closed for lunch and they were very kind to let us stay after closing and let us know when the kitchen was closing. The fish was pretty fresh, and the rolls were delicious. Really appreciated the side dishes as well! read more

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We went here and the lady put us on the list and said it would be about 30 minutes. So we waited and waited. A hour went by and as I walked in to ask how much longer it would be there was this big cock roach crawling across the floor. Once I saw that I just turned around and left we didn't even want to eat there after that!!. We went some place else !! + read more

Waaaay overpriced for everything. Skimp on the fish in sushi. All rice. Oh and they pass on the 3% for using a credit card. read more

Fantastic food & service!! If you're looking for an authentic, cozy, high-quality sushi spot, Genki goes above & beyond! I was served by Adam & Jace, who both made my experience feel welcoming & fun. My sushi was absolutely top notch, and the Burikama was fantastic! (I hear the Burikama sells out quick, so no promises if they have it in stock when you arrive!) I will absolutely return again the next time I'm in Wilmington. Arigato! read more

Doesn't look like much on the outside in a strip mall across from Burlington but the sushi is amazing. It's tiny inside so reservations are a must. Sushi bar seating has almost as much as the tables available. Will definitely be back when we have more time for a bigger meal. read more

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This restaurant is coined as the "best dinner in Wilmington" and that's 1000% true. Everything was delicious and great cocktail deals. The servers were also very sweet and accommodating. read more

Genki - Sushi & sashimi dinner - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Good, Good Guy.... Approved! Some of the best sushi I've ever had across the US succulent fresh, very soft and light rice not to mention very little of rice, accompanied by very generous fish portions to give an overall flavor a five star ! read more

Genki - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Hands down, the best Japanese restaurant in Wilmington and probably for many many miles beyond. And one of the best restaurants in Wilmington overall. First, the staff (a family atmosphere) are so friendly, and on point it almost makes u want to be a better customer. And the food...everything they have there is great, by far the best sushi. But don't just stop at sushi. Their egg drop soup is a simple dish, but they nail it. And u haven't had yakisoba until you've had it there...I suggest the chicken yakisoba, but personal taste. Have any of that with a little bit of sake, and you're day will be much better. Ohhh and don't forget the homemade candies while you're leaving. These owners know how to run a restaurant, and the chef/owner can cook his a$$ off!! I'd like to see him take on Bobby Flay. Seriously, GO HERE!! read more

Genki - Best Asian restaurant, maybe the best restaurant for MILES!! - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

very authentic sushi. they have some items i had not seen anywhere in ILM. the husband and wife that run this joint are also very welcoming as is the rest of the staff. all of the sushi i have tried has been good. definitely check this place out. read more

This is a small hidden treasure for authentic Japanese culture & cuisine. The sushi is in a class of its own. The texture, preparation & presentation is very satisfying and the flavors are pronounced very well. The staff were welcoming and accommodating with excellent recommendations. read more

The best AUTHENTIC sushi you'll find in Wilmington. Such a small, quaint restaurant, but they do a great job. Totally family run, which is nice to see these days! We've been several times and have never had any problems. The fish is incredibly fresh and not comparable to many of the sushi spots in town. Plus, I could eat those little coffee candies for days read more

I've never had a bad meal here. It's the only place I choose to dine for sushi. It's four star in food quality. Genki, is always packed. Why? Because they serve authentic Japanese food. Quality is key! They do not cut corners. Plus it's very clean and efficient. No one wants to get sick on raw fish! Don't cheap out when it comes to sushi. Treat yourself to delicious, healthy food , served with friendly smiles. The owner is a cordial, happy and pretty young lady who seems to float throughout the quaint restaurant. She is very receptive and welcomes all who dine there. She has genuine business qualities, therefore GENKI is a total success. read more

Best fresh sushi I've had in Wilmington so far! I came here for the first time with a reservation. The restaurant is very small so I can see why reservations ahead of time are recommended. Since they are currently understaffed with only one sushi chef, the food took awhile to come out. However, they do warn you ahead of time with a note at your table so therefore I won't dock them a star review. I recommend ordering all your food in the beginning as quickly as possible and then your drinks so you can sip & chat while you wait on your food since sushi wait time is longer here BUT WORTH IT! read more

Genki - Special sushi rolls - Japanese Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina