Where do I begin? I…read morehave lived in the Birmingham Metro area the majority of my life and love trying new places, so when my son spotted this place on a shopping trip to Publix and asked if we could go try it out I said yes (if he was a well-behaved boy at school lol). Luckily for us, he was today. It's location being over the parking deck is probably why I didn't notice it and I was nervous about how accessible it would be however there were two solid ways to get there either from the street or parking deck so that proved to be no issue at all. It has both indoor and outdoor seating with cute decor all over the inside. I've never been to Japan but one could imagine this gave its all to emulate the feel of a cool Japanese city restaurant. There's a cocktail bar on the right, sushi bar to the left, and good seating in the middle. Maybe large parties would be hard to seat upon reflection but I'm sure it's doable. The menus we received were EXTENSIVE. So many sushi and nigiri options were available it was almost overwhelming but they also gave us a paper selection for sushi that went into detail of the chef specials. But don't worry, they had other options including various soups, salads, appetizers (we got the spring rolls, YUM. My son devoured them), and hibachi style dishes. We decided to get the Udon with shrimp and veggies, Osaka roll, and Vestavia roll. Genuinely, you can taste the love and care. My son actually closed his eyes and sighed when he dived into the noodles dish and was enamored with the Vestavia roll (did I mention he's six?? Seriously, that reaction from a six year old means they're doing something right!). I also was beyond impressed with the flavors of it all. I wish I was more hungry so I could get more. Lastly, I want to touch on service. I, myself, am a bartender so service is a big thing for me. I have high expectations because I know how the job should be done. When I tell you these lovely people know how to make you feel at home, goodness. Every customer that came in was warmly greeted and if they were a regular it was like they were coming home. The lovely lady at the front (I want to say was maybe the manager?) was all smiles and running around helping and talking with staff and guests alike. She stopped by our table and chatted with my son and told us she was happy they had "new family members" (LOVE). Our server was phenomenal, even seeing my son was struggling with his chopsticks so he rigged up a pair to be more kid friendly which was great. We were sat facing the sushi bar so we were watching how much care and effort they were putting into each plate. It was a sight to see. This place clearly cares about its patrons from the moment they come in til the moment they leave. The love they put into every dish and interaction should be something you get everywhere. They've set a high bar and I'm happy we got to experience it. I cannot wait to go back. I'm already plotting what I'll try next!

Stopped by Samurai Sushi in Vestavia for a Sunday lunch after church for Easter, and it was a…read morepretty relaxed experience. The restaurant wasn't crowded at all, which made for a quiet and easygoing meal. The sushi itself was just okay... nothing particularly memorable, but it satisfied the craving. Service was smooth and timely, likely helped by the lighter crowd. Overall, a decent spot if you're looking for a low-key lunch without the wait, but the food didn't quite stand out compared to other sushi spots in the area

Quickly becoming our favorite sushi spot in Birmingham!! (The noodle dishes and hibachi are also…read morereally good) The staff here is SO nice and always great service. You don't feel like you have to dress up but can be a great date night spot. You won't get much sushi, that's this good, for this price, anywhere else. Try the Green Jacket Roll!

This was one of those meals where we covered a lot of ground across the menu, and that ended up…read morebeing the fun of the experience. We started with the House Onion Soup and House Salad. The salad was simple but fresh and cold, though I've definitely had better ginger dressing elsewhere. The onion soup was okay but nothing particularly memorable. Fine starter before the heavier dishes arrived. For entrées, we ordered the 4 U Roll, Snake Roll, Bulgogi Don, and Shrimp Fried Rice. Presentation looked good right away. The sushi had a nice crunch and sauce balance without becoming overloaded. The 4 U Roll had a good mix of textures with the crispy exterior and spicy drizzle. The Snake Roll had a smoother flavor profile and worked well as a contrast. Sometimes specialty rolls become sauce bombs and lose the sushi itself, but these still let the ingredients come through. The sushi also felt substantial enough to stand as an entrée rather than just an appetizer or side addition to the meal. The Bulgogi Don stood out. The beef had good char flavor with onions throughout and came with vegetables on the side. Sweet and savory balance was good. The sesame and grilled flavor worked together without becoming overly salty. The Shrimp Fried Rice came out with a generous portion size. Plenty of shrimp throughout and enough flavor to stand on its own. The Yum Yum sauce on the side was a little too runny for my preference, but at least you could control how much you wanted instead of having the rice drowned from the kitchen. Service pacing was solid. Good spacing between the salad, soup, sushi, and main dishes. Nothing felt rushed and nothing sat too long. The meal flowed naturally. Overall thoughts: This felt more like a place where you sit down and enjoy variety rather than ordering one signature item and leaving. Good presentation, good portions, and enough menu depth that I would come back and try completely different items next time.

I've just unlocked a new go-to sushi spot! Jinsei left us impressed and happily full…read more To start our dinner, we ordered the Honey Sriracha Brussel Sprouts and the Kadoma Tuna. I have a hard time refusing any brussel sprout dish when dining out, and this one did not disappoint! The Brussels were perfectly crispy and had a perfect sweet & spicy flavor. The Kadoma Tuna is a circular, crispy rice cake, topped with spicy tuna and avocado. I love trying rice cake dishes whenever I see them. This one was more rice-heavy, but it's still packed with flavor. We then ordered the Beef Wrapped Asparagus, along with the Bangkok Sushi Roll and the Suteki Roll. My favorite was the Bangkok Roll, which was topped with matchstick potatoes. The Suteki Roll was super unique, filled with sliced apple, cream cheese, avocado, and salmon. The Beef Wrapped Asparagus was a good addition, but I'm most impressed with the rolls we ordered. The menu is unique and comprehensive. There's detail put into every dish! With more dishes left to try on the menu, I imagine I'll be back shortly!

Overpriced mediocrity…read more First off, the restaurant is more of a sports bar sushi place. Which doesn't really work. The inside was extremely dark, and very loud. There was clearly an overstaffing of servers. There were about 6 or 7 servers for about 4 takes that were in there. Meanwhile the sushi makers were trying their hardest to push out the rolls. And the single bartender was overwhelmed. The sushi was pricey (18-20$ for 6-8 pieces) and EXTREMELY underwhelming. Didn't seem like high quality fish or anything special. Could get similar quality for much cheaper elsewhere. My favorite sushi place that is about the same price point is Bamboo on 2nd. I've been going there for years and never had a bad experience. They have much higher quality sushi, better service, and food in general. (No I'm not affiliated with them)

By far the best ramen in town! An absolute go-to for a nice dinner with a dimly lit ambiance. Heads…read moreup, they don't take reservations and wait can be long during peak hours but they are open late.

Shu Shop is by far my favorite restaurant in Birmingham. Everything about this place just hits from…read morethe food to the cocktails to the atmosphere. The short ribs are hands down the best in the city; tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked every time. I also love the pork broth ramen with burnt ends it's rich, smoky, and so satisfying. And if you're into cocktails, their Old Fashioned is one of the best around. The vibe here is effortlessly cool dim lighting, great music, and that "sexy" atmosphere that makes it perfect for a date night. But honestly, it's just as good for a solo stop when you want a good meal and drink at the bar. If you're in Birmingham and haven't been to Shu Shop yet, you're missing out. It's a must.

My first time in Birmingham and this spot in Downtown is a gem. The energy is great, especially if…read moreyou snag a seat at the bar. * Service (The Star): Shoutout to Bianca at the bar. She's an amazing bartender--super friendly, helpful with recommendations and kept the space spotless. She turned a 4-star meal into a 5-star experience. * Fish Quality: The sushi and fish quality were impressively fresh. * The Rolls & Ramen: Both rolls recommended by the Bianca were well above average and the ramen exceeded my expectations. * The Rice (Shari): A bit of a letdown. The rice was too mushy/wet and the portion of rice per piece was way too large. * Pork Bao: Not worth the mention (or a photo). Skip this one. Verdict: 5/5 stars. Mostly thanks to Bianca's top-tier hospitality. Solid Japanese spot in the heart of Downtown.

The Food was fantastic. I highly recommend the Mamos, and the Geisha Roll…read more The staff was terrific, just a cool place to grab a bite.

IKKO Japanese Fusion…read more IKKO Japanese Fusion was a pleasant culinary surprise! We ordered delivery one night and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. We tried both the Salmon and Beef Poke Bowls. The Salmon was outstanding -- fresh and flavorful, easily my favorite. The Beef version was a bit bland and dry for my taste, though. The sides really shined. The Takoyaki (octopus dumplings) were delicious and unique, topped with Takoyaki sauce, tempura scraps, and perfectly cooked. The Gyoza, Japanese Egg Rolls, and Shrimp Tempura were all light, crispy, and excellent. The Squid Salad was also very good and made a nice addition. Overall, a tasty experience with some standout items. We'll definitely be back soon!

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!

Spicy, sour, and seriously satisfying! That's how you describe the soup at Fuji Hibachi Express…read more When I'm looking for a quick dinner, one of my favorite pickup spots is Fuji Express. You can order online by going directly to the website. They make the food quick and my orders have always been correct. My go to order is a large hot and sour soup with a side of rice. By getting the large, I have plenty of food for lunch the next day.

Our go to hibachi take out! I am a huge fan of the spring rolls and the chicken hibachi. The…read morehibachi is the best deal! You get noodles and soup and salad. Flavors are great! They are so quick, literally ready in 10 minutes after I call it in.