Stopped by Okinawa Sushi & Hibachi Steakhouse for a late lunch and decided to sit out on the…read morepatio.... such a great choice!! The outdoor seating was relaxed and perfect for enjoying the beautiful weather without feeling rushed. Service was friendly and attentive, even during that in-between lunch/dinner time. Our food came out fresh and well-prepared. We both ordered hibachi. Our server even offered us to go drinks which was a nice gesture. Overall, it was a laid-back, enjoyable experience. Definitely a solid spot for a casual lunch date or catching up with friends. I'd come back again for sure.

Food first, thoughts after... Overall a good choice. We went…read moreback after so many years because our friends wanted to go before moving away from Birmingham. The sushi was good. My husband enjoyed his udon but both of us were thirsty when we got home due to the saltiness.

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

Such a wonderful dinner and unique experience! We tried so many tasty dishes tonight and were blown…read moreaway by the atmosphere and presentation of it all. What we ordered: -Pork Tonkatsu Omurice: I was a bit nervous to try this but I'm so glad I did! The runny omelet is served atop a bed of fried rice and your choice of a sauce. I also ordered the pork tonkatsu but could've done without since the fried rice had chicken in it. I tried both of the sauces but my favorite was the curry. Only critique is that it could've used some salt. -#5 Shoyu Beef Ramen: my boyfriend really enjoyed this one. I'm not big on ramen but he loved it. Quite a large serving. -Brown Sugar Bubble Milk/Milk Tea: incredible! This was a delicious sweet drink! -Honeycomb Platter: this had a variety of appetizers/small bites which was perfect to share with someone else. I loved the variety here. The edamame was my favorite! All in all, this was quite the experience! Not to mention, the interior here is truly unique! I would absolutely recommend.

The design is honestly what made me want to check this place out in the first place I had seen it…read moreall over social media and it looked so cute and unique inside. When we got there, it definitely lived up to the aesthetic. The whole setup is really nice, very much so photo-worthy, and you can tell they put a lot of thought into the design! I was visiting from out of town and brought my mom and sister with me, so I was pretty excited for us. We were really hoping to sit in the honeycomb booths since that's what you always see on social media, but unfortunately they were blocked off when we arrived, which was a little disappointing. It wasn't a dealbreaker, but it did take away from the experience we were expecting. The servic is where things started to fall short. Our waiter wasn't very attentive, and there were pretty long gaps between him checking on us. We found ourselves waiting a while for simple things, which made the experience feel a bit off. On a positive note, the food did come out pretty quickly, so I'll give them that. That said, the food itself just didn't really hit for me personally . It looked good, but flavor-wise it was kind of underwhelming. We also didn't receive the Cherry Blossom jelly that we asked for with my combo, our server just kind of forgot, and when we requested soy sauce, it took quite a while to get it. Those little things add up, especially when you're already not getting much attention from your server.

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.

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.

Cool, dark atmosphere. Amazing staff. Their rum drink with the candied ginger is delicious. It's…read morefruity with just the right amount of sweetness, not over the top. The spicy miso ramen is the best by far. The fried crab claws were good but basic and not all the meat was super tender, although most bites were good.

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.

Best food and service you will ever receive!!!! This is my…read morego to restaurant for sushi or ramen! If you are thinking about going just go!! It will not disappoint you!

DO NOT DINE HERE. If I could rate this a place a zero I would. My first time having a bad…read moreexperience at a Kobe's restaurant. Im not sure if its because we sat at a both instead of having them cook in front of us but the food was terrible. I ordered the salmon and steak, the only thing that was edible was the steak, which I had to pick bones out of. The rice was inedible, I literally had to spit it out because I couldn't swallow it due to the taste. The salmon was dry, over cooked, and unseasoned. We offered to pay for the food that we did eat but instead the manager told us to go home and never come back. Dine wisely !

We made reservations for my daughter's 13th birthday last night. There were 13 of us total. The…read morecook did not even do the entertaining at all. We had to go find chopsticks. No Happy birthday dessert or anything. They were dead because the weather was bad. I would have hoped for a better experience. I feel like it was a waste of time and $500. The tip was included and I felt service was horrible. I will not be going back.