Absolutely the best sushi option in the Greater Birmingham Area with a server-delivered…read moreall-you-care-to-eat menu that includes more than a dozen appetizers, two soups, seven salads, hibachi , ramen, fried rice, and a wide range of sushi and nigiri -- all of which are excellent. You don't wait long for your orders even when Sakana is packed. Dinner is $30.95 (adults, children $14.99. Lunch (until 3 pm) is a tremendous value for $20.95/$10.99. There's an extensive regular menu and daily specials if you're not that hungry. Servers are attentive and friendly. Restrooms are clean and well-supplied. Lighting in the dining area is perfect for this type of restaurant. Adult beverages are reasonably priced and there are specials on drinks. The only negative is the vanilla ice cream that comes with the deal as dessert -- it is the worst tasting, artificial flavored one I've ever tasted.

Iwas so excited to try this place because I'm a huge foodie, but our server completely ruined the…read moreexperience. When we arrived, my friend asked how the All-You-Can-Eat (AYCE) option worked. After the server explained it, I made a lighthearted joke to my friend saying, "So, anything and as much as you want!" The server immediately snapped back with a rude comment about her manager not liking food waste. I told her it was just a joke between friends, but the attitude didn't stop there. When I tried to order a single bowl of ramen, she told me to get the AYCE dinner option instead, even though ramen is listed individually on the menu. Because I have a smaller appetite, iI told her it was good and I was sticking with the ramen. Later, my friend offered to share a piece of her sushi roll with me. The server cut in and rudely snapped that we weren't allowed to do that, stating that if I wanted anything else, I had to get the all you can eat. While we told her that I wasn't getting from her food we where just sharing because it was our first time there, she was sooo rude coming at us that we CAN'T. While I understand AYCE sharing rules, her delivery was incredibly hostile, argumentative, and unprofessional. It completely ruined our lunch break. I was looking forward to this place, but the terrible service ruined it.

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

Always great food! Sushi is very fresh. Service is fast and friendly. Will be back.read more

Fantastic little place! The staff is attentive, prompt, and polite. The atmosphere fits the…read morephysical location of this little known slice of goodness. Good music, at a low enough volume that it doesn't drown out quiet conversation. This place is great, and we will always be patrons! -Pro tip- Don't forget to try the "Shaggy Dog", you will not regret it.

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.

I was there today for lunch and I ordered the Sumo Sashimi with fried rice, I learned that if I eat…read morethe Sashimi with fried rice, it was delicious!! Sashimi is my favorite and Sumo is the only place I go if I crave it. Fishes are so bright and fresh, generously served, it's the best in Birmingham according to my taste buds. The server is nice and so attentive. The ambiance is quite pleasant. I will be back as usual!

The sushi is always on point! My kids love this spot. The staff is always friendly. We always love…read morethe Hibachi!

The service was great! The atmosphere was beautiful and clean! The appetizers were honestly better…read morethan our food! My cocktails were lovely! Would love to come back to try some other things!

1000/10 recommend…read more This was an amazing experience--great food, outstanding service, and a beautiful atmosphere. The dishes were flavorful and well prepared, the staff was attentive and welcoming, and decorations of the restaurant added such an elegant, unique aesthetic that made the whole experience even more memorable. Highly recommend.

Iola is a solid choice for consistent good food. We eat there and it wonderful. We get takeout and…read moreit wonderful.

This please pleasantly surprised me! We moved to this area about a year ago & just started…read moreventuring out and trying new places. I always noticed the parking lot Infront of this place was packed, now I know why. We called in two orders of general tsos chicken & when I arrived to pick it up the place was packed! Everything was so hot and fresh.. even after getting it home and eating. The homemade spicy mustard sauce was delicious! I think we've found our new spot. We are so excited to try it again & get the sushi.

This place is a weekly go-to for my family. The menu is large and diverse, with sushi, hibachi,…read morepoke, and all kinds of tasty appetizers. I've never had anything I didn't like there, and I'm not afraid to experiment because you absolutely cannot beat all-you-can eat sushi for $30. My favorite things on the menu are the dragon ball and the yellowtail jalapeno. The coconut shrimp are unique and also delicious. My youngest isn't much of a sushi eater yet, but even he has plenty of options-- he usually goes for hibachi-- the hibachi meat is solid; the rice and noodles, not so much. Their clear soup is the best I've had in the city-- very flavorful and quite a large bowl. The ambiance is nice, but the place is small, so it can get crowded. Service is always great, even when it's crazy busy in there.

This is the 3rd or 4th time they've changed their concept... now it's only AYCE on Tues-Thurs, not…read moredaily. It's hard to get excited about choosing a restaurant when you don't know what to expect each time you show up. We decided not to stay and went somewhere else for dinner.