Incredible. Easy options and ordering. Haven’t found something that tastes as close to being in Japan anywhere.
James Khuong
Hidden gem of a spot!
Walk-up service, then they bring the food out to you. The service was very quick though and the wait times were not long at all.
Got the Udon-Onigiri combo and it was some of the best stuff I'd had in a while. The udon noodles were big and had a good bite, and the broth was just the right amount of umami. The onigiri was also just as delicious and they had a good spread of filling options too. A buddy had the donburi and they devoured it in like a couple seconds, it was that good.
Go to spot when I want to get something gluten free that I know is celiac safe
Jay Shen
I think the establishment's strength is onigiri because they not only have a variety of different toppings, but also have reasonable prices that would allow economical planning. Since it is located in a residential area, I can see how people who live around South Minneapolis can easily visit for a quick bite.
As much as the onigiri had good flavor, I felt like other dishes were more mediocre. For example, the Buta Don had pork that texturally didn't go well with the rice because it wasn't a part of the pig that was the most tender or succulent. The chicken karaage had too much creamy sauce and the chicken itself didn't have as much flavor, as much as it was juicy. I would recommend visitors to capitalize on its onigiri supplies for the most part.
A positive aspect I would mention was that I found the sakeru gummy and nagai sakeru gummy (long long man) in the store, and I instantly got it and made a video of myself tearing up the candy. I loved that for sure.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Karaage, Onigiri Combo
Jen
love the food and service. Haven't had a bad experience yet.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Adam Webster
This is an absolutely lovely, affordable local restaurant of the fast casual variety. Even split of sit down and takeout. Food is Japanese comfort food with a more limited range but all the right touches (eg umami IPA).
Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly, a definite local family place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Onigiri Combo
JT Pinther
I don’t knowww I really want to love this place. But we waited kind of a long time for our food (and I saw people get their food before us even though they arrived after my partner and I did). I tipped 20% so I promise it wasn’t retaliation for being a bummer of a customer! Anyway, I saw some reviews saying the wings take a long time - we did not get the wings. But it still took kind of a long time.
All would be forgiven if the onigiri was good. The Ebi Tuna was straight up bad - very dry, reminded me of dry ground turkey with a teaspoon of mayo. The shrimp mayo one was a bit better. The eel one was best because it actually had some sauce (eel sauce). The others had the tiniest bit of mayo but otherwise just kind of a dry rice ball. I didn’t see any soy sauce or anything to dip them in offered. And my miso soup was just a tiny bit warmer than Lukewarm. For almost $50 with tip, it just fell a bit short for me.
I bet the vibe is way better when it’s warm out though. The patio looks great but it was 20° tonight :).
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Molly Stoltz
Kid-friendliness: Has a little kids menu!
Wheelchair accessibility: Accessible
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Teriyaki
Paola
Se were very excited to try it as we recently came back from a trip to Japan.. we were disappointed.. very tasteless.. the broth needs more flavor, the onigiri filling more salt.. our favorite was the seaweed salad and the fried shrimps from my udon. Portions were a good size.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Brett Herbers
Great food and we love their patio -- this is a great place to go out for lunch on a nice summer day!
Very disappointing! Cafeteria style dining at fine dining prices. Miso soup was cold. Curry dish was 90% rice with a teaser amount of vegetables. They were out of many items. It’s a bus-your-own-table system so the tables were dirty. This is fast food Japanese-style, not authentic. Very, very overpriced!
Parking: Good luck
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Rosalie Wilson-Page
Delicious cauliflower karaage.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Karaage
Jessica Yung
I see what they are trying to do here but unfortunately, they are falling short. You order at the counter to a less-than-friendly cashier. Dishes are mega expensive and then you are asked to tip 22%. For a place where you order at the counter and you bus your own table!
Then the food comes after a while, in spurts. Miso soup is completely cold, as well as the egg in the donburi. Udon is fine. Onigiri are the standout here. This is nothing like the real thing. Food or hospitality-wise. No one even said bye on the way out.
Don’t think I will be back, wish I had saved my $100 and put it towards my savings for my next flight to Japan.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Sonya
Walking in, the atmosphere felt cozy and welcoming. As a first-time visitor, I was a bit unsure about the process—whether to seat myself, order immediately, or handle my own dishes. It turns out you order right away after reviewing the menu and are expected to clear your own bowls, which I didn’t mind but would appreciate clearer guidance on. The food was decent, though not particularly impressive. This feels like a good spot to chat or study over light snacks rather than a place I’d visit just for a meal. Overall, while it’s a bit on the pricey side, I wasn’t disappointed and feel it has room to improve.
Pita Loopa
Check your take out orders before you leave. While quick to fix mistakes, and very polite every time, we frequently find mistakes with take out orders.
Incredible. Easy options and ordering. Haven’t found something that tastes as close to being in Japan anywhere.
Hidden gem of a spot!
Walk-up service, then they bring the food out to you. The service was very quick though and the wait times were not long at all.
Got the Udon-Onigiri combo and it was some of the best stuff I'd had in a while. The udon noodles were big and had a good bite, and the broth was just the right amount of umami. The onigiri was also just as delicious and they had a good spread of filling options too. A buddy had the donburi and they devoured it in like a couple seconds, it was that good.
Definitely will be coming back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Onigiri Combo Meal, Onigiri Combo
Go to spot when I want to get something gluten free that I know is celiac safe
I think the establishment's strength is onigiri because they not only have a variety of different toppings, but also have reasonable prices that would allow economical planning. Since it is located in a residential area, I can see how people who live around South Minneapolis can easily visit for a quick bite.
As much as the onigiri had good flavor, I felt like other dishes were more mediocre. For example, the Buta Don had pork that texturally didn't go well with the rice because it wasn't a part of the pig that was the most tender or succulent. The chicken karaage had too much creamy sauce and the chicken itself didn't have as much flavor, as much as it was juicy. I would recommend visitors to capitalize on its onigiri supplies for the most part.
A positive aspect I would mention was that I found the sakeru gummy and nagai sakeru gummy (long long man) in the store, and I instantly got it and made a video of myself tearing up the candy. I loved that for sure.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Karaage, Onigiri Combo
love the food and service. Haven't had a bad experience yet.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
This is an absolutely lovely, affordable local restaurant of the fast casual variety. Even split of sit down and takeout. Food is Japanese comfort food with a more limited range but all the right touches (eg umami IPA).
Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly, a definite local family place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Onigiri Combo
I don’t knowww I really want to love this place. But we waited kind of a long time for our food (and I saw people get their food before us even though they arrived after my partner and I did). I tipped 20% so I promise it wasn’t retaliation for being a bummer of a customer! Anyway, I saw some reviews saying the wings take a long time - we did not get the wings. But it still took kind of a long time.
All would be forgiven if the onigiri was good. The Ebi Tuna was straight up bad - very dry, reminded me of dry ground turkey with a teaspoon of mayo. The shrimp mayo one was a bit better. The eel one was best because it actually had some sauce (eel sauce). The others had the tiniest bit of mayo but otherwise just kind of a dry rice ball. I didn’t see any soy sauce or anything to dip them in offered. And my miso soup was just a tiny bit warmer than Lukewarm. For almost $50 with tip, it just fell a bit short for me.
I bet the vibe is way better when it’s warm out though. The patio looks great but it was 20° tonight :).
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Kid-friendliness: Has a little kids menu!
Wheelchair accessibility: Accessible
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Teriyaki
Se were very excited to try it as we recently came back from a trip to Japan.. we were disappointed.. very tasteless.. the broth needs more flavor, the onigiri filling more salt.. our favorite was the seaweed salad and the fried shrimps from my udon. Portions were a good size.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Great food and we love their patio -- this is a great place to go out for lunch on a nice summer day!
Food: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Very disappointing! Cafeteria style dining at fine dining prices. Miso soup was cold. Curry dish was 90% rice with a teaser amount of vegetables. They were out of many items. It’s a bus-your-own-table system so the tables were dirty. This is fast food Japanese-style, not authentic. Very, very overpriced!
Parking: Good luck
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Delicious cauliflower karaage.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Karaage
I see what they are trying to do here but unfortunately, they are falling short. You order at the counter to a less-than-friendly cashier. Dishes are mega expensive and then you are asked to tip 22%. For a place where you order at the counter and you bus your own table!
Then the food comes after a while, in spurts. Miso soup is completely cold, as well as the egg in the donburi. Udon is fine. Onigiri are the standout here. This is nothing like the real thing. Food or hospitality-wise. No one even said bye on the way out.
Don’t think I will be back, wish I had saved my $100 and put it towards my savings for my next flight to Japan.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Walking in, the atmosphere felt cozy and welcoming. As a first-time visitor, I was a bit unsure about the process—whether to seat myself, order immediately, or handle my own dishes. It turns out you order right away after reviewing the menu and are expected to clear your own bowls, which I didn’t mind but would appreciate clearer guidance on. The food was decent, though not particularly impressive. This feels like a good spot to chat or study over light snacks rather than a place I’d visit just for a meal. Overall, while it’s a bit on the pricey side, I wasn’t disappointed and feel it has room to improve.
Check your take out orders before you leave. While quick to fix mistakes, and very polite every time, we frequently find mistakes with take out orders.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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