The sushi is super bland, zero flavor at all. We will never be back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Nico Samuelson
I love this place! Go-to sushi place in the neighborhood. I’m glad it’s still going strong! (Sadly, I moved away a few years ago). Gonna plan on making another trip! There was a coffee shop nearby that I liked, as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matt Hozza
The food at Saji-Ya and atmosphere were incredible!!! Our server, Lizzie, was very accommodating to our young children. The gyoza never disappoints!
Kid-friendliness: The staff was so nice to our children! They made special "not spicy" rolls for our girls!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Tuna, Roll
Jamie Yang
One of my favorite spot for sushi! Fun place to celebrate a birthday and service was great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sashimi Combo, Sushi 7 Combo
Alex Danzberger
Such. Bad. Service. 15 minutes after the 1st dinner entree arrived, finally got the attention of a waiter to ask where the 2nd entree was. Comes back and takes the order. Dish arrives, wrong dish. Our server has yet to apologize. 10 minutes later the correct arrives. Manager stops by to let us know he won’t charge us for either of the two dishes. We’re thinking what about the rest of the meal? Original server finally apologizes, but doesn’t take ownership for their obvious mistake. Manager stops us on the way out to ask if he can buy us a sake on our next visit. Says my wife: “No, but you sure could have done more for us tonight.”
Real shame. Won’t be going back there anytime soon.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Sushi 7 Combo
Lily MacDonald
Ordered takeout here based on positive reviews, and after seeing the atmosphere I can see why. It was very nice, good lighting and nice decor. When ordering online the website told me to arrive 40 minutes later, which was no big deal. However, once I was home I realized my food was definitely sitting there for a good 10-15mins. Luckily I was able to heat up the pork gyoza up in my air fryer, but the soggy sushi wasn't a total vibe. I could see how this place is probably great when dining in, but for the price, the takeout should definitely match what you'd eat dining in. I'd recommend to dine in, but maybe second guess on the takeout.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Evelyn Miller
We celebrated a birthday and our server Alex was fantastic he certainly has great people skills that made our experience fun and laid back and the food was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emily Erickson
excellent happy hour offerings and prices. food was delish. service by alex was excellent. we will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Henry Young Jr
I drove over from Mpls specifically to visit the only Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki served in the Twin Cities, but sadly the chef who makes them was off. The owner and waitstaff Elizabeth were extreamly apologetic, helpful and I stayed for dinner which was exceptional. Mpls has a recently retired ballerina Lauren Post who graced the stage with American Ballet Theater from the Met to Shanghai for 17 years. From the length of Saji-Ya I thought she was present with her two children. But after a tour of this quite fabulous room, it was not her and I was off to hear the 25 year old classical guitar sensatiin from Puerto Rico Leonela Alejando at Sundlin Hall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicole Feest
Alex is the best server! We've had him serve us on both visits.
My favorite cocktail is the lychee martini which unfortunately is not on the happy hour menu. Still. Happy hour from 4-6 pm don't sleep on it and all the food is incredible. Order all the apps.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seaweed Salad, Hamachi Yellowtail, Gyoza, California Roll
Saji-Ya is one of our favorite restaurants in the twin cities! The food and service has always been stellar, and the new space is beautiful. The raw fish options always tastes incredible fresh. Co-owner Patrick has always treated us as family even in the beginning, and he is a huge part of why we always return. 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hilda R
3.5. This is a late post.
Came here for one of my daughters' birthday celebration. We ordered quite a few from the menu: Gyoza, Pork Belly Skewer, Salmon Steak, Yakiniku Donburi, Chicken Katsu Donburi, Yaki Niku Bento, Salmon Steak Bento, Chirashi Sushi, Ikura.
The pork skewer was delicious, everyone liked it and it was devoured right away. The yakiniku (beef steak) also had a very good flavor, but a little overdone even though my daughter's friend ordered it medium rare, and that is it.
The two meats were good but the seafood left much to be desired. The salmon was dry and a little overdone. Most disappointing is the chirashi sushi. But I should've known that living here in MN. You just can't find fresh seafood here so they won't taste as good.
I forgot the names of what we ordered for dessert but they are actually yummy.
I'll come back and try other foods and also maybe sit inside because we sat on the patio and I didn't really see the inside.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
S Colby
Love this place. Fabulous food. So good we forgot to take pictures.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chyana Levine
I always have the best time at Saji!! Food is delicious, service is exceptional and very knowledgeable!!!! Best sushi place in the cities ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Breezy McBride
For warning— the gluten free menu is NOT gluten free. This was not a dietary preference but celiac, so it did matter. From what our server and the disclaimer said, the vinegar used for the rice is not rice vinegar so none of the sushi rice is gluten free. Our server actually pointed out that smaller “disclaimer” at the bottom of the gluten free menu (thank you thank you thank you for that). We don’t try to be fussy when we go out. We try to pick restaurants/cuisine that is more gluten-free friendly so we don’t make the kitchen go out of their way. Some places aren’t gluten free friendly and that is ok! But, having a separate gluten free menu, and then having only about three-ish items be actually gluten free borderlines on silly.
The consequences if we did not see that, or if our server didn’t point it out, would not have been silly. It is especially disappointing because when it came down to it, the seemingly best option ended up being steamed rice with sashimi on top and finely shredded carrots for $40+. The actually gluten free entrees also came with salad and miso soup— the miso soup is not gluten free…. Why is that offered on the gluten free menu then?
Atmosphere was fine. Drinks were fine. The rolls from those who could consume gluten were fine. Server was very knowledgeable thankfully. Don’t care to return, unless they update the menu unfortunately.
Dietary restrictions: Not friendly for dietary restrictions.
The sushi is super bland, zero flavor at all. We will never be back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
I love this place! Go-to sushi place in the neighborhood. I’m glad it’s still going strong! (Sadly, I moved away a few years ago). Gonna plan on making another trip! There was a coffee shop nearby that I liked, as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food at Saji-Ya and atmosphere were incredible!!! Our server, Lizzie, was very accommodating to our young children. The gyoza never disappoints!
Kid-friendliness: The staff was so nice to our children! They made special "not spicy" rolls for our girls!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Tuna, Roll
One of my favorite spot for sushi! Fun place to celebrate a birthday and service was great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sashimi Combo, Sushi 7 Combo
Such. Bad. Service. 15 minutes after the 1st dinner entree arrived, finally got the attention of a waiter to ask where the 2nd entree was. Comes back and takes the order. Dish arrives, wrong dish. Our server has yet to apologize. 10 minutes later the correct arrives. Manager stops by to let us know he won’t charge us for either of the two dishes. We’re thinking what about the rest of the meal? Original server finally apologizes, but doesn’t take ownership for their obvious mistake. Manager stops us on the way out to ask if he can buy us a sake on our next visit. Says my wife: “No, but you sure could have done more for us tonight.”
Real shame. Won’t be going back there anytime soon.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Sushi 7 Combo
Ordered takeout here based on positive reviews, and after seeing the atmosphere I can see why. It was very nice, good lighting and nice decor. When ordering online the website told me to arrive 40 minutes later, which was no big deal. However, once I was home I realized my food was definitely sitting there for a good 10-15mins. Luckily I was able to heat up the pork gyoza up in my air fryer, but the soggy sushi wasn't a total vibe. I could see how this place is probably great when dining in, but for the price, the takeout should definitely match what you'd eat dining in. I'd recommend to dine in, but maybe second guess on the takeout.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
We celebrated a birthday and our server Alex was fantastic he certainly has great people skills that made our experience fun and laid back and the food was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
excellent happy hour offerings and prices. food was delish. service by alex was excellent. we will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I drove over from Mpls specifically to visit the only Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki served in the Twin Cities, but sadly the chef who makes them was off. The owner and waitstaff Elizabeth were extreamly apologetic, helpful and I stayed for dinner which was exceptional. Mpls has a recently retired ballerina Lauren Post who graced the stage with American Ballet Theater from the Met to Shanghai for 17 years. From the length of Saji-Ya I thought she was present with her two children. But after a tour of this quite fabulous room, it was not her and I was off to hear the 25 year old classical guitar sensatiin from Puerto Rico Leonela Alejando at Sundlin Hall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alex is the best server! We've had him serve us on both visits.
My favorite cocktail is the lychee martini which unfortunately is not on the happy hour menu. Still. Happy hour from 4-6 pm don't sleep on it and all the food is incredible. Order all the apps.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seaweed Salad, Hamachi Yellowtail, Gyoza, California Roll
Restaurantji Recommends
Saji-Ya is one of our favorite restaurants in the twin cities! The food and service has always been stellar, and the new space is beautiful. The raw fish options always tastes incredible fresh. Co-owner Patrick has always treated us as family even in the beginning, and he is a huge part of why we always return. 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
3.5. This is a late post.
Came here for one of my daughters' birthday celebration.
We ordered quite a few from the menu:
Gyoza, Pork Belly Skewer, Salmon Steak, Yakiniku Donburi, Chicken Katsu Donburi, Yaki Niku Bento, Salmon Steak Bento, Chirashi Sushi, Ikura.
The pork skewer was delicious, everyone liked it and it was devoured right away. The yakiniku (beef steak) also had a very good flavor, but a little overdone even though my daughter's friend ordered it medium rare, and that is it.
The two meats were good but the seafood left much to be desired. The salmon was dry and a little overdone. Most disappointing is the chirashi sushi. But I should've known that living here in MN. You just can't find fresh seafood here so they won't taste as good.
I forgot the names of what we ordered for dessert but they are actually yummy.
I'll come back and try other foods and also maybe sit inside because we sat on the patio and I didn't really see the inside.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Love this place. Fabulous food. So good we forgot to take pictures.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I always have the best time at Saji!! Food is delicious, service is exceptional and very knowledgeable!!!! Best sushi place in the cities ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
For warning— the gluten free menu is NOT gluten free. This was not a dietary preference but celiac, so it did matter. From what our server and the disclaimer said, the vinegar used for the rice is not rice vinegar so none of the sushi rice is gluten free. Our server actually pointed out that smaller “disclaimer” at the bottom of the gluten free menu (thank you thank you thank you for that). We don’t try to be fussy when we go out. We try to pick restaurants/cuisine that is more gluten-free friendly so we don’t make the kitchen go out of their way. Some places aren’t gluten free friendly and that is ok! But, having a separate gluten free menu, and then having only about three-ish items be actually gluten free borderlines on silly.
The consequences if we did not see that, or if our server didn’t point it out, would not have been silly. It is especially disappointing because when it came down to it, the seemingly best option ended up being steamed rice with sashimi on top and finely shredded carrots for $40+. The actually gluten free entrees also came with salad and miso soup— the miso soup is not gluten free…. Why is that offered on the gluten free menu then?
Atmosphere was fine. Drinks were fine. The rolls from those who could consume gluten were fine. Server was very knowledgeable thankfully. Don’t care to return, unless they update the menu unfortunately.
Dietary restrictions: Not friendly for dietary restrictions.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
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