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Inakaya Japanese Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Sushi Bars Japanese, Sushi Bars [Edit]
655 Saint Andrews RdColumbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-2538
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 5 pm - 10 pm
Tue-Wed 11:30 am - 2 pm
Thu 11:30 pm - 2 pm
Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
23 reviews for Inakaya Japanese Restaurant
Review Highlights
"I've never had a bad experience and I love their candy roll."
(in 4 reviews)
"bomb a$$ sake."
(in 2 reviews)
"I do have to say the Seaweed salad was absolutely fabulous."
(in 3 reviews)
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23 reviews in English
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Review from Annedrea S.
Columbia, SC
1/29/2012
Oh my goodness! I went here last night with the boy and a friend. I loved it! I loved it! The food was so good I wanted to experience being a glutton! I ordered the Black Dragon roll (maki) and it was absolutely positively define. I will be going back.
This establishment is located in a very skeptical shopping area. I was very intimated to bring the boy here because he is not a sushi fan and I doubt I'll ever be able to get him to even try it.
Decor- it is adequate. A little redecorating would be nice because the tables are old. The pillows have faded quite a bit but it's all good because when you take that first bite you'll probably want to run to the chefs and kiss them lol!
Crowd- It was a Saturday evening and it was packed! However there was only a fifteen minute wait.
Staff- Sweethearts! They will help you, joke with you, make you feel at home and keep your drinks FULL!
Food- Like I said earlier I ordered the black dragon roll and it was delish. It consisted of .... (i can't remember exactly but it was crab meat, tuna, eel, tempura flakes and another fish). The boy had a steak, that was prepared on a fajita skillet with herbed butter, potatoes, broccoli, pickled cucumbers, onions and zucchini, and cantaloupe. He did not complain one bit and he is a picky eater. As a matter of fact he ate just about all of his food. Oh yeah it came with Miso soup, rice and a salad also. Our friend got the teriyaki chicken bento box which came with chicken, 2 pieces of california rolls, rice, tempura carrots and onions, cantaloupe, pickled cucumbers, miso soup, and salad. They are not stingy sweethearts! He enjoyed his food also.
Prices- My total came to 10, the boy's came to 13, and the friend's came to 12. So cheap!
So all in all I give them a five! Because they are all very pleasant, the food is terrific, and the price are great. -
Review from Bruce K.
Recommended by a local who says that everyone he sends here, even people who really know sushi, come back raving. I can see why. I took a seat at the sushi bar and was able to watch the chef slice and prepare my meal right in front of my eyes. So very fresh and everything was seriously delicious.
The place is NOT easy to find in the dark. It's buried in the back of a dark shopping plaza, the second one west of the Interstate. At the intersection of Jamil Road.
If you order only water, as I did, the sushi chef is not going to think very highly of your opinion. Try a sake. Especially if you like drinking paint thinner. -
Review from Agent S.
Plattsburgh, NY
1/29/2012
Inakaya was my first Sushi experience about 7 years ago. My mother and I loved the Red Dragon Roll so much that we made it a ritual to go once a week. The staff is amazing. The same waitress recognized us after a year of absence. The decor is traditional Japanese.
Basically, this place is too good not to try, and once you do, you won't want to go to some trendy place like Tsunami or Sakitumi (while those places are fun with friends, Inakaya is the best place for trying delicious food). -
Review from Elizabeth B.
Biloxi, MS
The sushi is amazing. At first your like we are going to eat sushi in a little shop in a shopping center in a corner between two streets that doesn't have any stores in it? And then you eat a piece of sushi from there and your like that is awesome sushi!! :)
So I had a Dragon Roll, which has Avocado and Crab, a Crab Roll which had of course Crab and it is wrapped in Seaweed on top of rice, and Abalone Roll which had Abalone which is a slug wrapped in seaweed. My dad had Salmon Skin, Yellowfin Tuna Roll, Shrimp Roll, Candy Roll, Wasabi Octopus Roll and Spicy Tuna Salad. My stepmom had, an Octopus Salad, California Roll and Salmon Skin Roll. Everything was amazing!!! Will be going back.Listed in: Best Restaurants in Columbia,…
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Review from Savanna B.
West Columbia, SC
9/12/2011
One of my favourite sushi restaurants in Columbia. Great atmosphere and excellent food (especially the red dragon roll).
-
Review from John C.
Columbia, SC
I've held off writing this review I feel that I can't be Impartial since I no longer go anywhere else for Japanese food. But there is a good reason for that Inakaya's is so head and shoulders above the other Japanese fair in town. The service is always friendly the food is always fresh no matter when you go. So if you think you know a better place in town send me a note, until that happens I'll be at Inakaya.
PS: it's the only place in town that I've seen Japanese people eating at! -
Review from Donna B.
Newnan, GA
1/26/2011
Big sushi roll menu. One even made with fried chicken. Weird! Not at all traditional Japanese. Sushi is ok but do not send anything back. We sent back salmon roe because it was brown and tasteless. Learned that they marinated it in soy and wasabi. What? In 30 years of eating sushi, I've never seen this. Yu-San, executive chef didn't care for our decision of returning the roe, we didn't criticize, only stated that we didn't like it. I was afraid to order anything.
WAIT!!!!!!!!! You gotta go for a cocktail. The bar is beautiful. Very cool and the ceiling is similar to the ceiling at The Fox Theater in Atlanta. 2 stars but that ceiling gets a firm 5. -
Review from Stephanie D.
Columbia, SC
5/23/2010
This is the place for the best sushi in town at a decent price (if you compare it to other restaurants). The rolls themselves vary in size, but it's safe to assume you'll get a fair portion for the price you pay. I wasn't a fan of the ramen since it's easy to make them for less (if you know where to go). Aside from that, everything else I've tried during the last 5 visits have been consistently delicious and worth what I paid. The unagi on a bed of rice reminds me of my grandmother's fish, which is a wonderful thing!!!
The service, however, may change depending on who's there. I usually get nice waitresses who are very attentive, but there has been a time where I had one who didn't come back and allowed the bus boy and another waitress to finish serving us. I returned a couple of months later to fulfill a sushi craving and was serviced by good waitress as usual. It wouldn't be fair to judge the place by the service you get from one person though I understand not wanting to return after a bad experience.
If you are interested in trying a Japanese beer, I'd recommend Sapporo. I'd recommend asking the waitress about sake options if you're a fan of vodka. -
Review from Bob H.
Columbia, SC
12/23/2008
Service? Superb, the waiters are generally pretty friendly if it's not too crowded. BUT if it's very crowded, say a Friday night, they may not be as friendly; but that's understandable. I've had a problem before, but went back during saying 6:30 on Mon-thurs and it's generally quick, fast, and friendly. I go there because my stomach just wants the food. I eat 4-5 rolls anyways.
Food? Great food, best sushi in town to be honest. I've tried other places and still the best.
Anyways, I give it a 5 out of 5 because I will be going here again.
But of course I leave that up to you to decide. Give it a try and I'm sure you will like it. -
Review from jimmy s.
Atlanta, GA
2/23/2010
4 stars because it's the only place i've found in Columbia with tonkotsu ramen (creamy pork broth ramen noodles).
Tried a few pieces of nigiri...not bad but I will be going back to try the tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) donburi and spicy seafood ramen.
Worth the visit for sure. -
Review from Jenny C.
3/19/2011
prolly the best japanese place in Cola. def more authentic than any you'll find downtown. I've frequented the place when i lived in Cola...oh well or as much as I could since it was hella far from school...but if you know a thing or two about japanese food, then def make your drive out there!
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Review from Jordan S.
Satellite Beach, FL
5/28/2007
Inakaya was highly recommended by a friend, so I thought I was in for a treat. Unfortunately I had a bad experience.
Located in an older shopping center, the atmosphere is unique enough for Columbia, there's a large sushi bar, regular tables, a few private booths, and a room for large parties where you actually sit on the floor.
For appetizers, the vegetable tempura and seaweed salad were excellent. Watching patrons at the bar, I was highly anticipating my sushi, but when it came, it was room temperature; and to top it off, the waitress tried to explain it as though it was a normal occurrence. She went to ask the chef, who made up a quick excuse. We should have sent it back, but we ate it anyway. The taste was great, if only it would have been cold! I asked the table next to us, they said their sushi was cold.
If they would have acted like they gave a crap, I would have been happy, but since nobody cared; we gave a small tip and we will not be back. -
Review from Stu T.
Columbia, SC
1/30/2011
Inakaya is a fantastic Japanese establishment for a Southern city, and of all places to call home it's right down the road in Columbia!
An extensive sushi menu complements an equally diverse entree and dinner sheet. Portions are actually sized correctly, and usually my girlfriend and I can split a dinner, appetizer, and sushi roll and be just content. That said, each meal comes complete with miso soup, ginger salad and rice on top of whatever entree you order, so arrive hungry or with someone to share. The candy roll is fantastic and their winter seasonal tempura was packed full of squash and pumpkin. Now that spring has rolled around again unfortunately they've changed to a more mundane blend of onions and carrots.
The atmosphere is quiet and clean, but not particularly intimate and certainly not exclusive, you can show up in jeans.
The staff is friendly, brisk and attentive. The sushi bar is always packed on weekend nights with locals chatting up the chefs. One of my favorites in the area, and now that we've been once or twice a week for a couple of months, we're recognized and greeted warmly every time. -
Review from Dan R.
Alexandria, VA
4/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I liked this place. Fresh, tasty fish, lots of choices and nice large portions. When I'm in Columbia again, I'll be back here for sure.
I arrived at about 7:30 on a Friday night, and took the only empty seat at the sushi bar. The waitress who seated me then brought me a hot towel to freshen up before dinner. I had convos with several other friendly customers and the chef. In fact, I had ordered the Mackerel, and the chef recommended I try the Spanish mackerel as he thought it was better. I wound up getting both and enjoyed them equally.
Prices were consistent with what I'm used to in the Northeast US, but many of the specialty rolls were just shy of ten bucks each. -
Review from Kristi V.
Charlotte, NC
3/17/2010
I came in for week day dinner. I was seated right away and the menu is pretty extensive. The waitress (Mandy) is very sweet and attentive. I have to give her A+ for service.
I like raw fish sushi. Their fish is fresh. Price is very reasonable. I'll definitely come back. -
Review from Will H.
4/21/2010 1 photo
The sushi here was good and fresh on a wednesday, which is saying something. They have many cooked//fried sushi roll options and sushi cut options. Nothing seemed particularly inspired, but the sushi experience itself was pretty good. I felt the rolls themselves could have been rolled tighter since they were falling apart in my chopsticks (at which I am fairly dexterous.). I do have to say the Seaweed salad was absolutely fabulous.
Their atmosphere is very cute with a sushi bar on one side and some traditional low tables on the other. There is a pretty display of gowns and boxes that was worth taking a look at.
The service is the only part that really cut into their rating. We got decent service at first but as our stay went on, the waitress came back to our table less and less. We tried to order a second round of sushi... and it never showed up. After sitting for 30min we cancelled the order and got the check. It was a little rough.
There may be better places around for service and sushi making skill. -
Review from Greg R.
Columbia, SC
1/19/2009 1 Check-in Here
Very straight-forward Sushi restaurant. Lunch service can be a bit slow, if they are busy.
VERY good sushi, probably the best in town - and they have the best teriyaki in town. -
Review from Mark A.
9/28/2010
The place is just an all around local fave. Lots of variety, great quality, great staff. Can't go wrong.
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Review from M D.
Columbia, SC
5/8/2009
First of all, I am not a sushi fan. I think its more of a fashion food than anything else, and after living in Japan for years and sampling the "best" I can honestly say I prefer it cooked. Now thats off my chest, I go there for the REAL Japanese foods. The stuff that isnt on the a la cart menu. This is one of the only spots I know of where you can get a real selection of Japanese cuisine, which I miss alot. Im talking Gyuudon (they call it gyuuju there instead), nabe, sukiyaki, and tonkotsu raamen. They are generally pricey and you dont get alot for your money, but if you got an itch for something cooked and from Japan, here is your place. If your really into Sushi though, I defer to my Japanese wife who prefers Camon
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Review from John Y.
San Jose, CA
4/12/2008
Once again... relativity... especially since I feel as if I am in the confines of the south... So it's been about two weeks since i've been in SC and I am really feening for some sushi... after some yelp and google map research... i decided to check this place out... i was actually trying to come here last weekend but when i got here, they were closed on sundays... so i figure i'll try again this weekend...
anyhoo... i sat at the bar and the waitress promptly provides me with utensils, a glass of water and some apetizer... after looking at the menu, i decide to stick with what i normally get at first time sushi bars, which is a chirashi... my logic being that if they have a good/decent chirashi, then everything else should be good.... So i ordered... i notice that the sushi men are all japanese and seem pretty traditional... so this gets my hopes up... it also seems as if they have a lot of regulars as the patrons and sushi men go on a first name basis... i get a complimentary house salad and soon enough my chirashi comes out.....
i say once again, relativity... it was pretty decent considering where i'm at (south carolina).... normal stuff that you would expect from a chirashi... as far as the quality of the fish, in california, i would have given this place 2 and a half, maybe three... but it wasn't too bad... about halfway through my chirashi, i ask for their sake menu and end up ordering a otokono served in a masu (kind of like a wooden box)... bomb a$$ sake... made my chirashi taste better than it should have... after almost polishing off my chirashi, i decide to binge a bit since its been so long since ive had japanese... i order some uni... again.... not up to california standards but not bad... coloring was a little bit off (not the bright orangy (?) color that im used to) but still had the uni taste... then to top it all off, i order a hamachi... this was actually very good... besides the fact that i like hamachi, it pretty much melted in my mouth, even after the big meal that preceded...
so all in all.... four stars considering relativity... i'll probably try to check some other place out during the rest of my stay here and if i don't find something better, i'll be back... -
Review from Stephanie B.
Columbia, SC
4/4/2009
Reasonably priced and yummy! I love eating here. I've never had a bad experience and I love their candy roll. There are also some unique items to this restaurant and a good variety for those that don't like sushi.
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Review from Ashley P.
Lexington, SC
3/18/2010
This is one of the best sushi restaurants I've eaten at. Service was excellent, along with the platter and plethora of different sushi and sashimi. It's not located in the best districts in Columbia, and the outside looks very ghetto, but once inside it breathes authentic asian. And it always smells so good in there. Highly recommended!
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Review from Sarah H.
Urbana, IL
1/13/2009
This is my favorite sushi joint in columbia, SC...I miss it terribly now that I've moved to the midwest! The sushi is fairly inexpensive, $4-7 per roll, and they always have some hot food special that seems like a great deal! Their lunch specials are inexpensive as well, but don't come on a Sunday or Monday or you will be disappointed because the restaurant is closed. If you go enough times, the guys behind the sushi bar will recognize you, and might slip you a new treat if you sit at the bar :) Also, I know this is kind of sacrilegious, but one of my friends came up with his own roll that wasn't on the menu and asked the guys to prepare it and they did! I've ordered that roll several times afterward also. They're so nice, but as mentioned before service can get patchy on busy nights. I love the sunfire roll (asparagus tempura, masago, spicy sauce, inside out) and the candy roll (california roll wrapped in the white paper with tuna on top and drizzled with japanese mayo)! I have never had any doubt about the quality or freshness of the fish.
