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Yumi's Sushi Bar
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
23 reviews for Yumi's Sushi Bar
Review Highlights
23 reviews in English
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Review from Dan F.
Orono, MN
1/1/2012
Yumi is simply the best place for Sushi in Minnesota.
Yes, it is pricy for what you get and the tight seating, but all in all it's a fun place to go and Billy the sushi Chief is great.
Like the other reviewers stated you will most likely have to wait for a place to sit. -
Review from Jon D.
Excelsior, MN
9/1/2011
Great sushi at higher than average prices for the area but well worth it. The place is small, so come early or wait. In the summer we call ahead and order to go, it usually takes about 30 minutes and then we make the 60 second walk to the lake shore and have sushi by the water in the great outdoors.
I have had sushi all over the twin cities as well as the bay area and this place rates with the best. -
Review from Keith F.
Victoria, MN
7/8/2011
My girlfriend and I had our first date here, and have made it our special sushi "spot."
The fish is the freshest I've found ANYWHERE in the Metro, probably because it's a block from Lake Minnetonka. I realize that the fish served here could not have come from freshwater, but it's the only explanation I can come up with for how the fish is so amazing, so back off!
Overall, Yumi's is maybe a little on the spendy side, but it's sushi. If you love sushi like I Iove sushi, you already know that cheap sushi is rarely good sushi. To give you a better idea, this past weekend we split two Specialty Rolls, four pieces of Nigiri, an order of Gyoza, four Sapporo beers and our tab was $87. FYI we were stuffed by the end of this--luckily it was sushi-stuffed, which is way better than hate-yourself-cheeseburger-stuffed.
Amber E. was accurate when she said this place was "about the size of a Bento Box," but that's part of the charm of Yumi's. When you walk in, Yumi will probably add your phone number to a list because there's almost always a wait. Take some time and walk around Excelsior (we usually go to Haskell's across the street for a drink), it's a beautiful town. -
Review from K B.
Minneapolis, MN
1/7/2012
Hands down Best sushi in MN. Probably the best sushi I've had in the U.S., and I've tried sushi in every big city. Always fresh, consistent, and quick. Also have great service and Yumi, the owner, is really sweet. The prices aren't cheap, but the rolls are definitely worth the price...large and filled with solid ingredients instead of cheap fillers like cucumbers or imitation crab.
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Review from Kari E.
Blaine, MN
6/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
First let me say that I honestly am not sure I would know "Good" sushi from "not good sushi" other than where it's purchased (grocery store vs. sushi place) and whether or not it smells like rotten fish!
That said - I enjoyed my visit to Yumi's.
We stopped in for a "snack" one night. We were seated pretty quickly at the bar, amazingly. I personally loved the small space - I felt like maybe I was in NYC for a minute! Definitely cozy, though I know not everyone loves that.
We ordered 2 rolls (Spicy Tuna and Eel) I was pretty shocked by the prices. Though the rolls were pretty large and I guess if you know what you're ordering it's probably not horrible.
I'd go back, but maybe not until I've been schooled a bit in the art of sushi! -
Review from Amber E.
2/19/2011
This restaurant is about the size of a bento box, so it's not uncommon to have to wait to get a table. But, don't let that deter you. The sushi here is worth the wait.
The staff doesn't just shoo you off to a corner to wait for your name to be called. You will be offered drinks, they will offer suggestions for what's especially good that day.
When you are seated, you will be treated to some of the freshest sushi in the area. You will also have the added pleasure of waiting patrons gazing longingly at the succulent morsels that you're popping into your mouth with ravenous abandon.
Food tastes even better when other people want what you're having. -
Review from Michael G.
North Bellmore, NY
7/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Was visiting for a family reunion, had the kobe beef, the 2-14 roll, the red dragon and the tonka roll... All excellent choices... if you enjoy sushi with a kick I definitely suggest the tonka.
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Review from Mark C.
Eden Prairie, MN
3/19/2011
Best sushi in the Twin Cities, though definitely at a price. Very good rolls generally, but $19 a roll is a bit silly for all except perhaps the Tiger Roll -best on the planet! The lower priced rolls are better skipped as they're somewhat average and can be had elsewhere for 1/3 or 1/2 less.
Billy is back behind the sushi bar and that's a great thing! One of the area's most talented artists with all things fish... :)
It's intimate (tight), but usually fun, except when packed. Don't believe the wait time estimate and you'll be a bit happier. Be careful where you're seated or you'll be jostled throughout your meal. Service is average to below average, and goes wayyyyy down when its crowded.
Come for the fish, and if you're lucky you'll hit an evening that's more on the mellow side and you can enjoy your $100+ meal a while, without having a check plopped in front of you while still eating...
4 1/2 for food
1 1/2 for service
4 for ambience (when not packed)
5 for memory of spending valentines day one year in the corner when Kevin Garnett and his wife "ducked in" and had dinner at the sushi bar. -
Review from Joann P.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
7/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Best sushi!! Great service!! Good Quality!!!
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Review from Christina P.
Chicago, IL
6/9/2010
One of the best sushi spots I've been to in a LONG time. Incredibly fresh and incredibly tasty.
Get there early - or be prepared to wait. It's a tiny little spot with a wonderful waitstaff.
Can't wait to return -
Review from Anna E.
10/1/2008
I took my niece here for her first real sushi experience and was pretty impressed. When I think good sushi, the first thing that comes to mind is NOT "suburb of the Twin Cities". However, it was fast, fresh and delicious. We had the spicy tuna and philly rolls, which were standard. But the tiger roll was excellent...spicy tuna, salmon, eel and softshell crab with some veggies. I was very proud of my niece for trying the eel! It's pretty $$$ for how casual it is and I'm sure there's just as good elseware for much less. But, I think they can get away with it because there's not much completition out here.
Regardless, not a bad place to go if you're in the area. -
Review from Richard F.
Minnetonka, MN
2/25/2009
I tried Yumi's for the first time about a year ago and since then I have eaten there 4 times.
Not to toot my own horn, but I would say I have a pretty good sense for good sushi and you would be hard pressed to find sushi better than this in the Twin Cities.
I have had the following rolls: California(was the best Cali roll I've had, they use real King Crab meat!), Spicy Tuna(above average), Tempura(above average), Crunch Roll(excellent), No. 9(waayyy good), Rainbow(above average) and a few of their special rolls that I can't recall the names, but they were FANTASTIC.
The prices are a bit high, on average I have spent about $80 or so for two people, more if a few drinks are ordered. I went here with a few guy friends of mine and it was pricey, which is to be expected for 4 hungry mid 20's guys :-)
As stated in prior reviews, the restaurant is small and you sit very close to the table next to you. The décor isn't anything special by any means, but you go here for the AMAZING sushi, not the décor ;-). They're located right next to an old movie theatre and a few ice creams shops, which makes for an excellent desert if it is summer and you have any room left in your stomach! LOL.
They get VERY busy on Friday and Saturday nights so plan to wait for a bit. You can't call for reservations, but when you arrive you put your name down and they can take your cell phone number down and give you a call when your table is ready, which is very nice if you want to stroll the stores bordering Yumi's. I've also heard you can call in takeout and they will walk it down to the docks on Minnetonka, though I have not done or see this done before.
I would HIGHLY recommend Yumi's and will continue to come here for many years!!! -
Review from Rebecca Y.
Maple Grove, MN
12/8/2009
Every month we have a group of people who try different restaurants. This month we picked Yumi's located in Excelsior.
Thankfully, our usual group didn't show up as the restaurant is very small and close quartered. We had five tucked in very tightly around a table.
We ordered four rolls and some negri. Quality of the fish was good. Fresh and melt in your mouth kind of sushi.
While the rolls have a hefty price tag averaging around $19, we found those rolls to be enourmous and plenty for all of us.
We had the chance to meet Yumi. She's a gem. I loved that she walked around clanging the gong and getting everyone to cheer the sushi chef and a patron in doing a sake bomb.
What a lovely family oriented place. Good food and good times.
Intimate for dates...for sure! -
Review from Ryan D.
Minneapolis, MN
9/7/2006
This is a fun little sushi bar near the waterfront in Excelsior. The prices are average, the decor is sparse..but the fish is delicious. The super white fish is the amazing it melts in your mouth.
Don't worry about getting dressed up..Yumi's is a down home almost cafeteria style sushi bar. Order a Kirin Ichiban and a small warm sake, grab some sashimi and be prepared for "mouth explosian delicousness" as they say.
$$$$- your not getting out of here for less than 30 bucks a head if you enjoy sushi.
skip this place if your trying to impress a first date...it aint that fancy...just darn good sushi! -
Review from Darren T.
Livonia, MI
8/19/2010
I was staying in Minnetonka and was in the mood for sushi. Not being familiar with the area, I checked out what other Yelpers recommended. This was the place that had the highest rating, so it was the pick. It was tough to find because the sign is kind of hidden by a tree, and it was so crowded I had to wait 10 minutes, but it was worth it.
This place lives up to it's lofty ratings. I had the nuclear roll and I wasn't disappointed. The sushi didn't have wasabi, but I thought it was spicy enough as it was so I didn't have to ask for any.
I was so impressed with the first visit that I came back a second time and I had the Kobe style beef, which was great as well.
When I'm in Minnesota again, I'll happily visit for some good food. -
Review from David C.
Carver, MN
3/4/2009
Hey, let's all remember that this is Minnesota. I lived in L.A. for four years and have been dying to find a good sushi restaurant in Minneapolis. Thank God I found Yumi's. Talk about good value. The size of the fish slices in the sushi are really generous. Yumi's rolls are huge, creative, and delicious.
Arrive early because they don't take reservations and there will be a wait out the door, which means you'll be standing in the cold. -
Review from Leah F.
Chanhassen, MN
6/25/2009
I have lived on the east coast & eaten many schools of raw fish, so believe me when I say Yumi's is the best sushi you're going to find in this landlocked state.
Everything is delicious but my 2 personal favorites are the super white tuna sashimi (usually a special) & the nuclear roll. The tuna is smooth & light while the nuclear roll is a spicy mouth full. Also, don't skip the gyoza for an appetizer (best fried dumplings I've ever had) or the sake bomb for a drink.
In this tiny restaurant a sake bomb is a group event. For the uninitiated, a beer topped with 2 chopsticks holding a small cup of sake is set before you. Then as your server starts banging on the gong, you repeatedly slam your hands on the table on either side of the glass to make the chopsticks split apart dropping the sake in the beer. That's when the chugging begins.
Like other reviewers have said, Yumi's is very busy on Friday & Saturday nights. You can leave your cell phone number at the restaurant & they'll call you when your table is ready. Waiting is hardly a chore as the Irish pub Jake O'Connors is just up the street & is perfect for a pre-dinner beverage.
The atmosphere is very jolly, but try not to come here with more than 6 people as it is a very small space. Dress is incredibly casual, and you're so packed in no one would notice your clothes anyway. -
Review from H P.
Cincinnati, OH
3/13/2008
This little sushi bar near the Excelsior waterfront is not bad, although it is also not great. It is almost always very busy at night since it is the only reasonably close sushi restaurant for most people in the Excelsior, Chanhassen, Victoria area.
In our previous town we knew the sushi-chef and owner for five years and had a great rapport. Here, the sushi chefs are less into you, and more into getting their work done. They are silent not in the Japanese style sushi chef way, but more in the "I am busy and my boss is watching" way.
The place is by no stretch of the imagination well decorated or a visual feast for the eyes. I would not take a friend who is trying sushi for the first time here because they are likely to think all sushi places are little dingy holes in the wall.
The only part that saves Yumis' is that the sushi is good. It is not the best I have had, but it is good. You should always ask for, and pay attention when they explain, their list of daily roll specials. They normally have at least one unusual combination that turns out to be excellent.
This is not an inexpensive sushi place, but it is also not expensive as sushi goes. The analogy that best comes to mind is a good bar, near a beach, that serves good drinks and plays loud music. You do not take a person to that "hut in the sand" to explain to discuss the difference between a Fume Blanc and a Chardonnay. You take them there to enjoy a margarita or a beer.
Yumis' is like that seaside bar. You do not go there to enjoy all the fine aspects of Japanese sushi dinning (impeccable cleanliness, subdued service, quiet and relaxing atmosphere). You go to Yumis' just to eat sushi. -
Review from Alex K.
Mesa, AZ
7/30/2009
Went here while on vacay because of the reviews here. Was not disappointed. Super fresh fish and a great staff made for a incredible meal.
Had the baby yellowtail sashimi, mexican roll, crunchy roll along with the red dragon roll. HUGE rolls which were very well constructed and delicious. Cost our group of four $90 without drinks, but in my eyes...well worth it. You get what you pay for.
Highly recommended. -
Review from M C.
Excelsior, MN
3/26/2011
Crazy good. Excellent portions &value
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Review from Kandace H.
Plymouth, MN
1/20/2009
In my opinion, this is the best sushi place in MN. The atmosphere is not grandiose, but the sushi here is always fresh and always beautiful. The chefs graciously comply with a request for omakase and the waitstaff is very attentive. Besides the restrooms being in a creepy basement area, I have nothing negative to say about this restaurant.
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Review from Mike G.
Minneapolis, MN
1/15/2011
Great sushi, great service. Highly recommended, but be prepared to wait on a busy night.
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Review from Kelly B.
Minnetonka, MN
7/26/2010
Good sushi. Good take out. We sit at the bar usually and ask for recommendations that are always excellent.
