Yugenn

10/10 experience at Yugenn. Kendell was our server and made our night extra special! I loved the Hotate Nigiri, the Hamachi special plate and the Lobster fried rice. The fish was super fresh , and I love that they don’t keep imported fish longer than 4 days. I feel each dish was worth the price and I’ll be back!

I’m a huge sushi lover and was hoping for a fantastic omakase experience. I knew the prices would be high given the quality they claimed to offer, and that was fine by me. We started with the Vietnamese Espresso Martini after asking if it was sweet the waiter said it would be, with a nice foam on top. When it arrived, there was no foam at all and warm, it honestly tasted terrible, one of the worst espresso martinis I’ve ever had. We also tried the Lychee Clover Club and the Lotus Milk Punch, and both were just as disappointing. For the sushi, I ordered the Otoro, Ora King and the sunset Blvd, The fish itself was good in quality, but the sauces they added on top completely overpowered the natural flavor of the fish. My friend had the Katsu Miso Carbonara, which she said was okay, but definitely not something she’d come back for. We also wanted to try the pandan tiramisu, but they were out of it, so we went with the coconut mango sorbet instead. It turned out to be a tiny scoop of ice cream drowned in way too much sauce, which ruined it. Service-wise, we felt rushed the whole time, but when we actually needed our waiter, he was nowhere to be found. The manager eventually stepped in and comped the undrinkable cocktails, which was appreciated, but it felt more like they were doing us a favor rather than simply providing the level of service you’d expect. In short, the restaurant has a lot of kinks to work out. The food presentation and ingredient quality show potential, but the flavors, drinks, and service don’t yet match the prices they charge. I wouldn’t go back, but if you decide to give it a try, just know it’s still very much a work in progress.

I never leave reviews, but Yugenn warrants it. As someone who is from NYC, I’ve been underwhelmed by Charlotte’s food scene. I have had yet to find a restaurant that has the whole package where exceptional food and creative cocktails are complemented by a high-energy vibe (a DJ came on at 7 to dial it up a notch), but Yugenn delivers. I came in by myself for a small bite and drinks on a Friday night and sat at the bar. The entire team was exceptional and attentive. I started with the Ca Phe Sua Martini, a Vietnamese coffee martini, and the miso foam added a subtle savory finish. I followed that up with Last Call, a very drinkable tequila cocktail with tamari honey that I ended up ordering a few more of. And if I could, I’d have the Chashu Miso Carbonara every day. The pork was beautifully seared, the chili oil added a nice little kick, the tableside shaving of cured egg yolk added the perfect extra touch of salt, and the concept of the dish is exactly what you want from an innovative interpretation of contemporary Asian food. I came back the next night with friends and we tried more dishes. The Jewel and Pink Temptation were a huge hit. Also loved our rolls (Red Dragon and kimchi fried chicken) and there was an off-menu foie gras pavé that was rich and absolutely delicious. Our server let us know that they often have off-menu specials, so make sure to ask about those! You can tell that everything is intentional here, with premium ingredients to back it all up. Reviews saying that this isn’t NYC or Miami or whatever—my only question is why don’t you want Charlotte’s scene to be more elevated? This spot has instantly shot straight to my favorites list and I’m already planning my next trip back to try more of the menu.

If you are looking for a vibe that is effortlessly cool featuring dim lighting, sleek interiors, and an energy that makes it perfect for both date night and girls’ night out, go to Yugenn. The sushi here is nothing short of spectacular. It’s fresh, artfully plated, and bursting with unique flavors. I personally had the unagi and chutoro premium nigiri and the sunset blvd roll. All of it was perfection. The cocktail menu was also fun and unique. The smoke old fashioned is smoked table side. Their take on the espresso martini (Vietnamese coffee inspired) was the absolute perfect way to end the evening with friends. If you want to have amazing cocktails, sushi and other Japanese inspired dishes, book your table now! You will not forget the experience.

Yugenn absolutely delivers on every level — incredible sushi, perfectly crafted cocktails, and an atmosphere that makes the night feel special. I sat at the bar where Nick took great care of me, but what really stood out was how the whole team checked in throughout the meal — everyone was friendly, attentive, and genuinely cared that I had a great experience. The food was beyond impressive — every bite was balanced, fresh, and beautifully presented. The music and vibe were spot on, making it just as enjoyable to relax and take it all in. Easily the best food experience I’ve had anywhere. Highly recommend.

Service was great, and the staff was very attentive. The atmosphere was pretty when you first walk in, but our table was down a set of steps in an area that felt unfinished. It was quiet, which was nice, but empty. The food was good, though definitely overpriced. The sushi rolls were over $20 each, and the alcohol menu was quite limited. We spent over $200 per person. I’d recommend trying the pasta if you go. It was the highlight of the meal. Due to the price, we probably won’t return.

I’m genuinely blown away by Yugenn. I live in Los Angeles, where incredible sushi is the norm, so I honestly wasn’t expecting Charlotte to match that level, but this place surprised me in the best way. We started with cocktails. The Lychee Clover Club was bright & refreshing without being overly sweet, and the Lotus Milk Punch was so clean & beautifully clarified that you can taste every layer. We also ordered The Shokunin, and it was absolutely worth its premium price. It was silky, rich, and complex, with a wagyu washed depth, barrel strength warmth, & a subtle umami smoked finish that I LOVED! It’s one of those drinks that makes you pause after every sip to enjoy the flavors. For food, the quality speaks for itself. The Yugenn lobster sashimi was so fresh, delicate, and thoughtfully presented. The Pink Temptation was such a standout we ordered it multiple times! The toro is rich, buttery, and just perfect. Melt in your mouth delicious! When I order toro this is the quality I expect. The Lobster Fried Rice was perfectly seasoned with huge generous amounts of tender lobster… easily the best fried rice I’ve had anywhere. The Carbonara with uni & caviar was another highlight, creamy, salty, luxe, but somehow not heavy. & the star of the night…The off menu Jewel of the Sea. Toro, uni, & caviar in one bite with seaweed to wrap it into the perfect hand roll. Absolutely unforgettable!!! The uni quality here is soooooo good and fresh. The space is beautiful, warm lighting, modern details, and a chic, energetic vibe. Service was attentive, friendly, & perfectly paced. & for anyone who truly understands high quality sushi and premium ingredients, the pricing makes complete sense. You can taste exactly what you’re paying for. Charlotte has been lacking this caliber of elevated dining, & I genuinely hope the city continues to get more restaurants of this quality. Yugenn is setting the standard, & I’d highly recommend it for date nights, celebrations, or anytime you want something exceptional.

Underwhelming and overpriced. The good: we enjoyed the Osaka Sour cocktail and the service was very friendly. Great location. The bad: incredibly overpriced (this is Charlotte after all) which would have been fine if the quality was there, and it was not. The nigiri (otoro & madai) were drenched in subpar sauces, the seared scallop overcooked, and don buri was just flavorless eggplant over white rice covered in yum yum sauce. The restaurant also appeared to offer $20 valet which feels a bit comical for SouthEnd. We left hungry and disappointed for $145.

Let me say this... Yugenn is by far one of the best restaurants that has hit Charlotte. We went and it was absolutely spectacular. The vibe was immaculate, food was phenomenal, and the staff goes above and beyond to make sure your experience is a memorable one. Don't walk, RUN to Yugenn. You won't be disappointed!

If you haven't been here yet, idk why you're waiting for. I used to work in the food hospitality scene in Manhattan, and Yugenn exemplifies just that. Came here for a birthday celebration. They have a patio area, lots of mirrors for the women in the bathroom, gorgeous color theme throughout the floor plan. The best outlier during this dining experience was the customer service. The best customer service I've gotten in Charlotte all 2025. My only gripe is the platform they use for reservations. I will absolutely be back. The drinks were divine. I had to run my drink back twice. I hope they implement a Happy Hour situation at some point. ALL of the food was fresh and made with meticulous care. Yes, you can actually taste the difference when the chef and food is pristine. We got the coconut mango sorbet, chocolate mousse (this was so decadent. A table favorite), sunset blvd maki roll, Breakfast in Hokkaido drink, and the fried chicken. They also have a DJ on the weekends that plays the saxophone.

Went here Saturday night and they had valet, knowing how hard it is to find parking in south end, we just decided to do valet. 20$ which isn't bad, that's uptown parking prices. When we arrive, there wasn't anyone that the front desk to greet us, it took a while before someone can answer help us out. We were then taken to our table. The ambiance and looks in the restaurant is pretty, pretty table and lighting. Definitely a good place for girls night. The staff was nice. The drinks were good and pretty and reasonable priced. The lobster fried rice was delicious but too small of a portion for the price. We got different sushi rolls to share but nothing was out of the ordinary. It was an okay roll. Overall nice place to come to, I just wouldn't go back since I already tried it.

I'm genuinely blown away by Yugenn. I live in Los Angeles, where incredible sushi is the norm, so I honestly wasn't expecting Charlotte to match that level, but this place surprised me in the best way. We started with cocktails. The Lychee Clover Club was bright & refreshing without being overly sweet, and the Lotus Milk Punch was so clean & beautifully clarified that you can taste every layer. We also ordered The Shokunin, and it was absolutely worth its premium price. It was silky, rich, and complex, with a wagyu washed depth, barrel strength warmth, & a subtle umami smoked finish that I LOVED! It's one of those drinks that makes you pause after every sip to enjoy the flavors. For food, the quality speaks for itself. The Yugenn lobster sashimi was so fresh, delicate, and thoughtfully presented. The Pink Temptation was such a standout we ordered it multiple times! The toro is rich, buttery, and just perfect. Melt in your mouth delicious! When I order toro this is the quality I expect. The Lobster Fried Rice was perfectly seasoned with huge generous amounts of tender lobster... easily the best fried rice I've had anywhere. The Carbonara with uni & caviar was another highlight, creamy, salty, luxe, but somehow not heavy. & the star of the night...The off menu Jewel of the Sea. Toro, uni, & caviar in one bite with seaweed to wrap it into the perfect hand roll. Absolutely unforgettable!!! The uni quality here is soooooo good and fresh. The space is beautiful, warm lighting, modern details, and a chic, energetic vibe. Service was attentive, friendly, & perfectly paced. & for anyone who truly understands high quality sushi and premium ingredients, the pricing makes complete sense. You can taste exactly what you're paying for. Charlotte has been lacking this caliber of elevated dining, & I genuinely hope the city continues to get more restaurants of this quality. Yugenn is setting the standard, & I'd highly recommend it for date nights, celebrations, or anytime you want something exceptional.

The service was EXCELLENT. The drinks and food quality were also outstanding. The ambiance is super sleek and sexy and they even valet which is nice for that area of Southend. My only concern is the portion sizes for the price. For Southend it seemed a little pricey but I'll def be back! Perfect for a date night.

I made a reservation for a Saturday night at 7:30, which was booked a week out and it was not hard to reserve for the time I wanted. Parking was easy, but limited in the specific parking deck I found, which was located in the deck that is attached to the apartment building where Yugenn is located. The restaurant outside and inside is modern and decorated nicely. The staff were very friendly and hospitable. There was also a DJ playing, not overly loud and added a nice vibe. I ordered a mocktail from their menu, which I always appreciate when mocktails are listed. For my food choices I ordered the lobster fried rice, which was my favorite dish. I also got the scallops and the Royal King roll. The scallops were very small, but tasty and the Royal King, while fresh lacked flavor. For dessert I ordered the pandan tiramisu and that was the perfect balance of sweet and earthy from the matcha. While the restaurant is beautiful and classy, I will say it was a bit expensive for what it is offering. If you are looking for a fun place to go for a night out, this may be the place for you.

Yugenn is a stunning new addition to the Queen City. The interior is beautifully designed modern, elegant, and clearly created with attention to detail. It's the kind of space that makes you excited to sit down and eat. I ordered the lobster fried rice, it was absolutely delicious rich in flavor and definitely a highlight of the meal. I did get multiple rolls as well and they were great. However, the portion sizes are quite small, which our server did mention ahead of time. I would not order any of the nigiri as they weren't as good as the rest of the meal. Still, for the price point, it felt a bit overpriced for what you actually get. I left feeling like I could've used just a bit more food. That said, the quality is high, and the ambiance is top-notch. I'd consider coming back for a light meal, but if you're expecting a filling dinner, just be prepared to order multiple dishes and paying about $100+ per person.

Such a great place to eat at. The decor is beautiful. Decided to go for a girl's night as some friends were in town. The decor is truly photo worthy. The staff super nice. Loved the owner came around to the tables and introduced herself and checked on everyone. The food was absolutely delicious. Can be pricey if you're on a budget but Ayyye I say splurge on yourself sometimes. It's a must try restaurant. My lobster friend rice and sushi rolls were superb. Please give it a try and let me know what you think.

Where do I begin?! Yugenn is a vibe from start to finish. Beautiful, upscale, modern, and elegant. Perfect for date night or a girls night out. I've tried just about everything on the menu so far. From food to the amazing drinks, everything is full of flavor and delicious. Such a great experience all around.

From the food to the service! Everything was great! Definitely have to come back and will be back!

I have become a regular to Yugenn. Best service! Best food!! And a great atmosphere! Hands down the best sushi in all of Charlotte by far!!

Hands down one of the best sushi experiences I've had in Charlotte. Yugenn is the kind of place that makes you slow down and actually enjoy every bite. The fish is ridiculously fresh, the cuts are clean and buttery, and every roll feels intentional not just thrown together to look fancy. What really sets Yugenn apart is the balance: flavors are bold without being messy, and the menu has that perfect mix of creative chef-driven options and classic sushi done right. You can taste the quality immediately, especially in the nigiri and sashimi. No heavy sauces hiding mediocre fish here this is legit. The vibe is also spot on. It's classy but not stiff, cozy but still feels like a treat. Staff were dialed in -- helpful, knowledgeable, and genuinely excited about the food. We got great recommendations and everything came out timed perfectly. If you're even remotely into sushi, Yugenn is a must. It's the kind of meal you keep talking about the next day and immediately want to go back for. Charlotte needed a place like this. 10/10.

Yugenn absolutely delivers on every level -- incredible sushi, perfectly crafted cocktails, and an atmosphere that makes the night feel special. I sat at the bar where Nick took great care of me, but what really stood out was how the whole team checked in throughout the meal -- everyone was friendly, attentive, and genuinely cared that I had a great experience. The food was beyond impressive -- every bite was balanced, fresh, and beautifully presented. The music and vibe were spot on, making it just as enjoyable to relax and take it all in. Easily the best food experience I've had anywhere. Highly recommend.

A beautiful space and amazing food and the greatest service from Tiffany.. we tried the pink temptation and all the nigiri's... my husband is allergic to shell fish, but I tried the lobster fried rice he was very accommodating... also let our server Tiffany know about his allergy. He had a great Tuna dish.. I can't remember the name... had a bit of Sake , which our server was so great at recommending. Pros... great place for a date night, or a girls night out. Definitely need to dress up a bit, but jeans are still ok. My cons... parking is limited they do have a small parking lot. It is a vibe for sure and ask for Tiffany... amazing server.

Best new restaurant in Charlotte. Fish is incredibly fresh and dishes are all very innovative. All nigiri pieces are great and cocktails are solid.

We went on their opening weekend. The bar was beautiful the seats they selected complimented the aesthetic. The staff was warm and inviting as we were seated. It had a great vibe. The server had great suggestions for us. They were aware I had shellfish allergies. The lotus milk punch cocktail hit the spot. The Royal King was a tasty bite. They ran out of a few things but I will be back to try them!

Yugenn is a hidden gem with an upscale vibe and a perfect location. From start to finish, the experience was outstanding. The Saki and Kimchi Fried Chicken Roll were my absolute favorites both dishes had incredible flavor and texture in every bite. Our server was very knowledgeable and gave great menu recommendations. The entire wait staff was friendly, attentive, and made sure everything was perfect throughout the meal. Every dish we tried had a mix of textures and bold flavors that kept us wanting more. My mom and mother in law both loved it too and they're not easy to please! Definitely one of my new go-to spots. I'll be back for sure.

Wow I tried out Yugenn last night with my friends and they took a group of us without calling in a reservation which we were happy for. We did family style ordering so we just ordered a bunch of their sushi and each bite just had so much flavor and different texture. Acouple of us had the hot plates which were all fantastic. The vibes were classy and sexy and our waitress was on point describing all the ingredients in their items. I didn't want a cocktail but after trying my friends I had to order one. Definitely a spot you have to try if you like top tier sushi!!!!