Yumi Japanese Restaurant & Bar - Excelsior

I had a great experience at Yumi’s Restaurant, where we tried the Hot Knight and Double Dragon from their specialties, both of which I really enjoyed. We also had the Philly roll from their classics, which was good, and the crispy rice tuna, which was a delightful first for me. This was only my second time trying sushi, and after a disappointing first experience elsewhere, Yumi’s has restored my hope in sushi. However, the service could use some improvement. One of the servers, who handled seating and water, was a bit careless. When the soy sauce pot spilled on our table, he simply said it was fine without cleaning it up. Additionally, we asked for a high chair for the baby, but he forgot to bring it.

We tried Yumi for my birthday since I live sushi and most Japanese cuisine but didn’t feel like driving downtown on a weeknight. It was ok but I don’t think we’ll go back. The wine selection was good, the liquor selection was whiskey or sake. They had pretty standard whiskey options for a Japanese restaurant, the sand seemed a little diverse but I’m not as knowledgeable there. We had a variety of rolls and nigiri. The rolls were decent and well priced but I was a little disappointed at how many were based around shrimp tempura. I was surprised and disappointed that even though they have several tempura items on the menu, none of them were tempura veggies. They lacked many veggie options to go with the meal. All in all, not bad enough that if someone wanted to go I would refuse. Not good enough that I will ever be that person that wants to go.

My husband and I went tried out their maki sushi because we heard great things about them. First, their rolls are very thick and fills your mouth completely. I very much enjoyed the feeling, although you can ask for thinner slices if you want. So far, I have been here twice and really enjoyed their maki rolls. Normally, I like to eat a lot but an order of calamari and 3 rolls was enough food for my husband and me. The chefs are Hispanic and have great personality. Our server was also hospitable and was attentive to us.

Excellent sushi. Very generous roll sizes. Chicken Fried rice was a bit soy sauce heavy. Yakisoba noodles are very sweet for my taste, but still delightful.

Guys you are the best in Twin Cities' area. Thank you for a lot of surprises, and wonderful food and time for my mother's 70th birthday.

I’m always impressed going to Yumi’s! Always try the specials! This hot spot has literally changed Excelsior - everyone loves sushi now! What a fantastic addition to this town. I’ve been coming to Yumi’s every time I’m in town and went tonight. We had the Tuna Crispy Rice appetizer with a Tonka Roll and K-Pop roll that was a special for the night. I’m an avid sushi lover, and my dad is a newbie, but we both absolutely loved the meal. Can’t go wrong with what you order!

Best sushi in the Midwest! I absolutely love this place and it’s my go-to for company and anyone who appreciates quality sushi. Pricey compared to most places in the area, but so worth it! Thanks for all the years of quality sushi, Yumis!

Yumi Sushi is my favorite place to have sushi! It’s made perfectly every time and SO delicious!

Mango, Spice, and Everything Nice: Yumi's Hits the Spot If I could eat sushi every day, Yumi's Sushi in Excelsior would be my first stop and last call. This place doesn't just make sushi--it makes *magic*. Every roll has a story to tell, and it's one you'll want to hear over and over again. Here's the setlist of hits: Titanic: Like a chart-topper you can't stop humming. That avocado salad on top is smooth and fresh, with those little fish eggs adding just the right pop. Summer Storm: It's got a Mexican vibe with mango that gives it a tropical twang--like a mariachi band on your taste buds. Water Street: The new kid on the block, with peppers that bring just enough heat to keep things interesting. Pacific: Mango salsa that feels like an encore you never want to end. Hamachi Jalapeño: My kids clean the plate with three orders every time--it's that good. Thinly sliced yellowtail fish, spicy, and downright addictive. Pair all this sushi magic with a cold Kirin Ichiban, and you've got yourself a perfect meal. Yumi's ain't just a sushi spot; it's a place where fresh fish, bold flavors, and good times come together. If you're a fan of food that hits all the right notes, you've gotta pull up a chair and dive in. Trust me, you'll be singin' Yumi's praises before you know it.

Deliciousness. The chicken udon is a must-order (& my repeat) along with the Marianne roll. I don't think you could go wrong with many items here. I also love the shishito peppers. Establishment is clean, quaint and has great, speedy service.

Yumi Yumi Yumi I got sushi in my tummy! I was visiting a friend in the Excelsior area.We decided to grab some grub.Yumi Japanese won our vote for new place to check out. I love sushi...rice meat, wasabi and pickled ginger! The honeymoon roll with the tuna,crab meat and special sauce was well done! The spicy tuna roll was well made! They featured an off the menu teriyaki wings...fried and seasoned to perfection.Service was friendly and quick. The restaurant is small so get there early.We sat at the counter where we could see our rolls being constructed. There is parking in the back ya'll!

My wife and I had not had a proper sushi date night since Covid and our house fire. We decided last night was the perfect time to hit an old favorite. We sat at the sushi bar, we started with shrimp shumai, and also received a special tuna tartar served on a tempura fired shisho leaf, it's was perfectly crispy base for that hand held perfect two bites! We also enjoyed the seaweed salad, always light refreshing, crisp and nice citrus flavor. We hand ordered a chef special roll, but ended up talking to the chef and going omakase, the roll was amazing, had over 5 different fish and a tempura shrimp, was a ten piece roll. They also had Toro on the menu that night, I had to get a couple pieces 2 nigiri and two sashimi. Bacon of the sea, melts in your mouth, so perfect. When we were thinking of another roll the chef handed us a special gift of another plate for 4 perfectly seasoned yellowtail and jalapeño hamachi. Was the perfect way to top the night off.

Came in for an early dinner/late lunch (and apparently just beat the rush); Servers were very friendly and welcoming as I came in, seated me at the sushi bar. Couldn't decide on all the many different things I wanted to try on the menu, but since I was sitting at the sushi bar I decided to just go with two rolls. Got the Marianne Specialty Roll - the cilantro and jalapeno in the roll started to give a flavor reminiscent of pho flavors, which was interesting. Also got "Roll #9" - which, in my opinion, stole the show. The thick cuts of salmon were high quality, brushing each piece with ponzu sauce really sets it off. If high quality sushi is what you are looking for, you will not be disappointed here

This place is fantastic! The service was friendly and attentive. The food was excellent and very unique. The seating was comfortable and very spacious. I absolutely loved the large kettle of hot green tea. The sushi selection had some traditional options and some very unique items.

We just had dinner here tonight for a friend's birthday! Great rolls, great service! Feel the pricing is a bit high, but then again when is quality sushi cheap?! Overall happy with the meal. Do wish we had some better recommendations on the sparking sake and the edamame had so much salt on it, which was strange. Would recommend for a nice sushi meal West of Minneapolis, in a cute town - Excelsior. A lot of nice shops and other restaurants in the area!

Grab some sushi which was excellent and fairly priced. Parking is available for free other in a lot behind the restaurant or in front of the restaurant on the street. Atmosphere was very casual. Service was great and the server was well knowledgeable about the menu. Will be back.

Service was perfect and attentive! Hoppin' evening with a packed house. Clean and perfect spot in the middle of the restaurant. Food was a 5 as always! Tried the fried rice spicy tuna appetizer and it was a new favorite that will be added into the rotation! Nice job!

The sushi is loaded, big portions. Very generous with the amount of fish. Great Atmosphere and service.

I had been to the Edina location many times, so when I found myself in downtown excelsior I just had to stop in! Same great menu as the other location and a cozy vibe. A good amount of staff on a Saturday night and a nice turn out of guests, with lots of open tables to go around. We were doing a progressive dinner along water street and we had to go for the crispy rice tuna here. It's the best around and comes out of the sushi bar super fast. You can't go wrong with any of the rolls - I especially recommend the Marianne roll (even if you aren't a sushi lover - TRY THIS). As for raw fish rolls: Mexican roll is the BEST. The staff and service here was super kind and attentive. I can't wait to stop in again soon!

Yumi Sushi is a perfect place to try a variety of sushi rolls! They have so many options to pick from and the atmosphere is great. There is street parking in the surrounding area and plenty of shops to stop by also before or after your meal. It was our first time dining here (on a Wednesday evening) and it did not disappoint. Our server was friendly and the service was quick! Didn't have to wait long at all for our 5 sushi rolls to be brought to our table . We got the following rolls and shared it amongst the four of us in our party and it was the perfect amount: - #9, 2-14, water roll, rainbow roll, and tonka roll We will be heading back here again in the near future!!

Love this place. Super great size rolls. Recommend the tonka roll. Could you outdoor seating area or better ambiance

Stopped by after getting a gift card as a gift! Probably the best well-rounded sushi establishment I've been to in Minnesota. Ambiance was a great blend of classy and sophisticated without being pretentious. Service was friendly, and food was very yummy. We started with the miso soup and seaweed salad, stuck to our favorite Philadelphia roll, adventured to the Titanic and Mexican Rolls, and finished with Green Tea ice cream. I would recommend all of it, especially the Titanic Roll as it was probably the best specialty roll I've had in a long time. Prices are a bit high, so we'll keep this to a "special event" night out, but overall highly recommend. *I should have probably chosen a 4 star review because we waited 45 minutes for our rolls due to a cook calling in sick, but the wait staff were so apologetic and the food was so great that I couldn't NOT give them five stars! :)

Yumi is a cozy restaurant in the middle of town, which makes for a great stopover after you've been walking around. It's not busy, which meant we got a table right away, and our server was with us almost immediately we sat. Service is cheerful and fast. Our server recommended the chef's selection which turned out to be fantastic! Between the two of us, one platter was more than enough (we had edamame for starters too). The sushi portions are big! Nice and ambient for a pit stop, my only comment is that the waitress hovered after we were done eating, so we felt rather rushed. For a place that's not busy, it would be great if they made patrons feel like they are welcome to stay and chat after their meals..

One of our favorite spots. Great service and great food. Every server has been wonderful and always remembers their guests. The menu looks expensive at first but when you see the portion sizes, it makes sense. The rolls are HUGE. The first time we came we thought we ordered enough for two but really it was enough for at least 4. Aside from sushi and nigiri, our must haves are the New Zealand mussels and the spicy Tako salad.

My friends and I love coming out to Yumi every once in a while despite the 25+ minute drive from Minneapolis. Staff is friendly and the sushi is always fresh with big portions!

I'm always impressed going to Yumi's! Always try the specials! This hot spot has literally changed Excelsior - everyone loves sushi now! What a fantastic addition to this town. I've been coming to Yumi's every time I'm in town and went tonight. We had the Tuna Crispy Rice appetizer with a Tonka Roll and K-Pop roll that was a special for the night. I'm an avid sushi lover, and my dad is a newbie, but we both absolutely loved the meal. Can't go wrong with what you order!

Always a great experience. Service is good, but can be slow if you visit on a busy night (not their fault, just busy). Food is amazing, I love their freshwater eel fried roll.

I have been eating at Yumi's for 20 years and usually good food, but the last time was horrible. The sashimi was tough, chewy and not fresh. We had to spit it out. We told our waitress and all we got was, "Oh, sorry". We expected better from one of the most expensive sushi restaurants in the Twin Cities. We will NOT being going back to this low grade sushi restaurant.

Incredible food, great service!! We come here often! Sashimi is so fresh great vibe too!

Okay... I was thrilled when I heard about this place. It's tough finding good sushi in the Midwest! I've been to this place maybe 5 or 6 times since discovering it in 2020. Like most sushi places, the possibilities are practically endless. Throughout all of our visits, one server has really stood out to us, Verne has been the absolute best! We appreciate the attention during our meals, even when Yumi is packed. The Food: Calamari: Their calamari is very light. Each time I've ordered it, it's been nicely cooked with just the right crunch. However, it does lack flavor. It's practically a carrier for the eel sauce. I'd like to see a ginger sauce to accompany it or some seasoning in the batter. 3/5. Sushi: Spider Roll: Typical spider roll. Nothing too special. 5/5. No. 9 Roll: Tyical no. 9 roll. 5/5. Icee Roll: Too much going on in each bite. I liked the creativity, but I think they should've stuck to one flavor pallet. I was confused by the numerous textures. But each giant bite was packed with flavor. Would order again. 4/5. Crunchy Roll: Please order this! Everyone loves a good crunch roll. 5/5. Winter Roll: If you like raw rolls, this is the roll for you. It's packed with the right textures, the right flavors, and is my favorite roll at the entire restaurant. 5/5.

I currently live in Tampa Florida so you would probably expect a city like Tampa to have some pretty good sushi spots and it does but they can't compete with Yumi's in Excelsior Minnesota. Not only does Yumi's have some of the best rolls I have had but how much you get for your money at this restaurant in my opinion is very impressive and a nice change. If you're in the area and you want great sushi you have to try this place.

Disappointed. We have been here numerous times and tonight was a poor experience. I ordered tempura udon and received the tempura dinner with under cooked rice. Our sushi rolls had too much rice and minimal kampyo. Our server was not engaged.

We went to the Yumi location in St Paul a couple months ago and decided we'd check out this location since it is closer to our home. The platters did not disappoint. We got a sashimi platter and a sushi platter. The sizes of the sashimi were very generous - I don't think I've seen sizes like this ever! It's so good. I also ordered mackerel nigiri. It was very fresh. We got the spicy tuna roll and the red dragon roll. I enjoyed both very much. As a bonus, the miso soup was probably the most flavorful miso soup I've had in a while. The plum whiskey was excellent. Would recommend on the rocks as our server recommended to me.

Chantia our server was amazing! This is the best sushi and service I have received at a sushi restaurant in Minnesota ever! Chantia our server was so quick, kind, and welcoming she made the experience top tier. I highly recommend this restaurant mainly for the service and the high end waitress experience.

Oh mylanta was this place GOOD!!! For a little sushi place in the outskirts of Minneapolis metro area, it was delish. Tons of rolls that were fancy to traditional and fantastic saki. We got the most expensive saki and it was very worth it. (saki pic below) Make a trip to this one, it was good. Fresh fish, plenty of offerings for everyone's taste. We got a lot of food and drink for $100, 2 people. Yum!!! Just writing this makes me want to go back.

Awesome food, awesome ambiance, awesome server (Chin). A little expensive, but food prices are up all over and so many things made up for it.

The customer service is great and the food is good. However two days ago I ordered the crab appetizer and shared it amongst my family. Beginning the night of we all are extremely sick with food poisoning. Please be careful what you eat here!

A part of me has a doubt in my conscience for writing a review like this during such a difficult time. I understand that the ability to purchase high-quality sushi at a high price is a great privilege and please understand that this review is only based on the fact that for years I have eaten at this restaurant and never once have I had the unpleasant outcome of my order as I did yesterday. I live in downtown Minneapolis so it took me about 25 minutes to get out to YUMI. I'll first start by saying that the gentleman who took my order was very friendly, and I had no issue with customer service. My issue comes with the quality of what I ate. I understand that sometimes when you take things like this out rather than eat in, it does take away some of the initial elegance of enjoying sushi. I ordered both a winter roll and a spicy tuna roll. Both of them claimed to be topped with crunchy bits. Here's where the challenge began. It appeared as though the rolls of sushi had almost in rolled in tempura flakes rather than have them sprinkled on top and then when it was drizzled with eel sauce everything became soggy. Both rolls looked basically the same and just lacked the elegance and finesse in the hand making of the rolls that I was accustomed to having at this fine sushi establishment. There were so many flakes on top of the sushi that it made it feel like a breaded roll rather than something fresh delicate and light. I learned recently that new ownership came in, in the form of a restaurant group. This makes me sad. The same thing happened to many restaurants in uptown Minneapolis one big groups take over quality goes down. However the particularly frustrating part about this, is that 2 rolls were still 45$. I'm glad that I was able to support restaurants that I love. However, my interest in supporting this restaurant now that it's part of a large group has dwindled. Particularly if the quality is going to feel as low as it did last night in comparison to the 5 *Star experience that I am accustomed to having. Yumi would be disappointed. So am I. Please try to step it up. Tips: For takeout.... Eel sauce and Mayo on the side when crispy rolls need to stay crispy. Also, tighter to go containers to hold rolls together. I prefer Wakame. Although my final thought is that YUMI still uses big chunks of nice tasting fish. It's jus the general sloppiness of the rolls that turned me off. Taste was OK.

I spend most of my year in Southern California, exposed to a lot of raw fish and sushi. While perhaps the quality of the fish isn't as top as I've had before, the roll preparation and variation is well done! Of the accessible sushi for west metros, this is my favorite. I try a new roll every time I visit, and this past time tried the 2-14 and the Lobster Roll. To start, I've gotten use to the Spicy Tako Salad - very flavorful and provides you a variety of raw and cooked fish. If you are new to sushi, or looking to expand your horizons, I would try the tako salad or the hamachi (yellowtail) sashimi! The yellowtail w jalapeño is a staple appetizer, that I try to taste at every Japanese/sushi restaurant I stop at! For the specialty rolls, The 2-14 is one of my favorite (and pretty at that), and even too big to fit in one bite! Lobster roll was good, a nice contrast with the shrimp tempura and spicy tuna. I would suggest both. Neither are too heavy, like some of the Specialty Roll options I have experienced! All in all, i would suggest making a stop in; if your comparing nearby sushi restaurants, this is the most prestige! Service is attentive and friendly. If dining alone I would sit at the bar and ask the chefs for suggestions, they truly know best.

Amazing sushi. Large pieces and quality fish. Sashimi is a MUST. The salmon is the best I've ever had. The waiter even brought out free mochi as we were celebrating an anniversary

Yumi's is a staple sushi place in Minnesota. I haven't been for a few years and was back in Minnesota visiting so thought I would give it another try. This isn't just good sushi by Minnesota standards - this is good sushi by any region in the USA's standards. Highly recommend if you're around the Excelsior area!

Be aware of the new 4.5% surcharge that is tacked on to your bill. This is new since the last time we had been there. From what I can tell, it isn't listed on their website and/or their menus. Deceiving.......

Yumi is one of our favorite Sushi Spots. The salmon Sashimi and the Firecracker roll are two of our absolute favorites. Fish is fresh, rolls are large, and the flavor combinations are wonderful! The menu can be overwhelming, but the staff is great. Make sure you ask about the specials! Yes, it's expensive (what GREAT sushi spot isn't), yes the rolls are huge, but this just means more food for you! I highly recommend checking out this gem in Excelsior!

This place could really use a happy hour to attract more people as well as actual cocktails

amazing food,I haven't had the sushi tho but my family absolutely loves it I personally recommended the teriyaki steak I love the workers

This sushi is pretty decent. I would say it's the best but if you're in Saint Paul and you're looking for sushi that's decent, I'd say go here. It's pretty expensive though. Am I going to come back? Probably because it's in the heart of Saint Paul, the restaurant is super clean and pretty, there's parking out back and they validate your parking for you.

Fantastic date spot, awesome location, good vibe & environment, great Sushi. Would recommend to anyone looking to Celebrate a special occasion or spend a night with a special someone!

We were visiting from Newport Beach, CA, staying in Excelsior for a few days. Friends suggested we try Yumi since we are sushi lovers. Yumi did not disappoint. We started with a selection of sashimi, hamachi, red snapper, yellowtail and ​ahi, all excellent. Finished with a dragon roll with eel and a Tonka roll. The Tonka roll was hands down the best roll we have eaten anywhere!! Service was excellent! Sue was our server.

Ventured out to Excelsior the other day for sushi based on some of the Yelp reviews. Good thing I didn't have high expectations. Otherwise, I probably would have been somewhat disappointed. I'll mention the good things about this place first. Food arrives very quickly like within 15 minutes after ordering, and there are open seats on a Friday night. The sashimi slices are thick and decent. Chirashi (~$25) came with 15 slices of fish, some marinated veggies, and a couple pieces of tamago so the value is actually okay. The lollipop roll was big as well, to the point where you might have to split each piece into two bites. The surrounding streets are cute with small boutiques and shops to stroll around before or after the meal. Here are the not-so-good things. The rice is too mushy and is missing the mild vinegary and sweet flavor typical of sushi rice. Some of the sashimi pieces are too cold, and the marinated veggies did not taste very good. The lollipop roll was okay but should have tasted better for the ~$25 price tag. The space itself is quite congested. The host initially took us to the sushi bar without asking for our preference, and then when we asked for a table instead, we were seated right by the kitchen entrance and restroom aisle, a busy area where servers and customers are coming in and out. And there were plenty of open tables. Overall, I would not go out of my way to come back, and it's not one of those places worth specifically coming to eat at. However, if you happen to be in the neighborhood and looking for food, then go for it. For sushi in the Western suburbs, Sushi Fix is a much better option at a similar price.

Yumi's Sushi Bar is hands-down the best sushi restaurant in the area. The prices are pretty expensive, but the sushi is fantastic and the service is great. It's a small restaurant, but usually the wait time isn't too bad, especially if you only have two people and are willing to sit at the sushi bar. My favorite roll here is the crunchy roll. The owner, Yumi, cares so much about the quality of sushi and the dining experience that she walks around the restaurant and talks to guests all the time. I highly recommend going to Yumi's Sushi Bar if you're looking for Sushi in the Excelsior area. You will spend a bit of money, but the food is worth it!

Very good sushi for Minnesota. Probably the best we have had since moving here and great service, which is the reason for the 5th star.

Presentation is lovely. Rolls are HUGE. Like, you-need-to-cut-each-piece-in-half-just-to-fit-it-in-your-mouth huge. Would not recommend it as a first date maki spot... unless you like long silences. Bites this large take twice as long to chew. It's awkward. Most of the specialty rolls are rolled in soy paper rather than the typical maki alternatives, which isn't for me but that's okay. Spring for the baked green mussels. You won't regret it. Also solid sashimi.

My husband and I love this restaurant for date night. Pre-covid we would sit at the sushi bar and had fun watching the chefs prepare the sushi. Post covid it is still great for date night. We order the tonka roll and the 214 roll. Definitely recommend for any/all sushi lovers.

Since they outgrew their former outfit, Yumi's has unfortunately lost touch with their appeal. What used to be personable and professional service is now an after thought, and the fish itself seems to be much lower quality. Our server seemed to be nice enough, but we didn't see too much of him, even though the restaurant was nearly empty. The miso soup with was served barely lukewarm. The sashimi platter was poorly cut with several pieces that's smell and color made us question the freshness. The rolls were sloppily put together and most selections made with a lot of mayonnaise. A $55 bottle of wine, one D-grade sashimi platter and 4 faux-Japanese rolls came to $400. We weren't looking for a budget night out but the value just isn't there. Sadly, while a visit to Yumi used to be a frequent and highly anticipated night on the town, I have no desire to return. In general, a negligent presentation at outrageous prices. Good night, Yumi.

Hands down the best sushi place in the twin cities! Been going here for years and have never been let down. Be sure to try the salmon belly nigiri or honeymoon roll, both absolutely fantastic!

Yumi is a talented Korean woman who knows her sushi. Who woulda thunk that a teeny-tiny sushi restaurant, one block from Lake Minnetonka, would make it. But it has, and deservedly so. The fish is fresh and the tempura light and flavorful. Yumi's is almost always crowded, which in the winter can be a drag because there's precious little room inside to wait for a table to open up.

Sushi connoisseur here This is by far the best place to get fresh Sashimi West of Minneapolis! Service is prompt even on busy Saturday nights. Great tempura and calamari and of course anything fish!