Maybe it is because I am not used to being in B'ham but I have had better sushi from grocery stores in Saint Louis, no joke. I loved the atmosphere and the service was very good but the pricing was crazy high for the quality and the food I had was not that good. Not to mention $5 for one piece of sashimi is ridiculous in my opinion.
(2)
Anne R.
Sexy little place. Great for a Sunday night date night. Kadoma tuna a must--even though it's smaller than it used to be. Ceviche used to be the best I've ever had but they don't include as many seafood items anymore. It's more like a salad with seafood in it. But still delicious. My husband takes our young daughters here for date night frequently. Even great for them...cook steak on a rock! So fun. Last bonus for me... They serve Sancerre.
(4)
Caleigh R.
Used the last of our Superdeals--but know that we'll be coming back for sushi when we need our fix! We treated ourselves this week and had the Snow Maiden Sake with our meal. Not too sweet and the carafe hits the spot when you want something cold with your sushi. We had the tempura green beans to start--these are very tasty but they appear to come out different each time. They could have been cooked a little bit longer, but still very good. We always go for the Jinsei Special. Trust me, it's a no brainer. This week we decided to have the kadoma tuna. I can eat this with just wasabi on it--no need for soy sauce, although David prefers to dip it in his soy mixture. Overall, we enjoy Jinsei--prices are a bit steep, but when we want to treat ourselves, it's a good go-to place. I like the atmosphere and the staff is incredibly helpful/pleasant. We sat at the bar this time and that made for one of the better experiences. Not sure how much we love the three tables by the bar that are all on top of each other. You can hear EVERYTHING your neighbors are saying--and that's just awkward. They may want to rethink that design.
(4)
Andrew M.
the sushi was delicious and the wine selection was vast. Service was very friendly and the nightly specials (1/2 price wine on Tuesdays) are a pretty good deal. If you like sushi, you won't find any better in town. If you don't like waiting, I suggest going on a random weeknight and maybe a little on the early or late side. The place is small and can get very crowded. Also, it is not cheap to eat there, but you get what you pay for!
(4)
Bryan Z.
Mediocre sushi and WAAAAYYY overpriced. Yeah, it's a total scene--I'd rather have good sushi. I don't mind paying lots of money for great sushi but I've paid less in NY, Las Vegas and Denver in way trendier places for a much better product. This place is a totally obnoxious trap.
(2)
Ayon J. R.
Wish the food were as good as the service. 10/3/12: Made grammatical edit.
(3)
Sally B.
Hot kiss cocktail = heaven. The tuna kadoma was delicious as always love the fresh jalapeños with the cool tuna. It gets better every time I try it. Tempura green beans, Holy Moly, they are super crispy but not oily at all. D and I shared the Bangkok roll and Kobe beef sliders. The roll was good nothing too fancy. The sliders were okay. Taste the BBQ sauce before dipping; it tasted like it had hints of coffee, cinnamon, and lots of sweet. Gross or just not for me. Then we ordered the wings. I was very disappointed. They tasted like On Taps version of Asian wings. My friend b ordered the rock shrimp. I could have sworn they were supposed to be crunchy but they were soggy swimming in a lemony aioli. I will be going back as overall, most of the food was delicious.
(4)
John C.
This is a cool place to hang out. Good vibe and really good Sushi. I always order the same things: Kadoma Tuna which is really, really good, the River Rock beef, and Cucumber Mojitos. All of these never disappoint me.
(4)
John R.
I have been to Jinsei on two occasions. On the first visit, My ex-girlfriend and I went and had the time of our lives. I felt like I relived the movie hangover in front of the sushi bar and I can easily say it was one of the best times I think that I could have possibly had eating sushi. The second time I went to eat at Jinsei I was announcing to my family and close friends that I was getting married to my fiance... It was in October and it was about 32 degrees outside and we had a 2 month old baby in attendance with us... We had a party of about 12 including the child and as usual there was no where to sit. So we headed outside while we were waiting the hostess came out and lit the gas light heater for 2 young ladies and looked at us and walked inside...We had a 2 month old baby with us... I freaked out and almost lost it because I talked this place up so badly to my family and friends...I will never go back to Jinsei again.
(2)
JanieMac D.
Absolutely has the best sushi in town. Their tempora greenbean are like heaven. Oh and my favorite, the Kobe beef sliders are amazing!!! I could eat them every trip!!! I love this restaurant so much I bought the VIP card just so I would never have to wait in line for a table! Great place to meet you friends an have some dinner and cocktails!
(5)
Derek W.
I had the Kadoma Tuna and the Bubblegum Roll - on two consecutive nights - because in my opinion, it really was that good. Service was excellent, would highly recommend.
(5)
Christian X.
Absolutely amazing!!! Everything from the sushi to the entrees. The Kobe Wrapped Asparagus was delightful and wine selection was great. Our server was friendly and informative. It was busy and had to wait a while for a table but that didn't matter because of they have their waiting area. The best part is that the outside dining is smoke free. This is truly one of the best restaurants in Birmingham and definitely the best sushi. Will be going back and bringing friends!!!!
(5)
Emily H.
Terrible service! Worst experience ever and we didn't even get seated to eat!!!! I get to see my husband every 3 weeks and he surprised me this Friday and planned a dinner date night at Jinsei. We got there and there were 3 ppl in front of us. Almost an hour wait later everyone who waited before us and came in after us had been getting seated. The hostess at one point (about) 20 minutes in to our wait scratched our name off the list. Why??? Who knows!! So my hubby had to tell her we were still waiting. Needless to say after an hour of ppl getting sat down that came in after us we left!! And all the hostess could FINALLY mention was that the front seating area is first come first serve....good to know considering it was our first trip there and we had already waited an hour. We have never been treated like this anywhere. What a shame, and our commute there was an hour round trip! Thanks for ruining our date night.
(1)
Alan B.
Jinsei is a wonderful sushi restaurant with a few French twists. And since those are two of my favorite styles of food and dining how could I help but fall in love with this place? Jinsei is by far one of the best culinary experiences in the area but not exactly the best dining experience. Let me explain. First the good. The sushi is impeccable and rivals anything I have had the world over. The way they make the allusion to Pomme Frites with their Tempura Fried Green Beans is subtle, thoughtful and so delicious. The wait staff are wonderful and the atmosphere is like being inside a hip bento box. And their Champagne selection is wonderful if maybe only slightly limited. The very good but not so good for your waistline. If you are on a date or flying solo take a seat at the sushi bar. It is entertaining and it gives you a chance to preview what is on the menu and also chat with the sushi chefs. I will warn you though that you will want to eat each and every last roll that comes off that bar. Now the really not so good. They don't take reservations. The dining room is very small to say the least. And when filled to capacity some patrons are made to eat in the "lounge" area which is no more than a tight corridor of banquettes and tiny stools. Never the less I will continue to patron this fine if not a little odd establishment on a very frequent basis. Give it a try. If you can look past some of the short comings you will find a culinary experience not soon to be forgotten. I know I can't go a month without hitting this place up.
(4)
Meena N.
I'm not a big sushi fan (a once a month kinda gal), but my date insisted that we visit Jinsei Sushi, as he claimed it was the best sushi in Bham. We arrived at 7:00PM (Wednesday night) and the place was packed. We walked in, and I was overcome by the small space and the number of people! It was still hot (and humid) outside, but we could at least hear each other if we grabbed one of the few remaining tables on the patio. Within 10 minutes, all of the other tables were occupied, so I don't know where folks were sitting or how long the wait was. We started off with drinks - I had the blackberry mojito (not sweet at all, which I like), and my date had the strawberry margarita (too sweet for my liking). We ordered two appetizers: the grilled edamame, and the tempura fried green beans. The edamame arrived fairly quickly, but the green beans never made it out. It was fine since we had ordered plenty of sushi, but our waitress never acknowledged that it was left off of the order (minus 1 star). The edamame was steamed and grilled, which gave it a nice, distinctive flavor. After our appetizer, we waited almost 30 minutes for our 3 rolls to arrive: It was disappointing how slow service was. We ordered the Bangkok, Jarijari, and Madori rolls. They were flavorful (and all very different), and we enjoyed all three, but the price seemed a little steep for the amount of food (minus one star for slow service and price). I could see myself visiting Jinsei again for special occasions, but I don't see this as my regular go-to spot for sushi in Homewood.
(3)
Alan M.
I hate to give bad reviews. In fact, I don't think I ever have. I prefer to let the management know if I have a problem (which I rarely do), so they have the opportunity to fix the issue without pulling down a rating. But my last experience at Jinsei was pretty awful, and I just could not believe our server David. We were there for hours for a friends birthday and spent hundreds of dollars (which is pretty easy to do at Jinsei, even if it is the Sunday special), yet David was constantly annoyed at us and would walk away while in the middle of trying to order food and drinks. I was a server for years, as was everyone at our table, and we could not believe how rude he was, while we were continually cheerful and respectful to him. At the end of the night I wanted to order 2 rolls to go to take to my husband at work. When I received the bill, the 2 rolls were not included at the Sunday special price, and when I asked about it, he said, "That's not for to go orders." While we had just eaten there and spent over $300! It's not as if I had called in a to go order and come to pick it up. And if that's the policy, ok, but at least tell the customers that when they ask for the last 2 rolls to go, not once you bring the rolls and the bill. I would not have ordered them had I known (they were almost $20 more when not on special). For the amount you pay at Jinsei, I was shocked to get this kind of service. And what a disappointment for my friend's birthday! I'm not expecting a free dessert with a song or anything, but to at least have someone treat you like a paying customer would be nice. I will say, their ambiance is nice, and their Kadoma Tuna is amazing. I may order that to go someday (not on special), but other than that, I will take my busines elsewhere. I recommend Sushi Village instead, where the sushi is great and very affordable, and the servers are always friendly.
(2)
Garrett P.
Best sushi in Birmingham, and I still remember this place very fondly. Went here multiple times a couple of years ago when I lived in Birmingham; was even just having a conversation with a good friend a couple of nights ago and trying to recall the name of the roll that had the bits of jalapeno in it (it was a tuna based roll, so if anyone on here can help me out with the name for if/when I make my way back there).. They can make a good Sapphire martini, in fact a couple of their "girly" house drinks were even impressive enough for me to swill, and I'm a pretty stodgy 'cigar and whiskey and porterhouse' kinda guy.. The decor fits right in in some of the west-coast cities, or NYC .. But very definitively not Birmingham and that, ultimately, is why I'm a fan.
(4)
Becky E.
I really, really love this place, and yesterday I noticed they are now open for lunch, which just thrills my heart! The kadoma tuna and the cucumber mojito are my favorites. I order them every time I go. The tempura green beans and veggies are also really wonderful. All of the sushi I have ordered has always been very good. Jinsei would get 5 stars from me if the restaurant wasn't so cramped. Wish they would expand!
(4)
Jeremy J.
My wife and I stopped in for lunch on a Saturday because the place was highly recommended by some friends. The staff was friendly. The sushi was good, but it wasn't as good as I'd hoped. Their sashimi was actually really good... better than many places in town. Their roll selection however, was quite limited and unimaginative. The rolls themselves were okay, but no better than what you would get at your run of the mill Japanese steakhouse. The atmosphere seems more like a cocktail bar than a restaurant, and I imagine that it's a fabulous place to have sushi and wine or cocktails on a Friday night. If your craving great sushi for lunch though, there are better options around.
(3)
Allison E.
Super cute, yet small place down that is serving up high quality sushi and a more upscale atmosphere. Cute interior with a few bar seats, patio and dining tables. Most patrons were on the dressy side - something different than the other sushi places we have tried in the area. We didn't make a reservation and for a Saturday night around 8:30p the place was pretty dead. My party of three was seated promptly at a low dining table - two dining chairs and a bench that was not the same height as the chairs. It was weird.. You would think they would add a cushion or something to make it the same height. Our Waiter wasn't overly friendly, actually he wasn't personable at all - but our order was correct, everything came out timely and our drink glasses were never empty. We started with grilled shishito peppers, edamame, & six tebasaki wings. The portions were larger than I was expecting, but overall all good choices to share. The wings were outrageous - super flavorful and crunchy! We then moved onto a Spider roll, Red Dragon roll and the Shirohama roll. All were a good size, rolled well and included a good combo of ingredients. Their menu includes apps, specialty sushi rolls (no basic, ie, spicy tuna, but maybe you can ask?), hot entrees and cold entrees. Full bar, decent wine choices and a fun cocktail menu. 4 stars for the atmosphere, and good food - could have been 5 if the waiter had a personality. This may be a little pricier than other spots in the area, but the food is high quality and well prepared so you'll end your meal feeling satisfied with both the amount you spend and the delish food.
(4)
Derek B.
First time to visit and very impressed. A small, intimate space. Interesting interior. Great service from Alex and Dakota at the bar. I ordered the black cod miso as my meal and it was delicious. A relatively small portion but delicious. Will go back. I recommend.
(4)
Preeyam P.
I had a fantastic experience here. I was very well taken care of at the bar and much enjoyed the sushi. I would highly recommend the watermelon mojito and shipiro roll :)
(5)
Tracey R.
This place is pricey! That said, it's worth it if you are on a date or wanting a nice meal. I stayed at the Aloft across the street from this place on a recent visit and went there based on a recommendation from a coworker. Amazing ambiance (I sat at the sushi bar area given I was a party of one) and I really enjoyed my experience. The guys behind the bar were focused but friendly, and the servers were attentive and professional. More importantly, the food was great! Highly recommend....if you are ok with the high -- on par with New York City -- prices.
(4)
Brett P.
I have to say since I have moved from Savannah to Birmingham, this has been the best place I've eaten yet. Hands down the best sushi in town! Hats off to this fine establishment!! Thank you David for recommending this place and thanks to the rest of the staff including Micah, Ricardo and Nate!! Not to mention everyone else who was kind enough to take time out of their very busy Sunday night schedule to make a couple "newbies" to the Birmingham/ Homewood scene feel at home!!!
(5)
Mark T.
Great sushi and small plates. I thought it was very reasonably priced for what it was. It's an upscale place with some inventive dishes. It's not a traditional sushi place, but the quality of the fish was certainly very good. I'll certainly be going back.
(5)
Caitlin S.
Cute decor, but table was super sticky when I went with my mom for a snack a little after the lunch wave. My chair had soy sauce on it too. My mom LOVED her roll-- said it was the best she's had. I think it was some sort of raw salmon roll that was fried. My veggie roll was nothing special. Veggies were crispy and fresh but rice seemed under-seasoned. Server was personable when he was around, but he didn't come around often. Seems more like a night-life place. I'd go again.
(3)
TASTY T.
jinsei "life" not bad for Alabama. service is great but the fish is mediocre. the miso cod reminds me of my mothers cooking but the downfall is that the cod is a little old and the bloodline of the fish is a little fishy due to age. the rolls are very americanized and unique, if you are looking for a japanese experience don't come here but if its for fun and a good time, jinsei is the place.
(2)
Eunice T.
I go here for two things: the sushi & the mojitos. The absolute best sushi in Birmingham. You won't find the typical california roll or crunch crunch roll or whatever other generic roll most Japanese steakhouses in the area serve. If that's the type of sushi you like, Jinsei is not for you. However, if you love sushi & all the creativeness that goes into different rolls, come here! Bring friends! But not too many. It's not a restaurant for group gatherings as it is a tiny in space compared to surrounding establishments. It is perfect for GNOs, 1st dates, double dates, & groups of 6 or less. There are a handful of tables & seats @ the sushi bar. In the warmer season there is more seating including the outdoor tables. The majority of the seating is the lounge area, where you also get full service & more elbow room. The sushi is different & delicious. The Bangkok roll & Yoshiko roll are favorites. The menu is pricey; it's located in downtown Homewood aka SoHo after all. Jinsei has great specials though. All sushi rolls on Sunday are $8, usually $12-15. They also make great martinis & girly mojitos, which on Mondays are $7, usually $13. The mojitos are worth the regular $13 price & come in a variety of flavors. I recommend the mango-ginger. The whole establishment is nothing like Birmingham, very NYC, which is what makes it so perfect.
(4)
Knox W.
I have never had a bad meal at Jinsei, best sushi in b-ham.... Great service as well
(5)
Louisa E.
Best sushi anywhere. Fried green beans too!
(5)
M B.
Jinsei is the highest quality sushi found in Birmingham. Of course, with the high quality comes the high prices. This restaurant reminds me of something you would find in NYC. They have a good selection of fresh fish, and the sushi chefs KNOW what they are doing. The restaurant is very small and they have a tendency to rush you in and out. I like the atmosphere, but space is very tight. I continue to go back, but I think that is a reflection of the limited sushi selection in Birmingham.
(3)
Louay B.
The best sushi in the state of Alabama. It's located in the new condo area of homewood named "So-Ho", could they actually come up with something original? Excellent cuts of fish, perfect rice, and excellent presentation. The place is a little small, but they also have outdoor seating during warm weather months, which in Birmingham means 10 months out of the year. Jinsei has a great wine list and good cocktails. I would recommend this place for just drinks. It's going to be a little pricey for sushi, but well worth it. Simple, low tone house music playing and nice service allows you to enjoy your meal.
(4)
Derek M.
Very fresh food that was well presented, a very nice, modern atmosphere, and great service.
(5)
Jason B.
In from Atlanta on business and stayed at new hotel across the street. Was kind of craving sushi, so was glad to see well-reviewed sushi restaurant right across the street. I am not the kind to hand out bad reviews willy-nilly. But, Jinsei really disappointed. First off, I was astonished by the prices. No roll cheaper than $10. Sushi is minimum $2.50 for one piece. These are high-end Atlanta prices. Large hot sake is also $10. I think miso soup is $4.50. That said, dining room was small, intimate and comfy. I was quickly shown to a nice table. Service, in fact, was swift and friendly throughout the meal. My major problem was the price relative to the quality (and quantity) of the sushi. I get that sushi restaurants are pricey. I've found the most expensive ones are rarely worth the big ticket, and Jinsei was no exception. I initially balked at a $10 California Roll, but then noticed that the menu read 'fresh snow crab.' This is a direct quote, because I triple checked the menu. Ordered one. I also ordered a Jinsei roll ($15) and the roll with eel (can't remember the name - $13). Well, the California Roll showed up just like any supermarket California Roll. Small-ish, eight piece roll with Krab stick -- definitely NOT 'fresh snow crab.' The Jinsei roll was tasty, but the tuna filling was the scraps that would normally be served in a cheap spicy tuna roll and not what I would expect for the only fish ingredient in a $15 roll. The eel roll was soaked in eel sauce, rendering the hamachi, which was also in the roll, completely indistinguishable. Each of the three rolls were 8 pieces, but small - maybe slightly more than an inch in diameter. These are the kind of rolls I would expect to be in the $6-$8 range. Again, reminded me of the kind of sushi I get at the local supermarket, at three times the price. I almost convinced myself the menu prices were a joke, until I got the bill. Three rolls totaled about $40 with tax. I drank water and ordered nothing else. Left hungry. Best sushi in the state of Alabama? I'm so sorry.
Best sushi in Birmingham! Great service and some of the best mixed drinks I have ever had. You have to try the watermelon margarita when in season, to die for!
(5)
Roman H.
IMHO this is the best sushi in the Metro area. Nice ambiance, great staff. It's a pretty tight spot, but once the kadoma tuna makes its way out to the table all is well. I would also highly recommend the mojitos.
(5)
Cecille R.
Great little option for sushi in Homewood. My friend and I were staying at the Aloft hotel down the street and decided to dine here. Unfortunately, it was super packed for a Friday night and about a 30-40 minute wait. It was super chilly outside but we decided to brave it and dine outside under one of the heated lamps. I was skeptical because I have always had the experience of being forgotten when dining outside. But at Jinsei, I can say that they seemed to go out of their way to check on us. I didn't get a chance to really peek inside but it looks very cozy and swanky. Definitely looks like a place where the young local college crowd goes to when they want to get dressed up! We ended up ordering several "Hot dish" appetizers to start. I had the rock shrimp tempura which comes out on this big boat platter and was way more than I anticipated. It was more citrusy in taste than I expected even though on the menu it states that it comes with a "spicy aioli". My friend ordered the river rock kobe which is cool to order on a chilly night. They bring out a hot black rock and you can sear cuts of flank steak to your liking. It comes with a ponzu dipping sauce. As for sushi, I ordered the Red Dragon which had a combination of spicy tuna, seared tuna, cucumber and spicy dressing. It comes out on a long white plate and was plated beautifully. And it was really good. I'm so glad I didn't order more as I was full at that point. There were so many creative rolls on the menu and if I was in the area again, I would venture back to. The service was very attentive and our glasses were always full. There is really nothing to criticize - it was a pleasant dinner.
(4)
Lidiya I.
I signed up on Yelp just to write this review. Came by for the sole reason of knowing they were serving toro, but unfortunately only sake and hamachi toro. The excitement faded; five dollars for one piece of thin cut sashimi. Fifteen for single rolls. The rolls themselves, though description put them as fresh and exciting, are nothing but pretentious. The flavors and ingredients blended very well, but putting them in a blender and eating the outcome would have been the same experience. Nothing robust, nothing savory, and nothing that could stand on its own. Paid a very generous amount for next to nothing, but thank God for the atmosphere being lovely! Very upscale and fitting ambiance---made the hour long wait, cramped quarters, and slow service feel less like I was in Birmingham and more like I was in the ritzy part of NYC. But at least in NYC I can get a corner hotdog and feel like a person again afterwards.
(1)
Massimo F.
Definitively the best sushi in town! In my only partially acknowledge idea on the matter, the sushi shouldn't come freezer could at your plate, and indeed here it comes nicely fresh but not cold so you can appreciate in full the delicate taste of the fish. Service is professional at its best. Atmosphere is nice, but here it comes the missing 5 stars... the place is too small for the number of table they packed in! The place is overweeningly full, and you can hardly enjoy the great food because of the been squeezed like a sardine in a can. Great place where to eat great food, not so optimal for a relaxing dinner
(4)
Bruce K.
Just a quick dinner and I was trying to be somewhat healthy. I think I did that here at Jinsei. I started with the Chilli miso soup. This was strange. Not bad, just very different from any sort of expectation I might have had. Sure it was spicy but it had all sorts of stuff in it. Almost like a vegetable soup with a miso base. Different and creative rolls, I don't recall the name of the one that I chose, but I think it was tuna and salmon and avocado and maybe a tempura asparagus with a crunch on top. It was good. Decent size, but two of these would be needed to ensure of fully tummy. This was a fancy place. Quite high end. If you're looking to impress a date, I think you'd be hard challenged to do better than Jinsei. Because maybe not everyone likes raw fish and for those folks, there are quite a few cooked options.
(4)
Anna H.
Best sushi in Birmingham, hands down! Be sure to stop by for Sunday Specials - reduced prices on drinks and most rolls are only $9!
(5)
Karen D.
Yum!! Had the chili miso and a spider roll. Great little place in Homewood/soho. Great atmosphere... Would be a good location to meet for cocktails after work with the added bonus of great sushi! I will definitely visit again.
(5)
Caroline B.
Best sushi in Birmingham. The rolls are very fresh and light. Also all the mojitos are very refreshing (especially blackberry and grapefruit). Great hangout spot with lovely food!
(4)
Christina C.
Sleek place in a nice shopping part of town. I really wish the shops around this restaurant didn't close at 5 p.m. (although a couple do stay open till 7 p.m.). This is a really cute area that I would direct all out of towners to. This is your modern, sleek, Japanese restaurant. All dark colors and simple lines. I sat at the sushi bar. There was a nice size crowd on a Tuesday night, not too empty that you wonder what is wrong with the place, but not too crowded that you don't get a seat. I got the Shag Roll and the Lobster Roll. Both were solid choices. I would suggest trying either. Overall, this is a sushi place that will not disappoint.
(4)
Carrie H.
This might be one of the best sushi places In the southeast. They are so consistently on point. Every sushi roll has always been amazing. To add the service and ambiance are top of its class. I have tried most of the menu and would go back for sake and sushi anytime!
(5)
Brad E.
This is not a place to go by yourself. The best single seating areas are the bar and sushi bar. If you sit at the sushi bar you are going to have waiters constantly reaching around you to grab sushi dishes. Also, I didn't feel the food justified the price. Sushi itself is not as exotic as it once was. I'm not sure what drives the price so high. All of the food was tasty but I didn't think my meal was worth almost 80 dollars not including tip. I ordered two drinks that were on special for $5, a seaweed salad, a Kobe beef dish and two rolls. Heck, maybe I just ordered too much food, but I had been traveling all day and was very hungry. Even dividing the cost by two this would not have been enough food for two people.
(3)
Craig M.
When I want sushi I go to Jinsei. Its worth the drive from Tuscaloosa. The specialty rolls are always on point. The service has always been great and very helpful. My girlfriend loves their mojitos and I enjoy their nice selection of whiskey and bourbon. They also have $9 dollar rolls on sunday so if your on a budget check it out then. Usually very busy so except to wait for a table but its definitely worth it.
(5)
Colleen K.
While the atmosphere is chic and trendy (albeit small) I just didn't see the bang for my buck here. My husband and I got one sushi roll each, I got one bowl of miso soup and 1 cocktail. He drank a coke. Our bill: over $60. The food itself was just alright. Meh.
(3)
Ee Vonn Y.
This place is a $plurge. Even with their promotions, you won't be spending less than $40. It adds up somewhere somehow. Get the outdoor seating because it's just lovely. The service here is fantastic and the waiters here take great care of you. The tuna kadoma is an appetizer you have to get. The ingredients sound unremarkable. with avacado and jalapeno peppers on top of some tuna on top of a rice cake. This combination sounds disgusting but it's not. The sushi is fantastic. It's about the same price as a lot of other sushi places so anything is a safe pick.
(4)
Craig N.
For B'ham this is the best sushi around. And Sunday nights are the time to go with 9 dollar for all sushi and $6 sakeritas which are awesome. The sushi is all fresh and the rolls are imaginative. Start with some tempura green beans which come with a great spicy aioli. Just know it's a small place so it doesn't take much for a wait to start. Just grab a sakerita and hang out till ur table is ready
(4)
Julie L.
Went for lunch and had the crunch roll and Alabama roll. Both were good, but not what I would consider great. Perhaps I should have ordered something different?
(3)
Antony C.
Dropped in here for a quick lunch. Ordered a miso soup and couple of rolls. Miso soup was a bit salty. Crunch roll wasn't that crunchy drenched and sitting in sauce. Alabama roll was decent. Over-priced for what you got. Service was friendly and prompt.
(2)
Lydia W.
Always excellent food and the intimate ambiance is wonderful. Sushi is amazing, so is the rock shrimp tempura. Great lunch menu, friendly staff. Perfect for a quiet date night or casual lunch. Love!
(5)
Kathryn D.
I was here on Friday night with a friend. We were looking for high quality sushi and a more upscale atmosphere: Jinsei seemed to fit the bill. We arrived and were promptly seated without a reservation, a pleasant surprise given that this place doesn't seat that many people. The table felt a bit kid sized and was mismatched with the height of the bench seat for two people with long-ish legs (but we aren't giants!). Annoying but not a big deal. The waiter was a total professional and very kind. We ordered a carafe of cloudy sake (only one variety of unfiltered on the menu), the Hawaiian seaweed salad, chilli miso soup, two specialty rolls and a handful of sashimi. The soup and salad were delivered first and were good but not spectacular. The chilli miso wasn't nearly spicy enough if you are looking for heat and the seaweed salad was *interesting*... 3 varieties (neat!) but it was missing salty-savoryness that I normally associate with seaweed (felt a little too overhydrated) and just tasted 'wet'. The shashimi was the highlight of the meal with the salmon toro being the total standout.... absolutely fabulous, melt-in-your-mouth buttery goodness. Sadly, the specialty rolls were a complete bust. At $13-15 this was pretty disappointing: low quantities of fish, non-robust flavor profiles, and sloppy preparation/plating. I could get better rolls from the hospital cafeteria (not kidding). Our bill amounted to a whopping $160 and I left feeling like we could have gotten a better quality meal at SushiVillage for 1/2 the price. Sure, the atmosphere is chic and modern. But the service wasn't particularly phenomenal (don't get me wrong, kind, but not $160 bill awesome) and the food left me feeling pretty 'meh'. Maybe I just caught them on an off night or maybe I am just sushi-snobby?
(3)
Clint D.
Great place. Chili miso soup was outstanding. Foie gras was an interesting combo, tasty. Reasonable prices. Seating is scarce.
(5)
Karl L.
Really, I have paid more for sushi, so it wasn't terrible, though with a couple glasses of bubbly and a nice tip it was still $100 for two. Quality was good, food was delicious, though I think there was definitely more filler than fish. That is how they get a good portion size though. We showed up on a Friday night at 6:30 and were the last ones able to be sat before the wait started and were put on the end of the bench with a small table. It was cozy, but fun. Service was attentive and again, quality and taste were good. We will definitely return when in town.
(4)
Leslie T.
I think I have made a dating decision regarding Sushi: If you can't wait for sushi until you have been on at least 7 dates, then hit up Jinsai. Eating sushi on date 6 and under is a pretty uncomfortable situation for ladies. God forbid, it is a large roll. That being said, I recently went to Jinsai on date #2 and it was really fun! The sushi was so good you don't even care. I don't remember the names of the dishes, but my date and I had some beef sliders, a volcano of tuna goodness, and then a shrimp roll with a dot of mayo in the middle. It would have been understandable if my date questioned my sanity based on the noises I was making while eating each yummy bite. And the cocktails... I dream about their Cucumber Mojito. The delicious food and drinks made for an easy and fun date.
(5)
Christina S.
It seems we're always looking for good sushi. This place has the best sushi in the 205. Hands Down. THE FOOD: Tuna Kdaoma ( yelp.com/biz_photos/jins… ) - OMG - 2 DIE 4 (go on Mondays - $13 dish for $8) . At a table of 4, we end up getting three of these for apps. Along with the "mixed" edamame (IMHO - GRILLED are the best) and an order of green beans. mmmm ... not too greasy, very crispy. Love the sauce the come with. (warning: this is not much different than you get at a certain "mall food" restaurant - so if you're wanting not so normal stuff, then avoid those. There's plenty of other great stuff to choose from. The Red Dragon, the Bangkok, Bubblegum, and Jari Jari were on our table last time we were in. All these rolls are between 12-15. I've paid more and I've paid less. The Tuna Tataki and the Hamachi are both pretty good as well. And ... if you're lucky (real lucky) you might get to try something that's not on the menu. (and that did't come from me). THE DRINKS Being the bubbly girl that I am - I love that they've recently amped up their Bubbles selection as of late. If there's any one cuisine that goes with bubbles, it's sushi. Wait. I didn't really mean that. Who am I kidding - EVERYTHING goes with BUBBLES!!! THE VIBE The bar scene is pretty hoppin' - and the cocktail list is really one of the best in Birmingham. Go in for the Mojito - quite possibly one of the best I've had. I like the strawberry one. I also like the Blackberry Julep. They also have a great selection of sakes. We had the Snow Maiden last time we were there ( yelp.com/biz_photos/jins… ). THE DEALio Sushi can get expensive. Check out the specials on their website. Sunday is $8 rolls - that's pretty much half price. Tuesday's special is on the Kadoma. There will also be some drink specials that will allow you to taste something you'd not otherwise have (and be surprised that it's now your fave drink ever) because it's too costly. THE VERDICT GO. You have to try it. If you want good sushi - this is your place. Just be mindful of the fact that (as you can see from some other reviews) the place is a tad on the small side. There's not a ton of seating for big groups - maybe 2 tables can hold more than 4 ppl. But they are always willing to accomodate you and the bar area is more like a lounge, so it's comfy to hang out and wait for a table (or you can even eat there if you're short on time).
(5)
Jessica P.
Haven't been in a while but always tasty and creative. The ambiance is one reason I didn't give it five stars (and because five stars is reserved for sushi that I've had in San Diego that was simply amazing.)
(4)
Julie M.
I went with friends during Birmingham Restaurant Week last night. The special menu included three of my all-time favorite foods--tempura green beans, kadoma tun and baby bites (a novelty dessert from nearby Pastry Arts). I added on an order of the Jenseviche for everyone to sample, too. Everything was delicious as always, and service great. I've only had good experiences dining at Jensei.
(5)
Amy C.
Came to Jinsei again for the $9 rolls! They also had $6 sakeritas and $5 hot sake on draft. We got 5 rolls and 4 drinks and spent $75 (before tip). Can't beat that deal! 8 had the red dragon, spider, spiro, and bankok. All were freat. My favorite is the bankok. Fish was very fresh and buttery.
(4)
Dax B.
Jinsei has some of the best quality of sushi in town. I'm not a huge maki guy and tend to prefer nigiri. The toro, which may have been bluefin but I forget now, is good and generally so are most of the tuna options. I'm not a big eel fan. I also love the kadoma tuna, any of the tempura options, and the miso cod. With that said, they can be somewhat expensive and it's a small place. I think they have like four 4 tops and two 6 top booths at most plus the stool seating and low tables in the front. Due to their tiny size, they are not so great for crowds over 4 people and I do not believe they take reservations. However in nicer weather, they do have the outside patio/seating available. In about 7 experiences there, the staff has been nothing but great to me and the pacing has been fine, but I tend to eat and order sushi family style and do not mind some pacing of the dishes for delivery. Sunday or Monday allows a discount on the rolls.
(4)
Ken E.
Jinsei serves up good sushi, albeit more of the "Crimson Tide Roll" or "Super Dragonfly Roll" variety. Located in a chic Homewood strip mall, the clientele when I ate dinner there was mostly locals. Translation: lots of Mountain Brook/Hoover types. Nice people, but like the denizens of most affluent suburbs the world over, they tend toward the standoffish if you aren't local. Clean, hip and tasty.
(3)
Boris S.
Almost a perfect sushi place the only place in Birmingham where i would recommend eathing sushi. Again people write about prices but everything here is moderately priced. If you travel and have lived outside the state these prices are a bargain for sushi.
(4)
J T.
A pretty good spot for sushi. However a bit on the expensive side.
(3)
Nabeel N.
More trendy than foodalicious Nothing that jumped out Good selection of fatty fish for sashimi Rolls were creative but nothing spectacular Seated early after being told we had a 30min wait
(3)
Steve R.
These guys have really good sushi but often are out of some of the fresher items I like. Their nigiri tends to be a little on the small size for the money, as are the rolls. But they have some really creative rolls. The decor is overly trendy and I'm not a fan of the overt attempt at upscale ambiance with the wait staff and Itame-san. The food is good but tends to be pricey. Overall, the food is good (not great) but the atmosphere is too haughty
(3)
Erin H.
($12) Cucumber Mojito -- Excellent! ($6) Tempura Green Beans -- Excellent! ($10-15 each) Sushi in general -- Excellent!!! I completely agree with Eunice -- best sushi and mojitos. Don't try to come with a big crowd -- not enough space. Be prepared to spend a lot of money.
(5)
Kathryn C.
I've only been to Jinsei once, and I had a great experience. I sat at the sushi bar on a Sunday (when all rolls are $9!) My boyfriend and I had delicious cocktails, and the sushi was excellent. I will say it took us a while to be able to place our drink order, but that is the only negative.
(4)
Lee S.
Jensei, "Life", is a perfect name for this culinary, earth-toned gem. They have taken the same old boring sushi and breathed new life into it. A bit cramped, like Japan itself, but surprisingly not uncomfortable. Skip the tables and just sit in the lounge area. You'll get the same full service in a comfy setting. The warm earth tones of brown, orange and green are what make it so comfy. Attention to details make this place special. A sliding glass wall with willow branches pressed in the middle, modern Japanese fixtures in the bathroom, a bamboo ceiling light, back lit artifacts.... it just goes on and on. Interesting lighting choices make for soft light... perfect for one of those first few dates when they aren't yet sure of your beauty!!! To get a 5 star from me you have to be innovative and just like life itself innovative they are! You'll find their prices more than fair if you are into good sushi, if you're more into McDonald's you'll find it pricey. Rolls are from $6-$15 each and yield about 8 pieces each. Start off with Kadoma tuna from their cold dish section. I doubt you've ever seen or tasted anything like it! Crispy, creamy, spicy, fresh... Fried green tomato katsu? From southern Japan no doubt... It may sound strange but they've made a southern staple into a Japanese delicacy. Be sure to try the Katsu sauce (Japanese BarBQue sauce) slight worsteshire, then tangy then a fruity, floral note... Give it a few tries before you decide. Need something delicate, crunchy and delicious? Get the mixed tempura platter. This is tempura like no other. Pumpkin... delicate, creamy and velvety. Sweet potato (southern Japan again?) shitake, scallop.... ask for zucchini and they'll do it just for you! Another stand out is their Nikko. Now, I know, you just aren't sure about a sushi roll that is also tempura... but it's sushi one step better. How often do you get sushi with a crunch, nutty with creamy, fresh with green? A full bar with educated bar tenders dolling out premium sake sample sizes lets you learn about sakes. Pleasant, knowledgeable wait staff make this a great place for those new to sushi and those wanting to learn more. Breath some new life into your night out! Go relax and explore at Jinsei.
(5)
Adam B.
I honestly believe I had the best dish I have ever had in my life here. The kodomo tuna is one of the most well prepared and tasty dishes on planet earth. The mojitos are amazing, and the service was outstanding. The only drawback is it is so small wait times can get out of hand, but if you can handle the wait its well worth it.
(5)
Gigi D.
Great atmosphere, nice mix of folks here. But the sushi disappointed, especially for the price. We tried a tuna roll, but didn't taste much of the jalapeno at all. It lacked kick. The volcano was better, but fell short of wowing us. We tried the ice cream dessert, which is sort of a marshmallow-encased ice cream. Odd, but refreshing. Try it just to say you did. Service was excellent. Definitely sample the mojitos. The mango ginger wasn't very gingery or mangoey, but was good nonetheless. The blackberry was refreshing and not overly sweet.
(3)
William M.
There seems to be more focus on ambience and presentation than on actual taste. Everything was good, but not outstanding. The prices were certainly on the upper end of what I want to pay for sushi. I will be sticking to other places in town, such as sekisui in Vestavia.
(3)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :1830 29th St S,Ste 125
Birmingham, AL, 35209
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
K Z.
Great food and location.
(4)Stephen W.
Maybe it is because I am not used to being in B'ham but I have had better sushi from grocery stores in Saint Louis, no joke. I loved the atmosphere and the service was very good but the pricing was crazy high for the quality and the food I had was not that good. Not to mention $5 for one piece of sashimi is ridiculous in my opinion.
(2)Anne R.
Sexy little place. Great for a Sunday night date night. Kadoma tuna a must--even though it's smaller than it used to be. Ceviche used to be the best I've ever had but they don't include as many seafood items anymore. It's more like a salad with seafood in it. But still delicious. My husband takes our young daughters here for date night frequently. Even great for them...cook steak on a rock! So fun. Last bonus for me... They serve Sancerre.
(4)Caleigh R.
Used the last of our Superdeals--but know that we'll be coming back for sushi when we need our fix! We treated ourselves this week and had the Snow Maiden Sake with our meal. Not too sweet and the carafe hits the spot when you want something cold with your sushi. We had the tempura green beans to start--these are very tasty but they appear to come out different each time. They could have been cooked a little bit longer, but still very good. We always go for the Jinsei Special. Trust me, it's a no brainer. This week we decided to have the kadoma tuna. I can eat this with just wasabi on it--no need for soy sauce, although David prefers to dip it in his soy mixture. Overall, we enjoy Jinsei--prices are a bit steep, but when we want to treat ourselves, it's a good go-to place. I like the atmosphere and the staff is incredibly helpful/pleasant. We sat at the bar this time and that made for one of the better experiences. Not sure how much we love the three tables by the bar that are all on top of each other. You can hear EVERYTHING your neighbors are saying--and that's just awkward. They may want to rethink that design.
(4)Andrew M.
the sushi was delicious and the wine selection was vast. Service was very friendly and the nightly specials (1/2 price wine on Tuesdays) are a pretty good deal. If you like sushi, you won't find any better in town. If you don't like waiting, I suggest going on a random weeknight and maybe a little on the early or late side. The place is small and can get very crowded. Also, it is not cheap to eat there, but you get what you pay for!
(4)Bryan Z.
Mediocre sushi and WAAAAYYY overpriced. Yeah, it's a total scene--I'd rather have good sushi. I don't mind paying lots of money for great sushi but I've paid less in NY, Las Vegas and Denver in way trendier places for a much better product. This place is a totally obnoxious trap.
(2)Ayon J. R.
Wish the food were as good as the service. 10/3/12: Made grammatical edit.
(3)Sally B.
Hot kiss cocktail = heaven. The tuna kadoma was delicious as always love the fresh jalapeños with the cool tuna. It gets better every time I try it. Tempura green beans, Holy Moly, they are super crispy but not oily at all. D and I shared the Bangkok roll and Kobe beef sliders. The roll was good nothing too fancy. The sliders were okay. Taste the BBQ sauce before dipping; it tasted like it had hints of coffee, cinnamon, and lots of sweet. Gross or just not for me. Then we ordered the wings. I was very disappointed. They tasted like On Taps version of Asian wings. My friend b ordered the rock shrimp. I could have sworn they were supposed to be crunchy but they were soggy swimming in a lemony aioli. I will be going back as overall, most of the food was delicious.
(4)John C.
This is a cool place to hang out. Good vibe and really good Sushi. I always order the same things: Kadoma Tuna which is really, really good, the River Rock beef, and Cucumber Mojitos. All of these never disappoint me.
(4)John R.
I have been to Jinsei on two occasions. On the first visit, My ex-girlfriend and I went and had the time of our lives. I felt like I relived the movie hangover in front of the sushi bar and I can easily say it was one of the best times I think that I could have possibly had eating sushi. The second time I went to eat at Jinsei I was announcing to my family and close friends that I was getting married to my fiance... It was in October and it was about 32 degrees outside and we had a 2 month old baby in attendance with us... We had a party of about 12 including the child and as usual there was no where to sit. So we headed outside while we were waiting the hostess came out and lit the gas light heater for 2 young ladies and looked at us and walked inside...We had a 2 month old baby with us... I freaked out and almost lost it because I talked this place up so badly to my family and friends...I will never go back to Jinsei again.
(2)JanieMac D.
Absolutely has the best sushi in town. Their tempora greenbean are like heaven. Oh and my favorite, the Kobe beef sliders are amazing!!! I could eat them every trip!!! I love this restaurant so much I bought the VIP card just so I would never have to wait in line for a table! Great place to meet you friends an have some dinner and cocktails!
(5)Derek W.
I had the Kadoma Tuna and the Bubblegum Roll - on two consecutive nights - because in my opinion, it really was that good. Service was excellent, would highly recommend.
(5)Christian X.
Absolutely amazing!!! Everything from the sushi to the entrees. The Kobe Wrapped Asparagus was delightful and wine selection was great. Our server was friendly and informative. It was busy and had to wait a while for a table but that didn't matter because of they have their waiting area. The best part is that the outside dining is smoke free. This is truly one of the best restaurants in Birmingham and definitely the best sushi. Will be going back and bringing friends!!!!
(5)Emily H.
Terrible service! Worst experience ever and we didn't even get seated to eat!!!! I get to see my husband every 3 weeks and he surprised me this Friday and planned a dinner date night at Jinsei. We got there and there were 3 ppl in front of us. Almost an hour wait later everyone who waited before us and came in after us had been getting seated. The hostess at one point (about) 20 minutes in to our wait scratched our name off the list. Why??? Who knows!! So my hubby had to tell her we were still waiting. Needless to say after an hour of ppl getting sat down that came in after us we left!! And all the hostess could FINALLY mention was that the front seating area is first come first serve....good to know considering it was our first trip there and we had already waited an hour. We have never been treated like this anywhere. What a shame, and our commute there was an hour round trip! Thanks for ruining our date night.
(1)Alan B.
Jinsei is a wonderful sushi restaurant with a few French twists. And since those are two of my favorite styles of food and dining how could I help but fall in love with this place? Jinsei is by far one of the best culinary experiences in the area but not exactly the best dining experience. Let me explain. First the good. The sushi is impeccable and rivals anything I have had the world over. The way they make the allusion to Pomme Frites with their Tempura Fried Green Beans is subtle, thoughtful and so delicious. The wait staff are wonderful and the atmosphere is like being inside a hip bento box. And their Champagne selection is wonderful if maybe only slightly limited. The very good but not so good for your waistline. If you are on a date or flying solo take a seat at the sushi bar. It is entertaining and it gives you a chance to preview what is on the menu and also chat with the sushi chefs. I will warn you though that you will want to eat each and every last roll that comes off that bar. Now the really not so good. They don't take reservations. The dining room is very small to say the least. And when filled to capacity some patrons are made to eat in the "lounge" area which is no more than a tight corridor of banquettes and tiny stools. Never the less I will continue to patron this fine if not a little odd establishment on a very frequent basis. Give it a try. If you can look past some of the short comings you will find a culinary experience not soon to be forgotten. I know I can't go a month without hitting this place up.
(4)Meena N.
I'm not a big sushi fan (a once a month kinda gal), but my date insisted that we visit Jinsei Sushi, as he claimed it was the best sushi in Bham. We arrived at 7:00PM (Wednesday night) and the place was packed. We walked in, and I was overcome by the small space and the number of people! It was still hot (and humid) outside, but we could at least hear each other if we grabbed one of the few remaining tables on the patio. Within 10 minutes, all of the other tables were occupied, so I don't know where folks were sitting or how long the wait was. We started off with drinks - I had the blackberry mojito (not sweet at all, which I like), and my date had the strawberry margarita (too sweet for my liking). We ordered two appetizers: the grilled edamame, and the tempura fried green beans. The edamame arrived fairly quickly, but the green beans never made it out. It was fine since we had ordered plenty of sushi, but our waitress never acknowledged that it was left off of the order (minus 1 star). The edamame was steamed and grilled, which gave it a nice, distinctive flavor. After our appetizer, we waited almost 30 minutes for our 3 rolls to arrive: It was disappointing how slow service was. We ordered the Bangkok, Jarijari, and Madori rolls. They were flavorful (and all very different), and we enjoyed all three, but the price seemed a little steep for the amount of food (minus one star for slow service and price). I could see myself visiting Jinsei again for special occasions, but I don't see this as my regular go-to spot for sushi in Homewood.
(3)Alan M.
I hate to give bad reviews. In fact, I don't think I ever have. I prefer to let the management know if I have a problem (which I rarely do), so they have the opportunity to fix the issue without pulling down a rating. But my last experience at Jinsei was pretty awful, and I just could not believe our server David. We were there for hours for a friends birthday and spent hundreds of dollars (which is pretty easy to do at Jinsei, even if it is the Sunday special), yet David was constantly annoyed at us and would walk away while in the middle of trying to order food and drinks. I was a server for years, as was everyone at our table, and we could not believe how rude he was, while we were continually cheerful and respectful to him. At the end of the night I wanted to order 2 rolls to go to take to my husband at work. When I received the bill, the 2 rolls were not included at the Sunday special price, and when I asked about it, he said, "That's not for to go orders." While we had just eaten there and spent over $300! It's not as if I had called in a to go order and come to pick it up. And if that's the policy, ok, but at least tell the customers that when they ask for the last 2 rolls to go, not once you bring the rolls and the bill. I would not have ordered them had I known (they were almost $20 more when not on special). For the amount you pay at Jinsei, I was shocked to get this kind of service. And what a disappointment for my friend's birthday! I'm not expecting a free dessert with a song or anything, but to at least have someone treat you like a paying customer would be nice. I will say, their ambiance is nice, and their Kadoma Tuna is amazing. I may order that to go someday (not on special), but other than that, I will take my busines elsewhere. I recommend Sushi Village instead, where the sushi is great and very affordable, and the servers are always friendly.
(2)Garrett P.
Best sushi in Birmingham, and I still remember this place very fondly. Went here multiple times a couple of years ago when I lived in Birmingham; was even just having a conversation with a good friend a couple of nights ago and trying to recall the name of the roll that had the bits of jalapeno in it (it was a tuna based roll, so if anyone on here can help me out with the name for if/when I make my way back there).. They can make a good Sapphire martini, in fact a couple of their "girly" house drinks were even impressive enough for me to swill, and I'm a pretty stodgy 'cigar and whiskey and porterhouse' kinda guy.. The decor fits right in in some of the west-coast cities, or NYC .. But very definitively not Birmingham and that, ultimately, is why I'm a fan.
(4)Becky E.
I really, really love this place, and yesterday I noticed they are now open for lunch, which just thrills my heart! The kadoma tuna and the cucumber mojito are my favorites. I order them every time I go. The tempura green beans and veggies are also really wonderful. All of the sushi I have ordered has always been very good. Jinsei would get 5 stars from me if the restaurant wasn't so cramped. Wish they would expand!
(4)Jeremy J.
My wife and I stopped in for lunch on a Saturday because the place was highly recommended by some friends. The staff was friendly. The sushi was good, but it wasn't as good as I'd hoped. Their sashimi was actually really good... better than many places in town. Their roll selection however, was quite limited and unimaginative. The rolls themselves were okay, but no better than what you would get at your run of the mill Japanese steakhouse. The atmosphere seems more like a cocktail bar than a restaurant, and I imagine that it's a fabulous place to have sushi and wine or cocktails on a Friday night. If your craving great sushi for lunch though, there are better options around.
(3)Allison E.
Super cute, yet small place down that is serving up high quality sushi and a more upscale atmosphere. Cute interior with a few bar seats, patio and dining tables. Most patrons were on the dressy side - something different than the other sushi places we have tried in the area. We didn't make a reservation and for a Saturday night around 8:30p the place was pretty dead. My party of three was seated promptly at a low dining table - two dining chairs and a bench that was not the same height as the chairs. It was weird.. You would think they would add a cushion or something to make it the same height. Our Waiter wasn't overly friendly, actually he wasn't personable at all - but our order was correct, everything came out timely and our drink glasses were never empty. We started with grilled shishito peppers, edamame, & six tebasaki wings. The portions were larger than I was expecting, but overall all good choices to share. The wings were outrageous - super flavorful and crunchy! We then moved onto a Spider roll, Red Dragon roll and the Shirohama roll. All were a good size, rolled well and included a good combo of ingredients. Their menu includes apps, specialty sushi rolls (no basic, ie, spicy tuna, but maybe you can ask?), hot entrees and cold entrees. Full bar, decent wine choices and a fun cocktail menu. 4 stars for the atmosphere, and good food - could have been 5 if the waiter had a personality. This may be a little pricier than other spots in the area, but the food is high quality and well prepared so you'll end your meal feeling satisfied with both the amount you spend and the delish food.
(4)Derek B.
First time to visit and very impressed. A small, intimate space. Interesting interior. Great service from Alex and Dakota at the bar. I ordered the black cod miso as my meal and it was delicious. A relatively small portion but delicious. Will go back. I recommend.
(4)Preeyam P.
I had a fantastic experience here. I was very well taken care of at the bar and much enjoyed the sushi. I would highly recommend the watermelon mojito and shipiro roll :)
(5)Tracey R.
This place is pricey! That said, it's worth it if you are on a date or wanting a nice meal. I stayed at the Aloft across the street from this place on a recent visit and went there based on a recommendation from a coworker. Amazing ambiance (I sat at the sushi bar area given I was a party of one) and I really enjoyed my experience. The guys behind the bar were focused but friendly, and the servers were attentive and professional. More importantly, the food was great! Highly recommend....if you are ok with the high -- on par with New York City -- prices.
(4)Brett P.
I have to say since I have moved from Savannah to Birmingham, this has been the best place I've eaten yet. Hands down the best sushi in town! Hats off to this fine establishment!! Thank you David for recommending this place and thanks to the rest of the staff including Micah, Ricardo and Nate!! Not to mention everyone else who was kind enough to take time out of their very busy Sunday night schedule to make a couple "newbies" to the Birmingham/ Homewood scene feel at home!!!
(5)Mark T.
Great sushi and small plates. I thought it was very reasonably priced for what it was. It's an upscale place with some inventive dishes. It's not a traditional sushi place, but the quality of the fish was certainly very good. I'll certainly be going back.
(5)Caitlin S.
Cute decor, but table was super sticky when I went with my mom for a snack a little after the lunch wave. My chair had soy sauce on it too. My mom LOVED her roll-- said it was the best she's had. I think it was some sort of raw salmon roll that was fried. My veggie roll was nothing special. Veggies were crispy and fresh but rice seemed under-seasoned. Server was personable when he was around, but he didn't come around often. Seems more like a night-life place. I'd go again.
(3)TASTY T.
jinsei "life" not bad for Alabama. service is great but the fish is mediocre. the miso cod reminds me of my mothers cooking but the downfall is that the cod is a little old and the bloodline of the fish is a little fishy due to age. the rolls are very americanized and unique, if you are looking for a japanese experience don't come here but if its for fun and a good time, jinsei is the place.
(2)Eunice T.
I go here for two things: the sushi & the mojitos. The absolute best sushi in Birmingham. You won't find the typical california roll or crunch crunch roll or whatever other generic roll most Japanese steakhouses in the area serve. If that's the type of sushi you like, Jinsei is not for you. However, if you love sushi & all the creativeness that goes into different rolls, come here! Bring friends! But not too many. It's not a restaurant for group gatherings as it is a tiny in space compared to surrounding establishments. It is perfect for GNOs, 1st dates, double dates, & groups of 6 or less. There are a handful of tables & seats @ the sushi bar. In the warmer season there is more seating including the outdoor tables. The majority of the seating is the lounge area, where you also get full service & more elbow room. The sushi is different & delicious. The Bangkok roll & Yoshiko roll are favorites. The menu is pricey; it's located in downtown Homewood aka SoHo after all. Jinsei has great specials though. All sushi rolls on Sunday are $8, usually $12-15. They also make great martinis & girly mojitos, which on Mondays are $7, usually $13. The mojitos are worth the regular $13 price & come in a variety of flavors. I recommend the mango-ginger. The whole establishment is nothing like Birmingham, very NYC, which is what makes it so perfect.
(4)Knox W.
I have never had a bad meal at Jinsei, best sushi in b-ham.... Great service as well
(5)Louisa E.
Best sushi anywhere. Fried green beans too!
(5)M B.
Jinsei is the highest quality sushi found in Birmingham. Of course, with the high quality comes the high prices. This restaurant reminds me of something you would find in NYC. They have a good selection of fresh fish, and the sushi chefs KNOW what they are doing. The restaurant is very small and they have a tendency to rush you in and out. I like the atmosphere, but space is very tight. I continue to go back, but I think that is a reflection of the limited sushi selection in Birmingham.
(3)Louay B.
The best sushi in the state of Alabama. It's located in the new condo area of homewood named "So-Ho", could they actually come up with something original? Excellent cuts of fish, perfect rice, and excellent presentation. The place is a little small, but they also have outdoor seating during warm weather months, which in Birmingham means 10 months out of the year. Jinsei has a great wine list and good cocktails. I would recommend this place for just drinks. It's going to be a little pricey for sushi, but well worth it. Simple, low tone house music playing and nice service allows you to enjoy your meal.
(4)Derek M.
Very fresh food that was well presented, a very nice, modern atmosphere, and great service.
(5)Jason B.
In from Atlanta on business and stayed at new hotel across the street. Was kind of craving sushi, so was glad to see well-reviewed sushi restaurant right across the street. I am not the kind to hand out bad reviews willy-nilly. But, Jinsei really disappointed. First off, I was astonished by the prices. No roll cheaper than $10. Sushi is minimum $2.50 for one piece. These are high-end Atlanta prices. Large hot sake is also $10. I think miso soup is $4.50. That said, dining room was small, intimate and comfy. I was quickly shown to a nice table. Service, in fact, was swift and friendly throughout the meal. My major problem was the price relative to the quality (and quantity) of the sushi. I get that sushi restaurants are pricey. I've found the most expensive ones are rarely worth the big ticket, and Jinsei was no exception. I initially balked at a $10 California Roll, but then noticed that the menu read 'fresh snow crab.' This is a direct quote, because I triple checked the menu. Ordered one. I also ordered a Jinsei roll ($15) and the roll with eel (can't remember the name - $13). Well, the California Roll showed up just like any supermarket California Roll. Small-ish, eight piece roll with Krab stick -- definitely NOT 'fresh snow crab.' The Jinsei roll was tasty, but the tuna filling was the scraps that would normally be served in a cheap spicy tuna roll and not what I would expect for the only fish ingredient in a $15 roll. The eel roll was soaked in eel sauce, rendering the hamachi, which was also in the roll, completely indistinguishable. Each of the three rolls were 8 pieces, but small - maybe slightly more than an inch in diameter. These are the kind of rolls I would expect to be in the $6-$8 range. Again, reminded me of the kind of sushi I get at the local supermarket, at three times the price. I almost convinced myself the menu prices were a joke, until I got the bill. Three rolls totaled about $40 with tax. I drank water and ordered nothing else. Left hungry. Best sushi in the state of Alabama? I'm so sorry.
(2)Ut T.
Best quality Sushi in town, but at a price point! Décor and atmosphere is very out-of-place for Birmingham. Tables are at a minimum, which elevates its "exclusivity"; so, don't expect to arrive without a reservation and get seated with a party of 8. They do have a small lounging area with bench seats and stools where you can order food as well as drinks. I actually think this is the best bet. I would go and loosen up in the lounge with a drink and order a couple of rolls and sashimi to snack on while enjoying a conversation. Not expecting to get "full", just lounging.... Good for couples, dates, and a cocktail. Also, if you want the best quality fish available and don't mind paying for it, this is it. So, get dressed up and enjoy. Try the kobe beef which comes out with a heated rock for searing. Just a quick sizzle on both sides and you're good to go! ...oh, not a nic on the restaurant, but SoHo?? Really?? Way to be original....I am betting that a new development will going up between 280 and 459 and it will be called TriBeCa, or Triangle Below Cahaba.
(4)Allison B.
Best sushi in Birmingham! Great service and some of the best mixed drinks I have ever had. You have to try the watermelon margarita when in season, to die for!
(5)Roman H.
IMHO this is the best sushi in the Metro area. Nice ambiance, great staff. It's a pretty tight spot, but once the kadoma tuna makes its way out to the table all is well. I would also highly recommend the mojitos.
(5)Cecille R.
Great little option for sushi in Homewood. My friend and I were staying at the Aloft hotel down the street and decided to dine here. Unfortunately, it was super packed for a Friday night and about a 30-40 minute wait. It was super chilly outside but we decided to brave it and dine outside under one of the heated lamps. I was skeptical because I have always had the experience of being forgotten when dining outside. But at Jinsei, I can say that they seemed to go out of their way to check on us. I didn't get a chance to really peek inside but it looks very cozy and swanky. Definitely looks like a place where the young local college crowd goes to when they want to get dressed up! We ended up ordering several "Hot dish" appetizers to start. I had the rock shrimp tempura which comes out on this big boat platter and was way more than I anticipated. It was more citrusy in taste than I expected even though on the menu it states that it comes with a "spicy aioli". My friend ordered the river rock kobe which is cool to order on a chilly night. They bring out a hot black rock and you can sear cuts of flank steak to your liking. It comes with a ponzu dipping sauce. As for sushi, I ordered the Red Dragon which had a combination of spicy tuna, seared tuna, cucumber and spicy dressing. It comes out on a long white plate and was plated beautifully. And it was really good. I'm so glad I didn't order more as I was full at that point. There were so many creative rolls on the menu and if I was in the area again, I would venture back to. The service was very attentive and our glasses were always full. There is really nothing to criticize - it was a pleasant dinner.
(4)Lidiya I.
I signed up on Yelp just to write this review. Came by for the sole reason of knowing they were serving toro, but unfortunately only sake and hamachi toro. The excitement faded; five dollars for one piece of thin cut sashimi. Fifteen for single rolls. The rolls themselves, though description put them as fresh and exciting, are nothing but pretentious. The flavors and ingredients blended very well, but putting them in a blender and eating the outcome would have been the same experience. Nothing robust, nothing savory, and nothing that could stand on its own. Paid a very generous amount for next to nothing, but thank God for the atmosphere being lovely! Very upscale and fitting ambiance---made the hour long wait, cramped quarters, and slow service feel less like I was in Birmingham and more like I was in the ritzy part of NYC. But at least in NYC I can get a corner hotdog and feel like a person again afterwards.
(1)Massimo F.
Definitively the best sushi in town! In my only partially acknowledge idea on the matter, the sushi shouldn't come freezer could at your plate, and indeed here it comes nicely fresh but not cold so you can appreciate in full the delicate taste of the fish. Service is professional at its best. Atmosphere is nice, but here it comes the missing 5 stars... the place is too small for the number of table they packed in! The place is overweeningly full, and you can hardly enjoy the great food because of the been squeezed like a sardine in a can. Great place where to eat great food, not so optimal for a relaxing dinner
(4)Bruce K.
Just a quick dinner and I was trying to be somewhat healthy. I think I did that here at Jinsei. I started with the Chilli miso soup. This was strange. Not bad, just very different from any sort of expectation I might have had. Sure it was spicy but it had all sorts of stuff in it. Almost like a vegetable soup with a miso base. Different and creative rolls, I don't recall the name of the one that I chose, but I think it was tuna and salmon and avocado and maybe a tempura asparagus with a crunch on top. It was good. Decent size, but two of these would be needed to ensure of fully tummy. This was a fancy place. Quite high end. If you're looking to impress a date, I think you'd be hard challenged to do better than Jinsei. Because maybe not everyone likes raw fish and for those folks, there are quite a few cooked options.
(4)Anna H.
Best sushi in Birmingham, hands down! Be sure to stop by for Sunday Specials - reduced prices on drinks and most rolls are only $9!
(5)Karen D.
Yum!! Had the chili miso and a spider roll. Great little place in Homewood/soho. Great atmosphere... Would be a good location to meet for cocktails after work with the added bonus of great sushi! I will definitely visit again.
(5)Caroline B.
Best sushi in Birmingham. The rolls are very fresh and light. Also all the mojitos are very refreshing (especially blackberry and grapefruit). Great hangout spot with lovely food!
(4)Christina C.
Sleek place in a nice shopping part of town. I really wish the shops around this restaurant didn't close at 5 p.m. (although a couple do stay open till 7 p.m.). This is a really cute area that I would direct all out of towners to. This is your modern, sleek, Japanese restaurant. All dark colors and simple lines. I sat at the sushi bar. There was a nice size crowd on a Tuesday night, not too empty that you wonder what is wrong with the place, but not too crowded that you don't get a seat. I got the Shag Roll and the Lobster Roll. Both were solid choices. I would suggest trying either. Overall, this is a sushi place that will not disappoint.
(4)Carrie H.
This might be one of the best sushi places In the southeast. They are so consistently on point. Every sushi roll has always been amazing. To add the service and ambiance are top of its class. I have tried most of the menu and would go back for sake and sushi anytime!
(5)Brad E.
This is not a place to go by yourself. The best single seating areas are the bar and sushi bar. If you sit at the sushi bar you are going to have waiters constantly reaching around you to grab sushi dishes. Also, I didn't feel the food justified the price. Sushi itself is not as exotic as it once was. I'm not sure what drives the price so high. All of the food was tasty but I didn't think my meal was worth almost 80 dollars not including tip. I ordered two drinks that were on special for $5, a seaweed salad, a Kobe beef dish and two rolls. Heck, maybe I just ordered too much food, but I had been traveling all day and was very hungry. Even dividing the cost by two this would not have been enough food for two people.
(3)Craig M.
When I want sushi I go to Jinsei. Its worth the drive from Tuscaloosa. The specialty rolls are always on point. The service has always been great and very helpful. My girlfriend loves their mojitos and I enjoy their nice selection of whiskey and bourbon. They also have $9 dollar rolls on sunday so if your on a budget check it out then. Usually very busy so except to wait for a table but its definitely worth it.
(5)Colleen K.
While the atmosphere is chic and trendy (albeit small) I just didn't see the bang for my buck here. My husband and I got one sushi roll each, I got one bowl of miso soup and 1 cocktail. He drank a coke. Our bill: over $60. The food itself was just alright. Meh.
(3)Ee Vonn Y.
This place is a $plurge. Even with their promotions, you won't be spending less than $40. It adds up somewhere somehow. Get the outdoor seating because it's just lovely. The service here is fantastic and the waiters here take great care of you. The tuna kadoma is an appetizer you have to get. The ingredients sound unremarkable. with avacado and jalapeno peppers on top of some tuna on top of a rice cake. This combination sounds disgusting but it's not. The sushi is fantastic. It's about the same price as a lot of other sushi places so anything is a safe pick.
(4)Craig N.
For B'ham this is the best sushi around. And Sunday nights are the time to go with 9 dollar for all sushi and $6 sakeritas which are awesome. The sushi is all fresh and the rolls are imaginative. Start with some tempura green beans which come with a great spicy aioli. Just know it's a small place so it doesn't take much for a wait to start. Just grab a sakerita and hang out till ur table is ready
(4)Julie L.
Went for lunch and had the crunch roll and Alabama roll. Both were good, but not what I would consider great. Perhaps I should have ordered something different?
(3)Antony C.
Dropped in here for a quick lunch. Ordered a miso soup and couple of rolls. Miso soup was a bit salty. Crunch roll wasn't that crunchy drenched and sitting in sauce. Alabama roll was decent. Over-priced for what you got. Service was friendly and prompt.
(2)Lydia W.
Always excellent food and the intimate ambiance is wonderful. Sushi is amazing, so is the rock shrimp tempura. Great lunch menu, friendly staff. Perfect for a quiet date night or casual lunch. Love!
(5)Kathryn D.
I was here on Friday night with a friend. We were looking for high quality sushi and a more upscale atmosphere: Jinsei seemed to fit the bill. We arrived and were promptly seated without a reservation, a pleasant surprise given that this place doesn't seat that many people. The table felt a bit kid sized and was mismatched with the height of the bench seat for two people with long-ish legs (but we aren't giants!). Annoying but not a big deal. The waiter was a total professional and very kind. We ordered a carafe of cloudy sake (only one variety of unfiltered on the menu), the Hawaiian seaweed salad, chilli miso soup, two specialty rolls and a handful of sashimi. The soup and salad were delivered first and were good but not spectacular. The chilli miso wasn't nearly spicy enough if you are looking for heat and the seaweed salad was *interesting*... 3 varieties (neat!) but it was missing salty-savoryness that I normally associate with seaweed (felt a little too overhydrated) and just tasted 'wet'. The shashimi was the highlight of the meal with the salmon toro being the total standout.... absolutely fabulous, melt-in-your-mouth buttery goodness. Sadly, the specialty rolls were a complete bust. At $13-15 this was pretty disappointing: low quantities of fish, non-robust flavor profiles, and sloppy preparation/plating. I could get better rolls from the hospital cafeteria (not kidding). Our bill amounted to a whopping $160 and I left feeling like we could have gotten a better quality meal at SushiVillage for 1/2 the price. Sure, the atmosphere is chic and modern. But the service wasn't particularly phenomenal (don't get me wrong, kind, but not $160 bill awesome) and the food left me feeling pretty 'meh'. Maybe I just caught them on an off night or maybe I am just sushi-snobby?
(3)Clint D.
Great place. Chili miso soup was outstanding. Foie gras was an interesting combo, tasty. Reasonable prices. Seating is scarce.
(5)Karl L.
Really, I have paid more for sushi, so it wasn't terrible, though with a couple glasses of bubbly and a nice tip it was still $100 for two. Quality was good, food was delicious, though I think there was definitely more filler than fish. That is how they get a good portion size though. We showed up on a Friday night at 6:30 and were the last ones able to be sat before the wait started and were put on the end of the bench with a small table. It was cozy, but fun. Service was attentive and again, quality and taste were good. We will definitely return when in town.
(4)Leslie T.
I think I have made a dating decision regarding Sushi: If you can't wait for sushi until you have been on at least 7 dates, then hit up Jinsai. Eating sushi on date 6 and under is a pretty uncomfortable situation for ladies. God forbid, it is a large roll. That being said, I recently went to Jinsai on date #2 and it was really fun! The sushi was so good you don't even care. I don't remember the names of the dishes, but my date and I had some beef sliders, a volcano of tuna goodness, and then a shrimp roll with a dot of mayo in the middle. It would have been understandable if my date questioned my sanity based on the noises I was making while eating each yummy bite. And the cocktails... I dream about their Cucumber Mojito. The delicious food and drinks made for an easy and fun date.
(5)Christina S.
It seems we're always looking for good sushi. This place has the best sushi in the 205. Hands Down. THE FOOD: Tuna Kdaoma ( yelp.com/biz_photos/jins… ) - OMG - 2 DIE 4 (go on Mondays - $13 dish for $8) . At a table of 4, we end up getting three of these for apps. Along with the "mixed" edamame (IMHO - GRILLED are the best) and an order of green beans. mmmm ... not too greasy, very crispy. Love the sauce the come with. (warning: this is not much different than you get at a certain "mall food" restaurant - so if you're wanting not so normal stuff, then avoid those. There's plenty of other great stuff to choose from. The Red Dragon, the Bangkok, Bubblegum, and Jari Jari were on our table last time we were in. All these rolls are between 12-15. I've paid more and I've paid less. The Tuna Tataki and the Hamachi are both pretty good as well. And ... if you're lucky (real lucky) you might get to try something that's not on the menu. (and that did't come from me). THE DRINKS Being the bubbly girl that I am - I love that they've recently amped up their Bubbles selection as of late. If there's any one cuisine that goes with bubbles, it's sushi. Wait. I didn't really mean that. Who am I kidding - EVERYTHING goes with BUBBLES!!! THE VIBE The bar scene is pretty hoppin' - and the cocktail list is really one of the best in Birmingham. Go in for the Mojito - quite possibly one of the best I've had. I like the strawberry one. I also like the Blackberry Julep. They also have a great selection of sakes. We had the Snow Maiden last time we were there ( yelp.com/biz_photos/jins… ). THE DEALio Sushi can get expensive. Check out the specials on their website. Sunday is $8 rolls - that's pretty much half price. Tuesday's special is on the Kadoma. There will also be some drink specials that will allow you to taste something you'd not otherwise have (and be surprised that it's now your fave drink ever) because it's too costly. THE VERDICT GO. You have to try it. If you want good sushi - this is your place. Just be mindful of the fact that (as you can see from some other reviews) the place is a tad on the small side. There's not a ton of seating for big groups - maybe 2 tables can hold more than 4 ppl. But they are always willing to accomodate you and the bar area is more like a lounge, so it's comfy to hang out and wait for a table (or you can even eat there if you're short on time).
(5)Jessica P.
Haven't been in a while but always tasty and creative. The ambiance is one reason I didn't give it five stars (and because five stars is reserved for sushi that I've had in San Diego that was simply amazing.)
(4)Julie M.
I went with friends during Birmingham Restaurant Week last night. The special menu included three of my all-time favorite foods--tempura green beans, kadoma tun and baby bites (a novelty dessert from nearby Pastry Arts). I added on an order of the Jenseviche for everyone to sample, too. Everything was delicious as always, and service great. I've only had good experiences dining at Jensei.
(5)Amy C.
Came to Jinsei again for the $9 rolls! They also had $6 sakeritas and $5 hot sake on draft. We got 5 rolls and 4 drinks and spent $75 (before tip). Can't beat that deal! 8 had the red dragon, spider, spiro, and bankok. All were freat. My favorite is the bankok. Fish was very fresh and buttery.
(4)Dax B.
Jinsei has some of the best quality of sushi in town. I'm not a huge maki guy and tend to prefer nigiri. The toro, which may have been bluefin but I forget now, is good and generally so are most of the tuna options. I'm not a big eel fan. I also love the kadoma tuna, any of the tempura options, and the miso cod. With that said, they can be somewhat expensive and it's a small place. I think they have like four 4 tops and two 6 top booths at most plus the stool seating and low tables in the front. Due to their tiny size, they are not so great for crowds over 4 people and I do not believe they take reservations. However in nicer weather, they do have the outside patio/seating available. In about 7 experiences there, the staff has been nothing but great to me and the pacing has been fine, but I tend to eat and order sushi family style and do not mind some pacing of the dishes for delivery. Sunday or Monday allows a discount on the rolls.
(4)Ken E.
Jinsei serves up good sushi, albeit more of the "Crimson Tide Roll" or "Super Dragonfly Roll" variety. Located in a chic Homewood strip mall, the clientele when I ate dinner there was mostly locals. Translation: lots of Mountain Brook/Hoover types. Nice people, but like the denizens of most affluent suburbs the world over, they tend toward the standoffish if you aren't local. Clean, hip and tasty.
(3)Boris S.
Almost a perfect sushi place the only place in Birmingham where i would recommend eathing sushi. Again people write about prices but everything here is moderately priced. If you travel and have lived outside the state these prices are a bargain for sushi.
(4)J T.
A pretty good spot for sushi. However a bit on the expensive side.
(3)Nabeel N.
More trendy than foodalicious Nothing that jumped out Good selection of fatty fish for sashimi Rolls were creative but nothing spectacular Seated early after being told we had a 30min wait
(3)Steve R.
These guys have really good sushi but often are out of some of the fresher items I like. Their nigiri tends to be a little on the small size for the money, as are the rolls. But they have some really creative rolls. The decor is overly trendy and I'm not a fan of the overt attempt at upscale ambiance with the wait staff and Itame-san. The food is good but tends to be pricey. Overall, the food is good (not great) but the atmosphere is too haughty
(3)Erin H.
($12) Cucumber Mojito -- Excellent! ($6) Tempura Green Beans -- Excellent! ($10-15 each) Sushi in general -- Excellent!!! I completely agree with Eunice -- best sushi and mojitos. Don't try to come with a big crowd -- not enough space. Be prepared to spend a lot of money.
(5)Kathryn C.
I've only been to Jinsei once, and I had a great experience. I sat at the sushi bar on a Sunday (when all rolls are $9!) My boyfriend and I had delicious cocktails, and the sushi was excellent. I will say it took us a while to be able to place our drink order, but that is the only negative.
(4)Lee S.
Jensei, "Life", is a perfect name for this culinary, earth-toned gem. They have taken the same old boring sushi and breathed new life into it. A bit cramped, like Japan itself, but surprisingly not uncomfortable. Skip the tables and just sit in the lounge area. You'll get the same full service in a comfy setting. The warm earth tones of brown, orange and green are what make it so comfy. Attention to details make this place special. A sliding glass wall with willow branches pressed in the middle, modern Japanese fixtures in the bathroom, a bamboo ceiling light, back lit artifacts.... it just goes on and on. Interesting lighting choices make for soft light... perfect for one of those first few dates when they aren't yet sure of your beauty!!! To get a 5 star from me you have to be innovative and just like life itself innovative they are! You'll find their prices more than fair if you are into good sushi, if you're more into McDonald's you'll find it pricey. Rolls are from $6-$15 each and yield about 8 pieces each. Start off with Kadoma tuna from their cold dish section. I doubt you've ever seen or tasted anything like it! Crispy, creamy, spicy, fresh... Fried green tomato katsu? From southern Japan no doubt... It may sound strange but they've made a southern staple into a Japanese delicacy. Be sure to try the Katsu sauce (Japanese BarBQue sauce) slight worsteshire, then tangy then a fruity, floral note... Give it a few tries before you decide. Need something delicate, crunchy and delicious? Get the mixed tempura platter. This is tempura like no other. Pumpkin... delicate, creamy and velvety. Sweet potato (southern Japan again?) shitake, scallop.... ask for zucchini and they'll do it just for you! Another stand out is their Nikko. Now, I know, you just aren't sure about a sushi roll that is also tempura... but it's sushi one step better. How often do you get sushi with a crunch, nutty with creamy, fresh with green? A full bar with educated bar tenders dolling out premium sake sample sizes lets you learn about sakes. Pleasant, knowledgeable wait staff make this a great place for those new to sushi and those wanting to learn more. Breath some new life into your night out! Go relax and explore at Jinsei.
(5)Adam B.
I honestly believe I had the best dish I have ever had in my life here. The kodomo tuna is one of the most well prepared and tasty dishes on planet earth. The mojitos are amazing, and the service was outstanding. The only drawback is it is so small wait times can get out of hand, but if you can handle the wait its well worth it.
(5)Gigi D.
Great atmosphere, nice mix of folks here. But the sushi disappointed, especially for the price. We tried a tuna roll, but didn't taste much of the jalapeno at all. It lacked kick. The volcano was better, but fell short of wowing us. We tried the ice cream dessert, which is sort of a marshmallow-encased ice cream. Odd, but refreshing. Try it just to say you did. Service was excellent. Definitely sample the mojitos. The mango ginger wasn't very gingery or mangoey, but was good nonetheless. The blackberry was refreshing and not overly sweet.
(3)William M.
There seems to be more focus on ambience and presentation than on actual taste. Everything was good, but not outstanding. The prices were certainly on the upper end of what I want to pay for sushi. I will be sticking to other places in town, such as sekisui in Vestavia.
(3)