Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
10206 River Coast Dr, Jacksonville, FL, 32246
Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar Menu
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Address :
10206 River Coast Dr
Jacksonville, FL, 32246 - Phone (904) 997-6528
- Website https://www.wasabi-steakhouse.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Touristy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Deprina G.
My first experience there was amazing I want to go back soon. The only thing I didnt like is the table we were at was full and the couple next to us were allowed to have their friends come up and pull a chair next to them.. no really like they just ordered drinks and grabbed some random chairs and watch the free show not even at the table.. It was a little "ghetto" too the romance out my experience. I bought my hubby his ring (Green lantern engagement) and i was trying to present it to him after everyone left. but. this couple and their friends just sat at the table staring at us.. I was like really.. any way the place was still great the food was good I love the portions and from what I could tell it was clean.
(4)Scott L.
Fun place but poor table service. Horrible response on a Thursday night. Not even busy.
(1)Rita D.
Mehh...not bad but not good enough to go back if I can help it. There are 2 Cons about this place, hence the 2 stars I took away. 1) The floor smelled horrible. We got there at about 3:30 and had to wait till 4p to be seated because they hadn't re-opened yet....silly me for thinking they could have taken the time between lunch and dinner to freshen up the place. But that's just me...the girl I was with barely noticed...but she's a regular. 2) Our chef, though did a great job with the food, was inapproprately flirting with me with children present. I calmly put him in his place the 2nd time and he pretty much kept his mouth shut for the rest of the meal but still... I ordered the hibachi shrimp and teryikai chicken dinner which were both very tasty and tender, even after I heated it up the next day. The portions were huge enough to where all 9 of us were able to get extra. The ginger ale I ordered was kind of flat but they took it back with no problem. I spent about $20 and despite the musty floor smell and horny chef, left pretty satisfied. If I'm in the area, I may go back and try the sushi....probably as a last resort.
(3)Sarah W.
the food is ok, on par with other hibachi that I have eaten at. It was different from my usual hibachi, they do not do a noodle course and they add in two shrimp as a starter. The service was not great and drinks were slow to come out and orders of edamame were forgotten. Dishes were not cleared away timely. The table chef we had was good and the kids loved it.
(2)Renee G.
You probably have to read my previous reviews on habachi restaurants to understand my theory on them - you go there for the entertainment. It's kinda hard to screw up unless you light someone on fire. Or so I thought until my experience at Wasabi. Beautiful restaurant. I'm instanly impressed. Good crowd on a Monday night, also impressive. Service.... heeeeeellllllllooooooooo...... where are you? Too slow Chef arrives - "How do you like your chicken cooked?" he asks. "Uuuummm..... DONE would be nice". I don't know if he is confused or I am . Doesn't crack a smile or break stride, he insists he wants to know how I want my chicken cooked. Hell, I don't know - well done? He does the same to my mom. We look at each other with that look of "let's get the hell outta here" when he says under his breath (just kidding(. Still no smile. Oh the show was the same 'ol same 'ol. My 2 1/2 yo son directing him the whole time. Which turned out to be more entertaining that this guy. Rice, burnt. C'mon even I would have to work hard to burn rice. Then the chef gives the little 6 yo girl sitting next to me her chicken - the WHOLE chicken breast. No interest in taking the extra step and cutting it into little peices like he's supposed to do! She wouldn't touch it. I felt so sorry for the little girl I wanted to lean over and start cutting it for her. Again, the impression I get is that this guy is getting some sort of sick satisfacation out of this. Hhhmmm... wait. Where's MY chicken? My son starts asking "Momma, I want my chicken". It's sitting on the side of the grill, clearly cooked. Sitting, sitting, sitting. I'm so baffled, I'm speechless. Do I say something or have my son spatula the weirdo? He starts cleaning the grill. Yup, chicken is still sitting there. FINALLY, he serves it to us... acted like he forgot about it. Still I think it is his sarcastic, sadistic humor. He event cuts our chicken. Bottom line - I was wrong. You can screw up Habachi without lighting someone on fire. So, off I go back to the whole-in-the-wall dive in the ATL. Wow, that place is starting to really grow on me :D
(2)Paul C.
Really enjoyed their Whitefish Box, and my wife also enjoyed scallops entree. One of the first times I can ever remember eating Oriental food, and could not eat it all! Ambiance is nice, and fresh, separate sushi bar is very efficient, and they have a full bar. My only complaint is that waiting time for food (this was a late lunch) was way too long (20+ mins.), and it was not too busy. Price was good, and wait staff very friendly. The adress for this is in Town Center shopping center.
(3)Chris G.
Finally some decent sushi in Jacksonville (did not try the steakhouse). The wife and I went to Wasabi tonight and were pleasantly surprised. The rolls were tasty, the nigiri was excellent as well, and even the seaweed salad was pretty good. We had tried several other sushi places (including some steakhouse/sushi places) and were pretty disappointed in the quality. The prices are reasonable and the food is pretty good. The rice was not quite sticky enough, and the rolls were a little bit loose, but other than that it was excellent. We will definitely be back, and would recommend it to anyone looking for decent sushi in Jax.
(4)Lacy C.
Best Japanese Steak House in Jacksonville ! I love their fried rice, large portion on veggies, plus u also get sweet carrots, and hands down they have the best shrimp sauce !
(5)Jen S.
I LOVE this place for their Sushi Bar. I haven't eaten at their hibachi tables in a couple of years (not my thing) but their sushi is so fresh, delicious, and although it is a little higher priced than some of the other great sushi places in the area, I'm willing to pay a little more for the freshness of the food. The servers are great and friendly, the ambience is nice, ample seating, great selection, and delicious ginger salad.
(5)Ernesto M.
The place needs to be pressure washed COMPLETELY. The chairs, the tables are sticky. Now to the food, these people put teriyaki sauce on EVERYTHING. I don't like teriyaki so i tell the cook in advance and through out the preparation of the meal that i don't want it and s9metimes they mess up anyway I keep going there because my wife loves the plce but i don't think we will go back after today. The chairs were actually hard to get your hands off of them because they were so sticky. I wonder if they ever get visit from the health dept, the place is disgusting The othwr thing that bothered me today is that they have 11 chairs per table. I actually removed one for my family of 5 to seat with a bit of space between each other, then another family of 4 came in and the father took a chair out as well. The table in front of us had 3 different parties and one person told us they had to remove 3 chairs from the table to seat comfortably
(1)Kassie C.
I am so beyond pissed right now primarily because I am starving...so here it goes.. I walked in & there was a 15 minute wait. I sat at the bar with my bf & we got an adult beverage while we waited. We finally got buzzed by the timer, sat down around the hibachi table & waited...& waited...& waited... Our server was absolutely horrible..I'm not sure if this was her first rodeo or what. The table beside of us ws sat no more than 5 minutes before we did & they had already gotten their drinks, soup, salad, complimentary shrimp & rice. The only thing they had left was the meat & we had only gotten our drinks. Sitting their for 30 minutes with only a drink is absolutely ridiculous. The only reason I know the specific times is because we had somewhere to be & at that point there was no hope in making it so we got up & left. The server was nowhere in sight for me to even tell her we were leaving so I told the hostess. I've been to wasabi multiple times & have always enjoyed it but this time was unacceptable. The orginal plan was to go to Daruma Japanese Steakhouse bc I had never been. I wish we would have!!!!
(1)Tierra J.
1:30pm Love this place!! Been coming for year's! Hibachi is deelish, Dont forget the sweet carrots at the end. I'm a very picky eater & they definitely cater to my needs. It's worth a try. 2pm- I should've waited to write my review!! I received my food to come across RAW Chicken!. I notified my waitress about the issue, she notified the Manager on duty. *No one seemed Concerned* he took my food away a gave me a Bill for 5$. The bill which was for my SOUP & SALAD, which is apart of my meal. Normally i wouldn't trip about paying that small price, but the fact that my food was Raw & you still Charge me for a Portion that was INCLUDED in my meal price wasn't ok with me! No argument though, i Paid it & Left! Dont plan on Returning here, the Concern of the customer was Unknown!!
(1)Elizabeth M.
I was pleasantly surprised about coming here for a work Christmas party. We were a large group of about 24 and we were seated at the hibachi grill tables. We had one waitress for the entire group and two chefs. The waitress was very friendly and attempted to get us all everything we needed. I say attempted because she did forget to bring my daughters booster seat and a To go container for my soup. However she was very apologetic for forgetting and since she did seem sincere it didn't bother me. My husband and I each got our own entrees and were concerned about the sharing charge for children but our server informed us that it's only if we wanted her to have her own veggies and rice and soup. Lucky for us we didn't, so we didn't have to pay a sharing plate charge. The prices were very high but I did expect that because it's the only Japanese restaurant At the town center. The food was surprisingly delicious. My only real complaint was that the clear mushroom soup was too salty. My steak was perfectly seasoned and cooked, the fried rice was quite tasty and had good flavor. The hibachi veggies were cooked perfectly as they still had a bit of a snap to them, and with the carry over cooking it made them perfect. The shrimp appetizer that came with the entrees was tasty and didn't seem rubbery to me. The grill show was fun and my daughter was yelling for more fire! My husbands chicken entree was cooked with green peppers and onions on the grill which really added to the flavor. The chicken breast maybe could have been taken off the grill a few minutes earlier but the flavor was so good that it didn't even matter. Another way I know that this place was pretty good was because the leftovers got eaten in the same night and that says a lot in my house. I can see why there are such mixed reviews because you can get such a combination of different servers and cooks at the tables. My experience here with my family and coworkers was great as we all had fun and enjoyed ourselves and the most important thing is that we all left with smiles on our faces. Like I said, I was pleasantly surprised to have such a good experience especially after seeing all the reviews and with this being at the town center. Oh and fyi, my coworkers who got drinks said that their drinks were delicious and strong! And of course with any big party they won't seat you until your whole party is there but that's understandable.
(4)Jennifer S.
Awesome experience. The food is fantastic and the servers are very friendly! Sushi is the best! The cooks are very interactive and they love to party! Very very busy restaurant!
(5)Shera B.
Good hibachi and sushi spot Great lunch specials for hibachi Good prices Variety of sushi rolls Lovely shrimp sauce Yummy carrots served with the meal Great hibachi rice Fun and entertaining chefs Open for lunch Closed b/w lunch and dinner Huge space Clean They offer cocktails and sake Huge amount of food ! Check it out
(4)Danielle T.
***Never go back!** No stars! Tonight was the first time my boyfriend and myself ever ate at a wasabi. And we will never go back. First off, the floor in the ladies room was extremely sticky. The salad was swimming in dressing. I did not eat mine. And the ginger dressing is mayonnaise based (super gross). The miso soup was very bland and flavorless. My boyfriend order the filet mignon and shrimp hibachi. I order the shrimp and scallop hibachi. Our food sat on the counter for at least five minutes before a different waiter brought it to us. The rice was crunchy and old tasting. Everything was very unsatisfying and extremely dissapointed.
(1)Gerrald L.
I have been going here for years, definitely very good food whether you are having sushi or the stuff off the hibachi grill, the only reason I didn't give them a 5 star is because it is kind off dirty here as of late
(4)Heather D.
This review is based on the lunch menu. Highly recommend the lunch - half the price of dinner for the same amount of food. Busy atmosphere so if you are looking for a quiet place you might want to go somewhere else. Attentive servers and HUGE portions!
(4)Ray S.
Went here with a large party and the service was good. Food was pretty good. The only thing I didn't like was it felt like there was grease everywhere in the hibachi area. It was on the chairs, menus and even in the air. They need to improve the ventilation in there.
(4)Trever P.
, eating here is amazing but the food portions are massively huge I would recommend this to anybody who wants a fun night out so be prepared the portion sizes are more than enough for two people
(5)Brian H.
Our lunch started off amazingly well. Their soup is just about the best I have ever had. That was the definite high point of the meal. We also got the Gyoza. Fried Gyoza is supposed to be crispy, correct? It tasted alright but failed on texture and temperature. Last came the steak and chicken hibachi. It wasn't bad, but I would have expected better for the price. Bottom line, this place was adequate. There are better options for the money all over Jacksonville.
(3)W M.
Where to start.... Ok so we just moved to the Ponte Vedra Beach area from Washington DC and asked around where we should eat tonight closer to where we live after a day of hanging out in St. Augustine.... My aunt who is a local suggested a place at the town center called Wasabi... we were all on board and excited to go. We arrive for our 7 pm reservation at 7 pm and were told it would take 15 minutes to seat us so we politely accepted and headed towards the bar thing to ourselves as to why we even made reservations if we would have to wait 15 minutes. As we walked to the bar, myself and my entire party found themselves getting dripped on with water from the ceiling from every direction.... When we asked what the problem was we were told it was because tooooooooo many people were here and the AC cannot handle it....... fine ... whatever the heck that meant.... so we ordered drinks and waited..... THIRTY 30 THIR-TAY minutes later we are called (thirty minutes after our reservation time) and headed to our table.... as we sit we are sat with a very nice couple who were african american and a family of four who were caucasian. Our waitress comes and asks what we all would like so we ordered..... I decide to order a roll with just rice and cheese and seaweed and she tells me its 8 bucks..... I tell her that she has lost her mind if she thinks a roll we paid $4 last week would be twice as much for now especially if a tuna roll is only $5.50 and all I'm asking for was rice.... ok so blah blah blah.... and so we are waiting for the rest of my parties sushi roll and then finally theY arrive.... FINNALY..... it has been 40 minutes since we have been sat...... when the sushi got here my friends were eager to eat it but were not given soy sauce and other options for the sushi..... so at this point the people next to us have decided that they had had enough so the mother and the father and the two children leave..... ... in our heads were were thinking that we have hit the jackpot and gained the ultimate access to the hibachi table and have plenty of space but suddenly another family come by...... the other family was of equal dynamic.... a mother and a father and two children as well except tho sfamily had a grandpa to join..... wellllllll the kids started playing with the forks and knives and so did the adults, inserting them in their mouths and just really acting silly which was alright but at that point I decided that I had about had enough and so did the rest of my party..... I stood up and asked the manager replace all of the plates and silverware because the previous family had did just the same thing so essentially the current family was just sharing in their germs..... Ok so finally our chef arrives an hour and a half later apologizing saying they were under staff..... we said thats ok but honestly why would you ever accept another table if you are not able to provide an "acceptable" level of service or sanitary service at a minimum for your customers?????? I say customers because we did not feel like guests..... We certainly chose the wrong place to have a birthday dinner because the birthday guest begged to not be identified due to the extending the time of service and to the fact that the host of the party was having blood sugar problems from waiting an hour and a half past h=our reservation time just to meet our chef...... and speaking of the chef........ once the chef arrived he decided making jokes was the way to relax the table..... not the case.... or it would have been had they not have been so rude..... he had asked me what did my girlfriend think and I responded that I did not know and told him I knew what my husband knew (The man beside me who was a man just as I am man man is my husband) and then he said ohhhhh and cut a shrimp in half and began to perversely shake the tale of the shrimp and make a moaning noise towards us as if he was making a mocking gesture towards us.... all while we had children at the table.... we ignored the rudeness and thought we would endure more in hopes that the food would make up for the poor service but that was not the case... he began to make a heart with the rice then shaped it as a "butt with cheeks" and began to smack it whilst making owning noises.... at this point we were about to walk out but then we noticed that we had our steak in front of us so we rushed to eat it and paid our debt and ran out of there...... I think that we should just stink to either capital grille or chills or ruths chris or pussers but for sure....... WASABI will not be getting our business EVER again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My check order # was 30140..... Mind you if we would have had the opportunity then we would have left earlier..... probably when the other family began to use the used silverware and no one had said anything until I did.... except it became a bit too crowded to leave and of course we were celebrating a birthday.
(1)Cyndi A.
Poor customer service from manager. Long time customer lost here!!! Server never mentioned that a kids "combo" meal didn't exist when my very small 7 year old asked for chicken and shrimp. Instead we were charged for a full adult meal at $23!!! After speaking with the manager, he simply stated, " well u got the food didn't you?". Completely unbelievable. I work close and come here quite often, and even after trying to discuss it with the Manager (Shaun lim), I left very frustrated. Beware parents!!!
(1)Sarah D.
Great change for dinner after having too much turkey! Took my family of six for dinner on a Saturday night at 630pm and only waited five minutes to sit. The wait staff was very quick and efficient and our cook was hilarious. Be prepared to eat a lot as the portions at wasabi are huge...but our family loves leftovers so it worked out great. The prices are reasonable given the service and the amount of food. This restaurant would have earned five stars but the shrimp appetizer tasted off. As this was a freebie I didn't think it was worth docking more than one star. Make sure to let the server know if you are celebrating a birthday as they treat those celebrating pretty much anything like VIPs!
(4)Miriam W.
Went here for a date night and was pleasantly surprised with the great experience. We will be back for sure! Food was excellent, wait time was none(we had a reservation just in case). Our chef was awesome and engaged the entire table. Drinks a bit pricey but worth it. Overall atmosphere is family friendly and date night approved!
(5)J B.
Excellent food. Ask for Kevin, AKA K2, for the cook; very funny. I would ask for light soy sauce on the fried rice, but other than that .... YUM!
(4)Tim V.
I eat at Wasabi as often as possible. I love the food! The show at the grill stopped Impressing me early on, but the food is amazing! I normally order the scallops and steak with the mushroom soup. Never once have I been disappointed. The place is ALWAYS clean and the competent staff is always cheerful and fast. ... Oh I just got my soup... Enjoy!
(5)Karena R.
Love love love this place. The hubby and I have been here 4xs in less than a month. You can eat at the bar, sit at a table or by the grill. The food is amazing seasoned to perfection.
(5)Brandi S.
This is by far the best Hibachi restaurant I've ever been to. The food was amazing and so was our incredible chef K2! K2 put on a show like I've never seen. He had everyone extremely entertained which caused for a great night. I'm so pleased with this restaurant and I can't wait to come back.
(5)Aubrey N.
I love their shrimp sauce! Best in Jax, in my opinion. I love their lunch specials; super cheap and you get A LOT of food!!! This place is always packed. The chefs are fun if you plan on doing the hibachi tables!
(5)Elizabeth F.
Good sushi, no wait at 6pm on a Saturday night. Our waiter was great. Only nagative is that they make u pay for soup and salad separate.
(4)Amanda N.
Incompetent. As good as it can be they frequently mess up your order. They deliver but tonight it was like pulling teeth w the girl on the phone. Inside and on the phone they run this unprofessionally. I ended up not ordering tonight due to frustration.
(1)Whitney A.
Where do I start? Their hibachi is amazing! When it comes to their sushi I always go for the yum yum roll. It might seem pricey but I assure you that roll is worth every penny. The service is great as well. Whether its hibachi or sushi you are craving this place is the place to get it! :)
(5)Megan E.
I gave this place one star because I was unable to select no stars. The Miso Soup and Seaweed Salad were both fine; however, the sushi was by far the worst I've ever had. Not only did we come across a bone in the salmon which could have been choked on, all of the sushi was extremely warm. The sushi tasted as if it had been sitting out for hours. When speaking to the manager (Shawn) after sending it back to the kitchen all he could say was we haven't had any other complaints tonight, and we typically have the best sushi in town. I can tell you they do not. The manager then continued to make us pay for a portion of the sushi that was sent back, included a bone and was just absolutely awful. I can promise we won't be returning and/or recommending this place considering the night ended with several ill feeling stomachs and one of us throwing up.
(1)Brooke H.
Delicious food and fun atmosphere, our 9yr was apprehensive at first but he enjoyed watching the chef and really liked the food. We come here when we are in the area
(5)Heesook P.
Great Staff, Good Food, Hilarious Entertainment by Our hibachi Chef! He will go above and beyond to make your Happy Hour experience fun fun fun! Who Clowns, juggles, jokes, and entertains. Food is plentiful, flavorful and inexpensive for the amount you get. Highly recommended for group of people, family who wants to celebrate or have fun!
(5)Kaneil Smith S.
I have always had a good experience whenever I eat at Wasabi. I've had the hibachi shrimp and chicken. I like that everything is always fresh. The food is simple and good. I really can't say anything really bad. I always go with a large group mostly after church and the setting allows for us to be really social and interactive. Most of the chefs I've had have been pretty skilled and funny ad they put on an show preparing the food, where flame meets flavor. I'd go back.
(4)Ashley M.
If you have been shopping all day at St Johns Town Center and have a Sushi craving this can be a quick fix but will not be a top ten experience. I eat the sushi here out of convenience and it is not bad. Kids get the alligator roll. Most traditional rolls are decent. Presentation is lacking. Atmosphere can be hit or miss. Last time I went the men's bathroom was flooded and no one was fixing it. Out side of that it has been pretty tame but not special. There are better sushi bars within 15 min. If you don't have the time to travel it will do but you wont write home about it.
(3)Loukisha W.
The people here can't read or write I ordered filet and shrimp and got everything on the menu but what I ordered.... They made three attempts to correct my order and it still wasn't right!!!!! Called the restaurant to inform and the manger can care less. Didn't offer to take care of my meal at all and the kicker is my order was to go!!! I get all the way home to realize there complete idiots working in the kitchen and in management do let the ambiance of the town center fool you there idiots and customer service sucks!!!!!!!!
(1)Megan T.
This is one of the best hibachi grills i have found in a while the food was excellent the portions were gigantic the prices weren't terrible (we spend more at sushi bars) the service was good the hibachi chef was funny and entertaining and the bar staff were so friendly ! The only problem I had was the attentiveness of our waitress although when she did come around she was fast with her service all in all great experience and will definitely be on our regular outing list
(4)Jennifer S.
Cool fancy tricks but I've never seen Asians using butter to prepare their meals...disgusting
(1)Maureen D.
Not good at all. My boyfriend and I went here for lunch, both got hibachi. I got veggie and he got shrimp and chicken. He tried his and didn't like it at all. He sent it back and ordered some sushi. The manager came out with the dish and acted like we were trying to scam them and get free food, and suggested that my boyfriend had already eaten half of his food. Not true. He maybe took 5 bites. When he said the shrimp was rubbery and frozen, she acted offended. Never apologized. Gave us half off the dish he sent back, since he apparently already ate half of it. The manager never checked back on us, and really didn't seem to care whether or not we were having a good experience. She was extremely rude and unprofessional, and treated us as if we were crazy for not liking the disgusting meal. Our waitress was just okay. Kind of strange. My veggie hibachi was alright, I've had better but I didn't complain. The sushi ended up being good. We will never be back. Not worth the money, and the manager is an asshole. There are MUCH better restaurants to go to.
(1)Brenton R.
My table was dirty, there was rice all over the floor, and the hoods over the hibachi grills were covered in grease. Easily the dirtiest restaurant I've eaten at in a long time. The tables are cramped and seating is incredibly tight, even for a hibachi place. The food is pretty low quality and the shrimp were not properly cleaned. Let me tell you, nothing whets the appetite like seeing poop ooze out the back of the shrimp you're about to eat. Yum, yum. The ginger dressing on the salad tasted more like water than ginger. The actual entree I ordered was totally average, the sushi I ordered tasted like it came from Publix, and what really bothered me most was that my soup and salad was served in plastic bowls. So much for presentation or even attempting to put in any effort to put out a quality product. Not to mention, our cook clearly didn't want to be there. TLDR: this place is dirty, over priced, and just plain gross. Save yourself $60 and take your business elsewhere.
(1)Johnna P.
Salad was awful- so much dressing it looked like a soup. Hibachi was advertised to have an appetizer included but the waiter looked at me like I was stupid when I asked for it and said it isn't included. Hibachi steak was chewy and cooked terribly. Will never return or recommend it to anyone.
(1)April F.
Subpar at best. I love sushi and was not impressed with the spicy tuna or tiger roll I ordered. No flavor and lacked freshness!
(2)Suzanne P.
Came for the sushi. Meh, is about it. Fish was fresh. All the rolls tasted the same and none of the rolls had any special sauces. Even the house special rolls were bland and blah, without sauces or any presentation whatsoever. Overpriced. Will not be back.
(2)Alex S.
This place is about 75 times better than Benihana. It's exactly the same thing, only half the price and three times the portion. You get a ton of food. The only thing I would recommend is making a reservation or showing up earlier in the evening because the place gets packed. We had about an hour or so wait.
(5)Ryan D.
I used to love coming here, but I have decided that I will not come back after several bad experiences this year. This place has lost its touch. From Rude waiter/waitresses, rude hostess, mixed up orders, and burnt food. Only reason why I gave it a one star is the decor. It has a cute modern decor on the inside.
(1)Khristopher B.
If seafood is my favorite type of food, hibachi is my favorite way to have it prepared. Wasabi gets high marks from me because they do hibachi of seafood very well. When you visit, make sure you try the flaming shrimp and you'll know exactly what I mean. Wasabi also gets high marks because the hibachi chefs are entertaining, talented and personable. I've only been to this place once, but while there, the chef cracked jokes while garnishing our food and getting to know the customers he would be serving. I only mention this feat because I went to a hibachi grill similar to Wasabi in Orlando last summer. The chef in Orlando was not as engaging even though, in all honesty, the food was just as fantastic. But with an engaged chef, it really makes the dining experience memorable because you think about the jokes the chef told and everyone's reaction. I speak as if I love this place, but it cannot receive five stars. The sole knock I have on Wasabi some would consider a positive. The place is crowded and packed all the time, which means it will always take a while to be seated for hibachi. I haven't been there enough times to accurately depict the experience of ordering take out sushi.
(4)Laini T.
My husband and I were in the mood for a fun evening and some delicious sushi. We decided to try Wasabi, having seen it when driving through the Town Center previously. We knew it wasn't really a sushi restaurant, rather a Japanese steakhouse that had a sushi menu, but went for it anyway. The sushi was actually quite good. We tried their Submarine roll, Tiger roll, Hawaii roll, and Ichiban roll, and they were all fresh and tasty. The big drawback for us was the atmosphere. It was packed, loud, and the mass of people waiting for tables overflowed into the dining area. The atmosphere felt similar to a TGI Fridays, there were tons of young kids (we arrived at almost 9 pm...?), and it was not conducive to a date night. Bottom line, if you are looking for a family friendly restaurant with decent food, this is your place. If you're looking for a great date night, go somewhere else.
(2)Matt M.
Floor covered with leftover food, sticky carpets. Food was ok, felt very rushed! Right after chef left , waiter came with to go boxes . Normally it's pretty good, tonight ok nothing special for $80.00.
(3)Diana M.
This is the best hibachi I have had since moving to Jacksonville. I know it is a chain but it was better than I expected. I had the fillet and it was cooked perfectly. Their shrimp sauce is the best I have had so far in Jax!
(4)Daisy D.
I've heard good things about this place, but my experience was just ok. I ordered the chicken udon; it is a huge portion and I came nowhere near finishing it. But the noodles were great, the veggies fresh. The edamame we had at the table was among the better I've had; but I agree the portion was smaller than I expected. I'll definitely try it again and will try the grill table and order some sushi before I give it a final score. Does have high potential to make it on the lunch rotation since it's five minutes from the office.
(3)Jax F.
Honestly, I wasn't a fan of Japanese Steakhouses until I met my wife. Although I'm always up for someone else cooking my food in front of me (it makes me feel rich), I found it odd if I went there by myself. I didn't want to be "that" guy. Location: It's at the St. Johns Town Center around Bahama Breeze. It's pretty much in a parking lot but I can never find a parking spot. Food: When I go, I think of it like going to Las Vegas. I go into it thinking that I'm leaving without any money, but I'm getting some good memories. In this case, the food is pretty good too. Me and the wife always order the entrée (it varies from time to time on what exactly we order, but most of the time it is 2-3 proteins) and then we pay the extra to add a plate. That means you just pay for the one entrée and then split the food. Don't worry, they split the food for you, just sit back and enjoy the show. Check out my review at: jaxfoodcritic.com/wasabi… This night, we went with Steak and Chicken. Everyone gets a couple of shrimp as an appetizer. With the entrée, you order a soup and salad. We always get the mushroom soup (Description: Mushroom, tempura crunchy, scallion in a clear chicken broth. $1.75 if bought by itself). The soup is always tasty. I recommend eating the tempura crunchy as quick as you can, before it gets soggy. Next up, the salad. We don't venture out too much when it comes to the salad so we play it safe with the House Salad and ranch dressing. I actually like their ranch, and they give a decent amount on the salad. I hate having to ask for more (I have a ranch tooth: Video Explanation). The salad is $1.95 if you didn't order the entrée. And now, it's time for the main course. We went with the Filet Mignon and Chicken (Description: all dinner entrees are served with our famous flaming shrimp appetizers at your table, fresh tossed salad with our secret wasabi dressing, japanese soup, japanese-style vegetables, and fried rice for $19.25). Let me just put this out there. I'm kind of a big boy, and can put down some food, but every single time, I leave with leftovers. And, believe it or not, my favorite part is the fresh vegetables and the rice. I can't get enough of the zucchini and the onions. I'm sure the wife loves the onions part lol. Everyone seems to love the shrimp sauce but over time, I have started shying away from it. My wife on the other hand, would love to take a bath in the stuff. So, if you like shrimp sauce, ask them for an extra ramekin (fancy word for Tiny Bowl) of it. They are used to people asking for it. Don't be afraid All in all, I have to say this is one of the better Japanese Steakhouses in Jacksonville. Always clean, food is the same every time and chef's are always entertaining. My son loved the train thing they made with the onions and of course I liked them throwing food at me and catching it like I'm a baby seal. Yeah, I'm that guy...the fat guy being fed like he's at the zoo. Whatever... The Good: - Not a bank buster, the prices are reasonable - Friendly and unobtrusive staff - Food is consistently the same, which I can appreciate The Bad: - Not a lot of parking in the immediate area, always have to park a little ways away, not a deal breaker unless it's raining.
(4)Katherine M.
When I was younger, I loved hibachi steak houses but I've had a few bad experiences since then (rude staff, rushed service, over priced) so I brushed them off as a fad. Recently, my boyfriend surprised me with a date to Wasabi's and I went along with it because we can have fun anywhere, but I was really impressed by the experience. When you walk in, you are greeted with a combination of modern style and eastern flair. The front has a small, glistening bar and tables for casual dining, and a small hallway lined with bamboo leads to the hibachi tables in the back. We got hot sake which was so smooth. Our chef was pleasant and surprised us with his own made lemon shots on the grill. Yeah, it might sounds kinda crazy but that's the kind of randomness my boyfriend and I like to find when we go out. We ordered steak and shrimp, and our plates were overflowing with yummy food. We tried the sushi as well and were not disappointed.
(4)Aaron H.
We went as a group of 4 we were seated right away, however I must complain about several things....... First of all the restrooms were disgusting. Second because I have a seafood allergy I was told my food had to be cooked in the back which I was fine with however as I sat there watching everyone else's food being prepared I began to wonder where my food was. It didn't come out until everyone else was 90% finished. My rice was hard on top from sitting under a heat lamp and mushy underneath. I was very disappointed. Also our waitress had a bad attitude, she kept our drinks full but seemed to have a few personal problems. Anyway I wasn't impressed.
(2)Iggy I.
awesome food! great show! fun time/experience! the end!
(5)Eric M.
If you don't care about service you will probably love this place. We had sushi, and it was really pretty good quality sushi. The tapanyaki (sp?) grill is a tourist's dream. The service? Embarrassing. It was honestly painful to witness what was going on here. We sat at the bar. I drank two beers but was trying to have four. The bartenders could not have been less concerned with their patrons or how their negligence reflected them as individuals. It was too bad to get angry about. Just embarrassing. Specifics? No greeting. Several minutes to acknowledge us and take our drink order. Drink menu? No. Ok, I shouldn't sweat the small stuff. The bartender put a glass rack on the bar in front of my girlfriend and left it there for ten solid minutes. Table hadn't been wiped all night. Food and stickiness. Dirty bev naps. TVs froze and no one bothered to change the channel the entire time we were there. Our sushi plates were piping hot from the dishwasher. Wtf? One of the bartenders starting breaking down the bar around 9:15. This was a Friday night, and we showed up around 8p. It's clear management/ownership has no idea what's going on here. There is no hope for this place. I will not be back until someone else replaces this place.
(2)Diane C.
I have never even been in the back @ Wasabi...but I hear they have hibachi. ;) So this review is strictly about the sushi. I am pretty sure I've been to every sushi place in Jax, and this is by far the best one. Everything is super fresh...including the finest ginger in all the land, according to my father who enjoys his ginger. The specialty rolls aren't inexpensive. $10+up per roll, but they are totally worth it. Beautiful artistic rolls. They have the usual rolls other sushi joints have also. At a price that seems about standard for Jax. Almost forgot my favorite part. Spicy Tuna Salad is awesome. If you like pieces of raw tuna in a sauce that's just spicy enough to clear out your nostril...and a bit of cucumber...then this is for you. Seaweed salad and edimame are great as well. They keep me in shrimp sauce and diet coke while I'm there so I leave a stuffed but happy camper, every time.
(5)Joy Z.
Funny hibachi chefs that are sure to entertain. If they don't, they'll feed you extra shrimp. Food is amazing, but they do put a Ton of butter to ensure that, and I always have enough left overs for another full meal.
(5)Dominic M.
Very average. High price and average food. I would not recommend.
(2)Jeff P.
The sushi here is pretty good but not my favorite in Jax. I finally had the hibachi for lunch and enjoyed the food. The show was a little lacking but maybe they shorten it during the lunch rush.
(3)Julie A.
Went here yesterday, and the first thing that hits me is how beautiful the building is and how large it feels when I walk inside. If I had a man, we'd go here for a date. Lol. Ironically, I was taking my ex's girl out to eat. (Hahaha that's another story NOT to be yelped about.) The food was pretty good. The udon soup was very filling and made with fresh ingredients. I had their dynamite roll, which was made differently from most dynamite rolls I've had in the past -- it wasn't fried and it was made with tuna instead of salmon. But oh man, was it dynamite. My mouth was on fire afterwards! Lol. (They have a FRIED dynamite roll which tastes like what is normally offered as simply dynamite roll at other sushi places -- deep fried with asparagus and not with tuna.) My ex's girl is a pro at making sushi and made a comment that it wasn't made tight enough. Lol. But she didn't say anything bad about the taste, and she ate all of hers so I guess it was good. The server was very friendly and even though we stayed a little past closing he didn't blow a fuse, but graciously reminded us of the closing time.
(4)Brittany K.
Hubby & I were in town for the holidays & were shopping at the Town Center when we decided to visit Wasabi. My in-laws were with us, and my father-in-law is a Wasabi fan so he picked the spot and we followed.. The restaurant itself is very large, clean, and decorated nicely. The service was excellent, we never had to wait for anything more than a few minutes. My mother-in-law and I ordered the hibachi chicken off the grill and my father-in-law and husband ordered sushi. The hibachi portions were HUGE, I split my chicken with my hubby and I still had plenty of leftovers. I was told that that was just the lunch portion as well and that the dinner portion is even larger! I also had the miso soup and it was delicious. Hubby enjoyed his sushi and we all left full & happy, I only wished I hadn't eaten so much before shopping & trying on clothes! I would definitely reccomend Wasabi if you're in the area and looking for some good Japanese, if you're ordering off the hibachi, split it or plan on having leftovers later!
(4)Ally F.
If I could give 3.5 I would. The atmosphere is great, the bar service was good but not flashy. The hibachi is really good, but the most expensive I've ever head. About $20 for chicken and shrimp, and $30 for the Samurai dinner. The filet mignon is really tender. Overall, same ol' performance, great food, good atmosphere, but about $5 too expensive per plate. Oh and the hand rolls are terrible. I would never get those again.
(3)Hilary L.
There are a lot of different dining options at the St. John's Town Center, this being one of them, but not the best of them. However, when it comes to sushi and hibachi [where they cook in front of you - fun!], this is the only place to get that experience at the Town Center. Well, correction, there is some rinky dink [could be great, never eaten there] little sushi spot over by Target, and then there is Bento for sushi, but that is technically not in the Town Center. For hibachi... this is it. It's good. It's not awesome, but it's good. You will enjoy yourself. You won't be angry that you went there. The atmosphere is nice. It's pretty fancy and new. It always seem clean and its designed well. There is a bar just to the right of the entrance with high top tables that can be used for dining if you don't feel like waiting. And there is another area that is for dining that doesn't have hibachi tables if you aren't into all that jazz [why wouldn't you be?]. And then in the majority of the building there are hibachi tables. Hibachi is a really fun way to dine. It's not just dinner, it's an experience. You are clustered together with about 12 people, many of them strangers unless you bring a big group, and you mingle and chat while the flames from the grill lap at your faces and the smells of stir fry waft through the air. The chef's are really fun and have a lot of tricks up their sleeves. They may or may not throw shrimp at you. This is a reliable place to eat. The food is good, the bar is nice, it's clean and pretty, and can be a lot of fun. All in all a good place.
(3)Hunter B.
When it comes to local sushi, we'll give Wasabi a four-star rating, with a couple of qualifications. This is actually a pretty high score, considering our favorite sushi place gets a high four stars and so far we've still not hit a five-star sushi place in the area. (Side note: Taka Sushi in Atlanta gets five Yelp stars; check it out if you're headed up there.) It's also important to note that this Wasabi is not related to the one at San Pablo & Atlantic that I tried once a while back and didn't love. OK, enough context, how about the good and not-so-good at Wasabi? Edamame were warm, tasty, not too salty, but the portion was a little smaller than some places. LDC liked her house salad; I tried it and was not a fan of the ginger dressing, which had mayo overtones. My gyoza were made with beef, not shrimp or pork, and were also good, but I've had better locally and beyond. As for the sushi itself, I was pretty pleased with my unagi, double shrimp roll, and kamikaze roll (yellowtail w/cucumber, spicy). Portions were big, the seafood was fresh, rolls were tight and well presented, full of flavor. LDC also enjoyed her vegetarian and cucumber sushi rolls, but says she still preferred the veggie sushi at Koja II and Osaka by a nose. Two of the three sushi chefs were older fellas, while the third was much younger. I don't know about the training regimen, who made what, or if it made a difference to our meal, but maybe the experience level played a part, because there were no loose rolls like the ones Julie mentioned in her review. Service was efficient and didn't miss a beat. The interior and vibe are nice and casual. Good booths where you can still see the sushi bar. Prices are quite reasonable and the wine/sake/beer list offered plenty of choices. Another plus is the location in St. John's Town Center. When we add it all up, Wasabi moves into third place for us right behind our still-favorites, Koja II and Osaka, and who knows, it has potential to go a little higher. Bottom line is, we'd go back. Recommended.
(4)Ramón Y.
Sashimi was good. The waiter was very tentative. Of course it was early so there was no one else sitting at the Sushi Bar. Waiter was very nice and so was the Sushi Master.
(4)L.Marie D.
Love this place... you don't have to wait forever for a table and the food is good. It's your basic hibachi restaurant... haven't tried the sushi, so cannot comment there. The cooks are average with regard to their entertainment during cooking. Sometimes they are a little heavy-handed with the salt.
(4)Danielle T.
***Never go back!** No stars! Tonight was the first time my boyfriend and myself ever ate at a wasabi. And we will never go back. First off, the floor in the ladies room was extremely sticky. The salad was swimming in dressing. I did not eat mine. And the ginger dressing is mayonnaise based (super gross). The miso soup was very bland and flavorless. My boyfriend order the filet mignon and shrimp hibachi. I order the shrimp and scallop hibachi. Our food sat on the counter for at least five minutes before a different waiter brought it to us. The rice was crunchy and old tasting. Everything was very unsatisfying and extremely dissapointed.
(1)Lacy C.
Best Japanese Steak House in Jacksonville ! I love their fried rice, large portion on veggies, plus u also get sweet carrots, and hands down they have the best shrimp sauce !
(5)Ernesto M.
The place needs to be pressure washed COMPLETELY. The chairs, the tables are sticky. Now to the food, these people put teriyaki sauce on EVERYTHING. I don't like teriyaki so i tell the cook in advance and through out the preparation of the meal that i don't want it and s9metimes they mess up anyway I keep going there because my wife loves the plce but i don't think we will go back after today. The chairs were actually hard to get your hands off of them because they were so sticky. I wonder if they ever get visit from the health dept, the place is disgusting The othwr thing that bothered me today is that they have 11 chairs per table. I actually removed one for my family of 5 to seat with a bit of space between each other, then another family of 4 came in and the father took a chair out as well. The table in front of us had 3 different parties and one person told us they had to remove 3 chairs from the table to seat comfortably
(1)Kassie C.
I am so beyond pissed right now primarily because I am starving...so here it goes.. I walked in & there was a 15 minute wait. I sat at the bar with my bf & we got an adult beverage while we waited. We finally got buzzed by the timer, sat down around the hibachi table & waited...& waited...& waited... Our server was absolutely horrible..I'm not sure if this was her first rodeo or what. The table beside of us ws sat no more than 5 minutes before we did & they had already gotten their drinks, soup, salad, complimentary shrimp & rice. The only thing they had left was the meat & we had only gotten our drinks. Sitting their for 30 minutes with only a drink is absolutely ridiculous. The only reason I know the specific times is because we had somewhere to be & at that point there was no hope in making it so we got up & left. The server was nowhere in sight for me to even tell her we were leaving so I told the hostess. I've been to wasabi multiple times & have always enjoyed it but this time was unacceptable. The orginal plan was to go to Daruma Japanese Steakhouse bc I had never been. I wish we would have!!!!
(1)Tierra J.
1:30pm Love this place!! Been coming for year's! Hibachi is deelish, Dont forget the sweet carrots at the end. I'm a very picky eater & they definitely cater to my needs. It's worth a try. 2pm- I should've waited to write my review!! I received my food to come across RAW Chicken!. I notified my waitress about the issue, she notified the Manager on duty. *No one seemed Concerned* he took my food away a gave me a Bill for 5$. The bill which was for my SOUP & SALAD, which is apart of my meal. Normally i wouldn't trip about paying that small price, but the fact that my food was Raw & you still Charge me for a Portion that was INCLUDED in my meal price wasn't ok with me! No argument though, i Paid it & Left! Dont plan on Returning here, the Concern of the customer was Unknown!!
(1)Heather D.
This review is based on the lunch menu. Highly recommend the lunch - half the price of dinner for the same amount of food. Busy atmosphere so if you are looking for a quiet place you might want to go somewhere else. Attentive servers and HUGE portions!
(4)Ray S.
Went here with a large party and the service was good. Food was pretty good. The only thing I didn't like was it felt like there was grease everywhere in the hibachi area. It was on the chairs, menus and even in the air. They need to improve the ventilation in there.
(4)W M.
Where to start.... Ok so we just moved to the Ponte Vedra Beach area from Washington DC and asked around where we should eat tonight closer to where we live after a day of hanging out in St. Augustine.... My aunt who is a local suggested a place at the town center called Wasabi... we were all on board and excited to go. We arrive for our 7 pm reservation at 7 pm and were told it would take 15 minutes to seat us so we politely accepted and headed towards the bar thing to ourselves as to why we even made reservations if we would have to wait 15 minutes. As we walked to the bar, myself and my entire party found themselves getting dripped on with water from the ceiling from every direction.... When we asked what the problem was we were told it was because tooooooooo many people were here and the AC cannot handle it....... fine ... whatever the heck that meant.... so we ordered drinks and waited..... THIRTY 30 THIR-TAY minutes later we are called (thirty minutes after our reservation time) and headed to our table.... as we sit we are sat with a very nice couple who were african american and a family of four who were caucasian. Our waitress comes and asks what we all would like so we ordered..... I decide to order a roll with just rice and cheese and seaweed and she tells me its 8 bucks..... I tell her that she has lost her mind if she thinks a roll we paid $4 last week would be twice as much for now especially if a tuna roll is only $5.50 and all I'm asking for was rice.... ok so blah blah blah.... and so we are waiting for the rest of my parties sushi roll and then finally theY arrive.... FINNALY..... it has been 40 minutes since we have been sat...... when the sushi got here my friends were eager to eat it but were not given soy sauce and other options for the sushi..... so at this point the people next to us have decided that they had had enough so the mother and the father and the two children leave..... ... in our heads were were thinking that we have hit the jackpot and gained the ultimate access to the hibachi table and have plenty of space but suddenly another family come by...... the other family was of equal dynamic.... a mother and a father and two children as well except tho sfamily had a grandpa to join..... wellllllll the kids started playing with the forks and knives and so did the adults, inserting them in their mouths and just really acting silly which was alright but at that point I decided that I had about had enough and so did the rest of my party..... I stood up and asked the manager replace all of the plates and silverware because the previous family had did just the same thing so essentially the current family was just sharing in their germs..... Ok so finally our chef arrives an hour and a half later apologizing saying they were under staff..... we said thats ok but honestly why would you ever accept another table if you are not able to provide an "acceptable" level of service or sanitary service at a minimum for your customers?????? I say customers because we did not feel like guests..... We certainly chose the wrong place to have a birthday dinner because the birthday guest begged to not be identified due to the extending the time of service and to the fact that the host of the party was having blood sugar problems from waiting an hour and a half past h=our reservation time just to meet our chef...... and speaking of the chef........ once the chef arrived he decided making jokes was the way to relax the table..... not the case.... or it would have been had they not have been so rude..... he had asked me what did my girlfriend think and I responded that I did not know and told him I knew what my husband knew (The man beside me who was a man just as I am man man is my husband) and then he said ohhhhh and cut a shrimp in half and began to perversely shake the tale of the shrimp and make a moaning noise towards us as if he was making a mocking gesture towards us.... all while we had children at the table.... we ignored the rudeness and thought we would endure more in hopes that the food would make up for the poor service but that was not the case... he began to make a heart with the rice then shaped it as a "butt with cheeks" and began to smack it whilst making owning noises.... at this point we were about to walk out but then we noticed that we had our steak in front of us so we rushed to eat it and paid our debt and ran out of there...... I think that we should just stink to either capital grille or chills or ruths chris or pussers but for sure....... WASABI will not be getting our business EVER again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My check order # was 30140..... Mind you if we would have had the opportunity then we would have left earlier..... probably when the other family began to use the used silverware and no one had said anything until I did.... except it became a bit too crowded to leave and of course we were celebrating a birthday.
(1)Trever P.
, eating here is amazing but the food portions are massively huge I would recommend this to anybody who wants a fun night out so be prepared the portion sizes are more than enough for two people
(5)Elizabeth M.
I was pleasantly surprised about coming here for a work Christmas party. We were a large group of about 24 and we were seated at the hibachi grill tables. We had one waitress for the entire group and two chefs. The waitress was very friendly and attempted to get us all everything we needed. I say attempted because she did forget to bring my daughters booster seat and a To go container for my soup. However she was very apologetic for forgetting and since she did seem sincere it didn't bother me. My husband and I each got our own entrees and were concerned about the sharing charge for children but our server informed us that it's only if we wanted her to have her own veggies and rice and soup. Lucky for us we didn't, so we didn't have to pay a sharing plate charge. The prices were very high but I did expect that because it's the only Japanese restaurant At the town center. The food was surprisingly delicious. My only real complaint was that the clear mushroom soup was too salty. My steak was perfectly seasoned and cooked, the fried rice was quite tasty and had good flavor. The hibachi veggies were cooked perfectly as they still had a bit of a snap to them, and with the carry over cooking it made them perfect. The shrimp appetizer that came with the entrees was tasty and didn't seem rubbery to me. The grill show was fun and my daughter was yelling for more fire! My husbands chicken entree was cooked with green peppers and onions on the grill which really added to the flavor. The chicken breast maybe could have been taken off the grill a few minutes earlier but the flavor was so good that it didn't even matter. Another way I know that this place was pretty good was because the leftovers got eaten in the same night and that says a lot in my house. I can see why there are such mixed reviews because you can get such a combination of different servers and cooks at the tables. My experience here with my family and coworkers was great as we all had fun and enjoyed ourselves and the most important thing is that we all left with smiles on our faces. Like I said, I was pleasantly surprised to have such a good experience especially after seeing all the reviews and with this being at the town center. Oh and fyi, my coworkers who got drinks said that their drinks were delicious and strong! And of course with any big party they won't seat you until your whole party is there but that's understandable.
(4)Jennifer S.
Awesome experience. The food is fantastic and the servers are very friendly! Sushi is the best! The cooks are very interactive and they love to party! Very very busy restaurant!
(5)Shera B.
Good hibachi and sushi spot Great lunch specials for hibachi Good prices Variety of sushi rolls Lovely shrimp sauce Yummy carrots served with the meal Great hibachi rice Fun and entertaining chefs Open for lunch Closed b/w lunch and dinner Huge space Clean They offer cocktails and sake Huge amount of food ! Check it out
(4)Gerrald L.
I have been going here for years, definitely very good food whether you are having sushi or the stuff off the hibachi grill, the only reason I didn't give them a 5 star is because it is kind off dirty here as of late
(4)Brian H.
Our lunch started off amazingly well. Their soup is just about the best I have ever had. That was the definite high point of the meal. We also got the Gyoza. Fried Gyoza is supposed to be crispy, correct? It tasted alright but failed on texture and temperature. Last came the steak and chicken hibachi. It wasn't bad, but I would have expected better for the price. Bottom line, this place was adequate. There are better options for the money all over Jacksonville.
(3)Cyndi A.
Poor customer service from manager. Long time customer lost here!!! Server never mentioned that a kids "combo" meal didn't exist when my very small 7 year old asked for chicken and shrimp. Instead we were charged for a full adult meal at $23!!! After speaking with the manager, he simply stated, " well u got the food didn't you?". Completely unbelievable. I work close and come here quite often, and even after trying to discuss it with the Manager (Shaun lim), I left very frustrated. Beware parents!!!
(1)Sarah D.
Great change for dinner after having too much turkey! Took my family of six for dinner on a Saturday night at 630pm and only waited five minutes to sit. The wait staff was very quick and efficient and our cook was hilarious. Be prepared to eat a lot as the portions at wasabi are huge...but our family loves leftovers so it worked out great. The prices are reasonable given the service and the amount of food. This restaurant would have earned five stars but the shrimp appetizer tasted off. As this was a freebie I didn't think it was worth docking more than one star. Make sure to let the server know if you are celebrating a birthday as they treat those celebrating pretty much anything like VIPs!
(4)Miriam W.
Went here for a date night and was pleasantly surprised with the great experience. We will be back for sure! Food was excellent, wait time was none(we had a reservation just in case). Our chef was awesome and engaged the entire table. Drinks a bit pricey but worth it. Overall atmosphere is family friendly and date night approved!
(5)J B.
Excellent food. Ask for Kevin, AKA K2, for the cook; very funny. I would ask for light soy sauce on the fried rice, but other than that .... YUM!
(4)Tim V.
I eat at Wasabi as often as possible. I love the food! The show at the grill stopped Impressing me early on, but the food is amazing! I normally order the scallops and steak with the mushroom soup. Never once have I been disappointed. The place is ALWAYS clean and the competent staff is always cheerful and fast. ... Oh I just got my soup... Enjoy!
(5)Brandi S.
This is by far the best Hibachi restaurant I've ever been to. The food was amazing and so was our incredible chef K2! K2 put on a show like I've never seen. He had everyone extremely entertained which caused for a great night. I'm so pleased with this restaurant and I can't wait to come back.
(5)Karena R.
Love love love this place. The hubby and I have been here 4xs in less than a month. You can eat at the bar, sit at a table or by the grill. The food is amazing seasoned to perfection.
(5)Aubrey N.
I love their shrimp sauce! Best in Jax, in my opinion. I love their lunch specials; super cheap and you get A LOT of food!!! This place is always packed. The chefs are fun if you plan on doing the hibachi tables!
(5)Elizabeth F.
Good sushi, no wait at 6pm on a Saturday night. Our waiter was great. Only nagative is that they make u pay for soup and salad separate.
(4)Jen S.
I LOVE this place for their Sushi Bar. I haven't eaten at their hibachi tables in a couple of years (not my thing) but their sushi is so fresh, delicious, and although it is a little higher priced than some of the other great sushi places in the area, I'm willing to pay a little more for the freshness of the food. The servers are great and friendly, the ambience is nice, ample seating, great selection, and delicious ginger salad.
(5)Amanda N.
Incompetent. As good as it can be they frequently mess up your order. They deliver but tonight it was like pulling teeth w the girl on the phone. Inside and on the phone they run this unprofessionally. I ended up not ordering tonight due to frustration.
(1)Whitney A.
Where do I start? Their hibachi is amazing! When it comes to their sushi I always go for the yum yum roll. It might seem pricey but I assure you that roll is worth every penny. The service is great as well. Whether its hibachi or sushi you are craving this place is the place to get it! :)
(5)Megan E.
I gave this place one star because I was unable to select no stars. The Miso Soup and Seaweed Salad were both fine; however, the sushi was by far the worst I've ever had. Not only did we come across a bone in the salmon which could have been choked on, all of the sushi was extremely warm. The sushi tasted as if it had been sitting out for hours. When speaking to the manager (Shawn) after sending it back to the kitchen all he could say was we haven't had any other complaints tonight, and we typically have the best sushi in town. I can tell you they do not. The manager then continued to make us pay for a portion of the sushi that was sent back, included a bone and was just absolutely awful. I can promise we won't be returning and/or recommending this place considering the night ended with several ill feeling stomachs and one of us throwing up.
(1)Brooke H.
Delicious food and fun atmosphere, our 9yr was apprehensive at first but he enjoyed watching the chef and really liked the food. We come here when we are in the area
(5)Heesook P.
Great Staff, Good Food, Hilarious Entertainment by Our hibachi Chef! He will go above and beyond to make your Happy Hour experience fun fun fun! Who Clowns, juggles, jokes, and entertains. Food is plentiful, flavorful and inexpensive for the amount you get. Highly recommended for group of people, family who wants to celebrate or have fun!
(5)Kaneil Smith S.
I have always had a good experience whenever I eat at Wasabi. I've had the hibachi shrimp and chicken. I like that everything is always fresh. The food is simple and good. I really can't say anything really bad. I always go with a large group mostly after church and the setting allows for us to be really social and interactive. Most of the chefs I've had have been pretty skilled and funny ad they put on an show preparing the food, where flame meets flavor. I'd go back.
(4)Ashley M.
If you have been shopping all day at St Johns Town Center and have a Sushi craving this can be a quick fix but will not be a top ten experience. I eat the sushi here out of convenience and it is not bad. Kids get the alligator roll. Most traditional rolls are decent. Presentation is lacking. Atmosphere can be hit or miss. Last time I went the men's bathroom was flooded and no one was fixing it. Out side of that it has been pretty tame but not special. There are better sushi bars within 15 min. If you don't have the time to travel it will do but you wont write home about it.
(3)Loukisha W.
The people here can't read or write I ordered filet and shrimp and got everything on the menu but what I ordered.... They made three attempts to correct my order and it still wasn't right!!!!! Called the restaurant to inform and the manger can care less. Didn't offer to take care of my meal at all and the kicker is my order was to go!!! I get all the way home to realize there complete idiots working in the kitchen and in management do let the ambiance of the town center fool you there idiots and customer service sucks!!!!!!!!
(1)Megan T.
This is one of the best hibachi grills i have found in a while the food was excellent the portions were gigantic the prices weren't terrible (we spend more at sushi bars) the service was good the hibachi chef was funny and entertaining and the bar staff were so friendly ! The only problem I had was the attentiveness of our waitress although when she did come around she was fast with her service all in all great experience and will definitely be on our regular outing list
(4)Maureen D.
Not good at all. My boyfriend and I went here for lunch, both got hibachi. I got veggie and he got shrimp and chicken. He tried his and didn't like it at all. He sent it back and ordered some sushi. The manager came out with the dish and acted like we were trying to scam them and get free food, and suggested that my boyfriend had already eaten half of his food. Not true. He maybe took 5 bites. When he said the shrimp was rubbery and frozen, she acted offended. Never apologized. Gave us half off the dish he sent back, since he apparently already ate half of it. The manager never checked back on us, and really didn't seem to care whether or not we were having a good experience. She was extremely rude and unprofessional, and treated us as if we were crazy for not liking the disgusting meal. Our waitress was just okay. Kind of strange. My veggie hibachi was alright, I've had better but I didn't complain. The sushi ended up being good. We will never be back. Not worth the money, and the manager is an asshole. There are MUCH better restaurants to go to.
(1)Jennifer S.
Cool fancy tricks but I've never seen Asians using butter to prepare their meals...disgusting
(1)Deprina G.
My first experience there was amazing I want to go back soon. The only thing I didnt like is the table we were at was full and the couple next to us were allowed to have their friends come up and pull a chair next to them.. no really like they just ordered drinks and grabbed some random chairs and watch the free show not even at the table.. It was a little "ghetto" too the romance out my experience. I bought my hubby his ring (Green lantern engagement) and i was trying to present it to him after everyone left. but. this couple and their friends just sat at the table staring at us.. I was like really.. any way the place was still great the food was good I love the portions and from what I could tell it was clean.
(4)Scott L.
Fun place but poor table service. Horrible response on a Thursday night. Not even busy.
(1)Rita D.
Mehh...not bad but not good enough to go back if I can help it. There are 2 Cons about this place, hence the 2 stars I took away. 1) The floor smelled horrible. We got there at about 3:30 and had to wait till 4p to be seated because they hadn't re-opened yet....silly me for thinking they could have taken the time between lunch and dinner to freshen up the place. But that's just me...the girl I was with barely noticed...but she's a regular. 2) Our chef, though did a great job with the food, was inapproprately flirting with me with children present. I calmly put him in his place the 2nd time and he pretty much kept his mouth shut for the rest of the meal but still... I ordered the hibachi shrimp and teryikai chicken dinner which were both very tasty and tender, even after I heated it up the next day. The portions were huge enough to where all 9 of us were able to get extra. The ginger ale I ordered was kind of flat but they took it back with no problem. I spent about $20 and despite the musty floor smell and horny chef, left pretty satisfied. If I'm in the area, I may go back and try the sushi....probably as a last resort.
(3)Sarah W.
the food is ok, on par with other hibachi that I have eaten at. It was different from my usual hibachi, they do not do a noodle course and they add in two shrimp as a starter. The service was not great and drinks were slow to come out and orders of edamame were forgotten. Dishes were not cleared away timely. The table chef we had was good and the kids loved it.
(2)Brenton R.
My table was dirty, there was rice all over the floor, and the hoods over the hibachi grills were covered in grease. Easily the dirtiest restaurant I've eaten at in a long time. The tables are cramped and seating is incredibly tight, even for a hibachi place. The food is pretty low quality and the shrimp were not properly cleaned. Let me tell you, nothing whets the appetite like seeing poop ooze out the back of the shrimp you're about to eat. Yum, yum. The ginger dressing on the salad tasted more like water than ginger. The actual entree I ordered was totally average, the sushi I ordered tasted like it came from Publix, and what really bothered me most was that my soup and salad was served in plastic bowls. So much for presentation or even attempting to put in any effort to put out a quality product. Not to mention, our cook clearly didn't want to be there. TLDR: this place is dirty, over priced, and just plain gross. Save yourself $60 and take your business elsewhere.
(1)Johnna P.
Salad was awful- so much dressing it looked like a soup. Hibachi was advertised to have an appetizer included but the waiter looked at me like I was stupid when I asked for it and said it isn't included. Hibachi steak was chewy and cooked terribly. Will never return or recommend it to anyone.
(1)April F.
Subpar at best. I love sushi and was not impressed with the spicy tuna or tiger roll I ordered. No flavor and lacked freshness!
(2)Katherine M.
When I was younger, I loved hibachi steak houses but I've had a few bad experiences since then (rude staff, rushed service, over priced) so I brushed them off as a fad. Recently, my boyfriend surprised me with a date to Wasabi's and I went along with it because we can have fun anywhere, but I was really impressed by the experience. When you walk in, you are greeted with a combination of modern style and eastern flair. The front has a small, glistening bar and tables for casual dining, and a small hallway lined with bamboo leads to the hibachi tables in the back. We got hot sake which was so smooth. Our chef was pleasant and surprised us with his own made lemon shots on the grill. Yeah, it might sounds kinda crazy but that's the kind of randomness my boyfriend and I like to find when we go out. We ordered steak and shrimp, and our plates were overflowing with yummy food. We tried the sushi as well and were not disappointed.
(4)Brittany K.
Hubby & I were in town for the holidays & were shopping at the Town Center when we decided to visit Wasabi. My in-laws were with us, and my father-in-law is a Wasabi fan so he picked the spot and we followed.. The restaurant itself is very large, clean, and decorated nicely. The service was excellent, we never had to wait for anything more than a few minutes. My mother-in-law and I ordered the hibachi chicken off the grill and my father-in-law and husband ordered sushi. The hibachi portions were HUGE, I split my chicken with my hubby and I still had plenty of leftovers. I was told that that was just the lunch portion as well and that the dinner portion is even larger! I also had the miso soup and it was delicious. Hubby enjoyed his sushi and we all left full & happy, I only wished I hadn't eaten so much before shopping & trying on clothes! I would definitely reccomend Wasabi if you're in the area and looking for some good Japanese, if you're ordering off the hibachi, split it or plan on having leftovers later!
(4)Ally F.
If I could give 3.5 I would. The atmosphere is great, the bar service was good but not flashy. The hibachi is really good, but the most expensive I've ever head. About $20 for chicken and shrimp, and $30 for the Samurai dinner. The filet mignon is really tender. Overall, same ol' performance, great food, good atmosphere, but about $5 too expensive per plate. Oh and the hand rolls are terrible. I would never get those again.
(3)Hilary L.
There are a lot of different dining options at the St. John's Town Center, this being one of them, but not the best of them. However, when it comes to sushi and hibachi [where they cook in front of you - fun!], this is the only place to get that experience at the Town Center. Well, correction, there is some rinky dink [could be great, never eaten there] little sushi spot over by Target, and then there is Bento for sushi, but that is technically not in the Town Center. For hibachi... this is it. It's good. It's not awesome, but it's good. You will enjoy yourself. You won't be angry that you went there. The atmosphere is nice. It's pretty fancy and new. It always seem clean and its designed well. There is a bar just to the right of the entrance with high top tables that can be used for dining if you don't feel like waiting. And there is another area that is for dining that doesn't have hibachi tables if you aren't into all that jazz [why wouldn't you be?]. And then in the majority of the building there are hibachi tables. Hibachi is a really fun way to dine. It's not just dinner, it's an experience. You are clustered together with about 12 people, many of them strangers unless you bring a big group, and you mingle and chat while the flames from the grill lap at your faces and the smells of stir fry waft through the air. The chef's are really fun and have a lot of tricks up their sleeves. They may or may not throw shrimp at you. This is a reliable place to eat. The food is good, the bar is nice, it's clean and pretty, and can be a lot of fun. All in all a good place.
(3)Jax F.
Honestly, I wasn't a fan of Japanese Steakhouses until I met my wife. Although I'm always up for someone else cooking my food in front of me (it makes me feel rich), I found it odd if I went there by myself. I didn't want to be "that" guy. Location: It's at the St. Johns Town Center around Bahama Breeze. It's pretty much in a parking lot but I can never find a parking spot. Food: When I go, I think of it like going to Las Vegas. I go into it thinking that I'm leaving without any money, but I'm getting some good memories. In this case, the food is pretty good too. Me and the wife always order the entrée (it varies from time to time on what exactly we order, but most of the time it is 2-3 proteins) and then we pay the extra to add a plate. That means you just pay for the one entrée and then split the food. Don't worry, they split the food for you, just sit back and enjoy the show. Check out my review at: jaxfoodcritic.com/wasabi… This night, we went with Steak and Chicken. Everyone gets a couple of shrimp as an appetizer. With the entrée, you order a soup and salad. We always get the mushroom soup (Description: Mushroom, tempura crunchy, scallion in a clear chicken broth. $1.75 if bought by itself). The soup is always tasty. I recommend eating the tempura crunchy as quick as you can, before it gets soggy. Next up, the salad. We don't venture out too much when it comes to the salad so we play it safe with the House Salad and ranch dressing. I actually like their ranch, and they give a decent amount on the salad. I hate having to ask for more (I have a ranch tooth: Video Explanation). The salad is $1.95 if you didn't order the entrée. And now, it's time for the main course. We went with the Filet Mignon and Chicken (Description: all dinner entrees are served with our famous flaming shrimp appetizers at your table, fresh tossed salad with our secret wasabi dressing, japanese soup, japanese-style vegetables, and fried rice for $19.25). Let me just put this out there. I'm kind of a big boy, and can put down some food, but every single time, I leave with leftovers. And, believe it or not, my favorite part is the fresh vegetables and the rice. I can't get enough of the zucchini and the onions. I'm sure the wife loves the onions part lol. Everyone seems to love the shrimp sauce but over time, I have started shying away from it. My wife on the other hand, would love to take a bath in the stuff. So, if you like shrimp sauce, ask them for an extra ramekin (fancy word for Tiny Bowl) of it. They are used to people asking for it. Don't be afraid All in all, I have to say this is one of the better Japanese Steakhouses in Jacksonville. Always clean, food is the same every time and chef's are always entertaining. My son loved the train thing they made with the onions and of course I liked them throwing food at me and catching it like I'm a baby seal. Yeah, I'm that guy...the fat guy being fed like he's at the zoo. Whatever... The Good: - Not a bank buster, the prices are reasonable - Friendly and unobtrusive staff - Food is consistently the same, which I can appreciate The Bad: - Not a lot of parking in the immediate area, always have to park a little ways away, not a deal breaker unless it's raining.
(4)Aaron H.
We went as a group of 4 we were seated right away, however I must complain about several things....... First of all the restrooms were disgusting. Second because I have a seafood allergy I was told my food had to be cooked in the back which I was fine with however as I sat there watching everyone else's food being prepared I began to wonder where my food was. It didn't come out until everyone else was 90% finished. My rice was hard on top from sitting under a heat lamp and mushy underneath. I was very disappointed. Also our waitress had a bad attitude, she kept our drinks full but seemed to have a few personal problems. Anyway I wasn't impressed.
(2)Iggy I.
awesome food! great show! fun time/experience! the end!
(5)Suzanne P.
Came for the sushi. Meh, is about it. Fish was fresh. All the rolls tasted the same and none of the rolls had any special sauces. Even the house special rolls were bland and blah, without sauces or any presentation whatsoever. Overpriced. Will not be back.
(2)Alex S.
This place is about 75 times better than Benihana. It's exactly the same thing, only half the price and three times the portion. You get a ton of food. The only thing I would recommend is making a reservation or showing up earlier in the evening because the place gets packed. We had about an hour or so wait.
(5)Ryan D.
I used to love coming here, but I have decided that I will not come back after several bad experiences this year. This place has lost its touch. From Rude waiter/waitresses, rude hostess, mixed up orders, and burnt food. Only reason why I gave it a one star is the decor. It has a cute modern decor on the inside.
(1)Khristopher B.
If seafood is my favorite type of food, hibachi is my favorite way to have it prepared. Wasabi gets high marks from me because they do hibachi of seafood very well. When you visit, make sure you try the flaming shrimp and you'll know exactly what I mean. Wasabi also gets high marks because the hibachi chefs are entertaining, talented and personable. I've only been to this place once, but while there, the chef cracked jokes while garnishing our food and getting to know the customers he would be serving. I only mention this feat because I went to a hibachi grill similar to Wasabi in Orlando last summer. The chef in Orlando was not as engaging even though, in all honesty, the food was just as fantastic. But with an engaged chef, it really makes the dining experience memorable because you think about the jokes the chef told and everyone's reaction. I speak as if I love this place, but it cannot receive five stars. The sole knock I have on Wasabi some would consider a positive. The place is crowded and packed all the time, which means it will always take a while to be seated for hibachi. I haven't been there enough times to accurately depict the experience of ordering take out sushi.
(4)Laini T.
My husband and I were in the mood for a fun evening and some delicious sushi. We decided to try Wasabi, having seen it when driving through the Town Center previously. We knew it wasn't really a sushi restaurant, rather a Japanese steakhouse that had a sushi menu, but went for it anyway. The sushi was actually quite good. We tried their Submarine roll, Tiger roll, Hawaii roll, and Ichiban roll, and they were all fresh and tasty. The big drawback for us was the atmosphere. It was packed, loud, and the mass of people waiting for tables overflowed into the dining area. The atmosphere felt similar to a TGI Fridays, there were tons of young kids (we arrived at almost 9 pm...?), and it was not conducive to a date night. Bottom line, if you are looking for a family friendly restaurant with decent food, this is your place. If you're looking for a great date night, go somewhere else.
(2)Matt M.
Floor covered with leftover food, sticky carpets. Food was ok, felt very rushed! Right after chef left , waiter came with to go boxes . Normally it's pretty good, tonight ok nothing special for $80.00.
(3)Diana M.
This is the best hibachi I have had since moving to Jacksonville. I know it is a chain but it was better than I expected. I had the fillet and it was cooked perfectly. Their shrimp sauce is the best I have had so far in Jax!
(4)Daisy D.
I've heard good things about this place, but my experience was just ok. I ordered the chicken udon; it is a huge portion and I came nowhere near finishing it. But the noodles were great, the veggies fresh. The edamame we had at the table was among the better I've had; but I agree the portion was smaller than I expected. I'll definitely try it again and will try the grill table and order some sushi before I give it a final score. Does have high potential to make it on the lunch rotation since it's five minutes from the office.
(3)Eric M.
If you don't care about service you will probably love this place. We had sushi, and it was really pretty good quality sushi. The tapanyaki (sp?) grill is a tourist's dream. The service? Embarrassing. It was honestly painful to witness what was going on here. We sat at the bar. I drank two beers but was trying to have four. The bartenders could not have been less concerned with their patrons or how their negligence reflected them as individuals. It was too bad to get angry about. Just embarrassing. Specifics? No greeting. Several minutes to acknowledge us and take our drink order. Drink menu? No. Ok, I shouldn't sweat the small stuff. The bartender put a glass rack on the bar in front of my girlfriend and left it there for ten solid minutes. Table hadn't been wiped all night. Food and stickiness. Dirty bev naps. TVs froze and no one bothered to change the channel the entire time we were there. Our sushi plates were piping hot from the dishwasher. Wtf? One of the bartenders starting breaking down the bar around 9:15. This was a Friday night, and we showed up around 8p. It's clear management/ownership has no idea what's going on here. There is no hope for this place. I will not be back until someone else replaces this place.
(2)Diane C.
I have never even been in the back @ Wasabi...but I hear they have hibachi. ;) So this review is strictly about the sushi. I am pretty sure I've been to every sushi place in Jax, and this is by far the best one. Everything is super fresh...including the finest ginger in all the land, according to my father who enjoys his ginger. The specialty rolls aren't inexpensive. $10+up per roll, but they are totally worth it. Beautiful artistic rolls. They have the usual rolls other sushi joints have also. At a price that seems about standard for Jax. Almost forgot my favorite part. Spicy Tuna Salad is awesome. If you like pieces of raw tuna in a sauce that's just spicy enough to clear out your nostril...and a bit of cucumber...then this is for you. Seaweed salad and edimame are great as well. They keep me in shrimp sauce and diet coke while I'm there so I leave a stuffed but happy camper, every time.
(5)Joy Z.
Funny hibachi chefs that are sure to entertain. If they don't, they'll feed you extra shrimp. Food is amazing, but they do put a Ton of butter to ensure that, and I always have enough left overs for another full meal.
(5)Dominic M.
Very average. High price and average food. I would not recommend.
(2)Jeff P.
The sushi here is pretty good but not my favorite in Jax. I finally had the hibachi for lunch and enjoyed the food. The show was a little lacking but maybe they shorten it during the lunch rush.
(3)Julie A.
Went here yesterday, and the first thing that hits me is how beautiful the building is and how large it feels when I walk inside. If I had a man, we'd go here for a date. Lol. Ironically, I was taking my ex's girl out to eat. (Hahaha that's another story NOT to be yelped about.) The food was pretty good. The udon soup was very filling and made with fresh ingredients. I had their dynamite roll, which was made differently from most dynamite rolls I've had in the past -- it wasn't fried and it was made with tuna instead of salmon. But oh man, was it dynamite. My mouth was on fire afterwards! Lol. (They have a FRIED dynamite roll which tastes like what is normally offered as simply dynamite roll at other sushi places -- deep fried with asparagus and not with tuna.) My ex's girl is a pro at making sushi and made a comment that it wasn't made tight enough. Lol. But she didn't say anything bad about the taste, and she ate all of hers so I guess it was good. The server was very friendly and even though we stayed a little past closing he didn't blow a fuse, but graciously reminded us of the closing time.
(4)Hunter B.
When it comes to local sushi, we'll give Wasabi a four-star rating, with a couple of qualifications. This is actually a pretty high score, considering our favorite sushi place gets a high four stars and so far we've still not hit a five-star sushi place in the area. (Side note: Taka Sushi in Atlanta gets five Yelp stars; check it out if you're headed up there.) It's also important to note that this Wasabi is not related to the one at San Pablo & Atlantic that I tried once a while back and didn't love. OK, enough context, how about the good and not-so-good at Wasabi? Edamame were warm, tasty, not too salty, but the portion was a little smaller than some places. LDC liked her house salad; I tried it and was not a fan of the ginger dressing, which had mayo overtones. My gyoza were made with beef, not shrimp or pork, and were also good, but I've had better locally and beyond. As for the sushi itself, I was pretty pleased with my unagi, double shrimp roll, and kamikaze roll (yellowtail w/cucumber, spicy). Portions were big, the seafood was fresh, rolls were tight and well presented, full of flavor. LDC also enjoyed her vegetarian and cucumber sushi rolls, but says she still preferred the veggie sushi at Koja II and Osaka by a nose. Two of the three sushi chefs were older fellas, while the third was much younger. I don't know about the training regimen, who made what, or if it made a difference to our meal, but maybe the experience level played a part, because there were no loose rolls like the ones Julie mentioned in her review. Service was efficient and didn't miss a beat. The interior and vibe are nice and casual. Good booths where you can still see the sushi bar. Prices are quite reasonable and the wine/sake/beer list offered plenty of choices. Another plus is the location in St. John's Town Center. When we add it all up, Wasabi moves into third place for us right behind our still-favorites, Koja II and Osaka, and who knows, it has potential to go a little higher. Bottom line is, we'd go back. Recommended.
(4)Ramón Y.
Sashimi was good. The waiter was very tentative. Of course it was early so there was no one else sitting at the Sushi Bar. Waiter was very nice and so was the Sushi Master.
(4)L.Marie D.
Love this place... you don't have to wait forever for a table and the food is good. It's your basic hibachi restaurant... haven't tried the sushi, so cannot comment there. The cooks are average with regard to their entertainment during cooking. Sometimes they are a little heavy-handed with the salt.
(4)Renee G.
You probably have to read my previous reviews on habachi restaurants to understand my theory on them - you go there for the entertainment. It's kinda hard to screw up unless you light someone on fire. Or so I thought until my experience at Wasabi. Beautiful restaurant. I'm instanly impressed. Good crowd on a Monday night, also impressive. Service.... heeeeeellllllllooooooooo...... where are you? Too slow Chef arrives - "How do you like your chicken cooked?" he asks. "Uuuummm..... DONE would be nice". I don't know if he is confused or I am . Doesn't crack a smile or break stride, he insists he wants to know how I want my chicken cooked. Hell, I don't know - well done? He does the same to my mom. We look at each other with that look of "let's get the hell outta here" when he says under his breath (just kidding(. Still no smile. Oh the show was the same 'ol same 'ol. My 2 1/2 yo son directing him the whole time. Which turned out to be more entertaining that this guy. Rice, burnt. C'mon even I would have to work hard to burn rice. Then the chef gives the little 6 yo girl sitting next to me her chicken - the WHOLE chicken breast. No interest in taking the extra step and cutting it into little peices like he's supposed to do! She wouldn't touch it. I felt so sorry for the little girl I wanted to lean over and start cutting it for her. Again, the impression I get is that this guy is getting some sort of sick satisfacation out of this. Hhhmmm... wait. Where's MY chicken? My son starts asking "Momma, I want my chicken". It's sitting on the side of the grill, clearly cooked. Sitting, sitting, sitting. I'm so baffled, I'm speechless. Do I say something or have my son spatula the weirdo? He starts cleaning the grill. Yup, chicken is still sitting there. FINALLY, he serves it to us... acted like he forgot about it. Still I think it is his sarcastic, sadistic humor. He event cuts our chicken. Bottom line - I was wrong. You can screw up Habachi without lighting someone on fire. So, off I go back to the whole-in-the-wall dive in the ATL. Wow, that place is starting to really grow on me :D
(2)Paul C.
Really enjoyed their Whitefish Box, and my wife also enjoyed scallops entree. One of the first times I can ever remember eating Oriental food, and could not eat it all! Ambiance is nice, and fresh, separate sushi bar is very efficient, and they have a full bar. My only complaint is that waiting time for food (this was a late lunch) was way too long (20+ mins.), and it was not too busy. Price was good, and wait staff very friendly. The adress for this is in Town Center shopping center.
(3)Chris G.
Finally some decent sushi in Jacksonville (did not try the steakhouse). The wife and I went to Wasabi tonight and were pleasantly surprised. The rolls were tasty, the nigiri was excellent as well, and even the seaweed salad was pretty good. We had tried several other sushi places (including some steakhouse/sushi places) and were pretty disappointed in the quality. The prices are reasonable and the food is pretty good. The rice was not quite sticky enough, and the rolls were a little bit loose, but other than that it was excellent. We will definitely be back, and would recommend it to anyone looking for decent sushi in Jax.
(4)Ernesto M.
The place needs to be pressure washed COMPLETELY. The chairs, the tables are sticky. Now to the food, these people put teriyaki sauce on EVERYTHING. I don't like teriyaki so i tell the cook in advance and through out the preparation of the meal that i don't want it and s9metimes they mess up anyway I keep going there because my wife loves the plce but i don't think we will go back after today. The chairs were actually hard to get your hands off of them because they were so sticky. I wonder if they ever get visit from the health dept, the place is disgusting The othwr thing that bothered me today is that they have 11 chairs per table. I actually removed one for my family of 5 to seat with a bit of space between each other, then another family of 4 came in and the father took a chair out as well. The table in front of us had 3 different parties and one person told us they had to remove 3 chairs from the table to seat comfortably
(1)Kassie C.
I am so beyond pissed right now primarily because I am starving...so here it goes.. I walked in & there was a 15 minute wait. I sat at the bar with my bf & we got an adult beverage while we waited. We finally got buzzed by the timer, sat down around the hibachi table & waited...& waited...& waited... Our server was absolutely horrible..I'm not sure if this was her first rodeo or what. The table beside of us ws sat no more than 5 minutes before we did & they had already gotten their drinks, soup, salad, complimentary shrimp & rice. The only thing they had left was the meat & we had only gotten our drinks. Sitting their for 30 minutes with only a drink is absolutely ridiculous. The only reason I know the specific times is because we had somewhere to be & at that point there was no hope in making it so we got up & left. The server was nowhere in sight for me to even tell her we were leaving so I told the hostess. I've been to wasabi multiple times & have always enjoyed it but this time was unacceptable. The orginal plan was to go to Daruma Japanese Steakhouse bc I had never been. I wish we would have!!!!
(1)Lacy C.
Best Japanese Steak House in Jacksonville ! I love their fried rice, large portion on veggies, plus u also get sweet carrots, and hands down they have the best shrimp sauce !
(5)Jen S.
I LOVE this place for their Sushi Bar. I haven't eaten at their hibachi tables in a couple of years (not my thing) but their sushi is so fresh, delicious, and although it is a little higher priced than some of the other great sushi places in the area, I'm willing to pay a little more for the freshness of the food. The servers are great and friendly, the ambience is nice, ample seating, great selection, and delicious ginger salad.
(5)Cyndi A.
Poor customer service from manager. Long time customer lost here!!! Server never mentioned that a kids "combo" meal didn't exist when my very small 7 year old asked for chicken and shrimp. Instead we were charged for a full adult meal at $23!!! After speaking with the manager, he simply stated, " well u got the food didn't you?". Completely unbelievable. I work close and come here quite often, and even after trying to discuss it with the Manager (Shaun lim), I left very frustrated. Beware parents!!!
(1)Sarah D.
Great change for dinner after having too much turkey! Took my family of six for dinner on a Saturday night at 630pm and only waited five minutes to sit. The wait staff was very quick and efficient and our cook was hilarious. Be prepared to eat a lot as the portions at wasabi are huge...but our family loves leftovers so it worked out great. The prices are reasonable given the service and the amount of food. This restaurant would have earned five stars but the shrimp appetizer tasted off. As this was a freebie I didn't think it was worth docking more than one star. Make sure to let the server know if you are celebrating a birthday as they treat those celebrating pretty much anything like VIPs!
(4)Miriam W.
Went here for a date night and was pleasantly surprised with the great experience. We will be back for sure! Food was excellent, wait time was none(we had a reservation just in case). Our chef was awesome and engaged the entire table. Drinks a bit pricey but worth it. Overall atmosphere is family friendly and date night approved!
(5)J B.
Excellent food. Ask for Kevin, AKA K2, for the cook; very funny. I would ask for light soy sauce on the fried rice, but other than that .... YUM!
(4)Tim V.
I eat at Wasabi as often as possible. I love the food! The show at the grill stopped Impressing me early on, but the food is amazing! I normally order the scallops and steak with the mushroom soup. Never once have I been disappointed. The place is ALWAYS clean and the competent staff is always cheerful and fast. ... Oh I just got my soup... Enjoy!
(5)Karena R.
Love love love this place. The hubby and I have been here 4xs in less than a month. You can eat at the bar, sit at a table or by the grill. The food is amazing seasoned to perfection.
(5)Brandi S.
This is by far the best Hibachi restaurant I've ever been to. The food was amazing and so was our incredible chef K2! K2 put on a show like I've never seen. He had everyone extremely entertained which caused for a great night. I'm so pleased with this restaurant and I can't wait to come back.
(5)Diane C.
I have never even been in the back @ Wasabi...but I hear they have hibachi. ;) So this review is strictly about the sushi. I am pretty sure I've been to every sushi place in Jax, and this is by far the best one. Everything is super fresh...including the finest ginger in all the land, according to my father who enjoys his ginger. The specialty rolls aren't inexpensive. $10+up per roll, but they are totally worth it. Beautiful artistic rolls. They have the usual rolls other sushi joints have also. At a price that seems about standard for Jax. Almost forgot my favorite part. Spicy Tuna Salad is awesome. If you like pieces of raw tuna in a sauce that's just spicy enough to clear out your nostril...and a bit of cucumber...then this is for you. Seaweed salad and edimame are great as well. They keep me in shrimp sauce and diet coke while I'm there so I leave a stuffed but happy camper, every time.
(5)Joy Z.
Funny hibachi chefs that are sure to entertain. If they don't, they'll feed you extra shrimp. Food is amazing, but they do put a Ton of butter to ensure that, and I always have enough left overs for another full meal.
(5)Dominic M.
Very average. High price and average food. I would not recommend.
(2)Jeff P.
The sushi here is pretty good but not my favorite in Jax. I finally had the hibachi for lunch and enjoyed the food. The show was a little lacking but maybe they shorten it during the lunch rush.
(3)Julie A.
Went here yesterday, and the first thing that hits me is how beautiful the building is and how large it feels when I walk inside. If I had a man, we'd go here for a date. Lol. Ironically, I was taking my ex's girl out to eat. (Hahaha that's another story NOT to be yelped about.) The food was pretty good. The udon soup was very filling and made with fresh ingredients. I had their dynamite roll, which was made differently from most dynamite rolls I've had in the past -- it wasn't fried and it was made with tuna instead of salmon. But oh man, was it dynamite. My mouth was on fire afterwards! Lol. (They have a FRIED dynamite roll which tastes like what is normally offered as simply dynamite roll at other sushi places -- deep fried with asparagus and not with tuna.) My ex's girl is a pro at making sushi and made a comment that it wasn't made tight enough. Lol. But she didn't say anything bad about the taste, and she ate all of hers so I guess it was good. The server was very friendly and even though we stayed a little past closing he didn't blow a fuse, but graciously reminded us of the closing time.
(4)Tierra J.
1:30pm Love this place!! Been coming for year's! Hibachi is deelish, Dont forget the sweet carrots at the end. I'm a very picky eater & they definitely cater to my needs. It's worth a try. 2pm- I should've waited to write my review!! I received my food to come across RAW Chicken!. I notified my waitress about the issue, she notified the Manager on duty. *No one seemed Concerned* he took my food away a gave me a Bill for 5$. The bill which was for my SOUP & SALAD, which is apart of my meal. Normally i wouldn't trip about paying that small price, but the fact that my food was Raw & you still Charge me for a Portion that was INCLUDED in my meal price wasn't ok with me! No argument though, i Paid it & Left! Dont plan on Returning here, the Concern of the customer was Unknown!!
(1)Elizabeth M.
I was pleasantly surprised about coming here for a work Christmas party. We were a large group of about 24 and we were seated at the hibachi grill tables. We had one waitress for the entire group and two chefs. The waitress was very friendly and attempted to get us all everything we needed. I say attempted because she did forget to bring my daughters booster seat and a To go container for my soup. However she was very apologetic for forgetting and since she did seem sincere it didn't bother me. My husband and I each got our own entrees and were concerned about the sharing charge for children but our server informed us that it's only if we wanted her to have her own veggies and rice and soup. Lucky for us we didn't, so we didn't have to pay a sharing plate charge. The prices were very high but I did expect that because it's the only Japanese restaurant At the town center. The food was surprisingly delicious. My only real complaint was that the clear mushroom soup was too salty. My steak was perfectly seasoned and cooked, the fried rice was quite tasty and had good flavor. The hibachi veggies were cooked perfectly as they still had a bit of a snap to them, and with the carry over cooking it made them perfect. The shrimp appetizer that came with the entrees was tasty and didn't seem rubbery to me. The grill show was fun and my daughter was yelling for more fire! My husbands chicken entree was cooked with green peppers and onions on the grill which really added to the flavor. The chicken breast maybe could have been taken off the grill a few minutes earlier but the flavor was so good that it didn't even matter. Another way I know that this place was pretty good was because the leftovers got eaten in the same night and that says a lot in my house. I can see why there are such mixed reviews because you can get such a combination of different servers and cooks at the tables. My experience here with my family and coworkers was great as we all had fun and enjoyed ourselves and the most important thing is that we all left with smiles on our faces. Like I said, I was pleasantly surprised to have such a good experience especially after seeing all the reviews and with this being at the town center. Oh and fyi, my coworkers who got drinks said that their drinks were delicious and strong! And of course with any big party they won't seat you until your whole party is there but that's understandable.
(4)Jennifer S.
Awesome experience. The food is fantastic and the servers are very friendly! Sushi is the best! The cooks are very interactive and they love to party! Very very busy restaurant!
(5)Shera B.
Good hibachi and sushi spot Great lunch specials for hibachi Good prices Variety of sushi rolls Lovely shrimp sauce Yummy carrots served with the meal Great hibachi rice Fun and entertaining chefs Open for lunch Closed b/w lunch and dinner Huge space Clean They offer cocktails and sake Huge amount of food ! Check it out
(4)Danielle T.
***Never go back!** No stars! Tonight was the first time my boyfriend and myself ever ate at a wasabi. And we will never go back. First off, the floor in the ladies room was extremely sticky. The salad was swimming in dressing. I did not eat mine. And the ginger dressing is mayonnaise based (super gross). The miso soup was very bland and flavorless. My boyfriend order the filet mignon and shrimp hibachi. I order the shrimp and scallop hibachi. Our food sat on the counter for at least five minutes before a different waiter brought it to us. The rice was crunchy and old tasting. Everything was very unsatisfying and extremely dissapointed.
(1)Gerrald L.
I have been going here for years, definitely very good food whether you are having sushi or the stuff off the hibachi grill, the only reason I didn't give them a 5 star is because it is kind off dirty here as of late
(4)Heather D.
This review is based on the lunch menu. Highly recommend the lunch - half the price of dinner for the same amount of food. Busy atmosphere so if you are looking for a quiet place you might want to go somewhere else. Attentive servers and HUGE portions!
(4)Ray S.
Went here with a large party and the service was good. Food was pretty good. The only thing I didn't like was it felt like there was grease everywhere in the hibachi area. It was on the chairs, menus and even in the air. They need to improve the ventilation in there.
(4)Trever P.
, eating here is amazing but the food portions are massively huge I would recommend this to anybody who wants a fun night out so be prepared the portion sizes are more than enough for two people
(5)Brian H.
Our lunch started off amazingly well. Their soup is just about the best I have ever had. That was the definite high point of the meal. We also got the Gyoza. Fried Gyoza is supposed to be crispy, correct? It tasted alright but failed on texture and temperature. Last came the steak and chicken hibachi. It wasn't bad, but I would have expected better for the price. Bottom line, this place was adequate. There are better options for the money all over Jacksonville.
(3)W M.
Where to start.... Ok so we just moved to the Ponte Vedra Beach area from Washington DC and asked around where we should eat tonight closer to where we live after a day of hanging out in St. Augustine.... My aunt who is a local suggested a place at the town center called Wasabi... we were all on board and excited to go. We arrive for our 7 pm reservation at 7 pm and were told it would take 15 minutes to seat us so we politely accepted and headed towards the bar thing to ourselves as to why we even made reservations if we would have to wait 15 minutes. As we walked to the bar, myself and my entire party found themselves getting dripped on with water from the ceiling from every direction.... When we asked what the problem was we were told it was because tooooooooo many people were here and the AC cannot handle it....... fine ... whatever the heck that meant.... so we ordered drinks and waited..... THIRTY 30 THIR-TAY minutes later we are called (thirty minutes after our reservation time) and headed to our table.... as we sit we are sat with a very nice couple who were african american and a family of four who were caucasian. Our waitress comes and asks what we all would like so we ordered..... I decide to order a roll with just rice and cheese and seaweed and she tells me its 8 bucks..... I tell her that she has lost her mind if she thinks a roll we paid $4 last week would be twice as much for now especially if a tuna roll is only $5.50 and all I'm asking for was rice.... ok so blah blah blah.... and so we are waiting for the rest of my parties sushi roll and then finally theY arrive.... FINNALY..... it has been 40 minutes since we have been sat...... when the sushi got here my friends were eager to eat it but were not given soy sauce and other options for the sushi..... so at this point the people next to us have decided that they had had enough so the mother and the father and the two children leave..... ... in our heads were were thinking that we have hit the jackpot and gained the ultimate access to the hibachi table and have plenty of space but suddenly another family come by...... the other family was of equal dynamic.... a mother and a father and two children as well except tho sfamily had a grandpa to join..... wellllllll the kids started playing with the forks and knives and so did the adults, inserting them in their mouths and just really acting silly which was alright but at that point I decided that I had about had enough and so did the rest of my party..... I stood up and asked the manager replace all of the plates and silverware because the previous family had did just the same thing so essentially the current family was just sharing in their germs..... Ok so finally our chef arrives an hour and a half later apologizing saying they were under staff..... we said thats ok but honestly why would you ever accept another table if you are not able to provide an "acceptable" level of service or sanitary service at a minimum for your customers?????? I say customers because we did not feel like guests..... We certainly chose the wrong place to have a birthday dinner because the birthday guest begged to not be identified due to the extending the time of service and to the fact that the host of the party was having blood sugar problems from waiting an hour and a half past h=our reservation time just to meet our chef...... and speaking of the chef........ once the chef arrived he decided making jokes was the way to relax the table..... not the case.... or it would have been had they not have been so rude..... he had asked me what did my girlfriend think and I responded that I did not know and told him I knew what my husband knew (The man beside me who was a man just as I am man man is my husband) and then he said ohhhhh and cut a shrimp in half and began to perversely shake the tale of the shrimp and make a moaning noise towards us as if he was making a mocking gesture towards us.... all while we had children at the table.... we ignored the rudeness and thought we would endure more in hopes that the food would make up for the poor service but that was not the case... he began to make a heart with the rice then shaped it as a "butt with cheeks" and began to smack it whilst making owning noises.... at this point we were about to walk out but then we noticed that we had our steak in front of us so we rushed to eat it and paid our debt and ran out of there...... I think that we should just stink to either capital grille or chills or ruths chris or pussers but for sure....... WASABI will not be getting our business EVER again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My check order # was 30140..... Mind you if we would have had the opportunity then we would have left earlier..... probably when the other family began to use the used silverware and no one had said anything until I did.... except it became a bit too crowded to leave and of course we were celebrating a birthday.
(1)Aubrey N.
I love their shrimp sauce! Best in Jax, in my opinion. I love their lunch specials; super cheap and you get A LOT of food!!! This place is always packed. The chefs are fun if you plan on doing the hibachi tables!
(5)Elizabeth F.
Good sushi, no wait at 6pm on a Saturday night. Our waiter was great. Only nagative is that they make u pay for soup and salad separate.
(4)Amanda N.
Incompetent. As good as it can be they frequently mess up your order. They deliver but tonight it was like pulling teeth w the girl on the phone. Inside and on the phone they run this unprofessionally. I ended up not ordering tonight due to frustration.
(1)Whitney A.
Where do I start? Their hibachi is amazing! When it comes to their sushi I always go for the yum yum roll. It might seem pricey but I assure you that roll is worth every penny. The service is great as well. Whether its hibachi or sushi you are craving this place is the place to get it! :)
(5)Megan E.
I gave this place one star because I was unable to select no stars. The Miso Soup and Seaweed Salad were both fine; however, the sushi was by far the worst I've ever had. Not only did we come across a bone in the salmon which could have been choked on, all of the sushi was extremely warm. The sushi tasted as if it had been sitting out for hours. When speaking to the manager (Shawn) after sending it back to the kitchen all he could say was we haven't had any other complaints tonight, and we typically have the best sushi in town. I can tell you they do not. The manager then continued to make us pay for a portion of the sushi that was sent back, included a bone and was just absolutely awful. I can promise we won't be returning and/or recommending this place considering the night ended with several ill feeling stomachs and one of us throwing up.
(1)Brooke H.
Delicious food and fun atmosphere, our 9yr was apprehensive at first but he enjoyed watching the chef and really liked the food. We come here when we are in the area
(5)Heesook P.
Great Staff, Good Food, Hilarious Entertainment by Our hibachi Chef! He will go above and beyond to make your Happy Hour experience fun fun fun! Who Clowns, juggles, jokes, and entertains. Food is plentiful, flavorful and inexpensive for the amount you get. Highly recommended for group of people, family who wants to celebrate or have fun!
(5)Kaneil Smith S.
I have always had a good experience whenever I eat at Wasabi. I've had the hibachi shrimp and chicken. I like that everything is always fresh. The food is simple and good. I really can't say anything really bad. I always go with a large group mostly after church and the setting allows for us to be really social and interactive. Most of the chefs I've had have been pretty skilled and funny ad they put on an show preparing the food, where flame meets flavor. I'd go back.
(4)Ashley M.
If you have been shopping all day at St Johns Town Center and have a Sushi craving this can be a quick fix but will not be a top ten experience. I eat the sushi here out of convenience and it is not bad. Kids get the alligator roll. Most traditional rolls are decent. Presentation is lacking. Atmosphere can be hit or miss. Last time I went the men's bathroom was flooded and no one was fixing it. Out side of that it has been pretty tame but not special. There are better sushi bars within 15 min. If you don't have the time to travel it will do but you wont write home about it.
(3)Loukisha W.
The people here can't read or write I ordered filet and shrimp and got everything on the menu but what I ordered.... They made three attempts to correct my order and it still wasn't right!!!!! Called the restaurant to inform and the manger can care less. Didn't offer to take care of my meal at all and the kicker is my order was to go!!! I get all the way home to realize there complete idiots working in the kitchen and in management do let the ambiance of the town center fool you there idiots and customer service sucks!!!!!!!!
(1)Megan T.
This is one of the best hibachi grills i have found in a while the food was excellent the portions were gigantic the prices weren't terrible (we spend more at sushi bars) the service was good the hibachi chef was funny and entertaining and the bar staff were so friendly ! The only problem I had was the attentiveness of our waitress although when she did come around she was fast with her service all in all great experience and will definitely be on our regular outing list
(4)Jennifer S.
Cool fancy tricks but I've never seen Asians using butter to prepare their meals...disgusting
(1)Sarah W.
the food is ok, on par with other hibachi that I have eaten at. It was different from my usual hibachi, they do not do a noodle course and they add in two shrimp as a starter. The service was not great and drinks were slow to come out and orders of edamame were forgotten. Dishes were not cleared away timely. The table chef we had was good and the kids loved it.
(2)Maureen D.
Not good at all. My boyfriend and I went here for lunch, both got hibachi. I got veggie and he got shrimp and chicken. He tried his and didn't like it at all. He sent it back and ordered some sushi. The manager came out with the dish and acted like we were trying to scam them and get free food, and suggested that my boyfriend had already eaten half of his food. Not true. He maybe took 5 bites. When he said the shrimp was rubbery and frozen, she acted offended. Never apologized. Gave us half off the dish he sent back, since he apparently already ate half of it. The manager never checked back on us, and really didn't seem to care whether or not we were having a good experience. She was extremely rude and unprofessional, and treated us as if we were crazy for not liking the disgusting meal. Our waitress was just okay. Kind of strange. My veggie hibachi was alright, I've had better but I didn't complain. The sushi ended up being good. We will never be back. Not worth the money, and the manager is an asshole. There are MUCH better restaurants to go to.
(1)Deprina G.
My first experience there was amazing I want to go back soon. The only thing I didnt like is the table we were at was full and the couple next to us were allowed to have their friends come up and pull a chair next to them.. no really like they just ordered drinks and grabbed some random chairs and watch the free show not even at the table.. It was a little "ghetto" too the romance out my experience. I bought my hubby his ring (Green lantern engagement) and i was trying to present it to him after everyone left. but. this couple and their friends just sat at the table staring at us.. I was like really.. any way the place was still great the food was good I love the portions and from what I could tell it was clean.
(4)Scott L.
Fun place but poor table service. Horrible response on a Thursday night. Not even busy.
(1)Rita D.
Mehh...not bad but not good enough to go back if I can help it. There are 2 Cons about this place, hence the 2 stars I took away. 1) The floor smelled horrible. We got there at about 3:30 and had to wait till 4p to be seated because they hadn't re-opened yet....silly me for thinking they could have taken the time between lunch and dinner to freshen up the place. But that's just me...the girl I was with barely noticed...but she's a regular. 2) Our chef, though did a great job with the food, was inapproprately flirting with me with children present. I calmly put him in his place the 2nd time and he pretty much kept his mouth shut for the rest of the meal but still... I ordered the hibachi shrimp and teryikai chicken dinner which were both very tasty and tender, even after I heated it up the next day. The portions were huge enough to where all 9 of us were able to get extra. The ginger ale I ordered was kind of flat but they took it back with no problem. I spent about $20 and despite the musty floor smell and horny chef, left pretty satisfied. If I'm in the area, I may go back and try the sushi....probably as a last resort.
(3)Brenton R.
My table was dirty, there was rice all over the floor, and the hoods over the hibachi grills were covered in grease. Easily the dirtiest restaurant I've eaten at in a long time. The tables are cramped and seating is incredibly tight, even for a hibachi place. The food is pretty low quality and the shrimp were not properly cleaned. Let me tell you, nothing whets the appetite like seeing poop ooze out the back of the shrimp you're about to eat. Yum, yum. The ginger dressing on the salad tasted more like water than ginger. The actual entree I ordered was totally average, the sushi I ordered tasted like it came from Publix, and what really bothered me most was that my soup and salad was served in plastic bowls. So much for presentation or even attempting to put in any effort to put out a quality product. Not to mention, our cook clearly didn't want to be there. TLDR: this place is dirty, over priced, and just plain gross. Save yourself $60 and take your business elsewhere.
(1)Johnna P.
Salad was awful- so much dressing it looked like a soup. Hibachi was advertised to have an appetizer included but the waiter looked at me like I was stupid when I asked for it and said it isn't included. Hibachi steak was chewy and cooked terribly. Will never return or recommend it to anyone.
(1)April F.
Subpar at best. I love sushi and was not impressed with the spicy tuna or tiger roll I ordered. No flavor and lacked freshness!
(2)Suzanne P.
Came for the sushi. Meh, is about it. Fish was fresh. All the rolls tasted the same and none of the rolls had any special sauces. Even the house special rolls were bland and blah, without sauces or any presentation whatsoever. Overpriced. Will not be back.
(2)Alex S.
This place is about 75 times better than Benihana. It's exactly the same thing, only half the price and three times the portion. You get a ton of food. The only thing I would recommend is making a reservation or showing up earlier in the evening because the place gets packed. We had about an hour or so wait.
(5)Ryan D.
I used to love coming here, but I have decided that I will not come back after several bad experiences this year. This place has lost its touch. From Rude waiter/waitresses, rude hostess, mixed up orders, and burnt food. Only reason why I gave it a one star is the decor. It has a cute modern decor on the inside.
(1)Khristopher B.
If seafood is my favorite type of food, hibachi is my favorite way to have it prepared. Wasabi gets high marks from me because they do hibachi of seafood very well. When you visit, make sure you try the flaming shrimp and you'll know exactly what I mean. Wasabi also gets high marks because the hibachi chefs are entertaining, talented and personable. I've only been to this place once, but while there, the chef cracked jokes while garnishing our food and getting to know the customers he would be serving. I only mention this feat because I went to a hibachi grill similar to Wasabi in Orlando last summer. The chef in Orlando was not as engaging even though, in all honesty, the food was just as fantastic. But with an engaged chef, it really makes the dining experience memorable because you think about the jokes the chef told and everyone's reaction. I speak as if I love this place, but it cannot receive five stars. The sole knock I have on Wasabi some would consider a positive. The place is crowded and packed all the time, which means it will always take a while to be seated for hibachi. I haven't been there enough times to accurately depict the experience of ordering take out sushi.
(4)Laini T.
My husband and I were in the mood for a fun evening and some delicious sushi. We decided to try Wasabi, having seen it when driving through the Town Center previously. We knew it wasn't really a sushi restaurant, rather a Japanese steakhouse that had a sushi menu, but went for it anyway. The sushi was actually quite good. We tried their Submarine roll, Tiger roll, Hawaii roll, and Ichiban roll, and they were all fresh and tasty. The big drawback for us was the atmosphere. It was packed, loud, and the mass of people waiting for tables overflowed into the dining area. The atmosphere felt similar to a TGI Fridays, there were tons of young kids (we arrived at almost 9 pm...?), and it was not conducive to a date night. Bottom line, if you are looking for a family friendly restaurant with decent food, this is your place. If you're looking for a great date night, go somewhere else.
(2)Matt M.
Floor covered with leftover food, sticky carpets. Food was ok, felt very rushed! Right after chef left , waiter came with to go boxes . Normally it's pretty good, tonight ok nothing special for $80.00.
(3)Diana M.
This is the best hibachi I have had since moving to Jacksonville. I know it is a chain but it was better than I expected. I had the fillet and it was cooked perfectly. Their shrimp sauce is the best I have had so far in Jax!
(4)Daisy D.
I've heard good things about this place, but my experience was just ok. I ordered the chicken udon; it is a huge portion and I came nowhere near finishing it. But the noodles were great, the veggies fresh. The edamame we had at the table was among the better I've had; but I agree the portion was smaller than I expected. I'll definitely try it again and will try the grill table and order some sushi before I give it a final score. Does have high potential to make it on the lunch rotation since it's five minutes from the office.
(3)Jax F.
Honestly, I wasn't a fan of Japanese Steakhouses until I met my wife. Although I'm always up for someone else cooking my food in front of me (it makes me feel rich), I found it odd if I went there by myself. I didn't want to be "that" guy. Location: It's at the St. Johns Town Center around Bahama Breeze. It's pretty much in a parking lot but I can never find a parking spot. Food: When I go, I think of it like going to Las Vegas. I go into it thinking that I'm leaving without any money, but I'm getting some good memories. In this case, the food is pretty good too. Me and the wife always order the entrée (it varies from time to time on what exactly we order, but most of the time it is 2-3 proteins) and then we pay the extra to add a plate. That means you just pay for the one entrée and then split the food. Don't worry, they split the food for you, just sit back and enjoy the show. Check out my review at: jaxfoodcritic.com/wasabi… This night, we went with Steak and Chicken. Everyone gets a couple of shrimp as an appetizer. With the entrée, you order a soup and salad. We always get the mushroom soup (Description: Mushroom, tempura crunchy, scallion in a clear chicken broth. $1.75 if bought by itself). The soup is always tasty. I recommend eating the tempura crunchy as quick as you can, before it gets soggy. Next up, the salad. We don't venture out too much when it comes to the salad so we play it safe with the House Salad and ranch dressing. I actually like their ranch, and they give a decent amount on the salad. I hate having to ask for more (I have a ranch tooth: Video Explanation). The salad is $1.95 if you didn't order the entrée. And now, it's time for the main course. We went with the Filet Mignon and Chicken (Description: all dinner entrees are served with our famous flaming shrimp appetizers at your table, fresh tossed salad with our secret wasabi dressing, japanese soup, japanese-style vegetables, and fried rice for $19.25). Let me just put this out there. I'm kind of a big boy, and can put down some food, but every single time, I leave with leftovers. And, believe it or not, my favorite part is the fresh vegetables and the rice. I can't get enough of the zucchini and the onions. I'm sure the wife loves the onions part lol. Everyone seems to love the shrimp sauce but over time, I have started shying away from it. My wife on the other hand, would love to take a bath in the stuff. So, if you like shrimp sauce, ask them for an extra ramekin (fancy word for Tiny Bowl) of it. They are used to people asking for it. Don't be afraid All in all, I have to say this is one of the better Japanese Steakhouses in Jacksonville. Always clean, food is the same every time and chef's are always entertaining. My son loved the train thing they made with the onions and of course I liked them throwing food at me and catching it like I'm a baby seal. Yeah, I'm that guy...the fat guy being fed like he's at the zoo. Whatever... The Good: - Not a bank buster, the prices are reasonable - Friendly and unobtrusive staff - Food is consistently the same, which I can appreciate The Bad: - Not a lot of parking in the immediate area, always have to park a little ways away, not a deal breaker unless it's raining.
(4)Katherine M.
When I was younger, I loved hibachi steak houses but I've had a few bad experiences since then (rude staff, rushed service, over priced) so I brushed them off as a fad. Recently, my boyfriend surprised me with a date to Wasabi's and I went along with it because we can have fun anywhere, but I was really impressed by the experience. When you walk in, you are greeted with a combination of modern style and eastern flair. The front has a small, glistening bar and tables for casual dining, and a small hallway lined with bamboo leads to the hibachi tables in the back. We got hot sake which was so smooth. Our chef was pleasant and surprised us with his own made lemon shots on the grill. Yeah, it might sounds kinda crazy but that's the kind of randomness my boyfriend and I like to find when we go out. We ordered steak and shrimp, and our plates were overflowing with yummy food. We tried the sushi as well and were not disappointed.
(4)Aaron H.
We went as a group of 4 we were seated right away, however I must complain about several things....... First of all the restrooms were disgusting. Second because I have a seafood allergy I was told my food had to be cooked in the back which I was fine with however as I sat there watching everyone else's food being prepared I began to wonder where my food was. It didn't come out until everyone else was 90% finished. My rice was hard on top from sitting under a heat lamp and mushy underneath. I was very disappointed. Also our waitress had a bad attitude, she kept our drinks full but seemed to have a few personal problems. Anyway I wasn't impressed.
(2)Iggy I.
awesome food! great show! fun time/experience! the end!
(5)Eric M.
If you don't care about service you will probably love this place. We had sushi, and it was really pretty good quality sushi. The tapanyaki (sp?) grill is a tourist's dream. The service? Embarrassing. It was honestly painful to witness what was going on here. We sat at the bar. I drank two beers but was trying to have four. The bartenders could not have been less concerned with their patrons or how their negligence reflected them as individuals. It was too bad to get angry about. Just embarrassing. Specifics? No greeting. Several minutes to acknowledge us and take our drink order. Drink menu? No. Ok, I shouldn't sweat the small stuff. The bartender put a glass rack on the bar in front of my girlfriend and left it there for ten solid minutes. Table hadn't been wiped all night. Food and stickiness. Dirty bev naps. TVs froze and no one bothered to change the channel the entire time we were there. Our sushi plates were piping hot from the dishwasher. Wtf? One of the bartenders starting breaking down the bar around 9:15. This was a Friday night, and we showed up around 8p. It's clear management/ownership has no idea what's going on here. There is no hope for this place. I will not be back until someone else replaces this place.
(2)L.Marie D.
Love this place... you don't have to wait forever for a table and the food is good. It's your basic hibachi restaurant... haven't tried the sushi, so cannot comment there. The cooks are average with regard to their entertainment during cooking. Sometimes they are a little heavy-handed with the salt.
(4)Brittany K.
Hubby & I were in town for the holidays & were shopping at the Town Center when we decided to visit Wasabi. My in-laws were with us, and my father-in-law is a Wasabi fan so he picked the spot and we followed.. The restaurant itself is very large, clean, and decorated nicely. The service was excellent, we never had to wait for anything more than a few minutes. My mother-in-law and I ordered the hibachi chicken off the grill and my father-in-law and husband ordered sushi. The hibachi portions were HUGE, I split my chicken with my hubby and I still had plenty of leftovers. I was told that that was just the lunch portion as well and that the dinner portion is even larger! I also had the miso soup and it was delicious. Hubby enjoyed his sushi and we all left full & happy, I only wished I hadn't eaten so much before shopping & trying on clothes! I would definitely reccomend Wasabi if you're in the area and looking for some good Japanese, if you're ordering off the hibachi, split it or plan on having leftovers later!
(4)Ally F.
If I could give 3.5 I would. The atmosphere is great, the bar service was good but not flashy. The hibachi is really good, but the most expensive I've ever head. About $20 for chicken and shrimp, and $30 for the Samurai dinner. The filet mignon is really tender. Overall, same ol' performance, great food, good atmosphere, but about $5 too expensive per plate. Oh and the hand rolls are terrible. I would never get those again.
(3)Ramón Y.
Sashimi was good. The waiter was very tentative. Of course it was early so there was no one else sitting at the Sushi Bar. Waiter was very nice and so was the Sushi Master.
(4)Hilary L.
There are a lot of different dining options at the St. John's Town Center, this being one of them, but not the best of them. However, when it comes to sushi and hibachi [where they cook in front of you - fun!], this is the only place to get that experience at the Town Center. Well, correction, there is some rinky dink [could be great, never eaten there] little sushi spot over by Target, and then there is Bento for sushi, but that is technically not in the Town Center. For hibachi... this is it. It's good. It's not awesome, but it's good. You will enjoy yourself. You won't be angry that you went there. The atmosphere is nice. It's pretty fancy and new. It always seem clean and its designed well. There is a bar just to the right of the entrance with high top tables that can be used for dining if you don't feel like waiting. And there is another area that is for dining that doesn't have hibachi tables if you aren't into all that jazz [why wouldn't you be?]. And then in the majority of the building there are hibachi tables. Hibachi is a really fun way to dine. It's not just dinner, it's an experience. You are clustered together with about 12 people, many of them strangers unless you bring a big group, and you mingle and chat while the flames from the grill lap at your faces and the smells of stir fry waft through the air. The chef's are really fun and have a lot of tricks up their sleeves. They may or may not throw shrimp at you. This is a reliable place to eat. The food is good, the bar is nice, it's clean and pretty, and can be a lot of fun. All in all a good place.
(3)Hunter B.
When it comes to local sushi, we'll give Wasabi a four-star rating, with a couple of qualifications. This is actually a pretty high score, considering our favorite sushi place gets a high four stars and so far we've still not hit a five-star sushi place in the area. (Side note: Taka Sushi in Atlanta gets five Yelp stars; check it out if you're headed up there.) It's also important to note that this Wasabi is not related to the one at San Pablo & Atlantic that I tried once a while back and didn't love. OK, enough context, how about the good and not-so-good at Wasabi? Edamame were warm, tasty, not too salty, but the portion was a little smaller than some places. LDC liked her house salad; I tried it and was not a fan of the ginger dressing, which had mayo overtones. My gyoza were made with beef, not shrimp or pork, and were also good, but I've had better locally and beyond. As for the sushi itself, I was pretty pleased with my unagi, double shrimp roll, and kamikaze roll (yellowtail w/cucumber, spicy). Portions were big, the seafood was fresh, rolls were tight and well presented, full of flavor. LDC also enjoyed her vegetarian and cucumber sushi rolls, but says she still preferred the veggie sushi at Koja II and Osaka by a nose. Two of the three sushi chefs were older fellas, while the third was much younger. I don't know about the training regimen, who made what, or if it made a difference to our meal, but maybe the experience level played a part, because there were no loose rolls like the ones Julie mentioned in her review. Service was efficient and didn't miss a beat. The interior and vibe are nice and casual. Good booths where you can still see the sushi bar. Prices are quite reasonable and the wine/sake/beer list offered plenty of choices. Another plus is the location in St. John's Town Center. When we add it all up, Wasabi moves into third place for us right behind our still-favorites, Koja II and Osaka, and who knows, it has potential to go a little higher. Bottom line is, we'd go back. Recommended.
(4)Renee G.
You probably have to read my previous reviews on habachi restaurants to understand my theory on them - you go there for the entertainment. It's kinda hard to screw up unless you light someone on fire. Or so I thought until my experience at Wasabi. Beautiful restaurant. I'm instanly impressed. Good crowd on a Monday night, also impressive. Service.... heeeeeellllllllooooooooo...... where are you? Too slow Chef arrives - "How do you like your chicken cooked?" he asks. "Uuuummm..... DONE would be nice". I don't know if he is confused or I am . Doesn't crack a smile or break stride, he insists he wants to know how I want my chicken cooked. Hell, I don't know - well done? He does the same to my mom. We look at each other with that look of "let's get the hell outta here" when he says under his breath (just kidding(. Still no smile. Oh the show was the same 'ol same 'ol. My 2 1/2 yo son directing him the whole time. Which turned out to be more entertaining that this guy. Rice, burnt. C'mon even I would have to work hard to burn rice. Then the chef gives the little 6 yo girl sitting next to me her chicken - the WHOLE chicken breast. No interest in taking the extra step and cutting it into little peices like he's supposed to do! She wouldn't touch it. I felt so sorry for the little girl I wanted to lean over and start cutting it for her. Again, the impression I get is that this guy is getting some sort of sick satisfacation out of this. Hhhmmm... wait. Where's MY chicken? My son starts asking "Momma, I want my chicken". It's sitting on the side of the grill, clearly cooked. Sitting, sitting, sitting. I'm so baffled, I'm speechless. Do I say something or have my son spatula the weirdo? He starts cleaning the grill. Yup, chicken is still sitting there. FINALLY, he serves it to us... acted like he forgot about it. Still I think it is his sarcastic, sadistic humor. He event cuts our chicken. Bottom line - I was wrong. You can screw up Habachi without lighting someone on fire. So, off I go back to the whole-in-the-wall dive in the ATL. Wow, that place is starting to really grow on me :D
(2)Paul C.
Really enjoyed their Whitefish Box, and my wife also enjoyed scallops entree. One of the first times I can ever remember eating Oriental food, and could not eat it all! Ambiance is nice, and fresh, separate sushi bar is very efficient, and they have a full bar. My only complaint is that waiting time for food (this was a late lunch) was way too long (20+ mins.), and it was not too busy. Price was good, and wait staff very friendly. The adress for this is in Town Center shopping center.
(3)Chris G.
Finally some decent sushi in Jacksonville (did not try the steakhouse). The wife and I went to Wasabi tonight and were pleasantly surprised. The rolls were tasty, the nigiri was excellent as well, and even the seaweed salad was pretty good. We had tried several other sushi places (including some steakhouse/sushi places) and were pretty disappointed in the quality. The prices are reasonable and the food is pretty good. The rice was not quite sticky enough, and the rolls were a little bit loose, but other than that it was excellent. We will definitely be back, and would recommend it to anyone looking for decent sushi in Jax.
(4)