Oyama's is where I go for Sushi. I can sit down and have Sashimi but I love their rolls. Oyama's has a bit of everything a diner may want. My favorites are the Iowa City Roll (yes, a deep friend American Mess), eel cucumber roll and a nice bowl of clear soup. The clear soup is amazing. I could go and JUST get the clear soup. My spouse loves the Miso. I've enjoyed the Katsu and tempura as well though when I go I almost always get rolls. I can easily spend 30$ on rolls for myself. The prices are average for sushi but I think the quality is hands above other local sushi places for the price. The service is always spot on. Friendly, though not always able to be comprehended. My drinks are always filled without too much delay.
(5)
Thao P.
Nice sushi place in Iowa City I came here on a Friday night and it was packed. The restaurant itself is a little cozy and not as big as the other restaurants in Iowa City. I was very impressed with the selections of items on the menu. My party and I got three specialty rolls: Perfect roll, rainbow roll, and Iowa City roll. They were delicious!! The perfect roll was perfect..There was sort of a fruity taste in the sauce for the perfect roll that made me love it. My sister ordered the Pork Tonkatsu and was pleased. It came as a bento box served with a Tuna Roll, Tempura, fried rice, and fruit. We loved the Tuna roll because the chefs inserted big chunks of tuna into it. We also had the Salmon dish and it was so moist and delicious. It had a delicious teriyaki glaze on it and wasn't dry at all. Our only unpleasant experience was the new Takoyaki balls they began serving. I give them kudos for trying something that only big cities offer, but it wasn't good. The squid and insides of the balls were too mushy and unflavorful. There also weren't any of the usual bonito flakes on top. The sauce they serve with the balls also is overwhelming with a slightly metallic taste. Overall, I recommend this place!
(4)
Mike D.
I had a terrible experience at this sushi restaurant. Ask to speak with the manager regarding our experience and they wouldn't even address or issues. We waited forever and the sushi was horrible. Do not recommend!
(1)
Erica L.
Our favorite local sushi joint. Good service and good food!! My husband always likes to get the Iowa city roll.
(5)
Caroline H.
We stopped here for a quick lunch and it did not disappoint. The servers were very friendly and very attentive. They explained the specials of the day and told us that we still had time to get the lunch special. I had a great Philadelphia roll. Hubby had spicy salmon and spicy tuna, salad and soup lunch special for $8.95- great deal. Everything was really fresh and great size portions. The ginger dressing on the salad was very tasty. Loved trying the spicy salmon for the first time, it was really good. Can't wait to come back and try out more of the menu.
(5)
George M.
Another fine Sushi joint in SE Iowa City. The place is packed so that's proof the food is good!
(4)
Jirakate M.
The best sushi in IC so far. The way the set the table looks like Chinese restaurant (and most of the waitress and chefs are Chinese) but they make pretty good Japanese food, more authentic than the others. I was surprised once in a good way by the freshness of uni (sea urchin). The rolls are creative and mostly good combinations.
(4)
Travis O.
Some of the better sushi in the Iowa City area.
(5)
Son N.
Their sushi is pretty good, and the decorations inside look nice. The staff are O.K., but sometimes kind of weird. If they lowered their prices a little bit, I would give them 5 stars.
(4)
Kate J.
Very yummy! I love the perfect roll (a nice blend of spicy and sweet) and get it every time I go there. I agree with another reviewer that the specialty rolls can be heavy (many do have parts that are fried, contain avocado, or have a mayo-based sauce) but they are also really tasty and I generally balance a special roll with some of the simpler options - salmon, tuna, avocado - all the basics are offered. The service can be a little slow, particularly when they're busy, but not terribly bad. This is a great option if you're craving sushi in Iowa City - I prefer it to the "fancier" options downtown and (though my local friends hate it when I say this) it's pretty good for landlocked Iowa
(4)
Jennifer W.
I went to law school in Iowa City and I was a total regular at Oyama, not to be confused with the Oyama in Cedar Rapids (I'm not sure if they are owned by the same person). I was surprised to find that nobody had reviewed them on Yelp, so here I am! A friend of mine and I made it a point to try every single Japanese restaurant in the area. As an Asian-American born and raised in Los Angeles who stuck around at UCLA for college, one could say that I've gorged myself on my fair share of sushi. My mom tells me that I had my first slice of sashimi at age 3, wasabi and all, and that I've been indoctrinated ever since. Oyama is Iowa City's BEST sushi, absolutely hands down. I'm kind of a connoisseur. I don't get those trendy rolls, the fried bits of rice, etc. I go big. I get full-on sashimi platters, no nigiri. For those who don't know, nigiri is a slice of raw fish served on a teeny bed of rice, while sashimi is the raw fish served by itself. No carbs, no complications, just dipped-in-wasabi-and-soy-sauce perfection. So I'm serious about my sashimi-grade fish quality. I'm also serious about the method in which the sashimi is cut by the chef, and at Oyama, I've never had the ginormous, ugly blocks or chunks that I've had at "fusion" Japanese places. This is the real deal. Oyama is the only place where I can get the "sashimi delux", which is a giant bowl of color-changing ice cubes, topped with 15+ slices of uncomplicated, beautiful sashimi. The fish quality is perfect, the presentation is amazing. And guess what? I GET IT FOR $20. In LA, a meal akin to the "sashimi delux" would probably a minimum of $35. Needless to say, Oyama is where I head to when I want the good stuff. My friends usually order the specialty rolls at Oyama, and I'm told that they are also phenomenal. The service is generally good, and I've never had to wait for a table. What can I say? I freaking love it.
(5)
Maria E.
Their seafood is so fresh-tasting! Love their rolls. I tried the fried spring rolls they have- those were pretty disappointing. The service is pretty decent there, though we were the only people in there at that point, so who knows when it's busy. This place is better than the other places in Iowa City in Coalville, food wise, but man is there service just out of whack. The servers are so unpersonable and don't even smile.
(4)
Kelly J.
Oyama has had its ups and downs but I'm still a regular, though that might be due to its proximity to my apartment more than anything else. I keep it simple--spicy tuna, salmon sashimi, and garden salad with ginger dressing (a previous review said the spicy tuna contained avocado, which is inaccurate). I don't like tempura anyway so I never get it. The staff is very friendly, though sometimes when you order for carryout over the phone you can't be positive the communication was successful. I would recommend to anyone in the area. Order carryout, go play with a puppy at Petland next door, and pick up your sushi 15 minutes later. What's not to love?
(4)
Hanna G.
I'm sad to give them one star. We used to love coming here, everything from the sushi to the entrees were delicious. Tonight however it was a mess. Food dripped across the whole floor, rude wait staff, yum yum sauce that had such an off taste that we ended up canceling our order and leaving. I'm sad to say I will not be returning for a very very long time.
(1)
Lucy O.
So disappointed with this sushi. All the reviews looked great but I felt the sushi was awful. We ordered for pick up and got the American Dream, perfect roll, spicy tuna, California and salmon avocado. The two specialty rolls were heavy, and had far too much tempura and fried taste. The other three had avocado in them and the avocado was brown and they all tasted awful. They were soggy and bad flavor. The service was fine but would not recommend this place by any means.
(2)
Gina S.
This was my first time here. Awesome sushi and great presentation!!! I definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Amy E.
Ate at Oyama for the first time last night and thought the food was decent. There are quite a few sushi places in IC and this one seemed a little expensive. The wait staff was friendly and the menu had lots of options. It's nice that they offer bento boxes for dinner, this is not typical of most sushi places so it was a nice, affordable option.
(3)
Chloe S.
This is definitely the best sushi in Iowa city. I tried Takanami more than a few times, but always found it loud, overpriced, and only moderately fresh. I found this place by accident and am so glad I did. I've been eating there regularly for four years through college, almost weekly at times, and have had nothing but good experiences. Obviously in the midwest freshness/food safety for raw fish is a concern and the fish here is certainly fresh and delicious. They also have interesting/unusual rolls and great appetizers. The service here is great too. The staff always seem helpful and attentive and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Good hot sake as well. I'm a sushi fanatic and definitely think this is the best in Iowa City.
(5)
Matthew L.
Super good, super surprising. Located at the Mall - I expected bad sashimi and over-flavored rolls... while the over-the-top rolls DO exist on the menu, it is more important to note that the traditional Japanese fair is prepared and served extremely well. Great service + reasonably priced = I'll be going back!
(4)
Zheming Y.
the food here is nothing more than just food and the service is awful especially the waiter who always in blue
(2)
Anavmy F.
Easily one of the best sushi places in town!
(4)
Kelly K.
Not as good as it used to be. If you got hooked on the exemplary and friendly service and fantastically yummy sashimi and sushi, go to the Cedar Rapids Oyama, which is where the old Iowa City crew is now.
(2)
Hernando T.
Oyama rescued us from the lack of sushi in Iowa City! We tried Three Samurai and were pretty disappointed. We tried one of the downtown locations, and were about to be resigned not to have sushi during our 3 years there. We came from Chicago, where we had found several places we really liked, and so far we hadn't found anything that came close here. That is, until Oyama. It's kind of far out there, by Sycamore Mall (so far from downtown, and far from the "real" mall in Coralville). But it's totally worth the trip. Service is great. The selection is fairly decent. We usually took a couple of rolls from the "chef's specials" and a couple of traditional rolls and ended up with a bill around $40. So it's not particularly cheap, but a decent treat once in a while. I can't remember the names of our favorite rolls, but they have one with macadamia that we really liked. And one with cilantro which was also great. Ask for their recommendations. Oh, and take a look at the thousands of miniature paper cranes that decorate the place. One of the servers folded them all. We talked to her about it and she even folded a mini crane for us! It may not be the best sushi you ever had if you came from a big city (certainly if you're from a coastal city!), but it's by far the best sushi around these parts. Totally worth a visit!
(4)
Kathy W.
Good food, terrible service. They can't handle a crowd. It is kind of like being held prisoner while waiting for your food. Also, if you have a reservation, expect to be kept waiting 20 minutes or so. They tend not to clear away dishes or come around and fill your drinks either. After waiting 2 hours one night for sushi entrees we left w/o sushi. I think they do a fair amount of take out and those orders seem to be the priority. Waitresses are not trained and fairly rude. Also, no place to hang up coats. Had been going there for years, but now it seems like they have new owners. Too bad, it has been a great to go in the past.
(1)
Amy S.
Best Japanese ever. They have fantastic sushi and other entrees. Get a bento box for either lunch or dinner. The California rolls are a dream, and the chicken katsu will bring you back again and again. Also, they have a wonderful ginger dressing with their salads and the miso soup couldn't be better. Never had a disappointment here. Finally, the service is fantastic: hot towels to wipe your hands on for every meal.
(5)
Carol C.
the last time i visted oyama...the food quality definitely dropped. super disappointed.
(2)
Hannes D.
Great sushi for the Midwest. Been at oyama three times and loved the sushi de luxe! Waiter was not really friendly.
(4)
Doug W.
Obviously, living in the midwest will not net you the best sushi money can buy. Oyama, though, is a good restaurant that I would happily visit over Takanami any day of the week. I have only ever ordered nigiri and rolls, not entree items, but they are always fresh-tasting and presented beautifully. The tab always seems a little high by the time we're done. Then again, I can't say I would ever eat at a sushi place that was cheap.
(4)
Ray V.
Maybe because I'm grown accustomed to better sushi and sashimi living in coastal regions is why I've given this Sushi Bar two stars. The food isn't horrible terrible but what I took out of this place is the poor waiter service. The waiters and staff, all of Asian descent (I think that you have to be "Asian" looking just to get hired here; except for the one white dishwasher who the managers have running around) do not have a good understanding of the english language. Poorly ran and "packed" as in too many seats in any one general area.
(2)
Anna H.
Sushi is pretty hard to get right in a landlocked state but this is really close.
(4)
Chris V.
I go here for lunch quite a bit- but only because it's quick and convenient. The sushi is decent. Tempura is very good. My biggest complaint is with their teriyaki bento boxes. My favorite for this is 3 Samurai (sadly too far for me to go for lunch on a work day) and Oyama doesn't even compare. The terriyaki sauce clearly comes right out of a bottle- very thick and sweet and gloppy. I don't think they even warm it up. And the chicken tastes like those fake "grilled" chicken strips you can buy in a package.
(2)
John S.
"Best taste" in my book. It's simply the most consistent sushi place I've been to. Quick service and always around to re-fill your water. The servers don't speak English too well, but I'd much rather have authenticity rather than the completely Americanized sushi restaurants of downtown Iowa City. Compared to those places, I'd rather eat at Oyama any day!
(4)
Pam A.
easily the best sushi place in town. I love the service and the tequila rolls are to die for. Ask for them by name they are off menu!
(5)
Austin B.
Three words: Iowa City Roll. I'm not sure it even counts as sushi, but I love it. Overall my favorite sushi place in the Iowa City area, it's as good as every other place and the rolls are big and the prices are reasonable.
(5)
Melissa T.
Oyama is a great little sushi restaurant. I've been there for lunch a bunch of times and have had the sushi box, the sashimi box, and the 2 rolls lunch specials. They are all great deals. All the lunch offerings are such good deals. The food is always fresh and the portions are substantial for lunch. I ate dinner there once, and the portions weren't as big and the prices jump quite a bit. But, for lunch, in my opinion, it's the best sushi deal around.
(4)
Sandra A.
Come on, Iowa, this isn't five star sushi. It's like passable, strip mall sushi.
(3)
Hyung S.
You're probably all familiar with the ubiquitous, mostly Chinese-owned strip mall Japanese places that have popped up in the last decade. This one is pretty good. While the sushi is as would be expected, what I really enjoy are the hot noodle soups. Nothing like a hot bowl of nabeyaki udon to warm you up.
(4)
Michiko M.
My husband was happy with the sushi, which saves Oyama from the a one star rating. Shrimp in my tempura had panko breading, not the tempura. Atmosphere and service were okay.
(2)
Mark G.
I don't eat sushi, not my thing. But everyone that I ever went with says its good. I did try a few entree selections. The salad they start off with is a small house salad with ginger dressing that is good. Next they give you an excellent miso soup. For the main coarse I usually get the chicken teriyaki, large portions, great quality of meat, and sauce is really good. I've tried the tempura items as well, they are battered and fried just right. I would say the prices are on the lower end, you can get a nice sized meal for a reasonable price here. Very nice place overall.
(4)
Cheryl H.
I love the salmon hibachi and sometimes at lunch get the bento box salmon for more variety. The hot green tea is very nice and free. The staff is attentive and shows up at just the right moment.
(5)
Katie M.
Love this place! The service is always fast. And the food delicious. I love that the staff stays busy cleaning or organizing when its not too busy. It shows pride in their business. My favorite roll is the friendship roll. It has mango and shrimp. Its the best.
(5)
Amber S.
I really love the sushi here. The selection is great and the hot menu items are always delicious as well. I didn't give them 5 stars because the service is kinda lacking. Almost everytime I am there I wait ten minutes before someone comes to my table and another ten minutes to get my water. Also, everyone is your server there which is a little strange. But overall, the sushi is worth the wait. My favorite rolls are the American Dream, Black Sea, and the Perfect Roll.
(4)
Nick G.
Oyama was great. They were very friendly even though I walked in just before closing, which definitely gets bonus points. The roll I got was delicious; I only reserve a top rating because I got a roll that included fried shrimp, so I don't know how the fresh seafood is. In any case, I would happily go again, and would love to explore more of the menu!
(4)
Visarut B.
Fresh sashimi, but the price is way too high, comparing to market price. 9 pieces for sashimi on chirashi cost $18, it is too much!!
(2)
Bessy O.
The sushi was okay, nothing out of the ordinary. I did like the fact that the servers were very attentive. Other than that, it's pretty average.
(3)
Deva C.
I've been in Iowa for 3 years now, tried 5 sushi places and this is, by far, my favorite. Great sushi, friendly staff, prompt service, what more could you ask for? Ok. They could touch up the decor but everything else there is great. I enjoy sitting at the sushi bar and watching those guys work their magic. When you go you should try the Candice roll (a little sweet but awesome) and the Iowa City roll. They also have a great spicy tuna hand roll and sashimi appetizer. They are generous with the fish too. Not some skimpy little slice, but the perfectly thick slice of fresh tuna. This is my favorite place to eat. But, like all sushi places I can't afford to eat there as often as I would like, their prices are great, I'm just a broke college student.
(5)
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Address :1853 Lower Muscatine Rd
Iowa City, IA, 52240
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Sidney T.
Oyama's is where I go for Sushi. I can sit down and have Sashimi but I love their rolls. Oyama's has a bit of everything a diner may want. My favorites are the Iowa City Roll (yes, a deep friend American Mess), eel cucumber roll and a nice bowl of clear soup. The clear soup is amazing. I could go and JUST get the clear soup. My spouse loves the Miso. I've enjoyed the Katsu and tempura as well though when I go I almost always get rolls. I can easily spend 30$ on rolls for myself. The prices are average for sushi but I think the quality is hands above other local sushi places for the price. The service is always spot on. Friendly, though not always able to be comprehended. My drinks are always filled without too much delay.
(5)Thao P.
Nice sushi place in Iowa City I came here on a Friday night and it was packed. The restaurant itself is a little cozy and not as big as the other restaurants in Iowa City. I was very impressed with the selections of items on the menu. My party and I got three specialty rolls: Perfect roll, rainbow roll, and Iowa City roll. They were delicious!! The perfect roll was perfect..There was sort of a fruity taste in the sauce for the perfect roll that made me love it. My sister ordered the Pork Tonkatsu and was pleased. It came as a bento box served with a Tuna Roll, Tempura, fried rice, and fruit. We loved the Tuna roll because the chefs inserted big chunks of tuna into it. We also had the Salmon dish and it was so moist and delicious. It had a delicious teriyaki glaze on it and wasn't dry at all. Our only unpleasant experience was the new Takoyaki balls they began serving. I give them kudos for trying something that only big cities offer, but it wasn't good. The squid and insides of the balls were too mushy and unflavorful. There also weren't any of the usual bonito flakes on top. The sauce they serve with the balls also is overwhelming with a slightly metallic taste. Overall, I recommend this place!
(4)Mike D.
I had a terrible experience at this sushi restaurant. Ask to speak with the manager regarding our experience and they wouldn't even address or issues. We waited forever and the sushi was horrible. Do not recommend!
(1)Erica L.
Our favorite local sushi joint. Good service and good food!! My husband always likes to get the Iowa city roll.
(5)Caroline H.
We stopped here for a quick lunch and it did not disappoint. The servers were very friendly and very attentive. They explained the specials of the day and told us that we still had time to get the lunch special. I had a great Philadelphia roll. Hubby had spicy salmon and spicy tuna, salad and soup lunch special for $8.95- great deal. Everything was really fresh and great size portions. The ginger dressing on the salad was very tasty. Loved trying the spicy salmon for the first time, it was really good. Can't wait to come back and try out more of the menu.
(5)George M.
Another fine Sushi joint in SE Iowa City. The place is packed so that's proof the food is good!
(4)Jirakate M.
The best sushi in IC so far. The way the set the table looks like Chinese restaurant (and most of the waitress and chefs are Chinese) but they make pretty good Japanese food, more authentic than the others. I was surprised once in a good way by the freshness of uni (sea urchin). The rolls are creative and mostly good combinations.
(4)Travis O.
Some of the better sushi in the Iowa City area.
(5)Son N.
Their sushi is pretty good, and the decorations inside look nice. The staff are O.K., but sometimes kind of weird. If they lowered their prices a little bit, I would give them 5 stars.
(4)Kate J.
Very yummy! I love the perfect roll (a nice blend of spicy and sweet) and get it every time I go there. I agree with another reviewer that the specialty rolls can be heavy (many do have parts that are fried, contain avocado, or have a mayo-based sauce) but they are also really tasty and I generally balance a special roll with some of the simpler options - salmon, tuna, avocado - all the basics are offered. The service can be a little slow, particularly when they're busy, but not terribly bad. This is a great option if you're craving sushi in Iowa City - I prefer it to the "fancier" options downtown and (though my local friends hate it when I say this) it's pretty good for landlocked Iowa
(4)Jennifer W.
I went to law school in Iowa City and I was a total regular at Oyama, not to be confused with the Oyama in Cedar Rapids (I'm not sure if they are owned by the same person). I was surprised to find that nobody had reviewed them on Yelp, so here I am! A friend of mine and I made it a point to try every single Japanese restaurant in the area. As an Asian-American born and raised in Los Angeles who stuck around at UCLA for college, one could say that I've gorged myself on my fair share of sushi. My mom tells me that I had my first slice of sashimi at age 3, wasabi and all, and that I've been indoctrinated ever since. Oyama is Iowa City's BEST sushi, absolutely hands down. I'm kind of a connoisseur. I don't get those trendy rolls, the fried bits of rice, etc. I go big. I get full-on sashimi platters, no nigiri. For those who don't know, nigiri is a slice of raw fish served on a teeny bed of rice, while sashimi is the raw fish served by itself. No carbs, no complications, just dipped-in-wasabi-and-soy-sauce perfection. So I'm serious about my sashimi-grade fish quality. I'm also serious about the method in which the sashimi is cut by the chef, and at Oyama, I've never had the ginormous, ugly blocks or chunks that I've had at "fusion" Japanese places. This is the real deal. Oyama is the only place where I can get the "sashimi delux", which is a giant bowl of color-changing ice cubes, topped with 15+ slices of uncomplicated, beautiful sashimi. The fish quality is perfect, the presentation is amazing. And guess what? I GET IT FOR $20. In LA, a meal akin to the "sashimi delux" would probably a minimum of $35. Needless to say, Oyama is where I head to when I want the good stuff. My friends usually order the specialty rolls at Oyama, and I'm told that they are also phenomenal. The service is generally good, and I've never had to wait for a table. What can I say? I freaking love it.
(5)Maria E.
Their seafood is so fresh-tasting! Love their rolls. I tried the fried spring rolls they have- those were pretty disappointing. The service is pretty decent there, though we were the only people in there at that point, so who knows when it's busy. This place is better than the other places in Iowa City in Coalville, food wise, but man is there service just out of whack. The servers are so unpersonable and don't even smile.
(4)Kelly J.
Oyama has had its ups and downs but I'm still a regular, though that might be due to its proximity to my apartment more than anything else. I keep it simple--spicy tuna, salmon sashimi, and garden salad with ginger dressing (a previous review said the spicy tuna contained avocado, which is inaccurate). I don't like tempura anyway so I never get it. The staff is very friendly, though sometimes when you order for carryout over the phone you can't be positive the communication was successful. I would recommend to anyone in the area. Order carryout, go play with a puppy at Petland next door, and pick up your sushi 15 minutes later. What's not to love?
(4)Hanna G.
I'm sad to give them one star. We used to love coming here, everything from the sushi to the entrees were delicious. Tonight however it was a mess. Food dripped across the whole floor, rude wait staff, yum yum sauce that had such an off taste that we ended up canceling our order and leaving. I'm sad to say I will not be returning for a very very long time.
(1)Lucy O.
So disappointed with this sushi. All the reviews looked great but I felt the sushi was awful. We ordered for pick up and got the American Dream, perfect roll, spicy tuna, California and salmon avocado. The two specialty rolls were heavy, and had far too much tempura and fried taste. The other three had avocado in them and the avocado was brown and they all tasted awful. They were soggy and bad flavor. The service was fine but would not recommend this place by any means.
(2)Gina S.
This was my first time here. Awesome sushi and great presentation!!! I definitely recommend this place.
(5)Amy E.
Ate at Oyama for the first time last night and thought the food was decent. There are quite a few sushi places in IC and this one seemed a little expensive. The wait staff was friendly and the menu had lots of options. It's nice that they offer bento boxes for dinner, this is not typical of most sushi places so it was a nice, affordable option.
(3)Chloe S.
This is definitely the best sushi in Iowa city. I tried Takanami more than a few times, but always found it loud, overpriced, and only moderately fresh. I found this place by accident and am so glad I did. I've been eating there regularly for four years through college, almost weekly at times, and have had nothing but good experiences. Obviously in the midwest freshness/food safety for raw fish is a concern and the fish here is certainly fresh and delicious. They also have interesting/unusual rolls and great appetizers. The service here is great too. The staff always seem helpful and attentive and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Good hot sake as well. I'm a sushi fanatic and definitely think this is the best in Iowa City.
(5)Matthew L.
Super good, super surprising. Located at the Mall - I expected bad sashimi and over-flavored rolls... while the over-the-top rolls DO exist on the menu, it is more important to note that the traditional Japanese fair is prepared and served extremely well. Great service + reasonably priced = I'll be going back!
(4)Zheming Y.
the food here is nothing more than just food and the service is awful especially the waiter who always in blue
(2)Anavmy F.
Easily one of the best sushi places in town!
(4)Kelly K.
Not as good as it used to be. If you got hooked on the exemplary and friendly service and fantastically yummy sashimi and sushi, go to the Cedar Rapids Oyama, which is where the old Iowa City crew is now.
(2)Hernando T.
Oyama rescued us from the lack of sushi in Iowa City! We tried Three Samurai and were pretty disappointed. We tried one of the downtown locations, and were about to be resigned not to have sushi during our 3 years there. We came from Chicago, where we had found several places we really liked, and so far we hadn't found anything that came close here. That is, until Oyama. It's kind of far out there, by Sycamore Mall (so far from downtown, and far from the "real" mall in Coralville). But it's totally worth the trip. Service is great. The selection is fairly decent. We usually took a couple of rolls from the "chef's specials" and a couple of traditional rolls and ended up with a bill around $40. So it's not particularly cheap, but a decent treat once in a while. I can't remember the names of our favorite rolls, but they have one with macadamia that we really liked. And one with cilantro which was also great. Ask for their recommendations. Oh, and take a look at the thousands of miniature paper cranes that decorate the place. One of the servers folded them all. We talked to her about it and she even folded a mini crane for us! It may not be the best sushi you ever had if you came from a big city (certainly if you're from a coastal city!), but it's by far the best sushi around these parts. Totally worth a visit!
(4)Kathy W.
Good food, terrible service. They can't handle a crowd. It is kind of like being held prisoner while waiting for your food. Also, if you have a reservation, expect to be kept waiting 20 minutes or so. They tend not to clear away dishes or come around and fill your drinks either. After waiting 2 hours one night for sushi entrees we left w/o sushi. I think they do a fair amount of take out and those orders seem to be the priority. Waitresses are not trained and fairly rude. Also, no place to hang up coats. Had been going there for years, but now it seems like they have new owners. Too bad, it has been a great to go in the past.
(1)Amy S.
Best Japanese ever. They have fantastic sushi and other entrees. Get a bento box for either lunch or dinner. The California rolls are a dream, and the chicken katsu will bring you back again and again. Also, they have a wonderful ginger dressing with their salads and the miso soup couldn't be better. Never had a disappointment here. Finally, the service is fantastic: hot towels to wipe your hands on for every meal.
(5)Carol C.
the last time i visted oyama...the food quality definitely dropped. super disappointed.
(2)Hannes D.
Great sushi for the Midwest. Been at oyama three times and loved the sushi de luxe! Waiter was not really friendly.
(4)Doug W.
Obviously, living in the midwest will not net you the best sushi money can buy. Oyama, though, is a good restaurant that I would happily visit over Takanami any day of the week. I have only ever ordered nigiri and rolls, not entree items, but they are always fresh-tasting and presented beautifully. The tab always seems a little high by the time we're done. Then again, I can't say I would ever eat at a sushi place that was cheap.
(4)Ray V.
Maybe because I'm grown accustomed to better sushi and sashimi living in coastal regions is why I've given this Sushi Bar two stars. The food isn't horrible terrible but what I took out of this place is the poor waiter service. The waiters and staff, all of Asian descent (I think that you have to be "Asian" looking just to get hired here; except for the one white dishwasher who the managers have running around) do not have a good understanding of the english language. Poorly ran and "packed" as in too many seats in any one general area.
(2)Anna H.
Sushi is pretty hard to get right in a landlocked state but this is really close.
(4)Chris V.
I go here for lunch quite a bit- but only because it's quick and convenient. The sushi is decent. Tempura is very good. My biggest complaint is with their teriyaki bento boxes. My favorite for this is 3 Samurai (sadly too far for me to go for lunch on a work day) and Oyama doesn't even compare. The terriyaki sauce clearly comes right out of a bottle- very thick and sweet and gloppy. I don't think they even warm it up. And the chicken tastes like those fake "grilled" chicken strips you can buy in a package.
(2)John S.
"Best taste" in my book. It's simply the most consistent sushi place I've been to. Quick service and always around to re-fill your water. The servers don't speak English too well, but I'd much rather have authenticity rather than the completely Americanized sushi restaurants of downtown Iowa City. Compared to those places, I'd rather eat at Oyama any day!
(4)Pam A.
easily the best sushi place in town. I love the service and the tequila rolls are to die for. Ask for them by name they are off menu!
(5)Austin B.
Three words: Iowa City Roll. I'm not sure it even counts as sushi, but I love it. Overall my favorite sushi place in the Iowa City area, it's as good as every other place and the rolls are big and the prices are reasonable.
(5)Melissa T.
Oyama is a great little sushi restaurant. I've been there for lunch a bunch of times and have had the sushi box, the sashimi box, and the 2 rolls lunch specials. They are all great deals. All the lunch offerings are such good deals. The food is always fresh and the portions are substantial for lunch. I ate dinner there once, and the portions weren't as big and the prices jump quite a bit. But, for lunch, in my opinion, it's the best sushi deal around.
(4)Sandra A.
Come on, Iowa, this isn't five star sushi. It's like passable, strip mall sushi.
(3)Hyung S.
You're probably all familiar with the ubiquitous, mostly Chinese-owned strip mall Japanese places that have popped up in the last decade. This one is pretty good. While the sushi is as would be expected, what I really enjoy are the hot noodle soups. Nothing like a hot bowl of nabeyaki udon to warm you up.
(4)Michiko M.
My husband was happy with the sushi, which saves Oyama from the a one star rating. Shrimp in my tempura had panko breading, not the tempura. Atmosphere and service were okay.
(2)Mark G.
I don't eat sushi, not my thing. But everyone that I ever went with says its good. I did try a few entree selections. The salad they start off with is a small house salad with ginger dressing that is good. Next they give you an excellent miso soup. For the main coarse I usually get the chicken teriyaki, large portions, great quality of meat, and sauce is really good. I've tried the tempura items as well, they are battered and fried just right. I would say the prices are on the lower end, you can get a nice sized meal for a reasonable price here. Very nice place overall.
(4)Cheryl H.
I love the salmon hibachi and sometimes at lunch get the bento box salmon for more variety. The hot green tea is very nice and free. The staff is attentive and shows up at just the right moment.
(5)Katie M.
Love this place! The service is always fast. And the food delicious. I love that the staff stays busy cleaning or organizing when its not too busy. It shows pride in their business. My favorite roll is the friendship roll. It has mango and shrimp. Its the best.
(5)Amber S.
I really love the sushi here. The selection is great and the hot menu items are always delicious as well. I didn't give them 5 stars because the service is kinda lacking. Almost everytime I am there I wait ten minutes before someone comes to my table and another ten minutes to get my water. Also, everyone is your server there which is a little strange. But overall, the sushi is worth the wait. My favorite rolls are the American Dream, Black Sea, and the Perfect Roll.
(4)Nick G.
Oyama was great. They were very friendly even though I walked in just before closing, which definitely gets bonus points. The roll I got was delicious; I only reserve a top rating because I got a roll that included fried shrimp, so I don't know how the fresh seafood is. In any case, I would happily go again, and would love to explore more of the menu!
(4)Visarut B.
Fresh sashimi, but the price is way too high, comparing to market price. 9 pieces for sashimi on chirashi cost $18, it is too much!!
(2)Bessy O.
The sushi was okay, nothing out of the ordinary. I did like the fact that the servers were very attentive. Other than that, it's pretty average.
(3)Deva C.
I've been in Iowa for 3 years now, tried 5 sushi places and this is, by far, my favorite. Great sushi, friendly staff, prompt service, what more could you ask for? Ok. They could touch up the decor but everything else there is great. I enjoy sitting at the sushi bar and watching those guys work their magic. When you go you should try the Candice roll (a little sweet but awesome) and the Iowa City roll. They also have a great spicy tuna hand roll and sashimi appetizer. They are generous with the fish too. Not some skimpy little slice, but the perfectly thick slice of fresh tuna. This is my favorite place to eat. But, like all sushi places I can't afford to eat there as often as I would like, their prices are great, I'm just a broke college student.
(5)