Bonsai Teriyaki
2305 Ashland St,Ste A, Ashland, OR, 97520
Bonsai Teriyaki Menu
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Address :
2305 Ashland St,Ste A
Ashland, OR, 97520 - Phone (541) 482-2640
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Karen K.
3.5 Stars.... When we first entered this restaurant we were greeted immediately, our waiter was most attentive and pleasant. The restaurant itself had as many as eight booths plus seating for about six at the sushi bar. It was our first time here so we saw they also had Korean dishes as well as Japanese on the menu. Both my HB and I had Korean AYCE a couple of days ago so we both decided on Japanese food. I ordered chicken teriyaki with tempora; my HB ordered veggie yakisoba. We were served with edamame & I received miso soup prior to my main dish. I did have a choice of salad or soup but bc it was so cold up here in Oregon I decided on soup. The miso soup was decent in flavor. I did use a soup spoon that was accompanied with it. We were served with our main dishes promptly after our appetizers. Our dishes were pretty good sized. I saw that my rice was purple in color; my HB said they were made with the Japanese red bean called adsuki. Actually I have been eating Japanese food for quite a number of years & this was the first time I had rice made this way. It didn't really have any distinct flavor so I wasn't adverse to the fact but thought it was cool. Both my HB and I enjoyed our dishes. We had been snacking all day that we couldn't finish up our food so we had to take part of it to go. The prices of the food here were not at all extravagant. We would come back to try the Korean food next time! If you are wondering whether to try it here, don't hesitate. I actually got to try something new for once in my life:) By the way, we were supplied with forks to eat not chopsticks which was fine. I think it's easier if you know what I mean!
(4)Bruce B.
Here's a great sushi bar with a Korean flare. Yes they have kimchi on the menu as a salad oh yum ! A full Japanese menu of sushi and sashimi with various rolls. Close to I 5 and easy off and back on. Clean and fresh with fast and friendly service.
(5)Tracy T.
I just love this place! I can't believe that I've lived here for 4 years and have not tried it until today. The strip mall is something that you need to get over with the location because this place is pretty tasty and decently priced. Everything looked great on the menu. We had the Bento Box and the Spicy Ramen soup. The veggie tempura was really good and the pot stickers were yummy crunchy. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Shawna M.
The service was okay but they did keep forgetting about us because we had to sit outside. I'm used to rolls being tighter and cut into more pieces so they can be easily shared by all but they were delicious.
(3)Madison M.
-Good sized portions for the price. -Has quite a variety of Japanese and Korean dishes; something for everyone. -EXCELLENT table service; very attentive (kept water glasses filled). -Accurate menu descriptions; what you read is what you get placed in fron
(4)Sheng Z.
We arrived just 5 minutes before closing time. The staff was kindly enough to let us place a to-go order. The sushi was great! The tempora was out-of-order but the staff gave us a big California roll instead.
(4)Eping H.
Not much to say other than it's become a quasi regular Sunday lunch spot for my family. The sushi is pretty good, but varies in quality, depending on who is making it. Portions are large. Menu seems to be the fairly standard Japanese/Korean menu that you'll see in many of the Japanese restaurants in the area: sushi, grilled meats bentos, a handful of Korean dishes. Other than that, there's really not much to write say.
(4)kathy m.
We're big sushi fans and we felt like sushi and came here and it was tasty. It was good, but didn't knock our socks off or anything.
(3)Jen F.
A nice alternative to the busy (and expensive) restaurants downtown. Seated at the sushi bar, my son enjoyed watching the chef prepare the orders that streamed in at a steady pace. He finally settled on Udon (a noodle soup) and salmon roll. I chose chicken katsu (they were out of pork), spicy tuna roll, and ahi nigiri (a special). The entrees were tasty and filling. The Udon came with tempura vegies, which unfortunately were soggy and losing their breading by the time the dish was served. (They were still tasty, though.) My katsu had a spicy bbq-style sauce, and came with rice and a green salad. Sushi is served on a large platter all at once, instead of one item at a time. I prefer all the little plates, especially when dining with a group. Sitting at the bar, our little corner was quickly overcrowded with too many plates. The sushi rolls were big - close to two inches in diameter. Waay too big for even a "large bite" - they needed 2-3 good bites each. In my opinion they were a bit unwieldy and it made for a pretty messy meal. The sauce on the spicy tuna was pretty good, and in general everything tasted good. There were no options for sashimi, and most of the rolls seemed to be variations on the basic California Roll. Beer and wine are not served, and it just seems silly to eat sushi without a nice cold bottle of Asahi. (Guess I am a lush... hic!) Despite the limited options, Bonsai is a good value and we will probably be back!
(3)Olma M.
What a great find on our quick rest stop in Ashland, Oregon. We were homeward-bound, from Portland to SF and needed a refreshing late dinner. We figured Ashland would be a good stopping point - It's home to a Shakespeare festival so we assumed we'd find decent dining options here. One quick turn off of the hwy. exit and we found Bonsai right away. The place was packed and there was a short wait. The sushi bar was vacant, but fully occupied within minutes during the course of our meal. I had the salmon dish (#14!) and I swear, it was the freshest salmon I'd had in a very long while. Hefty portions all around. Though the plate seemed a bit too much for my appetite, I found myself gobbling it all down because I wanted to savor every bite. Also, it seems like a mom-and-pop-owned restaurant and they were so very friendly and attentive. I eat better when I'm surrounded by smiley, friendly people! You can find some of their menu items here (tho it may be outdated): passport2ashland.com/art…
(3)Anna H.
My favorite sushi place. Service is always fast, delicious, and consistent. A ton of options to chose from, sushi and beyond.
(5)Daffodil K.
Great food for the price. The servings on many items such as the tempura and main dishes were generous. We ordered the shrimp and veggies tempura which had plenty of shrimp and an assortment of delicious vegetables. Often at other places you're lucky to see more than two shrimp and a few broccoli scattered among an entire plate of yams. There is a wide variety of beers and sakes to choose from. All the servers were very nice as well. We look forward to our next visit!
(4)Steven F.
Staff was friendly...but that's about it. Our sushi rolls fell apart and were sloppily made and the real kicker was sushi rice wasn't even used!!!! Our veggie tempura was decent as far as tempura but the potatoes in the tempura were under cooked. Fail.
(2)Ms. P.
Ordered the Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box, the food was good. The California roll fell apart, but it was ordered to go so probably happened from sitting in box with hot food. The staff is very friendly- Would recommend.
(3)Kerrie F.
Awesome place. I worked here for two years. The owners are amazing and have a true sense of how a restaurant should be run. Great business ethics and culture within the organization. Oh, and not to mention the food is stellar!
(5)Christina R.
After 13hrs on the road this little spot was a refreshing drop in. While it was busy, with all tables filled, waitstaff were quick and attentive. We appreciated our water came with lemon and we were served complimentary edamame to start. Las Vegas roll was tasty without being over fried and generously filled. My mom had a chicken stir fry that had a nice sesame flavor. We we very pleased with everything despite some of the poor reviews. We will come again!
(4)Chris R.
We were relieved after finding Bonsai as we had really back luck with sushi in Ashland. Bonsai has had quality rolls and nigiri both times that we went...well done and good quality fish. I lived in Hawaii for many years and have been to Japan several times...Bonsai is far better than Star Sushi, noticeably better than Umi, and a little better than Kobe(had a strange roll there with little pieces of lime w/peel on top..pretty rough to eat). Bonsai is our new go to when we are craving sushi.
(4)Brad K.
Surprisingly tasty for a strip mall sushi restaurant. I had a saba, which I found to be standard, as well as a spicy beef soup. Though it didn't match up to the soup I had in Korea, I was pleasantly surprised to see it on the menu, as well as it's flavor. It was a bit Americanized, but was better than expected. The serving was also quite large. My wife enjoyed her spider roll.
(4)Joe M.
Love it, good food good price and very friendly service, one of my favorite restaurant in Ashland.
(5)Georgina H.
This place is ok. Definitely better than a 3-star restaurant I might ordinarily go to on Yelp. I don't think the portions are quite right, I like more rice with my entrees. I would like more sushi too! The less expensive sushi dishes will serve you less food, at least if you order takeout, and for the wait it's not really worth it. It was definitely okay, and it's tempting to go back to try new things. The artificial crab isn't very good and the vegetables don't taste very good,
(3)Lou B.
All of the servers seem mad. They charge $1 extra for side of unagi/Teri sauce. Older Chef is the meanest of them all... Sushi is decent, but the teriyaki chicken is dry and ordinary.
(2)Julia E.
I ate lunch with my family here last week. The next day, my brother and I both had pretty violent food poisoning. Neither of us were entirely surprised, as right after our meal we remarked to each other how horribly bad it tasted. Badly prepared food, poorly managed kitchen. Don't eat here.
(1)Calcifer G.
In my experience most of the dishes are mediocre or pretty good but the ramen was absolutely terrible. I have eaten ramen at a few resturants before and this was by far the worst....definitely would not suggest at ALL!
(2)YaYa C.
Im sure my experience would have been better had I not been served already eaten edamame and not realized it until I had already tried to eat some! I ordered no Wasabi/no spicy and still was served a roll with spicy sauce. If i get some funky sick illness i know where to blame! GROSS!!! $40 later...NOT HAPPY AT ALL!
(1)Tyrese W.
I used to like this location. I have been a customer of this restaurant since it was next to the greyhound station over 14 yrs ago. Now they have 3 locations. I had never had an issue before. This had always been a "go to" place for a quick, decent lunch. I came in the other day and ordered lunch with some friends. My girlfriend got her food first, then my friend ten minutes later. When they were almost done my food finally came out. It was not as described on the menu and when i mentioned that the employee had the Gaul to laugh at me and walk away. Then she came back and argued with me about it. Um sorry but it clearly said one thing on the menu and you brought me a dish that was more than 50 percent different. She was so rude i could not believe it. I ended up sending it back but she made no attempt to offer me something else or offer a reasonable solution. She stomped her feet and glared at me for the remainder of my foodless lunch. I will not be back after receiving such rude treatment. I would say this place is fine if u stick to the simple teriyaki chicken. But it was as if no one had ever ordered this dish before and none of the staff knew how to make it or what was in it. As others have mentioned the servers are inattentive and disorganised. I would say id give them 3 stars for the decent bento boxes and teriyaki, but negative 2 stars for the service, leaving them a lonely, measly one star.
(1)Issy P.
So good! Get the chicken teriyaki with white rice mixed vegetables and Italian soda and it is so good. The ambience is good and the location and the food and the service! I love this place you should totally go
(5)Eric D.
Great sushi and salads at a reasonable price. We twice made a large " to go" order in the same week and they got everything right with no mistakes. They even threw in a little bit extra as a "thank you" the second time. We'll definitely be back next time we're in Ashland.
(5)Alex P.
Quick service, quality sushi, reasonably priced. I've been coming to Bonsai for years and have never had an issue. The food is tasty, and the portions are perfect for sharing with a friend. If your in the Ashland area, Bonsai is best place for inexpensive sushi.
(5)Graham T.
Delicious pot stickers, korean short ribs, spicy ramen, and miso soup! Highly recommended for generous portions of delicious and affordable Asian cuisine.
(5)Terry L.
Our favorite sushi in town! Very nice people and delicious food. Favorites: bonsai roll, spicy tuna roll.
(4)Patricia G.
So many things to tell. Met a friend who loves the place. Sit outside. Waited 15 minutes for one of three wait staff. Give our order. Not asked about beverages. I receive my order, without the extra teriyaki sauce but no big deal. We are told my friends order is almost up (sushi). 50 minutes go by. No sushi. No wait staff in in 50 minutes. My friend goes in and asks. Told, oh my gosh, order not put in right place for sushi chef to see. Be out in five. Fifteen minutes later my friend goes in herself and gets her order off of the bar. We are 80 minutes in. My salad dressing tastes "over", wrong - have to skip the salad. The Teriyaki beef is just ok, too full of mushrooms for me. The rice looks like it has blueberries in it. I skip. Finally, someone checks, "Oh, you got your order". We explain had to go in and get it ourselves. Wait for offer of "something", anything. They offer 10% for the 50 minute wait. And some ice cream. We pay the bill and leave no tip. Surprisingly awful.
(1)Sharon M.
One of the best Japanese restaurants we have been to. Excellent food and service. We ordered the teriyaki steak plate and it was great! Very busy and popular restaurant it seems, and this was on a Wednesday night.
(5)Andrea D.
I always get the bento with teriyaki chicken & sub extra potstickers for Cali roll. It's usually pretty tasty & plenty of food for reasonable $. Service is just okay, nothing great. I've had to get up & grab extra napkins or a box from the service station because I couldn't get my server's attention. The severs aren't necessarily rude, but they certainly don't shmooze you for an extra special tip. The owner is almost always there, working the register. Wouldn't refer to her as "warm" or "inviting", but I never feel unwelcome. Would give it 4 stars, but the last time I had their food, I ordered the #1 teriyaki chicken plate with rice & salad, to go. The chicken was very rubbery, like it had been "finished" in the microwave or something. It was just off, texturally - to the point where I'm not sure if I would go back, but I'll probably give them another go.
(3)David S.
Okay, so perhaps I was a little harsh in my previous review of this restaurant. I keep going back because 8/10 times they are pretty good. As long as the Father is making the sushi you should be good. If the Son is making it, then keep walking. I know that people need to spend time actually on-the-line to hone their skills, but seriously (in a saucy voice) it is not cool to have someone with less experience than me making rolls and hacking fish back there. Contrary to what most people may believe, there is only one proper way to slice fish for sushi, and the Son does NOT know how it's done. I hope he learns fast. In the meantime, if I see him at the helm I'll go somewhere else.
(3)Sarah R.
I have been sick off the salmon twice, the waitstaff is eh, and the food is inconsistent. Try Umi Sushi
(2)Peaceful O.
I continue to say how much I love this place! The sushi is affordable, fresh and the service is always great-especially if you are in a hurry to hit the theatre. I love eating outside even when it's cold and they just installed new heat lanterns outside that are artwork in themselves! My favorite is cucumber salad and a Bonsai roll !!! A yummy, savory spicy meal!
(5)Subrosa I.
This restaurant has a nice outdoor seating area (which is great for dog owners). We enjoyed our lunch here. The bento boxes (which came with salad, gyoza, California roll, and choice of protein) were fairly delicious. We tried the chicken and salmon options. Both turned out to be pretty good choices. And the portions were generous as well. Our bill averaged out to around $13.50 per person.
(4)Dal C.
This place has improved immensely since they moved in, and they weren't bad to start with. The current sushi chef is terrific--if you throw yourself at his mercy and just let him make you something, you won't be disappointed. Renee and I have eaten here dozens of times and have never been disappointed. Every once in awhile the chef will surprise use with a little 'amuse bouche' (or however they say that in Japanese) and it's always excellent.
(5)E A.
Ok, we're in Southern Oregon - not exactly a mecca for fresh, authentic sushi. BUT, this place is decent and when you have a craving for chicken teriyaki, fatty tuna or tempura they totally deliver. I love the Las Vegas roll and we'll often get the bento boxes when we just want casual Japanese food. The wait staff are sweet and friendly and they really seem to appreciate their customers. It's not huge so it can get crowded but they are also cool about to-go orders. We have never had a bad experience and are always happy to see them busy.
(5)Heather H.
We frequent the Bonsai in Medford, but were in Ashland for a film fest and thought to stop in for a bite to eat before our show. This place is pretty disappointing compared to the one in Medford. Maybe I was wrong to think that they are owned by the same people? I got the rib eye teriyaki steak, it arrived to my table with a nice sear on it, however when I cut into it it was completely raw and cold on the inside. Sent it back and got another and it was just ok. Possibly my appetite had already been ruined by the first steak. Their sushi rolls were just so, so. We ended up sitting on the other side of the fryer, it was noisy and the grease smelled old. When we left, our clothes smelled like stale greasy fried fish. I agree with other viewers about the wait staff, in that they were kind of short/rude, seemed impatient and like they didn't have time for us. One of the waitresses even said "sorry we didn't pay much attention to you guys". Unfortunately we probably won't come back here, it was just a hot, greasy, disorganized mess and the food was not worth it. We will stick to the Bonsai in Medford off of Barnett...much better!
(2)E B.
This is my wife and I's favorite sushi and japanese spot in southern Oregon. We come from the Bay Area where there are good sushi spots on every corner so when we moved to Oregon we had a really hard time finding good sushi. All of their food is great, the prices are very reasonable, and the staff is always kind and attentive. I would typically give it a 4 star rating because the food is good, not world class, but I am wanting to bump up their over all rating to at least 4 stars because this place is amazing by Oregon's standards
(5)Brent M.
I'm not a sushi guy so this review will have to go for their other menu items. I am partial to their chicken teriyaki and shrimp tempura. Mmmm
(4)Robin Z.
Service, food, location, cleanliness. It was all perfect.
(5)Angie L.
We stopped by Ashland overnight on our move back to SF. There really weren't that much options in the area so we ended up here. I had the ramen which tasted like cup noodle. I'm not the best cook, but I make better cup noodle than here! For $7 or $8, totally not worth it! The Mr had the chicken teriyaki combo. He liked it fine, nothing to brag home about, but it didn't make him sick, so it's just fine! We also ordered a plate of sushi (can't remember the name unfortunately). The rolls are pretty big, but again nothing to brag about. We thought it tasted bland. Service was really spotty. There were some empty tables when we arrived but it took a few minutes to seat us since no one even acknowledged our arrival even though we were blocking the door. Also, we noticed that other tables received slices of oranges delivered with their bills, not ours! Our bill came a few minutes after our food was delivered. We didn't even have a chance to dent our dishes yet. And where are our oranges? Honestly, we felt really rushed. Considering it wasn't even busy, not sure why they're rushing us. I would hate to think it's because we're the "minorities", but seriously, the owners look like us, so that can't be the reason, can it? Either way, will not come back again. It's not cheap for a so-so food, although considering there are not many choices around, I guess this is considering pretty good?
(2)Sadie H.
I eat here a lot with friends and family and it is a great place for take out or dining in. Their service is generally on point and they treat their customers like family. I've gotten a number of their dishes and my favorites are the beef bulgogi and any of the specialty rolls. The quality is consistent and I am always full and happy when I leave!
(4)Lisa B.
I was expecting a fast food joint when I saw their sign on I-5, heading north. I was mildly surprised to walk into a clean, contemporary sit down place. It was 5 pm and I haven't eaten all day. I don't usually get a bento(too busy) but I needed to hit all major food groups before I hit the road again. I decided on a chicken teriyaki bento. Soon after ordering, the pretty waitress brought out a small complimentary bowl of edamame which I happily munched on. The bento took a little bit to come out but I was happy with what I saw. Bento itself wasn't anything remarkable but it was prepared and plated with care. Mixed green salad was fresh and plentiful. Chicken was tender and cut into perfect strips, 4 pieces of gyoza, 4 pieces of Cali roll with imitation crab. I really liked the scoop of purple rice. Teri sauce and salad dressing were on the side, as I asked. I liked their prompt but non-clingy service. Glass of water was always filled and 2 waitresses implicitly checked to see if I was still doing ok. Surprisingly good(food and service) place so near the highway. For $10+tip, Bonsai is a good value.
(4)Sandy S.
When I moved to Ashland 4 months ago, I went here for sushi. My first impression was that the employees were not happy. The sushi however was pretty good. I went there at least twice a week for 2 months. On my LAST visit, for take out, the sushi chef made my sushi rolls with fish trimmings that should've been thrown away or cooked for some other dish. It was awful....I ended up throwing the entire order in the trash.....I used to own a business and I'd like to tell these owners that you should NEVER treat your regular customers with such disrespect and contempt..... I live within walking distance and would've continued going there regularly. But, I will never go there again...... A better alternative is UMI sushi.....Grants Pass, Medford and Ashland are ALL excellent......
(1)Robin Z.
Service, food, location, cleanliness. It was all perfect.
(5)Del S.
2 words: Korean Chirashi!! It is definitely not Japanese, and I don't think it's quite Korean either. But who cares, what really matters is that it is absolutely satisfying and delicious (check out the photo). I also applaud to the fact that a Japanese restaurant in Ashland, Oregon is willing to take a chance and invent a special dish of their own. I will make sure to stop by again next time I am in the area.
(4)Rosa B.
Best Japanese food in Ashland! Love their tempura and tonkatsu meals; Delicious!
(5)Jake C.
This is my Fav. Spot in Ashland. They have quite the variety of food to offer. Japanese and Korean food. I would have to say, the Korean food is not good here though, the japanese is great! be back soon! Awesome sushi
(4)Jason C.
Having experienced sushi in Japan, Korea, China, LA, etc., I'm very picky when it comes to Japanese food. I was visiting a friend who lives in Ashland back in December 08 and happen to see the place, but I did not go. I came back to visit my friend in Feb 09 and I started to miss some 'Asian' food... so I decided to try it - since this was the only Asian restaurant I could find by my friends home. When I walked in, I was greeted by the lady (most likely the owner). She gave me the menu and looked the license plate on my car and asked me how my drive way from California, but before I could answer, she asked if I was Korean... I said yes, and told her I came from Medford, heading up to Eugene. I ordered food - my eye's were bigger then my stomach! I ordered Spicy Tuna and Eel, then ordered the bulgogi combo, miso soup. As I got my salad and soup, the owner brought me kimchi. I was so happy! I was waiting until the next day to get my kimchi kick! The service was awesome. I enjoyed the eel and spicy tuna - granted spicy tuna was not really spicy. The bulgogi combo was good, however the quality of the meat was okay, edible. On top of this, the waiter was from my home state, going to school - small world! If you are in Ashland area, stop by and try the food. The service was great, the owners were always checking upon you, making sure you were okay. I got a good service at Bonsai. The sushi bar is small, may it seats like 6 people, there's about 8 table setting... when I went, it was about 1/3 full, but lot of folks ordered take out.
(3)Liadan R.
2 stars because the sushi was decent. The service left something to be desired. We had to get up and ask anytime we wanted drink refills. Our waiter brought more water, but completely forgot about the tea. Eventually we gave up and just stuck with water, even though our glasses would sit empty for long periods of time. My aunt is a strict vegetarian, and she ordered tofu. We reiterated that she was a strict vegetarian, no meat or fish products on it of any kind, please. It came with fish flakes on it. So we asked, hey does this have meat on it? After a bit of discussion, he finally took it back to the kitchen, where it was confirmed that yes, in spite of our asking she got tofu with fish on it. We asked for no tobiko/masago (roe) on our sushi. Twice. It had roe on it. Twice. We were also brought the bill after our first order of sushi, even though we said we were going to order more later. They also forgot one of our rolls and we had to remind the waiter that we never received it. No discount or apology, but they did bring us a free orange. I guess that was supposed to make up for it?
(2)Richard J.
Definitely not like its counter parts in Medford... The food here is excellent and they give much more portions than they do in Medford. Price was still a little to high but was worth it portion wise. Wait staff was prompt and very helpful. I would recommend this place over any of the Medford Bonsai's any day.
(4)Jamie F.
I used to really like this place. The food was good and reasonably priced. I went there a while ago with 3 other people and our last roll literally tasted like soap. When I tried to tell them this in a polite and discrete way as there were many other customers near by, the older lady behind the counter got very defensive, wouldn't let me speak and grabbed the tray from me. There has always been a language barrier here however, the way this particular experience was handled on their part was not only unnecessary but it made them look very bad for all their other customers present. We were very disappointed and I knew I'd never be able to look at this place the same way again. Several months later I was craving sushi and decided to give them another try but didn't have high hopes. I went there by myself and ordered a roll. They had a young american guy working there now so there was no language barrier which made it easier. The roll was good/decent but the waiter and the family that owns the place were all just lingering around looking at us (the customers) while we were trying to eat. It was pretty uncomfortable and I ended up eating quickly so I could leave. I have no plans on going back.
(2)Lily R.
Food is pretty damn good. A little better than your average japanese sushi joint. The reason I gave this place two stars is because of the unbelivably rude service I got on the phone trying to call in an order. You don't ever hang up on a customer. If you are too foreign to understand anyone on the phone and also happen to be rude why don't you just let one of your nice english speaking employees answer the phone?!? There's nothing worse than shitty customer service, especially from a manager (or owner?).
(2)Erin S.
A very good surprise to find right off the 5 freeway! Excellent selection of rolls and sushi!
(5)Phil E.
Food is average. It seems fish has to be shipped from either San Francisco or Portland Oregon. Because of this there's no real good sushi in Southern Oregon.it's about as good as any in the area.
(3)Kieran H.
Great sushi, best in the area. I've had better elsewhere, in closer proximity to fresh fish, but they do very well with what they've got. Decent prices, service is better at lunch than dinner. I prefer the Ashland location to the Medford location for food quality.
(4)Sydney H.
Five bucks for edamame...and there were 13 beans on the plate. That's 38 cents a bean. Six dollars for tea. The imitation crab was oozing with mayonaise. I would not go back if this were the last resaurant on earth.
(1)Susanne R.
Turns out one of the better places in Ashland to get Sushi is also one of the least expensive. If I need to order a platter for a party, this is where I come (bring your own party plates in advance and they'll arrange it all pretty-like for you ;-) This can sometimes be a point-at-what-you-want-on-the-menu kind of place, in that the amount of english spoken isn't quite enough for your server to translate for you if your pronunciation is off. I have never - ever - had a bad meal here, even when what was brought to my table bore no resemblance whatsoever to what I thought I'd ordered. Tucked into the Albertson's shopping centre at the South end of town, you'll have to drive round a bit to find the place (hint: it's near the Bank of America).
(3)Ed S.
Bonsai is unusually good for a sushi place in a strip mall. Moving from Orange County, I am somewhat disappointed at the food in Ashland. Bonsai is an exception. The people are exceptionally friendly and always trying new things for their customers to try. And the prices are very reasonable. I am a big fan of their Las Vegas and Rainbow rolls. If you're looking for a quick, non-pretentious place for good sushi in Ashland, this is it.
(4)Lucy G.
good food but the services is really bad. they always forget my salad 4 times already that this happen. they dont even bother to check on me and i always have to walk up to ask them for something. last time i ever go there
(2)Zen F.
I'm a local and have gone to Bonsai many times. There are some major blemishes, the first of which is the use of imitation crab for many of the rolls. I'm not keen on anything that has an ingredient list as long as a pack of smokes. The second strike is the staff, which plays hot and cold. Sometimes they're quite nice, other times they seem to be scowling. Where do they get these people?! The last strike is the abysmal decor. So here's the good news, although they are not cheap, they are the best Sushi deal in town. Second, the sushi is pretty good, try the Mochi roll, it's really quite amazing. Over all it's a pretty solid three stars. If you have the money, go to Kobe, if you don't, this is you're place!
(3)Lenny G.
Bonsai is part of a local chain of three restaurants, all a little different. The Ashland branch is great for a fast yummy meal. Most dishes are great, especially the spicy pork and yakisoba, or both together! The fish tempura is a terrific appetizer, and the sushi is fresh and delicious. One of their sushi rolls is named after Harry Potter, though, pretty tacky. They lose a star for that. On the bright side, they now serve beer and wine; some odd choices of brands though.
(4)Raisin S.
Bonsai is a great place for fresh sushi that is actually cheap, even though the location isn't very good. But it's always packed in there, especially for lunch. I always get the Bonsai roll, which is a California roll with tuna with a spicy sauce and the orange fish eggs (not sure what it's called - sorry!). The crunchy roll is much better than the deep-fried roll and my kids love sharing the Bento box. My husband sometimes gets the salmon teriyaki or the chicken teriyaki and he loves them both. The tempura is never soggy, and the service is always friendly. It's owned by Koreans, so they also offer some Korean dishes on the menu. I'm only giving it 4 stars because I ordered the udon once and the noodles were a little old (it was hard in places and looked like it had dried out) and I ordered the eel and it wasn't skinned all the way once. But when we want sushi, we always come here and avoid the other sushi place downtown. I highly recommend the miso - very tasty and not watered down like it can be sometimes.
(4)Stephen I.
Got stuck in Ashland when we were not allowed to go over the pass into California. We didn't really have the greatest expectations, but we were pleasantly surprised by the excellent food.
(5)Bee O O.
Usually Bonsai is one of my favorite places to eat in town. A group of my friends took me here the other day for my birthday dinner. I ordered the yakisoba, and very very specifically and adamantly requested only very minimal broccoli. They wholeheartedly assurred me that it would be made to my specifications, but when it arrived, it looked like they had raided Martha Stewart's vegetable garden and dumped all of it in my noodles. It was still delicious... once I picked out all of the cabbage, sprouts, and carrots. I think next time I'll just stick to the tonkatsu.
(4)Kathleen F.
I always enjoy the tastes and textures at Bonsai...but today i was saddened to have gotten a big whiff of cleaning solution just as i was finishing my meal. I was very upset because it ruined my experience and I did not receive any indication that the proprietor understood the offense to my senses. It seemed the meal was ruined too. I immediately had a burning sensation in my nostrils and later a headache. I think the custodian or kitchen employee must have poured it on the floor full strength and within a few feet of me (however, behind a barrier). If you do eat here you should be pleased with the food, but do request they hold off on cleaning until the restaurant is empty... AND, consider using a less toxic solution.
(3)suma k.
I stopped here on the way down from Seattle a couple of weeks ago. It was a little hard to find since it's in a shopping center and you can't really see the sign from the road. It's a smaller place, but clean and uncluttered. The menu selection seemed really large for that size of a place. All in all they had fast friendly service and tasty hot fresh food. That about sums up this little joint. I would definitely go again.
(3)Paul R.
Bonsai was a place I avoided for its first year or so - no beer or sake, and no plans to get any. ditto for Uni - on the menu, and when I asked if there was a day they'd have it, the answer was negatory. I went there a few weeks ago though, and evidently new management came in, because there was fresh, creamy, succulent Uni in the cool case, and beer in the fridge. A variety of Sake is available now. Seating is limited, and the sushi bar is cramped between the cash register and utility shelves for place settings. The decor reeks of the prior tenant - pretty basic. But the sushi is great! Lovely cuts, without too much rice, great hand rolls, and the new chef is focused on making the customer happy. And they've had sweet fresh uni each time I've been back. Three stars is good. Enjoy.
(3)Madison M.
-Good sized portions for the price. -Has quite a variety of Japanese and Korean dishes; something for everyone. -EXCELLENT table service; very attentive (kept water glasses filled). -Accurate menu descriptions; what you read is what you get placed in fron
(4)Sheng Z.
We arrived just 5 minutes before closing time. The staff was kindly enough to let us place a to-go order. The sushi was great! The tempora was out-of-order but the staff gave us a big California roll instead.
(4)YaYa C.
Im sure my experience would have been better had I not been served already eaten edamame and not realized it until I had already tried to eat some! I ordered no Wasabi/no spicy and still was served a roll with spicy sauce. If i get some funky sick illness i know where to blame! GROSS!!! $40 later...NOT HAPPY AT ALL!
(1)Andrea D.
I always get the bento with teriyaki chicken & sub extra potstickers for Cali roll. It's usually pretty tasty & plenty of food for reasonable $. Service is just okay, nothing great. I've had to get up & grab extra napkins or a box from the service station because I couldn't get my server's attention. The severs aren't necessarily rude, but they certainly don't shmooze you for an extra special tip. The owner is almost always there, working the register. Wouldn't refer to her as "warm" or "inviting", but I never feel unwelcome. Would give it 4 stars, but the last time I had their food, I ordered the #1 teriyaki chicken plate with rice & salad, to go. The chicken was very rubbery, like it had been "finished" in the microwave or something. It was just off, texturally - to the point where I'm not sure if I would go back, but I'll probably give them another go.
(3)Anna H.
My favorite sushi place. Service is always fast, delicious, and consistent. A ton of options to chose from, sushi and beyond.
(5)Eric D.
Great sushi and salads at a reasonable price. We twice made a large " to go" order in the same week and they got everything right with no mistakes. They even threw in a little bit extra as a "thank you" the second time. We'll definitely be back next time we're in Ashland.
(5)Alex P.
Quick service, quality sushi, reasonably priced. I've been coming to Bonsai for years and have never had an issue. The food is tasty, and the portions are perfect for sharing with a friend. If your in the Ashland area, Bonsai is best place for inexpensive sushi.
(5)Georgina H.
This place is ok. Definitely better than a 3-star restaurant I might ordinarily go to on Yelp. I don't think the portions are quite right, I like more rice with my entrees. I would like more sushi too! The less expensive sushi dishes will serve you less food, at least if you order takeout, and for the wait it's not really worth it. It was definitely okay, and it's tempting to go back to try new things. The artificial crab isn't very good and the vegetables don't taste very good,
(3)Stephen I.
Got stuck in Ashland when we were not allowed to go over the pass into California. We didn't really have the greatest expectations, but we were pleasantly surprised by the excellent food.
(5)Bee O O.
Usually Bonsai is one of my favorite places to eat in town. A group of my friends took me here the other day for my birthday dinner. I ordered the yakisoba, and very very specifically and adamantly requested only very minimal broccoli. They wholeheartedly assurred me that it would be made to my specifications, but when it arrived, it looked like they had raided Martha Stewart's vegetable garden and dumped all of it in my noodles. It was still delicious... once I picked out all of the cabbage, sprouts, and carrots. I think next time I'll just stick to the tonkatsu.
(4)Kathleen F.
I always enjoy the tastes and textures at Bonsai...but today i was saddened to have gotten a big whiff of cleaning solution just as i was finishing my meal. I was very upset because it ruined my experience and I did not receive any indication that the proprietor understood the offense to my senses. It seemed the meal was ruined too. I immediately had a burning sensation in my nostrils and later a headache. I think the custodian or kitchen employee must have poured it on the floor full strength and within a few feet of me (however, behind a barrier). If you do eat here you should be pleased with the food, but do request they hold off on cleaning until the restaurant is empty... AND, consider using a less toxic solution.
(3)Rosa B.
Best Japanese food in Ashland! Love their tempura and tonkatsu meals; Delicious!
(5)Jake C.
This is my Fav. Spot in Ashland. They have quite the variety of food to offer. Japanese and Korean food. I would have to say, the Korean food is not good here though, the japanese is great! be back soon! Awesome sushi
(4)Karen K.
3.5 Stars.... When we first entered this restaurant we were greeted immediately, our waiter was most attentive and pleasant. The restaurant itself had as many as eight booths plus seating for about six at the sushi bar. It was our first time here so we saw they also had Korean dishes as well as Japanese on the menu. Both my HB and I had Korean AYCE a couple of days ago so we both decided on Japanese food. I ordered chicken teriyaki with tempora; my HB ordered veggie yakisoba. We were served with edamame & I received miso soup prior to my main dish. I did have a choice of salad or soup but bc it was so cold up here in Oregon I decided on soup. The miso soup was decent in flavor. I did use a soup spoon that was accompanied with it. We were served with our main dishes promptly after our appetizers. Our dishes were pretty good sized. I saw that my rice was purple in color; my HB said they were made with the Japanese red bean called adsuki. Actually I have been eating Japanese food for quite a number of years & this was the first time I had rice made this way. It didn't really have any distinct flavor so I wasn't adverse to the fact but thought it was cool. Both my HB and I enjoyed our dishes. We had been snacking all day that we couldn't finish up our food so we had to take part of it to go. The prices of the food here were not at all extravagant. We would come back to try the Korean food next time! If you are wondering whether to try it here, don't hesitate. I actually got to try something new for once in my life:) By the way, we were supplied with forks to eat not chopsticks which was fine. I think it's easier if you know what I mean!
(4)Steven F.
Staff was friendly...but that's about it. Our sushi rolls fell apart and were sloppily made and the real kicker was sushi rice wasn't even used!!!! Our veggie tempura was decent as far as tempura but the potatoes in the tempura were under cooked. Fail.
(2)Bruce B.
Here's a great sushi bar with a Korean flare. Yes they have kimchi on the menu as a salad oh yum ! A full Japanese menu of sushi and sashimi with various rolls. Close to I 5 and easy off and back on. Clean and fresh with fast and friendly service.
(5)Tracy T.
I just love this place! I can't believe that I've lived here for 4 years and have not tried it until today. The strip mall is something that you need to get over with the location because this place is pretty tasty and decently priced. Everything looked great on the menu. We had the Bento Box and the Spicy Ramen soup. The veggie tempura was really good and the pot stickers were yummy crunchy. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Shawna M.
The service was okay but they did keep forgetting about us because we had to sit outside. I'm used to rolls being tighter and cut into more pieces so they can be easily shared by all but they were delicious.
(3)Daffodil K.
Great food for the price. The servings on many items such as the tempura and main dishes were generous. We ordered the shrimp and veggies tempura which had plenty of shrimp and an assortment of delicious vegetables. Often at other places you're lucky to see more than two shrimp and a few broccoli scattered among an entire plate of yams. There is a wide variety of beers and sakes to choose from. All the servers were very nice as well. We look forward to our next visit!
(4)Jason C.
Having experienced sushi in Japan, Korea, China, LA, etc., I'm very picky when it comes to Japanese food. I was visiting a friend who lives in Ashland back in December 08 and happen to see the place, but I did not go. I came back to visit my friend in Feb 09 and I started to miss some 'Asian' food... so I decided to try it - since this was the only Asian restaurant I could find by my friends home. When I walked in, I was greeted by the lady (most likely the owner). She gave me the menu and looked the license plate on my car and asked me how my drive way from California, but before I could answer, she asked if I was Korean... I said yes, and told her I came from Medford, heading up to Eugene. I ordered food - my eye's were bigger then my stomach! I ordered Spicy Tuna and Eel, then ordered the bulgogi combo, miso soup. As I got my salad and soup, the owner brought me kimchi. I was so happy! I was waiting until the next day to get my kimchi kick! The service was awesome. I enjoyed the eel and spicy tuna - granted spicy tuna was not really spicy. The bulgogi combo was good, however the quality of the meat was okay, edible. On top of this, the waiter was from my home state, going to school - small world! If you are in Ashland area, stop by and try the food. The service was great, the owners were always checking upon you, making sure you were okay. I got a good service at Bonsai. The sushi bar is small, may it seats like 6 people, there's about 8 table setting... when I went, it was about 1/3 full, but lot of folks ordered take out.
(3)Liadan R.
2 stars because the sushi was decent. The service left something to be desired. We had to get up and ask anytime we wanted drink refills. Our waiter brought more water, but completely forgot about the tea. Eventually we gave up and just stuck with water, even though our glasses would sit empty for long periods of time. My aunt is a strict vegetarian, and she ordered tofu. We reiterated that she was a strict vegetarian, no meat or fish products on it of any kind, please. It came with fish flakes on it. So we asked, hey does this have meat on it? After a bit of discussion, he finally took it back to the kitchen, where it was confirmed that yes, in spite of our asking she got tofu with fish on it. We asked for no tobiko/masago (roe) on our sushi. Twice. It had roe on it. Twice. We were also brought the bill after our first order of sushi, even though we said we were going to order more later. They also forgot one of our rolls and we had to remind the waiter that we never received it. No discount or apology, but they did bring us a free orange. I guess that was supposed to make up for it?
(2)kathy m.
We're big sushi fans and we felt like sushi and came here and it was tasty. It was good, but didn't knock our socks off or anything.
(3)Patricia G.
So many things to tell. Met a friend who loves the place. Sit outside. Waited 15 minutes for one of three wait staff. Give our order. Not asked about beverages. I receive my order, without the extra teriyaki sauce but no big deal. We are told my friends order is almost up (sushi). 50 minutes go by. No sushi. No wait staff in in 50 minutes. My friend goes in and asks. Told, oh my gosh, order not put in right place for sushi chef to see. Be out in five. Fifteen minutes later my friend goes in herself and gets her order off of the bar. We are 80 minutes in. My salad dressing tastes "over", wrong - have to skip the salad. The Teriyaki beef is just ok, too full of mushrooms for me. The rice looks like it has blueberries in it. I skip. Finally, someone checks, "Oh, you got your order". We explain had to go in and get it ourselves. Wait for offer of "something", anything. They offer 10% for the 50 minute wait. And some ice cream. We pay the bill and leave no tip. Surprisingly awful.
(1)Sharon M.
One of the best Japanese restaurants we have been to. Excellent food and service. We ordered the teriyaki steak plate and it was great! Very busy and popular restaurant it seems, and this was on a Wednesday night.
(5)Ms. P.
Ordered the Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box, the food was good. The California roll fell apart, but it was ordered to go so probably happened from sitting in box with hot food. The staff is very friendly- Would recommend.
(3)Kerrie F.
Awesome place. I worked here for two years. The owners are amazing and have a true sense of how a restaurant should be run. Great business ethics and culture within the organization. Oh, and not to mention the food is stellar!
(5)Sadie H.
I eat here a lot with friends and family and it is a great place for take out or dining in. Their service is generally on point and they treat their customers like family. I've gotten a number of their dishes and my favorites are the beef bulgogi and any of the specialty rolls. The quality is consistent and I am always full and happy when I leave!
(4)Graham T.
Delicious pot stickers, korean short ribs, spicy ramen, and miso soup! Highly recommended for generous portions of delicious and affordable Asian cuisine.
(5)Christina R.
After 13hrs on the road this little spot was a refreshing drop in. While it was busy, with all tables filled, waitstaff were quick and attentive. We appreciated our water came with lemon and we were served complimentary edamame to start. Las Vegas roll was tasty without being over fried and generously filled. My mom had a chicken stir fry that had a nice sesame flavor. We we very pleased with everything despite some of the poor reviews. We will come again!
(4)Chris R.
We were relieved after finding Bonsai as we had really back luck with sushi in Ashland. Bonsai has had quality rolls and nigiri both times that we went...well done and good quality fish. I lived in Hawaii for many years and have been to Japan several times...Bonsai is far better than Star Sushi, noticeably better than Umi, and a little better than Kobe(had a strange roll there with little pieces of lime w/peel on top..pretty rough to eat). Bonsai is our new go to when we are craving sushi.
(4)Brad K.
Surprisingly tasty for a strip mall sushi restaurant. I had a saba, which I found to be standard, as well as a spicy beef soup. Though it didn't match up to the soup I had in Korea, I was pleasantly surprised to see it on the menu, as well as it's flavor. It was a bit Americanized, but was better than expected. The serving was also quite large. My wife enjoyed her spider roll.
(4)Joe M.
Love it, good food good price and very friendly service, one of my favorite restaurant in Ashland.
(5)Terry L.
Our favorite sushi in town! Very nice people and delicious food. Favorites: bonsai roll, spicy tuna roll.
(4)Lou B.
All of the servers seem mad. They charge $1 extra for side of unagi/Teri sauce. Older Chef is the meanest of them all... Sushi is decent, but the teriyaki chicken is dry and ordinary.
(2)Julia E.
I ate lunch with my family here last week. The next day, my brother and I both had pretty violent food poisoning. Neither of us were entirely surprised, as right after our meal we remarked to each other how horribly bad it tasted. Badly prepared food, poorly managed kitchen. Don't eat here.
(1)David S.
Okay, so perhaps I was a little harsh in my previous review of this restaurant. I keep going back because 8/10 times they are pretty good. As long as the Father is making the sushi you should be good. If the Son is making it, then keep walking. I know that people need to spend time actually on-the-line to hone their skills, but seriously (in a saucy voice) it is not cool to have someone with less experience than me making rolls and hacking fish back there. Contrary to what most people may believe, there is only one proper way to slice fish for sushi, and the Son does NOT know how it's done. I hope he learns fast. In the meantime, if I see him at the helm I'll go somewhere else.
(3)Sarah R.
I have been sick off the salmon twice, the waitstaff is eh, and the food is inconsistent. Try Umi Sushi
(2)Issy P.
So good! Get the chicken teriyaki with white rice mixed vegetables and Italian soda and it is so good. The ambience is good and the location and the food and the service! I love this place you should totally go
(5)Calcifer G.
In my experience most of the dishes are mediocre or pretty good but the ramen was absolutely terrible. I have eaten ramen at a few resturants before and this was by far the worst....definitely would not suggest at ALL!
(2)Peaceful O.
I continue to say how much I love this place! The sushi is affordable, fresh and the service is always great-especially if you are in a hurry to hit the theatre. I love eating outside even when it's cold and they just installed new heat lanterns outside that are artwork in themselves! My favorite is cucumber salad and a Bonsai roll !!! A yummy, savory spicy meal!
(5)Subrosa I.
This restaurant has a nice outdoor seating area (which is great for dog owners). We enjoyed our lunch here. The bento boxes (which came with salad, gyoza, California roll, and choice of protein) were fairly delicious. We tried the chicken and salmon options. Both turned out to be pretty good choices. And the portions were generous as well. Our bill averaged out to around $13.50 per person.
(4)Dal C.
This place has improved immensely since they moved in, and they weren't bad to start with. The current sushi chef is terrific--if you throw yourself at his mercy and just let him make you something, you won't be disappointed. Renee and I have eaten here dozens of times and have never been disappointed. Every once in awhile the chef will surprise use with a little 'amuse bouche' (or however they say that in Japanese) and it's always excellent.
(5)E A.
Ok, we're in Southern Oregon - not exactly a mecca for fresh, authentic sushi. BUT, this place is decent and when you have a craving for chicken teriyaki, fatty tuna or tempura they totally deliver. I love the Las Vegas roll and we'll often get the bento boxes when we just want casual Japanese food. The wait staff are sweet and friendly and they really seem to appreciate their customers. It's not huge so it can get crowded but they are also cool about to-go orders. We have never had a bad experience and are always happy to see them busy.
(5)Heather H.
We frequent the Bonsai in Medford, but were in Ashland for a film fest and thought to stop in for a bite to eat before our show. This place is pretty disappointing compared to the one in Medford. Maybe I was wrong to think that they are owned by the same people? I got the rib eye teriyaki steak, it arrived to my table with a nice sear on it, however when I cut into it it was completely raw and cold on the inside. Sent it back and got another and it was just ok. Possibly my appetite had already been ruined by the first steak. Their sushi rolls were just so, so. We ended up sitting on the other side of the fryer, it was noisy and the grease smelled old. When we left, our clothes smelled like stale greasy fried fish. I agree with other viewers about the wait staff, in that they were kind of short/rude, seemed impatient and like they didn't have time for us. One of the waitresses even said "sorry we didn't pay much attention to you guys". Unfortunately we probably won't come back here, it was just a hot, greasy, disorganized mess and the food was not worth it. We will stick to the Bonsai in Medford off of Barnett...much better!
(2)E B.
This is my wife and I's favorite sushi and japanese spot in southern Oregon. We come from the Bay Area where there are good sushi spots on every corner so when we moved to Oregon we had a really hard time finding good sushi. All of their food is great, the prices are very reasonable, and the staff is always kind and attentive. I would typically give it a 4 star rating because the food is good, not world class, but I am wanting to bump up their over all rating to at least 4 stars because this place is amazing by Oregon's standards
(5)Brent M.
I'm not a sushi guy so this review will have to go for their other menu items. I am partial to their chicken teriyaki and shrimp tempura. Mmmm
(4)Lisa B.
I was expecting a fast food joint when I saw their sign on I-5, heading north. I was mildly surprised to walk into a clean, contemporary sit down place. It was 5 pm and I haven't eaten all day. I don't usually get a bento(too busy) but I needed to hit all major food groups before I hit the road again. I decided on a chicken teriyaki bento. Soon after ordering, the pretty waitress brought out a small complimentary bowl of edamame which I happily munched on. The bento took a little bit to come out but I was happy with what I saw. Bento itself wasn't anything remarkable but it was prepared and plated with care. Mixed green salad was fresh and plentiful. Chicken was tender and cut into perfect strips, 4 pieces of gyoza, 4 pieces of Cali roll with imitation crab. I really liked the scoop of purple rice. Teri sauce and salad dressing were on the side, as I asked. I liked their prompt but non-clingy service. Glass of water was always filled and 2 waitresses implicitly checked to see if I was still doing ok. Surprisingly good(food and service) place so near the highway. For $10+tip, Bonsai is a good value.
(4)Sandy S.
When I moved to Ashland 4 months ago, I went here for sushi. My first impression was that the employees were not happy. The sushi however was pretty good. I went there at least twice a week for 2 months. On my LAST visit, for take out, the sushi chef made my sushi rolls with fish trimmings that should've been thrown away or cooked for some other dish. It was awful....I ended up throwing the entire order in the trash.....I used to own a business and I'd like to tell these owners that you should NEVER treat your regular customers with such disrespect and contempt..... I live within walking distance and would've continued going there regularly. But, I will never go there again...... A better alternative is UMI sushi.....Grants Pass, Medford and Ashland are ALL excellent......
(1)Lily R.
Food is pretty damn good. A little better than your average japanese sushi joint. The reason I gave this place two stars is because of the unbelivably rude service I got on the phone trying to call in an order. You don't ever hang up on a customer. If you are too foreign to understand anyone on the phone and also happen to be rude why don't you just let one of your nice english speaking employees answer the phone?!? There's nothing worse than shitty customer service, especially from a manager (or owner?).
(2)Erin S.
A very good surprise to find right off the 5 freeway! Excellent selection of rolls and sushi!
(5)Phil E.
Food is average. It seems fish has to be shipped from either San Francisco or Portland Oregon. Because of this there's no real good sushi in Southern Oregon.it's about as good as any in the area.
(3)Del S.
2 words: Korean Chirashi!! It is definitely not Japanese, and I don't think it's quite Korean either. But who cares, what really matters is that it is absolutely satisfying and delicious (check out the photo). I also applaud to the fact that a Japanese restaurant in Ashland, Oregon is willing to take a chance and invent a special dish of their own. I will make sure to stop by again next time I am in the area.
(4)Olma M.
What a great find on our quick rest stop in Ashland, Oregon. We were homeward-bound, from Portland to SF and needed a refreshing late dinner. We figured Ashland would be a good stopping point - It's home to a Shakespeare festival so we assumed we'd find decent dining options here. One quick turn off of the hwy. exit and we found Bonsai right away. The place was packed and there was a short wait. The sushi bar was vacant, but fully occupied within minutes during the course of our meal. I had the salmon dish (#14!) and I swear, it was the freshest salmon I'd had in a very long while. Hefty portions all around. Though the plate seemed a bit too much for my appetite, I found myself gobbling it all down because I wanted to savor every bite. Also, it seems like a mom-and-pop-owned restaurant and they were so very friendly and attentive. I eat better when I'm surrounded by smiley, friendly people! You can find some of their menu items here (tho it may be outdated): passport2ashland.com/art…
(3)Jamie F.
I used to really like this place. The food was good and reasonably priced. I went there a while ago with 3 other people and our last roll literally tasted like soap. When I tried to tell them this in a polite and discrete way as there were many other customers near by, the older lady behind the counter got very defensive, wouldn't let me speak and grabbed the tray from me. There has always been a language barrier here however, the way this particular experience was handled on their part was not only unnecessary but it made them look very bad for all their other customers present. We were very disappointed and I knew I'd never be able to look at this place the same way again. Several months later I was craving sushi and decided to give them another try but didn't have high hopes. I went there by myself and ordered a roll. They had a young american guy working there now so there was no language barrier which made it easier. The roll was good/decent but the waiter and the family that owns the place were all just lingering around looking at us (the customers) while we were trying to eat. It was pretty uncomfortable and I ended up eating quickly so I could leave. I have no plans on going back.
(2)Kieran H.
Great sushi, best in the area. I've had better elsewhere, in closer proximity to fresh fish, but they do very well with what they've got. Decent prices, service is better at lunch than dinner. I prefer the Ashland location to the Medford location for food quality.
(4)Sydney H.
Five bucks for edamame...and there were 13 beans on the plate. That's 38 cents a bean. Six dollars for tea. The imitation crab was oozing with mayonaise. I would not go back if this were the last resaurant on earth.
(1)Susanne R.
Turns out one of the better places in Ashland to get Sushi is also one of the least expensive. If I need to order a platter for a party, this is where I come (bring your own party plates in advance and they'll arrange it all pretty-like for you ;-) This can sometimes be a point-at-what-you-want-on-the-menu kind of place, in that the amount of english spoken isn't quite enough for your server to translate for you if your pronunciation is off. I have never - ever - had a bad meal here, even when what was brought to my table bore no resemblance whatsoever to what I thought I'd ordered. Tucked into the Albertson's shopping centre at the South end of town, you'll have to drive round a bit to find the place (hint: it's near the Bank of America).
(3)Richard J.
Definitely not like its counter parts in Medford... The food here is excellent and they give much more portions than they do in Medford. Price was still a little to high but was worth it portion wise. Wait staff was prompt and very helpful. I would recommend this place over any of the Medford Bonsai's any day.
(4)suma k.
I stopped here on the way down from Seattle a couple of weeks ago. It was a little hard to find since it's in a shopping center and you can't really see the sign from the road. It's a smaller place, but clean and uncluttered. The menu selection seemed really large for that size of a place. All in all they had fast friendly service and tasty hot fresh food. That about sums up this little joint. I would definitely go again.
(3)Jen F.
A nice alternative to the busy (and expensive) restaurants downtown. Seated at the sushi bar, my son enjoyed watching the chef prepare the orders that streamed in at a steady pace. He finally settled on Udon (a noodle soup) and salmon roll. I chose chicken katsu (they were out of pork), spicy tuna roll, and ahi nigiri (a special). The entrees were tasty and filling. The Udon came with tempura vegies, which unfortunately were soggy and losing their breading by the time the dish was served. (They were still tasty, though.) My katsu had a spicy bbq-style sauce, and came with rice and a green salad. Sushi is served on a large platter all at once, instead of one item at a time. I prefer all the little plates, especially when dining with a group. Sitting at the bar, our little corner was quickly overcrowded with too many plates. The sushi rolls were big - close to two inches in diameter. Waay too big for even a "large bite" - they needed 2-3 good bites each. In my opinion they were a bit unwieldy and it made for a pretty messy meal. The sauce on the spicy tuna was pretty good, and in general everything tasted good. There were no options for sashimi, and most of the rolls seemed to be variations on the basic California Roll. Beer and wine are not served, and it just seems silly to eat sushi without a nice cold bottle of Asahi. (Guess I am a lush... hic!) Despite the limited options, Bonsai is a good value and we will probably be back!
(3)Paul R.
Bonsai was a place I avoided for its first year or so - no beer or sake, and no plans to get any. ditto for Uni - on the menu, and when I asked if there was a day they'd have it, the answer was negatory. I went there a few weeks ago though, and evidently new management came in, because there was fresh, creamy, succulent Uni in the cool case, and beer in the fridge. A variety of Sake is available now. Seating is limited, and the sushi bar is cramped between the cash register and utility shelves for place settings. The decor reeks of the prior tenant - pretty basic. But the sushi is great! Lovely cuts, without too much rice, great hand rolls, and the new chef is focused on making the customer happy. And they've had sweet fresh uni each time I've been back. Three stars is good. Enjoy.
(3)Ed S.
Bonsai is unusually good for a sushi place in a strip mall. Moving from Orange County, I am somewhat disappointed at the food in Ashland. Bonsai is an exception. The people are exceptionally friendly and always trying new things for their customers to try. And the prices are very reasonable. I am a big fan of their Las Vegas and Rainbow rolls. If you're looking for a quick, non-pretentious place for good sushi in Ashland, this is it.
(4)Zen F.
I'm a local and have gone to Bonsai many times. There are some major blemishes, the first of which is the use of imitation crab for many of the rolls. I'm not keen on anything that has an ingredient list as long as a pack of smokes. The second strike is the staff, which plays hot and cold. Sometimes they're quite nice, other times they seem to be scowling. Where do they get these people?! The last strike is the abysmal decor. So here's the good news, although they are not cheap, they are the best Sushi deal in town. Second, the sushi is pretty good, try the Mochi roll, it's really quite amazing. Over all it's a pretty solid three stars. If you have the money, go to Kobe, if you don't, this is you're place!
(3)Lucy G.
good food but the services is really bad. they always forget my salad 4 times already that this happen. they dont even bother to check on me and i always have to walk up to ask them for something. last time i ever go there
(2)Eping H.
Not much to say other than it's become a quasi regular Sunday lunch spot for my family. The sushi is pretty good, but varies in quality, depending on who is making it. Portions are large. Menu seems to be the fairly standard Japanese/Korean menu that you'll see in many of the Japanese restaurants in the area: sushi, grilled meats bentos, a handful of Korean dishes. Other than that, there's really not much to write say.
(4)Lenny G.
Bonsai is part of a local chain of three restaurants, all a little different. The Ashland branch is great for a fast yummy meal. Most dishes are great, especially the spicy pork and yakisoba, or both together! The fish tempura is a terrific appetizer, and the sushi is fresh and delicious. One of their sushi rolls is named after Harry Potter, though, pretty tacky. They lose a star for that. On the bright side, they now serve beer and wine; some odd choices of brands though.
(4)Raisin S.
Bonsai is a great place for fresh sushi that is actually cheap, even though the location isn't very good. But it's always packed in there, especially for lunch. I always get the Bonsai roll, which is a California roll with tuna with a spicy sauce and the orange fish eggs (not sure what it's called - sorry!). The crunchy roll is much better than the deep-fried roll and my kids love sharing the Bento box. My husband sometimes gets the salmon teriyaki or the chicken teriyaki and he loves them both. The tempura is never soggy, and the service is always friendly. It's owned by Koreans, so they also offer some Korean dishes on the menu. I'm only giving it 4 stars because I ordered the udon once and the noodles were a little old (it was hard in places and looked like it had dried out) and I ordered the eel and it wasn't skinned all the way once. But when we want sushi, we always come here and avoid the other sushi place downtown. I highly recommend the miso - very tasty and not watered down like it can be sometimes.
(4)Tyrese W.
I used to like this location. I have been a customer of this restaurant since it was next to the greyhound station over 14 yrs ago. Now they have 3 locations. I had never had an issue before. This had always been a "go to" place for a quick, decent lunch. I came in the other day and ordered lunch with some friends. My girlfriend got her food first, then my friend ten minutes later. When they were almost done my food finally came out. It was not as described on the menu and when i mentioned that the employee had the Gaul to laugh at me and walk away. Then she came back and argued with me about it. Um sorry but it clearly said one thing on the menu and you brought me a dish that was more than 50 percent different. She was so rude i could not believe it. I ended up sending it back but she made no attempt to offer me something else or offer a reasonable solution. She stomped her feet and glared at me for the remainder of my foodless lunch. I will not be back after receiving such rude treatment. I would say this place is fine if u stick to the simple teriyaki chicken. But it was as if no one had ever ordered this dish before and none of the staff knew how to make it or what was in it. As others have mentioned the servers are inattentive and disorganised. I would say id give them 3 stars for the decent bento boxes and teriyaki, but negative 2 stars for the service, leaving them a lonely, measly one star.
(1)Angie L.
We stopped by Ashland overnight on our move back to SF. There really weren't that much options in the area so we ended up here. I had the ramen which tasted like cup noodle. I'm not the best cook, but I make better cup noodle than here! For $7 or $8, totally not worth it! The Mr had the chicken teriyaki combo. He liked it fine, nothing to brag home about, but it didn't make him sick, so it's just fine! We also ordered a plate of sushi (can't remember the name unfortunately). The rolls are pretty big, but again nothing to brag about. We thought it tasted bland. Service was really spotty. There were some empty tables when we arrived but it took a few minutes to seat us since no one even acknowledged our arrival even though we were blocking the door. Also, we noticed that other tables received slices of oranges delivered with their bills, not ours! Our bill came a few minutes after our food was delivered. We didn't even have a chance to dent our dishes yet. And where are our oranges? Honestly, we felt really rushed. Considering it wasn't even busy, not sure why they're rushing us. I would hate to think it's because we're the "minorities", but seriously, the owners look like us, so that can't be the reason, can it? Either way, will not come back again. It's not cheap for a so-so food, although considering there are not many choices around, I guess this is considering pretty good?
(2)Ed S.
Bonsai is unusually good for a sushi place in a strip mall. Moving from Orange County, I am somewhat disappointed at the food in Ashland. Bonsai is an exception. The people are exceptionally friendly and always trying new things for their customers to try. And the prices are very reasonable. I am a big fan of their Las Vegas and Rainbow rolls. If you're looking for a quick, non-pretentious place for good sushi in Ashland, this is it.
(4)Lucy G.
good food but the services is really bad. they always forget my salad 4 times already that this happen. they dont even bother to check on me and i always have to walk up to ask them for something. last time i ever go there
(2)Zen F.
I'm a local and have gone to Bonsai many times. There are some major blemishes, the first of which is the use of imitation crab for many of the rolls. I'm not keen on anything that has an ingredient list as long as a pack of smokes. The second strike is the staff, which plays hot and cold. Sometimes they're quite nice, other times they seem to be scowling. Where do they get these people?! The last strike is the abysmal decor. So here's the good news, although they are not cheap, they are the best Sushi deal in town. Second, the sushi is pretty good, try the Mochi roll, it's really quite amazing. Over all it's a pretty solid three stars. If you have the money, go to Kobe, if you don't, this is you're place!
(3)Eping H.
Not much to say other than it's become a quasi regular Sunday lunch spot for my family. The sushi is pretty good, but varies in quality, depending on who is making it. Portions are large. Menu seems to be the fairly standard Japanese/Korean menu that you'll see in many of the Japanese restaurants in the area: sushi, grilled meats bentos, a handful of Korean dishes. Other than that, there's really not much to write say.
(4)kathy m.
We're big sushi fans and we felt like sushi and came here and it was tasty. It was good, but didn't knock our socks off or anything.
(3)Lenny G.
Bonsai is part of a local chain of three restaurants, all a little different. The Ashland branch is great for a fast yummy meal. Most dishes are great, especially the spicy pork and yakisoba, or both together! The fish tempura is a terrific appetizer, and the sushi is fresh and delicious. One of their sushi rolls is named after Harry Potter, though, pretty tacky. They lose a star for that. On the bright side, they now serve beer and wine; some odd choices of brands though.
(4)Alex P.
Quick service, quality sushi, reasonably priced. I've been coming to Bonsai for years and have never had an issue. The food is tasty, and the portions are perfect for sharing with a friend. If your in the Ashland area, Bonsai is best place for inexpensive sushi.
(5)Patricia G.
So many things to tell. Met a friend who loves the place. Sit outside. Waited 15 minutes for one of three wait staff. Give our order. Not asked about beverages. I receive my order, without the extra teriyaki sauce but no big deal. We are told my friends order is almost up (sushi). 50 minutes go by. No sushi. No wait staff in in 50 minutes. My friend goes in and asks. Told, oh my gosh, order not put in right place for sushi chef to see. Be out in five. Fifteen minutes later my friend goes in herself and gets her order off of the bar. We are 80 minutes in. My salad dressing tastes "over", wrong - have to skip the salad. The Teriyaki beef is just ok, too full of mushrooms for me. The rice looks like it has blueberries in it. I skip. Finally, someone checks, "Oh, you got your order". We explain had to go in and get it ourselves. Wait for offer of "something", anything. They offer 10% for the 50 minute wait. And some ice cream. We pay the bill and leave no tip. Surprisingly awful.
(1)Sharon M.
One of the best Japanese restaurants we have been to. Excellent food and service. We ordered the teriyaki steak plate and it was great! Very busy and popular restaurant it seems, and this was on a Wednesday night.
(5)Ms. P.
Ordered the Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box, the food was good. The California roll fell apart, but it was ordered to go so probably happened from sitting in box with hot food. The staff is very friendly- Would recommend.
(3)Kerrie F.
Awesome place. I worked here for two years. The owners are amazing and have a true sense of how a restaurant should be run. Great business ethics and culture within the organization. Oh, and not to mention the food is stellar!
(5)Christina R.
After 13hrs on the road this little spot was a refreshing drop in. While it was busy, with all tables filled, waitstaff were quick and attentive. We appreciated our water came with lemon and we were served complimentary edamame to start. Las Vegas roll was tasty without being over fried and generously filled. My mom had a chicken stir fry that had a nice sesame flavor. We we very pleased with everything despite some of the poor reviews. We will come again!
(4)Chris R.
We were relieved after finding Bonsai as we had really back luck with sushi in Ashland. Bonsai has had quality rolls and nigiri both times that we went...well done and good quality fish. I lived in Hawaii for many years and have been to Japan several times...Bonsai is far better than Star Sushi, noticeably better than Umi, and a little better than Kobe(had a strange roll there with little pieces of lime w/peel on top..pretty rough to eat). Bonsai is our new go to when we are craving sushi.
(4)Brad K.
Surprisingly tasty for a strip mall sushi restaurant. I had a saba, which I found to be standard, as well as a spicy beef soup. Though it didn't match up to the soup I had in Korea, I was pleasantly surprised to see it on the menu, as well as it's flavor. It was a bit Americanized, but was better than expected. The serving was also quite large. My wife enjoyed her spider roll.
(4)Joe M.
Love it, good food good price and very friendly service, one of my favorite restaurant in Ashland.
(5)Graham T.
Delicious pot stickers, korean short ribs, spicy ramen, and miso soup! Highly recommended for generous portions of delicious and affordable Asian cuisine.
(5)Terry L.
Our favorite sushi in town! Very nice people and delicious food. Favorites: bonsai roll, spicy tuna roll.
(4)Georgina H.
This place is ok. Definitely better than a 3-star restaurant I might ordinarily go to on Yelp. I don't think the portions are quite right, I like more rice with my entrees. I would like more sushi too! The less expensive sushi dishes will serve you less food, at least if you order takeout, and for the wait it's not really worth it. It was definitely okay, and it's tempting to go back to try new things. The artificial crab isn't very good and the vegetables don't taste very good,
(3)Lou B.
All of the servers seem mad. They charge $1 extra for side of unagi/Teri sauce. Older Chef is the meanest of them all... Sushi is decent, but the teriyaki chicken is dry and ordinary.
(2)Julia E.
I ate lunch with my family here last week. The next day, my brother and I both had pretty violent food poisoning. Neither of us were entirely surprised, as right after our meal we remarked to each other how horribly bad it tasted. Badly prepared food, poorly managed kitchen. Don't eat here.
(1)David S.
Okay, so perhaps I was a little harsh in my previous review of this restaurant. I keep going back because 8/10 times they are pretty good. As long as the Father is making the sushi you should be good. If the Son is making it, then keep walking. I know that people need to spend time actually on-the-line to hone their skills, but seriously (in a saucy voice) it is not cool to have someone with less experience than me making rolls and hacking fish back there. Contrary to what most people may believe, there is only one proper way to slice fish for sushi, and the Son does NOT know how it's done. I hope he learns fast. In the meantime, if I see him at the helm I'll go somewhere else.
(3)Sarah R.
I have been sick off the salmon twice, the waitstaff is eh, and the food is inconsistent. Try Umi Sushi
(2)Peaceful O.
I continue to say how much I love this place! The sushi is affordable, fresh and the service is always great-especially if you are in a hurry to hit the theatre. I love eating outside even when it's cold and they just installed new heat lanterns outside that are artwork in themselves! My favorite is cucumber salad and a Bonsai roll !!! A yummy, savory spicy meal!
(5)Subrosa I.
This restaurant has a nice outdoor seating area (which is great for dog owners). We enjoyed our lunch here. The bento boxes (which came with salad, gyoza, California roll, and choice of protein) were fairly delicious. We tried the chicken and salmon options. Both turned out to be pretty good choices. And the portions were generous as well. Our bill averaged out to around $13.50 per person.
(4)Dal C.
This place has improved immensely since they moved in, and they weren't bad to start with. The current sushi chef is terrific--if you throw yourself at his mercy and just let him make you something, you won't be disappointed. Renee and I have eaten here dozens of times and have never been disappointed. Every once in awhile the chef will surprise use with a little 'amuse bouche' (or however they say that in Japanese) and it's always excellent.
(5)E A.
Ok, we're in Southern Oregon - not exactly a mecca for fresh, authentic sushi. BUT, this place is decent and when you have a craving for chicken teriyaki, fatty tuna or tempura they totally deliver. I love the Las Vegas roll and we'll often get the bento boxes when we just want casual Japanese food. The wait staff are sweet and friendly and they really seem to appreciate their customers. It's not huge so it can get crowded but they are also cool about to-go orders. We have never had a bad experience and are always happy to see them busy.
(5)Heather H.
We frequent the Bonsai in Medford, but were in Ashland for a film fest and thought to stop in for a bite to eat before our show. This place is pretty disappointing compared to the one in Medford. Maybe I was wrong to think that they are owned by the same people? I got the rib eye teriyaki steak, it arrived to my table with a nice sear on it, however when I cut into it it was completely raw and cold on the inside. Sent it back and got another and it was just ok. Possibly my appetite had already been ruined by the first steak. Their sushi rolls were just so, so. We ended up sitting on the other side of the fryer, it was noisy and the grease smelled old. When we left, our clothes smelled like stale greasy fried fish. I agree with other viewers about the wait staff, in that they were kind of short/rude, seemed impatient and like they didn't have time for us. One of the waitresses even said "sorry we didn't pay much attention to you guys". Unfortunately we probably won't come back here, it was just a hot, greasy, disorganized mess and the food was not worth it. We will stick to the Bonsai in Medford off of Barnett...much better!
(2)Tyrese W.
I used to like this location. I have been a customer of this restaurant since it was next to the greyhound station over 14 yrs ago. Now they have 3 locations. I had never had an issue before. This had always been a "go to" place for a quick, decent lunch. I came in the other day and ordered lunch with some friends. My girlfriend got her food first, then my friend ten minutes later. When they were almost done my food finally came out. It was not as described on the menu and when i mentioned that the employee had the Gaul to laugh at me and walk away. Then she came back and argued with me about it. Um sorry but it clearly said one thing on the menu and you brought me a dish that was more than 50 percent different. She was so rude i could not believe it. I ended up sending it back but she made no attempt to offer me something else or offer a reasonable solution. She stomped her feet and glared at me for the remainder of my foodless lunch. I will not be back after receiving such rude treatment. I would say this place is fine if u stick to the simple teriyaki chicken. But it was as if no one had ever ordered this dish before and none of the staff knew how to make it or what was in it. As others have mentioned the servers are inattentive and disorganised. I would say id give them 3 stars for the decent bento boxes and teriyaki, but negative 2 stars for the service, leaving them a lonely, measly one star.
(1)Issy P.
So good! Get the chicken teriyaki with white rice mixed vegetables and Italian soda and it is so good. The ambience is good and the location and the food and the service! I love this place you should totally go
(5)Angie L.
We stopped by Ashland overnight on our move back to SF. There really weren't that much options in the area so we ended up here. I had the ramen which tasted like cup noodle. I'm not the best cook, but I make better cup noodle than here! For $7 or $8, totally not worth it! The Mr had the chicken teriyaki combo. He liked it fine, nothing to brag home about, but it didn't make him sick, so it's just fine! We also ordered a plate of sushi (can't remember the name unfortunately). The rolls are pretty big, but again nothing to brag about. We thought it tasted bland. Service was really spotty. There were some empty tables when we arrived but it took a few minutes to seat us since no one even acknowledged our arrival even though we were blocking the door. Also, we noticed that other tables received slices of oranges delivered with their bills, not ours! Our bill came a few minutes after our food was delivered. We didn't even have a chance to dent our dishes yet. And where are our oranges? Honestly, we felt really rushed. Considering it wasn't even busy, not sure why they're rushing us. I would hate to think it's because we're the "minorities", but seriously, the owners look like us, so that can't be the reason, can it? Either way, will not come back again. It's not cheap for a so-so food, although considering there are not many choices around, I guess this is considering pretty good?
(2)Calcifer G.
In my experience most of the dishes are mediocre or pretty good but the ramen was absolutely terrible. I have eaten ramen at a few resturants before and this was by far the worst....definitely would not suggest at ALL!
(2)E B.
This is my wife and I's favorite sushi and japanese spot in southern Oregon. We come from the Bay Area where there are good sushi spots on every corner so when we moved to Oregon we had a really hard time finding good sushi. All of their food is great, the prices are very reasonable, and the staff is always kind and attentive. I would typically give it a 4 star rating because the food is good, not world class, but I am wanting to bump up their over all rating to at least 4 stars because this place is amazing by Oregon's standards
(5)Brent M.
I'm not a sushi guy so this review will have to go for their other menu items. I am partial to their chicken teriyaki and shrimp tempura. Mmmm
(4)Robin Z.
Service, food, location, cleanliness. It was all perfect.
(5)Lisa B.
I was expecting a fast food joint when I saw their sign on I-5, heading north. I was mildly surprised to walk into a clean, contemporary sit down place. It was 5 pm and I haven't eaten all day. I don't usually get a bento(too busy) but I needed to hit all major food groups before I hit the road again. I decided on a chicken teriyaki bento. Soon after ordering, the pretty waitress brought out a small complimentary bowl of edamame which I happily munched on. The bento took a little bit to come out but I was happy with what I saw. Bento itself wasn't anything remarkable but it was prepared and plated with care. Mixed green salad was fresh and plentiful. Chicken was tender and cut into perfect strips, 4 pieces of gyoza, 4 pieces of Cali roll with imitation crab. I really liked the scoop of purple rice. Teri sauce and salad dressing were on the side, as I asked. I liked their prompt but non-clingy service. Glass of water was always filled and 2 waitresses implicitly checked to see if I was still doing ok. Surprisingly good(food and service) place so near the highway. For $10+tip, Bonsai is a good value.
(4)Sadie H.
I eat here a lot with friends and family and it is a great place for take out or dining in. Their service is generally on point and they treat their customers like family. I've gotten a number of their dishes and my favorites are the beef bulgogi and any of the specialty rolls. The quality is consistent and I am always full and happy when I leave!
(4)Sandy S.
When I moved to Ashland 4 months ago, I went here for sushi. My first impression was that the employees were not happy. The sushi however was pretty good. I went there at least twice a week for 2 months. On my LAST visit, for take out, the sushi chef made my sushi rolls with fish trimmings that should've been thrown away or cooked for some other dish. It was awful....I ended up throwing the entire order in the trash.....I used to own a business and I'd like to tell these owners that you should NEVER treat your regular customers with such disrespect and contempt..... I live within walking distance and would've continued going there regularly. But, I will never go there again...... A better alternative is UMI sushi.....Grants Pass, Medford and Ashland are ALL excellent......
(1)Daffodil K.
Great food for the price. The servings on many items such as the tempura and main dishes were generous. We ordered the shrimp and veggies tempura which had plenty of shrimp and an assortment of delicious vegetables. Often at other places you're lucky to see more than two shrimp and a few broccoli scattered among an entire plate of yams. There is a wide variety of beers and sakes to choose from. All the servers were very nice as well. We look forward to our next visit!
(4)Steven F.
Staff was friendly...but that's about it. Our sushi rolls fell apart and were sloppily made and the real kicker was sushi rice wasn't even used!!!! Our veggie tempura was decent as far as tempura but the potatoes in the tempura were under cooked. Fail.
(2)Karen K.
3.5 Stars.... When we first entered this restaurant we were greeted immediately, our waiter was most attentive and pleasant. The restaurant itself had as many as eight booths plus seating for about six at the sushi bar. It was our first time here so we saw they also had Korean dishes as well as Japanese on the menu. Both my HB and I had Korean AYCE a couple of days ago so we both decided on Japanese food. I ordered chicken teriyaki with tempora; my HB ordered veggie yakisoba. We were served with edamame & I received miso soup prior to my main dish. I did have a choice of salad or soup but bc it was so cold up here in Oregon I decided on soup. The miso soup was decent in flavor. I did use a soup spoon that was accompanied with it. We were served with our main dishes promptly after our appetizers. Our dishes were pretty good sized. I saw that my rice was purple in color; my HB said they were made with the Japanese red bean called adsuki. Actually I have been eating Japanese food for quite a number of years & this was the first time I had rice made this way. It didn't really have any distinct flavor so I wasn't adverse to the fact but thought it was cool. Both my HB and I enjoyed our dishes. We had been snacking all day that we couldn't finish up our food so we had to take part of it to go. The prices of the food here were not at all extravagant. We would come back to try the Korean food next time! If you are wondering whether to try it here, don't hesitate. I actually got to try something new for once in my life:) By the way, we were supplied with forks to eat not chopsticks which was fine. I think it's easier if you know what I mean!
(4)Bruce B.
Here's a great sushi bar with a Korean flare. Yes they have kimchi on the menu as a salad oh yum ! A full Japanese menu of sushi and sashimi with various rolls. Close to I 5 and easy off and back on. Clean and fresh with fast and friendly service.
(5)Tracy T.
I just love this place! I can't believe that I've lived here for 4 years and have not tried it until today. The strip mall is something that you need to get over with the location because this place is pretty tasty and decently priced. Everything looked great on the menu. We had the Bento Box and the Spicy Ramen soup. The veggie tempura was really good and the pot stickers were yummy crunchy. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Shawna M.
The service was okay but they did keep forgetting about us because we had to sit outside. I'm used to rolls being tighter and cut into more pieces so they can be easily shared by all but they were delicious.
(3)Madison M.
-Good sized portions for the price. -Has quite a variety of Japanese and Korean dishes; something for everyone. -EXCELLENT table service; very attentive (kept water glasses filled). -Accurate menu descriptions; what you read is what you get placed in fron
(4)Sheng Z.
We arrived just 5 minutes before closing time. The staff was kindly enough to let us place a to-go order. The sushi was great! The tempora was out-of-order but the staff gave us a big California roll instead.
(4)YaYa C.
Im sure my experience would have been better had I not been served already eaten edamame and not realized it until I had already tried to eat some! I ordered no Wasabi/no spicy and still was served a roll with spicy sauce. If i get some funky sick illness i know where to blame! GROSS!!! $40 later...NOT HAPPY AT ALL!
(1)Andrea D.
I always get the bento with teriyaki chicken & sub extra potstickers for Cali roll. It's usually pretty tasty & plenty of food for reasonable $. Service is just okay, nothing great. I've had to get up & grab extra napkins or a box from the service station because I couldn't get my server's attention. The severs aren't necessarily rude, but they certainly don't shmooze you for an extra special tip. The owner is almost always there, working the register. Wouldn't refer to her as "warm" or "inviting", but I never feel unwelcome. Would give it 4 stars, but the last time I had their food, I ordered the #1 teriyaki chicken plate with rice & salad, to go. The chicken was very rubbery, like it had been "finished" in the microwave or something. It was just off, texturally - to the point where I'm not sure if I would go back, but I'll probably give them another go.
(3)Anna H.
My favorite sushi place. Service is always fast, delicious, and consistent. A ton of options to chose from, sushi and beyond.
(5)Eric D.
Great sushi and salads at a reasonable price. We twice made a large " to go" order in the same week and they got everything right with no mistakes. They even threw in a little bit extra as a "thank you" the second time. We'll definitely be back next time we're in Ashland.
(5)Lily R.
Food is pretty damn good. A little better than your average japanese sushi joint. The reason I gave this place two stars is because of the unbelivably rude service I got on the phone trying to call in an order. You don't ever hang up on a customer. If you are too foreign to understand anyone on the phone and also happen to be rude why don't you just let one of your nice english speaking employees answer the phone?!? There's nothing worse than shitty customer service, especially from a manager (or owner?).
(2)Erin S.
A very good surprise to find right off the 5 freeway! Excellent selection of rolls and sushi!
(5)Phil E.
Food is average. It seems fish has to be shipped from either San Francisco or Portland Oregon. Because of this there's no real good sushi in Southern Oregon.it's about as good as any in the area.
(3)Del S.
2 words: Korean Chirashi!! It is definitely not Japanese, and I don't think it's quite Korean either. But who cares, what really matters is that it is absolutely satisfying and delicious (check out the photo). I also applaud to the fact that a Japanese restaurant in Ashland, Oregon is willing to take a chance and invent a special dish of their own. I will make sure to stop by again next time I am in the area.
(4)Rosa B.
Best Japanese food in Ashland! Love their tempura and tonkatsu meals; Delicious!
(5)Jamie F.
I used to really like this place. The food was good and reasonably priced. I went there a while ago with 3 other people and our last roll literally tasted like soap. When I tried to tell them this in a polite and discrete way as there were many other customers near by, the older lady behind the counter got very defensive, wouldn't let me speak and grabbed the tray from me. There has always been a language barrier here however, the way this particular experience was handled on their part was not only unnecessary but it made them look very bad for all their other customers present. We were very disappointed and I knew I'd never be able to look at this place the same way again. Several months later I was craving sushi and decided to give them another try but didn't have high hopes. I went there by myself and ordered a roll. They had a young american guy working there now so there was no language barrier which made it easier. The roll was good/decent but the waiter and the family that owns the place were all just lingering around looking at us (the customers) while we were trying to eat. It was pretty uncomfortable and I ended up eating quickly so I could leave. I have no plans on going back.
(2)Kieran H.
Great sushi, best in the area. I've had better elsewhere, in closer proximity to fresh fish, but they do very well with what they've got. Decent prices, service is better at lunch than dinner. I prefer the Ashland location to the Medford location for food quality.
(4)Sydney H.
Five bucks for edamame...and there were 13 beans on the plate. That's 38 cents a bean. Six dollars for tea. The imitation crab was oozing with mayonaise. I would not go back if this were the last resaurant on earth.
(1)Susanne R.
Turns out one of the better places in Ashland to get Sushi is also one of the least expensive. If I need to order a platter for a party, this is where I come (bring your own party plates in advance and they'll arrange it all pretty-like for you ;-) This can sometimes be a point-at-what-you-want-on-the-menu kind of place, in that the amount of english spoken isn't quite enough for your server to translate for you if your pronunciation is off. I have never - ever - had a bad meal here, even when what was brought to my table bore no resemblance whatsoever to what I thought I'd ordered. Tucked into the Albertson's shopping centre at the South end of town, you'll have to drive round a bit to find the place (hint: it's near the Bank of America).
(3)Richard J.
Definitely not like its counter parts in Medford... The food here is excellent and they give much more portions than they do in Medford. Price was still a little to high but was worth it portion wise. Wait staff was prompt and very helpful. I would recommend this place over any of the Medford Bonsai's any day.
(4)Jen F.
A nice alternative to the busy (and expensive) restaurants downtown. Seated at the sushi bar, my son enjoyed watching the chef prepare the orders that streamed in at a steady pace. He finally settled on Udon (a noodle soup) and salmon roll. I chose chicken katsu (they were out of pork), spicy tuna roll, and ahi nigiri (a special). The entrees were tasty and filling. The Udon came with tempura vegies, which unfortunately were soggy and losing their breading by the time the dish was served. (They were still tasty, though.) My katsu had a spicy bbq-style sauce, and came with rice and a green salad. Sushi is served on a large platter all at once, instead of one item at a time. I prefer all the little plates, especially when dining with a group. Sitting at the bar, our little corner was quickly overcrowded with too many plates. The sushi rolls were big - close to two inches in diameter. Waay too big for even a "large bite" - they needed 2-3 good bites each. In my opinion they were a bit unwieldy and it made for a pretty messy meal. The sauce on the spicy tuna was pretty good, and in general everything tasted good. There were no options for sashimi, and most of the rolls seemed to be variations on the basic California Roll. Beer and wine are not served, and it just seems silly to eat sushi without a nice cold bottle of Asahi. (Guess I am a lush... hic!) Despite the limited options, Bonsai is a good value and we will probably be back!
(3)Olma M.
What a great find on our quick rest stop in Ashland, Oregon. We were homeward-bound, from Portland to SF and needed a refreshing late dinner. We figured Ashland would be a good stopping point - It's home to a Shakespeare festival so we assumed we'd find decent dining options here. One quick turn off of the hwy. exit and we found Bonsai right away. The place was packed and there was a short wait. The sushi bar was vacant, but fully occupied within minutes during the course of our meal. I had the salmon dish (#14!) and I swear, it was the freshest salmon I'd had in a very long while. Hefty portions all around. Though the plate seemed a bit too much for my appetite, I found myself gobbling it all down because I wanted to savor every bite. Also, it seems like a mom-and-pop-owned restaurant and they were so very friendly and attentive. I eat better when I'm surrounded by smiley, friendly people! You can find some of their menu items here (tho it may be outdated): passport2ashland.com/art…
(3)Stephen I.
Got stuck in Ashland when we were not allowed to go over the pass into California. We didn't really have the greatest expectations, but we were pleasantly surprised by the excellent food.
(5)Bee O O.
Usually Bonsai is one of my favorite places to eat in town. A group of my friends took me here the other day for my birthday dinner. I ordered the yakisoba, and very very specifically and adamantly requested only very minimal broccoli. They wholeheartedly assurred me that it would be made to my specifications, but when it arrived, it looked like they had raided Martha Stewart's vegetable garden and dumped all of it in my noodles. It was still delicious... once I picked out all of the cabbage, sprouts, and carrots. I think next time I'll just stick to the tonkatsu.
(4)Jake C.
This is my Fav. Spot in Ashland. They have quite the variety of food to offer. Japanese and Korean food. I would have to say, the Korean food is not good here though, the japanese is great! be back soon! Awesome sushi
(4)Jason C.
Having experienced sushi in Japan, Korea, China, LA, etc., I'm very picky when it comes to Japanese food. I was visiting a friend who lives in Ashland back in December 08 and happen to see the place, but I did not go. I came back to visit my friend in Feb 09 and I started to miss some 'Asian' food... so I decided to try it - since this was the only Asian restaurant I could find by my friends home. When I walked in, I was greeted by the lady (most likely the owner). She gave me the menu and looked the license plate on my car and asked me how my drive way from California, but before I could answer, she asked if I was Korean... I said yes, and told her I came from Medford, heading up to Eugene. I ordered food - my eye's were bigger then my stomach! I ordered Spicy Tuna and Eel, then ordered the bulgogi combo, miso soup. As I got my salad and soup, the owner brought me kimchi. I was so happy! I was waiting until the next day to get my kimchi kick! The service was awesome. I enjoyed the eel and spicy tuna - granted spicy tuna was not really spicy. The bulgogi combo was good, however the quality of the meat was okay, edible. On top of this, the waiter was from my home state, going to school - small world! If you are in Ashland area, stop by and try the food. The service was great, the owners were always checking upon you, making sure you were okay. I got a good service at Bonsai. The sushi bar is small, may it seats like 6 people, there's about 8 table setting... when I went, it was about 1/3 full, but lot of folks ordered take out.
(3)Liadan R.
2 stars because the sushi was decent. The service left something to be desired. We had to get up and ask anytime we wanted drink refills. Our waiter brought more water, but completely forgot about the tea. Eventually we gave up and just stuck with water, even though our glasses would sit empty for long periods of time. My aunt is a strict vegetarian, and she ordered tofu. We reiterated that she was a strict vegetarian, no meat or fish products on it of any kind, please. It came with fish flakes on it. So we asked, hey does this have meat on it? After a bit of discussion, he finally took it back to the kitchen, where it was confirmed that yes, in spite of our asking she got tofu with fish on it. We asked for no tobiko/masago (roe) on our sushi. Twice. It had roe on it. Twice. We were also brought the bill after our first order of sushi, even though we said we were going to order more later. They also forgot one of our rolls and we had to remind the waiter that we never received it. No discount or apology, but they did bring us a free orange. I guess that was supposed to make up for it?
(2)Kathleen F.
I always enjoy the tastes and textures at Bonsai...but today i was saddened to have gotten a big whiff of cleaning solution just as i was finishing my meal. I was very upset because it ruined my experience and I did not receive any indication that the proprietor understood the offense to my senses. It seemed the meal was ruined too. I immediately had a burning sensation in my nostrils and later a headache. I think the custodian or kitchen employee must have poured it on the floor full strength and within a few feet of me (however, behind a barrier). If you do eat here you should be pleased with the food, but do request they hold off on cleaning until the restaurant is empty... AND, consider using a less toxic solution.
(3)suma k.
I stopped here on the way down from Seattle a couple of weeks ago. It was a little hard to find since it's in a shopping center and you can't really see the sign from the road. It's a smaller place, but clean and uncluttered. The menu selection seemed really large for that size of a place. All in all they had fast friendly service and tasty hot fresh food. That about sums up this little joint. I would definitely go again.
(3)Paul R.
Bonsai was a place I avoided for its first year or so - no beer or sake, and no plans to get any. ditto for Uni - on the menu, and when I asked if there was a day they'd have it, the answer was negatory. I went there a few weeks ago though, and evidently new management came in, because there was fresh, creamy, succulent Uni in the cool case, and beer in the fridge. A variety of Sake is available now. Seating is limited, and the sushi bar is cramped between the cash register and utility shelves for place settings. The decor reeks of the prior tenant - pretty basic. But the sushi is great! Lovely cuts, without too much rice, great hand rolls, and the new chef is focused on making the customer happy. And they've had sweet fresh uni each time I've been back. Three stars is good. Enjoy.
(3)Raisin S.
Bonsai is a great place for fresh sushi that is actually cheap, even though the location isn't very good. But it's always packed in there, especially for lunch. I always get the Bonsai roll, which is a California roll with tuna with a spicy sauce and the orange fish eggs (not sure what it's called - sorry!). The crunchy roll is much better than the deep-fried roll and my kids love sharing the Bento box. My husband sometimes gets the salmon teriyaki or the chicken teriyaki and he loves them both. The tempura is never soggy, and the service is always friendly. It's owned by Koreans, so they also offer some Korean dishes on the menu. I'm only giving it 4 stars because I ordered the udon once and the noodles were a little old (it was hard in places and looked like it had dried out) and I ordered the eel and it wasn't skinned all the way once. But when we want sushi, we always come here and avoid the other sushi place downtown. I highly recommend the miso - very tasty and not watered down like it can be sometimes.
(4)