4. Restaurants

Takumi Japanese Restaurant

4222 E Towne Blvd, Madison, WI, 53704
  • (608) 663-3899
  • Store is closed

Takumi Japanese Restaurant Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Madison for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 7301 Mineral Point Rd )
Madison’s ( 119 King St )

Visit below restaurant in Madison for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 7301 Mineral Point Rd )

  • Merlin C.

    Totally nondescript spot in a strip mall on the east side of town, about 6 miles from the capitol. It's definitely worth the extra drive, though -- sushi spot where the waiters and chefs actually speak Japanese. I had the udon and five pieces of sashimi. Udon was delicious and tempura didn't taste like it came out of a box or anything (like it does at so many places). Sashimi seems like a ripoff at first, since you only get one piece for order. But the size they give you is equivalent to the typical 2 or 3 pieces you get elsewhere. They're big giant slices. I think this is mostly good, but with certain types of fish, it's hard to chew such a huge slice, and there was a bit of a rubbery action with some of the tuna and yellowtail cuts when I tried to down them in two versus one bite. Decor is mostly tables and booths -- no frills, so no inner decor costs passed onto the consumer. Also, there are like 8 stickers for the Fraternal Order of the Police on the front window. No clue what that's about lol.

    (4)

  • Danielle W.

    Excellent sushi... the other dishes including the hibachi are just okay... and serve is at times a bit clumsy. but the quality of the fish itself is by far the best I've had in the city. If you want originality seek out Miramonte or Sushi red. If You Want Excellent Raw Sushi Come here.

    (4)

  • Dan M.

    My experience as Takumi was fairly average for a sushi place in the Midwest. First, I would like to clarify that we did carry out this time, but I happened to be in the restaurant long enough due to a long wait... The website claims to have online ordering, but when you actually click it, you are prompted to call in. Why would you even have that button? When I entered the restaurant to pick up my order I thought for a moment that I may have walked in through the back door. There was no host or hostess present. I was standing around for at least five minutes to the point that other groups walked in and were standing around with me. Eventually the hostess showed up, and I told her my order was carry out. She didn't really reply and ended up seating the other groups. I took a seat at the bar, which was fairly messy. The bottles behind the bar were scattered about and there were old meals on the bar that hadn't been picked up. My order came out about another 5 minutes later, and I headed home. The meal was well packed. We ordered one spicy salmon roll, one spicy tuna roll, one eel with cucumber roll, one tuna with avocado roll, and a side of miso. The order came packaged with two sets of chopsticks, two packets of soy sauce, and an appropriate amount of ginger and wasabi. The rolls were pretty average, but they were good enough for carry out this evening. I enjoyed the tuna and avocado roll/eel and cucumber roll. The spicy rolls were not quite the way I like them. The fish was ground up and mixed with the house's spicy sauce. I think spicy rolls are better executed with high quality whole pieces of fish. When the fish is ground, it is somewhat questionable. Also for some reason tiny pieces of crunchy material was mixed into the ground fish. I'm not quite sure why. The sushi was okay and the service was fairly slow. The sushi house doesn't begin to compare to my favorite Midwest place nor anywhere in the Bay Area. I would probably do carry out here again because it is fairly close to my place. If I wanted to dine in I think Red Sushi on the square is a much better option.

    (3)

  • Karen G.

    Was craving for fresh, raw fish and I got my fix. The place is clean with nice & quiet ambiance. Our waitress is very attentive and helpful when it came to suggesting something good from the menu. I thought sashimi means that a raw meat/fish is sliced thin. But they served me pieces of fish that are thick & chunky. Regardless, I enjoyed them especially my favorite salmon & that super white tuna recommended by the waitress. They just melted in my mouth. I love how the chef took time and effort to create beautiful platings with vegetable carvings that are artistic. The price is so so....expected anyways when you want some fresh catch from the sea.

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    I came here twice and I have absolutely no complaints about anything. The first time I came here, I came with my sister. We sat at the sushi bar and we both ordered 2 rolls each - we were served quite quickly. The rolls were very good. The second time was tonight when I came with a large group of people (there was about 13 of us). We were sat in back at the hibachi grills. There were enough of us that ordered hibachi so someone cooked our food at the grill - it was very entertaining to watch the chef. We all had a lot of laughs. The sushi rolls were very good as well. There were no complaints about the service - the waitress was very nice and checked up on us frequently. I would come back if I was in Madison again.

    (4)

  • Heather W.

    I had high hopes after reading the reviews, but was severely disappointed both worth the service and the food. I attempted to call in my order and called them four times... all calls went without any answer. When i finally drove to the restyaruant to order. It took several minutes for someone to ask to seat me. I ordered 2 specially rolls that weer mediocre at best (and that's me being nice.... REALLY nice). We also ordered the teriyaki chicken entree,which was the worst teriyaki chicken I have had in my life. I am very disappointed in all aspects of this sushi joint. I highly recommend driving to the west side and eating at the place in Hilldale. They, on the other hand, are worth the drive and the money. I feel like I wasted 50 bucks . Ugh.

    (1)

  • Allie B.

    Delicious place to go to treat yourself!!! Fresh flavorful sushi every time. I was completely satisfied

    (4)

  • Victoria B.

    Love this place, my boyfriend and I love that there is such a decent sushi place on the Far East side. It's even reliable for Togo orders. I highly suggest this restaurant. The sashimi has always been fresh and they have decently priced drinks.

    (5)

  • Anna M.

    My favorite place in MADISON area for Japanese food !!! Sushi, rolls & sashimi Reservation highly recommend !

    (5)

  • David W.

    Absolutely delish. Me and my father go here at least once a week and the service is fantastic each time. Oysters are great and come with a tasteful saki sauce. All of the fish is fresh (I requested to see their order forms, they get new produce thrice weekly.) And their clear broth soup is fantastic. Only downside is the house salad, which is occasionally bitter in respect to the lettuce. I'd blame this on a bad season for lettuce though as even flemings had this issue.

    (5)

  • Arya P.

    THE MOST AMAZING SUSHI RESTAURANT IN MADISON!!!! i love their sushi so much,they had really-really fresh fish and good service,nice guys and good atmosphire. i like takumi's raw seafood,specially their fresh sea urchin and oysters just like melt in mouth,owwhh...thats so good,,,like it!! if i could give them 10 stars,i will then. great sushi,keep it up!!!

    (5)

  • Gefei L.

    The waitress in this restaurant apparently don't know how to smile! She just wear a long face. The sushi is is expensive and unauthentic.They have artificial crab meat in the dragon roll instead of shrimp tempura! And the pock tonkatuso is the worst one I've ever had. Really thin and tasteless! Not the same with the pictures showed on yelp. The teppanyaki is ok but the sauce is bad. We spend $100 for two person but feel very disappointed. I guess they have customers since this is the only restaurant in Madison offers teppanyaki and other japanese food. I would recommend Muramoto and VIP if you want to have sushi. Don't go to Takumi! I would never go to this place any more!!!!

    (1)

  • Chy L.

    Great, entertaining sushi chefs, relaxed atmosphere, and attentive staff! You know a restaurant is good when you see the same staff and chefs each time you go there! We've ordered just about everything on the menu, Oyako donburi, bento boxes, sushi rolls, habachi at the habachi table, and drinks - all superb. The staff remembers you and caters your order with attentive detail. We really appreciate the fact thst the sushi artists will banter with you, instead of being serious and reserved at the other sushi places. I like how their habachi comes with your choice of ice cream in addition to soup, salad, shrimp appetizer, and rice. You can even change the rice to fried rice or fried noodles for a small upcharge. For my birthday, they have a gong ceremony along with a giant fried ice cream dish! It's hilarious! They have one tea hut-style seating room, so if you want to dine there, better reserve it. Come here for beautifully presented sushi, amusing habachi, or their many other wonderfully homey Japanese dishes!

    (5)

  • Michelle G.

    Really great sushi! Fantastic vegetarian options! I definitely recommend eating here.

    (5)

  • Vanessa G.

    Best sushi restaurant in Madison. Make a reservation especially on weekends. It's worth the wait though.

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    Whenever we try a sushi restaurant that we are unfamiliar with, we order one Philadelphia roll, observe, look at the quality of fish in the sushi bar window. Unfortunately, what we were served after waiting for 15 minutes was pretty poor quality sushi and service. The roll has too much avocado and the fish had no taste what so ever. To make matters worse, the wasabi was old and discolored and hard in places. If you are from Madison and think this is good sushi, then you have never really had the good stuff. After one roll, we got the check and left. The local grocery store here in suburban Chicago (Marrianos) has much better sushi than Takumi.

    (1)

  • Erin W.

    I was very impressed by the sushi! I grew up with a Korean neighbor who's mom owned a Japanese sushi place back in Korea, therefor I grew up on old passed down recipes that are very well done! I came in from out of town and went here because it was close to my hotel... And I would recommend it to anyone who will be in Madison! I had Inari, which is not always at sushi places :(, an avocado roll to eat between things and a some sort of crunchy roll with salmon inside and crab on the top... I wish I looked back at the description because there was something in there that tasted so good!!

    (4)

  • Elise X.

    I am a big fan of Japanese food, and I have to say the food and service at Takumi is the worst ever! The sushi and fish is not fresh: if this were my first time to have Japanese food, I would not want to have Japanese food any more. The waitress is so rude and not friendly. The price is ridiculous for such bad food and services. I very much regret spending $100 at Takumi. :(

    (1)

  • Jae C.

    Had dinner here around 8:30 pm on a Tuesday night; only a few tables occupied and a couple of lone diners. So, initially, we weren't sure if it was just a slow night or if this is normal for them? We did notice that the servers knew many of the customers so it's safe to say they have frequent diners who enjoy the place. We were having an off night so we weren't spending too much time on the menu. I mean, we ordered chicken tempura, pork katsu, and the spicy lovers roll. Not really exciting dinner choices BUT the taste made up for it. My boyfriend may have felt the tempura batter on his dish was a little much, but it was his first time having tempura at all and I think he still enjoyed it. The pork katsu was a bigger portion than expected, so I was able to bring the other half of it to work the next day and I enjoyed the "overnight mushiness" of it. The spicy lovers roll was indeed spicy, at least it was for me, but it had a good balance of sushi and sauce. It's definitely a roll we'll order again in the future as a "usual." Next time we come, we'll explore more of their signature rolls. Lots of interesting and tasty choices available!

    (3)

  • Ro K.

    Came in for dinner on a Sunday evening and was seated immediately. Staff seemed friendly. Food was pretty good and did not take too long to prepare. Staff tolerated our toddler who wanted to walk around the restaurant while we waited for our food.

    (4)

  • MJ K.

    This was my very first visit to Takumi and I had chicken tempura udon for lunch. I was looking for an authentic Japanese food experience and was excited to find this place in Madison. The ambiance of the store was nice though I was seated at an awkward table which was in front of the entrance door. The service was so so. I was not greeted at the entrance and it actually took more than five seconds for one of the waiters to notice me. I was promptly seated. However, through my meal alhtough I was offered water refills I was not once asked how my food was. The udon broth tasted rather bland. It was just the noodles, broth and kamaboko. No green onions. The chicken tempura was crispy however, again bland to my taste. The mushroom and broccoli tempura had absorbed too much oil to my liking. I have not tried any sushi. They might taste better, but I am not returning for any tempura nor udon.

    (2)

  • Courtney N.

    Best Sushi joint in Madison, scratch that, all of WI. I love it here and am perfectly happy having to drive an hour and a half just to eat here. The food is always fresh and tasty, never have I had a bad roll! Even tho it can be quite busy, the staff has always been extremely friendly and never will make you feel rushed. Takumi is a pretty small restaurant and fills up very quickly, so its probably best to get a reservation -especially on the weekends- AND be on time for said reservation cause everyone should experience this tasty, wonderful place and never have to wait to terribly long for a seat.

    (5)

  • Samantha B.

    My fiancé and I searched all over the madison area for a good sushi place. We were beginning to lose hope until we ate at Takumi. Now, I won't go anywhere else! The service and the food are the absolute best hands down! you will not find better sushi.

    (5)

  • Tom C.

    The quality of fish here is very good. I liked how they added some tempura flakes to their spicy tuna rolls to give it that extra oomph. I'm not a fan of specialty rolls so I can speak to that but the yellowtail I got was good quality stuff. Great staff that pays enough attention to you to warrant their tips. Although I am only in town for a week, I intend to dine here regularly. I got the sushi deluxe with two yellowtail scallion hand rolls. The nori was of a good quality and had a nice roasted aroma. The place is hard to find at night. The sign isn't illuminated. If you are facing Eye Contact, they are the last space on the left.

    (4)

  • Katie F.

    Pretty good, but not amazing. I had seafood tempura and a roll. I was a little disappointed with how much everything cost. If it had been a little cheaper, I would have given it 4 stars. Sure you can get away with spending less but you may go away hungry!

    (3)

  • Kathy V.

    A very decent sushi restaurant in a little strip mall. And despite their apparent obsession with James Blunt music, it was quite an enjoyable lunch. Rolls were tasty and well priced.

    (4)

  • Michelle F.

    This is a great little place that I frequent for sushi lunches with work peeps. I have not been brave enough to try the "sushi buffet" just around the corner (my stomach rebels at the thought of those two words in a sentence). ANYWAY. The atmosphere at Takumi is Asian-cool and relaxing. Nice little bar area. Their take out service is top-rate and very courteous. I am not going to sing the praises of the sushi per se: it's just fine, doesn't exactly outshine other Madison options, but hey--I'll keep coming back.

    (4)

  • Erin C.

    I would like to argue that good ambiance is everything; the food tastes better, you're in a better mood, you have a better time, and you're more likely to give a positive rating. That said, Takumi has this down - from the woodwork, to the paper-facade inspired ceiling and room arrangement, I walked in and felt instantly cool. The only thing they're missing is a soundtrack - the noise from the hibachi room and general dining chatter made the experience incohesive at times. The proportions and presentation of the food is more like Japanese home-style cooking rather than fine dining. We ordered the shrimp and veggie tempura and the age tofu for appetizers. We also ordered the chef-selected two-person sushi platter, which was just okay. The hot sake is good, and goes with everything. If you like matcha brown rice tea, I recommend ordering the hot tea. The best part of our plate was the two, deep-fried king prawn heads perched on our sushi platter. I ate the remaining meat and took the rest of it home to cook in rice porridge. Delicious. If I had to take anyone out to eat sushi in Madison, this place is in my top two picks.

    (4)

  • Ian J.

    When I go to sushi restaurants I don't fuck around with the novelty rolls that contain deep fried, bread battered stuff. Any average Joe sushi restaurant can take shitty quality fish, smother it in batter, deep fry it and call it tempura. I take my risks and go straight to the pure raw stuff. Classic sushi and sashimi. I've been burned by this before at less-than-quality sushi establishments but takumi hits the bullseye here. The fish is fresh and delicious the moment it hits your tongue. The Wasabi is also strong and not diluted--it shoots right up your nose. The service was quick and the presentation was expertly prepared. They give you generous portions on the sashimi. I would definitely come back again. Thank you for reinstilling my trust in strip mall sushi restaurants.

    (5)

  • Theron E.

    Awesome, awesome place. Tucked away so that you could easily miss it. Definitely coming back. Get the hibachi, so so worth it. Amazing place.

    (5)

  • Eric K.

    Takumi is on my top 3 Sushi spots, too bad I live 150+ miles away. We walked in with no reservation and the restaurant was packed, luckily there was a couple leaving and we were seated right away. After reading a few reviews, I realized it's best to reserve before going. Menus were passed out, and orders were taken within 10 minutes. Rolls ordered were - Naruto Roll - White Dragon Roll - Crunch 2 in 1 Roll All our items were ordered off the "Takumi Signature Rolls Menu" and lets just say, all these rolls were beyond amazing. The Salmon on each roll was fresh, so fresh the salmon melted as soon as you put it in your mouth. Naruto Roll was very interesting, instead of seaweed and rice rolled around the avocado, salmon, and salmon roe there was cucumber. The Crunch 2 in 1 roll is a personal favorite and I have a tendency to try any crunchy roll order at any sushi spot I go to; Takumi did not disappoint with this roll. The White Dragon roll was a simple white tuna and salmon roll topped with a unique special sauce that had a sweet then salty taste; delicious. I will be back to try Takumi's other signature rolls and their desserts the next time I'm in Madison. Overall Service was great Very fresh salmon Great selection of rolls Many signature rolls

    (5)

  • 3 B.

    Favorite sushi place in Madison. They make the best spicey seafood soup and naruto roll. Service is good and staff always thanks you for coming on your way out. The only negatives is that it's a small restaurant and can feel crouded, in addition to having to wait a few minutes to be seated during busy times.

    (4)

  • Stephen L.

    Well I gotta say this was a pretty great find! Some of the rolls were the best I've had ! Godzilla and kiss of fire were stellar. For the low carb people - naruto roll ! So good and the lobster tangle roll was my favorite. The sashimi toro was okay. The mushroom soup was huge and rocked. The yellowtail appetizer was my favorite !! This place was overall great. We had to ask for some things twice and he couldn't understand a lot of the things we asked for, but it didn't take from our experience.

    (4)

  • Mechelle M.

    Three of us went last Saturday night for their hibachi. Despite being busy, we waited 15 minutes, and then were seated with another group of two. After waiting 10 more minutes because another reservation was late in arriving, we were told that the reservation for 3 had finally arrived but with 8 people. The hostess/waitress matter of factly said the five of us already seated needed to give up our seats so they could seat the whole new group of 8. We were so offended that we immediately left and went to a nearby Chinese restaurant. Despite enjoying Takumi's food in the past, after this embarrassing experience, I can't imagine ever returning.

    (1)

  • Dolly Y.

    Went here with my boyfriend and ordered the Udon Chicken with their special sauce. Overall it was ok, too salty and wasn't worth the price I paid for it. My boyfriend ordered sushi, and suggested he has had better, so perhaps we probably won't go here anymore but if I ever do, I'll make sure I order something else.

    (3)

  • Daisy D.

    I've passed this place a few times and completely overlooked it until recently. I won't be making that mistake in the future. My date and I knew that it was a small place so we called on a Saturday night to see if they took reservations, they don't. Instead when we got there we had to wait at the small bar area until a seat opened up. A young lady asked us if we'd like something to drink and then left and forgot about us. It was forgivable, because they were busy and we assumed that once we got a table we'd get their attention. When you go here, expect to wait. On a busy Saturday night a table still opened up fairly quickly. We knew what kind of sushi (tuna rolls and the lake side rolls) we wanted right away as we had been perusing a menu at the bar. The waitress took our order and returned a bit later to ask us if we knew what else we wanted. I ordered beef teriyaki and the date got chicken tempura. One entree showed up first, then the sushi followed by the other entree, so the food came out in a weird order. But the food was delish! We dug into the rolls first. The tuna rolls were big and tasty. The lake side rolls were an interesting fusion of flavors. The caviar on top gave it a nice crunch, but the crab meat was lost on my taste buds. Once the crunch of the caviar subsided it just tasted like cooked shrimp and avocado. I'm not sure if I'd eat these again. Both of the entrees were ample in size and sizzling hot when they came out. For the price this place is amazing. I had to take away a star for the service and the drinks. I understand that they are busy on the weekends, but it seemed like none of the servers have distinct tables. Sometimes they forget to check on you, other times a different server will come up to you and ask you if you've already put your order in. I'd suggest avoiding the drinks. They are small for the price and don't taste the greatest. I'll be back again.

    (4)

  • Frank H.

    This place rocks! Spicy Lovers Roll and Kiss of Fire roll are my favorites. Tried the mushroom soup and really enjoyed it. The service is always top notch here and the Sushi chefs are the best. This place is small but it is inviting. They have a good variety on their menu and it accommodates most of my friends palates.

    (5)

  • Kyara M.

    The place is very small so you may want to call ahead to see if they have tables available if you have a large party. I don't think they have a table that is large for more than 4-5 people.

    (3)

  • Layla B.

    Extremely disappointed. After moving to Madison from Japan, I've been searching for a place to get decent yakisoba. Given the good reviews, I decided to give this place a try. Upon entering the restaurant, we were not greeted in any way. This is indicative of the service in general; unless the owner knows you, the waitstaff is completely inattentive. For food, we started with the yakitori appetizer. It was large, dry pieces of chicken drowning in sauce. Not at all the small chucks of marinated, grilled, moist meat you would reasonably expect. The yakisoba was worse, if possible. The noodles were strangely tasteless and had clearly been stir-fried (yakisoba, by definition, should be grilled). Dried yakisoba from a package would have been better. Perhaps the sushi is good, but steer clear of other menu items.

    (1)

  • Otehlia C.

    Here for my sons birthday party. Hibachi time! They did a great job, very entertaining, and the food quality was very good. I had the tuna, which was amazing! Sushi grade. Steak was super tender, too. My son's only complaint was that the tricks weren't dangerous enough:)

    (4)

  • Amy M.

    Always 5 stars. We have been a number of times and our only disappointment was when we arrived to find the Hibachi chef had the night off (lesson learned, call ahead for reserve.) From sushi to hibachi, steak to seafood, you can not go wrong here. I prefer the filet on from the grill but friends have said the Hibachi steak is good too. Two thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Ben M.

    The teriyaki was good. Cooked right but a little too much onion served with it. I being from a costal state. I usual don't get sushi when I travel in the mid-west. But from the other reviews I figured I would live a little. Sushi wasn't bad, portions were good and some of the rolls cut a little too big for one mouthful. Ask about the sushi specials when you go. If sitting at the sushi bar, ask if the chef has a special roll they like to make. Hibachi fill needs a reservation, as it appears it's only open certain times.

    (4)

  • Araceli V.

    I was aware of this place for a long time, but never tried it until recently. It was really busy when we ate there and we had a different server showing up to our table when we ordered, the brought out food and refills, etc. Service was still fast and they were friendly. I had the Lake Side Roll which had king crab, caviar, avocado and shrimp. When they brought it out it had four big piles of roe on each piece, all ditfferent colors. It was a nice looking dish. I liked almost all of them, expect the green one hit me right in the nose with a pungent wasabi flavor. I probably should have seen that one coming based off the color. My husband had the Dynamite Roll which is a deep fried roll with spicy tuna, yellowtail, cream cheese, avocado and baked scallop with crab meat. He really enjoyed and I might be trying that roll the next time I go. We also had a couple of pieces of ebi and tuna sushi, both were very decent.

    (4)

  • Jonathan P.

    It is with a heavy heart that I write this negative review. Takumi used to be one of the favorite spots in Madison for my girlfriend and I to get sushi, but that changed tonight. we had a couple grievances tonight when we decided to dine there for dinner, a few of them were small issues. One of them was a major problem. I had ordered a piece of smoked salmon for a sushi appetizer and received mackerel. Not a big deal at all. They replaced the sushi with the correct one and let me eat the mackerel as well, which was very tastey. When we received a complimentary dessert, they gave us only one spoon. Also, this is a very small issue almost not worth mentioning. These two problems only serve to highlight the major red flag that occured in the middle of our stay. The thing that has made me reconsider ever returning to Takumi was this: as we sat at the sushi bar waiting for our meal, a small cockroach wandered past. Right in front of me, AT THE SUSHI BAR. I was in shock. I watched this dime - sized roach stroll past my dinner plate and into the fixture of the bar itself via a gap in the wood, right where all the fresh seafood is kept and handled. My girlfriend and I were in shock. Immediately after calling the host over to quietly complain and demand a new seat, our rolls arrived. Our hunger and disbelief got the better of us, and we stayed for our meal. However, once hunger was sated and clarity of mind returned, I started to feel angry and disgusted. The host offered us a fifty percent discount (after our server initially and "accidentally" handed us the full bill), the aforementioned comped dessert, and a promise that they were already scheduling an appointment with their pest control. I feel that because I was originally handed a full bill, something that made me quite angry, that I accepted the discount a little too easily, having been placated from the anger that I was just about to unleash. He also confided that he and other members of the staff have been trying to get the owner to remodel the sushi bar. What he left unsaid was that they are pushing for a remodel because this problem has happened before. Their general attitude towards us also hinted to the fact that it was not a surprising complaint. I was at first conflicted about exposing this information to social media, because we stayed and ate, we accepted their discount and apology, and it was once a favorite location. After thinking about it a little longer, I am still offended. We were both surprised we even stayed. I think because it was so incredibly ridiculous that something like that could happen at a supposedly upscale sushi restaurant, one that we have frequented many times, that we didn't react correctly.

    (1)

  • saba D.

    The few times I've been here I was pregnant so I couldn't try the sushi. I need to go back to try it out. My hubby and I had the teriyaki salmon with shrimp and veggies. It comes as a meal with soup, salad and a scoop of ice cream. For the price it was great and tasted really good. The decor is cute but the place is small and had a long wait on the weekends. I wish they took reservations for couples on the same day but there isn't much room for a baby in a car seat anyways. This place is definitely worth visiting, I only docked a star for the really long wait for 2 people (almost an hour)

    (4)

  • Melody G.

    What's good: vegetable tempura, Godzilla roll, Sapporo. What's disappointing: 30 min sitting at the sushi bar before our appetizer arrived. Another 10-15 min before the rolls were ready. Won't return based on the long wait.

    (4)

  • Arthur Y.

    Uneducated and dishonest. Rude and unbelievable I am very confused about why this place can receive 4 stars in yelp. If you can see this message by any chance. Good for you. Otherwise, I hope you will think twice.l before you walk in. We were a group of 7 who had lunch there. The waiters were really rude, not just one of them but all. We only saw one of then gave us a smile when we were paying the bill. They are uneducated and unprofessional. They wouldn't even let you finish your speak when you were ordering and they gave you a bad look when you take longer. Also, they gave us the wrong food and wrong bill.. I understand shit happens sometime. But were paying the bill, they add 17% tips in the bill and did not mention it in our "final bill". So on 2 of the 3 bills, we paid extra tips. Thanks to another friend who saw the original bill and found out the fraud. They deliberately cheated us. The reason is I signed extra tip because on out bill the top section is empty and after I signed extra tips and handed back there ticket. They didn't mention a word. And when we came back and change the amount. They acted like nothing happened. If you are going to this place, I am not saying you will get a bad service like us. There might be other reasons they did this to us. Like we are tourists or we are Asians. But I just don't think this rude and dishonest restruant does not deserve a 4 star. And maybe they should do something else other than serving food which they are obviously not good at.

    (1)

  • Mark T.

    Sushi is good here but the service is atrocious. The wait staff treat you like you're a burden. We've been here for 20 minutes and haven't yet been served water. If you're looking for an elegant experience, this place isn't it. If you're looking for decent sushi and are willing to wait and wait and wait, give this place a try.

    (3)

  • Thomas N.

    We have been to Takumi dozens of times. I have never been disappointed. Service is always good. The miso soup is great and the sushi has always been fresh, for Madison that is. I couldn't imagine having sushi on the west coast. It must be amazing. Prices are high but that is expected for good sushi.

    (4)

  • Drew W.

    Recently had the sushi here and it was pretty good. It is not the best sushi I have ever had, but for Madison it is pretty good. Cities by the ocean always have the best sushi and obviously most fresh!

    (3)

  • Amoli P.

    Great lunch spot in Madison. I haven't tried the sushi yet, but I got the hibachi lunch special and it was fresh, tasty, affordable, and quick. All the things you want from a lunch stop. I'll give the sushi a shot on my next trip up to Madison. Service is friendly and the atmosphere is a very typical casual sushi restaurant. Sushi bar on one side with seating and small tables on the other side. $8.95 gets you a hibachi grilled meal of vegetables, white rice, your choice of meat ($1 more for shrimp), shrimp appetizer of 2 pieces, and your choice of salad or soup. The sauce was a little sweeter than what you would get at an actual Japanese steakhouse but tasty. And the portions are large, so there was plenty of food. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Dylan K.

    FINALLY! Passable sushi in Madison. Do not be put off by the 3 star rating--I can assure anyone reading this that Takumi's sushi is the best in Madison, and getting 3 stars here is an accomplishment. That statement may lead you to believe that I'm a bit of a prick when it comes to judging food...and you'd be right. However, I am most critical of sushi, by far. Rundown: I went to Takumi for lunch with a couple of friends. I got the sashimi and sushi combo--4 pieces of each, soup/salad, and a spicy tuna roll. The salad was excellent, but aren't they all? That ginger dressing is addicting. Sashimi: It came with 4 pieces--yellowtail, basic tuna, salmon, and what I believe was mackerel (unsure). I like leaving it up to the chef to choose--they know what's fresh. Tuna and mackerel were so-so. Mackerel...maybe not so fresh. Yellowtail was fresh and quite good. Salmon was very good and the best of the bunch--you can usually tell by looking at the fish what quality it is, and this was excellent. Sushi: Tuna, yellowtail, salmon, shrimp. Shrimp is the only difference here, and it was good...but most shrimp is good. No surprises. Spicy tuna roll: Quite good...even though it was a roll! They threw in some tempura pieces/toasted panko, and it gave the roll a nice crunch. I approved and ate it all. Delicious. So, there you have it--this place is the best in Madison...by far. Takara, Red Sushi (awful), Muramoto--Takumi trumps all of them. Would I go back? Yes, definitely. Especially at $14.75 for that massive fish combo. Sushi coma.

    (3)

  • Jamie P.

    I am used to Sushi in Milwaukee, so I had high expectations for Madison. Don't be fooled by the exterior, this place is amazing. The atmosphere is cozy and semi-fancy and everyone is very accommodating and friendly. We had ordered Spicy Tuna and Salmon roles- whig I assumed they were gluten free, but when they arrived to the table I noticed they had tempura flakes in them. I asked the waiter if I could have another order without the tempura flakes because of my allergy and he was very happy to. Not only this, but he gave it to us for free! The waiter was very fun to talk to as well. If I am in Madison again, I will definitely go here first!

    (4)

  • Stephen M.

    They got a jumpstart for being the first sushi I've had in six months AND having toro on hand. But this is a tentative 4star, only because that may have skewed the experience. I've been here a couple of times and mostly had the sushi. It's been fresh ad decent quality each time, so no complaints at all there. The only thing I'd mention as a drawback is the market pricing. You know the line "if you have to ask, you can't afford it?". Well, the market price for Toro is $9 per. I'm the only one who orders three pieces blindly, but it's sad when you spend more on Toro than the rest of lunch combined. That said, the lunch specials were awesome. Both the bento box and the shrimp tempura with udon were great and relatively inexpensive. They have a decent selection of sake and beer, and while they aren't Muramoto, they are a very affordable, quality alternative. Definitely worth the stop if you're near the east side.

    (4)

  • Curtis H.

    Decent sushi for a city of this size. I ordered the sashimi sampler and one roll and was generally pleased with the quality and freshness. The price was still pretty steep, but I guess it's not out of line for similar cuisine in Chicago. Certainly worth a look if you have a sushi craving in Madison. I did get my order to-go, so I can't really comment on the restaurant itself.

    (3)

  • Jen W.

    Another great recommendation by a colleague for a lunch meeting. There was space available, no wait. I was greeted warmly and seated promptly. Takumi offers a variety of lunch specials for around $10. I ordered the two roll combo. Takumi's menu includes many sushi offerings. Some familiar, some different then previous Japanese menus I have seen. I had the spicy salmon roll, it wasn't "fishy" tasting at all, which, although it is fish, is a good thing in my book. I also had a basic cucumber/avacado roll. The lunch special comes with a choice of soup or salad. I enjoyed my food immensely. I will be back, and would recommend Takumi to those looking for a good sushi restaurant.

    (4)

  • Joyce G.

    HIBACHI Review: First, we couldn't be seated at the Grill because neither one of us made reservations. My response: It's Madison. I didn't expect, nor think I needed them but I learned that day. Dined at the sushi bar as the gentleman requested. Ordered the steak and salmon hibachi. Well, "I have experienced better." Although the online menu offers steak and scallop which is what I wanted - it's not allowed in the restaurant. Ok : /. This is how I ended up with salmon. Salad & Soup brought at the same time. The Dark broth Miso wasn't the best. Actually, it wasn't good because I didn't eat it all and I love miso. Salad: Usual. Lettuce, Tomato slice, ginger sauce. Requested Noodles for my Dinner and there's a $2.95 upgrade. I received rice. No worries, let the server know and it went away. My plate arrived before my dining party member and he ordered Chicken Teriyaki. His plate: Sizzled. Look appealing. But he's from Seattle and says he hasn't found good Teriyaki just yet. But said it was okay. It came with a choice of soup or salad and white rice. Said the soup was ok but asked, "How can you go wrong with miso?" I smiled. No need to give my thoughts (that's the southern lady in me that won't let my real opinion out. Believe it or not, I don't say everything that comes to mind.) He eats. I pick at everything because it's buried under some brown sticky sauce (akin to a gelatin). Had I known this I would have said please put it on the side. But I don't so I pick. I eat the veggies I like (musrooms/broccolli/onions). There are way too many zuchinni pieces which made me think, "They must have too many zuchinni's in the kitchen?" Either way... STILL NO NOODLES. He's talking. I'm talking. I'm sharing. Here take the steak pieces and here's half of my shrimp app. The typical Hibachi sauce arrives. I then take it on myself to ask for some of his rice because it doesn't look like I'll get those noodles. As soon as I get a scoop (the rice) the noodles are coming. Sheeesh. These are not the noodles I expected but they're noodles and I had a hankering for noodles. They were over cooked and had a bit of water left of them as if they hadn't been drained. The rice started to look and taste better. I boxed more than half my meal after scraping off the sauce. This was let down to me because (1) I really wanted Hibachi, (2) I trusted the very few reviews that mentioned the Hibachi, (3) I wanted some noodles, (4) I had to be fake and engage my company even though I didn't agree. So I guess this would be better at the Hibachi Grill with a show and neighboring party but don't order it away from the grill. It's just not worth any amount of money. Sadly, I can't recommend & I really wanted to like this place so we'll try again and get sushi or make reservations for the grill.

    (2)

  • Candi F.

    Nothing great about this place. Terrible rice, which makes or breaks sushi. Unfortunately the fish had a fishy taste and smell. Service was great.

    (2)

  • John S.

    Not bad at all. For my money Muramoto's is the first choice for sushi but, Takumi is a decent little place that is a good value. Their sushi is fresh and is very appealing to all senses. The high back chairs and attentive staff also give you the feel of being at a higher end restaurant. The only feedback I have is that the place could be a little tidier and loose the music that gives off the feeling that you are watching that anime stuff.

    (3)

  • Shelley I.

    Excellent food. I love their sushi. It is unbelievable how fresh it tastes! The staff is friendly as well. Prompt and kind.

    (5)

  • Jeneane B.

    I went to Takumi for lunch with three other business travelers from Washington DC. I have been so many sushi places while traveling on business and this is among the best. Lunch specials included two sushi rolls with either soup or salad for under $10. I had the Spicy Tuna and the Spicy Tempura Shrimp rolls with the Miso Soup. The soup was really flavorful and had lots of scallions and just the right amount of tofu. The sushi was REALLY good. The Spicy Tuna Roll was exactly what I expect in a spicy tuna roll - a good mix of spicy, smoky, and umami. I tried the Shrimp Tempura Roll because I wanted something a little different from sushi I usually order, and it was great! It had a good balance of avocado and cucumber and it was nice and crispy. Our server was very friendly and helpful when we were trying to decide between a la carte options or the lunch specials. They don't have lite soy sauce on the table, but they'll bring some if you ask for it. Overall, good service and good food for a great price.

    (4)

  • Sherry L.

    Oh the distances I'll go for some sushi... I actually misread the address to this place and thought it was near W. Towne Mall....good thing I was already in East Madison, or I woulda turned around and came right back home. I ordered the seaweed salad and the Angel roll, and the total bill came out to a little under $20. Pretty standard for a sushi place. Seaweed salad - it really hit the spot, but it wasn't anything extraordinary. My main issue with this appetizer was how deceiving the presentation of the dish was!!! What I thought was a heaping mound of wakame was actually a thick bed of cucumber slivers covered by a thin layer of seaweed. Totally PUNK'D me there. Angel Roll - Delicious! Really, it was. I've never had sashimi that actually "melted" in my mouth, but the sashimi at Takumi did just that. Halfway through the roll, I started deconstructing my sushi just so I could have the fish by itself...a first for me, so you know how truly QUALITY the fish they served was. As with the seaweed salad, my only gripe with the sushi was that the roll was SO dinky I'm sure that I could have finished two full rolls with room left for dessert! Anyway, a few minutes into my meal, I started to hear loud clanging and gasps. SURPRISE! I guess Takumi doubles as a teppanyaki place as well as a sushi bar. Interesting... Really, Takumi deserves 5 stars for the quality and the freshness of their sushi, but I have to dock a star just because I really don't think I got my money's worth...but I guess that's the price I have to pay for quality sushi in the midwest!

    (4)

  • Jemmie W.

    We went to this place because of its high rating on Yelp, and it deserves it. We had too many items to list and they were all good. The fatty tuna sushi (toro) is to die for. The rice is cooked and prepared perfectly. It's a very pleasant surprise to find such a high quality sushi place in a small city like Madison. Only two minor issues: 1) Soft drinks are from cans, so no free refills. 2) The cooked and fried rolls are not great, but I knew they wouldn't be (cooked rolls never are). I ordered them because the people I was with are what I call "white boy sushi" eaters and are not entirely down with raw fish yet. They were more comfortable after this experience. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Amanda A.

    We got there late on a Friday but they did hibatchi just for us. Probably one of the best hibatchi chefs we've ever had!

    (5)

  • Luke S.

    What an amazing surprise! It's a family tradition to stop in Madison on the way back from any trip to Minnesota or the Dells and we usually go to another hibachi place. My mom has zero sense of direction and led us to Takumi and we are so glad she did. While it wasn't the place we were expecting it was a great experience. We had the entire hibachi room to ourselves and the service was outstanding. The portions are huge and extremely fresh. My wife ordered the tuna hibachi and they brought out a huge fillet of sushi grade tuna. Her meal was a steal as I am sure that ordering that much sashimi would have bankrupted us! Their sushi also looked outstanding, but we kept to the hibachi. If I didn't live 300 miles away I would regularly frequent Takumi!

    (5)

  • Samantha T.

    This place was amazing! I wanted something tasty and fast...and that's what I got! Service was impeccable and the sushi was fabulous! Try the alligator roll and the wasabi sting roll! YUM!

    (5)

  • Bethany F.

    I used to LOVE this place, but lately it has really gone down hill. We went for lunch this past weekend and ordered toro which was $9.00 a piece. At that price you expecta nice piece of fish. The two pieces arrived scored like a piece of octopus, which immediately worried us as that is usually a practice they use when a fish is tough in order to make it easier to chew. My boyfriend made a horrible face after he put it in his pouth and pulled a small bone out of it. My piece was so inedible that I had to spit it out. The last few visits were ok, but not great. This just totally put me off to the restaurant all together.

    (1)

  • Sarah S.

    I really enjoy the sushi here, and the service is absolutely wonderful! Everyone is friendly and the chefs love to show off to you and get you your food quickly. I've been working on going to all the sushi restaurants in Madison and this defiantly one of my favorites! The only thing that threw me off a little was their mushroom soup. The first time I ordering it they had the typical mushroom slices, however when I came back a week later they had small mushrooms with long stems that tasted a little slimy. Overall though, the environment was great and they have a private room for larger parties and offer to have one of their chefs cook in front of guests in that room.

    (5)

  • Gabe L.

    Above average Japanese restaurant. Inventive chef uses fresh sea food to create some memorable sushi rolls. Ok setting off the East side mall Strip. A bit drab interiors but the food makes up for it. My wife and I been there for dinner and lunch the next day on our Madison visit recommended: spider roll, sashimi on rice, giant clam. Beware, hot saki, too hot. I guess they didn't watch James Bond.

    (4)

  • Hemanth S.

    Decided to venture from Verona "all the way to the East Side" based on the number of positive reviews on Yelp. Was not dissappointed. Takumi is located in a nondescript strip mall around East Town Mall. We walked in about 5:45 and grabbed 3 seats at the Sushi Bar. The cold spinach appetizer was served broken up and slathered with a sesame dressing. A little different, but a cool and fresh start to the Meal. My sons had the fried Gyoza. Good and the disappeared quickly. My older son and I are Sushi fans and we ordered an assortment of Nigiri and rolls. In my opinion, good sushi is defined by texture and temperature of the fish. The fish here was silky and soft and served just a bit above cool. Nice. Too many sushi places serve their fish too cold, destroying the subtle differences in flavor. The portions of fish in the Nigiri and hand rolls was also really big. No skimping here! Overall I would ranks Takumi a notch behind Muramoto for best place in Madison. It is better than Takara on the West Side and blows away anything else on the list. It's 15 miles from my house, but I would definitely stop there again when on the East Side.

    (4)

  • Billy M.

    I'm not a huge fan of Sushi, but I can honestly say I enjoyed this place a lot. We took my wife out for her birthday here as she IS a huge fan of Sushi, she and the rest of our party loved it. I ordered Saba (which is the mackerel) and I absolutely LOVED it. I also ordered Tako (which is the octopus) along with my main meal Hibachi chicken and shrimp. The veggies that came with the dinner were amazing! The atmosphere here is great and the staff do a good job of making you feel welcome. They came out and sang to my wife for her birthday which was "happy birthday" in dutch. I though that was funny touch and made our party laugh. They do a good job of giving you a full dining experience. 5 star beginning to end!

    (5)

  • Betsy L.

    This place is not good for sushi. I'm sorry. It's just not. The fish is not fresh (slimy in fact) and the prices are no better than anyone else. People who like this place have not had good sushi. My tip: go some where else: Sushi Red, Wasabi, sushi morimoto. All of these are better.

    (1)

  • Nonya B.

    Regularly priced for a sushi restaurant. I would recommend going during the lunch, 12.95 for three rolls and soup or salad; lunch bento is also available for about the same price. The meal was good but average, great for the lunch price but wouldnt pay full price for some of the rolls. I'm sure their signature rolls, like most other places, would be a better quality but for a steeper price. For dinner visits, the martinis are amazing.

    (4)

  • Denise W.

    Great sushi- we had the iron man special. That included lobster, tempura, avocado. Nice atmosphere. The miso soup was delish! It was so delightful to have good sushi as we live in a community where that isn't present!!

    (5)

  • Brigitte B.

    The sushi here is great, the atmosphere is cozy, and the service is friendly and attentive. We went on a bustling Friday evening and were seated at the sushi bar. While I prefer a table, it was fun to watch these chefs--they worked ridiculously fast, which showed in how little time it took for our food to get to us, despite the place being packed. Our waitress was very friendly, and particularly accommodating of my boyfriend's 8-year-old daughter. For example, she was trying to use chopsticks, and very determined, but kept on dropping them. Our waitress, despite being super busy, asked us if she'd like chopsticks with a rubber band to make them easier to use. Once the kid had those, she was using them like a pro. Now, this may seem like a small thing, and perhaps it's not that unusual, but we've never had anyone offer this before. It seemed like a very thoughtful gesture. I ordered the sushi deluxe (chef's choice), and it had a good variety of fresh, flavorful fish. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this place if you're on this side of town!

    (4)

  • Sheila N.

    We called at 2:00 pm to see if they would take us for lunch and the manager informed us they could, but that the restaurant closed at 2:30 pm. We arrived at 2:14 pm and the hostess refused to seat us. We asked for the manager. He came out to see us at 2:18 pm and informed us that we were too late. He wasted our time. Poor communication, poor service, poor review. Do not go there.

    (1)

  • Holly T.

    This place is fantastic! I have never dined in, but it looks very nice and cozy inside. The staff is always extremely friendly when picking up take out. Everytime I come here, the food is incredible. My latest roll was the Kiss of Fire. I highly recommend it. It has become my favorite roll! They also have great standard rolls e.g. spicy tuan, etc. I've never had a bad piece here.

    (5)

  • Brad S.

    I've always suggested this place to friends and co-workers. I usually get takeout from here twice a week. Sometimes they don't have the order ready as soon as they state when you place it, but the most I have ever waited was an extra 10 minutes. The food has always been fresh and tasty. Until today. I ordered the 2 roll lunch special and a dynamite roll. I started eating my Dynamite roll only to sudenly have excruciating pain in my mouth. Turns out there was a large piece of wire in one of the pieces!! I cut my tongue and jabbed a hole in my gums. Needless to say I will not be going back. It's one thing to have an 'off night' food wise... But there should never be an excuse for safety issues like this.

    (2)

  • Cissy Z.

    Came here for lunch with my bf. We had the lunch special, one bento box with pork and the sashimi/sushi platter. It was definitely more than enough food for the two of us! I like how generous they were with the portions. However, the sushi could have been better. The sushi rice was too cold, I wonder how much effort would it requests to keep the sushi rice at room temperature. I always hate it when the sushi rice is cold, and after watching "Jiro Dreams of Sushi", I realised I was right about this.

    (3)

  • Jenni L.

    I wish I could give this place 4.5 stars! My husband and I got the spicy squid salad to start. The texture and flavor were good, but it wasn't very spicy. We ordered omakase (chef's choice) for two for our entrees. It was amazing! They had a great variety and we got to try things we've never had before. The drinks were tasty and the service was great. We will be back soon (and often) for omakase! This is hands down, the best sushi restaurant that we've found in Madison... And we have tried almost all of them :)

    (4)

  • Kejia Y.

    Can I give ZERO here?!?! What an awful place for sushi and I literally cannot believe this is so-called "best sushi" place in Madison! One of the sushi we ordered was Inari sushi (bean curd). The first second I saw it I know it might not taste good. But I put in my mouth anyway. What a bad idea! It tasted like they put cooking wine in the bean curd, which is absolutely not right becoz the bean curd tastes either sweet or sour but nothing like wine!!! I don't think they were fresh! It tasted like the bean curd had been kept for way too long and it fermented!!! I had to spit it out bcoz I didn't want to get food poisoning!! The waiter came but denied immediately anything wrong with the bean curd. No apology or anything. I heard the guy behind the sushi bar even asked the waiter whether we are Chinese. They were talking in a dialect from China. But unfortunately, I happened to know that dialect. They came back and denied any bad food again but still no apology for anything. The guy behind the sushi bar also had a weird smile on his face and was looking directly at me. Some kind of provocation?!?! Didnt touch anything else, I left. Def NO COMING BACK!!!

    (1)

  • Maria R.

    Shot in the dark but it paid off, start off with Japanese pickles and takuma spinach. Done. Could of ate that alone and been happy, but finished off with a salmon cucumber sushi roll and soba beef noodles. Yes I may have over did it... But so worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Tom G.

    Great Japanese restaurant for the area! The sushi was delicious and the happy hour special of $1.50 off all drinks is nice too! They overcharged me for the Saki but were very willing and gracious to change it on my bill. Highly recommend it.

    (4)

  • Christina W.

    Nom. Great price for great sushi. We got the three roll combo deal and it was very filling and delicious.

    (5)

  • Sarah M.

    They have the best sushi in Madison. I have been to a few different places that serve sushi and Takumi's is by far my favorite place to go. The staff is really friendly, and the food is amazing. i have been going here since they opened a few years ago and i have never had a bad meal or service.

    (5)

  • Ryan B.

    Direct quote from Robert S. "Excellent sushi...I have been to every sushi place in Madison, and this remains my favorite. Specialty rolls are delicious with very reasonable prices!" (nicely said!) Their Miso soup is the best in the area. The Bento boxes are spectacular, containing a random chef special that constantly changes. Great lunch specials and an à la carte option round off this great Japanese restaurant. Keep in mind their split lunch and dinner hours and you'll have a great experience.

    (5)

  • Amy C.

    I've been meaning to write a review for awhile now, but I wanted to check the consistency of the restaurant. One thing I've seen more restaurants fail at than anything is consistency; one night they'll be great, the next horrifying. The best restaurants make the dining experience effortless; you don't feel like you're waiting for anything, nor do you feel like you're being rushed. The best meal I've ever had has been at Chez Panisse, precisely because the food was perfect, and the timing was perfect as well. Most restaurants are like Muramoto at Hilldale, where one night it's great, the next night it's like meeting up with that one night stand that you meet up with again, where you wonder what the hell you were thinking. Any sushi chef that douses fish in sauce is covering up something, just saying. Anyway, I'd put Takumi in the former category. It's an upretentious place, so if you're looking for uber-hip, look at the rest of the sushi places in Madison, but know that you will be served inferior fish for higher prices. But if you want quality fish, order the omakase at Takumi--This is chef's choice, something lost on a lot of people. But who knows better what is fresh than the person who's preparing the fish? I knew I was in the right place when he threw the tray of uni out because it wasn't good. My husband and I have been here a good dozen times, and both the service and the fish have been consistently good. If you do not like lots of mayo or cream cheese in your makizushi, let them know (they will default to this), but take heart, because there is good nigiri in Madison.

    (5)

  • Gary A.

    The best Sushi place in Madison! There were five in our party, three ordered the Sushi Deluxe, one ordered Shrimp and one ordered the Beef Bento box. The Sushi was fresh and the pieces of Tuna and Salmon were delicious. So good we ordered an extra Sushi Deluxe!!! The warm Saki was right on with our meal and we finished our meal with green tea ice cream. Service was very good. This restaurant truly deserves five stars.

    (5)

  • Bryan H.

    Overall, good sushi place. Tried the "Hidden Dragon" roll which was nice. Not the best I've ever had but pretty good.

    (4)

  • Virginia L.

    Standard sushi place. Perhaps a little above average for the middle of Wisconsin, but a little below average in my book. I'll be back though!

    (3)

  • Bruce M.

    We stopped here on our way home from Minneapolis. The location is easy to get to from the highway. The food was typical and well prepared. Nothing special, but decent.

    (3)

  • Seng W.

    Super fresh sushi! My co-workers and I go at least once a month and the sushi is always fresh. The lunch specials are a good value too.

    (4)

  • Angela H.

    this place was FANTASTIC! i was in the area running some errands by myself and needed something to eat quickly. my stomach suggested sushi, so i did a quick google map search on my phone for sushi places nearby. when this place popped up with rave reviews, i decided to try it on a whim. now, i LOVE sushi. i have had really bad sushi and really good sushi (in Alaska, talk about a fresh salmon roll!), and this was by far one of the best sushi rolls i've had. i got the rainbow roll, and sometimes rainbow rolls are iffy because of the temperature of the fish, but this one was spot on. all the flavors were perfect and i really couldn't have asked for a better roll. i also had a bowl of the miso soup and was not disappointed. the staff is friendly, the decor is unobtrusive, and i was in and out quick (but they don't mind you staying a while if you'd like either, my phone told me there was free wi-fi and there was a gentleman in the corner reading a book while munching his meal at a slower pace than is customary for sit-down, non-diner places. but no one seemed to mind, and i noticed they kept his drink--and mine for that matter-- nice and full too). pricing is nice too. lunch specials looked good, but i was there for dinner (which starts at 4:30p), and my roll and soup were about $15. i would highly recommend this place and i will definitely be back. my husband doesn't like sushi, but they have a full japanese menu along with the sushi, so no worries there!

    (5)

  • Paul S.

    Order Omakase (leave it to the chef). You won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Siggy S.

    Bravo. A friend recommended this place to me as the best sushi in Madison and I knew I had to give it a try. Takumi did not disappoint. My companion ordered the greens salad and mushroom soup. I was initially surprised at the prices, as they seemed a little more than the same items at similar places like Ginza or Takara. However, when the items arrived I quickly realized the difference. The salad was more than double the size of other restaurant's and featured a wider variety of fresh vegetables. The mushroom soup was exquisite-cooked in a delicious broth and filled with large portions of scallions and a variety of hearty, fresh mushrooms. I ordered two roles as part of their Sunday Happy Hour (1-4 PM with several deals): the Spicy Tuna roll and the Philadelphia. While both rolls I would consider typical, the way Takumi prepared them really stood out. The tuna consisted of some delicious fish, accompanied with a soft crunch, while the Philadelphia roll featured cream cheese, cumber, avocado and scallions. The cheese and crunch both added a real nice texture balance to the fish and rice, providing a taste which I know will stick in my head for a while. The service was attentive and the decor of the restaurant was simple yet elegant and comfortable. I am definitely going back as I am eager to try the Habachi.

    (5)

  • Ginger S.

    We absolutely love their fresh sushi and customer service is great. The wait staff is always attentive, and we tip well. We just wish they were open more frequently; several times we have showed up (e.g. 4:00 p.m on a Saturday) only to find them closed, and have been disappointed.

    (4)

  • robert s.

    Excellent sushi...I have been to every sushi place in Madison, and this remains my favorite. Specialty rolls are delicious with very reasonable prices! update:7/2012 I would now rank this palce 3rd in madison, behind muramoto and red sushi.

    (4)

  • Danan R.

    Decent sushi but not amazing. Rolls are average and fish is fresh for the most part. The sweetheart roll was my favorite item since I love anything with spicy scallop and tempura flakes.

    (3)

  • Zack K.

    Was visiting Madison for the weekend and staying out by East Towne mall. Just looking for somewhere good in the area and saw the positive reviews on Yelp so decided to stop in for dinner. As an alumn of the UW and familiar with most of the sushi options around campus, this trumps them all. Our sushi was generously portioned, reasonably priced and very fresh. Service was also very friendly and fast. We shared a few different rolls, but really enjoyed the Spicy Tuna roll (one of the best I've had) and the Sweet Heart roll. Prices were very reasonable ($5-$6 for traditional rolls, $10-$13 for specialty rolls) and as noted above the rolls were generously portioned and the fish was extremely fresh. I can't see myself visiting Madison again without stopping here for lunch or dinner along the way.

    (5)

  • Frank C.

    Yes. Great food. Service is wonderful. It is a bit small so get there as early in the meal hour as you can since it will fill up. They have a sushi bar as well as two hibachi grills in the back. This is on my favorites list!

    (5)

  • Kurt B.

    Without a doubt, the best sushi in Madison. Their dragon and rainbow rolls are enormous and quite tasty. Rolls never fall apart, have well-balanced proportions of protein and rice, and are aesthetically very well put together. Bento box lunch specials are affordable and generously portioned. Service is nice, friendly, and attentive. I've had many awful sushi meals downtown--so it's great to have a place as solid as Takumi by East Town that pays attention to consistency and freshness of the fish.

    (5)

  • Maria S.

    To me there is two ways to judge sushi. One based on funky creative rolls and are more "fusion-y" and two based on good classic rolls that are consitent. If you want #1 you go to Restaurant or Sushi Muramoto, if you want #2 you go to Takumi. They are always good, always quick and always afforable. I love that they have take out and lunch specials. Their lunch combo of two rolls and soup or a salad is a steal! There is something about their california roll that makes me order it, even though I would NEVER order it anywhere else. Their fish is always fresh. Some sushi restaurants when they have a deal will just add more rice and less fish, Takumi is nothing like that. I trust that no matter what or when I order it will meet the standard they have set time and time again.

    (5)

  • Lauren M.

    I love the atmosphere of this place. Perfect place to go if your looking for some place to go that is a little bit more personal.

    (5)

  • Aviva C.

    I love this place! The service is excellent and so is the food. I particularly like that a native English speaker answers the phone and takes the take-out orders, which are usually ready in 15 minutes or less. I recommend the vegetable tempura rolls.

    (5)

  • J. K.

    Wonderful place. Went with two good friends I'd not seen in a long time & we had the best time whilst the staff were very attentive but not intrusive. We "closed the place down" staying & talking til closing time & we'd been there 2.5 hours! Staff very nicely ejected us (we didn't know it was closing time). Quality & presentation of food was excellent. Only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because of value: An a la carte order of unagi sushi was about $2.75. I thought I'd get a couple pieces but it was just one piece. I thought I would get more.

    (4)

  • Brianne I.

    We go to the SUN PRAIRIE location and its a struggle to not go every week (gets expensive)!! Just love it! We wont go anywhere else. I recommend the wasabi sting roll or the candy roll. This place is really small so I suggest you go during odd times otherwise you'll have quite a long wait. The host/waiter is SO friendly. Always smiling and making sure your as comfortable as can be while you wait. I even have friends from out of town hooked on this place. Every time they come to visit they insist on sushi!

    (5)

  • Kevin O.

    What a diamond in the middle of the rough. I had the shumai first and it was tasty but definitely needed extra sauce for the dipping. It was well cooked. Next I had the alligator roll and for the price I must say it was rather small but my doubt was set aside at first bite. Possibly the best roll I've ever had. Still warm and crunchy and fresh and awesome and the sauce woohoo. I have been to very nice very expensive sushi spots on the water and this roll will last in my memory. I washed it down with an Asahi.

    (5)

  • Miz S.

    Very disappointing. I went here on Yelpers recommendations. What a mistake. I got the shrimp tempura udon. The broth was flavorless. At least the tempura was cooked well. Also got a flying fish roe sushi. VERY FISHY TASTING. Two of my friends and I that ate the shrimp got sick. POISONED. The other friend didn't eat the shrimp and was fine. Punk. Beware. Be scared.

    (1)

  • Gregory G.

    I was in Madison for a week on business and had dined at a few locations. On my way to the airport I was looking for somewhere to eat and happened upon Takumi. Upon entering I was greeted promptly and decided to sit at the sushi bar. As I looked over the menu I was pleasantly suprised to find Toro (fatty tuna)! This always makes me happy. I ordered some along with the Black Jet roll and the Angel Hair roll. All of it was quite tasty. They also offer a good variety of saki. The service was excellent. Everyone who works there was attentive to my needs. The prices were reasonable. I left happy and satisfied. Next time I am in Madison I will definitely be coming back!

    (4)

  • Christine N.

    Takumi is by far one of the best Japanese restaurants in the Madison area. My family and I have been going there for 4+ years and no matter the time of day or day of week their food is always fresh and tastes delicious. Our favorites are the spicy tuna roll, california roll, and veggie tempura roll. While we normally stick to sushi rolls I've had their hibachi as well and enjoyed the same deliciousness. The chefs are talented and the wait staff is very nice and accommodating (bonus for loving babies and young kids!). I've always had an excellent experience.

    (5)

  • China Moon C.

    I get the same ...damn ...thing ...EVERY TIME I'm here! It's just comforting; whether chillin' here alone, with my friend Jennie or taking an order home to go, it's the dinner sized Bento box with teriyaki chicken & shrimp w/ Miso soup and extra wasabi & rice. Yummmmmm. Spankii Style. Go here. Eat. and LOVE it... Spankii Yum-Yum has spoken...

    (5)

  • Mio S.

    The Love Boat is loaded with so much fresh proteins (sashimi, nigiri, and rolls) that it made 3 of us completely satisfied. I also ordered seaweed salad as an appetizer - really good, I love the salad so much. Not entirely the best sushi in the world, but I'd say it's the best in Madison. Authenticity aside, the ingredients are fresh, and service is not bad, either.

    (4)

  • Jeremy W.

    The food was amazing, and the atmosphere was just as good.

    (4)

  • Mary O.

    The ambiance is very nice and the staff are friendly! The Candy Rolls are soooo good (don't let the name fool you, it's not actual candy)! I thought the prices were super reasonable! I just wish I had tried the hibachi!

    (4)

  • David G.

    I tried the Sweet Heart Roll - Spicy scallop & tempura fiakes rolled w. tuna on the top and I had some sashimi and miso soup. They serve the nice beige ginger and a nice big chunk of wasabi with which you can torture your sinuses. The roll and the fish was good. They have an area with an authentic table, low to the floor, where you have to take off your shoes. Nice if you want that extra Japanese ambiance. Since they went so far as to setup a Japanese style table, I'm surprised they didn't serve the miso soup Japanese style (no spoon).

    (4)

  • Jody M.

    Pleasantly surprised. Nice, relaxing ambience. I went during lunch, the prices were reasonable. Presentation of food was great, although a friend said the roll size was a bit smaller than other sushi restaurants. I will have to go again on Sunday, when there are specials.

    (4)

  • Tamir S.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. I like their beef Teryaki better than ginza and that's saying a lot. The ginger dressing on their salad is the best that i've ever had and their hot sake is better than most and they have a very friendly staff, They remember how you like your food prepared very prompt, very observant. I honestly go there at least 3 times a month and I never get tired of it.

    (5)

  • Sheila B.

    What a find! We've eaten Japanese food all over the world and takumi is exceptional. The toro and yellowtail nigiri was perfect, nice rolls and a good selection of saki. The star of the place is Amanda- super attitude, very capable and knowledgeable. Don't miss this restaurant!

    (5)

  • Jacob B.

    Takumi is hands down, the best place to get sushi in Madison! My girlfriend and I have eaten here at least 20 times, and are always satisfied with our experience. The sushi is always fresh, prepared exquisitely, and presented elegantly - I've noticed they don't have a cookie cutter operation either - sometimes I'll order the same plate, and it will be presented in an entirely different manner - I guess it depends on the chef, but what stays the same is the high quality each and every time. Also of note is that the prices at Takumi are a few bucks cheaper than most other Madison Sushi joints. The waitstaff at Takumi are top-notch as well. They work together to make sure you are taken care of, and they're always friendly and welcoming. Perhaps what I like most about Takumi is the relaxed atmosphere. Other sushi joints in Madison don't give a crap if you are comfortable, and just want to rush you in and out, get their money, and serve the next customer. - this makes the sushi experience far less enjoyable. At Takumi, it can be busy, but it's at least quiet enough that you can hear yourself think. The decor is simple and modest, and while you're eating the best quality sushi in Madison, the general feeling is unpretentious and welcoming. Please dine at Takumi - you will not be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Jack L.

    I am visiting here from D.C., and this was fresher fish than I have ever found there. Very impressed, nice atmosphere and great service. We liked everything we had, especially the sashimi special.

    (5)

  • Kelly M.

    REALLY great sushi!!! I live in Chicago and have family in MN; we ALWAYS make sure we stop at Takumi on the way in or out of town. Service is always great, excellent sushi selection, and the prices are awesome! Truly a gem!!

    (5)

  • Stacey O.

    Definitely best sushi in the area.. very good and fast service, their specialty rolls are always fun and yummy. The staff at the sunprarie location are GREAT too. never had anything here that was not totally yummy!

    (4)

  • Aaron K.

    Great Sushi, affordable lunch selection. They however dont deliver as it says on their takeout menu.

    (4)

  • Aileen C.

    While going to UW-Madison (graduated in Dec. 2007), we came across this little, cozy sushi restaurant near east towne mall. And we absolutely loved it! We loved it to the point where we became frequent customers (the waitresses knew our names). The price was very reasonable and the fish was always fresh. Also, if you sit at the sushi bar, the chefs will typically give you free sushi / salad as well. I noticed that they had a hibachi grill in the back, but never tried it. Takumi is highly recommended. Out of all the sushi restaurants in Madison, this is the absolute best! We will definitely be back next time we are in Madison.

    (5)

  • Koenraad D.

    My favorite Japanese Restaurant. In our family it has become tradition to go out for a nice dinner and let the birthday boy/girl decide what kind of cuisine to go for. For our son's 20th birthday, he opted for Japanese cuisine and after some research, we found Takumi in Madison. It came highly recommended by many, so we figured we would give it a shot. When we walked in, the light aroma of teriyaki and miso was very welcoming. The dining room was small, but very tasteful.Over on the right, there was a nice size sushi bar where all their sushi is prepared to order. Two separate rooms for Teppanyaki groups complete their dining setup. We started with Shu Mai, sushi and sashimi and got a mouthful of flavor. Their Shu Mai was absolutely perfect. Perfect seasoning, perfect temperature, perfect flavor, perfect doneness. The sushi tasted fresh and crisp. The sashimi was fresh, clean and flavorful. Their chef salad is simple, but delicious. I have been in many Japanese restaurants and often find the typical ginger salad dressing either to vinegary or too gingery. This one, however, was very nicely balanced. We moved on to our main dish. One of us had a chicken and vegetable tempura bento box, one of us had steak and lobster hibachi and one of us had chicken yaki udon. The only two minor flaws I can think of was that our dishes came to the table in shifts. The hibachi and bento box were only 2 minutes apart, but the chicken yaki udon did not arrive until 5 minutes later. Secondly, every dish, all the starters and all the main dishes all had one lettuce leaf and one maraschino cherry. It would have been nice to see some creativity with the garnish, but the quality of the food was so good, we quickly forgot about the garnish. The tempura was light and crisp, the lobster was plump and full of flavor and he steak, well let's just say I've had worse steak at restaurants that call themselves a steakhouse. Out of the many Japanese restaurants I have eaten at, I have to admit, this one is the best one yet. It will be hard to top the quality of the food we had here. Count on an average of $20 to $30 per person for a complete meal (starters, main and drinks). Well worth every penny.

    (5)

  • heather j.

    Absolutley Amazing!

    (5)

  • Isabelle L.

    All the typical offerings of a sushi place, all fresh fish, friendly staff. Nice experience and good sushi. Will definitely be back when in the area.

    (4)

  • Lauren F.

    Love this place! By far one of the best sushi places in town, next to Muramoto's. I have had sushi at ginza, and takara and all the other places but Takumi's is way more fresh. Try the Chef's special roll of the day, I have never been disappointed. I am orignally from the east coast where seafood and sushi is plentiful, this is just as good as the places back east. :-)

    (5)

  • melissa f.

    What a fabulous restaurant! My husband said it was the best sushi he has EVER had, very fresh. I am a huge fan of the sukiyaki. Waitress was friendly and prompt, and very patient with all of my mom's questions (she has never had Japanese food). My husband and I will be back with friends. Love love love this place!

    (5)

  • Teresa G.

    I was impressed with Takumi. Their miso soup is delish. I had the veggie cucumber and avacado rolls. Will go back again

    (3)

  • Aftee H.

    I was pleasantly surprised with this restaurant! I have only had sushi here. A few we tried were: angel roll, crazy tuna, spider roll (I forget all we had!) and we were very happy with all of them. I also had very good miso soup [lots of wakame & tofu] The Sashimi [Tuna & Salmon] was soo fresh & they were big pieces! The service was great.. had another Sapporo before my other was finished! The restaurant is very homey, nice & clean. I would recommend Takumi any day for sushi! Try out their specials!

    (5)

  • SRIKANTH C.

    One of my favorite Japanese restaurant in madison. Excellent service.

    (5)

  • TT R.

    I have been there a few times now with family and friends. I am not a fan of raw fish but I do like California rolls a lot. They are different than regular grocery store sushi. My husband is a fan of their Sashimi and some other things I can't remember. I am usually not a fan for Japanese food due to their blend taste but so far Takumi hasn't disappointed me yet.

    (4)

  • Jo H.

    Best Japanese food you will find in the area, and reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • bekee g.

    having been on a budget for 4 months that doesn't allow for sushi, i was very excited to try Takumi. i was impressed, pleased, and full when i left. the chefs were all very professional and seemed to be having a great time. the fish was very fresh. i was talked into the bluefin they had just gotten in that day and opted for the tuna as opposed to the toro (there was a $5 difference/piece) and it was very good. a smooth texture and very good color. the other signature rolls (crazy tuna and sweet heart) were just as good. it was nice to try those new flavors, especially the seared tuna inside and spicy tuna with tempura crunchies on the outside. we were also presented with a complementary crab stick salad (which also had tempura crunchies and a spicy mayo sauce) and were surprised by a desert consisting of a very delicately-balanced orange rind holding apple bits with a creamy honey sauce and the fruit of the orange on the side. i think it was their way of saying "thanks for spending so much!" we got warm sake, five rolls, three pieces sushi and an order of gyoza for a total of $76. not bad at all, except our eyes were much bigger than our stomachs and we had happy friends to bring the leftovers to.

    (5)

  • Ed C.

    Best sushi place in Madison. Service is fast and very friendly. Fish is the freshest I've had in Madison. Price isn't bad for sushi.

    (5)

  • Michael H.

    I was craving Japanese food and was a bit nostalgic about the lunches I had while living in Japan. I noticed Takumi while heading for a dinner with family members on a previous evening, so I thought I'd give it a try. I had the pork cutlet bento and was very pleased. The cutlet was very tender and the breading was crisp and light. The sushi choice was a bit uninspired, California roll, but it was tasty. The box was beautifully presented and more than adequate in quantity for a very filling lunch. I did have to ask for rice, which seemed a bit odd. My waiter was very apologetic and provided the rice promptly. The prices were reasonable and the service was excellent. The lapse with the rice and the uninspired choice of sushi are the only things keeping me from giving this a five star rating. Takumi satisfied my nostalgia for Japan and gave me a very satisfying lunch experience.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch, Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Takumi Japanese Restaurant

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