Best Sushi Restaurant in St. Paul: Saji Ya Restaurant Review

Located in the heart of St. Paul's bustling Grand Avenue district is the Saji Ya Restaurant, a cornerstone establishment that has been in business in the same location for over 25 years. When I lived in the Twin Cities, I frequently dined at this restaurant for its authentic Japanese cuisine, and am glad to see that the place is still going strong. The Saji Ya is a full experience Japanese restaurant, featuring a sushi bar and deft teppanyaki chefs. Like most Twin Cities restaurants, there is also a patio, which once opened when spring is around the bend, is often jammed with patrons enjoying pleasant weather.

Teppanyaki, made popular by those Benihana folks, is much more personal at the Saji Ya. The teppanyaki menu is also reasonably priced, with vegetarian and chicken starting at $17, steak, shrimp and salmon at $25, scallops $27, tuna $28 and lobster topping out at $35. Teppanyaki dinners are served with a shrimp appetizer, egg drop soup, Saji Ya salad, mixed stir fried vegetables and steamed rice.

The sushi menu here is typical, and the sushi has always been fresh and delicious. I was amazed at the high price of sushi, but considering Minnesota is in the upper Midwest, the prices fall right in line. If you are unfamiliar with sushi, try one of the sushi dinners. The chef will mix and match several different types of sushi so you can experience a wide array of flavors. The Saji Ya can also assemble sushi platters for your home party.

In addition to the teppanyaki and sushi menus, the Saji Ya also offers traditional Japanese country fare, including sukiyaki ($20), tempura ($10-$20), and teriyaki chicken ($18) and beef ($25). If you can't decide on an entrée, try a bento box ($26), where you can get a little taste of everything. The lunch menu includes donburi, udon and ramen ($8-$9), and the teshoku lunches (which come with broccoli, chef's appetizer of the day, soup and rice) are quite reasonable with a price point between $6-$9.

The Saji Ya also offers an extensive appetizer menu and Happy Hour Monday through Thursday and on Sundays.

Now sporting the coveted "Best of the Twin Cities 2008" designation, the Saji Ya is a must for gastronomes in the Twin Cities. The restaurant is located on Grand Avenue at the corner of St. Albans. There is some parking available in a small lot, but be prepared to park elsewhere. Grand Avenue is a busy place, and you may have to snag a spot blocks away, especially on busy weekend nights. Reservations are encouraged. The Saji Ya accepts online reservations on their web site located at www.sajiya.com. The Saji Ya is open for lunch Monday through Friday (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) as well as dinner (seven days a week), and items are available for take out.

Saji Ya Restaurant
695 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55105
Phone 651.292.0444