Review of the Best Sushi Restaurants in St. Paul: Saji-Ya

Saji-Ya is a Sushi and Teppanyaki restaurant. They also serve a variety of other Japanese inspired menu items. The restaurant is located in the historic district of St. Paul and has been in operation for over 25 years. Fish is flown in daily to ensure freshness of the sushi and sashimi. With a relaxing décor and great food, you cannot go wrong with Saji-Ya.

One of the specialties in the area teppanyaki is the Fuji-Yama, which is lobster, shrimp and scallops prepared on a tabletop grill before your eyes. Another is the Ribeye Steak, which is prepared on the grill, as well. The sushi and sashimi specialties include the Incredible Hulk, which is baked escolar, with Habanero mayo, crunchy with green tobico, and sweet wasabi sauce. Another is Una Cu, which is the eel and cucumber. A few of the others are Kaibashira, Unagi, Hokkigai, and Ikura. For the regular dinner items there are Shrimp Tempura and Chicken Teriyaki. This restaurant also has one of the best Miso soups that I have experienced in all my years of eating Japanese food.

For vegetarians there is the vegetarian option, which is available for $17. Also available is the Vegetable Tempura, which is a selection of vegetables. There is also a Vegetarian Dinner, which is stewed Kabocho Squash, Shitake Mushrooms, Atsuage, and Vegetable Tempura. One of the vegan favorites is the Seaweed Salad, which is marinated Seaweed with Sesame Oil and Red Peppers.

Saji-Ya has a full bar and has plenty of beer on tap. Red and white wines are available by bottle or the glass. Their specialties are the many types of Sake, many from Japan that are available by the glass or by the bottle.

Kid friendly teppan items are Teppan for Tykes, which include Shrimp appetizer, egg drop soup, stir fried veggies, and steamed rice, for kids 12 years of age and under. The choices are chicken, steak or shrimp, all for no more than $16.

Price ranges from the food run from $6-$9 for lunch specials and for dinner from $3 for soups and up to $35 for the Lobster or Lobster and Steak Teppanyaki.

Reservation for Saji-Ya are available either online or by calling the restaurant directly. The dress code is business casual. Free parking is amply available. The wait for a party of four on a weekend night can be up to 45 minutes, thus it is best to make reservations.

Saji-Ya is located at 695 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55105. Their phone number is 651.292.0444. Their hours of operation for lunch are Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., dinner Monday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., all day Saturday, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This is one of the best sushi restaurants available in the area. It is suggested that in warmer weather that you experience their second floor outdoor patio, complete with Japanese lanterns.