Peter S.
Yelp
Honestly I think us Yelpers get a bit crazed with our expectations sometimes. This is the one time I guess I'm coming back to earth and realize that this place is an AYCE establishment, as in we should be comparing this place to Teppanyaki (Fridley), Hibachi (Spring Lake Park), Royal Buffet (Burnsville), and in this case we're in Roseville, so there's Great Dragon (St. Anthony), Panda Gardens (Roseville), and Great Moon (Columbia Heights). The first three serving authentic fare and the latter three being 100% American-Chinese. There's also India Palace in Roseville that's AYCE. I wanted to make this clear as my review is not basing this place as a Sushi restaurant, compared to places such as the late Origami (which was my fav), Masu, Sakura, Sanji-ya, Fuji-ya, Tiger, etc etc. You get the point.
If the latter Sushi establishments were to offer an AYCE option, it would be $35-40/person today. Remember when Ichiban tried that with the sushi river concept? And do we remember how it went for them? Right. The food quality started to slide in earnest. And...There is no longer an Ichiban. And they were charging $30. This was like 15-20 yrs ago.
So if I closed my eyes and imagined a mall restaurant like Big Bowl or PF Chang's serving a 5-course Bento meal, starting with miso soup, then with cold plates like maki rolls, hand rolls, and nigiri. Follow that up with all the tempura you want like shrimp, scallop (albeit imitation), squid, veggies. Now comes the hot plates with your choice of Udon, Ramen, or Teppanyaki fried rice, with a side of Teriyaki meat of your choice. Now that you're stuffed like a duck cap it off with either green tea or red bean ice cream. All this for the same price as a meal at Old Country Buffet. Ok now would you complain that it doesn't taste like Masu?? BTW I just listed what I ordered in the order I wanted it. You can have all this anyway you want, literally no limitations...have Ramen AND Don rice bowls, or all sushi. Whatever suites your fancy.
It's all very edible, and it's a fun experience. I would say it's tops for AYCE sushi compared to the big buffets like Teppanyaki and Hibachi. Ok well if you skipped the fried "scallops" you wouldn't be missing much. Be sure to get the Eel fried rice.
If you haven't tried Japanese food before this is a great way to try it all. What's great is that the formula is working, and all that without needing a sushi river. And may my OG favorite Japanese stops like Origami, Ichiban, Kikkugawa, Tanpopo, and Obento-ya R.I.P.