The Twin Cities Japanese scene punches above its size. There is a Tokyo-rooted edomae sushi house in the North Loop, the country’s first sake brewery outside Japan, a sustainable neighborhood sushi spot in Kingfield, and a chicken-only ramen shop in St. Paul. The omakase counter at Kado no Mise is the high-end move.
Chef Shigeyuki Furukawa’s Tokyo-rooted sushi house, with a small dining room downstairs and the more formal Kaiseki Furukawa upstairs. Calm, precise, and the closest thing the city has to a true omakase counter.
A neighborhood sushi spot with a baseball-card streak and a focus on responsibly sourced fish. The yakisoba dog is a longtime regular, and the daily specials are usually where the kitchen has the most fun.
The first sake brewery outside Japan when it opened, and still a Lyn-Lake landmark. Ramen, steamed buns, and a sake list pulled straight from their own tanks. The upstairs deck is a summer favorite.
After the Northeast location closed, the Mall of America room carries the brand. Sushi, robata skewers, and a sake list with real depth. A reliable group dinner with a wide menu.
St. Paul’s first proper ramen-ya, working entirely without pork. The chicken-based broths are the point, and the small room means a wait is normal on weekends.
A skyway counter quietly run by a former Origami chef. Osaka-style pressed sushi, rice bowls, and udon, mostly built for the lunch rush. Worth knowing about if you work downtown.