Wakame Sushi & Asian Bistro — Restaurant in Minneapolis

Wakame Sushi & Asian Bistro: The Twin Cities’ Hidden Gem for Happy Hour

If you’re looking to elevate your happy hour game in Minneapolis, look no further than Wakame Sushi & Asian Bistro. Nestled just a short stroll from the scenic paths of Lake Calhoun (now Bde Maka Ska), this local favorite is more than just a sushi spot—it’s an experience.

Unbeatable Happy Hour Deals

Wakame’s happy hour is the kind of thing you hear about from a friend, then can’t stop going back for yourself. With deals that seem almost too good to be true—on everything from ice-cold beers and smooth wines to delicious specialty cocktails—it’s no wonder this place is always buzzing with energy. Whether you're unwinding after a long day or just pausing your walk around the lake, the happy hour menu offers serious bang for your buck.

Consistently Excellent Service and Food

What truly sets Wakame apart is the consistency. Every visit is marked by friendly greetings, attentive service, and incredibly fresh, flavorful food. The sushi is always on point, the appetizers are satisfying and beautifully presented, and the atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between lively and relaxing.

A Neighborhood Favorite with Heart

From the moment you walk through the doors, you're greeted with warm smiles and welcoming vibes. The staff genuinely make you feel like part of the Wakame family. And if you happen to meet George, the owner, you're in for a treat. His fun and friendly personality adds a personal touch that regulars and newcomers alike truly appreciate.

A Mid-Walk Reward

Personally, there’s nothing better than rewarding myself with a stop at Wakame halfway through a walk around Lake Calhoun. It’s become a mini tradition—a treat that never gets old. The cool air, refreshing drink in hand, and a bite of delicious sushi? Perfection.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a long-time local or just discovering the area, Wakame Sushi & Asian Bistro is a must-visit. Especially if you’re chasing the best happy hour deals in town, this is the place to be. Come for the food, stay for the vibe—and don’t be surprised if it becomes your new go-to spot.

Group Dining at Wakame Sushi and Bistro

Wakame Sushi and Bistro offers an inviting and contemporary setting perfect for group dining. Whether you're planning a celebration or casual get-together, the group dining experience features a variety of sushi platters, Asian fusion entrées, and shareable small plates tailored to your party's preferences. Reservations are...

Great restaurant recommendation I received from a client of mine! I arrived at 5:30 PM to Wakame on a Wednesday night. There was a long wait (make reservations, recommended, I didn't realize this!).

As I was patiently waiting for my name to be called, the host came up and offered my client and I a spot at the bar (full menu offered). We took the seats at the bar. They were comfortable and centrally located to "the action".

There is a fantastic "happy hour" of reduced price sushi and rolls prior to 6 PM. We ordered up, capturing the discounted prices, and then chatted and watched the amazing bartenders do their craft. The place was packed to the walls, even on a Wednesday night. Masks are no longer required, but I saw a few of them.

The sushi came, and it was incredibly fresh and delicious. As I have visited Japan 5 times in the past, I kinda "know" good sushi/sashimi/rolls when I see and taste them. Wakame makes great sushi.

I especially loved the "Bentley Roll" - I would put this roll, topped with a slice of jalapeno pepper, as "Japan meets Mexico". It was delicious and so so different tasting! It is also served with a special dipping sauce. Unique.

Service was relatively prompt for freshly crafted and rolled sushi, and the atmosphere inside the restaurant I would call "electric" - lively and fun. And did I say crowded? Make reservations next time, I said to myself.

I would highly recommend Wakame for the delicious and well-prepared sushi, rolls, sashimi, gyoza (I had one order of this, too), Japanese beer and sake offerings, and the overall atmosphere in the restaurant. Super fun night!! Next time, I will for sure make a reservation, and well before the 6 pm deadline for the discounted prices. And I will also have some rice and miso soup to make the night perfect! See my photos of the night.

ADDENDUM: I returned with a good friend last night to Wakame. I wanted to try it out again! Still earns my 5-star rating, for sure! It wasn't as crowded as it was the first time I went here, sushi was incredible, the Bentley again lived up as my "fav" of the night, and the service was spot-on. I love the atmosphere of the place, the soft, great vibe music, and the feel of Wakame. Someday, I'll take a woman...

• DISRESPECT, DISCRIMINATION, AND A LOST CAKE! *

We went to this restaurant to celebrate a family member’s birthday. My brother-in-law brought a special $80 cake and asked the owner to bring it out after our meal. When we finished eating and asked about the cake, we were shocked to find out it had been given to another table by mistake.

The owner apologized, but it felt far from sincere. At first, he only offered $100 off the bill — essentially telling us our time and the ruined celebration were only worth $20 beyond the price of the cake. My brother-in-law requested $150 instead, and after some back-and-forth, the owner finally agreed to give a $150 gift card — but then refused to let us use it on the bill.

What made this worse was the dismissive attitude. When I pointed out that this situation wouldn’t have been handled this way if we were a white family, the owner got defensive and then said, in a tone that felt incredibly patronizing, “But I gave you $250 off!” — referencing both the $100 off and the $150 gift card.

First of all, why are you complaining about giving $250 off when you're wearing a Rolex and a Louis Vuitton belt? Second, don’t insult us by announcing a dollar amount like we can’t do math. And finally — the amount isn’t the issue. The real problem is how poorly the situation was handled and how little value was placed on making things right for us as customers.

My brother-in-law even asked for a modified receipt so he could still tip the server based on the original total — because she didn’t do anything wrong and wasn’t even aware of what had happened. But the owner refused to do that, essentially taking money out of the server’s pocket, too. That part really upset me — not only did he mess up our celebration, but he also affected his own staff’s income because of his mistake. That’s just wrong.

We didn’t get to enjoy our special cake. The offer to buy another one meant nothing because it wasn’t the same and we didn’t have time to wait around. The entire interaction left us feeling disrespected, dismissed, and frankly, discriminated against.

My family and I will NEVER be coming back to this restaurant based on this handling of this situation and the very little of accountabily...