U SHOGUN SUSHI KITCHEN AND BAR — Restaurant in Wendell

I really wanted to love U Shogun Sushi Kitchen and Bar here in Wendell. I live nearby, enjoy Asian cuisine, and hoped this would become my new go-to spot for sushi and hibachi. Unfortunately, my takeout experience was disappointing from start to finish considering the prices and presentation.

I ordered edamame ($8), chicken Pad Thai ($23), beef teppanyaki ($23), a side of fried rice ($6)—because the host didn’t think the teppanyaki came with rice, though it actually does—and a tuna maki hand roll (listed $11). The host was polite and patient but unfamiliar with the menu, which led to unnecessary charges. I still tipped her $10 because she was kind, but it showed a lack of staff training and communication.

When I arrived for pickup, I was told the tuna maki hand roll was supposed to be $12, not $11, and that tuna itself was supposed to have an additional upcharge, though no such pricing is listed anywhere. They didn’t charge me for that upcharge but still charged $12 instead of the printed $11, which doesn’t inspire confidence in menu accuracy. To make things worse, what I received wasn’t even a hand roll—it was a basic tuna roll cut into six or eight pieces with inconsistent tuna portions, as if it were rolled first and then filled afterward.

Food impressions • Edamame ($8): Barely seasoned, small portion, and not worth the price. • Chicken Pad Thai ($23): The sauce was overly sweet—far sweeter than traditional Pad Thai, which should balance sweet, tangy, nutty, and savory flavors from tamarind, lime, fish sauce, and peanuts. The chicken was dry and the dish lacked seasoning or contrast. • Beef Teppanyaki ($23): Cooked well-done without asking for a temperature, leaving it chewy and dry. There was noticeable water pooled in the container. It came with one small cup of yum-yum sauce that was thin, bland, and tasted like something from a fast-food hibachi spot, not an upscale restaurant. I asked for an extra sauce and was told it would be $1.08 for a 1 or 2oz sauce cup. • Fried Rice ($6): Honestly the best item. It had good texture, seemed made from day-old rice, and was lightly seasoned with salt and a splash of soy sauce for color. • White Rice (included): Sticky and properly cooked, clearly rinsed and made correctly—one of the few highlights.

The total came to $77 and change for two people. We ate everything since we were tired and hungry with a newborn at home, but the meal didn’t satisfy or justify its cost. Portion sizes were small, flavors were off, and the overall experience felt rushed and inconsistent.

For comparison, restaurants like Kanki charge similar prices but provide larger portions, consistent quality, and tableside entertainment that justify their cost. U Shogun Sushi Kitchen and Bar offers none of that yet charges nearly the same, which is difficult to justify given the lower quality and smaller portions.

It feels like this restaurant opened before it was ready. The staff need better training and menu familiarity, the kitchen needs improved seasoning and consistency, and management should review pricing and accuracy. The fish quality seemed fine, but execution and presentation were not. The fried rice and white rice were the only things I’d consider ordering again—but even those aren’t enough to bring me back at these prices.

I genuinely hope U Shogun Sushi Kitchen and Bar takes this feedback seriously. Wendell could really use a great Asian and sushi restaurant, and I’d love to support them once they improve. For now, the quality, value, and overall experience simply don’t match the prices or the image...

Updated review- Since the grand opening, I've taken out from U Shogun 2 times. The first time, the food was still amazing but the woman up front was semi rude on a crowded evening when I was waiting for my pick-up order, and the man next to me noticed as well and made mention of it. This second time, I picked up my food and was greeted by the 2 wonderful hostess girls up front who have always been SUPER pleasant! I asked for 1 eel sauce & 1 ponzu sauce and the same woman who was rude before, made mention that I need to pay additional for the sauces. I ended up paying but informed her that out of the other times I've been there (dining in and taking out), no one has EVER charged me. $1 additional fee per sauce (even if you are making it in house) is excessive--especially when they're only half way filled. Not to mention, this time, I also found a hair in my sushi (pictured).

Unfortunately, I will probably take a break from them for a while and go back to Cowfish & O-Ku in Raleigh.

Original review- My mom and I went to U Shogun today for their grand opening and it exceeded my expectations. Not only was the sushi delicious but it was also SUPER fresh! In addition, everyone from our waiter to the owner was incredibly warm, friendly, and welcoming. I WILL be back and I hope they can keep up the quality of the food as it starts to get busier because it definitely WILL get busy! So happy to have a spot like this in Wendell and now I no longer need to travel into Raleigh for sushi, pho, or other Asian cuisine as they have a very...

I had a to-go order for Shrimp Pad Thai and crab wontons. I could tell when I walked out with my order that I was going to be disappointed. The bag was way too light for the $40+ that I spent. I got home, opened the box and almost cursed. The angel hair noodles with 5 shrimp on top was THE DRIEST Pad Thai I have ever had in my life. No sauce, no flavor, not one speck of seasoning. I will say that the crab wontons were good. The only thing stopping me from going back out there to get my money back is the rain. I recognize this is their first week and will give them some grace. But the food has to be worth the price, and tonight they fell way short. I will try again in...