Wasabi’s Sushi & Asian Bistro

This is unfortunate. Hopefully just one of those off days, maybe. An annoyance, none the less, when you have that primal sushi urge swelling deep inside your gut. I love being able to fulfill this craving with tasty fish and good company. Wednesday, the 4^th of January 2012 was not destined to be my fulfilling evening with tasty fish, however good company is all I keep.
To start with, this experience began as an attempt to redeem a gift certificate, and I can say I am happy I no longer have it.
We arrived early evening and the restaurant had only one other patron seated at the sushi bar. We asked for a table and were seated courteously and quickly. After getting some tea and miso, the prompt waitress informed us that if we wanted to redeem our gift certificate (one all-​you-​can-​eat dinner) that we would have to sit at the sushi bar. After we were perplexed and asked if that was mandatory or if they could make an exception due to the fact that we were seated with drinks and apps on the table, the waitress said she would ask her manager. When she came back, she didn’t even mention what the managers response was. At this point, I’m getting the «why do I care» vibe from the waitress. When we asked about the manager’s response for our request, we were informed that that was policy and that they «Didn’t have the staff to maintain quality control» or some very similar jargon we interpreted as «We don’t trust you to not share and finish all of your rice without the supervision of the chef at the bar» kind of excuse. Again, empty restaurant, minimum of four thumb twiddling staff repeatedly wiping down bar stools at an empty bar, plenty of foot soldiers to enforce the eating doctrine. We moved so I could redeem the certificate. –1
The Sushi was decent, most of it. One of the nuances of sitting at the bar is that you have the opportunity to see the masters at work. Or, as in this case, two stooges. The one Japanese chef with the extreme mullet had a disturbing habit of leaving the fish cases wide open and the raw fish inside open to the potentially pathogenic atmosphere. –1
The all-​you-​can-​eat menu is watered down to a «why bother trying to get creative» level. I ordered two rolls, but was fiercely told by my mullet loving friend that he would make the Fuji Mountain Roll and I would order another when I was finished with the first. I almost wanted to kamikaze this guys face. No fun in the forecast. –1
Fuji Mountain Roll was delish. Roll #2 was now changed to Hamachi Nigiri and four generous pieces were slid my way. Slightly fishy flavor dominated my palate so I’m thinking go back to the cooked rolls. Par for Nevada sushi. Happy Roll was junk. Supposed to be salmon and eel. Tasted like undercooked tempura dough and rice with seaweed undertones. I ate two painfully agonizing bites and threw in the towel. –2
My two companions had dishes they described as «good» and I will take their word for it.
I decided to speak to the manager to express my thoughts and she was very receptive, offering to comp an appetizer. +1
After declining that offer, we made our way out, unsatisfied, not knowing if the food we consumed would give us any stomach upset greater than our disappointment with the experience. Will not be going back, but don’t take my word for it. Give it a try, I hope you have better luck.

Man was this place going downhill! Luckily everything turned around with the new owener and it is amazing! Sushi chefs make you special creations if you can’t decide on a roll, fish is fresh and melts in your mouth, and everyone is super friendly. Definite must try if you’re in theMinden area.

We came by on my birthday, and boy was this a pleasant reminder of how great this place can be.
Armando is back after being away for a long time. We had first met him when they were working at the Daly Scoop, when it was the first sushi spot in Minden.
We had the all you can eat lunch, told him to make whatever he wanted for us, and it was just fantastic.
We will definitely be back, and it is great to be able to consider this fine establishment when we consider our local dining options.

With the guys from work eating Sushi. One of the guys I am here with his son-​in-​law owns the place. He just assumed ownership and this is his second day open. All I got to say is this-​is-​the-​best-​sushi-​ever.
I will be back.

This is a restaurant we usually visit on our annual trip to Minden. Not sure if we will return. There were 9 of us this time. The food was good, not fabulous, and fairly priced. However, service was very slow for the non-​sushi type orders, like the broccoli beef dinner, which was served when most of the rest us us were finishing.
Also, they were out of sake, and also out of vodka. Really? How can a bar be out of vodka? The owner arrived when we were almost finished, with sake to restock the bar.
Again, decent food, but poor service from the kitchen.

This is my second bad experience here in a couple months. We used to love this place. They used to have really good Phad Thai, and the rolls were wonderful and prepared with elegance.
Now they put rolls on a plate. The Phad Thai tasted like dishwater. It’s cooked rice noodles with some vegetables thrown in. The service was also subpar. I am sorry this place has deteriorated since we lived here in town and this was a special restaurant for our family. Don’t know if they have a new owner or what, but I am done with them now.
So if you want to pay top dollar for mediocre food, this is the place for you.

Been going for over five years over which time it’s gone from good to two star cheapness. For a few minutes more driving you can get first class sushi at Naked Fish in South Lake AND a locals discount. And as much as I like the servers and sushi ‘chefs’ there, they’ve gotten our order wrong 5 out of the last 5 times we’ve been there and we order almost the same things every time!

Went here about a month ago and it was arond 7:30 pm… 2 people at the bar and one family sitting down. i ordered my food to go. It took over an hour ton get my food!!! i ordered a chicken rice bowl and crystal shrimp. The shrimp came out 25 minutes before the main dish cme out!!! The service was poor. The waitress was running around doing i don’t know seeing has there was hardly anyone there. When it came time to get my food ;some employee who ws of duty came in and tried to cut in front of me! I won’t be back until I hear better, almost an hour for my food and poor service and my ood waas cold and blah… I come from Hawaii so i know what sushi is supposed to taste like… not some mexicans probably working for low pay and goofing off in the kitchen puttin there spin on Sushi.

This place is so good I am willing to drive from the Bay Area, CA all the way to Minden, NV just to have sushi at Wasabi’s! This is the first place a had sushi! Its my allll time favorite!

I went to this place on a Monday for all-​you-​can-​eat sushi, and they were out of half of the kinds of fish I’d ordered! So I ordered some nigiri and rolls out of my remaining choices, and one of the rolls came with cream cheese (which I HATE in sushi). I double-​checked the roll description on the menu, and cream cheese was not listed as an ingredient. Sushi restaurants — please please please let us know if something as disgusting as cream cheese is included on any roll. Additionally, some of the nigiri I ordered (tuna/​albacore) had an off texture — like it was about to fall apart, in a bad way. And there was too much rice with the nigiri. To top it off, the sushi chef didn’t even look over at us several times when we were trying to order additional rolls, although the place was practically empty, and he was wearing a very dirty hat. Unappetizing. Will not be going back.

Good sushi. Service was slow but overall good place

This place has an extensive list of creative sushi rolls that a sushi lover of any degree could fully enjoy. The sushi chefs are very creative willing to make you a custom roll or even surprise if you may wish. The pricing is just over $ 20.00 for all you can eat which is a little steep but they more than make up for it with their quality sushi. I highly recommend Chef Lee!

I visit the Carson Valley Area frequently, if you are in the mood for some sushi then this is your best overall option.
The Sushi quality overall is decent, the service is decent. The only complaint that I have is that the sushi has 2 times the amount of rice per roll. The reason I think for this is too fill you up obviously so you eat less of the good stuff i.e. fish.

Americanized for sure but food is good. Service was a little out of whack last night, but I’ve eaten here a dozen or so times and food has always been consistently good. We contributed to the confusion with some wanting all you can eat and some not. (Can’t have all you can eat unless you sit at the bar itself).
I’ll go back, but I’ve got to let my cholesterol level get back down from too much fried ingredients in the rolls.

The last few times eating here were awful. The fish stinks, they mess up on everything. Try Kei Sushi in Carson City or Naked Fish in Tahoe.

Phenomenal Sushi! Something for everyone’s taste. Very creative Sushi menu, as well as many other Japanese dishes. Very clean and nice atmosphere. A BIG added plus is the price… You CAN’T beat their prices. I’m not the biggest Sushi connoisseur, but I’ve been to enough Sushi Bars that I know good and bad Sushi, and this is the best I’ve eaten so far. If you live in or near Minden, NV, or just visiting, you must try this place!

Sushi outside of any coastal city is usually not a gamble I’m willing to take, so when my bro, a local, suggested we go, I was apprehensive to say the least.
When we arrived and I learned it was around $ 20.00 for all you can eat sushi, I wanted to make a run for the door.
I’m so glad I didn’t, because Wasabi’s has some incredible sushi. Keep in mind that I’m a sushi aficionado, having eaten at some of the best restaurants in LA and SF. I’m not saying that this is the same experience, but I was never the less impressed. These guys specialize in rolls, and while I’m more of a sashimi fan, I love their rolls!
The predominately Latino sushi chefs use their imagination and skills to create some truly one of a kind rolls, infused with such non-​traditional ingredients as jalapenos, mangoes, cream cheese, and strawberries.
The menu is extensive, and you can feel free to order anything you can dream up, but I prefer to allow the chefs to surprise me, and they always do. Some of my favorite roles include «Godzilla», the «Pink Lady», and «Monkey Brains» (not on the menu, just order it!)
I’ve only ordered a non-​sushi item on one visit, it was the Teriyaki Salad, and it was delicious. They also offer Tepan Table style dining, and though I have yet to try it, I’ve watched the performance from the sushi bar and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
Wasabi’s also has a full bar, and while it can be crowded on the weekend, we’ve never had to wait too long for a seat at the bar. Once you’re seated the sushi chefs are quick and never leave you wanting for more.
This is a great place to go if you’re passing through Minden on your way to or from Tahoe or Reno as it’s just off 395.