Red Lantern Sushi Bar

I cannot wait to come here again (especially when prepared to).
We stopped in not knowing that a reservation was required. This place is tiny and waiting for a table can be a little awkward. When you arrive with no reservation be prepared to get some sass. (They should really put a sign on the door…)
Nevertheless we were seated in less than half an hour.
Menus are hand written so it’s my deduction that it changes often.
I can’t recall exactly what we had but I know the sushi was phenomenal. Made on the spot and made to order. Next time we go we really need to sit at the bar to watch them work.
We also had what I believe was agedashi tofu (silken tofu in broth). It was amazing. So amazing that I tried to copy it at home the next day! Inspiring.
I want to give 5 stars but I was a little uncomfortable about the way we were greeted. Next time we will go after saving our pennies and dressing snazzy.

This is the best sushi in the Twin Cities, and I would argue one of the best in the world, after traveling the world on an expense account.
The sashimi with Fatty Tuna, Tuna, and Salmon Belly was as fresh as it gets. Toro, Maguro, and Sake Harasu in Japanese. The slow roasted pork from the kitchen was so good, I drank the broth like soup, after chowing down on the meat.
Small and friendly, like being part of the family. I usually only write reviews for places I find to be consistently awesome after 20 years in the restaurant business. Now that they opened up in Saint Paul, I won’t have to spend so long driving up north to get their amazing snacks.

Blown away.
I was amazed by the sushi at Red Lantern! Super fresh, more fresh than any other place I’ve had in Minnesota and I will definitely be returning.
My husband and I were seated almost immediately in the dimly lit, intimate space, despite having no reservations and rolling in on a whim at 6:45PM on a Friday night. The waitress warned us that they had a party coming in at 8PM so we’d have to book it, but that was fine, since we had to run and catch a film afterward.
The pair of us decided on the sashimi platter, gyoza, and a bowl of ramen to share.
Gyoza: 6 pieces, served in a bowl of sauce, sprinkled with green onions. They were crisp and savory and I liked them just fine.
Ramen: good with perfectly cooked noodles and a salty, rich broth. Not worth the $ 17 price tag, in my opinion, but still good. I’m glad we gave it a whirl.
Sashimi: Incredible, considering it’s Minnesota and I’ve always been skeptical about exactly how «fresh» sushi can ever actually be. There were 6 or 7 different cuts of fish on our platter but I only remember a few, which I’ll try my best to describe here: salmon — which was beautifully pink and tender, tuna — which was violet in color and rich in taste, octopus — poached in sake and a nice addition to the platter, and, of course, the shake toro — generously sliced and white in color yet nearly translucent, the slices were near to butter in my mouth. My mouth is filling with saliva remembering!!!
Will definitely be returning! WTG, Red Lantern!

Best Sushi bar/​restaurant in the Twin Cities by leaps & bounds. They just purchased the failing Fuji Ya in downtown St. Paul & I guarantee this place will be voted best sushi in the TC by Minneapolis/​St. Paul Magazine & City Pages too. This place is the benchmark all other sushi restaurants should be judged against! Fantastic & unique creations. Try it, you won’t be disappointed!

Spoiler alert! Best sushi currently in the metro area.
Here’s the plan. Get the cheapest sake on the menu, chilled. Sippy sippy. Find out what they still have for fish. Order a little sashimi and a couple rolls. Don’t forget about that egg shiz too. Tobago? Whatever. Get it. It’s all silky and smooth and delicious. You’ll be ruined for sushi anywhere else, so you might as well blow your paycheck. More sippy sippy. Ask for for a chef’s special roll. Welcome to heaven. Tip big.
Make reservations or prepared to be told to go away until later. If your little kitten feelings are hurt by curse words and not getting your ass kissed, this might not be the place for you. Which is probably for the best. More room for me.

The best and freshest sushi I’ve had in the tri-​state area. The restaurant is small, the vibe is cool. They only take reservations but while we were dining g, 8 heard h saying they may take first come first served. Have them make a margarita roll for you.

My wife and I came here for a night away from the kid. We both are fond of good sushi (not the all u can eat variety) and since Red Lantern has been receiving glowing reviews and had some great press we thought we’d try it out. Admittedly so, we arrived with high expectations. We were greater by the chef behind the sushi bar who asked if we had a reservation, when we said yes and gave our name he said great you can sit anywhere but unfortunately the sushi bar is reserved. A little bummed but we chose a corner table tucked off to the side. It took a good 5−10minutes for our sever to come by the table and when she did the first thing she said was «oh I had this other table ready for you but I guess this will be fine», now that’s fine and I’m sure we threw her off by sitting at a different table but the restaurant was maybe half full and we had been told to sit anywhere so it just set an odd tone to the rest of the service. Our server then explained the menu was hand written to be fresh but also that it was currently out of date, which struck me as odd, they apparently have had a hard time keeping up with the increased business. They were out of stock on three menu items and I heard the chef calling counts on a couple others as we were deciding. We ended up choosing to start small with two rolls and the fried rice. After ordering we had roughly a 20minute wait for our food. I wouldn’t say that’s too long but given the small amount of food I saw leave the kitchen it could have been much faster. During this time we could here the chef/​owner talking with customers. They asked him about the recent press and he basically said «I can barely stay awake, we’ve been too busy» then proceeded to tell multiple customers how hard it was to be so busy in a way that sounded like a complaint. I couldn’t believe I was actually hearing a business owner complain about business being too good. We decided at that point we would let the chef rest and take our business elsewhere after our first round.
Now for the actual food.
The sushi was good, it had great fresh flavor and the fish itself was actually the star of each roll. We had the create your own rolls (choose filling and topping) but what was weird was two out of the six pieces didn’t have the fish topping and instead had avocado, we both like avocado so fine, but it felt like either a cost saving move or an inventory saving move, either way came off as cheap. The fried rice was ridiculously tasty even if lobster + bacon is really hard to mess up, still nicely done.
Pricing was an issue though. We’ve had worse sushi for more and better sushi for less but in my opinion the prices here are much too high. We ended up paying $ 70 for two drinks, two rolls (6pcs) and the rice and left still hungry. Now I’m ok with those prices if the service and atmosphere make it worth while but that’s just not the case here. Also, portions were very small. $ 17 for what amounts to a side dish of fried rice is not a good value even if it is delicious. $ 15 for pork ramen? $ 10 for potstickers? I just can’t see this place succeeding with prices that high in any area with competition but since it’s location doesn’t have any they seem to feel the high prices will be paid.
Overall we just won’t be back because we didn’t feel we got value from both the service and food and would rather go to a place that appreciates their customers (regular AND new) and being busy.
Two stars because the food was decent but not good enough to save this customer’s experience.

Apparently they just got written up in some paper in Chicago, apparently the owner/​sushi chef’s favorite fish is a very rare golden eye red snapper, apparently Wei (sp?)the other owner (?) makes the best rice…
I know all of this because instead of making sushi, the chef’s were talking, a lot!
We arrived at 7 ish on a Friday night. We waited 10 or so minutes for a table, not bad considering we were a walk in on a Friday night. We then waited another 10 or so minutes to be acknowledged by a server. Yes, they were busy. Not busy enough to not notice us. In fact, at one point, the owner took a pause from his storytelling to point us out to a server who was just standing there.
We ordered drinks and food at the same time, since we’d been sitting there, you know?
We then proceeded to wait. And wait. And wait.
From what I could tell, the owner is a very skilled, knowledgeable, charming chef… who likes to tell everyone about it. I watched as he chatted up regulars (and fed them even though they entered long after us). I watched as he ever so eloquently delivered food to tables… why? I’m not sure. There were capable servers. And from what I could tell he was the only one making sushi.
After waiting over an hour (after we had ordered) for food (we ordered 2 rolls and 2 pieces of nigiri) with no food, no refill on drinks no check in AT ALL from our «server», the owner finally arrived with our food.
I was pumped, I was starving… it was the wrong order. We dropped a $ 10 for our beer and walked out.
I really wanted to like this place. I live in walking distance and was super excited for future date nights! I heard such good things. I will never know because I will not return. My suggestion? Stop talking about how great you are and show us. Train your servers. I may not have been a «regular» and I definitely won’t be now. As your new place opens in the Twin Cities (I heard you talking about that too!) keep these things in mind. And good luck.

We make this our first stop every time we visit from Atlanta! Hands down the best sushi we’ve ever had. Jordan guides us every step of the way to complete sushi bliss. Tonight the wine was Rioja and has a unique story. The fish is the freshest I’ve ever had and the unique toro is pure butter deliciousness! Fun and inventive rolls including one with pumpkin. The sea urchin is amazing! Our final roll, the Richie Rich, was our favorite — made of toro. Thank you Jordan for a memorable evening! We hope to see you in July :-)

This place is so fricken awesome. Great food. Super rad staff. And the best sake. Definitely go there.

Don’t pay attention to the review with woman complaining about not having a kids menu !!! This place is fantastic. I have been to some of the best sushi establishments in the country and this was the best. The quality of the sushi was outstanding but that is just one part of the experience. The staff was incredibly friendly and experienced. If your looking for cheap all you can eat sushi this is not the place for you. If you are looking for the best… Well you found it and won’t be disappointed and if you are then you don’t have the taste for the finer things in life.

I was told by a friend that we had to check this place out. He said that it was the best sushi he’s ever had in the whole metro area. He was absolutely right. The fish is of high quality and the prices are comparable to other higher end sushi places. The atmosphere is cozy. This is now for sure my go to sushi bar.

Great food, but I have to say it’s way overpriced. A sushi roll with perhaps six pieces for $ 15? I counted it all up, maybe 15 pieces of sushi for $ 50. Sorry but for those prices I should have gotten a back rub with it.

Sushi in White Bear Lake? You have to be kidding…5 star sushi in White Bear Lake? Not happening right?
Not so at this little gem.
This place is amazing. Some of the best Sushi in the Twin Cities. My wife and I split 2 rolls (1 caterpillar and 1 spicy tuna) and both were outstanding. Super fresh fish, great flavor. We also had the lobster bacon fried rice which was easily the best fried rice I’ve ever had.
Regarding environment this isn’t some flashy fusion bar, but I’m ok with that as the food stands on its own. This is a nice quiet, quaint restaurant where you can bring your significant other and have a conversation.
Price was right on. Not cheap… but honestly who wants cheap sushi anyway. In my experience you pay for it one way or the other.
I’ll definitely be returning.

So, this place. I am nearly lost at words for how awesome this place is. Once again, I decided to go to Unilocal for my choice in where should I go eat. We wanted sushi, so I was looking for some place other than Osaka and other places that are frequented plenty. Then we stumbled across this gem. It was like… when Sailor Moon discovered that she was the moon princess. Or when peanut butter met jelly. A match just made in heaven.
Now, we didn’t know that we were there when we had driven past. Though after opening up the door we wet cautious, we just saw a curtain… it felt like one of those quiet scenes in horror movies. Then we stepped through… –break into song– (Break On Through To the Other side!)
Anywho, we stepped inside, and it was like we went through a portal. We were greeted in Japanese by the sushi chef who was in the middle of the whole store. Inside the place is small, but that makes sense the more you learn about the art of sushi. It makes sense that to have one sushi chef, he cannot hand roll and make sushi for you if the place is huge!
We were informed to grab a seat where ever and the wait staff will be with us in a moment.
Now here was the point where I was happy. Hand written menus. Therefore, the food that they bring in, that they order. Is fresh. They make their menu according to what is in season, to what is available and fresh. (Not to mention delicious.)
The wait staff helped me pick out a sake to drink as well. Since I have actually never had it before and just turned of legal age.
We ordered sautéed scallops, the futa maki roll (fat roll), and a spicy tuna.
The scallops were big and fresh. Gosh you could taste the freshness. The futa maki roll was huge. And filled, and I mean filled with all these different kinds of fish. (Now usually you’re suppose to be able to eat sushi in one bite. No. this deserved three… not to mention I don’t think there is a mouth big enough for this roll in one bite… unless if you want to be rude, of course)
The best thing about this place, they can tell you where all the fish were from. Now that is what I call quality. Yes, it did cost me a pretty penny.
It was about 65 dollars without tip (forgot to mentioned my partner ordered a ramune.)
But we did tip out our waitstaff and the sushi chef.
Bottom Line: Quality sushi, that is fresh and different than the mainstream Osaka and etc. This is an experience.
NOTE: Not great for large groups as this store is small for a reason.

I have had my share of sushi, both locally (Mpls/​StP) and around the country… but I have found the new heavyweight champ! FRESH, FRESH, FRESH!
Dinner on a Wednesday night, not very crowded at around 6PM, a nice surprise and especially this small, hidden on a main street, gem only holds about 50 people.
Staff is EXCELLENT! Knowledgeable, personable, funny, offer right on suggestions and just plain seem to enjoy their job.
Had pot stickers (homemade), ginger asparagus, spicy tuna roll, and then we got into the «house specialties»…simply the best rolls I’ve ever had.
Even with the drive, I will zoom past West suburban and downtown sushi places to make my way to White Bear from now on to get my sushi fix!

5 FREAKIN STARS
We had dinner at Red Lantern on Sat. We *almost* didn’t though because the place is TINY and was mostly full when we arrived and there were some tables allegedly reserved (even though the website states «first come first served»), but we stood in indecision long enough for someone at the sushi bar to finish up. SUCCESS!
We went with the potstickers, spicy salmon roll, and everything on the «Chef Recommends» part of the menu. Your reaction to that is probably the same as the waiter’s: «Seriously?!» In our defense, the portions here are rather small, and my boyfriend’s appetite is not.
Anyways, everything we had was absolutely delicious. Highlights were the ramen (amazing broth, the only ramen I’ve ever loved) and tuna flight (five different cuts of melt in your mouth sashimi tuna). And when I ate a piece my boyfriend wanted, the chef (Jordan) fixed him up a replacement. He noticed it wasn’t on the bill and Jordan’s response was «I won’t make you pay for what she did to you!»
Red Lantern treated us to the best meal we’ve had in awhile. Highly recommended. Just be prepared to wait. And enjoy yourself if you’re lucky enough to get a seat or table in this fancy hole in the wall. Otherwise, takeout is probably your best bet.

Always wondered what was inside of this intriguing little store front.
A real local gem is the answer.
Our chef suggestions were excellent (top cut tuna and salmon belly)
We received fun education on etiquette while the chef shared a beer with us
This is a small, personal dining experience
Don’t show up here if you want a 60 inch flat screen distracting you with college football.
Good conversation, excellent sushi, and locally brewed beer in a quaint environment: an easy choice to return again soon.

Found this place last year for Christmas and I was told by the owner/​chef he would not be on Unilocal.But a year later and here we are, first off I love everything about this place from the sake to delicious eel I had before devouring the tuna and the salmon. The beers they had I’ve never tried and enjoyed drinking as I was frozen and needed to be unthawed. White Bear is an awesome place to visit and this place will definitely see me around the holidays when olé Rick comes to visit!

What a cute little place! I adore everything about this restaurant: food, space, staff and one bathroom. I am amazed by their fresh sushi. We ordered a specialty roll from the chef and he took the time to present us the dish. Sometime you don’t see the actual chef come over to the table and talk. That’s why they get 4 stars… Also, we got fresh WASABI! It tasted a little different but something to try if you haven’t. Their appetizer oysters are to die for. I don’t know what they put in there but it was de-​liciiiiiouuuusssly yummy!
The place is very tiny, you could hear what people say next to you. Their bathroom is clean and cute. The atmosphere is welcoming. The little weird thing about this place is the two arcade games they have. Seriously they should remove them, no need to put them there. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable with the hand-​written menu (yes, hand-written.pretty cool!)
Red Lantern is a small restaurant I would suggest to make reservations. It is a little expensive. I noticed the customers here are from mid 30’s and plus, now that is something on a Saturday night… maybe the location is in White Bear Lake and no one wants to drive out here for great sushi:)
(Free parking lot)