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Minato Sushi Japanese Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Sushi Bars Restaurants Korean Japanese, Sushi Bars, Korean [Edit]
1520 Queen StreetHalifax, NS B3J 2H8
(902) 420-0331
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat 11:30 am - 9 pm
Wed 4:30 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
11 reviews for Minato Sushi Japanese Restaurant
11 reviews in English
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Review from Lori M.
12/6/2011
I am a total Sushi rookie. My only experience with Minato has been an order of California Roll delivered to me by a friend.
I have to say, in my limited experience? That California Roll was the best I have ever had.
I think I will visit and assess the restaurant and other dishes as well. -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
3/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
The picky sushi eater munches. (That would be the title of a film about me, a sushi eater with high expectations) But you know what? Minato, you did alright.
It was a working lunch but we weren't super rushed. Settling in on a mammoth 6 piece Dragon Roll, I found myself battling: in this corner "my knowledge of sushi" versus "my love of sauce." Allow me to elaborate: teriyaki sauce is delicious. It's so good that I would probably allow it to be drenched over most things I want to eat. But it had no real place swimming around on my dish. Tempura, I love you. I really do. But tempura on my BBQ Eel? No, that's just plain wrong. Perhaps I've grown accustomed to my west coast ways, but the tempura batter here had me reeling a little. Luckily, the shrimp was fine and the sliced avocado was a nice touch on top.
But the litmus test? Salmon. My full dragon roaring breath appeared when I asked if the salmon was wild, or if they carried wild salmon, and the server replied that she didn't know, but could ask. If you don't know, I'm betting you don't carry it. In which case, salmon and tuna are off the table for me. Next time, I'll stick to the veggies. And enjoy the music choice!Listed in: Sprinkled With Haligonian…
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Review from b.a. d.
Halifax, NS
6/17/2011 3 photos
Minatos is by far still my favourite sushi place in the city but one or two bad experiences with the service/wait staff have turned all my dinning companions off the location forever. To be fair it was one waitress who had a bad day that spoiled the place for everyone, but the lack of correction and being forced to pay for something they didn't order (and wouldn't eat) leaves everyone sour.
Their tempura can be made vegan by request (make sure you ask them to hold the egg), their salad dressing is a tasty ginger mix that I still crave. They have the best Vegan Dragon Maki in the city, the rolls are fat, dripping with sauce and utterly un-dainty to consume. Their Gyoza are available in vegetable or pork, fried or steamed, Japanese or Korean style.
Convient location, cute decore, really nice layout, however be warned if you are seated upstairs before the upstairs usually opens there seems to be a habit of forgetting you exist.
So if you don't mind waiting and a big of a bigger bill (the dragon roll can easily feed two with an appetizer and is 9.99$) hit it up, and maybe that waitress doesn't work there anymore.
Food 5 Stars
Decore 4 Stars
Service 2 Stars
They also don't have very many larger tables, so you will be seated upstairs if your party exceeds 4 people. But they do have a snazy buisness both you can all dine in.
They have a variety of vegan/vegetarian options outside of the usual sushi bar offerings, all of which are outstanding. Their new menu also includes which items are made with Bonito (nasty fish flakes!), making them easier to avoid. Sadly their miso soup is not vegan, but they offer other Korean and Japanese treats. -
Review from ness y.
Toronto, ON
2/22/2011
Minato gave me faith that Halifax can do better in the sushi department.
Can do... better than the other Halifax joint that brought me to tears.
Can do... better still, but very decent. Friendly service, though understaffed. -
Review from Jene S.
Halifax, NS
10/7/2011
This restaurant is really cute, if a bit cramped in the corners. Most importantly, the sushi is fresh and rolls are enormous. Our server was kind and friendly, and our order (4 rolls) arrived super fast.
I only have one problem, but I think it's a serious one: Kikkoman soy sauce. Really, Minato? You're killing the taste of your awesome rolls with a heavy, salty soy sauce. I know there are probably a lot of people who grew up pouring this stuff on their Minute Rice, and they won't notice or care until they learn the truth of what sushi soy sauce is supposed to taste like, but SOME DAY it's going to happen. And THEN where will you be? What a tragic waste of a beautiful green dragon roll... -
Review from Laura P.
10/14/2010
Minato may close its doors for the month of October, but with a sudden rebirth of sushi desire-- I'll sweat out the wait. Teetering its two-story presence on the upper crust of Queen Street (ooh the sweet line of vintage and clothing boutiques), this spot balances quaint confines with extravagant Japanese + Korean tastings.
My bf and I popped in for a lunch date during his recent Halifax visit-- such relations to a sushi addict had me jumping all around town, awakening a new palate! It was a crisp fall day, and the window seat with a just few other seated patrons made for a relaxed setting. Service was sweet and a little shy, but it was all very becoming. Our gal clearly knew the menu and maintained efficiency as the visit played out.
One Seaweed Salad, ginger house salad, an assortment of sashimi, dragon roll, sweet potato tempura roll, and avocado fix later-- we were both a few steps beyond comfortably full... but with such plate presentation and the YUM factor to back it up, it was difficult to put down the chop sticks. (Regrettably, there were leftovers.)
The sushi here is a bit larger in size than, say, Doraku. Its a little more dramatic and adorned-- so for those who prefer a simpler sushi experience, Minato may not be my first resto recommendation. Its exquisite in experience and taste, so all a matter of preference. A full fledged menu with personal touch, well made selections and an understated spot to dine, I can't wait to return and renew my Minato love.Listed in: The Sushi Experience
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Review from Lacey H.
4/1/2010
I like this little sushi house, nestled discreetly into vintage row on Queen street.
The veggie dragon roll has been a favorite of mine in the past. I don't love it so much these days, perhaps it's the teriyaki sauce that throws me, but I still recommend it for a vegetarian with an appetite.
The service is usually good and it doesn't take too long to get your meal. Their food is fresh and you can most often count on a ripe avocado. Their miso isn't so exciting, but it hits the spot with its salty warmth and little chunks of tofu!
I like the upper area for seating, or else if you're downstairs, sit by the window so you can people watch.
True story: Once Andrew and I were dining here, and the same song played on repeat for 45 minutes. It was an amazingly hilarious experience, especially since the song in question had a bizarre rag-time, horn thing going on. Oh, the memories.
Head on into Minato for some tasty Japanese dishes. Be warned that their hours are wonky, so check to see if they're open before you get your hopes up! -
Review from Ben B.
Right. So if you're looking for the best vegetable dragon maki in town, it's right here. That said, the two-story restaurant is consistently understaffed with only two, sometimes one servers trying to manage the complex orders of sushi. As a result, sometimes service can be slow and bills can be silly. If you're feeling patient, the food is worth it!
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Review from Courtney M.
Halifax, NS
1/29/2010
Generally pretty decent sushi... I liked that this sushi restaurant is in a funky old building. Great date place as it's nice and quiet. Sushi pizza you say? Intriguing. - I'll try that next time i'm in for sure.
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Review from Matthew L.
1/14/2009
Great quality sushi and sashimi. Decent vege options too, and I noticed a lot of vegetarians in the restaurant the Saturday night we were there. Definitely a local trendy hot-spot, out of the way of the tourist bustle. I will definitely go back next time I am in Halifax, but i took off one star for average service... our server seemed... how shall I put it? Pre-occupied...she forgot almost everything we ordered and had to come back every time! So funny. I put it down to a bad day, or a hard night on her part!
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Review from Anna H.
Halifax, NS
1/23/2010
Ate a veggie sushi meal here and was generally pleased with the food and service. It's still odd to me to have white girls serving me my sushi (that would not fly in Vancouver) but the server was just fine. My order was out of the kitchen quite quickly and tasted good. Ingredients seemed fresh - crisp cucumber, nicely textured tofu and not-too-sweet inari. I'd be happy to eat here again.
