Dining Out

Asuka shares space with the Chinese restaurant, Noodle Town, giving diners the option of Chinese food, hibachi, or sushi. Chefs become showmen at their hibachi stations, tossing knives and spatulas, flipping bits of food into diners’ mouths. Hibachi entrées come doused in a soy-based sauce, along with a trio of condiments on the side including the popular yum-yum sauce. Sushi is reliable with a variety of standard and specialty rolls available. Prices: Appetizers $4-9, sushi rolls $8-15, sushi combos $12-23, hibachi $14-21, noodles and entrées $11-17 Hours: Mon-Th 11 am-10 pm Fri-Sat 11 am-11 pm Sun 11:30 am-10 pm Bar: Beer, wine Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: No

This oversize Japanese restaurant on Bloomington’s west side is split into hibachi and sushi zones. Choose hibachi for a bit of dinner theater. Skilled chefs prepare meals with plenty of fire and steam, fun for kids and groups. Sushi options range from basic avocado rolls to the fiery Heart Attack, a tempura fried jalapeno filled with spicy tuna and cream cheese. Other specialties include noodle soups, tempura, and katso, deep-fried pork or chicken cutlets. The seemingly eclectic decor is full of knotty wood paneling and longhorn upholstery, reflecting the restaurant’s former life as a steakhouse. Prices: Appetizers $3.95-8.95, sushi $5.95-15.95, hibachi $15.95-23.95, entrées $8.95-13.95 Hours: Mon-Tue 4-10 pm Wed-Th 11 am-10 pm Fri-Sat 11 am-11 pm Sun 11 am-10 pm Bar: Beer, wine Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: No

Great Wall’s extensive buffet offers dozens of Chinese favorites. To start, hot and sour soup is particularly good, as are pan-fried chicken and pork dumplings dunked in a scallion soy dipping sauce. Seafood, chicken, and vegetarian options are all plentiful. A variety of sushi rolls are available as well. The dessert bar has a soft serve machine with rotating ice cream and frozen yogurts. Top with popping boba, fun tapioca balls that burst when eaten. An attached Asian market is packed to the brim with reasonably priced noodles, sauces, and frozen delicacies. Prices: Lunch buffet $7, dinner buffet $11, appetizers $1.50-6.95, entrées $7.95-13.95 Hours: Mon-Th 11 am-9:30 pm Fri-Sun 11 am-10 pm Bar: Beer, wine Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: No

Housed in the former Ryan’s buffet hall, Mr. Hibachi puts on a massive buffet spread and the crowds line up to fill up. Staff replenish empty dishes like clockwork and move diners through efficiently without making them feel rushed. Buffet fixtures like crab rangoon and General Tso’s style crispy chicken are abundant, along with Japanese offerings in miso soup and a variety of sushi rolls. Standouts include vibrant garlicky green beans and filets of peppery-sauced white fish. For a more personalized meal, fill a plate with noodles, raw meat, and veggies then head to the hibachi station where the chef will stirfry your food while you wait. Hibachi and buffet are both included in the price, no need to choose. Prices: Lunch $7.95, dinner $11.29 Hours: Lunch Mon-Sat 11 am-3 pm, dinner Mon-Th 3-9:30 pm Fri-Sat 3-10:30 pm Sun 11 am-9:30 pm Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: No

At this one-stop Asian restaurant, choose from Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Korean, and Vietnamese options. The sushi menu is extensive, with rolls to fit any budget. Bento boxes allow for variety; try one with sashimi, tempura, and a California roll. The contemporary dining room is full of cozy, private booths. Prices: Appetizers $4-7, specialty rolls $10-15, entrées $7-13 Hours: Mon-Wed 11 am-10 pm Th-Sat 11 am-11 pm Sun noon-10 pm Bar: Beer, wine Credit Cards: Visa, MC Outdoor Seating: No

On East 3rd Street, at the edge of campus, Restaurant Ami serves a menu of Korean and Japanese specialties. Peppery beef bulgogi and colorful bibimbap are just a few of the Korean options. Much of Ami’s lengthy menu is devoted to Japanese items such as rice bowls, soba and udon noodles, and tempura. But the main attraction is clearly the sushi. On any given day you’ll find most tables filled with sushi and sashimi. Choose a combo of classic rolls or order one of the fun chef’s special rolls. Prices: Appetizers $3.95-8.95, sushi $8-15, entrées $7-10 Hours: Mon-Fri 11 am-10 pm Sat-Sun noon-10 pm Bar: Beer, wine Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access Outdoor Seating: Yes

There’s karaoke on weekends at Sushi Bar, which offers regular $1 sushi specials. The Birthday Roll includes tempura shrimp, eel, spicy shrimp, avocado, and crab. Prices: Sushi $2.75-15, appetizers $3.50-6.99, entrées $2.99-29.99, desserts $1.99-4.99 Hours: Lunch Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2:30 pm, dinner Mon-Th 4:30-10 pm Fri-Sat 4:30-11 pm Sun noon-10 pm Bar: Beer, wine, sake Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: No

Teriyaki is tops at this compact restaurant in the heart of downtown. Hefty portions of teriyaki chicken and beef are dished up with lo mein or rice and a side of cabbage and broccoli. Sushi is popular too; all the greatest hits are available individually or as combos. With just three tables and a bar, service is brisk and food is ready to eat in no time. Open late on weekends. Prices: Teriyaki $5-8, sushi rolls $4-15, noodle soups $10-12 Hours: Sun-Wed 10:30 am-10:30 pm Th-Sat 10:30 am-3:30 am Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: Yes