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Minneapolis

Azia Restaurant

  • 2550 Nicollet Avenue South
    Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404
    (612) 813-1200
karameister
First Reviewer
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews

Azia

  • November 26, 2025
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Sharon Ramirez from Minneapolis, Minnesota
Its website states: Reimagine fusion! Asian spice meets Minnesota Nice! As one critic states, "Sacred Asian art meets James Bond chic." Let Chef and Owner, Thom Pham, take you on a culinary adventure.

I went with relatives from NYC and my husband and young child for an early evening dinner on a Saturday night after Thanksgiving. The place was fully booked from about 6:30pm that night until after 10pm, reservations are recommended.

The atmosphere was "hip" but not uncomfortably so. We had three appetizers 1) tuna carpaccio - which was good. The tuna was very fresh -the mango sauce underneath it was skimpy but good. 2) Malaysian skewers - was so, so - the chicken was a bit dry for my taste although my 3 yr old thought it was yummy and the peanut sauce was ordinary. 3) The crab cakes were very good. Lots of crab-not much filler- a contrast to many other places that serve them. The breading was light.

After those starters, we had oysters on the half shell - blue point and kumamoto (the "champagne of oysters") served with three sauces - and lemon and sea salt. Very fresh. Very good.

For our entrées we had Sukiyaki (nouveau - so more spicy than traditional) and Spicy Lettuce Wraps. Both good...well presented, generously portioned and flavorful/spicy. I especially liked the shitake mushrooms in the Sukiyaki.

We also shared a sticky sweet rice/fresh mango dessert drizzled with a sweet coconut milk. A perfect light finish.

Our waitress was absolutely wonderful. She was very knowledgeable, accommodating and cheerful.

From journal Minneapolis Hometown

Azia Restaurant

  • February 20, 2025
  • Rated 2 of 5 by karameister from Saint Paul, Minnesota

Much like its name suggests, Azia is an awkward experience. Really, it is like three places in one, Azia is the main restaurant, but it also houses the Anemoni sushi bar, and Caterpillar lounge.



There are three separate exit doors, for each individual section of Azia, but the only entrance leads you through the main restaurant. When we tried to get in, it seemed like every smoker in the greater metro area was huddled within five feet of the door, which made it an even tighter squeeze. Plus diners get jostled when someone enters to grab some sushi or a drink.



With that unpleasantness out of the way, Azia is actually quite good for sushi and drinks. Anemoni has some of the best, most entertaining sushi chefs I've seen. The crunchy rolls are to die for, and there's no shortage of fresh fish around. There are at least 50 different types of sushi to try, and the atmosphere in Anemoni is both upscale and relaxed.



Many of the drinks here are on the expensive side, but Azia has a half-priced happy hour. They have a wide selection of sake, as well as a few original mixed drinks. The mixers do not go well with sushi, though!



After a bite to eat, avoid the Caterpillar Lounge at all costs. It's overcrowded, the DJ doesn't spin a great mix, and it looks like a sleazy pick-up joint. It's a good thing the lounge is separated almost entirely from the rest of the complex by the cute bathrooms, otherwise I wouldn't go back.



Overall, if you're looking for a hip night, where you won't feel out of place, Azia is the place to go. Try the restaurant or the sushi bar, but steer clear of the Caterpillar lounge. Visit the Azia website for a taste of the menu.

From journal Becoming an Uptown Hipster

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