Dancing Wasabi

Some of the dishes were dirty. And the staff was disorganized.

Cool place

This business is closed, and I guess it is a good thing… it was ruined at the end!
This used to be my favorite sushi restaurant in town. Personally knowing a former server, it seems that the change in management, along with the fancy restaurant consultant who was hired to improve the restaurant, ruined what used to be a great thing. I guess this is a true case of Karma coming back around since employees were treated so poorly under the new régime. I surely hope that the old management picks up the pieces and starts over somewhere else to bring back a wonderfully successful sushi restaurant.

Dancing Wasabi USED to be my favorite sushi place in town, until it was taken over by new owners. Now, the price is a third of what it used to be. The new chefs apparently don’t know how to make the rolls, and it showed because they were not as flavorful and delicious as they used to be. Definitely disappointed, and will be taking my business elsewhere.

Have always been a big fan and this was always my go-​to sushi place. NO MORE .
Went last night, server was borderline rude and sushi was so small and not well put together at all. Whatever change has happened was definitely not a good one. And what a disappointment to see that the half price sushi is gone. Will start looking for a new sushi favorite ASAP!!!

Let me start off by saying I never write reviews for any restaurant. I work as a server, myself and i dislike bad reviews, but sometimes they need to be heard in hopes that people will actually care about their guests and that something will change.
I have no idea what happened to this place. It HAS to be under new management. The staff is almost completely new (, and clueless.) The Sushi Chefs, are not actual Chefs of any kind, I assure you. We always order the same rolls and have been coming here for a few years now. We make an extra 20 minute drive to come from Northern Kentucky, to go all the way to Dancing Wasabi.
1. There is no longer an extensive list of wonderful «Special Roll» options. There is absolutely no Sushi in the actual menu. The apps, desserts, and entrees look familiar, but then the rest is Wine and a small selection of Beer (which also was normal) As for the Sushi — It’s all on a small white sheet of paper that hardly offers anything we were used to ordering.
2. While we waited for our food, the serving staff/​management ran around singing loudly and laughing about personal stories & jokes. Like I said, I’m a server, I have fun with my coworkers, but not in the Front of House. I just don’t need to hear you screaming right behind my head every time my server walks away from my table.
3. Our food came out quickly. Too quickly. The Sunday Morning Roll (which is supposed to be served hot and fried) felt and tasted disgustingly cold and uncooked on the inside. IT’S THE MOST POPULAR ROLL. (I’m pretty sure.) Even my mom’s Veg. Roll tasted weird. All of the fish tasted uncooked, really. I won’t be surprised if I get food poisoning.
4. I, sadly, no longer feel comfortable eating there, and nothing was *half-​priced* like it used to be. (Hence the popularity and appeal of this place.) The server claimed they are all still half-​priced, and they’re now listed that way. Which I know was bull crap. Our server wasn’t the worst, but you could tell she just started there and honestly had no idea what anything was on the menu.
I will now only go to Cloud 9 & Fusian in Cincinnati.
FIX YOUR ISSUES PLEASE :(
PLEASE fix your issues. This place was once wonderful.

I used to love Dancing Wasabi. Whenever I had a sushi craving this was my first choice, mainly because of the price and how late they’re open. However, my most recent experience has ended all of those happy feelings. It started off like my usual experience (I’ve never been here without a wait), putting our name in and waiting 20 minutes for a table. Per the norm we received friendly, but slow and inattentive service. The real problem was the wait on our food. We were sitting at our table for exactly 45 minutes before I was ready to get up and leave. The waitress assured us that ours was being made then. However, she came back at 15 minutes later and said that it was just now being made, asking for our forgiveness and paitence. I waited, thinking that the sushi I remember would make up for it. But no, it wasn’t the sushi I remember, the rolls were so small, with barely any of the tuna I ordered, my Sunday Morning Roll was over cooked… so off to find a new a venue to satisfy my sushi habit.

It was fine. Found it to be loud, service was lacking (the whole staff seemed «oh too cool» to possibly be in a service industry job) and I was majorly UNDERWHELMED by the sushi choices. From a place that hails itself as having the «best sushi in Cincinnati», I was disappointed.
I was told that they made their menu smaller –which makes sense in a SUSHI restaurant?
Rolls were a little messy and they got the wrong rolls on the wrong plates — so, it was a little bit of a confused clustered mess.
The shrimp fried rice was very delicious BUT not nearly at the heat level that we ordered it. (the second highest — I think 4, out of 5) I don’t profess to be a heat hero but even I didn’t think it was hot!
Just seemed way too trendy but not enough goodness to back it up. I won’t have to go back.

I’m a loyal Dancing customer, gotta love that Sunday Morning roll!
I went in by myself tonight, was greeted by hostesses and asked if I wouldn’t mind a wait. I didn’t mind, if brought a book anyway. They put my phone number into a system that actually texted me when the table was ready. That’s pretty sweet.
I was greeted by a chipper guy in a vest and bow tie. I believe his name was Ben. Very nice server, prompt and observant. He pretty much saves my review.
Unfortunately they’re going through a restructuring of the menu, and let me tell you, don’t get anything spicy. I got the spicy tuna roll — same one I always get, only this time, they’re using real, fresh tuna. Awesome! I thought.
Nope.
They must soak that thing in chili oil. An hour later and I’ve still got heartburn. I couldn’t finish the roll, I had to box it up. Even the hubby at home said it burned, and we both like spicy.
Word of advice loyal Dancing Wasabians — watch out for the spice!!!

For those of you who were a big fan of Dancing Wasabi… Consider it no longer. We used to come here every other weekend. They had an awesome selection of rolls., they were pretty big and the service was good even on a busy night. They have definitely undergone a management change… Although the new management has made some upgrades to the décor, the menu is half the size, rolls are tiny, but it’s more expensive and the service is terrible. They got rid of all the previous staff from what I could tell. The rolls were nothing like they used to be (smaller and not as fresh) and it took 40 minutes to get our food (never once did the waitress check in with us)… Until I spoke with the manager. The manager was cordial and offered us free desserts but it did not make up for the experience. Moral of the story= my friends and I will no longer be coming to Dancing Wasabi.

I used to come here all the time for half-​priced, decent tasting sushi. I hadn’t been back in almost a year until yesterday, and it seems like things have taken a turn for the worse. I don’t know if it’s new management or what, but the portions were absolutely tiny!!! I wanted to laugh and cry simultaneously when I saw my yellowtail scallion roll…6 measly, nearly microscopic pieces of sushi arranged in probably a 3-​inch line on my plate. My «2 Philly rolls» looked about the size of 1 regular roll. Everything still tasted fine, but my bill came out to be a bit over $ 10 and I have to say it was not worth the money, for what amounted to 2 very basic sushi rolls.
What I’d instead recommend if you do come here is ordering off the Special Rolls menu. Apparently those are also half-​off, and they are more substantial for a couple bucks extra. I’d also recommend going to Graeter’s afterwards, because it’s just around the corner, it’s IRRESISTIBLE, and let’s be honest, you’ll probably still have room for dessert.

Half price sushi. Enough said really haha. But no really… The sushi is great. Baked salmon, red double, and spicy lobster rolls are my favorite.
Never had good service once in the several times that I’ve been here.
Love the building the restaurant is in. Really unique.

I’ve had several good meals at the old location with good service. But last night it took forever and all the rolls were sad looking versions of what was described. The pricing (half price all the time) is a stupid annoying insult to anyone’s intelligence. If its always half off its just a typo.
Plenty of other sushi places that don’t rely on gimmicks and have better food.

*first thing* half price is a gimmick but it’s not half priced on take out
My tastes and opinions may not match yours, but this is a great value sushi roll place and here are my recommendations. Enjoy!
spicy special rolls: fire scallop (my absolute favorite)!!!, crazy spicy california, bengal’s (can’t get it anywhere else)
special rolls: red double (very filling), lovely shrimp (i eat this despite my shrimp allergy), dragon/​caterpillar (love eel), snow
good regular rolls (note* none of these are as good as when other sushi places make premium versions*): aac (vegetarian and different texture to mix it up), alaskan, philly, shrimp tempura
nigiri pieces: bbq eel and squid (few places mess those up), tuna/​yellowtail/​salmon (usually one in season and good), toro (good anywhere if they still have it)
rolls i wouldn’t recommend: hot mama, spicy tuna, spider, tempura, volcano (all kind of disappointing/​bad)
Their sushi is such a good deal that the other items on their menu are perhaps a little more than they should be. edamame, shrimp shumai, veg or shrimp&veg tempura, hot sake, and mochi icecream are pretty reasonable but I’d go somewhere else if I didn’t want sushi.

It is a decent place for half price sushi. Don’t expect too much from the variety and quality of rolls to the ambience of the restaurant. I think if they could have packed more seating in the building they would. It’s tighter than you would want, making it hard to have any personal space or conversation. The lighting was too bright. I know, «too bright»? Wait and see. I’m not looking to get a tan. The sushi itself was somewhat fresh. It’s nothing special, your average rolls with average taste. Not a big selection either. Word of advice, ask for refills, napkins, and anything else upfront because you might only get one other chance to ask your server.

The service is slow, yes. And it’s such a big space that sometimes it feels like you’ve been abandoned and left to die in the back area. But I love Dancing Wasabi and it will always have a place in my heart.
Really, it’s two things that set this baby apart. The fact that sushi is half-​priced during excellent hours and that it’s open ridiculously late. Where else can you get amazingly priced sushi until 4am on the weekends? Nowhere, that’s where.
The sushi is always beautifully presented and crafted. It’s not my favourite tasting sushi in Cincinnati but if a late night craving hits, I am happy to be here.
This isn’t a go-​out-​of-​your-​way kind of place but if you want to spend time with friends or looking for a late night spot with a date, I’d recommend it whole heartedly.

Cincinnati has a lot of sushi joints nowadays. Honestly, I only frequent this spot due to its close proximity to my residence and because they are open late. When I’m in a bind for sushi, Dancing Wasabi isn’t a horrible pick. The «half-​off» sushi shouldn’t excited you terribly however. You definitely get what you pay for. Unlike other sushi spots, I don’t feel like I’m getting a deal. The protein in their rolls are quite scant. But you’re probably wondering why the rolls look so big! Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to imitation crab meat and extra, extra, EXTRA tempura.
Again, when you’re in a bind — hit up Dancing Wasabi. If you want good quality sushi, I suggest looking elsewhere.

This is my new favorite thing, maybe.
First– their happy hour goes until 9pm even on the weekends. It’s $ 3.50 well drinks, $ 3 beers and ½ off all sushi rolls. So that’s the clutch, my Unilocal friends.
Second, the sushi rolls were really great, really fresh, and because of the ½ off price you can eat some of the more creative concoctions without a pinch in your wallet. A beer, a mixed drink and three rolls was about $ 20!

Came here on a Monday night following a Reds game and there was a nice size crowd. My friend and I ate at the Sushi Bar and the hostess took our order.
It took a little bit for the sushi to come out and one of my rolls were missing and the rice tasted overcooked.
If everything is half price then why not just price it like that on the menu?

Not the greatest sushi and the service is often so so. The price can’t really be beat, but like many things, you get what you pay for. That being said, its nice to sample lots of sushi at once and at least get a feel for what you might like to order at a later date. See:
I’ve had the bibimbap too and it was pretty good.
Weekends can be very busy so you might want to call ahead and see about reservations. Parking in this area can of course be a little difficult, so arrive a little early to budget for that.
All in all, DW is not my first pick for sushi, but it will satisfy your sushi craving and not break the bank.