Okinawa Hibachi & Sushi

Eddie Yap has done something very right, and he did it in Cartersville, Ga.

Okinawa, a Japanese Steak and Sushi restaurant, is a not so well kept secret in Cartersville. A friend of mine told me that her mom works in the same business complex, and that the line for lunch starts well before Eddie's restaurant opens her doors.

Here is why.

First, the service is second to none. The drink glass never empties, and the attention, while never intrusive, never stops.


Second, Eddie Yap genuinely cares about every plate served, and every customer that comes in. He is a good businessman with a good grasp on where he is going and how to get there.

Third, the food.

A friend and I ordered a pretty good sampling of appetizers that included Steamed Gyoza (pork dumplings), Spring Rolls, Shrimp Tempura and Crab Rangoon. All were delicious, but my favorite was the Shrimp Tempura. The batter was just right, and the sauce was very good.

A small green salad then led the way into the main course. I ordered a Hibachi Combo Dinner of Ribeye and Chicken, cooked to order and seasoned just right, which came with mixed veggies and fried rice. The meal was perfectly prepared and was presented well.

It is no wonder the lines start early and end late.

Okinawa's menu covers the full range of sushi and hibachi treats. Almost every dinner entree is under $15, and the sushi ranges from $4.50 to $8.50. Eddie offers a variety of lunch specials, the vast majority of which are priced under $10.

Is there a negative to this restaurant? Only if you consider Cartersville to be too far from home. I assure you, it is worth the drive.