South End’s new sushi spot Yamazaru is now open

The location is brilliant and will kill the game – I overheard a waiter tell a group that it’s perfect, since everyone can stumble over after they’re done next door for some late night bites.

[Related: A new sushi and sake bar is coming to South End in early 2017]

New sushi spot Yamazaru now open in South End about 20 yards from @sycamorebrewing. I recommend the South End roll (tuna, lemon, jalapeno).

A post shared by Axios Charlotte (@charlotteagenda) on

Ted and I stopped by for dinner to get a feel for the menu, which is extensive.

Cocktails, which each run $8, and an appetizer were first, and we both asked for the most popular one on the menu.

At our waiter’s recommendation, we ordered the Pork Gyoza (pan-friend pork dumpling, $5). Ted went with the Spicy Mule to drink (house tequila, pineapple juice, fresh citrus, ginger beer and jalapeño) and I ordered a sake-based fruit drink that isn’t on the menu.

Because it’s both a sushi joint and owned by the same guys behind Ru San’s, one of the best sushi spots in the city, we went strictly specialty rolls, which hover around the $8-11 mark.

From left to right: The Yamazaru (crab salad, avocado, cream cheese, fried tempura, topped with sweet aioli sauce – $11), the South End (tuna, hamachi roll with soy paper, sliced lemon and jalapeño on top – $9) and the Mango De Tango (shrimp tempura and mango topped with salmon, yellowtail and sweet aioli and eel sauces – $10).

See the full menu:

Yamazaru is open Tuesday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at 2173 Hawkins Street.