YUGENN

“The restaurant itself is quite romantic. Love, love the decor. You can sit indoor or outside. Either way, the mood is set. Service was on point. They totally made me feel spoiled. When my water is filled to the rim thriughout my meal & I don't have to ask for a refill - that's it! Food came at a steady pace....we weren't rushed or our table wasn't being overly crowded with food. They would put just enough & clear the table as more was to come. As for the food. Interesting & flavorful. They have a variety selection to please everyone. Surf & turf....for those who are total opposites. Vegan friendly. Pasta. Fried rice. You can tell we tried an aray of dishes. Absolutely fabulous.”

“If you’re looking for a more modern nightlife-style Japanese spot in Charlotte, North Carolina, YUGENN is definitely worth checking out. Located near Uptown Charlotte, YUGENN feels less like a traditional sushi restaurant and more like a stylish modern Japanese lounge or upscale bar. The atmosphere, lighting, cocktails, music, and presentation all feel designed for a full night-out experience rather than a quiet traditional dinner. The vibe honestly reminded me more of some of the trendy high-end spots you find in places like Miami or Florida nightlife areas. I’ve also heard they sometimes have DJs on weekends, which matches the overall energy of the place. This is probably a better fit for younger crowds, date nights, groups, cocktails, or people looking for a fun night in Charlotte rather than a super traditional sushi experience. One thing to know before visiting — parking around this Uptown Charlotte area can be a little difficult, so it’s best to plan ahead and use nearby paid parking decks or street parking. The sushi and dishes are modern, creative, and visually impressive while still keeping Japanese influences. The cocktails and overall presentation fit the atmosphere very well. As a Japanese chef and restaurant owner myself, I appreciated that YUGENN is trying to create more than just a restaurant — it’s aiming to create a full experience and energy around the food, drinks, music, and environment. If you want modern Japanese food, cocktails, nightlife energy, and a stylish atmosphere in Charlotte, YUGENN is definitely worth experiencing.”

“By far this was the best sushi I have ever had! The staff is amazing, everyone is friendly and attentive. The beautiful bar was the first thing I noticed when I walked in. The atmosphere is dark and dazzles with pops of gold and a lovely shade of pink, making it perfect for a romantic date or a night out with friends. In a corner of the dining area jazz music was being played by a live saxophonist, which really elevated the experience. Dinner was plentiful, there were so many items that I enjoyed yet forgot to photograph. Each bite was so tasty, you can tell the fish is top quality and that time was spent curating each dish. My favorite dishes: the Hamachi Crudo, I could drink the sesame chili ponzu sauce that it was paired with. The specialty Unagi Nigiri, it was unlike anything I have ever had before. The bone marrow in this bite gives it a meat like taste which perfectly complements the eel. If you don’t try it, you’re missing out. And the Potato Foie Ve, was the showstopper. There were 12 of us at dinner and everyone raved about this dish. The foie gras was delicate and perfectly balanced by the crispiness of the potato that it laid on top of. My friends and I all I agree, we will definitely be back! If you’re new to sushi, no worries, the servers are knowledgeable on the menu and were a great help in my ordering process!”

“Yugenn absolutely delivers on every level — incredible sushi, perfectly crafted cocktails, and an atmosphere that makes the night feel special. I sat at the bar where Nick took great care of me, but what really stood out was how the whole team checked in throughout the meal — everyone was friendly, attentive, and genuinely cared that I had a great experience. The food was beyond impressive — every bite was balanced, fresh, and beautifully presented. The music and vibe were spot on, making it just as enjoyable to relax and take it all in. Easily the best food experience I’ve had anywhere. Highly recommend.”

“We went to try Yugenn for Charlotte’s Queen’s Feast restaurant week. This was a restaurant that I had walked by before, but hadn’t heard much about. The good? The hamachi (for the crudo) and the salmon and Akami for the nigiri were fresh and nice sized pieces. The bad? Ok maybe not “bad” but a little off… the restaurant itself seemed to be trying to be either a nightclub or a fancier place than it really was. The corded stanchions out front didn’t seem necessary. There was a DJ setting up while we were there. Maybe it was back ground music? And maybe that is why it was so loud. I don’t know if there was a “good” table in the place. They all seemed to be somewhat near the door (cold air) and by the host stand. The service? The hosts were very nice. The strange thing was they only asked one out of four of us if we would like to hang our coats. Our server was sake certified? But seemed annoyed when we asked questions about the menu. The food? The scallop appetizer was cold in the center and it was the one that came out well after the other apps. The kimchee fried chicken roll was huge and had a ton of rice. The south end roll was better, but was heavily sauced and overpowered the flavor of the fish. I thought it odd that we didn’t get to serve ourselves soy sauce and that there was no ginger or wasabi served with the sushi. The desserts were ok. The sorbet was better than the chocolate mousse which had a distracting texture. Overall, I don’t think I would go back and I don’t know that they want me back. I got a text message 30 min after getting home that they had cancelled my reservation.”