Saji's

A best japaneses restaurant near Columbia.
It is not my best, but only best one near Columbia.

A little pricy. Dinner bento box ~$14-15.
Lunch bento box $11-13

Cash only if ordered there :(
So I use online order.

Quality is very good. Fresh..

I can understand the previous reviews. Saji was one of my fav for quality/location since I live on the same block. I was one of their first fanatics that ordered xtimes weekly and passed the word. But sad to admit that through the years, more attention is to raising prices than maintaining quality of food and service. I'm obsessed with sushi/sashimi(Uni fanatic!), but I really don't partake in raw part of menu. Instead, I now occasionally go there for the cooked foods (fairly good Udons, signature bowls & teriyaki platters). Nowadays, when they get it right...thumbs up; however when they get it wrong...horrible(like mushy, overcooked rice)! I agree, service and quality has dropped dramatically
I have observed and given feedback to them and not much change. The real problem is the owner Saji is rarely there around & needs to be present in his business no matter how cramped. He never showed interest in addressing my concerns and no appreciation for the amount of business his patrons bring him. Nowadays, I walk a block down and moved my obsession to a new Vietnamese hidden gem. Sorry Saji:(

Beef bowl!

Took forever for my food to get here. Upset, I paid for the food when it arrived only to open it and realize that they got my order wrong and didn't include everything I ordered.

When I tried to call and let them know I was told to hold and then was hung up on. They have absolutely no respect for the customer. ILL NEVER ORDER HERE AGAIN!!

Back then in 2006 and 2007 when I was a student at Columbia, I used to come here or order from here a lot because service, quantity & quality were fantastic. The store was tidy and people were nice. Not any more. I really wonder how the food is prepared behind the filthy curtain and how they cook the raw fish in the kitchen.

I ordered Sushi and Sashimi special for $24 with which you can have fairly good quality sushi even in downtown. I was surprised at the size of each sushi and secondly got horrified at the quality of raw fish. It was really small and taste was disastrous and I wouldn't go back there again. Waste of my money. No thanks.