Minato Japanese Restaurant is a long-standing staple in the Smyrna community, having served high-quality, fresh Japanese cuisine for over 30 years. Known as a “hidden gem,” this unpretentious sushi house combines a nostalgic mid-century modern aesthetic with a warm, family-owned atmosphere. Whether you are looking for a quick solo lunch at the sushi bar or a cozy dinner by the indoor waterfall, Minato offers a versatile dining experience that balances traditional staples with inventive creations.
Quick Reference & Contact Information
| Feature | Details |
| Address | 2697 Spring Rd SE A, Smyrna, GA 30080, USA |
| Phone Number | +1 770-432-6012 |
| Location Context | Shopping center behind QuikTrip |
| Parking | Free parking lot and street parking available |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms |
| Payment & Logistics | Accepts reservations; high chairs available for kids |
Operating Hours
| Day | Hours |
| Monday | 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Friday | 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Dinner Only) |
| Sunday | Closed |
The Minato Experience: Atmosphere and Design
The restaurant features a unique “Rainforest Cafe-lite” aesthetic that creates a cozy and nostalgic environment. Visitors are greeted by a rock wall with trickling waterfalls in the waiting area, leading into a dining space decorated with plants and a dolphin sculpture pond.
Behind the sushi bar, blue wave cutouts adorned with crabs and lobsters complement the nautical theme. The vibe is often described as a mid-century modern time capsule, frequently playing retro Japanese rock from the 70s and 80s. Guests can choose from standard dining tables, cozy alcove booths, or seating at the sushi bar to watch the chefs in action.
Popular Highlights and Signature Dishes
Minato is famous for several “off-menu” items and signature plates that regulars swear by:
- Cowboy Hat: A celebrated off-menu appetizer featuring a shrimp cracker topped with creamy crab salad, tempura flakes, a fried scallop, and eel sauce.
- Smyrna Roll: A highly recommended off-menu sushi roll.
- Sashimi Lunch: Known for generous, thick-cut slices of fresh fish delivered daily.
- Super Crunch Roll: Tempura shrimp and crackers rolled with tuna and salmon.
- World Famous Teriyaki Spareribs: A unique and savory staple on the cooked menu.
- Yaki Udon: A stir-fried noodle favorite, especially popular for families and children.
Full Menu
Appetizers & Special Appetizers
| Item | Description |
| Yakitori | Char-grilled chicken skewers with teriyaki sauce |
| Tempura | Deep fried shrimp and vegetables |
| Scallop Teriyaki | Gently fried scallops with teriyaki sauce |
| Hire-Katsu | Breaded pork fillet with plum sauce |
| Soft Shell Crab | Lightly fried soft shell crab |
| Agedashi Dofu | Deep fried soy bean curd with special sauce |
| Ebi-Sunomono | Boiled shrimp and cucumber in vinegar sauce |
| Scallop Saute | Sea scallop and mushroom sauteed in butter |
| Shrimp Teriyaki | Char-grilled shrimp with teriyaki sauce |
| Negima | Green onion rolled in sliced beef with teriyaki |
| Kara-Age Chicken | Garlic-marinated deep fried chicken fillet |
| Salmon Teriyaki | Alaskan king salmon with teriyaki sauce |
| Yu-Dofu | Boiled soy bean curd with cabbage and onion |
| Yakko-Dofu | Chilled soy bean curd with ginger and bonito |
| Tako-Sunomono | Boiled octopus and cucumber in vinegar sauce |
| Assorted Sunomono | Mixed seafood and cucumber in vinegar sauce |
| Ankake-Dofu | Deep fried soy bean curd with vegetable topping |
| Maguro Saute | Sauteed tuna and mushroom with spicy powder |
| Haruyuki | Fried shrimps coated with crispy white noodles |
| Edamame | Steamed push-beans |
| Ika Sansai | Squid salad |
| Tuna Tata | Scraped tuna with raw egg and spicy sauce |
| Ika Shiogayaki | Char-broiled squid with ginger sauce |
| Itako | Marinated baby octopus with sesame seeds |
| Gyoza | Fried dumplings |
| Wakame Salad | Crispy fresh seaweed salad |
| Albacore Tuna Tataki | Lightly seared tuna with special spicy sauce |
| Sake Butteryaki | Pan fried salmon steak with butter |
| Goma-Ae | Steamed spinach with plum sauce |
| Fried Squid | Deep fried squid |
| Hamachi Kama | Grilled yellowtail jaw |
Lunch & Dinner Entrees
- Minato Surf & Turf: Lobster tail paired with choice of Beef, Pork, or Chicken.
- Beef Teriyaki: Char-grilled rib eye with teriyaki sauce.
- Minato Beef: Rib eye steak with signature Minato sauce.
- Sukiyaki: Sliced beef, vegetables, and noodles in beef broth.
- Ginger Pork: Stir-fried onion and sliced pork with ginger sauce.
- Ton-Katsu: Deep fried breaded pork fillet with plum sauce.
- Chicken Cutlet: Deep fried breaded chicken with plum sauce.
- Seafood Tempura Combo: Shrimps, scallops, fish, and squid.
- Curry Rice: Choice of vegetable or Katsu (pork) curry.
- Konoha Ankake: Fried white fish fillet with stir-fried vegetables.
Sushi & Sashimi (Chef’s Choice)
- Sushi Lunch: 6 pieces of sushi and 3 pieces of roll.
- Sashimi Lunch: Assorted variety of fresh raw fish.
- Chirashi-Sushi-Lunch: Bowl of sushi rice topped with variety of raw fish.
- Take-Sushi / Matsu Sushi: Deluxe sushi assortments (8-10 pieces plus rolls).
- Tekka-Don / Unagi-Don: Raw tuna or cooked fresh water eel over rice.
Specialty Sushi Rolls
- Tampa Roll: Fried grouper, onion, and mayo.
- Sea Bass Roll: Fried sea bass and crab salad with eel sauce.
- Fried Scallop Roll: Deep fried scallop with onion and eel sauce.
- Super Duper Roll: Fried sea bass, crab salad, spicy sauce, and albacore.
- Last Roll: Fried sea bass, crab salad, and boiled shrimp.
- Classic Rolls: California, Spicy Tuna, Salmon Skin, Japanese Bagel, and Spider (Soft Shell Crab).
Noodles & Rice Bowls (Don-Buri)
- Katsu-Don: Pork cutlet and egg over rice.
- Ten-Don: Tempura over rice.
- Oyako-Don: Chicken and egg over rice.
- Udon or Soba: Noodle soups with toppings like Tempura, Fish Cake, or Fried Bean Curd.
Planning Your Visit
To ensure the best experience, consider these visiting trends:
- Peak Times: Lunch is busiest around 12:00 PM. Dinner peaks between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, especially on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
- Quiet Hours: For faster seating, visit during the late afternoon (around 3:00 PM) on weekdays.
- Dining Tips: Use the sushi bar if dining solo. If you are visiting for the first time, don’t forget to ask your server for the off-menu “Cowboy Hat” or “Smyrna Roll.”