Students with an affinity for traditional Japanese cuisine can get a quick sushi fix more easily, thanks to a new Starkville restaurant.
The restaurant, Hane Wumei Ya, offers an alternative to the 30-minute drive to Little Tokyo in Columbus that faced sushi-lovers until recently.
Hane Wumei Ya, located on Stark Road near Hollywood Premier Cinemas, opened in late September.
Patrons can dine on sushi favorites such as rainbow rolls, a kind of sushi with different fish and seafood toppings, and honey shrimp rolls. Or, curious customers can opt for something a little more exciting such as eel, scallops or snow crab.
And for those not willing to try sushi prepared in the traditional Japanese style-raw-Hane Wumei Ya will cook the dishes.
Sushi is not the only thing the restaurant serves. Patrons can also eat other Japanese favorites such as chicken teriyaki, drink one of 30 kinds of tea or sip an imported Sapporo beer.
The restaurant is divided into several sections, leaving many groups of customers with complete rooms to themselves.
Diana and Charlie Zhao, the owners of the restaurant, say it has attracted quite a few customers.
They said that soon after the restaurant opened they had so many customers they had to turn some away.
The couple moved to Starkville from Aspen, Colo., after learning about the city from friends who attended Mississippi State.
After doing some market research, they decided to sign a contract and start the business.
Sophomore Aimee Madison recently dined at Hane Wumei Ya and said she enjoyed the atmosphere.
“They have really good prices. I don’t eat sushi, but everyone that was with me loved it,” Madison said. “And they really want you to get into the Japanese custom. The menus look handmade, and the waitress was hesitant to even bring me a fork.”
The walls of the restaurant are adorned with authentic Japanese art, clothing and artifacts and the restaurant serves customers drinks in many different glasses so that a customer never has to drink out of the same one twice.
“If you do get the same glass you had the last time you were there, she wants you to tell her so she can get you a different one,” Madison added.
Senior Lacie Wilkerson, also a student at MSU, has not had the chance to eat at the new restaurant yet, but said she is excited that she can now enjoy Japanese cuisine in Starkville.
“I go to Columbus about twice a month to eat sushi and I think it would be great to not have to travel so far to get it,” Wilkerson said.
Some Little Tokyo loyals say they’ll continue driving to Columbus, however.
“The new place hasn’t gotten enough help to make for good service,” said junior Angela Adair.
“At Little Tokyo there’s not as much of a selection, but they explained what you were eating much better,” she added. “And, I think the sushi was actually better at Little Tokyo.”
While some may continue to drive to Columbus, steady business shows Hane Wumei Ya may have found a niche in Starkville.
Diana Zhao, who is also the restaurant’s waitress, said she has enjoyed living in Starkville so far.
“The people are very nice,” she added.
Hane Wumei Ya, which opens at 11 a.m. every day, stays open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday.
“It stays packed and with such good prices, I think it will last,” Madison said.