My many experiences at Shanghai Bistro have always been pleasant. Typically, it's because of the atmosphere and my company, but the food isn't bad either. Normally I head there for sushi happy hour, which is a phenomenal deal, and though the sushi isn't the highest quality I've had, it's certainly good for the price. The few times I've eaten other menu items were relatively uninspiring, although it's exactly the kind of food you'd get at P.F. Chang's, just not so overpriced. My main beef is the service. Frequently I've found myself waiting to be waited on, waiting for my check, waiting for someone to come around and refill my water, etc. All in all, I'd say stick to sushi happy hour and eat at the bar.

by thevoiceofzeke
08/22/10

This place is great! Freshly prepared chinese food at excellent prices. You can't go wrong. You can get lunch which includes soup for as low as $4. The menu has both chinese and japanese items. I tried the sushi once; just the california roll, so not real sushi, but it was perfect. I definitely would not classify it as upscale but compared to other chinese restaurants in the valley it might qualify. By far the best chinese food around here.

by motorin
08/05/10

This use to be one of our favorite restaurants, but then they changed their cook. The food isn't the same quality, or flavor at all. Service has always been good, but the food is definately different. Too bad!

by marylou
08/04/10

If I could give this more stars I would... I'm a HUGE sushi fan, I love sitting at the bar and watching them make the fresh food. I recently got back from Mexico, and their sushi did not compare!! I love going in and being able to tell them the stuff I like and the sushi chefs create something new for me!! I try to make it in one to two times a week!! For those who don't like sushi, their other food is fantastic as well!!! I love their drinks avaliable also!!!

by chucka19
04/02/10

Hands down the best restaurant and best service in town. Even when comparing to some expensive sushi joints in other places I've traveled, Shanghai is still the best. The seaweed salad paired with any number of rolls is a refreshing way to start a meal. I suggest you try the cilantro salmon roll, amazing mix of flavors. Love the jazz trios and overall atmosphere.

by smartmama1
01/27/10

Very good sushi and entrees. The Udon soup with tempura shrimp is tasteless. The strange flavor chicken is a favorite. Price is a great deal and where else can you get good sushi especially at these prices. Can they please turn up the heat in the winter. It makes for an uncomfortable dinner. That and the drab decor need to be fixed. Service is good though. Hard to get through on the phone for take out though. What is an Asian restaurant without takeout?

by Pickypaulsfood
01/13/10

Sushi is very good... the rest of the menus isn't all that special.

by ecfoodcritic
12/14/09

Best asian cuisine in the valley besides Tokyo, if you don't like this, like pjjuwec, stick to greasy burgers and pizza, this place is solid gold.

by hapbt
09/01/09

This place is really unappealing inside. It has a certain "grunge" factor that you would normally wish to avoid when dining out. The Strange Flavor Chicken seems to get its name from the fact that you aren't quite sure what meat they are substituting for chicken today. Brutally bad food. Eau Claire needs a Chinese restaurant in the worst way.

by pjjuwec
08/07/09

Well, the sushi is fair...not the best but better then airlines sushi I've had. Happy hour time sucks 3-5pm M-F, I can't even get there after work so I can't even comment on it! People were friendly and since I was alone that evening it was quite nice!

by artistsignature
07/26/09

Shanghai is definitely a local gem. My first couple visits had included some poor service, but they since have appeared to have worked out the bugs. The main courses have been very good, my favorite being the moo-shu chicken. But what sets this restaurant apart is the top shelf sushi. The selection is huge, and the taste is out of this world! The sushi here rivals that of what you would get in at the most popular sushi bars in the Twin Cities. The sushi prices in relation to the typical prices for sushi of equal quality in big cities are incredibly low. Be sure to take advantage of the Sushi happy hour!!!

by punxatawnyphil
06/14/09

I generally only go here for Sushi happy hour. I get totally full off of 3 sushi rolls and kirin is $2 a glass for around $13. Can't beat that. If I want a bowl of miso soup to go with or instead of a sushi roll, that's cheap and delicious as well. They do have a lot of great a-la-carte type items which together, can make a big meal. Going during happy hour saves this place for me. Independent of that, the service in generally slow and not that great and like some others have mentioned it's often freezing in there. What really gets me, though, is their chicken. Every chicken dish I seem to get (I generally go for the unbreaded chicken dishes) has really cruddy quality chicken. If you are picky about chicken, and like getting just small, tender chunks of white meat, you aren't going to like theirs. If you don't mind if it's tough or tendony, then you won't mind the chicken.

by cwhite
06/10/09

I've had lots of sushi at lots of sushi restaurants, and hands-down, Shanghai has the best sushi chef ever. The fish is incredibly fresh, and the presetation is gorgeous.

by Jodie
02/18/09

If you're in the mood for a great lo-mein dish... Shanghai Bistro is where it's at! The sushi bar is also a great touch! Definately better quality than "buffet-type" oriental restaurants, although my most recent visit had the classic "greasy table" feel to it.

by XAREOKIE
02/18/09

Shanghai Bistro is seriously overrated in this community because it's the only Sushi Bar around for leagues. Yes, there's tons of stuff on the menu, lots of (expensive) Sushi to order up, Saketinis, and Kirin Lager on tap, but that doesn't make up for the fact that it's all overpriced. It also doesn't make up for a half-assed job on the interior/environment. The place was basically put together to look "classy" for as cheap as possible. While it may fool most people, it's clearly a chintzy attempt to pass of the place as being "upscale." It's not. The food may be pretty good, but for your precious pennies, there are better places. They do have the Sushi monopoly though, so I guess if you want good sushi you must go here. But beyond that, don't bother.

by coldwind
02/16/09

Really good food at a VERY resonable price! How could one complain?!

by abbee7
02/16/09

I'm addicted to SB's sushi! I, too, miss yen king, but I love the atmosphere of SB - unless it's busy - Every time I go I hope to get a good table, but generally end up directly in front of the speaker, or in the table-for-2 nearest the kitchen entrance. This seating arrangement puts a damper on my evening, but is made up for the almost-always friendly service. It truly is a good restaurant, but gets a lot more hype than is deserved.

by raggedyann
02/14/09

I'm tainteb by memories of Yen King which was the former name when it was run by SB's owners' parents. I LOVED the atmosphere at Yen King. It was very reasonably priced and you could have a dinner in several courses including the fantastic soup and bread. Tried SB twice - both times the food was good but expensive and the restaurant is so dark it's like eating in your closet. Would probably get takeout if we try it again.

by bigkitty2
02/14/09

I LOOOOOVE Shanghai! Its definitely my favorite resturant in Eau Claire. The atmosphere is great, but the food is the best part. The sushi is amazing! Their crab rangoons are really good too (of course better than buffet quality, which is what I'm used to). The often have live music there too, which is really fun. The only negative point about Shanghai is that you may have to wait, because they can get really busy and we've had to wait there for a long time before. Also, they're not open on Sunday's (which makes me really sad because there have been so many times we've wanted to go there on a Sunday).

by summerday008
02/13/09

This is by far my most favorite restaurant in Eau Claire! I love the atmosphere, I love the people (especially FiFi). The sushi is always fresh and never fails to blow my mind. Shanghai Bistro will always have a special place in my heart because this is where I met my husband. We sat in the round booth and fell in love with each other over shrimp tempura. - Nicole

by follownocrowd
02/12/09

Love what I've eaten there...really like the set-up and the live music on the weekends. Nice date place, but the past couple of times I've gone, the restaurant was so COLD...almost as if the heat was off.

by illuminatedcandles
02/11/09

We ate there last weekend. The service was so horrendously poor-lack of server knowledge, incredibly slow and disorganized, that it has dramatically dampened my previously fantastic impression. The food was great but when the service is as poor as we experienced, it is rendered irrelevant.

by toddy
02/11/09

Big improvements since our first outing and we've been back twice in the last 4 months alone. They have the best potstickers and their sweet and sour chicken (not on the menu) is delicious.

by staceyp413
02/07/09

Well some may say nay, I say yah! I have always been treated with a smile, every time I visit Shanghai Bistro. The edemame is amazingly crunchy and salty, the miso soup is so soothing to my soul. I happen to be on of the people who loves fried food: which is why I can't resist there crab rangoons, the cream cheese is just oozing out of the wonton with glea. Or maybe it's me filled with the glea! Who knows! There seseme chicken is always melting in my mouth and I'm left with the biggest happiest belly in town. ~Leiah

by missleiah
02/04/09

Sushi happy hour! That's all that needs to be said.

by agarhe
02/03/09

This is the ONE restaurant in the Chippewa Valley that I will not attend because of the service. Set aside a good 2-2.5 hours for dinner if you go. The food is fine, but I'm also not a sushi fan.

by AgentPendrell
02/03/09

Simply the classiest and most innovative restaurant in the Chippewa Valley.

by toddy
02/03/09

One of my best dining experiences in the Chippewa Valley has been at the Shanghai bistro. My sister-in-law and I ventured out on a Friday night mid-summer because she thought that I, a former ESL teacher in Japan, might be craving some authentic Asian cuisine. I almost cried tears of pure joy when I saw the menu, and would have eaten dragon rolls till my stomach burst if it wasn’t for the cost. This restaurant isn’t the place to go if you’re on a budget, but it is the place to go if you’re willing to splurge. The service takes a while, so order a drink and relax, and remember that good food is rarely served fast. The atmosphere and crowd, an eclectic mix between grubby/hungry college boys polishing off plates of noodles and couples on their first/last date, is entertaining to say the least. They would get higher marks if the prices were cheaper, but great on taste.

by jackystar
02/02/09

I would give this place 4 stars, except that I disagree with so many of the 1 and 2 star reviewers, and because the sushi happy hour specials are so good. I will eat dinner here as well, because they make some pretty good dishes, that are also reasonable price for a place with this type of atmosphere and selection. Happy hour drinks and regular drinks are all good. Yes, this place needs to get a server manager or something so there is some oversight. Those of us who have worked for tips know that you don't make people wait to pay you when they're ready to leave. If they would just check back more often, the service would be greatly improved.

by djelf
01/30/09

I have eaten here numerous times and haven't been impressed. This place gets too much hype

by grandec
01/29/09

The service is great and the happy hour (3-5pm) sushi prices are a great deal too. Try the eel with a big Kirin or Asahi beer! Our favorite dinner is the "carved" spicy squid in a perfect brwon sauce. On a frosty evening, with the live jazz band playing The Girl From Ipanema, I couldn't have been happier.

by Svenn
01/29/09

I didn't think they were very amazing. The service was spotty and they didn't have very good sushi. My husband thougtht the sushi at Festival Foods was better. Granted, Shanghai has more sushi, but it wasn't very good. Their saketinis weren't amazing and the atmosphere was very cramped and it wasn't very good. I had to go to the bathroom and the bathroom looked run down. I wouldn't go back there.

by PandaDexter
01/28/09

Love going here for sushi - red dragon roll is to die for! However, every time we go here, we have terribly slow service. If the food wasn't so good and reasonably priced, the service would be a deal-breaker for me.

by riw81181
01/27/09

I love the sushi and the entrees. I'm a huge sushi fan and the sushi happy hour is amazing! Also, the entrees are great for the day when I just want something warm and greasy. The seaweed salad is specatular!

by stickysubstance
01/27/09

This is one of my favorite places i love the food the atmosphere and the price i would live here if theyd let me

by benji5
01/24/09

I'll be honest, I don't go for the sushi. They have the best lunches (not to mention prices) of any place in town. I adore their Orange Chicken! The lunch comes with your choice of soup for only $4!! You can't beat the flavor or the price!!

by jadenimp1
01/24/09

You don't have to be into sushi (I'm not) to love Shanghai Bistro. It's definitely become our favorite Asian restaurant because of the fresh and tasty dishes like Cashew Chicken, Hunan Beef and everything else we've tried, plus the casual atmosphere and live music on some nights. The only thing we've ever been halfway disappointed about is the Moo Shu Pork -- it tastes great but they leave you to roll up your own pancakes and contents without offering to do it for you. (Maybe that's more "authentic" but it's fun to have it done for you.)

by micah68
01/23/09

Amazing food, the best sushi I've had in Eau Claire. They give you a ton of food, and you get a hot towel to clean your hands at the end of the meal. They have jazz music some nights, which is nice, but can make talking a little difficult at times.

by colemacj
01/23/09

Shanghai Bistro is by far one of my favorite restaurants in Eau Claire. Loving sushi since visiting Hawaii in the late 80's, frequenting several sushi restaurants in the Twin Cities, what a delight to have the BEST sushi right here in Eau Claire! Henry, Linda, Jeremy, Fifi, and the whole gang are the best! The service is always top rate, and whether you are a sushi lover like myself, or just love oriental food, there is something here for you. The portions are large, and food is always great! Worth the trip!

by sushigirl
01/22/09

We have eaten sushi in many large cities and many places known for sushi. The sushi at shanghai is typically better than or comparable to these places. Prices are also comparable. Like most restaurants, we have occasionally had so-so sushi at shanghai but 99% of the time it is awesome! We are lucky to have such a great sushi restaurant in Eau Claire!!

by waggerbagger
01/21/09

It was alright, I wanted more BRAAAAINNNNSSS

by ZomB
01/07/09

I'm not an experienced sushi eater but what I've had here has been good and the other entree dishes are worth it for the atmosphere of a live jazz night. I wouldn't advise takeout so much as dining out here.

by gatosirviente
12/29/08

The people who complain about this being overpriced? Well they obviously haven't purchased sushi from any real sushi restaurants in a long time. The prices are amazing, and I'm not even talking about their happy hour prices. I love their sushi. I also think they easily have the best Orange Chicken in town. The lunch specials come with a cup of soup and the meal with rice, AND IT COSTS LESS THAN A BIG MAC MEAL... so Wow!! I'm loving it!

by woltra
10/17/08

Good sushi and entrees. The Udon soup with tempura shrimp is tasteless. Price is a good deal for what you get. Sushi in other cities of the same quality would be a lot higher. Service is good also. Hard to get through on the phone for take out. What is an Asian restaurant without takeout.

by Pickypaulsfood
10/02/08

I think it's overpriced for so-so sushi. It's the only game in town, so I guess they can get away with it. I won't go there and cringe when friends suggest it.

by restaurantslut
10/01/08

tried a handful of times. just not doing it. if you love sushi, this isnt the place for you. the sushi is not worth the price, happy hour sushi is the worst.

by idia
10/01/08

I want to like Shanghai Bistro since I like sushi and it's about the only game in town, but I just don't. I feel sick each time I each there, and leave smelling like old grease.

by spicysct
09/29/08

I frequently eat sushi in other towns and am always left feeling extremely blessed that we have Shanghai Bistro here in Eau Claire. Their sushi is always fresh and well-prepared. Must Try: Mexican Roll...I've never had anything like it and it is amazing!

by smithjul
09/26/08

It's the best sushi I've ever had, and the other menu options are pretty tasty too! The Lava roll is my hands down favorite, it's spicy and has all the right combinations of flavors. Strange flavor chicken is a great option if you aren't a big fan of sushi. That's part of the appeal of this restaurant, if you love sushi, but your friends don't, they can find a number of tasty dishes on the menu that are fully cooked! The music on Friday and Saturday nights only adds to the fun, although it can get a bit loud. Just tell the server that you can't hear, and he/she will let the band know. Definitely give it a try!

by indiglow
09/14/08

Tried this place, and was less than impressed. The food was bland, no better than Chili's fare. It was not filling at all, and the food tasted as if it was weeks old, and not refrigerated well. The McD's down the street has more appeal.

by Turk
09/13/08

Un-freaking believable food, extremely reasonable prices, jazz ambiance, and mixed drinks that blow my mind.

by Trevor Kupfer
09/04/08

w.o.w. Really. Really, really good.

by BettyBettizzle
08/28/08

Red Dragon Rolls - I could eat them all day...

by Hammer
08/26/08

Best lunch deal in town (Cheap and plentiful!)

by Jammer
08/24/08

This place is a must. Great flavors come out of this kitchen! Don't judge it by the exterior.

by Janelle
08/23/08