Asian fusion restaurant Wasabi Somerset will host grand opening Tuesday in Ames

Ames residents who love Asian fusion cuisine now have another spot to enjoy their favorite sushi.

Wasabi Somerset, the seventh location of the central Iowa-based restaurant chain, opened its doors on Friday, May 17, at 2707 Kent Avenue.

The grand opening celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, featuring a private party and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Wasabi Somerset operates from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, extends its hours to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Wasabi's journey began with the opening of Wasabi Chi in Des Moines in 2011. Although the Des Moines location recently closed, Wasabi has continued to grow.

What does Ames’ new Wasabi restaurant offer?

The first Wasabi location in Ames launched at 926 South 16th Street in 2020, right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the initial takeout-only service, the restaurant thrived, leading to the establishment of this second location.

Lu Li, one of Wasabi’s owners, highlights the unique appeal of their Asian fusion menu, describing it as a "different type of cuisine" for Iowa.

"Our ambiance is quite distinct from most Iowa restaurants," Li explained. "People seem to enjoy it; it’s becoming increasingly popular."

The Wasabi Somerset menu features an expanded selection of Chinese dishes, catering to Ames' demand for more refined Chinese dining options. Li couldn't single out a favorite dish, emphasizing that "every item on the menu is very good."

"You can't go wrong with any dish," he assured.

Li also mentioned that Wasabi Somerset boasts one of the largest bars in Ames. Additionally, the new location includes a spacious party room that can accommodate up to 80 guests.

New Wasabi location was built from scratch

The site for Wasabi Somerset was acquired two years ago. Responding to feedback about the smaller south Ames location, Li and his team aimed to create a more spacious venue.

The Somerset building, newly constructed, was designed specifically to meet the needs of Wasabi's patrons, a process that took nearly a year to complete.

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