Shiki: A Vibrant Ramen and Dumpling Spot in Excelsior, Minnesota

Shiki Introduce

In the heart of downtown Excelsior, Minnesota, a new culinary gem has arrived: Shiki. Located at 200 Water St, this vibrant and cozy noodle bar is quickly becoming a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike. Shiki, which means "four seasons" in Japanese, lives up to its name by offering a menu of comforting and flavorful dishes that are perfect for any time of year. With a focus on high-quality ramen and delicious dumplings, the restaurant provides a fresh and exciting dining experience.

From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere is electric. The space is designed with a "cozy-cool" vibe, featuring fun murals and large windows perfect for people-watching. Shiki is a place where you can relax and enjoy a delicious meal, whether you're dining solo, with family, or with a group of friends. While it is a smaller, more intimate space, it's this very characteristic that makes it feel so warm and inviting. The commitment to delivering great food and a unique vibe is what makes Shiki a standout in the Excelsior dining scene.

Location and Accessibility

Shiki is located in the heart of Excelsior at 200 Water St, Excelsior, MN 55331. Its downtown location makes it a convenient stop for anyone visiting the area or living in the surrounding communities. Its prime spot is perfect for a meal before or after a stroll by the lake or a day of shopping.

For parking, you have multiple options. There is a free parking garage nearby, as well as free street parking. This makes it easy to find a spot and head straight into the restaurant. While the restaurant itself is described as a "very small place," it is well-suited for smaller groups of 2-3 people, offering an intimate dining experience.

Services Offered

Shiki provides a variety of services to accommodate all dining preferences, from a quick bite to a full, sit-down meal.

Dine-in: Enjoy the vibrant and cozy atmosphere with table and counter service. While reservations are not accepted and it is a small space, it is a great spot for a relaxed meal.
Takeout & Delivery: For those on the go, Shiki offers convenient takeout and delivery options. This is perfect for enjoying their flavorful dishes at home or even on the boat during a day on the lake, as one article mentions.
Counter Service: The bar setup is a central feature, inviting guests to linger and enjoy the craft cocktails and other beverages on offer.
Happy Hour: While not explicitly mentioned in the provided information, a review highlights the "great happy hour" at a different location from the same ownership group, suggesting this could be a future feature, so it's always worth asking.

Features / Highlights

Shiki is celebrated for a number of features that make it a unique and popular spot.

Authentic and Flavorful Ramen: The core of the menu is the ramen, with rich, deep, and savory broth. Options include the Chicken Shio Ramen, Shoyu Ramen, Vegetarian Miso Ramen, and Kimchi Ramen. A customer review praises the ramen as "solid—comforting, flavorful, and it just hits right."
Delicious Dumplings and Snacks: The dumplings are a major highlight. The Pork Potstickers are noted for their "ideal crisp-to-chewy ratio," and the Pan Fried Baozi and Shrimp Steam Buns are described as "killer." The dipping sauce for the potstickers is also a major hit.
Vibrant and Cozy Atmosphere: The interior is described as "cozy-cool" with "fun murals on the wall" and an "anime-meets-floral-goddess energy." This unique vibe creates a fun and memorable dining experience.
Great Drink Selection: The restaurant offers a variety of Japanese-inspired cocktails, including a "Ramen Old Fashioned" made with ramen syrup, as well as Japanese beers and a selection of sakes. Non-alcoholic options like Ramune and other sodas are also available.
Family-Friendly: Shiki is noted as being good for kids and family-friendly, with a KIDS RAMEN option on the menu and high chairs available.

Contact Information

Address: 200 Water St, Excelsior, MN 55331, USA
Phone: (952) 232-1705

What is worth choosing

When you visit Shiki, there are certain dishes and items that come highly recommended and are worth adding to your order.

First and foremost, the ramen is a must-try. The Chicken Shio Ramen and Kimchi Ramen are staples, and while a previous review mentioned some issues, another customer highlights that the ramen broth is deep and savory, with noodles that are "springy." Be sure to grab the soy sauce and sriracha on the counter to customize your bowl to your liking.

For a perfect start to your meal, the dumplings are a non-negotiable choice. The Pork Potstickers are a crowd-pleaser, but don't overlook the Pan Fried Baozi and Shrimp Steam Buns, which are described as "straight-up killer." The chilled salads, such as the Chilled Cucumber Salad, also offer a refreshing and crisp appetizer.

For drinks, explore the unique cocktail menu or enjoy a refreshing Ramune, a classic Japanese soda. While one review had a less-than-perfect experience, the overall sentiment points to a restaurant with a great concept, a vibrant atmosphere, and delicious food that is well worth trying, especially for the dumplings and ramen. As one review put it, "Get the dumplings. Get the ramen. Use the sauces. Trust me on this one."

Shiki Menu

Snacks
Chilled Cucumber Salad $13.00
with Chili Crisp, Dill and Sesame
Chilled Soba Noodle Salad $10.00
with Pickled Vegetables, Kimchi and Dipping Sauce
Edamame $8.00
in Yuzu Kosho Salt
Chicken Meatballs $10.00
Ground Chicken, Miso, Scallions and Sesame Seeds

Dumplings
Pork Potstickers (5 Per) $12.00
Pork-filled dumplings wrapped in a thin wonton skin – Pork, Ginger, Lemongrass and Chives
Pork & Shrimp Shumai (3 Per) $10.00
Steamed dumpling with an open top, wrapped in thin wonton skin – Shrimp, Pork, Garlic, Mushrooms
BBQ Pork Buns (2 Per) $10.00
Char siu pork steamed inside fluffy bread – Chinese BBQ Pork, Shallots, Oyster Sauce, Sesame
Shrimp Steam Buns (3 Per) $14.00
Pillowy soft, steamed bun, folded over savory filling - Poached Shrimp, Pickled Vegetables, Hoisin Sauce and Cilantro
Pan Fried Baozi (3 Per) $14.00
Enclosed, thick, fluffy dumpling, steamed then sautéed to crisp the bottom – Ground Pork, Oyster Sauce, Chinese Black Vinegar and Scallions

Hot Noodles
Hot Ramen Noodle Soups
Chicken Shio Ramen $20.00
clear chicken broth, chicken chashu, green onions, shaved carrots, soft boiled egg
Vegetarian Miso Ramen $18.00
miso broth, tofu, corn, nori, dried mushrooms, shaved leeks, bamboo shoots, soft boiled egg, pickled ginger
Shoyu Ramen $20.00
soy, dashi, roasted pork belly, green onions, soft boiled egg, toasted nori
Kimchi Ramen $20.00
spicy kimchi broth, roasted pork belly, shaved leeks, dried mushroom, soft boiled egg
KIDS RAMEN $10.00
Ramen Noodles in Shoyu Pork Broth

Beverages
Coke $3.00
Diet Coke $3.00
Strawberry Ramune $5.00
Ginger Beer $6.00
Mineral Water $3.00
Sprite $3.00

Shiki Details

Service options
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Hard liquor
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Counter service
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Crowd
Family-friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safespace

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs

Parking
Free parking garage
Free street parking
Parking

Shiki Photos

Shiki Location

Shiki

Minnesota Hennepin County Excelsior Water Street

200 Water St, Excelsior, MN 55331, USA

Shiki Reviews

Service rating is tough- we walked in and were seated at the bar, with 5 staff behind the bar we had to ask who our server was. The server was with the manager… however after that conversation was finished she was great. Bummer the 5 other staff couldn’t back her up.The manager clearly was struggling to get the operation organized making the staff seemed stressed and disorganized.Also we arrived an hour before close and they were already obviously preparing for close. Including closing out our tab before we got food… so so so much more to this experience…Vibe- it is cute! Behind the bar is hectic. I wouldn’t come with more than 2-3 people.Food- both the chicken ramen and kimchi ramen tasted the same, it was cold and the noodles weren’t cooked. The potstickers as you see dripped oil. Actually YUCKI’ll come back after a few more months of business… note there’s at least 8 people working for a very small place. I’m leaving STRESSED OUT for how much money they probably lost. lol… thank you Culver’s.Good luck!
July 19 · Caitlin Handlos
Shiku in Excelsior, MN: A Steamy Love Letter to Ramen and DumplingsIf you’ve ever dreamt of slurping rich, umami-laden ramen while basking in the sun like a pampered housecat—Shiku in Excelsior is your spot.Let’s start with the apps: the pan-fried bao and shrimp steam buns were straight-up killer. Like, do I have to share this with my kids? level good. (Spoiler: I didn’t.) The pork potstickers had that ideal crisp-to-chewy ratio that could start a TED Talk. And the dipping sauce? So good I thought about drinking it. I didn’t. But I definitely thought about it.The ramen was solid—comforting, flavorful, and it just hits right. The broth’s got that deep, savory thing going on, the noodles are springy like they’ve got something to prove, and the soft-boiled egg? Absolute jammy perfection. Add tofu or chicken and it’s a whole meal that’ll hug your insides.Pro tip for future customers: grab that soy sauce and sriracha on the counter. A few extra drops of salty heat and boom—next level.The vibe inside Shiku is cozy-cool. Giant windows for prime people-watching, fun murals on the wall (anime-meets-floral-goddess energy), and a bar setup that invites you to linger. Whether you’re solo, with the fam, or out with friends, it’s got the right energy.Also, shoutout to the drink game. Ramune and Diet Coke on the table like they’re old pals? Love to see it.The kids loved it, adults left full and happy, and we’re already planning to come back. If you’re in Excelsior and don’t hit Shiku, honestly—what are you even doing?Get the dumplings. Get the ramen. Use the sauces. Trust me on this one ☝️
July 03 · Mr John
This is a great new restaurant! I really enjoyed my ramen...what a great experience watching it being made up close.
July 18 · Corinne Rode
I love the atmosphere it is bright and welcoming, and the mural is absolutely gorgeous! For food we tried Edamame with the yuzu salt, a different twist on an appetizer I love. The cucumber salad was light and bursting with flavors. We then tried the Shrimp and Pork Dumplings, which were so tasty with or without the sauce. The BBQ pork buns were so soft on the outside and delicious savory goodness on the inside! We finished up with the Kimchi Ramen, which was absolutely delicious, and got better as we ate it. The kimchi is probably one of the best I have ever tried, and the pork was so delicious! Over all I would highly recommend this awesome new restaurant in Excelsior for a highly unique twist on Asian cuisine.
June 20 · Jessica Walker
My husband and I came in for a soft opening lunch. We had the chilled cucumber salad, pot stickers, bbq pork buns and fried baozi. The food and service were incredible. The atmosphere was fun and bright. Another great addition to Excelsior!
June 14 · Allison Morgans