By Jenny Liang and Lizbeth Lyx
Minnesota’s dining scene is about to get a flavorful upgrade. Tuk Tuk Thai & Ebi Sushi, the state’s first Thai–Japanese fusion restaurant, is set to open this fall at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie. After three years of planning, a $1.9 million investment, and assembling a top-tier culinary team, the concept is ready to bring Thai spice and Japanese elegance together under one roof.
A Vision Years in the Making
This opening has been years in the making. “We invested over 1.9 million just to add about 150 parking lot spaces… This restaurant [is] not just an overnight thinking, it had been planned for more than three years,” said one managing partner.
The investment was required to secure Eden Prairie’s approval to expand parking—an essential step before launching the restaurant. What looks like a single venue is backed by a large-scale, carefully funded vision to elevate Asia Mall as a culinary hub.
The Best of Both Worlds
Tuk Tuk Thai & Ebi Sushi’s philosophy is simple: “best team, best ingredients, best location, best service.” Leading the kitchen is a master sushi chef with 18 years of experience in Japan, plus stints in New York and Minneapolis. Alongside him is a Thai culinary expert who spent a decade cooking in Thailand. The result is a diverse, powerhouse team blending Japanese precision and Thai flair.
“The main concept is a fusion. Everybody can sit in the same table enjoying their own food in the same restaurant.”
Tailored Flavors for Minnesota Palates
Authenticity is honored—but adapted thoughtfully. At Tuk Tuk Thai, recipes are adjusted to suit local spice tolerance, while Ebi Sushi maintains classic Japanese techniques.
“We rebalance traditional Asian flavors with local Minnesota taste in a creative process that involves thoughtful ingredients, substitutions, fusion techniques, and a deep understanding [of] both culinary cultures.”
In practice, that means milder spice levels and subtle tweaks to match Minnesota’s Northern European culinary roots. Guests can enjoy curries, noodles, sushi, ramen, or fusion dishes—all at the same table.
Ebi Sushi will also debut a first for Minnesota: sushi sold by weight. Diners can mix and match pieces, exploring widely without committing to a fixed set menu. This interactive model blends Japanese tradition with modern flexibility.
Design and Atmosphere
Tuk Tuk Thai & Ebi Sushi feature interiors designed to blend Japanese minimalism with Thai decorative elements, creating a warm, immersive space. With ample parking, including underground spots, the restaurants are positioned as both a neighborhood favorite and a destination for Twin Cities food lovers.
Unique Cultural and Culinary Ecosystem
The restaurant duo is integral to Asia Mall’s mission. “We want people to have a one-stop shop for everything,” the managing partner said. Asia Mall already offers hotpot, Hong Kong–style cuisine, Korean food, and a large grocery store. Diners can shop for ingredients in the grocery store to recreate favorite dishes at home—a unique cultural and culinary ecosystem.
Asia Mall: A Cultural Beacon
The story of Tuk Tuk Thai & Ebi Sushi is inseparable from Asia Mall’s evolution. Since opening, Asia Mall has transformed Eden Prairie into a vibrant cultural and culinary destination. By combining shops, restaurants, a grocery market, and community events, it has become a gathering space for Asian Americans and Minnesotans alike.
Tuk Tuk Thai & Ebi Sushi embody that mission—bridging cultures, flavors, and communities in one beautiful space. It’s not just spices meeting sushi; it’s tradition meeting innovation; East meeting Midwest across one shared table.
Asia Village: Next Frontier
Building on Asia Mall’s success, the same group of developers are launching Asia Village at Blaine’s Northtown Mall, slated to open in early-mid 2026. The 130,000-square-foot development will feature a 40,000-square-foot Asian grocery store, diverse dining, retail, event spaces, and a second-floor patio. This ambitious “mall within a mall” aims to bring the Asia Mall model to the northern suburbs, cementing Minnesota’s reputation as a thriving hub for Asian food and culture.
Opening Timeline and Celebration
Tuk Tuk Thai & Ebi Sushi held its soft opening on October 15 and will celebrate its grand opening in November, just in time for the holiday season. In a metro area known for its vibrant Japanese and Thai dining scene, Tuk Tuk Thai & Ebi Sushi stand apart—not only as the first fusion of their kind but also for the scale, planning, and culinary expertise behind them.
For latest updates:
Follow their Facebook pages: Sushi Box, TukTuk Thai
Find them online at TUK TUK THAI & EBI SUSHI
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 952-855-7919
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11AM – 9PM
Location: 12160 Technology Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55344