Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    YAYOI

    3.7 (918 reviews)
    Special Hours Closed
    Updated 1 week ago

    Order YAYOI Takeout or Delivery

    YAYOI Photos

    Business Info

    YAYOI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Quiet
    Good for groups

    More like YAYOI

    Recommended Reviews - YAYOI

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Mix Toji Set
    Vi T.

    My first time tried out Yayoi was when they still have the no tipping policy, guess that changed after years from my recent visit. But this restaurant is still a great spot to go if you like to try the variety of Japanese dishes besides nigiri sushi or omakase, they also have new items likes noodle, sushi bites, and several dessert items. Came with my friends and we got tamago yaki to share, everybody love it. My friends got the Yayoi Garden set and Omaze Don, they both love their choice of food and finished everything. For me,I always go for either Katsu/Tempura or Gyudon whenever I have Japanese food. Luckiky for me, Mix Toji have both, and that is my go-to 99% of the time. Each rice set came with an entree, high quality bowl of rice, miso soup, and a vegetable side dish, everything taste great imo I never had a bad meal whenever I'm at YAYOI. Great ambience but more on the quiet side, perfect fit for business lunch or small group hangout. Staff were friendly, we ordered the food through a tablet, and the food came out after 10 minutes. Overall it always a great experience at Yayoi!

    902. Teriyaki Salmon
    Stephanie L.

    After three years, I came back with my family to try their other dishes. I ordered the teriyaki salmon, chicken katsu, wagyu yakiniku ju, and kokuto matcha iced latte. Out of those, I'd say the wagyu was the best tasting wise. The chicken katsu sauce could definitely be better. It was too thick and tasted like bbq sauce. The matcha latte was prepared and delivered quickly, but it took a long time for the drink to be cold, and the taste isn't that great either.

    Tonkotsu Ramen
    Eva L.

    Went back to try the Pork Katsu. Pork was not dry at all. Meat was tender despite. Love the salad dressing that comes with the side salad. It came with seaweed salad that has both sweet and slight vinegar flavor. I was also able to try a piece of the unagi and it's one of the better unagis I've had. Not too fishy with good unagi sauce.

    Sushi sashimi
    Fran S.

    We've been wanting to try this place. Overall, on the pricey side for what you get, but the food was tasty. They offer Teishoku, a dining style where they serve the whole meal with side, dashi broth, rice and salad, which we tried. The dinner we selected, called Hitsumabushi, came with unagi (broiled eel). Very filling and the dashi made for a neat dining experience, as it is meant to be poured over the rice dish to eat. I'd recommend this! We also ordered some Sushi-Bites, which are single-sized pieces, like mini open sushi rolls. These were a little expensive, ranging from $3.90-$4.90 each. They're delightful little bites though. The Salmon Sashimi came with a delicious citrusy soy sauce. The slices of salmon were tender. This was a nice dish for those who also enjoy sashimi. Their Curry Rice is one of the better curries I've had. My only gripe is that they don't serve this dish with red pickles, which I love! The decor was average, and the light fixtures could use some dusting. Also, although we ordered from a tablet, the servers who brought our dishes ranged from friendly to perfunctory. I would've liked them to check back with us later to help round out the experience. Still a good place to go for a different style of Japanese fare. I'd love to try their other locations next time.

    Miso katsu. Photo by @martiwantsmore
    Marti L.

    This Japanese restaurant specializes in Teishoku, a dining style where food is served as set meals. Entrees come with side dishes and soup. There's so much food with each meal! The Hitsumabushi, a Nagoya-style unagi rice dish, is unique and beautifully presented. The Miso Katsu is tonkatsu served with a delicious miso sauce and onsen egg. My top favorites are the Omaze Don and Yayoi Gozen because they remind me of traditional dining in Japan. The staff here were so friendly. Will definitely come back!

    1405. Takoyaki
    Yikai L.

    Good spot for a quick bite with kids. Minimal service (order through ipad). Complementary hot tea is a nice touch. The chicken Toji ju set is good for kids as it comes with seaweed salad too. Chashu ramen was a bit underwhelming with just chashu and nothing else for 20+$. Karaage was good portion and liked the spicy mayo sauce. Eel hand roll is ok (seawood is all damp). Takoyaki is just like street food so nothing special. We finished all these with 2 adults and 1 toddler and the bill is around $100. This place is fairly packed on a Sunday night. Many families with kids.

    908. Wagyu Yakiniku Ju
    Patty O.

    You have to order everything from a tablet including water , bowls, plates. There are a lot of small add ons that you can add to your main entree like rice bowls with protein , sushi bites , miso soup , udon etc. The food was served fresh, piping hot. Plenty of high chairs for children. The sukiyaki was a bit too sweet, less sugar would be good. The wagyu yakinu was also sweet but not as sweet as the sukiyaki. The rice was very good with the wagyu yakiniku. It was delicious.

    Interior- complimentary barley tea
    Annie K.

    Wow this place was amazing. I felt like i was eating in Japan. The flavors taste very authentic rather than Americanized/Fusion Japanese. Came on Sat afternoon around 2:30pm. Lots of families with kids so though the ambiance and lofi music is relaxing , kids could be loud depending. I likes the open floor concept with wooden beams and architecture feel very Japanese. Wait was 10 mins and seated at spacious table, AC is strong. I was craving something with Salmon so ordered the Omaze Don. This comes with Natto which is fermented soy beans, and okra, and egg, tastes earthy but u add the soysauce, mix, and put it over rice. Very unique and tastes healthy, but i can see not everyone would like this. I like how u can upgrade ur miso to the one with clams for $3 but becareful of tiny stones. I also like the option of adding complimentary japanese sweet pickles. There is hot barley tea complimentary as well. Bf got the hitsumabushi which is eel cooked to perfect carmelization served with rice and dashi and small additional add-ons. This was veryyy tasty. Love the soft carmelized unagi and the dashi broth together and unique ground spice and wasabi, green onions, and seaweed salad. Would def recommend for authentic Japanese cuisine in zen ambiance. (Minus loud kids loll)

    Yayoi Gozen $34. Mine ended up being about $50 because I added clam soup, steamed eggs etc.
    Michael L.

    Went to Yayoi with work friends a few time. Food was always good. This is a Japanese restaurant not a Sushi restaurant so don't come here expecting to eat sushi. The service was okay but not too friendly. Price was a little high but the quality of the food was worth it. Don't come here expecting an affordable lunch, it is at least $40 to $50 per person if you add extras to the food. Overall I like this place but not when I feel like a quick and cheap lunch.

    Set menu
    Wilson C.

    It's been a while since I've been to Yayoi and I think it's just average now. Also fairly expensive and I think there are better places out there

    Salmon sashimi
    Caroline L.

    I haven't been here for a while but it was much better than I remembered from years ago. We got the steamed egg, salmon sashimi, and pork katsu. The pork katsu is better than I remembered. It's crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. You order on an iPad and the food comes out relatively quickly. I also like that they didn't rush us here. Also there is ample of parking. The place is clean and has a good amount of seating.

    Front of the menu
    Brisa M.

    First time trying Yayoi and it was amazing! The restaurant itself is spacious and nicely decorated. You are greeted by the hosts and taken to your table where they explain that you place your order via iPad on the table. Once you place your order, it shows you when the kitchen received the order, when they are prepping/cooking it and when they bring it out. I thought that was such a cool touch. We ordered Wagyu Sukiyaki and the spicy Tonkotsu Ramen, both were delicious! The Wagyu Sukiyaki came with a miso soup, side of rice, egg, and a side dish. It was a perfect combination. Everything complemented each other so well! It was also a big meal so make sure you go with an appetite. Moving on to the ramen, it was very flavorful and enjoyable. Overall everything exceeded my expectations. Will be coming back soon. I highly recommend!

    Single just me. I didn't bring my four kids or my girlfriend.
    Eric W.

    Ordered some gyuza, takoyaki, edamame, and a few steins of Sapporo. Food was phenomenal! Flavors were fresh! You can never go wrong with drank Sapporo! Nicely decorated. Service was HORRIBLE!!!!!! I have never been to a Japanese restaurant walking a server drop small bowls on a table for kids. When a customer called a server as he was walking away he LITERALLY said, "What?" OMG!!!!!! Robots would have been better since we order our own food. Me personally had to ask my server the same question three times until he understood I was asking if they had a sit down bar.... Btw, no they don't. When I told him "table for one." He turned, walked away said out loud, "oh." Turned around grabbed a menu then walked me to a table. WOW! Give this place 5 years. Gone After this review I saw a server with a full tray of food. He walked to a table, placed the tray on the table and walked off,.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even though they are automated with one other person here I had to ask for the check. I will not be coming back. Ever.

    901. Saba Shio

    See all

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of C G.
    1
    11
    1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of I W.
    0
    11
    1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Linh T.
    1
    151
    558

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Phuoc V.

    Phuoc V.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Colin B.
    307
    31
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Phoebe W.
    96
    83
    31

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J L.
    1
    104
    1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brenda L.
    1699
    4644
    10372

    5 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jisu L.
    1
    48
    65

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 3

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Noelle J.
    974
    1112
    17570

    5 years ago

    Helpful 17
    Thanks 0
    Love this 17
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 23

    YAYOI Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - YAYOI

    What vegetarian options are offered?

    Tofu salad, veggies gyoza, steamed rice, green tea

    Do you take reservations?

    Yes they do.

    Is tip included in the pricing at this location? Thank you

    Not anymore. They discontinued the no-tip policy few months ago. So they expect a separate tip from you now.

    Do you accept takeout order? I called to order today and the one who answer told me you don't receive take out order anymore. However, I do see on DoorDash or Uber it seem to be available.

    Hi Ming-Shuan. Thank you for your question. Occasionally we will need to pause take out due to a large influx in orders but we generally do accept takeout.

    Do they have outdoor dining?

    Hello Patti. We currently do not have outdoor dining. We are open for indoor dining 12pm-7:30pm everyday.

    Do they have gluten free options? Do they use tamari or soy sauce?

    Both. There was a bottle of both on our table the day we went.

    View All 7 Questions

    Gochi - Cupertino

    Gochi - Cupertino

    4.0
    (2.4k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    My family and I came to Gochi Japanese Fusion Tapas for Father's Day, and it ended up being such a…read moregreat choice. We ordered a variety of dishes to share, and it was one of those meals where everyone at the table found something they loved. One dish I was surprisingly impressed by was the Ankimo (steamed monkfish liver in ponzu). I'll admit, the word liver immediately made me hesitant, and if they hadn't told me what it was, I probably would've been less nervous trying it. But I'm really glad I did because it was incredibly buttery, smooth, and rich. It almost melts in your mouth, and I honestly think it would pair perfectly with a bowl of steamed rice. We also ordered the Hiyayakko (cold tofu with ginger & scallions), which was a really refreshing starter. The tofu was silky smooth and delicate, and the ginger, scallions, and soy-based seasoning added just enough flavor without taking away from the freshness of the tofu. It was simple, but really well done. We also ordered the Salmon Mayo Yaki Onigiri. While it was good, I think this is the one dish I'd probably skip next time. The crispy grilled rice ball itself was delicious, but there just wasn't enough salmon mayo on top. It felt like I only got a tiny spoonful, so once that was gone, it was mostly just rice. Since my family couldn't decide, we ended up ordering all three clay pots: the Sake Oyako Meshi (grilled salmon & salmon roe), Unagi Meshi (BBQ freshwater eel), and Tori Soboro Meshi (braised ground chicken). Out of all of them, the Unagi Meshi was easily my favorite. The eel was tender, slightly smoky, and coated in a sweet-savory glaze that soaked into the rice underneath, making every bite incredibly satisfying. The clay pots also gave the rice a nice crispy layer on the bottom, which added even more texture. We also shared two of their signature pizzas: the Mentai Kinoko and the Nasu Curry. I wasn't expecting much since it's pizza at a Japanese restaurant, but they were honestly so good. The crust was paper-thin, crispy, and light, so it didn't leave you feeling heavy afterward. The Mentai Kinoko had a great balance of spicy cod roe, snow crab, mushrooms, bacon, and cheese, while the Nasu Curry had a rich curry flavor that paired surprisingly well with the eggplant and cheese. Both were huge hits with my family. The restaurant itself has a warm, traditional Japanese atmosphere that makes it feel cozy and inviting. The server was incredibly friendly and helpful, taking the time to explain the menu and recommend dishes when we couldn't decide what to order. Their recommendations definitely did not disappoint. My whole family left happy, and it's one of those restaurants where I already know I'll be coming back to try even more of the menu.

    Food: Wafa Cesar salad 3/5 pretty standard salad…read more Sirloin steak 5/5 delicious with the fried garlic Kamo yuzu Duck 3.5/5 the duck was cooked very well, but I didn't like the salsa that went with it as much as I thought i would. The yuzu makes it more of a sour sauce than sweet. Nasu Buta Hasamiage fried eggplant in broth 4/5 this was perfectly fried and am interesting dish served in a light broth. Unagi claypot 4/5 it was delicious, but I wish they included a little more Unagi. The rice on the bottom was crispy and all the flavors were well blended. Green tea creme brulee 5/5 well balanced flavors, maybe could use a little more green tea flavor, the vanilla over powered it. But it was still very delicious. Service: 90 minutes of dining time, the menu is large so it took time to decide what to order and they don't have paper menus anymore which is a little hard to review the small font on the phone. I think they should go back to providing at least 1-2 real menus per table. It was very warm in the restaurant even though they said the AC was on. The food came out relatively fast, but there were some pauses between dishes. The claypot rice took the longest and I was almost full by the time it arrived. Ambiance: casual restaurant, authentic Japanese style where you have to remove your shoes and sit on mats. The restaurant filled up quickly by 7pm. We had a reservation for 6:15pm.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Unagi meshi
    Unagi meshi
    Hiyashi Somen

    See all

    Hiyashi Somen
    Uzumakiya

    Uzumakiya

    4.5
    (1.4k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    I wish this place had better hours because I swear it's always closing or closed when I want to go…read more But alas I finally was able to go once, and it lived up to the hype. The uzumakiya udon was sooo flavorful and yummy. A tiny bit oily, but I liked how the broth stayed light yet the meal was very filling. I rarely see crispy lotus root, so I really cherished it. Udon noodles were very qq. Wanna try the spicy one next time!

    I've been coming here since they opened and honestly the spicy udon is one of my favorite noodle…read moredishes in the entire Bay Area. The broth is so flavorful and unique, and the texture of the udon is perfect. Spicy udon 10/10 So when they announced they were moving toward ramen, I totally understood why people were upset. I was heartbroken too. But I also felt bad seeing so many people leave negative reviews without even trying the ramen first. I've been a customer for years but review bombing a small business over a menu change just didn't sit right with me. I decided to give the ramen a try. Is it as unique as the udon? No. The udon is definitely what made this place stand out. But the ramen was still very good. The broth was porky, fatty, and creamy! The Chasiu could use some work. Classic Tonkatsu ramen 8.5/10 I'm really glad they listened to customer feedback and brought the udon back. I hope anyone looking at this Yelp page for the first time disregards the bad reviews and understands that is just how passionate people are about their udon! At the end of the day, I'm happy we get to have both. The spicy udon is still one of the best things I've eaten in the Bay and the ramen is absolutely worth trying too.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Karaage - @rayz
    Karaage - @rayz
    Spicy Uzumakiya Udon

    See all

    Spicy Uzumakiya Udon
    Ajito

    Ajito

    4.0
    (399 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    This is a very cozy place, lots of family groups were present at the time we were there. We came on…read morea Wednesday night -- there aren't very many tables, so we ended up waiting for around 20-25 minutes for a table to open up. The staff are constantly moving around delivering food and making dishes, they were so busy that we weren't able to catch anyone to ask about wait times for the first ~10 minutes. They offer a lot of options on the menu, which is an iPad they leave at the table for you, and you order on your own. The menu is easy to look through, and you can easily add more items whenever you want without needing to flag down an employee. They advertised special daily bentos at the waiting area, but they also have a wide variety of regular bentos and other menu items. The bentos were really delicious, and contained a lot of food, well worth the price. Will definitely come here again

    This place got busy on Friday afternoon. They are super short on staff. The staff basically dropped…read moredown the menu iPad and left. We completed the order on iPad by ourselves and food took 15-20 min to arrive. The food was decent. This place was quiet and cozy. And the staff got so busy that we can constantly see leftover bowls sitting on tables after party leaves, and staff get around it eventually. We enjoyed the food but the overall operation could have been improved.

    Photos
    Interior as of Aug. 2024
    Interior as of Aug. 2024
    Grilled sliced beef tongue 牛タンスライスー 12.99
    Grilled sliced beef tongue 牛タンスライスー 12.99
    MENTAI UDON 明太うどん 15.99 Spicy Cod Roe Creamy Udon

    See all

    MENTAI UDON 明太うどん 15.99 Spicy Cod Roe Creamy Udon
    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

    3.8
    (2k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Food was very good. There was a solid variety of options. I would say what really made this…read moreexperience great was the server, Rolando, and the support from the other workers. They made sure we were taken care of and regularly checked on our grill for replacement. I also liked how they tell us how long to cook each meat which was super helpful and probably the best I've ever cooked at a BBQ place LOL. Ambiance wise, we were sat on the left side area right when you walk in. It wasn't too loud and didn't feel cramped. I recommend making a reservation because this location can get busy. At the end, we were taking a photo and we said happy birthday to my sister. He didn't realize it was her birthday, and he made sure she got a little birthday dessert they offer!

    one word .. DELICIOUS!…read more i made reservations on opentable for dinner, checked in, and seated promptly. we were told that happy hour was available for 30 minutes and we can enjoy if we wanted to place our order before it ended. we ordered a decent amount of meat (it's a must because portions are small), a few draft beers, salad and vegetables. food came out quickly and the grill change was ave more frequent. they are on top of their game! let me say that meat quality is AMAZING. anything you order is good honestly. all meats are soft and tender. i'm drooling a little as i type this. the only gripe i have about fyi-kaku is their dipping sauces available ... they're just not that good. one is too sweet and the spicy ones isn't spicy at all. mixing them together just didn't work to fix it. ended up just requesting for salt and pepper and lemon.

    Photos
    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

    See all

    Enka Japanese Izakaya

    Enka Japanese Izakaya

    4.3
    (351 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Takes reservations

    High quality food! Took my parents here to celebrate Mother's Day and we got to try a little bit of…read moreeverything! Food: - agedashi tofu: 5/5 my fave app and it was really flavorful! Love the bonito flakes on it as well - 3 kinds of sashimi: no rating because I don't like sashimi but everyone else enjoyed it! - carpaccio: 5/5 ok I said I don't like sashimi but this is different ok, it's delicious prob cuz it's thinly sliced AND the sauce is soo good - chicken thigh: 5/5 liked the smoky flavor - chicken wing: 5/5 I love wings so can't hate this one - squid: 5/5 the flavor was so good - hotate: 4/5 it tasted good but didn't wow me - kaisen don: no rating because im not a huge seafood fan so i could only nibble a little of it - unagi don: 4/5 i know unagi has those little bones but they really bother me when i eat it, flavor wise it was good tho! - kamo: 5/5 wow didnt expect to eat duck that night but it was so tender and delicious

    We had 4 dishes and a pot of oolong tea. Tea was not strong which was good for night time . Sashimi…read more3 kinds was fresh, but thin slices. Crispy chicken skin was pretty good. Dipping it with the sauce gave different flavor but made it less crispy. I preferred having the crispy chicken skin without sauce. Squid was a bit salty. The pork belly skewer was quite special flavor - tasty! I highly recommended its lychee sorbet. It got a bit touch of yuzu flavor. It was so good to refresh the mouth. Staff were very friendly and nice. Service was quick. The restaurants was pretty clean and not crowded with the table setting. It was busy but the level of noise was acceptable until a group of people came in. I recommend this restaurant for people are not looking for sushi rolls

    Photos
    Uni poached egg shooter
    Uni poached egg shooter
    Grilled Squid
    Grilled Squid
    Yuba Shot

    See all

    Yuba Shot

    YAYOI - japanese - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...