Yokozuna Japanese Cuisine

7.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  8      Value  9     

Seriously good Japanese. Although the restaurant itself isn't that salubrious, the food definitely makes up for it. Try it, you will not be disappointed.

Apr 16, 2012 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  10      Value  10     

Omg... what a fantastic place! Don't let the location put you off. It might seem like a quick "lunch spot" for city workers to grab a bento box but it's so much more.

We sat down as a party of 6 for a birthday lunch last Sunday and walked away vowing to return. The soft shell crab was light and tender. Teriyaki fish was So flavoursome. Carpaccio sashimi was light and delicate. Tempura vegetables were perfect and the black sesame prawns were great. Even their miso soup (which can be hit/miss so I never order it) was excellent.

Even my mother, who doesn't like anything not cooked, loved each dish and wants to go back. The service was very friendly, when we visited it was the wife of the owner/chef who we were told used to work at top restaurants many years ago.

We found them on eatability and I've just joined so I can also sing their praises.

Mar 29, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  10     

Agree with other reviewers that you don't go to Yokozuna for snappy service - you go there for the orgasmic soul food. You might get a bit sloshed consuming all your BYO while you wait for someone to take your order, or for your order to arrive, but the wait is worth it.

Highlights include the $60 sashimi platter (it doesn't get any fresher or more visually spectacular than this), the battered lotus root stuffed with mince, the chunky batterra (vinegar marinated mackeral) sushi, the slow-cooked beef stew ramen and the refreshing Japanese take on taramasalata. Almost all dishes are served with super-fresh cucumber, lettuce and tomato, and the balance, ahhhh, never too heavy, not too light, just right.

Mar 27, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  4      Service  9      Value  9     

Only negatives was the noise and how close the tables were together. Staff and food just great. Hidden treasure. I think they should remove 1 or 2 tables and put the prices up a little to cover that.

Mar 17, 2012 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  10     

To understand my review it would be helpful for you to understand my views on food. I like fantastic food without all the frills, plating up, and "I'm-your-best-friend" service style. Food needs to be real and I think many of us put too little emphasis on the food and too much emphasis on decor and service.

So this is what draws me to Yokozuna, it is real Japanese food with authenticity that is validated by the many Japanese who you will often see dining there. As others have said, the service is average, but this has never bothered me. I don't expect to be treated like a king just because I'm a customer, just take my order and bring it to me is all I ask.

The soft-shell crab salad always pleases as does the fresh sashimi as others have also mentioned. This is the sort of place where you are dying to try new things yet paradoxically want to stick with what you tried last time because you know it's a safe bet.

In all, if you want good food, this a great place. If you want your Yes Sir Right-away Sir service then head over to xyz and be prepared to pay more for less.

Mar 07, 2012 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  10     

Indeed a wonderful family-run restaurant. We go there so often (about 2 - 3 times a week) that it has become our kitchen of sorts. Really, the food quality is amazing (try for example their tofu and seaweed salad, or the Whitening carpaccio, or the chilli squid in liver sauce).

Their offers vary according to what they can buy on the market. They announce these things on their fb site, sign up there. We often go there just for a quick snack but we also have met there with friends and colleagues for long and leisurely dinners. The place is rather small, seats at most about 25 or so. So, for some days you need a reservation. They are byo.

Nov 26, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  10     

This is a wonderful family run restaurant. Their lunch specials are incredible value. The teriyaki fish is fresh, perfectly (lightly) cooked and tasty. Their pickles are home made - which I've never encountered in a Japanese restaurant in the city. Definitely a cut above Don Dons or other asian restaurants in the area. Support this place so that it can stay!

Oct 30, 2011 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Service  9      Value  9     

Nice little authentic Japanese restaurant hidden on Oxford street, will return regularly for lunch!

Oct 06, 2011 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

Best authentic Japanese dining I've had in a long time. It was so refreshing to taste such Fresh sashimi, my partner and I were daring enough to try their daily special of blue fin tuna, it was definitely worth it! (Normally restaurants serve "Yellow fin" tuna which is cheaper and common to purchase, so "Blue fin" tuna is rarer, a 'gamier' (?) fish with a fresher taste, and normally only available in Japan, new fact I had not known before, in which the waitress kindly educated us).

The restaurant is quite small, so bookings are recommended. Location is convenient, especially for a healthy feed to start the night out.

Value - sashimi slices were thicker than other places I've been to. Absolutely no 'fishy' taste, the chef advised they go to the fish markets every second day, you can tell by the high quality of sashimi, without the frozen or dry taste you sometimes get at other places. And they use actual sushi rice, It sounds so simple, but alot of places get this So wrong!

Overall, absolutely delicious food without the fine dining price tag. Definitely coming back!

Sep 12, 2011 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Very well known restaurant and have big following. Very fresh and authentic Japanese food. Also very good value.

Sep 05, 2011