Welcome to YAYOI
YAYOI, a Japanese comfort food restaurant located in Palo Alto, CA, offers a variety of vegan and limited vegetarian options. With a casual atmosphere and moderate noise level, it is suitable for groups, kids, and offers waiter service. YAYOI also provides delivery, takeout, street parking, and accepts various payment methods including credit cards and cryptocurrency. The restaurant features gender-neutral restrooms, catering services, Wi-Fi, happy hour specials, and plastic-free packaging. Customers can enjoy beer and wine options, bring their dogs, and watch TV while dining. YAYOI's diverse menu and inclusive amenities make it a must-visit for those craving authentic Japanese cuisine with a modern twist.
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403 University Ave Palo Alto, CA 94301403 University Ave Palo Alto, CA 94301 Hotline: (650) 494-4437
Welcome to YAYOI, a delightful haven for Japanese comfort food located in the heart of Palo Alto at 403 University Ave. With a cozy ambiance and a menu brimming with hearty dishes, YAYOI invites diners to indulge in the rich flavors of Japan while enjoying a modern dining experience.
YAYOI's menu showcases a wonderful variety of traditional Japanese fare, perfect for both novices and seasoned aficionados. From succulent grilled seafood like the Shima Hokke (grilled semidried Atka mackerel) to the delightful Teriyaki Salmon, every dish is crafted with care, highlighting the freshness and quality of the ingredients. Sushi lovers will also find an inviting selection, including the flavorful Spicy Tuna and beautifully presented Ikura SushiBite, which features salmon roe that bursts with flavor.
For ramen enthusiasts, YAYOI offers comforting bowls that warm the soul. The Tonkotsu Ramen, with its rich, savory broth, tender chashu pork, and aromatic garlic oil, promises a satisfying culinary experience. Those craving an extra kick can opt for the Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen, packed with a special spicy miso ball that elevates the flavor profile.
One of the highlights at YAYOI is the seamless dining experience, made even more convenient with tablet ordering. Patrons appreciate the ability to browse through the menu at their leisure, complete with enticing photos and descriptions, ensuring everyone can find the perfect dish without the hassle of traditional ordering methods.
While some reviews mention variances in dish quality, the overall consensus speaks to YAYOI's commitment to delivering hearty and flavorful meals in a prompt and efficient manner. The modern ambiance pairs well with the cozy comfort food, making it a great choice for both casual lunches and relaxed dinners. Whether you’re enjoying the Omaze Don, akin to a Korean bibimbap, or the indulgent Wagyu Yakiniku, the blend of flavors and textures will leave you feeling satisfied.
In summary, YAYOI encapsulates the essence of casual dining with its warm atmosphere and delightful offerings. Visit them at Palo Alto for a taste of Japanese comfort food that's sure to please your palate!
Fast service but food is definitely degrading. I will still go bc it's nice to have no wait time at downtown Palo Alto!
Yayoi is casual Japanese dining but has a diverse menu of common eats! Service was very prompt & automated with tablet ordering with photos and descriptions a in the menu. We ordered pork katsu and sukiyaki both were good, not amazing but filling and delicious. The sukiyaki was a bit sweeter than expected but all the sides were delish. The pork chop was good & had a fun sesame garnish that we used a mortar and pestle to grind down!
Always well prepared and tasty dishes. Simple menu with healthy choices. Good service and modern ambiance.
Came during lunch on a weekday and was seated right away. We were given a tablet as soon as we were seated and I love this concept. We can peruse the menu (with pictures) and ordered at our own leisure. Gone are the days when you had to flag down a server or wait forever to put your order in. We ordered the Omaze Don, Wagyu Yakiniku and Salmon Carpaccio. Everything we ate was so delicious and flavorful. The Omaze Don was similar to a Korean Bibimbap, a lot of various toppings mixed together with rice. It was very tasty and filling. The Wagyu Yakiniku was so flavorful but a bit greasy for my liking. It didn't stop me from finishing my plate though! The salmon carpaccio tasted sooo fresh and very well seasoned - would definitely order a plate for myself! When you're ready to checkout, you check out on the tablet and pay at the front! The whole process from start to finish was so seamless and made for a pleasant experience!
Been to YAYOI at the Hillsdale mall (as well as one in Taiwan). The Palo Alto location has more menu items than the Hillsdale one. We were seated quickly when we arrived on Saturday. I appreciate YAYOI for its Japanese comfort foods. This time, we ordered the Katsu Toji and added on the Ikageso Karaage, the Chicken Katsu Toji, and the Chicken Katsu YAYOI Gozen. We all enjoyed our meals.
I love this place! I like all their Japanese offerings. It's a solid place to get Japanese food. I usually get the salmon ikura don or the stir-fried pork belly and both are good. Their raw fish can be a little pricey but I feel that is expected for Japanese food. The service is fast. I don't feel like we ever wait too long for our food. You can order on the iPad, which I appreciate, and see your order move through here queue. For payment you pay at the counter. The interior is nice. There's table and booth seating. It's decorated in warm wood panels and feels clean and new, and warm and friendly. Parking: There are many parking garages in Palo Alto so it's not too hard for us to find parking
This is a nice place for a quick lunch or dinner for Japanese comfort food. You wait to be seated but order through a tablet which was quick and easy. I ordered the Chicken Katsu Curry, a classic comfort food. The chicken came out piping hot and incredibly crispy! The curry is vg which I appreciated as I can't eat beef and most places pre-batch it. It's such a classic and will always be so delicious. The food comes out quickly. We arrived 30 min before closing (7:30) and left right at 8pm!
Pop in here every now and again when I'm craving some Japanese cuisine. Human-less ordering system with touch screen menu built right into the table partition.Pretty cool! Semi private both style seating and larger tables for fams and groups. Food is very good with decent portions. 3.8/5 for pricing. Little on the high side. Great service!