Yajima ya Restaurant

Reviews

• Lauren O.

  star star star star star_border 22 July 2026

  Decided to try here since we saw it on Cheap Eats and pass by it all the time. We had the combo meal which comes with shrimp tempura and sushi, and a lot of small side dishes. We also ordered the garlic steak (which was ok).
  
  What's different is that you can grab your own miso or chicken soup from the common area. For the chicken soup, just know that the chicken skin will still be on, and I think we saw a few natural hairs!  Real chicken!
  
  Parking can be limited around lunch time, so plan accordingly.

• Chelsea S.

  star star star star star_border 20 July 2026

  Another Japanese restaurant to add to the list...of Japanese restaurants.
  Located on the corner of South King St and Sheridan, Yajima ya is right across of the Cosmo car wash, with very limited parking.
  
  We had a party of 8 so we made sure to call in for a reservation, and we are glad we did so. Recommend making reservations in advance.
  
  I ordered the Hamburger Steak, my coworkers ordered the Tonkatsu, Hamburger Steak Curry,  and the Limited Daily Bento Box. My Hamburger Steak came with 2 patties, corn, carrots, and a little bit of broccoli.  The patties were very well-sized and filling. The taste, however, was very ordinary. There needed more onions and other flavors. The demi sauce was very tasty, very sweet, and a little tangy on the finish. It enhanced the patty, which helped the taste. Also, I hate to be picky but the carrots on the plate were raw... It did not compliment the dish AT ALL. Raw baby carrots, I found that quite odd. QUITE ODD INDEED!
  Anyways, the Hamburger Steak Curry was actually pretty tasty. I tasted my coworker's and I thought it was good. A little like the kind you can cook at home but a little more rich and fuller with flavor.
  The Limited Bento Box was very generous, and too much for my coworker. He appreciated the freshness of the sashimi and sushi. The tempura was okay, but the carrot tempura was slightly too crunchy. Not sure if this is preference but it was a little to crunchy as a tempura. The batter was fine, just the veggie itself.
  My other coworker ordered the Tonkatsu, which she said was alright, but nothing special.
  Miso soup and other soup was self serve, so that was pretty awesome! It was tasty soup and not like super instant miso soup so I appreciated that.
  
  Dessert was good. The Kona Ice Cream Pie was okay. The ice cream was just OK, cheap tasting and not enough coffee taste. But the chocolate pudding topping was very good. The Yuzu Sorbet was AWESOME. I highly recommend this for a refreshing, citrus, and almost sour dessert to clear your palate. Do yourself a favor and get that Yuzu, baby!
  
  Prices are a little high but this is Japanese food so it is Japanese food pricing. However, portions are pretty good and don't leave you hungry.
  
  Overall, good quality food and good portions. There's quite a selection on the menu so I definitely want to try the other items on another visit. If you want good Japanese food then maybe come here! Or maybe cook it yourself HAHA

• Duncan H.

  star star star star star 18 July 2026

  I came here a few years ago when it was a food truck.  It's a cool story that people loved it so much and the space next door became available.
  
  The vibe is like an upscale Zippy's.  It's casual and local, leaning Japanese and older (at least before 6pm).  It's a comfortable place.
  
  They offer unlimited soup, at least with the combos.  They have miso soup and one other -- they had chicken noodle when we came.  Both soups were good.
  
  We both had combos that included the famous mushroom chicken.  I had the garlic rib eye steak and my wife had the miso butterfish.
  
  The mushroom chicken was really good.  I'm not normally a mushroom chicken fan, but now I am for theirs.
  
  The steak and butterfish were also both really good.  In combination with the mushroom chicken and soups, it was a good amount of food.
  
  My wife saw a kid eating ice cream, so we had to get some, even though we had already paid the bill.  I said I didn't want any, but since she was full after less than half, I was forced to finish it...  I really like the sesame ice cream.
  
  We'll definitely be back.  This place is solid, with great service.

• Jenel O.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 28 June 2026

  Mixed feelings on this place. The first time we came, we waited at the front while servers kind of went by us without anyone really saying "I'll be right with you" or any type of acknowledgement. That puts a bad taste in my mouth from the start.
  
  After ordering and knowing my son had miso soup with his meal, I walked over to this tiny station that I saw people going up to, wondering what they were getting there. I saw bowls and soup pots. I asked our server if the soup is "help yourself" and she said yes. I was kind of shocked that this wasn't pointed out when we ordered. Had I not walked over there or asked, we would've just been waiting for his soup.
  
  I had the spicy cold udon. It wasn't spicy. The only thing spicy about it was a small serving of kim chee on top of the udon. The thing I did like about the spicy cold udon was the topping of beef on it. It made it heartier and tastier. Unfortunately though with their cold udon/soba, the fat from the beef starts to solidify. Not a pleasant texture or look to it.
  
  My son had the chicken katsu, which was small and fatty. Not recommended at all.
  
  Another disappointment - I sold my son on the huge pot of rice he would get with his katsu as shown in the pictures on the menu. What was presented to him - this regular size, small bowl of rice! LIE! For anyone with kids, you know this is the last thing you want to happen!
  
  I've been a few times - service is hit or miss depending on the server. Go around peak hours and you'll be able to find parking in their lot (maybe 15 stalls or less).
  
  I have more gift certificates so I'll be back. Otherwise I'll likely choose elsewhere.

• Alexis S.

  star star star star star_border 24 June 2026

  I went here for dinner with my family the other night. I have never been here before but the food was great. The setting is very nice, and the restaurant itself is almost hidden (considering it is located on King St.)
  
  I got the Udon set, it had good flavor, and the condiments came on the side. My family members however got the teishoku sets. It was a pretty good deal considering the sizes and portion.
  
  The Rib eye was ok. It was not super juicy but had an ok flavor. My cousin got the garlic and my grandma got the teri. I liked the teri pieces, the meat was soft with some fat on it. It went nicely with the white rice, but I weirdly liked the onions and cabbage that was juiced in the sauce!
  
  The tempura was a little oily. I had some of my grandma's tempura, and ate the vegetable pieces and tried some shrimp. It was alright but not as crispy as I would have liked.
  
  The miso soup bar was awesome because it is serve yourself! I liked scooping the soup for my family. ALSO do not be surprised by the "green" water being served.. LOL it is iced tea.