Yozu Japanese Cuisine
It’s an unassuming spot, Yozu Japanese Cuisine (a.k.a. Yozu Sushi and Hibachi Restaurant), tucked in the corner of the Bayshore Mall, opposite Big Lots. Step inside and it’s anything but! The interior is serene and elegant, with seating for both regular dining and for dining Hibachi-style. There was a time when the whole space was open, but the owners have since added partitions to separate the areas. This was an excellent renovation due to the rather spirited nature of typical Hibachi dining.
On a beautiful Tuesday early evening, my dinner companion Reginald and I were warmly greeted by the incredibly amiable Ami and seated at a two-top banquette. The tables are nicely spaced, the seats padded and comfortable, with high backs. Yozu can accommodate larger parties if you make a reservation, and the Hibachi is always an option, though not conducive to quiet conversation and repartee. While there, a party of 10 was seated on the opposite side of the room, enjoying an amazing banquet with about ten bottles of wine. There seemed to be some pairing going on, and the fella in the center of the group appeared to be in charge. This is the striking thing about the atmosphere at Yozu. The portions of the appetizers, sushi, sashimi, even the dessert, are shareable. You can linger. No rushing necessary.
One note of advice before I describe our meal. The menu is extensive. I mean, there are so many choices, you might want to preview the menu online before arriving! That’s what we did because we didn’t want to waste the server’s time with too many umms and uhhs.
On this cool night, with a possible cold coming on, I thought soup was just the ticket. The classic Thai Tom Yum Goong was our choice. A spicy broth with lemongrass and lime, sliced red onions and shiitake mushrooms, the soup was also generously filled with shrimp and scallops. It’s really a lovely soup. Light, tart and delicate. Other soups are on the menu, as are a host of interesting and tasty salads including kimchi and seaweed salads. Both delicious, one spicy.
We ordered several appetizers to share: the Edamame, an order of Pork Gyoza (dumplings) and as is our wont, the Rocky Shrimp. The Edamame (steamed soybeans —in the pod—and tossed with salt) are a favorite of ours. We get them regularly at the grocery store, but they’re just so darn fun to eat, we couldn’t resist. They’re really quite perfect in their simplicity. Pure soybean flavor and a hint of salt.
Being a huge fan of all things dumpling, we ordered the Pork Gyoza over the Vegetable ones, and they were delectable. Many times, the dumpling wrappers tend to be thick and overwhelm the inside treat. Yozu’s gyoza are encased in a thin and delicate wrap, pan-seared and served with a soy-based dipping sauce.
Now, my favorite app at Yozu is the Rocky Shrimp, tempura-battered sweet rock shrimp, crunchy on the outside and light as a feather, topped with their creamy sauce. The sauce is akin to “Yum Yum” sauce, which is typically a recipe of ketchup, hot sauce, mayonnaise, and perhaps a little cayenne. This is my go-to app and it never disappoints!
On to our pre-thought entrées. We’ve always been drawn to sushi as opposed to sashimi, the raw kind. Especially to our liking is the Unagi Roll. That’s eel, not raw, and it’s just wonderful, with balanced flavors, and worth a try. There are 38 types of rolls, mind you, so your options are nearly endless. Same with the sashimi. And all of these are made right there in view of the dining room.
For dessert, we couldn’t resist the Banana Tempura. Outstanding. Like Bananas Foster, but not. It’s deep-fried, crunchy on the outside, hot and soft on the inside.
If you’re into the entertainment of the Hibachi dining, you’re in for a hoot of a time. The chefs are hilarious and highly skilled. While there, a small family sat at one of the Hibachi presentation stations. The two children were thrilled, not just with the spectacle of the grilling and such, but especially so when the chef made balloon swords. Note to self: Next time I want a balloon sword.
Yozu has many charms, not least is that the service is impeccable, the staff well-trained and gentle, and the food of the highest quality at reasonable prices. Our entire bill, including soup, apps, rolls, and dessert, was under $60. Its other charms? It’s off the beaten path with plenty of parking! It’s also kid-friendly as mentioned earlier, and it’s BYOB, which is unrelated to the kid-friendly part. But there are also sodas and drinks for the kiddos, as well as a selection of flavored Boba Teas.
Open seven days a week with online ordering, outside dining as weather permits; do treat yourself and go. Whether you’re in a large group or on a date night, you’ll surely enjoy this gem.
