"Firstly, the usual details: Do you need a reservation? We had a 5:00 PM reservation on New Year’s Eve, but the restaurant was only about half full. It's not a large venue, so making a reservation is probably a good idea. Also, keep in mind that their parking lot has only nine designated spaces, so plan your arrival accordingly.
There were three of us, and we decided to share the Wagyu Set Menu, which is meant for two, and we also ordered a Washugyu Sampler Plate. That turned out to be more than enough food for us. The starters included an assortment of kimchee, a green salad, nori, beef bao buns, soup, and a plate with potato salad, seasoned broccoli florets, and pickled vegetables. Everything was light, fresh, and flavorful—perfectly balanced, especially with all the meat we were about to enjoy.
We chose beef tongue over pork belly and miso scallops instead of garlic shrimp, and both decisions were excellent. The beef tongue was incredibly tender, while the scallops had a wonderful flavor and great texture—not at all mushy or rubbery.
A note about the grill: you're in charge of cooking your own meat, so it’s important to balance grilling with eating. The Wagyu and Washugyu cook very quickly due to their high fat content, and the staff advised that thinner cuts should be seared for only 8 to 10 seconds per side. Here's a tip: don’t grill too many pieces at once, or you risk overcooking that gorgeous Wagyu! Also, the grill is nonstick and doesn’t need to be replaced; the staff will wipe it down periodically to keep it clean.
The meat was simply outstanding—super tender and melts in your mouth like butter. The cuts arrived lightly seasoned, and they provided three dipping sauces. My favorite was the sesame oil-based sauce with salt and pepper. There was even a thin cut of Wagyu that, following the staff’s instructions, you grill, add green onions and garlic chips to, and then roll it up to eat in one bite. Absolutely delicious!
We had so much food that we completely skipped the cold soba noodle course, which the staff kindly packed up for us to take home, demonstrating their awareness of portion sizes.
Now, onto dessert. The set menu includes two desserts, so we chose sorbet and S'mores cheesecake. The cheesecake was quite rich, but I can never resist a chocolatey house-made dessert!
What truly elevated this experience was the staff. They were friendly, attentive, and very helpful, checking in on us frequently to refill our water and tea. They also provided clear instructions on cooking the meat perfectly, ensuring everything tasted fantastic.
Japanese BBQ Yoshi isn’t cheap, but it is absolutely worth the price. While we were dining, I noticed several guests being warmly greeted as regulars, which is always a good sign for any establishment. I definitely hope to return as a regular myself!"
