Don't let the strip mall fool you. Yoshi is hiding some of the best, most upscale sushi in the…read morecity!
TL;DR: Upscale food in a low-key area. We spent $230 (w/ tip) and it was worth every penny. Probably the best Japanese restaurant in the city.
We passed by this place multiple times on our way elsewhere. We're Mario fans, so the name Yoshi caught our eye, but the cramped strip mall exterior doesn't exactly scream culinary dream. We decided to take a chance, and let me just say--wow.
It's an intimate space with just a few tables and an 8-10 seat sushi bar.
We didn't have reservations (make one, they fill up fast) but managed to snag seats at the bar. The service immediately stood out. We had better attention here than at some upscale steakhouses--glasses never went empty, and their menu suggestions were spot on. One minor heads-up: at the sushi bar, staff sometimes walk behind you to talk to the chefs, which can be a bit distracting.
For starters, we grabbed the gyoza and asked for a standout small plate. They pointed us to the beef tongue. It arrived hot with shredded onions and spicy mustard, delivering a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with a deep, beefy richness. The gyoza was equally flawless. Instead of the overly chewy or burnt wrappers you find at most spots, these had a delicate, golden-brown sear with an intensely savory, garlicky umami filling. We paired this with Sayuri sake, a creamy, unfiltered pour that perfectly balanced sweetness with a dry, clean finish.
Since we love nigiri, we ordered a spread: tuna, salmon, smoked salmon, sweet shrimp, and Japanese scallop, plus a salmon/avocado roll. The cuts were impeccably sourced and practically dissolved on the tongue. You rarely find this level of consistency. Just a heads up--they prepare it the traditional way, meaning there is a dab of wasabi tucked directly under the fish.
We also tried the Wagyu A-5 roll. It's about as "meat and potatoes" as a roll can get: steak, carrots, asparagus, and rice. The seared Wagyu fat melted instantly, creating a decadent, buttery glaze over the crisp vegetables. It's one of those rare foods that genuinely forces you to pause after each bite. At $40, it was 100% worth it.
I can't say enough about this experience. Next time, we're leveling up to the fatty tuna and Wagyu experience on their special menu. That's the exact culinary peak we've been looking for, and incredibly, it's tucked inside a suburban strip mall. Absolutely brilliant.