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Yakiya are two words meaning grill store which sounds a bit stilted in Japanese. Yakinikuya is the usual default word for a grilled meat restaurant. I then found out this is the high-end restaurant for the Panda Express group using a Japanese format with all things Wagyū (wah ghee yu). Being in Los Ángeles, there are other culinary influences seeping in such as Korean, Argentinean, Indonesian, etc. and of course Chinese. Decor can be described as contemporary East Asian with touches of Japanese Wabi-Sabi understated minimalism & refined Chinese accoutrements such as the gold tone metal chop sticks at the table which continues the motif. There is a bar which was manned by Billy who is a polished, suave barman comfortable and capable enough to perform in a Guide Michelin Trois Étoiles restaurant. He entertained us showing us rare ultra premium Suntory Hibiki Whiskey aged 30 years and Yamazaki Single Malt aged 25 years. 1) Wagyū Smoked Tartare is plush, lush topped with a quail egg yolk and microgreens ceremonially mixed sur la table while there is a wafer of burning Hinoki Japanese Cypress to give off incense like smoke. Placed on a crispy square toast point. 2) Crudité of carrots, crispy cucumber, purple bell pepper with Aka Miso/ red Miso paste. Huge, airy, Indonesian Rengginang/crunchy fried rice chip. 2) Chawan Mushi: A more viscous version of Japanese egg custard soup garnished with woodsy Shītakè (shee tah keh) & what may be Chinese dried Abalone. 3) Miso Black Cod: Sweet white Miso caramelized and cod slightly burnt, sprinkling of Asatsuki/Japanese chives. 4) A5 Zabuton Nigiri: Wildly marbled Kagoshima Wagyū. Zabuton, meaning seat cushion, is the chuck area, located between the neck and the rib of a cow. Plush Zabuton wraps around a small Nigiri of Sushi Rice and topped with Kuki Wasabi/fermented, pickled Wasabi stems. Underlying flavoured soy sauce in the dish. 5) SRF American Wagyū Tongue: Thin disks with hash grill marks chewy yet soft eaten with a flavourful rough chiffonade of green onions, aromatic, toasty sesame oil, sea salt which seems to have Chinese sensibilities. 6) SRF American Wagyū Harami Skirt Steak: Harami means belly meat and it came out pleasantly chewy with good, fatty beefiness. Deliberately cooked to medium to emphasize the chaw. Excellent Chimichurri sauce of green herbs, aged garlic, thick olive oil that complemented the beef. 7) SRF American Wagyū Shortrib: Another wildly but not as marbled, thicker slice that had a pleasant chaw. Used the green onion chiffonade. 8) Wagyū Garlic Rice: Korean Bibimbap like crispy yet moist rice texture augmented with green onions, toasted ground garlic and fatty beefy Umami. Same flavoured soy sauce. Starchy and rich to finish off any hunger present. 1-8a) Kikusui Daiginjō Sakè (sah keh): Using the rare Kikisui Sakè rice, rich body with hints of acid, Kōji/rice earthiness, touch mushroomy, faintly fruity, dry apricot, Japanese Hachiya Persimmon. 8) Yuzu Sorbet with Basil oil: Refreshing mildly bitter sour citrus with slightly musky green herbal. All the staff is very accommodating, welcoming, service oriented. Since they do all the grilling, they instinctively know when to swoop in according to the customers' pace which is amazing. Christian was informative, food knowledgeable, savvy. He helps create a feeling of hospitality that goes a long way in enhancing the Yakiya experience. 4+ stars
We came as a large party of 12. Everyone was so impressed with the professional service we received. Each dish was presented so beautifully, introduced so professionally , and tasted so amazingly. I was surprised to see a Koi fish in the bottom of my sake cup. Then you know the restaurant care about each customer's dining experience & care for all these little details. All 12 of us walked out of this restaurant satisfied & already are setting a date for our next visit. Great job Yakiya! It's really hard to impress every single one of us and you did it!
Was in the area and decided to try due to the good reviews. Was worried it was going to be like Chubby Cattle which we didn't like. Thank goodness the food was good. Got the original set. Liked how they asked if we all eat raw meat because of the tartare. They were and to substitute for an extra piece of meat for the non raw meat eater. All the food and meats were well seasoned and spot on. The only negative was the rice was at the end was a like bit too sweet. Servers came around often refilling drinks and were friendly as well. If i lived in the area, I would come more often.
Great service. Didn't have to really do much since the employees here cook for you and always come and check on you. Will come back to try their 11 course menu and see how it defer from the dine in LA special one. Got a few drinks as well to try them out. Their old fashion with the marshmallow was a nice touch and my girlfriend really enjoyed the fog drink. Nice decor inside very modern. Only problem is when I tried calling them to reschedule my reservation that I made a mistake on i didnt get a response when I emailed them and couldn't get through their phone number so I just had to let it go and make another reservation. Which someone would answer or pick up the phone
Yakiya is a wonderful Japanese steakhouse specializing in yakiniku (Japanese grilled meats) in a center table grill with smoke free ventilation. We went during Dine LA and had the 8 course menu and every one was A+ delicious. It included premium cuts like Japanese A5 Wagyu, American Wagyu, Prime beef and a cod that was so buttery and flavorful it was as good as the beef. Jimmy our server made the whole visit such an enjoyable experience for our table of 4. He was a great storyteller and imparted a greater appreciation for the preparation and the quality of the beef. Some cuts are sourced directly from Japan. Billy took care of us at the bar and made some delicious cocktails notably the Mr. Miyagi whisky with puréed ginger and sweet fruit essence. Form the moment you gaze at the entrance adorned with colorful Japanese lanterns and step into the softly lit lobby, you can feel the amount of attention it took to create a harmonious space complete with comfortable seating, beautiful premium bar area and tastefully designed dining room. Definitely worth subsequent visits and a place to take your best friends and family.
Came for DineLA! We got the lunch set course for $68 which included tartare, chawanmushi, black cod, A5 zabuton nigiri, Wagyu skirt and short rib, crudités, garlic rice and yuzu sorbet. We added bone marrow to the garlic rice and a A5 ribeye with poached egg. We had reservations and for a set time, as the servers have to prepare some dishes tableside. Most tables seem to also do DineLA so the tables got served the courses together. Nine other dining parties came at the same time as us with three servers taking care which could be a little short staffed. Since we came late by five minutes we were seated last of the time slot and didn't get offered a drink menu. While the dishes seemed small, by the end of the meal we were quite full! The A5 dishes were quite tasty. The Wagyu ones in comparison were less rich but the chimichurri sauce helped. We got some extra dishes not on the menu (Wagyu ribeye and tomatoes) which were a pleasant add! Plenty of parking in the lot shared with Hook burger and various cooperate offices that are not open on weekends.
Came here for DineLA with two other friends. We each got a drink to pair with our dinner. FOOD I don't think there was a single dish I disliked. Definitely wished I had more of a few things. The miso black cod was delicious. The different meats were flavorful and rich. I really liked that there is a built-in fan for the grill so the smoke doesn't get on your clothes. INTERIOR Definitely trendy vibes. Great spot for date night or just cozy gathering with friends. They had stations that could seat up to 8 people comfortably. SERVICE Attentive! They refilled my water a few times without needing to ask. They also cook the meat for you too. PARKING They have a spacious parking lot so parking was not an issue for us. WOULD I COME BACK? Yessss
Made reservations for Shabu shabu hot pot. We made reservations for 430pm and were so looking forward to hot pot. We arrived at 4:05 and were asked to come back later because they were not open yet. Hours listed in Yelp, google and open table say 10am-11pm on Sundays. We came back at 430pm and saw many diners already seated starting their meals. That didn't feel good. We were then seated at a grill and when asked about the hot pot, which I selected as part of the reservation, we were told that they aren't serving hot pot on Sunday, because it's Mother's Day. The website, Yelp or Open Table did not specify that at all. When I told them that I selected the shabu on the reservation, they told me that is just the general seating, has nothing to do with the meal you get. What?! See the hours and the reservation below. This is our second time trying to have hot pot here, the last time we were turned away on another Sunday at 2pm with customers eating in the restaurant we were,told they close from 2pm-4pm to clean. I guess we aren't welcome here.
We did a dineLA meal with the grilled meats. Servers were procedural and friendly. The grilling is all customers hands free and prepared for you by the staff. Design inside is darker and seems modern. Good for a date night. Every dish was really good and enjoyable. Beef consistently had marbled wagyu fat that melts comfortably. The fish came out juicy and buttery. There was not really any dishes that I did not enjoy. Everything was presented neatly. I guess the only awkward part was my utensils getting taken before I was finished on the last dish. Not a big deal, they have me another fork.
Great service and value for the Original Tasting Menu from the team that brought you the Panda Inn and Express! We went for dinner on a rainy Saturday, lured in by the exotic cuts of beef on a reasonably priced tasting menu. Was it worth it at this famous Japanese beef concept resto? Short answer is yes, and we will be back, having been sucked in by the sleek but classy casual luxe vibe with its gold and yellow hues contrasting with dark stone. But let's find out more about what we ate, if I can remember (it's 15 courses, but the menu doesn't quite match what you might actually get)... Amuse bouche. Right off the bat, a strong starter. If you dig raw meat tartare, this does not disappoint. The tartlet was a nice little bite, and the pastry was crunchy, pairing well with the sour beef. Running tandem with a more classic raw egg shooter wrapped in nori, and you got a winner with the creamy yolk enhancing the meat. Recommend even if you don't normally do raw meat dishes, and they will ask you up front if you can handle it. Wagyu tataki. Thin beef slice with nice sour vinegar dressing. Served with smoke jar, and so the flavor is very much infused with it. Maybe off putting to some since it is fairly pronounced. Chawanmushi. Might have crab flavor in it, but it was definitely the best chawanmushi I've ever had. Super silky smooth, this dish takes it next level with its superior texture. Served with the seafood broth, scallop, and mushroom, this is a treat between meat courses. Miso sea bass. We love sea bass, and we have had miso-glazed salmon before. But this sea bass is infused with it. Cooked perfectly with its flaky soft meat and with a sweet char caramelization on top, this a delicious seafood course that you don't want to miss. Wagyu "sushi". Think nigiri but with grilled beef. The server cooks this one for you before wrapping it around vinegared sushi rice with some real wasabi. Unlike common fake horseradish wasabi, this is not spicy harsh but pleasantly sweet with, wet, and only a hint of heat. Tasty and so fatty, a delicious course with rice, whetting the appetite for more cooked beef to come... Wagyu with onsen egg. A creamy luxury of a dish, the server cooks the meat and egg separately on the grill. When eating, you coat the meat with the runny egg mix for superb bite of creamy beef infused with soy sauce. Fruit palate cleanser. A small dish of wet candied yuzu, wakamomo (sweet picked baby pears), and yamamomo (sweet pickled Chinese bay berries). Delightfully sweet and sour trio. Side dish of veggies. Carrot sticks, cucumber, and lettuce served with a super tasty miso dip. Also comes with a giant rice cracker. Refillable! (We did.) Beef tongue. Server grilled and served it with a slightly sweet and slightly sour green Japanese chimichurri, this was very fatty tongue. Super soft because it's Wagyu. Wagyu platter. Three different meats, each one increasing into fattiness. Server grilled each one to your liking. The filet is left as the last piece to be served on the final meat course before dessert... The garlic miso bone marrow rice. A fantastic savory finisher. The server mixes the bone marrow and miso paste into the rice, and it comes out like fried rice. Then the server places the filet on top like a steak donburi. Meat is so soft you can just bite it with chopsticks as you pair each one with a mouthful of fatty rice. Best food combo, steak and rice, of course. Dessert. The yuzu sorbet (my fave) was sweet and sour with bitter notes, covered a sweet matcha sauce. But the matcha bomb, a white chocolate shell, explodes matcha in your mouth when you bite into it for a fantastic meal finish. Overall, definite recommend. Get the original tasting menu if you can spend the time and have the room for it. It's a great value for the experience and what you get. Until next time!
I haven't been to Yakiya in a while but this was such a good meal. I did the standard 15 course for a birthday dinner and it flies by. Plus they did a great job in dish portions so I didn't feel overly stuffed by the end of this. Every dish was solid and I have such a hard time picking a favorite! Maybe if I had to pick, the Zabuton nigiri was nicely paired with the fresh wasabi and nori powder. Many of the beef cuts were very tender. Dessert was a nice sorbet to lighten up the heaviness from the meal, and they added a birthday cracker. Plus the chocolate was so cool for dessert. It explodes in your mouth but in a good way! Highly recommend for any occasions and easy to get in and out of, with ample parking in the lot.
10 months ago
We had a fantastic meal the food was excellent and the service was really good. Our top favorites were the uni with caviar (absolutely luxurious), the wagyu tartare, and the melt-in-your-mouth A5 Kagoshima Ribeye. Every dish was beautifully presented and full of flavor. The only reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 was the pacing of the experience. It felt a bit rushed, almost like we were on a timer. The bill was brought out before our desserts arrived, which came off as a bit impersonal and took away from an otherwise special meal. That said, we'd still come back, just hoping for a more relaxed pace next time to truly savor the food and the environment. read more
I visited Yakiya on a weekday for a work dinner and while reservations are recommended I think you could just walk in. The Menu is courses and it starts off with a raw tasting and cooked beef on the 2nd half. Each course ranges from a single bite to a few bites. You really get a wide variety of cuts and from lean to fatty meat. Each cut of meat is cooked by the staff and you get to just sit back and enjoy the experience. Interior is new and comfortable. Overall it's a great experience I would definitely recommend. read more
Excellent customer service. I was greeted by multiple people. I didn't have reservations. I heard about this restaurant and wanted to check it out. Everyone was so nice and tried to accommodate me. I ended up being seated at the bar and ordered a la carte. The ambiance was nice. Not too loud and not so quiet that you can hear a pin drop. The bartender and the host were both very attentive. They both explained every dish that was served. They provided their recommendations as well. The drinks were delicious. I had the Skytree and the Pagoda. Be careful not to drink too fast because you can't taste the alcohol at first. They gave me a tasting of Yakiya's very own Maker's Mark. It was very flavorful and I'm usually not a fan of Maker's Mark because I always thought that it was too sweet. This one paired with the bone marrow fried rice had an explosion of flavors. The sashimi was very fresh. I preferred my scallops touched or seared, but that's just my preference. There was nothing wrong with how the restaurant presented it. I got the prime ribeye. It's the perfect portion to taste and you can try another cut on the menu without being full off of one piece. The ribeye was very tender, juicy, and flavorful as well. The bone marrow fried rice was delicious! I couldn't finish it so I had to take it home. The sake sorbet with basil oil and white chocolate ball were perfect to end the meal. I would definitely return and make a reservation for the full tasting menu. read more
2 years ago
My ravenous is killing me! I must confess I still believe! When I think about it I lose my mind now that is a sign! So then Hit me Baby! One more Time! Yes, Yakiya has done it once again and the same elevated experience I had from the first location was duplicated here at their second spot. The chef's prefix menu came with grade freak-a-licious A cuts of beef from Japan. What I love about this experience is that they grill your cuts for you to ensure that you get the maximum flavor they want you to have. The ambiance is chill and the aesthetics have a luxurious feel with leather, wood and brass. The service was on point and I also forgot to mention the smoke free vents so you don't come out smelling like you were the one on the grill. And that's my take on this spot, Peace read more
2 years ago
就像夜空裡的星星，我們都有照亮別人的能力， 千萬別小看自己，而每一個微笑的背後， 藏著都是對生活的熱愛，即使這個世界再喧擾，也別忘了妳迷人的微笑～ 生日快到了，這次是我這輩子第一次生日，要請人家吃飯， 去年學姐生日她堅持請我，所以今年帶她來 Yakiya , Pasadena 新開的這家，那麼早來是因為他們8月份有折扣， 星期一到四 本來128 一個人的變成 88 一個人， 所以兩個人加稅加小費可以省100 元左右， Yakiya, 我來過很多很多很多次了， 東西還是一樣精緻，小巧， 有模有樣的一小道一小道的上，問題也是出在 東西就都一樣， 從他們開門2016， 2017到現在，菜單幾乎完全一樣，都沒變， 唯一不同的是好像加了道小小的生魚片， that's it, 以前帶小孩去吃， 他們沒吃飽， 吃完還去 對面85 C 買麵包， 上禮拜過去，我居然吃不完， 最後的牛骨髓炒飯 ， 跟幾塊肉我還帶回家了， 難道是老了， 胃口變小了， 吃不了這麼多了 最後要提一下， 只給四顆星是我們的服務員， 態度不是太好， 雖然都在幫我們烤肉， 可是明顯的感覺出， 不是太喜歡我們的感覺，唉， 不然其他的都沒啥好挑剔的了！ read more
Came back to try the new shabu menu and was definitely not disappointed. The broth was very mild and tame allowing the flavor of the beef to shine. The seafood palate was so delicious too. Shoutout to all the staff here for providing a spectacular experience. read more
2 years ago
Had the opportunity to send out kids to a camp for the night, so my wife and I went to Yakiya for dinner. This is a set menu for a set price, and the whole meal is very well orchestrated. They clearly have perfected all the dishes, and the presentation for each. Service was great, as should be expected for a restaurant like this. It is the same owners as Panda, but clearly a very elevated experience. All of the food was delicious, service was great, and the restaurant was very nice. The ambiance for the restaurant fit the food and style. For the volume of courses that they had, it was not overly full due to the small portions. It may have been better to have at least one dish that is almost just a "filler" so that diners are full when they leave. Glad that we tried it out, and I would recommend it for a special occasion. Until next time! read more
Finally got to have dinner here and it did not disappoint. The food was perfect and I really enjoyed the cadence in which the food was presented and served. The tasting menu had a great combination of hot and cold items, and the quality of the meat was such a happy experience. I personally loved the decor and it definitely created an environment that felt like I was enjoying a little more luxury for the night. The service was amazing and our waiter was really knowledge and really made us feel welcome. It's a pricey dinner but like my dad always says, if you think it's worth it then it is! read more
1 year ago
9 months ago
I am a loyal customer that will celebrate my son 's birthday or meet a client in Yakiya. Yesterday I bought my best friend in with our family to celebrate her belated birthday and the experience is bad. They are having an in room event for yelp and our service are definitely affected by it . We sat down and no water for us to drink . Our waiter jimmy show up and we ordered drink which we did not receive our drink when our main course arrive . Jimmy disappeared on our second round of meat service so my husband try to cook by himself and jimmy came back and ask why u took my job and comment my husband " this is stupid" . We were all shocked. The plate is missing for us to eat, he took a spoon away and we need to use the small spoon for rice . It is just awkward . I have to ask for a refill I have to ask for a plate ???? I am definitely not happy with the experience , tell me how can I eat my beef with the rice without a plate and knife ? Dear manager , I wish you reply to me . read more
3 months ago
1 year ago
One of my favorite restaurants! Service is absolutely incredible. Love that this location offers shabu, a la carte options, lunch on the weekends and yakiniku. Parking is easy, restaurant is spacious, and food is fireeeeeee! Definitely the place to bring a date, celebrate a special occasion, or even for a casual treat yourself night out. Shoutout to Lester, Jordan, and TJ for their outstanding service. Will definitely be back! read more
5 months ago
7 months ago
Jimmy made our experience here PHENOMENAL! We are so happy you got to celebrate our dad with us tonight. The food is spectacular but Jimmy makes it soar even more. We all laughed so much tonight! I could go on and on about Jimmy but I'm sure everyone wants to know about the food. :) Every dish is a melt-in-your-mouth orgasm. Nothing was average here and worth every penny. Ambience is beautiful. Silverware is luxurious. Staff is great! Jason even stopped by with some jokes too. Lol! We will definitely be coming back! Thank you, Jimmy, Jason, and staff. read more
Long overdue review! Boyfriend made reservations at Yakiya for our anniversary a few months ago and it was one of our favorite dining experiences together. Everything from start to finish was excellent, both food and service. We're provided with a personalized menu (which I still have) which helped so we could follow along the for the evening. Everything on the menu was delicious, but my favorites were the bluefin tuna tartelette, wagyu short rib, filet mignon board (various pieces), and bone marrow kimchi fried rice. Little things like wishing us happy anniversary, happy anniversary signage with our dessert, and even our names on the printed menu made this even more special! Would highly recommend if you're looking for a special place to celebrate or want a great dining experience. read more
I came here to try out their lunch menu with my best friend! By the end of the meal, we were at a good level of full. For dinner, I'm usually rolling out there but lunch was $48 for 5 courses whereas dinner is about $128 for 13 courses. We still got some of the same items during lunch that you would during dinner and they give you a choice for the main. I believe there were 3 choices to be made, the grilled meat, salmon, and something else. Regardless, we chose the beef. It also came with palette cleansers and the most amazing tuna tartar topped with caviar in a wonton shell. We were the only ones there and our server was amazing. I told her how much I loved the matcha balls and she was able to get me some even though it's not typically given at lunch. The vibes are super upscale and clean/modern. I love coming here for special events during dinner so it was amazing to hear that I could come here for lunch as well. Their lunch hours are weekends only at either 11:30 or 1pm. We came on a Sunday that was a little rainy and the parking lot was huge. We parked right at the front door. Overall, I will be back for their lunch menu again with my boyfriend. read more
2 years ago
The Pasadena location is beautiful! Having been to the Rowland location before I already know the food won't disappoint, but we were all impressed by the beautiful decor. We came here to celebrate both of my parents birthday, and the service was superb! They both got whiskey bone marrow shots as a surprise birthday treat, such a fun experience! Overall the food was amazing, and I think it's a good value for the quality of the meat!! Plenty of parking in the lot, the restaurant was pretty quiet on a Sunday night. read more
4 months ago
When in SoCal, I gotta hit the coolest food places... and I found Yakiya and knew I had to give it a try. It is a prefix 15-course Japanese tasting menu, ranging from raw fish/meat to grilled meat, including the tastiest desserts. The restaurant is a very low-light , intimate ambiance, perfect for a date night or special occasion. It was roughly around $150 pp. I appreciate the waitress also explaining each dish to me and also cooking our meat to perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here and would love to go back. read more
Ambiance: as soon as you walk in, it feels like an upscale restaurant. Especially when you use their restrooms with their high tech toilets that automatically flush for you. You can see an open kitchen and nice bar setup with the lit-up whiskies! We found out from our server, Lester, this is the high end concept from the Panda group! Aka the owners of Panda Express. Parking: Ample Food was amazing! Guaranteed to have a good meal for your special occasion, or just a Monday night. Partner doesn't like raw. You can opt for raw option or get cooked alternatives. So both of us were so happy getting our preferences! Beef tartare, Egg custard and the meat dipping sauce were some standouts. The sorbet with the basil oil, what a treat! We ordered the crispy pig ear a la carte per recommendation by our server! Service was spectacular!! Lester and other staff were so accommodating. Due to the sick season, they happened to be understaffed that night. But you can see the servers working their butt off to give quality and timely service. We had such a pleasant experience mostly impart to Lester, the staff and the delicious food! read more
8 months ago
Fancy, elegant place. Service is amazing, all the staff is attentive and fast. They cook the food in front of you and there was a lot of new things for me to try. I liked all the details in this restaurant, from the gold accents all around to the smart toilet in the restroom. However, I was not impressed with the quality of the meat and did not like the "miso" stuff they have added to everything. Also the portions are very small and I was still hungry after my experience was over. If you're looking for a cute vibe place, this is it. If you're looking for unforgettably delicious food, pick something else. read more
4 months ago
3 months ago
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1 year ago
We enjoyed an amazing multi course dinner on a Friday night. Every dish of the prix fixe menu was delicious down to the last delectable morsel. Angel was an excellent server who introduced each course in detail so we knew exactly what we were about to enjoy. The manager, Jason, was friendly and checked in an appropriate amount. The restaurant is spacious and I appreciated the space between the tables. I'd recommend reservations as this place gets very busy. read more
I had no idea what to expect coming into this experience, but it quickly became one of the best dining experiences I have ever had! We had a reservation and were shown to our table and walked through the courses we would encounter. The staff was super attentive and encouraged us to take pictures and videos to document our experience. This was actually my first encounter with a number of raw dishes, but I fell in love with each one in its own way. If you are weary of trying raw dishes, I would still encourage you to give these a try! Each component of the dishes mixed extremely well and left a lasting impression on me. Everything was so well thought out and prepared with careful attention to detail. The staff cooked the meat to our liking and prepared many of the dishes right in front of us, which was awesome to see. My favorites were bone marrow rice, egg dish, and wagyu varieties. The meat was so tender and flavorful. Many courses came with a few sauces on the side that complemented everything well. The Yuzu Cocktail is a perfect choice as a palate cleanser and something to sip on throughout the courses. It was easy to find parking and the ambiance was fairly quiet for a weekend. I would recommend coming in the late afternoon. The price is definitely on the higher side, but for the quality and service you are receiving, I think it is 100% worth it. Not only are you getting amazing food, you are also getting a great dining experience as a whole. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a high-quality and well-thought-out meal! read more
What a top-notch, wonderful experience at Yakiya, in celebration of my parents' anniversary! Yakiya is a fine dining restaurant owned by the Panda Inn Company. They only offer a tasting menu of 16 small dishes and the entire experience takes about 1.5-2hrs. From beginning to end, it was a wonderful surprise on the palate; and we anticipated each upcoming dish with excitement. There were flavors that we had never tasted before. Even my picky father who complains most of the time gives this experience 5 stars! I won't go into detail about every dish, but like other tasting menus, there were some dishes that we enjoyed better than others. Our particular favorite was the bluefin tuna tartelette with ossetra caviar - we even ordered another round at the very end of our meal! In terms of the meats, we found the star of the show, the A5 miyazaki slightly too fatty. Perhaps it's a personal opinion and some might enjoy the fattier meat, but it was a bit too much for us. However before it was cooked, it looked like a clean slate of marble - it was beautiful! The experience ends with a white chocolate matcha ball - the pop of matcha was very fulfilling on the palate. The food is worth the $128 per person, however I found the drinks to be way too overpriced. We saw a flight of Japanese whiskey priced at $500, which in my opinion is a bit outrageous. We also found the music and ambiance a bit on the noisier side, would've been nice to turn it down just a notch. Service was wonderful. Melissa took good care of us and was very attentive. She was wonderful in cooking and explaining our meats, and even showed us the Yakiya Wagyu certificate. Even the bartender, Alfredo, was friendly and came to our table to greet us. It was a memorable dining experience to celebrate my parents' anniversary. Will come back again to try their summer menu! read more
1 year ago
I have to admit that I was unprepared for the culinary experience we had. We stumbled onto this place accidentally and booked a table for the following evening. First, service, was outstanding. Every single employee was fantastic. Knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. If you are in any way a whiskey fan, you have to come here and check out the bar. Onto the food. Oh boy, a 15 course expedition of what Japans culinary bbq is all about. From the tuna tartare to the Wagyu beef, it was divine. The setting is open, casual and inviting. The two of us sat at an open table that could hold 4, 6 or 8. Do yourself a favor and experience this Pasadena treasure read more
2 years ago
Came here to celebrate Mother's Day and it was a very pleasant experience from beginning to end. Staff was very attentive, greeting us before we even walked in and escorting us out at the end, and they did a good job explaining what each dish was and what they thought was the best way to eat it. They took care of all the grilling and regularly checked in on us. They would clear all the plates after one dish and before bringing out the next one. We ended up finishing in 2 hours, and we felt taken care of the entire time. For $128/person, I really enjoyed the experience of trying high quality meat cuts. I enjoyed all of them, except the ribeye, which I thought was a little dry from being cooked too long, and the beef ball in the beef broth, which I thought was a little diluted. Everything else was for the most part, very tender and flavorful. I think my favorite would have to be the beef tongue, the bone marrow and filet mignon, and the beef tartare with truffle oil. The Dungeness crab over the silky steamed egg had a lot of umami flavor which I also enjoyed. Cocktails were alright. I really enjoyed the Matcha Man but it was really small. I'm a one cocktail a night kind of person and I finished it way before the course ended so I felt like I really had to pace myself over the 2 hours. I'd definitely come back but only on very special occasions. It is definitely a very unique experience but not a place where you pay a lot to eat a lot of meat because it's really a tasting menu, meaning one person gets one or twice slice of a beef cut. read more
Walking into Yakiya's new location felt like stepping onto a dazzling stage - sleek interiors, luxurious vibes, and the promise of culinary theater. We were eager to see how their latest offering, the highly anticipated Shabu Experience menu, would take this performance to the next level. But honestly? What unfolded felt less like Broadway and more like an offbeat rehearsal where everyone forgot their lines. Act I: The Menu Mystery Let's start with the menu. The whole "Chef's Pre-fixe Menu" idea, now adapted for their new Shabu Experience, sounds amazing on paper, but no one explained how it actually worked. Should we all order the same thing? Or mix it up? The waitstaff didn't really know either, so we were left guessing. It kind of felt like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. Act II: A Restroom Odyssey This one's a head-scratcher. We showed up at 4:30 PM, and the place was basically empty, yet the restroom was out of order for almost an hour. No one gave us a reason or an alternative. It was just... unavailable. At one point, I started wondering if this was supposed to be part of the "experience." Act III: The Appetizer Surprise Before things went sideways, the appetizers brought a glimpse of hope. They were beautifully presented, almost like works of art, and the flavors were surprisingly delightful. For a brief moment, we thought this might just be the culinary journey Yakiya had promised. Unfortunately, this was more like the highlight of an opening act that the rest of the performance couldn't live up to. Act IV: Sauce Shenanigans Now for the sauces. One server brought out something and confidently called it by the wrong name. Then she came back and said, "Oh, actually, it's sesame sauce. Sorry, it's a new item!" A new item? At a place that prides itself on chef-curated perfection? The irony wasn't lost on us. Act V: The Hotpot Horror This part was almost painful. They turned on our hotpot stove - or at least they thought they did. Twenty minutes later, we realized it wasn't even on, so we just sat there waiting for lukewarm broth to do... something. By the time it finally started boiling, our patience had already boiled over. Act VI: The Dry Ice Drama Ah, the dry ice. Or, actually, the lack of it. We were supposed to get this cool smoke effect, but it never happened. For a moment, we thought the ice was edible. My wife even poked it with her chopsticks until a manager finally came over and apologized. Apparently, they "forgot" to set it up. Classic. Act VII: Meat Matters Let's talk about the meat. Most of it was, frankly, chewy and disappointing. The only highlight was the A5 Wagyu Chuck Rib, which was fantastic... but it was served in portions so tiny it felt like a teaser instead of a main event. If you're coming here hungry, good luck. Act VIII: Waiter Swap Chaos Halfway through our meal, they switched out our waiter without saying anything. This caused all sorts of confusion because we kept asking the wrong person for things, and they just stared at us like we were speaking another language. A simple heads-up would've made a world of difference. Act IX: The Space-Age Restroom Now, let's give credit where it's due: the restroom. Once it was finally available, it turned out to be one of the evening's most memorable features. The high-tech toilet felt like something out of a futuristic spaceship, complete with sleek design and functions that made it feel more luxurious than the dining experience itself. Honestly, it left us more impressed than the food. Curtain Call: A New Location Still Finding Its Footing This Yakiya location feels like it's still figuring things out, even though it's been open for a year. The service was chaotic, the details were all over the place, and the whole experience was frustrating. It's so weird because their Hacienda Heights location, which I've been to many times, is always flawless. How can the same brand feel so different? Final Bow: Room for Redemption If Yakiya's team can get their act together - better training, clearer menus, and more attention to detail - this place might actually live up to its potential. For now, though, it's more smoke than fire, and not in the way they intended. Would I come back? Only if they can bring this performance up to Yakiya's usual standards. Right now, it's a show that definitely needs a few more rehearsals. read more
10 months ago
We enjoyed a lovely evening with friends at Yakiya. The 11 courses DineLA menu was superb and service was impeccable. The restaurant's elegant and beautifully designed interior added to the charm of the night. Special thanks to Eve and Jason for ensuring a memorable experience. read more
1 year ago
This review is long overdue, my girlfriend brought me here for my birthday, and I have to say this is probably the best meal I've had in a long time! Everything was amazing, the service the ambiance, the pacing in between courses, it blew my mind. The bone marrow rice, dungeness chawanmushi and the A5 wagyu and egg were my absolute favorite dishes But the one that blew me away, with it's simplicity and flavor was the tomato dish, it was so good i forgot to take a picture but I was about to pay for a re-pass cause it was amazing Our server, I forgot her name but she was awesome, made the experience great explained every dish perfectly and was interactive with us Overall yakiya was amazing, definitely have to come back soon! read more
10 months ago
I had the pleasure of celebrating a birthday dinner at Yakiya with a large group of 18, and from start to finish, the evening was simply unforgettable. We opted for their omakase prix fixe menu (approx. $180/person), and I can confidently say--it was worth every penny. Service & Atmosphere: The staff were exceptionally polite, attentive, and organized, seamlessly accommodating our large party. The ambiance was refined yet welcoming, and a surprising highlight was the restroom--spotless, upscale, and outfitted with a heated-seat Japanese bidet toilet. It's the small details like that which make Yakiya a cut above the rest. Drinks: I enjoyed a yuzu cocktail and a refreshing Japanese beer, both perfectly paired to complement the courses. The finale was especially unique--an after-dinner whiskey served from a charred bone, adding theatrical flair and flavor. The Courses: We were treated to around 8 exquisite rounds, with standout highlights including: * Beef Tartare Trio: A delicate amuse-bouche featuring wagyu tartare with uni, caviar, and crisp rice paper served inside a half eggshell--a beautiful presentation that set the tone. * Premium Tongue Sampler: Thinly sliced beef tongue seared tableside, with accompanying pickled vegetables and two housemade sauces (one spicy and one umami-packed green onion blend). * Marbled Wagyu & Grilling Experience: Rich cuts of A5 wagyu, kalbi, and other prime selections served over dramatic dry ice smoke, then grilled over a gold-rimmed yakiniku setup. * Bone Marrow Bibimbap: Served in a hot stone bowl with two thick cuts of roasted marrow resting over seasoned rice, topped with seaweed and spicy kimchi. Comforting, bold, and beautifully balanced. * Filet over Garlic Fried Rice: One of the most comforting bites of the evening--seared beef tenderloin atop smoky, umami-rich rice. * Citrusy Yuzu Sorbet: Light, refreshing, and floral--served in a delicate bowl with edible petals and a golden spoon to round off the meal. Each dish felt intentional and curated, blending Japanese tradition with modern presentation. While this is a higher-end experience, the quality, service, and atmosphere make Yakiya an easy recommendation for special occasions. Final Verdict: If you're looking to indulge in an upscale yakiniku experience with top-tier wagyu, stunning presentation, and hospitality that truly feels elevated, Yakiya delivers. read more
I've had quite a few beef omakase style restaurants and quite a few yakiniku restaurants. I heard some really amazing things about Yakiya, and my friend said she wanted to come here for her birthday, so we ended up going one night. From a restaurant like this, naturally the service was top notch. It had a classy vibe for sure. There was no menu, everyone got the omakase. I did not take pictures of everything I ate because I was too busy enjoying the food. I did like that not every single course was beef - beef tends to be quite heavy, and I liked that the starter courses were light, such as tuna and hamachi sashimi, pickled vegetables, a yuzu palate cleanser, and a few beef sashimi dishes. Some of the highlights of the night included the Miyazaki A5 wagyu steak, and also the beef that was served to us with a poached egg. I also loved the bone marrow fried rice with beef on top. The fried rice was very rich and flavorful, and bone marrow is an amazing accent for the fried rice. The price tag is quite high, so it's not a restaurant I would regularly visit. However, it was still amazing. read more
5 months ago
5 months ago
2 years ago
Wow! This was a wonderful experience!! I made reservations for my fiancés birthday and I couldn't be happier with the service and time spent here. We had Michael and also Conrad who helped serve us last night. They made our dining experience even better because they were so attentive, personable and super respectful! Each meal came out fairly quickly. We didn't have to wait much at all for the next course. These are the types of food I normally wouldn't go for, but I know my fiance loves. But now I can say Yakiya has converted me. It was about $400 between the two of us including some drinks. It was a beautiful experience, very nice and intimate for my fiancé and I. We would love to come back! P.s. my fiancé enjoyed the bone marrow shot!! Thanks Conrad!!!! read more
Decided to make a reservation here for my boyfriend's birthday. The reservation process was pretty simple and quick as you can make a reservation through their website. This place only has a drink menu that you can choose from as they only serve "chef's pre-fixe menu" style which I like since I don't have to go through the hassle of trying to figure out what to get since I get pretty indecisive. I thought everything was amazing. The meat was really good and some were so tender it was almost melt in your mouth quality. My favorite cold dish was the Miyazaki wagyu and my favorite hot dish was the Miyazaki wagyu strip lion with a pouched egg. You start off with a yuzu refresher follow by some cold dishes and then the warm dishes and end your whole meal with dessert. I thought it was the perfect amount of food for me. I was pretty full at the end. My boyfriend was at an ok full. Our server was really nice and friendly. He was very informative and when I told him we really liked the dessert (the white chocolate) he offered us more to take home. The whole dinner took about two hours which was pretty normal for this type of style. Some dishes came out pretty quick after the one before but some did take a little longer. I liked how our server would bring out the food and when he placed the food on our table, he would tell us he will come back in case we want to take a picture lol Parking was pretty easy to find on a Tuesday night but I would assume it might get pack on Fridays or the weekends. I heard they give out bone marrow shots for birthdays and I was a little disappointed that we weren't offered that. I specifically chose this place to celebrate a birthday since I heard the Rowland Height location does that and when I asked one of the workers who seated us if they do anything for birthdays, she told me that they do a whiskey shot and something else for dessert and asked if I wanted that and I said yes. We only received the birthday dessert but not the shot. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to also let our server know since she told me she will inform my server? read more
After having dined in the Hacienda location, I've been waiting for their opening in Pasadena. I can say that my dining experience did not disappoint! TJ is also working here. Hi TJ! He's a very fun and amazing server. I think our main server was named Lester and he was so great. Service is always on point here. As we walked in, the gold and black decor was elegant. The staff were welcoming and warm. It was an intimate dining experience at a classy restaurant. However for the price of the pre-fixed menu, one would be surprised by the value of the quality of the ingredients and the complexity of the dishes in comparison to other fine dining experiences. There's about 17 courses for their pre-set menu. There are slight differences at their Pasadena location versus their Hacienda location. One of them being their tuna tartare with caviar, which is delicousness in a bite. Another is the hamachi passionfruit miso with yuzu, which was a mixture of tartness and sweet fish. Lastly was a rib eye with coach inoculation? - added more flavor to the rib eye. Reservations are through their website and they get booked quickly on the weekends. So plan ahead and bring your appetite yelpers! read more
More info about Yakiya
3455 E Foothill Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107
Directions
(626) 514-2147
Call Now
Visit Website
https://yakiya-us.com
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Ask the Community - Yakiya
Hi. Anyone know the all month 10 course is mean August or till end of September ? I just saw the promotion in FB. Thanks. Aug 22. 2025
I think the end of Aug., but may extend it. Call the restaurant directly for confirmation!
What is the dress code for this restaurant? Are shorts okay?
No dress code. You can even choose to sit at a patio dining for less noise!
What is the difference of yakiniku dinning room with shabuya dinning room?
Yakiniku is BBQ, Shabuya is Hot pot
Are food allergies addressed and honored?
Not all the time. What restaurant put on their menu that they add MSG? I am highly allergic to MSG and trust me when somebody doesn't put it on their menu. I suffer from it.. I get the wonderful trip to the hospital.… Read more
Do the guests cook the meals themselves or is someone cooking it for them table side?
They cook for you.
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
21 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
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Yakiya - bars - Updated May 2026
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