I haven't been to yakyudori in many years! I have been to the original location back in hillcrest. I do miss the zousui (chicken rice porridge), miss the chicken skin and cartilages. I am glad they are still serving cherry tomatoes, garlic skewer, and quail egg skewers. Not many places offer these items. Those are my favorite! I had chicken hearts, liver, bacon asparagus wrap, beef tongue, quail eggs, pork shiso, beef tongue etc. We ate so much! It felt warm and cozy inside. I do miss the old atmosphere feel back then when it was smaller and it was mostly Japanese people working inside at the same time I am also glad they expanded and more diverse people in. Cool they offer ramen speed challenge. If you eat under 2 minute that ramen will be on the house. Organ meats has more protein, iron, coq10, collagen to name some of health benefits. This is nutritious dinner and much healthier than going to Korean bbq. I will be back because they are still serving some of the items other competitors arent serving. Plus I was able to do walk in without making reservations. Don't forget to grab Japanese style snow cone dessert next door for dessert. It's the same owner. read more

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It was our first visit here and on this rainy day in San Diego, we wanted something cozy. We were seated right away as a party of 4. The dining room is small to medium sized so I'm sure you'd have to call ahead for larger parties. We got the spicy tonkotsu ramen, a tuna poke bowl, miso soup and a mini chicken teriyaki. All the food flavors of what we ordered were bland except for chicken teriyaki. They got my spicy tonkotsu ramen bowl wrong- it was missing the bbq pork and I ordered the bowl regular with no modifications. Our customer service experience was also pretty lacking, we didn't have much attention or care for our experience. They looked grumpy also and when we were there weren't that many patrons. 2 things about the facility that was pretty concerning: the floors were extremely slippery; it was a rainy day but it wasn't from that. There was water on my way to finding the restroom and it was extremely slippery. The restroom was dirty and had lots of graffiti everywhere. read more

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My party of 3 ate at Yakyudori around 8:30pm and were seated instantly! I like how it closes late, and it seems to be a popular spot to go during baseball games for some skewers and drinks. I personally got the miso ramen, which definitely hit the spot. The noodles were nice and chewy, and the broth had the perfect amount of salt and umami flavor. read more

Yakyudori - Miso Ramen, Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen, Mini Teriyaki Beef Rice Bowl - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

This is the best Izakaya I've ever been to, even better than the few I've been to in Japan. And by far my favorite spot in San Diego right now. Since my friend put me on this spot 2 months ago I think we've been here at least 6 times! Get the beef with wasabi, chicken meatball/momo chicken, and can't forget the garlic rice. This is seriously top tier quality, all the food comes out so fast, service is amazing and all the workers are so chill. Wiiiide selection of food but to be honest the yakitori is all you need. Also can't forget about the free sake shot for the Padres games. I will always be back here. I hope they notice me one day and I can become friends with everyone who works there hahaha read more

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First time here and came to eat Yakitori. They also Ramen and rice dishes. The menu is on a tablet and you order directly to the table. The place was pretty busy but we were seated fast. The yakitori was delicious and exceeded my expectations. The cook and seasoning was perfect. I honestly didn't have a favorite as they were all home runs. The crispy garlic rice was also so good. My only critique is every skewer was a minimum order of 2. read more

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Been having Yakyudori bookmarked for hella long and finally pulled up... man, why did I wait? We went IN!!!!!!! Beef tongue, beef skewers, shrimp tempura, ramen, sashimi, seaweed salad, sausage, rice... basically everything! Everything slapped!! The skewers had that perfect char that gives you all that smoky flavor, and every bite had me looking at the next skewer like, Aight... one more.... Lol Found out the owner also owns Koli next door, so now I got TWO reasons to keep coming back. Safe to say this spot just became a regular in the rotation in my big back life read more

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It was a small restaurant and quite busy late at night, probably because there weren't many other restaurants open. We waited about 30 minutes to get a seat. The staff were nice and checked on us frequently. They also reminded us about the last order time, which was helpful. However, since it was already quite late, some of the dishes we wanted to try were sold out, so we ended up having ramen. Unfortunately, the broth didn't have the depth of flavor we expected and tasted quite bland. read more

Yakyudori - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

This is our go-to Japanese spot for my family and I! We love how big the menu is and there is seriously something for everyone. We have a 5 year old and 7 year old and finding a place to eat that can accommodate all our preferences can be hard, but we never have to worry about that at Yakyudori. Our staples are always the Tonkatsu Ramen (the girls favorite) and the Kushi Chicken Katsu Bowl (Mom and Dad's favorite). We're never disappointed with this place and I recommend it to friends for different reasons! Service is great and atmosphere is chill. Stop by. You won't be disappointed. read more

First time here and I gave them 5 stars because my waiter took really good care of me, they kept giving me duplicate of my meats I ordered. We ordered chicken karaage, chicken hearts and chicken liver and gyoza. They were delicious ands grilled to my liking. I left the place full. The servers were very attentive and nice. The vibe was casual and plenty of parking !! Thank you Yakyudori !! read more

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Food and staff was just OK, but biggest issue was a roach crawled on the wall next to us when we were eating. I mentioned to the staff and watch them kill it with a napkin. No apoloy. COmpletely lost my appetite. Gross! read more

6 years since my last review and this place still deserves 5 stars! My favorite place for yakitori. Must orders are the pork shiso, beef w/ wasabi, harami beef, fried oysters, and fresh oysters to name a few. Very friendly staff and great service ! read more

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We came here for an early BIRTHDAY dinner for my hubby! All he wanted was some good Yakitori. All the other Yakitori places were closed until 5pm and we wanted to have an early dinner to give our tummies time to digest ;) TAKOYAKI: 10/10 So CRISPY on the outside and soft on the inside. It was one of the most crispy Takoyaki I've ever had!! All the other ones I've had were too moist on the outside... BEEF WITH CHOPPED WASABI: 10/10 I usually don't eat a lot of meat but, I finished a whole skewer. It was so flavorful and I really enjoyed it... EDAMAME: 10/10 It was cooked perfectly! Just the way I like it. Soft, warm and lightly salted. The Edamame seeds were HUGE! CRAB CREAM CROQUET: 7/10 I misunderstood and I thought there would be real crab inside but it's just a cream centered croquette... CHICKEN MEATBALLS: 9/10 I really liked it. Everything came out nice and hot!... SERVICE: A+ Excellent! We felt like we escaped to Japan for a quick moment. They also gave my hubby a complimentary crepe cake and mochi ice cream. The mango mochi ice cream was delicious!! FYI: You can get $1 edamame or beer when you follow and comment on their Instagram ;) WE WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK FOR MORE YAKITORI!!! ROCK ON YAKYUDORI!!!! read more

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Yakyyudori is our go to Yakidori place. We typically sit on a table and enjoy more privacy. This time we sat at the bar. It can be fun because it feels like you get your food faster. The food is great! Some recommendations: Pork and scallion Chicken thigh Baby scallops The fried shrimp is yummy And the squid a must order! This last visit their tablets were malfunctioning which was a bit frustrating due to the number of items coming out unlike we asked for. Aka: stopped showing up! I know these things happen but they didn't do a good job explaining the situation before hand. I hope their tablets get fixed soon! As we love this place and the food options. read more

Yakyudori - 1/2025 - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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Fresh, briny, and beautifully dressed -- these oysters hit exactly how they should. Served on a chilled bed of ice, each shell was generously topped with bright orange roe, fresh green onions, and a savory soy-based sauce that enhanced without overpowering the natural sweetness of the oyster. The balance was on point: clean ocean flavor upfront, a subtle umami finish from the sauce, and just enough texture contrast from the roe. No fishy aftertaste -- just smooth, fresh, and well-handled seafood. Simple execution, high-quality product, and plated nicely for sharing. If you're into raw oysters with a little Japanese-style flair, this is an easy order. read more

Yakyudori - Half-shell oysters served over crushed ice, topped with orange roe and chopped green onions in a light soy-based sauce. - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

Social dinner event with friends turned out to be a wonderful evening of great food, company and drinks - and at reasonable prices too. Staff were friendly, we didn't wait long for a Friday night, and the food and drink were great. Quick service and good quality. Highly recommend read more

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I absolutely love their spicy miso ramen!! I've been coming for here for years and they never disappoint me! The service here is top tier! read more

Yakyudori - Spicy Miso Ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

Yakyudori is one of those spots that instantly feels like you've stepped off Convoy and into a cozy Tokyo side street. The vibe is straightforward. The yakitori options here are on point -- tender, smoky, and cooked with that perfect char. From juicy chicken thighs to crispy skin and flavorful tsukune, each bite hits the right notes. The rice dishes were also unexpectedly delicious -- simple but so comforting alongside the skewers. Genuinely friendly and efficient staff. I also have to shout out the free sake shot and the $1 beer deal -- little touches that make the night even better. It's not fancy, but it doesn't need to be. Yakyudori does what it does best: good food, good vibes, and that classic yakitori charm done right read more

Yakyudori - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

Yakyudori is my go to spot for a delicious bowl of ramen. I know that San Diego is crawling with delicious ramen, but this is my favorite spot. For context, I like my ramen with a strong miso flavor. Regardless of the toppings and garnishes, if the broth doesn't hit - there's a good chance I won't finish the bowl. I'm my opinion this place does ramen the best. Nicely cooked pork slices, fresh green onions, and that soft boiled egg. As far as service goes, I feel like I'm being served dinner at a friend's house. The more you get to know the staff the more enjoyable you're experience will be. Just make sure you don't over indulge in the sake and forget the entire night of course. This place has been a safe haven for all food service workers that are getting off at a reasonable hour to come have a beer or two while talking about the gossip that happened during their shift. I expect this place to be around for a very long time. read more

Yakyudori - Fresh oyster with chicken yuzu skewer. - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

I ate here a few days ago, and honestly, it wasn't great. When you walk in, the place smells like dirty rags, and I could smell it the whole time I was dining. My boyfriend and I only came here for some small bites and Yakitori, we got: - Ebi fry ($3.50 for 2 during hh on Mondays) - 7/10 nice crunch and flavor, has like katsu or bbq sauce on top on a bed of cabbage. - Hotate aka baby scallops ($3.50 for 2 during hh on Mondays) - 8/10 sweet, oceanic, umami, smoky, bouncy, prob the best thing we ate here. - Harami beef ($12.50 for 2) - 4/10, it was too salty, not as juicy and tender as Hinotez, a bit overcooked. - Pork toro/neck ($7.50 for 2) - 5/10, a bit too salty again, no smokiness, however, has a lot of garlic and good texture. For drinks, I had the Okinawa citrus mixed drink ($12) - 8/10 nice refreshing drink, tastes like yuzu. Overall, this place was very mid. The lighting is way too bright and really throws off the ambiance. For yakitori, you should just go to Hinotez or Yokohama Yakitori Koubou. read more

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Great ambience, good music and Great service ! The food was very yummy! I loved the shrimp tempura and my spicy miso soup which you can customize the ingredients. I removed the pork, egg, bamboo. The bowl of ramen is huge I mean I couldn't even finish it. You could share and split a bowl if you like. The ordering system and format reminds me of my trip to Japan, very authentic experience . The taste was very similar to Japan. read more

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I've been here a couple times and even though the place and menu may not look glamorous, the food always tastes so good and hits! They have a lot of fun specials so depending on when you go, you might get discounted on drinks or even a victory shot if the Padres win with the whole restaurant. I always go for the beef skewers and curry so I highly recommend those. The staff is also kind and service is up to standard. read more

Great quality food! Fast service and clean inside. I enjoyed the food so fast I forgot to take pictures of the rest of my food. I'll have to come back to try again! read more

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We came here a couple times recently for dinner (before this I hadn't been for a long time). I was surprised to see the crowds had thinned out compared to 7 or 8 years ago, although parking can still be tough to find as the parking lot is small. The food was still very good (probably 4.5 stars), with a variety of things to try. We had several meat skewers which were delicious (we liked the bacon and asparagus and chicken thigh). We also tried one of the specials (yellowtail sashimi), which was surprisingly good/fresh. The yakitori can be a little pricy. We also loved the scallop skewers and ordered it a couple times during happy hour (I believe it was only $3.50?), along with the pork bun. The miso ramen (which I usually get) is also good and flavorful without being too salty. The only thing is the servers don't always seem friendly. Last time they seemed somewhat impatient with us during happy hour, and kept wanting to take the menu away from us. Otherwise I would recommend this place for yakitori and ramen! read more

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I came by on a Monday at 8pm and there was no wait. Parking is very difficult though as the lot is very small and shared with Starbucks and a sandwich shop. You are given an iPad where you look through the menu and add items to your order. On Mondays, they have happy hour all day. I came for the yakitori and dry ramen. Harami beef was perfectly seasoned and not overcooked. I was disappointed to find out the dry ramen was a seasonal item only (winter season) so I ordered the next closest thing. The cold ramen was decent but the sesame soy dipping sauce was a little solidified though from being cold. read more

Yakyudori - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place screams FUN! We stumbled upon it after not getting into Menya, but glad we did! Good selection of your usual Japanese cravings: ramen, rice bowl, ice cold beer. The staff was friendly and service was fast. The food itself is family friendly. Good for sharing with kids. But again, it's more about the fun environment, with QR codes to redeem $1 beers and a ramen eating speed contest, etc. with more seasonal events I'm sure. And also a shoutout to the amazing Japanese shaved ice dessert bar that they're associated with next door. 20% off there if you bring in your Yakyudori receipt! And really fun kakigori concoctions that's made to order! Lovely spot to revisit with friends and family from out of town read more

This place needs to fix their menu. The menu says you will get 2 pieces per order but they will only give you one. Don't go unless you want to be ripped off. read more

Yakyudori delivers a really enjoyable dining experience, especially if you appreciate great food paired with efficient, friendly service. From the moment we arrived, the customer service stood out; staff were welcoming, attentive, and quick to help with anything we needed without being overbearing. Ordering is incredibly convenient thanks to the iPad system at each table. It's intuitive, clearly laid out, and makes it easy to browse the menu, customize orders, and reorder at your own pace. Not long after placing our order, the food started arriving, which was impressive given how fresh and well-prepared everything tasted. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side and keeps things simple. No flashy décor or unnecessary frills, but that actually adds to its charm. The cozy layout, lively energy, and overall good vibes made us feel like we were in Tokyo, Japan, giving the place an authentic and immersive atmosphere. Most importantly, the food was delicious across the board. Each dish was flavorful, well-cooked, and clearly made with care. Combined with the fast service and relaxed atmosphere, Yakyudori is a spot that focuses on doing the essentials really well. Highly recommended for anyone looking for quality food and a smooth, memorable dining experience! Also: they offer 20% off Shaved Ice Nextdoor with your dining receipt. read more

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Everything was absolutely delicious. I got the miso-glazed eggplant, eel and takoyaki. The meat skewers can be on the pricey side. There is a Happy Hour that I took advantage of. You can order online an iPad and they'll bring out food to you. This popular bar spot fills up fast and parking can be difficult. read more

Yakyudori - Miso-glazed eggplant, takoyaki, beef skewers, eel skewers - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

absolutely delicious!!!!! we got the free edamame (by following and commenting on their insta) and it was a great start the shrimp tempura was light, although there was more batter than shrimp -- i really liked it with the sauces provided We also got the spicy miso ramen which was insanely good, i only had a couple of bites but it wasnt too greasy and i loved the slight spice! we also had a couple of the skewers: chicken gizzard, chicken thigh which were both great and salted to perfection last thing was the wasabi karaage, the outside tasted exactly like wasabi peas and it was especially good with the mayo that came with the shrimp tempura service was quick and i like how you kind of sit in a booth read more

Yakyudori - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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After attempting to go to 2 other Yakitori places and turned away we decided to give this place a try. Walked in and the girl at the entrance was taking a call. She looked at me so I smiled and said for 2 please. Instead of acknowledging back she turned her back on me. Another guy came up shortly after to seat us. He explained the menu and had us order from an Ipad. Our food came out quickly and we enjoyed everything besides the grilled butter oysters. The 1st bite was not bad but as I got to the middle of the oyster it didn't taste the freshest. Not very many seatings. Definitely not a place for large groups. Parking sucks. Very limited and tight. read more

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The food is great here! It is mostly a self service experience because they give you an iPad to place your orders. However, if you want to order from the happy hour menu, you have to flag down a server. When we did speak with the servers, they were very polite. Their menu is very extensive here. We tried a little bit of everything and we were happy with all of our dishes. read more

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Walked into this izakaya with dreams of crispy karaage, savory yakitori, and sake-fueled joy. Walked out mildly full, emotionally neutral, and wondering if I hallucinated the entire experience. Was it bad? No. Was it good? Also no. It was the tofu of izakayas: present, inoffensive, and oddly forgettable. We ordered the usual suspects: skewers, a rice dish, some kind of noodle thing. Everything tasted like it had potential, but got distracted halfway through cooking. The fried chicken was... fine. Crunchy-ish. The yakitori had the emotional range of a Monday morning. The beer was there. I drank it. Beer is always there for me. The vibes? Trying their best. The service? Sweet but slightly confused, like they just realized they work there. That said, it's a great place if you: * Need an anti social space where you can order from a touch pad. No need for interaction * Are hiding from someone you know who eats at trendier spots * Just want to stare at a grill and whisper, "I miss Tokyo" under your breath Would I go back? Maybe, if every other izakaya is mysteriously booked and I've emotionally prepared myself to season things with my own tears. read more

Yakyudori - Beer deal - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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I love this place. Great vibes all around. The concept is amazing and the food is just as good if not better!! come check this place out it's definitely worth it!!!!! the deals r awesome! read more

dry ramen so good! yakitori ok, we enjoy our drink and next door ice cream place is a hit to my family, well you get 20% discount when you show them your dine in receipt to yAkyudori. a japanes izakaya vibe. read more

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This place was recommended by a friend so we made the trip to try it out. The karaage chicken was so good & juicy, really recommend it. The chicken bowl was just okay, it looked and tasted like something you could make at home. The ginger beef was too saucy but the meat was good. The customer service was kind of lacking though, the workers were not very eager to help us. Also you order everything on a tablet so no one comes over to ask you for your order and if you have questions asking for something good luck trying to get them to answer you (I know there is a call button on the tablet & I used it). The bathroom here was absolutely disgusting. Apart from the graffiti all over the bathroom, there was fecal matter all around the toilet paper dispenser. I swear I'm not exaggerating, it's also a one toilet bathroom, so no stalls; one person at a time. I don't think I'll be back just based on the bathroom situation, I'm pretty sure the cooks are using this same bathroom. read more

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Another tiny hidden gem in San Diego! This spot might be small, but the flavors are absolutely incredible. We tried the quail eggs and yakitori, and both were beyond delicious -- perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and so satisfying. You can tell a lot of care goes into each dish. The restaurant has a cozy, intimate vibe, making it great for date night or a chill dinner with friends. I also loved how you can order everything right from an iPad -- super convenient, easy to use, and makes the experience feel modern and efficient. The prices are very reasonable for the quality you get, and the service was friendly and attentive throughout our meal. read more

Yakyudori - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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Next to Eat Crispy Burger, Ko-Li, and a Starbucks. Across the street from Keep Coffee, Kung Fu Tea, and Common Theory. Parking is rough within the center (especially due to construction). Street parking is available on the intersecting street. The seating is great for date night or getting together for happy hour. It can sometimes get loud, but it's an overall warm environment. Order food via the tablet or order from staff if requesting for anything off of their happy hour menu. Ebi fry had me wanting to order a ton of the stuff. Pork bun and gyoza were great deals off of the happy hour menu. Agedashi tofu was light and refreshing. Unagi skewer was delicious with its sweet sauce. Chicken skins were dangerously addicting. Loved the chicken and beef skewers too. The only down side to this? The price adds up, especially if you have a big appetite. read more

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It's a great restaurant for izakaya like food! They have ramen and yakitori as well as rice bowls I got a couple of yakitori ones and they were absolutely delicious! read more

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Great food and service! Tried multiple things and they don't disappoint. The tonkatsu ramen was huge( good to share) and had good flavor. The pork belly stick was so yummy. The wasabi beef stick didn't miss either and the fresh wasabi was a nice dip with a kick to it! The wings we got were okay it had good flavor like a soy/honey glaze. I just wish they were a little crunchier but that's just how I like my wings lol. If you follow them on IG and post a comment on a post you get $1 Sapporo beer which is normally like $8-$9. Parking is limited, might be better off with street parking. Must try if you're in the area. read more

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This restaurant is super small, but really worth the visit / wait. Haven't had Yakatori this good since my Japan trip!