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    Yama Kitchen

    4.2 (69 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:30 pm

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    Jessica W.

    ambiance was similar to other buffets. very bright. the service was okay, i went with a group and the waiter took awhile to give out refills as well as restock the meat. it was my first time doing korean bbq. it was okay. the meat didn't taste like anything special and it took awhile to cook it. the sushi was very bland. the best part of everything was the dessert.

    Jeremy T.

    I visited for lunch since it's been open for a few months and probably has worked out most all of their kinks by now. Their lunch pricing has already been raised by $1 since it first opened and is now 20.99/pp for the basic option, or $5 more for both hot pot and bbq. I decided to go with ayce bbq. During lunch, they offer 13 protein options, five of which are beef. If you come during dinner, you can choose between an additional 8 protein options, with 6 of those being beef. They have the usual fried foods as snacks, sushi bar, fruit area, dessert cooler, and a sauce station. My main complaint is the dishes used for the sauces, as they are flat and not designed for liquid accumulation. Other Korean bbq restaurants in the Houston have bowls which are better. The sauce station is tricky and I hope customers know how to make their own sauces. I usually make sauces that turn out pretty well at these places, but my first sauce here was way too oily and I had to discard it. My 2nd one was much better. There are no instructions or go-by example sauces. There are a handful of pre-made sauces in the trays and in bottles at the end of the sauce station, though. From the buffet area, I ended up liking the boiled shrimp and the squid salad the best. The sushi were just ok at best. For the first round, I ordered all the beef dishes: spicy beef bulgogi, toro beef, finger steak, and prime brisket. The steak is actual steak and pretty good, just some pieces are chewy. For the 2nd round I ordered 2 orders of the steak, toro beef and brisket, since the latter 2 are sliced thin. During the cooking of the meat on the 2nd round...it took me a couple minutes to realize my grill had shut off by itself and was not sizzling like usual. I had to call over my server and have her re-start it. Kind of annoying. The one thing that was weird is the server doesn't assist you with the oil and putting the first round of meats on your grill. You'll be lucky if they even show you where the oil bottle is located on the table. During my weekday lunch visit, it was not very busy at all. Service was actually pretty good as they changed out my cooking grates several times,refilled my drink, and generally we're available to answer most questions I had in a timely manner.

    Galbi
    Patty C.

    I was pleasantly surprised to find that an AYCE Korean bbq and hot pot place had opened in Humble. I had been waiting for this day! I brought along a friend that had never had either hotpot or Korean bbq, so it was his first time. We arrived at prime time on Sunday, and it was a full house. Luckily we didn't have to wait long for a table. Our server didn't ask if it was first time here, which it was. I had to turn on the hotpot heating mechanism myself after noticing it wasn't on, and I had the oil on the table pointed out to me for using with the Korean BBQ grill after not noticing it before cooking. We went ahead and checked out the offerings. I was impressed by the hotpot station. They had a nice variety of seafood, noodles, and veggies. Not everything was labeled though, so there was a little guesswork involved. I was super impressed they had snow crab leg clusters to add to the hotpot as well as lamb, though they had to be ordered through the waiter. Don't forget to request shell crackers if you opt for the snow crabs. I appreciated the selection of broth as well. Both the sichuan beef and healthy pork broth were tasty, though the pork broth was a little on the salty side. The meat trays were on the small side, but that's fine. Just order more! As for the kbbq, the amount they bring out isn't a whole lot either, but it was perfect for the two of us. We got to try more items this way. The spicy pork belly and galbi were both excellent. The galbi was nice and meaty. The meat quality was good... not the best but not bad either. While they had delicious not sour kimchi available at the buffet station, I found myself missing some of the other typical banchan like fish cakes, bean sprouts, and cucumber. Also missed having ssamjang. I understand that the typical non Asian American might not crave these items though, which is why they aren't offered. The grill changes did come often, which I appreciated. I didn't have a lot of the sushi available on the buffet line, but the select sashimi pieces were nice and fat, and the nigiri had nice big pieces of seafood as well. The rolls looked lacklustre though. There's a small section for the little ones that don't like Asian food. You'll find mac and cheese, pizza, and French fries there. The baked desserts were the usual mass produced not appetising stuff . The ice cream was meh. The fresh fruit was nice and a great touch. My pro tip is to grill up some of that cut pineapple for an extra juicy dessert! Overall we had a good time. My dining partner was struggling a bit, but I was happy to guide him. Again, it would have been helpful to have a more attentive waiter for a first timer, but luckily this isn't my first rodeo with hotpot and kbbq. I would definitely return for mostly the hotpot because of the snow crab legs.

    Thuy P.

    We were her for lunch yesterday. Got excited to see another AYCE in Humble area. The restaurant is spacious. Food quality is not good. The meat quality is terrible , the beef is so chewy. The other kind is too fatty. The sushi quality is not good neither. Service was Ok

    Entrance
    Ana L. G.

    Hot pot night led us to Yama Kitchen in Humble and I'm glad we stopped in. Tons of options, everything super fresh, and the BBQ + hot pot combo was fun and perfect for family style. The vibe was very pleasant lots of joy around the experience!! Loved the Tom Yum and mushroom broths, great sushi, solid sides, and excellent proteins skirt steak, chicken, brisket, and all the fixings. Definitely coming back!

    Incredible meat selection including beautifully marbled wagyu, tender melt in your mouth lamb, and the softest hefty portions of scallops.
    Hailey C.

    This Saturday we decided to try a new restaurant in the area. I'm familiar with K-pot and GEN Bbq, but we decided to give Yama Kitchen a shot. This is our new spot. With exceptional prices, hefty portions, pleasant staff and an extremely clean kitchen and tables, I feel as if I've stumbled upon a hidden gem. Our server Haven was exceptionally attentive and very well mannered. He explained how to use the hot top and throughly read the menu answering any questions we had. We were brought our first round of lamb, tenderloin and sirloin within about five minutes of ordering. The beef cuts are hefty and tender, the lamb just melts in your mouth. The broth was flavorful and rich, the ambiance of the restaurant was Grade A. I could see the staff consistently making rounds and ensuring a clean environment. There are options for those with little ones or picky eaters including chicken nuggets, tenders, fries, etc. They have tables for small and large groups, so this is a great choice whether it's a first date, quick lunch, or a family dinner. The menu and cocktail prices are remarkable considering the portions provided. Yama kitchen is definitely a great place to try for yourself if you're in the Deerbrook area.

    Ashley B.

    It was OK because I ate alone and I felt like I needed help cooking the meat so I could enjoy my meal. Otherwise prepare to get busy while you're trying to eat. I was only able to eat three different meats because cooking the meats became overwhelming. Enjoy my photos below.

    Mom and me beginning our stellar dining experience of Korean BBQ and sushi.
    Andria E.

    Wow! What an amazing addition to Humble. My Mom and I came for lunch and were blown away by the cleanliness and cool atmosphere, fresh and prosperous food offerings, generous portions, friendly and accommodating staff, and stellar dining experience! All the items on the buffet were fresh and delicately arranged, with excellent teamwork by the folks servicing the dining area. The tables were cleverly laid out to allow patrons to enjoy sushi, Korean bbq, hot pot, and a variety of other food items from the delicious buffet without being crowded. Also the dedicated table ventilation system worked well so no matter what you enjoy you leave smelling fresh without any annoying noise interrupting your dialogue with guests. Nhiya was our server and she did a fantastic job explaining the offerings, checking on us, maintaining our bbq grill, keeping our drinks refilled, and removing our used dishes. Also she was just fun and enjoyable, which added to our delightful time. We will definitely be back with more members of our party now that we have testing it out. Even my Dad (who is not very adventurous) will love Yama Kitchen. The lunch pricing is especially reasonable, plus if you arrive at 11 everything is well stocked and beautifully arranged. Come hungry as there is limitless options. No complaints or suggestions for improvement as they've really outdone themselves!

    5 adults 2 kids. Should be a breeze to handle.
    Chris W.

    We went tonight with friends 7 of use. They sat us at a table that didn't have a server. We waited 45 minutes to get our drinks. Then another 15 minutes for some to come and take the order. Very unorganized. The Buffett was very small and limited. I not sure where the pic on website came from because the place didn't match. It took a long time to get our order then the gentleman that brought it out did t speak English so he couldn't tell what was what. He just placed everything in the middle and we had to figure it out. Very disappointed in this place for the cost. I don't see it lasting that long.

    Drink menu
    Zach C.

    Finally we get Korean bbq and hot pot in the area. No more having to drive downtown! Huge place with plenty of tables. Went during lunch and it was only $20. Plenty of meat choices and a reasonably priced drink menu. Cant go wrong with some hot sake. Grill the meats up yourself right there at the table and they have a huge buffet style section with all the sauces and extras you might need. The manager came by the table twice to check on us. Our server was great. For sure would go back.

    Jenniffer I.

    I came here with my boyfriend to experience Korean bbq place all you can eat. To be honest the quality of the food was alright, I've been in an actual Korean bbq before and not just once a couple, so I wanted to give a chance to this one in Houston. If it's your first time trying Korean bbq you'll probably like it but if you already had it before you will find every single detail to it. I can say it's a great to bring your family or friends. Not all the waiters have a good attitude and also you have to call them to get your attention. The friendly environment is okay because you're able to talk to your people on your table.

    Michelle O.

    A staff member said they can't/ don't know how to change grills with meat on it, which I found unusual. They said the grill needs to be changed, and I'm like "the meat isn't cooked, so can you move the meat onto the new grill", which is common in kbbq restaurants. The grilling tools weren't handed over until we asked about them, which was after the meats had been dropped off. There're raw vegetables and meats for hot pot, fried foods, cold seafood, salads, sushi and sashimi, kimchi tofu soup, tteokbokki, japchae, pastries, and ice cream. The fried foods were crispy and warm. The raw tuna tasted fine, though the mackerel (a little watery) and octopus (dry) didn't. The sushi rice was okay. The sushi (mostly kani mixes and shrimp tempura) tasted similar to each other. The marinated meats tasted okay though a little salty for some of the choices. The kimchi soup was on the more fermented and vinegary end, while the tteokbokki dish could have had softer rice cakes. The cold seasoned vegetables section with tripe salad (tasted a little dry), spicy cucumber (a little watery), seaweed salad, Napa cabbage kimchi, edamame, and octopus ceviche (okay) were cold and refreshing. I didn't eat any of the cold seafood (clams, shrimp, crawfish, mussels, oysters) as they were starting to dry out. The japchae's noodles were soft. The little pastries are typical of buffets. The bundt cake was soft and sweet (red velvet swirl flavor). The ice cream (strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, and green tea) only had cake cones nearby. For the buffet, the standard price includes the open food area and either bbq or hot pot. If you want to add the other option too, it's $5 extra.

    Mary O.

    This kbbq/hotpot restaurant is relatively new with some kinks. My server was ok. The service was more nonchalant, relatively inexperienced and I witnessed some lack of hygiene. You can choose either hotpot or kbbq but your whole party has to select the same one or pay an extra $5. I chose to do the kbbq. The meats were ok but my sister didn't want to spray the oil and likes her food burnt. The sushi was better than expected- nigiri, sashimi and rolls. The seafood was cold. The frozen cooked area was limited in selections but decent if you have kids. The soup wasn't good but the tofu was ok. Japchae and kimchi fried rice were edible but not good either. They had typical cakes and ice cream. I didn't ask the server for a bowl of rice. For kbbq, it was lacking sauces. There were a lot of options for sauces for hotpot but it's not the same. You also don't get the variety of banchan with the kbbq; it's just the meats, so didn't feel like the right kind of experience. Another hiccup was the amount of dirty dishes and utensils. It's been a while since I've seen this situation. Overall, the food was edible, but they could improve on cleanliness. I think if you've never been to a similar place, it might be a good experience. I've had better, didn't expect much and it was somewhat lower than my expectations. I don't expect to return but hope they improve on what they can.

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    6 months ago

    Gregory was amesome. First time there. Amazing experience. Food was fresh. Will be back.

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    6 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Excellent dining experience for seafood lovers especially. You can get a good balanced meal and some delicious soups and sushi.

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    6 months ago

    I went with my boyfriend and we love the place and the food. Also Ana the waitress was very friendly and she explained to us everything

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    8 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Food is good and has great choices. A plus was our server- she's wonderful! Place is clean and spacious.

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    4 months ago

    Great service. The food is served in small portions. But the bright side is that it is all you can eat.

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    6 months ago

    Good food and good service. I am glad something came in Humble. Been multiple time for hot pot and Korean bbq.

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    5 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Our server Sunshine did an amazing job and the food was delicious! Highly recommend going for a different dining experience.

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    6 months ago

    Has great customer service with great characteristics with he design and the food is of great quality !

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    8 months ago

    Came here on my son's 19th birthday and the service was amazing and very efficient.. post pictures later

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    8 months ago

    Maddie and Carmen. they did a great job loved the energy and vibe made the experience well.

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Yama Kitchen

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    Buffetopia

    Buffetopia

    4.0
    (150 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    This place has made it's rounds on social media which is how I discovered it. It is way out in…read moreHumble so when I found myself in the area, I made sure to make stopping here a priority. I came with some friends for dinner on a Saturday and this place was packed. It's tucked away in the middle of a shopping strip and the parking lot isn't that big. That being said, parking sucks. What they do offer that I haven't ever seen at a Chinese buffet is valet parking. I made a quick drive around the parking lot and decided to valet to save time. The young gentleman parking cars solo did a great job and works on tips. You pay what you want. They have a pretty large waiting area which we luckily didn't have to utilize. We got seated right away, but soon after, the waiting area filled up. The space inside is huge with lots of seating. They have neon lights and TVs everywhere which is a step up from your regular buffets. In the center is the buffet area with different stations and is very organized and clean. Customer service was good. Our plates never stacked up at the table and our drinks never went empty. The big draw here is the seafood portion of the buffet. I love crab legs but I don't like the work involved to eat it. Unlike other buffets where people pounce the minute the staff put it out, here they keep it well stocked and no ones fighting to get their share. I prefer my crab legs steamed and warm, but here they are served cold. I turned my focus to the huge seafood selection and sushi. They have shrimp and fish in all kinds of different preparations and I gotta say, everything tasted great. They also have a hot pot and hibachi section along with your regular Chinese food buffet offerings. I don't know if it's because I don't frequent Chinese buffets often, but here, I liked everything I tried and thoroughly enjoyed my meal. They also have a nice dessert station and even have slushie station for the kiddos. The best part of it all is the price tag is just a little over 20 bucks. You definitely get your money's worth here. I think there is something for everyone here. It's a shame it's so far from where I live. Buffetopia is definitely the best Chinese buffet in Houston.

    Had family in town and was excited to try this new spot since I've heard all about it. Walked in…read moreand there was a young lady hostess who brought us to our table. We weren't even seated yet and she was already asking what we wanted to drink. I'm thinking uhm can we at least sit down first?? She seemed very impatient. My mom sat down first and pointed out that the table was dirty. She responded back by telling her "it's part of the table ma'am". My mom then pulled out a napkin and wiped it to show her that no...the table was actually dirty. We asked to move to a different table and she grabbed our silverware and flung it on the next table over and again asked for drink orders. We all were very confused at the attitude bc what is wrong with asking to sit at a diff table bc the other one is dirty?? If I was by myself, I honestly would've just left and went somewhere else to eat, but bc I was with family, I didn't want to make it a big deal. As for the food, they did have a lot of options. Everything was flavored nicely, but not everything was hot. I also wasn't a fan of the prepackaged ice cream cups so we went elsewhere for dessert. Some of the bathroom stalls were dirty too. Overall our experience here just okay. The poor customer service alone was enough to make me not want to come back.

    Photos
    Slushy Station
    Slushy Station
    Seafood Hodgepodge
    Seafood Hodgepodge
    Restaurant Exterior

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    Restaurant Exterior

    Yama Kitchen - sushi - Updated August 2026

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