Yuugi Izakaya
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Came here for a casual dinner and drinks, and overall it felt like a really easy, relaxed izakaya-style spot in downtown Toronto. The space itself leans more modern and clean rather than the typical dark, cozy izakaya vibe, which I actually didn't mind. It felt comfortable, not too loud, and easy to settle into for a slow dinner. We ordered a mix of small plates to share, and everything came out looking nicely put together. The aburi-style salmon sushi was one of the highlights for me.. lightly seared, with a soft texture and just enough flavor on top without being overwhelming. The tuna tataki was also fresh and clean, simple but well done. Some of the fried dishes leaned a bit richer with the creamy sauces, but they were still enjoyable, especially if you're in the mood for something a little more indulgent. The beef fried rice was straightforward but satisfying, one of those dishes that's easy to keep going back to between everything else. Drinks were a nice touch too.. refreshing, nicely presented, and added to the overall experience. Overall, this feels like a solid spot for a casual night out with friends. It's not overly traditional, but it's easygoing, shareable, and comfortable.. the kind of place you'd come back to when you just want good food and a relaxed atmosphere.
Great spot for small plates and drinks! Love the vibes here. It really does remind me of Japanese izakaya. Their pressed sushi is a signature! Dont skip on the karaage cuz the sauce with a onsen egg is bomb! It can get busy and its a small place. So go early!
Between 3.5 and 4 Came here for a small late night bite after a busy day. It was busy, but we were seated fairly quickly. The staff was pleasant and I liked the simple design, though it reminded me more of Europe personally (but hey, I love Europe so!) The poutine was really yummy. Excellent cheese pull and it was a really comforting dish. The karaage was nice also, and if I was being really picky I'd say it wasn't as juicy as it could've been, but it definitely wasn't dry either. Overall very nice and I'd return!
Yuugi Izakaya has been on Baldwin for years and it shows. The space feels cozy without being cramped, and the energy is lively but still comfortable enough to actually talk. We ordered the Torched Salmon Pressed Sushi, Torched Ebi Pressed Sushi and Torched Wagyu Pressed Sushi. The wagyu was easily my favorite. Rich, slightly smoky from the torch, and not overloaded with sauce. The salmon and ebi were both solid and well balanced. The Chicken Karaage was crispy outside and juicy inside, which sounds simple but a lot of places get that wrong. This one didn't. The Nasu eggplant was soft and savory, not greasy, and honestly one of those dishes you keep going back to. For dessert we shared the Matcha Ice Cream and Tempura Banana. The tempura banana was warm and lightly crisp with the cold matcha on the side. It was simple and satisfying without feeling heavy. Service was friendly and attentive even though it was busy. You can tell they've built a steady following over six years for a reason.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon, and it was such a great experience from start to finish. Reservations were easy to make online, and our group of seven was seated right away. We ordered a variety of dishes to share: edamame, yuugi sushi, wagyu sushi, ebi sushi, chicken karaage, chicken wings, ebimayo, Udon Pepperoncino, and Saba Yakimeshi (grilled mackerel fried rice). Every dish was delicious and came in perfect portions for sharing; honestly, I'd get them all again. The top standouts for me were: 1) Edamame: hands down the best I've ever had. It came topped with crispy shallots that added an incredible texture and flavor twist. 2) Wagyu Sushi: melt-in-your-mouth tender and beautifully presented. 3) Ebimayo: perfectly panko-fried shrimp with the ideal crisp and a tasty sauce that tied it all together. Service was friendly and attentive throughout our meal, making the experience even better. Overall, this izakaya is a gem in Baldwin Village; great food, great vibes, and perfect for sharing with friends. Highly recommend!
Came here for lunch today. We were the only patrons there and the waiter seemed like he didn't want to be there. We ordered a pitcher of beer, ebi mayo and their yuugi sushi. The sushi came out quickly after the beer. My second piece of sushi had a very hard, plastic nodule in it. I bit down on it and immediately knew something was wrong. It was not a piece of undercooked rice, I was hoping it was a salmon bone actually as I fished it out of my mouth and picked through the rice to find this hard bit. I motioned the waiter over to show him. I was quite upset. I rolled this hard piece of plastic between my finger and the table which was audible. He took the piece to the kitchen to show the chef. I stood up and watched the whole interaction between the two. While it was in the chefs hand, he dropped it and picked it back up again. They both shrugged. Wow. The waiter came out and said indifferently, "I can make you another one." Wow. I was completely appalled by the lack of care and accountability. I could have chipped a tooth. What if I ingested the thing? I was visibly upset by both the piece of plastic AND their attitude about it. There was no apology. The chef should have come out to apologize. They have many dishes on their menu with rice. I really, really doubt they even CARED to throw out the batch that my plastic laden sushi was made with.
Cute place for a sip and chat type of evening! The staff are attentive and friendly, and all of the dishes were amazing. Beware, the outdoor seating has wood shavings so it might be uncomfortable to sit for some people. There's lots of indoor seating as well.
Did a Yelp search for places open late and this one closed at 2 am on a Friday. We arrived around 11 pm and it wasn't busy at all. We used QR code to see the menu and chose Edamame Miso soup Sweet chicken wings Mackerel fried rice Wagyu sushi I loved the chicken wings- was just the right sweetness and crunchiness and was fully cooked. And the wagyu sushi though they didn't give any soy sauce saying it already had it. The mackerel fried rice was okay. My wife liked it but too many, too fishy and was salty. They took out the wagyu fried rice. I would have loved steam rice with the wings since just didn't work with the mackerel rice. Definitely a place that had more drinks and cocktails than food selection . Still a good place if eating late like we did
This izakaya has a simple menu unlike other izakayas and I enjoyed each dish I had. The sauce that accompanied the karaage had a raw egg you have to mix in. The tofu was very smooth. This spot is ideal for a late night meal or a place to grab drinks with a few apps.
Cute lil izakaya on Baldwin. I do like the ambiance, it's simple and dim. Not too loud or rowdy so you can definitely have a conversation in here. Drinks are fairly priced and good! Service was fine. Food is good as well! Really enjoyed the carbonara udon and the karaage's tartar sauce. The pressed sushi could have been better, i found it to crumble a bit too easily.
The food we had was great. However, there wasn't enough variety, a wide enough selection, and wasn't priced appropriately enough to feel like a true Izakaya experience. Ended up leaving unsatisfied just because there wasn't enough to try. However, the Wagyu sushi was a definite highlight here.
I came here after visiting the AGO since it was nearby and I thought I was about to find a hidden gem since it has really good reviews. Unfortunately, it didn't really meet my expectations. I tried the hotate wasabi & yuugi sushi as everyone keeps mentioning that these are the standout dishes. I thought they were okay. The scallop wasn't soft and had an almost rubbery texture. The sushi wasn't bad, the smoky flavour made it unique but in general I've had much better torched pressed salmon. They also have daily specials - I tried the grilled pork belly skewers and they were better but needed a bit more salt. Overall, I'd rate my experience here a 6/10. The ambience was very nice and service was attentive. They also gave us sake shots on the house! I really wanted to like the food but it just didn't hit for me.
Yuugi is located downtown in Baldwin Village, with a casual vibe. The interior is minimalistic with white walls and wooden acccent. A small highlight, is that their washrooms have high tech toilets similar to those found in Japan. The staff here were also all very friendly and attentive. This is a great spot to consider if you're downtown and looking for late eats, as they're open until 2 am, or if you're just craving some traditional Japanese bar food. The menu here is tapas style meant for sharing, and the "sushi" served here are also all lightly torched, which makes them a good start for those who wish to try sushi but are not ready for the fully raw stuff. What was ordered: - Yuugi Sushi - Saba Sushi - Wagyu Sushi - Chicken Wings - Saba Yakimeshi The wings were well seasoned and crispy, and I also liked the Yuugi Sushi. The Wagyu Sushi was ok in my opinion. The flavouring was good, but the quality of the beef didn't meet my standards. I personally didn't like the saba dishes too much because I found them a bit fishy and salty. However, the other two individuals I was with really enjoyed them, so it really depends on your taste preferences.
12 days ago
Arrived late after a long drive from the states. We were both exhausted but the food made the drive so worth it. Flavors were incredible and the ambiance was very nice and comfortable. I definitely recommend the yellowfin tuna. It's incredible read more
Super glad that this place is open late! Service was nice and attentive. I went around 11pm on a Sunday and it was just me with another couple by the window. Really enjoyed the butter corn and miso glazed eggplant, those two were my favorite. (The eggplant was quite oily though. Eggplant likes oil and handles it well, but there was a bit too much.) I also got the sting ray, just to try. I've never had it before! It tasted and smelled like dried squid, but less chewy. One of their specials that day was their wagyu steak and I was a bit bummed by it. It was very fatty. Yet, it wasn't very fragrant. If I were out again with friends after a few drinks, it would be a lovely place to have some food. It's dark and calm and decorated well. read more
6 months ago
Came here for a casual dinner and drinks, and overall it felt like a really easy, relaxed izakaya-style spot in downtown Toronto. The space itself leans more modern and clean rather than the typical dark, cozy izakaya vibe, which I actually didn't mind. It felt comfortable, not too loud, and easy to settle into for a slow dinner. We ordered a mix of small plates to share, and everything came out looking nicely put together. The aburi-style salmon sushi was one of the highlights for me.. lightly seared, with a soft texture and just enough flavor on top without being overwhelming. The tuna tataki was also fresh and clean, simple but well done. Some of the fried dishes leaned a bit richer with the creamy sauces, but they were still enjoyable, especially if you're in the mood for something a little more indulgent. The beef fried rice was straightforward but satisfying, one of those dishes that's easy to keep going back to between everything else. Drinks were a nice touch too.. refreshing, nicely presented, and added to the overall experience. Overall, this feels like a solid spot for a casual night out with friends. It's not overly traditional, but it's easygoing, shareable, and comfortable.. the kind of place you'd come back to when you just want good food and a relaxed atmosphere. read more
Great spot for small plates and drinks! Love the vibes here. It really does remind me of Japanese izakaya. Their pressed sushi is a signature! Dont skip on the karaage cuz the sauce with a onsen egg is bomb! It can get busy and its a small place. So go early! read more
1 year ago
Between 3.5 and 4 Came here for a small late night bite after a busy day. It was busy, but we were seated fairly quickly. The staff was pleasant and I liked the simple design, though it reminded me more of Europe personally (but hey, I love Europe so!) The poutine was really yummy. Excellent cheese pull and it was a really comforting dish. The karaage was nice also, and if I was being really picky I'd say it wasn't as juicy as it could've been, but it definitely wasn't dry either. Overall very nice and I'd return! read more
8 months ago
Yuugi Izakaya has been on Baldwin for years and it shows. The space feels cozy without being cramped, and the energy is lively but still comfortable enough to actually talk. We ordered the Torched Salmon Pressed Sushi, Torched Ebi Pressed Sushi and Torched Wagyu Pressed Sushi. The wagyu was easily my favorite. Rich, slightly smoky from the torch, and not overloaded with sauce. The salmon and ebi were both solid and well balanced. The Chicken Karaage was crispy outside and juicy inside, which sounds simple but a lot of places get that wrong. This one didn't. The Nasu eggplant was soft and savory, not greasy, and honestly one of those dishes you keep going back to. For dessert we shared the Matcha Ice Cream and Tempura Banana. The tempura banana was warm and lightly crisp with the cold matcha on the side. It was simple and satisfying without feeling heavy. Service was friendly and attentive even though it was busy. You can tell they've built a steady following over six years for a reason. read more
11 months ago
Came here on a Sunday afternoon, and it was such a great experience from start to finish. Reservations were easy to make online, and our group of seven was seated right away. We ordered a variety of dishes to share: edamame, yuugi sushi, wagyu sushi, ebi sushi, chicken karaage, chicken wings, ebimayo, Udon Pepperoncino, and Saba Yakimeshi (grilled mackerel fried rice). Every dish was delicious and came in perfect portions for sharing; honestly, I'd get them all again. The top standouts for me were: 1) Edamame: hands down the best I've ever had. It came topped with crispy shallots that added an incredible texture and flavor twist. 2) Wagyu Sushi: melt-in-your-mouth tender and beautifully presented. 3) Ebimayo: perfectly panko-fried shrimp with the ideal crisp and a tasty sauce that tied it all together. Service was friendly and attentive throughout our meal, making the experience even better. Overall, this izakaya is a gem in Baldwin Village; great food, great vibes, and perfect for sharing with friends. Highly recommend! read more
1 year ago
Came here for lunch today. We were the only patrons there and the waiter seemed like he didn't want to be there. We ordered a pitcher of beer, ebi mayo and their yuugi sushi. The sushi came out quickly after the beer. My second piece of sushi had a very hard, plastic nodule in it. I bit down on it and immediately knew something was wrong. It was not a piece of undercooked rice, I was hoping it was a salmon bone actually as I fished it out of my mouth and picked through the rice to find this hard bit. I motioned the waiter over to show him. I was quite upset. I rolled this hard piece of plastic between my finger and the table which was audible. He took the piece to the kitchen to show the chef. I stood up and watched the whole interaction between the two. While it was in the chefs hand, he dropped it and picked it back up again. They both shrugged. Wow. The waiter came out and said indifferently, "I can make you another one." Wow. I was completely appalled by the lack of care and accountability. I could have chipped a tooth. What if I ingested the thing? I was visibly upset by both the piece of plastic AND their attitude about it. There was no apology. The chef should have come out to apologize. They have many dishes on their menu with rice. I really, really doubt they even CARED to throw out the batch that my plastic laden sushi was made with. read more
Cute place for a sip and chat type of evening! The staff are attentive and friendly, and all of the dishes were amazing. Beware, the outdoor seating has wood shavings so it might be uncomfortable to sit for some people. There's lots of indoor seating as well. read more
Did a Yelp search for places open late and this one closed at 2 am on a Friday. We arrived around 11 pm and it wasn't busy at all. We used QR code to see the menu and chose Edamame Miso soup Sweet chicken wings Mackerel fried rice Wagyu sushi I loved the chicken wings- was just the right sweetness and crunchiness and was fully cooked. And the wagyu sushi though they didn't give any soy sauce saying it already had it. The mackerel fried rice was okay. My wife liked it but too many, too fishy and was salty. They took out the wagyu fried rice. I would have loved steam rice with the wings since just didn't work with the mackerel rice. Definitely a place that had more drinks and cocktails than food selection . Still a good place if eating late like we did read more
This izakaya has a simple menu unlike other izakayas and I enjoyed each dish I had. The sauce that accompanied the karaage had a raw egg you have to mix in. The tofu was very smooth. This spot is ideal for a late night meal or a place to grab drinks with a few apps. read more
3 years ago
Cute lil izakaya on Baldwin. I do like the ambiance, it's simple and dim. Not too loud or rowdy so you can definitely have a conversation in here. Drinks are fairly priced and good! Service was fine. Food is good as well! Really enjoyed the carbonara udon and the karaage's tartar sauce. The pressed sushi could have been better, i found it to crumble a bit too easily. read more
The food we had was great. However, there wasn't enough variety, a wide enough selection, and wasn't priced appropriately enough to feel like a true Izakaya experience. Ended up leaving unsatisfied just because there wasn't enough to try. However, the Wagyu sushi was a definite highlight here. read more
I came here after visiting the AGO since it was nearby and I thought I was about to find a hidden gem since it has really good reviews. Unfortunately, it didn't really meet my expectations. I tried the hotate wasabi & yuugi sushi as everyone keeps mentioning that these are the standout dishes. I thought they were okay. The scallop wasn't soft and had an almost rubbery texture. The sushi wasn't bad, the smoky flavour made it unique but in general I've had much better torched pressed salmon. They also have daily specials - I tried the grilled pork belly skewers and they were better but needed a bit more salt. Overall, I'd rate my experience here a 6/10. The ambience was very nice and service was attentive. They also gave us sake shots on the house! I really wanted to like the food but it just didn't hit for me. read more
Yuugi is located downtown in Baldwin Village, with a casual vibe. The interior is minimalistic with white walls and wooden acccent. A small highlight, is that their washrooms have high tech toilets similar to those found in Japan. The staff here were also all very friendly and attentive. This is a great spot to consider if you're downtown and looking for late eats, as they're open until 2 am, or if you're just craving some traditional Japanese bar food. The menu here is tapas style meant for sharing, and the "sushi" served here are also all lightly torched, which makes them a good start for those who wish to try sushi but are not ready for the fully raw stuff. What was ordered: - Yuugi Sushi - Saba Sushi - Wagyu Sushi - Chicken Wings - Saba Yakimeshi The wings were well seasoned and crispy, and I also liked the Yuugi Sushi. The Wagyu Sushi was ok in my opinion. The flavouring was good, but the quality of the beef didn't meet my standards. I personally didn't like the saba dishes too much because I found them a bit fishy and salty. However, the other two individuals I was with really enjoyed them, so it really depends on your taste preferences. read more
3 years ago
Love trying new places and this definitely seemed promising as I love izakayas. We tried so many things on the menu. The standout for me was the torched salmon sushi. The other one we tried of course the wagyu roll but very disappointing- so dry and tasteless not all how beautiful this beef should be. Though the karaage is popular- I can't say it stood out for me. However, the Udon Pepperoncino with chili cream sauce and bacon had more depth although back of the throat coughing action accompanying it The dessert options that were written didn't get me excited. However, the more detailed description sold me on the idea better but by that time - we were ready to go. The server I know was doing his job but he seemed rather short and impatient with us and we felt it. We still had a good time. I am happy to have tried this place. It's a nice modern spot. But for me, I needed something to pop out in the food and customer service is really important for me. read more
YUUGI IZAKAYA . . A contemporary izakaya on Baldwin street serving a variety of small plates, cocktails and sake. . . Grilled Oysters 4.4/5 Yuugi Sushi 3.75/5 Chicken Nanban Karaage 4.3/5 Udon Pepperoncino 3/5 Tonkatsu 4.3/5 Nadeshiko Cocktail 5/5 Ninja Cocktail 5/5 Strawberry Sake 5/5 Asahi . . Very cute and cozy izakaya. It really feels like you're in Japan once you step inside. All the dishes and drinks we ordered were very yummy. I highly recommend the karaage and tonkatsu. The udon was a miss for us. Oysters were grilled to perfection and was very flavourful and juicy. All the cocktails were very delicious as well. You really can't go wrong with any of them. Overall we had a fantastic time and will definitely be returning. read more
1 year ago
Everything here was delicious! The chicken heart skewer was the perfect chewy texture, gyoza had a crisp top layer, torched salmon rolls were perfectly seared, and the agedashi tofu was so smooth and creamy. The unique cocktails were very tasty. read more
We came here for my birthday dinner and I was very impressed with the service and the food. I really enjoyed the pressed sushi, fresh and great taste. The tuna tataki was good but I've had better in Toronto. The oysters also had a bit of a fishy taste to it. The Udon Pepperoncino was amazing, it definitely tastes better than it looks. don't let the picture deceive you. The sauce was so good I wanted to drink it. The staff went above and beyond bringing a free dessert- banana tempura with ice cream knowing it was my birthday. It was so tasty! Overall I enjoyed most of the food and the service was so great I'll definitely be back to try other dishes! read more
Early dinner!!! My usual routine. Quiet Thursday evening so it was very nice. Not loud or insanely busy. The food was good, tapas style, I ordered dishes and it was enough for me. Filling. Server was very pleasant and friendly. Would definitely return read more
2 years ago
I've been dining at this establishment for over 4 years and after 80 visits. They are still surprising me with what's on the menu. I love how their daily specials are based on what's available locally like a salmon Sando or a variations of yakitori. My usual go-to for their menu is their signature Kaarage. Howeverdidn'tsters are somet ofhing I wold recommend to my friends and family including the signature Mango Shibuya which how I fell in love at this plis ace. The waygu awith their signature susways also something you should aret miss out as a nice dish to snack whileon conversation with good on companconversingnce is chill and love how they're open till 2 am. read more
If you're looking for some late night eats during the week, Yuugi is definitely a yummy spot to visit. Came here with friends after a comedy show and we left the place feeling full and satisfied :D Quick notes about Yuugi Late night - One of the very few places that opens past midnight in the Kensington/Chinatown area :) Interior - Cozy and cute with a touch of Japanese decor. Not as dimly lit like a traditional izakaya but it's homey. Definitely a nice place to kick it with friends or bring a date. Menu: Yuugi offers a nice twist on traditional dishes. Highly encourage trying out most of the items since it was pretty good. Also, portion size here is a bit small, so best to order a few dishes to share. Food/Drinks: Tried the following - Gyoza: Pretty crispy and tasty! I like the presentation in how the pieces were connected together. Ramen Poutine: Imagine ramen ingredients instead of cheese curds and gravy over a bed of fries. Sounds strange, looks a little odd but tastes so dang good!! Chicken Kaarage: Standard but the sauce was so yum Ebimayo: Really dig this dish. Mayo sauce was definitely the highlight as it complemented the shrimp very well. Tontoro: Pan-fried pork jowl turned out meatier than expected....really tasty and I do like the yummy crunch. Drinks: Pretty yummy across the board if you opt for a cocktail. Service: Friendly staff! Overall, would come here again for the food and drinks :) read more
First time trying Yuugi after suggestions from friends. Overall a great experience, friendly staff/service. Drinks were unique and were well done. Table of five ordered: Wagyu sushi - torched wagyu beef sushi, nothing overly special Fig butter toast - Amazon fig butter topped with honey on toast Ebimayo - small pieces of ebi in a batter, nothing to write home about Yuugi sushi - torched salmon, the smoke shellfish added a nice touch Ramen poutine - didn't get the miso broth taste much, nothing special Yaki Gyoza - Gyoza, not much more to say Chicken Nanban Karaage - chicken was crispy and moist, interesting sauce with egg in it that gave it a different dimension Tebasaki - highlight of the dinner, really good sauce and chicken was cooked well Udon Pepperoncino - carbonara udon basically Torikawa - fried chicken skin, reminded me of chicharonnes Banana tempura - was a bit soggier than expected, the vanilla ice cream with frozen fruits was a nice touch Kuromitsu Kinako ice cream - vanilla ice cream with black sugar syrup read more
Yuugi Izakaya is a (relatively) new Japanese Izakaya that is located where Crepes Club, a Ukrainian place use to be. I was sad when I found out the Crepes Club was permanently closed but after I tried Yuugi, I was less sad about the loss of a good lunch spot. I have since returned to Yuugi several times, tried all their sushi, and even dined in! Their signature Yuugi torched pressed sushi is divine, dare I say better than Miku? But that's blasphemy and is certainly not the type of talk allowed in Canada ;). Fun fact though, torched pressed sushi was invented in Canada by the chef behind Miku! Anyway, I digress. I've liked everything I've tried from Yuugi, their tebasaki (chicken wings) is delicious and the Saba sushi (mackerel) was unexpectedly good. I've had someone recently tell me they aren't really into mackerel, because it stinks. I assure you, Yuugi will not let this happen. They also have ramen poutine, which I find super interesting. I had the Ginza Blue cocktail at Yuugi, and as a peach lover, I loved the cocktail. Overall, Yuugi is a cozy spot for a small get together with friends, where the food and drinks are good and the atmosphere inviting. read more
3 years ago
We loved this place and the quality of food was amazing. Late night snacks are the best. Coming here we weren't really sure what to expect but we were expecting small plates..... that's one of the two feedback I will stay here at the portions seemed really big. We ended up getting the yellowtail special which was the best thing on the menu, karage, oysters and a bunch of sushi. In general, all of the food was way too salty to the point where we actually couldn't eat it anymore. it was a fun experience because of the different types of food that we had in the atmosphere was amazing. while we were two coworkers on Work who came here during our trip to Toronto, we said that this would be an amazing place for date night. I would say that this place as well worth going to. I just hope that balance of the food a little more because they have the potential to be a really incredible place.. read more
A little cute place on Baldwin St. The day we came they were anticipating a group party, so we only had 1 hour. We ordered Yuugi Sushi (torched salmon pressed sushi) and Chicken Karaage, was pretty good quality. Drinks were pretty good. Service was nice too. Overall it was an OK experience, met expectation. Would come here again for a full dining experience. Food (quality, presentation) - 3.5/5 Drinks (quality, variety) - 4/5 Ambience (interior, cleanness) - 4/5 Service - 4/5 Value - 3.5/5 read more
FOOD | This izakaya opened up during covid and has been operating for around a year. We got a reservation for 9 PM, and it was still super busy up until 11 PM. The drinks here are so good and creative, and pretty decently priced. My favourite was hands down the sake sangria ($13), but it is an in-season drink (so make sure you come soon before it's taken off the menu). We primarily came for drinks, but we also got a ramen poutine as something to munch on. It didn't quite hit the mark for me -- it was a bit salty, and I feel that ramen toppings overall do not suit poutine too well. SERVICE | The service here was 5 stars!! Although I booked a reservation, the server made a mistake in the booking system and it didn't actually register my reservation. However, they were so accommodating, and got us a spot within 15 minutes, despite it being super busy. The servers were all really nice and helpful with everything on the menu. AMBIENCE | Although we sat on the patio, the interior is really nice and minimalistic upstairs, with a cute neon sign on the washroom level. VERDICT | Really good izakaya option for fun and yummy drinks! read more
Their service was very nice. Server attended to all our needs and food came out pretty fast. The food was amazing! It definitely separates themselves from other izakayas like Kinka with the attention to detail and pairings they do with their menu items. The kaarage was big and crispy. It came with a creamy sauce that had a sous vide egg inside that you had to mix it with, so good! The pressed sushi was melt in your mouth tasty. We had the salmon and the chopped tuna belly. So so good. The drinks were also lovely with an Asian twist and decent price. Their seating is very limited so definitely try to call ahead if you have the chance to. read more
This spot comes up consistently as one of the top izakaya in Toronto -- food is good, ambiance is no-frills urban vibe. A def must try! Highlights: - udon pepperoncino: a MUST TRY! We almost didn't order this but was blown away at how yummy it was. Basically a creamy panchetta pasta with udon noodles and a slight kick of heat - yuugi salmon sushi: so yummy and loved the slightly cooked top Less enthused: - chicken kaarage: mainly got it for the poached egg in the dipping sauce. Had better kaarage elsewhere Come hungry and better to come with 2-4 ppl so you can order a bunch of dishes and try everything out! read more
Was fortunate to get the yelp elite perk of BOGO here - two yuugi sushis and two tebasaki (wings) for the price of one. I ordered about 30-40 mins prior to pickup time, and the order was ready on time. The guy on the phone taking the order was really friendly! The food itself was really tasty. The yuugi sushi (torched salmon pressed sushi) tasted fresh and the texture of the salmon was melt-in-your mouth. There was something flavourful atop the salmon which I didn't know what it was at the time, but it says on their website maplewood smoked shellfish. Whatever it was, it was good. Overall the flavours were more mellow - nothing overpowering, so that the freshness and natural flavours could come through. The 6 pcs sushi came with a small ball of wasabi and a generous mound of pickled ginger. The ginger was different than what I am used to getting at sushi takeout spots. The ginger here were thicker irregular shaped slices, leading me to think they're made in house. As for the wings, I thought they were quite good. They had sweetness and saltiness (from the sweet soy sauce), a bit of spice from the black pepper, and option to squeeze lemon juice which added the sour dimension. It was cooked well - crispy outside and all, but the sauce isn't what I prefer. I tend to like hot/spicy over sweet wings. By the way, they have a patio! I'd suggest going soon before it gets too cold. I didn't dine in, but from what I observed, all the staff were wearing their masks properly (covering both mouth AND nose) and they were friendly. I hope you give this restaurant a try and support this small business! read more
Visited during a weird time for the city, so not sure how busy it normally is, but we got seated immediately without a reservation. Cute looking bar/restaurant. I liked the small focused menu. Ordered the Tenmusu Onigiri, Grilled Oysters, Chicken Nanban Karaage, Aburi Wagyu Oshizushi and a Asahi Black. The Onigiri is an "open-faced" shrimp tempura handroll. Pretty good. The Grilled Oysters were the tastiest thing, grilled in garlic and butter, served with a bit of toast (the toast being my date's favourite thing). Would recommend. The Karaage was interesting in that the sauce came with a lightly poached egg that you mix into it. Quite tasty as well. The Wagyu pressed sushi was good too, the beef was fatty and tender. Overall I quite liked the feel of the restaurant. Service was very friendly. Everything was pretty good, and the prices mostly reasonable (just maybe not the pressed sushi). Would come back! read more
Yuugi Izakaya is one of the better izakayas in the city and is located in Baldwin Village. There is plenty of street parking (Green P) and the restaurant has a patio that is pet-friendly! I really enjoyed all the side dishes that our table ordered - my personal favourite was the Chicken Karaage, mainly because of their house-made tartare sauce. The sauce is mixed with an egg yolk and really adds a unique flavour to the chicken. I also enjoyed the Ebimayo, and wished there were more pieces in an order (there are 4). If you are looking to order their sushi, I would recommend the Salmon Sushi or Yuugi Sushi. I got the Wagyu Sushi as well, but for the price, I thought it was a little overrated. Overall, I would recommend this location to small to medium groups (2-6 people) so that you have enough people to order several different items on the menu to share! You should make a reservation as well if you are planning on visiting on the weekend. read more
6 years ago
Cute lil izakaya spot that opened up in Baldwin Village recently. My fav dish here was the chicken karaage. Perfect level of crisp outside and the chicken was moist inside. The tartare sauce also comes with a poached egg which adds an interesting twist. The torched saba sushi was also really good. The fish was thicker than the rice which I really appreciated. The fish/rice ratio wasnt as good for the torched salmon sushi. That one also comes with smoked shellfish as a topping which I thought overpowered the fish. I personally wasn't a fan of the combo. When I came here, the menu seemed limited. not sure if it's because we went at lunch or because of COVID. but i would def be down to go back and try more dishes. Visit jess.feed.me on IG for more food reviews & photos :) read more
I've been here twice, the interior has a very relaxed vibe, and they put a unique spin on common dishes! Kuromitsu kinako ice cream - they give you vanilla ice cream topped with soybean powder on top of a brown sugar sauce. A nice simple way to finish off your dinner! Ebi-mayo: I really enjoyed this! It was fried to perfection and topped with chili mayo that give it a spicy kick. Chicken nanban kaarage: really interesting spin to kaarage, they give you a tartare sauce with a runny egg that you mix in to dip the chicken in. Mixed in, it becomes a really creamy sauce that doesn't have an overpowering egg taste. The kaarage itself was decent too! The salmon and mackerel sushi was so good and almost creamy? Really enjoyed it! read more
Was really excited to try this new Izakaya but was disappointed it didn't hit the right spot. The menu is limited so we ordered some of popular dishes. We got the salmon and mackerel sushi: the topping on the salmon was over powering so you can't really taste the torched salmon as much. The mackerel waa good but it's was dried like it needed more sauce. Chicken karagge was good, wish it came with more pieces because there were so much yolk sauce leftover (saved it to dipped the Katsu sandwich). Ham Katsu sandwich was okay, prob my first and last time trying it only cause it's a Japanese food staple. Hotate wasabi was good, missing seaweed though. It was different so probably my favorite dish here. Drinks here were good, had the $6 cocktail on Wednesdays. It was a cute restaurant and waiters were friendly! read more
6 years ago
House yuugi sushi is a miss for me. Extremely salty, I would like it to be half the salt. Maybe it's from the smoked shellfish on top? I also like when blowtorched food is more cooked (has some black or Carmelization). I would rather go to other places for blowtorch salmon. However, I LOVED akaebi sushi. It is incredibly sweet and so fresh in taste. I would order this again and again. Would like to try other items in the future. read more
4 years ago
I might be a borderline alcoholic but I felt like the cocktails were super scarce. they were filled halfway with huge ice cubes in them. I conservatively drank it and it was still gone in two sips. for the price they charge, I would expect a little more of the glass filled, respectfully. the pan-fried pork jowl "tontoro" was really good, and the ramen poutine was a little lackluster. the servers were attentive. for the price point, the food was good, not great. bonus points for the huge neon 'kawaii' sign next to the restrooms. read more
1 year ago
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