Yokai Izakaya — Restaurant in Vaughan

Main takeway : overrated, overpriced, terrible food, great marketing and hype though

Had a large family gathering here on a Saturday, place was packed and busy. Here’s what went down :

Atmosphere: reservations are quite straightforward, they open at 5 and you have to leave at a certain time to accommodate more guests as Izakayas are quite small, this is understandable, not a good a idea to go here for a large family gathering though, space is quite limited and food is better paired with a drinks menu which isn’t very child friendly, nice idea for a drink with friends or as a couple instead

Service : very prompt service! I have no complaints in this department, they are fully staffed and staff is quite attentive to our needs, also very efficient- gratuity is added to the bill automatically so they have a set percentage that you HAVE TO pay, most places do have this system in place and I understand this is a very service heavy kind of dining but it would be better I think to trust customers to pay equal tip to the level of service given by the place, just a preference!

Food : okay, this is where it all went downhill for me, the menu looks very good on the website and on the photos posted by the Restaurant and the food did arrive with care and attention in plating - but the quality and taste of the ingredients are not on par with the prices they charge , the mains consist of Wagyu - always a buzz term when restaurants have this type of meat but the wagyu steak was underwhelming, the cut wasn’t extraordinarily good, it was decent wagyu but I wouldn’t go here for their wagyu steak, a bigger disappointment would be their wagyu steak tartare which is advertised as one of their mains but when it arrived seemed more like a side dish at it was 95% bread with very thin wagyu tartare on top, this took me by surprise as I was quite excited for this dish but was sorely disappointed, the other food were as expected, all were decent but nothing truly mind blowing, the tataki was cut thick, and so was the salmon tartare, some sauces complement each other but after eating almost all their dishes in a short time ( we had no choice since booking is only for a limited time) the food started to taste singular, everything tasted almost the same with no major difference may it be the wagyu sauce, the brussel sprout sauce, the sauce for the meat bowl, the taste buds get fatigued by the same flavour profile after a while so its better to eat less and pair with drinks

Drinks - this might be the main reason people go here? We didn’t drink much, I personally just ordered a yuzu beer but I am assuming their drinks are specially curated to accompany their food, would probably have been better if we mainly ordered drinks and less food as the food was not the best in my opinion, by the way I didn’t enjoy my yuzu beer either as their service people opened it with bubbles LITERALLY overflowing on the can, i was only able to drink 80% of the drink because when I poured in the glass the remaining liquid from the can it was bubbling so much it spilled more, also the temperature wasn’t even cold, lukewarm beer is THE WORST, so yeah didn’t think of ordering...

Japanese street fare, shareable plates, casual and great for food and drink.

Conveniently located on the North side of Vaughan Mills, perfect after you go shopping or Wonderland.

Parking: Ample parking in the plaza, free

Ambience: Great for dates, drinks, casual dining, conversation, really nice décor and very quaint.

Service: Waitress was fantastic, got my group seated right away, very polite and friendly. A little upsetting she hasn't tried Nomé though to compare the competitions slider (Nomé's Japaburger) (5/5)

Food we ordered:

Wagyu Sliders Wagyu beef slider, truffle aioli, bonito spiked onion jam, crispy mushrooms * 3pc *Our server mentioned a lot of people compare it to Nome's, Still very tasty but felt it needed more of a punch for it to stand out. No flavor in particular stood out and it was well balanced, but I would have liked a bit of a "pop", y'know what I mean? (3/5)

Yuzu Kosho Chicken Skewers - Shio koji, chicken thigh, negi, yuzu kosho glaze * 4pc Fatty, rich, salty, the yuzu glaze gave it a nice pop, the meat was cooked well (3/5)

Yokai Signature Maki - Torched Norwegian salmon, crispy salmon skin, avocado, shiitake, jalapeño, ikura, spicy mayo, yuzu unagi sauce, 24K gold flakes * 8pc

Good balance of flavors with the salmon, salmon skin, shiitake and jalapeno, ikura gave it a nice pop, the roll is more on the expensive side considering it is not tuna but salmon, good roll, but not great. (3/5)

Yokai Chicken Wings Yokai original spice blend, browned butter, teriyaki sauce * 3pc

Good wing, good size, good portion, sauce was good, spice blend was good. However, the teriyaki sauce was a little overpowering. Needs a little more umami flavor in my opinion (4/5)

Drinks: Korean Soju Korean Soju + sparkling water + yakult and choice of: Grapefruit, Green Grape, or Strawberry * 3oz We ordered the strawberry korean soju, tasty and refreshing, can't go wrong. *MEN Do not be afraid to try this, no matter how girly it looks/feels (4/5)

JAPANESE CHU HAI - Japanese Shochu + sparkling water and choice of freshly squeezed: Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit or Calpico Lychee * 1.5oz

Ordered this one with the calpico lychee - delicious, sweet, but not too sweet, good kick of calpico lychee. (5/5)

Overall 4/5: Reason being is I have not tried the full menu, I will have to come back for a full experience, especially on their $1 oyster days which are thursdays and sundays. The service also brought the rating up, as others have reviewed on Google/Yelp there's something a bit lacking

If y'all want me to come back and taste test a wagyu slider 2.0 hit me up, I...

Yokai Izakaya in Woodbridge offers a vibrant and contemporary take on Japanese izakaya dining, blending traditional flavors with modern twists. Visiting on a bustling Friday night, the atmosphere was lively, featuring upbeat music and a stylish interior that set the tone for an engaging dining experience.

• Godzilla Tails: These jumbo black tiger shrimp tempura were a standout, boasting a light, crispy batter complemented by a spicy black tobiko mayo. The dish’s presentation and flavor profile made it a memorable choice. • Oysters: Served fresh with accompaniments like nashi mignonette and Yokai Inferno hot sauce, the oysters provided a refreshing start to the meal. Their quality and preparation were commendable. • Lobster & Shrimp Tacos: Presented in crispy wonton shells, these tacos were generously filled with Atlantic lobster and white shrimp, dressed in a spicy brown butter and mentaiko aioli. The combination offered a delightful crunch and rich seafood flavor.  • Crispy Ume Brussel Sprouts: These sprouts were fried to perfection and tossed in an umeboshi gastrique, delivering a tangy and savory bite that even non-vegetable enthusiasts would appreciate. • Skewers (Beef, Chicken, King Oyster Mushrooms): Each skewer was thoughtfully seasoned and grilled. The beef tenderloin with miso and karashi mustard glaze stood out for its tenderness and depth of flavor.  • Chicken Karaage: This dish featured boneless chicken thighs fried to a golden crisp, served with a zesty yuzu aioli. The balance of crunch and juiciness made it a crowd-pleaser. • Wagyu Sliders: These sliders combined juicy wagyu beef with truffle aioli and crispy onions, all nestled in a soft bun. The richness of the wagyu was well-balanced by the accompaniments. • Octopus Tataki Salad: A refreshing dish featuring thinly sliced octopus with a citrusy ponzu dressing, offering a light contrast to the richer items on the menu. • Stone Bowl Gyudon: This hearty dish arrived sizzling, with tender slices of AAA ribeye, caramelized onions, and a perfectly cooked onsen egg atop rice. The black garlic added a savory depth, making it a satisfying end to the meal.

Yokai Izakaya delivers a dynamic dining experience with a menu that skillfully marries traditional Japanese elements with inventive flair. The dishes are designed for sharing, encouraging a communal and interactive meal. The attentive service and vibrant ambiance further enhance the experience, making it a recommended spot for both casual outings and special occasions.

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