The Yakitori Samurai — Restaurant in Tbilisi

What is cuisine, if not a form of storytelling? What is the purpose of food, if not to open one’s heart — to bridge cultures, memories, and emotion through something as simple and essential as a meal? At its best, cooking is not just technique, but soul. And Yakitori Samurai is one of those rare places where you can feel it with every bite.

This isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a living story. A Japanese chef, alone in a foreign country, choosing to bring a piece of his homeland to Georgia through fire, skewers, and quiet mastery. That choice alone is remarkable. And the result? A one-of-a-kind experience that feels like stepping into a tiny backstreet izakaya in Tokyo, hidden away — and somehow, magically, found here.

Whether it’s the delicate char of the yakitori or a steaming bowl of ramen, every bite and every sip delivers something that no other so-called “Japanese” place in the region can offer — truth. Not just in taste, but in feeling. You’re not just eating a dish — you’re being invited into a moment, a memory, a culture. And it’s unforgettable.

Every dish is prepared by the chef himself — no assistants, no shortcuts. Just pure dedication. The flavors are bold yet refined, and the atmosphere is intimate, personal, and deeply respectful of tradition.

What makes it even more fascinating is the story behind it: a Japanese chef leaving his home country to open a traditional yakitori place in Georgia — alone. That, by itself, is something remarkable. It’s not just dinner — it’s a cultural experience that carries a personal journey with it.

Frankly, it’s a shame to see anyone leave a bad review here. This is the kind of place that deserves support, not criticism. If you’re expecting fast food or a typical dining setup, this isn’t that — but if you value authenticity, craftsmanship, and a genuine human story behind your meal, you’ll appreciate it deeply.

Whether you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine or just someone looking for a unique and meaningful food experience, Yakitori Samurai is an...

I’ve been more than 20 times to Japan and tried more than 50 Ramen restaurants in Japan and Korea. In this case, I ordered Miso-Ramen. But never had this taste before. It’s more like Miso-Soup, it’s too thick and the taste is too strong. Also, I was the worst quality of Egg and Chashu in my experience. Maybe if u are very familiar with Japanese food and want to try the new taste, it could be your option but if you are a novice in Japanese food, please try normal ones.

Additionally, the price is quite high considering the normal price of foods in this area. Normally, the price of foods are 1/2~2/3 of Japan or Korea, but it’s almost the same with Japan or Korean in this case.

And it took so much time but I can understand this part, if they are selling Ramen-only, then it could not be happened but the Ramen is one of their menus.

Perhaps this review of the food is too picky and harsh. However, given that there are hardly any Japanese restaurants in Tbilisi, I think it’s important to describe the taste in more depth to let people know that there are distinctive or special characteristics in the food coming out of this restaurant.

I hope I can leave better comment on this restaurant after trying other menus.

✍️Additional comments after the restaurant’s comment

I fully understand what this restaurant want to say. If then, I think put some more description in Menu would be...

We visited the place based on a recommendation and came in with a good mood. We ordered two of the most popular dishes—ramen—and asked for them to be extra spicy. We waited for over an hour, but when the soups finally arrived, they were completely tasteless. We told the waiter that we were dissatisfied with the taste because it was nothing like what we expected or had tried at other places. The waiter said there was nothing she could do and offered to let us speak with the chef.

We politely talked to the chef, explaining that we didn't like the dish and didn't think it was worth the price. The chef responded by saying it wasn’t his responsibility and that by complaining, we were insulting his culture. Then, he called the police.

When the police arrived, we explained the situation. It turned out that the chef had told them we refused to pay, but all we wanted was some resolution regarding the dish. Fortunately, the situation was resolved, but we will never visit this place again and definitely won't recommend...