Yoi Izakaya — Restaurant in Dublin

For all the food lovers out there, you need to check this great Japanese Izakaya out in the heart of hip Dublin 4 area. As soon as we walked in this warm, well decorated and inviting place on a busy Saturday evening, we were greeted by the friendly staff and the wonderful host, the on duty manager. It turned out to be such an unforgettable night of fine dining and wining as if we were being Tokyo drifted to the far east. We were lucky enough to meet with the owner who is a real foodie. He chatted with us about the good food and drinks he loves. You know straight away that he is a culinary master who is passionate about good food and keen to make sure the food and drinks that he and his staff put on their customers’ tables are the best of quality. This authentic Japanese food heaven offers great tasty dishes as well as fine atmosphere that would make your dining undoubtedly an enjoyable experience. It is a true Izakaya as it has an impressive wine and sake list which was personally handpicked by the owner himself to ensure the dishes of your choice would have a perfect pairing drink to complement the food and to satisfy your taste buds. On the night, we ordered gyoza, sashimi, some rolls and ramen. The gyozas were beautifully presented and the fillings were masterly mixed with fresh ingredients that are exciting in flavors. I personally love gyoza dish is precisely for that reason, flavors hidden away in a wrapping, so inviting but you do not know what it may taste like until you bite into it. How exciting! Well, Yoi’s gyozas did exactly that for me. Needless to say, the sashimi were so fresh - you can taste the sweetness of the sea. The rib of beef Ramen was wonderfully delicious. The broth was so flavorsome but yet light and clean. Ramen is my favorite comfort food dish and a secret cure for a hangover. Most of all, I was pleasantly surprised by the generous amount of meat that were in my ramen bowl. Overall, a fantastic dining and wining experience, I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant and would definitely visit...

First the good. Lively and buzzy when we arrived and the food smelled amazing. We ordered and the dishes came quickly. The yasi gyoza I had were tasty. The vegan ramen was pretty good though I was a bit disappointed that here was a solitary slice of king oyster mushroom (not oyster as stated on the menu) in the whole dish. I also needed to season it with the soy and chilli on the table as the broth was a bit bland. The reason for the 2 stars is less to do with the food but rather the treatment at the end of the meal that frankly overshadowed the experience. We were not offered any opportunity to order dessert or coffee but instead our bill was put on the table without comment. Seemingly they had closed the kitchen and turned off the coffee machine and hadn’t come over to us to let us know and check if we wanted anything more. My friend wanted coffee and asked at this point but no luck on that front. We paid - and tipped, which I’m questioning now - and were finishing our drinks when one of the staff walked up to our table a couple of mins after paying and said “We’re closed”. The not so subtle subtext being “get out”. I’ve often been in a closing restaurant where the staff will clean up and let a couple of tables finish their drinks and chats without bothering anyone. And I’ve worked in hospitality and been on the other side of it too. I couldn’t believe how rude and unprofessional the behaviour was. It was barely 10pm and I could see the other couple of remaining tables had the same bemused expressions as us as they gathered their belongings . If the food had been spectacular this abrupt ending would have still left a sour taste in my mouth, but with lots of choice for good Asian food in Dublin I can’t see myself being back in Yoi Izakaya...

Get ready to embark on a foodie adventure at this amazing restaurant that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy! As soon as I walked in, I was blown away by the cool vibes and stylish decor. The staff was on point, making sure we had a great time.

Now, let's talk about the grub. My partner couldn't stop raving about the sake salmon poke—it was off the charts! The portion was big enough to satisfy even the hungriest of appetites. As for me, I went for the haru set. Oh boy, it was a flavor explosion! Every bite was a party in my mouth. However, I gotta be real with you—the separate bowl of rice was a bit of a letdown. It wasn't as fresh as I expected and had this dryness on top. But hey, it didn't ruin the overall good vibes.

Speaking of vibes, this place had an awesome atmosphere. The decorations were on point, setting the mood just right. The service was solid, though the waiter kinda struggled when I asked about the haru set. But who cares when the food is this good, right?

Now let's talk price. We shelled out $44.90, but it was totally worth it. I left with a smile on my face, already planning my next visit. This place knows how to whip up some seriously tasty dishes that'll make you a happy camper.

In a nutshell, this joint is a foodie's paradise. Sure, the rice could use some work, but the overall experience was top-notch. So grab your crew and get ready to chow down at this rad restaurant. It's...