Yakiniku Yamada — Restaurant in Tokyo

Terrible experience with racism.

My wife and I tried to get a reservation at the restaurant. We asked our friendly hotel staff to help call to make the reservation and after some back and forth, they said there was a slot at 8.30pm, which we happily agreed to. At the end of the conversation, there was a part of the conversation in Japanese where the shop was asking what nationality we were a few times. The hotel staff mentioned where we were from the few times they asked (spoiler - not Japan), and there was a reply, and the hotel staf member looked quite upset, said she understood and put down the phone.

She then apologized and told us that the shop suddenly informed that "there were no spots left". She was extremely embarassed and was probably hoping that we didn't figure out what happened over the phone. Now I'm no genius, but it doesn't take one to guess that the spot that they said was there and agreed to give us was revoked because we weren't Japanese.

We've had an excellent time in Japan so far but this blatantly racist establishment has really...

まず、肉はなかなか美味しく、お肉も新鮮だ。しかしサービスは最低。店員たちは全員外国人。メニューの価格は税込み価格ではなく、一見安く見えるが実際はかなり高額で、他の和牛店と比べても量が少ない気がする。さらに、無断で提供されたお通しと他のものだと思われるものに500円を請求された。

そして、この店はドリンク制で、水を頼んだだけでドリンクを注文するよう強要された。こんな支離滅裂な料金体系の焼肉店はまじで初めてだ🤣。食事中には店員の一人が「こうゆう食べ方じゃない」とタレの正しい使い方を指摘してきたが、人の好みは人それぞれで、質問されてもいないのに勝手に不愉快な口出しするべきではないでしょう?

最も腹立たしかったのは、クレジットカードで支払いする際、店員が私のカードを受け取ろうとしたことだ。クレジットカードの決済は本人が操作するのが常識なのに、「いや、これ渡さないです」と言うと、店員は不機嫌そうに「私達はこういう悪いことしないです」と怒鳴りつけてきた。カード裏面にはカード番号と3桁のセキュリティコードが記載されているのに、第三者に渡すべきではないのはわかるでしょう? 別にお前を悪いことなど疑ってもいないのに、そんな物言いをされるなんて、まじで最悪の接客。

総じてサービスが最悪で、店も最悪。日本人にも外国人にもおすすめできません。日本人客なら過剰に取り入るかもしれませんが、サービスの質自体はさほど変わらないでしょう。特に外国人の方は絶対に入らない方がいい。ぼったくられて横柄な対応を受けること間違いありません。

First off, the meat was quite delicious and fresh. However, the service was absolutely terrible. All staff members were non-Japanese. The menu prices don't include tax - while appearing cheap at first glance, it's actually quite expensive. The portions seem smaller compared to other wagyu restaurants too. To make matters worse, we were charged an extra 500 yen for an unrequested appetizer and other items they brought without consent.**

What's more absurd is their mandatory drink system - they forced us to order drinks even when we just asked for water. I've never seen such a nonsensical pricing scheme at a yakiniku restaurant in my life 🤣. During our meal, one staff member actually lectured us saying 'That's not how you eat it' about the dipping sauce usage. Everyone has their own preferences - who gives them the right to make unsolicited, condescending comments like that?

The most infuriating part was during credit card payment. The staff tried to take my card from me - it's common knowledge that customers should handle their own card transactions. When I refused saying 'No, I won't hand this over,' the staff snapped back angrily 'We don't do anything shady!' Obviously you shouldn't let others handle cards containing the CVV number on the back. We weren't even suspecting anything, but that attitude alone makes this the worst customer service ever.

**Overall, disastrous service at a disastrous establishment. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone - Japanese or foreign. While Japanese customers might get excessive flattery, the actual service quality wouldn't be fundamentally better. Foreigners especially should avoid this place entirely - you'll definitely get scammed and receive...

Amazing Yakiniku experience at Ueno area. The beef is melt in your mouth, the other side dishes are also great. They have both English and Japanese menu. Their staffs are all polite and attentive which we appreciate a lot. Prices of their beef per plate is really reasonable. Compared to other restaurants in the area they're the few ones that closes late. We went around 9pm and they still accommodate us, the ambiance inside is also chill, there are few groups drinking and enjoying the end of the day. Will definitely come back to this place and recommend it to anyone who are staying...