Yamada Sushi — Restaurant in Gauteng

I visited Yamada Sushi in Rivonia during my lunch break, hoping for a quick lunch. Initially, everything seemed fine. I sat at the sushi conveyor belt and ordered the Japanese chicken curry while trying some sushi. However, things quickly went downhill.

While eating, the sushi I picked up fell apart and spilled soy sauce all over my pants and shirt. To be fair, this wasn’t the restaurant’s fault, but the way the situation was handled was disappointing. I asked the waiter for napkins and waited over five minutes without receiving any. Frustrated, I went to the bathroom to clean up, only to find there were no towels or even a hand dryer. After asking again, I was finally given five small napkins—this was already about 15 minutes after I had placed my order.

The waiter then informed me they didn’t have the ingredients for my original order, so I quickly changed to miso soup and gyoza, hoping for a faster preparation. Unfortunately, my colleagues’ food arrived 20 minutes later, my miso soup came 10 minutes after that, and the gyoza followed another five minutes later.

The staff was inattentive and worked at an incredibly slow pace—not ideal for a lunch break. While the food itself was decent, the overall experience left a lot to be desired. There are better Asian restaurants in Johannesburg with more efficient service and better attention to customer needs. I wouldn’t recommend Yamada Sushi for a quick and smooth...

The experience was ok. The restaurant was completely empty which one can understand during covid times. In my humble opinion that should be reason enough to make sure that everything is perfect for when guests do decide to eat at your eastablishment. Pack away the fomo containers, we wanted to sit at the sushi bar but decided against it asbit was cluttered with all sorts of things that was supposed to be done during foh prep.

Next up waiters need to know what is available and what not. Its not very enjoyable being told sorry we dont have this, sorry we don't have that only for the other waiter to shoutfrom across the bar that yes, we do infact have those items.

Lastly, I understand that during these trying times patrons are few and far between, but thats no reason for your waiters to sit at a table designated for guest, which happened to be 2 tables away from where we were sitting, having lunch and laying back like its a sunbed paying no attention to us, the only paying people in the restaurant, to the point where I had to flag down down the cleaner just to call our waiter.

Lastly the actual sushi was meh. For lack of a better word. Maki rolls were not closed up properly. Lack of garnish. Chef had no pride. Ourbfood was prepared because he had to, not because he wanted to.

Covid is not an excuse for letting your patrons down, its an opportunity to show that you are better than the rest.

But thats...

Our dining experiwnce at Yamada sushi was fantastic! It was the first time I've ever felt comfortable enough that, whilst eating the Buffet, I could ask the sushi chef for something off the menu (Green & Yellow plates only) - The variety is actually extensive and only what you would expect to be expensive is no available to you on the buffet menu - which is so affordable, it wouldn't make any sense not to take the option ... you can add what you like as extra and have a banquet fit for an emperor for a great price!

There are also stir-fry and noodle options, bow tie and spring-rolls on the buffet menu.

We also had their spring-rolls and they were probably the best spring-rolls I have had in decades! Not the frozen ones you usually get at most establishments these days, but proper long, chunky, light but crispy pastry and so very tasty! An absolute must!

The atmosphere is quiet, not to say unpleasant, but not viby - that is to say, if you were in a larger group than just the 2 of you it certainly could be as the music they were playing indicated.

This is a great little spot, worth trying out and perhaps making it your go-to/...