Yangs — Restaurant in London

I rarely write reviews, but my experience at Yangs left such a sour taste—not from the food, which was actually quite good—but from the incredibly poor customer service, that I feel compelled to share it.

Let me start by saying the food itself was well-prepared, flavorful, and arrived hot. It’s evident that the kitchen staff takes pride in their cooking, and I have no complaints regarding the quality or presentation of the meals. However, unfortunately, that’s where the positive aspects of our visit ended.

The service was, without exaggeration, one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever encountered. From the moment we sat down, the attitude of the front-of-house staff was disinterested at best and borderline hostile at worst. Our server barely spoke to us, rushed through taking our order, and made no effort to check in on our table throughout the meal. No water refills, no questions about whether we were enjoying our food—nothing that even remotely resembled standard hospitality.

The real issue, however, came at the end of the meal. When we received the bill, we noticed a 12% service charge had been automatically added. While we understand that some establishments include service fees, we were surprised, as nothing was communicated to us in advance, and the service certainly didn’t justify the charge.

When we politely questioned this charge and asked if it was optional (as is customary in many places when service hasn’t been exceptional), the staff member’s demeanor turned instantly aggressive. He insisted the charge was mandatory, and when we calmly expressed our concern, he began speaking to us in a raised voice, accusing us of being disrespectful. He claimed that “serving food is a service” and that we had no right to question the fee, despite the fact that no actual service had been rendered beyond the bare minimum of dropping plates at the table.

What made the experience truly appalling was what came next—this same staff member outright threatened us. He said, and I quote, “If you don’t want to pay the service tax, then don’t ever come back here.” We were stunned. Never in all my years of dining out have I encountered such unprofessional, confrontational behavior. It was completely unacceptable and frankly ruined what could have been a decent evening.

I want to be clear: this is not about avoiding a small fee—it’s about being treated with basic respect and fairness as a paying customer. Good service is something that’s earned, not demanded, and certainly not enforced with threats. If the restaurant wants to make service fees mandatory, they need to communicate that clearly and ensure that the level of service justifies it. In this case, it absolutely did not.

To the management at Yangs: you need to seriously re-evaluate the behavior of your staff and the tone they use with customers. One good meal does not make up for a hostile and disrespectful environment. Based on this experience, I will not be returning, and I strongly urge others to think twice before dining here—unless you’re okay with being talked down to, forced to pay for subpar service, and told never...

Didn’t match expectations. (New Edit at bottom after restaurant response)

The guy taking orders has an attitude when asked to recommend dishes, needs to work on it. Your job is to figure out what people like flavour wise and recommend.

Wouldn’t answer what they specialise in? Is it Chinese, Korean? Singaporean, Indonesian? I’d have picked dishes they are better at.

Lots of style over substance. Took more time in plating making it look nice than flavour. Chicken in starter should have come as a starter not with rest of food, even a few mins sooner.

You don’t cook Wagyu in a beef patty like that for the style of food, too thick to absorb any flavour in the middle of it, more like boiled texture rather than what wagyu can be. Didn’t taste that good and was on sweeter side more than I expected.

Was not as good as I hoped.

Muted flavours overall even for the Singapore noodles. Should have had slightly more curried taste.

Then the £60+ bill was a bit much for the standard/flavour.

Nice plating but I want better food.

Had the chicken karage, kinda sweet. Wagyu also sweetish. And Singapore noodles.

Reduce the amount of style sauces and focus on overall flavour to hit the flavour profile better I’d say.

Edit: Response to Yangs.

I didn’t randomly the most “affordable” option (I know what you’re implying), that was the item YOU recommended when I asked “What do you recommend?”

This is why it makes sense to ask more questions beforehand and be more personable rather than be almost annoyed when I specifically asked “What do you do best? What do you specialise in?” To which you responded “Everything”.

When I then said “No but there has to be things you do better than others as a restaurant” and that is the dish you recommended.

I am well aware of the different cuts and grades of Wagyu having eaten it across multiple countries including Japan.

Maybe list on the menu what grade you are using for the dishes that is your responsibility not mine.

Even the “Affordable” one.

It doesn’t detract from my original statement that it is not how you cook Wagyu in what was a thick beef burger patty regardless of grade for this style of food.

I expected better. It was not good.

Sadly you lost a star for that “affordable” implication and not owning up to...

People of hayes why are you not flocking to this humble gem and lockingyourdelves in? Ive eaten a lot of asian food...this little restaurant lit in acid yellow and pink, takes the trophy for the most delicious food..the most humble surroundings..the nicest staff all endeavouring to make your dinner here the best it can be. we shared dim sum,presented in a black laquered box..we are so thick we thought it was a block to stand a heater on..thank god the waitress opened it else id still be staring at it now. Inside were 9 of the most astonishingly beautiful dim sums ive ever tasted..chicken gyoza crispy and spiced with chilli oil,dense sweet pork bun, light as a feather prawn bun,crispy vegetable rolls and the amazing charcoal bun with egg yolk..tasted like a coconut and chocolate cake( before the geniuses round on me there was 2 of everything apart from the charcoal bun). Pickled carrot and onion dressed these hot glorious parcels. We then had hong kong udon noodle with chicken..which us my favourite poem,all slicked with darksoy..spring onion and Fabulously salty and umami and a deep bowl of golden yellow curry...which was the prettiest bowl of food 💛. Bobbing around were red peppers,red onion,cauliflower mushrooms and chicken in a golden sea of warm spicy broth flecked with chilli and lemon grass. £50 with beers. I was not expecting this level of joy..it surpassed my expectations and some.the staff were attentive gelpful and interested in our experience.....adorable. and Sake pineapple and strawberry 🍓 to finish. Hayes people, bring your selves and your families to this understated gem..you wont be...