YamaChen's Sushi House — Restaurant in Fairfax

I don't do sushi, but I like Japanese, so this is a review of some non-sushi items.

The gyoza were okay, but deep-fried instead of pan-fried, so it's a bit like having those frozen microwavable things from the grocery store. Hot and crispy, but all you taste is the shell.

The chicken teriyaki was not good. It has the basics you'd expect, chicken breast in a sweet brown sauce. But the vegetables they added seemed odd, at least to American tastebuds. I don't know what's considered 'authentic' for this dish, I just know that cherry tomatoes, cabbage, and edamame beans aren't what anybody else serves, and don't work together.

You get the usual salad, which had peanut dressing. I was okay with that, until I took a bite and realized everything had already been tossed with some sweet oil.

Somehow, even the rice had an issue. They serve it on some big (banana?) leaf, I guess for decoration. But the flavor of the leaf, which is kind of musky, bleeds into the rice. This was a problem with the gyoza too. I assume this is an accident, but it doesn't help.

I'm not normally nitpicky, but it's frustrating that nothing tasted like what I expect or hope for.

On the plus side, the decor is pretty good with lots of dark-stained wood, the service was great, and apparently people like...

I cannot praise this place this enough!! My partner and I came here to try it out as we’ve passed it several times in our normal commutes and WOW!! We loved this place so much that we had to come back a few days later for more.

Our first date we had chicken ramen, 3 sushi rolls (Philadelphia, spicy tuna, and super duper roll), a beer, a glass of (amazing) plum wine, steamed gyoza, and complimentary edamame, 2 spring rolls, and 2 cheesecake squares. All of that for about $62 pre-tip!! That price for all of that food is unheard of in 2023. If you want this quality and dimension of taste in food anywhere else, you’ll easily pay double than you will ever pay at YamaChen’s. Additionally, the service is phenomenal. The young lady that served us was so considerate and even brought over a little bowl for me to try my boyfriends ramen.

Our second date (first few pictures) we came back and ordered the chicken ramen again, fire chicken with rice, beer, plum wine (because I’m in love with it), 2 rolls (spicy tuna and salmon roll), with complimentary edamame, 2 spring rolls, and 2 cheesecake squares. Again, all for about the same price!!

Beautiful decor, amazing service both visits, and food to die for all for a great price. 10/10...

Went here the first time on a whim and it was amazing. After a less than stellar experience somewhere else this was a welcome change. The food is good and the prices are affordable. The bathrooms were clean and smelled good which, honestly is a big thing. You can go to some places and the facilities are terrible. The ambiance inside is inviting and chill. The waiter was nice and even gave us a free sample. I’ve also used them for takeout twice. Each time the food was just as good as when I first had it. In the restaurant you’re given an individual….idk why the word is slipping my mind but you’ll see it in the photos. Anyway, in that “pack” comes chopsticks, napkin, tooth picks and a fork. There might be something else that comes in it but i could be forgetting it. You won’t be disappointed with this place. Also i got the salmon roll and the rainbow roll. You’re greeted with edamame and they gave us complimentary...