Yuzu Kitchen — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

The food was good - ramen a bit salty and entree sauce was thick. Ingredients seemed fresh and prepared to order. If all else was good, I'd rate the restaurant experience as a whole a 4.5. It wasn't. The music was very loud and contained inappropriate language. My daughter is 15 and while she does listen to the style of music they played, did not think it was great for dining. The service started fine. We were seated promptly, given water, and had a little time to look at the menu before the waitress arrived. And then we needed a small adjustment as I have an adverse reaction to a couple of Ingredients. I offered flexibility but the waitress seemed less than knowledgeable about the food preparation. She consulted the kitchen and staff (who were noticeably unwelcoming to other patrons) which I credit her for and appreciated. However, it was never communicated that they "don't make substitutions" until I received my check with each vegetable on the original dish I ordered charged separately. I thought possibly that was an error and asked, although I had to approach front door staff because our waitress didn't return. After a few minutes away, the hostess came back to explain that they don't make substitutions so they charged me for another item that had the sauce I could safely consume and added each vegetable. That item also had vegetables and was exactly the same price (lunch items) as the one I originally ordered. I expressed disappointment and was met with, "you can call my manager tomorrow..." I was visiting the city and am unlikely to return, and frankly, I think given the tone of floor management (unwelcoming staff), I would have been more upset having someone "explain" policy when it's clearly misaligned with allergies. I declined the offer. Instead, I'm leaving a review for those who need food accommodations to let you know to either ask very directly about policy/charges (if it's important to you) or look for another...

The food was awful, and the waitress staff needs training and uniforms.

My partner ordered the General Tso's, I ordered the Karaage Coconut Curry Ramen. My Ramen was okay, the noodles were authentic, al denté, but the chicken Karaage tasted exactly like a chopped up chicken strip from a fast food place, not true Chicken Karaage. The General Tso's was awful, the sauce is tangy and sweet, clearly based with Ketchup, and I was informed by our waitress it had cinnamon in it. Clearly this place hasn't taken a single second to research true American-Chinese cuisine, cause anyone with some traditional cooking in east Asian cuisine, would tell you that it shouldn't have ketchup or cinnamon in it.

They offered a free appetizer, so I picked the Char Su Boa Buns. Big mistake, it is a piece bacon in a Boa Bun (authentic seemingly, white and fluffy) and the menu says Cucumber is added, but actually it is sweet pickle rounds. That is not Char Su whatsoever. I can cook better than this place. But then again I have studied this cuisine well, and have my own recipes that actually mirror true authentic versions, also learned to cook from a chinese relative.

Our waitress, was wearing a white, plastic boned, corset with pants. The other staff also were wearing somewhat summery clothes, that were revealing. The only girl, in a somewhat acceptable top, was one in a flowery top, but the other girl was in a tube top. They were wearing short skirts/shorts, etc. Not appropriate for the atmosphere. Looked like strippers or eye candy.

And the waitress wasn't very personable, felt like she could have up-saled us on topping(s) for my ramen, at least. Just felt like she rushed from the table at times, even though it wasn't busy. Over all, half good service, but the food isn't authentic and clearly being cooked by someone who has no idea what east Asian cuisine is, or at least the dishes they have chosen to show case on their menu. Not...

I really wish I didn't have to write this review! I absolutely love this restaurant - by far my fave ramen in the city. I have ordered takeout from them so many times. Last night, i ordered my usual Yuzu Shio Ramen. I ordered it with an appetizer and my total came to $32.10.

Imagine my surprise when i come home and open my food and my ramen, which was $20, was missing not only the meat but also the egg. So the protein, which is what makes the meal $20, was completely missing from my ramen.

I called and thankfully they offered to remake it for me. I came back and picked it up, and they told me they refunded the initial charge ($32.10) and would only charge me for the appetizer ($9.63). I haven't received my refund yet, so as of now I still have 2 separate charges from Yuzu of $32.10 and $9.63 on my card.

I get home.... Open up the new container of food... And yes this time it does have the meat and egg, but now no shiitake mushrooms, no scallion, no nori. Just corn and bok choy. On a $20 ramen.

So disappointed. I genuinely love the food at this restaurant but I'm probably never going to come back because this experience just totally sucked. I have probably got takeout from Yuzu more than 8 times in the past year, but I'm gonna have to find a new favorite ramen spot 😭

Please please refund my $32.10 that your promised 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Eta: I will update this review once I get my refund to reflect the team's integrity. This review isn't meant to harm Yuzu's reputation, just raising my voice as a loyal customer who feels this situation wasn't handled correctly. Maybe y'all have some new people in the back whi made a mistake or something - hopefully this can be an opportunity to optimize...