The Yasai: Plant-Based Japanese Experience — Restaurant in San Diego

Edit: With a heavy, disappointed heart I must warn you the Ramen I once loved is not the same anymore. I can't speak to the classic for I stopped getting that after the 3rd time I went (over the years I went several times) and switched to always getting Triple Tomato.

The menu has changed it seems and with it my favorite Ramen The Triple Tomato went from being a rich but thin Ramen with complex and complementary flavors, to being a thick almost spaghetti like Ramen. The depth of harmonious flavors I once craved and enjoyed now is drowned out by this thick & almost creamy tomato sauce. Unfortunately at this time I will not be going back.

Also, really sad to say the outdoor seating is never open any more.

The Brussel sprouts are still very solid.

Original review: Being vegetarian I have craved a good bowl of savory, spicy ramen since my transition but have been hesitant; this is because I have tried failed attempts at holding their own with flavor, fulfillment and substance.

I decided to try Yasai with my partner and they got black edition classic, and me red edition classic.

Literally, the red edition was the best Ramen I've ever had, the noodles had a strong texture but also soft with a kind flavor; the broth savory, fulfilling, drinkable(tip the bowl my friend) and quite spicy (don't worry if you are worried you can get the spicy part on the side); bok choy perfectly braised, garlic mild yet rich; bamboo shoots umami without knocking you out; the crispy pumpkin may have been my favorite part which is saying ALOT; the tofu was firm, seared and satisyfing; then the bean sprouts at the bottom so fresh; and lastly the green onions hold up the broth.

The black edition a close second, but I love spicy things so red wins.

We also had gyoza as an appetizer, the greens and sauce were very good with them and defintely recommend sampling...

Very frustrating experience here - twice in one day. We came for lunch at 2:00 for The Yasai’s chickenless chicken nuggets. They’ve combined their three restaurants so the wait was about 40 minutes. We were told they’d seat you in one of their three restaurants but we could order from any of the three. After getting seated at 2:45, we asked for The Yasai menu and told last call for the food was at 2:30. Because I’m vegan, there was only one option for me at the ramen place - the only restaurant we were allowed to order from. I got a tofu rice dish and it was awful. We then place a delivery order at 5:30. It took an hour - which was expected - but when the order arrived, the two orders of the chickenless chicken nuggets were missing! In order to have those items delivered, we had to order two other items. The total was $71…and we didn’t even get the main item we wanted. The other two dishes were just okay…nothing spectacular and nothing worth paying $50 for!!!! I tried calling the restaurant FIVE times to express my frustration and no one ever answered. I get that you can’t always seat everyone…I understand that you may run out of an item…but come on, you need to tell people if you’re out of something or if there’s a cut off for ordering from a place. It’s not my fault you decided to combine the seating. From what I could see, everyone was eating ramen…meaning I could have easily eaten at the vegan place. And if you are out of something, call to make sure the order still should be placed! Or take it off the menu until it’s replenished…or send a gift card as an apology. We spent $120 here today between the two meals AND NEVER GOT THE ONE ITEM WE CAME FOR. Poor customer service, poor organization, and putting $$$$$ ahead of the customer...

Worst restaurant experience of my entire life. The waiter was a rude young girl who seemed upset that we had even arrived at the restaurant.

We sat down and had to wait 15 minutes for her to even come ask us for our orders. It was not busy. She was inside cleaning tables and standing idly while we were waiting.

Finally, she came over and asked for our orders. We specified "no garlic" multiple times, as my girlfriend has a garlic allergy. When the ramen arrived, we were given no utensils to eat with.

I went and asked the waiter for utensils, and she gave us spoons. No chopsticks. I went and got chopsticks from the front desk myself.

My water cup also remained empty the entire time there.

My girlfriend had started to eat her ramen and found garlic in it. The one instruction we added, had not been noted. The waiter did not apologize. The chef came and offered to make a new one, but we were already thinking about going to the hospital. Not wanting to make a scene, we agreed to a new one.

After waiting another 15 minutes in the cold for a new bowl of ramen, I began to wonder where our sushi order was. They ended up giving us our sushi in to-go boxes, as if to ask us to leave.

I had to go find the missing waiter to ask her for the bill. She looked like she did not want to be working there, and got it. I gave them my card, and for the first time, deigned to leave a $0 tip and a message as to why. This was the worst restaurant experience ever. No apology, absolutely horrific service, and an extremely rude waiter. My girlfriend ended up vomiting that night.

Update: I found that she gave HERSELF a $5 tip, which I did not even authorize or sign for!!! I am disputing the transaction with my credit card company. To anyone reading this: Do not go...