Yakuzen - Japanese Healthy Restaurant — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

Stepping into Yakuzen, a Japanese Healthy Restaurant nestled in the lively heart of Ho Chi Minh, you'd almost be transported across the Pacific by the tasteful decor. The atmosphere radiates a calming Zen, a place where stories are shared over shared meals.

The staff, evidently the restaurant's heartbeat, are hard to overlook. They navigate the floor effortlessly, flashing warm, genuine smiles, embodying a kind of hospitality that's scarce in today's world. There's a charm in how the orders are placed here: a seamless experience provided by their iPad ordering system. It's all very sleek, very modern.

However, when it comes to the food, the magic sadly fizzles out. It's ordinary, almost pedestrian, particularly in a place as vibrant as Ho Chi Minh where extraordinary isn't just sought—it's expected. The salmon, while bearing the promise of ocean-kissed delight, was a letdown. Overcooked and denied of its crispy skin, it's a disservice to a fish of its caliber (the salmon was not cooked fresh but reheated).

A peek at the menu image would have you expect a generous piece of this fish, only for reality to serve a different story—a portion that could best be described as modest, if we're being kind. And then there were the unusual bedfellows, bamboo and lotus roots. A daring move, no doubt, but one that didn't quite hit the culinary bullseye for me.

Yet, in this mélange of the mundane, one dish did stand out. The humble miso soup. A reliable staple in Japanese cuisine that, in this case, was the unsung hero of the meal. It carried a depth of flavor, an umami punch that for a fleeting moment transported you to the streets of Tokyo.

In summary, Yakuzen is a place that delivers greatly on the promise of a lovely dining experience—right until the food arrives. My hope for them is to match their culinary efforts to the strength of their atmosphere, their service, their promise. Because right now, it's like expecting a symphony and receiving a simple, albeit...

What a FABULOUS meal. I arrived right after they opened for lunch and seated immediately (I would suggest making a reservation to ensure a table as it filled-up fast). The waiter handed me a tablet to order from: efficient. First mu cosmopolitan arrived and it was yummy. Then to food started to arrive: The soy beans where still crunchy and lightly salted. Then the cucumber rolls arrived and they were light and fresh. The ginger was abundant (I loved that) as was the wasabi. Enjoyed it so much I ordered a second order. The asparagus were fresh, light and they took the time to remove the woodsy/chewy bottoms so that I was able to enjoy every one of them. Service was average as the staff were just standing around. It took several tried to get their attention to order another cucumber rolls. This is a bright and clean restaurant and I highly recommend it. Yummy, clean, light food with beautiful...

My wife and I had a nice dinner at Yakuzen Japanese restaurant tonight. The place looks very fresh, well-lit and there's a certain atmosphere that feels lightness for diners. Food was excellent. We started with some cheese and cold cuts. A complimentary appetizer platter like bento boxes. It was followed by a sushi set then beef grilled in stone for mains. We shared a strawberry inspired cheese cake which was really delicious. Everything had a well-balanced taste nothing overpowering giving a clean finish. Price is very reasonable nothing like other Saigon restaurants that are usually overpriced. Service staff were impeccable. Happy about the overall service from food presentation, timing and bill out. Everything was a organized. I would highly recommend this place and definitely would...