I was recently sent vouchers to review YO! Sushi in St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff. Sushi is my favourite type of food and YO! never lets me down.
Phil and I visited on a Saturday lunchtime so it was naturally very busy. There weren’t any booths available so we were seated on the other side of the restaurant at the bar area. I’ve been to YO! countless times and I’ve always had a table, so sitting at the bar was a different experience but still a pleasant one.
The system is fairly self-explanatory. Dishes circle the bar on a conveyor belt, each dish fitting into colour bands which relate to prices. Dishes vary from £1.80 (green) to £6 (yellow) so you can dine on a budget or splash out. However, it’s easy to overspend when tempting dishes pass you constantly so keep an eye on your plates mounting up.
With plenty of choice, there’s enough to keep everyone content whether you’re a sushi expert or novice. Not a fan of raw fish? Not to worry, there are over 80 Japanese inspired dishes on the menu including hot classics, sashimi, tempura, salads, hand rolls and desserts. So whether you love meat, fish or vegetables, don’t panic, you’re catered for.
The food itself is of a high quality. Dishes are freshly prepared and you can see them being made in front of you. If you want a particular dish on the menu but can’t see it on the belt, just press the call button and a member of staff will quickly come over to take your order.
The drinks menu included Japanese beer, Sake, spirits, a variety of wines, soft drinks including coca cola, Vita Coco coconut water and fruit juices. There are also drinks with unlimited refills – Japanese green tea and triple filtered still or fizzy water which you pour yourself from the taps on the table. I drank green tea and Phil had water as he liked the convenience of having the taps on the table.
To start, I went for the Miso Soup which had unlimited refills. With seaweed, tofu, spring onion and soy bean broth, it’s not to everyone’s taste but for me, it was delicious and filling. I like that it’s full of antioxidants too!
Phil opted for a YO! bestseller, Chicken Gyoza, which are chicken dumplings with soy and vinegar sauce. Phil’s isn’t overly keen on the raw fish aspect of sushi but the gyoza is a winner with him – they’re crispy on the outside with a soft, meaty filling that’s full of flavour.
Next, I ate a plate of Edamame Beans – soy beans in a pod which you squeeze and suck. They were served with a sprinkling of Cornish sea salt which added a lovely crunch.
Phil’s favourite food is curry so the Chicken Katsu Curry appealed to him. It was an excellent dish – sticky rice with tasty chicken katsu, mild curry sauce and a sprinkling of red ginger for extra heat.
I can never resist the Pumpkin Korroke and this visit was no exception. The breaded croquettes are served with a sweet fruity sauce and I could eat them all day! Be sure to try these if you already haven’t.
To finish, I ate the Assorted Nigiri which was yellowfin tuna nigiri, salmon nigiri and cooked prawn nigiri toppings on pieces of rice. I love Salmon nigiri but it was nice to have a variety. Delicious with soy sauce!
Overall, YO! Sushi was great. The staff were happy and helpful while service was quick, friendly and efficient. The conveyor belt system was a fun way to eat tasty and healthy food. I fully recommend and can’t wait to go back again!
Yo Sushi, Bridge Street Arcade, St David’s Dewi Sant, CF10 2EF