BY ALYAA MALIK
This upscale and trendy Japanese restaurant has calibrated its menu and image to attract the most coveted clientele.
The chic entrance to Yokari exudes a young, modern vibe. It is bright, spacious and plays a distinct upbeat house music in the background. The surroundings are woven with shades of cream, teal and brown, giving the dining area a nod to natural earth tones. A shelf adequately filled with books about food, culture and Japan makes the space feel like a piece of an elegant home. It was a stark contrast from what it looked like back in 2014 when it first opened where the interiors were mostly dim-lit, quiet and somewhat strict in ambiance.
As I was seated with my friend across its bustling open kitchen, I could see and hear the chefs working, occasionally uttering Japanese words to indicate service by the ticket. We noticed the Executive Chef giving direction to his staff before walking over to meet us. He introduced himself as Chef Taki Sato and he is the only Japanese Executive Chef in Saudi Arabia. He looks younger than his age but in fact, he already has over 20 years of experience as a chef.
We spoke with him briefly and learned that his professional introduction to cooking was actually in French cuisine. After his classical training, he went on to focus more on harnessing his skills in traditional, Japanese food. A brief internship in the United States, specifically New York City, further broadened his insights on food culture and culinary techniques. I then realized how snippets of his inspiration from these cities were reflected in the manners and matters of Yokari. From the custom-designed plates all the way from Japan to the reconstructed menu that caters to the foodies of Riyadh. Chef Taki recognizes the power of their location. Being situated inside Centria Mall where lavish, signature brands are, he modified their menu to fit. He had also initiated sushi-making classes in the restaurant in hopes of sharing a deeper appreciation of Japanese cuisine with their clients.
The food began to arrive, starting with green salad. Its mustard miso dressing made the most impression on us: earthy, rich and made us want more. The mix of green lettuce, edamame and thinly sliced asparagus offered a play on textures with every bite. It was then followed by a tray of tiny crispy beef tacos. I thought it was an unconventional item to be seen in a Japanese restaurant but its dainty appearance seems to bid well with its women diners as we were told that it was one of their bestsellers.
Up next, they served us with a plate of Hamachi, which is Yellowtail fish carpaccio in Yuzu dressing. The citrus flavor was very pronounced and tangy yet it seemed necessary in order to counter the raw fish taste. It was interesting to see how such a small dish could pack a large volume of flavors. Meanwhile, the Unagi Saku Saku was a crunchy maki dish composed of eel (unagi), shrimp and mushrooms that’s been lightly covered in tempura batter and deep fried. The eel was meaty and gelatinous as expected and the toppings of chopped spring onions and varied sauces gave it some contrast.
For the main course, there was the Yakiniku – a plate of finely sliced rib-eye steak marinated in soy and dressed in fragrant truffle sauce atop buttery mashed potatoes. Its savory notes are guaranteed to keep you coming back for more bite. Should you want to try a noodle dish, their Yakisoba is a stir-fried concoction of fresh egg noodles in Worcestershire sauce that can go along with your choice of seafood, chicken or vegetables.
Finally, the closing meal of the night was the Dates Pudding, arranged to emulate the scenery in the land of the rising sun. This dessert paired with a teapot of their powdered matcha green tea made for the perfect Japanese touch to punctuate our visit.
Armed with their experience and inspiration for innovative dishes, Yokari’s sense of taste is spot on. Their plans to expand the brand throughout KSA and conduct more possible activities shows that the evolution of Yokari is headed towards the right direction.
YOKARI
Open daily from 1:00 PM to 11:30 PM
With Family and Single Sections
2nd Flr, Centria Mall, 210 Olaya St.
Riyadh 11672
Email: reservations@yokari.com
Tel: +966-11-288-6999
