Yoka Yoka, which is Fukuoka’s local dialect for “good”, for the most part lives up to its name. The modern Japanese restaurant is located at Ruamrudee Village, a small hub of good restaurants for the after-work crowd. Yoka Yoka occupies two floors, each with a different mood. On the ground floor, the inviting wooden interior seems to be set for a more low-key dinner, where you can enjoy your meal in peace and quiet. The upper level, on the other hand, is cooler, featuring a sake bar, funky artwork, brick walls and concrete columns. There are two private rooms, one with a private balcony, that are perfect for a reasonably rowdy gathering with friends.
Photos: Pornprom Satrabhaya
Yoka Yoka Restaurant
Japanese
11am-11pm
20/27-29 Ruamrudee Village, Soi Ruam Rudi
02-650-8047, 02-255-1144
http://goo.gl/rSsR1f
The menu
Honeymoon kaki.
You can expect regional recipes and unique creations from its 70-item menu. Honeymoon kaki (B280++) should be love at first bite for those who enjoy fresh seafood. Two Fine de Claire oysters on the half shell are topped with uni, ebiko, ikura and a quail egg. A much-needed contrast of ponzu sauce adds a light sourness, so the raw seafood flavours are not overwhelming. The dish is an explosion of flavour, but we don’t know how those who like their food cooked will feel about it. Also, paying some B300 for two bites may sound steep, but given the ingredients’ quality as well as the dish’s Instagram-readiness, we think it’s a good deal.
Sisirian rice (B180) is another dish we think is a good value. It’s like eating a salad and a rice dish on one plate. Beneath a beautifully fried egg, crisp veggies dressed with mayo and thin but tasty slices of pork lies fluffy Japanese rice. It also features a good amount of feathery sliced onions, giving sparks of freshness without pungency.
Had Aburi salmon roll (B250) been less done, we would have remembered it more fondly. We think the chef got a bit carried away with the blowtorch on the raw salmon, in the process diminishing the fish’s juiciness.
From top: Aburi salmon roll; Kurobuta shiogame yaki; Sisirian rice.
Yaki curry rice (B320) is an aromatic and savoury combination of cheese, rice and curry, although it was a tad too mild for our liking.
Kurobuta shiogame yaki (B480) is essentially pork coated in a thick crust made of salt and egg white. Don’t worry, the pork tenderloin isn’t overly salty. The meat remains tender and juicy, with just enough of saltiness. A squeeze of lime and a touch of pickled wasabi root from the condiment tray add a zesty touch. Take it easy on this type of wasabi, though, as it’s more pungent than usual, and has little crunch to it, too.
End the meal on a sweet note with Tofu cheesecake (B140). The cake’s texture is just the right blend between mascarpone and tofu, and paired with light-as-air whipped cream.
Insider tip
Chef Junichi Ieshita used to run his own place before he was hired to run Yoka Yoka’s kitchen. He offers Japanese dishes that aren’t generic, and you should be able to find something from his repertoire to get excited about. If you want more bang for your baht, check out the 20 lunch sets (11am-3pm, from B150). A “buy one, get one free” beer promotion takes place every Sunday, all day. The Circle Restaurant is above Yoka Yoka in the same building. If you plan a long night, you can start with a Japanese meal before heading upstairs for live music. Yoka Yoka is about seven minutes on foot from BTS Phloenchit.
Value & verdict
If you’re a Japanese restaurant-goer looking for new recipes to try, definitely consider visiting Yoka Yoka. It’s also a good spot for an after-work dinner or exec lunch.
