Yaki Zushi, Goa, Restaurant Review: Snazzy Sushi and Soju Shenanigans

So, for our second jaunt to Yaki Zushi, we walked in expecting the usual cozy familiarity — but lo and behold, the place has had what I can only describe as a glow-up. Think less “Japanese hole-in-the-wall” and more “Tokyo got bored and moved to Goa.” The walls? Chic. The chairs? Cushy. The vibe? Energetic, bright, and very family-friendly — though a slightly softer lighting setup could really add that warm, intimate touch for those secretly pretending they’re on a date with someone from a K-drama.

Look, I get it — lighting is tricky. Too dim and you’re squinting at the menu like it’s the Dead Sea Scrolls; too bright and it feels like your sushi’s under interrogation. Yaki Zushi’s currently leaning cheerful and lively — not a bad thing at all — but with interiors this stylish, a little ambient mood lighting could take the whole experience from “fun outing” to “ooh, this feels fancy.”

Anyway, soju was our opening act. Smooth, sweet, and a little dangerous — like that one friend who insists they’ll “just have one drink” and ends up in a karaoke bar belting out ABBA.

To start, we summoned the Chicken Katsu Sushi Roll, which was exactly what we expected — crispy chicken tucked in a tight little seaweed blanket, rice behaving itself for once, and a tangy sauce that made you feel a bit smug about your ordering choices.

This was followed by Exotic Vegetables Gyoza — decent little parcels of veggies, steamed and slightly pan-seared, like they had a minor spa treatment before arriving at the table. Not mind-blowing, but I’ve had worse dumplings in places that charged me twice as much and judged me for asking for more soy sauce.

For mains, we moved into the ‘seriously hungry’ territory with Devil Chicken and Veg Thai Basil Rice. Now the Devil Chicken came sizzling in all its saucy glory — sticky, sweet, spicy and unapologetically red. It clung to the fork like it knew it was the star of the evening.

The Thai Basil Rice was exactly as promised. It was suitably pleasant and a great accompaniment for the Devil Chicken. Vegetables? Present and contributing. Not the main event, but like a good supporting actor in a Netflix series.

We ended with a Japanese Cheesecake — wobbly, delicate, and as light as a compliment from your in-laws. It didn’t knock our socks off, but it did leave a sweet impression, which, to be fair, is what most desserts should aim for.

Verdict? Yaki Zushi isn’t trying to reinvent Asian cuisine — and thank goodness for that. It’s giving Goa a dependable, no-nonsense spot to indulge in comforting Asian fare with a side of sleek interiors. Maybe just a gentle dimming of the lights could add a bit more romance to match the revamped space — but honestly, it’s already a place you’ll want to come back to.

Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Would I recommend it? Already have — and probably while waving chopsticks in excitement.