Yaki Yaki food review
I wanted to try Yaki Yaki with my fam. I was also in the mood for some creamy ramen so I decided to go to Yaki Yaki.
Disclaimer: This is my personal experience while I was dining there.
First impressions - At first glance, you can tell that the restaurant has more of a fast-food feel to it. There are some subtle Japanese elements, but it's easily overshadowed by the eye-catching menus and quick-service counters. How food is arranged and brightly lit displays all scream fast food, creating a vibe that's more casual and rushed rather than authentic or immersive. Even the seating arrangement, with metal chairs and tables set up for quick dining, contrasts with the authenticity often associated with traditional Japanese dining. It feels like the Japanese touches are an afterthought, lost in the shuffle of a busy, high-turnover space. The place reminds me of Kyu Kyu Ramen.
Food quality - Their ramen has to be one of their stronger dishes. I forgot the name of the ramen dish that I ordered, but it was very creamy and also had a cheesy taste to it. The broth was rich, but what stood out was the cha shu, which was thin compared to what you'd expect from the other ramen establishments in Dumaguete. While the flavor of the pork was decent, the thin slices lacked the hearty, melt-in-your-mouth texture. As for their rice dishes, they were unfortunately quite subpar. The rice lacked the fluffiness you'd want, while the toppings felt underwhelming, almost as if they were hastily thrown together and trying to safe on their supply of ingredients. The overall presentation and taste of the rice dishes didn’t quite meet expectations, especially when compared to their ramen.
Pricing - I spent a total of 500+ pesos for everything. Nanglibre ko for like 3 people, so spending 500+ is in a more cost-effective range. Their ramen dishes will cost you around 200 pesos and some of their rice dishes are around 165 - 185 pesos. Definitely cheaper than the prices you'd get from other Japanese-themed restaurants and ramen shops in Dumaguete.
Customer Experience - Could be better. When I was looking for chopsticks, because their ramen dish should come with one, weren't able to provide it. I asked one of the waiters "Excuse me, naa moy chopsticks?" and he just stared at me with a blank look on his face. I found it rude. But I guess most of them are already tired.
Final verdict - 6/10. It's alright. It's not necessarily the best ramen (if you can call it that) place in Dumaguete. Their ramen's broth is savory and tasty, but their other rice dishes need some work. It's definitely more of a fastfood place that you can go to for a quick dinner. I understand that it's still a new place, so I'll cut them some slack.
