So when my husband and I first moved here, my husband being a sushi fan was looking for "his place". We went to Yokohama and he ordered a lot of sushi. I ordered a chicken teriyaki dish..not a sushi fan. Well, they brought his food out in rounds....a little at a time. I waited and waited and still nothing for me. Finally, the waitress came over with the last of his food and asked if we wanted anything else....anything else?? I said I didn't get my meal yet. She had the audacity to say "Yes you did!" I was flabbergasted but stood my ground and calmly told her that I think I would remember eating my meal. After being accused basically of lying, the owner came over and grudgingly took the exact amount of my meal off the bill and offered no apology. I didn't go back for years. This past weekend, my sister decided she wanted to try it. I told her I hadn't been there in years but would try it again. We walked in around 7pm on Saturday night and the place was not empty but by no means crowded. There were a few people at the bar and maybe 3 tables with people. The owner (I believe) came right over and greeted us warmly and asked us to have a seat and she would be right with us....hmmmm....so many empty tables but gave her the benefit of the doubt. She then proceeded to go into the kitchen, came out and gave a customer at the bar their bill, then catered to one of the tables where a baby had thrown a dish on the floor. Again, willing to give her the benefit of the doubt even though another waitress walked by us several times and could have seated us. After that, I said to my sister, surely she will come seat us now. No, she went back into the kitchen, then went and dealt with two more tables. I looked at my sister and we got up and left. This was definitely the last chance I will give them. Twice we were given awful customer service by the same woman. Won't get my business ever again!!
(1)
Amalija D.
Perfect sashimi, sushi, miso soup, tempura, fried tofu, fried rice... Delicious homemade tamago (ask for it warmed and eat with soy sauce.) they even make the soy sauce you'll enjoy. Whoever says the service is bad is crazy; they are only barely understaffed for how busy it gets Fridays and Saturdays! For anyone fond of authentic Japanese food they have excellent donburi, tempura, kare, fried tofu, fried rice and pickles as well. If it had more staff I would call it gourmet. I LOVE YOKOHAMA. I have been going there for more than a decade, and even though ownership has changed the quality has not. If you have never been there give it a try.
(5)
Brooke C.
This was my 3rd sushi place I've tried since I moved here and thanks to the reviews on yelp, I think I found my favorite. The only thing I had an issue with is the very long wait to get my order. On a Thursday night with only 3 other tables. You can't win them all. The sushi was very good, fresh, and I really did appreciate the old school guys making my sushi. I never trust a sushi joint with mexicans, women, or young white dudes rolling my fish! If you see that, run!! Looks like I'll be back, and afterwards, I'm going next door to the Shrimp Boat for a $4 Mojito.
(4)
Lily H.
This is probably the most authentic Japanese place I've been to in all of Tampa Bay, NO, make that all of Florida!! Most Japanese places in Tampa Bay seems to be owned by Koreans and Chinese. The chef here is really really authentic Japanese! They have Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, the real ramen and this appetizer that the owner had recommended but I can't recall the name...tuna a.. something. At first glance of the place, I was skeptical and was a bit embarrassed that I asked my friend to come try this place with me due to the strange location and old atmosphere, however I promise you the food makes up for it! Our order: -Takoyaki - (not the most authentic, however really really good) I haven't seen this made in the states! -Tuna A.... something (Akeni?) - fried tuna bits - suggested by the owner. She said it's an japanese authentic dish that goes great with alcohol. And it was! So good, we ended up ordering another because we got another bottle of sake and we couldn't stop eating it. -Ramen - This was just alright. Nothing special about this here, but to able to get it at all is also. The broth is not too salty, which is usually my biggest concern. -Tonkatsu w/ Curry - My friend wanted the real curry with the Tonkatsu and so he asked if they had it. The Chef said sure, he can make it even though it was not on the menu. This was really good. The tonkatsu was crispy and juicy (not dried and hard like other places). The curry was very thick, which I like it to be a bit thinner, however the flavor is good! This dish really reminded me of the dishes I've had in Asia. -Naruto Roll - The chef sliced the cucumber so thin (the way it's suppose to be) that he was able to roll it 4-5 times, making the vinaigrette soak in better! Its got 3 or 4 different fishes in it. Very delish! -Butter Fish Sushi - This is AMAZING! AMAZING! AMAZING! I've never have fish that literally melts in your mouth. It's like I died and went to heaven! This is the first time I've had this and I think this is now my favorite favorite sashimi. -Snow White Roll - We got this roll because it has Butter Fish, but I got to say, I feel that the butter fish was overwhelmed by everything else and so really couldn't taste the also goodness of the Butter Fish. I suggest just getting the Butter Fish Sushi. We also wanted sake, so we asked for recommendations. The owner and chef was very very nice and helpful and suggested 2 for us, which I think was the best sake I've tried ever. Both were so so smooth: -Hakushika Nama - very smooth and light -Hakushika Sennennju - apparently grade A quality and has a award for many years. I think the chef said this was his favorite. I KNOW I WILL BE BACK!! I'm still so amazed that I found this little hole in the wall!
(5)
Jared P.
Hello Yelpers, I have already done a review on this sushi bar which wasn't the best so I decided to give them another chance or at least try wich did not turn out so great. For the first time I was denied service. I was on my way home from Best Buy and was craving a couple of spicy tuna rolls for dinner. I called only to be told that they were busy and could not take my order. Busy or not busy I don't turn down customers in my business just because I'm busy. I just went ahead and called Jotos on Lithia and they had no problem taking my order.
(1)
Christy S.
Best sushi restaurant in Tampa, hands down! Fresh fish, outstanding service, many rolls to choose from! My favorites include Teru roll, Godzilla hand rolls and caterpillar:D
(5)
Jenny S.
For our first time at Yokohama, we decided to order take out. When I called, I was greeted by a very friendly and helpful person. I placed my order and was told to drive safe. When I arrived to pick up my sushi order I was greeted like a old friend- like had been a "regular" there. Such a warm and personal touch. The dining room was fairly busy, and everyone seemed happy and well tended to. We got the sushi sampler and 4 rolls (snow white, red dragon, caterpillar and rainbow) we also got an order of the spring-rolls. My daughter is 3 1/2 and loves sushi, she had the sushi sampler and said the sushi was "de-lic-ious" All of the rolls were really good, our favorite was the red dragon roll. We will definitely be back for more sushi from our new "friends" at Yokohama for sure! **ps - the restaurant is set off of the road in a little strip mall... map it before you go so you don't drive past it! ;)
(5)
Liza T.
Having recently moved to the Tampa Bay from Las Vegas.. I was scared that I wouldn't find as good of a sushi place than those that I was accustomed to in Las Vegas. After doing some research on Yelp and reading reviews on sushi places near our home, we decided to try Yokohama Japanese Restaurant. Where: As others have mentioned already, the location of the restuarant is very deceiving. The strip mall where this place is located at, isn't the best.. but once you're inside; the ambiance was very nice for where they were located at. When: My boyfriend and I came here on a Wednesday during lunch time (1:00pm). There were 3 other groups already seated and eating.. so it wasn't too busy. Who: There was this adorable Japanese lady working and serving all the people in the restaurant. She was extremely nice and helpful with any questions my boyfriend and I had. What: My boyfriend and I LOVE to eat nigiri.. anything with fresh fresh fish, we love. After speaking with our server, she suggested several rolls for us to try and also some nigiri sushi. Here's what my boyfriend and I ended up getting... Yellowtail Sushi = Even though we LOVE Yellowtail, this was actually our least favorite item that we ordered. Butterfish Sushi = The Butterfish sushi was to die for! Our server described it perfectly; it just melts in your mouth. Snow White Roll = LOVE LOVE LOVE this roll! This was also recommended to us by our server. This was definitely my favorite out of everything. Happy Roll = This roll was good as well; however, the next time I order it.. i'm probably going to ask not to have the stuff they put on top of the roll (I think it's bonito flakes).. The taste of the stuff on top was kind of a smokey taste which I don't like.. but that's just my personal preference. Other than that.. the roll will probably be something I order again. The only complaint that I have for all the sushi and rolls that we ordered; was that I wished the raw fish was colder than it was. I don't really like eating room temperature sushi. Price: 3 orders of Nigiri and 2 rolls.. our total came out to be around $38.00. Why... I would return again: This is honestly the 2nd best sushi place i've ever eaten at. The service was great, and the atmostphere is rather cozy.. and of course, it's close to where we live! We will definitely be returning to get our sushi fix! I highly highly recommend my fellow yelpers to try this restaurant out.
(4)
Mark J.
The location is deceiving. Stuck in a dingy strip mall, I wasn't expecting much. Inside, it is delightful. They have an authentic Japanese chef. The service is some of the friendliest I've ever received. Everyone welcomes you coming in, and wish you a good night on your way out. The serving staff is prompt and attentive. They were very helpful with any questions we had. They always take the time to double check the order so they're sure it goes in correctly. All the fish I had was very fresh. The sushi was some of the best I've ever had (the spicy Dragon roll is to die for). The prices are reasonable for the quality offered. If you like sushi or Japanese cuisine, this needs to be on your regular rotation. The only negative aspects are the lack of free refills on soda (bottled soda only), and the somewhat shady parking lot at night.
(4)
Dale A.
We moved from NYC several months ago and have been searching for a good Japanese place. Fortunately, this one is very close and the food is tremendous! Great sushi! Great Yakisoba! Great Ramen! great customer service! This will be our go to place for sure!
(5)
Maribel P.
Sunday night just 30 mins before closing and they welcomed us as if lunchtime. Great friendly customer service with patience as we decide what to order. Sushi was very good but portions were smaller then I am used to. Guess quality over quantity. Will be returning but disappointed they were not familiar with crunchies and special mayo!
(3)
James D.
This place is truly fantastic. The customers that dined here while I was here? Not so much. The food was fantastic. The sushi was delicious and meaty. The ramen was salty and flavorful. The service was slow, but was still fantastic. Do yourself a favor. Spend quality time with your loved ones and eat here and take your time. People bitch about slow service, what do you expect from a family owned Japanese restaurant? Take your time. Thumbs up. To the two ladies asking if they had gluten-free soy sauce, GO HOME!!
(5)
Quan D.
Quick Summary: The only place near Tampa that serves ramen, it's a bit of a drive but they will take care of you. Sushi was pretty good, and ramen filling. It was a 30 min drive to the burbs to find ramen, but it was a worthy drive to satisfy the craving. The bowl was nicely made, but it was interesting they included a tempura shrimp in the soup... kind of odd cause that kind of ruins the reason for tempura.... but it was still yummy. I ordered some sushi on the side as well, nothing extravagant, but it was fresh and good. I would be interested in try omikase with the chef. You'll be hard bent to find any other locale in Tampa that offers ramen, so bring the family on by on a rainy day and warm up with a hearty bowl!
(3)
Jonneson V.
By far the worst sushi I ever ate ! Spicy tuna was not fresh ! California roll was more like a poor mans roll with only a bit of cucumber and krab and a thin slice of Avocado. Chicken teriyaki was like a kids meal for the price you pay might as well go get a steak dinner from Waffle House and it's better!
(1)
Kim T.
Just a few words I checked google this resteraunt had 5 stars 3 years ago. Why its has 5 stars I seriously have no idea. If anyone has been there recently the quality is poor. When I walked in the place was old. Tables old, everything including the food was old. I love sushi gave the chef the chance to prove good food can come from an old resteraunt. The sushi was falling apart and the ingredients were less than palatable. It was a shame I was disappointed. Don't go there save your money.
(1)
Kate S.
I have been there twice, 1st time was great but second time service kinda slow. My husband order hibachi steak, it took forever to get his food. My food came out first and I already finished mine so my husband had to ask them to put in the box. Also my husband asking for 2rd beer, it never come :(
(3)
Faith L.
Totally disgusting!!!!! Waste of money! DONT EAT HERE!!!! If I could leave 0 stars I would !
(1)
Jim H.
When you want to have the real thing and not some sauced up thing you need to come here. They have a real Japanese Sushi Chef and owner to totally knows what it takes to maker he best. We love this place and highly recommend it..!
(5)
Astrid E.
I can't rave about this place enough! I can't wait to bring our daughter here once she is born just to show her to Kenny and Mazy! They are great and humble people! Your name will always be remembered even if you don't stop by often!
(5)
Coty S.
There are only two places in Tampa Bay (that I know of) that serve the Japanese dishes that I am craving. 1. takoyaki (grittled, stored, then battered and deep fried to order) 2. okonomiyaki 3. ramen (don't know for sure, but I think it is the Shio variety, egg not soft boiled, and pork heated to order) While the three dishes mentioned are not the best I have ever had, they provide the comforting and familiar flavor that is dear to my heart. Yakohama provides authentic dishes with a flair for perfection and customary attention to detail. While the atmosphere is slightly older looking and smells like a movie theater, the entire essence of the casual experience is emphasized. Once you block out the annoying radio music, things start getting better. It is an ethereal experience to walk past a garden on my lunch break into a food paradise where food items are handled in a traditional way. While Japanese chatter is going on the background, I took a bite of the simple Tuna Roll, my closed eyes filled with visions of the chef toasting the nori over a griddle and fanning the rice with care. Where else can you get toasted nori in the area? The short video: youtu.be/eqFgzWLoTO8 Much different, in my opinion to "I Ai Sushi" of Tampa--- a place that I would never order sushi from again, but like order their Izakaya and Tonkotsu Ramen.
(4)
Kathy F.
I know good sushi but this was not the best I have had. Another mickle and dime place that charges for condiments. Roll was dime size for a tuna and avocado roll. When I told her I was new to the area she went on to say how they have been there for 18 years?? I don't know how. I won't be going back.
(2)
Brian A.
We arrived with a party of 12 and the waitress/hostess immediately began to give us a hard time about not having a reservation. It was a last minute decision by us and I had called shortly beforehand to see if they were on a wait. There were only 3 other tables in the entire restaurant that had guests and they all appeared to have already been served. Nevertheless, against my better judgement, we went ahead and were seated. The waitress was very rude and acted as if we were inconveniencing her. It took us a long time to receive a round of waters, two beers, and a sprite. After, not being offered an opportunity to place our orders within an acceptable time period, I asked for the bill. We paid for our 2 beers and a sprite and left. The waitress nor the manager had the decency to ask why we were paying the bill and leaving. This was the most disappointing experience that I have ever had. We left and went to Sushi Maru and had an amazing time where we left almost a $200 tip for the waitress. :)
(1)
Lisa Pizza N.
Complimentary cucumber salad.-okay. Ice green tea.-delish. Service.-wonderful! Atmosphere.-average local sushi joint. I am a big salmon fan. So I customized the Rainbow Roll and Super Volcano to have only salmon in it. The sushi chef did not charge extra, woohoo! Downfall: If you can get pass the smell of cigarettes from the billards next door, it's not too bad.
(4)
Allison W.
Excellent fresh sushi and the best personal attention to customer service of any sushi place ever!
(4)
Pi V.
Very good dinner take out. Coming home from overseas, I ordered a whole bunch of stuff for late night dinner with my dad with 30 minutes left til closing time and they came through for me. The receptionist greeted me with a smile and had a good conversation with her. The restaurant looks nice, with Japanese decor and ambience of course. Hoping to stop by soon.
(5)
Eva L.
Love this place! My boyfriend and I eat here at least every other week if not more. When we moved to Brandon I was skeptical we would find a good sushi place, but this is better than any I had in the Tampa area. The staff is incredibly hospitable and want to make sure you have a great experience. We love spicy food and talked to our server who helped us customize rolls to meet our specific tastes. Their homemade chili sauce is a must try for anyone who likes spicy food. We also love the noodle soups.
(5)
Carol A.
oh my gosh. I just try this restaurant for the 1st time because of the good reviews here. It was absolutely amazing. sushi was super fresh tempura was light and crunchy and hibachi was well done also. Highly recommended too all.
(5)
Matthew T.
I was at this end of town recently and after reading some of the other reviews I had to give it a try. Also a friend had been recently and he really liked it. For me it was more of a mixed bag. Some good things and some so so things. The good: I really liked the ramen. The broth was as "deep" as some I've had but it was pretty good. The pork was lovingly tender. Not sure about the tempura shrimp on top, would have liked more pork than instead, but I understand where they are coming from. Be sure to make the polite slurping sounds as well, while enjoying. They had a special the night we were there as well. Cherry stone clams. Get them spicy. These were tender yummy, spicy and the mixture of scallions and shitakes was really good. A very interesting and tasty combo. We also had a little sushi. Just some tuna, a spicy roll and some unagi. I have to say I wasn't thrilled. It was fine, but I've had better. One main issue is the spicy roll wasn't, and it just had too much going on, so it sort of turned into a bit of a mess in your mouth, too many sauces, not much tuna, oddly large cucumbers in the middle. I just think it was over done and a simpler version that was actually spicy would be good. The tuna was fresh, but it was missing something. a bit of seasoning, the right balance of washabi, something but it was forgettable. The eel was fine but could have used about another 10 seconds under the broiler to really give it that great caramelization that makes this good, so a little disappointing as well. Service was very friendly, up to the point where they kept wanting to take our plates before we were finished or even had food halfway to our lips. A bit of an issue with the bill at the end, but it was worked out eventually, but how to you suggest there is a mistake in the bill in a way that no one loses face?
(3)
Katie A.
Hidden gem! We've been fans and regular diners at Yokohama for years. The food and service are consistently amazing. Try the sukiyaki or nabeyaki udon - they're both stellar and burst with flavor. Sushi and rolls are fresh and there's a good variety - try a bento box if you can't decide. Even on a Friday night you can still get seated without a wait. This is a true and unexpected gem in the middle of Brandon's chain restaurants.
(5)
Shayna P.
Great sushi and service. The price is good also compared to others. Only complaint is that it smells of smoke.
(4)
Tanner R.
currently sitting at a table at 8:30 and the servers are putting the chairs on the tables! if you advertise that you close at 10 don't make me feel uncomfortable!
(1)
Jennifer O.
Wonderful food and stellar service! This place is a hidden gem in Brandon. I will be back!
(5)
Melissa N.
visited once. great quality sushi. very sweet and helpful staff. location is terrible. but the food surpasses your expectations. you must visit.
(4)
David G.
I'm a regular. I love the sushi rolls and the sashimi. They have great specials. The Hawaiian poke dish of seaweed, tuna sashimi, sesame oil and chili is one of my favorites. The butterfish with the garlic ponzu sauce has a melt in your mouth consistency that can only be beaten by toro.
(5)
Jaski K.
This is my go-to sushi place in Tampa, though it's in Brandon. The fish is fresh and the service is unbeatable - 'nuff said!
(4)
Christine J.
After reading several other reviews of this place, I decided to go with a co-worker on recent Friday night. Although the location isn't necessarily ideal, we were greeted by very friendly wait-staff and quickly taken to our table. There were several specials, and the manager (I think) was very helpful in figuring out what they were (our server seemed new to the whole thing, so she wasn't as helpful, but still very friendly). We ordered a few rolls and one of the specials. Everything was really delicious and reasonably priced. We each ordered two rolls, split the special sushi, and edamame and it came to about $18 each, not bad for Friday night dinner. This place is definitely worth checking out!
(4)
Kevin H.
This is officially my favorite sushi place in Tampa. Great service, the staff are all excellent. The decor is really charming. The food is fantastic. I can't get over how much I enjoyed this place. It's not expensive either, a typical sushi/sashimi order runs around $5-$6. It's in kind of a bad location, the strip mall it resides in looks a bit run-down. Don't be put off, this place is great.
(5)
Tom K.
I ate here a couple of months ago after finding the great reviews here and on other sites. I left thinking it was ok, but that's about it. Nothing to write home about. I am back in town for a couple of days and decided to try it again since the reviews are so glowing, thinking maybe I was just there on an off night. Nope. Tried different items from last time (this time it was three different rolls) and had the same reaction. It is ok. Maybe this is the best in the area, but it's no more than a 3 or 3.5 star otherwise. I do have to say that the couple next to me at the sushi bar were gushing about their meals.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Laura E.
So when my husband and I first moved here, my husband being a sushi fan was looking for "his place". We went to Yokohama and he ordered a lot of sushi. I ordered a chicken teriyaki dish..not a sushi fan. Well, they brought his food out in rounds....a little at a time. I waited and waited and still nothing for me. Finally, the waitress came over with the last of his food and asked if we wanted anything else....anything else?? I said I didn't get my meal yet. She had the audacity to say "Yes you did!" I was flabbergasted but stood my ground and calmly told her that I think I would remember eating my meal. After being accused basically of lying, the owner came over and grudgingly took the exact amount of my meal off the bill and offered no apology. I didn't go back for years. This past weekend, my sister decided she wanted to try it. I told her I hadn't been there in years but would try it again. We walked in around 7pm on Saturday night and the place was not empty but by no means crowded. There were a few people at the bar and maybe 3 tables with people. The owner (I believe) came right over and greeted us warmly and asked us to have a seat and she would be right with us....hmmmm....so many empty tables but gave her the benefit of the doubt. She then proceeded to go into the kitchen, came out and gave a customer at the bar their bill, then catered to one of the tables where a baby had thrown a dish on the floor. Again, willing to give her the benefit of the doubt even though another waitress walked by us several times and could have seated us. After that, I said to my sister, surely she will come seat us now. No, she went back into the kitchen, then went and dealt with two more tables. I looked at my sister and we got up and left. This was definitely the last chance I will give them. Twice we were given awful customer service by the same woman. Won't get my business ever again!!
(1)Amalija D.
Perfect sashimi, sushi, miso soup, tempura, fried tofu, fried rice... Delicious homemade tamago (ask for it warmed and eat with soy sauce.) they even make the soy sauce you'll enjoy. Whoever says the service is bad is crazy; they are only barely understaffed for how busy it gets Fridays and Saturdays! For anyone fond of authentic Japanese food they have excellent donburi, tempura, kare, fried tofu, fried rice and pickles as well. If it had more staff I would call it gourmet. I LOVE YOKOHAMA. I have been going there for more than a decade, and even though ownership has changed the quality has not. If you have never been there give it a try.
(5)Brooke C.
This was my 3rd sushi place I've tried since I moved here and thanks to the reviews on yelp, I think I found my favorite. The only thing I had an issue with is the very long wait to get my order. On a Thursday night with only 3 other tables. You can't win them all. The sushi was very good, fresh, and I really did appreciate the old school guys making my sushi. I never trust a sushi joint with mexicans, women, or young white dudes rolling my fish! If you see that, run!! Looks like I'll be back, and afterwards, I'm going next door to the Shrimp Boat for a $4 Mojito.
(4)Lily H.
This is probably the most authentic Japanese place I've been to in all of Tampa Bay, NO, make that all of Florida!! Most Japanese places in Tampa Bay seems to be owned by Koreans and Chinese. The chef here is really really authentic Japanese! They have Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, the real ramen and this appetizer that the owner had recommended but I can't recall the name...tuna a.. something. At first glance of the place, I was skeptical and was a bit embarrassed that I asked my friend to come try this place with me due to the strange location and old atmosphere, however I promise you the food makes up for it! Our order: -Takoyaki - (not the most authentic, however really really good) I haven't seen this made in the states! -Tuna A.... something (Akeni?) - fried tuna bits - suggested by the owner. She said it's an japanese authentic dish that goes great with alcohol. And it was! So good, we ended up ordering another because we got another bottle of sake and we couldn't stop eating it. -Ramen - This was just alright. Nothing special about this here, but to able to get it at all is also. The broth is not too salty, which is usually my biggest concern. -Tonkatsu w/ Curry - My friend wanted the real curry with the Tonkatsu and so he asked if they had it. The Chef said sure, he can make it even though it was not on the menu. This was really good. The tonkatsu was crispy and juicy (not dried and hard like other places). The curry was very thick, which I like it to be a bit thinner, however the flavor is good! This dish really reminded me of the dishes I've had in Asia. -Naruto Roll - The chef sliced the cucumber so thin (the way it's suppose to be) that he was able to roll it 4-5 times, making the vinaigrette soak in better! Its got 3 or 4 different fishes in it. Very delish! -Butter Fish Sushi - This is AMAZING! AMAZING! AMAZING! I've never have fish that literally melts in your mouth. It's like I died and went to heaven! This is the first time I've had this and I think this is now my favorite favorite sashimi. -Snow White Roll - We got this roll because it has Butter Fish, but I got to say, I feel that the butter fish was overwhelmed by everything else and so really couldn't taste the also goodness of the Butter Fish. I suggest just getting the Butter Fish Sushi. We also wanted sake, so we asked for recommendations. The owner and chef was very very nice and helpful and suggested 2 for us, which I think was the best sake I've tried ever. Both were so so smooth: -Hakushika Nama - very smooth and light -Hakushika Sennennju - apparently grade A quality and has a award for many years. I think the chef said this was his favorite. I KNOW I WILL BE BACK!! I'm still so amazed that I found this little hole in the wall!
(5)Jared P.
Hello Yelpers, I have already done a review on this sushi bar which wasn't the best so I decided to give them another chance or at least try wich did not turn out so great. For the first time I was denied service. I was on my way home from Best Buy and was craving a couple of spicy tuna rolls for dinner. I called only to be told that they were busy and could not take my order. Busy or not busy I don't turn down customers in my business just because I'm busy. I just went ahead and called Jotos on Lithia and they had no problem taking my order.
(1)Christy S.
Best sushi restaurant in Tampa, hands down! Fresh fish, outstanding service, many rolls to choose from! My favorites include Teru roll, Godzilla hand rolls and caterpillar:D
(5)Jenny S.
For our first time at Yokohama, we decided to order take out. When I called, I was greeted by a very friendly and helpful person. I placed my order and was told to drive safe. When I arrived to pick up my sushi order I was greeted like a old friend- like had been a "regular" there. Such a warm and personal touch. The dining room was fairly busy, and everyone seemed happy and well tended to. We got the sushi sampler and 4 rolls (snow white, red dragon, caterpillar and rainbow) we also got an order of the spring-rolls. My daughter is 3 1/2 and loves sushi, she had the sushi sampler and said the sushi was "de-lic-ious" All of the rolls were really good, our favorite was the red dragon roll. We will definitely be back for more sushi from our new "friends" at Yokohama for sure! **ps - the restaurant is set off of the road in a little strip mall... map it before you go so you don't drive past it! ;)
(5)Liza T.
Having recently moved to the Tampa Bay from Las Vegas.. I was scared that I wouldn't find as good of a sushi place than those that I was accustomed to in Las Vegas. After doing some research on Yelp and reading reviews on sushi places near our home, we decided to try Yokohama Japanese Restaurant. Where: As others have mentioned already, the location of the restuarant is very deceiving. The strip mall where this place is located at, isn't the best.. but once you're inside; the ambiance was very nice for where they were located at. When: My boyfriend and I came here on a Wednesday during lunch time (1:00pm). There were 3 other groups already seated and eating.. so it wasn't too busy. Who: There was this adorable Japanese lady working and serving all the people in the restaurant. She was extremely nice and helpful with any questions my boyfriend and I had. What: My boyfriend and I LOVE to eat nigiri.. anything with fresh fresh fish, we love. After speaking with our server, she suggested several rolls for us to try and also some nigiri sushi. Here's what my boyfriend and I ended up getting... Yellowtail Sushi = Even though we LOVE Yellowtail, this was actually our least favorite item that we ordered. Butterfish Sushi = The Butterfish sushi was to die for! Our server described it perfectly; it just melts in your mouth. Snow White Roll = LOVE LOVE LOVE this roll! This was also recommended to us by our server. This was definitely my favorite out of everything. Happy Roll = This roll was good as well; however, the next time I order it.. i'm probably going to ask not to have the stuff they put on top of the roll (I think it's bonito flakes).. The taste of the stuff on top was kind of a smokey taste which I don't like.. but that's just my personal preference. Other than that.. the roll will probably be something I order again. The only complaint that I have for all the sushi and rolls that we ordered; was that I wished the raw fish was colder than it was. I don't really like eating room temperature sushi. Price: 3 orders of Nigiri and 2 rolls.. our total came out to be around $38.00. Why... I would return again: This is honestly the 2nd best sushi place i've ever eaten at. The service was great, and the atmostphere is rather cozy.. and of course, it's close to where we live! We will definitely be returning to get our sushi fix! I highly highly recommend my fellow yelpers to try this restaurant out.
(4)Mark J.
The location is deceiving. Stuck in a dingy strip mall, I wasn't expecting much. Inside, it is delightful. They have an authentic Japanese chef. The service is some of the friendliest I've ever received. Everyone welcomes you coming in, and wish you a good night on your way out. The serving staff is prompt and attentive. They were very helpful with any questions we had. They always take the time to double check the order so they're sure it goes in correctly. All the fish I had was very fresh. The sushi was some of the best I've ever had (the spicy Dragon roll is to die for). The prices are reasonable for the quality offered. If you like sushi or Japanese cuisine, this needs to be on your regular rotation. The only negative aspects are the lack of free refills on soda (bottled soda only), and the somewhat shady parking lot at night.
(4)Dale A.
We moved from NYC several months ago and have been searching for a good Japanese place. Fortunately, this one is very close and the food is tremendous! Great sushi! Great Yakisoba! Great Ramen! great customer service! This will be our go to place for sure!
(5)Maribel P.
Sunday night just 30 mins before closing and they welcomed us as if lunchtime. Great friendly customer service with patience as we decide what to order. Sushi was very good but portions were smaller then I am used to. Guess quality over quantity. Will be returning but disappointed they were not familiar with crunchies and special mayo!
(3)James D.
This place is truly fantastic. The customers that dined here while I was here? Not so much. The food was fantastic. The sushi was delicious and meaty. The ramen was salty and flavorful. The service was slow, but was still fantastic. Do yourself a favor. Spend quality time with your loved ones and eat here and take your time. People bitch about slow service, what do you expect from a family owned Japanese restaurant? Take your time. Thumbs up. To the two ladies asking if they had gluten-free soy sauce, GO HOME!!
(5)Quan D.
Quick Summary: The only place near Tampa that serves ramen, it's a bit of a drive but they will take care of you. Sushi was pretty good, and ramen filling. It was a 30 min drive to the burbs to find ramen, but it was a worthy drive to satisfy the craving. The bowl was nicely made, but it was interesting they included a tempura shrimp in the soup... kind of odd cause that kind of ruins the reason for tempura.... but it was still yummy. I ordered some sushi on the side as well, nothing extravagant, but it was fresh and good. I would be interested in try omikase with the chef. You'll be hard bent to find any other locale in Tampa that offers ramen, so bring the family on by on a rainy day and warm up with a hearty bowl!
(3)Jonneson V.
By far the worst sushi I ever ate ! Spicy tuna was not fresh ! California roll was more like a poor mans roll with only a bit of cucumber and krab and a thin slice of Avocado. Chicken teriyaki was like a kids meal for the price you pay might as well go get a steak dinner from Waffle House and it's better!
(1)Kim T.
Just a few words I checked google this resteraunt had 5 stars 3 years ago. Why its has 5 stars I seriously have no idea. If anyone has been there recently the quality is poor. When I walked in the place was old. Tables old, everything including the food was old. I love sushi gave the chef the chance to prove good food can come from an old resteraunt. The sushi was falling apart and the ingredients were less than palatable. It was a shame I was disappointed. Don't go there save your money.
(1)Kate S.
I have been there twice, 1st time was great but second time service kinda slow. My husband order hibachi steak, it took forever to get his food. My food came out first and I already finished mine so my husband had to ask them to put in the box. Also my husband asking for 2rd beer, it never come :(
(3)Faith L.
Totally disgusting!!!!! Waste of money! DONT EAT HERE!!!! If I could leave 0 stars I would !
(1)Jim H.
When you want to have the real thing and not some sauced up thing you need to come here. They have a real Japanese Sushi Chef and owner to totally knows what it takes to maker he best. We love this place and highly recommend it..!
(5)Astrid E.
I can't rave about this place enough! I can't wait to bring our daughter here once she is born just to show her to Kenny and Mazy! They are great and humble people! Your name will always be remembered even if you don't stop by often!
(5)Coty S.
There are only two places in Tampa Bay (that I know of) that serve the Japanese dishes that I am craving. 1. takoyaki (grittled, stored, then battered and deep fried to order) 2. okonomiyaki 3. ramen (don't know for sure, but I think it is the Shio variety, egg not soft boiled, and pork heated to order) While the three dishes mentioned are not the best I have ever had, they provide the comforting and familiar flavor that is dear to my heart. Yakohama provides authentic dishes with a flair for perfection and customary attention to detail. While the atmosphere is slightly older looking and smells like a movie theater, the entire essence of the casual experience is emphasized. Once you block out the annoying radio music, things start getting better. It is an ethereal experience to walk past a garden on my lunch break into a food paradise where food items are handled in a traditional way. While Japanese chatter is going on the background, I took a bite of the simple Tuna Roll, my closed eyes filled with visions of the chef toasting the nori over a griddle and fanning the rice with care. Where else can you get toasted nori in the area? The short video: youtu.be/eqFgzWLoTO8 Much different, in my opinion to "I Ai Sushi" of Tampa--- a place that I would never order sushi from again, but like order their Izakaya and Tonkotsu Ramen.
(4)Kathy F.
I know good sushi but this was not the best I have had. Another mickle and dime place that charges for condiments. Roll was dime size for a tuna and avocado roll. When I told her I was new to the area she went on to say how they have been there for 18 years?? I don't know how. I won't be going back.
(2)Brian A.
We arrived with a party of 12 and the waitress/hostess immediately began to give us a hard time about not having a reservation. It was a last minute decision by us and I had called shortly beforehand to see if they were on a wait. There were only 3 other tables in the entire restaurant that had guests and they all appeared to have already been served. Nevertheless, against my better judgement, we went ahead and were seated. The waitress was very rude and acted as if we were inconveniencing her. It took us a long time to receive a round of waters, two beers, and a sprite. After, not being offered an opportunity to place our orders within an acceptable time period, I asked for the bill. We paid for our 2 beers and a sprite and left. The waitress nor the manager had the decency to ask why we were paying the bill and leaving. This was the most disappointing experience that I have ever had. We left and went to Sushi Maru and had an amazing time where we left almost a $200 tip for the waitress. :)
(1)Lisa Pizza N.
Complimentary cucumber salad.-okay. Ice green tea.-delish. Service.-wonderful! Atmosphere.-average local sushi joint. I am a big salmon fan. So I customized the Rainbow Roll and Super Volcano to have only salmon in it. The sushi chef did not charge extra, woohoo! Downfall: If you can get pass the smell of cigarettes from the billards next door, it's not too bad.
(4)Allison W.
Excellent fresh sushi and the best personal attention to customer service of any sushi place ever!
(4)Pi V.
Very good dinner take out. Coming home from overseas, I ordered a whole bunch of stuff for late night dinner with my dad with 30 minutes left til closing time and they came through for me. The receptionist greeted me with a smile and had a good conversation with her. The restaurant looks nice, with Japanese decor and ambience of course. Hoping to stop by soon.
(5)Eva L.
Love this place! My boyfriend and I eat here at least every other week if not more. When we moved to Brandon I was skeptical we would find a good sushi place, but this is better than any I had in the Tampa area. The staff is incredibly hospitable and want to make sure you have a great experience. We love spicy food and talked to our server who helped us customize rolls to meet our specific tastes. Their homemade chili sauce is a must try for anyone who likes spicy food. We also love the noodle soups.
(5)Carol A.
oh my gosh. I just try this restaurant for the 1st time because of the good reviews here. It was absolutely amazing. sushi was super fresh tempura was light and crunchy and hibachi was well done also. Highly recommended too all.
(5)Matthew T.
I was at this end of town recently and after reading some of the other reviews I had to give it a try. Also a friend had been recently and he really liked it. For me it was more of a mixed bag. Some good things and some so so things. The good: I really liked the ramen. The broth was as "deep" as some I've had but it was pretty good. The pork was lovingly tender. Not sure about the tempura shrimp on top, would have liked more pork than instead, but I understand where they are coming from. Be sure to make the polite slurping sounds as well, while enjoying. They had a special the night we were there as well. Cherry stone clams. Get them spicy. These were tender yummy, spicy and the mixture of scallions and shitakes was really good. A very interesting and tasty combo. We also had a little sushi. Just some tuna, a spicy roll and some unagi. I have to say I wasn't thrilled. It was fine, but I've had better. One main issue is the spicy roll wasn't, and it just had too much going on, so it sort of turned into a bit of a mess in your mouth, too many sauces, not much tuna, oddly large cucumbers in the middle. I just think it was over done and a simpler version that was actually spicy would be good. The tuna was fresh, but it was missing something. a bit of seasoning, the right balance of washabi, something but it was forgettable. The eel was fine but could have used about another 10 seconds under the broiler to really give it that great caramelization that makes this good, so a little disappointing as well. Service was very friendly, up to the point where they kept wanting to take our plates before we were finished or even had food halfway to our lips. A bit of an issue with the bill at the end, but it was worked out eventually, but how to you suggest there is a mistake in the bill in a way that no one loses face?
(3)Katie A.
Hidden gem! We've been fans and regular diners at Yokohama for years. The food and service are consistently amazing. Try the sukiyaki or nabeyaki udon - they're both stellar and burst with flavor. Sushi and rolls are fresh and there's a good variety - try a bento box if you can't decide. Even on a Friday night you can still get seated without a wait. This is a true and unexpected gem in the middle of Brandon's chain restaurants.
(5)Shayna P.
Great sushi and service. The price is good also compared to others. Only complaint is that it smells of smoke.
(4)Tanner R.
currently sitting at a table at 8:30 and the servers are putting the chairs on the tables! if you advertise that you close at 10 don't make me feel uncomfortable!
(1)Jennifer O.
Wonderful food and stellar service! This place is a hidden gem in Brandon. I will be back!
(5)Melissa N.
visited once. great quality sushi. very sweet and helpful staff. location is terrible. but the food surpasses your expectations. you must visit.
(4)David G.
I'm a regular. I love the sushi rolls and the sashimi. They have great specials. The Hawaiian poke dish of seaweed, tuna sashimi, sesame oil and chili is one of my favorites. The butterfish with the garlic ponzu sauce has a melt in your mouth consistency that can only be beaten by toro.
(5)Jaski K.
This is my go-to sushi place in Tampa, though it's in Brandon. The fish is fresh and the service is unbeatable - 'nuff said!
(4)Christine J.
After reading several other reviews of this place, I decided to go with a co-worker on recent Friday night. Although the location isn't necessarily ideal, we were greeted by very friendly wait-staff and quickly taken to our table. There were several specials, and the manager (I think) was very helpful in figuring out what they were (our server seemed new to the whole thing, so she wasn't as helpful, but still very friendly). We ordered a few rolls and one of the specials. Everything was really delicious and reasonably priced. We each ordered two rolls, split the special sushi, and edamame and it came to about $18 each, not bad for Friday night dinner. This place is definitely worth checking out!
(4)Kevin H.
This is officially my favorite sushi place in Tampa. Great service, the staff are all excellent. The decor is really charming. The food is fantastic. I can't get over how much I enjoyed this place. It's not expensive either, a typical sushi/sashimi order runs around $5-$6. It's in kind of a bad location, the strip mall it resides in looks a bit run-down. Don't be put off, this place is great.
(5)Tom K.
I ate here a couple of months ago after finding the great reviews here and on other sites. I left thinking it was ok, but that's about it. Nothing to write home about. I am back in town for a couple of days and decided to try it again since the reviews are so glowing, thinking maybe I was just there on an off night. Nope. Tried different items from last time (this time it was three different rolls) and had the same reaction. It is ok. Maybe this is the best in the area, but it's no more than a 3 or 3.5 star otherwise. I do have to say that the couple next to me at the sushi bar were gushing about their meals.
(3)