Yujo Izakaya: A Taste of Japan in Kampala

If you are craving some Japanese cuisine in the capital of Uganda, you might want to try Yujo Izakaya, a restaurant that offers a variety of dishes, from sushi to noodles. I visited this place with two friends, one of whom was new to Japanese food and the other who disliked raw fish. Here is my impression of Yujo Izakaya.

Setting and Ambience

The restaurant is located on Kyadondo Road in Kololo, a busy area with many dining options. It has a green sign and a wooden door that leads to a cosy and authentic interior. There is a sushi bar, a deck, and a patio, as well as an Izakaya dining area in another building where you can sit on cushions with low tables. The place has a peaceful Japanese garden feel, with lanterns and bamboo decorations. The night we went, there was a thunderstorm, which added to the atmosphere. The only downside was the music, which was too loud and cheesy for my taste. I preferred the softer music in the Izakaya area.

Menu and Food

The menu is quite extensive, with a range of Japanese dishes such as sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, katsu curry, tempura, and ramen. There are also some starters, like miso soup and wakame salad, and some drinks, like sake and beer. The prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity of food, ranging from 7,000 UGX for miso soup to 78,000 UGX for a sushi platter. The lunch menu also offers bento boxes for around 35,000 UGX.

I ordered the rainbow roll with unagi (eel), which was fresh and tasty, and some pork gyoza (dumplings), which were crispy and delicious. I also had the mixed seafood yakiudon (stir-fried noodles), which were satisfying but not quite udon noodles. My friends had chicken katsu don (rice bowl with breaded chicken) and beef teriyaki don, which they enjoyed. The only disappointment was the tofu dish, which was bland and soggy.

Service and experience

The service was friendly and helpful, although a bit slow when we were in a large group. The staff were attentive and gave us some recommendations on the specials of the day. The new management seemed to be doing a good job of maintaining the standards and reputation of the restaurant.

Overall, I had a good experience at Yujo Izakaya. It was a nice change from the usual African fare and a good introduction to Japanese food for my friends. It is not the cheapest place in town, but it is worth it for the quality and variety of food. It is open from 12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day, and you can follow them on Facebook for updates on events and promotions. Yujo Izakaya is not just a restaurant but a cultural adventure.