Unquestionably

Unquestionably, Yamayu Santatsu is one of the premier Japanese eateries in Luxembourg. It is conveniently situated in the heart of the city. My first visit to this restaurant can be traced back to 2012, prior to the retirement of the original chef, who was the father. His offspring has since taken over, perpetuating all the genuine Japanese cuisine, and has broadened the menu with multiple new additions. Despite a slight surge in price owing to inflation, the culinary quality has consistently maintained its remarkable standard. Trying the Sushi Bento is indispensable. It's not just the palatable dishes that make it a must, but also its unbeatable value for money. Following the misoshiru soup, the bento box comprised a mixed salad, tempura prawns, stir-fried seasoned vegetables, Yukimi, and a couple of excellently cooked Tonkatsu pork pieces. Everything was presented in a traditional Japanese manner, offering a small taste of each dish. This was succeeded by a full platter of sushi and sashimi (apologies, I overlooked taking photos of my sushi and sashimi, I promise to rectify this on my next visit). The seafood was exceptionally fresh, and the sushi and sashimi were prepared right before your eyes. My companion ordered a large sushi plate and had to patiently wait for me to complete both courses before separately ordering dessert. Meanwhile, my dessert was already included in my Bento. ;) The restaurant has a snug and welcoming atmosphere, so it is advisable to book a table ahead of time. For those who are enamored with authentic Japanese cuisine, Yamayu Santatsu should be a priority in your dining itinerary. It is a guaranteed recommendation without any second thoughts.

Authentic Japanese cuisine in

Authentic Japanese cuisine in Luxembourg. We selected the bento box, which featured an opening course of miso, followed by crispy meat, a variety of vegetables, and a salad, before moving onto sushi and concluding with mochi for the dessert. The quality of the food was commendable, although not exceptional considering the cost. We specifically relished the deep-fried asparagus and meat. The customer service was satisfactory. The cook was not particularly amicable and there were two apprentices who seemed confused when we communicated our order. On the other hand, there was a more seasoned young woman who was incredibly gracious, warm, and accommodating. The eatery is on the smaller side with closely packed seating. The interior of the restaurant exudes genuine authenticity. It might prove challenging to secure a reservation for a large party. A delightful experience of Japanese cuisine in Luxembourg. We opted for the bento box which comprised an initial course of miso soup, followed by pan-fried meat, assorted vegetables, and a salad, subsequently we were served sushi and ended with mochi as the dessert. The food was fairly good, although not remarkable for the price. We particularly savored the pan-fried asparagus and meat. The service was adequate. The chef was not overly friendly and there were two trainees who appeared bewildered when we told them our order. However, there was a more experienced young lady who was extremely kind, endearing, and helpful. The restaurant is quite compact and seating is closely arranged. The interior of the restaurant has an authentic feel. It might be difficult to secure a booking for a large group of people.

Excellent fare

Excellent fare, snug eating space, and incredibly amicable and supportive personnel. I could endorse the chicken tempura. The ambiance is warm and inviting, creating a comfortable environment for dining. The staff's assistance is not just impressive, but they also provide insightful suggestions according to individual preferences. Moreover, their chicken tempura is a must-try. It's prepared and cooked to perfection, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. If you're unsure about what to order, feel free to ask the staff for their recommendations. They're always ready and willing to guide you through their menu, making sure you have an unforgettable dining experience. The taste and quality of the food are truly unmatched. Add to that the great service, and you've got yourself an excellent place for a meal.

A freshly appointed cook

A freshly appointed cook, a fresh leadership team, and a fresh level of quality... Considering the superior quality prior to the pandemic, the term "new quality" now implies a decline in excellence. Eighteen diminutive portions of tasteless sushi/maki for a hefty 37 Euros. Not a single salad, no assortment of vegetables, no seaweed salad, absolutely nothing. Utterly disheartening and underwhelming. The 37 Euros paid seems to be for a sushi/maki platter that was shockingly void of any additional accompaniments. There was a noticeable absence of salads, whether it be a simple greens or a more complex seaweed type. No variety of vegetables were present either, making the meal seem even more incomplete. The disappointing experience was further amplified by the clear decline in quality. The new management and chef, who took over during the challenging Covid period, appear to have changed the standards. The once excellent quality of food has now been replaced with what they refer to as 'new quality'. However, this 'new quality' sadly fails to live up to its predecessor, leaning more towards a downgrade in food standards. Overall, this was a deeply unsatisfactory dining experience that left a lot to be desired.

We arrived at the venue around 1

We arrived at the venue around 1:30 in the afternoon to have our midday meal. It was one of the limited number of dining establishments where the cooking area was still operational during that hour. I opted for the Katsudon, but unfortunately, I was left with a bitter taste of disappointment. The deep-fried pork cutlet was exceedingly mushy, and the egg was haphazardly tossed into the rice bowl, creating an unappealing sight. It was a letdown. The dish did not at all resemble the authentic Japanese Katsudon that I was hoping for. It lacked the signature balance of flavors and the carefully presented aesthetics that are typical of traditional Japanese fare. Instead, it looked and tasted more like a hastily thrown together meal, lacking any attention to detail. On the other hand, the Udon was passable. It wasn't anything outstanding, but it was done well enough to be considered average. The noodles were cooked just right, and the broth had a decent flavor. However, I must say that it failed to make up for the disappointing Katsudon. In conclusion, my experience at the restaurant was far from satisfactory. My expectation of having a good, authentic Japanese meal was not met, and I left with a sense of dissatisfaction. I hope in the future, the restaurant would take more effort in ensuring the quality and authenticity of their dishes, especially when it comes to traditional dishes like Katsudon.