A Wonderful Family Lunch at YO! in Reading (Review)

I’ve only just discoverd that YO! Sushi has now been rebranded online to YO! (singular) and it makes complete sense to me as their menu boasts so much more than just (delicious) sushi.

We’ve visited the Reading branch situated in the famous shopping centre, The Oracle in the city centre, once before, a stunning YO! that is less neon bells and whistles and more raffia lampshades and art deco features making it modern but classic too. The perfect mix. Rather like the food on offer.

I opted mostly for vegan and veggie numbers in the avo and cucumber maki and endless cups of Miso Soup but I also scoffed some delicate and crispy chicken katsu on shredded white cabbage today.

    

The foundations of YO!’s food with the tanginess of the wasabi, soy and those addictive pickled ginger slithers have been on my mind since we booked and they didn’t disappoint. Heavenly.

The kids pretty much copied me when it came to their food order, adding two bowl of perfectly cooked sticky white rice, and as a treat, some fizzy drinks.

 

Pescatarian Peter was in his element today with a salmon platter plus vegan Iari Taco (golden tofu pockets with avo and vegan mayo) and Osaka’s number 1 street food: Takoyaki (sumptuous dough balls with octopus and mayo). He plumped for bottomless refreshing Green Tea this time, too.

Dreamy.

It was a joy to see a restaurant so busy, and enquiring with Dan, the manager, (shout-out to Kamil too by the way, the Operations Manager for arranging today) he informed me that they’re happy to be bustling with custom, particularly on evenings.

With a new ordering system post-Covid where you wait for your order (made easily via the app first) an electronic traffic light system at your table notifies you when your order is made (red), coming (orange) and green when it’s ready to be taken off the belt.  The kids enjoyed the process wildly, referring to it as ‘a Sushi game’ and it was reassuring to see that every dish is made bespoke to order. There are also lots of hand gel stations by the table, and when you leave the table, masks must be worn. We felt safe and comfortable throughout.

The food, as always is fresh, tasty, perfectly seasoned, authentic and beautifully presented, and the staff are top-notch with their care and attentiveness. I watched how personable they were with all of their customers, ensuring that while orders were made online, they were present and available to help at every turn, regularly visiting their customers (including ourselves) and ensuring everything was running smoothly.

It was such a joy to feel ‘normal’ again.

Thank you YO!

This is a review but as always, my words are honest.

Headband gifted from Rock Ur Style. Face mask in the first pictured gifted by Pacamask as part of a previously paid campaign.