Yuugi Izakaya
Toronto
At a glance
Reviews
We had a lovely early dinner on the nice sunny patio at Yuugi Izakaya on Baldwin St. The vibe is casual and welcoming, perfect for people-watching in the area. The Ginza Blue cocktail was excellent — refreshing, beautiful color, and hit the spot. The Maguro Tataki was fresh and nicely seared, the Chicken Nanban Karaage was crispy and delicious, and everything came out quickly. The only downsides were that the Hotate Wasabi was way too salty, and the Saba Yakimeshi (fried rice) could have used less salt as well. The rest of the meal was solid though. Overall a great spot for Japanese izakaya-style dishes on a beautiful patio.
From a Loyal Regular There are places you visit, and then there are places that become part of your story. Yuugi Izakaya is the later. From the moment I discovered it, Yuugi became an anchor for Japanese inspired food in Toronto — and it held that title without compromise for every year I lived in the city. The hours are generous, the prices are fair, and the staff carry a warmth that makes you feel genuinely welcome and cared for every single time. Not performed hospitality. The real kind. What always set Yuugi apart, though, was the kitchen. You can feel the care that goes into the food. The quality never dipped, never got complacent, and the specials menu kept every visit feeling special. That kind of sustained dedication over years of operation is genuinely rare. I've since relocated to Japan, where exceptional Japanese food is, frankly, everywhere. And yet — Yuugi still holds its own in my memory. And that should say everything. To the chef, the kitchen crew, and everyone on the floor: thank you for the craft, the kindness, and the countless meals that felt like exactly what I needed. You have built something special. Dimitri✌🏻
Really good quality food at this izakaya. Atmosphere is great here too as it gets darker. Sashimi serves here was noticeably better than most places I’ve had it in Toronto, was on par with salmon I’ve had in Japan.
The food is very mid. The sushi and don are okay but portion is small. The beer is good just choose whatever u like. Plus, their lunch menu hv very limited choice. Service is great. Environment is great, good for talking or catching up with frds with low expectations on food.
Great service! Small place, tried their menu during their $6 promotion. In brief - not worth the regular price point as portions are small. - Chicken, udon & fried rice were very salty - the torched salmon sushi is the most flavourful, but the wagyu wasn't to par (lack of sear, seasoning) nor the pressed shrimp - mackerel is very fishy which may be to personal tastes The only dishes that stood out to me were the grilled eggplant and the ice cream desert with soybean! Absolutely loved those.
