Perfect spot for a drink after visiting the AGO! Yuugi Izakaya is cozy and has a warm Japanese aesthetic that’s super inviting. The menu offers a variety of options, but my absolute favorite is the karaage. The crispy fried chicken is amazing, but the real star is the sauce—it’s like tartar sauce with a rich egg yolk twist. So flavorful and unique! Definitely a must-try

Lovely spot for delicious Japanese food and a cozy atmosphere! The staff is super friendly, and the service is quick and attentive. The food is fresh, full of flavor, and beautifully plated. The chicken karaage was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy inside, and the beef tataki was tender and packed with flavor. It’s the perfect place to unwind with friends over great food and drinks. I’ll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend!

A hidden gem for real Japanese food lovers! Yuugi Izakaya is the kind of place that instantly transports you to Japan. Tucked away in Toronto, it offers a small but thoughtfully crafted menu filled with authentic flavors and high-quality ingredients. The best way to enjoy the experience here is to order several dishes and share. Prices are very reasonable considering the level of quality and care in the preparation. We started with simple salt-and-pepper edamame, which were surprisingly flavorful. The seared tuna sashimi followed — juicy, fresh, and perfectly complemented by a tangy ponzu sauce. Absolutely top-quality tuna. Then came the chicken karaage and pork gyozas — both spectacular. The gyozas stood out with a unique fried crust that kept them all connected, adding texture and visual appeal. For sushi, we tried all three options, but the standout was the Yuugi sushi: torched salmon pressed sushi that delivered rich, smoky flavor in every bite. We couldn't leave without tasting the wagyu beef. Yes, it's pricey — as it is everywhere — but it was melt-in-your-mouth tender and bursting with umami. Truly worth it. Dessert included matcha ice cream and banana tempura. While both were good, they didn’t reach the same wow factor as the rest of the meal. Service was excellent — professional, attentive, and respectful. Highly recommended to anyone craving a real Japanese izakaya experience without breaking the bank.

I had an amazing time at Yuugi Izakaya. My friends and I stopped by for drinks and highball was so refreshing. Everyone was so nice and the atmosphere was cozy and lively. Highly recommend for night out!

Already thinking about when I can go back next. The food was pretty spectacular all around and even something as "basic" as gyoza was made with a twist that elevated the dish. The Grilled oysters take about 15 minutes and is worth the wait. The mackerel was a pleasant surprise since its normally very fishy. Sitting at the bar offers a nice look into the preparation of the cocktails, the sushi pressing and torching. Nice staff and ambiance. I'll definitely be back!

Had a great time at Yuugi Izakaya! Came for the anniversary promotion where all dishes were 5 and got a taste of the majority of the menu. The quality of all the dishes was very good, and would definitely try them again! Standouts for me were the Yuugi Sushi, Maguro Tataki, Gomaae (Watercress), Udon Pepperoncino, Aburi Shime Saba (Torched mackerel sashimi), and the Karaage. The sushi dishes came with six pieces each, and the flavours were unique, such as the Maplewood smoked shellfish which gave a nice umami touch to balance out the delicious salmon. All of the seafood was very fresh, which we could taste in the dishes as they were not tough and melted in the mouth, including the Hokkigai (Arctic Surf Clams) sashimi. There were some unique touches in the dishes like the Karaage, where the tartare sauce had an egg inside to blend with for some extra flavouring. Overall, the dishes were of excellent quality and didn't really have any complaints! The service was excellent as well, the staff was very attentive despite the busy day due to the promotion! The seating is limited, so would definitely suggest making a reservation ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

This Izakaya is truly exceptional. Each dish I had the pleasure of ordering was prepared with great skill and attention to detail, especially the beef omurice rice, which evoked fond memories of my time in Japan. For a brief moment, I felt as though I was transported back to the heart of that wonderful country. Overall, it was a delightful experience, and I highly recommend this place.

Super fast and attentive service, AND delicious flavours. I didn’t get the best photos because our dishes were steadily coming out... we basically sat down and finished our meal within 30mins (granted we came in hungry).