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Name: Yu Me Ya - Sake House
Address: 1246 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA, 92024
Telephone: (760) 633-4288
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.54

Yu Me Ya - Sake House

1246 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA, 92024

(760) 633-4288
Store is closed

Yu Me Ya - Sake House Menu

Cold Tapas

Edamame

Silken Tofu

String Beans

Sliced Cucumber And Seaweed

Seasoned Seaweed Salad

Salted Cuttlefish

Japanese Wild Vegetable

Spicy Tofu

Carpaccio (spicy Tuna)

Fresh Seaweed Salad

Brown Rice Salad

Silken Tofu Salad

Mushroom Salad

Bbq Beef Salad

Tuna And Avocado Salad
Hot Tapas

Fried Japanese Eggplant

Japanese Eggplant

Sauteed Shishitou Green Peppers

Potato Croquettes

Fried Tofu In Smoked Bonito Broth

Vegetable Spring Roll

Steamed Shrimp Dumpling

Takoyaki Octopus Ball

Kurobuta Pork Sausage

Fried Yam

Broiled Black Cod

Tofu Steak

Calamari

Baked Bay Scallop And Shimeji Mushrooms

Baked Green Mussels
Ginger Teriyaki Bowl

Beef

Pork

Chicken Breast

Salmon

Sansai (japanese Wild Vegetable) & Tofu

Eel Bowl
Tempura

Vegetables

4 Shrimps

Assorted Tempura
Kushi - Katsu

Potato

Renkon Roots

Shrimp

Calamari

Chicken

Pork-loin
Udon Noodle

Plain

Kitsune

Wakame

Sansai

Tempura
Ochazuke Bowl

Salmon Flakes And Japanese Wild Vegetables

Seaweed Paste And Japanese Wild Vegetables

Dried Shiso Leaf Flakes And Japanese Wild Vegetables
Sushi Roll

Vegetable Roll

California Roll

Spicy Tuna Roll

Baked Salmon Roll

Eel Roll

Crunchy Roll

Shrimp Tempura Roll

Inari Sushi (2)
Miso And Rice

Miso Soup

White Rice

Brown Rice
Dessert

Mochi Ice Cream

Ice Cream

Healthy Meal suggestions for Yu Me Ya - Sake House

Cold Tapas

Edamame [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Silken Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

String Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sliced Cucumber And Seaweed [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seasoned Seaweed Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salted Cuttlefish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Japanese Wild Vegetable [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carpaccio (spicy Tuna) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Seaweed Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brown Rice Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Silken Tofu Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mushroom Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Beef Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna And Avocado Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hot Tapas

Fried Japanese Eggplant [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Japanese Eggplant [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Shishitou Green Peppers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Croquettes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Tofu In Smoked Bonito Broth [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Spring Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Shrimp Dumpling [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Takoyaki Octopus Ball [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kurobuta Pork Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Yam [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broiled Black Cod [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tofu Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Bay Scallop And Shimeji Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Green Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Ginger Teriyaki Bowl

Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sansai (japanese Wild Vegetable) & Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eel Bowl [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tempura

Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

4 Shrimps [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Assorted Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Kushi - Katsu

Potato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Renkon Roots [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork-loin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Udon Noodle

Plain [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kitsune [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wakame [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sansai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Ochazuke Bowl

Salmon Flakes And Japanese Wild Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seaweed Paste And Japanese Wild Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dried Shiso Leaf Flakes And Japanese Wild Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sushi Roll

Vegetable Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

California Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Tuna Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Salmon Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eel Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crunchy Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Tempura Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Inari Sushi (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Miso And Rice

Miso Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

White Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brown Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Mochi Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Encinitas for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 1004 N El Camino Real )

Buffalo Wild Wings ( 1068 N El Camino Real )

Visit below restaurant in Encinitas for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 1004 N El Camino Real )

Buffalo Wild Wings ( 1068 N El Camino Real )

Write An Anonymous Review

Boston E.

Best Sake House EVER!!!! Can't wait to hit it again asap....Yuma was very knowledgeable and was an overall wicked awesome experience!
(5)
L R.

was not a fan of saki until this place as i got schooled in it by the owner. the place is low key and hard to find, but if you want a good quiet night and want to be educated on saki while doing tastings then i recommend this place!
(4)
Dave B.

cant give it 5, good service, will go back good food (although a bit expensive), liked our waitress just not an OMFG place like people make it out to be. next time ill drink more sake and see if I have more fun.
(4)
Alexandra L.

I absolutely love this tiny little place. I drive a half an hour from San Diego just to dine here and fully recommend that you do the same. This restaurant is great as a package, it's not just the food- it's the whole experience of going there that I love. The dimly lit dark wood interior provides the perfect setting to watch your steaming freshly made udon coming toward you. Other favorites include the peppers (I can never remember what kind, there's only one on the menu- they are inexpensive) they are not hot at all and are thrown in a skillet that tastes like it's been past down for generations... I wouldn't usually gravitate toward a dish of this description- so it took me a while to find- order them!!!! We also really enjoy the octopus balls (don't ask, just order). The sake selection is well over my head and they explain to you why they overflow the sake when they pour it into your glass, little touches like this I really appreciate. I know they open @ five at least some days and they DO take reservations: (760)633-4288. I was there on a Wednesday last week and there were eight people waiting at the door when they opened. This is one of those little gems that take a long time to discover in a new city, proudly add this to your amazing spot arsenal.
(5)
Ken M.

One of my favorite places in San Diego. Everything is good here and I still can't believe there's a really good Japanese restaurant in North County San Diego. You used to always have to drive to the Convoy area for any kind of decent Japanese food. The udon, tako-yaki, and oden are excellent
(5)
Mike K.

The best Japanese in Encinitas if not all of San Diego! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
John M.

This place is great! They do take reservations, however... I spent over 2 hours here sampling all the hot and cold tapas... Had a bunch of different sakes while being educated about each one. You can choose white or brown rice in your sushi roll. It's family owned and operated. This is now one of my new favorites! I love it! I'd expect this place to expand or move to a larger location soon.
(5)
Kathleen H.

Great local sushi spot! Every dish was fantastic. We especially liked the udon soup and the shrimp dumplings. The place was very cosy and hip - definitely a fun night out.
(5)
Laura C.

A great laid-back atmosphere with Bob Marley playing and bamboo lining the walls. Service was quick. Food was very good - great quality and unpretentious. Best of all, we were pleasantly surprised by the bill, not a frequent occurrence at sushi restaurants.
(5)
Tara C.

fantastic. simply delicious. awesome service. great atmosphere. order one of everything on the menu. you will not be let down.
(5)
Martha L.

The takoyaki , black cod with miso and freshly made udon noodles with a little imo shochu to start make this memorable. There are also other fantastic things on the menu, so try them all.
(4)
PJ W.

Absolutely love this place. I'm a chef and the food was great. What I liked most of all was the small unique atmosphere. The service was great and I feel like I learned alot about the culture just in dining one night. I highly recommend it!!!
(4)
Justin C.

Make sure you get a reservation! This place is small and gets crowded so I would make sure to make one or it might be a while before you can sit. I went with my girlfriend and we sat at the bar (which I recommend). You get to hear her talk about the Sake's to other people and you as well. If you are a newbie like me I would say its a great experience because the sake was really great and she took really good care of us. She had great stories for us and "special" ways for couples to drink. It was really a fun experience. The sake was superb! The food was also very delicious, but if you are looking for a lot of food you should stay away from this place. This place is for more like a light dinner and drinks. This leaves plenty of room for dessert :). I would recommend the tempura with their green tea salt. It was pretty col. This place also has a lot of vegetarian options for my girlfriend which is a big plus because its so hard to find a fantastic japanese place with great cuisine that has a good variety of vegetarian options. So if you are over 21 and happen to be in the neighborhood, go check it out!
(5)
Michelle N.

Although I am not a sake drinker, I am in love with Japanese food. This hole in the wall, hidden from everything, tiny and cozy spot that you may wait over an hour to be seated and have little space to stand while waiting is SO good! This little gem was discovered by my husband somehow, maybe a magazine or a blog and what a find it was! It was our "secret spot" for a few months because it was so small that we didn't think any more people needed to be there to push us further in the back of the line from our food. As long as you don't try to go here on a weekend with the crowds, you will be in love with the food and ambiance.. I think I may ask my husband to take me on a date here this week! :)
(4)
A C.

To die for times a million. Japanese done to perfection. Sake is outstanding. Consistently delivers without fail. Addicted to the mushroom salad, miso cod, broiled calamari, and their grandpa's favorite sake- that's how you order it!
(5)
Frankie S.

I consider five-star reviews to be reserved for places that, were someone to mention they were visiting from out of town, absolutely must be visited. I grew up in this area, moved away, and am visiting on vacation with my SO. I literally cannot believe I haven't eaten here before. The entire experience was excellent, authentic, remarkably unpretentious, and definitely delicious. Our hostess (one of the daughters of this family-operated establishment) was so joyful and knowledgeable that I immediately felt comfortable. I suggest eating at the bar if your group is small enough. We learned the customs and meaning behind sake, tried all kinds of excellent bites- I recommend the unique calamari, carpaccio, and an udon- and chatted with traveling Japanese business men sitting next to us. In Chicago, where we live now, a place with this quality of food would be more expensive and more ostentatious. Yu Me Ya is a perfect storm, and one of a few "must visits" that occupy the 101 strip through Leucadia.
(5)
Beer Lover K.

Waiting time:15-20min on Saturday Love Tofu steak..ponzu, eggs bedding under Tofu Sukiyaki is sweet, but it's regulator taste of sukiyaki, beef was chewy. $13.95, comes with rice Assorted tempura-sweet batter, serve with green tea salt(impressed this) Sat at the bar, waitress was sweet. But she was so busy, it took 10min to order drinks. It was pretty busy, there were only two servers. If you wanna relax at this restaurant, you'll enjoy. If it's not, you'll kill yourself. Foods was great, but most foods was sweet. I wanna try more menu next time.
(4)
Jared C.

Have been here twice and I must say it is worth the wait to get in. Both times we had to wait around 30 minutes, however both times people would tell us on the way out that it is worth it and they are not wrong. I feel like we tried one of everything on the menu and loved it all. My favorites were the BBQ Beef salad, Black Cod, and the Japanese Udon Noodles.
(5)
Kimberly M.

I've heard a lot of good things about this place and everytime I drive by, I get a little intimidated on how small it is! Which can only mean that it can get packed during busy nights and I might have to make a reservation. I finally braved through the fear and here I was on a Saturday night, without a reservation, waiting almost an hour for a table for two. They served us a cute little bowl of edamame outside to satiate the hunger until we were finally called. Guess what? The wait was WORTH IT! We were seated by the cute little bar and our Japanese waitresses were so awesome, quick, funny, and very welcoming. We ordered the BBQ Beef Salad, Scallop & Mushrooms, and the Takoyaki Balls (Octopus) to start. Everything was delicious, tasty, and filling regardless of the tapas being small. For the main dishes, we got the Unagi (Eel) Rice Bowl and the Sukiyaki Udon Bowl. I don't understand why people said the Sukiyaki was undercooked when it was excellent. I could drink that sweet broth till it's gone! It was so good that if it weren't served too hot, I would've finished it in less than 5 minutes! The Unagi was also great and the rice was -mmm! - perfect. We also ordered the top of the line - Junmai Dai Ginjyo - Sake Tasting. It comes in three 2oz glasses and it is preferably shared with someone (if you're driving, haha) or enjoyed by yourself. Everything was smooth and accompanied our Oishi (delicious) meal very well. We spent about $60 aka $30/person. It was worth every dollar spent. The service and the food is top-notch and I will definitely be coming back and maybe make a reservation ahead of time. :)
(5)
Darrin D.

I really liked this place. Driven by countless times, was even turned away due to no reservation. Finally planned ahead, and my daughter & I just enjoyed a terrific experience. It's a tapas type of place,...Japanese style. Yuka was our server (reddish hair), she was great! She made wonderful sake recommendations, with historical and technical distilling information. We had scallops, calamari, eggplant, spicy tuna, salmon, eel, and so much more. It was all great. One of my favorite dining experiences in a while.
(5)
Jennifer C.

Japanese tapas and sake house! -MAKE A RESERVATION!- This place is small and you'll want to make a reservation. Even for a weeknight! Tried a bunch of their tapas and for the most part the food was a hit with some dishes being misses. We tried: COLD TAPAS: 1. Japanese Wild Veggies with Squid, $3.95. This is a bit sweet in the marinade/sauce, but tastes light. Not bad. HOT TAPAS: 1. Broiled black cod with Kyoto miso flavor, $5.95. This is delicious. It's quite a small piece, but the fish was buttery and soft. Flavor was delicate and not too overpowering. 2. Tofu steak, $6.95. This was probably my favorite dish since i'm a tofu fiend. Comes on a sizzling plate surrounded by an egg souffle thingy. 3. Bake bay scallop and Shimeji mushrooms, $5.95. This was not bad, but got a bit too rich for me towards the end. Lots of cream/mayo sauce. BOWL: 1. Ginger beef teriyaki bowl over rice, $7.95. This was a complete miss. The thin slices of beef were tough and this is a dish I can easily make at home. Pass on it. UDON: 1. Tempura udon, $10.95. Pretty standard udon. Nothing mind blowing or anything. Stick to the tapas since you'll probably be able to get udon at any Japanese restaurant. All of the above + 1 beer = about $50. Really adds up here! But you get to try a lot of dishes.
(3)
Jeremy S.

The Sake House in Leucadia is absolutely a top notch dining experience, especially for those craving authentic Japanese cuisine. Having been all over the country of Japan several times, this place pretty much nails the atmosphere and food in nearly all facets. I have not had a bad experience here at any given stage. Yes, this place is tiny, so expect a bit of wait, especially on a Friday or Saturday night... I have eaten several items here from the octopus balls, to the fried yams, to the shrimp, spicy tuna carpaccio all the way to the udon and everything is delicious! My recommendation to everyone is to explore the menu, go a bit out of your comfort zone and wash it down with some Sapporo, you will not regret it!! Pros- Location Service Food Authenticity Ambiance Quaintness Ice cold beer mugs Experience Sake selection Beer Cons- Parking Small seating area Crowded
(5)
Cassie B.

This place is unbelievable! It literally gets 5 stars for all categories. FOOD- Very authentic Japanese. The wait staff are the sisters, and their parents are the cooks. Everything i've tried here has been so delicious, and i always try something new every time i go. Must haves... - black cod - octopus balls - Udon Noodle soup - Sake (there are a lot to choose from, and they really catch up with you!) SERVICE- Like i said, it's family owned and everyone is so friendly. They are awesome about telling you about the Japanese culture and about all of the sakes they have. Very traditional, even though they play reggae music the whole time. ATMOSPHERE- Very relaxed and cozy. This place may look a little rough from the outside, but inside it's adorable. Perfect date spot, but get their early, it fills up quick!
(5)
Gim T.

The food is great, served in small portions but u are easily filled as they stacked up. Start with sake tasting. You get to taste 4 out of more than 50 varieties n then choose one as your accompanying drink. Then go for the beef salad or shrimp tempura. The tempura is crispy n not too oily. As they are freshly cooked they can be hot. Cod fish n the spicy tuna Capricio is also good. If you are really hungry I would recommend the Unagi bowl, n prolly the best dish but because it comes with rice it ca be a tad filling. Share it with a friend if you are ok about it. The downside is the place is small n can take only about 20 people. Weekends I was told is packed. So go early to get seating. Because you want to slowly enjoy your dinner with the sake. Limited parking. Restaurant can be hard to find. Has sushi but no sashimi. Takes visa n MasterCard no Amex. $30+ per person with sake. I will be back.
(5)
Neil H.

This review has nothing to do with their food. Why, because they decided to close early so they could go home to their miserable lives while I was left hungry. There's no point posting opening hours when they're only a possibility. Let me know what the food is like, if any of you can actually get served!
(1)
Kat C.

Great sake bar! Try the Super Premium sampler, which I think is more than enough for two people to share. My fave sake would have to be Kanchiku (in the blue bottle). There's a small kitchen, which is manned by mom and dad while the daughters handle the orders and service. Small kitchen = small menu. No large, elaborate meals here. Mostly tapas-size dishes, meant for nibbling on while sipping your sake. You can fill your tummy if you order the udon and tempura combos, but I always prefer to sample. The pork sausages are amazing, and so are the tuna cups. Seating is very limited, and if you get there without a phone rez, you might be waiting a loooong time. I usually call an hour before I get there, and even then, I make sure to eat extra early to beat the crowds. Parking is a pain. There are a handful of spots right up front. If not, just go up the side street. But, be careful, it's a hill and cars that come barreling down it might take out your side mirror.
(5)
Jamie H.

Awesome food!! The black cod is to die for and worth the wait. The reason for 4 stars is the space and wait which can be a while. Wish they would try to filter out people quicker, as a few times we've gone, we've noticed people sitting and dragging on their evenings after the food has been cleared up. Tip: get there right at opening!
(4)
Marcy Llamas S.

The hot tapas are amazing--what a variety! Everything was wonderful. Can't wait to go back and try something new!
(5)
Vivian P.

I have been wanting to try this restaurant ever since I drove by it on my way to Leucadia Donuts three years ago. Its conspicuous Coast Highway location has great curb appeal; you've probably noticed the cute Japanese style wood exterior. It has a warm and inviting interior as well. The food was pretty good; standard selection of cut rolls and nigiri. The hostess and cook are sisters as well as a great team. The food was very good, pretty authentic. The hand made udon noodle soup was hearty and soulful. I would skip the octopus tapas plate (very fishy and not for the sushi novice). The display/selection of sake was impressive though I only drank the hot green tea. Priced pretty standard for a sushi dinner at about $40-$50 a person.
(4)
James S.

5 stars all around for a great food and dining experience. The family staff and hospitality is second to none! I always get the sukiyaki cause its , well the best. Tried the potato croquettes with vegetable curry and i coulda ate just that! So good. Also the scallop mushroom dish rips! I visit carlsbad every 3 months from HB and this is my go to spot. My 4 visit and they always remember me and greet me fine saying "yes we have sukiyaki for you!" Get there early because its small but as you see many people outside waiting its always well worth the wait!!
(5)
Joel O.

This place is tiny - but by far the BEST real Sushi spot I have ever been too. It's family owned and operated ..... Service was quick and with a smile , and the sushi was beyond fantastic !!!!! I will be back ....
(5)
Erich C.

My wife and I came here for dinner on Saturday night around 8pm. I have driven past this building 100 times on Coast highway and never thought to read the Yelp reviews. I'm glad I finally did! We knew it was going to be busy so I planned ahead and ordered a couple of beers and we sat on the bench inside. Some people were waiting outside on benches. This place is very small and dark. Only 5 or 6 tables. Don't come here with a big group or kids. This is a sake house so do them a favor and drink some sake! We weren't even half-way done when our table for two was ready. We immediately ordered the ultra premium sake sampler. I usually prefer hot sake but these were fantastic! The owner talked to us about the history of each bottle and the tradition: the first sip has to be done by the couple at the same time without touching the glass or it's bad luck. This is definitely made for couples so think twice when bringing your best bro lol. What we ordered: 1) Sake sampler - $16. A must. 2) Baked bay scallop and Shimeji mushrooms, $5.95 - tremendous! Best dish of the night and as rich and creamy as foie gras 3) Broiled black cod with Kyoto miso flavor, $5.95 - very tasty, especially the black parts. Beware of bones! 4) Steamed shrimp dumpling - only $3.95. Four tasty little dumplings. 5) SautÃ©ed shishitou green peppers, $3.95. Good, but we've had better elsewhere (like Searsucker) 6) Sansai (Japanese wild vegetables) Udon Noodle, $8.95 - 2nd best dish of the night. I could swim in that broth it was so delicious Another table celebrated a birthday. They shut off the lights and everyone in the house sang while the owner brought out green tea ice-cream with a candle. So fun! Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Jessa H.

Yes, you should make a reservation. Yes, it has a very small seating. Yes, it's all worth it! I am lucky enough to live around the corner from this local gem and still I can't eat here enough. Everything that I have sampled here has been amazing. Their sake selection is unbeatable and service is on point.
(5)
Kristin M.

Seriously the best meal I've had in a long time!!! I could eat an udon noodle bowl daily!!
(5)
Randi A.

I love coming here! It's family owned and it feels like you've come to dinner at a family friends' house. The parents are the chefs and the daughters are the servers, so it all adds to the charm. I don't come here as often as I would like because it is a small place and if you don't get here early, you're sure to be waiting a bit. There are only a handful of tables and a small bar that seats maybe 8 people. But the wait is always worth it! I love the tuna carpaccio, potato croquettes, and sukiyaki is always my fave no matter where I go. Boyfriend usually gets takoyaki and kitsune udon. The sake tasting is a must for first-timers! It's also a great date spot. :)
(5)
Elaine B.

After an hour wait on a Saturday night for a table of 2, my friend & I ordered 4 dishes. The scallops & mushrooms were good, but an order of shrimp dumplings returned the 4 smallest dumplings I've seen in a while. The udon and shishito pepper dishes were also quite small and mediocre. We both left still hungry & got some pizza. This place has nice atmosphere & potential, but doesn't cut it for me yet.
(2)
Doris W.

Came here on a Friday night around 6:45 and was told the wait was going to be 30 min. From reading the previous reviews, a 30 minute wait was expected. Once we were seated and reviewed the menu we ordered: - Mushroom and Scallop baked app - tuna sashimi - seaweed salad - fried shrimp wontons - vegetable udon - cold filtered sake (not sure what the name was but it was recommended by the waitress) We were still hungry after all that and ordered: - spicy tuna carpaccio -octopus balls All dishes were under $10.00. But since we ordered a bunch of them, our bill came out to $60.00 not including tip. Everything was delish! Our favorite dish was the udon, the reviews weren't lying when they said the broth was good. Service was great. When we ordered a glass of sake and told the waitress we wanted to share it, she showed up with 2 shot glasses and explained how to drink the sake in a traditional Japanese way. Loved this place. Definitely will be coming back.
(5)
Delaynie K.

My boyfriend is almost too obsessed with Japanese culture, so when I saw that this restaurant was literally across the street from our hotel (please note my proper usage of "literally", ladies and gents), I knew it was fate. The good: if you don't get sake here, who are you? I'll tell you who: a celiac. While I couldn't enjoy any of the sake, the presentation was fabulous and the sampler is a great deal. All of my bf's food looked amazing as well, and I wish I was cool enough to know the name of the huge pot of broth and ramen that he ordered. The not as good: the wait is insane, and the first night we were turned away completely because a party had rented the ENTIRE restaurant. That's not saying much, since the place is the size of a chic shoebox, but still. Service also gets a little slow, but the waitresses are so nice you'll forget about it. My sushi was honestly forgettable and if you're celiac you basically can't eat anything here. But you knew that by the name, and you're probably eating here to be a fantastic partner, like me *hair flip*.
(4)
David M.

Once again last evening we enjoyed a simply marvelous meal of Tapas and Sake! Don't remember having had any better.
(5)
M K.

Excellent service, the gal who was serving us educated us on different japanese traditions of eating and drinking. It was very fun and interesting. The food was good but not amazing. We tried the octopus balls and they were just ok. The udon was good, nothing to rave about, but it definitely tasted fresh and authentic. Overall a good experience and i recommend trying it at least once!
(4)
G G.

Cool and authentic japanese restaurant. The food quality was great and the service was fast and efficient. We had the yellow tail sushi, miso black cod, seaweed salad with citrus sauce, potatoe croquet with scallops, assorted tempura, tuna carpaccio, and stuffed tempura peppers. Everything was excellent. Most dishes are appetizer size, good for eating while drinking. Be aware they have a few sushi items and some rolls on the menu, but this not a sushi bar. Only downsides were a long wait, limited parking, limited seating and noisy atmosphere. The place opens at 5:30 and we got there at 6 and waited 40 minutes for two seats at the same bar. There are about 10 seats at the bar and about 8 tables, and maybe 6 parking spaces? Not open for lunch or breakfast. Also a little disappointed in we did not get or see any of the friendly sake advice the other yelpers wrote about from the waitresses. One waitress was nice, but the younger one had an attitude and was not friendly. Not sure what was up with her. I'd come back for the food, and hope to get the nice waitress next time!
(4)
Jodi W.

Absolutely one of my favorite places for dinner. Exceptional tapas, haven't had anything I didn't care for from dumplings, to black cod to my favorite the tuna carpaccio. The bbq salad is a must order as well. The sake experience is fun and educational. Extremely small so call ahead for a reservation on a weekday. Great to come with a friend or two and order numerous things to share, sake flights and relax. I've always left satisfied. Excellent prices.
(5)
Nancy D.

What a gem in Leucadia. Really busy on Fri & Sat. , so come at 5:30 when they open or after 7 if you don't want to wait. Reservations during the week only. Love the small bites to eat. Try a little bit of everything. Great place to sample different sake's from around Japan. Kick back friendly feel. Mom an Dad in the kitchen, daughters serving. Love the tofu and the udon noodles are fresh.Closed on Sunday, bummer.
(5)
Julika S.

This place is awesome! It has become my favorite spot to eat out in Encinitas. I have tried out many things on their menu and my favorites are the spicy tuna capaccio and the broiled black kod fish - simply mouthwatering. They also have excellent sushi rolls, but not a big selection. But it is not a place where you only eat sushi because they have so many great appetizers and also a great selection of sake! There often is a wait time of 30-40 minutes, but it is worth the wait, I promise. The servers are super fun and make it an outstanding dining experience.
(5)
Dan K.

I read all the reviews on yelp thought it was a good idea to drive 31 miles to the restaurant and it was a complete disappointment. I called the restaurant at 6:42pm & asked if they except reservations & they responded not on the weekends..... I then said I have a party of six how long do you think it will be she said about 45 minutes so we decided to do the drive and we got there at 8:23 and the lady at the front said they're taking no more people for the rest of the night!!! unreal bad bad Business they truly just want to get out of there and start enjoying there Friday night. Unfortunately that's not how the restaurant business works!!! I myself own three restaurants in Phoenix Arizona and I would never ever treat a customer that way.
(1)
Kyle W.

My girlfriend and I ate here last night and I wasn't very impressed... we tried to eat their on valentines day and of course it was packed.. but it seems always packed and it seems like your inconveniencing them by going their... the sushi was mediocre although the ambiance is awesome but thats about it.
(2)
Jake B.

I really wanted to try this place because of the great reviews, however upon entering I was told that they were only taking reservations that night due to the small space. That's totally fine, but then say that on the website. I was meeting a friend there and I saw the hostess turn away 4 other groups of people, not in a nice way. She seemed annoyed that people would dare enter without a reservation. I can't comment on food since I wasn't able to eat there, I'm only rating my brief encounter. I'd rather go to an establishment that appreciates my business.
(1)
Angela C.

Love this place. It is quite the experience, especially if you are on a date. A Japanese family owns the restaurant and they are all so friendly! If you go at a popular dinner time (6-8) be prepared to wait around an hour for a table. Their Japanese food is amazing. They have some sushi, but their noodles and appetizers are the main attraction. The best part is selecting a bottle of Sake to share. It is quite pricey so I only make it to the Sake House on special occasions.
(5)
Lee P.

Wow, a little tiny hole-in-the-wall along the coast highway. Not in a strip mall or other high viz setting, if you didn't know about it, it would remain secret. Inside, a very classic Osaka-style Izakaya (pub). This one by far distinguishes itself from other good renditions of Izakaya in the SD area because this one focuses on a wide and dynamic assortment of sakes and Japanese craft brews. In my first foray into Yu Me Ya, I stayed on the craft brew path and the three I tried were all first rate, different and delicious. The staff are the owners and are all part of the same extended family hailing from Osaka. The place is tiny with a counter that probably seats 10 and then maybe an additional 6 tables. This intimacy plays well with the service, and the counter is where the real old-skool action is. It is literally like being a guest at someone's home. They take very, very good care of you and are warm and attentive from the moment you sit down. Food is typical Izakaya fare, executed well. Very well indeed. Everything is home made and fresh. Items are tapas-style small noshes designed for sharing. Nothing heavy. After a few items, fill any void that may remain with a bowl of steaming udon noodles. I really liked the salad with bulgogi-style slices of BBQ beef on top of a shiro-miso dressing. Also, the grilled black cod was excellent as was the grilled cuttlefish sautÃ©ed in butter served plancha-style. I watched as other counter patrons ordered a sake sampler, which consisted of three shots served to be shared with an elegant and elaborate presentation. The sharing made for what appeared to be a very romantic moment. Unfortunately, my dinner guest of 20+ years lost that concept about the time the ring went on, so for us it was a lost cause and I stuck to beer. If anyone wants to be considered as a dinner guest replacement, contact me!
(4)
Amos Y.

Wow! This place is amazing! Super small, no reservations. Family owned, everyone that works there is fantastic. The black cod is amazing, I suggest you get one for yourself. The takoyaki is on point. And the sake selection is awesome. I can't say enough about this place. If you live in SD, I highly encourage you to try it!
(5)
Stephanie A.

Ate dinner here with my boyfriend last night. They don't take resos on the weekends... Arrived around 8:30 got sat around 9 O' something at the bar. The host and server were friendly. We got the dry sake that couples drink.. Forgot the name but it's bad luck to touch on the first sip haha. We got the shrimp dumplings, calamari, and eel roll for appetizers. I thought they were all very simple. The eel roll was $9 something .... Don't think I would pay for eel roll that expensive again, especially for the size it came in(very small). Shrimp dumplings were okay. Calamari was interesting but in a good way :) For entree I ordered the sukiyaki, I thought it was very bland...... I thought the restaurant itself was a very cute place. Reasonable price. And okay taste... Def could find something better in Clairemont but around Encinitas I would say it's really good hahaha :)
(4)
Julia L.

So apparently the Yelp information for this restaurant is all wrong, according to the restaurant owner. The phone number is wrong, and they actually DON'T take reservations (it says they do on Yelp). I called three weeks ago to make a reservation for graduation dinner, and after graduation, my family drove half an hour to Encinitas for dinner. We were hungry and tired, and when we arrived, the owner said they don't take reservations (despite the fact that I called in a few weeks ago and specifically asked for a reservation at 6pm on June 13th, to which they agreed and put my name down). I was really shocked by these retarded excuses, and we had to walk outside and quickly look up somewhere else to eat. If you want real Asian food, forget about the shit they have up in Encinitas, and just go to Wa Dining Okan on Convoy Street. This place had the most disgusting attitude, and I wasn't that sad in the end when it didn't work out, because the place wasn't suitable for a graduation dinner at all and I wouldn't want to give this restaurant a single dime. Fortunately, the owner ignored us for a good amount of time and the people in my party all managed to go use their bathroom before we hit the road again.
(1)
Wavey L.

Sake House has traditional dishes I've never even seen before. Delicious and beautifully presented. You are greeted by an origami crane holding your chop sticks. Excellent service. Personable waitstaff. Small, casual, busy . Make a reservation if you are coming for a special occasion.
(5)
Cynthia C.

Past due review! Since we discovered this place we try to go as often as we can which is quite often :) There is a wait considering its a smaller restaurant but they do take reservations which is awesome! The service is just a tad slower since it's only two of them but we've never minded and they're great. I feel like every time we go we get the same thing but they're spicy tuna is excellent in the roll and the carpaccio is soo tasty! I've thought about ordering my own so I don't have to share lol. The udon soup with the wild Japanese vegetables is yummy too! I recommend going as a smaller group and ordering sake...it really adds to the experience.
(5)
Chris G.

Delicious. We tried for the first time last night - the place was packed. I think they had as many people try to eat and leave as they had seated - it was crazy busy. It's a small place, great ambiance. We had the sake sampler and a whole bunch of little plates, and finished with a nice bowl of udon. The seaweed and cucumber salads were excellent, as were the mixed tempura and seared albacore. I had the kitsune udon, and it had the best bite of tofu I've ever tasted. (And I don't even like tofu!) The sake we tried was absolutely delicious - very different from what I have previously tried elsewhere. Lots of fun, my first time at a place like this. I definitely recommend.
(5)
Amanda M.

Love this sake house!! The staff is amazing, very knowledgeable about all the saki's they offer which is a massive amount. The food is traditional Japanese style so small portions, you'll have to order a few different things to become full. Best be early or make reservations. The line forms outside the door about 20 min before they open and it only gets longer from there! The wait is well worth it though!
(4)
D G.

It is very difficult for a restaurant to maintain 4.5 stars with more than 300 reviews, so I was both excited and fascinated to dine there last night for the first time. I have to say that it was an outstanding dining experience, and was impressed not only with the food but the fun atmosphere. Yes, you must order the sake tasting flight, and have fun with it - let your server select your premium sakes and give you the story on how to drink them Yes, order these items: - seaweed salad - potato croquettes with curry vegetables - baked bay scallop and Shimeji mushrooms - broiled black cod with Kyoto miso flavor - sansai ginger teriyaki bowl - Japanese wild vegetables udon noodle And yes, I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Heather L.

Home style Japanese food with an impressive selection of Sake. Great service, reasonable prices but a really long wait on weekends. We watched the chef prepare our Sukiyaki from our seats, love how it's cooked and served in the same pot. Our Japanese wild vegetables udon had perfect textures, it was served in classic savory broth. Homemade red bean ice cream was the sweet ending to our delicious meal.
(5)
Harold M.

This place has the best food in town. A great local secret. We love the food, service and small atmosphere. You can't go wrong with anything you order.
(5)
Jen H.

Love, love, love, love this place. Just one word of caution, don't go hungry. I've arrived at 8pm (party of 2) and 6pm (party of 4), and both times waited an hour. But for an occasional treat, it's totally worth the wait. Order a beer and relax while you watch the incredibly hard-working servers fly around the restaurant. The wait is long because it's popular and small, not because they don't turn over tables. The staff here is incredibly efficient, but I've also never felt rushed along. And the food is amazing. I can't recommend one dish over another, because everything I've had was excellent. The presentation of the sake is also noteworthy -- both times I've been, we had the same waitress for sake. She is very helpful in letting you try a few varieties, and gives a great explanation of the history and tradition behind each one -- all with a genuinely cheerful attitude. This last visit, we went with friends for a double date, and two bottles were "low" in her estimation, so she gave us the rest, plus our normal pours -- incredibly generous and I left with a pretty good buzz! Will be bringing more friends and family here. GO. NOW!
(5)
Kristi C.

I can't say enough good things. The two sisters serve, the parents cook. Let them guide you through the menu. I love the White Hawk sake and the unfiltered, but everyone is different. This is one of my favorite places.
(5)
Wisanu S.

First let's just say that we will be back to this restaurant again. The restaurant is a bit small so there is waiting time, but it's really worth the wait. Food is excellent. Tasty, not so big portion, and not expensive at all. Once you order, foods come out real quick which negate the wait time a lot. Beer list is superb. All in all a five star, and a place in my bookmark.
(5)
R A.

Extremely poor attitude of the staff including lying about the website makes this restaurant not worth a trip. Don't bother.
(1)
Beth V.

I really like this place. I really do. The food is amazing. But someone needs to come into Yu Me Ya (someone other than the health department), and clean the place from top to bottom. The place is full of spiderwebs, dirt, and filth. The payment area is a mess of old paperwork. Even the kitchen looks like a disaster zone. I really don't like going here to eat anymore (especially in the daytime when I can see all the problem areas).
(3)
Domestic N.

One of my absolute favorite places. I love the little paper cranes folded on your plate... It's a very touching part of the sake house experience. I also love the Tanuki statues. The food is absolutely amazing, along with the service. The restaurant is family owned and operated. I have the best time every time I go. It is small, and they are always busy, which just speaks to how amazing the place is. Try the udon noodles and the ahi. If you are brave try the white hawk sake :)
(5)
Elizabeth R.

The nicest staff with a reggae tuned backdrop. Love this place & worth the wait (usually one beer's worth of time)
(5)
Nicole M.

Amazing staff- Amazing service - Even better food and the best sake selection in Encinitas! My go to date place and perfect to entertain clients.
(5)
Ashley F.

Great food, great atmosphere, and great customer service! The family is so sweet and they are very helpful with the menu! We had the tuna, avo, wontons (delish), black cod, and an udon noodle plate! Everything was amazing and we definitely will be back. Also, as a side note, there more than likely will be a wait, however, just ask for a cold brew and some edamame to hold you over! Take a seat on the porch and you'll be seated more than likely before you finish that beer.
(5)
Paulette P.

Missing this place, as its a fun family style boutique restaurant with reggae music with the largest sake bars in town. Time go revisit and reconnect, awesome energy, service and a variety of yummy tapas... Japanese style!
(5)
Kary R.

i don't know what the fuss is all about. This place is so small and you have to get there early in order to be seated. I was there early but many were waiting in line. I tried the sushi and they don't have many options, they gave you a smaller portion and it wasn't that good. I hated the service , they weren't very attentive and we had to ask for water refills and waited to long for our check, but i did like the origami's they had on the table.
(2)
Laura J.

Love this place -- spicy tuna roll was amazing - the beer selection is amazing! loved the lucky beaver!!!
(5)
Jenise N.

I'm normally not much of a fan for the Udon but after seeing that it was often recommended, we had to order a bowl. I liked it, I actually finished my soup. The Black Cod was sooooo good. Our waitress was cool, she explained why your shot glass should be overflowed with sake. Make reservations, on a Wednesday night, there is a wait.
(5)
Daenerys S.

The Sake House earns the five star review I never give. Great, fresh sushi. The rice is perfection. Went here with a charming man who probably takes all of his first dates here, but when we sat at the bar and the owner explained the tradition of sipping out of the same overflowing Sake cup with my date- I was officially wooed by both the date and the place. Be warned- reservations are needed and you WILL be sitting so close to people that they will hear your every word. My advice is to drink so much sake that you just don't care. It's a GREAT place- a little dimly lit and romantic without being pretentious. I even saved the blue Origami bird that was on the plate... Until things with the guy didn't work and I no longer wanted the keepsake. At least I'm still in love with the Sake House! I think I'll take all of my promising first dates there too!
(5)
L. L.

Family run. Legit Japanese from Osaka. Order these: Salted cuttlefish [if you have an adventurous palate or asian] Fresh seaweed salad with citrus soy sauce Japanese eggplant with homemade miso sauce Broiled black cod with Kyoto miso flavor *Baked bay scallop and Shimeji mushrooms *Sukiyaki *Ginga Kogen Beer Japanese hefeweisen Skip.. Carpaccio (Spicy tuna), avocado on wonton skin. In my opinion, it's sub par and Americanized.
(5)
Aaron K.

It's no secret how great this place is. I've been visiting for years and always have a great time. If I didn't end up eating and drinking so much every time I go there i'd visit more. A little buzz and there is no holding back. :) They have the best sake and Uka always has great recommendations. The staples for me are the spicy tuna carpaccio in the fried wanton cup, seaweed salad, chicken kushi katsu, miso glazed black cod, plain udon noodles (best in SD), Echigo beer, keku sai sake....and that's usually just to start :) It's hard getting a seat if you don't have a reservation. It's a small place. Worth the wait if you have time, just enjoy an Echigo beer outside and meet new people. I don't usually get sushi rolls here but they are good if that's what you want. I go to Akinori in Hillcrest if I want sushi. Overall the service is amazingly friendly and the sake and food always satisfy. If you haven't been you gotta go!
(5)
Sara B.

Went here on the fly.. Best Japanese hands down and so affordable! Love the croquettes and ginger teriyaki bowl so much!! Its small and super cozy.. very intimate (perfect for a first date!), but I hear on weekends the wait can be long (even on a Tuesday night @ 7:30 we waited a bit) so I recommend a reservation!!
(5)
Anne O.

Yu Me Ya is the bee's knees. After a dozen or more visits, I have enjoyed most of the tapas menus, the eel bowl, all versions of udon, a couple mochi, and a whole lot of sake - never disappointed. Weeknights you need to call ahead for a reservation (generally easy), and on weekends there is usually a wait unless you get there when they open. It is tiny, but you get wonderful service by a great family, and top quality food & drink. Makes me want to go back to Japan! Don't leave without some takoyaki!
(5)
Diana C.

This is not the place to go if you are super hungry and want bento boxes with rice, teriyaki beef, salad, California roll; or unagi don with salad. Ogata is your place if you want good bento boxes. If you are craving sushi or sashimi, Kaito is the place to go in Encinitas. Yu Me Ya is a place for having sake and small plates of just yummy food that's not super filling. You know, kind of like happy hour appetizer setting. I like ordering off the specials/tapas. But over all, himachi kama is yummy, udon has chewy noodles and good broth, takoyaki is yummy. Unagi is good, too. They have Oden here if you are still hungry.
(5)
Hadron P.

One of the only places to eat. This is good food, so no complaining of the wait time. Very affordable.
(5)
Manami Y.

Tiny shack-like restaurant with bamboo all around, a tanuki (raccoon) statue, a noren (traditional curtain), bottles and bottles of sake lined up on shelves against the wall...and reggae in the background. Oddly enough, it works. They don't take reservations on Fridays or Saturdays. My bf and I got there around 7pm and probably waited 20-30 mins. While we waited, I had me a glass of plum wine on the rocks and my bf had a kirin draft. We had time to peruse the menu so when we were finally seated, we knew exactly what we wanted. Carpaccio- spicy tuna and chunks of avocado inside a crispy fried wonton shell. Delicious!! So creative too! Crab and potato sandwich- this was one of the specials that night. They used imitation crab. :( It was basically an open faced "sandwich" with a slice of potato as the bread. It was cheesy and gooey, but pretty forgettable. Avocado and tuna salad- pretty plain compared to the carpaccio. I could've done without it. Good thing we love avocado! Veggie roll- made with brown rice. It was nice and simple, but really refreshing with cucumbers, gobo, carrots, and avocado. Spicy tuna roll- too much mayo for my taste, but it was still good. Plain udon- the owner's eldest daughter explained that her father hand makes the noodles and they use a seaweed broth. It was so delicious and you could tell it was fresh! Unagi bowl- I loved the presentation! It came in a traditional wooden bento box on a tray, complete with a wooden spatula for serving and the usual condiments like shichimi and sanshio. The sauce they used on the unagi was rich without being too sweet. Renkon (lotus root) kushi katsu- deep fried yumminess. But they only gave us one. :( An order is supposed to come with two. Miso soup- fantastic! Totally warmed me up. Steamed shrimp dumpling- my bf was really excited about this one. He thought he was gonna get the Japanese equivalent of har gao. I never did ask him what he thought of it. Broiled black cod with Kyoto miso- OMG, melts in your mouth!! Definitely a winner. It was an enjoyable meal from start to finish. Since it's tapas style it can definitely add up, especially if you decide to imbibe in the multitude of sake they carry. But it's nice to splurge once in a while and I didn't think the prices were outrageous. Me likey! :)
(5)
Angela M.

Very authentic Japanese restaurant. Feels like being in a small local restaurant in Osaka. Fabulous selection of sake. The wait staff are very well versed in the differences between the sakes and make nice recommendations. Every single glass was explained with history and a back story and each was truly lovely to drink. If your goal is Asian fusion or swanky dining, this is not your place. There are only a few tables and a couple of bar seats. You may have a wait to be seated. But if you love sake and you like the down to earth Japanese this is a good choice. Really enjoyed our night.
(4)
Gail C.

Pretty good food, but not worth the horrible service. The server hardly came back to check on us, and when I asked her if she can clear some of the empty plates on our table (because they were piling up and we had no room to eat) she rolled her eyes and grudgingly took away 2 plates and left the rest of the pile!
(2)
Chris L.

Incredible. Go off menu and order the sukiyaki hands down. You will not be disappointed. Oh ... and round it out with the black cod. Bon appetite.
(5)
K S.

We have been big fans of this Family owned and run Jewell ! Its like a version of Cheers where they all know you by name and sake choices . The food is country -pub . Most of the dishes are meant to be shared around the table. A few of the "Must haves "are: Mushroom and/ or beef salad with a secret ho-made dressing, Miso-marinaded cod, Baked salmon roll with brown rice and any of deserts. We have taken many an out of town guests here and all have raved about it post dinner! FYI: They take reservations mid week... but not the weekend.
(5)
M M.

This date night location was a great suggestion. It isn't strictly Sushi, but they did have some tasty salmon and tuna rolls. The noodles were really good as well. A little on the loud side, and elbow bumpingly close to the couple next to you. But a great ambiance, authentic feel and the server was great. She told us some traditional ways to drink Sake. I'll be back, and reccommend!
(4)
Matthew P.

Been coming here since they opened and never been let down. Get there early or you may have to wait, but know the wait it totally worth it. Great service, Amazing food, hands down best selection of Saki... my favorite is the White Hawk.
(5)
Brian B.

Still going 6 months strong. We come here once a month and yet to find a bad item on the menu. The salmon sashimi, eel roll, carpaccio, shrimp dumplings, homemade udon and spicy tuny roll... a-maz-ing... the service and experience is also really unique. Just be prepared for a long wait if you don't get there early as there's only about 10 tables
(5)
Lorri A.

hakutaka sake rocks!
(5)
Joe V.

If you're looking for good and decently priced Japanese food, this is not the place. Not big on seafood, so we got the chicken and beef bowls with brown rice. The chicken was overcooked and dried, and the beef was sliced really thin and seemed more like something you would get at a yoshinoya. Plus, it's like they grilled up a whole onion and fluffed up the bowls with it to make it appear like a bigger portion. For almost $10 each bowl, its definitely not worth it. Also, don't expect great service unless you are getting sake.
(2)
Tiersa C.

This place is very authentic Japanese, and it's an actual sake bar. It has a list of all the different sake they serve, what part of Japan it comes from, and all other info like alcohol content. I was really surprised by the menu, and even more surprised by the bartenders. They give you a backstory of any sake you order, it got me way involved! The service is quick and courteous, and they really know their stuff. Not to mention the food is awesome and decently priced!
(5)
Shannon S.

Great selection of btg sake and bottles as well. The servers were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about their sake :). Tapas are amazing and came out so fast I wondered how they did it! Only setback: we waited an hour (not too bad when you have a bottle of cold sale to drink while you wait)
(5)
Liz E.

I live really close from here and I can walk from my house to this local's favorite in 5 minutes. The food is great, always tasty and fresh. It's pricey but I like to think it's because of the consistent quality and fresh ingredients of the dishes which makes this place a fave. This little place is tiny and crowded but the patrons are usually friendly and are also locals around the area. The servers are always friendly, warm, welcoming, and energetic. There's only two female servers most of the time but they take care of everyone, about 30 people at the same time while also answering the phone. I wish more servers were as capable and impressive. I'm looking to eat good food, not necessarily big portions so I'm more than fine with what they give me although I gotta say, I wish they would give a bigger portion for the beef salad. That beef salad is just too darn good. Then again, there's just too many good things on the menu that I also wanna have for dinner (and it could add up to a big bill pretty quick). Make sure to have a reservation on the weekdays. I believe they still don't make reservations on the weekends so be prepared to wait ridiculously long to be seated if you decide to go. And who doesn't love a good sake? This place is a sake house!
(5)
Jen T.

Yu Me Ya?.......NO. Very small restaurant with about 4 tables and some sushi bar seating. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here for Japanese food. The rice bowls are full of onions (about 25% onions). If you take out all of the onions, it's child portion sized. Miso soup is tasteless. I'd drive out of my way to San Diego or orange county for better Japanese food. Tip: if you're waiting in line to be seated, get in your car right now.Drive reasonably fast towards the 5 south entrace to San Diego .Find Yokohama yakitori and order the yakitori bowl. Thank me.
(2)
pamela r.

Went here for the cirst time ever tonight. Dont know how I missed this little place but so happy I found it! Sooo good! Liked the little tapa plates to try lots of different things. The salmon salad eas so fresh and good. We tried one of the cold sake tasting trios and they were all great as well as the hot sake.Fun learning ew things about the traditions of sake drinking..first cup you pour a itlle over so it overflows into a small dish to represent overflowing good wishes. Also first sip of sake must be done by both people at same time from the cup without lifting it. Plus reggae music and a very casual warm atmosphere.A new favorite for me!
(5)
Kent H.

Very pricey for what you get. Spicy tuna carpaccio was rather unique in the way it was served on a wonton like chip. The other tapas dishes were only okay. Something filling was the beef bowl, which actually turned out good. It had good amount of beef slices and marinated well.
(3)
S. K.

Decent but not amazing. The baked salmon on the baked salmon roll was a bit dry. The salmon and the scallop and mushroom dish was okay but very stingy with the scallops. Overall for the price everything was okay but not a place I would bring friends to wow them.
(3)
Ginger M.

Good food, great service, reasonable prices... It's just often almost impossible to get a table.
(4)
Jason I.

Clean, excellent vibe, great service, excellent fresh food, and consistent. Top 3 best restaurants in North County hands down.
(5)
Stacey J.

This place is a hidden gem. The servers were awesome. We asked for a recommendation for sake and they were so helpful. They explained all about the different kinds of sake, let us compare, and then taught us how to properly drink it. We had a blast and it seemed like everyone else there too. This is a great place to go with a group of friends. The restaurant is tiny so the group cannot be too big! :)
(5)
Mindy Y.

Be prepared to wait, especially on a Saturday night. The restaurant is quaint. There's probably about 6 tables max with additional bar seating. Most tables are designed for parties of two so our wait for 4 was a tad lengthy. The dimmed down lights really sets the ambiance. Fellas, this may be a nice spot if you're trying to impress a girl (: This place serves Japanese style tapas so it really gives you a chance to sample most of their menu. Items slowly appear and you can order as you go, so it really provides a nice intimate setting for some beautiful conversations. We had a little bit of everything. Nothing disappointed. Each dish was a burst of flavor. I would recommend the scallops/mushrooms, Beef salad and for some reason I found the sausages to be very enjoyable. Next time Ill pass on the baked salmon roll though. It was a great experience. I can see myself returning, although not in the too near future since I already know what their entire menu tastes like from one visit.
(4)
Rhondi S.

Small little place, no more than 25 people can fit in this place and they don't take reservations on Friday, Saturdays, Sundays, Easter, 3rd tuesdays of the month and every other leap year they will take a reservation if you let the phone ring 50 times! Good lord, I can't keep up with their funky reservation system, er what system. Getting to the food, yum, Izakaya style Japanese 'small plates' or tapas style. We had the poke bowl, spicy octopus, shrimp balls, miso cod, spicy tuna roll...all tasty and fresh. Sake and Sapporo ... Friendly and hospitable gals, I think the owners, nice
(4)
Kevin O.

Holy god how is this place 4.5-stars with 200+ reviews? I have no idea. Here's the rundown: Miso soup - good but standard Spring rolls - bland, served with ketchup Shrimp dumplings - again fine but served with no sauce, when I asked for the traditional dumpling sauce she said they had none, I asked for a sweet substitute sauce, she looked at me like I was crazy, I asked for Teriyaki sauce, she said their Teriyaki sauce isn't sweet... very helpful. Spicy tuna roll - again very plain, not sure why it's double the price of any other sushi spot Pork katsu - definitely the worst I've ever had... the sauce wasn't quite right, the pork tasted like pastrami... well poor quality pastrami... the breading wasn't seasoned as far as I could tell. Beer - we got a couple of the sweet yeast beer or whatever it was and ended up rocks paper scissor shooting to decide who had to finish them. I guess I'm back to my original theory, never go to a Japanese place unless its lunch or happy hour.
(1)
Mitch E.

I would give it 5 stars, but 5 stars are for places like The French Laundry. Arigato Yu Me Ya! Always a pleasure and never disappointing. Otosanputs love into his dishes. Check how the green onions are cut. Love baby! Gochiso sama!
(4)
Paul K.

We've been meaning to go here for a few years now, but never seem to be passing by at the right time. Yesterday, we made a point of it, and we will be doing that many times over in the future. We arrived ten minutes before opening, and good thing too - since the parking lot filled with people and the restaurant, which is small, was nearly filled upon opening. We had an assortment of Japanese tapas - both cold and hot - and finished with a bowl of udon with wild Japanese veggies. The sake selection was great, and the service - as well as the sake suggestions - was excellent. Every dish we had was amazing, from the cold squid and Japanese veggies, to the pork sausage, to the tempura, to the daily specials. A stand-out in my mind was the udon - which is house-made and to die for. The noodles were light and creamy and the broth was savory with layers of flavors. We will definitely be back. The meal cost us $100, but we ordered a lot of food and had four glasses of good sake. You could get out of there paying quite a bit less if you went for lower-end sake and weren't famished like we were. P.
(5)
Elizabeth M.

first- long freaking wait but totally worth it! after going two times in one month I knew it was time to review this place. all the food is amazing. my friend got the tofu udon noodles and I got to have a taste- oh my goodness best udon I've ever had. also the spicy tuna carpaccio is a fantastic little diddy....def a must try. and all their rolls are great. if you like seaweed salad- get it here! so so fresh I felt like a mermaid eating it :). however my favorite part is the woman who runs the place. she is seriously a rock star. always a smile on her face, always friendly and is like mother hen over that place making sure everyone is happy, well fed, and drunk. she always tells you about the sake she serves you- a cute little history and cultural lesson on sake. and all of the sake is so delicious. I hated sake before coming here and now I look forward to drinking it. also- even though we waited an hour for a table- she treated us to free sake! amazing! 5 stars forever and always.
(5)
christina c.

Be prepared to wait - but don't worry, it will be worth it!!! This is a true family owned restaurant - the mom and dad in the kitchen cooking with the daughters out front serving/bartending. Impressive sake and unique beer selection. The Yakatori was amazing as was everything else I had. I will definitely be going back again, and you should too!!
(5)
Angela C.

This is a low key japanese sake bar on coast high way that serves flavorful bar food with it too. I have had the udon (authentic) and tempura here which I recommend to anyone on a chilly evening. Also decorated like a ramen house in Japan, the staff is Japanese and the tako-yaki is like at any japanese festival. Japanese and missing home? Come to this little spot of japan in Encinitas.
(4)
George W.

Lovely friendly service and fantastic food, what more could one ask for? I loved the octopus balls and the udon noodles (brilliant texture), but the tuna carpaccio was the highlight - sublime. Also, I've never been a sake fan before now, but I think that that could change - great stuff.
(5)
Joshua K.

Sake in da house! This is a mom and pop + two sisters shop in a small and humble oriental shack on the side of the road. Filling a niche and living the dream! It's amazing, and encouraging. Try the nihonshu. Specifically: Junmai Daiginjo flighto desu! Simply the best. I let the sake hostmaster Osakajin sisters pick the bottles because I was dinning while gaijin. It's a common mistake that is rather hard to avoid. SUE-ME-MY-SON! GO-MEN-AHHH-SIGH! I ended up with some ancient stuff dating back to 1600 century Nippon if my lizard brain recalls the origin story being told while one of the sisters filled my glasses to the brim without a drop wasted. Lady luck would have it that one of the cups had a gold flake in it. This was kind of a big deal because apparently there are only 4 total in the entire bottle. O-META-TOE WINNER! Kampai! *drinks* It's practically water -_- For food: OCTO-BALLS in your mouth is must! AKA Takoyaki. The famous Osaka street food! P.S. The small origami figures are soooo KAWAII!!!!lol
(5)
Takeo T.

I'm torn about this place. The waitress is amazingly friendly and helpful and the food is delicious. Not high quality, Okan-esque food, but food that reminds you of home (I guess that only applies if you're Japanese). My one complaint about this place was the wait. Sure, waiting isn't a bit problem. However, we were sitting inside for a good 20 minutes, and the waitress didn't come to ask us how many were in our party, or to tell us how long the wait was going to be. I tried getting her attention to ask if there were some sort of list to put our names down on, but she kept walking past me to wait on the tables. It's understandable because the place was packed and there were only 2 waitresses working, but some acknowledgement would have been nice. That having said, I would definitely recommend this place. The agedashi tofu and grilled calamari were especially good.
(4)
Sameer R.

It looks like another dive in Leucadia from the exterior, but the interior reveals something different. Namely, its a very small, quaint place (4-5 tables total?), run by a friendly family. You are served by two sisters who are quite knowledgable about their extensive sake menu which is the primary reason for coming here. i.e., you don't have time to take the shinkansen to Osaka. The tapas are quite good as we've had the pork sausages, tempura, mushroom and scallops, etc. The sushi is also fresh, but this place is more of an Izakaya. I travel to Japan ~5x a year, and for San Diego, its not bad.
(4)
Billy B.

Pros: Owners, very friendly, even took me back to meet mom and dad cooking in the back and it was my first time. Food, outstanding oddly the service was good, not sure how with only sisters working and a very full house! Sake, obviously lots of choices:) Cons: Random opeing, they say Tues-Sat, but I've gone by many times and they were closed, odd. Small: very small place which is how the sisters handle it all. Just makes it very hard to get a table. I went 4 times and couldnt get in. I went to use a gift certificate, decided to just buy a bottle of sake to go, One of the sisters had 2 people at a table for 4 move so my family could sit down. Really that shoud go under Pros!!!
(4)
Amber C.

Best restaurant ever! Family ran...food is amazing! This is not a sushi restaurant so if that's what you are looking for this is not the place for you.
(5)
Melissa A.

They get no stars. They have the worst customer service. They dont list on their website they only take reservations on the week days and forget eating there at all if you dont. They only take reservations till 7 pm and they are open till 9:30 pm. I have been wanting to try this place and very disappointed they were trying to not help me at all, especially when all the other people were taken as walk ins before me. I was Very disappointed by how i was treated and not making an 8 or 830 pm reservation for me instead of an endless reputation of telling me it will be so late by the time they have openings, especially when i kept asking when i can make the next reservation. I never going back to eat there to try and eat again. I have never felt so unfairly treated. Such poor customer service.
(1)
M L.

This is a small jewel of Leucadia. Get there early as seating is limited and the secret of this place has been out for some time now. Unrivaled sake collection. That's all i gotta say--Go early, stay late, order the spicy tuna carpaccio!
(4)
Chowderpuff A.

Wow, everything we had was so incredibly good! Even the simple items like the kabocha (Japanese squash) croquettes blew away my expectations! Udon noodles had perfect texture, and the broth was delicious. Tempura was great, I could eat those all night long. And the spicy tuna roll tasted so fresh from the brightness of the cucumbers which must have been cut to order. Great selection of sake as well, what a great place with friendly service! Gets really crowded on Friday and Saturday nights, so expect a long wait if you don't show up early. Also many items might run out since they seem to only have enough to keep things fresh for the day.
(5)
Helen H.

Best Japanese food ever! We ordered the spicy tuna wonton (yum); beef salad (double yum); black cod & calamari & brown rice California roll (OMG). We also ordered the udon noodles & beef bowl...just awesome. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Alex D.

This place is amazing. Great ambiance -- I've never been to something quite like it. Food is amazing and reasonably prices. If ou are looking for a bargain, try the udon: it has amazing umami flavors, the udon is homemade on site and perfectly cooked, and a large serving for the price. Great wait staff also who are very knowledgeable about their huge sake selection and will even give you free samples (major bonus points). Too bad my wife and I discovered this place only a couple months before moving out of the county. We will certainly be stopping by this place whenever passing through.
(5)
Amie B.

Little place sushi with lots of character. Friday night and the place was packed. Good sign. We had to wait about 15 minutes for a seat but were kindly offered a drink while we waited. Had two rolls and udon noodles. All delicious and fresh. The rolls did not come covered with fried buts it topped in lots of mayo based sauce. Also had the option for brown rice. I will be going back to try more items.
(5)
Kazumi Z.

My love for this place grew after I started trying out sake tasting. Their line up for sake is wonderful. I like how one server explains and presents each sake, and a proper way to pour it. She is very friendly and fun Their beer selection is good, too! This is the only place in SD that carries Hitachino beer, I think. . It can get pricey, so it's more like a treat kinda place for us, but it's a great Japanese sake/tapas place! :) If you are looking for a fancy restaurant, this isn't it, though.
(5)
Tony C.

I love yumeya. Very authentic and reminds of izakayas when I lived in Japan. Very intiment and small so it is sometimes hard to get a table. The staff is extremely nice and always seem like they are having fun! I really enjoy talking with them! A little bit expensive but completely worth it! I rarely drink sake and this is the only place I will have it in the U.S. Good for dates too!
(5)
Kimberly G.

UPDATE: I made reservations and went back. The food is very good. Not your typical sushi restaurant where everything is smothered in eel sauce. I was surprised at the small selection of sushi rolls, however, I didn't miss them once I tried the cold and hot tapas. The black cod is a must. The broth in the udon is the best I have ever had. I look forward to experiencing the extensive sake selection next time I visit.
(5)
April J.

love this place. After moving up to Encinitas from North Park it was hard to let go some of the urban foodie spots until i found Sake house. The sisters run this place perfectly. Its though when you have to wait in such a small area, but i like that they keep it personable and quaint. You're able to order taster size sakes while you wait. Have yet to really find out if that's free or not. the food is awesome. Not really a spot to go for sushi, but i think this falls into the class of izakaya type of food. love the mushroom/scallop app, and even the cuttlefish for those of you that dare. They explain very well the numerous choices of sake, where it tastes like one thing before you eat this, and then sip again and its completely different flavors. i also love that they explain to you the different traditions of how to drink sake. Glad to hear this place opened up another spot in Hillcrest. The other plus: these sisters have excellent taste in dancehall reggae! Thank you for bringing to urban flair to Encinitas. TIP: they don't take reservations on Friday or Saturday. don't come starving so you can enjoy good tunes and sake before you sit down and grub.
(4)
Lo B.

I took my fiancee here for his 30th birthday.. I called in advance for a reservation, they sat us promptly and we sat at the bar next to the manbearpig. The setting inside is very warm and cozy. Every single thing we had was very very very good. The lady taking care of us was very knowledgeable and friendly. We had the sausage (my favorite), spicy tuna carpaccio (my other favorite), cucumber sunomono (third favorite), black cod, everything udon, and some green tea salmon soup thing.. (I know we got more though..) Yes we were starving and we ate a LOT.. It was awesome to have such a nice variety and have everything come out at a random pace.. Otherwise he will be done eating in 5 minutes and that usually pisses me off when we're going out to ENJOY OUR DINNER. Here, we finally did!!! Everything was absolutely amazing, we couldn't be happier, and we can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Sharika S.

Sadly there aren't enough Sake houses like this in OC- which is why I love to go to this place- everything we ordered was perfect and Sake collection was formidable! Only thing I am taking one star off for is the wait- that sucks when you are STARVING!
(4)
Nicki H.

Maybe my favorite place to eat in Encinitas. It's small, so it's perfect for a small group. I'd recommend the tuna cups, octopus balls and udon soup...but I've never had anything these I didn't love. The service is always super friendly and they certainly know their sake!
(5)
Andrea L.

Fellow Yelpers have got it right! This place is the real deal! Sisters waiting tables and their Mom and Dad in the back cooking up fresh and amazing food! We ordered at least 6 different things and every one was EXCELLENT! Our waitress explained Japanese traditions to us and basically ordered our dinner based on what she likes. That was fun! OMG I can't wait to go back for some more Yummy Udon noodles. This is my new favorite restaurant!
(5)
Mars V.

Such a amazing place the food is fantastic! Try the White Owl beer so good (they have the coldest in town). everything we have tried has been amazing, the Udon noodles are so phat they are amazing. The bartender is so great she let's you sample sake and helps you pick a great one for the evening. The place is small so you have to wait, but that just makes it more fun. The Calamari makes me think I'm having bacon and for a non meat eater (Pescatarian) it is truly just off the hook!!!
(5)
Alice T.

This place is cute and tiny. It fits less than 30 people (I know because I counted). We waited maybe 30 minutes? I spent the 30 minutes figuring out how they could add more tables. That was, until I saw the kitchen, and understood that this was the most number of people one chef and two waitresses could serve. We squeezed right up onto the bar (or couples' row). Cool part was that since we didn't order sake (had the "artisan" Japanese beer instead), we got to hear the stories behind the sake when our neighbors ordered. One glass sat in a bowl so that it could catch the intentional overflow of sake (symbolized abundance), and the couple is supposed to drink together from both sides of the glass without picking it up. The food is Japanese tapas, which I've recently become a big fan of after eating at Wa Dining Okan in Convoy. The portions are really small and range from $4-10. I came here specifically for the tapas, so we didn't order any of the rolls/udon/rice. We had: - Daily special of fried pepper with spicy tuna- different than I imagined, it's a tempura-fried green pepper (think jalapeno pepper shape with the size and (lack of) heat of a green bell pepper) stuffed with cooked spicy tuna. I imagined raw spicy tuna. - Spicy tuna carpaccio- every single table in the restaurant ordered this. It's a fried wonton bowl with diced avocado and spicy tuna, kind of like a mini tostada. This wasn't anything special. I would've rather eaten a spicy tuna roll... at least I'd get some seaweed. - Black cod- this was awesome! It was so buttery and tender and the marinade was delicious. It completely melts in your mouth. Watch out for bones though. - Potato croquette with curry vegetables- the veggies are mixed into the potato batter, which was a surprise since I excepted whole pieces of vegetables. This dish was okay. - Octopus ball- fried ball with octopus pieces. Pretty unique, the texture reminds me of the Taiwanese oyster pancake where it's bits of seafood in lots of batter. - Calamari in butter and soy sauce- came out on one of those cast iron plates. This thing was sizzling in butter and flavor. I'm not a huge fan of calamari because of its extreme chewiness. But I thought this dish was very flavorful, and the calamari was probably the least chewy it could ever be without being a completely different texture. - Pork sausage- came with dijon mustard. Just like a tasty hot dog. - Homemade almond tofu with honey- they were sold out of this one! I was so disappointed. Overall, a great atmosphere. One guy was celebrating his birthday, and they dimmed the lights and the entire restaurant sang him happy birthday. But with a smaller tapas menu than Wa Dining, the food just didn't get me that excited.
(3)
Chris R.

Simply the best traditional Japanese food and sake in North County. So much better than the big quantity low quality sushi houses around Carlsbad. It is true home cooking.
(5)
Jenn B.

I randomly dropped by just before 6pm on a Friday. The place is pretty small, but we didn't have to wait long for two seats at the bar. Halfway through our meal the server asked me to scoot over so they could fit one more chair, leaving me awkwardly seated at the corner of the bar. I didn't really mind, but I know some people wouldn't like that. We ordered a poke bowl, the black cod, and this salmon flake rice dish served with tea. The stand out was definitely the black cod. It was expensive for such a small portion, but black cod is always a good choice. So buttery. The poke bowl was really good too, but it's not normally on the menu. I'd order it again if I saw it. As for the rice dish, I thought it was a tiny bit bland as a type of entree. We saved it for last when we really should've been eating it with the black cod. All in all, this place was really charming. You can tell that it's family owned. I love the little origami cranes at every seat. I would never classify this as a "hole in the wall" like other reviewers. It's not shabby by any means, just a little small in size. I hope the Hillcrest location is just as good because Encinitas is far from me!
(4)
Jeen S.

beef salad yummmmmm
(5)
Jason G.

Fantastic. Just not a single thing bad about this place. The food is superb, the sake selection beyond compare, the bartender just amazing. A *great* date restaurant, especially good for first dates. Get the sake flight and several small plates. It's very small though, so all you people stay away from here so I can get a seat.
(5)
Kevin G.

What???? This place is awesome!!! Really small, maybe 6 tables and a small counter but holy cats, this place is off the friggin' chain! The food is so flavorful and the sake is the best! Make sure to try the premium sampling because she spends time at your table teaching you about each sake and where is comes from. Can't say enough about this place. The wait is always a bitch but hey, if it's that good then it's totally worth the wait.
(5)
Deia M.

A Leucadia instituion. Yu Me Ya is the best, a hidden gem. Don't come here if you're looking for a sushi joint (although the few rolls they have are amazing - get them made with the brown rice), order the amazingly unique Japanese tapas and Udon noodles! Tuna Carpacio and Octopus balls are my faves. It's family run with only 2 servers, the daughters, so yes you will have to wait your turn. Mom and Dad are cooking in the back. It's not an "i'm in a hurry so need fast service" place. Come here with friends, or a date, and enjoy the delicious food, sake and ambiance. Reggae tunes can typically be heard under the sounds of everyone having a good time.
(5)
Ian L.

Possibly my favorite place in encinitas! been here several times and everything is amazing. don't let the wait daunt you, it is definitely worth it. this is somewhere I would take people visiting to seem cool.
(5)
Hisa I.

The food is so much better than any of the other places. Actually, I go to Japan twice a year, and the food here is better than many of the neighborhood restaurants there. I have a friend that lives across the tracks, and we can see people standing outside Yumeya around 5:15pm, waiting to rush in as soon as it is open. The only con is that the noise level is loud.
(5)
Andy H.

Tasty Japanese tapas! Not a sushi bar so don't go there expecting to eat fresh sushi. The rolls are ok but again, shouldn't be the reason you go. As a lot of the other reviews attest to, the tapas and udon noodles are very good. We had the octopus balls and black cod like others have mentioned, along with the udon noodles, and none of them disappointed. It's also a very small space so make sure if you're going with more than 2 people that you make reservations.
(5)
Danneth C.

I've never been to a Sake House, and this was a good first experience. The place isn't huge, its quaint and cute. We sat at the bar and you get a view of all the sake they serve. I liked the little origami paper cranes they put with your napkins. They do not have a variety in the sushi menu so I was guessing that the sushi wouldn't be that great. Ordering from the tapas section would be the best bet. Seasoned Seaweed Salad= good, you'll finish it in 5 seconds tho. Spring rolls= Delicious, served with some sweet chili sauce, it kinda looks like ketchup Steamed shrimp dumpling= Meh. Its four little dumplings. Nothing too great. Baked bay scallops and mushrooms= Filling. Such a different seafood dish. Worth trying! The sake menu is abundant with different sake. I'm not an avid sake drinker at all, so I didn't know what to order. The server was super nice and seemed really into her job. She poured the sake and told a story about it, you have to sip the shot with your partner, the second sip you have to toast, blah blah. It was a cute little spiel. The sake is also poured into a shot glass and it is purposely filled to the top making it spill onto the little bowl. I want to go back and try more of their tapas. Great experience overall.
(4)
Gaelan T.

Sake house is so charming and the food is delectable. It took me a while to try this place but I'm glad I finally did!
(5)
Al M.

One word to describe: PERFECT!!!! Family business and it shows in the quality of thir food. Tapas Japanese that's delicious at a bargain price. I ate until I was full and then some plus beer and sake and bill was about half of what I pay elsewhere. A++
(5)
Marco B.

I loves me some Yu Me Ya!!
(5)
Yoomi C.

You'll look and think "well that's run down" and it's amazing why such a small space can turn out. The rolls are really useless, but amazing takoyaki, the spicy tuna tartar was amazing, and beef salad fabulous. Btw, draft kirin. noms.
(4)
Mo O.

Yu Me Ya was simply awesome! I want to go back now! We got there just before 530 and there were several other cars waiting already. After sitting where we wanted, the waitress' were real nice and there when we needed them. We tried the super premium sake sampler, we had 3 great sakes (dont ask me for their names). We also had a few beers which were good. Ilike the ones with the owl on there, again dont ask me for the name, Im not good with names ok. Food, we unfortunately did not have a chance to try any sushi thats why I can only give 4 starts. I will post some pics too. We started with the spicy tuna, it comes in this fries little pouch with avocado squares lightly salted, it was soooo gooood! Also had BBQ beef salad, also GOOOD! The Cod you must try, its something small, simple, yet so good. I forgot the name of the fried potato things we had with curry, but that was good too. The calamari we made the mistake of leaving on the hot plate so it over cooked a bit longer and it was so below avg and not so good. So basically you cannot go wrong with ordering anything on the menu. I want to go back and try the sushi but I have heard and read it is just ok. I want to judge it for myself. I highly recommend this gem on the 1 so go and enjoy!
(4)
Amanda N.

Yu Me Ya is a cute, small Japanese restaurant. They are a little hard to find and parking is not so great (maybe 5 spaces in the lot, you'll probably end up looking for street parking). Nonetheless, I would definitely return if I want some good Japanese food & sake. I tried mostly tapas style dishes, so the portions were small. My favorite was definitely the tuna carpaccio, which comes in a wonton shell. I could have ordered more of those. The other dishes we tried were fairly good and not too pricey. I don't have any complaints about any of the dishes we tried; the whole menu looked pretty good. Next time, I want to try the sukiyaki. We ordered a sake sampler and it was very good. The waitress will explain to you what flavors to look for as you sip the sake. I don't have a whole lot of experience sipping sake (honestly, I usually just down whatever's cheapest), but this was actually an enjoyable experience. Never really liked the taste of sake til I tried Yu Me Ya. Overall, I definitely recommend checking this place out. It'd be a good idea to make a reservation beforehand. Depending on how hungry you are, the prices can add up but ultimately I think it's worth it. Oh & if you come for someone's birthday, they will sing to you and bring out complimentary green tea ice cream, which is a very sweet gesture.
(4)
Mary Hoppins O.

The best restaurant on earth ;) I lived in Tokyo, and when I moved to Encinitas, I was seeking a cozy little izakaya where I could get some drinks, tasty tapas-style Japanese food, and god atmosphere. Yumeya the Sake House is amazing, and delivers on all fronts! When I lived in Encinitas, I used to go here every week... I just couldn't stay away. Now I live in SD, so we go to the Sake House in Hillcrest. Also awesome, though try and make it up to the original whenever possible! Love it!
(5)
Lil L.

i always wondered about this little hole in the wall place upon driving by. im so glad i got the opportunity to finally check it out. its a tiny little joint owned by a nice japanese family. so you know the food is legit. they have a variety of local beer from japan and the tappas are great ! a great way to enjoy izakaya !
(4)
Edna F.

this is not a sushi place. its more of a tapas bar. it's a small place so they made us sit in the corner at the bar so that they could accommodate the dinner rush. rolls were average with small portions. service was slow and they only had 1 bottle of low sodium soy sauce that we had to share between tables. prob wont be going back...
(2)
T-Money M.

Tiny little place but it packs a big punch. All of the specials are always fantastic, the black cod is Great, the tuna is very fresh, service is fun. Basically, you can't miss with this one...just have to arrive early for a table.
(5)
Jessica M.

Love this place! Very small so call ahead for larger parties or if you don't want to wait a long time. We sat at the bar and had such a great time! The daughter was our server/bartender and she helped us out so much!!! With the food and sake. Such a fun date!!!! Tuna carpaccio was excellent!!!!! So fresh and clean tasting. The Japanese noodles with mixed tempura was great. And the sake.... Oh so good! She even gave us some history on each sake we tried.
(5)
Susan D.

Super cute small place with an amazing sake selection and fun tapas. Place: Tiny! Would definitely recommend making a reservation if possible, there's probably only room for 25 people in the whole place. There's a bar area and a few small tables. Decor is nice, seems like exactly what it is--a sake house. Service: Wonderful! The two ladies are very nice and they know their sake! Food: The small plates are delicious. We tried the following: japanese wild vegetable with squid spicy tuna carpaccio japanese eggplant in miso sauce potato croquettes with curry vegetable octopus ball black cod Everything was good. I especially liked the cod, tuna carpaccio, octopus ball and potato croquettes. We also tried three sakes and it's fun to hear about where they come from and how the flavor profiles differ--never really tasted sake before but these are so much better than the sake at your average japanese restaurant. I would definitely recommend this place! A fun and unique dining experience--I'll have to check out their location in Hillcrest.
(5)
brian o.

Love everything about this place. The service is friendly, make you feel like you are part of the family that operates the restaurant. The food is really good!!! The Sukiyaki reminds me of the same dish my father used to make. I would recommend this place to everyone, but then I would have to wait longer! Oh well, they deserve the waits.
(5)
Honey P.

Musts... -Baked scallops and mushrooms -Blackened Cod -Spicy Tuna Carpaccio -Hitachino White Ale and/or Red Rice (Best beer ever!) beeradvocate.com/beer/prâ€¦ -Be patient for a wait to be seated or be there right when they open to avoid wait -Have no shame to order 2nds -Ready to blow $$$ to fill up here, otherwise you'll have to fill up somewhere else after the foreplay from the tiny tapas.
(5)
Raul M.

This place is a cute little spot. key word is little. It is unfortunately not very big inside and all seats are a tiny cramped. But the food and service is authentic Japanese. Great selection of Sake. Its a little pricey, so that with the small quarters would bring me back occasionally. But still fun to change things up.
(4)
Jenna H.

Every single tapas selection was fantastic. Very much worth the wait, and they do what they can to make you comfortable while you do. My suggestion is to go M-Th with a reservation, but still expect to wait. It is totally worth it and I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Nell C.

This is my FAVORITE Japanese restaurant! Besides the long wait to be seated, this authentic Japanese restaurant by far is the best in Encinitas! Service is slow but it is to be expected because this authentic japanese cuisine is worth the wait. All around tapas is very good. There was nothing I ordered I didn't enjoy! Best tapas so far: Spicy Tuna Avocado Carpaccio and Crab Sandwiches Yu Me Ya is great for groups to hang out and drink cold sake!
(5)
Brittany R.

I really love this place! My husband's 30th birthday was last night, and we've always heard great things about Yu Me Ya. I don't know why we hadn't tried it sooner. Anyway, we arrived around 7pm and were just crossing our fingers it wouldn't be an extremely long wait. We lucked out - we only had to wait about 10 minutes and were seated at the bar. The sisters who run the business are super nice and friendly. We decided to do some sake tasting, 3 from the premium list and 3 from the super premium list. We left it up to one of the sisters (the one with the short blonde hair) to pick the sakes for us. I thought it was so awesome how she took her time to explain each sake and gave us a little history on where it came from, what region of Japan, which were her favorites, etc. Really cute how she made us drink from the overflowing flight together, symbolizing love. The sake was filled to the brim and two them had the little overflowing bowls, so they really packed a punch! All of them were absolutely delicious, but we had two favorites. One was called White Hawk I think?? Don't quote me. So after our little sake tasting, all of a sudden she comes out with the spicy tuna carpaccio with a candle inside, and makes everyone in the restaurant sing happy birthday! It was so sweet and my hubby was so surprised and happy. And the carpaccio ended up being our favorite dish of the night...very spicy, just the way we like it. We were starving, so we ordered a bunch of stuff. The cold spicy tofu was great, and very spicy as well. The steamed shrimp dumplings were delicious. The baked scallop and mushroom dish was good as well. We also got the veggie spring roll, shrimp and veggie tempura, and ginger chicken (without rice, just chicken). All of it was delicious, but very small. I know this is a tapas place, so we weren't expecting big portions, but we did leave a little hungry. Good thing we had some chocolate cake at home :) All in all, great place! Fun vibe, excellent service, good food.
(5)
Kevin S.

FUN! Popped into this LITTLE hole in the wall and had the best time and excellent food. Had udon, sushi, appetizers, beer. It was great. We all had fun but not as much as the table next to use who were celebrating something taking shots with the waitress. Line outside got a little longer around 8pm. This is a definite YES.
(5)
Kaylan G.

If I had to choose one place as my favorite restaurant, this is it! A lot of people don't go there because it doesn't look like much from the outside but it actually has great ambiance when you get inside and is very very clean. It's family owned and run and they are so friendly and amazing at what they do. The menu items or more Japanese tapas than sushi however the small sushi menu is also extremely good and is different than anywhere else I've been. The tuna here always taste almost as fresh as what I've had fresh off the boat. I highly recommend getting any specials they offer that night as they are always unique and delicious. The tuna carpaccio is a crowd favorite we end up always starting and ending with it. We've actually rented the place out for a party and it was very reasonable and a total blast. Absolutely only great things to say about it here!!
(5)
Heather M.

I ate here last night and must say, I'm sad I didn't know about this place sooner! It's very small inside, has a sort of hole-in-the wall feel but is also very charming and fits right into the neighborhood. I made a reservation because I'd read there was limited seating and I was really glad I did, because there were only four seats available in the entire place when we got there at 615p on a Wednesday. Since 'sake house' is in the name of the establishment I wanted to try some sake, but was a bit bummed out to find they only had one type of Nigiri (my favorite) and it only came in a big bottle, no little ones. That and it was $31, which was a bit more than we'd planned on spending on drinks that night since tapas alone can add up quickly. We ended up sharing a small bottle (one of their 'specials') that was quite nice and we enjoyed very much. They were very traditional with the serving of it - placing the glass in a saucer and filling it until it overflowed. Our waitress coached us on proper etiquette for drinking it in this fashion and we loved the mini-culture lesson. For food we opted to share a bunch of the tapas and selected ones that we'd either read great things about in reviews or wanted to try based on description. Be forewarned that the portions are small (this is tapas style dining after all), but while you don't have a meal sized quantity, the richness of the food more than makes up for it. Every bite was like a savory flavor bomb went off in my mouth. I couldn't believe the depth of flavor the black cod had, it was unreal. We realized as the plates kept coming that we were starting to feel full even though we hadn't had a lot to eat, so it's probably best to approach ordering like a marathon, not a sprint. The real revelation came in the form of the udon with fresh seaweed at the end. The broth was still boiling when they brought it out, and they served it with a spicy chili powder to season the broth to your liking. I've never had udon like that in my life. The dish was just so homey and the noodles tasted so fresh. I think they ruined udon for me because now I will always expect that level of flavor and authenticity. The service was great and since it's a small space it didn't get too noisy. I will most definitely be back to this little gem in Leucadia! If you're looking for an excellent, authentic meal and great dining experience, I recommend you do the same!
(5)
Lulu H.

The menu here is a little complicated, but the servers know just what to recommend. Yuka is amazing at the bar. She really knows her stuff. I never knew there we're so many kinds and qualities of sake. Get there early, the place is small and always busy. I highly recommend! Yummy!
(5)
Sean T.

This place rocks!!! Best sake in town. Yuka.....hostess and family member of owner....know what's best. Get all of her suggestions. Real quick.....Udon...the best I've ever had. I lived in Japan for awhile and this is the best fresh, homemade Udon I've ever had. Steak salad.....incredible. Tuna Carpaccio.....to die for. Everything is great!!!! Be ready to drink to or three rounds while waiting for a table. It's a small joint and always packed. Crowd is usually hip and 30ish. Great place to hangout with friends, eat, drink, and talk.
(4)
Jody C.

The reviews are very positive for a reason. This mellow place was filled with a reggae playlist and cold beer & cold glasses off the bat. We got there at 5:15 which turned out to be the last table and behind us filled a line-up big enough to seat another restaurant. Food was outstanding, tuna carpaccio was decadent. Lot's of great options for vegetarians, brown rice sushi on request, Great beer and sake selection.
(5)
Chef Jenn F.

The sushi was limited and simple (to me it was a bunch of stuff that his been made to death). The sushi I had, Caterpillar roll, was good but nothing amazing. All of the other dishes where just plane bad. The fried tofu was bland. The broiled black cod was not the best piece of fish I have had. The Spicy Tuna Carpachio was not spicy nor something I would order again. The worst were the over fried sticks of crap, they said it was chicken, shrimp and squid. But it just tasted like crap they took out of the freezer and dropped in a fryer. The only thing I liked was the sake tasting menu. Got the Super Premium sake tasting and had some of the best sake I have ever had. So if you wanna get drunk on sake then this is the place for you. If you wanna grab some sushi and tasty Japanese food, then go some place else.
(2)
Katy H.

So romantic! My boyfriend took me there for Valentines Day. They have an adorable way for couples to drink sake. Get the White Hawk sake, it's the best!
(5)
Jackie A.

Great place, the girls that run it are a blast... always look forward to going. The sausages are great, and the place is affordable.
(5)
Shawn T.

Don't go here. First of all, it is the ghetto part of Encinitas. That alone is reason enough to never go there. We went there on a Thursday night and they wouldn't seat us because they were too busy and we didn't have a reservation. This was after I called to see if they were even still open (I was worried that after 8 they would be closing soon). There were obviously open spots at the sushi bar, but because we didn't have a reservation they wouldn't seat us. If you needed a reservation, they should have told us on the phone before we drove over. Boooooo!!!! Never going back. I only gave it one star because Yelp forced me to.
(1)
Lianna S.

Really cool place. We almost drove right past it and once you get inside there's like max 8 tables and a tiny little sushi bar. It's not your typical sushi joint, no pictures or detailed descriptions of what you're ordering. We took the waitresses recommendations on small plates and rolls and I can't even remember the names of anything we had except for the fact that it was all great. She also gave us a mini education on the different types of saki and different regions and we picked out a yummy bottle. I had no idea saki was so broad. Really neat, authenic place, just know you will have a great meal and a unique experience and plan on being there for a while. We loved it.
(5)
Joanna S.

If you lack patience, this is not a place for you. If you are claustrophobic, this is not the place for you. Instead, go to a Claim Jumper or PF Changs or some such place. My husband and I always drive by it-- all hours of the day and night-- and we never catch it open. Well, we finally did and it was pretty awesome for a hole in the wall. This is not a sushi oriented place. No all you can eat and certainly not a wide variety of choices for it. If you want something different then this is it. Their sparkling sake is the first I've ever finished an entire bottle of and liked. And the tapas menu along with the super awesome service is something worth trying. P.S. Make reservations for the weekdays and come early on the weekend.
(5)
Beverly G.

I never knew Saki could be so yummy until I went here. The overflow glass is wonderful.Small plates are always fun because you get to taste a lot of dishes. The noise level is very high. The really could use some sound panels on the ceiling.
(4)
Elizabeth G.

A couple of our friends who now live in town suggested we come here for dinner on Saturday night. Unfortunately they do NOT take reservations on Saturdays so we knew we'd be in for a little bit of a wait. The space itself is tiny - theres probably only about 5 tables and you certainly could not pack a group bigger than 4-5 anywhere comfortably in this restaurant. There is seating at the bar if you're there with just another person. We waited about 45min for a table but the hostess was very honest with us saying it would take about that long. Not fun to wait in such a small space, but at least she was honest. First, I would highly recommend that you just ask the waitress (and maybe owner?) to choose your sake - this lady knows what she's talking about. She told us some long story about how her "grandfather's favorite sake was ____ which was more traditional", etc., etc.... and had plenty of stories and experiences to contextualize each drink she brought. Things we ordered: - Chicken Katsu - okay. BUT the dipping sauce was AMAZING (some kind of plum ginger?) - Crispy roll - pretty good! Not super flavorful roll, but the fish was good and it looked well prepared. - Ocyazuke bowl - reeaallly good. The tea was delicious. The waitress suggested adding salt , pepper and some soy sauce which definitely brought out the flavors a bit more. - Tofu udon - AMAZING. This alone made the trip and wait worth it. We ended up ordering another one cause we just couldn't get enough. The fried tofu was SO, SO GOOD. I don't even know how they managed to make it so delicious, but damn, we were fighting over the table for another bite. The udon noodles are so thick, chewy and satisfying. Overall, great find and such an unsuspecting place tucked into the 101. We'll definitely try and come back when we're back in town!
(4)
Helaana C.

Thank you Yu Me Ya for having adding some originality to the standard Asian offerings in North County the land of one million small sushi spots with no personality. As soon as I walked into the restaurant I knew this was my kind of spot. Seriously small with about 6 or 7 tables plus a small bar. I came with a group of 8 so we had to wait for about an hour but we entertained ourselves with some deliscious sake and Owl beer. Once we sat the service was great and the food amazing. My favorites of the night were the small plates we had the Tuna Carpaccio, the Miso Black Cod, and the Udon Noodles.All the Sakes we sampled were amazing as well. The least favorites were the tempura veggies not a lot of flavor, and the spicy tuna roll which couldnt hold a candle to the carpaccio. Final thoughts... I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a great new spin on the Tapas experience. Next time I wouldnt go in such a large party as this place isnt set up to accomodate large groups. I cant wait to go back. Thank you Yu Me Ya for an amazing night!
(5)
Brenda M.

Y u Me Ya is a small, blink and you'll miss it family run Japanese pub that serves "izakaya" style or small plates of mainly cooked food, while Reggae music plays in the background. The exterior is very humble, belying the welcoming interior. We didn't have reservations, so were pleasantly surprised to see there wasn't a wait. But then again, it was still early and a Tuesday nite. The owner's daughter, Yuko waited on us and helped us choose a nice bottle of Junmai from their extensive sake list., which she poured for us in traditional Japanese style to overflowing from the cup into the saucer. Then, what to order? Last time I was here, I had the Broiled Black Cod with Kyoto Miso flavor and assorted sushi, so wanted to try something else. I went with Yuko's suggestion and ordered the Takoyaki octopus ball (Osaka street food). Great texture - delicious! But what I really came here for were the Udon Noodles - the father's specialty. I ordered the Sansai - Japanese Wild Vegetables and was not disappointed. The freshly made noodles were perfection and the broth satisfying. Overall a very pleasant, comforting "feel good," experience.
(4)
Joseph R.

Love this joint! I'm not a big sushi guy but their "spicy tuna carpaccio" is pretty amazing. It's kinda more of a Japanese tapas place than sushi. I eat and love the tempura. It's TINY so be prepared too wait but it's worth it and the waitresses are beyond sweet. A+ from me.
(5)
Matt G.

Ye Me Ya is a must eat in Encinitas. The focus is on sake, so the food & sushi is an accent to the great sake and small atmosphere. We were able to get a bar seat without waiting on a Friday. The services is great. Must eat!
(5)
Rob D.

Yu Me Ya - Sake House is a quaint little place along Coast Highway that is run by a family. They informed me that it is an Osaka style restaurant. The restaurant predominantly serves prepared dishes like sukiyaki, miso cod, etc. which are called tapas. They do have a limited offering of sushi. I ordered the following: Takoyaki (Octopus balls Osaka style): No, I know what you are thinking. They are not actual Octopus testicals. That would be a bit wild. Takoyaki is fried balls containing chunks of Octopus and some type of dough. The octopus in the balls is well prepared and overall, the dish is pretty good and has good flavor. Broiled Black Cod with Kyoto miso flavor: This is a fairly small piece of cod that is tender and has a delicious miso flavor. Baked bay scallop and Shimeji mushrooms: This dish was dominated by tasty pungent mushrooms. However, I was a little confused by the dish because it was advertised as a scallop dish. And, really, it was a mushroom dish because the dish contained just a few almost microscopic sized scallops. The service here is very good and I like the vibe of the place.
(3)
Becky H.

Let me start by saying that I love sushi and I've been to many sushi restaurants from sugar fish in LA to Nobu and I can honestly say that the food at this place was fantastic! Everything we ordered was delicious!!! We were pleasantly surprised since its a hole on the wall type of place where I thought the food was going to be just ok...boy was I wrong. Quick note, this is a small place so be prepared to wait a long time to be seated, but definitely worth the wait (you can order a beer while you wait outside) Enjoy!
(5)
R S.

Excellent and consistent food. I think the food is interesting and always delicious. The place is really small, so sometimes there can be a very long wait, but the food is worth it.
(5)
Tim C.

The tuna carpaccio is phenomenal. Been going here for years. Go now, you'll thank me. The staff is awesome too. Genuinely fantastic place.
(5)
Moriel L.

This is definitely one of our favorite restaurants. Authentic, delicious Japanese cuisine. This place is always packed, and for good reason. The food is just that good. We had the tuna carpaccio, cucumber/seaweed salad, the Miso Cod, Vegetable curry croquets, the teriyaki bowl and the vegetable udon noodle soup. Everything was delicious. The service is excellent, and the food comes out promptly. Can't say enough good things about this place. They only take reservations during the week, so good luck getting a table on the weekends! Come early and put your name on the list!
(5)
Ed C.

We love sushi and can be picky about our sushi, but this place blows it out of the park. Five stars on the Food and the Service!
(5)
Kozue M.

I expected more from this place. Just mediocre izakaya food. I don't think it was worth waiting in a line for. I might give one more try again.
(2)
Stephen S.

Wander the Coast Highway once dawn has passed and the sun is gone. Amble down the rock-strewn railroad tracks and when the tug of thirst becomes too much, stop by a black sign with white swishy writing. "Yumeya - Sake House" ... ã‚†ã‚ã‚„ï¼Ÿ Ahhh! å¤¢å±‹ - House of Dreams. ~ ~ One of my favourite restaurants in the entire world. Due to dining room ambiance, food quality, waitstaff, a sense of value, satisfaction beyond a full belly and most impressively - the consistency of these attributes every single time I have visited. This place is an Izakaya and feels just like one from Japan. A dim dining room with tasteful lighting and welcoming paper crane at every seat! And rows of sake along the wall. The specialty here is 'tapas' - small portions of a variety of cold and hot food. Recommendations: Mushroom Salad, Scallop-Mayo Bake, Croquette, Sausage, mixed veggie tempura (perfectly done) and TAKOYAKI to start. NOTE: Downtown Osaka has Dotonbori, an area famous throughout Japan for takoyaki, to which I would compare this item at Yumeya to. Comes PIPING HOT which is in my opinion the peak of deliciousness, but you might let it cool a bit in order to not burn your mouth. Renkon kushi-katsu (lotus root) tho is not recommended cuz this veggie is bland when fried. Not really a sushi place. They offer things like philly roll, cali roll and spicy tuna roll - rolls that are the cheaper end of sushi-specialty places. We are at an izakaya people! In japanese it literally translates to "There is alcohol here" the specialty is small plates and drinking! They have a HUGE selection of sake (nihon shuu) as well as a limited shochu (soju) menu. I tend to like -slightly- sweet (as opposed to dry) nihon shuu that have a clean finish. My personal favourite: Haku-taka (listed under Junmai Ginjo). I recommend at least one person at the table go out of their comfort zone and order nihon shuu here, just to see the display of drinking culture the staff explains. Don't be afraid DOO EET! No reservations taken for Friday and Saturday nights. Great date place. Small though, not good for large groups. We brought a snack of a few pizza slices while we waited for 7pm dinner, and still ate lots. Average bill if 1-2 drinks per person: $30. ~ ~Stumbling along and watching trains grumble past, searching for a way back but not looking to leave the dream...GOCHISOUSAMADESHITA! THANKS FOR THE HOSPITALITY! as you leave with a smile.
(5)
Olivia W.

We went to Yumeya on a Saturday night at 6pm, and we waited for 2hrs until we got a table. The place was incredibly crowded, and our waitress was not so patient since there was only two of them for the whole place. Fortunately, the food didn't let me down. We basically ordered everything from the hot dishes menu, and also a sukiyaki. Their black cod, octopus and takoyaki are amazing. Tempura shrimp is okay, the fried broth outside is a little bit wet. Generally speaking, everything is very native Japanese flavor, not the American-Japanese style I usually see in this country =D. Worth to wait!
(4)
Ambs W.

The great Yelp reviews steered us here on a Thursday night around 8pm. The place is tiny inside but you immediately get a sense that you've hit upon something special. Because of the limited seating, I was told it's hard to get in without a reservation. We were lucky. Waited about 15 minutes, then got seats at the bar. We shared the tuna carpaccio, black cod, cucumber salad, tempera udon and the Sansai & Tofu ginger teriyaki bowl. Everything was absolutely amazing. The tuna carpaccio was light with a little zing and crunch. The black cod melted in your mouth. The tempera udon was flavorful and rich. And the tofu in the teriyaki bowl was soooo good. We also indulged in the Super Premium sake flight. One of the sisters handpicked three bottles for us to try. She was very knowledgeable about each and we had fun doing the traditional "first sip" as a couple. I also loved sitting at the bar because we struck up conversations with a few folks who were also sitting there. Came away with two business cards, so I would say that folks are friendly and interesting. We will definitely be going again soon.
(5)
valerie m.

Love this place! Very intimate. Always a wait but usually not long. I love all the sake choices from not expensive to the best. I also love the traditional pour they do and the tapas style servings. Totally authentic. So many dishes to try and worth driving from Del Mar to Leucadia.. A must go.
(4)
Joel M.

Sake house is one of my favorite spots in all of San Diego. If you appreciate authentic Japanese tapas style food then you will not be disappointed. This is a quaint family owned restaurant. You can tell they truly care about quality and even more they go out of their way to make sure that your experience is nothing but the best. I definitely recommend making a reservation because the wait can be very long. They take reservations during the week. On the weekends get there early if you can. Some of my favorites: Tuna Carpaccio Sansai Udon Noodles BBQ Beef Salad Spicy Tuna Brown Rice Roll Poke Sake Tasting
(5)
Virginia L.

Yum. Seriously, so good! Maybe the best Japanese food experience I've had. Everything burst with flavor! It was amazing. And I was really hungry. Small place so be prepared to wait.
(5)
Molly V.

We waited about an hour thinking it was gonna be well worth it. There are literally 6 tables but the service was still bad. There is only one girl who knows her stuff and is extremely knowledgable but you could tell her backup is not a happy camper. She had a bad attitude and was not as pleasant as the other girl, and the difference was extremely obvious. As for the food, it wasn't that great for being ranked a great sushi spot. The specials were decent, the atmosphere is great. Just everything else needs fixing. My recommendation is to find a better sushi place, it ain't all that good.
(1)
lynn l.

Best place so far in encinitas! The black cod and spicy tuna with avocado were spectacular. Red bean mochi for dessert was the best I have ever had. Fried eggplant was okay. Vegetable tempura was very good. Make reservations during the week. Well worth it.
(4)
Scott T.

YU ME YA SAKE HOUSE is near the top of my repEAT EATS list and, when both the kids had sleepovers, i jumped on the opportunity to cruise down the coast and slide onto a seat at the counter. dinner was good -- very, very good, just not life changing good like i remembered. service was perfect. the SAKE was outstanding. our server (a daughter) picked out one from OSAKA, the family's hometown. nice balance of sweet and dry, slightly floral and a nice pairing for everything we ate. the SPICY TUNA CARPACCIO, one of my favorites last visit, seemed busier and all the flavors muddled together -- fruity notes dominated in a way that did not hit my sweet spot. the YELLOWTAIL TUNA SASHIMI (a special the night we were there) was sublime -- perfectly fresh fish presented simply. since the family's from OSAKA, i had to order the TAKOYAKI (okay, i would have ordered them anyway) since they're an OSAKA specialty. TAKOYAKI are OCTOPUS FRITTERS -- definitely a guilty pleasure for me. i like 'em so much i bought myself a pan so i can make 'em at home. theirs are better, much, much better. the VEGETABLE CURRY CROQUETTES were not all that exciting. flavors were with-strained to the point of near absence. the BLACK COD in MISO was okay but i was surprised to find myself thinking that (the now closed) CATCH's version was better. the TOFU UDON was a soul warming way to finish the meal but getting those damn noodles into our bowls proved to be a trickier task than i originally assumed. i rarely miss an opportunity to get humbled. the TOFU UDON was bit embarrassing but worth the effort.
(5)
Niki J.

Love love love. Vibe. Food. Service. One of the best establishments in San Diego County. Definitely the best Japanese cuisine I know about...
(5)
Kate N.

This place is a awesome experience. But be prepared to have to work for it a bit to get in. They close sometimes and have rather strange hours they're open. They don't take reservations. And the place is tiny. Now, this might all sound negative but it's such a special little place. Owned and operated by an Asian family and they know sake better than anyone. And Over 60 different kinds of sake. the waitress (it's almost always the same one of the daughters in family I always forget her name but she's so sweet and friendly) will give you the whole backstory of the sake. It's just a really cool experience. I love taking a friend or two there when they visit me (not the place to bring a big group because the entire dining area is the size of my living room) Anyway. Go here if you have all night to kill. Be ready for a possible long wait but then savor the great food an atmosphere once you sit down. :)
(5)
Keely J.

Always busy w/out reservations, so come fairly early-ish and prepare to hang out for a bit. It is worth the wait!
(5)
Jonathan S.

If you give this place one or two stars you're either an idiot or own a restaurant nearby. Just try to find incredibly tasty warm authentic Japanese small plates like this at such reasonable prices in san diego. Dont go for your catapiller roll. Go for the Sake and small fishy bits of heaven. This us is a place for enjoying the simple pleasures of the sea without the attitude or inflated prices of comparable appetizer items at other spots around town. Also, my hat is off to any restaurant that's so busy on that stretch of 101. Worth the wait!!
(5)
Ken L.

Delightful service from a very kind and informative family. Bringing great food to introduce you to Japanese faire that is not just sushi and varies from what you might have found in Tokyo pubs. Then there's the variety of Japanese beer and, especially, the sake. Really looking forward to my next trip to the neighborhood and another special experience!
(5)
Karen L.

Stumbled upon this gem on a business trip. Glad I was alone as you need reservations for tables but room at the bar. Was taught how to drink Sake the correct way and u don't think you can go wrong with any dish!
(5)
Kristin H.

This place is so good you want to be selfish and not spread the word, but this family owned joint is too nice and delicious you can't keep it a secret. Everything is great. I especially like the udon, beef salad, and tuna capricio.
(5)
Nicholas S.

Love this place! The spicy tuna carpaccio is awesome! I got the takoyaki and fried yams and those were great as well. You may have to wait a while on friday & saturday because it's walk in only. It's weird how the Hillcrest location is still on their website, I think it's been closed for at least a few months now.
(5)
Tamar G.

Such a lovely dinner. It is a small place so if you can think a day ahead make a reservation. The food, service and little touches made our last minute dinner great.
(5)
Aeriel B.

This place is as authentic as it gets! I've been to a lot of places to eat in this world and I have to say Yu Me Ya is on my top 5 best places I've ever eaten at! I feel so lucky to have this place in my backyard!!!! Do yourself a HUGE favor and try this place.. you will not be disappointed if you appreciate real authentic Japanese food. 5 stars for the staff/service 5 stars for the amazing food 5 stars on the atmosphere 5 stars for the great sake
(5)
Bill B.

Great family-owned and run restaurant. I love the cucumbers, beef salad, black cod, and udon. Did I mention the udon? The food and drink is sure to please, but be sure to go when you have time for a leisurely meal, since it is a small place that might have you waiting for a table and/or service. Personally, I think it is worth the wait.
(4)
Sherry J.

This is one of my favorite hole-in-the-wall places in Encinitas. Such an amazing, traditional Japanese bar vibe and friendly staff. It's conveniently located on the 101 right next to the beach. Only thing is that the place is a little small and crowded. The menu boasts a wide selection of Japanese beers, sakes and wines, and in terms of food, very very delicious tapas that are great for sharing. Drink suggestions: 1. Plum wine: soooo soooo good! Not too sweet, but enough tasteful tanginess. 2. Hitachino Nest White Ale: very strong and good. Their Red Ale version is also highly recommended. Food recommendations: 1. Takoyaki octopus balls: Being brave with food will reward you in spades. This traditional Japanese street food is sooo soft and delicious, with a creamy mayo and soy sauce drizzled over. The inside has potato and octopus, hot and steamy and flavorful. 2. Baked Cod with Miso: by far one of the moistest fish I've ever tasted. Very simple, yet tasty. 3. Scallop & mushrooms: A concoction of wonderfulness sizzling in a black dish. The texture of the scallops and the mushrooms go so well together in a sauteed blend.
(5)
Marc K.

The best date restaurant ever. Sushi is good but it's not really a sushi place. Get the hot and cold tapas and all of their specials.
(5)
bob a.

Very small, intimate place. Service is very personal. Food is excellent. Noodles are really really good, if you can smoothly get them from the pot to your bowl. Order them, and you will know what I mean- worth the entertainment, though. It's nice how the waitresses will explain some of her traditions, such as how to first drink a sip of saki ordered by a couple. Call ahead because reservations fill up the place.
(5)
Seth B.

Unique, and delicious!. In addition to this being our favorite place in San Diego, we always make it a point to bring another couple so we can taste more things. Get the octopus balls, spicy tuna wonton, tofu udon, cod, and the sake tasting. Japanese craft beer selection is absurd. Tough to get in on the weekends, but they take reservations during the week.
(5)
Joseph G.

Wow! What a great experience. I hope you like sake, because they feed it to you here, no joke. They fill it to the rim and then some. Apparently it's a Japanese tradition to drink the overflow off the plate, it's kinda fun, and at that point you won't care because you'll be a few deep anyways, and obviously you don't want to waste great sake. (I was on a date when I went so I was trying to preserve some sort of dignity) A great friendly staff and family owned operation, the owners daughter was our waitress. We had the takoyaki, it was interesting and also really good. Then the katsu shrimp with some sushi rolls. All of it was amazing. The sushi alone was some of the best I've ever had. This place broadened my horizon on Japanese food. Well worth it. It's a small place too which makes it a fun, quaint environment.
(5)
GT W.

One of the coolest places I've been to since moving to the area. Neon OPEN sign is perhaps deliberately not on. Front door is blocked, back door is blocked sort of. Pass through curtains in the back door and let yourself in. Only about 5 tables inside and a bar. Packed, but quick wait. Forget it on the weekends, no dice. Menu is tight: tapas and Udon. Udon was excellent, served at table still boiling. Beer selection was shocking, at least to me: 15+ Japanese beers that I've never seen before for sale in US including some I've been looking for a little bit. Sake list was large, but I know nothing about sake. Given the name, I will assume the have a legit selection. Overall, I am going to be coming back quite a bit.
(5)
Sheena H.

Delicious. Udon noodles were perfect but the sauce was more on the sweeter side than I would've liked. Shrimp dumplings were too small and not enough filling. Servers were nice and knowledgeable. Small place. Will come again.
(4)
Michelle T.

such a wonderful, intimate dining experience, in a very casual way. i love their philosophy on the experience of drinking sake.
(5)
Lindsay S.

Everything here was unique and amazing. The staff was above and beyond.
(5)
Kate S.

Fun, friendly and delicious!!
(5)
Dave D.

Octopus Balls for the Win!!!! Udon Noodle bowls are so good and the the delicious unfiltered house sake is phenomenal. Super friendly and helpful staff. Really small and cozy place and usually every table is full. Almost feels like you're at a dinner party in Osaka. The limited selection of sushi is great and a number of other apps are really tasty. This place is in the regular rotation for as long as I call Encinitas home.
(5)
Carly M.

I love this place, the food is very interesting and good. Its a little family place, and the service is good, but its not super fast, and there can be a long wait for sure. I think the wait is because they are preparing the food as it is ordered. It is always hot/cold as it should be and very fresh. Its a very small place, and so if you can go at a little bit off hours that helps. If you have some time to sit and enjoy, this is a great choice.
(5)
Mitch N.

For San Diego, especially North County I'm sure this place is heaven. But for people that have lived in, visit often, or just enjoy a better selection... LA has these types of restaurants by the dozen. And all of them are equal to, if not better by far. Don't get me wrong the food is above average, just not memorable. The sake selection was good to very good. But overall I was left with the impression of "I'd go here only if I'm craving it." Sake House gets an extra star simply for being the only place in SD to offer this style of cuisine. If I were to go with the Yelp star description, it would have gotten two stars, "Meh, I've experienced better."
(3)
Jor S.

This is a delightful little place. And by little, I mean little. They have very few tables and the sushi bar isn't really that big either. They do take reservations, so call ahead. This place isn't really a sushi bar. Most of the food menu consists of Japanese inspired tapas (small appetizers or snacks). This is great for people that don't want to have whole meals, but want to try a little of everything. I recommend everything on the menu. Probably not the salad because who really eats salad when you have a great selection of other things. Wait, unless it's the seaweed salad. I didn't have, but i'm guessing it's delicious because everything else is. I ate maybe 10 different items and loved all of it. Since this place is called "Sake House" they also offer tastings for various sakes. If you're with a group or plan to drink a lot, just go with the bottles because it would be cheaper. If you really want to get the full experience just order the samplers. It is still a reasonable price. If you must try the beer, try the white ale. I don't know the name, but the bottle just has an owl on it. It was delicious. All in all, this is a good place to eat. The restaurant is relatively small and cozy. Plus, the service is pretty amusing too. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Pepper P.

Insanity would explain not giving this place 5 stars. If you want to impress folks coming into town with your knowledge of amazing hole in the wall Japanese cuisine and a casual great time, you have found the answer. They have a zillion sake choices... and only half that many things on their simple, beautifully presented and fabulously delicious menu. Japanese tapas! Genius. I can't wait to go back again.
(5)
John M.

So we went here on a Friday at 6 pm and it was already full and within 10 minutes or so there was already a line of people waiting to be seated. We sat at the bar and ordered the following: Octopus ball: average, nothing crazy good. 3 stars. Spicy tuna carpaccio: pretty good. 4 stars Crunchy roll, spicy tuna roll, and the caterpillar roll: 2.5 stars because THEY ALL TASTED THE SAME!! Though they were fresh, they really tasted of nothing. I guess I should have known that they are a Sake house, that also serves food, and because of that you should not expect to get good rolls here. I was very disappointed as the reviews about this place are so good, especially given that we had come here a couple of times before and did not succeed at getting a table. Service was ok- we couldn't get the attention of our server after the food was brought out...we were late to a show and no matter how hard we tried our server would not even look at us...disappointing. As I was walking out I over heard a guy standing in line saying to his friend "this is a hidden jewel in north county". It makes me sad to think that north county has such limited options that this food would be considered a hidden jewel. We'll go back for the Sake, but definitely not the food.
(3)
Leslie C.

This spot was awesome! I can't believe I have lived in North County for so many years and never tried it. Will be making this spot a regular habit! Great Udon noodles and tempura.
(5)
Jenny L.

OH EM GEE....hands down most amazing place EVER. OK now that I got that off my chest...phew...now to the review. I came here last Thursday night for the first time and was thoroughly impressed. Really quaint small restaurant with a handful of tables and a few chairs at the bar. Service is on par and they even played a killer mix of reggae music. My kinda place seriously! I've never been to a place like this in So Cal...let alone ENCINITAS. Really why haven't I been here SOONER? There are tons of small plates (tapas type) dishes to choose from (hot or cold) and all excellent tasting. I got the Spicy tuna carpaccio, scallops and mushrooms and steamed shrimp dumplings. All tasted amazing, but have to say the mushrooms were my fav. So fresh and crisp and melt in your mouth yummy. I totally love the little miniature origami cranes they have at each place setting. Original concept and I'm going to be back...especially since I'm just blocks away from this joint. The restaurant is really small and we had to wait about a half hr for the table, but seriously WELL WORTH THE WAIT. The place was packed up until closing. I'm keen on the busier the restaurant the better the food. On a weeknight this place is bumpin' and totally LEGIT! If you haven't had Japanese bar food you are missing out on life. I'm seriously getting hungry thinking of the food. Now go here already...,but try not to make my wait any longer.
(5)
Erin H.

I must say after the rave reviews I was SO excited to try this place. We popped in on a Thursday night after my usual run to pick up the man at the airport. We walked in and were asked if we had a reservation...um,..no? She told us the wait would be about 30 minutes but we were just too hungry to wait. OMG it smelled so damn good too. She was very apologetic and gave us a card and said to call and make a reservation - they only accept them during the week though. I called Friday to see if I could make one and sure enough, no resos on the weekend. She said they aren't usually super busy though when the fair is in town. Hmm. Okay. So we made sure to snack ahead of time and went for it. We arrived and were told it would be about 30 minutes - but with the throngs of people waiting I was pretty skeptical. Actually now I wish I'd paid attention to how long we did wait, d'oh! We hung out outside since the chairs inside were all occupied. The waitresses would come out calling people's names and even walking up the roads to look for them. I guess it's cool that they don't just call your name and then move along if you've been waiting and lose track of time. After several people seemingly gave up and at least the 30 minutes of waiting we were up. It's a VERY tiny little place but the service is very friendly and they were pretty on top of things. I loved the little origami cranes and they had a Sake that was sweet and SPARKLING. SPARKLING I tell you! It was delicious - the first sake I've ever enjoyed. I was a bit disappointed in their sushi selection however which is why I'd dragged the man here in the first place. I think perhaps I just need to go in with a different mindset next time and try some of the other things. Most of the items being ordered at the table next to us looked amazing. We had the potato croquettes which were like fancy little hashbrown things, the man had the terriyaki ginger chicken (we were both expecting the typical big plate, not a few pieces of chicken and no rice) guess we missed the 'tapas' aspect of it! He said it was decent but a bit overdone. We both had the spicy tuna roll and I also had a baked salmon roll. It was very different. There was cucumber stalks or something of the sort inside the roll (and nothing else) and then the fish on top. It was good but it got old having two dishes with the same inside of the roll and just a different topping. The spicy tuna was the tastier of the two. I'm not going to give up on this place just yet; but I will make a reservation and go in with less of a sushi craving and more of a 'try something new' craving.
(3)
Vicky N.

They're not open for lunch, and they open at 5:30pm. I couldn't find that information anywhere!! I came on a Wednesday to celebrate a coworker's b-day (the same one as the previous post - har har). We made a reservation so we were seated immediately. Though the restaurant was still full, it seemed less busy (less ppl waiting). The service was better than last time, and the food and sake were still great. Everyone in the restaurant sang happy birthday, and we got a complimentary green tea ice cream! Definitely call and make a reservation. Also, bring a designation driver.
(5)
Brian S.

Excellent Japanese tapas & some sushi (but not a sushi place). Small, quaint, with personalized service. Let a server guide you through a sake tasting. Good Japanese craft beers too.
(5)
Chris M.

OK this place is really cool. I love a place that has a bit of culture and will rate it high on that alone. The crowd is young and happy and a few over 40's like me are scattered in. People are friendly and you may even meet new friends here. This is a fun place for all ages. Seating it tough and you may want to make reservations to sit at the bar. I went right in and sat down but heard that is not recommended. The food is not sushi but an assortment of small Asian inspired meals. They have so many interesting one on the menu that it is hard to not over eat as you may end up trying several. The bar is fully stocked with great beers and Sake. All. in all. I like it. ..
(4)
Beth A.

AMAZING FOOD. The place is little tho - have a back-up plan b/c there is a chance you wont get in. If you are lucky enough, get the BBQ beef salad, spicy tuna carpaccio and the sake tasting.. let them chose for you! SO good.
(5)
Peter M.

Each dish here was interesting, presented well and most importantly tasty. You can do a sake tasting just like a beer or wine tasting here and it's pretty fun. The cozy vibe is great. The waiter explains the different sake's and give you some colorful background on each. Great atmosphere at this intimate sushi and sake house, perfect for a birthday!
(5)
geoffrey n.

as one enters through the "noran" of this cozy establishment you are met with the sounds of early bob marley and the din of patrons enjoying a vast array of traditional Japanese "country food" and some fantastic beers and sakes. (it's like LA's Ita-Cho except it's really tiny and in a sleepy surf town near San Diego) Let Yuka "order" for you whenever possible (and by that i mean try the dishes the way she suggests) The calamari steak is sauted with butter & soy sauce and so good you'll end up ordering it twice. the tuna carpaccio with avocado in a crispy wonton and spicy mayo is phenomenal and the kurobuta (black hog) is a really nice complement to the Coedo sweet potato ale You won't really find nigirizushi on the menu, but there is makizushi which we had towards the end of meal to cleanse our palate. one experience here and you'll be scheming for your next
(5)
Zahir A.

Very good. Extremely difficult to find a place to sit. You need to wait in line but worth the wait.
(5)
Jannies B.

4.5 stars for the Shabu Shabu, less a few points for the service. I was craving Shabu and this is the closest in North County so i was very excited about going. Note: you need to call before 4:30pm to reserve if you want it. Here's the good: quality of meat was good. Ginger salmon teriyaki was perfectly flavored (but I think it's hard to mess up teriyaki). Fried calamari was yummy too. The evil: took forever to get service, we just didn't feel the love. Perhaps it's because we didn't order sake? Or perhaps we are not frequent visitors? They were perfectly friendly to everyone else.
(3)
Grace W.

This is one of my favourite restaurants in the SD area! They serve traditional Japanese pub food, so the focus is on small tapas-like dishes rather than sushi. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner (I think 5:30 - 10). As a few other reviewers mentioned, the restaurant is really small and gets crowded, especially towards the weekend. I'm not sure if they take reservations all the time, but it's worth calling ahead, as they at least sometimes do. Otherwise, getting there at a busy time can mean waiting for an hour or more. I don't recommend going with a group of much larger than 4. As you may expect, Yu Me Ya has quite a selection of sake and Japanese beers. I'm no sake connoisseur, so I often get a sake tasting sampler to share (3-1 oz glasses go for $5-$7, depending on how premium the sakes are). The waitress is very knowledgeable so I usually defer to her suggestions. Now...food! Of the tapas, the spicy tuna carpaccio is an absolute standout, but pretty much everything we had was pretty good. I really liked the eel bowl, but I really urge you to try one of the udon dishes (the sukiyaki also has udon). The noodles are handmade and really excellent. However, the servings are on the small side, so be prepared to order more food.
(5)
Eric M.

Went here recently for a friends get together and loved it. Great sake, great ambience, and really wonderful servers and people. Just a great vibe. And the Spicy Tuna Carpaccio still has me thinking about it. Want to try the black cod and freshly made Udon noodles. We sampled alot of the menu as our friend got the place for the group after 8pm. It was all delicious and I cannot wait to bring some friends from my dojo here to relax.
(5)
LaLaLolita D.

Was not that big of a sake fan before sake house now I say... Yea! Sak- e- to me!..... thanks to the helpful suggestions of our bartender/server I took a taste tour in the land of sake and came back a tipsy fan. Japanese tapas!? Who knew... they are goooood The atmosphere is rad, this place is small like the plates, so you might have to wait but its worth it. There is so much you will want to try & everything has rich flavors.... the staff will happily lead you through the menu AND teach you some time honnored saki tradition. Wait, unless that drinking with no hands thing was complete BS..... Survey says? FUN!
(4)
Jessica K.

Fried, battered, doughy, mayo-ladden, egg-y, rich - did I mention fried? Am I talking about Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles? No. I'm talking about Yu Me Ya in Encitas. Or rather, You? Me? YEAH! Because once you've been you'll be bring anyone you can fit in to the tiny restaurant along with you. Don't let the tiny, cande-lit, white linen-ed atmosphere fool you. Yu Me Ya (or Sake House) serves up sinfully fetish inducing street food on a nightly basis. They might display it simply on small white plates, in 2-3 bite sized portions. They might pour you sake whilst describing the traditional method of consuming said beverage. They might dress in all black and bustle about the 7 tiny tables and 6 seater bar to moody distraction-less music. But the food is all street. In fact, one of the few tiny set-backs about the place is the discord between the interior mood and the actual food. When I walked in I expected $35 sashimi and possibly a baby goat's head or two on the menu - but when I sat down and saw that the most expensive thing on the menu was the 8 dollar Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale (very good btw) I just didn't know what to expect. Here's a run down of each plate we purchased and my thoughts on each one: First we started off the evening with a round of drinks. Sonya and I went for the Premium Sake Tasting ($7) and Kev and Ty went for beer, "The really good one, with the white label" - which is how you should order it. The Sake tasting was great. I'd never had good sake, only warm 2 dollar stuff in Little Tokyo in LA. Sonya and I swooned over the same one - the very first in the tasting, Kanchiku, and got a glass to go with the rest of our meal. Which is as follows: Spicy tuna carpaccio with avacado, mayo and a wonton shell - 4 out of 5, the only thing that could have made this better is if I had ordered another one. Japanese eggplant with bitter cabbage, fish flakes and green onion - 4 out of 5, flavor wise they were very simple and very good. Normally I'd give them a 3 out of 5 because I've had better melt in your mouth eggplant at Renu Nakorn in Norwalk, but these eggplants were about the size of your pinky finger - SO CUTE. So they get and extra point for adorableness. Sonya and I kept sticking our fingers in the sauce, trying to figure out what it was. Kobuta pork sausages with mustard - 3 out of 5, really satisfying and scrumptious. A dish that really capitalizes on the strange German influences found in some parts of Japan. Juicy, burst in your mouth fatty goodness. A savory delight. Scallop croquettes and Shrimp croquettes - 2 out of 5, while I'm sure these were actually quite good they were a little cold in the middle. I'm sure if they were hotter they'd be a heavenly combo of mashed potato scallop-y or shrimp-y crunchy goodness. Takoyaki - Fried dough balls with octopus tentacles inside - 4 out of 5, this dish taps in to the guiltiest part of your gastronomic past. The part where you are sometimes ashamed that you used to eat nacho cheese by the spoonful, in your room, with the door locked. No? Maybe I'm the only one slightly ashamed of that, because I know you've all done it. Octopus tentacles wrapped in a gooey dough, flash fried so that the dough still stays slightly undercooked and yet delivers a nice crunch. Scallops and Mushrooms in creamy mayo sauce - 4 out of 5; yet again, another fetish based food stuff. Creamy, fatty, the tiny scallops are in abundance in this dish and they melt in your mouth while the mushrooms lend a earthiness that grounds the whole dish in your mouth making the whole experience last longer. Sizzling Egg and Tofu plate - 4 out of 5; quite possibly my favorite dish of the night. So simple, delivered on a sizzling plate, the eggs had been cooked in soy sauce on only one side. The underbelly of the dish was crispy and crunchy while the top remained creamy and custardy. A true comfort food. Crunch roll; 3 out of 5; we got this dish after asking the waitress to surprise us. She had already recommended the Takoyaki, so we figured it was a sure bet. She delivered what was one of the better crunch rolls I've had. So simple, brown rice enveloping thinly julienned cucumber topped with shard of crunchy wanton skins and a red chili sauce that was to die for. Definitely worth ordering. I regret not trying the cuttlefish or the udon, but there's always next time.
(4)
Andy H.

What an incredible place! A winning combination af atmosphere and food! The owners are on hand and they are very happy to give advice and education about their menu's for food and sake. Great place to take a date or dine alone.
(4)
Erik S.

Came for the sake, drank the sochu, enjoyed the food, left with a card with my favorite sakes written on it, and woke up with a happy headache. Yes, there are maybe four tables and about 10 spots at the bar. Yes, the two of us had to wait for about 20 minutes for a seat on a Thurs. nite. But it was all worth it... I love this place! We started off with sochu cocktails while waiting for a seat. My past experience with sochu was tipping back some nasty moonshine that a waiter had passed to me on the sly at a kind of decrepit Japanese place in SF. I think he and his buddies were drinking it in the back. Who knows, they could have been making it there too. At the Sake House, the sochu with grapefruit juice was a whole different experience. The sake menu is massive, but our server (owner? in owner's family?) recommended tastes of various types, pointed out her favorites, and after we found a couple we liked, she gave me a card with the sake names written on it, in both Japanese (the bottles they came from were printed only in Japanese) and translated. The food was great tapas-style stuff. The baked scallops and calamari-on-a-stick were awesome, and I even enjoyed the veggies and chicken, which doesn't happen every day. Fun times. Gracious staff. Great food. Outstanding sake. An outstanding sake education. Please don't ever change, oh Sake House. I want to relive this.
(5)
Mike C.

This place makes me happy! An off-the-beaten path family-run joint. Great food and drink (amazing sakes and beers!) Love the unpretentious, lively atmosphere.
(5)
Juliet H.

This is NOT your typical japanese sushi restaurant, actually if you are expecting Sushi, i recomment that you go else where. This is a place to go if you want to have AUTHENTIC japanese food. Their food is served like a tapas place. Best udon ever, the broth and noodles are to die for. in all honesty, i have yet to have anything that didn't taste magnificent. oh and make sure to ask for sake recommendations, after all they are a sake house. The friendly service also adds to the great experience. *closed mondays and expect to wait for a spot.
(5)
Wylan W.

Had some Tempura Udon and Takoyaki. Both were very good and on par with the food I have had in Japan. Great atmosphere and friendly people. The only downside I could see is that it is a little small seems to fill up fast. We didn't have to wait at all though. Definitely worth a visit!
(5)
Vaughn W.

This place is simply amazing. The food is delicious and the service is awesome. I loved their saki and beer selection. This place gets packed very quickly. The wait can be between 45-60 minutes on any standard day. The wait is well worth it as the food, drinks, and service are top notch.
(4)
Jenny K.

This place never disappoints time after time. Loved the specials: Hawaiian poke bowl, spicy crab potato sandwiches. Black cod is heavenly and udon very homey. The sisters are always great and service is always attentive and great.
(5)
Matt P.

This place is fantastic, absolutely as good as it gets. The owners/staff are extremely friendly people. When we ordered glasses of sake, they showed us how to drink it the proper way it's done in Japan...pretty cool. As far as the food...wow. There wasn't one thing that didn't impress me. I wont be able to remember everything we ordered but the things that REALLY stood out were... -shrimp dumplings - my god. best dumplings ive ever had, anywhere. -potato shrimp croquettes - like shrimpy air. crispy on the outside. -baked scallops with some sort of mushrooms I cannot remember -spicy tuna carpaccio - never had anything like this....its served on a fried wonton....so very good. We ordered about 12 tapas....all fantastic. Afterwards, I asked our waitress what else she recommend...she told me a lot of people like to finish with a bowl of Udon soup. She told me it's her father's specialty...I said okay, Ill have that. Oh sweet Jesus....I really do not have the words to accurately describe how insanely good these homemade Udon noodles were. I'm not even going to try. Just rest assured, if you are a fan of noodles, these will be the best noodles you've ever had. period. The soup itself was very flavorful, as were the vegetables in the soup. Overall this was a 5 star experience hands down. I will 100% be back to this place in the future.
(5)
Trisha V.

I like this place so much I didnt really want to review them on Yelp. This place is the real deal. It is family owned and operated. Two sisters bust their butts here every night. Although the older sister told my friend from Japan " we are just a bar you know we just have little snacks" ( in Japanese) she was being modest. Everything we had we all enjoyed and this was a tough crowd. My friend said that it was the only place he has been since coming to the US 3 years ago that has legit food. If you want a special treat make reservations for Shabu Shabu it was fun! You can also buy sake for later. I suggest trying sake from Niigata-Shi.
(5)
Pumpkin K.

I don't even know where to begin. A meal here is not just eating out, it's an education. My favorite kind of education: one illustrated through the careful use of high-quality alcohol. There must be hundreds of different sakes here. We started with a small sake tasting and then bought a bottle of our favorite, which is also the preferred sake of the current Japanese Prime Minister, Yasuo Fukuda (do you see what I mean? An education). The types of sake are divided into three groups, based on how much of the grain in polished off in the milling process (I think). The more of it I drank, the less information I retained. Also, the food here is fantastic. We had a small plate with a piece of grilled codfish. If it is on the menu when you go, get it. It is a small piece of fish that will rock your world. Also, the udon. I'm not normally an udon person but this was just amazing. We got a ton of food and just devoured it. It worked out to about $35 each for four people, including tip, and that was for a sake tasting, a bottle of sake and more delicious food than four people could shove down their throats. No reservations. You show up and hope for the best. It's a small restaurant and people spend a long, long time here. On a weekend night, you could easily wait an hour or more. Also, this does not seem like it would be a great restaurant for kids.
(5)
Crystal S.

CUTE PLACE. Yummy food. Quaintly intimate atmosphere. Attentive and authentic service. And what a fine array of sake, with reasonable sake tastings ($8-$9 for 3 premium/super premium sake tastings with a background story on each choice)! What's best is that the people are very friendly in this setting and it's not uncommon to chat with the people next to you if you sit by the bar/sushi (in English or Japanese).
(4)
Jason C.

If you're on the lookout for a truly unique eating experience, this is it. All too often, Japanese food is synonymous with sushi. If you want to have your eyes opened a bit, Yu Me Ya can do it. First, the atmosphere in this little place is great. Just stepping in here makes you feel like you've suddenly gone to Japan (albeit with a reggae soundtrack); the decor is just great. It is pretty small inside, so you may have to wait for a seat, but I think the coziness adds to the charm. In a nutshell, this is a Japanese tapas bar with a nice sake selection. The food great -- the baked bay scallops are delicious, as are the takoyaki, and I don't even really like octopus. Also had croquettes with curried veggies (wow!), and a dish of sliced eggplant in broth (bonito I think), which was very subtle but excellent. They do have some sushi rolls here, but the selection isn't big and, frankly, I didn't bother to try it with all the other interesting menu items available. The young couple working the front were extremely nice, and the young man was a repository of knowledge about sake. I ordered a small sampler, which gets you three small sipping glasses of sake -- you can pick from the menu or let him suggest some, which is what I did. He informed us all about the distilleries that they came from, what area of Japan it was made, the rice it came from, etc. Two of the sakes I tried were very delicious, one having a distinct sweet note and the other being quite floral. I didn't even know I liked sake! The only downside is that the food comes in pretty small portions -- you can get away without spending too much money, but you probably won't be full if you're hungry. Filling up here could be an expensive proposition. Even as a fairly big eater I can't really ding them for that, though, given the unique and high quality food they serve. Plus, the sake is eminently reasonable in price. If you love unique eating experiences, you HAVE to try this place. It is a little slice of Japan right in our own back yard, and will open up your eyes to some foods you've probably never seen anywhere else.
(5)
Scott H.

What a cool place. Cool vibe, real small. I live in Encinitas, but without all the rave reviews would not have found the place. There's like 5 4-seat tables and a bar--and that's it. We came right when it opened and people were taking their time eating. If you go later I'm not sure how it would work out. Huge premium sake selection and some japanese beers no one else will have as well. We took recommendations on what to try and everything was off the hook. All the japanese "tapas" we tried were great. A couple reviews mentioned "high price" -- it really depends. The portions for each item are small. Many items are $3.25 each, with more substantial salads and entrees (like a bowl of Udon soup) more like $6-$8. I didn't think it was that expensive, though you would have a tendency to want to order item after item (as you do with Sushi, which they also have but didn't try). Definitely leave the kids at home though...this is not the spot for them.
(5)
Dna B.

Unbelievable goodness. Don't be afraid to order anything off the menu. It is all excellent. It is recommended that you get their early, or make a reservation as there are only 5-6 tables available.
(5)
Nic J.

WARNING: This is NOT a Sushi Bar! Do NOT come to this restaurant thinking it is your run-of-the-mill sushi place. It is NOT! HOWEVER! It is an amazing restaurant! This is a small, family owned and operated restaurant that serves traditional Japanese food, with other regional contributions as well. I came to this restaurant for the first time on my birthday (December) and was so pleased at everything it had to offer! The staff is amazing- so friendly, so helpful! We decided to do 2 different Sake Tastings, which gave us all a great variety of sakes to try. I found one that I really liked and ordered a full serving of it, where the server then showed me the traditional way that sake is served and consumed! I loved it! It was dinner with and a cultural experience wrapped up in one meal :-) I tried as many things on the menu as possible, since the majority of the items were unfamiliar to me. Have you ever had salted cuttlefish?? The server rolled her eyes as we ordered it and doubled-checked, "Are you SURE you want this??" It is apparently a VERY traditional item, served very rarely, and enjoyed by VERY few! If you like salty anchovies, this may be the right thing for you! But, if appearance and texture of food kind of "wig" you out, then I don't recommend it. Me- I loved it! I always thought of Carpaccio (not sure if that is spelled correctly) as a Pacific Islander dish, but we ordered the Ahi Carpaccio and it was amazing!! I had seconds AND thirds! It is served in a crunchy, wonton shell, with diced ahi, avocados, and a slightly spicy aioli-like mayo. VERY tasty! I love this place, and I am definitely coming back!! (as soon as my bank account permits!! The one downfall of this place is it can be very pricey!) Make sure you call for reservations, as seating and square footage is very limited, and prepare to have a fun, lighthearted, culture-filled evening!
(5)
allison m.

after driving by this restaurant for almost 2 years, we dined here a couple nights ago and were blown away! the service, the food, THE SAKE!!!!, the attention to all cultural details - we left saying 'wow' many times and can't wait to return. definitely an experience you should try! restaurant is small, but super quaint - the whole ambiance felt like i was truly in japan - incredible!
(5)
Bri G.

My fiance and I absolutely love Yu Me Ya!! Their restaurant is tucked away along the 101 in Encinitas. They specialize in Japanese tapas and they have a wide selection of Sake. The two sisters that run the restaurant are well versed in their knowledge of Sake and even provide some history and background of how you're supposed to share Sake when you're drinking with someone. The food speaks for itself. We love the croquettes and tuna carpaccio. We also tried their crunch roll which was fantastic! They don't offer a wide sushi selection, but they have enough to compliment their tapas themed menu. The only downfall is that the restaurant is a little on the small side. Expect to wait 45 min on a Friday or Saturday night. All in all, the top notch service, Sake selection, and wonderful food makes Yu Me Ya one of the hidden gems in Encinitas!!
(5)
vanessa h.

Wow. Was not sure what to expect...but it was great. First off, we sat at the bar. Get there early, there will be a wait. Awesome service. Not only were we recommended a great saki...but a great Japanese beer to go with it! There are no american beers or cocktails. Listen to your server it WILL pay off:). Started with the tuna carpaccio..BEST dish! I have lived all over, including NYC, it's tasty! It seems everyone mentions the scallops, very tasty, but heavy....! A guy next to me was eating the Soba, it looked awesome, and authentic! Great night...will go back!
(4)
Kristen G.

Deserving of my first yelp. I thought, for sure, I would be a selfish yelper - reaping the benefits of my fellow foodies' conquests in a city new to me. I concede, this is a place you have to experience. Modest on the outside, a walk through the beaded curtain and you are transported into japanese glory. Make a reservation - as others warned. Last minute, we tried to get a 3rd person added on to our party of 2 - no go. But that's ok, the intimate setting, lighting, close proximity to neighbors all added to the buzzing excitement of the first bite of your pick - cold tapas, hot tapas, soft udon... Staff was delightful - and non-judgmental of our mispronunciations and novice. We asked for salted cuttlefish. "No, no that's for the hardcore...start slow with squid and wild japanese vegetables." I can only hope enough visits to get to this cephlapod pinnacle, and enough cajones to start experimenting with the pages of premium sake. Now, i'm more about the food than presentation. But here, presentation brought the food to an entirely different level. Chopsticks served on tiny oragami birds, an artful dallop of spicy dumpling mustard on handcrafted ceramic dishware, spice shakers to liven up an already flavorful broth, and the art piece "from a japanese antique store" that after 1.5 drinks had me considering stealing it to create the same energy in my own home. If I could have just eaten the smell of the broiled miso cod, I would have left happy. Ready for the best news? 2 people - 4 kirin tap beers in icy mugs, 2 cold tapas, 2 hot tapas, udon with shrimp and japanese pumpkin tempura, and a red bean mochi (japanese ice cream in rice wrapper), $25 each.
(5)
Jason R.

Awesome, different, fun, they have sushi but most people eat other things. It'ss like home made real southern japanese home cooking. calamari, different tofu dishes, roasted yams, great spicy tune over chucks of avocado in a little fried wonton. small little hot and cold tapas, plus sushi rolls, udon noodles etc.. Very very cool. dimly lit. everything is tasty. staff is super nice. with each sake you order and they have like 100 different kinds, they explain where they are from. I had a flight of 3 sakes. They don't charge enough, very reasonable. sit at the bar so that you can see the littel japanese antique like this booda headhog with breasts!
(5)
Jaime K.

What a great experience. I just moved back to San Diego after having been gone for 14 years, just moving here from Manhattan and currently living in Escondido (the city of "no good restaurants"). I have been dreading the abundance of chain "generic" restaurants in the North-East San Diego county! They were so friendly and the restaurant was small and intimate. On the day we went, they happen to be celebrating their 3rd anniversary and were very generous with their sake. The food is tasty and small. Simply put their food is Japanese style tapas. They also have sushi which was delicous. We highly reccomend the cod, it was super tasty. The spring rolls were yummy and I thoroughly enjoyed their spicy tofu. If your looking for an enjoyable evening with a great meal, go to Yu Me Ya! Say "hi" to the sister waitresses for me. The restuarant is family run! :)
(5)
Serena L.

I came here with 3 coworkers after work and we ordered a bunch of Hot Tapas & Sake/Beer. It was a great time: the food and the mood was awesome :) One tip I would give is try to go here in even numbers because every dish tends to come in even numbers, esp. 2. (i.e. "you should probably order two of those since u have 4 ppl...") Must Order Dishes: 1. tuna carpaccio ::tuna + avocado in a wonton shell with mayo:: 2. fried yams + mayo 3. bay scallops + mushrooms Order if you want more Dishes: 1. sausage 2. curry vegetables potato croquette 3. miso black cod Don't Order Dishes: 1. spring rolls - nothing special at all
(4)
Maribeth R.

A group of friends introduced me to this place during a visit to San Diego. I delivered a case of sake for them which I brought down with me from San Francisco, and treating me to a meal was one their many ways of saying 'thank you'. This place is along a stretch of nondescript N Coast Highway and unless you're familiar with the area, is not easy to find in the dark; but, I think it was a good idea it turned out that way. We arrived early enough to avoid the typical long lines as prescribed by the locals and took our seats at the counter, which apparently is better than having a table, because most of the interaction takes place behind the sushi bar; it is a family-run izakaya and the owners are very engaging, AND our sake glasses were never empty :-) The best way to get the full experience is to keep an open mind and try everything you've never had before. I admit I exercised some passive-resistance at first because I didn't recognize half of what was on the menu; however, trusted my friends to lead the way. I put my palate and stomach in their hands, and found myself in pure indulgence! At the end of the evening, I was saying "THANK YOU!!!"
(5)
Scott A.

I'm a Leucadian local and and this has been the best restaurant to come our way in a long time. Le Papagayo and Calypso (once it's up and running again) got nothing on this place. I know they're different kitchens altogether, but the culinary deliciousness that's brewed within the small, but intimate, confines of Yu Me Ya is treat I wish I could enjoy more often. Service is friendly and professional. They are fast and efficient, but not pushy. Good tunes and great vibes. Everything is worth trying and delicious.
(5)
Iva C.

I freakin looved this place and everything about it! Went here the other night with my bf, and we had a blast doing 3 rounds of sake tasting, and ordering about 12 different things off the menu. The spicy tuna carpaccio is delish, the beef salad is to die for, the croquetts are perfectly crispy, the atmosphere is a great, and the sister with the bleached short hair is a hoot (And she know's her sake!) I love how she briefs you on how to drink it the authentic japanese way too! Great place for a first date and if you like delicious food!
(5)
Sonj H.

It is a 4 for this area but a 3 over all. great wonderful friendly service. felt like eating a Japanese version of street food. we went Omakase (chef choice). Sea Bass excellent, squid very good, other tapas were very good but salty. I expected much more from the reviews and the lines. nice place to eat, good vibes - I had it at a 3 star but I will up it to a 4 because I like them - but the food is a 3.8. nothing exciting or special to me. I am a bit of a Japanese food connoisseur so I may be overly critical.
(4)
Mindy M.

Yu Me Ya Sake House is by far my favorite place in all of San Diego to eat. The moment you walk inside you definitely do not feel like you are in Leucadia. The ambiance is incredible. From the music to the lighting and even little origami animals at each place setting.The food is out of this world! It is a very small space and you may wait for a table for a bit but the wait is well worth your time. The servers are sisters and super sweet and very attentive. My favorite is Yuka. She gives a great sake presentation and adds to the experience with her fun upbeat personality. Their parents work in the kitchen all day preparing the food. This is an amazing, quaint family owned and operated restaurant with authentic Japanese tapas style food. You can really tell that they put a lot of love and time into their cooking. If you haven't been to Sake House yet you definitely need to make a trip! They opened a new location in Hillcrest as well. Thank you Yuka and Yu Me Ya for an amazing experience every time. You never let us down!! Favorites: Tuna Carpaccio BBQ Beef Salad Udon Noodles Spicy Tuna Brown Rice Roll (pretty much the entire menu) Sake tasting is a must! Ask for Yuka's favorite and her grandpa's favorite. They are delicious.
(5)
Rebeca R.

Great atmosphere, extensive sake selection and the waitresses are great at guidimg you in your selection. Delicious!
(5)
Anthony and Sherrie R.

Do the 3 sake tasting and let her pick, only place to go for udon, the have excellent soba, too but it's not on the menu ;)
(5)
Michelle T.

Thanks to Yelp and Chowhound, we found this gem of a restaurant. I knew this place was teeny-tiny and very popular, so I called ahead and made reservations for 5:30 p.m. The woman who took my call was super friendly and made no audible gulp when I told her half our party was under five years of age. Man oh man, the food here is really tasty! The kids happily gobbled up the edamame (I love that it comes with a salt shaker), eel roll (made with optional brown rice), miso soup, and miso marinated grilled black cod. Although they had no juice or milk on the menu, they brought out milk for our sons. ("No problem -- we drink milk, so we have some in the kitchen!" exclaimed our bubbly server.) Hubby and I shared fresh seaweed salad with citrus vinaigrette, grilled beef salad, breaded and fried pork and shrimp skewers, spicy tuna carpaccio on fried wonton skins (my favorite dish), and ochazuke with salmon and mountain vegetables. We capped off our meal with green tea ice cream and almond tofu with a lemon ginger syrup. Everything was delicious and the service was efficient and friendly. The place has a really relaxed vibe (complete with reggae playing on the sound system) and we had a fantastic time. We will definitely return the next time we're in town.
(4)
Blake S.

I love Sake House. It is has very good authentic food in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The sake selection is excellent and the wait staff is great. It is a small venue so make reservations or get there early.
(5)
Lindsay L.

Went here just for drinks, and adored it. Well, let me rephrase that... "just for drinks" turned into the owner slipping us some delicious Oden, stealing off my friends' steak salad plate, and ordering a delicious almond tofu dessert. They carry a ridiculous variety of Japanese alcoholic beverages, and are extremely knowledgeable about it all. I had a big ol' glass of soju and shared a sake flight, and enjoyed every sip. The sake house is tiny, dark, and crowded - and I selfishly hope they never expand, I think the atmosphere would lose something. This place made me remember my trip to Tokyo, and long to make my second trip to Japan. Thanks, yu-me-ya!
(5)
Richard P.

Until the day she died, my Filipino grandmother still harbored resentment towards all things Japanese for the horrors Imperial Japan inflicted upon the motherland during World War II. Beat downs with samurai swords. Rape. Forced death marches. That being said, if the glorious offerings at Yu Me Ya could somehow exonerate the Japanese people for past atrocities, there's no question that my grandmother would've been a regular here. I can see her now. Gleefully waving her chopsticks in the air. Motioning for the next dish to be brought to the table. I can personally vouch for the: avocado tuna carpaccio, "octopus balls", cod, ginger chicken teriyaki, udon and sizzling calamari. Next time I'm there I'll be enjoying the beef salad with onion dressing and the shishitou peppers. If for some cosmic reason I'm way off base and my grandmother is up in heaven stomping around her cloud in protest, all I can do is rub my happy belly and say, "Ease up, Lila. This shit is tasty."
(5)
ikoi h.

This Japanese critter says thumbs up for Yume-Ya. I'll be coming back here again. I had no idea this place existed. As long as the cramped quarters don't bother you (they don't bug me one iota), this is a good place to get good Japanese food in North County. I'm glad I found this place. However, there are some cons. I think it's a bit on the pricey side once you look at the portion ( a bit on the smaller side ). Also, there's usually a wait. I do think the quality and the taste of the food here is worth the wait and cost, though. If you enjoy Japanese food, do give this place a try.
(4)
Joan H.

Very creative menu with nice small plates, lots of sake choices. Servers are daughters of owners and are very helpful. Udon noodles are homemade by their father. This a small restaurant, so you might want to make reservations. I would recommend it to anyone who wants more authentic, tasty Japanese food, rather than the typical Japanese American food you get at most restaurants.
(5)
Jennifer B.

This place is a true gem. I love the extensive Sake list and tried a few different sake flights. They're very nice and took the time to tell us something interesting about each sake. The izakaya style food is fantastic (especially the different varieties of croquettes and the udon) and I really love the chill, dark atmosphere. I only wish I lived closer so I could come more often!
(5)
April B.

Only been once and looking forward to going back soon! I give it 4 stars only because I feel like I didn't eat enough!! I went with to girls who were stuffed after an olive so next time I'm going big! The sake was great and two female owners couldn't be nicer and more knowledgeable. I hear this place can be difficult to get into so make reservations. We went early around 5ish and walked right in. On an economic note ... all sushi is pricey and this place is not an exception. Bring the plastic or alot of cash! This would be a fabulous place for a first date!! But not good for groups ... but I would love to rent the entire place for a party ... its very cozy!
(4)
Sherry R.

The most unique and wonderful sake and food. Definitely a repeat.
(5)
Julie C.

Don't come here for sushi. This is homestyle Japanese cooking - and boy, is it GOOD!! I love love love this hidden gem! We have been frequenting this place for over 5 years - back to when it was Wakai (we thought we loved it then - Sake House is so much better!) ... Mom and Pop cook in the back while their two daughters provide outstanding service upfront. My toddlers gobble up their veggies and tofu like it's candy. Our favorites are their taki yako tako balls, green beans, soba noodles w/ tempura, sansai bowl w/ brown rice (YUM!) and sukiyaki. They have an amazing assortment of sakes and are extremely knowledgeable about them. This place gets crazy nearly every day of the week (it's tiny and extremely popular with the locals), so make sure you have a reservation, or you will be waiting a while (if you're lucky enough to get in, that is).
(5)
jc c.

Tiny, tiny portions that were largely just OK in taste and presentation. However, hubby thought sake list looked fantastic, and I found the staff very nice and timely in bringing dishes to the table. Also, the interior is really cute (although also tiny). After moving here from the South Bay, we hoped that we didn't have to look too far for a good izakaya - Yu Me Ya unfortunately didn't satisfy, and our search continues.
(2)
Alain D.

I went to this restaurant four times before I could finally get in (going on a Tuesday night was the trick). Well worth the wait. It is very, very small (I think they should think expansion), but fantastic. They specialize in sushi rolls and authentic Japanese style cuisine. They have the best bowl of chicken and brown rice I ever tasted, and the sushi was excellent. They are a family run business, with funny and nice sisters serving the food. They have all kinds of Saki drinks you have to try.
(5)
Tundrah T.

We just ate here last night with some friends who are visiting from Tokyo. We had a great experience--food was excellent, as was the service. It was funny--our friends spoke w our waitress in Japanese, and I told them to order whatever they wanted, hoping I'd try some new and exciting dishes. We had a decent variety, but I think they were afraid for us uninitiated American light weights--they ordered us a California Roll!!!! Come on guys! I teased them about that. Next time, now that we know everything is so good, we'll be brave and try the unknowns. FYI--I had to call multiple times to get someone to pick up the phone for a reservation--they are closed on Mondays and don't seem to have any sort of answering machine. I finally got a pickup at about 3pm Tuesday (the night we went), so don't waste your time calling early like I did. Also, while its not cheap, I would say the prices are more than fair considering the quality of the food and service. We also ordered one of the least expensive bottles of sake on the menu--the Yaemon I believe--and it was honestly some of the smoothest sake I've ever had. Even the picky boyfriend loved pretty much everything (even liked the tofu--wow)... Cant wait to go back for our next special occasion meal. PS. The little creatures are apparently raccoons not owls. I guess there's one village in Japan where they make them and they line the streets. Funny.
(5)
Paul C.

I Love this place!!!! So here is the deal, Sushi is a TINY part of Japanese cuisine. There are so many types of food that haven't really come to America yet. One of them is the Izakaya, or pub food. Having lived in Tokyo you work hard and then you wanna eat drink and be merry. After work you go to place much like Sake House and enjoy good food and drink. This is the REAL deal and will be a food trend in the future as sushi restaurants are way over saturated in California. So book a reservation or just show up when they open (works for me) and don't order sushi. The sushi isn't the focus. Trust the families Sake recommendations and have fun. As for the decor I absolutely love it, its dark small and cozy.
(5)
Roger D.

Been back twice since this review and it just keeps getting better. Adding the coveted fifth star. I don't give those up too often. Love it here..... but if you're from out of town, don't bother, this place sucks ;)
(5)
keri r.

My friend and I came here for her birthday the other night. I had always driven by it and wanted to check it out, so when she mentioned she wanted to go here I was excited! She made a reservation and I'm glad she did, since the place got really busy later through the night. We started off with 2 order of the super premium sake sampler. Although it was a lot of sake for us, I was really impressed that they gave us the history and details of each sake. For dinner, we ordered what others on here recommended, the BBQ beef salad, spicy tuna carpaccio, black cod, and tempura udon. The highlights for me were the beef salad and the udon. I will definitely come back here soon!
(5)
Mark S.

We came back for Round 2 on Thursday 3-26-2009 and once again Yu Me Ya did not disappoint. We showed up at 5:30 PM and had no problem parking our truck/trailer on the main street out front. We were also able to be seated immediately at the bar, where we promptly ordered a 720ml bottle of chilled Kubota Manju junmai daiginjo sake. It's reasonably priced for a restaurant at $95/bottle. The Lovely Ladies of Yu Me Ya once again took great care of our every need in traditional izakaya style. My friend went for the sukiyaki again, and for me the black cod miso-yaki is just too good to pass up. I also had some tako-yaki and the croquettes with curry vegetables. Both were very yummy. The fried imo slices with ume mayo was the surprise of the trip, perfectly made fresh and sooooooooo good, but the mayo could use a bit more ume punch for my taste. Topped off the evening with a tall glass of imo sochu oyu-wari before we waddled out of there like a pair of fat, happy Tanukis!
(5)
Tiffany L.

Even though the food was good, I have to give it 3 stars because it's expensive, the portions were small, and there's a long wait just to get a table because the restaurant itself is tiny. What peeved me was the fact that some patrons take their sweet ass time eating. While we were starving and waiting for a table, there were several patrons who were done eating a long time ago but just sitting and talking despite the fact that the restaurant holds maybe 25 diners and there were 10 people waiting. For me, when you're done eating and you see a lot of people waiting, you should be courteous and get up so they can also eat. I might go back here next time I'm down in the SD area, but only if we go there right when it opens. Also, I'll definitely try their sake.
(3)
Mat B.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Take this off of the front page of Yelp!!! This is one of those places that I have intentionally not reviewed because I wanted to keep it "secret". Oh well, I suppose that's rather selfish of me. This is my favorite restaurant in all of San Diego county. Probably all of Southern California. Read into that what you will. It is just the best. I swear to God, if it gets to the point where I have to wait a few days to get in here, ima go postal.
(5)
Thirtyseven C.

Excellent, excellent, excellent. After about 15 min, occurred to me that this was the closest I'd ever been to Japan. Small, comfortable, waitress was stoked and helpful, interesting menu, tons of sake, and the food is amazing. Spicy Tuna Carpaccio - Phenomenal. Could eat everyday. Shrimp Dumplings - I can't really pick out a "good" dumpling in a line-up, but tasted good to me. Fried Octopus Hushpuppy things - Similar to Dutch Bitterballen, but w/ little octopi/octopuses inside. Amazing. Sweet Potato Wedges - Is there a difference between a sweet potato and a yam? Udon w/ Wild Vegetables - Chewy noodles, chewy shrooms. With drinks, bill was under $50. Left completely excited about the place.
(5)
Call Me Z.

Yu Me Ya apparently translates into "House of Dreams", which is on point with my dining experience here. It's not often that I have dining experiences like this. I was on a first date and my date knew the owners so she called ahead and got us some seats. I guess it's really hard to get into this place. It's really small, seats around 20 people, but has a killer atmosphere and ambiance. NOTE: This is not a sushi restaurant, but more like Japanese tapas. As soon as we walked in the owners (two sisters) recognized the girl I was with and couldn't have been more friendly. We sat at the bar and the people next to us introduced themselves. Everyone in Yu Me Ya was super friendly and the place had a really good positive vibe. Maybe it was the huge selection of sake people were getting faded on. It could have been the reggae music playing overhead. Or it could have been those bong rips I took right before I went to eat. Probably all-of-the-above. The food was of supreme quality and moderately priced for the quality. We got small plates of broiled calamari, scallops with Japanese mushrooms, shrimp croquette, some meat on a stick thing, and mixed tempura. I'm gonna skip the individual reviews and just say all of it was incredible. Seriously good. I will individually review our dessert. It was like a sweet soy/tofu square with a citrus-honey sauce. Fuckin' aye, I actually got the goose-bumps when I ate this. The citrus-honey sauce hit the G-Spot on my palate. It was insane. Every mouthful was like ZAP...ZAP...ZAP. That's the only way I can describe it. You're probably wondering when I'm going to review the Sake, since this IS a Sake bar. Well, I don't drink alcohol, but I did have a sip of my dates drink. She got the "Big Snow". When I sipped it, it was surprisingly fresh, crisp, and very tasty. I haven't had many sake's, but this one was very good. Anyways, the combination of the atmosphere, good vibes, good people, good food makes this place already a favorite. I'll be going back for sure, but I would recommend a reservation or calling ahead.
(5)
Mike G.

I swear to God, this place is the absolute best Japanese food I have ever tasted. I really can't come up with anything more creative than the truth. Get reservations, you won't be seated without them. It's VERY SMALL. Like, three tables and a bar small. Don't go expecting Sushi (although their rolls are UNBELIEVABLY FRESH HOLY CRAP SO GOOD AND WITH BROWN RICE) - it's a Japanese tapas place. So order a bunch of dishes. Ask them about their Sake, too. Get the Super-Premium sampler. I can't stop thinking about how awesome this place was. I really want to go back right now.
(5)
Nicholas C.

Tiny, tasty, and terrific.
(5)
Joshua C.

Sake House is legit. The food is epic (don't bother with the Sushi Rolls, there are so many better things on the menu). The Miso Black Cod has only one problem....that it doesn't come in 5 pound portions. Killer sake menu, killer food, and very nice staff. One caution...we only went on the weekends and they do not accept reservations. So when my wife's birthday fell on a Thursday we went to have dinner there and apparently they are required on weekdays. Not sure why they have one policy one day and a different policy a different day but oh well...I will just have to plan ahead next time. This is a must visit if you live within 20 miles of Leucadia.
(5)
andre w.

Sake House Rocks... If you dont mind a place that measures 15'x15' (and thats probably a generous estimate...lol), you will love this place. The food is good, the staff is friendly and the Sake ROCKS!!!... oh and it's pretty rea$onable also. Take a date, take your mom, hell... go alone and call a cab... Oh wait... don't go on Thursdays because I hear it's horrible (actually that's when I am going and I just want to get one of the 8 tables... :)
(5)
Kristi K.

If you are into japanese tapas and fantastic saki at a chill little spot in the Leucadia/Encinitas area, try this place. The server will describe the saki, down to the details regarding the elements of a certain region if you care to ask any questions about it! If you hate to wait for a table or don't like small spaces, you may get a little annoyed and head somewhere else...but you'd be missing out on great food and drink. I have never been displeased with the place, but couldn't get a table on a couple of occasions.
(4)
E T.

This is the best place for bar style Japanese food, and one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. Yuko is an expert on sake and can bring a smile to any face...miss Katsu, her husband... I guess I will stop writing, cause I hate the wait for a table and don't want to add even more to the wait by hyping it up. Looking forward to my next bowl of udon, fried yams, or the million other things I love and can not pronounce.
(5)
Hai B.

Woohoo! This is as good as it gets for San Diego (aka Chain Diego). It is so refreshing to be able to find a great neighborhood japanese style tappa/izakaya restaurant to hit up every now and then. I recently moved back down to SD from LA and was sad to be leaving LA diverse offering of japanese restaurants. I was so happy to come across this restaurant. The grilled black cod was amazing! The kurobuta pork sausage was pretty decent. At the time I just thought the sausages were ok but I did demolish the plate all by myself. The spicy tuna carpaccio was pretty good but I wished they served a bit more tuna rather than the teaspoon size they served on the fried wonton chip. We ordered a noodle dish but decided to swap out the udon noodles for buckwheat noodles. Delicious! The noodles are handmade there! The flight of sake was by far the best thing we ordered that night. The waitress was so savvy, bubbly, engaging and funny! She shared her stories about the sake, her personal preference, and what goes well with the flight of sake we chose. I recommend making reservations because it is a small restaurant and it is always jam packed with people. You can choose to wait but the wait is usually an hour or so long. The service can be a bit slower during their busy times (it's a family owned restaurant) but the waitress is always smiling and very attentive when she does finally reach your table. Overall, this little neighborhood gem is truly a great find and we can't wait to go back there.
(5)
Jacob A.

Solid udon soup (slightly sweet which was new for me). Loved the fried yams and tempura w/ green tea salt. Girlfriend said the sushi was pretty dang good. Cute and cozy little place with a laid back ambiance. Servers were very nice but a little slow. It was fun tasting the different types of sake, though they are all a little too boozy for my delicate sensibilities.
(4)
Vamshi J.

I've been wanting to try this place for a while, but the two times I went it was full and the wait was atleast an hour; on a weekday. Boy, was I curious now. I had to try this place. Well, first things first I thought this was a Japanese restaurant, not really its a Japanese tapas place. The place is tiny, 5-6 tables and a few chairs around the bar area and so the wait time. This time we made reservations for 3 of us. This is a mum and pop place. The parents make the dishes, their kids work the tables. They were humble, cordial, knowledgeable of course and attentive. We ordered a bottle of Kura sawa sake which carried a +5 sake meter rating. It packed some punch. Between the 3 of us we ordered atleast 12 dishes; salted raw cuttle fish, cod fish, baked salmon sushi, crunchy roll sushi, 3 kinds of tofu, some kind of octopus dish, spicy tuna, breaded pork loin on a stick, udon noodles, calamari and few more that I can't even recall. All the dishes were well prepared, nice texture and very tasteful and to top it off the plating and presentation was excellent. The bill was $150 and it was worth it. I also tried the Japanese non carbonated soda called the calpico; sweet and tangy. I'd recommend it. Highly recommended! I arigatoued them and bowed my way out. Hmm, did I just butcher a word? Ah whatever. The restrooms are clean and parking can be a pain. Towards the end, my tummy felt like an aquarium full of delicious dead fish. P.S. Sometimes they run out of certain stuff, like a particular fish or seaweed. So i suggest you go there early, 7pm sounds about right.
(5)
Adelaide L.

Love this place! I came here after work one evening and i luckily made it in before the rush! There's usually a line of people waiting for the place to open up at 5:30pm. Its tiny here, but the food is yummy! Each dining plate had a an added touch of homieness with an origami crane. The sake sampler was really popular. They serve mainly tapas, which are little appetizers (suppose to complement the alcohol). However, they do serve a small selection of sushi, rolls and sashimi. My favorite was the takoyaki balls and the albacore tataki. Sucks that they're only open for dinner! :(
(5)
brooke f.

I have a dream. I have a dream that one day there will be more places like Yu Me Ya around town. Until then, I will enjoy this little gem of a place. Silly us to think we'd be ok without a reservation for 3 people on a Tuesday night at 7. Silly Us being the key words here, people. This place may be a hole in the wall, but the community knows that good food and drink are hiding between those 4 walls. Sake to me, I said! And oh, they did... after almost an hour wait. No worries, it was worth it! A business dinner with 2 chefs was sure to promise that they'd order for me, order lots and keep the sake coming. Check, check and check. A history or a story for everything, I always love good food talk. A family run joint, Yu Me Ya offers a fresh twist on traditional Japanese dishes. Small plates make for fun sharing and lots of variety. We had a sizzling calamari dish that was fun to watch after a couple sakes (the garnish "dances" as it sizzles.) The carpaccio was delightful. Really, everything was. I have no idea what kind of sake I drank. My dinner companions order it by code name, so I just happily accepted. I did like the reasoning Katsu (our server/ owner) gave for the overflowing sake servings. He said that the sake overflows as a symbol of overflowing luck. You drink from the cup without picking it up, so as not to spill (bad luck), and then pour the sake from the saucer into your cup when there is room. That was last week. I'm already craving it again. Who's in??!!
(5)
Ed A.

birthdays were the worst days, now we drink sake when we thirstays!!! some of the most delicious japanese food and sake i've ever had in a hidden one room shack. the blackened cod was my favorite. the wifey and i swung by on a tuesday night and ordered a ton of small plates. perfect place to take a date on a weeknight. be sure to call in the afternoon so you can reserve a table. be sure to ask the waitress about the sake menu and ask for recommendations. there are so many to chose from.
(5)
Mike C.

What an absolute gem of a restaurant. Very small, very cozy, but wow, is the food delicious. Started with the tuna carpacchio and then tried almost every other tapa. Everything was delicious and nothing disappointed. When in town, we will definitely be dining here again..
(5)
Peter G.

This may be the best restaurant in San Diego. I almost hesitate to review Yu Me Ya because it feels like "our little secret", but I have come to love this restaurant and really really want it to succeed. The style of restaurant is Izakaya, which means "sake place". Now, the izakaya tradition is to eat small dishes along with the sake, which are called "Japanese tapas" at Yu Me Ya. Therefore, the thing to do is to order a million small dishes along with delicious sake. If you are curious about great sake, put yourself in Yuko's hands and she will guide you through the extensive sake menu. Then pick 6 or 8 tempting-sounding small plates from the menu (Yuko will instruct you if you choose something "challenging", don't worry). From then on, you will be amazed with authentic Japanese flavors and textures. Everything I have ever eaten at Yu Me Ya was really delicious. This restaurant is simply a treasure. Eat here and then keep eating here, we don't want to lose this wonderful wonderful restaurant.
(5)
Sue L.

The secret is out! Our first attempt to go was a bust... the second time we planned ahead and made reservations for a Tuesday night. As we were getting out of our car in front of the restaurant, a lady with a disappointed look walking back to her car turned to us and asked "Do you have reservations?" Yes... we answered. We walked up to the door... a small group leaving piped up "You guys have reservations?" Again we nodded. Inside as we stood in the line to be checked in, the man in front of us asked "You do have reservations, right?" I'm beginning to see a theme. We make it to the head of the line, and of course the question was "Do you have reservations?" I guess you need reservations. The place was very small, but very charming. The food was extraordinary! Everything we ordered was so delicious and unique! Think of it as Japanese tapas... a great way to try a lot of new and different dishes. Definitely a great place for special occasions!
(5)
Ashley T.

The best restaurant in San Diego. Nice ambiance, friendly staff, and incredible food. The beef salad, cod and scallop mushroom dishes are a must try but it's all fantastic!
(5)
cherry f.

Awesome food! Awesome service! Cant wait to try ShabuShabu here. I love the variety of tapas. They dont have a lot of sushi on the menu but what they do have is fresh and tasty.
(5)
Cyn J.

Sake House is one of, if not, THE best place to eat in the area! The food is amazing, you can't get better or more authentic sake & beer east of Japan, and the servers are incredibly friendly. There is usually a wait but it's well worth it, so just be prepared. The vibe is fun with the constant reggae music...GO TO SAKE HOUSE!
(5)
Jessica H.

The izakaya dishes here are virtually perfect. Everything is simply made but the flavors are fantastic. They make their udon fresh and the daughter who works there even makes the dessert tofu. The shishitou peppers, tofu in smoked bonito broth, Mama's homemade veggie soup and the kushi-age are my favorites. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. Yumeya opens up at 5:30 and fills up right away so unless you want to wait for an hour (which is worth it, trust me) then get there before they open! Definitely worth a drive up from Downtown, SD.
(5)
Shannon M.

I just went here for the first time a few days ago. After sitting down, no one offered me a drink for several minutes. I finally asked for a water... then later asked for a beer. Not a very good first impression, but after my friend showed up things got a little better. The food really was good and when we ordered sake the girl explained each bottle to us, which was fun. My favorite thing was theBBQ beef salad on the cold tapas menu. It was so yummy! I loved the dressing.
(3)
Jeff C.

Food here was great, the servers were friendly and explained all the different sake to us as we tried it which was real fun, the price was right on the atmosphere was nice. My only complaint would be that I watched the servers clean all the glasses with their hands and water, not soap, no dishwasher just ran it under the water and rubbed it with their hands. Bummer...this place was almost perfect.
(3)
Riley L.

Best foodie find on the north coast! I brought my whole family and we didnt get a bad plate. Tried a ton of tapas as well as entrees, and it was all great. Loved the octopus balls and the potato croquettes. The tempura with green tea salt was great. Don't miss the homemade almond tofu for dessert and definitely get a sake tasting.
(5)
Kc S.

There's nothing like this place anywhere else in north county. It's small, and very popular so make a reservation or get there when it opens. The variety of sake and beer is extensive. The tuna carpaccio, blackened cod and calamari are no brainers! They play reggae like most sushi houses and the vibe is cool and funky. I wouldnt bring my younger kids, but unfortunately a lot of folks do.
(5)
Chris D.

Yu Me Ya is really a wonderful small intimate restaurant. Yuka , one of the servers there took great care of us. She is top notch. Food was very good. Broiled black cod was a little small. Tuna carpaccio was good. Shrimp and veggie tempura was very very fresh. Very clean oil was used. Sushi was very good and nice to have the choice of white or brown rice in the sushi. All reviews regarding small and a touch noisy is right on. The place is not claustrophobic as one stated. Being small makes it cozy and a touch romantic. Didn't go after the Sake. All in all,this is one very nice family owned place. Would eat here again anytime...
(5)
Jen C.

This place is amazing!!! Small and quaint completely local. The service is always great they are sooo friendly. And even better the food and drinks are to die for! I highly recommend this place to everyone!! ENJOY
(5)
Marie H.

Had gone to the sake house a couple of times when the hubbie and I were first married several years ago and just returned there last week with a couple of friends - it was even better than I remembered! The food is terrific - we tried the scallop/mushroom, spicy tofu, fried eggplant, the tuna 'blossom' things, shrimp tempura, udon and the rice-tea dish - my favorites would have to be the scallop mushroom dish and the tempura with the green tea salt, so yummy! We also asked the waitress to recommend a sake and she did not disappoint with her selection (Kikusui junmai ginjo) - will definitely need to order it again too! The best part about eating at Yu Me Ya is that the staff is so friendly and attentive and they explain things to you like the 'overpouring' of the sake and how to drink it the customary way. Will definitely be back with hubbie for date nights :)
(5)
Peter K.

Epic food, wonderful family-owned atmosphere, great sake selection. Get here early, pretty tight space, but you get always get nice and lubricated on Sapporo while you wait! The tuna and avocado carpaccio is mind-blowing!
(5)
Rebecca H.

Holy takoyaki - this place is AWESOME. It has authentic decor, a truly lovely hostess/owner, and food and sake to die for. Try the takoyaki (fried octopus balls), the tuna carpaccio, the rice and green tea soup, the rolls... heck, try everything, you will not be disappointed. I can't wait to go back to try the udon and everything else on the menu!
(5)
Angela Y.

My friend suggested eating here one night because she heard about it on Yelp. We decided to go early to be sure we got a table for 6 people (got there before 6pm and it wasn't crowded at all). When I read about this place only having 5 or so tables, I couldn't believe it, until I actually saw it! Literally...only 5 tables (we took up 2 tables since there were 6 of us) and there's the sushi bar. The service was really good.....she kept the beer and sake flowing for us too. As for the food.....delicious!!! It's literally TAPAS. I visited Spain last month and the idea of Japanese Tapas intrigued me. What I like the best, was the bbq beef salad. SOOO YUMMY. We also had the shrimp dumplings, baked mushroom & scallops, some spicy tuna & avocado tostada looking thing, broiled black cod, crunchy rolls, etc . For drinks...I don't remember the name of the sake or beer...but I had 3 Japanese beers (never had the brand before but the waitress suggested it to me and said it was her favorite). The sake...I don't remember but it looked like Alize haha. We had 4 bottles of those. We tried to order more but they said they ran out so we asked for another suggestion and ended up getting a $47 bottle of sake. Price wise....I thought it was inexpensive. maybe it was all the drinks we ordered because for just 3 of us, the bill came out to be $188! I think we'll be back here again when we have guests in town.
(5)
Jamie D.

Unbelievably friendly service, really good sake, authentic Japanese cooking! The girls (owners) are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sake and have been spot on with their recommendations. We just got back from Japan a few months ago and this restaurant brings back all the lovely memories of Japanese cuisine.
(5)
Matt M.

Best. Place. Ever. Amazing Japanese sake joint. This is exactly like a sake house in Japan with small dishes. Run by a fantastic family. Please don't go there, it's crowded enough as it is!
(5)
Stella W.

i am so glad my friend and i randomly decided to eat here. there are no closing hours, they close when they run out of food which can be anywhere from 8 pm to 1 am. the atmosphere is real friendly. it's great for anyone -- families, old couples, young people, whatever. we came here on their 3 year anniversary day and got free sake. and then we got the premium sake sampler. and brown rice sushi. portions are a bit small but we had a good time. service was great too. also, i love the decorations! i do plan on coming back again just cause it's a fun place.
(5)
Sam S.

Mmm, so good. A very unique dining experience. I would go here more often, but it is very small, 20+ minutes from home, and difficult to get a table on a Friday night. The other reviewers have covered it quite well. My favorite items on the menu are the tapas, especially the specials. In general, the more unusual the dish, the more I have enjoyed it. The only things that have disappointed me are those that you can get at most Japanese/Asian restaurants: spring rolls, udon noodle soup, etc. That being said, I love having well-prepared vegetables, and that might not be true for everyone.
(5)
Selina H.

so cute! i love the little japanese sake house atmosphere. every dish is about appetizer size so you can order a few things to try. the takoyaki is super crispy on the outside and tasty. sukiyaki was good but the broth is sweet. okonomiyaki is a special that is occasionally on the weekends only. a lil disappointed. the hitachino white ale was a little too light. the red rice ale is good but now i wonder about the pale ale. also did sake tasting which was nice. the ones we had were all animal related - i just love the name of "drunk whale". :)
(4)
Peter R.

We stumbled upon this postage-stamp sized place while visiting Carlsbad. What luck. It showed up on our search as sushi, but its really Japaneese Tapas. Everything we had was great. The staff (all family) worked hard to find things our 10-year olds would like. Excellent meal and highly recommended.
(5)
Rootsy L.

One of the few places I have given 5 starts. The staff is super-friendly, the food is amazing and the sake just makes it insane.. I would put this on my list of must eat at if I was from out of town....
(5)
Jen T.

this place is amazing if you want to really learn to love sake! i was always a casual sake drinker and only really drank it when ordering sushi and as a sake bomb. after going to sake house, i now have an appreciation for good sake and even the different kinds that are out there! they have an amazing selection and are willing to explain it to you, the different types and the imbibing customs! the tapas are great too!
(5)
kim k.

My families favorite spot in North County! Awesome Food, Amazing service! Get there early and order the Ginger Beef Salad :)
(5)
Rebecca S.

Everything is delicious. The unique and large selection of sakes and beers can't be beat. The service is friendly and vivacious. The only downside is that it's very, very busy but you can call ahead to reserve.
(5)
Rina M.

This place rocks. The two girls who work here are classic (own the place maybe?). They're super cute, friendly and helpful and everything on the menu is delicious. It can definitely be tricky finding a table right away but it's worth the wait!
(5)
Jason M.

Yum. That's all I have to say about that. I dominated so much hamachi.
(4)
KC D.

As my first Yelp, I had to start with the Sake House. This place is has quickly moved up my list as THE best place to eat in Encinitas. The mileu is charming. You walk in through a curtain into what feels like a pagoda. Bamboo fountain in the corner. If you go frequently enough, the owners light up and greet you like family. There are not a lot of seats, so you have to go early, or late to get a seat. The food is divine. You think it is going to be all sushi, but Sake house is actually Japanese tapas. Small portions, perfect for sharing. All so rich in taste that they actually share better than eat alone. The beef salad is perfect with an onion dressing (sounds wierd, a must order), the cod is the reason I try to go once a week, and the mushrooms and scallop a perfectly seasoned. Also consider the pork teriaki bowl, its perfectly seasoned and with sauted onions over rice (you can choose between brown and white, for all things, including sushi) Then, I try and try something new every time I am there. The wait staff always has an idea - and its always been worth trying. The sake collection perfectly compliments the meal. This restaurant is so authentic they put a little bowl under your cup, then over pour your glass. The first sip is intended to be taken with no hands, its fun, and theres a variety of interesting sakes. I'm not a sake pro, but, I'm simple, and like the nice unfiltered in the pink bottle. Not rocket science just good. I usually pig out and pay about 38 dollars with tip, having had a few glasses of Sake. I could eat less, I just love it so month I can't help it. Consider the Sake house, if just to try it. Its so good, the ambiance is lovely, its such a lovely escape in northern Leucadia. Enjoy. Its a special find.
(5)
elizabeth h.

Truly a unique experience that triumphs as much in its menu, deft culinary ability and vast beverage selection, a it does in delivering a fantastically north cty laid-back reception. While it may be hard to land a seat (especially w/o reservation), it's worth the wait to delight in all that they have to offer. Be patient and enjoy the experience... This is not the spot for those who need to be seen or cast attitude.
(4)
Elie C.

Great food. Great service. Nice, original menu. Just one thing. Make early reservations. The place is tiny and closed on Sundays and Mondays. As for Fridays and Saturdays, it's first come first served.
(5)
Greg B.

What a great place! An impressive, healthy menu and the sake selection is outstanding. A true hidden gem - you can find quality sakes, Japanese beers and healthy entrees for 30% less than any other restaurant of its kind. The staff was attentive and informative. It was almost like a guided tour through the sake list and they never seemed rushed. It was truly a refreshing experience. Try the Udon noodles, vegetable tempura, and the Kobuta pork sausages. Wash it down with Shimeharitsuro sake - I drank this at Cafe Japengo for $15/glass and at Sake House its $10.00/glass. Yay!!
(5)
Joelle K.

I love this place! It may be small and you'll most likely wait at least 20 minutes to sit down but it's more than worth it. Asian tapas, awesome sake sampling, and delicious Japanese dishes. The takoyaki (dough-like octopus balls) is my favorite as well as the bbq beef salad!
(5)
Kurt D.

Incredible!!! The Sake house is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to and defiantly the best Japanese food I've tried in all of San Diego County. The atmosphere is pure Leucaidia from the non-pretentious outsides to the reggae playing inside. The restaurant is tiny so if you come (even around 9pm) expect to wait for a table and if you have more than 4 people ditch your friends, you'll enjoy it more anyways. Be sure to try one of their many Sake choices and follow your servers recommendations cause they know their Sake.
(5)
Jill M.

Loved this place! Didn't realize they had such an amazing selection of sake and a great Japanese "comfort style" menu. Sat at the bar and was pleased. Great environment, great food, and good drinks. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
nick d.

Don't expect the sushi Wakei used to serve when you go to the new restaurant that took over, Sake House. I made that mistake on my first visit and was disappointed. (I have a problem with mayonnaise in sushi.) Don't even bother with the sushi at all. Instead focus on the....................Sake! The sake menu while large, is easy to read and has helpful information for those who, like me, are not (yet) sake connoisseurs. Food items are cheap and small, similar to tapas and fun to share. The staff are very friendly and helpful if you need suggestions. When I visited in January they recommended a sake (cant remember the name) that is named after a certain prime minister who says its his favorite. Its ~11/glass or ~45/ bottle and well worth it. I have been back four times since then and purchased the same sake. Try it.
(5)
Jaime D.

Just like going to an Izakaya (Japanese tapas drinking bar) in Japan! It's so rare to find items like kushi-katsu (skewered veggies, fish & meat covered in panko and fried) and shochu (like a japanese vodka). Not only do they have a great selection, everything is done well! Expect to pay a bit more than you usually would, but it's not much when you consider it's like going to Japan for dinner & drinks. The staff is awesome! No lunch and reservations only on Tues, Wed, Thurs. Be prepared to wait, but well worth it!!!
(5)
G J J.

Is an interesting place, but in my honest opinion, it's nothing like it used to be under the Wakei manegement. I miss Wakei, which used to occupy this same location (and serve Japanese food). The sushi isn't as good here. You can get a wide variety of teas and sake here...and a wide variety of odd Japanese tapas food that is unlike your average Japanese restaurant that serves rice-sushi-tempura in a box. Try this expensive restaurant out and you'll enjoy the ambiance and personal service.
(4)
Justin S.

I don't think I can add words to how amazing this place is. Let's put it this way. It's so good... I'm not going to tell you about it, because I don't want you to come, and make me have to wait for it...
(5)
Todd P.

Best restaurant in the north county. Make reservations though...it's that good.
(5)
Rachel C.

Literally ran into this place during a drive down PCH. Take it from a native Japanese, hard-core Isakaya fan and junmai sake fanatic (that's 100% rice sake with no additive for y'all sake fans) , this place is the Real Deal. You'd find a place like this in Yamagata or Aomori Prefecture near awesome ski slopes and/or relaxing local mom-and-pop onsen/hotspring joint. Opens at 5:30 PM.
(5)
Clifford C.

Hand made Udon in SD, nothing compares. Noodle is chewy, perfectly cooked. Broth has depth, but a bit on the sweeter side, which is unique. While majority of hot menu items are ok, most notable items include: -Cold squid salad (very tender and fresh) -Miso cod (cooked better than Sushi Ota) -Spicy Tuna Rolls were notable since they don't specialize in sushi -Black Pig sausage- Very juicy Small family run izakawa, service is over top friendly. We're not big sake drinkers, but they have quite a collection and will educate you if you're interested. We would go more often, however place is so small that unless you arrive at opening (530), impossible to grab a seat. They do take reservations on Tues-Thurs.
(5)
Katee M.

The food and service are great. I also love the atmosphere. My only complaint is that sometimes (due to the small size of the restaurant) it is absolutely impossible to get a table here on a Friday or Saturday night. Sometimes you could wait over an hour and still not get a table.
(4)
Mark A.

Yep, count me in as a fan. The menu is quite good and the sushi commensurate. Of course not comparable to Rockin Sushi in West Hollywood or the likes, this place is small and local. For a place other than around Convoy in SD it fares with the finest...the Marriott in Carmel Valley is the only place that comes to mind with notably better stuff, but the prices and atmosphere are different and, OK, this place is a very short walk for me. :-) When in Encinitas, it is to recommend.
(4)
Sarah J.

This is the best Japanese restaurant I've been to. The food was awesome! My favorite was the scallops with mushrooms.
(5)
Chris And Tara R.

I can't wait! Bobby and Courtney Wood are gonna stagger home with me and T with a barrel full of knee slappers on the lookout for being punk in drublic. This could be dangerous.
(4)
Greg S.

Think Japanese Tapas with a huge choice of Sake. Great value and wonderful atmosphere. Only downside - getting a seat! Without a reservation expect to wait 45 - 90 minutes. Only 4 tables available that can be reserved so plan ahead! A great place for a fun night with friends or a date if you like to try new foods and have some drinks.
(4)
Shelley S.

It's the best thing in town. And it's really very good. Wonderful small plates in a romantic and cool environment. A small place with an amazing sake collection. The women who run it are great, though make sure if you have a reservation (Tu-Th) that you get there right on time, since the place gets busy and you might lose your slot. Everything on the menu is pretty good. I have a special fondness for those perfect udon noodles. The beautiful little glasses the sake comes in are also quite nice.
(5)
MIke C.

I stopped in thinking it was a Sushi bar. Its really more like a Japanese Tapas place, with lots of small dishes and loads of Sake. They appear to be famous for their Udon noodles, made by hand fresh everyday. A regular sitting next to me claims this place has the largest selection of Sake in San Diego County and that the Udon/Sukiyaki dishes are the best around. I had several small dishes which were very good. Its a tiny place reminding very much of places I have been in Japan.
(4)
Beverly K.

Wow, this is the closest I've seen to real Japanese food in the San Diego area. Each tiny little tapas was well prepared. The takoyaki took me back to Osaka and the sesame green beans were divine. The only caveat is that this place is really tiny - four tables plus the bar. However, the atmosphere is nice and the food is excellent!
(5)
j m.

Picked this place from off yelp. It's a nice, unassuming place off 101, and a good place to try a bunch of different things. It's worth a try for sure. We ordered a lot of different things, a mix of cold tapas, hot tapas, a teriyaki, and some sushi. There were some really good dishes: the broiled black cod was fantastic -- that disappeared quickly -- how tasty! The fried yam with Ume mayonnaise seemed plain at the beginning ("This is so plain!"), but two minutes later, it's all gone ("That was so plain!"). I liked it. The beef teriyaki had a good taste, if not spectacular. Not too sweet, not too salty. The salted cuttlefish was actually recommended against by the hostess, as "difficult". It's definitely different, but it's good. It's a softer briny flavour of salmon eggs, in a very chewy, saucy form. It could look better, I suppose, but the taste is good. The cold spicy tofu was very good, not overly spicy, just a nice taste. We had three hot tapas that really were just mediocre: the sauteed green shishitou peppers, the kurobuta pork sausage, and the baked bay scallops with shimeji mushrooms. None of these were unpleasant, they were just plain. Ok, or call it boring, sure. They were nothing what you could not do in your own kitchen in a couple minutes. The spicy tuna roll was almost a betrayal it seemed. It looks appetizing, and the taste is pretty good too. Upon disassembling the roll though, it turns out to be just a plain vegetable/sprouts roll (possibly pre-made), with some spicy tuna mix dolloped on top with a pastry bag. I guess you can't fault it if it tastes good, but, it still makes me suspicious. The service was great: helpful, attentive, and friendly. They picked some nice sake for a sampler tasting (which is a pretty good deal) As far as price, it's quite reasonable. You can eat through large swaths of their menu for about $40 a person, leaving the restaurant beyond completely stuffed. What a good deal! Somethings holding this place back from being great. Some things were so good, but then get paired up with something so plain. Still, it's well worth a try. Maybe by just careful menu selection, you can push this place from a 3 (sorry!) to something higher.
(3)
Danielle D.

I love this place and everything about it... the atmosphere, the service, the saki and the food! This is a TINY place - so be prepared to wait - but it is well worth it! This little place is family owned and operated. The food is wonderful - and they are small portions so it's fun to go and order a bunch of different and new delectables. I even love this place for a quick and easy take-out dinner on a chilly night of udon noodles (just make sure to call ahead). I don't think there is a single bad thing I could say about this place... it's just amazing!
(5)
Scott M.

My wife and I go here for "date night" all the time. Great time and food!!!
(4)
Karen M.

Like dining in a shoe box. It was hot & stuffy so I was miserable. Not a big sushi or sake fan so the food didn't impress me much. I was there for a girls-night-out. The service was fine, food expensive. I left hungry.
(2)
Mindy Y.

Perhaps it was simply bad luck, but when we went (at 8 pm), they had NOTHING available on their menu. To be fair, we didn't get to dine. It is bizarre for New Yorkers to be turned away, nonetheless. The service was not good and slow, from what we hear. From it's "sake house" name/claim, we also expected a more interesting sake selection.
(1)
Jenny B.

I adore this tiny place. A little expensive to actullay get full but worth every penny. The black cod melts in your mouth! The steamed shrimp dumplings, I cant get enough! Ask for the grandpa sake with a traditional pour. Definitely make a reservation! Best to call after 1pm to get one.
(5)
Lauren S.

yu me ya has traditional japanese small plates.... do not come here for sushi... come to sake house to drink a lot of different sake & beer that isn't offered everywhere, even tasting portions are on the menu.....do come here to try japanese small plates that aren't offered in the regular sushi place.. plenty of variety of seasonal hot & cold to try if you haven't before, and make a complete meal. tricky because you can make reservations on week nights, but not weekends.... excellent service
(5)
Nit A.

Great place to hangout with your friends. Friendly service and great tapas. It's not a place to eat real sushi/sashimi. It's more of a place to eat small appetizers and drink sake/beer. It gets very crowded at night, I suggest arriving early and waiting around 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
(4)
K S.

Batting 100 so far in 5-stars for this gem of a place and I'm not about to spoil the party. From the cute owl-looking decor to the sake to the oh-so-subtle tofu steak. Everyone else has said it already in their comments - all I need add is I happily walk in and patiently wait the necessary 30 minutes for a table. Places like this deserve their business and the vibe is exemplified by the energetic yet warm & personalized service from the owner-couple. Enjoy!
(5)
Annie F.

This is where we go out for "special meals." Not because it's expensive, but because it's special and completely delicious. The food is so authentic to the Japnese izakaya I've visited on Hokkaido. We don't eat the sushi, the unique little apps are so much more tempting ... and one glass of saki filled to the brim is plenty to get through the whole meal. Just the best food in North County. We always make reservations.
(5)
Connie C.

havent' been here in a while, but i remember we had a blast last time we were there. met this couple from out of state and drank some serious sake. they have all kinds of sake and good sushi, and soooo good. definite recommend and would return.
(5)
Chris S.

Ohhhh.... I guess I have to tell everyone about this place.... I live here in Encinitas and I LOVE the sake house. I'm a little bummed to see it here on Yelp as I really wanted to keep it all mine. In any case this place rocks. The staff is great. The vibe is perfect. The food great. What else can I say?!
(5)
Mike B.

sake tasting was dopers...the staff there are really informative on the sake that they carry. they don't have a sushi bar and their sushi selection is limited but still an awesome place for japanese food though. the sukiyaki was yum!
(4)
Lola P.

I hesitate to write a positive review for Yu Me Ya because perhaps the thing I love most about this place is its feel, as one reviewer wrote, as a "hidden gem" and I selfishly don't want to share this place with others. However, this place is great in all aspects... its small quaint atmosphere, the kindness of the owners, the simplicity of the food, and its range of sake. I have to be honest, I am not a sake connoisseur but rather it was something I previously only ordered to accompany sushi. But, I now go to Yu Me Ya to sample sake and the food is more of an excuse to go there. If you are someone who likes to try new restaurants and dining experiences, and are with a small intimate group (date, good friends who like to converse and catch up over a meal) you should try Yu Me Ya.
(5)
Jobi H.

One of our ALL TIME fav restaurants in San Diego. Try to sit at the bar your first time so you can understand the sakes and food. The owner is outstanding (as is her sister). They know EVERYTHING about the many vast sakes they serve - what prefect, who drinks it, how old the sake house is. They sell "flights" of premium & super premium (both have good choices) so you can try excellent sakes (and the flights are generous!). The food is divine, think Japanese "Tapas". Be SURE to try things that sound odd and you've never heard of - if its too unusual they'll let you know first, but there are jewels in the unusual foods (love the "tea" soup). My favorite though remains the shrimp shumai, which I've eaten in many dim sum restaurants here and in SF & LA and think these are pure heaven. Reservations on weekdays only so be prepared to wait, or put your name in, walk elsewhere for a cocktail and come back. You'll be glad its so small once you sit down. Best Sakes: Kanchiku Kakutsuru Sho-Une (Flying about the Clouds) Rihaku ("everyday sake") OK, probably a few more!
(5)
Brad L.

I love supporting family owned places and this is definitely one that you need to support. I would classify this restaurant as a Izakaya pub with a wide range of small plates.
(5)
Gregory L.

I was surprised that it is not really a sushi bar at all. They serve a limited choice of sushi rolls and so much more. The sake menu is overwhelming but the staff is very helpful. The tapas are unique and terrific. Four and five star eateries in san diego county are hard to come by, but this is definitely one of them!
(5)
Katy M.

I absolutely love this restaurant. It is my favorite place to go on date night. We have tried almost everything on the menu, and it was all delicious. It isn't what I would call a sushi bar, or Japanese. Its tapas. I like the atmosphere and the service is good. We like to go and just order one item at a time, until we are full. Its fun to try all the different foods. 5 stars all around, food, atmosphere, and service.
(5)
Kelly S.

Yeah buddy, this place is RAD! we rolled in with a party of 11 on a Saturday night, and they squeezed us in to this teeny little joint. Then they rocked our sake world by guiding us sake novices to some tasty little bottles, even differentiating between which ones are popular with the ladies and the men, and they were RIGHT. It was like a wine tasting. No quick shot of hot slop down the gullet, this was sippin' time. I love me some sippin' of fine adult beverages. When my brother asked for a sake bomb, the waittress said "those are for teenagers", in the nicest way, my brother was forced to admit she was right (not that sake bombs don't have a time and place in the world of grown-ups). The food was great too, I got the salmon teriyaki rice bowl, UM UM! Oh, and miso soup was excellent, the hallmark of a fine Japanese establishment. Also awesome, the option to have brown or white rice with all rice-related dishes. Even sushi. And yes, I know it's not traditional sushi, but you do get a choice, so if you're one of those "real sushi isn't made with brown rice" people, I hear you, and I'm totally good with white rice, but I also really like brown rice, and I sometimes I like to get down with the brown. We got some sushi, that was good, and there were plenty of other tantalizing menu options that I'm looking forward to sampling in the future. Oh, and 11 people, with full bellys of tasty fuel and a whole lotta sake, $22 a person! When can you go to a place that serves sushi and booze it up and part with only $22?! Bonus!!!! I hope this place sticks around, because I am way down with the Yu Me YA!
(4)
K D.

Quality!!! well prepared authentic food and excellent service. Everything on the menu is out of this world. The tapas style dishes are very much what you can find in Japan. One place that doesn't crank the TV in your face while you're eat.
(4)
Cheese H.

Yeah these places are all over LA with much larger variety, but this is North County and there is nothing else very close other than Sakura on Convoy. Yumeya is tiny, get here early if you want a seat on the weekend. The sake selection is awesome, there must be at least forty bottles to choose from, six or so different kinds of sochu and Japanese beers. Lots of small plates to try, the takoyaki and the different fried things on a stick are damn good. I am giving it five stars because this is a local family run place, the service is always outstanding, the huge sake by the glass selection and I don't want to go to LA to find takoyaki as good as these guys make them.
(5)
Drew A.

we just had dinner here tonight with the kids and i have eaten sushi in some of the nicest places in nyc and los angeles and this place is right up there with the best of them. the cold tapas and hot tapas were just incredible. we love the beef salad and the black cod with miso was out of this world. if you love sake this is the place to come because they seemed so knowledgeable about everyone they had in the restaurant. the owner was awesome as she gave my kids some japanese candy after we finished dinner which made the kids even happier after such a great meal. next time we are down in carlsbad/encinitas area we will come back again
(5)
rob i.

We went here because of the reviews on yelp. We had been visiting Carlsbad for a week with our 3 kids for legoland and had a craving for some good japanese food. I called to make a reservation and they could only accomodate us for 530pm right when they opened...so we jumped in the van and headed down. At first sight it wasn't much and i could sense my wife was hesitant. We waited outside b/c it wasn't open and after 5 minutes there were 2-3 other groups also waiting...i figured this was a good sign. Once inside the atmosphere was very homey and small. There were 2 ladies serving and both were very friendly and made you feel right at home. Probably around 8 tables and 10 seats at the bar. We sat down and looked over the menu and decided to get a few different items and share. We ordered a ginger chicken, udon, fresh seaweed salad, shrimp appetizer, black cod, chicken skewer, shrimp tempura. We ended up ordering another udon and a beef ginger on rice. All the food was fresh, hot and very tasty. Best of all the sake was great. I tried 2 types of sakes and what i liked most was the way it was served. in a good sized glass in a saucer and they would pour unitl it overflowed into the saucer. All in all it was a great experience and our whole family enjoyed it. By the way my kids love japanese food including sashimi (which they did not have on the menu), but regardless, they enjoyed the food very much. Its a small place but we were a party of 5 - 2 adults and 3 small kids...it was tight but not a problem. We would highly recommend trying this japanese restaurant that is not your typical japanese fare.
(5)
Anthony M.

This place was absolutely amazing!!! From the variety of sake they has to the sushi. The set up they have is a legit Japanese environment. The ladies who work there are very friendly. The only downside to this place is the size of the building, it's small and gives a little bit of a wait to get into on the weekends. The wait is very worth it though!! Prices are cheap, food is delicious and service is oustanding!!!
(5)
Kimberly P.

One of the best things about moving to Leucadia is that I can now walk to Yu Me Ya Sake House. This place is spectacular, small, intimate, family owned, quality food and drink that are simply superb. It definitely has a cozy neighborhood feel to it, it has soul. Dinner here is always amazing, filled with fine sakes and unique japanese food. My friends and I shared a bunch of selections and there was not one that disappointed. We were all smiles as we walked back to mi casa that night. They dont take reservations and it is an extrememly small place, but oh so worth it everytime!
(5)
Chris C.

This was definitely a surprising hole in the wall discovery. I found this from the as usual helpful yelp communitee and headed straight there. Unfortunately, it was Friday night and the line was already an hour long by 6.30pm (they open at 5.30pm). We decided to cut our losses and come back much earlier the next day. Even getting there at 5.15pm the following day, there was already 4 tables in front of us (this place only has about 6 or 7 tables and a bar area). Suffice to say, it was totally worth the wait. Everything we tried was yummy and I suspect the whole menu has the same high quality. Special mention to the udon noodle soup. This place alone is reason enough to sell everything and move to Encinitas. Hmm... maybe a retirement option.
(5)

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Address : 1246 N Coast Hwy 101
Encinitas, CA, 92024
Phone (760) 633-4288
Website https://www.sakehouseyumeya.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Yu Me Ya - Sake House

1246 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA, 92024

Yu Me Ya - Sake House Menu

Cold Tapas

Hot Tapas

Ginger Teriyaki Bowl

Tempura

Kushi - Katsu

Udon Noodle

Ochazuke Bowl

Sushi Roll

Miso And Rice

Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Yu Me Ya - Sake House

Cold Tapas

Hot Tapas

Ginger Teriyaki Bowl

Tempura

Kushi - Katsu

Udon Noodle

Ochazuke Bowl

Sushi Roll

Miso And Rice

Dessert

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