Yumi Japanese Restaurant in Greenhills Promenade, San Juan

Yumi Japanese Restaurant in Greenhills Promenade, San Juan
Photo by Alberto Del Rosario

Greenhills is considered to be a far place from where I reside; hence, it is usually very uncommon for you to find me there. This is why when my high school buddies and I had a small rendezvous, I had no idea where to have our dinner, despite me being a "food blogger". 

Since this was the case, I just let my friends who live nearby to decide on it, and after evaluating several food options, they finally came up with Yumi, a Japanese restaurant in Greenhills Promenade.

Yumi Japanese Restaurant - 2nd floor of Greenhills Promenade

Something about the Place
Yumi is located above another restaurant (that I forgot the name of), which I found somewhat inconvenient because you need to either take the stairs or the elevator to reach the place. However, on the other side, I was able to appreciate it because it gave the restaurant a sense of "exclusivity" and "secrecy".

Cozy and dim interior of Yumi Japanese Restaurant

The interior of the place reinforces the sense of exclusivity that I just mentioned. It felt like your typical pad where you can be yourself and just enjoy. Before I proceed, let me share with you this photo of me together with my high school barkada.

A Not-So-Popular Kid (me) with his High School Buddies

Oh, I also found the collection of wines here in Yumi interesting. Again, I can sense that Yumi envisions its customers to be really relaxed and at ease, and there is no other way to do it but to provide good food and smooth drinks.

Japanese Wine and Alcohol Collection in Yumi Restaurant

To start our food exploration here in Yumi, here's the free bite-size appetizer!

Free Bite-size Kani Appetizer 

Free Kani Appetizer in Yumi Japanese Restaurant

Although I appreciate the gesture, I wasn't able to enjoy the appetizer due to its highly predictable and plain taste. Still, thumbs up for it being free!

Dynamite Roll (Makimono) || P240 for 5 pcs 

Japanese Rolls with spicy tuna 

The interestingly flavored Dynamite Roll of Yumi Japanese Restaurant

Compensating for the earlier appetizer, these Dynamite Rolls were really fantastic, and not to mention, relatively affordable considering the ambiance. Each roll had an amazing texture, signaling great quality. Plus, I found the mix of flavors, highlighted by a playful soft kick, very ticklish on the palate.

Tori Kuwayaki || P320 

Deep fried chicken with teriyaki sauce

The beauty - Tori Kuwayaki for some chicken and tofu goodness!

Although slightly expensive, this Tori Kuwayaki was highly praise-worthy with its crunchy chicken and light yet sweet teriyaki sauce. Cradling the chicken strips was the delicate tofu which had a very silky texture!

Happy Hour Drinks

Lychee Margarita (P65) and Sangria (P85)

During Happy Hour (although I forgot to note when), drinks are priced half.

Tonkatsu || P420 

Pork Tonkatsu in Yumi Restaurant in Greenhills Promenade

The Pork Tonkatsu here in Yumi is not half as bad, but I personally believe that this is not a specialty. The flavor of the tonkatsu was more on the salty side. Yes, it was crunchy, but it was not ideally tender. Furthermore, the sauce that came with it was not the sweet type, and hence added more saltiness to the tonkatsu.

Lastly, given the price, I would rather visit either Tonkatsu by Terazawa or Yabu: The House of Katsu

Hotate (Scallop) Sashimi || P490 

Hotate Scallop Sashimi - very interesting taste!

If we speak of sashimi, what first comes to my mind is salmon (my favorite), and usually I don't want to try anything else aside from it. Surprisingly, I got to taste a different variety - Hotate or scallop, and it was so awesome! I can't put my delight into words, but I really loved it!

Sake Sushi Balls || P205 (3 pcs) 

Salmon sushi balls with cream cheese and crispy salmon skin

The unamazing Salmon Sushi Balls albeit wonderfully presented

Although beautifully presented, these Salmon Sushi Balls were not as incredible as it appeared on the menu. The overall flavor was plain while the cream cheese attempted, but failed, to make it interesting enough.

Symphony || P380

Fried sushi rice with layers of spicy tuna, spicy salmon and crabsticks

The incredible work of art - Symphony!

This fantastic dish brought an avalanche of flavors with a highlighted playful kick that really made this Symphony highly deserving of our attention and money! The taste had a prominence of fresh tuna followed by the salmon which admittedly was insanely interesting!

Sake (Salmon) Sashimi || P265

Fresh and affordable Salmon Sashimi here in Yumi
Photo by Alberto Del Rosario

This Salmon Sashimi was definitely of great quality evidenced by its simplicity and extra freshness! Nothing more; nothing less.

Tamago (Egg Omelet) Sashimi || P135

The relatively affordable Tamago Sashimi - simple and sweet!

If you are a big fan of Tamago, you will definitely enjoy this simple dish! It had this traditional sweetness and smooth texture innate to the tamago!

Tori Chiisu Maki | P240

Cheese filled chicken roulade 

Tori Chiisu Maki that resembles a cordon bleu - interesting but not as good
Photo by Alberto Del Rosario

Lastly, this Tori Chiisu Maki featured an interesting teriyaki-flavored chicken presented like a "cordon bleu". However, even though I found it really interesting, I realized that the stuffed cheese failed to compliment the overall flavor of the sauce. In short, I would have loved it more without the cheese.

Yumi Japanese Restaurant - Ratings

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Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings apply solely to this dining experience.
Place ★★★★
Taste  ★★★★
Service ★★★★
Value for Money ★★★★
Budget needed: at least P500 per person (coming in a group of 4 and above) for diverse appetizers and main dishes

Give your own rating to Yumi Japanese Restaurant

Overall, I would say that my dining experience here in Yumi was good! Although some dishes were just so-so, almost majority of them were unique and interesting! Generally, I'm seeing a lot of potential in this restaurant. In fact, if I happen to be there in the area, I'll definitely give Yumi's other dishes a try!

With this, I'm suggesting that you give this restaurant a try, in case you happen to be in Greenhills Promenade.

Yumi Japanese Restaurant
Location: Unit 202 Greenhills Shopping Center, Promenade 3, Ortigas Ave West Crame, San Juan (retrieved from Munchpunch)

Reservation No.: (02) 785-6932
Service Charge: None