Author: Cathy

mmm-yoso!!! welcomes you back.  Today, Cathy is writing while Kirk is relaxing.

Kirk wrote about Yakyudori in 2010, two times then again in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and in 2020. Each of his posts concentrated on the yakitori portion of the menu (only served after 5:00 p.m. now). I wrote a short post in 2014, about appetizer meals. We've done those here regularly, I just have not posted.  Since COVID-19, a few things have changed.   There are beautiful wood dividers for the socially distanced tables.

When you are seated, the "menu pad" is programmed for your table, so you can order when you are ready.

 You can choose your menu with photos (descriptions and options/customizations available upon a tap). or switch the menu to just words.  Either way, it is efficient.  You can request additional items as well as your check without having to flag down anyone and follow your order:  

The last two times we were here, we noticed only one waitress and the system worked very efficiently.  
 Miso (lunch) ($10).  Wonderful, rich deep flavored broth, chewy noodles, fresh fillings/toppings. Spicy Miso ($10.50), customized with no onion (for The Mister). A good, spicy broth with ground pork, bean sprouts, corn and the wonderful ramen noodles. 
 Fried Chicken Bowl ($11.50) with optional mini salad ($1.50) (can choose sesame or wasabi dressing). Instead of ordering the chicken karaage appetizer (as it seemed every table was doing), the bowl with rice and lettuce, mayonnaise and chopped green onion is a full meal and enough to share.  

Of course we have also (still) made meals out of appetizers.
Gyoza ($5.50) (steamed; can also opt for fried) is almost always an automatic order for us.  A good amount of pork and cabbage filling inside tender skins and served with hot mustard and black soy, the six pieces along with a side salad could be a meal. 
 Fried Oyster ($8) was just wonderful, perfectly fried and crisp, not oily.  Quite large. 
 Takoyaki ($6.50) arrives hot with the dancing bonito flakes jiggling everywhere.  The small round pancakes are filled with octopus and have crisp edges and are always delightful.
 Mini salad ($1.50) and hot tea ($2) are pretty much always ordered here. 

So glad it has survived COVID-19.  The food quality and people who work here are great.  

There is online ordering but no delivery service.   

Yakyudori 4898 Convoy Street San Diego 92111  Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 5 p.m.-midnight, Sat-Sun 11:30 a.m.-midnight  website

mmm-yoso!!!, an old fashioned food blog.  Kirk is too busy to write a post today, so this one is being written by the -slightly less busy- Cathy. 

My most recent post about Niban is from 2019, when I linked to all of my previous posts, going back to 2006.  It's time for an update.   While standing in line to order, the "Daily Lunch Specials" sign remains.  Of course, the prices have changed. 
 The Bento lunch($8.75).  Inari along with six pieces of California roll, rice and three pieces of fried seafood (fish, squid and shrimp) as well as the seafood side salad.  This with a cup of hot tea ($1) is always satisfying.
 The regular menu has remained almost the same (sunomono salad has been removed).
The sushi bar is still there, but nobody can be seated.  Darn Covid!

  We always get some sort of appetizer to share.  The tempura vegetables ($6.50) are perfectly fried.  The potato croquette ($2) is made with bits of carrot and the panko crust surrounding the mashed potato has such great texture as well as flavor contrast.  I could make a meal of three croquettes and a side salad.  (and I have)
 The chicken katsu salad ($7.50) makes a nice meal.  The chicken piece is quite large and moist, again with a perfectly crisp crust.  The ginger based salad dressing is refreshing.
 On the "Combination" portion of the menu, there are several choices.  This is the chicken teriyaki with fried shrimp($11.50).  Mushrooms and zucchini are mixed in with the chicken and sauce (which is not thick and not too sweet). The pork teriyaki with fried (or steamed) gyoza ($10.50) is also a good meal.  The gyoza are filled with pork and vegetables and, again, perfectly fried.  
 Vegetarian Delight ($10.50) is a very satisfying Bento and could even be considered an 'appetizer platter'.  Eight pieces of Garden Roll, eight pieces of vegetable tempura, edamame, a salad and some marinated bean sprouts.  
 Katsu curry udon (with pork) ($10) was a craving one chilly day.  Quite perfect- curry flavored udon soup with a good size piece of fried pork on top.  The udon was something I hadn't realized I had missed.

Another survivor of the pandemic!

Niban 7081 Clairmont Mesa Blvd San Diego 92111 (858)268-0465 Open Mon-Sat 11-2:30, 5-9:00 (until 9:30 on Fri and Sat) Sun 4:30-9:00