Serves meat, vegan options available. Newest restaurant in the Rakiraki family. Offers a plant-based spin on classic Japanese dishes. Vegan menu includes a wide variety of classic and specialty sushi rolls, ramen with hand-crafted triple-thick noodles, salads, and a variety of starters/small plates such as gyoza, crispy gobo, Brussel sprouts skillet, made-in-house tofu chawanmushi, and more. Vegetable sources include Chino Farm. This location was previously fully vegan but now shares a space with other Rakiraki concepts. Reported to use separate work stations and utensils. Open Mon-Sun 5:00pm-9:30pm.
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2254 India St (at West Juniper), San Diego, California, USA, 92101
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Last update on 13 Nov 2024 by spirulinajunkie
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Added by pesne100 on 13 Jul 2020
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60 Reviews
First Review by pesne100
SeanBerger
Points +1207
Fantastic Menu! - Edit
Yasai delivers a memorable dining experience with a creative plant-based menu that stands out. The mushroom bao buns were an absolute highlight—fluffy, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. Their sushi was also impressive, with the purple rice adding a unique and visually striking variation that pairs beautifully with the fresh ingredients.
Read moreFor dessert, the pistachio ice cream was a delightful conclusion—rich, creamy, and perfectly sweetened. It's clear that attention to detail extends through every dish, making Yasai a must-visit for anyone exploring vegan cuisine or simply looking for a fresh culinary adventure. Highly recommend!
Pros: Awesome menu options, Ice-cream was excpetional, Bao buns hit the spot
Cons: A little chilly at the table by the door
Guest
HappyFoodLove1
Points +188
Delicious! - Edit
The question myself and my colleague were asked as we entered was “are you vegan or non-vegan?” Both menus are excellent but I can only speak about the vegan menu. I had the bao which was a little salty but still amazing. The miso soup yummy and the crispy dumplings were great. Highly recommend!
Read moreGuest
spirulinajunkie
Points +72
Best vegan Japanese I’ve ever had! - Edit
I had a ramen here and it was incredible! The meals that the rest of our party ordered looked amazing too.
Read moreGuest
jennp80
Points +163
Always a fantastic chew - Edit
Jade roll and seaweed salad are great. Nothing beats the stressed out roll though
Read moreGuest
HaikuReview
Points +840
Haiku Review - Edit
Decent nigiri
Read moreOdd flavor combinations
Full vegan menu
Pros: Separate vegan menu
Cons: Some flavor combos didn’t hit
Guest
eed293
Points +212
Lots of delicious vegan options - Edit
2024 UPDATE: This place is still amazing. Their website does say they’re all vegan now but they did ask if I was vegan when I walked in. The sushi was my favorite thing I’ve eaten all week!
Read moreThis place has it all—vegan, non vegan, sushi, Asian appetizers, ramen, and even fried chicken (and a vegan alternative!). When I walked in, they asked me if I wanted the vegan or non vegan menu, which I loved.
I got the vegan shrimp tempura roll and the stressed out roll, which was smoked tofu, avocado and no cream cheese and then the entire roll was tempura fried. Both rolls were so delicious and honestly super filling!!
While I did wait about 40 minutes for two rolls, it was well worth the wait for me.
Updated from previous review on 2022-07-17
Pros: An entire vegan menu, Unique and artistic sushi rolls
Cons: Took a while, Expensive
Guest
MandicReally
Points +28
Friendly & Delicious - 5 Stars - Edit
Deserves 5 stars! It was busy but they seated us immediately and asked if we were Vegan before giving us menus. Service was friendly and very quick. We had the “Stressed Out”, “Dragon Roll”, Tempura Jalapeño Poppers, & Nigiri. My partner was a little suspicious but that all changed after seeing the food in person and one bite. Highly recommend. Probably the best sushi I’ve had since I went Vegan over a decade ago. Only complaint I could have is it would be nice if the rolls were half the size (and price) to get a few more to pick at. They were around $19-20 on average. Two of us left with leftover off just two rolls.
Read morePros: Good service, Delicious food, Big menu
Cons: Rolls aren’t cheap.
Guest
EmilyKehner
Points +91
Favorite meal in a while - Edit
This was my favorite food I’ve had in a long time. Really enjoyed the miso soup, no-chicken karaage, and a few rolls of sushi. If I lived in San Diego I would definitely return here again and again
Read moreGuest
missfury
Points +285
outstanding ramen - Edit
Can’t wait to come back the next time we are in town. Very fresh, spiced subtly and perfectly. Will try rolls next time.
Read moreGuest
KokoChacon
Points +26
AMAZING - Edit
Best vegan ramen and sushi I’ve ever had
Read moreGuest
CamAndri
Points +40
Best Vegan Sushi Ever! - Edit
I love the ambiance of The Yasai. Cute and laid back. The staff were very friendly and allowed me to charge my phone. I ordered the Believer vegan sushi, which was the best sushi I’ve ever had vegan and non-vegan. Also ordered the Truffle Ramen, which was a large portion and very filling. #Veganuary
Read moreGuest
k_robsss
Points +1157
Vegan sushi - Edit
So many great vegan options! My non-vegan friends say that they can’t even tell that the sushi is vegan. There is a separate vegan menu
Read morePros: Amazing vegan sushi
Cons: Not open everyday
Guest
RafaelFontes
Points +87
Ultimate vegan sushi experience - Edit
I am a frequent customer for the last 2 years. It’s one of my happy places in little Italy.
Read morePros: All vegan, Great service , Unequaled quality, decor, and flavors
Cons: Loud airplanes over head , Opens after 4, Wine selection
Guest
kcolb203
Points +120
Delicious Vegan Sushi - Edit
Best vegan sushi! We tried a few rolls with the recommended forbidden rice and loved them. They also have some tasty apps like bao buns and mushroom scallops.
Read moreGuest
NicoleCormier
Points +235
Impressive vegan menu - Edit
We came here for a quick bite before heading to the airport and I ordered the vegan Nigiri and a “shrimp” roll.  Both were amazing they have a large selection of vegan appetizers, entrées and other items. Super impressed! 
Read moreGuest
Shona
Points +28
Exceeded Our Expectations - Edit
This was our second visit to the Little Italy location and we were blown away by the ramen noodle soup broth. I was wary that it wasn’t vegan but was assured it is indeed.
Read moreWe will go back to try every single ramen dish and the “scallops” that were not ready because they were being prepped/marinated.
Definitely worth a stop at this wonderful vegan test kitchen.
Guest
peteycards
Points +1821
GO THERE NOW! - Edit
The vegan menu is huge, and everything was soooooo good. We had a sampler platter with karaage, gyoza, sushi, and more. We added another sushi roll, and the ramen that was a spicy sesame broth with impossible meat (sorry, forgot the name of the ramen and sushi rolls). This was an unforgettable meal, and though not cheap, was the kind of meal I wouldn't have been surprised to have to pay twice as much for.
Read moreGuest
corrado.felicity
Points +11
Yasai Little Italy - Edit
We went for the sushi vegan option an dot was great! We loved how they can make Japanese flavors without any meat or fish! Loved it!
Read moreGuest
dea_larissa
Points +771
Best selection of vegan sushi and ramen anywhere! - Edit
We went on a Saturday night and it was PACKED! The food was well worth the wait though. They have separate vegan menus, everything from sushi, appetizers, ramen, dessert (they carry Kula Ice Cream!), and bento boxes!
Read moreWe ordered:
- garlic edamame
- The Classic vegan ramen
- Little Italy roll
- Caterpillar roll
- Queen Dragon roll
- avocado roll
Everything was absolutely delicious and if you come here for sushi, make sure you still get a ramen to share because their ramen is PHENOMENAL!
Guest
madelinek
Points +2158
YUM - Edit
such good food with a whole vegan menu! has tamari instead of soy sauce and several menu items can be made gluten free. service excellent as well! pricey but it’s sd xxxx
Read moreGuest
CamilaGalvez
Points +1593
Presentación increíble, delicioso sabor - Edit
Me encantó la presentación de los platos, muy lindo y con muchos colores. Encontré por fin nigiris veganos que es muy difícil !! Llegue antes de mi reserva y me dejaron sentarme, el servicio excelente
Read morePros: Nigiris veganos!, Bien servido, Bento box
Guest
LuckyAng
Points +76
Beautiful ramen - Edit
I ordered the tantan men, and it was the best ramen I’ve had in San Diego. So many vegan options. Spendy, but worth every penny. A new favorite
Read morePros: Vegan options galore!, Nice atmosphere
Cons: Spendy
Guest
Unclehichard
Points +22
They have a great variety of vegan sushi rolls. It is my absolute favorite spot. - Edit
They have lots of great options.
Read morePros: Great vegan sushi rolls
Cons: Slightly pricey
Guest
NicoleParks
Points +2198
great vegan ramen - Edit
i loved the sushi and the ramen! i got a caterpillar roll and the classic ramen and they were both really good. the food was reallyyy expensive but that’s what is expected from vegan sushi in downtown san diego. there were so many options with beautiful presentation, i definitely want to come back and try more things
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-10-29
Guest
sconroy
Points +360
The vegan rolls were phenomenal! - Edit
Greta choice for vegan sushi, highly recommend
Read moreGuest
mallow
Points +382
It’s ok - Edit
It’s alright. Kinda pricey and not the best. Knocking off some stars because they used to be fully veg and aren’t anymore
Read moreGuest
Nmg
Points +85
Used to be good, service is terrible & no longer vegan - Edit
The service has always been a bit mercurial (perhaps high staff turnover?), but the last time we went there, the staff member brought one out of two dishes, and then had the gall to ask us if we were ready for the check after not bringing us our dish. They served us a rush job of their little italy roll, and it was pretty mediocre. They also are no longer fully vegan. The wait staff all vape between customers as well which I consider unprofessional.
Read moreI would potentially consider take-out, but dining in here just isn't worth it after several meh to downright bad experiences with service.
Pros: Good vegan japanese, when they get it right
Cons: Expensive, Bad service
Guest
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