ASIANA GRILL YOSHINOYA
ASIAN FLAVOR BLAST OPENS SECOND LOCATION NEAR USC

We all know and love Yoshinoya; it’s a reliable place for comforting quick-service food throughout California and Nevada. Taking their successful concept up a notch, they created Asiana Grill Yoshinoya, a more upscale version of the popular brand that offers customers a blast of Asian flavors made the way you like it.

Originally opened in Fullerton, Asiana Grill Yoshinoya now has a fast-casual dining location on Figueroa Street near USC allowing customers the choice to combine a rich selection of menu styles, sauces, proteins, and sides to create the perfect blend of Asian flavors, a departure from the meal-in-a-bowl service that Yoshinoya is famous for.

Depending on the protein choice you select, your dish is prepared fast and fresh before your eyes, either teppanyaki style or yakitori style, cooked fresh on the grill in an exhibition style open kitchen. Choose your meal to be served on a plate, as a soup, a salad, or on a bun.

During our recent visit, we sampled the extensive menu that delighted the palette and reminded us that it’s not all about fancy dining when eating out; sometimes the tastiest treats are found the simplest of places.

We started with the Great Yellow Bun served with Asian Cabbage Salad (Napa and green cabbage with shredded carrots, chopped parsley, vinegar and mirin) and served with Sweet Potato Fries. The bun, baked fresh every day, tastes similar to Hawaiian bread and offers a sweetness that really hits the spot. This was an instant favorite.

Looking for something heartier that will really fill you up, look no further than the Big Platter served with plump steamed white rice, fresh grilled vegetable medley (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage and bean sprouts) and romaine spring salad mix with sliced cucumbers, julienne carrots, scallions and a light Sesame Miso dressing, all topped with Daikon sprouts, sesame seeds and a garnish of red ginger. Choose between Charbroiled steak, chicken breast or pork, grilled chicken thigh, shrimp, white fish or tofu. And get the mushroom sauce if you order the Charbroiled Steak for a nice additional flavor.

If you’re looking for something light and healthy, go with the Lots of Soup, served with lightly sweet Shiromiso base served with grilled white rice cake and fresh vegetable medley (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage and bean sprouts), and topped with scallions. Go with the White Fish and you’ll swear you’re not eating “fast food.” This one is really nice and comforting.

Looking for another healthy option, the Super Salad, made with fresh romaine spring salad mix served with grilled rice wedges and a light Sesame Miso dressing, topped with sliced cucumbers, julienne carrots and scallions, is the way to go.

If you’re longing for a taste of Yoshinoya, they kept the popular Beef Bowl except here it can come with mushrooms and asparagus prepared as a “special,” which gets a hilarious reaction from the staff, and it’s served in a very pretty, traditional bowl.

Apparently there are over 180 combinations you can make with their menu so keeping it original shouldn’t be a problem. Good food, prepared fresh and fast at a good price always wins out.

Asiana Grill Yoshinoya is located at 3021 S. Figueroa Street near USC and 450 N. State College Blvd. in Fullerton.