Teriyaki at Large Portions and Modest Prices

January 9th, 2007
By: Grant Y

Located in a Redmond strip mall off the end of 520, Yummy Teriyaki is a popular grab-and-go destination for many locals and Microsofties in the area. The menu features both chicken and beef teriyaki and katsu, spicy teriyaki, gyoza, orange chicken, yakisoba, udon, tempura and fried rice.

The interior is well kept, with large comfortable booths and plenty of tables. Whereas most teriyaki restaurants are driven primarily by to-go orders, it's rare not to see at least a few diners sitting down to dine, especially during the lunch rush.

The main draw to Yummy Teriyaki used to be the enormous portions that this restaurant offered. With a huge 16" plate filled with rice, salad, and sweet glazed teriyaki meat, it's not uncommon to see even those with the most godly of appetites leaving with a to-go box. But due to recent changes from the management, the historical "low price" appeal is no more since now a normal teriyaki plate hovers around $8.95 while the combination plate of teriyaki and tempura is $9.45. Compared to most teriyaki in the Seattle area, Yummy's is now one of the most expensive venues.

But on the up shot, service is fast, which is a good thing, as Yummy Teriyaki is quite popular and seems to always have a line during the lunch time rush. Orders are cooked and brought to the table often within five minutes, though water and other amenities are self-service, as is with most teriyaki restaurants.

The Chicken Teriyaki ($8.95) is well made, with thick pieces of chicken that are moist and nicely grilled on the outside. Dressed in a teriyaki sauce, the taste is sweet but not overly so. The accompanying salad of shredded cabbage is offered with a sweet, peanut flavored sauce, so those with allergies to nuts should request no dressing.

The Teriyaki and Tempura Combination ($9.45) is a surprisingly good value, which is essentially an entire order of teriyaki added with a full side of tempura for less than a dollar. For those with big appetites, this dish is sure to please. The tempura is all vegetables, with a damp, semi-oily batter that performs well as far as teriyaki restaurants go.

For those in the mood for Fried Rice ($7.45), take note that this is a different take on the traditional Chinese dish. Yummy's Teriyaki makes their own version with sliced cucumbers, egg, onions and covered with slices of teriyaki chicken. The dish is tasty, but also showcases an alarming amount of oil.

Yummy Teriyaki is fast, delivers good teriyaki, and has ample parking, making it a popular destination. The recent price hikes have pushed some away, but those looking for a hefty sized meal will surely keep coming back.