The "fish yakiniku"specialty shop from Tsukiji, Tokyo,Yakiuo Ishikawa Saigonhas opened a second location in the Thao Dien area of Ho Chi Minh City. The first location opened on Thai Van Lung Street in District 1 in 2024, and won「Concept of the Year」at the Vietcetera Flavors Awards 2024.
What is "fish yakiniku"
Yakiuo Ishikawa's biggest feature is using no meat at all in yakiniku style. Sashimi-grade seafood such as fatty tuna, abalone, yellowtail (buri), and surf clam is grilled by guests themselves on a tabletop grill. It's a style that competes on the freshness and quality of ingredients, backed by three generations of technique inheriting the discerning eye of the Tsukiji market. Another pillar is the omakase course. The chef composes the menu with seasonal ingredients and serves it across the counter.
Overview of the Thao Dien second location
The second location sits at79 Xuan Thuy Street(Thao Dien, Thu Duc City). Like the first location, it's designed with an open kitchen where you can watch the cooking process. It also has a private room, accommodating entertaining and special meals.
| Course | Price (VND) | Yen conversion (guide) |
|---|---|---|
| Omakase (basic) | About 1,000,000 VND~ | About 6,000 yen~ |
| Omakase (premium) | About 3,700,000 VND~ | About 22,200 yen~ |
| A la carte | Varies by menu item | — |
Awards and reputation
It won "Concept of the Year" at the Vietcetera Flavors Awards held on December 14, 2024. The Dot Magazine also named it among the best new Saigon restaurants of 2025. On TripAdvisor, reviews such as "one of the most cost-effective and underrated omakase in Ho Chi Minh City" have been posted, with the high texture and freshness as evaluation points.
Practical information for Japanese travelers
For travelers familiar with Japan's yakiniku culture, the concept of "doing yakiniku with fish" becomes a fresh experience. The first location is on Thai Van Lung in District 1, where there are many Japanese expats, and is easy to access. The Thao Dien area of the second location also has many foreign residents; Japanese-menu availability should be confirmed, but reservations are possible via TableCheck. Omakase at 1 million VND (about 6,000 yen) is overwhelmingly reasonable compared with an equivalent class in Tokyo.
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Impact on Ho Chi Minh City's Japanese-food scene
In Ho Chi Minh City, Japanese restaurants are opening one after another, but many of them are ramen, sushi, and izakaya. The overseas entry of a "format that's niche even in Japan" like Yakiuo Ishikawa suggests that Vietnam's Japanese-food market is entering a maturing phase. Winning the concept award at the Flavors Awards means the market has entered a phase where not mere importation of Japanese food but locally recognized originality is required.
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| Item | First location (Thai Van Lung) | Second location (Thao Dien) |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 38 Thai Van Lung, District 1 | 79 Xuan Thuy, Thao Dien, Thu Duc |
| Hours | 11:00-14:00 / 18:00-22:30 | To be confirmed |
| Reservations | +84 933 828 768 | TableCheck supported |
| Reservation@yakiuosaigon.com | ||
| Official site | yakiuosaigon.com | |
Summary
Yakiuo Ishikawa Saigon, which brought Tsukiji's discerning fish eye to Ho Chi Minh City, is stepping up its offensive with a second location. The distinctive concept of yakiniku without meat has added a new axis to Vietnam's Japanese-food scene. On a visit to Ho Chi Minh City, do try it as a dining experience that stands apart from the usual sushi and ramen.
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