Yakimono Japanese Grill in Oklahoma City: Tableside Grilling Over Traditional Sushi

Yakimono Japanese Grill operates as a hybrid sushi bar and table-grill restaurant on the north side of Oklahoma City, where diners order both nigiri and sashimi from a traditional sushi counter and cook marinated proteins directly at their table on built-in grills. This dual format distinguishes it from the majority of sushi-focused restaurants in the metro, which emphasize rolls and prepared plates rather than interactive cooking.

What Yakimono actually offers

The restaurant seats roughly 60 to 80 people across a main dining room with table grills embedded into the surface and a separate sushi counter with eight to ten seats. The tableside-grill component is the signature draw: servers deliver raw or lightly marinated beef, chicken, shrimp, and occasionally specialty proteins (duck breast, scallops) with a selection of dipping sauces and vegetables. Diners cook to their preference while ordering cooked items from the kitchen and sushi selections prepared behind the counter. The formula appeals to groups and dates seeking participation and theater, not to solo diners or those who want speed.

Menu and pricing

Sushi selections follow standard Japanese fare: nigiri runs 2 to 6 pieces per order and costs $4 to $8 per type; rolls (California, spicy tuna, Philadelphia, specialty rolls with tempura or sauce) range from $6 to $12. The grill protein platters are the menu's financial center: beef tenderloin, short rib, and chicken run $18 to $32 per person depending on cut and quantity, usually with three to four vegetable sides and rice included. Combination dinners that pair grill proteins with sushi appetizers and soup cost $28 to $45. Appetizers (gyoza, edamame, tempura vegetables) fall between $5 and $9. Drinks include sake by the glass or bottle, Japanese beer, standard cocktails, and soft beverages; alcoholic drinks run $5 to $12. Prices are stable but should be confirmed directly, as proteins and seasonal offerings shift.

How Yakimono compares to other Oklahoma City sushi options

Oklahoma City has roughly a dozen sushi-serving restaurants. Sushi King, downtown on Main Street, operates as a traditional sushi bar with a focus on rolls and nigiri; it is more affordable (most rolls under $10) and faster for lunch, but lacks the tableside-grill element. Kobe Steakhouse, also north-side, uses a hibachi chef model where one chef cooks for an entire table of eight diners simultaneously; this delivers showmanship but less individual control and slower service if your table is mixed in party size or appetite. Yakimono sits between these: it preserves the sushi counter for those who want it, but the table grill means couples and small groups manage their own cook time and pace. For pure sushi variety and speed, Sushi King wins. For entertainment and social dining, Yakimono and Kobe Steakhouse compete, though Yakimono's prices trend slightly lower and its atmosphere is less formal.

Who it suits and who it does not

Yakimono works well for dates, small groups of friends (four to six), families with older children comfortable around table heat, and anyone seeking an interactive meal. It does not suit solo diners (the grill format assumes a group), business lunches requiring speed, or diners with strict dietary restrictions (cross-contamination is a risk at shared table grills). Those wanting a quiet dinner should choose elsewhere; the sizzle of grills and conversation carry.

What a first visit involves

Arrive during non-peak hours (before 6 p.m. weekdays or early Saturday lunch) if you want a table grill immediately; weekends after 7 p.m. often have waits. Servers will seat you, explain the grill controls and safety (usually a simple dial or button), and hand you menu sheets for sushi and grill proteins. Order both simultaneously or grill first and sushi second, as timing is flexible. Expect 90 minutes to two hours for a full meal including sushi, cooked proteins, and dessert. First-timers often underestimate portion size; the grill plates are substantial.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Yakimono is open Tuesday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; it is closed Mondays. Confirm these hours directly as special events occasionally shift them. Parking is lot-based adjacent to the building with ample spaces for dinner service. The location sits on a north-side commercial boulevard with limited street parking nearby. Reservations are recommended for parties of four or more on weekends.

Yakimono fills a specific niche in Oklahoma City's sushi landscape by combining counter seating for traditionalists with tableside cooking for those who want control and engagement. It justifies a dedicated visit if you value the interactive element over speed or the broadest sushi selection.