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Welcome to Yori Oki Sushi & Grill, a small intimate and beautiful space that has been created at Ballito Lifestyle Centre. The decor is warm and plush, the sushi is outstanding as is the large selection of small plates, dim sum, robatayaki and desserts. Our food is quite unique, you will experience flavours and textures you have never before. A unique sensory experience that showcases our abundant flavours and generosity of spirit
Address and Contact Information
Address: Shop 91, Ballito Lifestyle Centre Cnr 398 &, 445 Main Rd, Ballito, Durban, 4420, South Africa
Phone: +27 87 711 2001
Website: http://www.yorioki.co.za/
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Yori Oki Sushi & Grill, Ballito – Book Online – Dineplan
Thank you so much. One of my favourite restaurants of all! Nikita was especially lovely and the food is simply world class. 0. DHILEN Dined: 5 days ago. 5.
Yori Oki (@yori_oki) • Instagram photos and videos
Smoky, succulent and beautifully balanced, they come highly recommended for those who appreciate precision on the grill. … Sushi. The perfect excuse for …
Reviews
Zelna Pelser
Blown away. I was very hesitant in booking as they ask for a R100 deposit per person to be paid upfront. It gets deducted from your meal total. And they have sessions over weekends from 6 to 8 and 8 to 10. But we pushed through all the doubts and went for dinner. So glad we did. Best restaurant we have been to in a while. And we do love to go out for dinner
The decor is beautiful. The service is exceptional. The food absolutely amazing. And the 2 hours to eat absolutely enough to not feel rushed. We shared some starters between the 4 of us. Pork, Tuna, Tempura prawns, which by the way was not oily at all. I had beef short rib and mashed sweet potatoes as a.main
Rest of the table had sushi. I cannot recommend this place enough.
… moreThe decor is beautiful. The service is exceptional. The food absolutely amazing. And the 2 hours to eat absolutely enough to not feel rushed. We shared some starters between the 4 of us. Pork, Tuna, Tempura prawns, which by the way was not oily at all. I had beef short rib and mashed sweet potatoes as a.main
Rest of the table had sushi. I cannot recommend this place enough.
Kovania
For lunch, we made our way to Yori Oki, a reservation-only Japanese restaurant that makes it clear from the start that this is not a walk-in, wing-it kind of place. A R200 deposit per booking is required to secure your table (deducted from the final bill), and a 10% service charge is already built in—worth noting upfront, especially if you like to know exactly what you’re signing up for.
This is a high-end dining experience, and the moment you step inside, it shows. The space is modern yet thoughtfully styled with subtle Japanese nuances—delicate glass vases with cherry blossoms on each table (artificial, of course… we are still very much in South Africa). The lighting is dim and intentional, paired with soft Japanese-style background music that’s soothing rather than intrusive. It creates an ambience that feels calm, intimate, and polished—perfect for an unrushed meal and actual conversation. Even the table settings are carefully done, a refreshing change from the bare-table norm.
Service was excellent. Our waiter—whose name sadly escapes me—was warm, attentive, and genuinely knowledgeable. He guided us through the menu, offered recommendations, explained each dish in detail, and even suggested adding extra chilli on the side for me (a thoughtful touch that did not go unnoticed). He also brought two sets of utensils for both dishes, fully leaning into our sharing is caring approach without us even asking. That level of awareness is rare and appreciated.
David opted for sushi, choosing a recommended combo of tuna, prawn, and salmon. While I can’t recall the exact name, I can confidently say this was the best sushi I have ever eaten. Each element stood out—the prawns were juicy and still had that perfect crunch (clearly my favourite), while the tuna and salmon were incredibly fresh and flavourful. The presentation? Absolute art on a plate.
I ordered the beef ramen, and the waiter mentioned I could substitute the beef for chicken if I preferred—a small but considerate gesture. I’m very much a beef eater, so no swaps were necessary. The ramen arrived in a generously sized bowl, curls of steam escaping the rim, and from the very first spoonful, I was sold. The broth was heavenly—seasoned to perfection, deeply savoury, and comforting in the best possible way. The smokey, slightly sweet beef paired beautifully with the fresh vegetables and coriander. The soft-boiled egg was a touch more done than I prefer, but even that melted into the broth beautifully. Honestly, that broth could make just about anything taste incredible.
To finish, we shared the ice cream–stuffed mochi. They arrived slightly firm but softened quickly at room temperature—likely helped along by the Durban heat. The mochi had the perfect chew, and the ice cream inside was light, fresh, and delicately strawberry-flavoured. It was a gentle, satisfying end to what was already an exceptional meal.
Yori Oki delivers on ambience, service, and—most importantly—outstanding food quality. From start to finish, the experience felt intentional and refined. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough if you’re looking for a truly memorable Japanese dining experience.
… moreThis is a high-end dining experience, and the moment you step inside, it shows. The space is modern yet thoughtfully styled with subtle Japanese nuances—delicate glass vases with cherry blossoms on each table (artificial, of course… we are still very much in South Africa). The lighting is dim and intentional, paired with soft Japanese-style background music that’s soothing rather than intrusive. It creates an ambience that feels calm, intimate, and polished—perfect for an unrushed meal and actual conversation. Even the table settings are carefully done, a refreshing change from the bare-table norm.
Service was excellent. Our waiter—whose name sadly escapes me—was warm, attentive, and genuinely knowledgeable. He guided us through the menu, offered recommendations, explained each dish in detail, and even suggested adding extra chilli on the side for me (a thoughtful touch that did not go unnoticed). He also brought two sets of utensils for both dishes, fully leaning into our sharing is caring approach without us even asking. That level of awareness is rare and appreciated.
David opted for sushi, choosing a recommended combo of tuna, prawn, and salmon. While I can’t recall the exact name, I can confidently say this was the best sushi I have ever eaten. Each element stood out—the prawns were juicy and still had that perfect crunch (clearly my favourite), while the tuna and salmon were incredibly fresh and flavourful. The presentation? Absolute art on a plate.
I ordered the beef ramen, and the waiter mentioned I could substitute the beef for chicken if I preferred—a small but considerate gesture. I’m very much a beef eater, so no swaps were necessary. The ramen arrived in a generously sized bowl, curls of steam escaping the rim, and from the very first spoonful, I was sold. The broth was heavenly—seasoned to perfection, deeply savoury, and comforting in the best possible way. The smokey, slightly sweet beef paired beautifully with the fresh vegetables and coriander. The soft-boiled egg was a touch more done than I prefer, but even that melted into the broth beautifully. Honestly, that broth could make just about anything taste incredible.
To finish, we shared the ice cream–stuffed mochi. They arrived slightly firm but softened quickly at room temperature—likely helped along by the Durban heat. The mochi had the perfect chew, and the ice cream inside was light, fresh, and delicately strawberry-flavoured. It was a gentle, satisfying end to what was already an exceptional meal.
Yori Oki delivers on ambience, service, and—most importantly—outstanding food quality. From start to finish, the experience felt intentional and refined. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough if you’re looking for a truly memorable Japanese dining experience.
Chanel Carvalho
Really pretty restaurant that gives you that authentic Japanese vibe, from the cherry blossom centre pieces for the table, to the bonsai tree on display. The decor is beautiful. The food also was absolutely top tier and very fresh I loved the sushi it was superb. Attention to detail was immaculate.
… moreTrav
The food at this Japanese gem is nothing short of exquisite. Every dish is crafted with the highest quality ingredients and bursts with flavour. The cocktails are a standout, blending Japanese spirits with natural, exotic fruit infusions that delight the palate. Generous portions make the pricing exceptional value for money, and the impeccable service ensures you’re well cared for from start to finish. The atmosphere is sophisticated yet welcoming, perfectly complementing the stunning culinary experience. Truly a meal to savour and remember.
… morethenomads
We really like Yori Oki Sushi. The portions were generous and everything was nice. The ramen, however, wasnt authentic as you would think when reading the menu. Aaaaaand, despite enjoying the food, the espresso martini is bäh that I couldnt drink it… That evening, I wasnt the only one not drinking their espresso martinis, there were quite a few actually!! Level up your espresso martini game, please!
… moreNosipho Ncube
Beautiful space. Food was great. I got to taste different things from my family members and it was all tasty. The spinach and sweet potato mash were firm favourites. I’d be careful to ask before ordering some stuff if you have a nut allergy. Some of the things had a peanut butter taste. But I’m sure the menu does mention these. It’s just from stuff I tasted. I had the Rock Prawn Tempura Sushi and 4 winglets, a Pomegranate vodka drink, hot chocolate and the Chokeki (if my spelling is correct. It’s extremely sweet but so good). All great!
… moreleon dunn
Review: Yori Oki – A Mixed Plate of Hits and Misses
Our evening at Yori Oki began on a slight low note, as our online booking hadn’t reached reception. Fortunately, we were graciously accommodated at a cozy table near a stylish heater—much appreciated on a chilly Ballito winter evening.
The wine list, while featuring South African selections, felt oddly foreign in composition. We first opted for the De Toren Délicate, a red blend that proved a little too harsh on the palate. It found a second life as a cooking wine after we moved on to the Diemersdal Chardonnay—a far superior choice that was buttery, smooth, and an ideal pairing for the sushi that followed.
The menu was diverse and refreshingly unique, though a bit overwhelming in its scope. Some dishes didn’t quite meet expectations. The pork skewer was unfortunately bland, lacking seasoning, marinade depth, or the charred caramelisation one might expect from a Japanese grill. In contrast, the dim sum was flawless—delicately wrapped with flavourful filling, rivalling some of my best overseas food experiences.
The Salmon Futomaki, however, leaned too heavily on mayo and sauce, which masked the natural taste and texture of the sushi—an attempt at boldness that missed the mark for traditional purists. That said, the poke bowl was a standout: fresh, generous, and vibrant, perhaps even a touch too generous in portion size.
Service was a highlight, with Anele offering a lively, personable approach, blending humour with attentiveness—he certainly added warmth and character to the evening. We also appreciated the manager’s effort to hear our feedback. No refunds or gestures were sought—just a shared passion for improving the experience.
⸻
Verdict:
Yori Oki offers a stylish and contemporary take on Japanese cuisine with flashes of brilliance—especially in the dim sum and poke bowl. There’s room for refinement in consistency and flavour profiling, particularly on the grill and some of the fusion sushi. With a warm team and open-minded management, it has the bones to be something truly special with a few refinements.
Then came the make-up dish as we were about to leave…Anele, feeling all bad about the skewers, suggested we try the pork belly with ginger and sauce. Wow, that was good.
… moreOur evening at Yori Oki began on a slight low note, as our online booking hadn’t reached reception. Fortunately, we were graciously accommodated at a cozy table near a stylish heater—much appreciated on a chilly Ballito winter evening.
The wine list, while featuring South African selections, felt oddly foreign in composition. We first opted for the De Toren Délicate, a red blend that proved a little too harsh on the palate. It found a second life as a cooking wine after we moved on to the Diemersdal Chardonnay—a far superior choice that was buttery, smooth, and an ideal pairing for the sushi that followed.
The menu was diverse and refreshingly unique, though a bit overwhelming in its scope. Some dishes didn’t quite meet expectations. The pork skewer was unfortunately bland, lacking seasoning, marinade depth, or the charred caramelisation one might expect from a Japanese grill. In contrast, the dim sum was flawless—delicately wrapped with flavourful filling, rivalling some of my best overseas food experiences.
The Salmon Futomaki, however, leaned too heavily on mayo and sauce, which masked the natural taste and texture of the sushi—an attempt at boldness that missed the mark for traditional purists. That said, the poke bowl was a standout: fresh, generous, and vibrant, perhaps even a touch too generous in portion size.
Service was a highlight, with Anele offering a lively, personable approach, blending humour with attentiveness—he certainly added warmth and character to the evening. We also appreciated the manager’s effort to hear our feedback. No refunds or gestures were sought—just a shared passion for improving the experience.
⸻
Verdict:
Yori Oki offers a stylish and contemporary take on Japanese cuisine with flashes of brilliance—especially in the dim sum and poke bowl. There’s room for refinement in consistency and flavour profiling, particularly on the grill and some of the fusion sushi. With a warm team and open-minded management, it has the bones to be something truly special with a few refinements.
Then came the make-up dish as we were about to leave…Anele, feeling all bad about the skewers, suggested we try the pork belly with ginger and sauce. Wow, that was good.
A N
Amazing! The restaurant is beautiful and has an authentically Japanese feel.
The sushi ranks among the best I’ve ever had.
The drinks menu is extensive and interesting. Cocktails incorporate Japanese plum wine, sake and shochu.
The service is attentive, knowledgeable and excellent.
100% recommend.
… moreThe sushi ranks among the best I’ve ever had.
The drinks menu is extensive and interesting. Cocktails incorporate Japanese plum wine, sake and shochu.
The service is attentive, knowledgeable and excellent.
100% recommend.
Aradhna Somaru
I’m so happy! We celebrated a birthday and was pleasantly surprised by the extensive food and drinks menu. We sampled a few tapas and a lot of sushi. The presentation of the food was exquisite and the taste was spectacular. Wonderful setup, ambience and service. I loved the crockery and glassware. Will definitely visit your establishment again. Thank you for a glorious lunch.
… moreDan Moodley
Really well designed venue, great tableware and decor. The food was really good. Modern Japanese fusion cuisine. I will continue dining here and hope that they start getting a little more authentic dishes onto the menu. I would also prefer a little less rice in the sushi rolls, as you end up eating more rice and mayo and sauce that overpowers the fish. Overall a great dining experience.
Nb. Pic 9 onwards is my 2nd dining experience. Sad to say that on this occasion a few dishes lacked seasoning. Ambiance and service still excellent though. The fried Oreos were surprisingly good.
Nb. Pic 22 onward is my 3rd visit. Interesting ramen bowls. I will definitely try that again.
… moreNb. Pic 9 onwards is my 2nd dining experience. Sad to say that on this occasion a few dishes lacked seasoning. Ambiance and service still excellent though. The fried Oreos were surprisingly good.
Nb. Pic 22 onward is my 3rd visit. Interesting ramen bowls. I will definitely try that again.