Yayoiken – How Good Is It Actually?

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Japan is home to lots of casual teishoku chains, and today I’m checking out Yayoiken at Hakata Station. With a wide variety of set meals for under ¥1,000 at hundreds of stores nationwide, Yayoiken hits a major sweet spot for budget-conscious travellers and salarymen looking for a balanced, quality meal at a price point similar to fast-food chains. 

But what are some of the set meals available here? Does it deliver on flavor despite the affordable price point? And is it worth the visit? Let’s get to it. How Good is Yayoiken Actually?

–Ordering System & Menu–
–Miso-Simmered Tonkatsu Teishoku–
–Tonkatsu Impressions–
–Side Items–
–Set Contents–
–Karaage-
–Rice & Dashi Broth Refill Station–
–Verdict–
–Getting There–

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📋 Ordering System & Menu 📋

Like many restaurant chains in Japan, Yayoiken’s ordering process is fully automated via their touchscreen kiosks – with a fully functional English menu available.

Here’s a list of some of Yayoiken’s most popular Teishoku sets:
🍱 Ginger Pork (Shogayaki) Teishoku (¥890)
🍱 Namban Chicken Teishoku (¥990)
🍱 Karaage Teishoku (¥930)
🍱 Miso-Simmered Tonkatsu Teishoku (¥990)
🍱 Salt-Grilled Mackerel Teishoku (¥990)

Side Note: All Teishoku (Set Meals) come with unlimited free refills of rice!

Once you’ve ordered and paid, collect your paper tickets and head to an open seat, where a staff member will collect your order and serve you a glass of water.

Payment Options: Cash, IC cards, and credit cards are all accepted here.

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🍱 Miso-Simmered Tonkatsu Teishoku (¥990) 🍱

A Yayoiken classic: a tonkatsu pork cutlet topped with miso sauce, served with sliced onions, potato salad, mustard greens, and a soft-set egg, plus a trio of side dishes: white rice (refillable), miso soup, and chilled tofu – all for under ¥1,000.

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🍖 Miso-Simmered Tonkatsu Impressions 🍖

For a ¥990 set meal, the tonkatsu here is a pretty decent baseline. The pork’s thickness is your standard business-casual chain fare, but offers a good amount of tenderness to it. The real point of discussion here, however, is in the crust.

The breading (at least the areas not covered in sauce) is nicely airy and crunchy, but is thicker than what you’d find at a tonkatsu specialty shop. That said, compared to several other budget chains at this price range, Yayoiken’s katsu is actually one of the thinner ones I’ve tried. In fact, I actually went through most of the meal without even thinking about the breading, partly because the thickness wasn’t too bad, but also because of how well it pairs up with the sauce.

Dressed on top of the katsu is Yayoiken’s miso sauce, a regional specialty from Nagoya. Unlike the lighter profile you get in a bowl of miso soup, this red-miso sauce functions more like a demi-glace: rich, deeply savory, and packed with intense sweet and salty soybean notes that’s bold, but not overpowering.

And going back to the crust, because the breading has that slight thickness to it, it manages to soak up a good amount of sauce while still retaining some pockets of crunch.

Suffice to say, while you shouldn’t compare it to a higher-end tonkatsu, it’s an incredibly comforting, hearty dish packed full of flavor.

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🍳 Side Items 🍳

Served on the hotplate alongside the tonkatsu is a trio of accompaniments: a soft-set egg, pickled mustard greens, and a Japanese-style potato salad. 

You can eat them however you like, though I highly recommend you dip your katsu in the runny yolk for some added richness (and I suppose enjoy the whites with the miso sauce or rice.)

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🍚 Set Contents 🍚

In addition to the potato salad & mustard greens in the hot plate, the following side dishes are also included with every set meal order: rice (refillable), miso soup, and a chilled tofu.

The rice and miso soup is pretty standard, so it goes without saying. But the chilled tofu was remarkably refreshing, with the firm yet silky texture contrasting well with the heavier main tonkatsu dish.

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🍗 Karaage (5pcs. / ¥590) 🍗

Continuing my curiosity for Karaage at budget-friendly teishoku shops, I decided to also try it out here. 

It’s on the simpler side, but still good – crispy coating, and a nicely seasoned interior.

Top it off with their included salt/pepper spice blend, and it’s a great side to snack on while you enjoy your main course.

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🍚 Rice & Dashi Broth Refill Station 🍚

Free (unlimited) refills of rice is also available with every set meal order, as well as hot/cold tea, dashi broth, and pickled veggies.

Simply head to their refill corner, place your rice bowl under the machine, and select your desired portion size (50g, 100g, 150g, 200g.)

If you prefer, you can also top your rice with some dashi broth & pickled veggies for a serving of Ochazuke to close out your meal.

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⭐VERDICT⭐

So how good is Yayoiken actually? Viewing it through the lens of a budget-friendly teishoku chain, it’s honestly quite impressive! The Miso Katsu was packed full of flavor, and everything else in the set works well together for a balanced, high-value meal at under ¥1,000 – plus unlimited rice refills!

It’s no high-end store, but if you’re in the mood for a quick, hearty, and affordable set meal at a Teishoku chain to power through your day, then head on over to Yayoiken! 

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🚗 GETTING THERE 🚗

Yayoiken stores can be found in many cities across Japan, but my visit today was at their Chikushiguchi Store right by Hakata Station, Fukuoka.

From Hakata Station (JR, Kuko, and Nanakuma Lines), exit via East 5, East 7, or the Chikushi Gate, and you’ll find the store after a quick 5-minute walk.

Yayoiken (Chikushiguchi Store)

🌏 Location 🌏
Hakata Terminal Hotel, 2-1-26 Hakataekihigashi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka 812-0013, Japan
🗺 Map 🗺
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QMxEcMsePYUgr6fb6
⏰ Opening Hours ⏰
6:30 A.M. – 11 P.M.
💻 Website 💻
https://www.yayoiken.com/en/
🏠 List of Stores 🏠
https://www.yayoiken.com/en/store/
📖 Online Menu (English) 📖
https://www.yayoiken.com/en/menu_list

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