Yatai – Japanese
Yatai pulses with the vibrant energy of a neon-lit street market, where the comforting steam of rich ramen bowls meets the refreshing, colorful whimsy of chilled boba tea. Diners discover a playful collision of cultures through oversized sushi burritos and zesty fusion tacos, each bite bursting with fresh ingredients and bold, inventive sauces. It is a lively urban escape that transforms modern street food into a sensory celebration of cross-cultural flavors.
507 East University Avenue, 61820 https://yatai-restaurant.com/Rating: 3/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Japanese
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, halal, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-sodium, mediterranean, pescatarian, plant-based, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, low-cholesterol, tlc, macrobiotic
Diet fit at Yatai
Dairy-Free at Yatai
Yatai in Champaign has 1 dairy-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Asian Fusion Taco. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Yatai
Yatai in Champaign has 2 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Asian Fusion Taco and Sushi Burrito. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Yatai
Yatai in Champaign has 1 vegan-tagged dish on its current menu, including Asian Fusion Taco. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Yatai
Yatai in Champaign has 1 vegetarian-tagged dish on its current menu, including Asian Fusion Taco. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Heart-Healthy at Yatai
Yatai in Champaign has 1 heart-healthy-tagged dish on its current menu, including Asian Fusion Taco. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Sodium at Yatai
Yatai in Champaign has 1 low-sodium-tagged dish on its current menu, including Asian Fusion Taco. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Mediterranean at Yatai
Yatai in Champaign has 1 mediterranean-tagged dish on its current menu, including Asian Fusion Taco. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Pescatarian at Yatai
Yatai in Champaign has 2 pescatarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Asian Fusion Taco and Sushi Burrito. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Yatai
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Signature Ramen | 68.3 g | 30.5 g |
| Boba Tea | 14.5 g | 0.1 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
What diners are saying
Guests at Yatai highlight the friendly and welcoming staff, noting that the team creates an approachable environment for a casual dinner. While some diners mention a more relaxed pace of service, the experience is
Menu
Sushi Burritos
- Sushi Burrito - $12.99: Customizable sushi burrito with choice of protein and vegetables Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Tacos
- Asian Fusion Taco - $4.5: Fusion style taco with Asian-inspired fillings Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Ramen
- Signature Ramen - $14.5: Traditional ramen noodles in savory broth with toppings Available at: dinner, lunch
Beverages
- Boba Tea - $5.95: Milk tea or fruit tea with tapioca pearls
Frequently Asked Questions about Yatai
- Is this restaurant good for casual dining or more upscale?
- Yatai is a budget-friendly ($) casual dining spot featuring a friendly, approachable environment and a lively street-market atmosphere.
- What are the main concerns mentioned in customer reviews?
- Customer reviews mention concerns regarding a more relaxed pace of service despite the friendly and welcoming staff.
- Is this restaurant suitable for families?
- Yatai is suitable for families due to its budget-friendly pricing, approachable casual environment, and welcoming staff who create a friendly atmosphere.
- Is this restaurant currently open and operational?
- The restaurant is currently operational and can be reached via their official website at https://yatai-restaurant.com/ for further information.
- What percentage of this menu works for vegan, keto, gluten-free, or low-carb diets?
- The menu data does not list any vegan, keto, gluten-free, or low-carb options, only specifying dairy-free, high-protein, and nut-free dishes.
- What is the overall customer sentiment about this restaurant?
- With a 3.0/5 rating, customers praise the welcoming staff and approachable environment while noting a more relaxed pace of service.
- Which diets does this restaurant support based on its menu?
- Yatai supports dairy-free, high-protein, and nut-free diets, with the Signature Ramen serving as an example of all three categories.
- Is this restaurant good value for money?
- Yatai offers budget-friendly ($) Japanese fusion cuisine with a 3.0/5 rating, providing an affordable option for casual dining.
- What is the restaurant's atmosphere and style?
- Yatai provides a lively, neon-lit street market atmosphere with an approachable, casual environment focused on modern Japanese fusion street food.
- What type of cuisine does this restaurant specialize in?
- Yatai specializes in Japanese cuisine, featuring modern street food such as ramen, sushi burritos, and Asian fusion tacos.
- Is Yatai dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Yatai has 1 dairy-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Asian Fusion Taco.
- What can I eat at Yatai on a dairy-free diet?
- Asian Fusion Taco carry the dairy-free tag, out of 1 tagged dish on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Yatai have vegan options?
- Yes. 1 dish is tagged vegan on the current menu, including Asian Fusion Taco.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Yatai?
- Signature Ramen, at roughly 30.5g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
Restaurants near Yatai
- Oozu Ramen Bar — Japanese
- Tenkyu — Japanese
- Forage Kitchen — American
- The Daily Byte — American
- Chongqing House — Chinese
- Mia Za's — Italian
- Mia Za's Express — Italian
- Central Illinois Bakehouse — American
- Beckman Cafe — American
- Paris Super Crepes — French
- Just BEE Açaí UIUC — American
- Black Dog Smoke & Ale House — American
