Is Yakumi’s Japanese Sunday Brunch Worth It? What we actually ate, loved, skipped, and went back for

last visited Yakumi: August 30, 2026
article last updated: September 1, 2026

I thought Yakumi’s Sunday Brunch was just another Japanese buffet.

We were not prepared for how good it actually was.

The place was jam-packed—110 seats, completely full—and the team told us it’s like this every Sunday.

What made it even more exciting? Despite the crowd, there were no long queues, no scarcity of ingredients, and no need to rush. You could simply go back for the things you loved.

And that’s exactly what we did.

Here’s what we ate, loved, skipped, and went back for again and again at Yakumi’s Japanese Sunday Brunch.


Yakumi Sunday Brunch: The Art of Shun
Level 2, Solaire Resort Quezon City
Sundays 11:30-2:30pm 4.888++/ head
@solaireresortquezoncity
https://sn.solaireresort.com/dining/yakumi


eat-all-you-can teppanyaki

We went straight for the seafood teppanyaki. Start with protein first, they say.

We expected a long queue. There was none. Just order, and they cook it fresh.

Our mistake? We ordered one of everything, three portions each for the family. Way too much, especially if you don’t like a particular seafood.

Oooh… the grilled shrimp was the winner. We were popping them into our mouths like popcorn. Ang sarap!

The seabass and scallops were good too—fresh, tender, and tasty. And you can eat as much as you want without feeling guilty.

Nobody touched the tanigue. The grilled salmon was also a pass for us. It was a little too well-done.

Then we moved on to the meat teppanyaki.

Same mistake. We ordered one of each.

Next time, we’d skip the sampling and just order the meats we really like. Less waste, more of the good stuff.

The grilled teppanyaki meats were the best—tenderloin, rib-eye, and sirloin, all grilled to order.

Next time, I’d just go for the premium rib-eye. It was the standout.

And I kept dreaming… what if these were wagyu cubes? That would have been next-level.

The bubbly Prosecco Brut Rosé was a nice pairing with the seafood, while the Comte des Clos Bordeaux Red worked well with the steak.

But honestly, a sparkling sake would have been perfect!

By this point, the chicken was completely ignored.

But the rack of lamb cooked in teppan? Yum! especially with the mint jelly. 

This wasn’t on the menu. But one of the servers quietly told us that oysters were available upon request.

Oh yes—Rache loved the raw oysters. They were a bit thin, but still tasty with a squeeze of lemon.

At this point, it’s also nice to order a chawanmushi or miso soup. Something warm to refresh the palate before moving on.


🍣 sushi & sashimi

I personally skipped the sushi and other items, but I went straight for a big chunk of fresh salmon.

Chef Kazu expertly sliced it right in front of us and served it as much as you want.

The salmon was fresh, naturally sweet — ang sarap papakin—and a guilt-free indulgence!

For raw seafood, I always like having it with sake. The rice umami complements the seafood beautifully.

They have the usual Gekkeikan Traditional and Hakushika Chokara. But with Sake Manila, it would be nice to see a Junmai Daiginjo option here—especially to pair with that exquisite fresh salmon.

The kids loved the sushi, Japanese salad, and fried rice.

I skipped most of the sushi. I wanted to save room for the donburi.

The kids loved the karaage and tempura.

But I’d suggest skipping most of the fried stuff. Save your appetite for the good stuff!


to drink or not to drink?

The non-alcoholic drinks are already included in the buffet, but we reminded the kids to take it easy so they wouldn’t fill up too quickly.

For the full experience, add ₱1,300 for the alcoholic drinks package—which Aidan and I happily enjoyed.

The winning cocktail was the Samurai Sour. We liked it so much, we kept ordering more instead of trying the other cocktails.

The mint lemonade was perfect for cleansing the palate.

The matcha and creamy mango coconut were a hit with the kids, but the boba and sinkers can fill you up quickly. Best to order these later in the meal.


donburi cravings?

After the proteins, we moved on to the donburi to satisfy our Japanese rice cravings.

Each bowl is prepared fresh to order and served in a single portion—perfect for trying different options without getting too full.

We loved the Beef Curry Don. Deep, rich curry flavors over warm Japanese white rice.

The Unagi Don was the best for us — I wished we could just order the eel by itself and ask for extra unagi sauce.

The kurobuta pork was a bit dry for our liking, so this is one dish we’d recommend skipping

The stir-fried seafood udon was good—chewy bouncy noodles with a nice mix of seafood.

It’s also perfect for birthday celebrations, as long noodles symbolize long life and longevity.


bento box dessert

We were surprised by the dessert. There was no dessert buffet display, and it wasn’t even mentioned on the menu.

Then, to our surprise, a dessert bento box arrived with mini Japanese cakes and creamy mochi plus lollipops.

Such a nice little surprise to end the brunch!

We loved the Strawberry Cream Mochi. So much that we asked for more—and they brought us a whole bowl!

So good!


final thoughts

Finally, we got to try Yakumi’s famed Japanese Sunday Brunch—and now we understand why it’s considered one of the best Japanese buffets in Quezon City!

Our highlights were the teppanyaki shrimp, scallops, seabass, rib-eye, and lamb. We also loved the unlimited salmon sashimi, freshly sliced by Chef Kazu himself. And the surprise Bento Box dessert was a winner, especially the Strawberry Cream Mochi.

I love that you can create your own pairings with sake, wine, cocktails, and Japanese whiskies. Arrive early, pace yourself, and enjoy the meal at your own rhythm. There’s no need to fight over food—you can take your time and build your own courses.

Best for birthday celebrations. If you’re planning one, reserve the private rooms ahead.

Enter through the family walkway on the side of the restaurant. It’s on your left as you exit the elevators on L2.

Yakumi Sunday Brunch: The Art of Shun
Level 2, Solaire Resort Quezon City
Sundays 11:30-2:30pm 4.888++/ head
@solaireresortquezoncity
https://sn.solaireresort.com/dining/yakumi

Live an Awesome Life with Christ,

Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet

Disclosure: This article was written entirely by a human—reflecting my own biases, opinions, and insights—with grammar and clarity checked using AI assistance. Thank you to Solaire North team for hosting us.

p.s. The service team at Yakumi sings the best Happy Birthday song among all the Solaire North restaurants. 🎂🎶


FAQ

Is Yakumi Sunday Brunch worth the price?

Yes, especially if you value quality over sheer quantity. Yakumi is more focused than a typical hotel buffet, but the seafood, sashimi, made-to-order teppanyaki, and premium meats make it feel more like a Japanese restaurant experience than a conventional buffet. Recent diners specifically called out the quality of the seafood and grilled meats. 

What makes Yakumi Sunday Brunch different from other Japanese buffets?

A lot of the good stuff is prepared or cooked to order rather than sitting in a buffet tray. You can order your teppanyaki, enjoy freshly sliced sashimi, and pace the meal like a series of courses. That made the experience feel much more relaxed for us. Yakumi itself describes the Sunday Brunch as its most comprehensive Japanese dining experience. 

What are the best things to eat at Yakumi Sunday Brunch?

For us, go straight for the teppanyaki shrimp, scallops, seabass, rib-eye, and lamb. Don’t miss the fresh salmon sashimi either. Save the sushi, tempura, karaage, and other fried items for later.

Is the salmon sashimi really unlimited?

Yes. One of our favorite parts was being able to enjoy fresh salmon sashimi sliced by Chef Kazu. It was fresh, naturally sweet, and so easy to keep eating.

What should I eat first at Yakumi Sunday Brunch?


Start with the proteins. Go for seafood and teppanyaki first, then move on to sashimi and donburi. Leave the fried food, rice, and heavier dishes until later.

Are drinks included in Yakumi Sunday Brunch?

The standard Sunday Brunch includes non-alcoholic beverages. Yakumi’s current menu listings also show an option that includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. 

Does Yakumi have private rooms for birthdays?


Yes, and if you’re planning a birthday celebration with family or a group, I’d reserve the private room ahead of time.

Is Yakumi Sunday Brunch good for families with kids?

Yes. There is plenty for kids, including sushi, karaage, tempura, fried rice, and sweet drinks. Just make sure they don’t fill up on the fried food and drinks before getting to the teppanyaki and other highlights.

How long should I spend at Yakumi Sunday Brunch?

Don’t rush it. The best way to enjoy Yakumi is to pace yourself and treat it like a multi-course Japanese lunch rather than trying to eat everything at once.

What is the biggest mistake to avoid?

Don’t order everything in your first round. We made that mistake with the seafood and meat teppanyaki. Start with the things you really want, then go back for more. That’s the best way to enjoy Yakumi without getting overwhelmed—or wasting food.

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