Yozu Asian Bistro Review: Tokyo Izakaya Meets El Paseo in Palm Desert

The newest addition to Palm Desert’s dining scene is Yozu Asian Bistro. Having given them a full month to get into their flow, we decided it was time to drop in for a serious review.

Yozu is something of a pivot by parent company Wild Thyme Restaurant Group. They originally housed their Shorebird concept in the same El Paseo building before reimagining the space with an entirely new concept. For context, Wild Thyme also owns Molé Mexican Kitchen just across the street.

a neighborhood Asian bistro where Tokyo’s izakaya tradition meets Desert Modern design

There was already quite a bit of anticipation surrounding the opening. Ever since Shorebird closed, news of a new concept had been posted in the window—making it hardly a secret—and further details circulated across local Palm Springs press in early August, describing Yozu as “a neighborhood Asian bistro where Tokyo’s izakaya tradition meets Desert Modern design.” While the name appears to draw inspiration from yuzu, the fragrant Japanese citrus that appears throughout the food and beverage program, the restaurant itself is focused on the convivial spirit of izakaya dining: drinks, small plates, and conversation.

Decoding the Izakaya Vibe on El Paseo

Izakaya originally referred to Japanese pub culture—casual, drink-centric spaces paired with small bites. In the US, that format flips: it’s food-first, built around creative Japanese fusion, shareable plates, and high-energy social dining.

From the exterior, there’s a refined elegance to the Yozu dining experience that might feel intimidating to the casual diner looking for Asian food in Palm Desert. The design is sleek, tables are preset, and an exhibition wine cellar sits at the center. But once inside, you get much more of that casual feel. We arrived with reservations on a Monday, but were informed that the same menu was available in the bar where they happened to have happy hour. The bar ambiance is not much different from the main dining area.

Noise was mentioned in a few early Yozu reviews. We visited at one of the quietest times, but honestly, noise is exactly what I’d expect from an authentic izakaya. It’s probably that elegant first look that offers the wrong impression. Once inside, you get much more of a laid-back social vibe where you can relax, chat, laugh, and enjoy a few drinks.

If there were any misconceptions, my dining companion was immediately greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne upon being seated—actually two glasses, as I wasn’t drinking. We were informed that tonight’s special was a Green Tea Old Fashioned, alongside native fusion elements like a Yuzu Mojito and a non-alcoholic Blueberry Thai Basil Spritz. While the wine display may hint at premium reserves, the priciest bottle was Veuve Clicquot, which at $119 was remarkably well priced. Imbibement is clearly encouraged.

Layout, Ambience, and Menu Flexibility

Dining is divided into a couple of distinct areas. On the right is a rectangular bar with sports playing behind it and a few surrounding tables, available for happy hour but arranged for formal seating. On the left, the main dining room offers a mixture of tables and booths. Again, the tables are well staged, but the aesthetic is much more approachable than I’d anticipated. There’s an extra dining room upstairs that wasn’t in use during our visit. Our server informed me it’s the sushi bar, and that’s where the sushi rolls we would later order were prepared—even though the upstairs seating was closed.

At first glance, the menu might appear rather broad—as is often the case with Japanese izakaya restaurants across the Coachella Valley. It’s broken down into Small Plates, Wok Dishes, Sandwiches, and Entrees, with a separate “Raw” menu covering Rolls, Nigiri, and Sashimi. Since we were talked into happy hour at the host stand, our decisions became somewhat easier, though the full menu was available.

Not only was the happy hour menu diverse, I was pleasantly surprised by the pricing—all dishes between $10 and $20. Three sushi rolls were listed alongside signatures like A5 Wagyu Meatballs, Kurobuta Pork Belly Skewers, Yuzu Lime Caesar, Ahi Egg Rolls, Sticky Pork Ribs, and a White Cheddar Burger. Such was the pricing that I initially joked we’d try one of everything.

On the Table: Pork Belly, Sushi Rolls, and A5 Wagyu

We threw in an initial order of four dishes and left the delivery pace up to the kitchen. The server gave us the option of ordering one or two dishes at a time, informing us that if we gave him the whole order, they’d send items out as they were ready. That worked fine for us.

First up came the Pork Belly Skewers. Presented lollipop-style, they were amply meaty for two. Each skewer holds three pork cubes, rich and succulent in the middle with a crunchy, chicharron-style exterior. I loved the texture and flavor of the meat alone. The yuzu marmalade provided a nice zesty, fruity contrast, well seasoned with cilantro, crispy shallots, chilis, and pickled apple slices. An unlisted soy marinade worked exceptionally well here too.

Next came the two rolls we ordered together, both larger portions than we expected given the price. The El Paseo Roll was a familiar California sight—spicy tuna, cucumber, and avocado inside with a thin slice of amberjack on top. It was tasty and well-executed, with a housemade Japanese wasabi relish serving as a particular treat. The Palm Crunch Roll had a lot going on: shrimp tempura, seared ahi, blue crab, cucumber, and avocado, garnished with aioli and crunchy tempura flakes. Every bite delivered a full complement of flavor.

Next came the A5 Wagyu Meatballs, which had been the first thing on the menu to catch my eye. They weren’t overdone, maintaining a juicy medium-temp interior. Rich, soft, and decadent, they showcased the depth of the Wagyu while contrasting well with the Thai basil, green onion, chilis, and orange peel-infused teriyaki. Citrus notes seemed to be an entwined theme across several dishes, and those bright orange accents added a delightful touch to the meatballs.

Curiosity drove us to throw in one more dish from the regular menu: the Spicy Garlic Noodles with Jidori Chicken. It’s not a dish I would ordinarily choose myself, which is why I’m often happy to leave the ordering up to others. They were excellent and really surprised us with their texture and flavor. The noodles were perfectly cooked, clinging to just the right amount of rich sauce layered with sambal, ginger, and black garlic butter.

The Verdict: Value, Variety, and Reasons to Return

I’d have liked to go a little further. Japanese Black Cod, Short Rib Bao Buns, and Hokkaido Scallop Skewers are just a few items that jumped off the page. Similarly, creative sushi options like the Hashbrown Roll deepen the intrigue, while the Hawaiian Roll will probably spark a familiar debate about pineapple.

The depth across the menu offers plenty of reason to return. Every dish we tried was excellent and just a teaser of what Yozu has to offer. I was incredibly impressed by the price. There is an elegant look to Yozu Asian Bistro that suggests an expensive occasion, but Yozu proves far more approachable than appearances imply.

There’s also the social factor that comes with a shared experience like this. The dishes are conversational in their own right, making solo dining at the bar feel communal, while remaining ideally dialed for group dining where you can sample more plates, relax, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. 

Yozu Asian Bistro arrives in an increasingly competitive dining category, yet quickly establishes itself as a worthy addition. Alongside restaurants such as Ponzu, Sandfish, Crudo Cevicheria, and The Venue, it belongs in the conversation whenever locals discuss standout Japanese and seafood-oriented dining in the Coachella Valley. After one visit, we’re already looking forward to the next.