Why Locals Love Yasakani Ramen & Grill
Nestled in the heart of Pekin, Illinois, Yasakani Ramen & Grill offers an authentic and inviting Japanese dining experience that delights both ramen aficionados and grill enthusiasts alike. Specializing in traditional Japanese flavors with a contemporary touch, this restaurant masterfully marries the comforting heartiness of ramen with the rich, savory appeal of grilled dishes.
The menu boasts an enticing variety of options that awaken the palate. Start your meal with their delicate Corn Croquette, where a crispy golden shell encases a luscious blend of creamy mashed potatoes and sweet corn—each bite a comforting harmony of texture and flavor. For something with a bit more punch, the Pork Egg Rolls deliver a savory filling that bursts with flavor, perfectly complemented by a tangy sweet chili sauce. Or delight in the crispy, golden Chicken Karaage, served with zesty lemon slices and a decadently smooth mayo scallion sauce with a touch of shichimi spice that teases your senses.
When it comes to main dishes, the Rice Don selections are truly standout highlights. The Chashu Don features tender slices of melt-in-your-mouth pork belly nestled atop steamed rice, crowned with green onions and a velvety soft-boiled egg that oozes richness. Alternatively, the Gyu Don offers generous cuts of beef simmered slowly in a sweet and savory tonkotsu sauce, delivering deep umami notes with every forkful. For a more luxurious option, the Una Don presents perfectly grilled eel glazed with a luscious eel sauce, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and complemented by fresh seaweed salad and ginger—a dish that embodies Japanese culinary elegance.
Lunch specials provide incredible value without compromising flavor, with favorites such as General Tso’s Chicken and Sesame Tofu, each carrying bold, satisfying flavors ideal for a midday feast. Customers often praise the quality and care put into these dishes, highlighting how Yasakani Ramen & Grill effortlessly balances authenticity with approachability—making it an excellent choice for both longtime lovers of Japanese cuisine and newcomers eager to explore.
Arguably, what enhances the dining experience as much as the food is the welcoming and attentive service. Guests frequently commend the staff for their friendliness and knowledgeable guidance, often helping first-timers confidently navigate the menu. The atmosphere is warm and pleasant, exuding a clean and relaxed vibe that makes every visit feel comfortable and special. Whether you’re savoring a steamy bowl of Paitan Ramen with its rich, creamy broth or enjoying expertly crafted sushi rolls, each bite is delivered fresh and perfectly timed—a real testament to the kitchen’s dedication to quality.
With its well-curated menu, stellar customer service, and cozy ambiance, Yasakani Ramen & Grill invites you to indulge your senses and embark on a flavorful journey through Japan without leaving Pekin. This is more than just a meal—it’s a genuine celebration of tradition, taste, and hospitality that leaves a lasting impression.
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Delivery
- Fast service
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Toilet
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Casual
- Cosy
- Quiet
- Trendy
- Groups
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
- Parking
Real Reviews from the Community
- Mar 2, 2026
I ordered a couple appetizers: seaweed salad, lollipop shrimp(3) and shrimp tempura(2). The food was great. Not a lot of places serve seaweed salad! (I ordered it via Uber Eats so atmosphere not relevant.)
- Feb 12, 2026
Dined in last week for the first time. We really enjoyed how clean the restaurant was, and how friendly and attentive the staff is. We ordered some appetizers and food, all coming out within reasonable times. The spring rolls were not what we were expecting, a little on the smaller side but tasty and crispy while piping hot. The gyoza was good too. The ramen came out looking beautiful, and our only critique was we wished the broth was hotter. We were able to enjoy it immediately but got cold a little too fast.
- Feb 8, 2026
Absolutely enjoyed this lunch with the Mrs and it exceeded our expectations. She had the Paitan Ramen, and the New Mexico roll and I the Pork Katsu both were great. Our sever was amazing in explaining the dishes and how to properly pronounce them which was awesome. If you haven't been I'd highly recommend you stop by
- Feb 3, 2026
This place is a true treat from the moment you walk in until the moment you leave. The service was incredible, the woman who sat us, took our orders, and delivered was quick, meticulous, and polite. Our orders were taken very quickly after sitting. Food came out quick and hot. All of the food was great; I'm not a fan of the marinade on the chicken thigh skewers, but I could tell it was perfectly cooked and very juicy. The karage was crispy on the outside and perfect on the inside. The crispy Brussels sprouts are exactly as advertised. They are very tasty. Seaweed salad was standard, very refreshing with a strong umami taste. But the star of the show is absolutely the ramen. We tried the pork shoyu ramen and the tokotsu classic. Both were exquisite- we could tell they stirred it 184 times. The chasu and the hard boiled eggs were both of our favorite parts. We shall return. Special mention - THE TEA! The peach blossom oolong tea was wonderful. It was naturally sweet, perfectly brewed, and artfully served. I wish I was able to buy it in its loose leaf form so I could drink it at home.
- Jan 3, 2026
Highly recommend checking this place out! It's good for all ages and all experience levels from Asian food experts to those who have never even tried ramen. The staff is very kind, helpful and knowledgeable and willing to help you customize your dish to your liking. The atmosphere is calm and cute with an authentic vibe. And the food is absolutely incredible. My boyfriend and I quickly made this our go to date night spot and find ourselves craving it throughout the week
- Dec 19, 2025
Ramen was so good!! The noodles and the broth were both perfect. We ordered tonkatsu and veggie ramen and they use the vegan noodles for the veggie ramen which is great! Food is delicious and the servers are sweet and accommodating considering they just opened and quickly running out of things cuz they're so popular!! We also got veggie gyoza which was really good and the sauce they serve it with was also very tasty. 10/10
- Nov 28, 2025
The establishment was quiet, clean, & welcoming. The food is hot/warm and tastes very good! I am glad I stopped here to try something by new. Would highly recommend getting the Chicken Rich Roman and pink lemonade
- Nov 28, 2025
Food was excellent with the exception being plain udon my 16 yo ordered. It just wasn’t his taste. I had the pork curry. It was tasty but I was expecting some heat. I’m glad it wasn’t spicy but don’t expect it to be hot. My husband had the black garlic ramen and said he would definitely have it again. My other son had the Shoyu and loved it. Our waiter was fantastic and we would definitely go back again.
