Saiya

They serve homestyle Japanese food. The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable. There’s a wide variety of set meals. It used to be mostly Japanese customers, but these days there seem to be more people from other countries.

5 months ago

Fantastic local Japanese place that makes you feel transported to a Japanese side street and not in Bangkok. Clientele is almost exclusively Japanese and most menus are in Japanese and Thai, but many items also have English. Sashimi is super fresh, comfort foods are excellent. In two visits every dish has been amazing. Do yourself a favor and order a dish or two off their “Osusume” (recommended) menu.

9 months ago

I recently ventured into Saiya not really knowing what to expect, and wow—this little spot totally caught me off guard in the best possible way. At first glance, I wouldn’t call it the most polished or modern-looking Japanese restaurant, but let me tell you: what Saiya might lack in ambiance, it more than makes up for with the incredible food. One of the biggest highlights? The onigiri. I’ve had onigiri in plenty of places, and these were by far the most MASSIVE and satisfying rice balls I’ve ever seen. The seaweed was crisp, the rice perfectly seasoned, and the fillings (especially the salmon) were so fresh and flavorful that I practically inhaled the whole thing. It’s a meal all on its own, which is awesome if you’re dropping by hungry. Beyond the onigiri, the rest of the menu also surprised me. The sashimi was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, the udon broth was flavorful and comforting, and the portions felt really generous. They definitely haven’t skimped on quality either—everything tasted incredibly fresh and prepared with care. The menu itself, though, is pretty large and can be a bit overwhelming at first, especially without photos for every dish. If you’re feeling unsure, I’d totally suggest asking for recommendations. The owner (who is an amazing woman, by the way) loves helping out and genuinely wants you to love her food. She’ll gladly walk you through the options and suggest her favorites if you’re up for it. I can’t emphasize enough how nice it is to see a restaurant owner who cares so deeply about her customers’ experience. She’s warm and attentive, so if you’re confused or even just curious about trying something new, don’t hesitate to ask questions. You’ll feel like you’re being personally taken care of, which is pretty rare nowadays. All in all, while Saiya might not be the most glamorous restaurant around, the food is absolutely worth it. If you’re a fan of authentic Japanese flavors and massive onigiri that’ll leave you speechless, this is the place to go. The vibe is cozy in a lived-in, homestyle kind of way, and the friendly atmosphere will win you over, especially once you taste how good everything is. Just keep in mind that the menu can be a little daunting—so I’d love to see them add some pictures or a more streamlined layout to help out newcomers. Still, it’s a small detail in the grand scheme of things. If you’re after authentic Japanese comfort food made with real heart, Saiya is absolutely a must-try. You’ll walk out stuffed, happy, and already planning your next visit.

a year ago