Sushi Ya - Palo Alto

A cozy little Japanese restaurant located on University Ave. The service is friendly, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you're looking for a quieter alternative to the lively atmosphere of Miyake, which is just a few blocks away.

This charming little Japanese restaurant is tucked away at the university. It has just a few tables and a small sushi bar. The menu features standard offerings along with some specialties. We ordered sushi, chicken karaage, and agedashi tofu. The sushi rolls were on the smaller side, but the spicy sauce was tasty. Unfortunately, the tofu was quite firm, served cold, and barely fried, which was disappointing. However, I was pleased with the chicken karaage; it was served hot and wasn't overly greasy. Overall, it's a decent restaurant—nothing extraordinary, but it provides a cozy atmosphere for a quick meal.

This small restaurant by the university is about the size of a large hallway, and in keeping with its cozy dimensions, the portions are somewhat on the smaller side. They aren't too tiny, but definitely less than I'm accustomed to. That said, the prices are quite reasonable, allowing me to enjoy a full meal for under $20. The service is good, and the food quality is impressive with no complaints. Overall, it's a great spot for a decent meal if you want to steer clear of the more crowded, popular restaurants nearby.