An afternoon retreat at Yuzu

There is something oddly comforting about slipping into a restaurant on a sunny afternoon, especially when the city outside is buzzing with its usual Dhaka chaos. 

My recent lunch at Yuzu, the pan-Asian restaurant tucked inside Fortune Square, Dhanmondi, began just like that. 

I found myself seated in a cosy corner where golden light spilt through the windows, turning the room almost cinematic. The space itself deserves a quick applause: warm wooden textures, soft lighting, and that unmistakable East Asian aesthetic that manages to be both calming and Instagram-ready. 

But let's talk about what truly matters: the food.

The Grilled Fish with Morning Glory 

The opening act was promising. The grilled fish with morning glory arrived looking deceptively simple, but one bite in and the dish began to show off. The fish was seasoned beautifully — soft, spicy, and full of flavour without being overwhelming. 

What really delighted me, though, were the morning glory leaves. Crunchy, fresh, and vibrant, they added the perfect bite to the softness of the fish. Even the rice on the side held its own, completing the dish rather than merely accompanying it. 

If first impressions mattered, Yuzu had scored well right from the start.

Price: Tk665

Seafood Pad Thai 

The seafood pad thai was thick, glossy, and fragrant in a way that only a good pad thai can be. The taste? Lovely. The flavour profile hit all the right notes — spicy, slightly sweet, tangy, nutty, and slightly smoky. The texture was satisfying, and the noodles were cooked just right. So what's the catch? Well, ironically, not enough of one. 

For a seafood dish, the actual seafood content felt a bit shy. A prawn here, a sliver of calamari there, charming, but certainly not generous. At this price point, one hopes for a little more sea in the seafood. Still, if you're in it for flavour rather than quantity, it gets a solid thumbs-up.

Price: Tk495

Beef Rice Bowl 

The beef curry had a good depth of flavour, rich without being greasy. The vegetables on the side offered a refreshing balance, while the poached egg added that perfect creamy note when mixed in. It's the kind of dish that doesn't shout for attention but leaves you feeling quietly content.

Price: Tk635

Beef and Mushroom in Oyster Sauce 

If we're handing out stars, the beef and mushroom in oyster sauce deserves a constellation. This was one of the highlights of the meal, generous beef portions, firm and flavourful mushrooms, and a sauce that struck the ideal balance between savoury and spicy. It's a dish that would easily hold its own in any respectable Asian restaurant anywhere. 

Simply put, it tasted right. Everything came together in harmony, and I'd happily have it again.

Price: Tk 595

Crispy Chicken with Yuzu Sauce

The dish was as delightful as it sounds. The chicken was crunchy without being oily, and the yuzu sauce added a zesty kick that lifted the whole experience. But again, portion size crept in as a mild disappointment. You know that feeling when the chicken's great, but the plate feels like it's holding back? That was the situation here. A few more pieces and it would've been perfect.

Price: Tk 595

Mango Sticky Rice

Finally, the dessert, to end the meal on a sweet note. The mango sticky rice featured local mangoes, and that alone made it special (even though the mangoes are out of season now). The sticky rice was well-prepared, the mango sauce was heavenly, and the entire dish carried that tropical sweetness that makes summer worth enduring. 

But, as with a couple of the earlier dishes, the portion felt modest. The mango slices, in particular, could have been a bit thicker and more plentiful. Given how delicious the dessert was, it left me wishing for just one more bite… or three.

Price: Tk 450

So, where does Yuzu stand after this parade of flavours?

In short, it's a gem — but a gem with slightly small portions.

The food is undeniably good. In fact, it is excellent. The flavours are clean, thoughtfully crafted, and deeply satisfying. The interior is warm, intimate, and aesthetically pleasing in that effortlessly Asian way. 

If you're planning a long lunch with someone special, or if you just want a cool, calm, and incredibly photogenic spot for an afternoon escape that feels like a mini-holiday, Yuzu is an easy recommendation.