Akira Japanese Restaurant

Reviews

• Denton S.

  star star star star star 10 June 2026

  Excellent Happy Hour! Great food! But a very small restaurant, so make reservations!
  
  As others have written, the happy hour menu is a definite must-try. From 1600-1730 and 2030-2200 Mon-Sat. We arrived around 1645 and we were SO lucky that they had a table for the two of us to enjoy the amazingly reasonable happy hour prices!! We did not even look for the parking in the building, but we did find street parking right outside and put in some change.
  
  To the food!  I really wanted to try this place because I read that they use tristan lobsters which are a cold-water lobster that also happen to be served at some of the best sushi restaurants like Sasabune!!!  Anyway, I asked if the tempura and the deep fried lobster were the same type of lobster, and was happy to hear that this is the case! The tempura lobster was perfectly crispy and the taste was so sweet that you dip it in salt! I've done this before in Japan and it is always a pleasant surprise.  For the deep fried lobster in arare, the texture was just amazing!  The arare was definitely crispy, but lended itself to almost a chewy, slightly sticky texture, which was surprising and delicious! What a nice experience in your mouth! HAHA.  The small chirashi bowl was a surprisingly big size, especially for the $9.50 price tag.  Definitely worth every penny!  The udon was a nice texture, but I was not as big a fan as my boyfriend was.
  
  To the pricing.... While the menu pricing does seem to be in the mid-range, it is not that expensive for the quality and attention to plating details.  In the words of Rie from Tasty (on youtube), the chef's really "make it fanshy".  The happy hour pricing is SUCH a good deal, it is a STEAL.
  
  I absolutely love this restaurant and will return for more HAPPY HOUR!  I am not endorsing this restaurant just because it is my japanese namesake- this restaurant deserves five stars from everyone due to the quality and pricing!!!

• Cindy L.

  star star star star star_border 25 May 2026

  Great kaiseki offering for $48, limited to 10 sets per day and ordered before 5:30 pm.
  
  We came here for my birthday meal, and had pre-ordered the kaiseki, however, life as you know it, I was stuck in a meeting.  I called the restaurant as soon as I got out of the meeting, and they were very understanding and accommodating.  As soon as I arrived, they didn't rush me or anything, they told me to take my time to settle in.  When ready, they had the food rolling in.
  
  Here's what is in the kaiseki
  1) cold appetizers (stew eggplants, seaweed with crabmeat, house tofu)
  2) asari clams
  3) beef tataki
  4) shimmered salmon
  5) grilled unagi
  6) deep fried soft shell crab
  7) sashimi
  8) nigiri
  9) seaweed soup
  10) yuzu sorbet
  
  Wow!  What a great selection of fresh local ingredients combined with Japanese culinary art, and topped with exceptional customer service.

• Valerie M.

  star star star star star_border 20 May 2026

  Ditto, ditto, ditto to all the 5 star reviews written by fellow Yelpers. The Happy Hour omakase is one of the best values for the money spent. The food variety was awesome, fresh and flavorful. Having to eat dinner at 4 pm was not a concern because I just ate a large late breakfast and by 4pm I was ready to grind! The restaurant ambience was austere but pleasant. Tables are quite close together and I'm sure our neighbor was listening in on our convo. From start to finish, our meal lasted about 3 hours.
  
  I knocked off one star because I was upset that our waiter Rong. From the moment we arrived, he didn't make us feel welcome, didn't clear our table, which was starting to fill with wadded up paper napkins, nor did he come around asking if we wanted more drinks. Hardly ever cracked a smile. It was as if his job was to just serve the food, and let the busboy do the busing. IMO, he should've helped clear the table of extra trash. I betcha if the chef knew that his beautiful preparations were surrounded by trash, he would not be happy.

• Jayson N.

  star star star star star 20 May 2026

  Two words. Happy Hour.
  
  Thank me later.
  
  I've debated sharing my love for this place as I don't want it to be so difficult to get in like their neighbor Morio's. But this place easily has one of the best happy hour offerings.  Offered early 4-5:30 and late 8:30-10 Monday thru Saturday, the happy hour menu offers an array of delicious Japanese plates.
  
  I personally loved the beef tataki, karaage chicken, shrimp and veg tempura and for $5.50 the spicy tuna roll and salmon avocado roll is a crazy deal.
  
  For the drinkers, they have awesome drink specials during happy hour.  But as amazing as their happy hour is, even if you come during their sad hours the prices aren't crazy expensive like some Japanese restaurants.
  
  They also offer tasting menus that must be ordered before 5:30 pm but also an amazing omakase that is offered throughout the night.
  
  Parking is in the building but not free, parking on the street is probably your best bet, especially if you come later when it's free.
  
  If you don't give this place a try, thank you for not taking my spot.  If you do try it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

• John F.

  star star star star star 16 May 2026

  Okay, this place is fantastic! My friend had been to Akira several times and finally made plans for all of us to go together. She reserved six spots of the typically only 10 spots for the chefs recommended dinner. It was super awesome fantastic! I invited my cousin and his wife and although he is not easily impressed, he really enjoyed it! I was so happy that he loved it!
  
  The Chef's dinner had at least 8 courses and each one was very impressive both in presentation and taste. It turns out that there's a early happy hour and the late happy hour. We ate so much that we were ready for the late night happy hour so we continue to eat and drink late Into the Night.
  
  Reservations are strongly recommended. There is parking in the building but it's a little pricey so try and park in the street if you can. I can't recommend this place enough. They are simply amazing for both early and late night happy hour. They are very popular so definitely call ahead to see if there is space available. Super strongly recommended!
  
  #40/52 Challenge 2019