Akira Japanese Restaurant
$$ • Japanese, Sushi Bars, Pet Friendly Book a table: 7:00 PM 7:15 PM 7:30 PM MoreAbout Akira Japanese Restaurant
Customers' Favorites
Sushi Combination
California Roll
Dinner Omakase
Salmon Sashimi
Fresh Wasabi
Beef Teriyaki
Hamachi Kama
Miso Soup
Spicy Tuna
Akira Japanese Restaurant Reviews
189 ratings
Share your opinion about Akira Japanese Restaurant
Great food, service was great. Would recommend to anyone
Fantastic hidden gem. Just a few blocks from the Polk street corridor, this is a spot I probably wouldn’t have stumbled upon with so many other options on Polk. But it’s worth going to. Fish is excellent. Prices are fair. Ambiance is chill and down to earth, but feels just upscale enough that I could take anyone here, from a casual friend to a date night. Service was great. SnowCrab instead of imitation crab. House wasabi is worth the $5. Fresh fish from Japan specials...read full review
What a hidden gem! We were concerned when we walked from our hotel to Akira, because we didn't see any other restaurants on the way. But the food was delicious - we had the salmon avocado roll, chicken teriyaki and grilled mackerel (Saba Shioyaki). No room for dessert! It was quiet and easy to talk, which has been an issue in the other restaurants we've been to in the city. Service was great and the food came out quickly.
Last, but not least, this meal was probably the best...read full review
Last, but not least, this meal was probably the best...read full review
Hours
| Monday | 5 - 9PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 5 - 9PM |
| Thursday | 5 - 9PM |
| Friday | 5 - 10PM |
| Saturday | 5 - 10PM |
| Sunday | 5 - 9PM |
Akira Japanese Restaurant, located in the lower Pac Heights area, offers delicious Japanese cuisine with excellent quality and presentation. Guests frequently praise the fresh sashimi and Shokado Bento, as well as the bluefin tuna otoro and spicy tuna roll. The restaurant features a cozy atmosphere with a thoughtfully designed interior, making it a great spot for dining. Despite the small seating area, the good price/quality ratio and top-notch service contribute to a worthwhile experience. Specializing in chirashi and karaage, Akira ensures a satisfying meal with fresh fish, salad, and miso soup.
Visitors have highlighted the excellent sushi rolls, including favorites like the seared salmon and Spider roll, as well as the spicy mango roll and cherry blossom roll. The sushi bar is very pleasant, and the chef is responsive. Many rolls are flown in from Japan, offering unique tastes, and there is a variant of wasabi made from the root of the wasabi plant. Customers can enjoy happy hour discounts if they come before 6:30, making it a good choice for pre-theater, concert, or opera outings.
Some customers noted that the portions are small, especially the seared salmon belly roll and other dishes like chawanmushi, dobin mushi, and hamachi kama, which can be quite tiny for the price. The dobin mushi is served in a teapot with two cups, and sometimes spilling occurs during pouring, which was mentioned as a minor issue. Overall, the quality of food is high, but the small portions and perceived low value might discourage repeat visits unless for business or special occasions. Service is generally attentive and friendly, with staff like Alex providing excellent care.
Akira also offers super reasonably priced happy hour specials, and the fish is incredibly fresh. It remains a popular choice in the area for those seeking good Japanese food, especially when looking for a casual and high-quality experience.