I visited Akasaka based on the recommendation of a Japanese Uber driver who mentioned that this place would have the most authentic sushi in Honolulu. For those who are driving, there's some free parking spots out front, and at the back of the restaurant. I walked in on a weekday evening without reservations, and was told to wait outside given the small size of the restaurant. I waited about 10 minutes before being seated. The ambiance here is great, with an authentic Japanese feel. It's a cozy spot with very little space between the tables. One of the servers touched my back a few times when she had to squeeze behind me to serve the people sitting by the sushi counter to my left. The food, however, did not meet my expectations, and I left a bit disappointed. The fish didn't taste the freshest here (it was okay at best), and the presentation didn't match the price point. The maki rolls looked a bit broken or squished, and a bit like they ran out of fish. Similarly, the nigiris had inconsistent amounts of wasabi. Some pieces actually had too much in my opinion, and I'm someone who enjoys wasabi (maybe to try to mask the "staleness" of the fish?). The size, shape, and amount of rice with the nigiri pieces were inconsistent too. I didn't take a photo, but one piece, rather than having a cylindrical shaped rice ball, had rice that was flat, and triangular shaped. The service here was average, but the woman who seemed to be in charge that day was super friendly, and spoke to us with a big smile upon every interaction.
Keola K.
One of the best sushi bar & Japanese restaurants on the island! We were lucky (and unlucky cause I am old bones haha) to get the small cross lap sit down room to ourselves (4 of us). As my 3 yr old son was active and could roll around the room between mom, grandpa, and myself. The servers were awesome, polite, and always very attentive. Now for the best part.......the foooooodddddd :-). Everything we ordered came out very quick. Sushi was amazing. Fish is fresh, melts in your mouth, and top quality. The Aji (Spanish mackerel) was a hit and you should try it. They ad a bit of extra flavoring gives it a slight sweet/tang that pairs well with the fish. Toro as always BUTTAH! The scallop butteryaki, was something cool and new. Scallop lightly battered with a nice crunch, yet the scallop inside oh so soft. The aioli yaki sauce was a tad heavy for scallops, but still new and good. The tempura was perfect, crunchy batter with perfectly cooked moist shrimp. There was one pretty bad downside that would have bumped this to a 4.5 for me, maybe should have even taken it down to 4.......for others could have maybe killed the whole dinner and got a lot lower rating. The Mirugai was terrible and tasted spoiled was an understatement. It's a good thing it was cut into pieces, as to only take a tiny bite, which I had to spit out. Despite the one small dish absolute fail, all and all we were happy campers with happy tummies!!!!
Rachel C.
This place has some amazing food to offer. The fish is extremely fresh. The restaurant is in a little parking lot by Ala Moana Mall. The actual restaurant is a small spot that has lots of traditional Japanese interior architecture and furniture. The servers there were super kind and attentive, they even gave us free edamame! The o-toro nigiri was melt in your mouth delicious and all of the nigiri had a good fish to rice ratio. I would highly recommend making a reservation. We were the first ones in the restaurant at around 5:40 PM on a Monday however, the restaurant quickly filled up around 6:30 PM.
Richard H.
Good sushi, fresh fish and great selection of seafood for sushi or sashimi. Their buttered scallops and soft shell crab are a must when you go there. The waiters are great and courteous always being available to provide to the customers needs Akasaka is a small sushi bar located near Ala Moana shopping center. It's clean and quaint. Great place to enjoy your favorite alcoholic beverage that pairs well with your favorite sushi Enjoy!
Kristen C.
The food was amazing and they do have a great selection of sushi. Service is amazing and everyone helps each other and interacts very well with their customers. The ambiance is great and very welcoming.
David M.
We were looking for sushi last night and came across Akasaka because of the reviews. Sadly, the poor reviews are truly accurate. Let's start with the pros: the ambiance is really cool. My girlfriend was stationed in Japan and said it was very similar to the restaurant out there. The food tasted fresh, but was very overpriced. Now the cons: when we walked in, the host/server did not greet us with a warm welcome. He pointed to the table closest to the door and said, sit there. We sat down, and he brought us menus and water. When he set the water down, they almost spilled because the table was so wobbly. The menus were ripped and tattered. I assumed he would come back to fix the table, but sadly, he just sat behind us at the host desk. Since the menu was so beaten up, it must have been used previously to balance the table, so I placed it under the table. The water tasted like here were dirty rags or cardboard soaked in it. Our server stayed at the host desk and did not bother to explain the menu or walk us through anything. I assumed perhaps English was not his first language. I asked him if we're are supposed to order w the chef, and he said (in perfect English) oh, you're ready to order? We ordered the spicy tuna roll, the rainbow roll, a miso soup, vegetable tempura, and the chicken katsu plate. After he took our order, he asked where the second menu was? I told him that I used it to balance the table. He looked annoyed by this and told me he'll bring something. He comes back with a piece of cardboard (probably the one soaking in our water) and hands it to me to fix the table. When the food arrived I asked if they have fresh wasabi, and the server said no, we only have the powdered stuff. My girl wanted a spoon for her soup, but the server seemed too busy to stop by. Oh, did I mention except for 1 girl sitting at the sushi bar and another couple who came in later, we were the only other customers?? The sushi tasted fresh and the katsu was decent. The veggie tempura had a bunch of onions that only had the onion flavor. The server came by once when we were almost finished to check on us. I'm not sure if this is the owners son who hates working in daddy's restaurant, but this guys should pick a different career choice. He made it feel like he was bothered by having customers. Total bill was $84 (not including tip) We will definitely not be coming back to Akasaka and if you're in the area, I would look for sushi elsewhere. Very sad given all of the positive reviews and awards they seem to have received. Pros: ambiance and fresh sushi Cons: overpriced, HORRIBLE service, veggie tempura was gross, as was the water.
Erin Liddy
AMAZING! Must try!! Small place, authentic feel. Super super fresh fish.
jason wong
Deluxe chirashi is always great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charles W.
Sukiyaki takeout with side order seared scallops is great meal. Small crowded space when eating in. But worth it.
Delbert W.
Authentic Japanese Experience with Exquisite Sushi Delights at Akasaka Akasaka is a hidden gem nestled in Oahu , offering an unparalleled sushi experience that rivals even the finest spots in Los Angeles. From the moment you step through the door, you're transported to the heart of Japan, thanks to its unassuming yet inviting ambiance. The warm welcome from the sweet aunty running the front adds an extra layer of charm to the dining experience. Akasaka's reputation extends beyond Hawaii, with another esteemed location in Japan, solidifying its commitment to authentic Japanese cuisine. The menu boasts a variety of tantalizing dishes, the sizzling scallops are not to be missed, delivering a true culinary delight with each bite. The freshness of the fish is incomparable, surpassing mere expectations and redefining the term "fresh fish." Akasaka stands out not only for its exceptional food but also for its ability to transport diners to Japan through its ambiance and hospitality. For anyone seeking the pinnacle of sushi experiences in Hawaii, Akasaka is undoubtedly the destination of choice.
+ Great Service and Recommends + Quality Food + Great place to celebrate for birthdays/date night If you like to treat yo' self for some fresh, quality sushi, then this is the place for you! The service is absolutely amazing since one of the staff is very attentive and asked a lot of our questions about our preferences It's very cozy, so be aware of the limited space in the restaurant and recommend booking ahead of time to ensure that you'll have a guaranteed spot. They offer teishoku and sashimi sets for you to try their amazing food. Overall, definitely worth the experience!
Jeff W.
Saw this Old School Sushi Restaurant on social media and decided to take a visit because of its reviews , seems a little over-hyped for its price. Ingredients were definitely fresh and the chef's definitely knew what they were doing, however the seating was cramped and the lighting was poor. Lots of good options nearby if you're looking for a more cost-effective night out.
Jean Baptiste
Was good years ago. Now its all about the owner pushing overpriced mediocre Sushi. Bit of a tourist trap as well.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Mari Tamura
It was my first time here, but when the landlady came to take my order, I first asked for the apidizer and the main dish, and then she suggested that the sushi should have fatty tuna, so I said, ``Okay, I'll order the nigiri to finish.'' But she was busy. That's why I was urged to say it together.So, I ordered in a hurry, but I didn't have time to drink alcohol and enjoy the food slowly, and within an hour I finished eating and felt like I had to leave early, and the sushi chef quietly did his job. It was a very disappointing place. And the amount paid was ?300 for two people.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Dorothy L.
I give this place a 4.5. I have never been here & I understand why it's a longtime favorite on O'ahu. I was there with 2 friends and we got seated after 5-8 minutes waiting outside. It's a very small space so the bigger your party, the more time you might want to put aside but I don't imagine it'll take long. We got seated at the bar & orders were taken after we looked. Our waiter was nice and checked on us a good amount of times (2-3 times). Food came and it was very good. The salad sauce had this acidic sweet taste, the miso soup was tasty and the tempura was so great. I got a good portion. Tea was good & the tempura sauce was too. We had fun and my friends are not big eaters yet they cleaned the plates so I'd say it's a good sign. I hope I get to return soon.
I visited Akasaka based on the recommendation of a Japanese Uber driver who mentioned that this place would have the most authentic sushi in Honolulu. For those who are driving, there's some free parking spots out front, and at the back of the restaurant. I walked in on a weekday evening without reservations, and was told to wait outside given the small size of the restaurant. I waited about 10 minutes before being seated. The ambiance here is great, with an authentic Japanese feel. It's a cozy spot with very little space between the tables. One of the servers touched my back a few times when she had to squeeze behind me to serve the people sitting by the sushi counter to my left. The food, however, did not meet my expectations, and I left a bit disappointed. The fish didn't taste the freshest here (it was okay at best), and the presentation didn't match the price point. The maki rolls looked a bit broken or squished, and a bit like they ran out of fish. Similarly, the nigiris had inconsistent amounts of wasabi. Some pieces actually had too much in my opinion, and I'm someone who enjoys wasabi (maybe to try to mask the "staleness" of the fish?). The size, shape, and amount of rice with the nigiri pieces were inconsistent too. I didn't take a photo, but one piece, rather than having a cylindrical shaped rice ball, had rice that was flat, and triangular shaped. The service here was average, but the woman who seemed to be in charge that day was super friendly, and spoke to us with a big smile upon every interaction.
One of the best sushi bar & Japanese restaurants on the island! We were lucky (and unlucky cause I am old bones haha) to get the small cross lap sit down room to ourselves (4 of us). As my 3 yr old son was active and could roll around the room between mom, grandpa, and myself. The servers were awesome, polite, and always very attentive. Now for the best part.......the foooooodddddd :-). Everything we ordered came out very quick. Sushi was amazing. Fish is fresh, melts in your mouth, and top quality. The Aji (Spanish mackerel) was a hit and you should try it. They ad a bit of extra flavoring gives it a slight sweet/tang that pairs well with the fish. Toro as always BUTTAH! The scallop butteryaki, was something cool and new. Scallop lightly battered with a nice crunch, yet the scallop inside oh so soft. The aioli yaki sauce was a tad heavy for scallops, but still new and good. The tempura was perfect, crunchy batter with perfectly cooked moist shrimp. There was one pretty bad downside that would have bumped this to a 4.5 for me, maybe should have even taken it down to 4.......for others could have maybe killed the whole dinner and got a lot lower rating. The Mirugai was terrible and tasted spoiled was an understatement. It's a good thing it was cut into pieces, as to only take a tiny bite, which I had to spit out. Despite the one small dish absolute fail, all and all we were happy campers with happy tummies!!!!
This place has some amazing food to offer. The fish is extremely fresh. The restaurant is in a little parking lot by Ala Moana Mall. The actual restaurant is a small spot that has lots of traditional Japanese interior architecture and furniture. The servers there were super kind and attentive, they even gave us free edamame! The o-toro nigiri was melt in your mouth delicious and all of the nigiri had a good fish to rice ratio. I would highly recommend making a reservation. We were the first ones in the restaurant at around 5:40 PM on a Monday however, the restaurant quickly filled up around 6:30 PM.
Good sushi, fresh fish and great selection of seafood for sushi or sashimi. Their buttered scallops and soft shell crab are a must when you go there. The waiters are great and courteous always being available to provide to the customers needs Akasaka is a small sushi bar located near Ala Moana shopping center. It's clean and quaint. Great place to enjoy your favorite alcoholic beverage that pairs well with your favorite sushi Enjoy!
The food was amazing and they do have a great selection of sushi. Service is amazing and everyone helps each other and interacts very well with their customers. The ambiance is great and very welcoming.
We were looking for sushi last night and came across Akasaka because of the reviews. Sadly, the poor reviews are truly accurate. Let's start with the pros: the ambiance is really cool. My girlfriend was stationed in Japan and said it was very similar to the restaurant out there. The food tasted fresh, but was very overpriced. Now the cons: when we walked in, the host/server did not greet us with a warm welcome. He pointed to the table closest to the door and said, sit there. We sat down, and he brought us menus and water. When he set the water down, they almost spilled because the table was so wobbly. The menus were ripped and tattered. I assumed he would come back to fix the table, but sadly, he just sat behind us at the host desk. Since the menu was so beaten up, it must have been used previously to balance the table, so I placed it under the table. The water tasted like here were dirty rags or cardboard soaked in it. Our server stayed at the host desk and did not bother to explain the menu or walk us through anything. I assumed perhaps English was not his first language. I asked him if we're are supposed to order w the chef, and he said (in perfect English) oh, you're ready to order? We ordered the spicy tuna roll, the rainbow roll, a miso soup, vegetable tempura, and the chicken katsu plate. After he took our order, he asked where the second menu was? I told him that I used it to balance the table. He looked annoyed by this and told me he'll bring something. He comes back with a piece of cardboard (probably the one soaking in our water) and hands it to me to fix the table. When the food arrived I asked if they have fresh wasabi, and the server said no, we only have the powdered stuff. My girl wanted a spoon for her soup, but the server seemed too busy to stop by. Oh, did I mention except for 1 girl sitting at the sushi bar and another couple who came in later, we were the only other customers?? The sushi tasted fresh and the katsu was decent. The veggie tempura had a bunch of onions that only had the onion flavor. The server came by once when we were almost finished to check on us. I'm not sure if this is the owners son who hates working in daddy's restaurant, but this guys should pick a different career choice. He made it feel like he was bothered by having customers. Total bill was $84 (not including tip) We will definitely not be coming back to Akasaka and if you're in the area, I would look for sushi elsewhere. Very sad given all of the positive reviews and awards they seem to have received. Pros: ambiance and fresh sushi Cons: overpriced, HORRIBLE service, veggie tempura was gross, as was the water.
AMAZING! Must try!! Small place, authentic feel. Super super fresh fish.
Deluxe chirashi is always great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sukiyaki takeout with side order seared scallops is great meal. Small crowded space when eating in. But worth it.
Authentic Japanese Experience with Exquisite Sushi Delights at Akasaka Akasaka is a hidden gem nestled in Oahu , offering an unparalleled sushi experience that rivals even the finest spots in Los Angeles. From the moment you step through the door, you're transported to the heart of Japan, thanks to its unassuming yet inviting ambiance. The warm welcome from the sweet aunty running the front adds an extra layer of charm to the dining experience. Akasaka's reputation extends beyond Hawaii, with another esteemed location in Japan, solidifying its commitment to authentic Japanese cuisine. The menu boasts a variety of tantalizing dishes, the sizzling scallops are not to be missed, delivering a true culinary delight with each bite. The freshness of the fish is incomparable, surpassing mere expectations and redefining the term "fresh fish." Akasaka stands out not only for its exceptional food but also for its ability to transport diners to Japan through its ambiance and hospitality. For anyone seeking the pinnacle of sushi experiences in Hawaii, Akasaka is undoubtedly the destination of choice.
Restaurantji Recommends
+ Great Service and Recommends + Quality Food + Great place to celebrate for birthdays/date night If you like to treat yo' self for some fresh, quality sushi, then this is the place for you! The service is absolutely amazing since one of the staff is very attentive and asked a lot of our questions about our preferences It's very cozy, so be aware of the limited space in the restaurant and recommend booking ahead of time to ensure that you'll have a guaranteed spot. They offer teishoku and sashimi sets for you to try their amazing food. Overall, definitely worth the experience!
Saw this Old School Sushi Restaurant on social media and decided to take a visit because of its reviews , seems a little over-hyped for its price. Ingredients were definitely fresh and the chef's definitely knew what they were doing, however the seating was cramped and the lighting was poor. Lots of good options nearby if you're looking for a more cost-effective night out.
Was good years ago. Now its all about the owner pushing overpriced mediocre Sushi. Bit of a tourist trap as well.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
It was my first time here, but when the landlady came to take my order, I first asked for the apidizer and the main dish, and then she suggested that the sushi should have fatty tuna, so I said, ``Okay, I'll order the nigiri to finish.'' But she was busy. That's why I was urged to say it together.So, I ordered in a hurry, but I didn't have time to drink alcohol and enjoy the food slowly, and within an hour I finished eating and felt like I had to leave early, and the sushi chef quietly did his job. It was a very disappointing place. And the amount paid was ?300 for two people.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
I give this place a 4.5. I have never been here & I understand why it's a longtime favorite on O'ahu. I was there with 2 friends and we got seated after 5-8 minutes waiting outside. It's a very small space so the bigger your party, the more time you might want to put aside but I don't imagine it'll take long. We got seated at the bar & orders were taken after we looked. Our waiter was nice and checked on us a good amount of times (2-3 times). Food came and it was very good. The salad sauce had this acidic sweet taste, the miso soup was tasty and the tempura was so great. I got a good portion. Tea was good & the tempura sauce was too. We had fun and my friends are not big eaters yet they cleaned the plates so I'd say it's a good sign. I hope I get to return soon.