Welcome to Akira Japanese Restaurant San Francisco
At Akira Japanese Restaurant San Francisco, we bring the essence of Japan to the heart of San Francisco. Nestled on Bush Street, our cozy venue offers a tranquil escape to indulge in exquisite sushi crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Renowned for our nigiri and signature rolls like the Kobe Dragon Roll, guests can experience a delightful culinary journey. Our friendly staff and charismatic chef, Kenji, create a warm ambiance that invites conversation and enjoyment. Whether savoring seared salmon belly or a seasonal Matsutaki dobin mushi, each dish reflects our passion for authentic Japanese cuisine. Join us for an unforgettable dining experience!
-
1634 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94109 Hotline: (415) 800-8498
Welcome to Akira Japanese Restaurant San Francisco, a delightful gem nestled at 1634 Bush St in the vibrant city of San Francisco. This cozy eatery captures the essence of authentic Japanese cuisine, offering a range of meticulously crafted dishes that reflect both tradition and innovation.
The moment you step inside Akira, you’re greeted by a warm ambience that invites you to unwind and indulge in a culinary adventure. Whether you choose to sit at the sushi bar or at a comfortable table, the inviting atmosphere paired with the charismatic chef, Kenji, enhances the dining experience. The friendly staff is committed to making your visit memorable, ensuring that every dish is presented with care.
Akira is renowned for its impressive selection of nigiri and sashimi, featuring fresh and high-quality seafood. Signature offerings include:
- Saba Nigiri - Norway mackerel for $13.00
- Hamachi Toro Nigiri - Yellowtail belly for $15.00
- Uni Nigiri - Santa Barbara sea urchin for $17.00
- Sashimi Moriawase - A chef's choice selection of 15 pieces for $68.00
You can also explore their special rolls, such as the Peacock Roll with a delightful combination of tuna, sake, and unagi, or the Pink Dragon Roll, which features shrimp tempura and albacore tuna topped with a garlic chip. Each roll is uniquely crafted and showcases a balance of flavors.
Customer feedback highlights the freshness and quality of the dishes. From Diane L.'s praise of the spicy mango roll to Derek R.'s recommendation of the seasonal Matsutaki dobin mushi, it's clear that diners appreciate the menu's variety and authenticity. For vegetarian diners, the menu offers a plethora of options, ensuring everyone can find something to savor.
While the prices may be on the higher side, the culinary artistry you experience is worth every penny. As Meg G. mentions, it’s the coziest little Japanese spot in Lower Pac Heights. The attention to detail in every dish, particularly the quality of the fish and the care taken in preparation, makes it a standout choice for sushi lovers.
Unique to Akira are the experiences that come with the food. Guests often rave about the entertaining interactions with Chef Kenji and the impressive presentation of dishes that compel you to appreciate not just the taste, but the artistry behind them. Whether it's the refreshing wakame salad or the soothing miso soup, each bite tells a story.
In a bustling city filled with dining choices, Akira Japanese Restaurant San Francisco remains a notable destination for both casual diners and sushi aficionados. Be prepared to be delighted, both by the quality of the food and the genuine hospitality that awaits you. Make your reservation today at (415) 800-8498 and discover the exquisite flavors waiting to be tasted.
I got the spicy mango roll, cherry blossom roll, and seared salmon belly roll. My faves were the spicy mango roll and the seared salmon belly! It was tasty but I was surprised that the sushi pieces are really small for the rolls. As for the nigiri they are normal sized. The scallop nigiri is super fresh. The Santa Barbara uni is ok since the uni taste wasn't that noticeable so not sure if this was fresh or not. Also, we asked for extra ginger and this is the first time a restaurant has ever charged for that. I was pretty disappointed to see that on the bill to be honest since all restaurants give you ginger complimentary and what's even stranger is on the bill the charge was for extra ginger and wasabi but wasabi is usually free of charge. I have a feeling they don't have much business which is why they skimp on the rolls and have to up charge on items.
this is the coziest little japanese spot in lower pac heights!! I absolutely loved the chill ambience. there were also a ton of vegetarian options which was great! the prices were quite steep though
Incredible culinary experience!!! 10/10 would recommend sitting at the bar, service was amazing and we were chatting with the super funny and charismatic chef, Kenji. The food was incredible and we let Kenji have full creative freedom but didn't do the omakase menu. Ended up with the sashimi platter (chef's choice), peacock roll, hokkaido uni shooters, and a traditional daikon/tuna roll!!
Last time I went, I talked more to the chef at sushi bar and the one woman show who was holding the fort down in the restaurant. Both incredibly sweet and kind. I had a few fresh options and what stood out the most was the fresh wasabi. I'm find myself craving it every so often and tempted to pop in whenever I walk by. I would recommend for a casual / pretty food quality sushi spot!
We finally tried their season special Matsutaki dobin mushi, a seasonal dish with Pac Northwest matsutaki mushrooms, so good! Get it! The mushroom and seafood broth is perfect for a cold day and has lots of yummy things inside including a shrimp, crabmeat, mushrooms, and tofu. Our other favorites lately have been their beef teriyaki bento, udon, and mixed green salad. Their rolls are great too, try the salmon belly roll. Service is so friendly, and ambiance is relaxing, good to get away from the hustle and bustle of Japantown mall.
Sushi is really good sushi here. I was in the area and was craving sushi, so I found Akira Japanese Restaurant and was pleasantly surprised. It was nearing closing time on Saturday afternoon (3 PM), so decided to order takeout. Both items I ordered, Unagi Nigiri and Dragon Roll, were delicious.
Excellent sushi spot. Clean, and seated right away. They have a very large selection of veggie roll options for all the vegetarian sushi lovers, rolls, sashimi and appetizers. The staff is very friendly and the fish was fresh. I got the oishi roll and both the salmon and hamachi were delicious. Would have snapped some pics of the food, but ate it all so fast because it was so good!
Great friendly neighborhood sushi spot! Came here for the happy hour deal from 5-6pm and had excellently priced food with kind and quick service. The edamame was regular, nothing special, but the wakame salad was SOO good! Miso soup was a nice big portion and warmed me up. The fish was super fresh and the sushi rice was also not too sweet or sour, very fresh food all around. Spicy tuna roll was my favorite by far because it had a perfect spice level to it. So glad we found this chill neighborhood spot. And the $15 bottomless sake is a STEALL