Nope, not top four, number 1 in my humble opinion!! Hollywood roll is one of my favorites along with the vampire and spider!!
(5)
Brittany W.
Not a bad place. I ordered a beef teriyaki bento box. It comes with a ton a food for the price. It includes the beef, miso soup, salad, tempura veggies, rice and four pieces of a California roll. I personally did not enjoy the miso soup. It was my first time trying it, so I cannot compare it to any others. Everything else was good, no complaints. I would come back and try the sushi I went in to pick up my food and they were very nice and visited with me why i waited for my order.
(3)
James T.
Ko, the "Sushi Boss" and Jon, his apprentice - handled the sushi preparation for tonight. I rolled in for dinner at 8pm on a Friday, and the waitresses sat me in front of Jon, who began to prepare my order immediately after I ordered. What was my order? Chef specials all around! ALL around. Just for me. #Fat. Anywho, the fish was as fresh as I've had it in Salt Lake City, and Ko made sure to keep the atmosphere fun, friendly, and family-like. Pretty short selection on the list of goodies, but will definitely be back for more soon enough! Sorry for no pictures, the hunger was real. **DISCLAIMER: A few of my non-Utah friends have PM'ed me about this place - this sushi place is great for Utahans, but remember that what you have at home (Cali, NYC, etc.) should not be compared to the level here**
(4)
Daniel R.
I should kick myself for driving by this place for years and only now getting around to eating here. Absolutely amazing! My co-worker and I ate at the bar, we ordered 3 rolles = Cowboy, Vampire, and Cucumber. The Vampire is their best selling roll. I highly reccomend it, for it was HUGE! I would have been fine with only eating that one. But I'm glad I had room for the Cowboy roll because that is probably a new fav. "Ko" the owner and chef was one of the nicest guys. He was very friendly and made my dining experience great. The overall atmosphere is very laid back. They had a few tv's and a disco ball (I guess they used to do karaoke). Large bar area and a couple dozen dining tables. Perfect for lunch (we were in & out), and I will most likely be back for dinner or on a date.
(4)
Danny W.
No one can beat the kindness and skills of Ko, the owner. This place makes you feel like gold. You eat gold, are treated like gold, and you'll leave satisfied.
(5)
Erin H.
Great selection, tasty rolls and nogiri. Chef Ko always greets and talks with the customers. Best avocados - where does he find them. Recommended!
(5)
Elizabeth L.
A solid sushi joint. Koh the chef is what makes this place special; he's concerned that each of his guests have a good time, and he is very open to suggestions (how the Cowboy roll was born -- it has beef teriyaki on top, which is something that I haven't seen much at other sushi places). Suggestions: Sushi Vampire, Volcano, Playboy, and Funky. Easily in the top three sushi joints in Salt Lake City.
(4)
Alana M.
Best hole-in-the-wall sushi in Utah. The staff is so friendly. They even accommodate substitutions and custom rolls. Surprising for sure to find in cottonwood heights.
(4)
Cody S.
Excellent service very good sushi first time visit. I would highly recommend to my friends.
(5)
David A.
I am not a sushi expert, but I eat plenty and I am very particular with anything revolving around seafood. The quality is a must before anything. This is my favorite sushi place around. I love so many things about the place but let me at least say it's worth your time to try and make your own opinion.
(4)
John E.
The rolls were good but they put spicy mayo (of all things) on everything regardless of whether it was on the menu or not. The nigiri was so utterly disappointing, he just threw some yellow tail on a plate with spicy mayo and not even one ball of rice. My friend and I got some sake, mine was chilled and his was boiling hot and when they cook some of the fish they use a dirty microwave oven thats wrapped in dirty tinfoil. I think that the sushi chefs should take more pride in there work instead of dousing things with spicy mayo and using dirty ovens.
(2)
Reno C.
After watch a movie a few cocktails with my friends, we decided to have dinner. We set out for Japanese food and our first choice was close. So our auntie took us to one of her favorite places. As we walked in at nine-thirty in the evening, it was no surprise that we would be the only ones there. We were greeted by the friendly staff. As we spoke to them, the barrier of customer to working staff came down, as we all laughed and joked around. We first ordered the dragon roll and the Vampire roll (A special, non menu item) to share amongst the five of us. Oh, don't forget the bottle of hot sake. We tried to get the waitress and sushi guy to drink with us, but it must be a Utah rule that they could not drink with patrons. Well, the dragon roll taste like the dragon roll everywhere else, which is good, but the Vampire roll even tasted better. We had order the Beef Teriyaki, Chicken teriyaki and mixed tempura entrees, plus the seafood tempura bento box. Let's start off by saying the seafood tempura bento is more food than the average person can eat. The other three dinners were good, nothing great to write home about. The service was excellent and polite. Place was clean, and if you like Karaoke, they have that there if you dare. From the outside, it's not fancy, but a hole-in-the-wall place. As we departed, we told them that we will be back next year and they will be waiting.
(4)
Lee S.
Great sushi always great. I have been going there for a few years never disappointed .
(5)
Paige B.
Sushi chef is awesome!!! Very friendly and can pace your rolls. Highly recommend this place and there is rarely a wait. Try the monkey roll!! Service is awesome as well!!
(4)
Jonathan W.
My son and I drove up from Lehi to try this place. The 30 mile drive was worth it as the Bento box and California rolls were pretty good! It took a little while to get the food but the owner (I'm assuming) was very friendly and funny. The food was prepared in an appealing manor and it was really good. I had a little sticker shock as we paid the tag as it was about $30 for two meals. All in all, it was a great experience.
(4)
C S.
I love sushi and after eating at many amazing sushi restaurants in Salt Lake decided to venture to this one after reading all of these great reviews. The fact that we drove right by it the first time should have been seen as a sign. This was far and away the worst sushi I've ever had. Service was friendly, but it was hardly edible. I'm all for hole in the wall delicious restaurants, but won't stop here again.
(1)
Jean W.
Let's just get something straight. I'm the foodie in our family. Any and all research leading to a decision to try a new place is on me. The typical question I get from Hubby whenever I suggest somewhere new is, "Is it vegetarian?" (The boy loves his meat, and is always worried about being forced or tricked into eating disguised veggies, or, God forbid, tofu.) Beyond that, he's pretty open. However, he recently surprised me by doing his own homework! He found Akasaka Sushi, and made a reservation for a weekend dinner. He kept me in the dark until we got there, and I have to say...driving up, I was a bit skeptical. The Highland Drive 'hood is sketchy, which I've learned not to judge too harshly. Next door is a little dive bar that looks to have been there for right around 211 years or so. Parking was extremely limited along their tiny L-shaped perimeter. We walked in the teeny restaurant, on time for our reservation, and were immediately swept, a whole two and a half feet away, to our table. This joint is tight, kids. But they somehow manage to make you feel comfortable with their table configuration. We didn't feel crammed in, or overlapped, as is the case in so many small restaurants. The staff was really friendly from the get-go. One of the two waitresses who took care of us explained the specials for the evening. Everything sounded great. As it was the weekend and I had never tried Plum Wine, I decided to give it a go. I see it on so many Asian menus...why not? It was such a beautiful color when they brought it out in their small token wine goblet (the kind you find at a second-hand store). I believe most other white chicks would have exchanged it for a real drink. But, not me. It tasted like ... well, prune juice lite. I happen to enjoy prune juice, so I imbibed like a trooper. But it certainly wasn't anything I'd describe as "wine." Most of the rolls we ordered were specials, which, by the way, for some reason were largely NBA basketball-, and moreover, Utah Jazz-themed. (Being a basketball abstainer, I didn't recognize the references whatsoever, but thank God Hubby filled me in on their meaning. It made all the difference.) The one roll we ordered off the menu was the Vampire Roll. Virtually all of the sushi we tried was fantastic. Tasted very fresh, was well presented and even somewhat unique in combination. Not cheap, mind you. Their special rolls range from $10-$20. Still, I was completely hypnotized by our next-table neighbor's choice of Udon noodle soup. It was beautiful! The bowl was easily twice the size of my head, and full to the brim with gorgeous veggies, mushrooms, and other delicious-looking ingredients. I couldn't take my eyes off it. If we hadn't already devoured our sushi, I seriously would have ordered a bowl. I considered taking one to go, at that. I gathered a few of my senses, and compromised on coming back another time to try it. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience at Akasaka. A nice find for decent sushi. And, being a weekend evening, although they were quite busy, we found no hiccups in service or quality at all. They were helpful, attentive, and friendly. Note to self: get back there for my Udon.
(4)
Edward D.
Just ate here last night. Would have to say I was rather impressed. Went in not expecting much. Greeted by very friendly servers right away. the service was not the quickest I have ever experienced but the chefs took their time creating beautiful rolls. Well worth the wait. The rolls were very large for the price and not to mention they tasted amazing. I tried the "Kiss of Death," Sushi vampire," and "asparagus spring" rolls. Kiss of death was my favorite. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Julie K.
This was my go to place for Sushi since they opened at that location. The owner was wonderful, the sushi was fantastic and the place was clean. I had been raving about the sushi and when we had VPs come to our office from Canada, I knew this was the place to take them. We walked in about noon and several tables had dirty dishes. We found a clean table and waited for about 5 minutes and was greeted by the owner behind the sushi bar. We sat for another 5--10 minutes and I finally walked up to get some menus. He pointed to where there were at. There was one waitress and there was only one other customer in the restaurant. It took forever for her to take our order. When she did, she didn't even remove the dirty dishes on the table that surrounded our table. It took forever for our sushi to come and it was disgusting. The rice was warm and the toppings were falling off. The tuna was off color and did not taste good. We ordered 5 rolls and they forgot about the last two. The rest rooms were filthy and they have to be a health code violation. There was not soap or toilet paper in the bathroom. I wonder if their workers wash their hands.
(1)
Nicedude N.
We went to this petite Little joint off highland drive. It was Valentine's Day and I was scheduled to work late I was able to get off at about 7 PM. So we still had a chance to go out for Valentines again, Because of scheduling we went out the day before. Many places on Valentine's Day that are worth going are completely booked. We decided to try this place out, and I'm glad we did they were able to squeeze us in at the bar along with our nine-year-old daughter. The place is very small and the two chefs barely speak English with a heavy Japanese accent, if I follow stereotypes this should turn out great, and it did! We ordered eight rolls plus the vampire. Every role was suggested by the chef and each one was fresh and tasty. You can always tell if the fish is not fresh by the texture and color, but it was legit. I think there are plenty of decent to good sushi places but the chefs interacted with us and my daughter and made it a fun experience. So I'll rate this a five star, four stars for the food and an extra star for the treatment! The verdicts in, we'll be back!
(5)
Dominic F.
This is my neighborhood, so it was great to have a sushi place within walking distance. The staff at Akasaka makes you feel like family--always warm and inviting, ready to serve. The hours (open till 9:30 during the week) are a little later than average (which I prefer) and the restaurant usually always has a spot open for a 2 or 4 top. The sushi is well prepared, the prices are relatively cheap and they have beer and Sake. If you have not been, many (including the staff) will recommend the Vampire Sushi roll. This is a beast. It is incredibly good--but let me warn you--it is also incredibly rich. I suggest sharing this roll. It is piled high, covered with spicy mayo, crunch, and a couple kinds of fish. Due to the richness, I do not order it very often (it's that rich). Aside, the bento boxes are a great value, the nigiri menu is simple, yet well prepared and the rolls are appropriately sized. All in all, it is a great little neighborhood spot for a week night meal. PS. If you see a large table full of mid-twenty year olds, none of which are drinking...it's karaoke night and plan on hearing an earful of bad singing.
(4)
Bethany C.
I love AkaSaka! I'm a big sushi fan and I've pretty much had all the sushi in the SLC valley. Akasaka is by far my favorite by a landslide. Nothing comes close. The sushi portions are big an flavorful with a wide selection. I've tried most of the sushi and I've never been disappointed. Their sashimi is also great, very fresh and rich. They come in different sizes so you aren't stuck with too much or too little. They also have very good tempura; I recommend the veggies! Their agedashi tofu is the best I've had in Salt Lake. The service is really friendly, over the years I've grown to be friendly with all the staff. The best time to go is around 5pm on a weekday; there aren't a lot of people and service is pretty fast. Having said that, I would recommend everyone to try it!
(5)
Brett E.
This place by far exceeded expectations. The "sushi vampire" was incredible. I feel like I've been to a bunch of sushi places and this is in my top 3 for sure.
(5)
Lucy C.
This sushi was quite a pleasant surprise. After going to Japan, I haven't been quite satisfied with the sushi in Salt Lake until I stopped into Akasaka. Excellent sushi chef, that is as good as it can get in our landlocked state. I had the dancing queen roll and the vampire roll, both recommendations of the chef which were delicious. The vampire roll is definitely my new favorite. Yes, the place is kind of a hole in the wall tiny restaurant, but personally, i could care less about that when the food satisfies. Service however was not lacking and after our dinner they gave us a free dessert, a really nice gesture. I'd definitely recommend this place to any looking for real Japanese sushi. I will definitely be returning here in the future when I need my sushi fix.
(5)
Tye B.
Here for the first time and just sat down. Gonna review as I go. The paragraphs below shall be a play by play of sorts. No toro. Not sure that's a detraction, but it'd be nice. Gotta get my mercury in. Had some mayo, crab and fried goody rolls. A bit American, but tasty. We will see If the fish stands alone... If it ever gets here. Still waiting. Got it. Decent fish, a bit overly manipulated. Not too much noise, no happy birthday songs from the help and no outstanding issues. Couldn't quite give it a 4. Eat here if it's convenient.
(3)
Brandon R.
It doesn't look like much on the outside, but inside is an adorable sushi restaurant with the nicest staff and very good sushi. There's just one other sushi place in downtown SLC that I enjoyed more than this place, but I think they've closed down. :( So... I love sushi's loss is AkaSaka sushi's gain. By default, they become my new favorite sushi place! I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu, the chefs put together a great menu and they really know their craft. I really don't have a bad thing to say about this place other than it's smaller, so if they get really busy there might be a bit of a wait for a table.
(4)
Jake B.
I went to Akasaka Sushi when I returned to Utah finding that though the name has changed the quality and service have not. I highly recommend this place to any sushi lover in the Salt Lake Area!
(5)
Nathan M.
I am new to the Salt Lake area from So Cal so I am a bit spoiled sushi-wise. We have just tried a few places so far but this place caught our attention because our favorite sushi spot in California is also called Akasaka. So why not give it a try? Small and simple. A small bar area with friendly older Japanese chef standing behind it. Service is slow, don't go if your in a hurry. The food, very good. We have been back a few times now and love it! Not sure why Salt Lake has so many rooms with cream cheese in them, no need for that. Its about the fish. I could eat a ton of sashimi and try as often as I can. This isn't the greatest quality fish, but very good! Try the vampire roll too it is very good! Highly recommended.
(5)
Julie K.
This was my go to place for Sushi since they opened at that location. The owner was wonderful, the sushi was fantastic and the place was clean. I had been raving about the sushi and when we had VPs come to our office from Canada, I knew this was the place to take them. We walked in about noon and several tables had dirty dishes. We found a clean table and waited for about 5 minutes and was greeted by the owner behind the sushi bar. We sat for another 5--10 minutes and I finally walked up to get some menus. He pointed to where there were at. There was one waitress and there was only one other customer in the restaurant. It took forever for her to take our order. When she did, she didn't even remove the dirty dishes on the table that surrounded our table. It took forever for our sushi to come and it was disgusting. The rice was warm and the toppings were falling off. The tuna was off color and did not taste good. We ordered 5 rolls and they forgot about the last two. The rest rooms were filthy and they have to be a health code violation. There was not soap or toilet paper in the bathroom. I wonder if their workers wash their hands.
(1)
Reno C.
After watch a movie a few cocktails with my friends, we decided to have dinner. We set out for Japanese food and our first choice was close. So our auntie took us to one of her favorite places. As we walked in at nine-thirty in the evening, it was no surprise that we would be the only ones there. We were greeted by the friendly staff. As we spoke to them, the barrier of customer to working staff came down, as we all laughed and joked around. We first ordered the dragon roll and the Vampire roll (A special, non menu item) to share amongst the five of us. Oh, don't forget the bottle of hot sake. We tried to get the waitress and sushi guy to drink with us, but it must be a Utah rule that they could not drink with patrons. Well, the dragon roll taste like the dragon roll everywhere else, which is good, but the Vampire roll even tasted better. We had order the Beef Teriyaki, Chicken teriyaki and mixed tempura entrees, plus the seafood tempura bento box. Let's start off by saying the seafood tempura bento is more food than the average person can eat. The other three dinners were good, nothing great to write home about. The service was excellent and polite. Place was clean, and if you like Karaoke, they have that there if you dare. From the outside, it's not fancy, but a hole-in-the-wall place. As we departed, we told them that we will be back next year and they will be waiting.
(4)
Lee S.
Great sushi always great. I have been going there for a few years never disappointed .
(5)
Paige B.
Sushi chef is awesome!!! Very friendly and can pace your rolls. Highly recommend this place and there is rarely a wait. Try the monkey roll!! Service is awesome as well!!
(4)
Jonathan W.
My son and I drove up from Lehi to try this place. The 30 mile drive was worth it as the Bento box and California rolls were pretty good! It took a little while to get the food but the owner (I'm assuming) was very friendly and funny. The food was prepared in an appealing manor and it was really good. I had a little sticker shock as we paid the tag as it was about $30 for two meals. All in all, it was a great experience.
(4)
Julie H.
Nope, not top four, number 1 in my humble opinion!! Hollywood roll is one of my favorites along with the vampire and spider!!
(5)
Brittany W.
Not a bad place. I ordered a beef teriyaki bento box. It comes with a ton a food for the price. It includes the beef, miso soup, salad, tempura veggies, rice and four pieces of a California roll. I personally did not enjoy the miso soup. It was my first time trying it, so I cannot compare it to any others. Everything else was good, no complaints. I would come back and try the sushi I went in to pick up my food and they were very nice and visited with me why i waited for my order.
(3)
James T.
Ko, the "Sushi Boss" and Jon, his apprentice - handled the sushi preparation for tonight. I rolled in for dinner at 8pm on a Friday, and the waitresses sat me in front of Jon, who began to prepare my order immediately after I ordered. What was my order? Chef specials all around! ALL around. Just for me. #Fat. Anywho, the fish was as fresh as I've had it in Salt Lake City, and Ko made sure to keep the atmosphere fun, friendly, and family-like. Pretty short selection on the list of goodies, but will definitely be back for more soon enough! Sorry for no pictures, the hunger was real. **DISCLAIMER: A few of my non-Utah friends have PM'ed me about this place - this sushi place is great for Utahans, but remember that what you have at home (Cali, NYC, etc.) should not be compared to the level here**
(4)
Dominic F.
This is my neighborhood, so it was great to have a sushi place within walking distance. The staff at Akasaka makes you feel like family--always warm and inviting, ready to serve. The hours (open till 9:30 during the week) are a little later than average (which I prefer) and the restaurant usually always has a spot open for a 2 or 4 top. The sushi is well prepared, the prices are relatively cheap and they have beer and Sake. If you have not been, many (including the staff) will recommend the Vampire Sushi roll. This is a beast. It is incredibly good--but let me warn you--it is also incredibly rich. I suggest sharing this roll. It is piled high, covered with spicy mayo, crunch, and a couple kinds of fish. Due to the richness, I do not order it very often (it's that rich). Aside, the bento boxes are a great value, the nigiri menu is simple, yet well prepared and the rolls are appropriately sized. All in all, it is a great little neighborhood spot for a week night meal. PS. If you see a large table full of mid-twenty year olds, none of which are drinking...it's karaoke night and plan on hearing an earful of bad singing.
(4)
Brandon R.
It doesn't look like much on the outside, but inside is an adorable sushi restaurant with the nicest staff and very good sushi. There's just one other sushi place in downtown SLC that I enjoyed more than this place, but I think they've closed down. :( So... I love sushi's loss is AkaSaka sushi's gain. By default, they become my new favorite sushi place! I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu, the chefs put together a great menu and they really know their craft. I really don't have a bad thing to say about this place other than it's smaller, so if they get really busy there might be a bit of a wait for a table.
(4)
Jake B.
I went to Akasaka Sushi when I returned to Utah finding that though the name has changed the quality and service have not. I highly recommend this place to any sushi lover in the Salt Lake Area!
(5)
John E.
The rolls were good but they put spicy mayo (of all things) on everything regardless of whether it was on the menu or not. The nigiri was so utterly disappointing, he just threw some yellow tail on a plate with spicy mayo and not even one ball of rice. My friend and I got some sake, mine was chilled and his was boiling hot and when they cook some of the fish they use a dirty microwave oven thats wrapped in dirty tinfoil. I think that the sushi chefs should take more pride in there work instead of dousing things with spicy mayo and using dirty ovens.
(2)
Nathan M.
I am new to the Salt Lake area from So Cal so I am a bit spoiled sushi-wise. We have just tried a few places so far but this place caught our attention because our favorite sushi spot in California is also called Akasaka. So why not give it a try? Small and simple. A small bar area with friendly older Japanese chef standing behind it. Service is slow, don't go if your in a hurry. The food, very good. We have been back a few times now and love it! Not sure why Salt Lake has so many rooms with cream cheese in them, no need for that. Its about the fish. I could eat a ton of sashimi and try as often as I can. This isn't the greatest quality fish, but very good! Try the vampire roll too it is very good! Highly recommended.
(5)
Danny W.
No one can beat the kindness and skills of Ko, the owner. This place makes you feel like gold. You eat gold, are treated like gold, and you'll leave satisfied.
(5)
Erin H.
Great selection, tasty rolls and nogiri. Chef Ko always greets and talks with the customers. Best avocados - where does he find them. Recommended!
(5)
Elizabeth L.
A solid sushi joint. Koh the chef is what makes this place special; he's concerned that each of his guests have a good time, and he is very open to suggestions (how the Cowboy roll was born -- it has beef teriyaki on top, which is something that I haven't seen much at other sushi places). Suggestions: Sushi Vampire, Volcano, Playboy, and Funky. Easily in the top three sushi joints in Salt Lake City.
(4)
Alana M.
Best hole-in-the-wall sushi in Utah. The staff is so friendly. They even accommodate substitutions and custom rolls. Surprising for sure to find in cottonwood heights.
(4)
Cody S.
Excellent service very good sushi first time visit. I would highly recommend to my friends.
(5)
David A.
I am not a sushi expert, but I eat plenty and I am very particular with anything revolving around seafood. The quality is a must before anything. This is my favorite sushi place around. I love so many things about the place but let me at least say it's worth your time to try and make your own opinion.
(4)
Bethany C.
I love AkaSaka! I'm a big sushi fan and I've pretty much had all the sushi in the SLC valley. Akasaka is by far my favorite by a landslide. Nothing comes close. The sushi portions are big an flavorful with a wide selection. I've tried most of the sushi and I've never been disappointed. Their sashimi is also great, very fresh and rich. They come in different sizes so you aren't stuck with too much or too little. They also have very good tempura; I recommend the veggies! Their agedashi tofu is the best I've had in Salt Lake. The service is really friendly, over the years I've grown to be friendly with all the staff. The best time to go is around 5pm on a weekday; there aren't a lot of people and service is pretty fast. Having said that, I would recommend everyone to try it!
(5)
Brett E.
This place by far exceeded expectations. The "sushi vampire" was incredible. I feel like I've been to a bunch of sushi places and this is in my top 3 for sure.
(5)
Nicedude N.
We went to this petite Little joint off highland drive. It was Valentine's Day and I was scheduled to work late I was able to get off at about 7 PM. So we still had a chance to go out for Valentines again, Because of scheduling we went out the day before. Many places on Valentine's Day that are worth going are completely booked. We decided to try this place out, and I'm glad we did they were able to squeeze us in at the bar along with our nine-year-old daughter. The place is very small and the two chefs barely speak English with a heavy Japanese accent, if I follow stereotypes this should turn out great, and it did! We ordered eight rolls plus the vampire. Every role was suggested by the chef and each one was fresh and tasty. You can always tell if the fish is not fresh by the texture and color, but it was legit. I think there are plenty of decent to good sushi places but the chefs interacted with us and my daughter and made it a fun experience. So I'll rate this a five star, four stars for the food and an extra star for the treatment! The verdicts in, we'll be back!
(5)
Lucy C.
This sushi was quite a pleasant surprise. After going to Japan, I haven't been quite satisfied with the sushi in Salt Lake until I stopped into Akasaka. Excellent sushi chef, that is as good as it can get in our landlocked state. I had the dancing queen roll and the vampire roll, both recommendations of the chef which were delicious. The vampire roll is definitely my new favorite. Yes, the place is kind of a hole in the wall tiny restaurant, but personally, i could care less about that when the food satisfies. Service however was not lacking and after our dinner they gave us a free dessert, a really nice gesture. I'd definitely recommend this place to any looking for real Japanese sushi. I will definitely be returning here in the future when I need my sushi fix.
(5)
Tye B.
Here for the first time and just sat down. Gonna review as I go. The paragraphs below shall be a play by play of sorts. No toro. Not sure that's a detraction, but it'd be nice. Gotta get my mercury in. Had some mayo, crab and fried goody rolls. A bit American, but tasty. We will see If the fish stands alone... If it ever gets here. Still waiting. Got it. Decent fish, a bit overly manipulated. Not too much noise, no happy birthday songs from the help and no outstanding issues. Couldn't quite give it a 4. Eat here if it's convenient.
(3)
C S.
I love sushi and after eating at many amazing sushi restaurants in Salt Lake decided to venture to this one after reading all of these great reviews. The fact that we drove right by it the first time should have been seen as a sign. This was far and away the worst sushi I've ever had. Service was friendly, but it was hardly edible. I'm all for hole in the wall delicious restaurants, but won't stop here again.
(1)
Daniel R.
I should kick myself for driving by this place for years and only now getting around to eating here. Absolutely amazing! My co-worker and I ate at the bar, we ordered 3 rolles = Cowboy, Vampire, and Cucumber. The Vampire is their best selling roll. I highly reccomend it, for it was HUGE! I would have been fine with only eating that one. But I'm glad I had room for the Cowboy roll because that is probably a new fav. "Ko" the owner and chef was one of the nicest guys. He was very friendly and made my dining experience great. The overall atmosphere is very laid back. They had a few tv's and a disco ball (I guess they used to do karaoke). Large bar area and a couple dozen dining tables. Perfect for lunch (we were in & out), and I will most likely be back for dinner or on a date.
(4)
Jean W.
Let's just get something straight. I'm the foodie in our family. Any and all research leading to a decision to try a new place is on me. The typical question I get from Hubby whenever I suggest somewhere new is, "Is it vegetarian?" (The boy loves his meat, and is always worried about being forced or tricked into eating disguised veggies, or, God forbid, tofu.) Beyond that, he's pretty open. However, he recently surprised me by doing his own homework! He found Akasaka Sushi, and made a reservation for a weekend dinner. He kept me in the dark until we got there, and I have to say...driving up, I was a bit skeptical. The Highland Drive 'hood is sketchy, which I've learned not to judge too harshly. Next door is a little dive bar that looks to have been there for right around 211 years or so. Parking was extremely limited along their tiny L-shaped perimeter. We walked in the teeny restaurant, on time for our reservation, and were immediately swept, a whole two and a half feet away, to our table. This joint is tight, kids. But they somehow manage to make you feel comfortable with their table configuration. We didn't feel crammed in, or overlapped, as is the case in so many small restaurants. The staff was really friendly from the get-go. One of the two waitresses who took care of us explained the specials for the evening. Everything sounded great. As it was the weekend and I had never tried Plum Wine, I decided to give it a go. I see it on so many Asian menus...why not? It was such a beautiful color when they brought it out in their small token wine goblet (the kind you find at a second-hand store). I believe most other white chicks would have exchanged it for a real drink. But, not me. It tasted like ... well, prune juice lite. I happen to enjoy prune juice, so I imbibed like a trooper. But it certainly wasn't anything I'd describe as "wine." Most of the rolls we ordered were specials, which, by the way, for some reason were largely NBA basketball-, and moreover, Utah Jazz-themed. (Being a basketball abstainer, I didn't recognize the references whatsoever, but thank God Hubby filled me in on their meaning. It made all the difference.) The one roll we ordered off the menu was the Vampire Roll. Virtually all of the sushi we tried was fantastic. Tasted very fresh, was well presented and even somewhat unique in combination. Not cheap, mind you. Their special rolls range from $10-$20. Still, I was completely hypnotized by our next-table neighbor's choice of Udon noodle soup. It was beautiful! The bowl was easily twice the size of my head, and full to the brim with gorgeous veggies, mushrooms, and other delicious-looking ingredients. I couldn't take my eyes off it. If we hadn't already devoured our sushi, I seriously would have ordered a bowl. I considered taking one to go, at that. I gathered a few of my senses, and compromised on coming back another time to try it. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience at Akasaka. A nice find for decent sushi. And, being a weekend evening, although they were quite busy, we found no hiccups in service or quality at all. They were helpful, attentive, and friendly. Note to self: get back there for my Udon.
(4)
Edward D.
Just ate here last night. Would have to say I was rather impressed. Went in not expecting much. Greeted by very friendly servers right away. the service was not the quickest I have ever experienced but the chefs took their time creating beautiful rolls. Well worth the wait. The rolls were very large for the price and not to mention they tasted amazing. I tried the "Kiss of Death," Sushi vampire," and "asparagus spring" rolls. Kiss of death was my favorite. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)
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Address :6196 S Highland Dr
Salt Lake City, UT, 84121
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Julie H.
Nope, not top four, number 1 in my humble opinion!! Hollywood roll is one of my favorites along with the vampire and spider!!
(5)Brittany W.
Not a bad place. I ordered a beef teriyaki bento box. It comes with a ton a food for the price. It includes the beef, miso soup, salad, tempura veggies, rice and four pieces of a California roll. I personally did not enjoy the miso soup. It was my first time trying it, so I cannot compare it to any others. Everything else was good, no complaints. I would come back and try the sushi I went in to pick up my food and they were very nice and visited with me why i waited for my order.
(3)James T.
Ko, the "Sushi Boss" and Jon, his apprentice - handled the sushi preparation for tonight. I rolled in for dinner at 8pm on a Friday, and the waitresses sat me in front of Jon, who began to prepare my order immediately after I ordered. What was my order? Chef specials all around! ALL around. Just for me. #Fat. Anywho, the fish was as fresh as I've had it in Salt Lake City, and Ko made sure to keep the atmosphere fun, friendly, and family-like. Pretty short selection on the list of goodies, but will definitely be back for more soon enough! Sorry for no pictures, the hunger was real. **DISCLAIMER: A few of my non-Utah friends have PM'ed me about this place - this sushi place is great for Utahans, but remember that what you have at home (Cali, NYC, etc.) should not be compared to the level here**
(4)Daniel R.
I should kick myself for driving by this place for years and only now getting around to eating here. Absolutely amazing! My co-worker and I ate at the bar, we ordered 3 rolles = Cowboy, Vampire, and Cucumber. The Vampire is their best selling roll. I highly reccomend it, for it was HUGE! I would have been fine with only eating that one. But I'm glad I had room for the Cowboy roll because that is probably a new fav. "Ko" the owner and chef was one of the nicest guys. He was very friendly and made my dining experience great. The overall atmosphere is very laid back. They had a few tv's and a disco ball (I guess they used to do karaoke). Large bar area and a couple dozen dining tables. Perfect for lunch (we were in & out), and I will most likely be back for dinner or on a date.
(4)Danny W.
No one can beat the kindness and skills of Ko, the owner. This place makes you feel like gold. You eat gold, are treated like gold, and you'll leave satisfied.
(5)Erin H.
Great selection, tasty rolls and nogiri. Chef Ko always greets and talks with the customers. Best avocados - where does he find them. Recommended!
(5)Elizabeth L.
A solid sushi joint. Koh the chef is what makes this place special; he's concerned that each of his guests have a good time, and he is very open to suggestions (how the Cowboy roll was born -- it has beef teriyaki on top, which is something that I haven't seen much at other sushi places). Suggestions: Sushi Vampire, Volcano, Playboy, and Funky. Easily in the top three sushi joints in Salt Lake City.
(4)Alana M.
Best hole-in-the-wall sushi in Utah. The staff is so friendly. They even accommodate substitutions and custom rolls. Surprising for sure to find in cottonwood heights.
(4)Cody S.
Excellent service very good sushi first time visit. I would highly recommend to my friends.
(5)David A.
I am not a sushi expert, but I eat plenty and I am very particular with anything revolving around seafood. The quality is a must before anything. This is my favorite sushi place around. I love so many things about the place but let me at least say it's worth your time to try and make your own opinion.
(4)John E.
The rolls were good but they put spicy mayo (of all things) on everything regardless of whether it was on the menu or not. The nigiri was so utterly disappointing, he just threw some yellow tail on a plate with spicy mayo and not even one ball of rice. My friend and I got some sake, mine was chilled and his was boiling hot and when they cook some of the fish they use a dirty microwave oven thats wrapped in dirty tinfoil. I think that the sushi chefs should take more pride in there work instead of dousing things with spicy mayo and using dirty ovens.
(2)Reno C.
After watch a movie a few cocktails with my friends, we decided to have dinner. We set out for Japanese food and our first choice was close. So our auntie took us to one of her favorite places. As we walked in at nine-thirty in the evening, it was no surprise that we would be the only ones there. We were greeted by the friendly staff. As we spoke to them, the barrier of customer to working staff came down, as we all laughed and joked around. We first ordered the dragon roll and the Vampire roll (A special, non menu item) to share amongst the five of us. Oh, don't forget the bottle of hot sake. We tried to get the waitress and sushi guy to drink with us, but it must be a Utah rule that they could not drink with patrons. Well, the dragon roll taste like the dragon roll everywhere else, which is good, but the Vampire roll even tasted better. We had order the Beef Teriyaki, Chicken teriyaki and mixed tempura entrees, plus the seafood tempura bento box. Let's start off by saying the seafood tempura bento is more food than the average person can eat. The other three dinners were good, nothing great to write home about. The service was excellent and polite. Place was clean, and if you like Karaoke, they have that there if you dare. From the outside, it's not fancy, but a hole-in-the-wall place. As we departed, we told them that we will be back next year and they will be waiting.
(4)Lee S.
Great sushi always great. I have been going there for a few years never disappointed .
(5)Paige B.
Sushi chef is awesome!!! Very friendly and can pace your rolls. Highly recommend this place and there is rarely a wait. Try the monkey roll!! Service is awesome as well!!
(4)Jonathan W.
My son and I drove up from Lehi to try this place. The 30 mile drive was worth it as the Bento box and California rolls were pretty good! It took a little while to get the food but the owner (I'm assuming) was very friendly and funny. The food was prepared in an appealing manor and it was really good. I had a little sticker shock as we paid the tag as it was about $30 for two meals. All in all, it was a great experience.
(4)C S.
I love sushi and after eating at many amazing sushi restaurants in Salt Lake decided to venture to this one after reading all of these great reviews. The fact that we drove right by it the first time should have been seen as a sign. This was far and away the worst sushi I've ever had. Service was friendly, but it was hardly edible. I'm all for hole in the wall delicious restaurants, but won't stop here again.
(1)Jean W.
Let's just get something straight. I'm the foodie in our family. Any and all research leading to a decision to try a new place is on me. The typical question I get from Hubby whenever I suggest somewhere new is, "Is it vegetarian?" (The boy loves his meat, and is always worried about being forced or tricked into eating disguised veggies, or, God forbid, tofu.) Beyond that, he's pretty open. However, he recently surprised me by doing his own homework! He found Akasaka Sushi, and made a reservation for a weekend dinner. He kept me in the dark until we got there, and I have to say...driving up, I was a bit skeptical. The Highland Drive 'hood is sketchy, which I've learned not to judge too harshly. Next door is a little dive bar that looks to have been there for right around 211 years or so. Parking was extremely limited along their tiny L-shaped perimeter. We walked in the teeny restaurant, on time for our reservation, and were immediately swept, a whole two and a half feet away, to our table. This joint is tight, kids. But they somehow manage to make you feel comfortable with their table configuration. We didn't feel crammed in, or overlapped, as is the case in so many small restaurants. The staff was really friendly from the get-go. One of the two waitresses who took care of us explained the specials for the evening. Everything sounded great. As it was the weekend and I had never tried Plum Wine, I decided to give it a go. I see it on so many Asian menus...why not? It was such a beautiful color when they brought it out in their small token wine goblet (the kind you find at a second-hand store). I believe most other white chicks would have exchanged it for a real drink. But, not me. It tasted like ... well, prune juice lite. I happen to enjoy prune juice, so I imbibed like a trooper. But it certainly wasn't anything I'd describe as "wine." Most of the rolls we ordered were specials, which, by the way, for some reason were largely NBA basketball-, and moreover, Utah Jazz-themed. (Being a basketball abstainer, I didn't recognize the references whatsoever, but thank God Hubby filled me in on their meaning. It made all the difference.) The one roll we ordered off the menu was the Vampire Roll. Virtually all of the sushi we tried was fantastic. Tasted very fresh, was well presented and even somewhat unique in combination. Not cheap, mind you. Their special rolls range from $10-$20. Still, I was completely hypnotized by our next-table neighbor's choice of Udon noodle soup. It was beautiful! The bowl was easily twice the size of my head, and full to the brim with gorgeous veggies, mushrooms, and other delicious-looking ingredients. I couldn't take my eyes off it. If we hadn't already devoured our sushi, I seriously would have ordered a bowl. I considered taking one to go, at that. I gathered a few of my senses, and compromised on coming back another time to try it. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience at Akasaka. A nice find for decent sushi. And, being a weekend evening, although they were quite busy, we found no hiccups in service or quality at all. They were helpful, attentive, and friendly. Note to self: get back there for my Udon.
(4)Edward D.
Just ate here last night. Would have to say I was rather impressed. Went in not expecting much. Greeted by very friendly servers right away. the service was not the quickest I have ever experienced but the chefs took their time creating beautiful rolls. Well worth the wait. The rolls were very large for the price and not to mention they tasted amazing. I tried the "Kiss of Death," Sushi vampire," and "asparagus spring" rolls. Kiss of death was my favorite. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)Julie K.
This was my go to place for Sushi since they opened at that location. The owner was wonderful, the sushi was fantastic and the place was clean. I had been raving about the sushi and when we had VPs come to our office from Canada, I knew this was the place to take them. We walked in about noon and several tables had dirty dishes. We found a clean table and waited for about 5 minutes and was greeted by the owner behind the sushi bar. We sat for another 5--10 minutes and I finally walked up to get some menus. He pointed to where there were at. There was one waitress and there was only one other customer in the restaurant. It took forever for her to take our order. When she did, she didn't even remove the dirty dishes on the table that surrounded our table. It took forever for our sushi to come and it was disgusting. The rice was warm and the toppings were falling off. The tuna was off color and did not taste good. We ordered 5 rolls and they forgot about the last two. The rest rooms were filthy and they have to be a health code violation. There was not soap or toilet paper in the bathroom. I wonder if their workers wash their hands.
(1)Nicedude N.
We went to this petite Little joint off highland drive. It was Valentine's Day and I was scheduled to work late I was able to get off at about 7 PM. So we still had a chance to go out for Valentines again, Because of scheduling we went out the day before. Many places on Valentine's Day that are worth going are completely booked. We decided to try this place out, and I'm glad we did they were able to squeeze us in at the bar along with our nine-year-old daughter. The place is very small and the two chefs barely speak English with a heavy Japanese accent, if I follow stereotypes this should turn out great, and it did! We ordered eight rolls plus the vampire. Every role was suggested by the chef and each one was fresh and tasty. You can always tell if the fish is not fresh by the texture and color, but it was legit. I think there are plenty of decent to good sushi places but the chefs interacted with us and my daughter and made it a fun experience. So I'll rate this a five star, four stars for the food and an extra star for the treatment! The verdicts in, we'll be back!
(5)Dominic F.
This is my neighborhood, so it was great to have a sushi place within walking distance. The staff at Akasaka makes you feel like family--always warm and inviting, ready to serve. The hours (open till 9:30 during the week) are a little later than average (which I prefer) and the restaurant usually always has a spot open for a 2 or 4 top. The sushi is well prepared, the prices are relatively cheap and they have beer and Sake. If you have not been, many (including the staff) will recommend the Vampire Sushi roll. This is a beast. It is incredibly good--but let me warn you--it is also incredibly rich. I suggest sharing this roll. It is piled high, covered with spicy mayo, crunch, and a couple kinds of fish. Due to the richness, I do not order it very often (it's that rich). Aside, the bento boxes are a great value, the nigiri menu is simple, yet well prepared and the rolls are appropriately sized. All in all, it is a great little neighborhood spot for a week night meal. PS. If you see a large table full of mid-twenty year olds, none of which are drinking...it's karaoke night and plan on hearing an earful of bad singing.
(4)Bethany C.
I love AkaSaka! I'm a big sushi fan and I've pretty much had all the sushi in the SLC valley. Akasaka is by far my favorite by a landslide. Nothing comes close. The sushi portions are big an flavorful with a wide selection. I've tried most of the sushi and I've never been disappointed. Their sashimi is also great, very fresh and rich. They come in different sizes so you aren't stuck with too much or too little. They also have very good tempura; I recommend the veggies! Their agedashi tofu is the best I've had in Salt Lake. The service is really friendly, over the years I've grown to be friendly with all the staff. The best time to go is around 5pm on a weekday; there aren't a lot of people and service is pretty fast. Having said that, I would recommend everyone to try it!
(5)Brett E.
This place by far exceeded expectations. The "sushi vampire" was incredible. I feel like I've been to a bunch of sushi places and this is in my top 3 for sure.
(5)Lucy C.
This sushi was quite a pleasant surprise. After going to Japan, I haven't been quite satisfied with the sushi in Salt Lake until I stopped into Akasaka. Excellent sushi chef, that is as good as it can get in our landlocked state. I had the dancing queen roll and the vampire roll, both recommendations of the chef which were delicious. The vampire roll is definitely my new favorite. Yes, the place is kind of a hole in the wall tiny restaurant, but personally, i could care less about that when the food satisfies. Service however was not lacking and after our dinner they gave us a free dessert, a really nice gesture. I'd definitely recommend this place to any looking for real Japanese sushi. I will definitely be returning here in the future when I need my sushi fix.
(5)Tye B.
Here for the first time and just sat down. Gonna review as I go. The paragraphs below shall be a play by play of sorts. No toro. Not sure that's a detraction, but it'd be nice. Gotta get my mercury in. Had some mayo, crab and fried goody rolls. A bit American, but tasty. We will see If the fish stands alone... If it ever gets here. Still waiting. Got it. Decent fish, a bit overly manipulated. Not too much noise, no happy birthday songs from the help and no outstanding issues. Couldn't quite give it a 4. Eat here if it's convenient.
(3)Brandon R.
It doesn't look like much on the outside, but inside is an adorable sushi restaurant with the nicest staff and very good sushi. There's just one other sushi place in downtown SLC that I enjoyed more than this place, but I think they've closed down. :( So... I love sushi's loss is AkaSaka sushi's gain. By default, they become my new favorite sushi place! I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu, the chefs put together a great menu and they really know their craft. I really don't have a bad thing to say about this place other than it's smaller, so if they get really busy there might be a bit of a wait for a table.
(4)Jake B.
I went to Akasaka Sushi when I returned to Utah finding that though the name has changed the quality and service have not. I highly recommend this place to any sushi lover in the Salt Lake Area!
(5)Nathan M.
I am new to the Salt Lake area from So Cal so I am a bit spoiled sushi-wise. We have just tried a few places so far but this place caught our attention because our favorite sushi spot in California is also called Akasaka. So why not give it a try? Small and simple. A small bar area with friendly older Japanese chef standing behind it. Service is slow, don't go if your in a hurry. The food, very good. We have been back a few times now and love it! Not sure why Salt Lake has so many rooms with cream cheese in them, no need for that. Its about the fish. I could eat a ton of sashimi and try as often as I can. This isn't the greatest quality fish, but very good! Try the vampire roll too it is very good! Highly recommended.
(5)Julie K.
This was my go to place for Sushi since they opened at that location. The owner was wonderful, the sushi was fantastic and the place was clean. I had been raving about the sushi and when we had VPs come to our office from Canada, I knew this was the place to take them. We walked in about noon and several tables had dirty dishes. We found a clean table and waited for about 5 minutes and was greeted by the owner behind the sushi bar. We sat for another 5--10 minutes and I finally walked up to get some menus. He pointed to where there were at. There was one waitress and there was only one other customer in the restaurant. It took forever for her to take our order. When she did, she didn't even remove the dirty dishes on the table that surrounded our table. It took forever for our sushi to come and it was disgusting. The rice was warm and the toppings were falling off. The tuna was off color and did not taste good. We ordered 5 rolls and they forgot about the last two. The rest rooms were filthy and they have to be a health code violation. There was not soap or toilet paper in the bathroom. I wonder if their workers wash their hands.
(1)Reno C.
After watch a movie a few cocktails with my friends, we decided to have dinner. We set out for Japanese food and our first choice was close. So our auntie took us to one of her favorite places. As we walked in at nine-thirty in the evening, it was no surprise that we would be the only ones there. We were greeted by the friendly staff. As we spoke to them, the barrier of customer to working staff came down, as we all laughed and joked around. We first ordered the dragon roll and the Vampire roll (A special, non menu item) to share amongst the five of us. Oh, don't forget the bottle of hot sake. We tried to get the waitress and sushi guy to drink with us, but it must be a Utah rule that they could not drink with patrons. Well, the dragon roll taste like the dragon roll everywhere else, which is good, but the Vampire roll even tasted better. We had order the Beef Teriyaki, Chicken teriyaki and mixed tempura entrees, plus the seafood tempura bento box. Let's start off by saying the seafood tempura bento is more food than the average person can eat. The other three dinners were good, nothing great to write home about. The service was excellent and polite. Place was clean, and if you like Karaoke, they have that there if you dare. From the outside, it's not fancy, but a hole-in-the-wall place. As we departed, we told them that we will be back next year and they will be waiting.
(4)Lee S.
Great sushi always great. I have been going there for a few years never disappointed .
(5)Paige B.
Sushi chef is awesome!!! Very friendly and can pace your rolls. Highly recommend this place and there is rarely a wait. Try the monkey roll!! Service is awesome as well!!
(4)Jonathan W.
My son and I drove up from Lehi to try this place. The 30 mile drive was worth it as the Bento box and California rolls were pretty good! It took a little while to get the food but the owner (I'm assuming) was very friendly and funny. The food was prepared in an appealing manor and it was really good. I had a little sticker shock as we paid the tag as it was about $30 for two meals. All in all, it was a great experience.
(4)Julie H.
Nope, not top four, number 1 in my humble opinion!! Hollywood roll is one of my favorites along with the vampire and spider!!
(5)Brittany W.
Not a bad place. I ordered a beef teriyaki bento box. It comes with a ton a food for the price. It includes the beef, miso soup, salad, tempura veggies, rice and four pieces of a California roll. I personally did not enjoy the miso soup. It was my first time trying it, so I cannot compare it to any others. Everything else was good, no complaints. I would come back and try the sushi I went in to pick up my food and they were very nice and visited with me why i waited for my order.
(3)James T.
Ko, the "Sushi Boss" and Jon, his apprentice - handled the sushi preparation for tonight. I rolled in for dinner at 8pm on a Friday, and the waitresses sat me in front of Jon, who began to prepare my order immediately after I ordered. What was my order? Chef specials all around! ALL around. Just for me. #Fat. Anywho, the fish was as fresh as I've had it in Salt Lake City, and Ko made sure to keep the atmosphere fun, friendly, and family-like. Pretty short selection on the list of goodies, but will definitely be back for more soon enough! Sorry for no pictures, the hunger was real. **DISCLAIMER: A few of my non-Utah friends have PM'ed me about this place - this sushi place is great for Utahans, but remember that what you have at home (Cali, NYC, etc.) should not be compared to the level here**
(4)Dominic F.
This is my neighborhood, so it was great to have a sushi place within walking distance. The staff at Akasaka makes you feel like family--always warm and inviting, ready to serve. The hours (open till 9:30 during the week) are a little later than average (which I prefer) and the restaurant usually always has a spot open for a 2 or 4 top. The sushi is well prepared, the prices are relatively cheap and they have beer and Sake. If you have not been, many (including the staff) will recommend the Vampire Sushi roll. This is a beast. It is incredibly good--but let me warn you--it is also incredibly rich. I suggest sharing this roll. It is piled high, covered with spicy mayo, crunch, and a couple kinds of fish. Due to the richness, I do not order it very often (it's that rich). Aside, the bento boxes are a great value, the nigiri menu is simple, yet well prepared and the rolls are appropriately sized. All in all, it is a great little neighborhood spot for a week night meal. PS. If you see a large table full of mid-twenty year olds, none of which are drinking...it's karaoke night and plan on hearing an earful of bad singing.
(4)Brandon R.
It doesn't look like much on the outside, but inside is an adorable sushi restaurant with the nicest staff and very good sushi. There's just one other sushi place in downtown SLC that I enjoyed more than this place, but I think they've closed down. :( So... I love sushi's loss is AkaSaka sushi's gain. By default, they become my new favorite sushi place! I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu, the chefs put together a great menu and they really know their craft. I really don't have a bad thing to say about this place other than it's smaller, so if they get really busy there might be a bit of a wait for a table.
(4)Jake B.
I went to Akasaka Sushi when I returned to Utah finding that though the name has changed the quality and service have not. I highly recommend this place to any sushi lover in the Salt Lake Area!
(5)John E.
The rolls were good but they put spicy mayo (of all things) on everything regardless of whether it was on the menu or not. The nigiri was so utterly disappointing, he just threw some yellow tail on a plate with spicy mayo and not even one ball of rice. My friend and I got some sake, mine was chilled and his was boiling hot and when they cook some of the fish they use a dirty microwave oven thats wrapped in dirty tinfoil. I think that the sushi chefs should take more pride in there work instead of dousing things with spicy mayo and using dirty ovens.
(2)Nathan M.
I am new to the Salt Lake area from So Cal so I am a bit spoiled sushi-wise. We have just tried a few places so far but this place caught our attention because our favorite sushi spot in California is also called Akasaka. So why not give it a try? Small and simple. A small bar area with friendly older Japanese chef standing behind it. Service is slow, don't go if your in a hurry. The food, very good. We have been back a few times now and love it! Not sure why Salt Lake has so many rooms with cream cheese in them, no need for that. Its about the fish. I could eat a ton of sashimi and try as often as I can. This isn't the greatest quality fish, but very good! Try the vampire roll too it is very good! Highly recommended.
(5)Danny W.
No one can beat the kindness and skills of Ko, the owner. This place makes you feel like gold. You eat gold, are treated like gold, and you'll leave satisfied.
(5)Erin H.
Great selection, tasty rolls and nogiri. Chef Ko always greets and talks with the customers. Best avocados - where does he find them. Recommended!
(5)Elizabeth L.
A solid sushi joint. Koh the chef is what makes this place special; he's concerned that each of his guests have a good time, and he is very open to suggestions (how the Cowboy roll was born -- it has beef teriyaki on top, which is something that I haven't seen much at other sushi places). Suggestions: Sushi Vampire, Volcano, Playboy, and Funky. Easily in the top three sushi joints in Salt Lake City.
(4)Alana M.
Best hole-in-the-wall sushi in Utah. The staff is so friendly. They even accommodate substitutions and custom rolls. Surprising for sure to find in cottonwood heights.
(4)Cody S.
Excellent service very good sushi first time visit. I would highly recommend to my friends.
(5)David A.
I am not a sushi expert, but I eat plenty and I am very particular with anything revolving around seafood. The quality is a must before anything. This is my favorite sushi place around. I love so many things about the place but let me at least say it's worth your time to try and make your own opinion.
(4)Bethany C.
I love AkaSaka! I'm a big sushi fan and I've pretty much had all the sushi in the SLC valley. Akasaka is by far my favorite by a landslide. Nothing comes close. The sushi portions are big an flavorful with a wide selection. I've tried most of the sushi and I've never been disappointed. Their sashimi is also great, very fresh and rich. They come in different sizes so you aren't stuck with too much or too little. They also have very good tempura; I recommend the veggies! Their agedashi tofu is the best I've had in Salt Lake. The service is really friendly, over the years I've grown to be friendly with all the staff. The best time to go is around 5pm on a weekday; there aren't a lot of people and service is pretty fast. Having said that, I would recommend everyone to try it!
(5)Brett E.
This place by far exceeded expectations. The "sushi vampire" was incredible. I feel like I've been to a bunch of sushi places and this is in my top 3 for sure.
(5)Nicedude N.
We went to this petite Little joint off highland drive. It was Valentine's Day and I was scheduled to work late I was able to get off at about 7 PM. So we still had a chance to go out for Valentines again, Because of scheduling we went out the day before. Many places on Valentine's Day that are worth going are completely booked. We decided to try this place out, and I'm glad we did they were able to squeeze us in at the bar along with our nine-year-old daughter. The place is very small and the two chefs barely speak English with a heavy Japanese accent, if I follow stereotypes this should turn out great, and it did! We ordered eight rolls plus the vampire. Every role was suggested by the chef and each one was fresh and tasty. You can always tell if the fish is not fresh by the texture and color, but it was legit. I think there are plenty of decent to good sushi places but the chefs interacted with us and my daughter and made it a fun experience. So I'll rate this a five star, four stars for the food and an extra star for the treatment! The verdicts in, we'll be back!
(5)Lucy C.
This sushi was quite a pleasant surprise. After going to Japan, I haven't been quite satisfied with the sushi in Salt Lake until I stopped into Akasaka. Excellent sushi chef, that is as good as it can get in our landlocked state. I had the dancing queen roll and the vampire roll, both recommendations of the chef which were delicious. The vampire roll is definitely my new favorite. Yes, the place is kind of a hole in the wall tiny restaurant, but personally, i could care less about that when the food satisfies. Service however was not lacking and after our dinner they gave us a free dessert, a really nice gesture. I'd definitely recommend this place to any looking for real Japanese sushi. I will definitely be returning here in the future when I need my sushi fix.
(5)Tye B.
Here for the first time and just sat down. Gonna review as I go. The paragraphs below shall be a play by play of sorts. No toro. Not sure that's a detraction, but it'd be nice. Gotta get my mercury in. Had some mayo, crab and fried goody rolls. A bit American, but tasty. We will see If the fish stands alone... If it ever gets here. Still waiting. Got it. Decent fish, a bit overly manipulated. Not too much noise, no happy birthday songs from the help and no outstanding issues. Couldn't quite give it a 4. Eat here if it's convenient.
(3)C S.
I love sushi and after eating at many amazing sushi restaurants in Salt Lake decided to venture to this one after reading all of these great reviews. The fact that we drove right by it the first time should have been seen as a sign. This was far and away the worst sushi I've ever had. Service was friendly, but it was hardly edible. I'm all for hole in the wall delicious restaurants, but won't stop here again.
(1)Daniel R.
I should kick myself for driving by this place for years and only now getting around to eating here. Absolutely amazing! My co-worker and I ate at the bar, we ordered 3 rolles = Cowboy, Vampire, and Cucumber. The Vampire is their best selling roll. I highly reccomend it, for it was HUGE! I would have been fine with only eating that one. But I'm glad I had room for the Cowboy roll because that is probably a new fav. "Ko" the owner and chef was one of the nicest guys. He was very friendly and made my dining experience great. The overall atmosphere is very laid back. They had a few tv's and a disco ball (I guess they used to do karaoke). Large bar area and a couple dozen dining tables. Perfect for lunch (we were in & out), and I will most likely be back for dinner or on a date.
(4)Jean W.
Let's just get something straight. I'm the foodie in our family. Any and all research leading to a decision to try a new place is on me. The typical question I get from Hubby whenever I suggest somewhere new is, "Is it vegetarian?" (The boy loves his meat, and is always worried about being forced or tricked into eating disguised veggies, or, God forbid, tofu.) Beyond that, he's pretty open. However, he recently surprised me by doing his own homework! He found Akasaka Sushi, and made a reservation for a weekend dinner. He kept me in the dark until we got there, and I have to say...driving up, I was a bit skeptical. The Highland Drive 'hood is sketchy, which I've learned not to judge too harshly. Next door is a little dive bar that looks to have been there for right around 211 years or so. Parking was extremely limited along their tiny L-shaped perimeter. We walked in the teeny restaurant, on time for our reservation, and were immediately swept, a whole two and a half feet away, to our table. This joint is tight, kids. But they somehow manage to make you feel comfortable with their table configuration. We didn't feel crammed in, or overlapped, as is the case in so many small restaurants. The staff was really friendly from the get-go. One of the two waitresses who took care of us explained the specials for the evening. Everything sounded great. As it was the weekend and I had never tried Plum Wine, I decided to give it a go. I see it on so many Asian menus...why not? It was such a beautiful color when they brought it out in their small token wine goblet (the kind you find at a second-hand store). I believe most other white chicks would have exchanged it for a real drink. But, not me. It tasted like ... well, prune juice lite. I happen to enjoy prune juice, so I imbibed like a trooper. But it certainly wasn't anything I'd describe as "wine." Most of the rolls we ordered were specials, which, by the way, for some reason were largely NBA basketball-, and moreover, Utah Jazz-themed. (Being a basketball abstainer, I didn't recognize the references whatsoever, but thank God Hubby filled me in on their meaning. It made all the difference.) The one roll we ordered off the menu was the Vampire Roll. Virtually all of the sushi we tried was fantastic. Tasted very fresh, was well presented and even somewhat unique in combination. Not cheap, mind you. Their special rolls range from $10-$20. Still, I was completely hypnotized by our next-table neighbor's choice of Udon noodle soup. It was beautiful! The bowl was easily twice the size of my head, and full to the brim with gorgeous veggies, mushrooms, and other delicious-looking ingredients. I couldn't take my eyes off it. If we hadn't already devoured our sushi, I seriously would have ordered a bowl. I considered taking one to go, at that. I gathered a few of my senses, and compromised on coming back another time to try it. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience at Akasaka. A nice find for decent sushi. And, being a weekend evening, although they were quite busy, we found no hiccups in service or quality at all. They were helpful, attentive, and friendly. Note to self: get back there for my Udon.
(4)Edward D.
Just ate here last night. Would have to say I was rather impressed. Went in not expecting much. Greeted by very friendly servers right away. the service was not the quickest I have ever experienced but the chefs took their time creating beautiful rolls. Well worth the wait. The rolls were very large for the price and not to mention they tasted amazing. I tried the "Kiss of Death," Sushi vampire," and "asparagus spring" rolls. Kiss of death was my favorite. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)