Akai is miles ahead of anything else in the Annex. It's a little out of the way on the corner of Harbord and Major, and completely worth the 5 minute walk. The Annex has no dearth of second-rate sushi restaurants -- the best of them boasting shoddy service and run-of-the-mill fare. It's really nice to have an option like this in contrast to the rest. The perfect seared sashimi, quaint and traditional decor, mom and pop ownership, and friendly and present service will quickly shatter your new-gen/sushi-on-bloor paradigm. read more

Akai is another attempt to bring Harbord street to life and have a nice, way more quieter alternative to the Annex madness. It just partially achieves so though. Of course, if you are thinking to go to trashy Bloor street sushi bars, please go here instead. It's still a nice alternative just one block south. The place is small and cozy and the service is always super-polite. Don't expect to be enlightened by the taste. The salmon/tuna are regularly fresh, some very interesting rolls are offered (my favorite is the "crunch", could eat 5 of those!) and every possible modification of the menu is accepted. On the subjective side I find the rolls too small so I always have to spend more $$ to get full. I still keep coming back there from time to time when a good old sushi craving hits me. read more

OK. I was going to give it a 5, but lamented that decision for a few reasons, namely, Katsura is a 5 and although its close its not katsura, lacks a it of true japanese ambience and well it doesnt really have much of a vibe. NOW, the service and food are unbeatable. Ive only had sashimi (ive gone caveman so really can only meats and fish) but let me tell ya, that salmon,magura,hamachi,toro are as good as it gets in this city. also the spicy squid salad is crazy good. I guess the chef realized i knew my shit on my first visit (last week after not being able to get a table at Japango). and hooked it up big time with some seared toro and salmon, which were also to die for (note to self, order less, eat the free stuff). That said, quite disappointed i missed out on this place the previous 4 months that ive lived down the street, poisoning myself with SOB! GO NOW! read more

It's been a long time since I've been overwhelmed by awesomeness -- Akai may well be the best Japanese food I've ever had. I'm from Vancouver, so that's a huge compliment. And, I'm Japanese. Heh. Note: my partner and I are vegetarian, and loved the food and available selection. I've been desperate for decent Japanese food since moving to Toronto. Everything I've tried has been disappointing. Highlights of tonight's meal: - Ambiance: it's so lovely inside! Just like a little Japanese house. Even the bathrooms are nicely decorated. Feels like fine dining Japanese at much lower prices. - Spicy veggie crunch roll: so delicious! - Udon: noodles were perfect (have not found anything like them until now) and the broth was yummy - Tempura: crispy, light, non-greasy - Service: outstanding. As others have commented, they really take care to be prompt but not intrusive. The girl who served us was lovely. - Extras: they gave us both a complimentary piece of deep-fried tofu AND for dessert, an orange dressed in kiwi and sliced strawberries and the tinniest bit of whipped cream..just enough to enhance the flavours. - Presentation: everything was presented beautifully, especially the spicy roll Akai just feels like a *real* Japanese restaurant, just like back home. It's not a discount place so expect to pay $12-$15 per entree -- much cheaper than other meals if you think about it. Definitely recommend! read more

Ordered Roll Set 4 to split between two people. Sushi was very good, portion sizes were generous and pretty reasonable price. Will definitely return to this place. read more

The Love Boat is a great option for sharing. We were 3 adults and it was more than enough with a bottle of Sake. We'll be back for sure!

I stopped by because I saw a sign outside the front of the building advertising specials of the day that listed beebimbap. Well, it turned out to be the worst beebimbap I ever had in my entire life. Portion was tiny - not surprising since it was listed as a special(discount item of the day). Quality was horrible - not even fit for my dog. If the owner of the restaurant does not want to sell beebimbap, he should not put up a sign outside trying to entice would be customers. Lesson learned: When I walked in - which was 6PM, a usual prime time for dinner- the restaurant is almost completely empty. I broke a cardinal rule in restaurant patronage - don't walk in to food establishments that obviously does a bad job that causes customers to stay away. The waitress was nice and hospitable. The owner was self absorbed and showed no interest in customers, three that were there last night. read more

Akai is my go-to sushi place whenever I'm in the area. It's the coziest cutest little space located in a quiet neighbourhood away from Bloor and Spadina. The fish is fresh, the rice is spread out thin (LOVE, I hate filling up with overly sweetened rice), and the presentation is simple yet lovely. The only downside is the tiny bathroom downstairs and I would've rated it 5 stars. If you want some private dining with good sushi, this is the secret hideout :) Chef also made me a little sushi-man with the chirashi and it was the cutest. read more

So I didn't have Sushi here, so maybe you can take this review with a grain of salt. That being said, I was not at all impressed with this place. I ordered bibimbap and it was cold. On top of that, the egg was not fully cooked at all...the whites were still runny. They only brought out small containers of hot sauce...which while nicer that a large jar was not sufficient. I kind of always thought that bibimbap was something you couldn't mess up....but i was proved wrong. One plus is they brought out these fried tofu cubes as an appetizer. They were pretty damn good...though again...difficult to mess up fried tofu...or fried anything for that matter... read more

This restaurant serves Escolar - a fish that has been banned in Japan for almost three decades because the Japanese government considers it toxic. When I asked the waitress what the fish was, she gave three or four different "names" for the fish including names under which the fish is often fraudulently sold (e.g. butterfish or white tuna). Sushi quality was good otherwise, but I would not recommend it for the aforementioned reason. read more

This hidden gem is the best sushi in Toronto hands down. We ordered the love boat and were presented with a wonderful presentation of succulent sashimi and sushi. The service was excellent. The staff here is so warm and friendly. We will be back again and again. read more

Akai Sushi - In love with the love boat!!! - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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It's a nice vibe, small cozy sushi place. They have good Sapporo and black Asahi beer. The sushi is good, somewhat average, but good price. We had the sushi platter and there was more than enough for 2 people - couldn't finish it. The service is good and friendly read more

Akai Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

What a nice little stylish sushi place this is... A good alternative to the Bloor Street saturation, you just have to pop south to Harbord to find this tiny gem. The place is quite small. About the size of some people's living rooms -- maybe about seating for 30 people in total? But that makes for a cozy atmosphere. The decor of the place is simple, but very classic. I'm guessing this is a relatively new place -- there were only two other people dining when we arrived and this was on a Friday night. So our service was bang-on and we never had to wait very long for our food. I feel like the entire time we were there (from walking in to walking out) was only 30-40 minutes. They don't have any alcohol right now so you can't get Sapporo or anything, but I am not sure if this is because they don't have their liquor license yet. We benefited from a slow night and hitting this place as it's new on the block, because we were given free spring rolls and dessert. The prices were reasonable but maybe a little more expensive than places like Sushi On Bloor. Having said that, everything I ordered was delicious. We split sushi and maki rolls, agedashi tofu, miso soup and kimchi. Even the salad that comes with the order was so fresh. They serve everything in nice, heavy ceramic dishes. Very nice touch. Will definitely come back to this place. Service was excellent as well. Everyone thanked us as we were leaving. Again, this could be because it was a slow night, but I am sure this place will grow in popularity once the word gets out. read more

I visited here on a Friday with a date, and was very impressed with the atmosphere, service, and quality of food. We arrived at 7:30 pm (having booked a reservation the day before) and the place was packed, with no spare seating available save for reserved spots. So be sure to reserve if you're coming over the end of the week/weekend! The restaurant was well lit, though not bright, and so set a great mood for the evening. Though filled to capacity it was easy to speak across the table, and the small candle on our table was a nice touch. The server was prompt and always around when we needed her but was never overbearing. We were largely left to ourselves save for when food, tea, or the bill were being delivered. Which was exactly as we wanted it. She was helpful whenever we asked her a question. The quality of food was very good. We ordered the small sashimi boat (25 pieces) and a pair of rolls; one spicy, the other with large amounts of guacamole. Everything we had was very good and was ample for the two of us. Our experience would have been slightly improved if the server had actually told us what the different kinds of fish were included in the boat. While we could identify most of the fish there were two that, while good, weren't immediately identifiable to either of us. On the whole I enjoyed my visit here and hope/expect to return again. It's a great, quiet, place to come on a Friday or Saturday night and I'd highly recommend you check it out. read more

Akai always has super fresh sashimi. I've come by on multiple occasions to eat in or take out, and I've loved every meal. You pay a bit more at Akai vs. the sushi spots on Bloor, but you receive cleanliness, lovely service, and the best quality fish you can find! I'd probably rate Akai as my favourite Japanese (sushi) place in Toronto. read more

Ordered Tako Yaki as an appetizer. Bit into it and it was ice cold inside. Tasted stale too. Is it normal for restaurants to keep premade Tako Yaki in the fridge and then deep fry it? Or is it supposed to be made fresh? They didn't charge us for it. Thanks. read more

My favourite sushi place in the Annex. Quaint restaurant with great service and food. And if you're into take away, they have a happy hour special. The inari sushi is worth trying. read more

Second visit. I'm in the neighbourhood a lot because I work at Robarts Library. At first, I thought it was pretty overpriced -- I got a sushi set meal this time for $17 before tax, but then I forgot that the fish is pretty decent -- fresh, good portions, good fish to rice ratios, creative preparation (though nothing too crazy). Hell, I even liked the California rolls that came with the set, and Cali rolls are not really my thing. Go here! Keep them in business! read more

Cute little restaurant with a relaxed vibe. Not much seating space for large groups, however, it's perfect for small groups (8 looks like the max for a group) or a few friends dining out. I'd call ahead if you want were wanting to make a reservation. Customer service is efficient and friendly and the girl at the cash always offers me water with a smile. Washrooms are super clean as well and the hallway to the washrooms always smells of wonderful incense. Food is fresh and delicious. They could be selling their food from a sketchy street corner and I'd be a loyal customer. They don't use too much rice on the rolls as many non high end sushi places are apt to do. It's become my favourite sushi place and I wish they had one closer to home! read more

Great service, great food, great atmosphere. Just bit out of the way but definitely worth the walk! Try their avalanche! Sweet yet delicate read more

Akai Sushi - Fushion maki rolls! Soooooo good - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Great sushi! Great service! Close to UofT. Very pleasant experience. Absolutely recommend it!

I went to Akai sushi restaurant recently and noticed that the cook has changed a few month ago. There is a sign outside saying 'under new management' so I assume the owner changed. The food tasted better than before for sure!! Sashimi tasted fresher and maki rolls were yummy. It seems more like izakaya in the evening. I love to hang out here with my friends for sake. It is not what it used to be. Gotta try good Japanese cuisines. read more

Akai Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I really like this place. Never very busy but they are very attentive and friendly. I am not really sure why they are never busy. I have only ever been there with one other group. Sushi is very fresh, and tasty. It is a nice touch that they give you complimentary tea and dessert. read more

A great little spot away from the many sushi places on Bloor to the north. A great ambiance -- the table for larger groups (max 6-7) is in a bit of an alcove, so you get some privacy. The sushi is phenomenal -- fresh and a wide selection beyond the standard spicy tuna rolls. I personally enjoy their take on the Dragon rolls. Just be careful, the rolls can add up! read more

Looking for a sushi place in our neighbourhood we decided to try Akai Sushi even though everything was priced higher than we expected. The owners have obviously spent a great deal of time and attention to the interiors and the decor. But such attention and inflated prices raises expectations for dining. Sadly, the food does not live up to these expectations. Everything was served in a manner that showed thought for the design, but the food itself had little flavour. The sushi served follows in the Toronto tradition of Korean-styled sushi (usually because of Korean dishes on the menu, or over-mayo'd sushi) rather than more Japanese-styled offerings (a dead give away is the appearance of oshitashi or nasu dengaku). It was over-priced for what was served. read more

Nice salmon&tuna sushi for lunch but the portion wasn't very large! Includes salad and miso though the salad is very basic and average. The fish was good quality but rice could have been better and larger rice balls for nigiri. I like ND sushi more in the area but could return if this is the only place open. There was a bad smell indoors so I had takeaway! read more

Had an ok experience. Was seated next to a drafty air conditioner, which set an unfortunate and chilly tone for the meal. Tea was free but it was weak and lukewarm. The sushi was good, but I had expected a soup and salad to come with an $18 dinner platter. Not bad, but a bit on the pricey side for an 'alright' experience. read more

Akai is great. The sushi is always so fresh it reminds me of Vancouver. The presentation is incredible as well. There are endless sushi restaurants on Bloor st so there is competition but it is way above the Bloor street standards. The prices are not much different from Bloor st either. Check it out!! read more

We love this place! Our favorite sushi place. You can't beat the quality and value. Best Chicken teriyaki in the city!

Went for the lunch special, which is around $15 for sushi, miso soup, and salad. It's definitely pricier than some of the other specials I've had around Toronto, but so worth it for the quality and ambience. I will be back! read more

Great service and the food was also very good. They have some very creative sushi. My favorite one was a spicy salmon with grilled salmon on top. I can't remember the name but that one is worth trying. The sushi and sashimi boat have a good collection of items. I wish they offered some miso and salad to start your meal with. read more

Vegetarian gyoza were not good. The sushi was maybe a 3 out of 10. Bulgogi was a 5 out of 10. Service was 5 out of 10. Setting is just OK. Not going back. So many awesome sushi places around here. read more

Great quality sushi, nice atmosphere, good attention to customers. No complaints whatsoever. And prices are quite reasonable in relation to comparable places. read more

It was clean and quiet. It had a very soothing atmosphere. The presentation of the food was quite nice and they tasted great. I cannot remember what i had exactly but I think what I ordered had a word 'orange in it. It was pretty darn great. read more

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Best affordable sushi restaurant In Toronto. Good date spot near the annex, quiet and has friendly staff.

Wiated for 20 mins before the server came to take our order and give us water. The rolls are ok, but the sashimi is not fresh and they cut the radish so thick. Definitely not authentic, will not go back again. read more

Found this place through reviews in Yelp. Cute place and super friendly staff. Food presentation was nice and everything tasted great. Loved the fact that they had a veggie dragon roll on the menu. Delicious. Will definitely come back again. read more

I think they must have changed the chef of something. This place was good 6 months ago, but it's awful now.

I ordered a spicy tuna and spicy salmon roll with crunchies - usually delightful rolls, but not here. There was hardly any fish inside. It was basically a rice ball filled with mayonnaise and tempura. I ate half of the rolls, and told the wait staff that I thought the rolls were terrible. They smiled politely and charged me for everything. On a positive note, some of the other customers appeared to have lovely looking sushi. Perhaps the spicy rolls are the only ones that are terrible. read more

This is my favourite sushi restaurant in Toronto. The restaurant is a nice, clean and has an initimate atmosphere. The quality of the sushi is great- very fresh and the rice is cooked perfectly. We will definitely come back! The service is also great- friendly and not slow. read more