Great food. Great service. The chef truly enjoys what he us doing, and it shows. A must visit for food lovers.

Great food and ambiance. We had the soft crab and sea bass and the shot rib. We will be back again

Delish! Small and cozy with only 6 tables and bar seating. Every dish we had was amazing, chicken potstickers, shishito peppers, halibut special, curry pasta, cauliflower side and bread pudding... Many vegan options as well. Looking forward to going back! read more

This place is awesome! Not so many people in here this Sunday noon so we didn't wait for the seat. We went here for brunch and the food was beyond our expectation! Super delicious. Highly recommended. read more

Akar - slinger - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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No seats available, we can only eat at outside table. Lots of flies, poor environment, but good food and attentive service.

Superb! Amazing! Delicious! I could go on. Let me just say it has been a while since I've had awesome food and service. Akar is truly a gem. I wanted a great meal not far from my hotel and how lucky was I to find this gem. I didn't have a reservation but since it was just my son and I, they were able to seat us quickly and outdoors near the patio. Not under the heated tent but the weather was fair. Very cozy ambience for friends or couples. The night got cooler and I didn't have a jacket, but guess what? The waiter offered me a warm blanket. How thoughtful and wonderful is that? Great Hospitality! My waiter Steven was awesome. He explained everything! I love when the staff knows the menu, how it is cooked and what it is served with. We even found ties to my home state. Loved how he was personable yet not overbearing at all. I started of course with a cocktail. The blossom! Soooo good!!! My son had a mocktail and I had to taste. After one taste all I could think of, was I can add a shot of alcoholic beverage and it would be amazing. I did just that and turned it to an amazing cocktail. We ordered the Rangoon raviloli for the appetizer; probably the best I've tasted ever! It was filled with real lobster and the mango sauce with a little heat just set it off. For my entree' I ordered the duck breast and my son ordered the fish of the day which was sea bass. It was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The sides and sauces were all wonderful. My son raved about the rice. I couldn't stop eating the leek and purple cabbage medley. I wish I had room for that lava cake. But I was just stuffed. Meal and service were outstanding. Keep up the great work. I will be sure to stop by again next time I am in town. read more

Ordered dinner from Akar. A little steep on the price point, but the dumplings are to die for!

I didn't recognize anything and no one helped me with suggestions. What we ordered was not what we thought it was. Left starving $100 poorer

Give this a whirl. Bernie is an incredibly gifted chef.You won't be disappointed.

I highly recommend Akar. It's one of the best places I've tried in awhile. I ordered the special which was a drunken noodle dish and my fiancé had the braised short ribs. Both of our dishes were 10/10. Great service and ambiance. We will be back! read more

Just moved into neighborhood and decided to try Akar. My wife had chicken Char Siu and I had the short rib. Everything was cooked perfectly and delicious. If you get the ribs be sure to get the bread service to dip in the jus. Wow. We will definitely make this a regular stop. Oh and if get take out they will gladly bring it to the car at the curb. Great service. read more

Another outstanding meal tonight! The best sticky rice I've ever had. Incredible lamb shank and duck. Can't wait for our next meal at Akar!

Excellent food and environment overall. It really is difficult to beat in the areas around Clayton.

Probably the most disappointed eating out at a restaurant that I have been in awhile. Everything that I had read about Akar sounded great, 5 stars in Yelp, great reviews on Sauce and Water. We were expecting exciting veggie-forward takes on asian classics, but what we got was bland dishes that were barely recognizable as their namesake. The Mala Crispy Chicken was essentially a chicken katsu with zero Sichuan peppercorns in sight and the mapo tofu was a heavily sauced tofu swimming in rehydrated frozen vegetables (peas, carrots and broccoli). Perhaps the menu has changed significantly since the pandemic, but certainly not the restaurant I'd seen rave reviews about in 2019. read more

I am Never disappointed when dining at Akar! Everything is perfect from the service to the presentation and the taste!

Disclosure: Brunch Review Upon entering Akar, you're immediately greeted by the intimate space. With a only a handful of tables and four bar seats, the cozy restaurant has to wisely utilize the area; glassware, plates, cookbooks, and bottles of spirits adorn the shelves. The refined and modern decor lend a feeling of elegance while still remaining accessible for a casual lunch or brunch. With a focused menu, the offerings have roots from owner Bernie Lee's upbringing in Malaysia. You'll find the brunch beverage menu's titular heading denoting coffee and tea in both English and Malay, but cuisine from all across the globe influence the menu: chicken and waffles, tempura soft-shell crab and grits, and beef bulgogi breakfast tacos. The menu strikes a balance that will certainly please vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores. Our server did a fantastic job of answering any questions and was attentive to our needs but not overbearing. The food came out promptly after ordering and beautifully plated on lovely ceramic dishes. The tempura soft-shell grab and grits came with a perfectly dressed side salad, and the dish was hearty enough to walk out feeling satisfied but not like I just had a massive cheat meal. The crab, though fried, was flavorful and light, while the grits brought comfort without being too heavy, and the side salad provided the necessary acid to cut the richness of the dish. For a respite from bottomless mimosas and eggs Benedict, head to Akar for a delightful brunch. It's clear that Chef Lee put his heart into this restaurant, and now we have the pleasure of relishing in that love. read more

When here for new year eve dinner with my friend and her husband and my sister in law and her boyfriend. Overall it was a good experience. We love the ambiance, small intimate very romantic. Great for date night. But since it small you must make a reservation to be sure they can accommodate you especially if you have more than 4 people. It's soooooo small that their bathroom you have to go into their kitchen in order to use it. Not typical for saint louis but in NYC is pretty common. The food was good, not over the top melt in your mouth good but good. We ordered the soft shell crab and crab rangoon for appetizer and both were tasty but a little to greasy for me and my husband. My sister in law got a salad I forgot what it was called and she like it. For our main entrance we ordered duck and the fish special. Both were ok. I wasn't crazy about their duck it was just nothing special and kinda salty. The fish was also nothing too special. We ordered a side of the sticky rice with chicken and that was wayyyyyyy too salty we couldn't even take more than a bite of it. My friend ordered the short rib and again they did not bragged about it so nothing special there either. We did also ordered the dessert and it was orange creme brûlée I think and that was not that great. I would not suggest ordering that. The drinks was too sugary. Customer service was ok. We asked the waiter if he had any suggestion on the drinks if he like any of it and he did not want to make small talk and said "they are all the same" lol .. ok so that was that. I like the location of this restaurant and I think the idea is there but I wished they do better with their recipe and make better dishes because I would love to try this again!!! read more

Akar was an amazing find. My mom is vegan and gluten free and we were able to find some excellent options for her and myself. They make amazing food that is full of flavor. We would go back again anytime! Staff was kind and helpful and the heated tent is perfect even during this colder season. Definitely a recommend! read more

Our experience at Akar was nothing short of amazing. From the moment we walked in, our server, Coleman, was incredibly inviting and attentive. While the menu seems slight at first glance, the details here separate this menu from most in St. Louis. Every item was well thought out as well as appealing, and our waiter led us to the perfect experience. Highly recommend for a date or impression dinner. Whatever you order, the chef will take it to a level beyond expected. Have fun. read more

Akar is incredible. Four of us sat on the patio, ordered a wide spread of dishes and everything was standout. A lot of vegan/ veg options, cocktails and mocktails, really something for everyone. A great option for an incredible, socially distanced, outdoor dinner. We will definitely be back. read more

Fantastic food and service! Our dinner was amazing. I had the Udon noodles and Sweet Potato Gnocchi. Such unique flavors and generous portions! Mark was a grat waiter and very helpful. We cannot wait to introduce our friends to this small, but GREAT find in Clayton. read more

My friend heard rave reviews about this restaurant and she chose it for her birthday dinner. The service was beyond my expectations. Jason was our server and not only was he incredibly attentive, informative, and had such a warm personality, all of his suggestions did not steer us wrong. Do not let the reviews about how small this wonderful establishment is deter you. It's modern and very nicely decorated. We had a group of 4 and loved the entire experience. There was a much larger group behind us and we did not feel crowded. The cocktail Serai was a hit at our table. To start we had the okra and the pepper hummus. Entrees were the beef short rib and gnocchi. The additional sides were the eggplant and mushrooms. Everything was absolutely delicious! We were there Sunday night and here I am still thinking about it and writing a review Thursday night. Make the reservation and experience this place, I can't wait to go back! read more

I highly recommend the truffled burrata and soft shell crab appetizers. They're both outstanding! I also enjoyed the braised short rib very much. Definitely a restaurant worth the visit! read more

Absolutely amazing. So flavorful and there are so many GF and Veg options. Will be back!

I've been to Akar twice and had great experiences both times. Intimate atmosphere, excellent service, and phenomenal food. Tons of vegan options! read more

The soft shell crab was amazing! I was in the area for a business trip and we were able to get outdoor patio seating for four. Very good service and although my company paid, the food was reasonably priced. I will e back next year!! read more

Everything I've had here is amazing and unique. I especially love the duck and lobster Rangoon!

Really nice family owned restaurant in Clayton. My husband and I enjoyed a nice dinner on the patio, and the server (who may have also been the owner) was attentive even tho we were the only ones out there. Food was unique and tasty. I enjoyed a cocktail as well. read more

Food and service were great! Mapo tofu best in 30 years. Felt lucky to get a reservation

We went to Akar for a Sunday Brunch. The waiter/waitress were relaxed and extremely nice, as expected for a Sunday brunch. The service was prompt, clean and extremely professional. Only few items on the menu, always a good thing as the chef offers you his best signature dishes. We had a Tempura soft shell Crab & grits , cauliflower tots and the Breakfast Tacos. Everything was extremely well executed. The tempura was crisp and light, as it should exactly be. The grits were topped with cherry tomatoes bringing a great acidic balance to this side. Excellent choice. The breakfast tacos were served with pickled veggies and 3 proteins (chicken lemongrass, beef and spicy tofu). Again, everything was on point. The cauliflower tots (a lot of them!!!) were topped with a great chipotle aioli. Delicious. All food was served in plates, bowls designed by the chef, made locally in StL and stamped with the restaurant logo. Can't wait to go back for a tasting menu. Many thanks to the chef and his team for this great food experience. Do not hesitate, book a table and go. read more

The food was really good but the dining room is surprisingly small. It's a cozy place for small gathering. Making sure you make reservations ahead. read more

The food is amazing. My husband and I have traveled the world, spending a significant amount of time in Asia, and the food here is a magnificent Asian fusion. The Massaman curry sauce on the lamb shank makes you want to lick the plate. The potstickers are multiple steps above any other restaurant we have had in St. Louis. We will definitely be back! read more

Always beyond wonderful. Amanda our server was knowledgeable and made us feel safe on their quiet icrowded patio. The food was beyond delicious too. Fresh papaya salad was light and flavorful. What's best is there's something for vegans vegetarians & meat eaters that's mouth watering. This chef rocks even they Covid. I could eat here for every meal. read more

Akar - Tofu - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

Consistently remarkable. Awesome wait staff, killer food. I'd lick the mapo tofu bowl clean if it wasn't frowned upon, and the rangoons were amazing. Go. read more

Went for takeout during COVID, first time ordering Akar. Food was fantastic. My understanding is that this is influenced by Malaysian and the Chef has said he is "just cooking food he likes to eat". We had the eggplant, carrots, sticky rice and chicken tikka masala. Loved every dish. That hasn't happened in such a long time, I was blown away. Wonderful depth of flavor with some great veggie dishes which I always want more of! Can't wait to try the lamb shank, soft shell crab, rice cakes and brocollini. A great addition to STL restaurant scene. Beautiful complex asian fusion flavors, this is definitely my new favorite. Will likely be back next week! read more

This elegant little restaurant in Clayton provided a wonderful dining experience! Intimate and sophisticated without being pretentious, we had great food and attentive service. My wife has a few dietary restrictions, so we appreciated the menu identifying dishes that are gluten-free and vegan, like menus more commonly found in other bigger cities. To be clear, those qualities did not detract from the high level of the cuisine, which is what made Akar so special. She started with a couple mocktails -- one kiwi, one off-menu blackberry and mint. It was nice to have non-alcoholic drink options that were complex in flavor, not cloyingly sweet. We had a kobocha squash soup with red peppercorns, subtle and delicious, and an arugula, squash and citrus salad as starters. For our main course my wife had the market fish, which was a branzino, and I had the short ribs, which melted in my mouth. We finished with the coconut chocolate fudge banana brûlée that incorporates vegan chocolate ice cream from Clementine's. We will be back for sure! read more

well, i guess we are the only ones who didn't have a great experience at akar. we found the staff to be stressed out and short. it seems like a combination of very small amount of seating, trying to get 3 sittings in, and possibly leadership. stress trickles down and it was definitely felt by the patrons. the food was above average, but not exceptional (prices were exceptional). the shitake mushroom, wood ear risotto came out as oyster mushroom and wood ear. wait staff showed up most of the way through the meal and when i asked about it, staff checked on it, and came back with: "i don't speak mandarin, but yes, that has been changed, i'm sorry i didn't tell you." my impression is that this place is trying very hard to be something that it is not. with so many good restaurants in stl, akar will wane if it does not change. read more

This place has a cute and cozy atmosphere!! It's small so it's important to get reservations in advance if you plan on going at a busy time. The food was amazing, I got the Bibimbop bowl and the ingredients tasted so fresh! The owner and waiter were very friendly and helpful too! Will definitely come back here again. read more

I almost never post a review. But, oh my, this time I have to! My wife and I are in St. Louis for a wedding and Akar was recommended by the family of the bride. Wow, what a gift! The food was delicious, interesting and plentiful. We were seated at the bar, where our delightful server engaged us, offered just enough suggestions and started our meal with a smile. Then we had the treat of the chef/owner, Bernie Lee, coming out to check on our first bites. We ended up chatting with this lovely man for much of the rest of our meal (by choice) and heard bits of his personal and professional journey. It was a meal that made us feel like honored guests in a loving home with a top-notch talent in the kitchen. Next time we're in St. Louis, we'll be back! read more

Agree with everyone's previous Yelp assessment. This place is delicious. I'm a huge fan of bulgogi and Korean food in general. Bloody Kimchee drink was a great choice. But what I really dug was the Shibuya beverage. Man, if you're a fan of semi sweet drinks, don't seek yourself short and miss out. It's fantastic. Had the Slinger as my entree. Sunday brunch menu. Thumbs up. Well done Akar, well done. read more