Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Aki Japanese Restaurant

    3.5 (132 reviews)
    InexpensiveJapanese, Taiwanese, Soup
    Special Hours Closed
    Updated a few days ago

    Aki Japanese Restaurant Photos

    AKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    More like Aki Japanese Restaurant

    Recommended Reviews - Aki Japanese Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Noodle vegetable soup
    Mary K.

    Went to get a bite at the food court and they were out of a lot of food to order from... so I got rice shrimp temporary plate, and the vegetarian noodle soup with the mixed tempura veggies! The tempura on the shrimp had too much batter and way too thick and greasy. The soup was OK. Didn't really like the broth. What's nice is they have free green tea and water that you can serve yourself. The service was good. The lady that took the order was nice so was the guy that brought over the food I just wish it had more flavor and not just greasy but again they were out of a lot of food. I really wanted to try the teriyaki chicken or the short ribs. Oh well next time. The place was nice and cozy and clean.

    Katsudon
    Dhelo C.

    Wow! The portions are gigantic, and every single bite of the food is simply amazing! I can't wait to come back here!

    Katsu don, curry katsu don, pork over rice
    Elaine C.

    Generous serving sizes for a very reasonable price. My curry katsu don was mouthwatering and 100% authentic. Limited inside/outside seating and can get very busy in the early afternoon. Great service, but wait times could have been better--they might have been understaffed in the kitchen. Miso soup is included with each meal. Also, their pink hello kitty soy sauce bottles are adorable.

    Katsudon
    Savannah D.

    Super cute spot with great service and super yummy food. Their katsudon is crispy and flavorful, and not dry!! Which seems impossible to find sometimes! I also appreciate their free green tea. Big fan of this spot

    Miso Udon
    Lily C.

    I'm an avid customer of Aki Japanese Restaurant. I've tried their beef noodle soup, miso udon, chicken teriyaki don, and tempura don. My favorite must've been the tempura don because it was fried just right -- crunchy exterior with a succulent interior. As for the other dishes, the beef noodle soup had very hearty broth that I loved, but the beef quality wasn't the best. The miso udon had a lot of vegetables and was very healthy, warm, and invigorating, especially on a cold day. Chicken teriyaki rice might've been my least favorite -- the chicken was dry and there wasn't much flavor to the dish. However, I keep coming back because the service has been absolutely wonderful. The food is decently quick, and I love the ambiance. They also serve hot tea (and you can refill as much as you like) and a bowl of miso soup for free, which is a big bonus for me! Will definitely drop by when I'm around the area.

    Montage of images from Aki Japanese Restaurant
    Ed U.

    ** The following review reflects my dining experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. ** Oh my, this one took me way back. Even Mr. Peabody could have built a Wayback Machine that goes as far back as my undergrad days, and I believe he and Sherman went as far back as Ancient Greece. I used to eat at Aki's all the time when I had time between classes, and it's still in the same back-of-the-mini-mall location with the same sliding glass door entrance. Believe it or not, I had not been back in all these years, probably because I associated Aki's and its semi-hidden location with my struggling unformed years. Now I'm more formed, probably more fossilized really, and a sweep of nostalgia came over me as I walked by. It's the pandemic, I think. Anyway, I saw mostly Asian youngsters darting by and thought maybe Aki had become a happening hot spot. Nope, it turned out they were heading to Seoul Hotdog next door, a true hipster magnet with ornately designed corn dogs their specialty. Aki's was as still as a tomb by comparison. Unhip and geriatric as I am, I ordered the veg-friendly $12 Vegi-Fish Bento. It consisted of slices of a seared mock fish that was close enough to real cod to satisfy. It was sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds and so was the lightly fried tofu cake, also quite savory good. It came with a generous side of vegetable tempura and rice (photo: https://bit.ly/3cl1UqW). I'm guessing the recipes haven't changed in all these years, and that's a good thing, trust me. I let the manager know about my long-ago history with Aki's, and she welcomed me back with socially distant arms. She also let me know the place has changed hands three times since then. FOOD - 4.5 stars...hearty bento boxes with plenty of tempura like I remember AMBIANCE - 5 stars...for consistency SERVICE - 5 stars...she treated me kindly even as I became that old man talkin' 'bout the good ol' days TOTAL - 5 stars...thanks for the memories RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u

    Angie C.

    Tasty Taiwanese food! Came for the Taiwanese beef noodle soup (sold out) so got braised meat over noodles instead. Generous portions. Great people. Will be back for that beef noodle next time!

    beef noodle soup
    Karen T.

    Ambiance: really cute decors aged interior. Very Japanese with the little wooden tables benches and dividers. You wouldn't think there would be a decorated restaurant in this hole in the wall across from campus but there you have it. A pleasant surprise. Food: interestingly they have a mix of Taiwanese and Japanese food (actually quite a lot of Taiwanese food -- half the menu is bilingual with Chinese translations). Soup was packed with flavor and the beef was nice and tender. I really enjoyed it and honestly this place is such a huddle gem.

    Fish bento
    El Y.

    My go-to on Northside of campus to grab a quick lunch with friends or colleagues. I remember eating here freshman year after staying overtime in lab, past dining hall hours. I got the chicken teriyaki bento box, which came with california rolls, miso, tempura, rice, salad, etc. (The fish bento I ordered during my most recent visit also came with chicken). I also recommend their Katsu plates and rice bowls (gyu-don). Once I also ordered the classic 肉燥飯 to-go but ended up finishing it really quickly in the plaza.

    BENTO BOX Fish Katsu with Teriyaki Chicken and mixed Tempura veggies
    Matt S.

    Always wanted to try this spot since it was right next to Seoul Korean Corndogs, but was closed bc of COVID, came in today and got their Fish Katsu bento box! Their Katsu was great! Nice and crisp with a drizzle of sweet katsu sauce on top, that with the teriyaki chicken and tempura veggies, this is HELLA food for $12! I would note that they gave a "small" amount of rice for the bento, but I'm willing to take the lower rice to meat/veggie ratio if that means I'm getting some quality and quantity out of it in terms of everything else in the bento! It was so good I bought another one for dinner to-go! All this, atop of their great customer service and hole-the-wall feel, Aki gets from me!

    taiwanese spicy beef noodle soup
    Tiffany F.

    Good option for quick & cheap lunch food if you live/work close by Let's be honest. No one makes an intentional commute here for the sole purpose of trying Aki out. It has average to below-average food, depending on what dish you order. --udon: eh, ok, you will get by --Taiwanese spicy beef noodle soup $11: decent, kind of skimped out on meat, noodles ok SERVICE: Not really any, but they bring the food out to you even if you choose to sit outside (just let them know). The staff is really nice! LOCATION: Many CS/engineering Berkeley students frequent Aki w/in the Hearst Food Court during lunch (pre-COVID). JUST SO YOU KNOW: Aki isn't really a Japanese restaurant. It sells a mix of Jap/Chinese/Korean food. It says Japanese b/c there are already food places here in the food court that advertise themselves as Korean, Chinese, & Indian. Indoor & outdoor tables are available. Free water & tea provided. CC accepted.

    肉燥饭
    Carol D.

    名字上看这是一家日料店。但卖的不是寿司这类的日料,而是咖喱和盖饭这类的。这里还是我一个台湾朋友介绍的。朋友在这里吃了猪脚饭,说是很不错。 我去这里吃的是台湾肉燥饭。$12有找,现在来说是非常良心价格。绝对是学生们的福音。肉燥不少,还有菜,卤蛋和豆腐,还加一碗味增汤。绝对的高性价比。 这里的位置也很校园风。蜗居在一条路边上的一条小巷一样的地方。里面有7、8家店,卖的都是简餐。亚洲餐居多。 我吃过后又介绍给另一个台湾朋友。她也去了,反馈也不错,说是很台湾味道。 所以、喜欢台湾料理的朋友可以试一试哦!

    Beef udon
    Sharon N.

    Everytime I went to a Chinese restaurant w my family, I would always order fried spare ribs. Ever since I came to the US for school, I have been craving some golden spare ribs and this little gem pretty much satisfied my cravings! It could have been crispier but taste-wise, I really enjoyed it. The beef udon was good but the noodles were overcooked and wasn't the udon noodle type I was thinking of. I think the broth itself could have had more flavor. Will come back one day and try more of their menu though! :))

    Sushi Bento

    See all

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tanis L.
    283
    1056
    6361

    2 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dhelo C.
    3
    125
    314

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dylan H.
    441
    15
    1

    7 months ago

    I eat here 2-3 times a week. I love their Pork Chop over rice, and their Beef Stew over rice!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lily C.
    4
    63
    179

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 0
    Love this 17
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Karen T.
    100
    57
    84

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of El Y.
    596
    227
    2323

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Carol D.
    30
    55
    45

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Daniel D.
    43
    154
    99

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hector C.
    222
    7
    11

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yuki I.
    1149
    740
    4398

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Samuel J.
    0
    100
    83

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yanjun W.
    0
    66
    289

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Aki Japanese Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Aki Japanese Restaurant

    You might also consider

    Kiraku

    Kiraku

    4.4(1.8k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    I had a reservation and was seated perfectly on time. I'd definitely make a reservation because it…read moreis a very busy spot. There's limited seats inside and has a very cozy vibe. They have delicious small bites and are very well priced. I specifically loved the sashimi, iberico pork jowl skewer, beef tataki and sweet potato crème brulee. The service was very kind and helpful. I can't wait to go back and try more.

    Really great restaurant. Was able to easily make a reservation on Yelp for 5:30 on a Wednesday…read more They have an iPad in the front that you can waitlist on, but you can also check-in for your reservation on it. Inside is definitely cozy and you'll be sitting fairly close to the tables next to you. Service was really fast and easy - no complaints at all! The food was all great. Standouts were garlic edamame, 6pc omakase, beef tongue, pork belly, negitoro maki, corn tempura, & sweet potato creme brulee. Edamame was lightly charred and salted well, with generous amount of garlic flavor. Omakase was fresh and tasty, although a tiny bit small so definitely perhaps get your own instead of sharing one order between two. Beef tongue was hands down the best thing. I thought it was a boneless short rib with how tender it was (can break apart with chopsticks). The pork belly was also soft and went well with the spicy miso. Negitoro was fresh and the wasabi was grated very well. Corn tempura was perfectly fried and very crispy while still being soft inside. Lastly, the creme brulee was a great dessert. You do get a hint of the sweet potato. Would love to return to try other dishes!

    Photos
    Kiraku - Ankimo chips & dip

    Ankimo chips & dip

    Kiraku - Nigiri sampler

    Nigiri sampler

    Kiraku

    See all

    Iyasare - Assorted nigiri

    Iyasare

    4.0(987 reviews)
    2.3 miFourth Street, West Berkeley
    $$$

    Came here for dinner, loved the kakiage - it's a must to add shrimp imo, the thick juicy bites of…read moreshrimp are great and make the dish stand out. We ordered the mentaiko pasta, miso black cod and a paper crane to drink. The pasta was great, and had a little spicy kick to it, and the miso black cod was so good!! Very umami flavor with the mushrooms. Delicious cocktail as well. Overall really impressed with the meal- and we had a really attentive waiter- he made sure we were taken care of and refilled our waters pretty often. Will definitely be back to try rolls and the ramen!

    Started with a drink and the iyasare kakiage tempura which has burdock root, onion, sweet potato,…read moreshiitake, enoki, carrot, shungiku, and bonito soy dipping sauce. Highly recommend the iyasare kakiage tempura, wish it had some less sweet potatoes and more of the other ingredients, but overall it was savory and very sweet from the sweet potatoes. I enjoyed the kara-age curry rice which is a japanese style fried chicken thighs in a tokyo style curry sauce, a small salad, and koshihikari rice. They gave sooooo much kara-age chicken and it was quite filling. Good dish to share with others. Lastly, we had to try the iyasare mentaiko pasta which is a spicy cod ros, spaghetti, ikura, shiso, and kaiware. It's quite heavy and creamy, but definitely worth trying if you like the ingredients!

    Photos
    Iyasare - Water being poured..

    Water being poured..

    Iyasare - Kakiage Tempura

    Kakiage Tempura

    Iyasare - Shisho smash - bourbon yuzu & shiso

    See all

    Shisho smash - bourbon yuzu & shiso

    Kirala - Lunch special Bento box

    Kirala

    3.9(1.9k reviews)
    1.2 miSouth Berkeley
    $$

    Still all these decades later, Kirala meets the mark. We sat at the sake bar in the back with two…read morekids and it worked well. Service by Taka was great - attentive and quick. Only lag was when we ordered 2 nigiri at the end and it took a really long time but I think the sushi chefs lost the order or something. Delicious sukiyaki, chicken skewers, cold tofu, salmon rolls, hamachi sashimi, Ikura and uni, tuna and Ikura nigiri, and hamachi Kama (not sure why they charge $21 and then $7 for a large when it is two small dollars that came out though). Decent wine selection - Chardonnay was good. Restaurant itself is fairly loud, especially with a baby that kept crying. But it might have been crying because it was loud. Owners should consider the Constellation System by Meyer Sound to make the dining experience more enjoyable for patrons. As this is a longtime bastion of Japanese food in the Bay, they should really invest in the sound portion of their restaurant. Prices have gone up since the last time I was here but it's not totally unreasonable. Good quality food and service. Love this place.

    Kirala isn't just another Japanese spot for us--it's a reminder of how far we've come. My wife used…read moreto only treat herself to Kirala when she was younger--on special occasions when a bonus check came in. Now, we get to dine here as a family, and that nostalgic treat feels all the more satisfying. Food (4 stars) + Ribeye teriyaki was a hit--tender, cooked to perfection, and the kids loved it! + Lamb chop was a standout--one piece, but perfectly grilled, juicy, and tender. I could eat 2 of these with a bowl of rice and it would be a hearty meal! + Chicken karaage was solid--crispy, good portion, and a nice appetizer. It's basically a Japanese version of chicken strips that is way better than nuggets. + Salmon sashimi for the kids never disappoints. ~ Chirashi bowl was fresh and filling, though standard compared to other spots. There was a lot of rice which if we knew that we probably would've skipped the extra bowl I ordered to eat with my lamb chops. For the somewhat premium pricing, I wish they provided fresh chopped wasabi. ~ Stuffed mushroom skewer was just okay--tasty but nothing special. I guess for mushrooms it does taste kinda like a chicken meatball which could be a good thing. Service/Ambiance (4 stars) + Attentive and thoughtful service, especially accommodating a broken foot. They let my family wait at the bar instead of standing. + Ambiance is that classic Japanese vibe, busy but comfortable. Maybe not high-end, but definitely a place that feels special--especially now that we can afford it!

    Photos
    Kirala
    Kirala
    Kirala

    See all

    Mensho - Signature Smoked Toripaitan Ramen

    Mensho

    4.5(642 reviews)
    3.3 miPiedmont Ave, North Oakland
    $$

    Stumbled upon this ramen place that happened to have a michelin star/ guide for the last three…read moreyears! The wait was about 30-45 mins for a party of two at 7:30pm on a Saturday. Considering other reviews, I don't think we waited too long. We ordered two of their top ramens, although the matcha duck one was enticing, I did like the Garlic overload on my ramen. The fried enoki mushrooms were also good, I just wish the portions were a bit bigger for both dishes. Staff was also quick and helpful going through the menu with us first timers. We sat at a shared table but I like how they had a divider to separate the spaces. Pretty small restaurant and they only have street parking so if you want to try, I recommend going early! We were lucky to snag a spot right in the front!

    Yummy ramen would recommend the chain…read more I've tried this ramen chain at their Houston location. This time I ordered the signature smoked & Black Vinegar Karaage. The noodles are the highlight for me. They're bouncy and have a nice texture. The bowl is packed with flavor. The Karaage was good, crispy, absorbed the sauce well, there were also pieces of soft eggplant as well. I would go lighter on the sauce or have the excess on the side. The sauce became overpowering the more chicken I ate. I think the Houston location had better service. This location felt cramped, loud and cold. There is only street parking at this location, there is Fentons a few doors down but there's more parking in the surrounding neighborhoods. The Chicken ramen at Mensho is the best I've tried in the U.S thus far

    Photos
    Mensho - Waiting area

    Waiting area

    Mensho - Spicy garlic karaage fried chicken

    Spicy garlic karaage fried chicken

    Mensho - Hokkaido Uni Mini Rice Bowl

    See all

    Hokkaido Uni Mini Rice Bowl

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    3.9(442 reviews)
    0.8 miDowntown Berkeley
    $$$

    Top contender for Japanese cuisine in Berkeley--equal parts sophisticated and scrumptious…read more Highlights include: - Sea Bean & Corn Tempura: a savory funnel cake worthy of a Michelin star thanks to its texture and the side of matcha salt - Salmon sashimi: succulent with fresh wasabi - Wagyu Shime Special: insane price for insane flavor--a generous portion of veggies and wagyu in a big ol' iron bowl of bubblin' broth

    Ate Christmas dinner here with my mom as our celebration tradition is usually a Japanese…read morerestaurant. The ambience was intimate and cozy yet elegant, and the staff was very attentive and kind. I loved the decorations, the plates and silverware, and the food was just as intentional in flavor and selection. For appetizers we had: Anchovy Stuffed Olives Tempura - Tempura Spanish alives stuffed with anchovies $9 Kombu Tsukudani - Premium Hokkaldo kelp, say sauce, bonito, shiso, sesame seeds, enjoy with sake or rice $6 For our meal we had: Saba Bouzushi - House-cured saba mackerel bouzushi - stick-shaped sushi, also called battera, served with shiso, sesame, scallions, topped with Hokkaido shiraita kombu, ten pieces $29 Gindara Yuanyaki - Local black cod marinated in soy sauce and shikuwasa Okinawan citrus juice served grilled $34 Steelhead Trout Nabe - Norwegian ocean trout raised sustainably in the clear, cold ford where the seawater meets fresh meltwater from the glaciers in the mountains. Enjoy the rich flavored, melt-in-your-mouth fish, hotpot with dashi broth, mushrooms, napa cabbage, burdock, clear noodles, tofu, mizuna, scallions, yuzu kosho $39 We've been to many izakaya spots and this place had some of the most unique flavors I've tasted. The Saba Bouzushi stood out to me because it reminded of Filipino paksiw but as a roll! The Gindara was buttery and soft and had a yummy smoky flavor. The Nabe was perfect for a rainy evening - hearty, fresh, and so well balanced in flavor (I loved the yuzu kosho the had us add for a citrusy, peppery flavor)

    Photos
    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Inside

    Inside

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Takeout Basque Cheesecake ($15) - good but the slice is very small. Doesn't have a strong cream cheese flavor.

    Takeout Basque Cheesecake ($15) - good but the slice is very small. Doesn't have a strong cream cheese flavor.

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Chicken Karaage

    See all

    Chicken Karaage

    Aki Japanese Restaurant - japanese - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...