Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 

Delicious, authentic Japanese cuisine at an amazing price! Akira is new to Honolulu and opened just 6 months ago during the summer of 2018. The chef who opened this restaurant trained at the infamous Nadaman restaurant in Tokyo and brought the same level of elevated yet simple delicacy to Akira that I enjoyed so much!!

Chilled Braised Eggplant in Dashi Sauce

Tomato Poké

Egg Tofu

We came on a Thursday night at 5:30pm for their kaiseki-style tasting menu and found that most of the tables were full (be sure to make a reservation well in advance!). Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese style of dining that consists of a chef’s specially constructed course menu. Each course is bite sized and is designed not only to be delicious but beautifully aesthetic as well. I enjoyed the traditional and minimalistic plating and how simple the flavors were, showing they really wanted the main ingredient to shine.

Clams Braised in Dashi Broth

Braised Salmon in Basil Sauce w/ Shredded Daikon

Hamachi & Kampachi Sashimi w/ Calamansi

Mochi Agedashi Tofu

The menu is set in advance by the head chef and diners are all asked to arrive at a specific time so dinner service may begin. Once all of the guests are seated, everyone in the restaurant is served each course in unison. Most of the diners seemed to be friends entertaining guests from out of town or locals celebrating a special occassion. There is no strict dress code but diners were dressed very elegantly.

Chawan Mushi

Miso Butterfish

Chef’s Recommended Nigiri

We enjoyed about 10 courses throughout the night and for only $48 a person (amazing!!). I don’t eat a lot portion-wise but still had room for more by the end of the tasting menu, so be prepared to order a few additional items in addition to the set courses. All of the additional items on their menu looked delicious and were very fairly priced, which is why I didn’t mind ordering more.

Beef TareTare

Senbei Crusted King Crab

We ended our meal by ordering a few additional dishes including torotaku & kampyo sushi, both of which were delicious! It was fun listening to what all of the other diners thought about each course and made the kaiseki-style dinner a fun and unique experience!

Torotaku & Kampyo Sushi

Vanilla Ice Cream w/ Fresh Strawberries

We had called ahead saying I had a shellfish allergy and some of the courses still contained scallops & clams but as soon as I reminded them they were quick to offer an alternative which I thought was so nice of them! They prepared additional courses for me such as chawan mushi and were so pleasant the whole night. Would definitely recommend for entertaining out of town guests or catching up with a friend!