Aki Japanese Restaurant is located on Pender Street near Coal Harbour. They have relocated from their previous location on Thurlow. They are one of the oldest and authentic Japanese restaurant in Vancouver.
I came here with M and CoffeeLover for dinner after work. We haven’t been here in a while and thought it was good to take another revisit.
The interior is very modern and sleek compared to their previous location. New and shiny. Their sushi bar looks pretty awesome.
The restaurant has very high ceiling to give it a very open feel. They take reservation for small to large groups too.
Orion Beer ($10) is Japan’s 5th largest brewery and originated from Okinawa prefecture. Similar to Asahi and Sapporo as it is light and crisp. Pairs well with Japanese cuisine.
Kinpira ($3.50) is sauteed julienned burdock root. It’ s a small appetizer.
Yakitori ($4.50) comes with 2 skewers and you can choose to have it topped with teriyaki sauce or seasalt. We went with teriyaki and it was pretty good. Simple and straight forward.
Chicken Skin ($3.50) comes with 2 skewers as well. We had it topped with seasalt. The skin is crispy but it wasn’t amazing or anything. I thought it would be more flavourful, but it just tasted like burnt food. I wouldn’t order this again.
Salmon and tuna sashimi ($15) was quite expensive for 10 pieces. It tasted good, but the quality seemed standard among Japanese restaurants in Vancouver.
Toro nigiri ($3 each) wasn’t very fatty and it didn’t melt in our mouths. Unagi nigiri ($3.75 each) was flavourful and delicious. Tamago nigiri ($1.80 each) was ok.
Spicy Chopped Scallop Roll ($5.50), Negitoro roll ($4.95), and Unakyu Maki ($4.95) was nothing fancy. Pretty average.
Assorted Sushi ($15.95) is quite pricey but you do try a variety of nigiri and tuna rolls.
Overall, the food is pricey compared to other places in town. I feel like I’ve been spoiled by so many other Japanese restaurants in town that this place just seems average. Our entire meal was over $100 and it sure hurt our wallet.
We Rate Aki Japanese restaurant:
Address:
1368 W Pender St
Vancouver, BC
Website:
http://akirestaurant.ca/
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