Annaburg Plate Sushi & Chicken-Premium Japanese Cuisine

Ann Arbor’s Hidden Japanese Gem (Between Central & North Campus) – Fresh, Filling, & Unbeatable Value! Found this tiny, sleek Japanese spot between U-M’s Central and North Campuses—and it’s quickly become my favorite for Japanese light bites! The dining room is quiet (most people grab pickup), the food is consistently great, portions are huge, ingredients are fresh, and the value is insane. It’s hands down the best casual Japanese spot in Ann Arbor right now 🇯🇵! 🍗 Apps: Wings & Soft-Shell Crab Are Total Hits The appetizers are where this spot first won me over—no misses here (well, almost!): Sweet & Spicy Chicken Wings (5-piece): Better than that famous campus wing spot! The batter is perfectly thin—crispy, never soggy or over-fried—and the sweet-spicy sauce is balanced (no overpowering heat or cloying sugar). Five wings are enough for a light snack, but I could easily eat 10. Fried Soft-Shell Crab: Crispy, juicy, and full of crab flavor! It’s served whole (shaped like a real crab), so every bite has that satisfying crunch + tender crab meat inside. Pair it with the lemon wedge and their house sauce (fragrant, slightly tangy) for extra zing—so good I order it every time. Tempura (Veggies + 2 Shrimp): The only “meh” app. Veggies are standard (sweet potato, zucchini, broccoli), and the tempura batter is hit-or-miss—sometimes light and crispy, sometimes thick and greasy. Eat it fast before it gets soggy, but skip it if you’re already ordering other apps. 🍣 Sushi Bar: Solid Sashimi, Skip the Shrimp The sushi bar dishes are fresh and well-made, with a few tiny flaws: 🍱 Plates: Bento Box & Eel Don – Filling & Flavorful The “plate” section is for when you’re really hungry—huge portions, tons of variety: Popcorn Chicken Bento Box ($14!) : Absolute steal! For just $14, you get white rice, crab-avocado sushi rolls, popcorn chicken (decent, but not as good as the wings), soba noodles, tempura, Korean-style tteokbokki (rice cake skewers with sausage), shrimp shumai, and edamame. I was full halfway through—perfect for sharing or a post-class feast. Eel Don: Finally, a good eel rice bowl! It’s “meat-heavy, rice-light”—just how I like it. The eel is fresh and slightly chewy (no mushy texture), and the side of pickled purple cucumber adds a nice tang. My only complaint? Too much unagi sauce—it makes the dish a little too sweet. Ask for sauce on the side if you prefer less sugar! 💰 Final Verdict: My Go-To for Casual Japanese Food Quiet, fresh, filling, and cheap—this spot has it all. Whether I’m grabbing pickup between classes or sitting down for a lazy dinner, I never leave disappointed. It’s the best casual Japanese spot in Ann Arbor, and I’ll keep coming back for the soft-shell crab, yellowtail sashimi, and that $14 bento box. #UniversityOfMichiganAnnArbor #AnnArborFood #AnnArbor #JapaneseFood #AnnArborEats #MichiganFood #CasualJapanese #SushiBowl