Detroit HIROKI-SAN-New Premium Japanese BBQ Review

Hiroki-San | Detroit’s New Japanese Spot (Jan 2024 Opening) – Hits, Misses, & Overpriced Vibes Heard this place is the second restaurant from a famous Japanese chef out of Philly—opened just this January! They do a little bit of everything: cold plates, hot dishes, staples like rice (think mapo tofu, Chinese-inspired stuff) and noodles, sashimi nigiri, less “Americanized” Japanese fusion rolls, plus $150+ authentic Japanese wagyu. What drew me in most? Their yakitori—but fair warning: the selection is small, and lots of classic cuts are missing 😕. 🥢 The Good Stuff Yakitori (Negima): Total win! The chicken thigh is crispy-skinned and juicy, seasoned with salt—cooking time was spot-on. Only tiny complaint: they used thin green onions instead of thicker scallions; would’ve been better with the latter, but still the best yakitori in Detroit right now. Sashimi: Super fresh! No fishy aftertaste, cut nicely—definitely a highlight if you’re into raw fish. Drinks: Sake and other beverages are reasonably priced, no crazy markup (a nice break from the rest of the menu!). Ambiance & Service: The space looks great, and staff are friendly—service is attentive, just… slow (more on that later). Dessert (Black Sesame Pudding): It’s off-menu (they had 3 options that day: this, matcha tiramisu, Japanese cheesecake) and so good! Not too sweet, creamy, with rich sesame flavor. The matcha tiramisu was just “meh” though—$12 a pop, worth it only for the pudding. ❌ The Letdowns Octopus Cold Plate: Weirdly Chinese-style seasoned—hit with a flood of Sichuan peppercorn oil right off the bat, which totally overpowered the octopus. No clue what the chef was going for, plus it’s pricey and tiny. Skip. Yakitori (Chicken Meatballs): Glazed, but the sauce was too weak. You can tell they’re homemade (no weird additives), but the texture is way too dense—tastes like pure ground chicken with barely any starch. Dry and heavy. Wagyu Skewers: Big miss! The wagyu tongue was mushy, like ground meat—chef said it’s because it’s slow-cooked for 12 hours, but it’s nothing like the chewy, tender tongue you expect. The wagyu beef skewer was even worse—tasted nothing like wagyu, not even as good as a home-cooked steak. Uni-Toro Roll: Just “fine”—has a little bit of everything, but no standout flavor. Totally average. Speed & Portions: Service is slow—we waited so long between dishes that we felt “full” at 60% actual fullness. Portions are tiny for the price, too. 💰 The Price Tag Here’s the kicker: it’s overpriced. We had a mix of apps, yakitori, a roll, dessert, and a small cheap sake—left 60% full, and it was $100+ per person. Ouch. Overall, it’s better than most Japanese spots in Detroit (especially the sashimi and negima), but the high prices and hit-or-miss dishes hold it back. Go if you’re craving decent yakitori or sashimi, but don’t expect to leave full (or cheaply). #AnnArborLife #UniversityOfMichiganAnnArbor #MichiganFood #Detroit #MichiganStateUniversity #AnnArborEats #MichiganLife #AnnArborSurroundings #MichiganJapaneseFood #Yakitori