HIROKI-SAN — Restaurant in Detroit

Hiroki San is located inside the beautifully restored Book Tower in Detroit. You walk down a small set of steps to reach the entrance, and from the moment I stepped inside, I was glad I had made a reservation for a Friday night—it was packed.

The restaurant offers a mix of seating options: bar seating, tables, and a more private area. However, the space isn’t designed to absorb sound well, so it was pretty noisy. I often found myself hearing nearby conversations, and at times, I couldn’t even hear the waiter clearly and had to ask him to repeat himself. Despite that, service was prompt and attentive—my water glass was never empty, and food came out at a steady pace without all dishes arriving at once, which I appreciated.

The food was definitely the highlight. As someone who lived in Japan for three months about two years ago, I’ve struggled to find Japanese cuisine in the metro Detroit area that really hits the mark—until now.

I started with an Asahi Super Dry, served in a chilled glass, which is always a nice touch. Alongside it, I ordered the edamame and the sunomono salad. The edamame portion was generous—definitely enough for two. The sunomono salad, which included sashimi, seaweed, pickles, tomatoes, and cucumbers, was tangy and full of umami. I mistakenly expected a Chinese-style cucumber salad with sesame and garlic, but this was a classic Japanese version, and that was on me.

Next came the yakitori: shishito peppers and pork chashu. The shishito peppers were incredible—salty, sour, slightly bitter, and perfectly balanced by the creamy mayo aioli. There were six peppers in the serving. The pork chashu was tender, well-cooked, and not at all chewy.

Then came the Kakure Chirashi—a rice bowl topped with two pieces each of tuna, salmon, and (I believe) seabream, along with tamago cubes, cucumber, and shiso leaf. It was a bit on the pricier side, but it truly reminded me of Japan. The inclusion of shiso in particular was a nostalgic, traditional touch.

Lastly, we tried two noodle dishes: the Pork Udon and the Duck Soba. The pork udon was flavorful and the pork itself was very tender, but the noodles were unexpectedly thin—more like soba than the thick, chewy udon I was hoping for. Still tasty, but a bit of a letdown due to that expectation.

The duck soba, on the other hand, was excellent. Duck is hard to get right—it’s often too gamey or overcooked—but Hiroki San nailed it. The duck was tender and not overly gamey, and the broth was rich, savory, with just a hint of sourness.

Overall, I’m really glad I finally tried Hiroki San. Despite the noise and minor noodle letdown, the service was solid and the food brought back memories of Japan in the best way. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for authentic Japanese...

WOW! Okay so we went last night for Valentines day, 8:30 pm Reservation but when we arrived they informed us it would be a few moments as they were waiting for some tables to free up. This ended up only being about 10 or so minutes, and gave us time to explore the main floor of the building and get a drink at the Sakazuki bar. There is another bar located downstairs styled as a Japanese whisky bar/ Speakeasy vibe, this was full, so unfortunately we did not get to experience it.

When you walk thru the curtain into the restaurant , you are stepping into a portal that seamlessly teleports you to Japan. Cozy, warm, buzzing atmosphere, there was excitement in the air.

We were seated at a small table for 2, next to the sushi bar/ open kitchen. Greeted promptly by a charming server named Evan. He was our all knowledgeable tour guide on this culinary expedition. (We informed him that we do not eat Pork)

Since I had been studying the menu for weeks I was all too eager to dive in head first. We started with the Wagyu Yakitori, this paired with the egg yolk was delicious and was a perfect Umami teaser.

Next was the Fried Chicken Karaage - breading was nice not too thick, the sauce that comes with it complements it perfectly, almost like a honey mustard.

Next was Evan's Recommendation the Nikujaga - this was a nice way to try some more wagyu and the noodles in this are Different!

The Soboro Don rice was recommend as well and it did not disappoint, we actually ended up keeping this on our table and snacking on it through the whole dinner.

We ordered the Chawanmushi - this is a truly unique Japanese dish, a mushroom custard, the flavors are hard to describe. My date loved it, I personally would not order it again, but it was worth trying.

Wagyu Tataki was great, but the onions were very strong.

Fish time! We started with the Kanpachi Carpaccio - Loved the Yuzu and the heat from the Serrano, nice contrast of flavors. This dish was gone in 2 minutes.

Sashimi variety we ordered included: Aka-Mi Chu-Toro O-Toro Kinme-Dai Sake

We finished the meal with the Snow Beef, This was comparable to the best wagyu I've ever eaten in Las Vegas. This is definitely a splurge item.

They offered a Black sesame Pudding as desert, this was totally unique tasting, not sure if I liked it or not, but worth trying for sure!

We enjoyed the Dreamy clouds Sake and the Perfect snow Sake as well.

Would come back here any day anytime. There are several other dishes on the Menu I cant wait to try.

The Restaurant has only been open about 5 weeks but they seemed to have found their stride. All the plates came out quickly, and we could not find anything to complain about ! Yes the portions are smaller, the prices are fair and the...

Hiroki San Restaurant, nestled in the book tower in downtown Detroit, offers a great dining experience that begins the moment you step foot on its stairwell. Descending these stairs isn’t just about moving to a dining space; it’s an enchanting journey that hints at the elegance and sophistication awaiting below. To your right you will find their after hours sale bar for the salary man, just like in Tokyo, then down the stairs sits Hiroki San. The design of Hiroki San cleverly combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern touches, creating an ambiance that’s both inviting and stylish. It’s a place where the attention to detail doesn’t just reside in the decor but extends to every aspect of your visit.

The sake selection at Hiroki San is nothing short of impressive. With a range of options available, it is a testament to the restaurant’s dedication to Japanese culture and its culinary arts. Each sake offers a unique taste profile, meticulously curated to complement the exquisite dishes served.

But what truly sets Hiroki San apart is its vibrant social scene. The restaurant has introduced a delightful concept where guests can send a bottle of sake to neighboring tables, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among diners. This gesture not only breaks the ice but also encourages lively conversations and the sharing of stories, turning a simple meal into an unforgettable social experience. It’s not uncommon to arrive as strangers but leave as friends, having bonded over the shared joy of good food and sake. I really enjoyed the Yakitori, I love Japanese Yakitori and honestly it’s my favorite, I got teleported to Asia by sitting at the bar in front of the hot coals. My one suggestion, make the beef Tongue thinner, very thick cut. My only thought on improvement.

Hiroki San is more than just a restaurant; it’s a destination where every visit is a celebration of culinary excellence, artful design, and human connection. Whether you’re a local or a visitor to Detroit, Hiroki San promises an evening that’s as enriching as it is delicious. It’s a testament to the power of food and drink in bringing people together, wrapped up in an environment that’s as welcoming as...