Azayaka Japanese Fusion — Restaurant in Roseville

I took my family here because we wanted to try out another Japanese restaurant that is different from our usual. The place has a modern decor, but with a couple of pillow sitting tables on one side and a closed dining area on the opposite side, possibly for small parties. We are greeted by a cordial staff, who served us a small portion of pickled jellyfish and pickled octopus. Loved it! My wife ordered a teishoku set with mixed tempura, while I ordered a teishoku set with beef teriyaki. A teishoku set is an individual set meal, like a bento, but served in small plates. The Azakaya teishoku set includes a bowl of salad, veggie roll, miso soup, a tiny bowl of cold somen noodles (in a light savory broth), a serving of chawanmushi (savory egg custard as popularized in social media) or japanese croquette, a soup bowl full of rice (wow!), your choice of protein (chicken teriyaki/katsu, pork katsu, salmon teriyaki, shiozake, or beef teriyaki). Serving size would be similar to bento, but I notice that I get more salad and rice, and a couple of more sides. I liked seeing chawanmushi on the menu. I don't see any of my usual japanese restaurants serving this dish so it is a treat to see it. I liked the texture of the beef teriyaki in my meal, too. It is cooked medium over syrupy teriyaki sauce. We also ordered a Jungle Party makimono and a Golden California makimono. Both are larger than what is served from our usual spots. Each one craftfully made and very filling. The Jungle Party was supposed to be spicy, but I guess we needed to tell them how spicy it should be? I wanted my sushi to have a light kick to it. Maybe next time. Azakaya also has deserts! We ordered a mudslide cake. Not cloyingly sweet, Asian sweetness -- not too sweet -- just the way l like it. I will definitely come back to visit this place. I enjoyed the experience and there are some more items to try out in the menu. Come over and try...

I got word that they were having a soft opening for the new Azayaka branch in Roseville, so me and a couple of friends decided to give it a try. We were quickly seated (although we begrudgingly missed out on the reserved tatami seating area). We started out sampling the delicious complementary chuka kurage and kikurage served with the strawberry nigori we ordered. The fresh-sliced ginger and delicious still water served as excellent palette cleansers throughout the meal.

We, as is tradition, ordered way too much and the courses started rolling out. The first, the A5 wagyu tataki, disappeared so fast that I didn't have time for a photo. It had a mellow sweet ponzu sauce balanced by the crunchy garlic and onion, and a surprising kick from the jalapeno and wasabi.

Next was the 9pc nigiri. The presentation was stunning enough to put it in the realm of Sacramento's heavy hitters in the sushi scene, and the fish was fresh and tasty. My one regret is not trying some of the special nigiri items; while the traditional nigiri was great, next time I want to see how Azayaka puts it's personal spin on crafted nigiri bites.

Next came the rolls. We ordered 4 of them, and while all of them were good, the real standout to me was the Double Toro roll. The salmon toro, chutoro and avocado provided a delicious melt-in-your-mouth base, and the black tobiko and pickled ginger on top with the sweet sauce drizzle on the rice hits with a flavor bomb that engages every taste bud.

Sacramento area has a lot of very good high-end sushi, and now Roseville has it's own local heavy hitter for those that don't want to drive into the city or Natomas. I highly recommend giving this a shot; I have the feeling that once word gets around, tables will be much...

Azayaka just opened their 2nd location in Roseville the last weekend of December 2024.

Restaurant is still setting up, so no landline phone and no AMEX accepted yet. Omakase and tatami seating are coming soon. Omakase price per person will be $15 less if you make advance reservations online.

I enjoyed sitting at the sushi bar with friendly and funny Chef Li.

I loved my Beef Teriyaki Teishoku Set, which is similar to a bento box. The Beef Teriyaki was boneless New York steak cooked to your desired doneness. I chose medium rare. The teishoku also comes with clam miso soup, salad, vegetable egg roll, somen, white rice, and your choice of Corn Chawanmushi (steamed egg custard with a thickened broth) or Japanese Croquette. Beef Teriyaki and Chawanmushi were the highlights for me.

I also ordered the Hamachi Toro Nigiri and Kanpachi Nigiri. Long strips of fresh, attractive fish over small balls of rice brushed with a sauce and/or lightly torched.

Exciting sushi menu. Sashimi boxes (12 pieces or 18 pieces). Chef's Choice Nigiri (7 piece or 9 piece). Special nigiri selection, including both Japanese and Santa Barbara uni, halibut, striped jack, amberjack, sea bream, ocean trout, monkfish liver salmon roe, and Wagyu beef. Chef Li said his favorites included Hirame and Shima Aji.

Available until 1/15/25, the Christmas & New Year's special is the $70 Jubako Box, which is 3 boxes of food: 1) Sashimi 2) Maki (I think you have your choice between raw and cooked from the Google and IG pics) and 3) New York Steak with rice.

Daily dessert option was Crepe Cake: strawberry, matcha green tea, or vanilla flavors. Owner's favorite is green tea. I went with vanilla because I liked an IG...