Akari Japanese Bistro — Restaurant in San Francisco

As the third group dining here since they opened, I’m very glad that a new authentic Japanese restaurant has just opened right here near my home. It’s truly a surprise for us! Food here is way above our expectations and the price is surprisingly affordable! They are serving very authentic Japanese fine dining cuisine Kaiseki for dinner. Also, they have the best Yosenabe (a fish hot pot dish, very rare to find in SF) I’ve ever had. All the fish items were super fresh. The scallops were just sweet. (Confirmed with the manager, they’re all shipped from Hokkaido, Japan). If you haven’t had Yosenabe before, come here and try it. Seems like they have a secret recipe for its soup base, it’s even better than restaurants in Japan. This place is operating by people from Japan. They bring their authentic home cuisine all the way from Osaka. Compared to those “fake” Japanese Omakase restaurants that just serve expensive food ingredients without even knowing the true Japanese culinary culture, this restaurant is just a gem. It feels like, they can definitely open a “Omakase” with the price of $300 per person with bar seat only for Tock/Resy fine dining reservation blah blah…BUT they decided to make it an affordable bistro for everyone who wants to experience the true Japanese cuisine. Go give it a try. If you don’t like a certain dish here, don’t question that, it’s just the way it is in Japan. :) As a person who used to live in Kyoto, I highly...

Akari isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a passage to Japan nestled right next door. Owned by a Japanese family, with a chef whose skills border on the magical, Akari offers an atmosphere that’s authentically Japanese and immensely inviting. The dishes, a beautiful blend of simplicity and complexity, ignite a sense of curiosity with every bite without feeling overwhelming. The quality of the food is unmatched, with my favorites being the steak bento and an ikura dish that's simply out of this world. These ikura, imported directly from Japan, are the best I’ve ever tasted.The space itself is a haven of cleanliness and calm, creating a relaxing ambiance that’s enhanced by always pleasant music. What stands out as much as the food is the warmth and friendliness of the staff, making every visit a joy.Pricing at Akari defies expectation, offering incredible value for such high-quality fare. The desserts, like everything else, strike a perfect balance between simplicity and complexity, rounding off the dining experience beautifully.Akari is more than my favorite restaurant; it’s a treasure that offers an extraordinary dining experience at surprisingly reasonable prices. Every visit is a delight, and I can’t recommend it...

[Added on June 12, 2024] Yesterday, I had the Makunouchi Bento Gozen at Akari for lunch. The meal was delicious, and the rich variety of food was truly amazing! This bento featured an assortment of dishes including sashimi, yakiniku, tempura, and yaki-sakana (grilled fish) all in one plate.

This bento is exceptional in both variety and quality, something you wouldn't typically find at a regular Japanese restaurant. While the sashimi and tempura might stand out as the main attractions, as a Japanese, I encourage you to appreciate every dish. The chef's skill is evident in every bite, and these dishes represent the essence of Japanese home cooking.

I added a photo to give you a glimpse of its wonderful presentation (rice and miso soup come with the meal).

[Original] I am glad we have a restaurant here in SF that serves authentic Japanese food with "Omotenashi-style" hospitality.

I tried Sukiyaki. You find a restaurant rare in the US that serves this type of Japanese food. Going there is like a short trip to Japan.

The food was fresh and tasty. The service was good, too. It will be a reliable restaurant when you want to enjoy food with friends or...