Akebono Japanese Cuisine — Restaurant in Seattle

We were among the first to visit during the soft opening and had high expectations going in. While there were some highlights, there are definitely areas for improvement. • The menu was extensive, almost overwhelming making it hard to decide what to order. For example, they offer bento boxes, but also “meat and seafood set meals” that are quite similar in style and presentation, which left us a bit confused.

We ended up ordering the octopus karaage, scallop deep-fried roll, chirashi bowl, and oyakodon. The food was good overall and tasted fresh. • Pricing felt a bit high, comparable to what you’d expect at a downtown sushi spot.

As for the service, staff checked in with us a bit too frequently, it started to feel a little excessive. Additionally, several servers (4 or 5) were gathering near the main entrance, which created a bit of chaos, especially since we were seated nearby.

One odd detail was being served on paper plates at the start - it was unclear if that was intentional or just a temporary setup. Also, the tables were quite wobbly, and we spilled water a few times because of it.

The restaurant’s vibe felt off-putting. As mentioned earlier, the menu prices were on the higher side, averaging over $30+, but the interior didn’t match that price point at all. The space was bare, with plain walls and no decor, and parts of it even looked unfinished, almost like it was still under construction. It definitely did not have a date night kind of vibe.

All in all, the experience was okay, not bad, but not great. There’s definitely potential here, especially with a few thoughtful improvements.

Cleanliness: Pass Service: Fail Vibe: Fail Taste & Flavor: Pass Revisit...

I barely ever write reviews, but this place seriously deserves all the compliments people have written about it.

There are expensive offerings on the menu, but only really in the sushi section. Everything else is either at the same price you’d pay at a different restaurant or a little under. And from what the people I ate with said, the quality of the sushi matched the price. If you’re looking for a good, cheap meal, though, this place is still very affordable if you order a single filling dish rather than sushi/sashimi.

I got the chicken karaage curry for $16, which came with a side of salad. I was pleasantly surprised that this place avoids all the common shortfalls of curry—the flavor didn’t start tasting bland after eating for a while, the fukujinzuke (pickles on the side) were fancy and portioned well, and the chicken was crunchy even after being dipped in sauce. Definitely worth what I paid for it, especially considering the quality & presentation.

I wish the drink menu had a few more options, maybe some milk tea, which would’ve made the meal perfect for me. When I went in early June, there were only a few soft drinks, and the water glasses were small enough that you went through a cup rather quickly and had to awkwardly stop a waiter for refills. Having pitchers at the tables would be nice.

This is a place that I see becoming a neighborhood favorite. I’m certainly...

Tl;dr check this place out, it's pretty dang good!

For a place that's brand new, the staff seem to have a good grip on how to operate the business. Everyone is very friendly and attentive. No decorations really, but they aren't even technically fully open yet, so expect a well-lit, bright white room that smells like a freshly finished construction/remodel site (because that's what it is).

The spicy edamame is really good! I have a decent tolerance for spicy food, and most places that have the spicy option are incredibly weak, but Akebono nailed it. It's a saucy, flavorful, delicious mess.

The sashimi set plate was a little high on the price point proportionate to the quality and quantity. The sashimi was a bit dry, and most pieces, aside from the salmon, were quite small.

The special rolls are where it's at! I can't recommend enough the Mexican roll! The black pepper really brings out a wall of flavor.

The karaage curry is also great. The flavor is on point, though I wish they would include some vegetables in this dish.

Sapporo is on tap for $6 a glass, and they have a nice selection of sake. Seattle being a big beer city, I hope to see more draft beer options in the future. Not necessarily craft beer, just more...