Let’s leave it to the Japanese for winning the world over for their unique approach to beauty and style. And thank the gods that the guys behind the chain of restaurants Sumo Sam and John and Yoko have decided to include another Japanese restaurant in their repertoire.
Yeah, it’s Akira, like that 1988 Japanese animated action film.
Guests gathered around the teppan, the Japanese iron griddle.
Akira is proud to note that it serves delicious food made from the best quality meats and freshest vegetables and seasonings. Making an excellent dining experience for its guests is every branch’s end goal. Premium food items include US-grade wagyu, Japanese wagyu, kobe, and US tenderloin, and all these are available a la carte or in teppanyaki sets served with chicken, shrimp, fried rice, miso soup and vegetables.
The miso soup tastes quite lovely.
Teppanyaki Set A Wagyu A3 Php1768
Like I said, all sets served with portions of chicken, shrimp and beef, and miso soup and fried rice. You really just pay for the cow breed.
Once the griddle is hot and ready, one of Akira’s trained chefs will proceed to dazzle guests with his deft culinary skills.
Will you look at that?
Pictured: The reasons why I choose to be an omnivore.
What can I say, the fried rice simply tastes heavenly. I suspect that the rice has been mixed with crack, not just high quality soy sauce and Tonkatsu sauce! And let’s not get started with the wagyu cubes! These things are tasty, beefy and fatty– three things that I assure you, quality beef must have in spades! The over-spiced chicken and suspiciously overcooked shrimp need not be mentioned here at all, but for the sake of blogging, I’m including that statement here! (So meta)
Akira would be a boring teppanyaki resto without its mouth-watering Japanese staple like sushi, sashimi, ramen, tempura, tonkatsu and bentos! Check some of them out below.
Tuna Sashimi Php268
Salmon Sashimi Php248
Mixed Sushi Php538
The mixed sushi platter boasts an array of sushi with ebiko (prawn), uni (sea urchin), ikura (salmon roe), tamago (egg), kani (crab), unagi (freshwater eel), tuna, ika (squid), salmon and hamachi (Japanese amberjack fish). Haven’t tried this yet, but I’m sure it’s awesome.
Tempura Bento Php568
Salmon Bento Php568
Akira Roll Php348
I’ve gotten to try the Akira roll, and it’s a fairly good (although out-of-the-ordinary) food made from kani, tempura bits, grated cheese, spicy mayo and tobiko (fish roe). It’s too “ultra-hip and modern” to my liking, though.
VERDICT
However obviously too expensive for the average Juan dela Cruz, Akira is a snazzy place to visit at least once (what with the laid back, somewhat quirky yet sophisticated ambience). Although some of the food tastes average, there are quite a few gems worth trying, too! So pay the resto a visit and dig in.
Price: 2/5
Taste: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Mad props to the novel Japanese restaurant!
Akira branches:
5th level, East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Shaw Blvd. cor EDSA, Mandaluyong City (For reservations: 654-3920)
Alphaland City Club, Ground Floor Alphaland Makati Place, Malugay St. cor. Ayala Avenue Ext., Makati City (For reservations: 0917-706-7328)
Burgos Circle at Forbestown, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City (For reservations: 550-2164)
Upper Ground, Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City (Beside Dona Hemady Street) (For reservations: 809-1234)
I have tried the branch at alphaland city club and I have to say I am impressed. I don’t mind pricey as long as I don’t feel short changed, and I certainly don’t feel short changed here.
It does seem a bit pricey, but definitely looks delish. I love sashimi and I had my fill of it when I was living in Taiwan. The salmon bento box is definitely tops!
Oh, my, another Japanese resto to try! We must visit this soon!