Akai Hana

11/12/2008 Posted by bobbyallenh

We're so glad Akai Hana has started opening 7 days a week. We never could remember which day they were closed. The fish is very fresh, especially tuna, salmon, and yellowtail. The flounder is sweet but they only have it on the weekend. Some Japanese Restaurants have a larger selection of rolls, but we especially like the crunchy shrimp roll and the spicy tuna roll. The miso soup warms you up on the inside and the ginger salad dressing just can't be found anywhere else. We always start with a couple appetizers, usually gyoza or shrimp tempura, and finish with mango mochi ice cream. But you also can't go wrong with the divine chocolate cheesecake. They don't take reservations so that's why the regulars go during the week.

Pros: The freshest sushi in the area

Cons: Doesn't take reservations

11/12/2008 Posted by LarryJohnson28

Everyone is friendly at Akai Hana.Nice Atmosphere going on there.The sushi is the freshest i've had in the triangle.By far the best tasting ginger dressing for the house salad. The shrimp tempura is my favorite entree. Their miso soup is the best.!

Pros: Healthy tasting food

Cons: Did not care for the live music while dining

11/08/2008 Posted by elisdevreis

I just ate at Akai Hana yesterday, their sushi are the freshest I've ever tasted. The sushi are simple but the fish are so fresh. When i put a piece of sushi roll in my mouth, I wanted to order again and again. My favorite sushi are scallop roll, rainbow roll, tuna, salmon, everything with fresh fish in it! Yum! I'm telling you, they have the freshest sushi. I just love Akai Hana's sushi by heart. Also, I have no problem with Akai Hana's appetizers, they have a lot of choices than other Japanese restaurants I have ever been to. The best appetizer for me is their special one called Ika Geso, if you like fried tempura squid, over cucumbers and ponzu sauce hmmm... delicious. Their tempuras are the best! Their ginger salad are the best too! I can't find other ginger sauce as good as Akai Hana's. Keep up the good work Akai Hana!

11/08/2008 Posted by sj234

I love this place. If you like fresh fish, akai hana is the place to eat sushi. It's unbelievable!! The service is excellent, the lighting is great. I highly recommend the seaweed salad, miso soup, and the pork dumplings as an appetizer. YUMMY!!!! If you are not a big fan of fresh, raw fish, maybe try the steak teriaki or a hot noodle soup. Both are Bangin'!!! Then last, but not least, try the mochi. The wine selection is a winner too. cheers!

Pros: ambience, parking, service, quality, quantity, lighting, merchandise

10/14/2008 Posted by danleach

I have been to Akai Hana about ten times in one year. The wait staff are nice, pleasant folks that I would bring home to mom and dad. As "Cutting edge" as Carrboro is, they should be more conscious of their patrons' tastes. Aged tofu with fish scales, deep fried vegetables and soup with fish broth are a few of the almost vegetarian choices listed from the menu. Not to discourage the owners from hiring an all Mexican kitchen staff in a town that has one of the fastest growing Hispanic populations in the state, but the food is not cooked/prepared in the sense of what it should be in a traditional Japanese restaurant. The food/drink menus are limited and bland; the food is always under/over cooked. I really want this place to succeed and I whole heartedly support it, but the food is terrible.

Pros: The waitresses are the best in the city.

Cons: The food is gross.

08/30/2008 Posted by Bogeyjohn

Well I have been reading reviews from people from the Left Coast and NY saying that Akai Hana Resturant in Carrboro was not up to the standards of the resturants in NY and California... Hello...this is Carrboro NC and as a matter of fact, A. Hana has great sushi and entrees. They have their fish frown in twice a week and every meal I have ever had has been exceptional. The Master Chef (Pujo) and Bob the owner are top notch people and the wait staff is super.... I have been going since they opened and I have noticed that the waitstaff turnover is very minimal... Which is a good sign of a well run business... When you go....have fun and experience the different offerings... And, if you still don't like it.....just move back to where you came from In the meantime....enjoy the Best Sushi Around

07/02/2007 Posted by unbelloscoppio

I took my boyfriend here for his birthday on a Friday night, when Akai Hana is supposed to be open until 10:30pm. We were seated at 9:40pm, served our food at 10:00pm, and then awkwardly watched as the wait staff began turning off all the lights, cleaning the restaurant, and counting the cash register's money in front of us. There were about 6 tables finishing up while we were waiting for our order, but we were left the last table seated in the restaurant. The kitchen staff all came out and began talking loudly in front of us at 10:10. Then our server asked "Ready?" and left us the bill. This is all while we are about halfway into our meal, trying to enjoy a special occasion. If the staff wants to be out of the restaurant by 10:30, then they should change their hours to close at 10pm, instead of making their last patrons feel rushed and embarrassed for spending their money at an establishment that is clueless about good manners. The way we were pushed out was incredibly rude, and would be something expected more of a fast-food place with lazy teenage employees trying to go home early than of a nice, sit-down restaurant that is supposed to have the best sushi in the Triangle. The best (worst) part is we were leaving the restaurant by 10:20-- 10 minutes BEFORE they were supposed to close. If you choose to go to Akai Hana, make sure you're seated at least an hour and a half before they "close", or your meal will also be ruined.

Pros: Decent sushi

Cons: Rushed to get us out of the restaurant

05/23/2006 Posted by stt5

I only give high recommendations to those that I consider the best in the nation, such as Sakagura in NY, Yuzen Kan in LA, Kubota in SJ, etc. Akai Hana is your generic Japanese restaurant with not much in originality to offer. Seriously, there's nothing on their menu that I thought was unique. The food and service is decent, but I would argue against any review that would rank it exceptionally high.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful

04/24/2006 Posted by daddylamson

Sharing a meal with someone should always be an adventure as well as enjoyable. Akai Hana fits the bill. This is the perfect place to take a break and explore the wonders of Japanese cuisine. The atmosphere is very warm and the staff enjoys helping customers learn about the different selections offered - even the ordering experience was fun. Bigger and faster are not always better when you are looking for a place to spend time with a friend.

Pros: inexpensive, great staff, good eats

05/10/2005 Posted by dawnchild

Overall, I would highly recommend this place. They serve good authentic Japanese food. Their miso soup, tempura or anything from the kitchen are excellent. Their early bird special served from 5 to 6, especially the teriyaki chicken, is a great deal. For sushi, I would get rolls because their nigiri sushis are not as good as the rolls. Their appetizers are very good. The only thing I don't like is their agedashi dofu. This is a place to go for authentic Japanese food if you are in Carrboro/Chapel Hill. They don't take reservations, and the restaurant is not too big. It's sometimes hard to get a table if you have a big party.