Sushi is one of my favorite foods when done right, which in Charlotte isn’t very often. There are few things better than an Unagi or two especially with a Kirin Beer. I am not picky, hell I have even been known to buy Harris Teeters Sushi in a pinch (but no it is bad). So as luck would have it, I live and work about 3-minutes from two different Akahana Asian Bistro locations in the Charlotte area. In Plaza Midwood for some reason there is exactly one Sushi spot. I do not count Soul as a Sushi restaurant, rather it is a place that has Sushi on the menu. Akahana Asian Bistro is the only one in the neighborhood.
Akahana Asian Bistro does to Sushi what Pizza Peel does for pizza. Spoiler alert, that is not a good thing. If there is a word that captures the meaning of “mediocre” in Japan, it is probably Akahana Asian Bistro. From soup to nuts, the meal is just forgettable. How this place lasted for so long is a mystery to me, but then again, we are in Charlotte. Add to this that they opened a second location (possibly a third?), which simply means doubling down on boring food. Yet, I know me, I will end up at the bar again soon, shoveling Sushi into my gullet, praying one piece can find a taste bud. Let’s find out why…
The Experience
At the time of writing this review of Akahana Asian Bistro it is like a war zone trying to get into the place. The construction hasn’t stop them from their consistently underwhelming fish and appetizers. Walking in on a Thursday night, it is somewhat full, but I am able to get a table anyway. The waiter comes and I swear this kid is in middle school; damn I know it is hard to get good employees, but do you need to use a puppy and a white van?!
Still even though he is going through puberty the service is fine. The menu has the usual buy one get one promotion that they have been doing since they served George Washington his first tuna roll. It is so engrained in that place that if it ever ended I would have no reason to come back. I attempted to order a few drinks, but the young man had to ask the bartender if she knew what a Vodka Gimlet is. After me explaining what the drink contains, it comes to the table. Two ingredients and somehow it is messed up. Who cares I am hungry let us eat!
Let me pause and add here that cleanliness doesn’t seem to be their top priority. This is an issue in both locations and pointed out to me by several people. I have been to dirtier spots, but usually overseas. The bathroom especially could use a mop and bucket. I was always told to judge a place by how bad the bathroom is, well theirs is not great.
The Food at Akahana Asian Bistro
In any Asian restaurant I like to prejudge their whole menu by the dumplings they serve. Therefore, I must start with some pork dumplings. Are the dumplings at Akahana any good? I can almost hear the microwave go off right before they came out. Seriously, these are almost certainly prepackaged items.
I order some Miso soup and a Ginger salad; I will not be writing any letters home to rave about them either. Were they bad? No, more like they existed. I also ordered a Summer Roll, which was exactly the same Summer Roll you find in a billion other places. Not bad, just kind of there. Forgettable is the word that keeps popping in my head. Those are the items I tried outside the Sushi, so those are the only things I will discuss. Let me move on to the Sushi, which is mostly just as unmemorable. God, even this review is a chore to write.
The Sushi at Akahana Asian Bistro
I am not sure what is more pathetic, the Sushi or the fact that I will most likely spend my hard-earned money here again. It is so close and easy, that I convince myself this time will be better. First the price, I recommend only dining in the restaurant at Akahana. The buy one get one free special takes some bite out of the fact you are getting a mediocre Sushi experience. Not all of the rolls are equally bad, really bad might be the wrong word anyway. Is frozen pizza bad?
The Unagi was ok, the spicy tuna was ok… I hate to keep up a theme here, but this is slightly below average Sushi at its finest. Sushi to me is a strange creature. There is a miniscule difference between good Sushi and bad sushi. I think that difference is called flavor, which is what seems to be missing in every bite at Akahana.
The Sushi just tastes bland… Sorry if you are a fan of this place, but it is how I feel. The prices aren’t terrible, especially when factoring in the buy one get one aspect. I will drink two or three beers get two rolls and an appetizer, maybe it will set me back like $50 after tip. A lot cheaper than Pisces but comparing Pisces to Akahana is like comparing De Frisco’s to Outback. You get what you pay for.
Additional Words About Akahana
As mentioned, I have also visited the Fort Mil location and surprise it is the same generic, boring experience. Every single time I go to this restaurant with someone new the reaction is the same. It was fine. Like seeing an Adam Sandler movie, it is what it is, and the Fort Mill location is no different. Therefore, this is the review for both restaurants. Fort Mill has a nicer patio, that’s the difference.
Conclusion: Akahana Asian Bistro Review
Akahana Asian Bistro is the lazy, poor man’s choice for Sushi. It is a place you go when you want a “Sushi like Experience.” Maybe it is not as terrible as I am making it sound, it is just pointless, you leave feeling empty, almost sad. From the tired atmosphere to the generic Sushi to that poor cleanliness, it is what it is, I will go again, but I won’t like it!