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Name: Akai Hana
Address: 3223 W Lake Ave, Wilmette, IL, 60091
Telephone: (847) 251-0384
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.10

Akai Hana

3223 W Lake Ave, Wilmette, IL, 60091

(847) 251-0384
Store is closed

Akai Hana Menu

Sushi

Sushi a

Sushi B

Sushi & Sashimi Combination

Sushi Special

Sushi Akai Hana

Tekka Don
Sashimi

Sashimi a

Sashimi B

Sashimiakai Han
Sushiroll Vegetable Rolls

Natto

Avocado

Cucumber

Pickeld Radish

Garden
Other Rolls

Tofu & Bonito Flakes

California

Salmon Skin

Spicy Shrimp

Tuna

Healthy Meal suggestions for Akai Hana

Sushi

Sushi a [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sushi B [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sushi & Sashimi Combination [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sushi Special [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sushi Akai Hana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tekka Don [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sashimi

Sashimi a [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sashimi B [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sashimiakai Han [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sushiroll Vegetable Rolls

Natto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cucumber [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pickeld Radish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Other Rolls

Tofu & Bonito Flakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

California [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Skin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Peggy K.

Have you tried their green tea ice cream... i found it the most delicious. The meal was ok maybe I wasnt so starving: Salmon bento and tuna bento,, but I am not going to try these items again. Rolls were alright. And Green tea ice cream's the must! Our wait staff was super friendly she kept our glasses full everytime she passes by. So this place for me still remains a good memory.
(3)
Dee W.

Convenient place to get some Japanese food - love the fact that the Akai Hana market is right next door. In regards to the restaurant - cozy atmosphere and service is very friendly and quick. The tempura udon is delish and the chicken teriyaki is served to you with such huge pieces - you're definately getting a great deal. Their green tea ice cream is just right - not too sweet and not too bland.
(4)
Bernard M.

This is a sad review. I'm sad since I loved Akai Hana growing up. Twenty years ago the sushi and overall food was great, especially for the price. Over the past several years the quality has continually declined. My most recent trip to Chicago allowed me to eat lunch here. It was lame. Based on that meal I should give Akai Hana 2 stars, but I've had over a hundred meals here and this use to be a 4 star place so out of respect I'm giving it 3 stars :(
(3)
Marc F.

Large sushi portions as pointed out by another reviewer. The best salmon teriyaki whereas Matsuya has excellent chicken teri and Renga Tei has excellent beef teri. Huge bento boxes with fresh, tasty items. Service is nothing to write home about but not bad. Also yummy beef wrapped asparagus, red bean ice cream, plum wine, etc. The food suffers noticeably when they're busy, which is almost every evening around dinner time, and every weekend dinner. I try to get their early so I can enjoy my meal.
(4)
Mark S.

This place is perfect- a basic Japanese/Sushi restaurant tucked in a little strip mall. I come for lunch on weekends when I'm up this way shopping at Old Orchard. The food is very good, reasonably priced, and the staff is efficient. The decor isn't anything too exciting, but this isn't that kind of sushi place. You come here to devour good sushi without breaking the bank. Others seem to agree because this place does serious business, it gets crowded! Knowing what this place is all about, I really don't know what else I'd ask for.
(4)
Steve J.

We found the sushi here to be good. Easily passed the saba test (surprising us). Fish was not excellent but very good especially considering that we had delivery (which was a good deal). Weakness is their rolls, which are not very interesting.
(3)
Marcel M.

It's been consistent for all these years and the prices are good. I've always gotten the bento box and have been stuffed. Their tonkatsu is cooked perfectly along with the sauce they pair it with. Get there before noon for lunch or the parking lot is jampacked.
(4)
Jay K.

This review is for Akai Hana Grocery the market next door to their restaurant: Small Japanese market selling overpriced goods even in relation to Mitsuwa which already has the market for expensive Japanese goods. Poor selection of produce, meats and fish; In fact the only fish I saw were Chilean sea bass bones and salmon bones they were trying to sell. The Japanese markets all sell the fish heads, filleted bones and "leftover" cuts after the fillets are removed, however nobody in their right mind should pay $4.99/lb for Chilean sea bass bones. Save your gas for a trip to the NW suburbs and get your goods there.
(2)
Diane W.

This restaurant has a fantastic menu. They have a ton of authentic items on their menu and also americanized items. They have something for everyone. Their sushi is very good and also their tempura. The waitstaff are very attentive to children. This is a great place to bring the family.
(4)
Trinidad T.

this is one of my all time fav sushi restaurants. as soon as you walk in , the staff acknowlege your presense and you get seated pretty quickly. everything is fast. once the food comes out, it's fresh, and beautiful. we eat til we drop. they have this great mural on the wall of the ocean and what eventually comes out on our plate. fantastic food and service, great combination
(5)
Michelle K.

This place is a health code violation in waiting!!!! I have now gotten food poisoning from Akai Hana twice!!! The first time I thought it was just the flu, but by the second time I wised up. I have been coming to this restaurant for years, and though I have seen a slow decline in food quality, they have finally sunk to their lowest level ... a level that is surely not comparable to their high priced menu (compared to many great sushi places in the city). And worst of all, the customer service is absolutely TERRIBLE!!! Even when I told them that my unagi didn't seem right (after eating a couple of pieces then pushing the plate away in disgust!!), they would only give me half off my roll because they claimed I had eaten half. I couldn't have stomached eating half of this terrible excuse for sushi!! I will never go back again and I suggest that no one else put themselves through the experiences I have had!!!!!!
(1)
Jonas C.

I got a call from the general manager. He apologized for the treatment I received on the phone and offered a free entrÃ©e on my next order. It was nice to see someone take the initiative to make it right. I am moving my rating up to 3 stars which reflects the food which is OK but not great.
(3)
Dawn W.

The quality of the sushi and speed of the kitchen is definitely 5 stars at this restaurant. It's fantastic. Unfortunately, the staff is why I gave only 3 stars. They were very unattentive and distracted. They were not rude, but definitely provided the lowest level of service possible.
(3)
Dylan S.

I came here on the suggestion of my little cousin, Adric, even though I've been here a few times before. We came in around 3:00, and there wasn't really anybody there, which was nice. However, service was unusually slow. I had the Tempura Udon special with spicy tuna rolls and inari-zushi. The rolls were good, if a bit small, and the inarizushi was near perfect. The udon soup itself was good, if a bit overloaded on nori flakes. Tempura veggies were ok, but the tempura shrimp was bland. Crunchy, but bland. Otherwise, I tried a bit of the Una-Q sushi, which was alright. Nothing to write home about. All in all, it was an acceptable meal, but nothing special. Costwise, the lunch special was definitely worth the $15 or so I spent on it.
(3)
Victor G.

My favorite sushi place. The best Ahi tuna ever
(5)
Holly R.

I have been a loyal customer of this business for many years. Their rolls are always fresh and tasty. The wait staff is very friendly, gets us our regular table, and serves the food quickly. They have a great selection of bento boxes. My only wish is that they would serve the Tendon and other lunch only selections, too, as it's hard for me to get there for lunch. It was recently remodeled and they did a nice job improving the ambiance.
(4)
Rick C.

This is solely for their lunch specials. I remember thier dinners to be over priced and just ok. Akai Hana is a traditional sushi place. If your expecting black rice or soy paper, this is not the place for you. If you're looking for a huge tempura udon combination with your choice or sushi roll for ten bucks, then please come right in. Unfortunately, this place is in a strip mall with one of the worst conceived parking lots imaginable. Dodge the Lou Malnati take outers, don't park at the bank and you'll be fine. They have sushi combos ( sushi set three is my fave. spicy salmon, spicy tuna, and spicy california with miso soup) as well as bento boxes and the previously mentioned udon/ramen lunches. Great lunch spot. Oh, and if oysters are your thing don't miss out on the kaki fry (fried oysters with veggies). They're a must have,
(4)
Cecilia T.

Hm my 2 star doesn't reflect the fact that i actually come more frequently than you'd think, mostly because there are limited choices for Japanese restaurants in this area. I remember when I was a kid this place used to be really good. But then they probably changed ownership and their food became overpriced and Americanized. Nevertheless I continue to come here due to limited choices in the area. I avoid their sushi because it's so overpriced for the type of quality that you get. I mean, it's edible, but really, so Americanized. I almost always get the Tempera Udon because it's a better deal than some other things - they give a generous variety of tempura battered Veggies such as Sweet Potato, beans, onions, shrimp, etc. Very filling and sometimes i have to bring home leftovers. My sister likes to order the Nabeyaki Udon which looks healthier than the Tempura Udon dish - comes not only with Shrimp Tempera but a lot of boiled veggies in the soup - much healthlier than my dish. I plan to order this next time i go to Akai Hana. I also think their Lunch Combination Box is a good bang for the buck - they give a large lunch box with a variety of foods depending on the selection. Probably a better deal than dinner. Their green tea is gross - powdered stuff. And their ramen is really bad. Also, their icecream dessert can be old and gross. Watch out.!
(2)
David R.

My commute passes by here every day, but I never came in until last summer when some friends of mine were moving away and suggested it for a farewell dinner. The place was packed on a Friday night, but the staff was friendly and cooed repeatedly over my friends' seven-month-old daughter. I recall enjoying my bento box, which was a pretty good deal. Craving sushi for dinner last night, I stopped by Akai Hana and placed a takeout order. I actually had a hard time deciding because the menu showed me nothing too creative. After finishing the food, it all seemed overpriced by about $0.50 or $0.75. The shitake roll was good, but it's hard to screw that up. I ordered spicy yellowtail, but what I got was just plain yellowtail. It was good, but...whoops. The "crunchy" california roll was just a rolling of tempura flakes for $0.75 extra, and by the time I got home, they weren't crunchy anymore (if they ever were). And besides, the roll was way too salty. There are several other sushi joints along my route, so I won't bother with Akai Hana for my next craving.
(2)
Ben J.

There is a man that works at Akai Hana named Mr. Lee. Mr. Lee can move at lightning speeds and can bus every table in the whole restaurant with high efficiency by himself. He moves faster than the speed of sound, and gets his job done at all costs. Once, a customer spilled their water, and Mr. Lee reversed time so it didn't even happen. Another time, Mr. Lee even saved the planet from evil ninjas in Guam all while performing his wait staff duties at Akai Hana in WIlmette. Mr. Lee is a sonic-speed legend that continues to inspire us all. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you Mr. Lee. Now, onto the restaurant: Akai Hana has a very distinct flavor in their maki rolls that comes from their fresh fish. They add sesame seeds to pretty much everything, and the flavor works. Their tonkatsu is generous, and their sea bass always satisfies. In addition to a huge menu with plenty of vegetarian options, they also have good combination boxes that are generous, if a little expensive. The mochi ice cream is a nice touch, and the place is a fun spot in town to have dinner. Restaurant approved.
(4)
Tricia D.

I'm a sucker for the bento lunch boxes offered by any Japanese restaurant. Today, for $10.25, I got white meat chicken teriyaki, a california roll, cucumber/crab meat salad, two pieces of random sushi, miso soup, and rice. Great value! The chicken was slightly dry and lacked teriyaki flavor. There was an orange slice garnish next to the chicken, and all of the pieces of meat tasted like it had an orange sauce on it. Also, a pet peeve I have is when I go to restaurants, and their menu says you can choose 2 of the following X options for Y price, but all the names are in some other language e.g. Japanese that gives no freakin' indication as to what the selection is. How frustrating and annoying. No arigato.
(3)
Ariella L.

I had a pretty bad experience at this place. I went with a friend for a casual dinner and we ordered three sushi rolls to share. One of them was a tempura roll and one we asked to be made into a tempura roll- both of these rolls came out crunch rolls (which just means it has those little crunchy pieces on top)- not tempura like we asked. Then, we were charged two dollars extra per roll for those two- but they did not inform us in advance about it being extra. They seemed very annoyed when we complained about the charge, but it did get taken off the bill eventually. The overall service was terrible- they did not check on us, when we wanted something we had to flag them down, and they rushed us to order by saying the kitchen was closing even though it was a half hour before it was supposed to. One of the rolls we both agreed tasted terrible and we told them we did not like it- they did not even apologize, let alone take it off the bill. Overall terrible experience and I would not go back.
(1)
William B.

I think I could eat my body weight in sushi at this place - YUM! On our last visit, my wife and I ordered some teriyaki lunch specials - so delicious. (She ordered beef, I ordered the dark meat chicken. Both were fabulous.) I am looking forward to a return visit soon. I am not a big fan of green tea, but even that was good!
(4)
Paul S.

Walls decorated nicely and plenty of room for large parties. Even the waitress service is attentive. Unfortunately everything in that place is covered in a thin layer of fish oil. Even the green tea vaguely tastes like fish. Akai Hana prices food a bracket higher than most cheaper Asian restaurants but still serves poor quality stuff to its customers. Could be some much more.
(2)
Lisa H.

I have been going to Akai Hana for years out of convenience. The sushi is just ok, but you never have to wait for a table and they're really fast. But, I will never go back. The manager/owner is way too pushy and the servers are rude. I brought my six week old baby in, who was SLEEPING in his carrier. Without asking, she started touching and pulled him out of his carrier proceeded to walk him around the restaurant to show other tables. Of course he woke up and freaked out, so after 10 minutes of him screaming, I asked her to give him back. She insisted he was fine and I literally had to tug back and forth to get him out of her arms. Then when I finally calmed him down she came back and tried to take him out of his carrier again, which woke him up again. She tried to take him OUTSIDE OF THE RESTAURANT to calm him down. Nothing was ok about this. She is way too pushy and obnoxious. I will never go back. Our meal was ruined. I didn't finish my meal and the friends we had brought there were totally shocked and hated it.
(1)
Cynthia E.

Very consistent, nice service, good selection on the menu. I find it to be a little expensive for lunch, but you do get a lot of food. Seaweed salad is good, the ebi are my favorite!
(4)
Hope K.

Stopped by for a quick dinner around my boyfriend's house. Great start with a hot cup of green tea! 1. my boyfriend started with an Uni hand-roll. Very big because they actually put 2 pieces of Uni in the hand-roll. He liked it. It was fresh! 2. Chicken Katsu ( chicken cutlet) Normally I go with the pork katsu but the server recommended the chicken. It was a huge portion. Very crispy and well seasoned! Will definitely try it again next time! I had left overs to take home. 3. Nabeyaki Udon We ordered this particular udon because this is the only udon dish that they would put in a non plastic bowl! Plastic bowls+hot liquid = BPA!!!!! We had two pieces of shrimp tempura on the side but it was a bit soggy. The soup was nicely seasoned. I did request less salt when I was ordering. They did honor my request! Nice service and always a pleasant experience!
(4)
Helen W.

A bunch of us came here for dinner. The food is good, tho a bit pricey. The portions are fairly substantial as you pay for it. The sushi plate was good, the fish tasted fresh and presentaion was nice. The miso soup was a full bowl, tho lacking in flavor, with tofu and seaweed. The tempura entree came with 4 shrimp and huge portion of typical fare of veggies. The tuna may be the best deal, with 3 pieces of tuna, tender, not overly cooked. The beef teriyaki was thin and overcooked, so it was chewy. Service was ok, since there was a large party, had to ask for green tea refills. If we do come back, and I have a taste for fish, it'd be just for the tuna.
(3)
Lisa M. B.

I went for the first time for lunch with a friend who had been there before. We arrived at 12:40 and there were plenty of open tables. The establishment appeared clean and inviting, and a hostess promptly greeted and seated us. Moments later we received our hot towels, glasses of water, chopsticks, menus and napkins. My companion ordered a "lunch box" for about $10.95 and I ordered the sushi special for $12.00. Within a couple minutes, our server brought soup to us and before we finished our soup, our meals arrived. The lunch box was more food by volume than was the sushi special. It had chicken strips, broccoli, a large slice of orange, a few pieces of vegetable rolls, and a cucumber salad. The variation of colors served was beautiful and made the lunch box very appetizing. My companion indicated the chicken was quite good. My sushi meal was also very good. The fish was fresh and the rice it sat on was cooked to perfection. The garnish was minimal though there was plenty of ginger. I thought I remembered the menu indicating the special includes cucumber salad, so I inquired of our server who said the special is either soup or salad. I didn't specify when I ordered the special, nor did the server ask me which I wanted before he brought the soup, so after he explained the either/or, he brought the cucumber salad to me, which was delicious. Overall: Good enough that I may go back again and try a lunch box.
(3)
Joyce C.

This is our go-to sushi lunch place. The lunch specials here are great (and are effective til 4p)!! Lots of variety, including udon, ramen, donburi, sushi and bento boxes . Our standards are the kaki-fry and sushi set #3, though we've thrown in a couple of bento boxes in the mix every once in a while. The kaki-fry are always awesome- you can't find the same type of fried oysters anywhere (trust me, I've tried..). The panko breading used and the sheer size (these are HUGE) and volume provided are something that are unique to Akai Hana- these are highly recommended!! Though the lunch specials are great, dinner is just ok. The sushi for dinner is generally fine but pricey for what you get, and their cooked dishes from what I remember were not fantastic. Their sukiyaki broth was terribly sweet and heavy, nothing like what I would think would come from a Japanese joint that I think are actually owned by Japanese people. Also a plate of veggie tempuras will run you about $14.25 a plate. Kinda pricey for some fried veggies. A definite recommend for lunch!! Not so much for dinner though...
(3)
Pete D.

Wavered between 3 and 4 stars here. Food is good, service is good, but a little pricey. I realize it's Wilmette, but it's in a strip mall. Took my folks here, and they liked it too. The tempura was excellent, as was the spicy teriyaki chicken.
(3)
Caroline A.

We've been going to Akai Hana since we were newlyweds, nearly 20 years ago. The food is always very good, traditional Japanese, although the updated menu does offer many of the new Americanized rolls that people seek. Despite an absence of a year or so (feeding a family of 5 a sit-down sushi meal is a real treat for most pocketbooks), we just returned and were still greeted by name! It's a welcoming place where families with children of all ages can enjoy a wonderful meal.
(5)
April P.

this place has been around forever, and you will know why with every visit. The staff is very inviting upon arrival, without being overly sacchrine-y swee usually get the bento box, combination C. Comes with 3 pieces of nigiri, one California roll, (which is your standard 6 pieces), miso soup, cucumber salad and beef terriyaki and rice...oh and scoop of ice cream this is enough for two meals, so i tend to eat the sushi first, and save the beef terriyaki and rice for next meal parking is kind of a pain during peak hours, but the place is worth it to circle around a few times
(5)
B. G.

We love the food and service here. We usually get agadashi tofu, gomae, orange roll, or udon. The servers are sweet and the staff has been consistent for years.
(5)
David K.

Just keeps on getting worse. Food here is OK. Nothing special. Some deals they haveare good. I.e. lunch specials and early dinner specials. But the service beyond the nice Thai gentleman and one of the younger female servers is just crap! The older ladies seem to always have attitude. Service is also slow. I have been coming here since the 90's because it is close to my work, but beyond close proximity it is probably better to go somewhere else.
(1)
Jeff W.

Its an authentic looking modern pseudo Japanese restaurant with a price to match. The chicken, as noted in other reviews was still a bit dry. Agedashi-dofu was too sweet to be traditional. Stick with the rolls.
(3)
Nicole M.

I've been going to Akai Hana forever. It used to be a great place to eat. The servers used to be so friendly and helpful. Now, the food has lost some of it's flavor, the wait staff is just so-so. One waitress in particular is very rude and nasty. She is the reason for 3 stars instead of 4. I once asked her to substitute something in the combination bento box and she freaked out and said "We don't do that!!" Then she walked off and sent another waitress who let me substitute. I had been there so many times before and it was no problem to substitute items before. She is not a very nice person. When I go there now, she never serves me. All the other waiters let me substitute items without any problems. I went there the other day, and I saw her act nasty to someone else...so I know it's not just me. That customer wanted another coke and she said, "We don't do refill! That's the policy!" The customer was willing to pay for another coke. She was just so mean and nasty! Other than that, I still come here for easy Japanese food. Nothing fancy, but my kids love the place. I usually enjoy the combination meals. The sushi is just average.
(3)
Michelle L.

My husband and I happened to remember Akai Hana as we were in the area on a Saturday early afternoon and decided to stop by as it's been a while since we were there. First off, their green tea is incredible - very powerful and unique, not the typical brown rice green tea you get at sushi spots. They have lunch specials on Saturday (and during the week), and we both ordered a lunch box... Mine was with the most flavorful and perfectly cooked teriyaki salmon - quite delicious. I've had the sea bass teriyaki in the past and that is wonderful as well (actually a little better than the salmon). The box comes with a California roll and a futo maki - their California rolls bother me a bit as they do not include cucumber, but it was still fine. The futo maki was not my favorite, kinda odd with the unique pickled veggies, I like the tuna and shrimp sushi pieces that they used to include with their lunch boxes a lot more... It also came with a cucumber salad and miso soup - both were fine, but nothing to rave about (I don't think anyone can ever rave about miso soup). Our waitress was lovely and helpful. All in all a very good lunch for a good price.
(4)
Brit D.

wow Akai Hana.....what is wrong with you lately???? this review is based on the last 3-4 times I have come here. Akai Hana has been my favorite sushi destination for some time now. I think it's high quality sushi and great atmosphere. Okay, the past few times the food has not been any different. The service however....TERRIBLE! I have been so disappointed and have complained about the terrible service. While I was complaining.... another couple was walking out because of the service! geez akai hana step your game up because I want to come back.........
(3)
carol m.

To clarify, although this is not a five star restaurant, the quality of food, service and ambience is more than what you would expect for the price. The best deal in town when it comes to lunch specials - for $9 you can have a spicy salmon, spicy tuna and spicy california roll meal with soup included. They have about 9 different combinations but this one is my favorite. Whats great about lunch too is that it is until 4 pm. The only two complaints are the green tea which is made of some weird powder as opposed to tea leaves making it hard to drink. And the parking is tough to find.
(5)
Stuart R.

I've eaten here often over the years and in the past it has been a solid if unspectacular place, decent service, unoffensive decor, and acceptable cuisine. Over the years, as Japanese restaurants in the area have become more ubiquitous (and more adventurous), Akai Hana has remained exactly what it is: an unpretentious and fairly standard restaurant. No longer. I went tonight with my family to celebrate my son's birthday and here's what we experienced: 1) Indifferent service, which eventually became inattentive, and finally turned rude. We asked our server to leave out the wasabi in our son's maki and the sushi that came with his bento box. When the meal came, there was wasabi on the sushi and we asked her to please take it back and prepare it as we had requested. Her response was to argue with me. She replied that we had not told her, and she indicated that she could not take it back. I had to physically hand her the bento box and insist before she would return to the kitchen and fix the mistake. She muttered and finally acceded to our request. 2) The small appetizer plates, miso soup bowls, soy sauce dishes, paper wrappers from the chopsticks, and other detritus were allowed to accumulate on the table and left there even after our meals had been served. I finally had to stack it all up and ask our waitress to send someone to buss the table, and she wasn't happy about being interrupted. 3) When the bill finally arrived, I presented my credit card, and when the receipt arrived I was somewhat shocked to discover that an 18% tip had already been added and charged to my card. We were a party of five. I can understand a mandatory gratuity for a larger party- the standard number is six- but this caught me off guard and left me miffed. I try not to be a punitive tipper but our experience was more of a 15% experience if you know what I mean. I went to the host station and asked them to reverse the charge and re-run it, leaving the gratuity up to me. They hemmed & hawed and resisted, but I held my ground and eventually they brought me a new charge slip. I decided to check their original calculation and discovered that they had initially tried to charge me 18% on BOTH THE MEAL AND THE TAX. So they're pocketing 18% of of the tax that I'm paying the state. This may only amount to $5 or so on the bill, but do the math- 20 or 30 tables a night, 7 nights a week, They're baldly ripping off their customers for at least 30 grand a year. So there are many reasons we won't be returning to Akai Hana. The food may be OK, but they treat their customers like idiots, and they're cheaters, too. Eat their at your risk. You can do better, easily.
(1)
Rico T.

This place used to be a record store. What does that have to do with my review? Absolutely nothing. The agedashi-dofu was probably the best I've had in Chicago. The spicy tuna handroll was too "chunky." Maybe if they sliced the tuna portion into thinner strips, or tartare style. The salmon skin handroll was edible, but by far the worst of my selections. Two large Sapporos always makes up for the shortfalls.
(4)
Leonor S.

If you think Akai Hana is the place to get delicious, fresh japanese food.. You must be out of your mind. I've been here countless times for the convienience and have been let down everytime. The fish is NOT fresh here! The rolls have a funky stink to them and the other japanese fare is subpar. I even found a crinkly nasty hair in my way overpriced yakisoba.. bleh For fresh sushi go check out Sushi Station in Rolling Meadows.. it's worth the drive
(1)
Frank L.

I expected more, because my dad is a big fan of this place. But it was really just your standard japanese restaurant with sushi. I ordered the Chicken Teriyaki & Tempura combination - which is a good deal given how much food is in the combination. You get choice of soup or salad to begin. The combination then has a california roll, a crab meat cucumber salad, and about 8 pieces tempura and a sizeable portion of chicken teriyaki. To finish, you get your choice of ice cream (green tea, red bean, coffee, etc) The sushi is unimaginitive - but it is still fresh and tastes good. But how many sushi restaurants still serve octopus and tamago in their sushi dinners? A solid choice for dinner, but nothing extra-ordinary
(3)
Rachel H.

Pretty decent sushi, I love their spicy scallop roll, its really good. The green tea ice cream is hit or miss, its good most of the times ( 3bad out of 7visits). they have lunch specials which are on the pricy side (IMHO).
(3)
Jessica O.

Akai Hana is a really cute sushi place. The decor is traditionally Japanese and has screens over the windows, the sushi bar itself is a little cramped, so I like to sit at tables or booths here. I recommend their lunch boxes and dinner boxes... they are a pretty good value. You get soup or salad (I LOVE their ginger dressing), your entree, cucumber/crab salad, a california roll, rice, and ice cream for around $20. I would recommend it as a standard sushi restaurant, you aren't going to get the trendy fancy rolls here, but they are a classic.
(4)
Giselle S.

Went here to celebrate a birthday. For a party of 11 we were seated in the back corner. Almost everyone ate the Sea Bass Combo. Sea Bass is fried with good size flaky chunks of fish. Substitutions were one dollar for spicy tuna roll instead of the California roll. I ordered the Tempera Udon which came with two smallish pieces of shrimp, and tempera vegetables of sweet potato, green beans, and broccoli. I think there was zucchini or yellow squash (can't remember). The broth was okay, and the noodles were Udon consistency. I also had the side salad with the house dressing and a red bean ice cream for dessert. Sitting in the corner we were situated with a bird's eye view of the kitchen/ prep area. And by the time our ice creams came around, the smell of pine sol permeated from this kitchenette area. A couple of tips this place is NOT BYOB. And when you find a parking spot, take it, do not go looking for one closer. BANK space parking only after hours.
(3)
Andrea K.

Went for lunch the other day and thoroughly enjoyed Akai Hana. I love Japanese restaurants that offer more than just sushi, even though their sushi is pretty freaking tasty. I ordered the tempura lunch box and loved it. My companion and I split the Hawaiian Role made with mango, avacado, tuna and a special sauce. Holy God it was good. The tuna melted in my mouth and the mango left a perfect finishing touch. Granted it was expensive ($18 for the roll alone) but completely worth it as I don't like eating rolls that are chewy. Before going to A.H., I didn't realize they're a chain and took over one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Columbus, Ohio. I know friends back in Columbus who love this place as well. I will certainly be returning should I be in Wilmette and hungry for sushi. Yum.
(4)
Andrew M.

The enduring popularity of Akai Hana worries me deeply. How could there be anyone who doesn't see how bad this place sucks? The sushi is bland. The non-sushi dishes, like the vegetable teriyaki I tried to eat there last night, are borderine inedible. And the people who work there all seem like they're on xanax. They don't seem to care about you. About the food. About anything. Fuck this place. Avoid. Avoid.
(1)
Janice L.

please do not misinterpret my four stars as this place is the bomb.. cause the tempura udon is the BOMB as well as the dinner chicken and salmon teriyaki bento combinations, but that's about it.. i always get the spicy tuna roll at sushi restaurants so i can unbiasedly rate them, and it was not too fresh tasting and very dinky here.. but i cannot get enough of the udon here (:
(4)
Raul B.

I have been to japan and Akai Hana sushi does not compare. I have also been to Korea. Therefore, the people that run Akai Hana are not Japanesse, they are korean! Point been is if you want mexican food you go to a mexican restaurant you dont go to TACO BELL same goes for Japanesse food. However, Akai Hana has outstanding prices and parking as well as teh location (near 94) it great as well. Enjoy if you do have a chance to go to Akai Hana.
(3)
mimi r.

The Worst Service EVER! Food on the decline, too. Made 6 pm reservation for 10 people (birthday gathering). Got seated at 6:28, at which time they made us reconfigure our tables so as not to have anybody "stealing" food from the individuals who were ordering their "all you can eat special". Geez. (One table had to be physically moved several feet AWAY from our table... making conversation impossible with those guests.) Waited 30 minutes before first course was served and between courses, at which time the food arrived partially and incorrectly. Begged for a drink order about 45 minutes into the service... tea, drinks, etc. were not offered. Menu whisked away (you 10 can share one menu). Highly suspicious wait staff, rude employees, and the food was marginal. Rolls were loosely rolled; rice seemed "old", not fresh. THey were not 100% filled to capacity, so can't blame it on that, either. Next time, I'm taking my money (and my party of 10 people) elsewhere - there are other Japanese restaurants in town. Get your act together, Akai Hana!
(1)
Alan R.

An innovative Sushi menu makes AH stand out. My wife ordered a crunchy one and also a sweet potato one that I had never seen before. The chicken teriyaki with rice, soup and veggies was excellent. Make sure to order the dinner though as it comes with salad, seaweed salad and ice cream for desert. Also when ordering chicken if they ask for white meat or steamed its $2 more. Might as well go with the dinner for the extra two bucks. There are some other options for the full dinner option.
(4)
Will C.

yummy place! Sea Bass is the best!
(4)
R S.

I love Japanese food over all other cuisines. Lived on the west coast for the last 20 years and ate at the best places in la, bay area, Vancouver, and seattle. (well not the best places in la; only Hollywood industry people and their lawyers can afford those places, but the next tier places are really great). On the other hand, Akai Hana is disgusting. I went once. Awful awful awful. They would not make a very simple substitution I requested because of an allergy and more importantly the udon broth tasted like dirty dish water. One of the pieces of sushi I ordered was just plain smelly. Drive 5 minutes east to akira. It is not amazing but sometimes very good but most importantly consistent and honest Japanese food.
(1)
Ralph L.

Awesome quality but the service really bites! I went there yesterday at 5:00 PM on purpose and I still got lousy service. After I was seated I had NO contact, not even a glass of water. I looked around and saw several employees (waiter types) chatting it up nearby. I asked the head honcho if there was someone to help us. Well, he yelled something to the staff and suddenly we got some OK service. I don't know what he yelped to them (Japanese) but it worked! This place would get 5 stars if they could get the staff to work!
(4)
Molly K.

Box dinners are great. Service is bad because we feel it is like a rush.
(4)
Melissa M.

Blah. Amidst screeching suburban children, I tried to enjoy sushi here. We ordered rolls a la carte as I'm used to at other sushi places, but I was surprised when the waitress told us we'd only each get miso soup if we ordered regular meals. She gave us one meager MSG-laced bowl for three of us, which I thought was pretty stingy considering the sushi here is not cheap. Bowls were chipped and also not cleared when we were done with different courses. Didn't look like sushi was made by the chef; it was improperly rolled and when I was at the bar I noticed most of it was made by "assistants." No info about where the ingredients were from either, a must when ordering seafood given the current situation of widespread seafood contamination in China, a major source of eel, shrimp, and other sushi staples.
(2)
Scott H.

My wife and I have been going to Akai Hana regularly for almost a decade. As others have mentioned, parking is unusually tight in this lot serving many businesses, so unless you arrive at an odd hour, come prepared for a little pre-meal stress. That said, Akai Hana is always inviting and we have never had to wait more than a few minutes for a table. Akai Hana has an extensive menu of bowls and entrees aside from the formidable maki and nigiri selections. Never, ever had an issue with the freshness of the fish. They can be on the pricey side, but the BEST strategy is to arrive before 3 or 4pm (call to confirm which one it is) and order one of the generous bento combination boxes. The lunch deals are available seven days a week. A great deal for a lot of delicious food. Carry-out trays have been quite good in the past and we always love checking out the Japanese grocery store next door after our meal. All in all, a great experience time and time again.
(4)
Jay S.

Our family went there for dinner on 9/20. I feel sad that I'm about to give a bad review as this place used to be one of my favorite. This is a sushi restaurant and what should sushi place be known for? Freshness of fish, of course! Sushi was old and dry. It was probably sitting in the fridge for month. Perhaps they were left over from lunch hours? Just my hunch... Rolls were dry too and tough to eat and the rice was packed too tight.. Even the ginger was dry and very tough. Fresh pickled ginger would have that certain crunchiness. This felt like wetnap except it wasn't very wet. Absolutely terrible. Our kids' favorite dish is the terriyaki sea bass. We haven't been there in a while and didn't realize the price jumped to $33. It used to be around $17 not too long ago. With so many sushi restaurants around who offer some creative innovative fresh dishes to compete with others, this one couldn't even keep up with its old work. One little mistake can cost a customer for a restaurant. This one was one big carelessness and sadly, I will not be back here again.
(1)
Annie S.

Great place to get sushi in Wilmette. Fresh sushi and always busy. My parents always get the tempura udon and they love it. The Orange Roll is very good--- try it for sure. The prices aren't too pricey but not cheap.
(4)
S I.

The food is good and reasonably priced. Unlike other reviewers, the service was very good-frequent water and tea refills and even extra ice cream for our elderly grandmother. Will go back again.
(4)
Jeff R.

Pretty good Japanese, just don't expect a huge sushi menu. I really like their combo meals with soup, maki and ice cream. My favorite is any teriyaki combo, particularly the chicken and tempura. It comes with a tuna/avocado roll, tempura, chicken, cucumber salad and miso soup. It finishes a choice of ice cream. Again, good solid Japanese food, I'm just not impressed with sushi selection.
(3)
Martha M.

I love the Akai Hana market that is next door to the restaurant which is why this review has 3 and not 2 stars. I also love the fact that you can buy sake to-go. Other than that I am way under-impressed with the sushi here. The rolls are fine, I really enjoyed the spicy tuna roll. The Sushi/Nigiri is a little iffy though. The last time I ate here we got a combo sushi platter and something on it made me nauseous for a few hrs. after I ate it. Could have been an allergy or something on my part (which, since I eat a ridiculous amount of sushi would surprise me), or it could have been some questionable fish, who knows. Either way, I will not be finding out by going back . . .
(3)
Colleen B.

I've been visiting Akai Hana for years. They don't have too many rolls or dishes that are off the beaten track, but everything they put in front of you is well-made and very tasty. The agedashi dofu rocks my socks. I keep trying it other places and no one else does it quite as well... let's put it this way, when I go with my grandmother she orders the agedashi as her main course. The servers are always friendly and they have some well-priced lunch specials. I will say, I wasn't very impressed with the chicken teriyaki the one time I had it, but one dish doesn't change my feelings about the entire establishment. It's a laid back place to order up your standard Japanese fare. See you next time, Akai Hana. :)
(4)
MARK G.

We have been going to Akai Hana for years starting when my wife and I were just a couple up until today with our three kids. It is a very great sushi place to bring the kids, and that is big for us as most sushi places are not kid friendly. We love their food especially the spicy tuna handrolls. The service is always very friendly and very attentive to our needs and we can get in and out of their with a family of five for a very reasonable price. We also love their market next door. THANK GOODNESS FOR AKAI HANA!!
(5)
Jacob T.

I had the lunch box. I agree that the chicken teryaki was dry. Nothing special as far as sushi goes... but a good deal for lunch. The service was mediocre.
(3)
Daniel F.

I've been coming here for years. Though the service is slow on occasion, this place has the freshest sushi I've ever had - the Sake (raw salmon) is melt-in-your mouth delicious. I also enjoy their "Special" rolls. It's great for kids too - they always accommodate with a Miso soup without seaweed and with extra tofu. The lunch specials are a great deal and a perfect size for a light lunch. It's definitely my go-to sushi restaurant.
(5)
Neil K.

Food was good, but service sucked big time. Their menu has a good variety to choose from, their sushi isn't half bad, and their soups are pretty good. But the service was total crap. The waitress got our order wrong twice, and forgot to bring out some dishes until we had to reminder her a few times. They also charge the tip automatically if you have 5 or more people. I wouldn't mind that if the service was actually good.
(2)
Daisyville C.

I think this Japanese restaurant is owned by Chinese people. This place is not what I remember it to be. I think the quality has gone down the tubes. The sushi is not fresh and I tried ramen and it was not authentic. Go somewhere else, don't waste your money here!
(1)
Eli R.

A couple people recommended this place, so I gave it a try. The sushi here is disgusting. DISGUSTING! Never tried anything else and don't plan to go back.
(1)
Samantha K.

I love this place. I've never had to wait to be seated and the service is awesome. We always get the same waiter if he's working. He's this gay Thai guy who my mom is friends with. He's adorable. We had other waiters and waitresses as well and they were just as attentive. The food is well, I'm not going to say the best Japanese food but it's up there. I always get the agedashi dofu or whatever. It's soooo gooood. I got it at other places and they just don't taste as good. The lunch boxes are are pretty big. You really get the "bang for your buck." I think I said that way wrong, but that's okay! The miso soup is good, not too salty. When I go to any Japanese restaurant, I kind of grade them on how well the rice is cooked. I know, weird right? This place has the best rice. It's like puffy and sticky but not to the point where its just lumps together. I haven't been there in a while, but I heard their prices went up. I hope they didn't. :( The overall appearance of the place is cute. Feels like I'm in Japan. No just joking, it has that Asian vibe though. It's a plus if you speak Thai since the entire wait staff is Thai, just like at all of the other Japanese restaurants. Boo to the tiny ass parking lot!! A.
(4)
Louis K.

The food here is fantastic. Service has never been an issue. Now that the receipts are printed via computer, you can finally figure out how they came to the total price! Complaints: -no refills on soda
(4)
Andrew L.

This place used to be good. Now the food are overpriced and poorly prepared. The sushi and sashimi are poor quality. I used the order the sea bass, but now they serve a small portion and its more expensive. The worst part is its not as tender. I would give it one star but out of politeness for its past I'll give it 2 stars. I would go to Renga Tei.
(2)
Andrew T.

The sushi that I did have was great. I should have stuck to that, but instead I got the sukiyaki (my friend claims to love it) and it was unentertaining to say the least. I also could not get on their wifi after getting the password.
(3)
Rose O.

Visited recently after a long absence. Not as good as it used to be. The swordfish teriyaki, which used to be buttery and melted in your mouth, was overcooked and very dry now. They are also trying to be more streamline -- offering only popular sushi rolls versus trying to be different with unique rolls.
(2)
David S.

My wife and I love this place for various reasons. She loves their fish collar appetizer and I just love their sushi. Yum!
(5)
Rob C.

been awhile since I've been here--I remember it as your typical, very basic Japanese average restaurant with not a lot of focus on the sushi. I came up to go to the Akai Hana Market afterwards.
(3)
Elaine M.

Akai Hana is our go to place for tempura. The shrimp and veggies come out hot and crispy, not greasy at all. Generous portions. The bento box dinner combination comes with miso soup, cucumber krab salad, 6 pieces of california maki, 3 pieces of nigiri, and a dish of ice cream. We also order the sea bass teriyaki and salmon teriyaki. The kids like the pork cutlet over rice. The staff is super friendly. Parking can get crazy some evenings.
(5)
Valerie J.

I'm trying to figure out how I haven't yet written a review for Akai Hana seeing as I pretty much lived on their spicy tuna and spicy salmon rolls during law school! Hands down best spicy tuna and spicy salmon rolls I have ever had! I don't know what their secret is but they are to die for! We even used to sneak Akai Hana into the library to eat while we were studying. Now that I no longer live in Illinois, I make a point to get carry out for lunch whenever I'm in town. I prefer take out than to eat in. There used to be a location downtown on Rush, which was quite nice but has closed. The Wilmette location is a little run down and it's usually near impossible to find a parking spot. Warning: the bank next door WILL have you towed for parking in the bank lot! Regardless, the employees are nice and the food is friggin' amazing! 'Nuf said.
(4)
Alice M.

It's a good local sushi restaurant. I haven't found anything exceptional. They do give nice thick pieces of fish on maki rolls. The seating area is suitable for families but it wouldn't be ideal for a event to dress up for or a date.
(3)
Y.D. K.

Decor is decent, full of wood furniture and paintings/small-murals all around the walls Service was good, got our waters filled, beers delivered, and food given to us with quick dispatch. I had the combination box with salmon, nicely cooked, with a cucumber crab salad, 3 pieces of sushi, rice, and some rolls. All were nicely made and were delicious. I went here a few times before and its very consistent on the food cooking style, taste and appearance. I think its one of those Korean owned Japanese restaurants, but this place still hits the spot in being very decent, to at least this amateur food critic (at best). Tip: come early and it won't be as crowded. Come in after 5-6pm (for dinner), and you'll be seated but will be crowded and a bit loud. Will still come back here for good food and service.
(4)
Effie D.

One of their bento boxes is the way to go. You get a little bit of everything: choice of protein (beef, chicken, salmon, shrimp tempura), california roll, cucumber salad, rice, miso soup and choice of ice cream (Ed bean, green tea, chocolate) at the end.
(5)
Ali C.

It is alright but not outstanding. You can kind of tell the caliber of sushi they serve using their ginger as an indicator. Here the ginger was the kind died pink artificially. That was a negative for me.
(3)
sheri d.

Both my husband and I were ill after lunch this week. He had the chicken tempura don. I had the Mexican roll, spicy tuna and spicy salmon. Maybe it was the salad as we both had salad. But we were seriously ill. We had never had an incident with this restaurant before this one. We will not chance going back.
(1)
Christine C.

I will always order a hot bowl of soba no matter which Japanese restaurant I visit & this one really pleased me. The buckwheat noodles were perfectly boiled - nicely chewy. The soba had clumps of spinach which was a nice refreshing touch. Also ordered the mexican roll which was simple yet flavorful.
(4)
Kate K.

Went in and walked out. No review because I left. Turned off by some negative reviews mentioning unwelcome critters.
(2)
Hannah H.

While I still think this place has a really good chicken teriyaki bento box, it's worth coming here during lunch rather than dinner to score their specials (you just don't get the salad or the scoop of ice cream with your meal). The chicken teriyaki bento box comes with rice, pickled radish, wasabi, a pile of cabbage, 3 types of sushi (tuna, shrimp, and salmon), 6 california rolls with overly riped avocados, and the chicken teriyaki. You have your choice of dark or white meat for the chicken. It is filling. My mom had the salmon teriyaki, and it tasted light and fresh - the fish itself is juicy and the skin, a little crispy. +chicken teriyaki bento box +green tea ice cream
(3)
Alec H.

I have to say that this is one of my top places to dine. Sushi, teriyaki, etc all the meals are dread hand good. I have been coming here for years and I am yet to have a bad meal. My kids love coming here as well because the love the food. That staff is great and always warm and welcoming to the kids. All in all I think the place ROCKS!!!
(5)
Jim K.

I've been going to Akai Hana for years. Generally speaking, the experience of dining in is pleasant. The service is decent, and the restaurant is warm and inviting. The carry-out is equally as nice, however the front desk area can be a bit daunting on a Friday or Saturday night. The sushi itself is good. I generally order the sashimi, which is consistently delicious. Of the few rolls I've had, I've found them to be about on par. I did enjoy their "Rock'n'Roll" which is a tempura eel and avo roll. Overall, Akai Hana delivers consistently good sushi. Their food has never let me down, but I'll never hear about it outside of the suburbs.
(3)
Onerux N.

Really bad experience price is too high for the taste, too much ginger in the food, will never go back
(1)
Heather J.

Ate here with a friend recently and I was impressed by how busy it was! We got there just before their evening special was over, so the host rushed us to a table so we could order from it, if we wanted to. I had briefly looked at the regular menu before arriving and had a good idea of what I wanted, however I felt a tad rushed looking at the special menu and just chose two maki rolls out of the blue due to the time restrictions. I ended up with the Rock 'N Roll (a recommendation from the host). Spicy Salmon Roll, and Miso Soup. The soup and maki rolls were good, but honestly nothing to write home about... And since the host took our order and not an actual waiter/waitress, it took a really long time for us to get our bill. It wasn't a bad experience, but if I were to get sushi again in the area, I'd probably stick to Sea Ranch (which is in the same parking lot) or try Roka Akor at Old Orchard.
(2)
Tommy T.

I order a gyu don (beef bowl). They gave me 3 pieces of beef and substituted a large amount of beef with noodles. I have been to other local Japanese resteraunt that is much better. They gave a big bowl of rice and leave u little meat. I have also heard complaints about their sushi. I will not recommend this place at all.
(1)
Yuriy S.

Love their lunch specials. Very good and very reasonably priced. And what is very unusual they have those lunch specials on Saturdays and Sundays. Their sushi and rolls are simple, nothing super-fancy or innovative but they are always fresh and quality is good.
(4)
Jessica Y.

Akai Hana is a family favorite when we are craving Japanese food. It's close by, the food is always tasty, and it doesn't break the bank. I went home over Memorial Day Weekend, and my parents took me here for dinner. The restaurant was packed - always a good sign. My parents both ordered the teriyaki salmon combo, and I went with the orange roughy combo. The combo includes a starter salad (which was huge! - it also comes with this yellow/orange dressing that I was intimidated of at first, but it was delicious), miso soup, and a bento box (which includes a cucumber/imitation-crab salad, California rolls, shrimp and tuna and salmon nigiri, the orange roughy in a glorious sauce, veggies, and an orange slice). You also get to choose between green tea or red bean ice cream - I always go with the red bean, it's so good! I would recommend this place for anyone looking for a casual sushi night, and I definitely want to come back for the AYCE special!
(4)
Skye W.

My family and I recently were here a few days ago and we got all sorts of sushi, appetizers and entrees. Not one single part of our meal was less then amazing. The service was also exceptional~ We will be sure to come again and again!
(5)
Joolee C.

I went to akai Hana for the all you can eat buffet and let me tell you... Never go to this place for all you can eat. Literally 80% of the Nigiris and rolls are filled with rice. The selection is quite poor too. The salad dressing to lettuce ratio was 5:1 and the dressing was extremely salty which made me want to reach for the water way more often than normal. All in all, the proportions were awful, made us wait a really long time for our second round to the point where I didn't even have the appetite to eat anymore. And on top of that, for all the food you could not finish, you would get charged. Lastly, everything was very salty. I would not recommend anyone to come here for the all you can eat buffets. Truly a disappointment.
(1)
Monica S.

If you're looking to get an inexpensive lunch on a weekday, then their bento box lunch specials are the way to go. Akai Hana does have quick and efficient service, but if you're looking for quality and variety of sushi, your much better option is Sea Ranch in Evanston.
(3)
Jon G.

I've been a regular for quite some time... but today a COCKROACH appeared at the sushi bar and I nearly threw up. I pointed this out to the mgr/owner and he laughed it off, using a napkin to kill it. He made no effort to apologize. This really sucks because I liked going there.
(1)
Kristen M.

Great place to grab some sushi. Usually go during lunch, they have great specials and get just the right amount of food. Restaurant is always clean and the wait staff is very attentive.
(4)
D D.

Akai Hana is strictly for people who know nothing about sushi. I used to be a regular way back in the 90s. Since then, I've been back every few years, and the decline has been very steep. Tonight, it was the worst sushi meal I've had in recent memory. There were far too many negatives for me to list, so I'll stick to the major issues: 1. The fish was definitely not fresh. The uni in particular was horrible, almost liquid. Their toro (fatty tuna) was closer to akami, so I was basically charged toro prices for something closer to simple maguro. I heard that the restaurant is (or was?) part of a seafood distribution network, so I find the poor fish quality perplexing. 2. The fish was served almost warm. It was very, very unpleasant. Sushi/sashimi is not supposed to be served at room temperature+. Beyond taste/texture issues, this is simply not safe. Maybe they made the nigiri sushi first and waited until the appetizers were served. I don't know. Either way, warm sushi is not acceptable. 3. Like other reviewers mentioned, the fish to rice ratio was way off. Far too much rice. 4. The miso soup was served (with a spoon, in the soup!) about a minute after we ordered. The sushi came out much later, about 20 minutes later. 5. The waitress was very rude. Whenever I asked for anything (extra wasabi, etc.), she would mutter a complaint under her breath. Yes, I couldn't hear her exact words, but her tone and facial expression clearly showed annoyance. Am I not allowed to ask for more wasabi or water? 6. The (powdered) green tea was really bad, and when the waitress filled our cups, she was so sloppy that she dripped tea into my soup and over the appetizers. 7. $80 for 2 appetizers, some a la carte sushi, and miso soup? That's rather expensive for low quality food served by a surly waitress. Nevertheless, the restaurant is clearly popular. It was packed on a rainy Tuesday night. The place is so popular that they really cram in the customers. I couldn't believe it. Again, I think the only people that like the place don't know anything about sushi. Like I said, I used to be a regular in the 90s. I thought it was great back then. I used to love their mirugai butter appetizer, but that hasn't been on their menu since at least 5-6 years ago. I don't know why they got rid of it. Tonight was simply a horrible dinner experience: warm fish, poorly made nigiri, rude service, and a high price. Even after 20 years as a customer, I can guarantee that I will never be back.
(1)
Jennifer P.

I have been coming here since I was a kid. I love this place. 3 rolls and a salad at lunch for $10.95... You can't beat it! crispy spicy salmon is my favorite!! And their lunch boxes are AWESOME!!! Always friendly... Always good food. Will ALWAYS go back.
(5)
Taylor M.

I regularly dine in and take out from akai Hana. When you find a menu item you enjoy it is always reliable and of high quality. I recommend the salmon teriyaki - it is cooked to perfection and has never disappointed me. The servers are very nice and friendly and always remember if you are a returning customer.
(4)
gerard n.

Disappointing. The sushi from whole foods is better. Lots of rolls to choose from - we had the Hawaiian (featuring mango) and the New Mexico (cilantro and chili oil), and a few sushi samplers. The portions we good sized - perhaps quantity over quality. Service was acceptable, but certainly not friendly. There are better places for sushi in the general area - including sea ranch in Evanston (fish is much fresher at sea ranch). Decor is nice - classic Japanese restaurant style paintings on the walls.
(2)
Ivy S.

Since I moved in the neighborhood it was geographically desirable...BUT...that's about it..I meet my girlfriends there because it's easily accessible to the 94...BUT..I have the hardest time with the help...rarely are they welcoming or considerate..very short and just come by and say.."are you ready".. Never making suggestions The sushi is marginal..I think their prices and specials are ridiculous and they have CRAZY rules when ordering specials...I don't like to be policed Anyway..2 weeks ago a cockroach crawled across the table ..I insisted on some type of compensation They comped our drinks..which I had a cup of tea..there were only 2 other drinks..anyway..it's not the food that bothers me it's the servers
(1)
Atlas G.

2 words: Louisiana Roll. It is amazing. I would eat at this restaurant just for this roll. Throw in the quality sushi at the buffet and this is pretty much as good as if gets- except for the part where I have to roll out of the restaurant from eating too much. The food is fresh and consistently good. They also have a ginger dressing for their house salad that I adore.
(5)
Shiungor V.

Sea Bass is the showcase and we always love it. The dinner salad is delightful because of the ginger sesame dressing. The rest of the offering is ok compared to its heydays back about 10 years ago.
(4)
Gene V.

Driven by this place many times before, but tried it for the first time two days ago for lunch. Make that - first and last time. My wife ordered a seaweed salad and baby octopus. The salad consisted of cucumbers, cucumbers, and a few more (you guessed it) - cucumbers. The seaweed was bright neon green; yup, that spells food coloring. I ordered the beef rice bowl, which contained a few pieces of bland and dry meet and lots of green peppers and onions to drown the tasteless meat. The whole thing resembled fajitas, which may be the influence of the expert "Japanese" cooks behind the grill. Hot green tea was made of powder and reeked of reheated water that seemingly was used to do laundry. Unfriendly waitress to boot. Next time, we'll stick to the tried and true - blufish - at Plaza Del Prado.
(1)
Elizabeth C.

For a sushi spot in a Midwest suburb, Akai Hana kinda works. The sushi is predictable and tastes about as fresh any sushi in the Midwest is. The restaurant is a small, family owned buisness that has been around for ages and was a staple of growing up in the north shore, at least for me. If I were to compare AH to the average sushi spot in any major city, I would consider it below average but again, for the north shore it presents a viable dining option Many of the employees there have been working at AH for at least a decade and are super friendly. Not once in the many many times that I've been there and experienced bad customer service. I've never waited long to be seated or for my food. Nothing at AH is terribly unique (or memorable) but some of my personal sushi favorites are the crunchy crab roll and the phili roll. AH also offers sushi boxes and all sorts of tempura type combos which at less than twenty bucks a pop are a fairly good deal and filling. The prices here are pretty reasonable. From my memory most rolls are in the eight dollar range and vegetable rolls are three or four bucks. You can't argue with that! If you're living in the North Shore and looking for Sushi, Akai Hana is definitely an option but don't come in with sky high expectations
(3)
Theresa C.

I travel almost 20 miles to eat here - my favorite sushi restaurant. I've been eating here for 10+ years and never had a bad experience. Best item is the combination - teriyaki Tuna (not on the menu) is the best combination box. Good value, atmosphere and service are great!
(5)
Carlos B.

Living around the area I noticed this place and decided to try it for the first time. I went there with the intention to try something new and I definitely was satisfied with their flavors and service. Their menu is overwhelming. They should really consider sizing it down because they just have so many options. After looking for 15 minutes, I ordered the mushrooms-teriyaki. They were well cooked. They did not shrink and the sauce was not overpowering the flavor of the mushrooms. I ordered one of the sushi boxes which included a spicy salmon, tuna and California rolls. All of the pieces were very fresh and tasty. The rice was good and the sea weed was not soggy. My partner ordered a chicken teriyaki white meat tempura and it was pretty good, definitely recommend it. My tempura vegetable soup was good but it lack more flavor. The soup consisted of just the inked noodles with water. It did not have vegetables or anything. It did come with vegetable tempura on the side but I was not sure if I was supposed to put them in the soup. Overall the service was good. The waiter came to our table several times to check if we were doing okay. Definitely will go back to try more dishes or perhaps the sushi since they have happy hour on Tuesday at 4:00pm.
(4)
Frank L.

Good sushi. Take out process needs attention.
(4)
Yael S.

Really surprised at all the mediocre reviews -- I've never had a bad experience here. Granted, we always take out. But the sushi is delicious, as is the tempura and miso soup. Highly recommend!
(5)
Rachel N.

Was tempted to give it 3 because AH holds a special place in my heart as the first locale in which I had non grocery store sush many, many moons ago, but after the last few lack luster trips, I think it's time to admit that it's just totally mediocre. Place looks tired, fish tastes a bit tired -- it's all a bit depressing. Most rolls are fine, really nothing special -- and all of the "special" rolls are insanely pricey (often $15+) for how unappetizing they are. Nigiri is a better choice, w/ the albacore being a favorite. Salmon was recently too fishy, and the snapper was too firm. Cooked entrees are standard udon/teriyaki/etc -- all tributes to sodium and absent of the clean respect for ingredients that true Japanese food should have. Oh, and they serve escolar, which no one should eat. Ever. Din for 2 was $65ish -- I think it was 10 pieces of nigiri (1 piece/order), 2 rolls, 1 gomae, 1 salad, 2 teas. Pace of the meal is quick -- not somewhere to lounge and pontificate.
(2)
Sue C.

This place was okay. It was more authentic tasting than I had expected, and the restaurant seemed to be owned by a Japanese rather than a Korean, which is a plus because it signals that the food is close to being genuine Japanese cuisine... I wasn't blown away by the food. The market next door carried a good collection of Japanese goodies, but I wish the store itself was renovated to look sleeker.
(3)
Katie M.

Akai Hana is the closest sushi place from where I live, so I go here often. The sushi is pretty good, not great or anything. A little over priced in my opinion (but isn't all sushi?). The tonkatsu however, is great. So much comes with it and it's really like the traditional Japanese dish. I recommend it because it's worth the price! The wait staff is pretty unfriendly. They aren't welcoming, and are pretty rude. Some waitresses are nice, but the majority isn't. They looked like it was a burden to serve us, not okay in my opinion. If you are looking for A-OK sushi, and you live close, go here! But don't make a trip because you may be let down.
(3)
Peter P.

Very good sushi and udon. Akai Hana has been around for years and continues to pack them in. There is nothing pretentious or "fusion" about this place. Just classic Japanese fare served with a smile. Prices are reasonable, especially the lunch specials which are available 7 days a week. The decor is looking a little ragged after all these years, but I'm not expecting anything fance. After all, it is located in a tiny strip mall on a busy street.
(3)
D W.

Drove by this place for years and finally stopped by recently for the first time. Been back a few times within the last month. Very convenient, with easy parking. Staff were all very friendly. No one working at the restaurant had an attitude. Warm atmosphere. Food good, and fresh.. Great menu selection. Prices reasonable.
(5)
Vanessa V.

The mixed reviews had me worried, but this was one of our only options still serving food around 9 on a weeknight so we went for it. The fish was surprisingly good. We had the sushi/sashimi combo plate and everything tasted fresh. My one gripe is that they charge you for everything... we wanted to replace the 3 pieces of octopus sashimi with yellowtail and they charged $1/piece. Seems kind of unnecessary.
(4)
Leslie S.

after going here for many years we are officially finished. The food is OK, basically convenient, not great. The problem is the service. We often used take out. Whoever answers the phone is rude and rushes thru whatever you try to tell her. Its almost like you are bothering her by having her answer the phone. Mistakes are made and heaven help you if you ask a question. Maybe she doesn't understand english (so why does she answer the phone?) or maybe she is just plain rude. Hope they see a decrease in their business, its not worth it on any level.
(1)
Lisa A.

I been here over the years for convenience. It's close by, service is okay and bento box with the combination is usually what I order because I like the variety. I don't feel their sushi or sashimi is really that fresh and they don't do a great job on their maki rolls...sometimes putting too much sauce maybe to cover up the non-freshness? Their cooked sea bass combination is not bad, but always afraid to order cooked seafood at a Japanese restaurant since it is most often overcooked. The udon dishes are okay, but can you really mess that up?
(3)
Awnest T.

My family went there for dinner on a Sunday around 5:00 and the restaurant was more than half empty. The service was pretty much non-existent; the waitress never came by to ask how the food was or to refill our glasses of water. The food is ok except for the spider rolls that were more rice than crab. The cashier at the front was not friendly at all. We will never be going there again.
(2)
Chet M.

What A.H. lacks in decor and a put-you-to-sleep dining experience, they make up for in providing loyal customers a tremendous dining value. You can score big with their lunch specials, that's even offered on the weekends. Everytime I go there, I say I'm going to try something different. But with that 12 piece sushi special for $12.99 staring you in the face, I can never break new ground here. It comes with a huge cucumber salad and 6 pieces of maki roll too. Call me boring but I will bet that no one can find a more painless and inexpensive way to do something so beneficial for the heart!
(4)
Alison S.

I really like Akai Hana. It's close to my house and has good. I love the seaweed salad & teryiaki salmon/chicken. The green tea ice cream is very yummy as well. But recently the staff hasn't been very nice. Sometimes they just seem to be flat out rude. They used to be nicer, but lately they are very rushy and pretty unfriendly. The waiter even forgot to give us water for a full 10 minutes after seating one time.
(3)
Melanie B.

I'm only giving it 3 stars because the sushi was pretty good, not great. And the servers literally had NO personality and looked bothered by us adding to our order - this was the worst part of the place (servers). Even the lady at the hostess stand barely said goodbye when we left and said thank you? Very strange service experience!
(3)
Ted C.

Every once in a while I end up here because my aunt seems to like this place. I just think it's maybe average at best. My latest visit I went to lunch with said aunt. The lunch specials seemed reasonably priced and I ordered the sashimi box while my aunt got the salmon box. The lunch special comes with a salad and a miso soup which was okay. The sashimi box only has 6 pieces of sashimi 2 salmon, 2 tuna, and 2 pieces of yellowtail the rest was all maki rolls which was kind of disappointing. I'd rather get a couple of smaller pieces of fish than 6 slices of fish and all maki. If I wanted maki I would have ordered that. Service is okay, it doesn't seem like any one table or section belongs to one person so everyone just comes by and it took a while for our check to be presented but even more our check to be taken after we were ready to pay up. We ended up having to put the tip on the table and walk up to the register to get change. I'll end up back here again sometime because it's nearby buy I won't particularly enjoy it.
(2)
Rob W.

The last time I visited I was totally disappointed. I ordered sushi and they were running low on rice. They rushed a new "pot" out that was still warm and hadn't had time to settle. As a result, the sushi didn't stick together very well. A good sushi place would not have allowed this to happen. There are better places that don't - and it is those places where I will be enjoying my next tekka maki.
(2)
E H.

good sushi. wonderful service. been here for ever. nice sit down option. do a good job with gluten free.
(3)
Carmen C.

Alright, we all know we can't get the freshest seafood in Chicago but out of my 9 years of coming here...they satisfy my sushi craving just fine. Lunch is always much cheaper than dinner. They recently started a lunch menu which has continued to evolve with time. Most combos range from $10-$15 dollars and are super filling. I always opt for the sushi combo...3 rolls for $10.95 plus miso soup. Dinner is regular price but every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30pm they have an all you can eat menu for $19.95. This is my favorite all you can eat sushi spot..much better than sushi para. They have fresh rolls that actually look like fish is inside of it. They also have a good selection of hot foods. As I said, coming here for so many years, this has been one of my favorite spots. I always look forward to the gliterati italian candies at the end of my meal.
(4)
Xandra K.

My mother and I just went to Akai Hana tonight for dinner. We used to come here several times a month, whenever we had friends in town, for big family dinners, etc. Then the management changed and the food quality went downhill. Honestly, we hadn't been there for a few years, so we decided to give it another go. How could we tell people it was bad if we hadn't been there recently? First, we walked in and the restaurant wasn't that busy, maybe 40-50% full. No one was waiting, and we stood at the hostess table for a good 3 minutes while the manager (owner?) and a server finished their conversation. NO NO, YOU FINISH YOUR CONVERSATION. We'll just wait here... We get seated and the bus boy was very prompt bringing our waters. (the only employee who cares, apparently) Then, we waited about 10 minutes. And waited... We had no idea who our waitress was. Two other tables were seated after us and were greeted by their waitress and brought drinks. When our waitress finally came to our table (Dom/Dum, according to the manager) we were briskly asked if we were ready. I asked...for our drinks..or... And she interrupted me to say "for everything." VERY RUDE. We said we were leaving because we had waited so long. She didn't even apologize, she just gathered our menus and walked off. I talked to the manager/owner lady at the front but she didn't seem to really care either. The overall feeling in Akai Hana now is that no one cares. About the food, about the service, about the quality in general. It really is a shame because this used to be our favorite Japanese spot. Now we can accurately tell people to NOT EAT THERE. Go to 153 Akira...those people REALLY appreciate their customers and know most by name. Great food too.
(1)
Harry L.

For an average Japanese restaurant, the service is absolutely terrible. We used to go all the time. But then the service started getting rude. After one particular bad night there, where they all but pushed us out the door and then mocked us in Japanese as we were leaving, we decided never to go back again. 2 stars for all the memories of good service, and the food was good enough to warrant a 2nd star. But seriously, there's enough Japanese restaurant nearby, that you can find one that wants you to be there.
(2)
Connie T.

Probably the worst AYCE sushi place I have ever been to. This was the second time that my boyfriend and I dined here, the first time not for AYCE sushi. But considering that I'm a huge sushi fanatic... I wouldn't even return here for the regular menu. We only came back to this restaurant because we were craving AYCE sushi for a while... and a friend recommended it. It was $17.95 per person... which is a great price, and they only serve this on Tuesdays from 4-6pm. In my mind... I thought the place would be packed during these two hours. But nope... only about 30% of the tables were full. Somewhat of a bad sign. Then when the menu came, there were so many restrictions on there! I have never seen something like this for AYCE, and I've been to at least 20 different AYCE restaurants. First, all the rolls you can get are the "crap rolls," like cucumber roll or something. Seriously who orders that? But that's not even the worst part. Most people go to AYCE sushi because of the nigiri sushi or sashimi (if they have it) and at Akai Hana, you have to pay an additional $1 for every piece! Seriously what?? Even if I were to order 6 more pieces so that the price is closer to a typical AYCE price... it wouldn't be worth it. I was so disappointed... I don't understand why they even offer this option for 2 hours a week if they don't even make it good. I think the only people who would appreciate this option is if they enjoy the rolls they offer... but why spend this kind of money on so much rice? Don't people go to AYCE for the fish? The extra star is for the spicy scallop sushi I actually ordered for an extra $1. It was pretty good. Also, the quality of the fish is okay. That at least deserves another star. However... will not be returning.
(2)
Keiko S.

This restaurant is popular for several good reasons. The menu covers most of the standard items you'd find at a typical pseudo-Japanese restaurant: appetizers, teriyaki, sushi, rolls, tempura, noodles, sukiyaki, nabe, etc... Basically, something for everyone. Large portions, too. Best of all, they have a huge selection of sake, my favorite being the Sho Chikubai's "nigori" from Berkeley, CA. Not sure what to get, then you can order a sampler of junmai, ginjo, daiginjo. Interestingly, they have wireless internet connection in the restaurant, though it's really not a suitable place for opening your laptop. They also offer a "rewards program" where you can get a point for every dollar you spend there... Hmm. The room is nicely decorated, clean, comfortable and spacious. Good for any occassion. Service is slow, but not rude. The place is usually packed, even on weekdays, so you can't expect much individual attention. Also, this place is open 7 days a week, unlike others. Anyway, I'm not going back to this place. For these reasons: Miso soup = MSG Sauce/dressing = pure sugar "Premium" green tea = $5 Desserts = Cheese Cake Factory and... Chirashi = Rice. Not just rice, but very WARM and poorly seasoned rice. I bit into a WARM slice of tako, and I almost gagged. And they give you a TON of this WARM rice, more than twice the usual amount. Half of it is generously covered with slices of cucumber. The other half carries eight thin slices of low-end sashimi. Unbelievable... SUM: I'd rather go to Sea Ranch Market next door and buy fresh fish so I can make my own food at home.
(2)
Y. K.

The service here brings down the whole experience. Their sushi is nothing to complain or rave about. So if your gonna pay for average sushi, the service is key and this place falls short in that aspect. Half the staff look/act like they don't want to be there. The busboys are more excited to help out!
(3)

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Address : 3223 W Lake Ave
Wilmette, IL, 60091
Phone (847) 251-0384
Website https://www.akaihanasushi.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 3:00pm
Mon : 11:30 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Akai Hana

3223 W Lake Ave, Wilmette, IL, 60091

Akai Hana Menu

Sushi

Sashimi

Sushiroll Vegetable Rolls

Other Rolls

Healthy Meal suggestions for Akai Hana

Sushi

Sashimi

Sushiroll Vegetable Rolls

Other Rolls

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