Asaka Japanese Restaurant
6414 E 82nd St, Indianapolis, IN, 46250
Asaka Japanese Restaurant Menu
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Appetizers
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Entrees
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Donburi
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Noodles
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Sides
Healthy Meal suggestions for Asaka Japanese Restaurant
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Appetizers
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Entrees
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Donburi
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Noodles
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Sides
Visit below restaurant in Indianapolis for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Indianapolis for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
6414 E 82nd St
Indianapolis, IN, 46250 - Phone (317) 576-0556
- Website https://www.asakajapaneserestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
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
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Robert A.
This was a huge disappointment compared to what I was seeing in everyone's reviews. The sushi was alright, but the atmosphere was downright horrible. Maybe I came on an off night, but it felt like the Denny's of sushi restaurants.
(3)Ivy C.
I love this restaurant! I think this is the best place to have fresh suchi in indy. I dined in and took out before, both experience were wonderful! Further, 5-7 pm on weekdays are happy hours, they are almost half price of nigiri and some rolls. Great place to enjoy local Japanese style night :)
(4)Sarah S.
I really like Asaka, although it's not nearly as bright and glowing on the inside as the pictures on the website would have you believe. It is kind of dive-y, but the food is good. I can never resist the yakiniku, which is thinly sliced beef in a very flavorful sauce. If you like bulgogi, you'd probably like yakiniku. What little sushi I tried was also fresh and tasty. My favorite part of coming to this restaurant, though, is dessert--green tea ice cream. Mmmm.
(4)Gizelle A.
Love it! I go there often and in my mind they kind of set the sushi standard. The cooks are very nice and fun, it feels clean and comfortable, the service has always been great. It's a little sushi treasure.
(5)Liz P.
I used to go Benihana for 1/2 price Sushi twice a week, but now that Benihana remodeled, got rid of their half price sushi menu, and hired a bunch of rude, surly, and absent sushi servers, I don't go there anymore. I am sold on Asaka mainly for their half price sushi menu from 5pm-7pm Tuesday-Sunday (they're closed on Mondays). Pieces are $1, with the exception of a few things (salmon and eel come to mind) which are $1.25-1.50 per piece. The rolls are not half price though. The restaurant itself is hardly ever full to capacity, meaning that even on a Friday night you can expect to get a table without a wait. They don't charge for green tea (some places do!) and the wait staff, for the most part, are attentive and helpful. If you're looking for a sushi restaurant that can be a place you return to over and over, Asaka is it. Two adults can eat here (including a salad or seaweed salad and tea) for under $40. My fiance and I can escape for under $30 sometimes if we're not starving. That's totally reasonable considering sushi can cost $50+ at Wasabi and other places in the area. Asaka would get 5 stars if the tables didn't have squeaky chairs, and if the decor and music were a bit better. You will look at the walls and go "what were they thinking with this attempt at decoration!" But the food is great. That's why I am there about once a week!
(4)Robin P.
I was really expecting a lot more after reading reviews on Yelp and deciding to come to Asaka. Maybe it was an off night? Visited the restaurant on a recent Saturday night and we ordered an assortment of nigiri - along with a two rolls. Before I jump into that, I'll say that the soup and side salad were wonderful (great dressing on the salad). The edamamee appetizer was also very good (just the right amount of salt). But the sushi didn't follow suit. It didn't seem fresh. The color of the sushi seemed dull. It tasted a little too fishy. We had leftovers - which never happens and neither one of us wanted to take the extras home. The price is definitely right here, though. It's the most affordable sushi that I've found so far, but I'm not sure if that will get me back in the door.
(2)Leah M.
Went here for dinner on Sunday right at the start of happy hour. As usual, we each got three rolls,most of which were ordered off of the Happy Hour menu making it a really affordable sushi dinner. They also had a $5.00 special roll (today it was yellowtail and cream cheese topped with eel sauce and green onion) and it was good. For our orders off the regular menu, we got the Monchi roll (which came with jalapeños!) and another roll whose name I can't remember but that had salmon, cream cheese, and something tempura involved. We shared a seaweed salad. Everything was delicious as always, and the staff is consistently friendly. NOTE for next time: If you pay your bill in cash, you automatically get 10% off of the total of your check.
(5)Betsy L.
Love authentic Japanese food here, the sushi inert is really awesome and FRESH! I also tried their asaka ramen, miso ramen and ton katsu, excellent! You definitely need to make reservations if you come here for dinner at rush hours,the waiting lines are long more than you can expect.
(4)Faye L.
We are so excited to discover this tiny little eatery in town. We thought the food was very authentic. The sashimi's were fresh and delicious, so were the hand-rolls we ordered. We went during happy hour so the price was reasonable. The only thing that had us think twice about going back was the long wait time. We arrived around 6:30pm and despite the fact that we had already made a reservation, we waited for about 30 minutes before they could make room for us. It's a small place so try to avoid rush hour if you can! =)
(4)Dasol K.
i love and love here!! Good quality and good vibes that they have :) Awesome! Wish that happy hours were longer though :(
(5)Cammie W.
If you pay with cash, you can get 10% off on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and 7% off on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (not sure how long this lasts). They also have happy hour here. They have a separate menu for their sushi rolls but my boyfriend and I opted to get the ramen. There are 3 types to choose from: Shoyu, Asaka (Tonkatsu), and Miso. The Asaka was my favorite. The broth was pretty rich. The Shoyu got a bit too salty near the end. Normally, my biggest complaint for ramen places is that the noodles aren't cooked enough. However, I thought that our noodles came out at the perfect doneness level. The restaurant itself is pretty small. They do have an extra side room but this is not really the place for big groups. We experienced great service. Definitely no complaints here. Thanks to fellow Yelper Sean C for the recommendation.
(5)Sophie C.
I was in town to visit one of my best friends from the time I was living in Indy too, and she practically took me to all of her favorite restaurants in Indy! This place is a hidden game - don't let its look outside fool you! The atmosphere inside is cozy, warm, and full of character. It reminds of the little restaurants/shops in Japanese/Korean dramas. It's one of those places where you walked in, and you almost know immediately that the food is going to be great and authentic. 1. The nigiri pieces are priced very reasonably - cheaper than the ones in Minneapolis and LARGE portions! I think they also have Happy Hour prices as well. 2. We ordered the sake, ika, sweet shrimp, and uni nigiri. The sake (salmon) pieces were practically three times the amount of rice! This goes for uni too; it seems like they used three lumps of uni instead the standard two lumps. And they were some of the freshest fish I have ever had in the US yet! Butterrryyyy, creammmmyyy, HEAVEN! It is definitely on par with the sushi I had in Dallas, where it is probably a little easier to get fresh seafood. 3. We also had the chicken skewers and takoyaki balls. Both were done very well :) 4. I am not so sure how the regular service is like to a typical customer since my friend knew the owner, and we received excellent service with complimentary salads to begin with. I was also thinking that maybe we received bigger pieces of fish with the nigiri because of this as well, but I am not so sure. I KNOW I am going to miss this place going back to Minneapolis, where there is a lack of decent sushi restaurants. I can't figure out how Indy, which is also a landlocked state, can have such fresh and cheap Japanese restaurants, but Minneapolis doesn't. I also had to get another order of uni at the end! I joked to my friend that I would come back to Indy just for this place!
(5)Atsushi H.
Great food. Just be careful not to leave your stuff in your car. There are many stolen incidents at the parking area though.
(5)Andy C.
Owned by Chinese but the Japanese food is not bad. Sushi is not very authentic but tasty enough. Ramen was awesome... well no comparison to the real authentic ramen we used to have in Southern California but close enough to satisfy my taste buds.
(4)Rumi S.
When I want authentic Japanese food, I go to Asaka. They have great Japanese dishes that other local "Japanese" restaurants don't serve. Being from Japan, it's nice to have somewhere that tastes like home. The sushi chef Nina-chan makes sushi look like a work of art. They have great deals such as their happy hour sushi menu plus a bonus discount if you pay in cash.
(5)Sabrina S.
I give this place 5 stars for food, and 2 stars for service, so that is what makes up this 3 star rating. They have a great sushi happy hour special which is what brings me in. I pretty much loved all of the food. We had a seaweed salad, several rolls of sushi, and ramen noodles. Everything was tasty. I've had issues with timely service, and also one of the waitresses made a mistake charging credit cards, and had to reverse everything out and re-do it. I shouldn't judge on this one experience, but my friend that was with me told me that this has happened before at this restaurant. I will be back, and hopefully the service improves.
(4)Kimmi M.
One does simply not enter good Japanese food. The norm for this metropolitan area is overpriced, drowned in eel sauce, fried horror that is all about FUSION and LIGHTING SH*T ON FIRE! Asaka is none of that. Asaka is the most authentic Japanese restaurant experience by my definition of authentic. That definition is what you would get in Japan. Notice that most of the waitstaff speaks Japanese. Why? Because customers who only speak Japanese come here for food that reminds them of home. I've never been to another restaurant in this area that has onigiri or maguro natto. Not only does Asaka have a happy hour EVERY DAY, they have a price point that is unfairly advantageous to the consumer. The slices of fish on the nigiri are at least 2-3 bites every time. These pieces of sushi are huge. The quality of the fish is unsurpassed, and skipping the salmon (what they are know for) would be a dire mistake. I recently have begun exploring more of the menu like the hiyashi chuka, which is a cold noodle dish with shrimp and tamago that changed my life. I come to Asaka with friends or by myself, basically any time I can make the trip to Castleton. Asaka has something for everyone, be in a hot dish, sushi, ramen, or drink. ç§ã¯æœéœžã‚’æ„›ã—
(5)Siyu C.
The everyday happy hour is a good deal. Never disappointed. Must get here early. I always get here at 5pm.
(5)Sho A.
I am a Japanese living in Carmel. Went to Asaka for the first time. Ordered Shoyu Ramen. I think the soup was little salty but within a acceptable range. Noodle was not over-cooked and had right hardness. Only thing missing was green onion. I hope they can add that. OveralI, I should say it is definitely a Japanese Ramen. I enjoyed it very much. I can see myself coming back here many times to try other menu.
(5)T Q.
Indy 唯一一家æ£å®—日料ï¼happy-hour sushi ç»å¯¹è‰¯å¿ƒä»·ï¼Œç”Ÿé±¼ç‰‡éžå¸¸æ–°é²œï¼Œæœ‰ä¸å°‘日本å°åƒéƒ½å¾ˆä¸é”™ã€‚è·ŸåŠ å·žæ—¥æ–™æ¯”éƒ½ç®—æ˜¯åšçš„éžå¸¸ä¸é”™çš„ï¼ Great to see such a great and authentic japanese restaurant in Indiana. Service was slow due to too many customers; food was excellent. So far,the only authentic japanese cuisine in Indy.
(5)Zenobia W.
Asaka, hands down, has some of the most gorgeously plated sushi in Indy. Not only that, the authenticity is undeniable as you're surrounded by all Japanese speaking patrons in this family run business. It's quite literally a diamond in the ruff, as it's surrounded by chains and strip malls. I often dream about that gesokaraage, monchi and funky avocado roll, and lil rice balls shaped like bunnies and Hello Kitty. Oh god, it's so so good.
(5)Derek G.
This place is absolutely amazing! We had multiple different sushi rolls. They will make them however you like give them a try!
(5)Brian M.
I am writing this review very sad. I have been coming to Asaka for 5 years. I love the sushi, never had an issue with that. At times the service has not bee great, but never bad enough to the point that I would give them a negative review. They changed today. My wife and I just had our 2nd child and are currently in the hospital close by. My wife has been craving sushi for months, and the 1 thing she wanted to eat most was Asaka while we were in this part of town. I ordered my meal to go, and over the phone was not given a total. I came up pick up and my bill was for over 40 dollars. I was expecting 20. I was treated like an idiot for not understanding the happy hour prices were for dine in only. I tried to explain my situation and that we are frequent dine in customers for many years, and that obviously that was not an option today. Still, they refused to budge at all. At this point I asked simply for a discount, I did not have cash on me so I asked simply to get the cash discount. Still, I was told no. At this point, I let the woman know I just wanted to pay and leave and that she was losing a customer and also that I was going to be leaving a bad review, to which she got very upset and said this was not fair. I have been too many businesses who understand the best thing to do for business is to treat the customer right, and in doing so you will continue to get their business and they will send more business their way. The way I was treated tonight I will never return and I will let everyone I know who has been here know about this. I am completely disappointing that a business I have enjoyed doesn't understand the simplest concept of being good to their customers
(1)Chad I.
Ramen and sushi. Enough said. Hands down the best ramen I've had in the states and it was amazing ( Asaka ramen ) and the sushi being half off was amazing!! Get the albacore it's my favorite Definitely make a reservation as the wait can get crazy and the service may take a moment depending on how busy it is! A must try. Authentic, and delicious.
(5)Kate J.
I have been in America for over 5 years and this is by far my favorite. Scallops there have a fresh, sweet, savory ocean taste. Also, unlike other restaurant that only put a small piece of salmon on a big ball of rice, Asaka's salmon sushi contains a very reasonable piece of tasty salmon over just the right amount of rice. I would not recommend any deep fried item though. I had fried oyster and fried soft shell crab and they were not very impressive.
(5)Linda L.
The happy hour from 5-7 is worth the price and wait. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. But be warned we came early at 5:15pm on a Friday and they were already on a wait. The place packs in quickly!!
(4)Jordan B.
This is hands down the best sushi place in Indianapolis. Fresh and authentic. This is some real deal sushi!
(5)Mary B.
I just loved this place. People are friendly and the sushi is very good and fresh! Price is good too. Go for it! Happy hour from 5 to 7pm.
(5)John M.
I was on a mission to find good tonkotsu based ramen in Indianapolis. Asaka served up exactly what I had become accustomed to from frequent visits to a ramen house in Fountain Valley, CA. If you have not had real ramen, this is a must try. Forget those 30 cent packs of noodles you ate as a child and throughout college - real ramen is nothing like that. I highly recommend the Asaka Ramen as I'm a huge fan of the pork based broth, rather than the soy base. Asaka also has sushi happy hour from 5 to 7 pm which puts many of their basic rolls in the $3 to $5 dollar range. A very good value!
(5)Miguel F.
Hands-down my favorite sushi place in Indy. The cuts of fish are MASSIVE and is closer to sashimi than sushi...which I love! My wife and I always come here during happy hour and are blown away by how large the pieces are. Although not perfect, I am still giving this place 5 stars because it is worth it for the amount of fish you get. There are a few imperfections, such as the fish sometimes being freezing cold (yellowtail and sometimes salmon)...not always but quite a few times this has happened. Also, unless you reserve a table or get here right after they open, there is a chance that you will have to wait for a while at the front...this has never bothered us because we know that delicious and massive sushi is always worth the wait...but I can definitely see this bothering some people. The waitresses are awesome overall, rarely they space out and forget to refill drinks or forget to bring out a cut of fish but it is completely understandable considering how packed this little restaurant can get! Overall the customer service is excellent. The quality of the sushi is amazing ALMOST every time we go...there have been a few times the salmon wasn't as good as other times or the tuna or whatever...but I am still giving this place 5 stars because no other sushi place compares to the experience of eating here. Get happy-hour sushi (5-7pm) and you will NOT be disappointed!
(5)Meela L.
The best udon soup! The restaurant is cute, warm, n warm. We felt like we re in Japan. We love our waitress n also the sushi chef. They are friendly. I love listening to their conversations in Japanese thou' I dont understand any single word, too cute. The rainbow sushi was fresh n so yummy. We got free house salad n also seaweed/veggie salad in vinegar sauce. We also ordered grilled squid which was so tender n flavorful. Too bad that we live 2 hours away otherwise we would love to come every week. On the weekend they give 7% off if we pay cash.
(5)Chris B.
My wife found a used napkin at the bottom of her salad. We complained obviously and only got a "sorry" and a new salad brought out. We should have just left. Needless to say won't be going back. The only way this could have happened was if a dirty used bowl was given for her salad. They need to check their policies so this doesn't happen to someone else.
(1)Chad J.
Asaka's quality is always very good, and the atmosphere is cozy. My friend from Japan recommended it to me, and it is now my go-to place for sushi. If you go between 5-7PM during happy hour, you can indulge for a very cheap price. Although sometimes you can't get some of the fancier rolls on the happy hour menu, the basic rolls are still very good. Miso soup is cheap. You get discounts for cash payment too (never seen this before). Now when I am craving sushi, I love to go to both Asaka in Castleton or Sushi Bar in Broadripple. I recommend both!
(4)Robert S.
Huge portions, fresh and well prepared. Usually a waiting line. Be prepared and make reservations
(5)Ryosuke U.
Stopped by on a Wednesday night with a coworker around 7PM. The place was pretty busy and the workers seemed a little short staffed. Once we sat down we ordered a few starters (edamame, Sashimi Appetizer, Moro kyuu, etc. etc.) all OK. I gotta agree with some of the other reviews though that the sashimi was cut in a very peculiar way. Some pieces were large, some very small. Finished with ramen (I had shouyu my coworker got Miso) which I thought was the best part of the dinner. Overrall, although short staffed, the service was still good and the food was definitely closer to authentic Japanese than other places in the city. Will be back when in the area. They have private rooms for business meeting dinners which is a plus as well. Good to take family, friends, coworkers, and customers.
(4)Linda S.
Food at this place is above average. However, customer service is absolutely terrible. On multiple occasions, people that obviously did not have reservations (but are friends with people that work there) would walk in and get seated immediately while we continued to wait. The hostess never kept a wait list. My wait times have typically been 30-60min, and there are no seats in the tiny waiting area. This is not how a restaurant should be run. We will not be back.
(1)Ana L.
BEST JAPANESE SUSHI BAR IN INDY, seriously can't stop bragging about this place. My family and I visit every week and we don't get tired of it. If you're a new customer they are slow to sit you don't but if you haven't noticed by how packed the place is it's worth the wait. Best miso soup. A hidden treasure. Would of never even seen this place if it wasn't recommend by an Asian friend of mine. ALSO you can make a reservation! Which we do every week. And they know me by name and sit me down no matter how long the like is, they always take care of my family and I
(5)Melissa B.
I came here alone to get out of the apartment and get some writing done. It was not a mistake. I sat at the sushi bar where I got to watch Nina expertly make any item on the menu without flinching. She exhibits a level of patience rare for sushi chefs and willingly answers any pestering questions from customers with a smile. My server never missed a beat, and I enjoyed the quiet pace of the entire restaurant. Even though I came at six, I didn't have to wait to be seated, and the traffic was moderate enough that it never got too loud. As an added bonus, I came during "happy hour"--a two-hour event from five to seven when I could enjoy all kinds of nigiri and hand-made rolls at an unbelievably low price. I ordered edamame which arrived lightly salted and warm, yellowtail nigiri (the biggest piece of nigiri I've ever had), salmon, cucumber, and avocado roll, and a shrimp tempura roll. The entire bill was fourteen dollars. That's almost unheard of for that much sushi in Indy, and this was the real deal. I will definitely be returning and recommending this to anyone who even mentions the word "sushi." I'll be trying the ramen--something that isn't found in genuine form in Indy, and I'll be working my way through every type of sushi. Then, I'll start over.
(5)Jay D.
I'm taking another 2 stars off because along with always being understaffed, the last time I ordered food they forgot a roll. Which isn't a big deal on its own, but they said they would refund it, and every few days when I saw that they didn't I would call and leave a message and nobody would call me back. Finally, about the 4th time, someone answered when I called, they knew exactly who I was (would've been nice to get a return call, I'm just saying) and claimed that the original credit card payment had been adjusted before it was processed that first day to reflect the difference. It wasn't, and I still paid for food I didn't get. At that point, they apparently thought I was trying to scam them (umm, seriously? It was like $8-$9, and I ordered from them often), and I was so unimpressed with the whole situation I cut my losses and have not gone back since. It's inconvenient for me to go elsewhere, but worth it, because principle. Sushi House on Fox Rd. all the way.
(2)Jennifer S.
Dinner out with friends and celebrating an event, we wanted to try something new and had been encouraged by Kimmi to come for the Happy Hour(s) Tuesday - Sunday from 5-7pm. I'm far from knowing what I'm doing when ordering sushi, but Kimmi explained everything to us from the custom made selections to the rolls and nigri. She suggested several fun drinks, from the Japanese soda for my daughter to the sparkling sake I shared with my man as we celebrated our one month anniversary together. We started with dumplings, edamame and agedashi dofu, which was one of my favorite things that evening. The consistency was that of a melting block of cheese that had absorbed all the flavor of the broth and light vegetables it came with. We randomly selected several items from the sushi menus (referencing the guide that explained what each was) and were surprised by the amount of food that followed. The albacore was lightly seared to perfection and so fresh. I was more than happy to take it home to munch on later. The restaurant is small, but has several intimate tables, along with a sushi bar and was well packed. Our group of eight took up a large space, but were easily accommodated and had great service. We had a wonderful time visiting and all agreed it was the perfect location for the evening.
(4)Vandana C.
We waited over an hour and when we asked about our order, the waitress forgot about us, and to give our order to the cook. It was bad enough we were already over an hour, she had another waitress convey her mistake and didn't even make eye contact with us after. I used to like this place, but after this rude experience I would not recommend to come here with anyone new/family.
(2)Anna L.
Whoa...they all speak Japanese in there, even the Caucasian waitress. At least the food is actually made by Japanese people, not some knock-off pretending they're an expert in Japanese cuisine. On one condition...the food does need some much needed improvement since my high school days. I've had sushi and a few appetizers before back in 2004...and fast-forward to now. I give them a second chance, still same ole same ole. The tako-yaki (octopus balls) aren't the ones I'm usually accustomed to. They were very soggy and the dashi flakes tasted a little stale. Definitely will skip that next time. The only thing I think they semi-excel in is the Asaka ramen. The tonkatsu broth is flavorful without being overly salty and they use actual ramen noodles. Not the instant ones out of the bag. This is probably the only place serves and remains consistent with the ramen noodles. Just too bad this place is only opened for dinner, otherwise I would frequent here during lunch just for the ramen.
(3)Jeremy G.
I was in town on business and craving specialty sushi. I got 2 different rolls, the caterpillar role and their nightly special roll. Their special roll was out of this world good, not to mention it was a $5 special. It was yellow tail with cucumber, fried in a tempura batter, and covered in eel sauce and scallions. I wish I got 4 rolls of that! It was literally so good! I want to try more of their special rolls. The fish was so fresh.
(4)K J.
My husband and I just left Asaka. We read all the great reviews and had to go check it out. True the price can't be beat however, I don't mind paying for satisfying food. We were not impressed with our discounted sushi. At the end of the day I had to compare it to supermarket sushi. We had 5 rolls. There was no distict taste. They all tasted the same. The miso soup and house salads were worth the $1.50 each. I think it is unfair to compare the food at Asaka to fancier or middle of the line sushi bars its just a different animal. I think going into it one must remember these are $5 rolls.
(2)Robert A.
This was a huge disappointment compared to what I was seeing in everyone's reviews. The sushi was alright, but the atmosphere was downright horrible. Maybe I came on an off night, but it felt like the Denny's of sushi restaurants.
(3)Mia M.
There aren't enough curse words and too many stars to describe our non-experience at Asaka last night. We walked in at 7:15 on a Saturday. The place was packed. Not surprising. What was surprising was the complete lack of service or direction on behalf of the staff. As this is a family website, I will be editing my language accordingly. Three servers - heretofore known as Minnie Mouse, Amy Winehouse, and Mom - ran around like the Keystone Cops, congregating at the POS computer to place orders, then scattering to... I'm not sure. It sure as sheep dip wasn't to clean empty tables or greet potential customers. These fuzzy coots purposely kept their eyes down every time they'd approach the lobby, where we, along with four other groups of two, were waiting for further instruction. One optimistic woman asked Winehouse, on one of her trips to the cash register, how long she expected the wait to be. Winehouse mumbled "15 minutes" and then hauled asphalt out of the line of fire. The only other exchange we had with her (or any other employee in this God-forsaken place) was when she came through carrying a tray of salads and said, "Excuse me, I'm trying to serve this food!" Oh, really? Because we're all trying to sit down and order it, sugar. Inexplicably, there was an already-seated customer of Japanese descent who got up from his table to stand by the door and hold several menus. He looked for all the world like a host, but seemed genuinely offended that so many people were asking him to put their name on the waiting list. Then don't stand at the entrance holding mickey-fickey menus, you jackwagon! Other attempts, albeit futile, were made to establish some sort of contact with the employees of Asaka. One guy got right in Mom's personal space at the POS station... he seriously stood five inches behind her, breathing over her shoulder, and she totally ignored his presence. I should also mention that aside from the dirty tables, which no one was bothering to clear off, not one party had received their food. We put up with this fox-plucking bullpucky for about 12 to 15 minutes, at which point we decided to say "Flick it" and leave. It was sort of like admitting defeat, because I know that's exactly what these bozos wanted us to do, but it was 7:30 PM, I hadn't eaten since 9:30 that morning, and even if we'd been seated at that moment, I wouldn't have tipped any of them one dime. In all seriousness, this was the absolute worst display of customer service - or the lack thereof - I have seen in my entire life. I really couldn't give a flying squirrel if the specials are written in Japanese (how adorably exclusive) or if it's the cheapest place to get sushi within a hundred miles. If you can't handle something as simple as crowd control on a busy Saturday and you choose to just ignore those who are patient enough to wait... that's flat-out unacceptable. One server acting that way - annoying and unprofessional, but you can work around it. But all three of them seemed to have banded together to run off every single person that walked through the door. I guess their plan worked, because I will never, ever return to Asaka. Duck this fudging place.
(1)Zach S.
They have the best spicy tuna.
(5)Audrey H.
I love this place. Sushi is always fresh and so so so good. Sometimes service can run a little slow, but it is worth it.
(4)Shannon R.
my husband and I visited Asaka for the first time last Saturday night at 7. our experience documented chronologically: - spent a good 25 minutes waiting in the cramped "lobby" (small hallway) among three other large (4-6 top) parties. all waitresses walked by, none acknowledged us. there was no sign to direct us if we should seat ourselves or wait (there were many open tables!), but a couple came in after us and wrote their name on a clipboard on the "to go" station. this is apparently their seating list, so don't be afraid to write your own name on it. Asaka is well advised to hire a hostess!!! -after being seated, we were terrified of the rest of the experience following the awkwardness of the wait. not so. our wonderful server was sweet and kind and very patient with us. my husband is vegetarian, so she made time to check with the kitchen to see if there was fish in several items. she made suggestions about appetizers and also to order our sake hot. lovely girl. -we ordered agedeshi dofu, which was sumptuous, perfectly fried, and well paired with the salty vegetable broth it swam in. a suggestion from our server that we loved. -nigiri sushi: two egg pieces and two yellowfin pieces. the egg custard was so wonderful and fresh; my favourite rendition so far. the yellowfin was mild and well textured, however the fish was cut so large that it was quite hard to eat it in one bite, as one is supposed to eat nigiri. *side note* -- there are several reviews here that claim that the sushi is not "creative enough". this is ludicrous. this is traditional sushi; no mayo or cream cheese or eel sauce when there is no eel. and that's the way it should be, at least at Asaka. -kitsune udon was a slightly sweet, very umami soup that my husband thoroughly enjoyed. perfect noodle texture. yakiniku (sliced beef and rice with yakiniku sauce) was delicious, although a bit tough. as one of the more expensive options, I would hope my beef came out a little more tender. -we missed our server for most of our meal. I overheard another server tell a table that she was, "folding napkins in the back since we are out" and that "we were very unprepared for tonight." thankfully, everything came out well and we did not need her for most of the meal. she did return when we were finished with our entrees to ask how everything was, but did not offer dessert and instead dropped the check without a word. overall, we will be back for more at Asaka. their food is almost perfect, and for that they get five stars. however, three servers is just plain not enough to take care of their floor. I understand that this means their tips are better, but Asaka is losing customers (from yelp reviews, clearly) by not providing their staff help when they need it, or incentive to prepare accordingly. as a server of 15 years, it seems like their servers would do much better with at least a combined host/server support to help control the chaos.
(4)Joshua S.
We went to Asaka for the 5pm-7pm Happy Hour on a whim. I was really wanting sushi but didn't want to go to one of the fancier spots in town. We ordered five different rolls (which proved to be a lot) and edamame. It was really tasty and very cheaply priced (roughly $3-$5 per roll). If you're looking for a nice ambiance and a romantic setting, this isn't the place for you. However, if you want an after-work meal, it is great. For the price and the amount of food, it's a great spot. I wouldn't take a first date there.
(4)Aly L.
The first time I came to Asaka, the food and service was amazing! Sushi was to die for. Upon returning my second time, it seems as though this establishment did a total 180! We waited in line for the next available table (which is completely fine since we didn't have a reservation.) However when we were about to be seated, people who had missed their spot in line were seated before us. even though they were called and told that they were next to be seated! Then, after an hour and a half wait, we were seated. I initially got water for my drink, but it never was refilled. Though they were busy, I felt singled out because they were attending to the table to the side of us a lot more. Today I came home to find they have charged me twice for my meal. I called them to report the incident and they told me "just to wait to see if the charge comes off." This is mediocre customer service accompanied by good food. you've been warned.
(2)Sean C.
This is the first Japanese restaurant we tried in Indy, and I was really hesitant in going there because the japanese places I have been to in Indiana all sucked. But this place is the real thing. I was first very surprised that one of the servers is a white gal who speaks good Japanese, and then I found out one of the two chefs is also a white gal who speaks good Japanese! The other chef is an old japanese guy. The things we tried all turned out excellent: Miso Ramen (Asaka Ramen), curry rice, spicy salmon roll, tempura roll and red snapper roll. We are so excited that we found this place, and it was packed on a Sunday night with lots of asians waiting for a table. Definitely a good sign. If you haven't tried it yet, make sure you do. Indy needs a lot of such good japanese places to keep the 20k or so asians around, otherwise it is really quite a boring place.
(5)Crystal R.
We love our little Japanese hangout. They have sweetest wait staff around and delicious ramen! So happy to have found a little slice of Japan in Indy!
(5)Kevin Y.
My family and I just moved here from Japan, and they were hungry for some "normal" Japanese food...especially sushi without sauces and stuff on them (to them, this is equivalent to putting corn and squid on a pizza for an American). While the atmosphere is nothing special here, the food is pretty authentic...authentic enough to satisfy my family three weeks after moving from Japan. So if you are looking for real Japanese food, this is about as good as it gets around here. Not 100%, like putting carrots on agedashidofu, but close enough, and a menu that has pretty much all the typical dishes you could find in Japan.
(4)Judy L.
How can a sushi place run out of rice? My thoughts exactly - which impacted orders of two in my party. Ordered the chirashi sushi. Sushi rice (before they ran out) was on point. Cuts of fish were awkward. Disappointed when the salmon seemed like scraps rather than intentional cuts of sashimi. I have decided, if I want decent Japanese food, I'm going back home to the West Coast.
(3)Suzie T.
Well extremely disappointing and a waste of $ (no one has it to throw away these days) I so looked forward to eating here as this menu looks great. I'm a great home cook and have made almost all these items. I also am the one that chooses where we go because that's my husband's choice. I've been known to take him to obscure ethnical hide aways. We usually try a place for lunch in case it's a blowout, but Asaka only serves at night. MIso soup yummy? Anyone can go to the Asain Mart, buy some miso, combine it with H20 and your fav. ingrediants. Salad-blah Dumplings-mediocre Squid legs-absolutely terrible! like they were from the freezer, greasy, soggy, & tasteless Yuck, Shoyu raman-just OK My husband's terriyaki chicken- just OK who can't pour sauce on chicken?? Well it was the weekend and there were a few people that came in. ' All' were eating sushi. Maybe we missed the train! This experience was too bad to go back and Indy has so many wonderful restaurants!! But--Maybe I'll try again for sushi at a later date!
(1)Bryan W.
I never was a sushi fan, but asaka has changed that. Their fresh fish, unique and traditional rolls entice and surprise the sushi novice and aficionado alike. It's small, family run, and delicious. If you don't like sushi, there are numerous traditional dishes such as ramen and hot pots. Stop in, you won't regret it.
(5)Maureen H.
Tried Asaka last night after having it recommended to me. I was not disappointed! The restaurant is very cozy and authentic-looking. We had the great luck of arriving during their "happy hour". From 5-7, every day, they have several offerings of sashimi, sushi, and hand rolls for considerably less than regular menu price. We chose a spicy red snapper roll, soft-shell crab roll, California roll, and a special-of-the-day roll. Each roll had 6-8 pieces and was delicious! I think our grand total was $14 for the food. Another nice surprise was the fantastic "Japanese vodka" cocktail that our waitress suggested trying. I was just going to order a Kirin Ichiban and she asked me if I liked vodka. I do so I tried one. The first one I ordered was mixed with a Japanese citrus fruit juice and sparkling water...delish! The second I got was mixed with a peach juice...yummy! As a die-hard Sakura fan I am really glad to find another truly authentic sushi joint here in town.
(4)Emily U.
You mightn't guess that hidden behind the Hooters in a Castleton strip mall is this cozy little sushi joint. The menu, in Japanese and English, is extensive, and they seem to have plenty of weekday specials, including free miso soup. I sampled some veggie rolls, the house salad, seaweed salad, inari and miso soup--all were above average. I washed my meal down with Asahi, which was 20 percent off, making the 24-oz bottle a steal. The service was gracious, though perhaps a tad slow when it was time for the check. But by that time I was in a warm, belly-full-of-sushi kind of haze so I didn't much mind.
(4)T L.
This must be where the Japanese people go because I always hear their conversations while I eat. Asaka is a toned down version of the izakayas you would find in places with larger Japanese populations: New York, LA, San Diego, Hawaii. The interior is clean, but sprinkled with Japanese kitsch and specials written in Japanese across the walls. Don't come here expecting a roll that is on fire or smothered in Kewpie mayo. The rolls here are simpler. On average, they contain 3-4 ingredients + garnish. Asaka has some appetizers, rice, and noodle dishes that I haven't found anywhere else in Indy. This is where Asaka excels. Ramen (which I have not found anywhere else in Indy) and udon dishes are VERY good. The buri's are also delicious. The appetizer menu reminds me very much of an izakaya. It is extensive and has many plates you won't find elsewhere. Happy hour is a great deal. Their nigiri slices massive. They're easily 50% more than what you would get at other places. Asaka is an underappreciated gem in Indy. I would give it 4.5 stars. Also they have yuzu alcohol. They offer a beer and a cocktail made from yuzu. A yuzu is like an Asian grapefruit. Ask 50. He knows what I'm talking about.
(4)Arafel P.
Have been eating here for a few years. Sometimes we go 2-3 times a month. The sushi is very fresh and delicious as well as beautifully arranged, and the ramen is tasty and filling. I've also had the bento, as well as some of the noodle dishes. Everything I've had there has been good so far. I'm confident about the authenticity of the food, as there are almost always Japanese people eating here (I know they're Japanese because they speak the language with the waitstaff). Foods are served immediately when they're ready, like it's done in Japan, so don't be dismayed if you're still waiting for your rolls while your table mate is eating their teriyaki. If there are little children in your party, they may get a rice and nori animal with their food that is almost too cute to eat. This restaurant is family owned and operated and I feel good about spending my money here.
(5)Brian E.
This is our favorite sushi place in all of Indy. The food is consistent, affordable and pleasing. The service can sometimes suffer on a busy night, but out of about 125 visits to this restaurant, only a couple times have had poor service. The Asparagus Tempura rolls are OUT OF THIS WORLD. The sushi slices border on the extra large side, which is hard to eat, and the wasabi can be too light sometimes...but I wouldn't change a thing in this friendly, delicious and wonderful restaurant serving great food at a great price. They offer cash discounts, so bring $$.
(5)Dave P.
Wow, to get six sushi rolls for take out they told me after waiting 15 minutes that I would have to wait another 30 minutes. The place was dead with only two couples on the restaurant. Guess they have lazy sushi chefs that work there. All is ok though, went to Sapporo across the street and got great sushi for take out, and it took under 15 minutes.
(1)Tom G.
Average quality. Below average price. I got what I paid for.
(3)Eric J.
First off the ambience is very nice. Not in a posh or romantic kind of way but in an authentic izakaya way. Very Japanese decor and all the staff I saw we're Japanese including the chefs, one of which was a lovely young lady. My first experience with a female sushi chef, so that was a pleasant surprise . Anyway as far as the food goes I had agedashi dofu and sushi rolls. The agedashi appetizer was one of the best I've had. They make it right with plenty of ginger and scallions, unlike most places. The sushi was not quite as good. Though the menu is creative and the rolls competently assembled and tasty, some of it was too cold, as if the ingredients had just come out of the refrigerator. It's for that reason I could not recommend. Too bad because it's a nice little spot.
(3)Ron S.
I believe this is one of the best sushi places in Indianapolis. Even beyond the rolls, the appetizers and entrees are very flavorful--some personal favorites include the agedashi tofu and any of the udon dishes. As far as rolls are concerned, there is quite a variety and the namesake Asaka roll is nice and meaty, and I can't recall any roll that has disappointed (I've been here about 4-5 times). One other positive that can't be understated: this place is JAPANESE-owned which is a nice change of pace (most places in Indy usually have Chinese owners). Lastly, this place is quite reasonable in terms of pricing, I find. One gripe however: the service is very inconsistent. Sometimes the waitresses are quite attentive but largely they have a tendency to ignore your table for long stretches of time. A couple of times, we would order more food only to wait an eternity and have to ultimately cancel it because we had to run. That said, I'm willing to put up with it to a certain degree because I think the food is worth it, just be forewarned.
(4)DeAnna P.
Asaka has a sushi happy hour early evenings. The rolls were fresh and came out FAST (it may have helped that we sat at the sushi bar). The rolls were not very creative though. I would like to see some more outrageous rolls there -- they were pretty basic. The quality was fantastic though.
(3)Frank A.
Pros : A very authentic Japanese restaurant Cons : Ramen is not really tasteful. Nothing compare with Ajisen Ramen, Shinsengumi, and the other good ones in L.A., Not so many of combinations on sushi, but the tempura ice cream is awesome!
(3)Sarine J.
Can't beat the cheap sushi during happy hour! I'd say it's way better than sushi on the rocks and its 1/4th the price.
(4)A A.
Another sushi favorite of mine. We tend to go during their happy hour sushi times which is excellent!
(5)Dan G.
Why do you go to a Japanese Steakhouse? Sometimes it's because either you/your date doesn't like sushi. Otherwise, let's say special events and/or nights out with friends. My visit was of the birthday persuasion. I love sushi (but my wife doesn't) so this seemed like a fun, different place to go than the usual Scotty's/Champs/Etc. When we walked in, I thought about turning around to go somewhere else, but it was late and we were hungry. I loved the comment below about this being the Denny's of Japanese Steakhouses. Dead-on. Koi pond, check. Everything else in the place, boring and plain. Not even background music? This place was DEAD on Thursday at 7pm. Escorted through the dining room, through crying babies at 2 tables. Sat at the hibachi and waited 20 minutes before the chef came out. Let's call him 'disinterested' - you know all of the mildly humorous things you expect from the guys behind the hibachi? Well, he pulled off most of them, but now imagine he's been doing it for 35 years, and working 2 other jobs. That was about the level of enthusiasm that our guy had. There wasn't a problem with the food, but this place doesn't have what I'd expect for a Japanese Steakhouse. If you just want good sushi, go to a sushi place. If you want to be bored through a half-hearted dinner, this is probably the place for you.
(2)Bethany S.
I have been to Asaka several times and only had one bad experience here. All the other visits were fantastic. In general, the sushi selection is large and flavorful, with reasonable prices and free yummy miso soup. The service is also usually quick and good as well. The one time that everything went wrong, I ordered a bowl of noodles that had almost no flavor and I made myself eat a few bites before giving up. And the service was of course super slow that day - maybe our waitress was having a bad day because she is usually great. I would stick with the delicious ramen and sushi here, as I'm not so sure about anything else and am now afraid to order outside my favorites. I keep going back and just try to pretend that one little (or major) fluke didn't happen. :-)
(4)Jennifer L.
People seem to love this northside dive. I did love the happy hour sushi prices, which were still in effect on Friday evening when I visited (full time is 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday). Hand rolls were going for $2.95, so I chose spicy tuna and shrimp tempura. The shrimp tempura was pretty good and crisp; the spicy tuna was a blob of electric red gop spiced up with Sriracha sauce to the point I couldn't taste much else. I also tried the agedashi dofu, deep fried tofu in a vegetable "sauce" that was really a very salty broth. The shrimp and crab dumplings ("shumai") were tasty, but a bit soggy. This is the kind of place that would be great with a few tweaks.
(2)Andy T.
Pro: One of the best "pure" Sushi in Indianapolis. The cook is actually Japanese, not Korean or Chinese. Their appetizers are great too. The staff are friendly. I recommend going there on weekdays 5-7pm for their half price nigiri. Great deal! Cons: A little bit pricy, but all good Japanese foods in Indy are too.
(4)Lauren R.
I've been coming to Asaka since 04 and it is still my favorite Indianapolis sushi restaurant. I base that on the freshness of the fish and the selection ONLY. I could care less about ambiance or atmosphere. If that were the case I would have ruled it out altogether because it sits between a hooters, red lobster and a Burlington coat factory. Good fish, great service and they great you every time you walk in the door. I will say they used to have free dumdums lollipops years ago, but have since abandoned this sweet post dinner treat.
(5)Torrey R.
I am a huge sushi fan so was excited to try something new. I was pleased with the happy hour prices and the extent of their menu. I was pleased with the kindness of our server. I was appalled by service itself and for this reason, I will never come back. I came in with a party of five, one of whom ordered chicken while the rest of us ordered sushi. The chicken came out 20 minutes before anything else and was cold before anyone else received their dinner. Two more sushi plates arrived, 15 minutes after that one more arrived, and a full hour after the chicken dish was set on the table, the last plate of sushi was served. Beers were never delivered without having to remind the server. The checks took forever and only after they were requested. Finally we inquired why 5% wasn't taken off for those of us who paid in cash as it had been advertised. "I'm sorry but I can't do that for split checks." Gee, thanks for letting us know. I forgot to mention that the fish wasn't that great either.
(1)Rachael H.
This was not my favorite sushi place by quite a long shot actually. Saying that, if you are on a budget, this place is probably the joint for you and in that scenerio...this is the place to go. I was here during the happy hour and got a bill for two just over $30 which is pretty darn good for sushi. I guess where this place just doesnt do it for me is in the freshness of the seafood. I dont think that it was very fresh and they were really lacking in the presentation department. Sushi should be really artful and they definately were not able to deliver that. We had ordered a roll that was a special that night and they actually splattered soy sauce on the plate...which really does not work at all since soy sauce is not dense enough to stay where it was splattered and ended up running all over the platter and that was the extent of the decorating of the roll. There was not even an attempt to lay the roll out in a unique way, they just set it down on the plate. Similar things can be said for the other things we ordered. This place did they trick but really there was nothing that stood out at this place except the happy hour prices. I guess you could say that this place is very forgetable.
(2)Kylie C.
my favorite sushi place in the indianapolis area, hands down. i've never been disappointed with the food - it's always delicious. i'm a vegetarian and love their asparagus tempura roll. definitely can't complain about complementary green tea, either. the wait staff is a little hit and miss, and the decor is nothing special, but the food makes up for it. soooo good.
(5)T Q.
Indy 唯一一家æ£å®—日料ï¼happy-hour sushi ç»å¯¹è‰¯å¿ƒä»·ï¼Œç”Ÿé±¼ç‰‡éžå¸¸æ–°é²œï¼Œæœ‰ä¸å°‘日本å°åƒéƒ½å¾ˆä¸é”™ã€‚è·ŸåŠ å·žæ—¥æ–™æ¯”éƒ½ç®—æ˜¯åšçš„éžå¸¸ä¸é”™çš„ï¼ Great to see such a great and authentic japanese restaurant in Indiana. Service was slow due to too many customers; food was excellent. So far,the only authentic japanese cuisine in Indy.
(5)Zenobia W.
Asaka, hands down, has some of the most gorgeously plated sushi in Indy. Not only that, the authenticity is undeniable as you're surrounded by all Japanese speaking patrons in this family run business. It's quite literally a diamond in the ruff, as it's surrounded by chains and strip malls. I often dream about that gesokaraage, monchi and funky avocado roll, and lil rice balls shaped like bunnies and Hello Kitty. Oh god, it's so so good.
(5)Derek G.
This place is absolutely amazing! We had multiple different sushi rolls. They will make them however you like give them a try!
(5)Brian M.
I am writing this review very sad. I have been coming to Asaka for 5 years. I love the sushi, never had an issue with that. At times the service has not bee great, but never bad enough to the point that I would give them a negative review. They changed today. My wife and I just had our 2nd child and are currently in the hospital close by. My wife has been craving sushi for months, and the 1 thing she wanted to eat most was Asaka while we were in this part of town. I ordered my meal to go, and over the phone was not given a total. I came up pick up and my bill was for over 40 dollars. I was expecting 20. I was treated like an idiot for not understanding the happy hour prices were for dine in only. I tried to explain my situation and that we are frequent dine in customers for many years, and that obviously that was not an option today. Still, they refused to budge at all. At this point I asked simply for a discount, I did not have cash on me so I asked simply to get the cash discount. Still, I was told no. At this point, I let the woman know I just wanted to pay and leave and that she was losing a customer and also that I was going to be leaving a bad review, to which she got very upset and said this was not fair. I have been too many businesses who understand the best thing to do for business is to treat the customer right, and in doing so you will continue to get their business and they will send more business their way. The way I was treated tonight I will never return and I will let everyone I know who has been here know about this. I am completely disappointing that a business I have enjoyed doesn't understand the simplest concept of being good to their customers
(1)Chad I.
Ramen and sushi. Enough said. Hands down the best ramen I've had in the states and it was amazing ( Asaka ramen ) and the sushi being half off was amazing!! Get the albacore it's my favorite Definitely make a reservation as the wait can get crazy and the service may take a moment depending on how busy it is! A must try. Authentic, and delicious.
(5)Kate J.
I have been in America for over 5 years and this is by far my favorite. Scallops there have a fresh, sweet, savory ocean taste. Also, unlike other restaurant that only put a small piece of salmon on a big ball of rice, Asaka's salmon sushi contains a very reasonable piece of tasty salmon over just the right amount of rice. I would not recommend any deep fried item though. I had fried oyster and fried soft shell crab and they were not very impressive.
(5)Linda L.
The happy hour from 5-7 is worth the price and wait. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. But be warned we came early at 5:15pm on a Friday and they were already on a wait. The place packs in quickly!!
(4)Jordan B.
This is hands down the best sushi place in Indianapolis. Fresh and authentic. This is some real deal sushi!
(5)Miguel F.
Hands-down my favorite sushi place in Indy. The cuts of fish are MASSIVE and is closer to sashimi than sushi...which I love! My wife and I always come here during happy hour and are blown away by how large the pieces are. Although not perfect, I am still giving this place 5 stars because it is worth it for the amount of fish you get. There are a few imperfections, such as the fish sometimes being freezing cold (yellowtail and sometimes salmon)...not always but quite a few times this has happened. Also, unless you reserve a table or get here right after they open, there is a chance that you will have to wait for a while at the front...this has never bothered us because we know that delicious and massive sushi is always worth the wait...but I can definitely see this bothering some people. The waitresses are awesome overall, rarely they space out and forget to refill drinks or forget to bring out a cut of fish but it is completely understandable considering how packed this little restaurant can get! Overall the customer service is excellent. The quality of the sushi is amazing ALMOST every time we go...there have been a few times the salmon wasn't as good as other times or the tuna or whatever...but I am still giving this place 5 stars because no other sushi place compares to the experience of eating here. Get happy-hour sushi (5-7pm) and you will NOT be disappointed!
(5)Meela L.
The best udon soup! The restaurant is cute, warm, n warm. We felt like we re in Japan. We love our waitress n also the sushi chef. They are friendly. I love listening to their conversations in Japanese thou' I dont understand any single word, too cute. The rainbow sushi was fresh n so yummy. We got free house salad n also seaweed/veggie salad in vinegar sauce. We also ordered grilled squid which was so tender n flavorful. Too bad that we live 2 hours away otherwise we would love to come every week. On the weekend they give 7% off if we pay cash.
(5)Chris B.
My wife found a used napkin at the bottom of her salad. We complained obviously and only got a "sorry" and a new salad brought out. We should have just left. Needless to say won't be going back. The only way this could have happened was if a dirty used bowl was given for her salad. They need to check their policies so this doesn't happen to someone else.
(1)Jennifer S.
Dinner out with friends and celebrating an event, we wanted to try something new and had been encouraged by Kimmi to come for the Happy Hour(s) Tuesday - Sunday from 5-7pm. I'm far from knowing what I'm doing when ordering sushi, but Kimmi explained everything to us from the custom made selections to the rolls and nigri. She suggested several fun drinks, from the Japanese soda for my daughter to the sparkling sake I shared with my man as we celebrated our one month anniversary together. We started with dumplings, edamame and agedashi dofu, which was one of my favorite things that evening. The consistency was that of a melting block of cheese that had absorbed all the flavor of the broth and light vegetables it came with. We randomly selected several items from the sushi menus (referencing the guide that explained what each was) and were surprised by the amount of food that followed. The albacore was lightly seared to perfection and so fresh. I was more than happy to take it home to munch on later. The restaurant is small, but has several intimate tables, along with a sushi bar and was well packed. Our group of eight took up a large space, but were easily accommodated and had great service. We had a wonderful time visiting and all agreed it was the perfect location for the evening.
(4)Vandana C.
We waited over an hour and when we asked about our order, the waitress forgot about us, and to give our order to the cook. It was bad enough we were already over an hour, she had another waitress convey her mistake and didn't even make eye contact with us after. I used to like this place, but after this rude experience I would not recommend to come here with anyone new/family.
(2)Kevin Y.
My family and I just moved here from Japan, and they were hungry for some "normal" Japanese food...especially sushi without sauces and stuff on them (to them, this is equivalent to putting corn and squid on a pizza for an American). While the atmosphere is nothing special here, the food is pretty authentic...authentic enough to satisfy my family three weeks after moving from Japan. So if you are looking for real Japanese food, this is about as good as it gets around here. Not 100%, like putting carrots on agedashidofu, but close enough, and a menu that has pretty much all the typical dishes you could find in Japan.
(4)Anna L.
Whoa...they all speak Japanese in there, even the Caucasian waitress. At least the food is actually made by Japanese people, not some knock-off pretending they're an expert in Japanese cuisine. On one condition...the food does need some much needed improvement since my high school days. I've had sushi and a few appetizers before back in 2004...and fast-forward to now. I give them a second chance, still same ole same ole. The tako-yaki (octopus balls) aren't the ones I'm usually accustomed to. They were very soggy and the dashi flakes tasted a little stale. Definitely will skip that next time. The only thing I think they semi-excel in is the Asaka ramen. The tonkatsu broth is flavorful without being overly salty and they use actual ramen noodles. Not the instant ones out of the bag. This is probably the only place serves and remains consistent with the ramen noodles. Just too bad this place is only opened for dinner, otherwise I would frequent here during lunch just for the ramen.
(3)Joshua S.
We went to Asaka for the 5pm-7pm Happy Hour on a whim. I was really wanting sushi but didn't want to go to one of the fancier spots in town. We ordered five different rolls (which proved to be a lot) and edamame. It was really tasty and very cheaply priced (roughly $3-$5 per roll). If you're looking for a nice ambiance and a romantic setting, this isn't the place for you. However, if you want an after-work meal, it is great. For the price and the amount of food, it's a great spot. I wouldn't take a first date there.
(4)Aly L.
The first time I came to Asaka, the food and service was amazing! Sushi was to die for. Upon returning my second time, it seems as though this establishment did a total 180! We waited in line for the next available table (which is completely fine since we didn't have a reservation.) However when we were about to be seated, people who had missed their spot in line were seated before us. even though they were called and told that they were next to be seated! Then, after an hour and a half wait, we were seated. I initially got water for my drink, but it never was refilled. Though they were busy, I felt singled out because they were attending to the table to the side of us a lot more. Today I came home to find they have charged me twice for my meal. I called them to report the incident and they told me "just to wait to see if the charge comes off." This is mediocre customer service accompanied by good food. you've been warned.
(2)Sean C.
This is the first Japanese restaurant we tried in Indy, and I was really hesitant in going there because the japanese places I have been to in Indiana all sucked. But this place is the real thing. I was first very surprised that one of the servers is a white gal who speaks good Japanese, and then I found out one of the two chefs is also a white gal who speaks good Japanese! The other chef is an old japanese guy. The things we tried all turned out excellent: Miso Ramen (Asaka Ramen), curry rice, spicy salmon roll, tempura roll and red snapper roll. We are so excited that we found this place, and it was packed on a Sunday night with lots of asians waiting for a table. Definitely a good sign. If you haven't tried it yet, make sure you do. Indy needs a lot of such good japanese places to keep the 20k or so asians around, otherwise it is really quite a boring place.
(5)Mia M.
There aren't enough curse words and too many stars to describe our non-experience at Asaka last night. We walked in at 7:15 on a Saturday. The place was packed. Not surprising. What was surprising was the complete lack of service or direction on behalf of the staff. As this is a family website, I will be editing my language accordingly. Three servers - heretofore known as Minnie Mouse, Amy Winehouse, and Mom - ran around like the Keystone Cops, congregating at the POS computer to place orders, then scattering to... I'm not sure. It sure as sheep dip wasn't to clean empty tables or greet potential customers. These fuzzy coots purposely kept their eyes down every time they'd approach the lobby, where we, along with four other groups of two, were waiting for further instruction. One optimistic woman asked Winehouse, on one of her trips to the cash register, how long she expected the wait to be. Winehouse mumbled "15 minutes" and then hauled asphalt out of the line of fire. The only other exchange we had with her (or any other employee in this God-forsaken place) was when she came through carrying a tray of salads and said, "Excuse me, I'm trying to serve this food!" Oh, really? Because we're all trying to sit down and order it, sugar. Inexplicably, there was an already-seated customer of Japanese descent who got up from his table to stand by the door and hold several menus. He looked for all the world like a host, but seemed genuinely offended that so many people were asking him to put their name on the waiting list. Then don't stand at the entrance holding mickey-fickey menus, you jackwagon! Other attempts, albeit futile, were made to establish some sort of contact with the employees of Asaka. One guy got right in Mom's personal space at the POS station... he seriously stood five inches behind her, breathing over her shoulder, and she totally ignored his presence. I should also mention that aside from the dirty tables, which no one was bothering to clear off, not one party had received their food. We put up with this fox-plucking bullpucky for about 12 to 15 minutes, at which point we decided to say "Flick it" and leave. It was sort of like admitting defeat, because I know that's exactly what these bozos wanted us to do, but it was 7:30 PM, I hadn't eaten since 9:30 that morning, and even if we'd been seated at that moment, I wouldn't have tipped any of them one dime. In all seriousness, this was the absolute worst display of customer service - or the lack thereof - I have seen in my entire life. I really couldn't give a flying squirrel if the specials are written in Japanese (how adorably exclusive) or if it's the cheapest place to get sushi within a hundred miles. If you can't handle something as simple as crowd control on a busy Saturday and you choose to just ignore those who are patient enough to wait... that's flat-out unacceptable. One server acting that way - annoying and unprofessional, but you can work around it. But all three of them seemed to have banded together to run off every single person that walked through the door. I guess their plan worked, because I will never, ever return to Asaka. Duck this fudging place.
(1)Shannon R.
my husband and I visited Asaka for the first time last Saturday night at 7. our experience documented chronologically: - spent a good 25 minutes waiting in the cramped "lobby" (small hallway) among three other large (4-6 top) parties. all waitresses walked by, none acknowledged us. there was no sign to direct us if we should seat ourselves or wait (there were many open tables!), but a couple came in after us and wrote their name on a clipboard on the "to go" station. this is apparently their seating list, so don't be afraid to write your own name on it. Asaka is well advised to hire a hostess!!! -after being seated, we were terrified of the rest of the experience following the awkwardness of the wait. not so. our wonderful server was sweet and kind and very patient with us. my husband is vegetarian, so she made time to check with the kitchen to see if there was fish in several items. she made suggestions about appetizers and also to order our sake hot. lovely girl. -we ordered agedeshi dofu, which was sumptuous, perfectly fried, and well paired with the salty vegetable broth it swam in. a suggestion from our server that we loved. -nigiri sushi: two egg pieces and two yellowfin pieces. the egg custard was so wonderful and fresh; my favourite rendition so far. the yellowfin was mild and well textured, however the fish was cut so large that it was quite hard to eat it in one bite, as one is supposed to eat nigiri. *side note* -- there are several reviews here that claim that the sushi is not "creative enough". this is ludicrous. this is traditional sushi; no mayo or cream cheese or eel sauce when there is no eel. and that's the way it should be, at least at Asaka. -kitsune udon was a slightly sweet, very umami soup that my husband thoroughly enjoyed. perfect noodle texture. yakiniku (sliced beef and rice with yakiniku sauce) was delicious, although a bit tough. as one of the more expensive options, I would hope my beef came out a little more tender. -we missed our server for most of our meal. I overheard another server tell a table that she was, "folding napkins in the back since we are out" and that "we were very unprepared for tonight." thankfully, everything came out well and we did not need her for most of the meal. she did return when we were finished with our entrees to ask how everything was, but did not offer dessert and instead dropped the check without a word. overall, we will be back for more at Asaka. their food is almost perfect, and for that they get five stars. however, three servers is just plain not enough to take care of their floor. I understand that this means their tips are better, but Asaka is losing customers (from yelp reviews, clearly) by not providing their staff help when they need it, or incentive to prepare accordingly. as a server of 15 years, it seems like their servers would do much better with at least a combined host/server support to help control the chaos.
(4)Crystal R.
We love our little Japanese hangout. They have sweetest wait staff around and delicious ramen! So happy to have found a little slice of Japan in Indy!
(5)Judy L.
How can a sushi place run out of rice? My thoughts exactly - which impacted orders of two in my party. Ordered the chirashi sushi. Sushi rice (before they ran out) was on point. Cuts of fish were awkward. Disappointed when the salmon seemed like scraps rather than intentional cuts of sashimi. I have decided, if I want decent Japanese food, I'm going back home to the West Coast.
(3)Suzie T.
Well extremely disappointing and a waste of $ (no one has it to throw away these days) I so looked forward to eating here as this menu looks great. I'm a great home cook and have made almost all these items. I also am the one that chooses where we go because that's my husband's choice. I've been known to take him to obscure ethnical hide aways. We usually try a place for lunch in case it's a blowout, but Asaka only serves at night. MIso soup yummy? Anyone can go to the Asain Mart, buy some miso, combine it with H20 and your fav. ingrediants. Salad-blah Dumplings-mediocre Squid legs-absolutely terrible! like they were from the freezer, greasy, soggy, & tasteless Yuck, Shoyu raman-just OK My husband's terriyaki chicken- just OK who can't pour sauce on chicken?? Well it was the weekend and there were a few people that came in. ' All' were eating sushi. Maybe we missed the train! This experience was too bad to go back and Indy has so many wonderful restaurants!! But--Maybe I'll try again for sushi at a later date!
(1)Bryan W.
I never was a sushi fan, but asaka has changed that. Their fresh fish, unique and traditional rolls entice and surprise the sushi novice and aficionado alike. It's small, family run, and delicious. If you don't like sushi, there are numerous traditional dishes such as ramen and hot pots. Stop in, you won't regret it.
(5)Maureen H.
Tried Asaka last night after having it recommended to me. I was not disappointed! The restaurant is very cozy and authentic-looking. We had the great luck of arriving during their "happy hour". From 5-7, every day, they have several offerings of sashimi, sushi, and hand rolls for considerably less than regular menu price. We chose a spicy red snapper roll, soft-shell crab roll, California roll, and a special-of-the-day roll. Each roll had 6-8 pieces and was delicious! I think our grand total was $14 for the food. Another nice surprise was the fantastic "Japanese vodka" cocktail that our waitress suggested trying. I was just going to order a Kirin Ichiban and she asked me if I liked vodka. I do so I tried one. The first one I ordered was mixed with a Japanese citrus fruit juice and sparkling water...delish! The second I got was mixed with a peach juice...yummy! As a die-hard Sakura fan I am really glad to find another truly authentic sushi joint here in town.
(4)T L.
This must be where the Japanese people go because I always hear their conversations while I eat. Asaka is a toned down version of the izakayas you would find in places with larger Japanese populations: New York, LA, San Diego, Hawaii. The interior is clean, but sprinkled with Japanese kitsch and specials written in Japanese across the walls. Don't come here expecting a roll that is on fire or smothered in Kewpie mayo. The rolls here are simpler. On average, they contain 3-4 ingredients + garnish. Asaka has some appetizers, rice, and noodle dishes that I haven't found anywhere else in Indy. This is where Asaka excels. Ramen (which I have not found anywhere else in Indy) and udon dishes are VERY good. The buri's are also delicious. The appetizer menu reminds me very much of an izakaya. It is extensive and has many plates you won't find elsewhere. Happy hour is a great deal. Their nigiri slices massive. They're easily 50% more than what you would get at other places. Asaka is an underappreciated gem in Indy. I would give it 4.5 stars. Also they have yuzu alcohol. They offer a beer and a cocktail made from yuzu. A yuzu is like an Asian grapefruit. Ask 50. He knows what I'm talking about.
(4)Arafel P.
Have been eating here for a few years. Sometimes we go 2-3 times a month. The sushi is very fresh and delicious as well as beautifully arranged, and the ramen is tasty and filling. I've also had the bento, as well as some of the noodle dishes. Everything I've had there has been good so far. I'm confident about the authenticity of the food, as there are almost always Japanese people eating here (I know they're Japanese because they speak the language with the waitstaff). Foods are served immediately when they're ready, like it's done in Japan, so don't be dismayed if you're still waiting for your rolls while your table mate is eating their teriyaki. If there are little children in your party, they may get a rice and nori animal with their food that is almost too cute to eat. This restaurant is family owned and operated and I feel good about spending my money here.
(5)Brian E.
This is our favorite sushi place in all of Indy. The food is consistent, affordable and pleasing. The service can sometimes suffer on a busy night, but out of about 125 visits to this restaurant, only a couple times have had poor service. The Asparagus Tempura rolls are OUT OF THIS WORLD. The sushi slices border on the extra large side, which is hard to eat, and the wasabi can be too light sometimes...but I wouldn't change a thing in this friendly, delicious and wonderful restaurant serving great food at a great price. They offer cash discounts, so bring $$.
(5)Eric J.
First off the ambience is very nice. Not in a posh or romantic kind of way but in an authentic izakaya way. Very Japanese decor and all the staff I saw we're Japanese including the chefs, one of which was a lovely young lady. My first experience with a female sushi chef, so that was a pleasant surprise . Anyway as far as the food goes I had agedashi dofu and sushi rolls. The agedashi appetizer was one of the best I've had. They make it right with plenty of ginger and scallions, unlike most places. The sushi was not quite as good. Though the menu is creative and the rolls competently assembled and tasty, some of it was too cold, as if the ingredients had just come out of the refrigerator. It's for that reason I could not recommend. Too bad because it's a nice little spot.
(3)Ron S.
I believe this is one of the best sushi places in Indianapolis. Even beyond the rolls, the appetizers and entrees are very flavorful--some personal favorites include the agedashi tofu and any of the udon dishes. As far as rolls are concerned, there is quite a variety and the namesake Asaka roll is nice and meaty, and I can't recall any roll that has disappointed (I've been here about 4-5 times). One other positive that can't be understated: this place is JAPANESE-owned which is a nice change of pace (most places in Indy usually have Chinese owners). Lastly, this place is quite reasonable in terms of pricing, I find. One gripe however: the service is very inconsistent. Sometimes the waitresses are quite attentive but largely they have a tendency to ignore your table for long stretches of time. A couple of times, we would order more food only to wait an eternity and have to ultimately cancel it because we had to run. That said, I'm willing to put up with it to a certain degree because I think the food is worth it, just be forewarned.
(4)DeAnna P.
Asaka has a sushi happy hour early evenings. The rolls were fresh and came out FAST (it may have helped that we sat at the sushi bar). The rolls were not very creative though. I would like to see some more outrageous rolls there -- they were pretty basic. The quality was fantastic though.
(3)Frank A.
Pros : A very authentic Japanese restaurant Cons : Ramen is not really tasteful. Nothing compare with Ajisen Ramen, Shinsengumi, and the other good ones in L.A., Not so many of combinations on sushi, but the tempura ice cream is awesome!
(3)Sarine J.
Can't beat the cheap sushi during happy hour! I'd say it's way better than sushi on the rocks and its 1/4th the price.
(4)A A.
Another sushi favorite of mine. We tend to go during their happy hour sushi times which is excellent!
(5)Dave P.
Wow, to get six sushi rolls for take out they told me after waiting 15 minutes that I would have to wait another 30 minutes. The place was dead with only two couples on the restaurant. Guess they have lazy sushi chefs that work there. All is ok though, went to Sapporo across the street and got great sushi for take out, and it took under 15 minutes.
(1)Tom G.
Average quality. Below average price. I got what I paid for.
(3)Jeremy G.
I was in town on business and craving specialty sushi. I got 2 different rolls, the caterpillar role and their nightly special roll. Their special roll was out of this world good, not to mention it was a $5 special. It was yellow tail with cucumber, fried in a tempura batter, and covered in eel sauce and scallions. I wish I got 4 rolls of that! It was literally so good! I want to try more of their special rolls. The fish was so fresh.
(4)Jay D.
I'm taking another 2 stars off because along with always being understaffed, the last time I ordered food they forgot a roll. Which isn't a big deal on its own, but they said they would refund it, and every few days when I saw that they didn't I would call and leave a message and nobody would call me back. Finally, about the 4th time, someone answered when I called, they knew exactly who I was (would've been nice to get a return call, I'm just saying) and claimed that the original credit card payment had been adjusted before it was processed that first day to reflect the difference. It wasn't, and I still paid for food I didn't get. At that point, they apparently thought I was trying to scam them (umm, seriously? It was like $8-$9, and I ordered from them often), and I was so unimpressed with the whole situation I cut my losses and have not gone back since. It's inconvenient for me to go elsewhere, but worth it, because principle. Sushi House on Fox Rd. all the way.
(2)Sho A.
I am a Japanese living in Carmel. Went to Asaka for the first time. Ordered Shoyu Ramen. I think the soup was little salty but within a acceptable range. Noodle was not over-cooked and had right hardness. Only thing missing was green onion. I hope they can add that. OveralI, I should say it is definitely a Japanese Ramen. I enjoyed it very much. I can see myself coming back here many times to try other menu.
(5)Sabrina S.
I give this place 5 stars for food, and 2 stars for service, so that is what makes up this 3 star rating. They have a great sushi happy hour special which is what brings me in. I pretty much loved all of the food. We had a seaweed salad, several rolls of sushi, and ramen noodles. Everything was tasty. I've had issues with timely service, and also one of the waitresses made a mistake charging credit cards, and had to reverse everything out and re-do it. I shouldn't judge on this one experience, but my friend that was with me told me that this has happened before at this restaurant. I will be back, and hopefully the service improves.
(4)Leah M.
Went here for dinner on Sunday right at the start of happy hour. As usual, we each got three rolls,most of which were ordered off of the Happy Hour menu making it a really affordable sushi dinner. They also had a $5.00 special roll (today it was yellowtail and cream cheese topped with eel sauce and green onion) and it was good. For our orders off the regular menu, we got the Monchi roll (which came with jalapeños!) and another roll whose name I can't remember but that had salmon, cream cheese, and something tempura involved. We shared a seaweed salad. Everything was delicious as always, and the staff is consistently friendly. NOTE for next time: If you pay your bill in cash, you automatically get 10% off of the total of your check.
(5)Betsy L.
Love authentic Japanese food here, the sushi inert is really awesome and FRESH! I also tried their asaka ramen, miso ramen and ton katsu, excellent! You definitely need to make reservations if you come here for dinner at rush hours,the waiting lines are long more than you can expect.
(4)Faye L.
We are so excited to discover this tiny little eatery in town. We thought the food was very authentic. The sashimi's were fresh and delicious, so were the hand-rolls we ordered. We went during happy hour so the price was reasonable. The only thing that had us think twice about going back was the long wait time. We arrived around 6:30pm and despite the fact that we had already made a reservation, we waited for about 30 minutes before they could make room for us. It's a small place so try to avoid rush hour if you can! =)
(4)Loretta W.
Great place! Excellent atmosphere. Nice staff. Delicious menu and sushi options. Love it!
(5)Dasol K.
i love and love here!! Good quality and good vibes that they have :) Awesome! Wish that happy hours were longer though :(
(5)Cammie W.
If you pay with cash, you can get 10% off on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and 7% off on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (not sure how long this lasts). They also have happy hour here. They have a separate menu for their sushi rolls but my boyfriend and I opted to get the ramen. There are 3 types to choose from: Shoyu, Asaka (Tonkatsu), and Miso. The Asaka was my favorite. The broth was pretty rich. The Shoyu got a bit too salty near the end. Normally, my biggest complaint for ramen places is that the noodles aren't cooked enough. However, I thought that our noodles came out at the perfect doneness level. The restaurant itself is pretty small. They do have an extra side room but this is not really the place for big groups. We experienced great service. Definitely no complaints here. Thanks to fellow Yelper Sean C for the recommendation.
(5)Mary B.
I just loved this place. People are friendly and the sushi is very good and fresh! Price is good too. Go for it! Happy hour from 5 to 7pm.
(5)Sophie C.
I was in town to visit one of my best friends from the time I was living in Indy too, and she practically took me to all of her favorite restaurants in Indy! This place is a hidden game - don't let its look outside fool you! The atmosphere inside is cozy, warm, and full of character. It reminds of the little restaurants/shops in Japanese/Korean dramas. It's one of those places where you walked in, and you almost know immediately that the food is going to be great and authentic. 1. The nigiri pieces are priced very reasonably - cheaper than the ones in Minneapolis and LARGE portions! I think they also have Happy Hour prices as well. 2. We ordered the sake, ika, sweet shrimp, and uni nigiri. The sake (salmon) pieces were practically three times the amount of rice! This goes for uni too; it seems like they used three lumps of uni instead the standard two lumps. And they were some of the freshest fish I have ever had in the US yet! Butterrryyyy, creammmmyyy, HEAVEN! It is definitely on par with the sushi I had in Dallas, where it is probably a little easier to get fresh seafood. 3. We also had the chicken skewers and takoyaki balls. Both were done very well :) 4. I am not so sure how the regular service is like to a typical customer since my friend knew the owner, and we received excellent service with complimentary salads to begin with. I was also thinking that maybe we received bigger pieces of fish with the nigiri because of this as well, but I am not so sure. I KNOW I am going to miss this place going back to Minneapolis, where there is a lack of decent sushi restaurants. I can't figure out how Indy, which is also a landlocked state, can have such fresh and cheap Japanese restaurants, but Minneapolis doesn't. I also had to get another order of uni at the end! I joked to my friend that I would come back to Indy just for this place!
(5)Atsushi H.
Great food. Just be careful not to leave your stuff in your car. There are many stolen incidents at the parking area though.
(5)Rumi S.
When I want authentic Japanese food, I go to Asaka. They have great Japanese dishes that other local "Japanese" restaurants don't serve. Being from Japan, it's nice to have somewhere that tastes like home. The sushi chef Nina-chan makes sushi look like a work of art. They have great deals such as their happy hour sushi menu plus a bonus discount if you pay in cash.
(5)John M.
I was on a mission to find good tonkotsu based ramen in Indianapolis. Asaka served up exactly what I had become accustomed to from frequent visits to a ramen house in Fountain Valley, CA. If you have not had real ramen, this is a must try. Forget those 30 cent packs of noodles you ate as a child and throughout college - real ramen is nothing like that. I highly recommend the Asaka Ramen as I'm a huge fan of the pork based broth, rather than the soy base. Asaka also has sushi happy hour from 5 to 7 pm which puts many of their basic rolls in the $3 to $5 dollar range. A very good value!
(5)Kimmi M.
One does simply not enter good Japanese food. The norm for this metropolitan area is overpriced, drowned in eel sauce, fried horror that is all about FUSION and LIGHTING SH*T ON FIRE! Asaka is none of that. Asaka is the most authentic Japanese restaurant experience by my definition of authentic. That definition is what you would get in Japan. Notice that most of the waitstaff speaks Japanese. Why? Because customers who only speak Japanese come here for food that reminds them of home. I've never been to another restaurant in this area that has onigiri or maguro natto. Not only does Asaka have a happy hour EVERY DAY, they have a price point that is unfairly advantageous to the consumer. The slices of fish on the nigiri are at least 2-3 bites every time. These pieces of sushi are huge. The quality of the fish is unsurpassed, and skipping the salmon (what they are know for) would be a dire mistake. I recently have begun exploring more of the menu like the hiyashi chuka, which is a cold noodle dish with shrimp and tamago that changed my life. I come to Asaka with friends or by myself, basically any time I can make the trip to Castleton. Asaka has something for everyone, be in a hot dish, sushi, ramen, or drink. ç§ã¯æœéœžã‚’æ„›ã—
(5)Andy C.
Owned by Chinese but the Japanese food is not bad. Sushi is not very authentic but tasty enough. Ramen was awesome... well no comparison to the real authentic ramen we used to have in Southern California but close enough to satisfy my taste buds.
(4)Siyu C.
The everyday happy hour is a good deal. Never disappointed. Must get here early. I always get here at 5pm.
(5)Chad J.
Asaka's quality is always very good, and the atmosphere is cozy. My friend from Japan recommended it to me, and it is now my go-to place for sushi. If you go between 5-7PM during happy hour, you can indulge for a very cheap price. Although sometimes you can't get some of the fancier rolls on the happy hour menu, the basic rolls are still very good. Miso soup is cheap. You get discounts for cash payment too (never seen this before). Now when I am craving sushi, I love to go to both Asaka in Castleton or Sushi Bar in Broadripple. I recommend both!
(4)Robert S.
Huge portions, fresh and well prepared. Usually a waiting line. Be prepared and make reservations
(5)Ryosuke U.
Stopped by on a Wednesday night with a coworker around 7PM. The place was pretty busy and the workers seemed a little short staffed. Once we sat down we ordered a few starters (edamame, Sashimi Appetizer, Moro kyuu, etc. etc.) all OK. I gotta agree with some of the other reviews though that the sashimi was cut in a very peculiar way. Some pieces were large, some very small. Finished with ramen (I had shouyu my coworker got Miso) which I thought was the best part of the dinner. Overrall, although short staffed, the service was still good and the food was definitely closer to authentic Japanese than other places in the city. Will be back when in the area. They have private rooms for business meeting dinners which is a plus as well. Good to take family, friends, coworkers, and customers.
(4)Linda S.
Food at this place is above average. However, customer service is absolutely terrible. On multiple occasions, people that obviously did not have reservations (but are friends with people that work there) would walk in and get seated immediately while we continued to wait. The hostess never kept a wait list. My wait times have typically been 30-60min, and there are no seats in the tiny waiting area. This is not how a restaurant should be run. We will not be back.
(1)Ana L.
BEST JAPANESE SUSHI BAR IN INDY, seriously can't stop bragging about this place. My family and I visit every week and we don't get tired of it. If you're a new customer they are slow to sit you don't but if you haven't noticed by how packed the place is it's worth the wait. Best miso soup. A hidden treasure. Would of never even seen this place if it wasn't recommend by an Asian friend of mine. ALSO you can make a reservation! Which we do every week. And they know me by name and sit me down no matter how long the like is, they always take care of my family and I
(5)Melissa B.
I came here alone to get out of the apartment and get some writing done. It was not a mistake. I sat at the sushi bar where I got to watch Nina expertly make any item on the menu without flinching. She exhibits a level of patience rare for sushi chefs and willingly answers any pestering questions from customers with a smile. My server never missed a beat, and I enjoyed the quiet pace of the entire restaurant. Even though I came at six, I didn't have to wait to be seated, and the traffic was moderate enough that it never got too loud. As an added bonus, I came during "happy hour"--a two-hour event from five to seven when I could enjoy all kinds of nigiri and hand-made rolls at an unbelievably low price. I ordered edamame which arrived lightly salted and warm, yellowtail nigiri (the biggest piece of nigiri I've ever had), salmon, cucumber, and avocado roll, and a shrimp tempura roll. The entire bill was fourteen dollars. That's almost unheard of for that much sushi in Indy, and this was the real deal. I will definitely be returning and recommending this to anyone who even mentions the word "sushi." I'll be trying the ramen--something that isn't found in genuine form in Indy, and I'll be working my way through every type of sushi. Then, I'll start over.
(5)Zach S.
They have the best spicy tuna.
(5)Robin P.
I was really expecting a lot more after reading reviews on Yelp and deciding to come to Asaka. Maybe it was an off night? Visited the restaurant on a recent Saturday night and we ordered an assortment of nigiri - along with a two rolls. Before I jump into that, I'll say that the soup and side salad were wonderful (great dressing on the salad). The edamamee appetizer was also very good (just the right amount of salt). But the sushi didn't follow suit. It didn't seem fresh. The color of the sushi seemed dull. It tasted a little too fishy. We had leftovers - which never happens and neither one of us wanted to take the extras home. The price is definitely right here, though. It's the most affordable sushi that I've found so far, but I'm not sure if that will get me back in the door.
(2)Emily U.
You mightn't guess that hidden behind the Hooters in a Castleton strip mall is this cozy little sushi joint. The menu, in Japanese and English, is extensive, and they seem to have plenty of weekday specials, including free miso soup. I sampled some veggie rolls, the house salad, seaweed salad, inari and miso soup--all were above average. I washed my meal down with Asahi, which was 20 percent off, making the 24-oz bottle a steal. The service was gracious, though perhaps a tad slow when it was time for the check. But by that time I was in a warm, belly-full-of-sushi kind of haze so I didn't much mind.
(4)Lauren R.
I've been coming to Asaka since 04 and it is still my favorite Indianapolis sushi restaurant. I base that on the freshness of the fish and the selection ONLY. I could care less about ambiance or atmosphere. If that were the case I would have ruled it out altogether because it sits between a hooters, red lobster and a Burlington coat factory. Good fish, great service and they great you every time you walk in the door. I will say they used to have free dumdums lollipops years ago, but have since abandoned this sweet post dinner treat.
(5)Torrey R.
I am a huge sushi fan so was excited to try something new. I was pleased with the happy hour prices and the extent of their menu. I was pleased with the kindness of our server. I was appalled by service itself and for this reason, I will never come back. I came in with a party of five, one of whom ordered chicken while the rest of us ordered sushi. The chicken came out 20 minutes before anything else and was cold before anyone else received their dinner. Two more sushi plates arrived, 15 minutes after that one more arrived, and a full hour after the chicken dish was set on the table, the last plate of sushi was served. Beers were never delivered without having to remind the server. The checks took forever and only after they were requested. Finally we inquired why 5% wasn't taken off for those of us who paid in cash as it had been advertised. "I'm sorry but I can't do that for split checks." Gee, thanks for letting us know. I forgot to mention that the fish wasn't that great either.
(1)Ivy C.
I love this restaurant! I think this is the best place to have fresh suchi in indy. I dined in and took out before, both experience were wonderful! Further, 5-7 pm on weekdays are happy hours, they are almost half price of nigiri and some rolls. Great place to enjoy local Japanese style night :)
(4)Sarah S.
I really like Asaka, although it's not nearly as bright and glowing on the inside as the pictures on the website would have you believe. It is kind of dive-y, but the food is good. I can never resist the yakiniku, which is thinly sliced beef in a very flavorful sauce. If you like bulgogi, you'd probably like yakiniku. What little sushi I tried was also fresh and tasty. My favorite part of coming to this restaurant, though, is dessert--green tea ice cream. Mmmm.
(4)Gizelle A.
Love it! I go there often and in my mind they kind of set the sushi standard. The cooks are very nice and fun, it feels clean and comfortable, the service has always been great. It's a little sushi treasure.
(5)Kylie C.
my favorite sushi place in the indianapolis area, hands down. i've never been disappointed with the food - it's always delicious. i'm a vegetarian and love their asparagus tempura roll. definitely can't complain about complementary green tea, either. the wait staff is a little hit and miss, and the decor is nothing special, but the food makes up for it. soooo good.
(5)Dan G.
Why do you go to a Japanese Steakhouse? Sometimes it's because either you/your date doesn't like sushi. Otherwise, let's say special events and/or nights out with friends. My visit was of the birthday persuasion. I love sushi (but my wife doesn't) so this seemed like a fun, different place to go than the usual Scotty's/Champs/Etc. When we walked in, I thought about turning around to go somewhere else, but it was late and we were hungry. I loved the comment below about this being the Denny's of Japanese Steakhouses. Dead-on. Koi pond, check. Everything else in the place, boring and plain. Not even background music? This place was DEAD on Thursday at 7pm. Escorted through the dining room, through crying babies at 2 tables. Sat at the hibachi and waited 20 minutes before the chef came out. Let's call him 'disinterested' - you know all of the mildly humorous things you expect from the guys behind the hibachi? Well, he pulled off most of them, but now imagine he's been doing it for 35 years, and working 2 other jobs. That was about the level of enthusiasm that our guy had. There wasn't a problem with the food, but this place doesn't have what I'd expect for a Japanese Steakhouse. If you just want good sushi, go to a sushi place. If you want to be bored through a half-hearted dinner, this is probably the place for you.
(2)Bethany S.
I have been to Asaka several times and only had one bad experience here. All the other visits were fantastic. In general, the sushi selection is large and flavorful, with reasonable prices and free yummy miso soup. The service is also usually quick and good as well. The one time that everything went wrong, I ordered a bowl of noodles that had almost no flavor and I made myself eat a few bites before giving up. And the service was of course super slow that day - maybe our waitress was having a bad day because she is usually great. I would stick with the delicious ramen and sushi here, as I'm not so sure about anything else and am now afraid to order outside my favorites. I keep going back and just try to pretend that one little (or major) fluke didn't happen. :-)
(4)Jennifer L.
People seem to love this northside dive. I did love the happy hour sushi prices, which were still in effect on Friday evening when I visited (full time is 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday). Hand rolls were going for $2.95, so I chose spicy tuna and shrimp tempura. The shrimp tempura was pretty good and crisp; the spicy tuna was a blob of electric red gop spiced up with Sriracha sauce to the point I couldn't taste much else. I also tried the agedashi dofu, deep fried tofu in a vegetable "sauce" that was really a very salty broth. The shrimp and crab dumplings ("shumai") were tasty, but a bit soggy. This is the kind of place that would be great with a few tweaks.
(2)Andy T.
Pro: One of the best "pure" Sushi in Indianapolis. The cook is actually Japanese, not Korean or Chinese. Their appetizers are great too. The staff are friendly. I recommend going there on weekdays 5-7pm for their half price nigiri. Great deal! Cons: A little bit pricy, but all good Japanese foods in Indy are too.
(4)Audrey H.
I love this place. Sushi is always fresh and so so so good. Sometimes service can run a little slow, but it is worth it.
(4)Liz P.
I used to go Benihana for 1/2 price Sushi twice a week, but now that Benihana remodeled, got rid of their half price sushi menu, and hired a bunch of rude, surly, and absent sushi servers, I don't go there anymore. I am sold on Asaka mainly for their half price sushi menu from 5pm-7pm Tuesday-Sunday (they're closed on Mondays). Pieces are $1, with the exception of a few things (salmon and eel come to mind) which are $1.25-1.50 per piece. The rolls are not half price though. The restaurant itself is hardly ever full to capacity, meaning that even on a Friday night you can expect to get a table without a wait. They don't charge for green tea (some places do!) and the wait staff, for the most part, are attentive and helpful. If you're looking for a sushi restaurant that can be a place you return to over and over, Asaka is it. Two adults can eat here (including a salad or seaweed salad and tea) for under $40. My fiance and I can escape for under $30 sometimes if we're not starving. That's totally reasonable considering sushi can cost $50+ at Wasabi and other places in the area. Asaka would get 5 stars if the tables didn't have squeaky chairs, and if the decor and music were a bit better. You will look at the walls and go "what were they thinking with this attempt at decoration!" But the food is great. That's why I am there about once a week!
(4)K J.
My husband and I just left Asaka. We read all the great reviews and had to go check it out. True the price can't be beat however, I don't mind paying for satisfying food. We were not impressed with our discounted sushi. At the end of the day I had to compare it to supermarket sushi. We had 5 rolls. There was no distict taste. They all tasted the same. The miso soup and house salads were worth the $1.50 each. I think it is unfair to compare the food at Asaka to fancier or middle of the line sushi bars its just a different animal. I think going into it one must remember these are $5 rolls.
(2)Rachael H.
This was not my favorite sushi place by quite a long shot actually. Saying that, if you are on a budget, this place is probably the joint for you and in that scenerio...this is the place to go. I was here during the happy hour and got a bill for two just over $30 which is pretty darn good for sushi. I guess where this place just doesnt do it for me is in the freshness of the seafood. I dont think that it was very fresh and they were really lacking in the presentation department. Sushi should be really artful and they definately were not able to deliver that. We had ordered a roll that was a special that night and they actually splattered soy sauce on the plate...which really does not work at all since soy sauce is not dense enough to stay where it was splattered and ended up running all over the platter and that was the extent of the decorating of the roll. There was not even an attempt to lay the roll out in a unique way, they just set it down on the plate. Similar things can be said for the other things we ordered. This place did they trick but really there was nothing that stood out at this place except the happy hour prices. I guess you could say that this place is very forgetable.
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