Akemi Berkeley

4.5

476 Reviews

$30 and under

Japanese

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 16, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 4 times today

Good for business meals
Kid-friendly
Good for groups

Opened in February 2015, AKEMI is the latest incarnation of miyuki on 1695 Solano Avenue in North Berkeley (Albany border) in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Along with a revamped interior and exterior that includes salvaged wood and upgraded kitchen equipment, AKEMI features an updated menu spotlighting fresh ingredients and well-crafted flavors while retaining customer classics such as our sushi rolls.

AKEMI is the new name we bestow upon the beauty that is good food with good people in a good place.

For outdoor reservations please call the restaurant.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Japanese
Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–8:30 pm
Phone number
(510) 524-1286
Website
http://www.akemiberkeley.com/
Payment options
Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Dennis Imazumi

Location
1695 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707
Neighborhood
Berkeley
Cross street
Tacoma Ave
Parking details
Two-hour, pay-to-park street parking on Solano Avenue from 9:00am - 6:00pm.
Public transit
(BY BUS)<br>AC Transit Local Line 18 runs along Solano Avenue, with Albany-bound stops on both sides of Akemi at Ensenada Avenue and Tacoma Avenue, and Montclair. <br> (BY BART)<br>We are equidistant (about 1.6 miles) from both North Berkeley and El Cerrito BART stations. Walk or bike the last 1.6 miles through the lovely neighborhoods.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access

Popular dishes

Edamame$6.00
boiled soybeans, salt
Spicy Garlic Edamame$7.00
boiled soy beans, spicy garlic sauce
Kyuri$7.00
cucumber salad, sesame dressing, lime
Veggie Gyoza$8.00
vegetable dumplings, ponzu sauce
Pork Gyoza$8.00
pork dumplings, ponzu sauce
Midori Salad$9.00
gem lettuce, radish, carrot ginger vinaigrette
Mekabetsu$9.00
brussel sprouts, karashi mustard vinaigrette, lemon
Hamachi$19.00
yellowtail, avocado, edamame jalapeño, ponzu sauce

Bento

Tori Bento$16.00
grilled chicken breast, sautéed vegetables, sweet soy glaze
Tempura Bento$16.00
vegetable tempura, soy dipping sauce
Sake Bento$18.00
grilled miso-marinated salmon, sautéed vegetables, miso sauce
Gyu Bento$20.00
grilled wagyu, sautéed mushroom, soy-yuzu kosho glaze

Combination Plates / Entrees

combination plates are served with miso soup, rice, salad, and mixed tempura; entrees do not include mixed tempura

Chicken$13.00
grilled or teriyaki
Tonkatsu$15.00
breaded and fried pork cutlet
Salmon$16.00
miso marinated or teriyaki
Imperial Wagyu Sirloin Combo$18.00
choose grilled or teriyaki

Ramen

Veggie Ramen$14.00
soy noodles, tofu, seasonal greens, mushroom, mushroom broth
Tonkotsu Ramen$15.00
pork belly, shoyu egg, kikurage, bamboo shoots, green onion, pork broth
Spicy Miso Ramen$15.00
shredded chicken, shoyu egg, bamboo shoots, cabbage, green onion, spicy miso chicken broth
Lobster Ramen$22.00
lobster, lobster and pork broth, shoyu egg, greens

Dessert

Yuzu Panna Cotta$6.00
Mochi Ice Cream
- 2pc$5.00
Green Tea Ice Cream$3.50

What 476 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.2Service
4.4Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

East Bay
Japanese

476 Reviews

P
Paul
Portland
41 reviews
vip
5.0
41 reviews
Dined on November 11, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We ate at Akemi two nights in a row. That says it all. Counter seating was tons of fun. Watching the masters at work was best theater in Berkeley. Food was simply delicious. And, we will return!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on September 9, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
While the food was okay (and really just that- okay), the service was pretty awful. It took almost an hour to get an order in, and they messed up our initial food order. We almost didn't receive one of the items we ordered until two dishes that we did NOT order arrived at the table (which is when the mistake was realized and quietly fixed nearly 45 minutes after ordering, without any acknowledgement). Additionally, we had to continually ask the food runner to order whenever we wanted more food. We were continuously not checked in with to see we needed anything. Overall, the service felt targeted. It appeared that the tables filled with middle/aged white people received regular, attentive service compared to that of my partner and I (a young, interracial couple). While not hugely important, we were also underwhelmed with the decor, although the glassware was nice. Akemi's only redeeming qualities were the Brussels sprouts and the Yuzu panna cotta, which were beautifully prepared and delicious. If you are looking for a nice dinner spot this is not it. We will not be back.
2 people found this helpful
A
Antonella
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 24, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and service! Glad to have Akemi in the neighborhood!
Is this helpful?
M
Mary
Orange County
33 reviews
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on August 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I was there with my 18-year old grandson and two of his friends. They are heartily and enjoyed everything. I had a lovely meal. It was perfect for the day.
Is this helpful?
J
Joanne
San Francisco
97 reviews
vip
4.0
97 reviews
Dined on August 10, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We've been here a few times and this time was the best. Our group ordered a variety of things and all of them were good. They have an extensive sushi/roll menu but also enough other things for those in our group who didn't eat sushi.
Is this helpful?
BG
BettinaG
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 26, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
1st time visit for a birthday dinner. Shared a sampler of sake. Really enjoyed the Cucumber salad; haven't had anything like it before. Sashimi for him, tempura for me; perfect portions and all good!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 21, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
What a lovely surprise! The food is fresh and delicious. Service is very good. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal and will be back!
Is this helpful?
M
Martina
New York City
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on June 4, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Truly excellent and sometimes unusual Japanese food, especially the cucumber salad and the delightfully light and crisp shrimp tempura. Service was quick and non-obtrusive. The noise from conversations around us made it hard to hear my dinner partner. I recommend highly!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 20, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Akemi is a wonderful place to eat. The menu offers a variety of delicious options. Our group ordered several salads, sushi and the Evil and Kamikaze sushi rolls, Tempura Bento, Salmon plate, and the Hamachi Karma (grilled yellow fin collar). Everyone was impressed and pleased with each selection. We will return.
1 person found this helpful
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on April 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
exquisite dining in a beautiful setting. two of our parties spent extensive time in Japan and thought it was amazing.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Akemi Berkeley offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (510) 524-1286.

Akemi Berkeley is rated 4.5 stars by 476 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 16, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

1695 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707

Additional information

Cross street
Tacoma Ave
Neighborhood
Berkeley
Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–8:30 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Japanese
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Two-hour, pay-to-park street parking on Solano Avenue from 9:00am - 6:00pm.
Public transit
(BY BUS)AC Transit Local Line 18 runs along Solano Avenue, with Albany-bound stops on both sides of Akemi at Ensenada Avenue and Tacoma Avenue, and Montclair. (BY BART)We are equidistant (about 1.6 miles) from both North Berkeley and El Cerrito BART stations. Walk or bike the last 1.6 miles through the lovely neighborhoods.
Payment options
Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Dennis Imazumi
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access

Website
http://www.akemiberkeley.com/
Phone number
(510) 524-1286

Akemi Berkeley

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Ebi Tempura

Shrimp Tempura

Tempura Bento

Small Plates

Edamame$6.00

Spicy Garlic Edamame$7.00

Kyuri$7.00

Veggie Gyoza$8.00

Pork Gyoza$8.00

Midori Salad$9.00

Mekabetsu$9.00

Hamachi$19.00

Bento

Tori Bento$16.00

Tempura Bento$16.00

Sake Bento$18.00

Gyu Bento$20.00

Combination Plates / Entrees

Chicken$13.00

Tonkatsu$15.00

Salmon$16.00

Imperial Wagyu Sirloin Combo$18.00

Ramen

Veggie Ramen$14.00

Tonkotsu Ramen$15.00

Spicy Miso Ramen$15.00

Lobster Ramen$22.00

Dessert

Yuzu Panna Cotta$6.00

Mochi Ice Cream

Green Tea Ice Cream$3.50

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

Does Akemi Berkeley offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Akemi Berkeley restaurant rated?

Is Akemi Berkeley currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information