If you’re a fan of diverse and delicious cuisine, you’re in for a treat. As the proud owner of a traditional Japanese Izakaya right here in the heart of London, I am eager to share the wonders of Japanese food with you all. Whether you’re a seasoned Japanese food lover or just starting to explore this incredible culinary world, I invite you to join us at our Izakaya, Akari to experience the authentic taste of Japan.

Sushi – The Iconic Japanese Delicacy

First and foremost, we must talk about the crown jewel of Japanese cuisine – sushi. Originating in Japan centuries ago, sushi has since become a global phenomenon. This delectable dish consists of vinegar-seasoned rice, fresh raw fish or other seafood, and sometimes vegetables, all rolled up in nori (seaweed) or served as bite-sized pieces. Our restaurant takes great pride in serving an array of sushi, from classic nigiri to maki rolls.

Sashimi – The Exquisite Art of Raw Fish

At the pinnacle of Japanese culinary artistry lies sashimi – a true celebration of freshness and simplicity. Delicately sliced raw fish typically served with soy sauce and wasabi, offers an unparalleled sensory experience. Our restaurant boasts an exquisite selection of sashimi, showcasing the finest cuts of pristine fish. Each bite is a symphony of flavours, a testament to the elegance of Japanese culinary tradition.

Tempura – The Art of Light and Crispy

Indulge in the elegance of tempura, a beloved dish that epitomises Japanese refinement. Our chefs meticulously prepare lightly battered and deep-fried vegetables and prawns, resulting in a delightful crispy texture that perfectly encapsulates the essence of each ingredient. Our tempura offerings promise an exquisite experience that is both light and satisfying.

Izakaya Light Bites – A Feast of Small Delights

In Japan, the Izakaya culture revolves around delectable “Izakaya light bites” that perfectly complement your evening with friends or family. These small plates of various delights include Edamame (young soybeans), Gyoza (dumplings), and Agedashi Tofu (deep-fried tofu). With a focus on shared dining, our Izakaya offers an array of these light bites (order online here!), each prepared with care and attention to detail, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavours that cater to every palate.

In this exclusive interview, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Yutaro Ono, the owner of Akari Japanese Kitchen & Bar, located in Islington. With a deep passion for Japanese cuisine and a love for the unique atmosphere of Akari, Yutaro took over the establishment in 2019. 

As we delve into the conversation, Yutaro shares his inspirations, the concept behind his menu and the importance of quality ingredients. Join us as we uncover the story behind this beloved restaurant.

Firstly, could you please tell me a little about yourself and how you became the owner of Akari Japanese Kitchen & Bar?

I have been living in Islington since 2013, and Akari has always been my favourite local restaurant. I loved the atmosphere and the charming Victorian style of the pub. When I learned that the former owner wished to raise their twins in Japan, I spoke with them and took over the establishment in 2019.

What inspires you to run a Japanese izakaya in London, and what sets your restaurant apart from others in the city?

Running a Japanese izakaya in London provides a unique experience. Customers from all over the world visit us, and while they may have similar style restaurants in their hometowns, such as pubs or Spanish tapas bars, our restaurant stands out. We operate within a Victorian-style pub, but inside, we serve exclusively Japanese dishes, which sets us apart.

What do you enjoy most about running Akari Japanese Kitchen & Bar?

The aspect I enjoy the most about running Akari Japanese Kitchen & Bar is experimenting with new dishes. As a big foodie, conducting research for new menu items and receiving feedback is an enjoyable and privileged experience.

What is the concept behind your menu and what types of dishes can customers expect to find?

We embrace the izakaya concept, so our menu is well-suited for accompanying drinks. Customers can expect a variety of options from our menu. Additionally, our chefs create special seasonal dishes that are displayed on our blackboard.

What steps have you taken to ensure that your ingredients are fresh and of the highest quality?

We have established a trustworthy relationship with our suppliers and local shops. One particular supplier we rely on is James Eliot on Essex Road. Their extensive knowledge of meat has been invaluable to us.

How do you approach the balance between traditional Japanese cuisine and modern culinary trends in your menu?

Customers in the UK possess significant knowledge about Japanese food. While we initially had concerns about reducing traditional Japanese dishes from the menu, our customers have enjoyed our new offerings. I appreciate the progress made by Japanese restaurants in the UK over the past several decades.

Are there any particular ingredients or dishes that you feel are especially representative of Japanese cuisine, and how have you incorporated them into your menu?

We love incorporating matcha into our desserts and using raw-fish dishes as customer favourites. Additionally, we use yuzu in both drinks and dishes. Yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit, has a flavour similar to lemon but is more authentic to Japanese cuisine. We want everyone to enjoy its unique taste.

How do you see your restaurant evolving and growing in the coming years?

This year, we welcomed head chef Masa, who has introduced a new atmosphere and culinary style at Akari. While we will continue to maintain our friendly ambience, we are focused on improving the quality of our food.

Can you speak to any challenges or obstacles you’ve faced in opening and operating a restaurant, particularly in the current economic climate?

Like everyone else, we have faced difficulties, but we strive to be the shining spotlight on Essex Road, as reflected in the meaning of Akari in Japanese.

What do you hope customers will take away from their dining experience at your restaurant?

I hope that customers will leave our restaurant with enjoyable memories of dining with friends and savouring our food. After being in business for more than 17 years, many customers return to our restaurant even after moving to a new area.

Well, that wraps up our interview with our esteemed leader, Yutaro. We hope you enjoyed it and decide to book a table with us, or maybe even order a delivery ;).

Izakaya is a Japanese term that refers to a type of informal, casual dining establishment where people can enjoy drinking and socialising with friends, family, or even by themselves. These places typically offer a wide variety of food options to accompany the drinks, ranging from traditional Japanese dishes to fusion cuisine.

A Japanese Izakaya is a bit like a British pub

In Japan, izakayas can be found all over any city, and they are just as prevalent as pubs in England. They are often known for their laid-back atmosphere, where customers can relax, chat, and unwind after a long day.

One unique aspect of izakayas is that as long as the food is good, the chefs are free to serve any kind of food. This often leads to a creative menu with unique offerings that mix and match ingredients from different cuisines to create original dishes. 

For example, Akari director Yutaro’s local izakaya in Japan prepared Japanese-style lamb chops during one of his visits. Although it was not on the menu and was specially prepared for him, the other customers saw the dish and wanted to try it, which led to it becoming a popular dish. 

In some ways, izakayas can be compared to English pubs, which also offer casual dining and a relaxed atmosphere. However, izakayas are often known for their more extensive food menus (see our new menu announcement here) and emphasis on pairing food with drinks, particularly sake.

The Akari food and atmosphere is unique

While our menu may not be as familiar to some customers as other Japanese restaurants, we encourage everyone to give it a try and experience the unique flavours and atmosphere that izakayas offer.

In addition to casual dining and socialising, izakayas are also a popular venue for events such as birthday parties, Christmas parties, and even post-game celebrations for sports fans. Our izakaya has hosted all of these events and more, including customers who come to relax with a beer and a copy of their favourite magazine at our sushi bar.

Overall, izakayas offer a unique and fun dining experience that is not quite like anything else. So whether you’re looking to unwind after work, catch up with friends, or celebrate a special occasion, we invite you to come and enjoy the full Izakaya experience at Akari. Book a table with us here.

Hey there foodies – We are beyond excited to introduce you to our brand new food and drink menus, which we launched earlier this year (2023) in February and May, respectively. We’ve worked hard to create a perfect balance between our all-time popular classics and new, exciting dishes that will transport your taste buds straight to Japan, from right here in the heart of Islington.

Japanese sushi and more

Let’s talk about some of our new menu items that we can’t wait for you to try. First up, we have the Cheesy Potato Mochi and Spicy Prawn Cocktail. These may not seem like conventional Japanese dishes, but trust us, you have to try them. We promise they’ll leave you craving for more.

If you’re not familiar with the term “izakaya,” don’t worry, we explain it all in our next blog post here. But in short, it’s a restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere where you can sip on some sake and enjoy quality time with your loved ones. And that’s precisely the vibe we wanted to create with our new menu. We’ve added more shareable plates so you can indulge in good food with good company.

British & Japanese fusion food

We’re also big fans of British cuisine, and we wanted to infuse some of those familiar flavours into our Japanese-style dishes. Our Yuzu Bloody Mary is a perfect example of this fusion, and it’s been a massive hit with our customers. Plus, we’ve experimented with Japanese-style Scotch Eggs, and they are popular, too.

Japanese sake, cocktails and wine

And that’s not all! We’ve carefully curated a drinks menu that includes unique sake and wine pairings you won’t find anywhere else. Our staff is always happy to recommend their favourites, and don’t forget to check out our daily specials on the blackboard.

We’re passionate about creating dishes that will make your taste buds sing, and we can’t wait for you to try our new menu. Come and join us for a treat day, anniversary celebration, date night, or even a business dinner. Whatever the occasion, we’ve got you covered. You can book a table with us here. We look forward to seeing you!