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    Akai Hana

    4.3 (807 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Akai Hana Photos

    Business Info

    AKAI HANA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Crispy Kale Roll
    Nick S.

    If you're a sushi fan in Columbus, Akai Hana needs to be on your list of places to go! They are located in the Japan Marketplace where there are so many great spots and shops to explore! The vibes here are awesome and it's great for any occasion! Every dish feels so authentic, and the quality of seafood in their rolls are top of the line and taste incredibly fresh! The bento boxes are always fun to do and allow you to taste a little bit of everything! Be on the lookout for their specials they have going on the Crispy Kale Roll was one of the best rolls I've had in the city!

    Super Dry
    Eric F.

    Am I turning Japanese, turning Japanese? I really think so. Can we get somebody at Yelp! to check how often that joke has been used to start a sushi restaurant review. This place is in a strip mall with bakery - Belle's- and a Japanese grocery store. They are all hopping. The story I get is that when Honda opened a plant here the services followed. Tracks. The sashimi is great. Also got the tofu, which I really like. Soft shell crab are great. The ambiance is that of a very busy Japanese restaurant. The servers are teched up so everything moves at a pace. Simply said, if you are in Columbus come here.

    They have a very large selection
    Jeffrey B.

    This is my fist time here and you need to make reservations. Every time I'm in the area this place is always busy. I ordered the octopus because no matter where I go I must try how they prepare it. Then I ordered the Alaska. It was a bit smaller than I expected but still good. I would go back since they have a lot of different options to try on the menu. Service was fine. Did feel a little rushed though.

    Caterpillar Roll on the bottom  Tuna Bliss A Roll on top
    Karina A.

    Not my first time at Akai Hana, but my first review. Each time I have gone I have just simply loved their sushi. Service was wonderful. Ambjance was a little loud, but as expected for a fully packed Saturday night. We started with miso soup and tempura shrimp and veggies for appetizers. The tempura was fantastic, with the perfect crunch. My partner also tried a salmon hand roll. The hand roll was packed with salmon and incredibly fresh. For the mains, we opted for the suki yaki (which my partner had most of) and the caterpillar roll and tuna bliss A roll. The rolls were exquisite, each piece perfectly put together. We were so into our meal that I even forgot to take pictures until midway in! I also appreciate that their online menu had pictures for everything, it certainly made picking our items much easier. I definitely look forward to going back to Akai Hana, especially for the sushi and fish.

    Nigiri - Fatty Tuna was my favorite
    Clare K.

    Really wonderful authentic dishes like Hamachi Kama (fried yellowtail collar, or cheek - tenderest part of the fish) and soft shell crab. We also ordered some nigiri with melt in your mouth fish (Fatty Tuna was my favorite). Our waitress was attentive and lovely.

    Samantha M.

    Found this restaurant amongst a list of recommended sushi spots in Columbus and the recommendation did not disappoint. I was a bit skeptical with the sushi in Ohio based on my last experience when I ordered sushi from a different restaurant. Akai Hana redeemed the sushi scene and provided a delicious meal with great service despite us walking in a bit late. We ordered two rolls and noodles and they were delicious. We ordered the salmon avocado roll and a spicy tuna roll. It was a great spot for our date night or you can come for a family dinner. I definitely see myself coming back, I'm craving sushi just writing this review!

    Tuna Bliss A Roll
    Nafisa H.

    I love the restaurants in this shopping center and this is the more upscale Japanese restaurant in the group. The atmosphere is cozy, a tad loud when we came but we were seated next to a very large group. Expect it to be busy but you can still manage a table with little to no wait. I shared the tuna bliss a and sweet potato roll with a friend and it was delicious! You can count on them for having consistent quality food.

    Front: Spicy Scallop Roll  Back: Pixie Roll
    Sammi M.

    Other than Japan, this is the best sushi I've ever had. So authentic and their fish could not be more fresh. We tried the spicy tuna crispy rice and I'd totally get it again! For simple rolls, get the yellowtail. It's a great option to go with other special rolls. I'd recommend all the rolls we got! All great. The baked scallop roll is a roll they're known for and it's delish if you like warm scallops and a creamier sauce. Regardless if you like sushi you MUST go to Akai Hana. Also visit the Japanese market next door. It's the closest I've gotten to Japan since I went last summer.

    Eel hand roll
    Talor B.

    Was craving a good hand roll and this is one of the few places in the city that make them! I had my toddler with me so we weren't able to dine in but I got 2 hand rolls and some nigiri to go. The host was super friendly and my order was ready early although they seemed fairly busy. I really enjoyed the nigiri. I got a king salmon and a smoked salmon. Honestly not sure which one was which but one had a ton of yummy flavor. The hand rolls were pretty loaded - I got the shrimp and the eel. I'd probably dine in next time but definitely will be back.

    Aubrie H.

    If you love sushi and you haven't been here, you're missing out. Always made fresh and delicious! They have so many specialty rolls but a lot of regular rolls as well. They have more than just sushi but that seems to be our go to when we visit. Tried the pixie roll again on this visit and it was delicious but the rainbow roll is a close second. Between service and delicious food, this is a great place to visit.

    Shrimp Tempura Roll
    Abby R.

    Stopped in for dinner on a busy Thursday evening. We made a reservation and were seated promptly. The resturaunt is larger than you'd think and can get a little noisy. Our server was only around intermittently, it was busy so understandable. The spring rolls and the udon were by far the best things we ordered! The spring rolls were hot and crispy with fresh filling, and the sweet and sour sauce on the side was delicious! The udon was very cabbage heavy and needed soy sauce, but the dish tasted fresh (and the leftovers were good). The sushi was just alright- both speciality rolls had a lot of sauce so the tempura batter was soggy and really only the sauce flavor came through, which for spicy mayo had too much mayo, hardly any spice.

    Chef's Special - letting the sushi chef choose the best pieces for you is the way to go
    Gabriel G.

    This place is just incredible! Best sushi in Columbus. Hands down. The selection, the quality, and the preparation are top notch! Even their rolls are amazing because the fish is so fresh, but for the true top shelf experience, you have to get sushi and/or sashimi. Always great to start with some tempura veggies too! And then of course there's pleeenty of sake to satisfy your rice wine desires :) IMPORTANT NOTE : Be sure to make a reservation several days in advance if you want to get in on a Friday or Saturday at dinner time! If I'm being picky, it's time for them to upgrade the furniture inside, but the staff is always a delight and the food is out of this world!

    Yose Nabe
    Cindy M.

    Love that there is a japanese village in Columbus! This restaurant is quite large. Came here on a Wednesday night and it was busy but luckily there was no wait to be seated. Friendly service. I ordered a yose nabe and it came out steaming hot. Loved how hot it was but had to wait 10 minutes for it to cool down lol. It was huge! Def could feed two people. I also ordered a uni nigiri and a amaebi nigiri - both were super fresh. I would def come back if im in the area!

    Eel!

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    11 days ago

    Delicious food and extremely kind staff with excellent service. The decor is actually very nice, I may try again.

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    5 months ago

    Quintessential Japanese food in Columbus. It won't blow your mind, but it's pretty solid overall in terms of price and flavor.

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    10 months ago

    Really good sushi! We got the miso soup as well which I recommend. Our server was attentive and friendly. It was a nice atmosphere.

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    Akai Hana Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Akai Hana

    Do they have all you can eat sushi?

    No we do not have all you can eat sushi.

    Are there any gluten-free options? Is the sushi rice gluten-free? Gluten-free soy sauce?

    Rice is gluten free. Even so-named "glutinous rice" does not have gluten in it.

    View All 4 Questions

    Domo Sushi Kitchen & Bar

    Domo Sushi Kitchen & Bar

    4.5
    (114 reviews)
    5.3 mi

    I ordered the teriyaki salmon and it was delicious! Our server was okay, nice but, wasn't too…read moreattentive to checking in on our table. We had to flag down another waitress to get her to come back to our table. Other than that, everyone enjoyed their food and the ambiance is nice.

    1. Ambience (4/5) This place is very cute! The décor was…read moreintentional without trying too hard. Midway through my meal, they came around to light a candle at the table, which added such an intimate touch, and gave cozy date night energy in the best way. In fact, I believe I was sitting next to a couple having their first date. 2. Plating (4.5/5) The presentation did not disappoint. Everything came out looking polished and thoughtfully arranged. The edamame stood out because they generous with the flaky salt, which I personally loved. Sometimes places hold back, but this was well seasoned. 3. Customer Service (2.5/5) This is where things started to fall apart a bit. I stood at the front for about 12 minutes before being acknowledged, and the restaurant was nearly empty. I had to make eye contact with someone in the kitchen just to be seated. Service at the table wasn't much better. It took about 15 minutes just to get my drink order taken (which I had to flag the waitress down to order), and by that time I was ready to order my whole meal. I ordered an appetizer along with a couple of sushi rolls and some sake. I'm not sure if the waitress wasn't thinking about it, but she brought my rolls out before she even brought out my appetizer or my drink. The inconsistency was noticeable and took away from the experience. 4. Overall Taste (4.5/5) The food absolutely carried! I ordered a sweet potato roll and the Hoonie Roll, which ended up being my favorite part of the meal. Both were fresh, flavorful, and really well-balanced. Paired with the edamame and sake, everything came together nicely. 5. Overall Experience (3.9/5 ) Taking everything into account, the experience lands just under a 4. The food and atmosphere were strong, but the service created a noticeable disconnect. It's definitely one of those places where you'd go back for the food, but you'd hope the service catches up next time.

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Spicy scallop roll (l) and spider roll (r)
    Spicy scallop roll (l) and spider roll (r)
    Short ribs

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    Short ribs
    The 698

    The 698

    4.6
    (88 reviews)
    5.7 mi

    This is a surprisingly large restaurant with a nice ambiance and friendly service…read more I ordered the agedeshi tofu and the sushi and sashimi for two. The agedeshi tofu was solid. The sushi-sashimi for two came in a beautiful boat, with a large number of pieces. I think the boat is probably large enough food for three. The sushi itself was quite fresh with a good and varied selection. They have an extensive menu and I look forward to trying some other dishes here.

    Miso soup is solid - only feedback is the tofu was cold while the soup was nice and warm so a…read morelittle confusing but the flavor was good and fresh and clean. Dumpling are super good! Could be a little crispier. The service atleast at the bar took a while and doesn't feel like planned out feels kinda chaotic even though like not that many people are here at 7:30pm on a Tuesday. Reused menus are a no go I don't like them. It devalues the image and they are always kind sticky. I'm not sure why or what's going on in the restaurant but there is like fruit flies buzzing around everywhere. I ordered the smoked toro and shaved truffle box. The box came out smoky and smelling great. The box itself doesn't seem to be super clean which was upsetting and the sushi wasn't as cold and fresh as I would have wanted it to be. I feel like this place has a ton of potential but tonight just fell flat for some reason.

    Photos
    The inside was beautiful as was all the dinner and glassware
    The inside was beautiful as was all the dinner and glassware
    Tropical Roll
    Tropical Roll
    Chili Oil Gyoza

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    Chili Oil Gyoza
    Oishii 2 Japanese Bistro

    Oishii 2 Japanese Bistro

    3.9
    (11 reviews)
    3.6 mi

    The first Oishii is far off my usual routes, so I haven't gotten there though I heard it's good…read more This one opened up near campus last week, much closer to me. And after that soft opening with a regular menu, this week they introduced an all-you-can-eat menu as well. So of course I got there as soon as I could. Quite an extensive menu for AYCE too, though not as big as their standard one. And full of interesting stuff. Nigiri, raw rolls, cooked rolls, deep-fried rolls, specialty rolls, apps, ramen, hibachi, and more. I wanted to try everything, but even though I arrived hungry I just couldn't. Maybe 25 years ago I could have eaten twice as much, and when the students hear about this they will clean them out. It's just down from where Japanese Oriental Restaurant used to be, and I used to save up and pig out there with my friends. Now I eat a bit less, but I still figure I had about $60 worth of sushi for $30. I started with seaweed salad- big portion, and very tasty. Fresh and a little spicy. Then unagi- two big pieces, excellent, tender and flavorful. Then maguro- good, melt in your mouth. Next I tried their "dragon eggs"- deep fried avocado with kani and tuna. OMG. Again, a big portion (two whole avocados, halved and stuffed. Finally, two big rolls: the High Street roll with spicy tuna, and the Seashore roll with salmon, kani, and more. Wow. Big, and tasty. Best sushi in town? No, but up there. Really good. Service was great. They open at noon, at least on weekdays, and I was the first one in. The decor is cool- it's an old house, and they have made it modern but with vintage touches. The bathrooms and waiting area are super cool. There's a bar off to one side, a sushi bar in back, and lots of sleek but comfy seating. Also a huge patio and courtyard out front. Free street parking out front (except during rush hour.) Also a small lot in back. Get here. If you like sushi, or other Japanese food, you'll like it. If you like a bargain, you'll love it. $27, yes, not cheap; but for sushi it's not bad, and for AYCE sushi it is a steal. A cool place to hang out, not far from campus, and drink, and eat good food till you're stuffed.

    The AYCE is a good deal and pretty yummy! The menu is actually surprisingly varied, you can get all…read morekinds of things. Service was friendly and pretty quick considering. Atmosphere was modern and soothing. You can get ramen, cooked dishes like tempura, salads, all kinds of things. There's a full bar as well, and areas with cozy or romantic seating. The design was actually pretty cool, you could eat with a group or sit up at a bar by yourself and feel very comfortable either way. The sushi menu itself includes more traditional Japanese sushi, which honestly is what I'd recommend from the AYCE menu. They even have sashimi, which is cut thinly- which is fine, if you want more you can just order more, that prevents excessive waste. Most AYCE places wouldn't offer sashimi anyway. But the traditional sushi, sashimi and rolls were the ones we liked best. The more Americanized rolls with the alternative (non-nori) wraps were not as delicious, in our opinion. We couldn't figure out what it was, whether it was the wraps or an ingredient in the chopped sushi roll fillings. But there's a ton on this menu that was good. Will eat here again. Oh and a short note on large groups- maybe this is not the spot to go with a massive group? It's more of an intimate dining experience, although they do seem to allow big groups. I only mention this because I saw a negative review about slow service for large groups before we went and then the evening we went a group of maybe 10-12 college students impatiently waited by the door to be seated, even though the servers were polite and had to wait for multiple tables to clear at the same time to push together seat such a large group in a smallish restaurant- the patrons kept coming in and trying to sit at random tables before it was their turn. If you have a massive group I'd say split into multiple tables or maybe choose a different, larger or chain restaurant, like El Vaquero or Buffalo Wild Wings? Anyway I hope they left a good tip because the workers were very professional and the group was very large and very impatient.

    Photos
    Oishii 2 Japanese Bistro
    Cool space, tin ceiling.
    Cool space, tin ceiling.
    Menu

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    Menu

    Akai Hana - japanese - Updated July 2026

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