When it comes to sushi, I’m a bit of a late-comer having only started eating and enjoying it over the past 15 years. But over the years, I certainly learned to enjoy the combination of great fish rolled with sushi rice and other tasty additions. So I have to admit when I started hearing about Akami Sushi out in Apex last year. I ws curious. Touted as “gas station sushi” I had seen very positive reviews over the last few months which meant I just had to visit. And I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised by Akami Sushi Bar! Here’s why…
Akami Sushi Bar, Apex – Location, Interior
So as you can guess, as a gas station sushi bar, Akami is attached to a Han-dee Hugos off of E. Williams Street. It’s a busy thoroughfare so if you need to take a left into the plaza, you will need to be patient. Akami is on the left-hand side of the plaza with a handful of dedicated parking spaces! Inside Akami, it’s super basic: sushi bar in back with an open dining room for maybe 30 or so people? This place is popular so I’ve seen it full by 6:30pm with a waiting line, so plan accordingly. Given it’s size, you’re probably better with a 4-top or smaller since seating 6 to 8 people will be a challenge. Decor is simple and functional, because let’s face it, you’re at Akami for the food!
Akami Sushi Bar, Apex – Menu, Food
Akami offers up a menu covering a handful of appetizers along with the usuals: sushi, nigiri, sashimi, and hand rolls. Don’t miss the chalkboard menu above the sushi bar which has some of the fish available along with some menu specials. The shrimp tempura is excellent showcasing a crispy batter drizzled with sauce and black sesame seeds! And you don’t want to miss the hamachi kama (grilled yellowtail) if it’s available. This fish on bone offers delicious white, meaty flesh that’s succulent and delicious. You’ll have to work a bit to get the meat off the bones and have good chopstick skills but it’s more fun and tasty this way.
When it comes to sushi, it’s about the freshness of the fish and quality of the sushi rice and Akami does a great job here! I tried the otoro nigiri (special) which featured buttery, fatty tuna which barely held together. You can see how the tuna is falling apart in the picture above, but it was wonderful piece fish and I enjoyed this simple offering. A great example of the quality of fish that Akami serves up.
For rolls, Akami has some house special rolls along with signature rolls (fancy) and they do an excellent job here rolling some very tight sushi with a nice proportion of fish to filling. I don’t usually like huge sushi rolls and feel like the medium to smaller rolls makes for better eating. Since sushi needs to be eaten by chopstick or by hand, larger rolls don’t really work for me.
I’ve tried several rolls at Akami: spider (crab tempura, avocado, cucumber), mango maduro (avocado, mango, tuna), and South Beach (salmon, avocado, seared toro, jalapeno). All the rolls were plated well (with good sauce coverage. Really enjoyed the spider roll and mango maduro rolls! Akami also has a pricey Land & Sea roll with shrimp tempura, lobster, and wagyu beef which I’m totally tempted to try!
Akami Sushi Bar, Apex – Service, Conclusion
Service at Akami is very professional and prompt, they are attentive and know what they are doing. While I know that some sushi aficionados might turn their nose up at gas station sushi I was pretty impressed by what Akami Sushi is doing here and appreciate their efforts.
While I always enjoy my frou frou restaurants that nail the decor and ambiance, there’s always a place in my heart for simple little spots that just offer great food in unassuming, humble settings. Not everyone has a financial backer with the capital to build out a high-end space with mod decor so the fact that Akami is dishing out great sushi in a space attached to a Handee-Hugo just means that you can get great fish at a decent price! Don’t sleep on this spot, I think a lot people in Apex already know what they’ve got here in Akami Sushi. Just drop in and enjoy their food…
Gussie’s in Raleigh: A classic neighborhood bar with great flair and food