. Photo - Akido Restaurant via Facebook..jpg)
. Photo - Akido Restaurant via Facebook..jpg)
Located at street level beneath The Leonardo, in Sandton, Akido is one of Joburg's most authentic Japanese restaurants, and certainly, it's most elegant and atmospheric. A pocket-sized restaurant, Akido seats around 20 people at tables of two or four, with premium seating at the sushi counter where you can engage with the chefs, and watch as they create the finest sushi around.
An elegant and inviting space, Akido is a restaurant where you get to have a conversation amid gentle background sounds, and are treated to thoughtful and polite service.
Akido is under the expert guidance of Head Chef Earl Akido (formerly of Nobu Cape Town, a restaurant name famed for its sushi), who leads a talented kitchen team, all dressed in white. There is an air of authority to Chef Akido. As he moves through the restaurant, the staff make way.
Akido opened in September 2023. We visited earlier in the year with friends (so we kept the meal note-free and camera-free) who favoured more conservative dishes on the menu. The food was excellent (our order included a noodle dish and chicken satay), but this particular reviewer noted a return visit was essential to try the range of sushi and sashimi. Coincidentally, while making plans to return, we were invited to visit and review the restaurant in July 2024.
The nigiri here is outstanding, with the rice so perfectly prepared and seasoned that there is no reason for dipping or adding anything else to each perfectly crafted morsel. Soft leaves of pickled ginger are recommended as a palate cleanse between portions, rather than as an accompaniment, and it is also recommended that you eschew chopsticks for this, and rather pop each morsel into your mouth with your hands. A heated towel is provided on arrival, as you are seated, and replenished with warmth for new courses, so you can keep those hands clean at all times. Also on arrival, each person at the table is given a complimentary snack – a bowl of edamame beans with crisp flakes of Icelandic sea salt. It's the equivalent of what other restaurants serve as a bread course and a delightful variation.
We were served a nigiri platter, with the portions ranging in order of richness of flavour. Instructed to eat from left to right, we sampled seabass, tuna, Norwegian salmon, wagyu, and finally, toro [fatty tuna meat]. The first thing to note is the colours of the fish, which is a different order from regular Joburg sushi fare. The tuna was so rich in colour, that it was almost reddish-purple, solid and utterly succulent. Eating one portion at a time, followed by a taste of ginger, a wipe of the hands, and then the next slows your experience down, leaving time to savour each flavour.
We also tasted petite portions of rock shrimp tempura (magnificent, it was coated in a light mayonnaise Akido makes in-house), rich monkfish liver with a topping of roe, steamed prawn with a citrusy fresh dressing (perfectly paired), and Mauritian seabass sashimi (beautifully plated and a refreshing dish with an organic lemon dressing). Each plate is a small bouquet of flavour delight.
The fishes served here are flown in from Cape Town, and you'll find items on the menu not seen elsewhere in Joburg, including tuna belly, or "toro", known as the wagyu of the sea for its rich, melt-in-the-mouth sensation.
Fear not, if sushi is not what fuels you, there are other delicious dishes to try. The table next to us was delighted by the spicy prawn noodles, while the grilled skewers of organic chicken in three ways pleased the couple to our right. It's a small space, and we had friendly neighbours, which enhanced the experience, as we compared notes about what we were enjoying. We didn't try it but were intrigued by the mention on the menu of a prime beef hamburger.
Akido is in the pricey category of Joburg restaurants, but it's also a definite cut above. The Omakase menu is a 14-piece serving of delights that is the chef's selection, at R1,350 p.p. If you are in the mood for this kind of experience, we think it's well worth it, having experienced something similar in Los Angeles where the conversion of dollars to rands makes you want to cry.
The drinks' menu also stands out, for its selection and prices. Try a Japanese beer or go large with a taste of Hibiki whisky or sake. We loved the espresso martini here (Grey Goose vodka, coffee liqueur, and an espresso shot).
Whether you're a sushi connoisseur or exploring Japanese cuisine for the first time, Akido's meticulously crafted dishes, emphasis on quality ingredients, and minimalist ambience ensure a memorable dining experience. Perfect for an intimate night out with a date or friends, or to impress your prospective business partners.
Booking is essential. See details here.
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