Sushi Akagi

Restaurant Details

Subtle surprises lurk beneath Sushi Akagi’s blond wood counter.

Located in Osaka’s boisterous Kitashinchi area, the sushi store helmed by Chef Akagi Nobuyuki first opened in 2022. It doesn’t seem out of place among the top crop of culinary establishments in the gourmet city. Elegant, poised seats line the counter, with a pared-back interior meant to put focus on the sushi rather than anywhere else.

However, whereas most sushi venues stick to tradition, Chef Akagi decides to imbue his omakase with another branch of cuisine he has experience with: Italian. His prior exposure to Italian cooking is evident in several signature dishes, such as monkfish liver with narazuke pickles. His nigiri is formulated with day-fresh seafood, which he selected carefully and whose selection will change depending on the season. Meanwhile, his sushi rice, inspired by Edomae tradition, features aged red vinegar to achieve the ideal balance of flavor. Every detail, from the pickled ginger to the wasabi, is carefully chosen to enhance the sushi.

In a rare departure from the rigidity found in many omakase venues, Chef Akagi is warmly welcoming to guests of all ages, including those with children, even infants. A friendly man by nature, his service radiates as much as his omakase. No wonder his counter tends to book out night after night.