Doesn't Recommend

hlmiller

Joined 2 years ago

Wow, that was embarrassing. Well where to start -- seems the place is under new management now, and it ain't an improvement.

Untrained, young, hapless wait staff -- can't really blame them, I put this one squarely on "management" -- utterly overwhelmed in a restaurant with few customers. Like many Japanese eateries, they don't know how to serve wine -- got the usual smallish glass of Merlot that tasted like it came from a bottle opened last week. And as a bonus, it was served ice cold, and after a long wait -- refreshing! But like I said, seems a pattern with many Japanese places. So I switched to beer, which finally came after I ordered it a second time.

Everything seemed to take forever. Tempura appetizers tasted like they were fried in oil that hadn't been changed lately. Entrees arrived in stages. Our party of ten got two entrees, waited a while, then another three, waited more, then four more, and the last one arrived only upon inquiry. I didn't even get a salad that was supposed to come with my meal. Didn't bother asking about it, by this time it was clear we were secretly being taped by Kitchen Nightmares.

Whoever owns this place is clearly not paying attention. Or they don't care. Or both. I won't chalk it up to lack of experience, common sense would prevent a lot of this.

Every once in a while you have an experience so bad that it really stands out. This was one of them. Owner and manager should be banned from any association with the restaurant business for life. This obviously is not their "thing". I would be ashamed if it were my place.

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arissa26

Joined 5 years ago

best sushi in town. Great sushi! Love their salmon nigiris, and most of their rolls. The staff is great. It's my husband's and I favorite sushi restaurant in town. We love the 'happy hour' when you can order $1 nigiri. That's the best deal in town. In the weekends it can get crowded and it could take a longer time to have the dinner in front of us, but it's worth it.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review by Christy Buena. Authentic Japanese cuisine is served at the restaurant that offers chicken teriyaki, tempura, deep fried oysters and tonkatsu.

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gomizzou

Joined 9 years ago

Best sushi in the midwest. I've lived in four midwestern states in the last 5 years and asaka has the best combination of fresh sushi, atmosphere, and value of any japanese place that I've visited. Don't let the fact that it is located next to a Hooters in a stripmall deter you. Once you enter, it's a wonderful experience! The portions of fish on the sushi are very large and there is a great sushi happy hour special throughout the week.

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FudGai

Joined 9 years ago

Far-Out Eastern Dining. By far, my choice for Indianapolis Nipponese fare. Why?



A)One of the few 100%-Japanese staffs in Naptown from the owner thru the sushi chef. There's a reason why you see more Asians here than any other Japanese in town. B)The waitrons are extraordinarily gracious & make you feel welcome. C)The sushis quite fresh, at times one can find unusual offerings such as spicy scallops. You don't see the wild American bastardizations such as the ConsecoRoll or the Carlini Handroll (Granted, those are fun bites but insulting of this cuisine and violate the feng chow.). Just the simple, elegant offerings found at wondrous places like LAs Katsu or Gothams Nobu. D)The cooked foods? Outta sight and always accompanied by little extras not advertised on the menu. E)The space is Spartan, but perfectly suited to the experience. By contrast, the other decent sushi-havens are variously too dingy, corporate, faux, cramped. -fudgai

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keleih

Joined 9 years ago

Best Japanese Food in Town. Asaka is the best quality, best tasting, best value for Japanese food in town. It offers traditional Japanese dining and high quality food with a huge menu. The staff is extremely helpful and kind. I've never had such good sushi from any other sushi restaurant in town. This restaurant does not get the recognition it deserves.

I have been to Japan and this restaurant is definitely what you would expent to find in a traditional Japanese restaurant.

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mvparedes2000

Joined 10 years ago

as close to japan as you can get. definitely, the most traditional japanese restaurant in town, don't be intimidated the staff is definitely willing to help! be sure to take advantage of the sushi happy hour from 5-8pm.