Akai Tori Ramen & Yakitori
Welcome to Akai Tori Ramen & Yakitori, a hidden gem located in the heart of Vienna, VA. This izakaya-style restaurant offers a unique dining experience, combining the flavors of traditional Japanese cuisine with a modern twist. As a food reviewer of Restaurant World, I had the pleasure of delving into the culinary delights that Akai Tori has to offer.
From the moment you step inside, you are greeted with a cozy and inviting atmosphere that transports you to the bustling streets of Japan. The restaurant is beautifully designed, with Japanese night market vibes that add to the overall dining experience. The attentive and friendly service further enhances the ambiance, making you feel right at home.
Now, let's talk about the food. Akai Tori excels in serving authentic Japanese ramen and yakitori dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty bowl of tonkotsu ramen, a flavorful plate of yakitori skewers, or a chef's special wagyu chazuke, there is something for everyone on the menu.
One of the standout dishes that I had the pleasure of trying was the Vegetarian Ramen. Bursting with flavor and unique ingredients like black fungus mushrooms and fresh agedashi fried cubed tofu, this dish truly impressed me. The ramen noodles, slightly thinner than usual, perfectly complemented the rich miso broth, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
Not to be missed are the variety of appetizers, tempura, sashimi platters, and donburi options that showcase the skill and expertise of the chefs at Akai Tori. The attention to detail in each dish is evident, with every bite a culinary delight.
In addition to the food, Akai Tori also offers a range of refreshing drinks, from ITOEN Milk Tea to Choya Umeshu, that perfectly complement the flavors of the dishes.
Overall, my experience at Akai Tori Ramen & Yakitori was nothing short of exceptional. The combination of delicious food, welcoming ambiance, and top-notch service make this restaurant a must-visit for anyone looking to embark on a culinary journey through Japanese cuisine. Don't miss out on the opportunity to savor the flavors of Akai Tori before it closes its doors. And who knows, maybe we'll see this beloved establishment pop up again in the future, bringing its culinary legacy back to the NoVA area.
Akai Tori Ramen & Yakitori Menu
Location
Address: 234 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180
Phone: (703) 223-5782
Business info
- Offers DeliveryYes
- Offers TakeoutYes
- Wheelchair accessibleYes
- Accepts Credit CardsYes
- ClassyYes
- Good for GroupsYes
- Good For KidsYes
- Good for DinnerYes
- Private Lot ParkingYes
- Waiter ServiceYes
- Free Wi-FiYes
- Happy Hour SpecialsYes
- Full BarYes
- TVYes
- Asian-ownedYes
- Dogs Not AllowedNo
Last Reviews
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Author: I C.
Oh my goodness I'm so sad....just read on Vienna Patch that this place is closing on Feb 29th!! Nooooooooooo!! :( Slight delay in writing a review of my friend and my first time visit to Akai Tori for a girls dinner out - won't help keep this place from closing but while it's still open (for 2 more days!), if you're reading this, HIGHLY RECOMMEND GOING We picked this place because of the convenience of its location right on Maple in quaint downtown Vienna (big plus not having to hassle with driving in to the Tysons area and fighting traffic, parking and crowds). The Yelp pics showed the cozy dining area we knew would be the perfect setting to sit and hang out and enjoy each other's company. Reviewing the menu, it had all the classic Japanese fare at reasonable prices. And then on top of all that, allllll the great Yelp reviews of this place sealed the deal for us. And Akai Tori did not disappoint!! Everything about our dining experience that night was wonderful - from the venue, the quaint no-nonsense interior decor and dining area (very casual and inviting), large portion sizes, more-than-fair pricing, an impressive variety of authentic Japanese ramen and sushi menu items, fantastic service and MOST OF ALL, DELICIOUS, FRESH, PIPING HOT FOOD. We were both looking forward to coming back and bringing our families to try out our new discovery. :( So very very sorry to hear the news of Akai Tori's imminent closing later this week! To the owner, we look forward to your next culinary journey and continued legacy - hopefully somewhere close by in the NoVA area because this area needs more places like Akai Tori. All best wishes for your next chapter! We feel fortunate that we were able to stop in and enjoy a meal. Not goodbye Akai Tori but rather...hope to see you pop up again soon....
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Author: Julia W.
Excellent ambiance and service! The interior gives me Japanese night market/city vibes. The service was very fast and attentive, and the restaurant itself is beautifully designed and not too crowded or loud. Would return just because of how beautiful the restaurant is, how reasonable the prices are and how great the service was. The food was good, got 3 ramen (2 tonkatsu ramen and 1 black garlic tonkatsu ramen) and unfortunately when we went they ran out of chasiu, so they substituted shrimp tempura, pork katsu or chicken katsu. The portion size was good, and broth was good, but I wish I had been able to try the chasiu. The pork katsu looked good and included miso soup and rice and my father enjoyed it. I would definitely return so I can give the yakitori a try and some of the unique specialty items on the menu that apparently were handed down family recipes. Overall solid food and look forward to returning so I can enjoy the beautiful restaurant and try other dishes!
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Author: Ariana M.
This is my second time coming here and honestly, I really like it. The ramen shop is very cute and has plenty of tables. It wasn't too busy for a Sunday morning. The service was good! We got seated very fast and our food also came out super quick. I got the black garlic tonkatsu and the seared salmon. I really enjoy how they sear it here as the char flavor is very present. The ramen was good as well. Meat was tender, broth was flavorful, and the noodles had a good chew to them. I didn't like the corn as it was kind of mushy but overall pretty good dish.
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Author: Aarti B.
Been here twice in a week, it was good with my friends that I took my husband the next week! Delicious Vegetarian Ramen with flavorful miso broth and not salty. Most broths are very salty and can be bland and flavorful. Ramen is generally slim pickings with a token vegetarian option. Akai Tori is refreshing and one of the authentic ramen spots. The Vegetarian Ramen was bursting with flavor and unique with black fungus mushrooms and fresh agedashi fried cubed tofu along with the standard toppings - nori, corn, scallions, bamboo shoots. I really appreciate how the soft agedashi tofu came with the dish instead of the typical fried lumpy stiff tofu. The ramen noodles were a bit thinner than most and not like the wavy instant ramen noodles you see out of a packet. The heap of noodles can be a bit overpowering, and the smaller portion noodles that I requested was perfect! The Yuzu Gin Fizz cocktail was very booze forward, wish it was a bit sweeter and more balanced. The Sake was quite boozy. Great ramen spot that I've added to my list and rotation!