Akebono: A Sacramento Hotspot for Sushi, Ramen, and More on Freeport Blvd

Akebono Introduce

For a bustling and flavorful Japanese dining experience in Sacramento, Akebono is a destination worth considering. Located on Freeport Boulevard, this popular restaurant is known for its extensive menu that caters to a wide range of tastes, from classic ramen noodles to an impressive selection of sushi rolls. The restaurant has a casual and trendy vibe, with a high-energy atmosphere that, as one customer noted, is evident from the decor and the crowd. It's a place that attracts a diverse group, including college students and those dining with friends and family. Akebono prides itself on offering a great beer and tea selection, as well as a variety of healthy and vegetarian options. While some reviews mention that service can be a bit slow during busy periods due to its popularity, the quality of the food and the accommodating nature of the staff make it a rewarding visit for many. This article will provide an in-depth look at what you can expect when you visit Akebono, including its location, services, menu highlights, and why it has a loyal customer base despite some of the challenges that come with being a busy restaurant.

Online reviews for Akebono reflect a mix of experiences, which is common for a popular and busy establishment. While some customers have experienced slow service, others have praised the staff as being "nice" and the food as "tasty." The restaurant’s large seating capacity is a definite plus, allowing it to accommodate many diners even during peak hours. The menu itself is a major highlight, with one review mentioning a "roll that had fresh sliced lemon on top," showcasing the restaurant's creativity. Akebono also has a good reputation for its fresh ingredients, with another review pointing to its proximity to a Japanese market as a possible reason for the high quality of its fish. The restaurant also offers unique menu items like its various ramen options and "dynamite" rolls, which add a fiery and exciting twist to the traditional Japanese menu.

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## Location and Accessibility

Akebono is located at 4960 Freeport Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95822, USA, placing it in a well-known area of the city. Its accessibility is a key feature, as it is committed to providing a comfortable dining experience for all. The restaurant offers a wheelchair-accessible entrance, making it easy for guests to enter and exit. A dedicated wheelchair-accessible parking lot is also available, along with free street parking, which is a great convenience for patrons. Inside, the restaurant is spacious and includes a wheelchair-accessible restroom and wheelchair-accessible seating, ensuring that everyone can dine with ease. These features, combined with the general casual and welcoming atmosphere, make Akebono a great place to visit for anyone in the Sacramento area.

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## Services Offered

Akebono offers a variety of services to accommodate different dining preferences, whether you're looking for a quick meal or a more relaxed, sit-down experience. Here is a list of services and amenities available:

Dine-in: Enjoy your meal in the large and trendy dining area, which is suitable for both small and large groups.
Takeout: For those on the go, the restaurant offers takeout services, allowing you to enjoy your meal from home.
Reservations: Akebono accepts reservations, which is a great option for planning group dinners and ensuring a table during busy times.
Lunch & Dinner: The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, making it a flexible choice for various occasions.
Solo Dining: With its casual and cozy vibe, Akebono is a popular spot for solo diners.
Happy Hour: The restaurant offers happy hour specials on both food and drinks, a perfect way to unwind after a long day.
Bar Onsite: Akebono has an onsite bar with a great selection of beer, wine, and hard liquor.
Family-Friendly: The restaurant is "good for kids" and provides high chairs and a dedicated kids' menu.
Payment Methods: Akebono accepts credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

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## Features and Highlights

Akebono's menu is a major highlight, offering a wide array of options beyond just sushi. Here are some of the key features and menu items that stand out:

Ramen Selection: The ramen menu is a big draw, with various options including Shoyu Ramen, Miso Ramen, and the rich Tonkotsu Ramen. For a spicy kick, the Gekikara Ramen is a popular choice.
Sushi Variety: Akebono offers a ton of sushi options, from simple rolls like California and Cucumber to specialty rolls like the Rainbow Roll, Lion King Roll, and the highly-praised Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Roll.
Happy Hour: Their happy hour includes both food and drink specials, which provides great value for diners looking for a bargain.
Diverse Offerings: The menu includes a variety of offerings such as comfort food, healthy options, and small plates, which are perfect for sharing or enjoying a quick bite.
Vegetarian Options: Akebono is known for its vegan and vegetarian options, making it an inclusive spot for diners with different dietary needs.
Great Drink Selection: In addition to a variety of alcoholic beverages, the restaurant is known for its great selection of tea, which perfectly complements the flavors of the food.
Bento Boxes: Although not in the provided menu, the restaurant is known to serve bento boxes, with an online review praising their "Tempura + Chicken Katsu" and "Tempura + Teriyaki Beef" options.

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## Contact Information

For more information, to make a reservation, or to place a takeout order, you can contact Akebono using the following details:

Address: 4960 Freeport Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95822, USA
Phone: (916) 731-8288

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## What is worth choosing?

Akebono is worth choosing for its wide-ranging menu and lively atmosphere, which make it a popular and reliable choice for Japanese cuisine in Sacramento. While some reviews point to occasional service issues, the general consensus is that the food itself is worth the wait. The sheer variety of options, from a broad selection of ramen to a creative sushi menu, ensures that there is something for every craving. The restaurant's appeal to different crowds, including college students and families, and its accommodation for various dietary needs (like vegetarian options) make it a versatile dining spot. The availability of happy hour specials, a full bar, and easy accessibility features like a wheelchair-accessible restroom further enhance the dining experience. For those looking for a flavorful meal in a trendy and casual environment, Akebono is a great choice. It's a place that, despite its busy nature, maintains a reputation for serving good, fresh food that keeps people coming back for more, eager to try a new roll or a different ramen option on their next visit.

Akebono Menu

Ramen Noodle
(2)
Shoyu Ramen $9.95
Soy sauce base broth noodle soup, bbq pork, boiled egg, black mushroom, bean sprouts, seaweed, g.onion, fish cake on top
Miso Ramen $9.95
Miso base broth noodle soup, same topping as shoyu ramen
Tonkotsu Ramen $9.95
Pork base broth noodle soup, same topping as shoyu ramen and red ginger
Miso Butter Corn Ramen $10.25
Miso ramen, w/yellow corn,diced butter on top
Tan Tan Menhot $10.45
Soy sauce base noodle soup, w/ground pork, shiitake mushrooms, bamboo stir fried w/spicy sauce, sesame paste
Stamina Ramen $12.45
Soy sauce base broth noodle soup, w/garlic, pork, vegetables on top
Gekikara Ramen $12.45
Hot hot, soy sauce base noodle soup, w/very spicy sauce, chicken, vegetables on top
Yasai Ramen $12.25
Clear broth noodle w/stir fried vegetables on top

Akebono Details

Service options
Takeout
Dine-in
Delivery

Highlights
Fast service
Great beer selection
Great tea selection

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Comfort food
Happy hour drinks
Hard liquor
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
College students
Groups

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu

Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
Parking

Akebono Photos

Akebono Location

Akebono

California Sacramento County Sacramento Southwestern Sacramento Freeport Boulevard

4960 Freeport Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95822, USA

Akebono Reviews

I decided to try this place after seeing so many positive reviews and high ratings on Google. When I arrived, I was greeted at the door, and the restaurant seemed large with different seating sections. However, it appeared that smaller parties (under 5–6 people) were seated in the front area.The main reason I gave 3 stars is the service. It took more than 8 minutes before anyone came to take my drink order, and when I finally ordered a drink with my sushi, it was another 20 minutes before the food arrived (the restaurant wasn’t busy). During that time, I noticed a group of four elderly guests who came in after me and left angrily because no one attended to them. That speaks to how inattentive the service was.I also felt bad for the two servers working the front—they looked exhausted, which I believe is due to understaffing and poor management. No one ever came by to ask if I needed anything or to check if my food was okay.The food itself was just average compared to other sushi places I’ve tried. One roll that was supposed to be served hot was only lukewarm, making me wonder if it had been sitting out.The bathroom was clean, but I was disappointed there were no touchless faucets or paper towels, and the door opened inward, forcing me to touch the doorknob after washing my hands. On the positive side, free parking was available in front of the restaurant.Overall, this place has potential, but they really need to improve staffing and customer service.
August 18 · Y G
A very popular sushi restaurant! Came here with my cousin for dinner to try and branch out from our usual spots. The sushi was tasty and they have tons of options. It was very busy the day we went but they have a lot of seating to accommodate. The staff were nice and the restaurant definitely has a high busy kind of energy to it from the decor to how many people were there.Have only been here the one time, so I want to come back to try some other options. The roll I got (sorry can’t remember the name) had fresh sliced lemon on top which I love. We did get one roll that had cream cheese in it and it honestly was too much cream cheese that we poked it out. Would come back!
June 29 · Liliana M
I'm always pleasantly surprised when I get a meal here. The restaurant is fairly close to the house and I see it whenever I go to the Japanese bakery just outside. But I tend to stop in only when we want to grab a good meal but feel a bit rushed. So we pick Akebono because we can get there quickly.So we end up coming here, order our food, and then have a very good meal. Typically this is for lunch so I really recommend the bento boxes. The tempura I had last time was excellent and the sushi is very good. I also recommend their beef teriyaki. The meals are a great deal and come with plenty of food.The staff is always friendly and service is quick. The restaurant is large so there's rarely any waiting, and plenty of parking. Highly recommended.
April 29 · Tom N (t2)
Omg I loved everything about this restaurant. The Sushi Bar chef David was awesome an has great since of humor. Everything he recommended was just delicious.
June 08 · Joy Shepard
The value for the price is exceptional! The beer is served ice-cold and complements any dish perfectly. Everything, from the tables and dining areas to the bathrooms, is impeccably clean. The customer service is outstanding; the staff is friendly and ensures that food for the entire party arrives together. The tasteful artwork and decorations create a charming, homey atmosphere, despite the spacious layout. I would definitely return!
August 28 · Monisha Achari