Aka Siro

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The tuna melts in your mouth the atmosphere is just like being in Japan. The staff are great I’d give it ¹⁰⁄₅ if I could

Fantastic meal in a quaint little restaurant! one of the best meals I’ve had in Melbourne.
We made a booking 2 hours before on a Saturday evening — easier than I thought it would be! The hostess initially tried to seat us next to another couple at the bar, when the two other bar areas were completely empty. Luckily switching to a more open area was easily achieved. When the restaurant is full, it gets a bit cozy!
Price was decent — we each got drinks, and ate to our hearts’ content without even room for dessert ($ 6/​dish), all for $ 75 total.
Everything we ordered was good — salmon sashimi, oyster, and quinoa cabbage salad starter was refreshing, the salmon was cut into huge pieces which was a little difficult to eat for me, but overall delicious. The marinated eggplant starter was fantastic. We loved the karaage, the steak was amazing, and the pork belly stir fried with kimchi was marvelous. Got a bowl of bonito/​tofu/​spring onion rice between the two of us to go with the main dishes.
So good, will definitely be back and recommend to everyone.

As we approached the restaurant we were greeted with a mellow reggae tune playing and a delicious smell. It was a perfect vibe to be introduced before entering for a lazy Sunday lunch.
Aka Siro is decked out in a traditional Japanese minimal style with everything in its place but with little pieces that make it feel homey, like homemade lemonade marinating in glass jars lining the shelf.
The staff are all Japanese and friendly with a respectful and sincere vibe that I find is common in all good Japanese restaurants.
I may save the food for last but the miso and ginger fish was melt in my mouth and the salmon was good with a interesting sauce on top. They also have a daily changing side dishes that we sampled and were spot on.
I am happy to find a Japanese restaurant next to my house that is not the typical ‘Australianified’ Japanese. Everything was delicious and great care was put into sourcing quality ingredients from the type of rice used to the dishes the food is served on.
Try this restaurant, but not on a weekday night because they are closed. I made that mistake the first time :)

Aka Siro, located in the heart of Collingwood feels like Japan. The food tastes like food from Japan, and there are actual Japanese people serving you. My dining companion had an Okonomiyaki esque omelette with pork belly while I had a salmon stew. They were both extremely delicious and reasonably priced.
Come here for a taste of Japan.
Note: Cash only. The closest ATMs are on Smith Street.

Ever been to one of those places where everything feels right immediately? Form the person who greets you at the door to the ambience of the place right to the menu (that really inspires you) right down to the tea cup they use? Well, Aka Siro is one such place. Great (and authentic) Japanese fare at reasonable places. You could tell that the indredients used were fresh and of rather superior quality — none of that pseudo-​Japanese stuff that is ubiquitous around town (here’s looking at you Don Don and Shuji Sushi!). After you have your meal, don’t forget to head across to Minanoie for a nice caffeine (and hispter accessories) fix!