Akai Ryu

3.9 (30)

$30 and under

Asian

1 Porter Square, Cambridge, MA 02140

OverviewReviewsDetails

About this restaurant

Akai Ryu in Cambridge offers a unique dining experience with its welcoming, warm interior and equally warm lighting. The décor pays homage to the restaurant’s Asian theme without being too heavily decorated. Simple potted bamboos and beautiful artistry hung on the walls give diners something enjoyable to look at while they eat. The menu items at Akai Ryu are unique and offer an incredible amount of flavor in every bite. If you stop in, make sure you try the gyoza, herbal Chinese chicken, mixed seafood, or the choice rib eye. If you are a fan of sushi, make sure you ask for the seven seas maki, pink lady maki, or dragon maki. You will not be disappointed in the many menu items you can find at Akai Ryu.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

There’s more to explore

Discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Scan the QR code to discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Open app

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Asian, Japanese, Chinese
Hours of Operation
Lunch: Daily: 11:30pm - 3:00pm; Dinner: Nightly: 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Website
http://www.akairyuma.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Private party facilities
Seats 12 to 16

Location
1 Porter Square, Cambridge, MA 02140
Area
Cambridge
Cross street
Mass Ave
Parking Details
Parking Sq galleria parking lot behind the building only, otherwise street parking
Public transport
Across from the Porter Sq redline stop
Additional
Bar Dining, Takeaway

Tuna CevicheUSD 9.00
Freshly chopped and tossed with mango salsa, avocado in Korean chili sauce
Spicy Tako SunomonoUSD 9.00
Baby octopus, cucumber, wakame, Korean chili sauce
Salmon EssenceUSD 12.00
Ebi, kanikama, tobiko, mixed with Japanese mayonnaise, and topped with seared sake, mango and sweet chili sauce
Ocean NarutoUSD 10.00
Thinly sliced cucumber roll with kanikama, avocado, mixed seafood, topped with creamy lemon sauce
Sashimi KinutaUSD 12.00
Pickled daikon rolled with maguro, sake, hamachi, kanikama, avocado, mixed greens, and white miso sauce
Salmon CarpaccioUSD 9.00
Thinly sliced sake, mango salsa, wasabi tobiko, with creamy lemon sauce, and miso sauce
Tuna TatakiUSD 13.00
Seared maguro sliced with cucumber, scallion, daikon, mixed greens, wasabi sauce
Black FungusUSD 6.00
Wood fungus tossed with soy sauce, vinaigrette, sesame oil, celery, and green onion

Hot Izakaya Appetizers

EdamameUSD 4.00
Boiled green soybeans served lightly salted
Spicy Fried IkaUSD 7.00
Lightly fried squid toss with fresh chili, onion and green onion
Fried Ika Karaage on SkewerUSD 7.00
Squid hoods served with Japanese Mayonnaise
Gyoza (Pork or Vegetarian)USD 7.00
Pan-fried pork or vegetable dumplings
TakoyakiUSD 7.00
Fried octopus dumplings topped with okonomi sauce, Japanese mayonnaise, and bonito flakes
Tatsuta-ageUSD 6.00
Chicken, marinated in sake-soy sauce, coated in katakuriko batter, and fried
Pork cheek yakitoriUSD 7.00
Grilled succulent pork cheek meat skewers in teriyaki sauce
Chicken YakitoriUSD 6.00
Grilled chicken skewers in teriyaki sauce
Beef KushiyakiUSD 8.00
Grilled beef skewers with cumin
Lamb KushiyakiUSD 8.00
Grilled lamb skewers with cumin
Agedashi TofuUSD 7.00
Lightly battered and fried soft-tofu in a hearty broth, topped with bonito flakes, scallion, and spicy daikon
King Oyster YakitoriUSD 6.00
Sliced King Oyster mushroom in teriyaki sauce
Kaki FryUSD 8.00
Deep fried oysters, lightly panko-breaded, served with Japanese mayonnaise
Hotate HokkaiyakiUSD 12.00
Baked scallops, kanikama, mushrooms, in spicy mayonnaise
Hamachi KamaUSD 11.00
Broiled yellowtail collar served with ponzu sauce, daikon, and scallion
OkonomiyakiUSD 12.00
Japanese-style pizza: ebi, scallops, ika, and scallion pancake topped with bonito flakes, Japanese mayonnaise, and okonomi sauce

Salads

Garden SaladUSD 5.00
Seaweed SaladUSD 5.00
Avocado SaladUSD 7.00
With kanikama, tobiko, and Japanese mayonnaise
Spicy Seafood SaladUSD 8.00
Ebi, tako, hokkigai, kanikama, tobiko, cucumber and scallion with Japanese spicy mayonnaise
Sashimi SaladUSD 12.00
Mixed greens topped with maguro, sake, hamachi, and house dressing

Signature Maki Sushi

inside-out rolls

Seven Seas MakiUSD 6.00
Ebi, kanikama, cucumber, and Japanese mayonnaise, inside-out roll
Green MakiUSD 11.00
Hotate, ebi, mango, asparagus, avocado, lettuce inside-out roll with wasabi tobiko and wasabi sauce
Porter Square MakiUSD 11.00
Sake, mango, cucumber, avocado, lettuce inside-out roll with strawberry sauce
Lovers' MakiUSD 11.00
Maguro, sake, hamachi, avocado, tempura flakes inside-out roll with tobiko and sweet chili sauce
Crispy Salmon MakiUSD 13.00
Tempura roll wrapped with Salmon, avocado, cucumber, cream cheese, topped with tobiko, scallion, unagi and sweet chili sauce
Pink Lady MakiUSD 13.00
Maguro, cucumber and tempura flakes, sake, ikura, avocado, scallions, topped with miso and sweet chili sauce
Akai Ryu Special MakiUSD 16.00
Soft-shell crab tempura, lettuce, maguro, avocado, black tobiko, topped with scallion, spicy mayonnaise and unagi sauce
Snow MakiUSD 14.00
Snow crab meat, tempura flakes, avocado, with spicy mayonnaise; Topped with ebi, kanikama, tobiko, scallion, miso and mango sauce
Black Pearl MakiUSD 15.00
Unagi, asparagus, avocado, seared hamachi, black tobiko, topped with scallion, miso and sweet chili sauce
Shrimp Tempura MakiUSD 15.00
Ebi tempura roll with tobiko and spicy mayonnaise
Red Eye MakiUSD 13.00
Maguro, cucumber, and tempura flakes with unagi, avocado, tobiko,spicy mayonnaise, and unagi sauce
Summer MakiUSD 13.00
Kanikama, pineapple, mango avocado, topped with wasabi tobiko, mango and creamy lemon sauce
Dragon MakiUSD 14.00
Shrimp tempura, lettuce, unagi, kanikama, avocado, topped with tobiko, scallions, unagi sauce and spicy mayonnaise

Classic Maki Sushi

Inside-out rolls

Alaska RollUSD 6.00
California RollUSD 6.00
Philadelphia RollUSD 6.00
Crazy RollUSD 7.00
Unagi Tempura RollUSD 8.00
Caterpillar RollUSD 8.00
B-52 RollUSD 9.00
Scorpion RollUSD 9.00
Spider RollUSD 9.00
Rainbow RollUSD 12.00

Spicy Maki

All with spicy mayonnaise tempura flake and cucumber

MaguroUSD 6.00
SakeUSD 6.00
HamachiUSD 6.00
HotateUSD 6.00

Vegetarian Maki

All tempura item top vegetable sushi sauce

AsparagusUSD 5.00
MushroomUSD 5.00
Onion RingUSD 5.00
TropicalUSD 5.00
Avo-KyuUSD 5.00
IdahoUSD 5.00

Nigiri Sashimi Maki

Ebi (Shrimp)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 5.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 7.00
Hamachi (Yellowtail)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 5.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 7.00
Hokkigai (Surf Clam)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 5.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 7.00
Hotate (Scallop)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 6.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 8.00
Ikura (Salmon Roe)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 5.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 7.00
Kanikama (Crab Stick)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 4.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 6.00
Maguro (Tuna)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 5.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 7.00
Saba (Mackerel)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 4.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 6.00
Sake (Salmon)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 5.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 7.00
Sake (Smoked Salmon)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 6.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 8.00
Shirome (White Fish)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 5.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 7.00
Ika (Squid)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 5.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 7.00
Tako (Octopus)
- 5pcs)USD 4.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 7.00
Tamago (Egg)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 4.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 6.00
Tobiko (Flying Fish Roe)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 5.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 7.00
Unagi (Fresh Water Eel)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 5.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 7.00
Uni (Sea Urchin)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 6.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 8.00
O-Toro (Fatty Tuna)
- Nigiri (2 pcs)USD 14.00
- Sashimi (3 pcs)USD 16.00

Shabu-Shabu Broths

Chicken
Light and silky chicken consomme
- No Charge
Vegetable
Our vegetarian and vegan soup base
- No Charge
MushroomUSD 4.00
Rich and earthy porcini-based umami broth
Chinese Chicken-HerbalUSD 4.00
Traditional healing power of herbs in a chicken base
Szechuan Spicy / Extra SpicyUSD 4.00
A dark and meaty broth with layers of complex spices
Korean Bone MarrowUSD 4.00
Tonkotsu Ramen SoupUSD 4.00
Tomato & KimchiUSD 4.00
Korean pickled cabbage and hearty tomatoes in a chicken base
Thai Tom YumUSD 4.00
Sour & spicy, lemongrass Thai soup base
Akai Ryu Special SeafoodUSD 5.00
A hearty warm broth; the essence of the sea

Shabu-Shabu Combination

Each choice includes a mixed vegetable platter, rice or noodles

Wagyu BeefUSD 39.00
Certified Angus Prime RibUSD 28.00
USDA Choice Rib EyeUSD 24.00
Certified Angus SirloinUSD 20.00
Boneless Short RibUSD 20.00
LambUSD 20.00
Chicken BreastUSD 18.00
PorkUSD 18.00
Mixed SeafoodUSD 24.00
VegetarianUSD 18.00
Akai Ryu SpecialUSD 36.00
Mixed seafood planer with choice of sirloin or chicken

Shabu-Shabu a la Carte

Meats

Wagyu BeefUSD 35.00
Certified Angus Prime RibUSD 24.00
USDA Choice Rib EyeUSD 20.00
Certified Angus SirloinUSD 16.00
Boneless Short RibUSD 16.00
BeefUSD 15.00
LambUSD 16.00
Chicken BreastUSD 14.00
PorkUSD 14.00
Beef TongueUSD 10.00
Beef TripeUSD 5.00

Seafood

Mixed Seafood PlatterUSD 20.00
ScallopsUSD 9.00
Littleneck ClamsUSD 8.00
Salmon FilletUSD 7.00
Jumbo ShrimpUSD 6.00
Fish FilletUSD 6.00
SquidUSD 6.00
MusselsUSD 6.00
Fish PasteUSD 5.00
Japanese Fish CakeUSD 5.00
Fried Fish CakeUSD 5.00

Meat Balls and Dumplings

Beef Meat BallsUSD 4.50
Fish Meat BallsUSD 4.50
with Tobiko
Fish Meat BallsUSD 4.50
with Shrimp Filling
Fish Meat BallsUSD 4.00
Assorted MeatballUSD 4.50
Fish, Beef, Pork
Fish DumplingUSD 4.00
with Pork and Chive Filling
Fish TofuUSD 4.00
Mini Chinese Spicy SausageUSD 4.00

Soy Bean Products

Bean ThreadUSD 3.00
Fried GlutenUSD 3.00
Tofu SkinUSD 3.00
Soft TofuUSD 3.00
Iced TofuUSD 3.00
Fried TofuUSD 3.00
Tofu PuffsUSD 3.00
Tofu PlatterUSD 6.00

Fresh Vegetables

AsparagusUSD 4.00
Baby Bok ChoyUSD 3.00
Bamboo ShootsUSD 3.00
BroccoliniUSD 4.00
Butternut SquashUSD 3.00
CilantroUSD 3.00
Corn CobUSD 3.00
Daikon RadishUSD 3.00
Napa CabbageUSD 3.00
RomaineUSD 3.00
SpinachUSD 3.00
Sugar Snap PeasUSD 4.00
Taro RootUSD 3.00
WatercressUSD 3.00
EggUSD 1.00
TongHo (Seasonal)USD 6.00

Noodle & Rice

Steamed White RiceUSD 2.00
Vermicelli Noodles (Gluten Free)USD 3.00
Spinach NoodlesUSD 3.00
Udon NoodlesUSD 3.00
Japanese RamenUSD 4.00
Sweet Potato Noodles (Gluten Free)USD 4.00

Specialty Mushrooms

MaitakeUSD 6.00
Rich in vitamins and minerals, has medicinal properties said to enhance the immune system
King OysterUSD 5.00
Abundant release of umami flavors into the broth once cooked
ShimejiUSD 5.00
Pleasant, nutty flavor once cooked. Firm texture for soups
Black FungusUSD 4.00
Slippery, yet crunchy. Said to have anticoagulent and cholesteral-lowering properties
OysterUSD 4.00
Mild-tasting, a delicacy in Japanese cooking
ShiitakeUSD 4.00
High in vitamin D2 and iron, and may possess antibacterialand antiviral properties in addition to immune support
CreminiUSD 4.00
Immature brown variety of portobello mushrooms
EnokiUSD 3.00
Crisp, long thin stems, traditionally used to add texture to soups
Assorted Mushrooms PlatterUSD 10.00

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Akai Ryu.

3.9

(30)

3.9Food
3.8Service
3.8Ambience
0.1Value

Noise • Moderate

30 Reviews

K
Kevin
San Francisco Bay Area4 reviews
4.0
Dined on 9 December 2015
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
My friends and I had a great time with the all you can eat deal. The food was quality and we were fully sated by the end of the night
Is this helpful?
p
peedoubleyouu Gold
Greater Boston18 reviews
5.0
Dined on 9 November 2015
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful place. Beautiful restaurant, great hospitality from managers, attentive servers, and great food!
Is this helpful?
O
Oscarbav
Greater Boston1 review
5.0
Dined on 1 November 2015
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The people were extremely friendly and accommodating. I had never eaten at a place like this, with the sushi and all. The waitress was very kind and understanding as to how I could enjoy my food better and how to eat the food. I have never had a hot heating plate in the center of the table and the food brought out to us and we would dip the different foods we ordered into the center soup pan. It was fun and interesting. Yes, we are definitely going back. It was a new way of eating for us.
Is this helpful?
m
mrpeabody Gold
Greater Boston101 reviews
4.0
Dined on 25 October 2015
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Nice place for good variety of food. Nicely presented sushi
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston1 review
3.0
Dined on 17 October 2015
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Shabu is not that good. Service is mediocre. Not good for date night, maybe a convenient Sushi meal if you live close by.
Is this helpful?
C
Conversationalist
Greater Boston15 reviews
4.0
Dined on 25 August 2015
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
My review is based on several visits, including lunch, dinner, mid-week, and weekend. Overall, the service is standout. The staff is friendly, accommodating, informative, and servers are consistently excellent. Food is always fresh and well prepared. I prefer sushi, some friends like shabu; we all leave happy. The bar features custom cocktails and a decent wine list. The atmosphere is great with a range of seating options and the music is not too loud. It is great for weekday business lunch or a weekend evening social outing. Great location across from Porter Square T with plenty of free parking in rear.
Is this helpful?
p
peedoubleyouu Gold
Greater Boston18 reviews
5.0
Dined on 23 August 2015
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The only shabu I know that offers Japanese ramen as a side dish!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 18 August 2015
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The sushi and shabu are very good and there is also a very nice selection of tasty "small plates" that are fun to share. Great place to go with a group; nice ambiance and quiet enough to have a conversation (!). What made our last visit stand out was the excellent service. Our server made helpful recommendations, anticipated our needs without hovering or interrupting, and didn't try to whisk our food away while we were still eating. This is what a restaurant experience SHOULD be like! Other pluses: Convenient location across from T, plus free parking in lot.
Is this helpful?
p
peedoubleyouu Gold
Greater Boston18 reviews
5.0
Dined on 10 August 2015
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a great experience here. Herbal chicken broth and Japanese ramen broth are my favorite with the prime rib combo! Manager Allan is very welcoming. Definitely a place to always come back to!
Is this helpful?
E
Eatoutalot Gold
Greater Boston45 reviews
5.0
Dined on 2 August 2015
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We really enjoy the hot pot here. Good Chicken Broth, the cuts of meat are really good and a really good size portion of vegetables that come with the combo meal. Full bar and a conveyor belt of sides items. Ample free parking in the back of the restaraunt - which is a huge plus. We actually enjoy this more than Chinatown. Highly recommed !
Is this helpful?

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Asian, Japanese, Chinese
Hours of Operation
Lunch: Daily: 11:30pm - 3:00pm; Dinner: Nightly: 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Website
http://www.akairyuma.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Private party facilities
Seats 12 to 16

Location
1 Porter Square, Cambridge, MA 02140
Area
Cambridge
Cross street
Mass Ave
Parking Details
Parking Sq galleria parking lot behind the building only, otherwise street parking
Public transport
Across from the Porter Sq redline stop
Additional
Bar Dining, Takeaway

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Akai Ryu

About this restaurant

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Soft Drinks

Fresh Squeezed Orange JuiceUSD 4.00

Plum JuiceUSD 3.00

Aloe Pulp DrinkUSD 3.00

Bottled WaterUSD 4.00

SodasUSD 2.00

LemonadeUSD 2.00

Iced TeaUSD 3.00

Iced Green TeaUSD 3.00

Hot Green TeaUSD 3.00

SmoothiesUSD 4.00

Watermelon

Strawberry

Mango

Lychee

Cold Izakaya Appetizers

Tuna CevicheUSD 9.00

Spicy Tako SunomonoUSD 9.00

Salmon EssenceUSD 12.00

Ocean NarutoUSD 10.00

Sashimi KinutaUSD 12.00

Salmon CarpaccioUSD 9.00

Tuna TatakiUSD 13.00

Black FungusUSD 6.00

Hot Izakaya Appetizers

EdamameUSD 4.00

Spicy Fried IkaUSD 7.00

Fried Ika Karaage on SkewerUSD 7.00

Gyoza (Pork or Vegetarian)USD 7.00

TakoyakiUSD 7.00

Tatsuta-ageUSD 6.00

Pork cheek yakitoriUSD 7.00

Chicken YakitoriUSD 6.00

Beef KushiyakiUSD 8.00

Lamb KushiyakiUSD 8.00

Agedashi TofuUSD 7.00

King Oyster YakitoriUSD 6.00

Kaki FryUSD 8.00

Hotate HokkaiyakiUSD 12.00

Hamachi KamaUSD 11.00

OkonomiyakiUSD 12.00

Salads

Garden SaladUSD 5.00

Seaweed SaladUSD 5.00

Avocado SaladUSD 7.00

Spicy Seafood SaladUSD 8.00

Sashimi SaladUSD 12.00

Signature Maki Sushi

Seven Seas MakiUSD 6.00

Green MakiUSD 11.00

Porter Square MakiUSD 11.00

Lovers' MakiUSD 11.00

Crispy Salmon MakiUSD 13.00

Pink Lady MakiUSD 13.00

Akai Ryu Special MakiUSD 16.00

Snow MakiUSD 14.00

Black Pearl MakiUSD 15.00

Shrimp Tempura MakiUSD 15.00

Red Eye MakiUSD 13.00

Summer MakiUSD 13.00

Dragon MakiUSD 14.00

Classic Maki Sushi

Alaska RollUSD 6.00

California RollUSD 6.00

Philadelphia RollUSD 6.00

Crazy RollUSD 7.00

Unagi Tempura RollUSD 8.00

Caterpillar RollUSD 8.00

B-52 RollUSD 9.00

Scorpion RollUSD 9.00

Spider RollUSD 9.00

Rainbow RollUSD 12.00

Spicy Maki

MaguroUSD 6.00

SakeUSD 6.00