Sushi Bar Discovers the Perfect Recipe for Success

Akira Sushi Bar focuses on giving back to the ­community and offers customers a unique, fun and delicious dining experience.

Akira Sushi Bar presented a $5,000 donation to Owasso Rams Football in July. (L to R): Senior Corner Back Tyler Lindsey, Akira Owners Quinton Wong and Huy Huynh, Booster Club President Dugg Holeman, and Senior Free Safety Josh Kinzer.

Few times in your life a situation presents itself for which there are no words. Try as you might, ­finding the proper adjectives to describe the experience is ­disappointing because none seem to properly convey the moment. This is how many diners feel as they walk through the doors to Owasso’s Akira Sushi Bar.

    Once inside, set aside every preconceived notion you might have about restaurants, and ­especially ones that specialize in sushi, because it is readily ­apparent that your dining ­experience will exceed your expectations. Each customer is greeted promptly by a friendly hostess who then escorts you to your table, and somehow you just know that any hesitation you may have felt before arriving was ­simply unfounded.

    When you begin to gaze over the five page menu, a ­feeling of uncertainty begins to creep back into your mind. That is, until your server comes over and asks with sincerity, “Do you have any questions about the menu?” You feel sheepish when asking if there are any items that are not raw fish – you are at sushi bar after all. This is when the ­difference between most ­restaurants and Akira is the most evident. The staff will take as long as you need explaining each item, is happy to let you know the differences in preparation and will translate even the most intimidating dishes.

    The menu is filled with such an extensive variety of items that you can find a traditional Japanese sushi roll for you and a chicken salad for your spouse. Trying out a new restaurant has never been easier or more ­customer friendly.

    Co-owner Quinton Wong speaks with pride about his ­business. “We take a totally different approach to customers by constantly asking for their feedback and getting them involved in each aspect of what we do,” he explains. “We often have contests asking our customers to come up with a new or different combination for a roll, and often our best sellers have come from the minds of our customers.”

    Even beyond encouraging input on menu items, Quinton and his business partner Huy Huynh seem to have an ­exceptional grasp on the real key to a successful restaurant. “We are always looking for new ways to thank our community and our customers,” says Quinton. “We have contests where they can win tickets to a Broadway musical appearing in Tulsa or for gift ­certificates for food. And beyond that, we make sure to give back to many of the organizations that are important in this town such as the high school band program or football teams. We learned a long time ago that when you take care of your community, they will take care of you. For us, this has been our recipe for ­success.”

    Akira is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. Happy hour is from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and is one of their most popular times, boasting half-price appetizers and many drink specials.

    Keep a lookout for an expanded wine list and new ­appetizers added to the menu soon. Don’t let a fear of the unknown keep you from trying Akira Sushi Bar. Once you have experienced true customer care, you won’t want to settle for less.

For more information, contact

Akira Sushi Bar

9455 N Owasso Expy., Ste. E

Owasso, OK 74055

(918) 376-6115

 www.akirasushibars.com