Sakura Season at AKI Restaurant: Where Cherry Blossoms Meet Umami in Valletta
- omgfoodmalta
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
Why is AKI Restaurant in Valletta Worth Visiting During Sakura Season?
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Let’s start with the basics — yes. AKI Restaurant is putting on a show if you’re wondering where to eat in Valletta this spring. They have gone through quite some length to decorate an already charming place to celebrate the Sakura Season, and create a menu to go with it.
Nestled under the stylish shadow of the Embassy Hotel, AKI isn’t just one of the most talked-about Japanese restaurants in Malta — it’s also managed to blend elegance with playfulness in a way that makes you want to stay long past the final bite of dessert.
Their Sakura Season menu? A full-blown flirtation with cherry blossom charm, sake-soaked cocktails, and modern Japanese bites — some great, some good, one or two just okay — but altogether a feast worth writing home (or blogging) about.
First Impressions: Do You Need to Dress Up for AKI Restaurant?
You walk in, and it’s all moody lighting and upscale interiors — the kind of place that whispers “Michelin Guide Malta” into your subconscious.
At the same time, you try not to trip over your own feet admiring the décor. It’s sleek without being cold. Elegant without being fussy. And just intimate enough to make it perfect for dates, business dinners, or “treat yourself” Tuesdays.
Cherry blossoms trail the menu design. Subtle nods to the season in the ambience. And the clink of finely tuned cocktails set the mood before you’ve even had a whiff of sushi.
But first, what is Sakura Season?
Sakura Season is a cherished time in Japan when cherry blossoms burst into bloom, transforming parks, streets, and riversides into soft-hued dreamscapes of pink and white. But it’s more than just a pretty sight — it symbolises the ephemeral beauty of life.
For centuries, people have gathered beneath the blossoms for hanami (flower viewing), sipping sake and sharing seasonal dishes as petals float down like gentle confetti. It’s a fleeting moment that invites pause, celebration, and a reminder to savour the now.
In culinary circles, Sakura Season has inspired chefs around the world to create menus that capture the spirit of spring. Think floral infusions, pastel tones, delicate textures, and ingredients like cherry blossom, yuzu, lychee, and jasmine.
At AKI Restaurant, this tradition is given a contemporary Japanese twist — a multi-sensory celebration of the season that finds its way into everything from cocktails to bao buns.
What Should You Start With at AKI? Let’s Talk Cocktails
Start with a cocktail. Trust us. We kicked off with two standouts from the Sakura menu:
Hinami – Ketel One vodka with sake, Sakura liqueur, rhubarb bitters, hibiscus, vanilla… basically, a garden party in a glass. The bitters lift it, the hibiscus seduces, and a smooth sweetness lingers long after your first sip.
Sakura – Flowery and fruity, this one’s dangerously easy to drink. Lychee, vermouth, blossom tea liqueur… it’s like a tropical breeze decided to dance through a cherry blossom grove. Addictive? Yes. We’re not proud of how fast we finished it.
Mocktail lovers, don’t feel left out. The Mokuteru (passionfruit and apple over Sakura soda) is an absolute delight and gives off ‘holiday in Tokyo Disney’ vibes.
Are the Sushi Dishes at AKI Restaurant Any Good?
Let’s get this out of the way. Suppose you’re looking for the best sushi in Malta. In that case, AKI makes a compelling case — not least because of the beautiful plating and consistent freshness.
We tried the Salmon Maki. It was light and delicate, with just enough umami from the tamago yaki and a gentle sesame finish. Was it thrilling? Not quite. But it was fresh, well-balanced, and undeniably pretty — the kind of sushi you’d bring home to meet your parents.
The Sakura Noboshi Prawn was a joyful mouthful — daikon oroshi adding a bit of punch to an otherwise mellow bite.
Tempura at AKI: Crunchy Heaven or Just Average?
It's good! The tempura was a real standout. Lightly battered, crunchy, and delightfully juicy inside. It reminded us (weirdly enough) of upgraded prawn crackers with actual soul. If you like texture and taste dancing together, this one’s a no-brainer.
AKI’s Bao Buns: Are They Worth the Hype?
Absolutely. The Braised Beef Bao was easily one of our top dishes of the night. Fluffy steamed buns, packed with juicy beef, layered with a hint of spicy kick and offset by a cherry blossom curd. Sweet, tangy, crunchy — it ticked all the boxes. If bao buns could win Oscars, this one would sweep Best Supporting Sauce.
What’s the Best Main Dish on the Sakura Menu?
Now we’re talking serious food. The Fillet of Beef — seared just so with foie gras tempura and truffle Tanaka — was the kind of dish that makes your dinner date silent. Jonathan crowned it the dish of the night. And he’s not easy to impress (he once sent back a sandwich because it was “too existential”).
It’s rich. It’s indulgent. And it doesn’t hold back. If you’re going to splash out, splash out on this (a very red faced Jonathan will approve).
How’s the Rice? (Because Let’s Be Honest, It Matters)
The rice was - and we say this with reverence - chef’s kiss. Juicy prawns nestled in perfectly cooked grains. No mushiness, no undercooked bits pretending to be al dente.
Just honest, comforting, flavour-packed rice that deserves more credit than it gets. You’ll find it listed as Prawn Gohan on the main AKI Restaurant menu, and yes, it’s worth every cent.
And What About Dessert?
The Cherry Blossom Brûlée was the finale we didn’t know we needed. Creamy custard with a crisp caramel shell and a yukari yuzu sorbet that jolts your palate like a refreshing slap from a geisha with good intentions.
Textures played off each other beautifully — it was a refined and clever end to the meal.
What Makes AKI One of the Best Japanese Restaurants in Malta?
Let’s break it down. AKI nails what many other sushi restaurants in Malta struggle with: consistency, balance, and surprise. The AKI Restaurant menu is extensive but not overwhelming, and their seasonal menus (like this Sakura one) add a layer of playfulness and relevance that many places lack.
They’re not afraid to innovate — foie gras tempura, anyone? — but they’re also happy to let fresh ingredients shine on their own terms.
Should You Visit During Sakura Season?
It’s more than just a themed menu. It’s a seasonal celebration that elevates an already excellent dining experience. Whether you’re a foodie, a tourist wondering where to eat in Valletta, or a local looking to celebrate spring in style, this is a brilliant option.
It’s not perfect. The salmon maki didn’t blow us away, and some dishes could push the sakura flavour even further. But these are small grumbles in a night of real culinary pleasure.
Is AKI Restaurant on Your Must-Try List?
Yes. In bold. Underlined. AKI Restaurant boasts flair and substance, featuring one of the most stylish interiors in Valletta's restaurants. The food flirts between traditional Japanese techniques and contemporary execution.
The cocktails alone deserve their own fan club. And during Sakura Season, it all feels like a dream, in the best way.
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