Akamaru Japanese Restaurant is getting ready to make its debut at 15689 N Hayden Road, Suite L126 in Scottsdale.
The new restaurant is set to take over the former Duck Donuts space in the Sonora Village shopping center, according to a recent liquor license application. While an official opening date has not been announced, signage at the location reads “Coming Soon,” with promises of refined Tokyo-meets-New York Japanese fare led by Chef Hiro. Customers can expect casual daytime offerings, such as onigirazu (rice sandwiches), poke bowls, donburi, and chashu buns, transitioning into an izakaya-style menu at night, featuring sashimi, tempura, and small seasonal plates.
The lunch menu features a variety of onigirazu options, including salmon & avocado, teriyaki chicken, braised pork belly, and spicy shrimp mayo, alongside donburi bowls such as the Akamaru Special Poke, spicy tuna, and Japanese beef curry rice. Diners can also expect chashu and soft-shell crab buns, as well as a small selection of sushi rolls. Beverage offerings include traditional drinks like matcha latte, genmaicha, and Ramune, as well as brewed coffee and espresso options. At night, the menu shifts to highlight izakaya staples, such as karaage (Japanese fried chicken), vegetable tempura, bacon and asparagus skewers, and various sashimi and tataki preparations. A small dessert menu features green tea ice cream, and drinks include beer, sake, whisky highballs, and wine by the glass.
Akamaru will join a growing number of Japanese restaurants in the Scottsdale area, but its dual-format menu and focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients may help it carve out a unique identity in the local dining scene. The restaurant is situated in a shopping center that is home to high-traffic businesses, including Dave & Buster’s, Mountainside Fitness, and the Harkins Shea 14 movie theater. Its proximity to these attractions, as well as nearby offices, car dealerships, and residential neighborhoods, is likely to draw consistent foot traffic throughout the day and evening.
