In short, decent food but that's about it. Extended version: I like sushi a lot and I really enjoy the experience of getting good sushi. I've had sushi in multiple cities across the United States so this is not me being a snob regarding the way a particular city serves sushi, it's about me being a snob about the sushi experience. First, the location is a hole in the wall spot, which, unlike others have shared, I kind of like. It adds character. In fact the owner is the chef which I think is even cooler. But that's sort of where the cool stops. Second, I was by myself so I walk in and sit at the sushi bar which is incredibly sticky so I move to another spot at the bar which the waitress just finished cleaning...and it's still sticky. Whatever, I can deal with it. Third, I've had some of the best sushi in my life at places you don't even order - they just make you whatever is fresh or whatever the house specialty is. In fact, I personally know sushi chefs who take so much pride in their craft, they are offended if people don't ask them to be creative. So, I tell Naka I will have two rolls and to make me whatever he likes. He says no. I mean, we're talking downright refusal. He says to pick something off menu and I again ask him to just choose something for me and he says no and walks away. A few minutes later, I order his roll 1 and 2 which I guess are the house favorites. Fourth, I get the rolls and like some have mentioned, the are too large to even enjoy. They fall apart and were a pain to eat. The fish was fresh, but nothing spectacular. Fifth, they don't take AMEX. I hate it when places don't take AMEX. I think it's stupid and silly not to accept the form of payment 90% of business travelers carry. Overall, it was OK. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back next time I'm in Santa Cruz. read more

The owners of this restaurant are incredibly rude. They yelled at my husband and I for sharing a roll and told us this was unacceptable and that we should leave. I will never set foot in this establishment again and will tell everyone I know not to as well. When I go to a restaurant, I expect to be treated as a welcome guest. The unprofessional owners of Naka did not make us feel welcome in the least. I have no idea how they keep their doors open with this type of behavior. read more

Would advise Naka sushi over any other sushi in the area. Naka's service is outstanding, very traditional Japanese menu. Definatly would advise Naka over Pink Godzilla, competitor across the street. For more non- traditional ecclectic sushi try Mobo sushi downtown read more

Hands down the finest sushi I have ever eaten. Try the American Roll with Unagi, the Spider Roll, or any of his Nigiri options. He even offers California rolls with real crab! (for less adventurous folks who still want a treat) Prices only seem high if you're used to 'all-you-can-eat' style sushi joints that serve too much rice and not enough fish. I am completely spoiled for sushi now - nothing else compares. Yes, the atmosphere is...spartan, and the ambiance can be foreboding if you're dining there for the first time. But trust me, if you like high quality sushi, there is nothing finer than Naka's. read more

Most people visiting a restaurant run by a Sushi "artiste" will be disconcerted and confused. If you expect to have your butt kissed just right and to have the chef prepare any ridiculous concoction you dream up, to go/not to go, with tons of ketchup, god knows what else, Naka Sushi just won't play ball. If you have ever travelled Europe or Asia and eaten out there, you know that restaurants with real, trained chefs look at themselves as the "experts" in the type of food they specialize in. They are offering their years of experience and training to you, as presented on the menu. If you start messing with the menu, you will be thrown out on your butt. The owner/sushi chef at Naka Sushi is intensely proud and meticulous about his creations. The guy is "the real deal" - a trained sushi chef from Japan - who cares about the food first, the bottom line second, and whether his customers "have it their way" dead last. This is either a very good thing if you truly care about the quality of the food you are getting, or a very bad thing if you think restaurants are like massage parlors - there only to cater to your every whim. Naka Sushi has the best sushi in this area. Naka Sushi also has the worst customer service in this area. Mahat t. is the type of customer they are looking for, someone who knows and appreciates skillfully made sushi. People who are put off because of the "bathroom for customers only" signs, or because they have to order from the menu only, will be disappointed in their "experience" here. If you just want the best food around, this is the place. Just don't ask for ketchup. read more

There is no other place to have authentic sushi. This place is a total gem. Generous portion sizes of super fresh fish. No one does it better. Those who truly appreciate sushi will understand. Those looking for processed foods should go elsewhere. read more

Sushi is fresh and taste so good. Nigiri is much larger than anywhere I have ever been. It's the perfect hole in the wall.

This review is strictly on the service, as it was that bad we did not end up dining here after all. My family and I walked into this small whole in the wall restaurant and did not know where to go to be seated. After seeing a counter behind door hangings we stood there to where we waited for someone to point us to a table to be seated. I was hesitant to sit down on their dirty chair cushions, but I did in disgust. After about 10 minutes a waitress, as she is walking by, asked us if we were ready to order, we then told her we needed menu's. With no apology or recognition she just handed us the menus and walked away. We noticed she only handed us the sushi menu so after several minutes have passed we asked for the other menu, if any. She then told us, all while typing behind a register with no eye contact, that there is no other menu due to the kitchen being closed and that sushi was the only thing being served. We were so disgusted by the lack of customer service and the kitchen being closed when it was only 7pm and they closed at 9pm that we got up and left. I found this place by yelping sushi places in Santa Cruz and am very disappointed in this experience. If you want quality service, quality sushi/chicken terriyaki and a clean atmosphere I highly recommend Takara Japanese right up the street from this dirty spot. read more

The freshest tuna sashimi I've ever had! Giant portions, and worth every penny. The Wasabi isn't a solid paste, but like a freshly made delicious dollop. The rolls are beautiful! The staff are very welcoming and helpful. I will definitely be returning, even though I live 2 hours away... read more

The food was amazing. The chicken teriyaki and ebi fry curry were especially good. The quality of the fish was amazing as well. Will definitely come back again! read more

A bit of a hole in the wall. You're not there for the decor. Really fresh and generous portions. They don't use much mayo, sauces, cream cheese or get crazy creative and there is not a large roll slection, but you don't need it. What they offer is AMAZING! Best sushi I have ever had. Don't come too late. They close the kitchen on the early side. read more

I don't think I've ever had such a huge piece of hamachi on a nigiri that was so cheap and so high quality. I absolutely love hamachi, but at most restaurants the size of fish they give you is tiny and not even that great. This place gives huge...steak-sized portions of hamachi and it's absolute delicious melt-in-your-mouth goodness. We ordered other nigiri too but I think because we loved the hamachi so much everything else was just ok. Everything was really good quality, really fresh, and no fishiness you get from fish that's not fresh. Although, if I were to go back, I am pretty sure I'd just order the hamachi sashimi platter and I'd be a happy camper. The sushi rice though, is really good. It's got just the right amount of mirin and rice wine vinegar and whatever else you add to make sushi rice. The texture of the rice is just right too, so it's just...a delicious combination in general. Not a lot of selections if you're looking for rolls (literally there's only like..maybe 4), but if you want high quality fish and sashimi, go here! read more

Although this place is small and cute, it kinda let me down. My boyfriend and I started off with the soft shell crab appetizer and the naka #2 roll. Both were good but nothing special. We then shared the chicken teriyaki and tempura dinner box. The miso soup and salad were tasty, but chicken had lots of skin and fat and the shrimp tempura wasn't fully cooked. The couple that own the place are super cute and very Japanese which I like, but overall it was just very average. read more

The best sushi place in Santa Cruz. If you really want to eat TRUE sushi then you have to come see Naka, he and his wife will take you on a trip to what real sushi should be. There is no Americanized junk here this is the real deal (except for maybe three or four rolls but even that they do their own way). All of their fish is amazing so get ready to eat a ton of fresh stuff. If they don't have your favorite that is because it probably did not meet up to Naka's standards so get over that and try something new and amazing! read more

What the place lacked in decor and service was quickly and understandably by the exquisite food and presentation.

If you want the best Sushi in Santa Cruz, in my opinion, this should be on your short list. Yes, the energetic place across the street gets a lot of the spotlight (and IS good), but Naka is low key, high quality, and simply delicious. I've eaten in a lot of sushi restaurants in many states. This, to date, is the best sushi I've had the opportunity to try. As far as types of fish: the selection is adequate, not large. However, the quality and flavor is exceptional. Naka focuses on choosing the best quality fish, rather than keeping a large selection of mediocre choices. If you like Unagi, definitely try it here. My favorite Unagi anywhere, and I order it twice every time I dine here ;-) read more

I challenge anyone to find better nigiri portions and freshness. Naka is the man! Try the American Unagi Roll which is my favorite, you can almost eat it at the end of the meal as a desert. Other than that we order salmon and tuna nigiri and its pure awesomeness. Most of the complaints on here seem to be about the ambiance and service.... This place is run by a husband and wife team and they sometimes get overwhelmed. If you're the type of person who is uptight about decor and demands to be worshiped by the wait staff, Naka is not for you. If you want the most amazing sushi in Santa Cruz and can accept the unique quirks of a small Japanese family business you will not be disappointed. read more

Leaps and bounds above any sushi in Santa Cruz. Large portions, beautiful cuts of fish, and very inexpensive. Total dive inside, but the sushi is top-notch! So sorry I had to suffer through so many subpar SC sushi (Pink Godzilla, I love Sushi, Etc.) places to find this gem. read more

Very good authentic sushi. Not your typical run in the mill sushi but good to try something new

This is by far the worst restaurant I've been to in many years - and I didn't even get to try the food. I really like good food, but there is a limit to the rudeness that I will accept in return for culinary competence (not to say imagination). I was already way over that limit before we finished talking to the "host person." She ignored us, responded only in monosyllables, and finally - after several incidental and unintelligible exchanges with someone behind a screen - said that they could not accommodate a party of five adults plus a small child. Just for background: I did try to inform myself in advance about the restaurant hours, menu, capacity etc. They apparently do not accept phone calls or arrange reservations. I found no guidance about capacity on the internet. So, we went there at about 6:30, hoping for the best, since it was my wife's birthday and her express desire to try this restaurant for once (we are local but hadn't got to this place yet). So, we arrived and asked to be seated. They flatly refused to serve us. I was dumbfounded and literally said nothing while my wife and daughter tried to negotiate a table for us. The host person's only understanding of goodwill and appreciation that we chose their establishment was to urge us demonstratively (finger-pointing) to the ramen restaurant across the street (which we then went to). I will not be going to Naka Sushi ever again, even if many seem to think the food is worth the lousy service and lack of personal ambiance. And I would discourage anyone from going there if they expect anything like a family environment (larger group and/or children) or basic courtesy and communication from the staff. read more

Below Average. We entered Naka sushi with several tables open, and yet we were still told 40 minutes to be served. This probably should of been a sign, for the first time I was in a restaurant that did not want our business. So we were seated at a dirty (roe/rice on table), which we cleaned. Thirty minutes later the waitress comes over, then proceeds to rushes us through ordering our food. I could go on regarding the staff but I don't think I need to, the food itself is okay, but certainly not great. They seemed to be very skimpy on the rice, which was strange: it was like they were running out as another poster mentioned. Not recommended. read more

I'm not a big sushi fan, but my wife is and she says this is the absolute best she's ever had. Naka Sushi is thus her restaurant of choice for special occasions when she could choose absolutely any place to dine. There's a weird ambiance here, often very stressed as the duo-staff take care of their many fans. But it's worth any apparent discomfort to enjoy the expertly prepared food. Highly-recommended! read more

lol its funny to read some of these horrible reviews, I agree with Valentine H. completely. This is hands down the best sushi place in SC. If you are looking for cheap, fast and your standard run of the mill sushi then by all means this is not the place. Every time we go there the food is amazing and the service is friendly. I looove this place read more

The fish at this place is the best in town, period. At first, Naka and Akiko can seem offputting because they are so serious but as long as you treat them respectfully they will do the same! Naka was trained in Japan. There are only two or three sushi chefs in this area that were trained in Japan. That doesn't make a huge difference to the casual sushi eater, but to someone who is serious it's really important. Now, the menu is small and it seems expensive when you first look at it, but keep in mind that a $5.50 roll at Naka is twice as big as a $4 roll at Pink Godzilla, and it has about twice as much fish. The fish is also much higher quality. So, in my opinion it's a much better deal! If you don't know what you want, order a Naka 1 and Naka 2 roll ($9 each.) They are four pieces each but each piece is as big as 4 Pink God pieces, and it's mostly fish and not filler. Hot damn! Nigiri is HUGE and super tasty. This is probably on my top 5 sushi places of all time. You won't be sorry. read more

Best Sushi in Santa Cruz. I have been going to Naka for over 25 years, back when he worked at Teriyaka Etc. Yes, Naka is like the soup chef on Seinfeld, but it is still the best place in the county. It is only 2 to 3 working there, so when it is busy the service slows down. Kick back, relax, and enjoy a beer or sake. read more

Second time at Naka Sushi and it does not disappoint. GreAt fresh food and really nice people serving and making the food. So glad to have found it read more

I haven't been here for awhile (maybe 2 years) but ate here several times when I lived in Soquel. I generally would go here only if Pink Godzilla across the street was closed or had a long wait, but it had its own virtues. The menu is very basic- don't go here looking for creative maki or anything particularly exotic. The sushi/sashimi are always fresh and consistent though, and you get BIG pieces of fish. Not a bad option for dinner, but not a real stand-out on the Santa Cruz sushi scene either. read more

This is THE BEST sushi place in Santa Cruz County. Don't let anyone fool you. If you are focused on the food, you'll be very very happy.

If traditional sushi is what you like. Look no further. There is no better in all of the west coast (I've tried)! The Hamachi melts in your mouth (!), and no one else serves Uni as fresh! Naka and Keiko have made the premiere sushi spot for those "who know." If you like fancy rolls, other places are more to your liking. read more

We've been going to Naka for about 8 years. It's a neighborhood "hole in the wall" sushi joint. We go to Naka to eat the freshest sushi in Santa Cruz. Most people get the nigiri or sashimi because the pieces are huge and so fresh. They don't have a large selection of rolls, but their rolls are excellent too. Don't come here if you want a weird selection of rolls that are deep fried or covered in sauces. I call that fake sushi, and you should go to Takara or Pink Godzilla for that. The place is a small family run business, so give the owners a break when it's really busy and relax and have a Sapporo or sake with your sushi. You will keep coming back, and over time, the owners will get to know you. They are super sweet. Also, we've taken out of town friends to Naka. These are people usually from SF who are foodies or sushi lovers, and consistently they have all agreed that it is some of the best sushi they've ever had. They even say it's worth making the trip to Santa Cruz just for Naka. read more

I was a long time loyal customer for many years at Naka's old location when he was across the street from Pink Godzilla on 41st Ave. I was a regular and I always got stuffed for $35.00 to $40.00. My girlfriend recently took me to the new location for my Birthday. I was very disappointed with the menu choices. No more tempura, no dinner boxes, no more teriyaki. I guess Naka's is now just a sushi bar. The portions seem to have gotten smaller and the prices doubled. After all was said and done, we had a seaweed salad, one California Roll and three orders of sushi (six pieces). I also had a small Sapporo beer and a bowl of rice. All this came to $75.00 before the tip. We left still hungry. I wish Naka well, but I don't think I will be back. read more

Great quality, very fresh fish. The Aji was incredible. My brother and I had to order extra pieces. Don't go for the service or decor, but they get the job done. But the fish makes it all worth it... read more

The food here is phenomenal! Japanese owned and it shows in the fresh sushi and efficient service. If you are polite and patient you will have the same service reciprocated back to you. :) A must try if you appreciate good sushi! read more

There is no better fish in town. The menu is slightly boring but the fish is as fresh as it gets. The ambiance is also not the best but once again, the fish is so good. If you go here it is best to get nigiri. read more

This is sushi the way it's supposed to be done. Their menu is absolutely tiny, which is appropriate for such a small place... that way their fish is fresh, fresh, fresh. And it is. Been in plenty of times, and again just last night, to have a #2 roll and all the nigiri I can fit in my belly. It's not the cheapest place, and it doesn't have the funky rolls with mint and jalepeños like Mobo does, but it is simple and fantastic and in my opinion, the best sushi in town. And I love the fact that you feel like you're eating in someone's living room. read more

It's a 4.5 stars for me (because no sushi place beats Yume in Alameda or Kiss in San Francisco), but yelp does not allow me to give out 4.5 :) Very fresh sushi, good portions and reasonably priced. I haven't tried anything other than their nigiri, but sushi is what a sushi restaurant is at heart. Best sushi place around Santa Cruz so far. read more

It is also good to eat here early(ish) on a Saturday night; I came here yesterday at 6:00 p.m. with a group of 6 to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday and the place was almost empty. The service was excellent and the fish was so good that we're still talking about it! read more

This place is amazing if you are into large fresh pieces of fish. If you want sake bombs and some bedazzling go somewhere else. They might close early because when the run out of fresh fish the nights over regardless of there hours. read more

I can't count the times I've been here...every. single. time. AMAZING. best sushi I've ever had. Traditional no fufu sushi. Massive chunks of fresh fish. And the most lovely Japanese couple running the entire show, yes just two doing it all so don't be in a hurry...take your time:) enjoy and drink some sake! it's totally worth any wait!! read more

I won't eat sushi in Santa Cruz again until Naka reopens in their new location. To everyone that misses Naka as much as I do and keeps coming back to Yelp looking for info - check their Facebook page instead. There have been some recent posts with updates, although there isn't an official reopening date posted. read more