4 stars for the food. 5 stars for taking me back to a different place and time, when food was simple, there were no credit card kiosks, no computerized orders, and menus were a few items long. Throw in the rush of nostalgia as a child living in Japan, and I had to give it 5 stars. This place makes simple OG take out sushi with very few available items. No seats, tiny storefront where you just order, get the bento (lunchbox) and pay in cash. They even use the old cash register where you punch in the numbers, and it's so quaint, I love it. Food wise, I think it's pretty good, but it's not the fancy sushi items people are used to in LA. It's more nori-maki (rolled in seaweed) or it's inari (rice wrapped in tofu skin). They do have mackerel, but no nigiris. So don't expect tuna, salmon, yellowtail sushi types. What they do make, it's pretty good. Hubby loved the inari, which I'm not a huge fan of, but I did like their futomaki. I feel like there is just too much rice overall, so even though it's traditional, I wish they would change the rice ratio a bit. I love that this place still exists amidst all the fancy sushi places, so I gotta show my support. I love these mom and pop places, and I hope they will be around for a long time. tip: cash only. tip: parking is available around the corner. The store itself is very small, located next to Spoon House. tip: if you want wasabi, ask them. They do charge $0.15 for a packet. tip: they close by 6pm, so keep that in mind. read more

Sakae Sushi - 10 piece mixed box - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

I've passed by this place dozens of times and always wondered who would eat at a sketchy looking sushi place?!? http://static1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/lc74_FQkANER57-FQIrrog/l Then I checked it out on Yelp and was surprised by all the glowing reviews. I also found out that this wasn't a restaurant, they only have a take-out menu. Finally after having this place bookmarked for quite sometime I decided to stop by before running errands in my new 'hood. The menu is simple, they only have SIX items on it: Nori-maki - shiitake mushroom, spinach, kampyo, oboro, egg and seaweed Inari - fried tofu Ebi (Oshizushi) - cooked shrimp Saba (Oshizushi) - pickled Atlantic mackerel Tamago-maki - nori-maki with tamago on top California Roll - avocado and shrimp I decided to go with the 8 piece mix and 4 pieces of the California roll. As I sat waiting for my order, several people came in and out. Looks like they were regulars and knew to call in ahead of time for your order. I'm such a noob, but luckily my order was ready in about 5-10 minutes, in such nice packaging too. http://static1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/xQZmDLnKmknL8SQwUg5Wfg/l The pieces in the box were so neatly arranged, and the size of each piece were more than bite-size. http://static1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/OYrJyKUAAGy9rya5Ey_TIQ/l Everything was very flavorful, the rice was a little on the sweet side and had a hint of vinegar, but I liked that a lot. I'm usually not a big fan of Inari but this time it was really good. The Ebi and Saba, although it's not raw the way I usually like my sushi, the Saba is pickled but not too strong and the Ebi was not overcooked. The nori-maki was really good, I won't order the tamago-maki next time because I really didn't like their tamago. Their California roll comes with shrimp instead of imitation crab and I think it's genius, the best California roll ever! They don't skimp out on the avocado either. For $10 I was pleasantly satisfied with my meal. I think this will be my go to place for take-out and maybe even for potlucks. Cash only and closed on Mondays! read more

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Sakae (sah kah eh) means prosperity, success, efflorescence/to blossom & from the number of customers streaming in year in & year out, that may be the case of a self fulfilling prophesy. Many of the Japanese Americans like many immigrant groups coming to America came from impoverished rural areas where the custom of primogeniture was prevalent. Primogeniture meant that the first born son inherited the farm, and all the other siblings lost out. This makes sense since dividing up the farm to descendants equally means that the farm keeps getting smaller at each passing generation to the point there is no farm left at all. So all those who were not the first born son had to leave the farm to make their fortune. Because of this, Japanese Americans have tastebuds that are more rooted to the down home, more rural flavours than to the sassy, sophisticated, sybaritic cuisine of the big food cities of To-kyo-, O-saka, & the ancient capital, Kyo-to w/ an haute cuisine tradition that dates back to the 8th century. Sakae Sushi caters exactly to the countrified comfort food sought by even Yonsei/4th generation Japanese Americans. Though they may have lost the language, food preference are the last cultural vestige to disappear. So Sakae Sushi plays an important role in keeping up a food tradition that has lasted for over a hundred years in the U.S. I myself am bicultural in my Japanese traditions since my father is descended from ancestors who came from rural Hiroshima, and my mother is citified Yokohama born. Since my mom set the pace for introduction of Japanese food for me, I lean toward the more cosmopolitan, cultivated To-kyo- style which Sakae Sushi is definitely not. To me, the Shari/Sushi rice is too vinegary sweet, seemingly lacking in Dashi/fond de cuisine of Kombu/kelp nor subtle touch of Katsuo Bushi/bonito. The rice itself lacks a bit of Hagotae/al dente, and because much of the Sushi is Oshi Sushi or pressed Shari, too much pressure is often applied so the rice grains are jammed stuck together which makes for leaden Sushi. However, I realize this Sakae style generally reflects the Japanese American home style cooking so that I am swimming against the current when many Japanese Americans w/ ancestors from rural Japanese roots rave about Sakae Sushi which reminds them of their Grandmothers who made Sushi very similar to Sakae during Osho-gatsu/Japanese New Years. Yes, for those w/ rural roots, Sakae is 5 Yelp stars & at minimum 4 stars. For me, I'm not impressed especially when I remember going to Osho-gatsu fêtes in California and having to eat the unsophisticated Sushi. 3- Yelp stars or less if you're from the Daitokai/big city. Note: Take Out Only read more

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My family has been coming to this family-owned and operated sushi spot for as long as I can remember! Sakae only offers six different types of sushi (no sashimi), and they have been around since 1962, so you know they've mastered these pieces! You can tell they put a lot of care into running their business from their great quality sushi, down to their packaging. Each box is wrapped in paper, and chopsticks are secured to the box with a green string tied around it. Ginger (theirs is really good!) and parsley is placed in each box. Sakae is to-go only, so there is no indoor/outdoor seating. The location itself is super tiny. It's literally just enough space to walk up to the order window. Also, it's cash only! Sushi: - Nori-Maki - Shiitake mushroom, spinach, kampyo (rehydrated dried gourd), oboro (sweet ground fish), and egg, wrapped in seaweed - Inari - Age (fried tofu) - Ebi - Cooked shrimp with sweet vinegar marinade - Saba - Pickled Atlantic mackerel - Tamago-Maki - Shiitake mushroom, egg, spinach, kampyo, and oboro topped with sweet egg - California Roll - Avocado, shrimp, and roasted sesame seeds, wrapped in seaweed The sushi rice here is really good! It's sweet and vinegary with a fluffy, sticky texture. My favorites pieces are the Nori-Maki, Inari, and California Roll! The Nori-Maki and Inari are on the sweeter side from the kampyo and age, respectively. I like that they use REAL shrimp in the California Roll instead of imitation crab like most casual sushi place. They also give a big piece of avocado! Parking: Small private lot or street parking * Tip: Call in your order for fast and easy pick up! read more

Sakae Sushi - Inari, Nori-Maki, and California Roll - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

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Please open a branch in the San Gabriel Valley! Love, love this sushi place. Have never been disappointed, and almost always a stop we have to make when in the South Bay. A perfect place to pick up sushi for a snack or a later meal. Out of all the offerings, my three favorite items at Sakae Sushi are the Mackerel, Nori, and California Roll. For all three, the vinegary rice works perfectly with the accompaniments: salty goodness in the mackerel, sweet and savory goodness in the Nori, and yummy fatty goodness in the avocado in the California Roll! Sakae Sushi takes orders over the phone to save time. Also, the family always take a week off in September and closes the store, so get your sushi before they go on vacation! read more

Amazing service and food. Cash only, but the quality of the rolls, how delicately it is packed and presented, the price, and most importantly the great taste! I normally go for a dozen pieces if I'm hungry and mix/match the different types. My favorite is the ebi and CA roll. read more

Love their California Rolls. I stop by once a month when I'm in the area. A little hard to find, but worth it. Very fresh and tasty!

Great fresh sushi from a wonderful little shop. I grew up on Maui eating this kind of sushi and have been searching all over, and now I have found a go to place. I have reconnected with my childhood!!! read more

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Fantastic quality. Harder and harder to find traditional Japanese food these days. Happy to see this place surviving, and thriving!

Goooddd sushi , if you are team in fresh meat no oil u can come here, try the fresh food for your body , i love this place..... u can ring your menber family come for try , is very good ... i so love this ,,,try it read more

Sakae Sushi - Sakea sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

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Takeout sushi...only six items to choose from. Yup, it's that simple. There are no tables, just a window for you to place your order inside. I needed an order of 100 pieces and called about a week in advance, but was told I only need to call a couple of days prior to the event. Everything was neatly packed, labeled and ready to go when I arrived. I would definitely recommend this place if you are in need for some sushi. It's quick, easy and so convenient! Cash only! read more

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This is the ultimate traditional Japanese sushi establishment !!! Every time I order here, I'm reminded of how good real sushi is read more

Decent spot for TAKE-OUT sushi! CASH ONLY! Make sure you call ahead of time and place your order! Sometimes if they're busy, it can take a really long time! They are very limited in terms of selection: inari, ebi, nori, saba, tamago, california roll...But the portions are VERY generous in terms of SIZE of the sushi. I usually don't like inari but the one here is actually very tasty! Basically, this is a very old-fashioned classic, traditional type of sushi place, no frills or fusion rolls. But I like how you can choose which set you want, and they have tons of different ones in terms of how many pieces you'd like in your box set! I got a 12 piece mix box set and I couldn't even finish it because the sushi pieces were so big! Next time I'm gonna stick with the 8 piece! Another thing I like about this place is the packaging! They wrap it up with a cute string around it and it makes a really cute little lunch box gift/package! Prices are decent too. Overall not a bad place for take-out lunch! read more

Sakae Sushi - Mix box 12 piece - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

Freshly made sushi. Once they sell out for the day with their ingredients that's it. Prices vary depending on how many pieces and what you want in the box and which sushi. My favorite is to get a box of the mix and another box of California rolls. The mix comes with: Nori maki: shiitake mushroom,spinach, kampyo, egg Inari: tofu Ebi: shrimp Saba: mackerel Tamago maki: just like the nori maki but using egg on the outside The rolls are a good size, dense with rice. The rice is perfectly cooked and seasoned. Cash only here. read more

A hole in the wall!! This low key sushi place is such a hidden gem. Sushi rice is so on point. I was craving for light lunch and their mixed lunch was perfect portion and so good. read more

Came here today for lunch. No seating inside, strictly take out and only cash for payment. Definitely get full on just 10 pieces, but I ordered 14 pieces in total. Ended up with 12 piece mix and 2 pieces of California roll. Only cost $13.65 for everything, not bad at all. Sushi tastes fresh too. Free parking in back lot. read more

Sakae Sushi - 12 piece mix with 2 pc CA roll - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

I honestly didn't expect to love this place so much after seeing photos of the sushi. There was just too much rice! I really don't like a lot of rice in my sushi. The more fish, the better!! I still decided to give it a chance due to all the raving reviews. It was very affordable so, what did I have to lose? What I Ordered: - 7 Piece Mixed Box: ---Contained--- --2 Inari: Age Fried Tofu --2 Nori-Maki: Shitake Mushrooms, Spinach, Kampyo, Oboro, Egg and Seaweed --1 Tamago: Shitake Mushrooms, Egg, Spinach, Kampyo, and oboro topped with sweet egg --1 Ebi: Cooked Shrimp with sweet vinegar marinade --1 Saba: Pickled Atlantic Mackerel - 7 Piece California Roll When I first took a bite of the Inari......I FELL IN LOVE. The rice was so flavorful!!! If all sushi rice tasted like this, I wouldn't have to pick it out all the time!! I don't know how they season it but, it was delicious!! The age fried tofu was really good too! Very flavorful than the ones you usually get at the market. I'm assuming they make their own? The Nori-Maki was okay. It was good but, I probably would not order it again. The Tamago was too sweet for my liking. The rice was already sweet to begin with and the sweet egg wrapping on the outside just made it too sweet overall. I usually don't like Ebi because the sweet shrimp was odd to me. However, I wouldn't mind ordering Ebi again from Sakae Sushi! The rice makes everything better and the shrimp was not overally sweetened. I have never had Saba before so I was kind of weary of trying it. I requested no skin on the saba. It was a little fishy but the rice complimented it well! I will get that again! The California Roll was AMAZING! Instead of imitation crab, they use REAL SHRIMP! Two 7 piece boxes were too much for me because of all the delicious rice. Next time I would order just a mix of what I like. CASH ONLY. TAKE OUT ONLY. read more

Sakae Sushi - 7 piece california roll - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

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This is a hole-in-the-wall mom and pop shop. A true hidden gem in the heart of Gardena. The food here is my childhood and I hope my grandkids will fall in love with this place as much as I did. The sushi here is not your typical fish meat on top of rice type of sushi that you'd expect in a high end dining setting. It's actually more of a comfort food that's enjoyed by families on a regular weekday. The ingredients are common Japanese household food like nori, sweet egg, and inari with a little bit of fish like saba. What makes this place so great is that you can enjoy it any time without worrying about your wallet. The sushi is filling, tasty, and it leaves both your stomach and heart full to its' content. I hope Sakae Sushi sticks around for a long time. It's such a special place. read more

the sushi was freshhh. yummy. I want to eat more and more whenever i came here. recommended to everyone

Sakae Sushi was recommended by my Japanese friends long time ago. I wanted to try their saba sushi and I finally had a chance to do it. Oh my gosh...it was soooo good and it tasted exactly like the one in Osaka! I ordered 7 pcs so they came in a cute little box. I also could not believe how cheap it was ($4.90). Some Japanese supermarket (e.g., Nijiya) has the similar saba sushi, but you never know how long it's sitting in the showcase. Not to mention, they don't look that tasty anyway. ;p I will try other sushi (like futomaki, tamago, ebi) next time, but I MUST get their saba all the time! read more

Sakae Sushi - Saba Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

Sakae Sushi has been a longtime favorite of my family. We always enjoy eating Sakae Sushi for holidays, birthdays, funerals or a random dinner on a weeknight. It was really cool to find out that one of my high school friends family owns Sakae. Sakae Sushi is located next to Spoonhouse off of Redondo Beach Blvd. There's a small parking lot where you can park or you can also park on the street as long as you read the signs. Sakae isn't a restaurant so all of the sushi orders are to-go. The actual place where you walk in a they take your order is pretty small, but don't be fooled since some of the best sushi that you'll eat will come out of this small sushi spot. They offer a limited number of sushi items on their menu. My personal favorites are the nori-maki and the California roll. Hands down the best California roll that I've had. I honestly dont know how it tastes so good, but it does. I can seriously eat a whole box of the California rolls by myself and still crave more! My family and I have been coming here for years and we'll be a loyal customer for years to come. If you really want the best California roll that you've ever had then you need to wait no longer and make a visit to Sakae Sushi! read more

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Been here many times, but tried the california roll for the first time and I would go there just for that. They replaced the imitation crab with shrimp and it was a great choice. Don't even have to mention the other options there! Only place I would eat mackerel. read more

I used to be a regular here but I have not come here for about a year. Recently visited Sakae again but I am a bit disappointed. I can understand the recent increase in price, but the shrinklation is not acceptable. The rice was too soft and it's just not as good as before... read more

A literal hole in the wall. Sushi was so fresh and rice was unbelievably delicious- would definitely recommend if you're looking for a to go bento box. No frills- no drink options or seating available. read more

the beauty of small menus is you can order everything to try so i did!! it was all great (of course) but my favorites were probably the tamago and nori-maki! i love sweet x savory combo for sushi which isn't too common actually and i've never had anything like the nori-maki so i enjoyed it a lot! this is def not your typical trendy sushi spot, much more old school and classic. i personally love simple sushi so although there isn't too much going on with each one, the ingredients are high quality and overall all the flavors balanced each other well.   gardena legit has so many good food spots (and some of the best japanese food) so this is def one of gardena's hidden gems and a local favorite!! you can tell everything is prepared with care and it's also pretty affordable so you'd be getting a bang for your buck which means more money to eat more food read more

Sakae Sushi - mixed box of everything! inari, saba, ebi, tomago, nori-maki, california roll - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

During my recent visit to Los Angeles on business, I chose to eat nothing but sushi in an effort to find the best sushi in the areas that I would be in... little did I know that my favorite sushi joint would be a little hole in the wall that exclusively serves sushi takeout in these really really really cute little gift wrapped takeout boxes. It was so worth the trip, that my mouth is kinda watering right now just thinking about it... and it's been days since I was here. You walk in and all you see is a few benches, a soda vending machine, and a window with the limited menu posted. Feeling pretty hungry, I opted to go with the 12 piece sushi mix box for only about $8.55... omg... I was so full and yet it was so good that I had the same problem as Agnes L. ... I think I ate it too fast cuz it was so good. I too had my doubts about a 4+star sushi takeout place, but I have now seen the light. Next time I am near Sakae, I will have to stop by and get another box for lunch at least. What it lacks in terms of ambiance and luxury, it makes up in terms of tastiness, yelpiness, and sheer bang for your buck. This has some of the best sushi for the best prices that I've had in L.A., let alone the United States (and I travel and eat a LOT). read more

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Super traditional and SO DELICIOUS. To-go oriented no seating. Very helpful and nice people. We got 4 of each kind they offer. My favorites HANDS DOWN the tamago and vinegar hamachi. read more

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For those who complain about their limited menu you have no idea what they've been serving for generations. One of the few places left that make their inari by hand. Their futomaki is delicious too. read more

I love their nori maki. I grew up calling these more like futomaki aka fat stuffed rolls. I love the ingredients inside their nori-maki. It is a great variety and feels like you get a bunch of mixed ingredients in every bite. It is very vinegar-y, a bit more vinegar-y than most places. I do love the vinegar, but for some it might be too much. Their saba sushi is really great if you love saba. I wish they were closer to me! I drive about 40 minutes just to come get some sakae sushi. They take a while to make your order. I highly highly suggest you call ahead and order. 3 weeks ago, it took over 30 minutes for my order and this last weekend it took over an hour. It really depends on how busy they are and I totally understand. Luckily there are many things you can do around there to kill time like go to the Japanese super market across the street or enter Book Off to find cheap Japanese manga, books, and anime figures. This place is cash only and don't let you pay until you pick up your order. There is a lot of parking in the back, as well as street parking available. read more

Old School, that's the only way to describe Sakae Sushi. A tiny mom-and-pop shop right across from the Mitsuwa Plaza on Redondo and right next to Spoon House, Sakae has been there since the beginning. Virtually throughout all these years, they remain unchanged. It's a takeout spot and they only have a few sushi selections: nori-maki, inari, ebi, saba, tamago-maki, and California roll. You order according to the number of pieces you want of each type of sushi or just order a mixed box for a certain price. Very simple menu. I always get their 8pcs $6.15 Mix sushi box for lunch. Comes with everything except for California Roll, which I don't really care for anyways. I love their nori-maki, which is essentially shiitake mushrrom, spinach, and a few other ingredients. Their inari is also one of the best around the area. The fried tofu skin packs so much flavor compared to other spots. Their saba is also delicious. Mackerel is just awesome hahah. It's a good spot for lunch or for an easy dinner if you're feeling lazy. It's best to call them ahead of them and place your order since a lot of times they will run out of sushi even before 4. You can order your dinner at noon and tell them exactly when you will pick it up. One of my favorite spots in Gardena and definitely a gem in my book. Bring cash! read more

Food 3.5/5 - The food is ok. The food was a little too salty too my liking and the rolls were a little too big. Service 5/5 - They are extremely friendly! Overall 3.75/5 - The food is ok :) read more

Sakae sushi is a family favorite for us. It's truly authentic to my Japanese Grandma's sushi. The sushi even comes in a perfectly wrapped box like I remember while growing up. read more

Amazing take-out sushi! Perfectly cooked and seasoned Japanese rice makes everything here delicious. This is a no-frills take out sushi place that consistently makes THE BEST, fresh norimaki, inari (tofu skins with seasoned rice), california rolls (made with shrimp instead of crab), and saba sushi. The rice is seriously to die for. I don't know what they put in the seasoning but it has a lemony quality that is addictive...like crack-rice. Our hands down favorite is the california roll. It has a good amount of shrimp and big chunks of fresh avocado. All orders are packed in a box and wrapped in paper. Their sushi is also great for road trips and family parties. Parking is located behind the store. If you have a big order or want sushi for a holiday, its best to call your order in advance. read more

Sakae Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

We got the 24 mix sushi and 6 pieces of California rolls. They were amazing! There were 6 pieces of Inari, 3 pieces of Tamago Maki, 4 pieces of Ebi, 4 pieces of Saba, 7 pieces of Nori-Maki in the 24 mix sushi. Inari is my favorite, the age fried tofu is sweet and moist. The California roll is perfect and well-seasoned. Not a big fan of Saba but everything else is great and authentic! My husband thinks the ratio of rice in Saba and Ebi is too high, I find it just fine. The packaging is very neat and looks like a present. There is a outer layer paper and strings tie to keep chopsticks in place. Love this place! read more

I've going this place since 1975 and their high quality sushi hasn't changed at all. Not like most sushi their sushi's are all cooked and even markerel fish. They are not fancy but their sushi rice is always consistent. This is the rarest gem in Gardena, CA. Many friends I brought them over agreed with me this is the most delicious sushi. read more

Sakae Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

The best inari sushi by far. It's a little far for us but worth it. Will go again when I'm in the area. Don't forget to take cash.

Take-out sushi would always make me sad. Cute little sushi pieces huddling in plastic containers, peering out through the lids, hoping someone will take them home. But many shoppers would just pick them up, stare with furrowed brows, then put them back in the refrigerated display case. That's why the rice becomes cold, hard, and eventually taste like sadness. I've never witnessed anyone eating take-out sushi while smiling. But today, I discovered Sakae Take-Out Sushi. When I walked in, I was surprised by the absence of pre-made sushi incubating in frig displays. No plastic shit. No fake-grass dividers. No "use by" sticker labels. Instead, they took my order and an adorable Japanese grandma custom-assembled it in a tiny kitchen. These 10 pieces of happy free-range sushi were neatly packed in a cardboard box. It was then placed in a white paper sleeve -- classic Japanese OCD wrapping-style. The sales clerk handed me the box with both hands as if presenting a precious gift. Cash only, so in return, I politely handed her a crumpled $10 bill. Next time, I should neatly origami the money into a crane. She'll either be absolutely amazed or completely creeped out. My fav: SABA SUSHI The mackerel was pickled and salted...a rare style of preparation reminiscent of battera sushi. Delicious to the point of being surreal. read more

Sakae Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

Best take out sushi in LA. I think its pretty addictive, the sushi - over the years you come to love the extra vinegar they put in the sushi rice and then all of the sudden its a must have. Call ahead to order and cash only. read more

Good old sushi take out place in Gardena. They serve "Oshizushi" style sushi they sell by pieces. Specially they make very good sushi rice with all of sushi selections. As today, you have to make preorder to get Sakae Sushi. 11/2020 read more

Sushi tasted fresh, owners were super nice. Simple grab and go sushi, I love taking it on picnics!