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    Waka Sakura

    4.3 (721 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Waka Sakura Photos

    Business Info

    WAKA SAKURA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Ken C.

    Waka Sakura is the sushi place that's hidden inside the Tokyo Central in Gardena. It was so popular that they opened a second location in Irvine. Since it opened in 2024, I've come back several times. I'm not sure if there is still long wait times on the weekends, but I love coming here for weeknight dinner. Sushi quality is quite good, but I also wouldn't say that it's cheap. For a filling meal, I usually like to order their sets, which are costing about $11-$15 for 4-6 pieces. I get their tuna set and their salmon set. If I'm still hungry, then I'll get a roll. Today I got a california roll that was topped with seared salmon. My splurge here is their seared wagyu with salt sauce, which is a great final bite. The added bonus in coming here is that I can buy some great Japanese bentos and pantry staples at Tokyo Central afterward!

    Salmon Nigiri combo
    Alicia C.

    Fresh seafood and the price is decent. Some options were a little pricey, but they offered combo nigiri's that gave you a variety of options which I thought was fun. They didn't have much options for rolls like your average conveyor belt. Their fish to rice ratio was good though. You got to order from either your phone using a QR code or their tablet so it does take a minute to retrieve your order. Overall it was delicious and a fun experience since it's on the second floor of Tokyo central, but if you're looking for variety, I would try a different place

    Tuna sampler
    Sabah D.

    First off, love that it's in the middle of an asian grocery store because you have a built in activity for after you finish eating But also the food was so yummy. Great portions for shareable appetizers - we got shishito peppers and spicy edamame. Especially liked the edamame it was so flavorful but i didnt get a pic. I'd recommend getting the salmon and tuna sampler plates (forgot the exact names) but you get a variety of options and you can share with the table. Also i love that they flavor the rice, it adds a little flair that makes it stand out. The handroll was good but nothing special. Price was SO good for the amount we ordered. About 35 per person and we were stuffed. The service was also great, they were constantly checking on us and we were immediately seated! Vibe was also better than I expected considering its just a revolving sushi bar type place. Nothing special but since it has its own floor in the grocery store it feels more elevated than it is.

    Raw chicken karaage
    Seung K.

    Overpriced, slow, raw chicken and annoying menu screen that'll tire out your arm before getting to see half the menu. Currently writing this while everything i ate is coming out of both ends. Everybody told me to stay away but curiosity killed the cat. Not to mention it took 10 minutes from sitting down to get our drinks. Restaurant was basically empty too.

    Salmon Collar
    Caes F.

    Memorial Day Weekend and the best part? Tables were available and our tummies were ready!! Located on the second floor of Tokyo Central, it's a IYKYK type of establishment. WAKA Sakura specializes in made to order sushi and high quality sashimi. The conveyor belt stops the order at the right table and you place your order on ipad like screen. From the ginger on the table, the fresh grinded wasabi, to the discount on the salmon, we were feasting good! The table ordered an array of things to try: 1. Salmon Collar 2. Sashimi Platter 3. Eel Sushi 4. Tomago Sushi 5. Spicy Tuna Roll 6. Spicy Tuna Hand Roll 7. Green Dragon Roll 8. Blue Fin Tuna Sushi Everything was so tasty and drool worthy. I love the quality of their rice and the flavors were on point! Highly recommend WAKA Sakura, it's a foodie destination for sure!

    Winona C.

    Finally got a chance to try Waka Sakura, and it was such a fun experience! We stopped by on a Friday afternoon after 2 p.m. and were pleasantly surprised there was no wait. The conveyor belt dining was entertaining--we kept ordering just so we could watch the dishes make their way and stop at our table. The food was fresh, tasty, and there was a great variety to choose from. Between the good food and the novelty of the experience, we had a great time. We left full, happy, and definitely amused. Looking forward to coming back!

    Spicy Tuna Tempura, Poke, Seaweed Salad, Dragon Roll, Shrimp Tempura, Steamed Egg, Tuna Tataki (ig: @cravingswithcat)
    Catherine N.

    This restaurant is located inside of Tokyo Central on the second floor. I was surprised that the revolving bar just doesn't have sushi rolling around. Instead you order on the tablet and everything gets made to order. The workers were very nice and provided good service. The sushi quality was solid and quite affordable. We came here for a light dinner and it was perfect. The steamed egg was not my favorite, t's on the fishy/sweet side. We came on a weekend dinner and the wait was about 15-20 minutes. The restaurant looks more spacious than I was expecting. ig: @cravingswithcat

    Becky C.

    Waka Sakura is located on the second floor of Tokyo Central, and it ended up being a great spot for a quick sushi fix. We came on a Sunday and were surprised that there was no wait at all. We were seated immediately, and the service throughout our meal was excellent. This is conveyor belt sushi, but instead of grabbing random plates, the sushi comes out on the conveyor belt after you place your order. We tried several nigiri including the salmon, whelk, and yellowtail, along with a few hand rolls. The fish tasted fresh and was better quality than I expected for the price point. One thing that caught my attention was the rice since it has a brownish color, but I believe it's actually white rice. Whatever they're doing, it tasted great and paired well with the fish.

    Veronica W.

    Im really disappointed in my first experience here. I was so excited to solo dine :( To be clear, the service was good. My host was nice and helpful. I first ordered the tuna roll, and that had a great, fresh taste. Miso soup was ok, just like what you'd find at your average sushi spot. I moved onto the tuna nigiri combo. The seared one was the only one I liked. The rest of the pieces had a very fishy, bad taste. I didn't expect to find that here :/ I ordered the roll again and a pair of seared salmon hoping I'd find something different. This time the roll had a fishy taste and the seared salmon had a very strong fishy, bad taste despite it being seared! Crossing my fingers I won't get sick. Overall, one of my worst sushi experiences in years. I'm hoping it was just a bad day and I was unlucky but I'm surprised to see how great the reviews are. I won't be spending my money here again but I hope they can improve their quality control and consistency!

    Salmon Party
    Nathaniel R.

    While restaurants inside grocery stores are nothing new in SoCal, Waka Sakura stands out with its unexpected location on the second floor of Tokyo Central, and with its curated selection of high-quality sushi and Japanese fare. In the style of Kura, dishes are delivered via conveyor belt directly to your table. However, this is a much more premium experience. There are no rewards for number of plates eaten. Only the reward of extremely fresh and carefully prepared ingredients. Staff are friendly and helpful. Families are welcome; booster seats are available and there is a kids menu. We have been several times, and the experience is consistently top tier. Stop by the Tokyo Central arcade (also upstairs) on your way in or out for some prize machine action. There is elevator access to the second floor as well as the main stairs.

    Salmon sushi
    Katelyn S.

    Was visiting my sister in the area and decided to have a late lunch with my husband. We both wanted sushi and needed to go grocery shopping so ended up here. Once we arrived, we were seated right away since there was no wait. We ordered on the tablet and food came out instantly on the belt. We ended up ordering spicy scallop sushi, salmon sushi, california hand roll, salmon california roll, as well as the assorted seared salmon and scallop sushi. The food was absolutely amazing although service was okay. We had to wait for sauce plates and ask for refills quite frequently. Would recommend this place if you're looking for something fast although wait times could be long when it's busy!

    Maricel S.

    I had a really fun experience at Waka Sakura in Gardena. It's a conveyor-style sushi spot, but you don't actually grab anything off the belt. Everything is ordered from the iPad at your table, and your dishes get delivered right to you on the belt system. It's quick, smooth, and honestly pretty entertaining to watch. It is a bit on the pricey side for what you get but if you're looking for a lighter meal or want to control exactly how much you eat, it actually works really well. Service is minimal since everything is automated, but the system is easy to use and food comes out fast. The place was also clean and well organized. Overall, a fun, modern sushi experience!

    Joy

    This is by FAR my favorite sushi spot in all of Southern California. The sushi is always incredibly fresh and delicious, and the service is consistently top-notch. I also love that it's located above Tokyo Central; it's perfect for taking a break before or after a shopping trip!! Some of my go-to items are the yuzu cheesecake with vanilla ice cream (so good!) and the tuna hand roll. On this visit, my boyfriend and I ordered a variety of dishes to share, and everything was fantastic. The atmosphere really adds to the experience. The lighting is warm and cozy, and the space feels both clean and authentic. They also serve really flavorful wasabi, which is a nice touch. I keep coming back to Waka Sakura again and again bc it NEVER disappoints.

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    Page 4 of 19

    Waka Sakura Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Waka Sakura

    Do they have high chairs for babys?

    They might have...not so sure. Pls call them

    Do they take reservations?

    They do not. The wait isn't long if you go slightly before lunch or dinner rush hours.

    What kind of salmon do they use?

    Idk. It's hard to say nowadays for Sushi restaurants because fresh wild caught Atlantic salmon is expensive and tastes a little more fishy than farmed. So if I may speculate I think it's farmed because I make sashimi out of the Atlantic farmed… 

    Does this sushi restaurant offer gift certificates or gift cards?

    Unfortunately they don't for now. Hopefully they will in the future.

    Is there a wait list?

    Yes, you sign in on an iPad when you arrive, then they call you when your table is ready.

    Is there beer and sake now?

    Yes

    Thinking about going on a Saturday around 12-12:30pm, 2 people. Are wait times, on average, still crazy? Thank you to those who respond.

    If you're going on the weekend, I recommend going an hour before it opens and wait. The lines are still crazy long.

    How do seat if you have a party of 5 people?

    The booths only have space for 4 medium sized adults. The only way you could have a larger party is to seat seperately.

    Does all the sushi have wasabi or is spicy?

    IIRC, none have wasabi, you add it on your own. There are some spicy dishes, but you order what you want. If you don’t like spicy, then order something else.

    Can you order take out?

    Only dine in

    Can u dine in solo?

    Yes

    Does anyone know typical time for the lunch rush on a Tuesday?

    Shouldn't be rush on typical lunch time, even during busiest, wait time was only about 20 min. : )

    Do they serve alcohol or can you bring your own?

    At this time, they can not serve alcohol. They have applied for a license to do so. Check back soon!

    Can you modify the sampler sets? I.e. ask for things without spicy mayo?

    You can always flag down a server and ask. Im sure they can do that.

    Do they have Gift Cards?

    No they don't have it . Also they can't accept reservation

    Is there bathroom upstairs?

    yes, there were 3, one was handicap size. But i think the two were unisex? But yes, just right of the counter where you check in are the bathrooms.

    Is the fish wild or farmed?

    Some for sure farmed fishes nowadays is the salmon, yellowtail, ive seen some tuna species succesfully farmed, shellfish, oysters, uni. The better places are selective and order fresh fish from around the world but no matter what sushi place you… 

    When are the slowest times to dine here? Days and times?

    Weekdays after 2pm before 4 pm

    Do they do takeout?

    No..they only have dine in

    View All 26 Questions

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    Sushi Yoshi

    Sushi Yoshi

    4.4
    (312 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    I've lived in the area for a while and have always driven past this little takeout-only sushi spot…read moretucked away in a small plaza. It's definitely one of those hidden hole-in-the-wall places that you might miss if you weren't looking for it. I finally had the chance to give it a try. I ordered the #1, which came with a nice variety of sushi including yellowtail, tuna, mackerel, sweet shrimp, and more. I was surprisingly full by the end of the meal. The quality of the seafood was excellent, and the preparation was done really well. Every piece was enjoyable, and you could tell care went into what they served. The service was warm and friendly--it's a true mom-and-pop shop, and that personal touch really adds to the experience. The pricing was very fair for the quality and portion size. Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely come back again. If you're looking for a quality takeout-only sushi spot that's easy to overlook, this hidden gem is definitely worth checking out.

    I am always on the look out for legitimate, good quality sushi and our family just returned from a…read morevacation in Japan so our standards are higher than usual. Sushi Yoshi is a small, OG take-out sushi spot which is run by an older gentleman. I knew it was going to be legit because they have Plum Paste (Ume) Roll on the menu which most sushi restaurants do not offer. This brings back so many memories of my childhood and I always order it if available. All of our sushi choices were very well made and really good quality fish. It did take 20 minutes for him to prepare our entire order since we walked in, so next time we'll call in our order. The restaurant is located in a strip mall with limited parking. You can find some street parking on the side street, but there is no parking on Artesia Blvd. so try to avoid that as much as possible.

    Photos
    Front
    Front
    Perfect moment at the airport, pairing with a glass of Rosé.
    Perfect moment at the airport, pairing with a glass of Rosé.
    Outside

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    Outside
    Waka Sakura

    Waka Sakura

    4.1
    (253 reviews)
    32.2 mi

    A friend of mine has been raving about the revolving sushi bar at Tokyo Central so I was excited to…read morefinally check out the new location closer by to me! The spot is pretty spacious and ordering through the iPad or QR code made the whole experience quick and seamless. What impressed me the most was the quality of the sushi and how generous the cuts of fish were! Everything tasted fresh especially with the seasoned red vinegar rice. I also loved that you can order extras like miso soup and other appetizers to make a full meal. The Salmon Party is definitely worth ordering since it comes with a variety of salmon nigiri and seared pieces. My favorite was the sea bream nigiri because it was firm and had a satisfying texture that I was looking for with a slight sweetness.

    There's something so homey about Waka Sakura. Maybe because every time I've been, staff has greeted…read moreme with a genuine smile, there's always no to a low key crowd, and I'm surrounded by great company. It's simplicity at its finest. I'm not expecting more or less, it's just right. Come in, sit, and start ordering. The food comes out decently fast and the menu is stripped down to my core favorites anyways so I'm always a happy girl. Where else can you get heavenly Uni for under $20?! Ive always enjoyed Tokyo Central selections so I knew what I was getting into. I love the hot tea free refills and the music selection sometimes is better than the club. If I'm looking for a slow-paced vibe I'll come here to escape the chaos of Sushi Rev. Hot tip: Waka Sakura is in the same plaza as Auntea Jenny! My fav tea shop.

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    Waka Sakura
    Salmon party
    Salmon party
    Salmon party (my favorite!)

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    Salmon party (my favorite!)
    Sushi Zanmai

    Sushi Zanmai

    4.6
    (207 reviews)
    13.3 mi

    Food 5/5: we enjoyed sushi here more than expected. Fresh quality sushi, served quick, good portion…read morenigiri. What else could you ask for? It was the first time I felt full, happy, and satisfied with affordable price at the end of our meals. Sushi? Full? You would think impossible right? Well? Not here. Service 5/5: it was really enjoyable and we were laughing the whole time with chef and with the man who we thought was Tiger who was not, was very funny and attentive. All well mannered and you just feel welcomed there. It's a goof feeling because diners today don't deliver a good experience anymore, esp in LA. Ambiance 5/5: Very spacious, clean, good for hangouts with friends and family. They have valet parking, or street parking. Highly recommend here!

    You order from an Ipad, at the bar. The chef will tell you the freshest shipment of fish that just…read morecame in. You can order Nigiri in one piece. Robert, one of their servers, was super hospitable, and made some solid off the menu recommendations. Tiger, the manager, is also super kind, and always heard me out my requests, like putting quayle eggs on my sea urchin. I am a self-described sushi snob, and have made a point to go to the top spots. I am a regular in Little Tokyo, including Sushi Takeda. But the most important thing I have learned, just like movies and music, is that there is no one single best sushi place. Get off your couch and give Sushi Zanmai a try!

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    Sushi Zanmai
    Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice. 5/5
    Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice. 5/5
    Lunch special... what a treat!

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    Lunch special... what a treat!

    Waka Sakura - conveyorsushi - Updated August 2026

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