Waka Sakura Gardena

Sushi restaurant · Gardena

Waka Sakura Gardena

Sushi restaurant · Gardena

5

1740 Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA 90248

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Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by Matthew Kang
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null
Waka Sakura Gardena by null

Highlights

Nestled on the second floor of Tokyo Central, Waka Sakura elevates conveyor-belt sushi with top-notch ingredients, sleek decor, and a fun ordering system.  

Featured in Eater
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1740 Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA 90248 Get directions

mailchi.mp
@tokyo.central

$30–50 · Menu

Information

Static Map

1740 Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA 90248 Get directions

+1 424 205 1085
mailchi.mp
@tokyo.central

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 2, 2025

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@eater

"A tremendous addition to the Gardena dining scene, Waka Sakura is a higher-end conveyor belt sushi restaurant (kaitenzushi) that feels plucked right out of a tony Tokyo shopping district. With no windows and a sleek, minimalist dining room, all the focus goes to the extensive sushi menu that is ordered through tableside tablets. Expect well-seasoned rice, fresh fish, and well-executed rolls that, altogether, add up to a great value. Waits can add up during meal times, so take a stroll through the first-floor Tokyo Central grocery store." - Matthew Kang

22 Spectacular Sushi Destinations in Los Angeles
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@eater

"Tucked into a hard-to-find second-floor space with no windows at Gardena’s Tokyo Central Market, Waka Sakura represents a new level of quality in conveyor belt sushi that one would typically find in Japan. Here, plates run a few dollars more than at budget spots like Kura Sushi, but the overall freshness and execution, from the provenance and seasoning of the rice to the freshness of the fish, are worth the premium. Waits are pretty long, up to an hour, so put your name down and go shopping for Japanese groceries downstairs. — Matthew Kang, lead editor" - Eater Staff

The 15 Hottest New Restaurants in Los Angeles, May 2024
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@eater

"Word of Waka Sakura spread quickly on social media and Reddit after its opening on February 27 on the second floor of the Tokyo Central grocery store in Gardena. The restaurant’s instant popularity prompted the grocery store to dedicate a small waiting area to contain diners queuing for upwards of two hours to try the restaurant. What’s immediately different about Waka Sakura is its more upscale dining room and the quality of its sushi. The sleek, dimly lit, and windowless space could be tucked into a Tokyo office building or shopping mall, with hushed jazz piano tunes and helpful service staff. Diners are presented with a heavy paper booklet with photos of the restaurant’s offerings and can order either using the tableside tablet or with their phones and a QR code. The first page of the menu touts the restaurant’s freshly grated wasabi, Hitomebore rice, red vinegar and Junmai Daijingo rice seasoning, and Kyushu-sourced nori. On the nigiri menu are tuna, yellowtail, salmon, sea bream, seared wagyu beef, and more; the accompanying rice is well-seasoned and served not quite warm but not frigid cold. Prices for the nigiri, which comes in two pieces per plate with some exceptions, start at $3.99 for albacore with garlic chips and go up to $5.49 for roe-topped salmon. Cuts that often only come from higher-end omakase places, like engawa (halibut fin), surf clam, uni, and jack mackerel punch well above their cost. Waka Sakura also offers saucy rolls, hand rolls, sashimi, and grilled plates like salmon filet and hamachi collar." - Matthew Kang

LA’s Waka Sakura Serves Upscale Conveyor Belt Sushi in Gardena - Eater LA
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@davidcho
Things I want to eat in LA
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sid srivastava

Google
One of my favorite places to have ever gotten sushi, it takes me right back to Japan. Amazing fish quality and super affordable prices with tons of variety. A small place tucked away inside a supermarket but an absolute masterclass of an establishment.

Craig Radow

Google
Very positive and delicious experience at Waka Sakura. I had high expectations and they were exceeded as far as taste, quality and atmosphere. Favorites were tuna lovers plate, scallop lovers plate and yellowtail sashimi. The only major miss was the tuna poke.

Avedon Arcade

Google
The Automat redefined! Franchises like Kura have made conveyor belt sushi more mainstream than ever. But Waka Sakura elevates that experience. In contrast to Kura, Waka Sakura is more slowed down and relaxed. Evident by the calm and simple design of the space, you don’t hear people hustling about like a local diner. This is meant for you to take your time and step out of the bustling world so you can enjoy a few good plates of sushi before returning to it (and your grocery shopping). Much like the space, the experience is minimal. Nothing to get in the way of your meal. Plenty of fish choices to choose from as well as a few more prepared dishes litter the digital menu. Seasonal ingredients are a big focus here and so you’ll always find something new to try when you come in. Of the times I’ve been the fish has been fairly consistent and very good. And at the very least on par with places like Kura. The standouts for me is always a Tuna tasting platter and some poke. But other unique items like the salmon collar are a nice and delicious surprise. Pricing is perfectly reasonable and still more affordable than those so called upscale franchise spots. But you’ll get the same amount of wait time as those if you come during a rush period. Luckily if you go early and during the week, you’ll be able to walk in and sit down right away. Which is how I like to do my shopping. No fuss. Highly recommend even if you don’t live in the area (speaking as someone who will regularly drive down to the area from Hollywood).

Philip Kai

Google
Amazing sushi! The quality is way Better the kura, their competitor. The only thing I wish they have is real crab meat! Kura serves real crab meat! I hope they see this and put real crab meat! lol Good spot! Fresh sushi, Wagyu was amazing! you can taste the quality!

wook kim

Google
Went for lunch on Sunday…arrived at 11:10 to avoid the wait since they opened at 11:00….still had a 20min wait. Once seated the food comes out fast. I would recommend ordering in phases. We ordered at one time and everything came out at once on the conveyor. We were very happy with the quality and taste. Definitely will come back!

Top Consulting Group Inc

Google
Got there and it said 1.5hr wait time. It ended up being a 45 min wait for a 40 min meal for 2. Saw this place being mentioned on social media. It was not that good. The food came fast. The quality of the sashimi isn't anything to brag about, similar to what you can get from the market deli. They have a unique vinegar blend for the sushi rice. There are other places that have better sushi with less wait time. No alcohol yet, probably at the end of the month. Not going back.

John Gonzalez

Google
We definitely returned again the host provided a booster seat for my little one The waitress who brought our drinks was a doll didn't catch her name but one thing is her beautiful pink hair. The food tastes amazing but the staff is wonderful and a very clean place. I don't think I'll consider going anywhere else for sushi this place is a must and possibly a favorite, thank you all for the amazing work from the front of the restaurant to the back the cooks to even the prep and dishwasher. You guys definitely won me over

Christopher M

Google
Yeah, this place is good. Tastes better than kaitenzushi's even in Japan, albeit the cost is not really comparable. Pleasantly surprised with the quality of the sushi and staff. It's more of a "sushi train" than a conveyor belt sushi place. Unfortunately since the opening of this restaurant the weekend parking situation is out of control in this lot - you are probably better off parking across the street and walking. Weekend wait time is easily 2 hours upon opening - get there early or be prepared to do a lot of shopping downstairs!

Wesley K.

Yelp
The best belt style sushi hands down and like the ordering using your phone. What service by CLARK!!! See you soon brah........

Eric F.

Yelp
What can we say, Waka continues to dish out the best sushi in LA outside of far more high end and expensive omakase-only spots. My family and I have come here probably 8+ times by now and every meal has been nothing short of derricious. The maguro, toro, sake, hamachi, and scallops are consistently top notch and the 'party' plates offer the best value. Hot dishes like the salmon belly, takoyaki, fish balls, chicken karaage, and especially fried oysters are all very good as well. The booths are always clean and comfortable and service is consistently attentive.

Ocean M.

Yelp
The Japanese manager guy with glasses needs to go! He has no customer social skills. He is rude and does not know how to run a restaurant. Problems Does not interact with customers When you have a question or issue, he tells another waitress to talk or tell them what he says He's socially inept or hiding from his problems He is unfriendly and translates everything to other waitresses He avoids problems instead of solving them

Kevin P.

Yelp
Waka is serving up pretty solid sushi for being conveyor belt sushi place. Definitely way better quality than Kura Sushi. The prices are higher but still reasonable which is fine, because it makes up with the quality of the fish and also their sushi rice is great. I love how they season their shari ( rice) with red vinegar. We came here on a Friday night around 630pm with a party of 4 for a quick bite and was seated right away. We ordered a few plates to share. Akami Tuna Chutoro Seared Chutoro Hotate Engawa All was fantastic. All and all I enjoyed Wake Sakura and would definitely hit this place up again if I'm the area. It's a good place to get you sushi fix in.

Peijean T.

Yelp
Waka Sakura def lives up to the hype, and the wait is no longer what it was years ago when it first opened. I went on a Friday night after 8pm and was seated immediately. For being a conveyor belt sushi restaurant where you order from a touchpad screen at your table, the service is surprisingly good with highly attentive waiters who are kind, friendly, and helpful. The fish was all first-rate, one of the best sushi experiences I've had in the U.S., including Nobu Malibu and places lauded by Anthony Bourdain. The salmon sampler platter was a highlight, and reminded me of dishes I've ordered at the pricier Roku but for a lot less. The ambiance is perfect -- sleek and clean, and when the food travels to you on the conveyor belt just minutes after ordering it on the touchscreen, there's some tongue-in-cheek humor because the Tokyo JR train arrival jingle plays as your dish inches toward you. While I appreciate that they offer wagyu, I would skip it as it was just OK in my opinion. I recommend just focusing on the fish here. This is the sister restaurant of the nearby Vanshow (also excellent but pricier). I still recommend trying both Waka Sakura and Vanshow as they're both great.

Irene W.

Yelp
Came here on a weekday around the time they opened and there was no wait. The ordering process is easy and they bring the utensils and wasabi. Gotta note that they don't give enough wasabi but I figure you could ask for more, not sure if there's a charge. The prices are not bad given the quality. It's easy to order via QR code and there's a section on the menu with the seasonal/new offerings and the recommendations were really good, definitely worth a try. The nigiri pieces are also a decent size, not too much rice and the fish thickness is not skimped on. The wait for items is also pretty fast, not sure how it is during peak hours. Ambience is good, not too loud. The booths are not the comfiest though. For the prices, expect to pay $20-$30/person, more if you want to try pricier items like uni etc. Would visit again for a quick lunch. Does the job well, would hope they incorporate more promos/events because the place seems a bit boring currently with nothing going on.

Caes F.

Yelp
Mother's Day and the best part was no wait! Normally, there is a kiosk where you place your name down and wait for an hour or two. Located on the second floor of Tokyo Central, there is a restaurant that has Sushi Made to Order. Devoured the following: 1. Eel Nigiri **** 2. Egg Nigiri ***** 3. Shrimp Tempura **** 4. Chicken Karaage *** 5. California Hand Roll ***** The dishes were so tasty and quality :) The ginger on the side table was a nice compliment!

Louis P.

Yelp
Hard to criticize something that is authentically good. This spot is located inside the Japanese market, used to be Marukai. Its not in the food court in the front, it is located in the back of the store on the second floor. Stopped by for work lunch, we ordered a little of everything. Mostly sushi and onigiri, everything was fresh. Fresh, yummy and was pleasently surprised at the price. Compared to sushi places its considerably cheaper. The restaurant has screen devices on every table, there is also a server in case you want to order direct. Seating is built around a conveyer belt that brings your food to the table. Pretty cool, only few places that do that like Kura. Pro-Tip: If you want to avoid long wait times try going weekday noon times or early lunch on weekends.

Alex Y.

Yelp
This bullet sushi was so fun and yummy! It's located in the Tokyo Central so it was kind of a fun surprise for my partner. We went on a Tuesday night around 7pm and it wasn't busy at all, got seating immediately. The host was nice to us, but other than that we didn't really interact with the employees. We just ordered our food from the iPad/tablet thing. I liked the dim lit, semi romantic vibes but I def see this place getting loud if it was full. The sushi itself was good! I'd say quality, but definitely some questionable items on there... I would say don't branch out, because it wasn't worth it. The sashimi was cut interestingly? It was good, I'd be back, but I'm not dying to go back. Yummy though and definitely enjoyed! The tuna belly was my favorite, so melty and good.

Richard F.

Yelp
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this place. The fish was fresh and delicious. Pricing was fair. Service was excellent. I love this made-to-order conveyor belt sushi spot! Food- 5 stars Tried most of their menu, but my favorites were the seared red shrimp, the seared mackerel, and the yellowtail collar. The typical fatty tuna and salmon were excellent as well, as both were incredibly fatty and fresh. My least favorite was their uni though; definitely not Hokkaido or SB uni, but at the price point, I can understand why. Service- 5 stars The food was out very quickly and the servers provided excellent service. The ambiance was great, as it did feel like I was transported to Japan with their modern Eastern decor Bottom Line I may be a bit of snob with sushi, often enjoying omakase experiences mainly. But Waka Sakura shoots up to the top of the list in my LA sushi favorites with their excellent food and service

Kara S.

Yelp
The hype is real guys. Not only is this place unique coz it's in a supermarket but the food is amazing! Everything we ordered was delicious. We got there around 8pm and were seated immediately. I loved that everything is made to order. Everything was clean and the servers were very kind and helpful. I can't wait to go back.

Eduardo P.

Yelp
Think it's great and would recommend for what it is, conveyor belt sushi in a grocery store. That considered the quality is great and everything tastes amazing. Ordering on the tablet wasn't great because of how it's fixed on the wall. Booth seating so not great for large parties. I loved it and how much I got for the price. Also enjoy getting snacks or dessert in the Tokyo central afterwards haha The wait varies but has been hours when they first opened. I think it has since calmed down.

Betty Y.

Yelp
This was my first time at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant that I can remember. When they first opened, the line was insanely long so I didn't go until today. I just didn't have the patience to wait over an hour for this one. Today, I found myself with some alone time so I decided to stop in before I grabbed a few groceries downstairs. The ordering process is fun, although the screen placement is kind of awkward and makes you crane your neck to pick things. The alternative is to use the QR code method on your phone. As I didn't want to stuff myself, I just tried a few things to hold me over while I was shopping and running errands. The sushi was good, and the food came out quickly. I'm glad I tried it when there was no wait. If I find myself in the same position again, I'll stop in for a few dishes while I do some grocery shopping.

Donna B.

Yelp
Met a friend here tonight and it was so amazing. We tried a bunch of different things including bluefin, Wagyu beef, assorted sashimi plate, three different rolls, the salmon party and mackerel - it was so fresh and so inexpensive. We had a ton and two beers and it literally was under $100 before tax. The ordering is a little complicated - you either do it from the tablet or your phone. My phone kept freezing and they said the tablet is very touchy and they only forgive one mistake but once my friend got the hang of it, it she was able to order us everything we wanted. The conveyor belt is nice it comes right to your table and you know everything is fresh! We went 6 PM on a Thursday night and got in right away but by the time we left it was crowded ! I definitely will be back ! Delicious

Shirley W.

Yelp
Located on the second floor of Tokyo Central. Honestly the wait wasn't too bad when we came on Sunday around 5:30pm. The wait was about 20 minutes, but that's totally enough time to kill to walk around the market and the gacha machines. One thing about this place, it is set up like Kura and has the sushi belts, but it's not revolving. Honestly, that's actually better because all the orders are made FRESH. The quality here tastes sooo much better than Kura and tastes authentic. Even at the very beginning, I was impressed with their fresh wasabi that they offered. Definitely not from those tubes! We ordered various things and all of them were actually really good! The only thing I didn't like was that there was a sashimi platter, and the slices were VERY thin. Compared to the nigiri's they offer so much more, but the sashimi platter was very thin. Odd. One plate that stood out to us was the beef wagyu nigiri. That one was really good! We had chubby cattle on the same week and the quality is almost very similar, chubby cattle being better quality that is, but still overall pretty good. The combo platters were great, service was quick, and love the ordering system! It feels like a mature version of Kura without the toys lol.

Winnie K.

Yelp
Waka Sakura is made-to-order conveyor belt sushi inside of Tokyo Central. There are many options to please everyone. The place is best for parties of 2-4. Put name onto waitlist as soon as you arrive, since it's gotten quite popular. You can roam around the store and they'll text when the table is ready. There's a large parking lot for Tokyo Central. For the food: Great quality and super affordable sushi. If I lived nearby, I'd make this a regular spot. Here are my favorite items: - Salmon Party - Albacore - Yellowtail - Bluefin Tuna - Any Seared Nigiri - Spicy Tuna Topped Seared Bluefin Tuna - Fried Shishito Peppers

Carolyn M.

Yelp
Came in for a late lunch on a Saturday and there was no wait. There's a good amount of booths /tables. Some special highlights about their menu include a "brown" rice on all the sushi- except it didn't have the graininess and stiffness of whole grain brown rice. I think it's actually a white rice seasoned with shoyu. Their fish is good quality and the crunch in any of the crunch rolls/ tempura rolls is actually crispy. The salmon skin is the same way- some of the best I've had. Sushi comes out quick and you touch screen order everything yourself. Lastly the place won me over because their tipping system is ethical - love a resto that calculates rip off the subtotal .

Nicole W.

Yelp
Very different experience for conveyor belt sushi. You order off an iPad of some sort and your food comes directly to you. I'm used to the old school method where it just rolls by and you grab it. Haven't been in a while so maybe they are all like this now. My favorites were the albacore nigiri with garlic chips and the spicy tuna roll topped with seared tuna. The spicy tuna topped with albacore was good, but the seared tuna version had green onion and chili crunch oil, which I preferred. The albacore with ginger was strong on ginger and my husband didn't like. The blue fatty tuna nigiri wasn't as good as I would like, wouldn't get it again(not seared). My kids really liked the Philadelphia roll, rainbow roll and the tuna roll. We got the salmon sampler, but I'm not a fan of raw salmon so it wasn't my favorite. Everyone else thought it was okay, we wouldn't order it again. Chicken karage was okay, but kinda small and we've had better elsewhere. Overall we ordered a lot off the menu, and would return for select items.

Jose H.

Yelp
Good place for a quick bite while shopping at Tokyo Central. Friendly staff and good sushi.

Allison L.

Yelp
6 STARS! One of the best experiences we've had in a while. We were in the area and didn't know much. We blindly chose this spot and honestly so happy that we did. This restaurant is located on the second floor of Tokyo Central. We got in a little before 9pm on a Sunday. There were a few parties. Staff sat us right away. Everyone we encountered was SO friendly. The quality literally blew me away -- especially for the price. You can tell that they really take the time to craft their sauces and flavors. I love that everything doesn't just taste the same. And did I mention that it's incredibly fairly priced?! I love that they have the different nigiri sets -- salmon party, tuna lover, and scallop lover. The restaurant is modern and comfortable. Food comes out right away. Extremely great experience, however there is one con... WE LIVE TWO HOURS AWAY! Worth the drive.

Vanessa L.

Yelp
Finally made the drive to try out this sushi restaurant! Located upstairs (stairs towards the back of the market) to the left. You put your name down on the waiting list to be seated. We waited approximately 20-30 minutes during lunch time on a Sunday. So we went downstairs and actually grabbed a small bite while waiting. In terms of nigiri, the options didn't really stand out to me. What caught me and what would bring me back here are the sets. They were soooo good, and pretty affordable, I would say! You order on the ipad and the items gets delivered to your table via the conveyor belt. Will definitely come back whenever in the area.

Joshua B.

Yelp
Was craving a conveyor belt sushi experience so came to check out Waka Sakura. First off it's inside a grocery market on the second floor, so as you wait you can browse around and they have a lot of neat stuff. Back to the restaurant - it place is very modern and has a different twist that your regular conveyor belt sushi place. This place doesn't have rolls sitting around , instead you put your order on a tablet and the belt zooms the dishes to your table once ready, which is very fun to see. The rolls were all delicious! It's a bit more expensive than a Karu but totally worth every dime!

Joshua P.

Yelp
It is a quick 30 min. that we had to wait in line for. An IG video mentioned that there was a 2-hour wait when they went, but not this day or time, thankfully. Food: Fresh, tasty, fast to be served, and comes to your table from a conveyor belt. Place looked clean and well taken care of. The seating arrangements and booths made it feel as private a it can possibly get. Service: ROBERT was incredible! I cannot say anything bad about his service. I'm sure all other servers are just as good, but if you get Robert you know you're in good hands. Even as we were being seated, another server echoed to us to enjoy our meal in the most genuine tone. Because of the prices, I would definitely comeback for a special occasion with my partner. ***I wouldn't recommend this as a group outing if price is a factor.***

Steve O.

Yelp
I absolutely love this restaurant. When I heard it was located on the upper level of Marukai/Tokyo Central, I had my doubts but after reading the reviews on Yelp, I was ready to give it a shot. The quality of the fish, nori, rice and even the wasabi was top notch. Even though it's automated, the order you place using the tablet next to your table or your phone after using a QR comes quickly direct to your table. No sushi going round and round being exposed to the whims of other diners as the food makes its way around the room. You can check your running total so you don't go over your budget if that's a concern. The price may be a touch higher than Kura (not sure because it's been about a year since I last went to one) but I felt the quality was consistently higher. Kura is pretty good but this place gives an actual reputable sushi bar a run for its money. There literally was nothing I turned my nose up at. My only gripe was some of the combo plates like the salmon party and tuna lover come with seared selections. I would have preferred an option to have all uncooked slices of fish. The mackerel, scallop, bluefin toro were just AWESOME! The wagyu was very good and tender but I think I'll stick with the fish next visit. $173 pre-tax for 4 people was extremely reasonable. There were many complaints on Yelp about the long wait but if you take peak hours into consideration and plan to eat earlier or avoid the weekend , you can avoid that problem easily. We waited 25 minutes on a Sunday just after 5. It was much busier as we left around 7. Parking is a hassle if you try to park close because the supermarket is very popular so just park around the back if you don't get lucky on your way in. The restaurant is very clean and the staff is well trained to provide friendly service to its patrons. If you're a Kura fan, expect to be impressed by the staff at Waka. I'm ready to plan my return ASAP.

Scott K.

Yelp
Fun and delicious sushi spot with conveyor belt system bringing your ordered sushi right to your table. It's all y order vs say Kura where you pick off what's going by round and round. Very fun to pick and then wait for it to zoom up to your table side. Quality was quite good, prices decent. Had heard the wait times were crazy to get in but it's died down now and wasn't bad at all!

Chelsea B.

Yelp
Best revolving sushi experience I had in the states! The service was impeccable really elevated the experience. The interior is gorgeous and the very clean. It's in the second floor of Tokyo central all the way in the back. They serve beer and sake here too. I would definitely come back

Trung N.

Yelp
This place is worth the hype. I came for lunch on a Monday, and luckily for me, there was no wait. Inside, the restaurant is significantly nicer than anticipated. It's crisp, clean and modern. You order from the touch screen and the sushi bullets out to you. Food and a show. Perfection. The sushi quality is top tier. Conveyor belt sushi should not taste this good, but it does. Interestingly enough, they use brown rice here, so there's that. I like that they offer trio plates where you can sample 3 different versions of one single fish. This allows you to sample and determine what you like for your future self. The nigiri tastes fresh, but it's also worth mentioning that their rolls are delicious as well. I like ordering a little from both to keep my meal from becoming monotonous. They offer some fun and weird things that probably no one orders, but I did. And it was as fun and weird as I thought it'd be - corn and mayo? Cheese on sushi? I'm there because it's funny. Wake Sakura is next level conveyor belt sushi. Highly recommend if 1) You love sushi 2) You love conveyor belts.

Stoopid S.

Yelp
Yes!!! Such a great experience Food is quality - wicked good. Our fav was the slightly seared salmon sushi with salt sauce That salt sauce is absolutely ridiculous with flavor Crisp beers and really good food all 'round Service was top notch - didn't wait for anything Love the app and tablet ordering. Chill lighting and quiet Defo going back

Michelle T.

Yelp
Depending on when you go, I assume that the wait will fluctuate. Went on a Tuesday afternoon and there was no wait at all. Inside looks like a minimalistic Kura Revolving Sushi, but this place does not have a constant stream of sushi varieties on a conveyor belt. You order through the tablet, and it comes out via conveyor belt. Nice interior for a little date or friends outing (booths seem to accommodate 4 people though, I don't know if they have bigger tables or not). We got a selection of things, but I only got a picture of the Tuna Lovers and Salmon Party, which are both my favorites of the things I tried. Got the Tuna Lovers, Salmon Party, Scallop Lovers, Spicy Tuna Hand Roll, Hiramasa (seasonal nigiri), and Miso Soup with Asari Clam. Overall, sushi quality was fresh and not fishy at all, the ratio of fish to rice is great, and their selection is pretty decent. Service is nice and quick when we needed someone, but I felt like they could have been a little more attentive (maybe understaffed since it's a weekday, I saw only 2 servers). Worth the stop and the experience!

Logan N.

Yelp
This is like Kura Revolving Sushi but for adults. The food comes on a belt. No toys. The quality is better. My kids still had fun getting food off the conveyer belt. I really enjoyed it. The rice looks brown because it is cooked with red vinegar. The wait was just 15 minutes on a weekend.

Sokha L.

Yelp
Didn't wait that long for a weekend brunch. My favorite was the beef, sushi and the scallops. I do think of the little heavy on the rice, but the quality of the seafood was good. Ambience, clean and modern.

Susie S.

Yelp
Fresh, delicious and excellent friendly service. My daughter and I kept ordering the assorted salmon nigiri, which is 3 pieces, 3 different kinds of salmon. We also had fatty tuna and kampachi nigiri. I had planned to order the miso soup with mussels, but I was distracted by the fresh fish and fun personalized conveyor belt service. You order on your phone or tablet provided and the food slides out very quickly. I will definitely go back and take hubby and friends.

Carey I.

Yelp
I walked in and was pleasantly greeted and seated . Then I was slightly confused since "conveyer belt sushi" is usually the big round conveyor belt where you pull off the belt and then get charged by the dish. Then I remember Kuro and found the "order pad". " Oh, duh" I thought to myself. Starting to scroll through the pad with all the options, my confusion set in again. Then I remember to open Yelp. And found much better pictures and some reviews. Thank goodness for yelp, as I decided on the sashimi platter is being my first pic. And I wasn't disappointed with this dish. I think for the price it was perfect. Was it the best sashimi I've ever had in my life? Certainly not a no. But for the price, it definitely had some value. Let me explain, when it comes to the quality of sushi, I look for texture, smell, and color. And then for the taste and chew, I also look for texture, oiliness, and flavor last. So for the sashimi platter, the texture was firm and not mushy, but there were a few spots of chew that shouldn't have been there. The oiliness was spot on, so I know it was fresh. And the flavor was clean and smooth, which told me it was a pretty nice cut of sashimi So now getting my fish quality filter out of the way, I decided on the tuna sampler and the assorted sashimi as my next test. On both plates, I started from the right and moved to the left with the mildest tasting pieces first moving to the strongest tasting last so I didn't have the strongest tasting pieces over power the next piece. Again the quality of the fish was great, what surprised me was the sushi rice Was not traditionally seasoned. I tasted some kind of soy garlic butter notes in the sushi rice. I'm still trying to decide if it was a pleasant surprise or a disappointment. I found the stronger flavored ones, which, in my mind most people would find the most delicious, to be overpowering for my taste. However, I could see that the average person would enjoy it the most. So for me on a scale of one to 10 both of these platters were a seven. But I could easily see how most people would find it a nine or 10 out of 10. I finished it off with the Iku tempura a.k.a. calamari and a bowl of miso soup. And I have to say I think that was the highlight of my meal. I don't know what that weird mayonnaise tartar sauce thing was so I asked for some salt. I prefer my tempera to just use salt. And it was definitely 10 out of 10. I squeeze all the lemon on top boy it was delicious. And the miso soup, which I thought it was a little pricey until I tasted it, it is also a 10 out of 10. Having all those little clam pieces made it taste so delicious and refreshing. When it comes to average sushi, this is the best average sushi I've ever had. And when it comes to value, other than the gas because it's so far away, the meal is really awesome and is best when shared with a group. I highly recommend taking advantage of the samplers in the platters , and went in a group the pieces that you don't care about somebody else will eat it lol.

Roberto G.

Yelp
I love the idea of made to order conveyor belt sushi, and I've been to a certain chain in the US and have also had it in Tokyo. So when we heard about one opening on the top floor of a local Japanese market, my wife and I had to try it. We did come when it first opened and subjected ourselves to the hour-hours long wait to get at that time. Happy to report that as of this week, the hype has died down (at least for weekdays) and we were able to be seated right away. Servers are very attentive but to be honest everything you need can be ordered straight from the tablets at every table. You order whatever dishes you want, and the conveyer belt magically brings it over to you as soon as it's ready. The restaurant itself is very clean, modern looking and appealing. Food: So it's a little pricier than the chain conveyor belt sushi, and will say the fish/meat quality is also better than it is at chains. Is it the best quality I've ever had? Probably not, but the experience all together is pleasant and have come here a few times and have always had a good experience. This most recent time, we ordered the scallop lovers (4 different scallop nigiri), seared salmon assorted (3 seared salmon nigiri), onion mayo salmon nigiri, and Wagyu nigiri. Overall the fish was tasty, the Wagyu onion nigiri gives you that burger sensation, and of all the sauces, the salt sauce was probably the most delicious. I would overall recommend this restaurant, especially now that there is not a crazy wait associated with it. If there is a crazy 1+ hour wait, maybe have something else and come back a different day.

Paul L.

Yelp
If you've been to Hama Sushi, Kura Sushi, or Sushiro in Japan, Waka Sakura will bring you all the way back. The quality of the fish is impeccable for conveyer belt style, staff is very friendly, and food comes out quite quickly. Everything is professional, clean, and wonderful. It's surprising that this is located at the back of the Tokyo Central Market, but a welcome surprise to be sure. My only two cons are the higher price compared to Japan (which is expected in the US) and the small selection/menu. That said, fish was amazing and service was very attentive. This is a very special experience that cannot easily be replicated, but it makes sense that Gardena has it in the nation's largest Japanese supermarket.

Marc N.

Yelp
Honestly the sushi is not good haha, BUT let's talk about conveyer belt sushi in general. We're not here to get good quality sushi. It's the convenience of conveyer belts and the novelty of it. Why is it 4 stars though? Compared to other conveyer belt sushi, it's actually kinda good lol. It also helps that there is a Japanese super market right beneath. Some of the pieces are ok, but unsure of the freshness of the sushi everyone keeps talking about.

Jenny K.

Yelp
Love this place! Their sushi is so good and really affordable for the quality. The sushi rice is very well seasoned. You order on an iPad and the sushi comes to you from a conveyor belt. Attentive and friendly staff.

Stacy C.

Yelp
I usually don't lean towards conveyor belt style sushi spots but this spot was big hyped on Instagram so I decided to give it a shot. Parking is ample as it's the grocery store lot. You gotta go into the grocery store to access the stairs to get up to the restaurant. Restaurant itself was very clean and you have the option to order on their iPad or with a QR code on your phone. Onto the food- im shoooooook. Only ordered a few simple items but I can tell it's clean, quality fish + they give really small rice portions in their nigiri and season their rice really well. Forgot to take a few photos but we ordered: Medium fatty tuna nigiri Aburi salmon nigiri Salmon with sliced onion nigiri Albacore with green onion and ginger nigiri Chopped Fatty tuna and green onion Yellowtail and green onion roll If this spot was closer to home, I would def go for quick lunches or dinner frequently.

Irene Q.

Yelp
Sushi was fresh and delicious. Love that they have a salmon combo and a wagyu beef trip plate. Love that they offer miso soup with clam and steamed egg. Love their options here, too. Service was minimal but helpful. Ambiance was nice and clean, pretty decor. Being inside Tokyo Central, it was nice to walk around. Going to bookmark this sushi spot for a revisit.

Peter H.

Yelp
Came by Saturday noontime and the parking lot was packed. We were able to find spots towards the back, and even those were getting ready to fill up. Luckily while the grocery store was bustling, the restaurant upstairs was comparatively calmer, and our wait was less than 10 minutes. The wait staff came by and gave us the rundown on using the tableside tablet as well as scanning the QR code to order from our phones. The items all tasted fresh and definitely hit the spot. A few standouts for me included the Salmon Party, Wagyu Beef Torio, and Scallop from Japan. However, the feature I was most impressed by was the efficiency of the overall kitchen-to-table conveyor belt system, with an alert of our impending orders on the tablet before the dish itself glides in. We were all famished, so it was a pleasant surprise to experience something that worked so seamlessly. After lunch, it was amusing to find grocery items downstairs matching what we had just ordered that were a fraction of the price. It's okay to treat yourself every now and then.

Heather M.

Yelp
The freshness and service is top notch. Things like an elevated conveyor belt sushi experience , order from table or phone , fresh dishes come out on a conveyor belt to you table Such a nice little tucked away get

Kei M.

Yelp
This restaurant is located in the 2nd floor of Tokyo Central in Gardena off of Artesia Blvd and Western Ave. Parking may be harder depending on when you visit since is same parking for Tokyo Central Market. I visited the restaurant on Tuesday on New Year's Eve and got there roughly 15/20 mins or so early. There was already 4 parties before us, we put our name on the list and waited for the restaurant to open. There is about 4 benches for the waiting area. We did get seated with the first seating so that worked out since we had a party of 8. We were seated at 2 booths across from each other. You can other order on the tablet or from your phone with the QR code provided for the table. They do have a kids set which was cute but overall wish they had a few more options. I was very excited to try the food because I saw it on social media and looked delicious. I did think the fish was fresh but I don't personally think it's worth the price point. I am glad I tried it but not sure if I would be back. The conveyer belt is always fun but personally wouldn't wait the 2+ hours problem are writing about.

Ashley T.

Yelp
This place is *so* good! It's a conveyor sushi bar (not revolving) located on the second floor of Tokyo Central. It's a little tricky to find at first, but just head into the supermarket in the back and walk up the stairs to the second floor. Once you're up there, the ambiance is amazing--it has that cozy, modern Japanese restaurant vibe with really warm, inviting lighting. I love the convenience of ordering either on the tablet at the table or using a QR code on my phone. The salmon and scallop sets caught my eye, and they were such a great value! The salmon trio was about $5 for three pieces, and the scallops were four pieces for just $9. Each piece had its own unique sauce, which added a great touch of flavor. What really stands out about this place is the unique and interesting fish options on the menu that you don't usually find at typical Americanized sushi spots. I'm definitely planning on coming back for more!

Zeeshan Q.

Yelp
I had an absolutely amazing experience at Waka Sakura. They offer a wide variety of rolls, nigiri, appetizers, sashimi, and more. Located on the second floor of Tokyo Central, they also have ample seating; we were able to get a table without a wait on a Monday evening, but I can imagine it gets busier on the weekends. Prices are decent, a bit on the more expensive side but they are worth the quality of the food. Some of my favorites included the fatty tuna, which literally melted in your mouth, seared scallop with spicy mayo, and the seared salmon with either spicy mayo or teriyaki sauce. If you compare Waka Sakura to other conveyer belt sushi restaurants like Kura, Waka blows it out of the comparison. I will only be going to Waka from now on, the quality, taste, and overall experience are one of the best for a sushi restaurant here in the South Bay!

Cynthia P.

Yelp
Arrived a little before 5pm on a Saturday and was seated immediately. I appreciated how quiet and relaxing the ambience was. This place felt more upscale than other conveyer belt sushi places given the minimalistic but clean set up with peaceful music in the background that was barely there. The subway beeping sounds to alert you the dishes were coming were charming. My favorite items were the yellowtail sashimi (paired with shiso leaf garnish - amazing!) and tempura crunch roll. The shrimp tempura was fried perfectly. We just had to order another roll once we tried it. Ordered some yuzu kosho on the side too. It cost a whole dollar but it was worth having on sushi. This spot is definitely worth trying!

Kimberly H.

Yelp
Nice simple Japanese ambiance. You sit down and order from a tablet at the table and food comes out on a conveyor belt. The servers bring the drinks. Service was nice and attentive. We got chawanmushi, miso soup, wagyu nigiri combo plate, salmon cheek, gyoza, karaage, tuna combo nigiri plate, salmon nigiri, snapper nigiri, uni nigiri, cucumber roll, california roll, beer, and sparkling sake. Total was about $100 for two adults and one 10 year old kid. I'm not too keen on the gyoza and karaage but we'll try this spot again.

Kevin L.

Yelp
Found this place from friends recommendation. Location at top floor of the Tokyo central here. The stairs are all the way to the back of the store Overall positive experience. This is an upgraded version of Kura. Sashimi is higher end and definitely tasty. You do get what you pay for. So expect to pay about $30 per person on average I find that the ordering system electronic pad is a bit slow. And lagged a bit. But for the taste and location, I would recommend any revolving sushi lovers to visit.

Jennifer W.

Yelp
Anytime I miss Tokyo, Japan, I plan to come here. The sushi was sooooo good and the service is superb like Japan. I suggest to go on weekdays when there is little to no wait at lunch. If they have specials, it is so worth it as you get a variety of fish. Everything tastes so fresh. Also, most dishes are delivered via the machine, which is so fun to order. You can order as you eat and not worry about over or under ordering. Perfect for a date. Can't wait to go back.

Ann V.

Yelp
Awesome concept using the conveyor belt to deliver the ordered items! The sushi tasted great, but I will say for the price, it might be wise to go to an AYCE sushi joint instead if you will be eating a lot as the price adds up easily.