Sakura

"Sakura is maybe the best hidden gem in the neighborhood. Their bento boxes are *chefs kiss*"

"Finally tried the food from the new Sakura! This is top-level Japanese cooking! Everything is so delicious, so flavorful, so thoughtful, so subtle. Two of my Japanese girlfriends and I got mini bento boxes. We were sooooooooooo happy. They are not so mini - it's a great meal. Everything was cooked perfectly. Nothing tasted too much of dashi, soy sauce or sugar, but somehow each element was so flavorful, so delicious, and so Japanese!!! There was great variety of flavor, texture and color. It comes in a compostable container, too. I also tried the veggie curry bowl (which comes in a microwaveable container) and it was full of veggies, comforting, and delicious. The pickled onion on top is just the right contrast. Chicken katsu sandwich was simple and delicious, with just a hint of tonkatsu sauce and a such thinly shredded cabbage. I would say this is as good as my grandmother made, but my grandmother was not nearly as beautiful a cook as this. Bento boxes seem to sell out after lunch time. I'm already planning to bring bento boxes to work on days where the schedule works out. The store part is sparse, but has the essentials, Japanese treats and Japanese grocery/pantry items. They had a very good brand of soy sauce which I will bring to family friends as a gift. All in all, a welcome addition to the city! No more driving to Japan town for disappointing bento from the grocery there! Looking forward to trying karaage and cakes!!"

"This cute neighborhood shop has different homemade Japanese dishes made fresh every day -- bentos, onigiri, curries, katsu sandwiches, just to name a few. I've been coming here every day and haven't gotten tired of it yet. Everyone who works here is super friendly. So lucky to have them in the neighborhood!!"

"Love love this shop. We went every day with my niece and nephew and found all kinds of great gifts and snacks from Japan, Nepal, etc. Such as a beret, a neck warmer, a travel wallet purse, a penny bank, lots of candies, purse mirror, cat hat, wool cat houses, roasted nuts, spices, oh! And white mulberry tea!!!"