Sakurazaka

"Passing by this cute little shop from the inner sunset flea market. Interesting products from Japan and Korea. The origini was nice too! Quite big chuck of salmon."

Grace Lin

"Since the new owners took over, it's nothing like what it used to be. It's a completely different store.

It's kind of a Japanese mini-grocery store now? I guess? It has decent selections. Worth stopping by once in a while.

- Nama yatsubashi!! 👍
- Katsu sando is good. They're almost always in the fridge.
- Roll cakes are good but often not there at all.
- Bento/rice balls menu changes daily but not available on their insta account until that day way after the store opens.
- Their bento isn't good. I tried three of them and I didn't like any. (But they seem to sell out after lunch. So some ppl must like them.)
- Rice balls are hit-or-miss. Rice is a bit mushy. Salmon is very dry. Ume is alright. You never know...
- Tamago sando isn't great. Lack flavor.

Some random stationery/trinkets/cute goods are available but very few. The displays of them aren't great/not cute & very few so it's easily missed.

They recently added shampoo/ conditioner(but not refills), face wash, a couple of skincare products. Very small selection. If they start having refill bags, it will be my preferred place to get those.

Items change often which would be fun if it was still a "雑貨屋 with staple Japanese food/goods" store, but as a grocery store, it's makes the store slightly unreliable.

Over all layout is puzzling/confusing and the inside looks desolate(殺風景) even with the full shelves. It's very much the opposite of the previous spirited lively atmosphere.

I stop by once in a while to see if what I need is there before I go to a normal grocery store or H-mart or J-town. Most of the time they have what I need. 👍

If they have modern/stylish/cute announcements of what the new items are on the big window like the previous owners did (they did it with actual items. I reckon food shouldn't be right on where the sun directly hits...), it might be more convenient? But the Valentine's day window decorations were a bit too "dollar store"-ish adding desolate-ness. Something more modern would be nice.

Update 4/2022: You HAVE to get these cat house! My kitten goes craaaaazy in it. I have to get multiple so I can put them in every room!!
It's very very hard to walk out from the store without buying something yummy or cute."

Akiyo Marukawa

"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!!"

Michelle M