Welcome to Sakura Japanese Cuisine
At Sakura Japanese Cuisine, situated on W Main St in Urbana, a culinary journey through Japan awaits. This charming restaurant combines tradition with modern flair, offering an exquisite array of sushi rolls, enticing tempura, and flavorful ramen. Diners have praised the fresh ingredients and vibrant presentations, highlighting dishes like the tender Karaage and creative Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen. The warm ambiance and attentive service enhance the experience, making it a favorite among locals. With a commitment to quality and a menu that showcases the best of Japanese cuisine, Sakura promises not only delicious meals but also memorable dining moments.
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132 W Main St, Urbana, IL 61801 Hotline: (217) 954-1257
Step into a world of culinary exploration at Sakura Japanese Cuisine, a delightful addition to Urbana's dining scene nestled at 132 W Main St. This charming restaurant captures the essence of Japanese flavors while ensuring an inviting atmosphere for every guest.
As a food reviewer of Restaurant World, I have had the pleasure of experiencing a range of offerings at Sakura. The menu features an impressive selection of nigiri and sashimi, with standout items including the creamy albacore and the rich, buttery yellowtail tuna. Each piece is crafted with precision and bursts with freshness, making it a must-try for sushi lovers.
- Flying Fish Roe (Black): A delightful treat at just $3.00
- Octopus: Tender and flavorful, priced at $3.75
- Eel: A luscious option at $4.75
In addition to the sushi delicacies, Sakura excels in classic sushi rolls like the Salmon Avocado Roll and the satisfying Tuna Roll, each boasting robust flavors that complement their fresh ingredients. The unique Spicy California Tempura Roll is a particular highlight, combining textures and tastes that will leave you craving more.
Customer reviews reflect a consistent commitment to quality. Adana A. notes, "The buffet has so many good food options... the food is always fresh and hot." Kurt B.'s experience showcases the elegant decor and welcoming service paired with impressive portion sizes, specifically praising the Karaage and Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen, which not only tasted amazing but were also artfully presented.
Each dish at Sakura tells a story. I was particularly taken with Catie O.'s experience with the katsu bento and spicy tuna roll, which she described as “super flavorful” and perfect in execution. The high-quality ceramic plates enhanced the overall dining experience, making the food feel even more special.
Newcomers will find this restaurant an excellent gateway to traditional Japanese cuisine, while regulars will appreciate the dedication to fresh ingredients and attentive service, ensuring a memorable meal every time. As Leyang Z. points out, Sakura's convenience to the campus is just an added benefit, making it a perfect spot for a satisfying meal any day of the week.
Whether you’re a long-time admirer of Japanese dishes or new to the culinary journey, Sakura Japanese Cuisine promises a feast for the senses, pairing delectable food with a warm ambiance that beckons you to return again and again.
This buffet has so many good food options. The help is always pleasant and the food is always fresh and hot.
Fantastic. Our dinner at Sakura this past Saturday night was our first Japanese cuisine experience since moving to the area about 3 years ago. We had heard great things from my sister-in-law and her little ones who eat their sushi rolls on a regular basis. We dined inside and were impressed with the classy decor. Their bar is a sight to behold. Service was very kind, attentive, and helpful. Portion sizes were impressive and leftovers were brought home. As for what we ordered, appetizers included both their Karaage and Veg Croquettes that were absolutely incredible. The Karaage was probably the best chicken tenders dish I have eaten in years. For entrees, my wife had their teriyaki scallops and I their Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen. Presentations of each were aesthetically pleasing; my Ramen bowl had a smiley face. My wife did notice a grittiness to the scallops, but otherwise enjoyed her meal, and I was on cloud nine diving into my bowl, which was extremely tasty and seemed on par with the best Ramen to be had in Boston, MA. Considering this is Urbana, IL, Sakura is especially outstanding.
We have been to Sakura multiple times, and always happy with food. Usually we get many rolls to eat family style since we have between 4-10 people. Sushi and sashimi are fresh. Very good prices. Today is was just two people and tried the tonkatus ramen and bulgogi bento. Both were quite tasty and filling.
I was very pleasantly surprised at how amazing their food was! We ordered the katsu bento, mackerel, the special salmon roll and spicy tuna roll. We also had miso soup that came with the mackerel. The soup was fresh and not too salty. Everything in the bento was perfection and the sushi rolls was super flavorful! This is my new favorite place for Japanese/Sushi! My husband and I were also impressed at how their plates and bowls were super high quality made of heavy ceramic (I think) and not those cheap plastic ones lol. Definitely will be going back to try their other dishes. Highly recommend!
A newly opened restaurant in downtown Urbana. Super close to campus so it's convenient to have some food there. I ordered a Teriyaki Salmon combo with side salad; another choice of side is miso soup. The service was quick and the food was delicious. The salmon was tender. The side salad tasted fresh. However I think it would be better if they could give me more rice; also the tea was too hot lol. Everything else was good, including the decor. Considering this restaurant was open for only less than a year there is still lots of possibilities. Will try more foods later.