Ann Arbor Sadako Japanese Restaurant

Ann Arbor’s Budget-Friendly Japanese Spot (Near Central Campus Transit Center) – Fresh, Filling, & Worth Returning! Found this affordable Japanese spot near the Central Campus Transit Center—prices are great, food quality is solid, and I’ll definitely be back. It’s nothing fancy, but it hits the spot for casual Japanese eats, with big portions that don’t break the bank 🇯🇵! 🥣 Complimentary Miso Soup & Salad: Mixed Starts They bring out miso soup and salad for free, but they’re just “okay”—nothing to write home about: Miso Soup: Way too salty! I had to add water to dilute it before I could drink it 😂. The broth lacked depth, too—just basic salty miso, no extra umami from seaweed or tofu. Salad: Super standard—mixed greens with a simple dressing. Fresh enough, but no surprises. It’s just a light pre-meal bite, not a highlight 🥗. 🍣 Mains: Chirashi Donburi & Sashimi Steal the Show The main dishes are where this spot shines—especially the raw fish options, which punch above their price: Double Sashimi (Scallop, Salmon Belly, Tuna Toro): Total steal for the price! I thought the menu listed prices per slice, but it’s per two slices—oops, ended up ordering more than planned, but I’m glad I did 😅. Scallop: Decently fresh (minor fishiness), but smooth and tender—still tasty 🍥. Salmon Belly: Heavenly! Fatty, juicy, melts in your mouth. Just be warned: two slices are enough—any more, and it gets too rich 🐟. Tuna Toro: Slices are super thin and just-thawed (slightly hard), with a weird yellowish-white tint (makes you wonder how long it’s been frozen). But the fat content is still high—rich, creamy, and flavorful. Not the best toro ever, but great for the price. 💰 Final Verdict: Cheap, Filling, & I’ll Be Back This spot wins for value: big portions, solid fresh fish, and prices that are hard to beat near campus. The few flaws (salty soup, slightly icy fish, dry katsu) are easy to overlook for the price. I’m already planning my next visit to try their sushi rolls or tempura—definitely a go-to for casual Japanese cravings ✨! #UniversityOfMichiganAnnArbor #AnnArborFood #AnnArbor #JapaneseFood #BudgetEats #AnnArborEats #MichiganFood #SushiBowl