Sakura Portsmouth Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Portsmouth

As a tenant that got accommodation through them, they never reply to your emails and even if you call them they always say they will get back to you but they never do. They needed access to out flats multiple times per week for months now. If you are an international student they would suggest you a website to pay to find you a UK based guarantor. The website are scammers, they make you give your bank details and they never provide you services but they create scheduled payments from your account that even if your bank cancels they are still able to get money from you. Don’t use these guarantors if they suggest they to you! Do not trust either king’s estates referring them to you or the fake guarantors. I was supposed to leave my flat this month last year but they didn’t let me know or gotten back to me about when they’re coming for inspection. They never fixed the windows when they said they would. It was raining and cold and they told me they would have come to fix it but they never did so I put tape around it because it was so cold I couldn’t sleep during winter time. Most of the tenants at our building had the same issue. They may indeed have the ideal places for accommodation in the pictures online but their customer service is non existent and I wouldn’t recommend them. In terms of the deposit being returned, they never reply to emails you call them and they say they’re looking into it but every time you call again they are not aware about it. They charged 216£ for cleaning the carpets (even though when I entered they were dirty and had stains on them literally it had a red substance everywhere) , which was fine but instead of giving me the rest of the amount back (which should have been 440-460£) they returned 216£. The communication with them is so poor they say they will get back to you but they never do and when you keep calling them about an issue they are never aware of it even if you called again and they say that it’s not an issue of their team and it’s the finance team which is ALWAYS busy when it comes to contacting them. The whole process of returning the deposit back takes so long of which you also need to keep reminding them and if there was an issue they never get back to you if you dont keep calling. Also they grant access to your flat whenever they want. They send an email some hours before entering and there have been multiple occasions when lots of us didn’t grant access but they still came for viewings. This kept happening multiple times per week. Even if you refuse with a reasonable statement they do not care and they still come into your flat. But I believe that the broken window was the worse, especially with all that wind and the snow when it’s been so cold and they kept repeating their lies that they would have fixed it or when they tried to steal as much of my deposit...

I had the pleasure of dining at Sakura, a delightful Japanese restaurant in Portsmouth last night, and I couldn’t wait to share my experience. From start to finish, every dish was a culinary delight, showcasing both quality ingredients and expert preparation.

I kicked off the meal with Edamame Beans, a simple yet satisfying dish. The beans were perfectly steamed, tender, and lightly salted - a lovely balance of freshness and flavor that set the tone for the rest of the meal.

The Prawn Gyozas were a standout for me - absolutely divine. The dumplings had a beautifully crisped golden-brown exterior, and when I bit into them, the prawn filling was succulent and rich with flavor. The dipping sauce that accompanied them was the perfect tangy complement, making each bite more indulgent than the last.

The Southsea Maki lovely. A vibrant, colorful sushi roll that perfectly blended chicken with the right amount of seasoning. Each bite was bursting with flavor, and the presentation was pristine.

The Vegetable Tempura was another highlight. The batter was light and crisp, enveloping the vegetables in a delicate crunch that didn’t overpower their natural flavors. The assortment of vegetables, from sweet potato to zucchini, was thoughtfully selected and cooked to perfection, leaving me craving more.

For the main course, I indulged in the Beef Stir Fry. The beef was tender and cooked to just the right level of doneness. The stir fry sauce was rich and savory, with a subtle sweetness that paired beautifully with the beef.

I also opted for the Curry Yaki Udon, and it was absolutely comforting. The udon noodles were thick and chewy, absorbing the creamy, spiced curry sauce perfectly. The dish was hearty, yet not overly heavy, with a warm, aromatic kick that kept me going back for more.

And for desert, I couldn’t resist trying the Mango and Vanilla Mochi. These little treats were an absolute delight - smooth, chewy, and bursting with fresh, fruity sweetness from the mango, while the vanilla mochi added a luxurious creaminess that rounded off the meal beautifully.

Every dish at Sakura was a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality and authenticity. The flavors were fresh, vibrant, and balanced, and the service was impeccable. I can’t wait to return to this hidden gem in Portsmouth for another unforgettable...

Edit: I find it strange that countless reviews claim that Kings Estates have taken as much of their deposit as they can but they “don’t appreciate such damaging accusations”. Surely if it was nothing to do with them, people wouldn’t be leaving such reviews. Also, we don’t appreciate your agents letting themselves into our home because they think a read receipt is an invitation into our home. A quick google search reveals:

“It is a common assumption of landlords and their agents that, as the tenancy agreement provides access upon what is usually 24 hours' notice, they have the right to access the property after the said notice. However, landlords must request access whenever they wish to enter the property.”

We did not grant access.

When I explained this in my last email it was ignored.

——-

As others have mentioned, their agents act illegally and let themselves into your home without permission. They are excessively frequent with bookings, treating the place you live in more like a showhouse than a home.

I wrote an email to complain about the essential break-in and threatened legal action. I was essentially told "we can do what we want if we give 24 hours notice" which is UNTRUE. They had the cheek to then say that if we DIDN'T want them to enter our home, we had to provide a reason! I am currently looking into installing a chainlock because these estate agents of darkness might be stood outside my bathroom when I get out of the shower. Or maybe they'll wish me good morning at the foot of my bed when I wake up like the seven dwarves

So if this happens to any of you, go to citizens advice and take them down to china town. They conduct this type of behaviour because they rely on students not taking action - it seems like not enough of us are. It's a hassle, but these guys are not only deposit thieves, they think your home is their right - so they can make more money! Absoloutely disgraceful and it's a wonder that they're still operating.

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