Zakuro — Restaurant in Lincoln

This was our second time coming here, we had a party of 6 and had a little bit of family drama before going into the restaurant and our party filtered in a person or 2 at a time. It took us a little bit to get everyone to sit down. Mind you, we went a little before it got busy so there were plenty of open places to sit around us. A lady, I'm assuming was the owner or manager came over and was very pushy about moving us to a different table since we didn't have all 6 of our party sitting and we tried to explain that we had more coming. We finally had to tell her we were having family issues and that 2 of our party were outside talking for her to drop the subject. The way she went about the whole situation left a bad vibe for me the whole dinner. We got a wide variety of things to eat. Several of the combination plates and a few rolls. The salad was served with ranch which I thought was very bizarre. Usually there is a ginger dressing on salads I've gotten from sushi restaurants, which I prefer. The chicken teriyaki was good. The miso soup was good, it came out nice and hot. The sushi itself was not good. I got a Philadelphia roll which had no flavor and the rice was so thick that's pretty much all I was tasting. The other rolls that were ordered, one of them had a very strange flavor that I couldn't put my finger on, it was almost like burnt plastic. I couldn't take more than one bite of it. The service we got from our waiter was good. He was nice and attentive. If you come here I highly suggest getting the combination plate and staying away from any...

Zakuro has quickly become one of our go-to spots when we're craving sushi but want to stay close to home. This modern Japanese restaurant offers a wide variety of sushi and house rolls, along with an impressive selection of kitchen entrees. Whether you're stopping by for lunch or dinner, their specials offer great variety and value.

The menu features a plethora of creative rolls and main courses, so there's always something new to try. It’s clear that Zakuro has built a strong local following—and with good reason. The food is consistently fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented.

That said, its popularity comes with one trade-off: the wait. On our most recent visit, my wife and I were hoping for a quick sushi dinner but ended up waiting about 45 minutes for our rolls. Because of the wait, we opted not to order additional rounds, even though we normally would. If you're in a hurry, this may not be the best place to stop—but if you have the time, the sushi is absolutely worth it.

The atmosphere is relaxed, and the staff is always friendly and attentive, even during the busier hours. They do their best to keep guests comfortable, checking in often and maintaining a welcoming vibe.

In short, Zakuro is a solid choice for sushi in Lincoln. Just be prepared for a bit of a wait—this place is popular for a reason. Settle in, order a drink or appetizer, and enjoy the experience. It’s...

I guess the 5 Star ratings are mostly because this is the ONLY "Japanese" restaurant in the greater Lincoln are. I use the quotes because the food we got wasn't "Japanese" or even "American Japanese." It could be because we ordered dinners and not sushi. Here's the rundown. Salmon teriyaki: a nice piece of salmon, not much teriyaki. Chicken teriyaki: again, a standard chicken breast with a tiny bit of something that was not teriyaki sauce. Sesame chicken: a standard chicken breast with a very sweet, glutinous sauce (more like Chinese restaurant style) with so few sesame seeds we couldn't distinguish it from the chicken teriyaki. Tempura: tempura was good, and the only thing I'd ever get again.

We ordered our food to take out, and I am so glad we did. This place has the worst ambiance of any Japanese-style restaurant I've ever patronized. Usually they are quiet, calming places that encourage relaxed dining. Zakuro seems to want to be a restaurant and sports bar. It is a cavernous, empty room with tile floors and wooden chairs that echo each time someone slides them in or out. We were there on a Friday night when lots of young families were dining, and the high-pitched children's voices also reverberated throughout the empty space. Two big screen TVs were showing basketball games -- huh?

So if the sushi is good, try to go when the place isn't crowded & noisy, unless...