Ikura Japanese Cuisine — Restaurant in Rocklin

12/30/24: Don't forget about their lunch specials! they don't advertise them on DoorDash but you can get a really impressive lunch bento for $15-20 during the week days for both dine in and take out lunch. Take out quality is exactly the same as the restaurant (without the ambience). Definitely something everyone should try!

12/8/2024: Ikura is a lovely addition to the food scene here in Rocklin. I went in during a weekend slow down towards the end of the lunch rush and the staff were very diligent during the majority of my meal and very kind every step of the way.

The restaurant itself is clean, beautifully but simply decorated and feels intimate and open simultaneously. Whether you're at the bar area, the central dining table, or one of the more standard perimeter tables you'll be in a good space.

Food is where they shine. I wanted to try their sashimi bento as you really get a chance to try a bit of nearly everything. The salad felt fresh, the soup is standard miso but no less tasty, the tempura is lightly and freshly fried and well seasoned, the gyoza well prepared and everything presented beautifully.

The fish felt exceedingly fresh which is not something I readily expect in Rocklin. It was light with subtle but great flavor and cut and prepared with care. The weekday bento lunch special (not available on weekends) would be a great way to experience this if you want quality food but on a slightly tighter budget.

At the end of the meal the service dropped a bit as they tended to other customers and focused on the business side of things at their terminals and handed me the check without checking to see if I wanted dessert. Not a reason in and of itself to knock a star off the overall experience as I was there for the food.

I took the opportunity to get their Dazato (dessert) Roll to go and they still take pride in their presentation even when packing to go orders. I can only describe it as a cheesecake wrapped in a rice crispy treat but in the best possible way. It has subtle fruity notes from the strawberry and mango and good textural contrast between the cheesecake and crispy rice and soy paper. Something I think everyone would be happy to try at least once.

I will...

Ikura Japanese Cuisine: A Cut Above the Rest

Ikura Japanese Cuisine is truly a gem among Japanese restaurants. From the moment you walk in, it’s clear that this is a family-oriented establishment run by a dedicated husband-and-wife team. Their passion and hard work shine through in every detail, from the quality of the food to the exceptional service.

The sushi here is simply a cut above. Each roll is crafted to perfection, with fresh ingredients and an incredible balance of flavors. I enjoyed the sushi so much that I couldn’t resist ordering a third roll! The steak I had was equally impressive—cooked to perfection, with vegetables that were spot on. The attention to detail in every dish is evident and elevates the dining experience.

Their selection of Japanese beer is excellent, offering the perfect complement to the meal. The service is outstanding—truly warm, attentive, and inviting. The staff make you feel like a valued guest and go above and beyond to ensure a wonderful dining experience.

Whether you’re planning a romantic date night or a family dinner, this restaurant accomplishes both with ease. The atmosphere is versatile yet sophisticated, making it the perfect choice for any occasion. Ikura is truly accommodating, seamlessly blending elegance with a sense of warmth and approachability.

The ambiance is top-notch, exactly what you’d expect from a high-quality Japanese restaurant. The space is clean, beautifully maintained, and creates a relaxing and enjoyable dining environment.

Overall, Ikura Japanese Cuisine is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience. The owners’ commitment to excellence and their family-oriented approach make this place stand out. Whether you’re a sushi lover, a steak enthusiast, or just looking for a warm and welcoming dining experience, this is a spot you don’t want to miss. Highly...

4/11/2025 -First time here was great, this time not so much. Our server was not all that 'with it' for this meal, which made it rather frustrating. Then, our food itself, the dinner bentos, were lacking in flavor, and the meat was not as good as before. Something has changed....Of course, same loud echoey interior is a big drawback here on any day. Big turn off was that two of the three big screens behind the sushi bar were playing political propaganda 'news' stations.... not cool.

1/1/2025 - We came in for dinner on a Saturday night and were greeted immediately upon entering the door. The space is quite open with a hexagonal raised "bar" ish section in the middle. Sushi bar is along one wall and tables complete the rest of the dining space. Cool contemporary vibe was nice, but really a lot of echoey chatter since the space is so open with tile flooring. Our server Brittany was awesome! Super friendly and attentive throughout. We ordered the dinner bentos and really impressed with the quality of the items served up. Teriyaki steak and the chicken were both perfectly prepared. The bentos include miso soup and a good sized salad to start. In the box are your protein, tempura, gyoza, and 4 Cali rolls, plus rice. It was a good amount of food overall. And, everything was great! We will definitely be coming back when we get that...