Sakura of Tokyo — Restaurant in West Covina

LAST EDIT 2/8/24: SAD DAY FOR OUR FAMILY, AFTER NEARLY 23 YEARS OF REGULAR PATRONAGE, WE WON'T BE COMING HERE ANYMORE 🥺 Unfortunately, during COVID they had to change suppliers for their imitation crab meat, which I totally understand, BUT this new supplier's crab meat tastes awful! It has a strong odd odor, a strange taste, and a rough texture. Compared to their PRE-COVID supplier which was a pleasant salty and creamy taste and soft finely chopped creamy texture. I know that it's only imitation crab meat. But that's exactly why it's so easy to mess up. After not having it for almost a year I tried it again today thinking that maybe I was just overreacting but, it was so bad that I couldn't even finish one piece of my California roll. And that's ONE of the things that we specifically come here for. I know, you might be thinking that it's not a big deal, it's just a California roll. But, when you come to enjoy a certain type of food at a certain restaurant you expect it to taste the same every time you go -- That's the whole point of finding your favorite restaurant, it's because you like the taste of what they're serving. But now that they've changed it I don't want to come anymore. And that really makes me sad because like I said we've been coming here for nearly 23 years. In the future I may call and check in with them and ask if they have returned to using their old supplier in the hopes that we can return to our special Sakura of Tokyo in West Covina. 5 years ago: No complaints ever, ever, ever! Food is spot-on, service is spot-on, charming, funny, and makes you feel right at home and part of the family! 😊 10 years ago: This place can do no wrong in my eyes! Food, service, cleanliness, everything is an A++ 🤩 15 years ago: Can't beat this place in service, taste, value, and cleanliness! Been coming here...

Although we've lived in West Covina for over 20 years, for some reason we've never been to this Japanese restaurant. So for a pre-Mother's Day dinner, my husband and I decided to try Sakura. OMG! Food was amazing! Service was incredible and I got a chance to talk to a young lady who worked there who was from Japan. She was so helpful and so friendly. I ordered a chicken teriyaki and sashimi plate which was really delicious! Fish was very fresh and serving portions were huge. I ended up taking lots of it home. My husband ordered a stir-fry chicken dish which was huge as well. Loved all the fresh ingredients in his dish as well. We ended up taking a lot of his home as well. I can see why this restaurant has stood the test of time. They have all the right ingredients down pat to operate a great eating establishment: good food, good service, friendly people, large portions, and beautiful...

I will never return here. Only came because a family birthday party was here, and went to support. Food was bad: tempura soaked with oil in every bite, chicken tasted freezer burned, teriyaki sauce was watered down. I could only manage to eat the food if I covered it in sriracha sauce. However the rice was good and thank goodness for the california rolls or else I would have left hungry. The wait staff were overwhelmed and got mad at someone in our party when they brought out the wrong order to her and they insisted that is what she ordered. Everyone at the table heard her order, and they were the ones who made the mistake. Now I have a stomach ache, and will never...