I went to Bakersfield to meet with a dealer, we have been here before for lunch. It is fresh and comes fast. This place has a cozy dining area and standard sushi counter with the expected Japanese decorations we sat at the counter. the two interior pix sum up the interior. They are glad to see us. They are reasonably priced for Bakersfield. a little miso and some seaweed salad to start, that was true nutty goodness! We didn't go crazy this time, we just got a couple of Nigiri, salmon (2ea,) and tuna (2ea,) plus a couple of teka maki (6 pieces each) all the fish was fresh and the rice had the right amount of stickiness. all in all a good quick lunch. read more

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Been patronizing Bento Express on and off for the last 12 years. I do not come here as often as my wife because I am not a big fan of sushi. So, when we go to a Japanese restaurant I always order something else. This little restaurant does serves up some pretty good food, though. My wife has always enjoyed their sushi choices. Our nieces like them a lot as well. Prices are reasonable, and the serving sizes are fair as well. I am not a fan of their other food. The Chicken Teriyaki, Donkatsu Cutlet, and shrimp tempura are some of the entrees that I have had here. Everything tasted okay, but it would not draw me back here. As Will A. mentioned "their Sushi is the star of the show". Come here for the Sushi! read more

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I loved the Bento Box with chicken & salmon. They were fresh, hot and delicious, as was the vegetable tempura, egg roll, California rolls and miso soup that are included for a very reasonable price. The waiter was super helpful and the food rolled out quickly. Before the pandemic I threw a birthday party for a friend there and we had a fabulous time. I'm glad to see that Bentox Express is still Five Stars. Highly recommended! read more

Bento Express was where I had some of my first "Bento" meals in Bakersfield and they did a good job because now I'm a huge fan of bento boxes and will have one a week if anyone wants to come along! :) This place is small and parking can get a little difficult, but the food is good and fresh and the ambiance is very authentic. This place doesn't seem as commercialized or modernized as other places in town and the prices reflect that too! lol The service is always prompt and the sushi bar is fun to sit at. You can watch the chef work his magic and essentially create art pieces before they're served on sushi plates for you to devour. Beyond the bento boxes, I've had some sushi rolls and some bowls as well. Their salad is good and their dressing makes it so. The rice is always cooked well (you'd think that should be a given but it's not always true for some places, unfortunately...) and the teriyaki chicken and beef are both very flavorful. My husband and I used to frequent this place quite a bit and I never grew tired of it because of the many options they provide. I like the service, I like the authentic and intimate feel of the place and I like the food. Can't wait to come back! read more

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This is one of our favorite sushi restaurants in town! My family loves the sushi boat... great presentation and plenty for everyone to share!!! When I go in for lunch with my friends, I like to order from their Bento Box menu. If you like seaweed salad, I think this restaurant has the best seaweed salad in town!!! I have yet to find a place that can beat it! The restaurant is small and can get crowded with quite a wait during the lunch hour rush. We've also walked in for dinner and tables were all occupied but we were able to find spots in the bar. read more

Bento Express - Sushi Boat - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I've been in there a couple times. The sushi is good and the prices are decent. the only problem i had was with the salad. It was served with italian dressing? weird. I also like the fact that they have a lunch combo with a tuna roll instead of the standard cali roll. read more

Mehh, it's okay! I ordered the Sushi Bento - Teriyaki over rice, 4 California rolls, salad, tempura shrimps, miso soup and 4 pieces of sushi. It's like a mixture of mediocrity packed inside a bento box. Chicken was a bit hard and burnt. California rolls were filled with just imitation Crabs and avocado. It tasted almost squishy, lacking that crunch in a California roll. Dressing on the salad tasted bland. Tempura shrimps weren't crispy at all. The miso soup and the sushi were the best part of the bento. You can substitute with Fried rice for 2 dollars. The portion is big. Food is affordable. You'll definitely be full for around 11 dollars. read more

Bento Express - Sushi bento - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Bento Express is a Japanese food restaurant. They do Bento Boxes and other Japanese fare. Their Sushi is the star of the show. The prices are low compared to other places in Bakersfield, but the serving sizes, flavor, and quality are better than most. Come in the door to a cozy dining area with the expected Japanese decorations and sit down to soft jazz and easy listening playing at a perfect volume. Seats are comfortable and not too close for such a small dining area. The owner/operators serve you personally. They are glad to see you and happy to give you their best all the time. They love kids and greet my little girl with hugs "from Aunt Cindy" and maybe a few extra tofu in her soup. It feels like family here. The restaurant is spotlessly clean. Food is fresh and comes fast. I never wait too long and never feel like the food was rushed. There are other more hoity-toity sushi restaurants in town but if you are looking for good food at a good price, the locals go here. Come join us. You won't regret it. read more

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I think this is my favorite place to eat in Bakersfield. The place is intimate and mellow. It's great to come and eat even by yourself and not feel uncomfortable doing it. The staff are very welcoming and they get to know their patrons. The food is fantastic I've never had a bad meal. There are so many choices to try and it's great being able to keep trying new options every time I go. I would recommend anyone to stop by and try. Usually gets busy at lunch time. Enjoy. read more

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Great find. A little bit of a hole in the wall from the outside, but charming inside. Very friendly operators, appear to be husband and wife. Most importantly, fish was excellent quality and everything was super clean. Not from the area, but saw lots of friendly regulars come in and out. Good sign. I'll come back when passing through next. read more

Not sure how this place has such good ratings. Our experience was not enjoyable Yes it is small, not a problem It is not Clean..that is a problem along with the other problems.... The smell of the restaurant is bad smells like old burnt oil...gross! Very over priced for what you get. Fish is cut very very thing and portions are small. Took FOREVER to order ( only a few other in the restaurant) and FOREVER to get food. Almost felt like we were being ignored...another party that arrived after us was served and out the door before we got our order...we has one order of Sushimi, one roll and cucumber salad...that's it! NEVER AGAIN.... read more

Bento Express - Salmon sushimi and cucumber salad.....way over priced for what you get. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Great Japanese food I had the dinner bento box beef and chicken with a side of fried rice have to say it was so delicious. Great portions and taste. Only one thing to advise you have to push in right door really hard to open and really fast service was the best part. Will have to come back soon to try something new on the menu. read more

Bento Express - Beef bento dinner so delicious definitely recommend if you are really hungry. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Only place I ever get sushi in Bakersfield. Everything I've tried is a 10/10 for freshness and taste !

Picked up three chicken bento boxes to-go. Found them on Yelp, ordered over the phone. The food was ready when I got there and each box was $8.95. Reasonably priced, good food. Will order again! read more

Bento Express - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

This is an excellent place if you're looking for an intimate setting and delicious sushi that's not as outrageously expensive as other places in town. My bf and I went in hungry and had a quick dinner for under $30. I have a feeling that all their house specials are excellent, because our favorite was House Special Roll #2. I've also had yakisoba there which is great on its own! And the service is efficient and polite! Very small place with limited seating but they make their space work. read more

Bento Express - Left- house special roll #2. Right- Scott's Valley Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Staff was very friendly, I had the teriyaki bento box which had rice, tempura veggies,teriyaki, salad, with a side of california rolls. It was pretty great you get a taste of everything. My veggies were a little overcooked but besides that everything was good. What's keeping them from receiving 4 stars from me is the lack of selection when it came to the sushi. I would eat here again. read more

Bento Express - Chicken teriyaki Bento comes with a side of California rolls - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Cute little space with great sushi. read more

Bento Express - Rainbow Roll. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Not to be dramatic but I would die for the owner of Bento Express. Lord help you if I ever learn how to filter reviews by rating because believe you me I will hunt down every single one star rating and burn you to the ground. Oh and also they have good sushi. read more

Was recommended to this sushi location by coworkers and it was a hit!!! Lunch special is loaded with food! The fish was fresh and it felt authentic. read more

Really good and affordable. Not to mention it is walking distance from my house. Nice portion size as well

This place is amazing. Traditional Bento boxes with Lunch and Dinner specials. The sushi is to die for. They have some of the freshest ingredients ever. read more

Very enchanting atmosphere, it reminds me a lot of Japan. It may be due to their decor or uniforms, but for a brief moment it felt like I was not in California. This was actually my first time visiting this establishment, and I was highly pleased. I was greeted right away from the moment I stepped in. The staff was well kept. The restroom was clean. It also looks like they take good care of maintaining the inside of their restaurant as well. I ordered their sushi bento for lunch. It was made in a timely manner, and the quality was above-par. If I'm in the area, I will definitely come back. read more

Bento Express - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Booked into our hotel and we were starving! Bbq looked really good, but most places were closing or had 30mins wait. Sushi was next, and most places looked decent. But then we saw bento boxes from this place. Little hole in the wall place that looked closed. Seemed weird as it looked boarded up in a way. Stepped inside and there was only one other party of two in there. The "boarded up" look was lining to keep the heat out and give the place a nice dark environment that feels right. Sat down, got the menu and we were given miss soup, and ordered shortly after. The soda was flattish and we thought that was a bad sign. BUUUUTT! The food came out and it was AMAZIIIINGGGG!!! I bookmarked the place right away for future visits haha. Our waiter was very very kind, not pushy and checked in with us every so often. Over all, amazing and I recommend this place to everyone! 100/100!! read more

Delicious sushi roll and iced green tea for a to go lunch today. So happy to finally try this restaurant. Look forward to returning!

The older Japanese guy that serves here is TRASH!! Doesnt care about his job.. has an attitude, takes 20 min to take your order, disgusting

We love this little jewel of a restaurant! It doesn't look like much from the outside, and is located at a very busy intersection, but give it a try. Once inside, the little restaurant has the feel of an authentic Japanese eatery, from the kind, attentive staff, to the sushi bar and the cozy little tables for two, that could be arranged for larger groups. The menu is good, fish is fresh, and everything we've had over the last few years has been delicious. During Covid, we've done the take out option, and their chicken teriyaki lunch bento is our favorite! Who can complain about their generous portions of succulent, savory chicken teriyaki on a big bed of steamed rice, a side of California rolls, delicate shrimp & vegetable tempura, a crisp salad all served artfully in a traditional looking take out bento box? And it comes with a flavorful cup of miso soup too! Other take out places serve their bento box lunches in foam clam shell boxes, not here. Bento Express, though a small place, takes pride in giving customers delicious, well presented food at an affordable price point. Give it a try and support this wonderful Bakersfield eatery! It'll become your favorite too! read more

Eaten here 2x, portions are huge, everything is FRESH. I have had the chicken bento both times with cucumber rolls and ebi. Cucumber was crisp, shrimp was firm and sweet. Tempura was perfectly cooked, with very little oil residue, sauce was incredible. Only complaint would be the mini egg roll, not all that great and so unnecessary with the gyoza. Personal preference would be all breast meat but a lot ppl like thigh neat. read more

Stopped by on the way back home to LA and now wishing I lived in Bakersfield. Can't be faulted in any way as the taste, price, portions, and selection were all spot on. The friendly service was another nice surprise. Just a shame I live so far away; I'd absolutely come back again if I lived locally. read more

My favorite place for Japanese food and sushi in Bakersfield the staff is very friendly and good value for the money but best is the yummy food. Love the miso soup starter and the rolls or bento boxes are great with nice tempura and BBQ beef. Presentation is also nice read more

Bento Express - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Service was excellent they even catered to my wife's allergies and the food was awesome

I don't like sushi - I'm weird about raw fish. That being said, I love this restaurant. They're friendly and fast and the food is scrumptious! I usually order teriyaki chicken bento box. The seaweed salad is awesome, California rolls are awesome, everything is great. This remains one of my favorite places in town. read more

Amazing little restaurant. Love the atmosphere. This is my son's absolute favorite food. He loves the rice with teriyaki and the miso soup. Their sushi is the best in Bakersfield. read more

Visiting Bakersfield as my daughter will be playing soccer for CSUB in the fall. Found this little gem of deliciousness and I will definitely be back! I had the teriyaki chicken bento and my daughter had the unagi donburi. So much food comes with the bento dinners and all of it was so yummy! The price was reasonable. You can taste the care and umami in each dish! Very authentic Japanese food in a quaint and relaxing atmosphere. Our waiter was a sweetheart! Thank you for a memorable evening! read more

Delicious and authentic! Truly a hidden gem- try it, you won't be disappointed!House Special Roll was amazing.

A cute little hole in the wall place. At first we thought it was closed because there were no cars on a Wednesday afternoon and the doors are covered but it was open. The staff are very friendly and the waiter was super sweet to my son and brought him a little rice and seaweed wrap. The food was delicious and very fresh. When we were done he brought me some wet napkins to clean my sons face with! So sweet and very attentive. Definitely recommend!! read more

I had never been to Bentos. My hair dresser and manicurists worked at Mystique, which is right next to Bentos. I have always been in the parking lot. My sister and brother in law took me there one evening while I was in town. I said oh no I don't eat fish cooked, I am not going to eat it raw. However, I did not want to insult them. Man was I surprised. Chicken teriyaki bento box. They said box cause that is what you need for all that food! Chicken was excellent, all the trimmings were just as good. Pot stickers, egg rolls, shrimp, tempura veggies.... so much to mention. Delicious!!!! There was so much food I took some to my daughter at work and she had plenty left to eat. She loved it as well, one day I took her the same box I had originally given her. Her co workers were ohhhing and awing at the smell of the food. You can't go wrong sweet owners! Give it a try! read more

Walked in with family of 5 for lunch. I walked in last because I was looking for my face mask in the car. So i walk in to see my family just sitting down. As I approached the table i saw what I thought was a big fly crawling up the wall right where my wife was sitting. As I got closer and leaned to get a closer look, I noticed that It was a cockroach that was crawling up. I immediately said to my wife,"I don't think we want to eat here". She turned around and saw the cockroach and told our kids get up because we are not eating here. As far as the food is concerned, we don't know. But I can just imagine how clean the kitchen is and the tableware cupboards with cockroaches crawling over everything. Super gross and unsanitary. I wish I took a picture of it but just hurried up to leave. Zero star's if I could choose so. read more

For today's experience, they get 5 starts. Hubby and I were starving after getting prenatal studies done for more than an hour. This place was in the corner and I'd heard good things. I ordered the bento box with salmon and cali rolls, hubby ordered the yakisoba... both meals came with miso soup and edamame as appetizers. Even though it was lunch rush, they were pretty quick in getting out food out and everything tasted delish! We got all our pennie's worth. Will come back after baby is born to try some real sushi ;) read more

Both the Teriyaki chicken bento bowl and the salmon bento were HUGE portions, fresh and delicious today! Thank you!

Wow, I couldn't disagree more with the prior review! I guess that's what makes yelp a good thing: different opinions. Anyway, the BIGGEST problem with Bento Express is it suffers from picking the wrong name and concept, not being quite sure of what niche it is trying to fill (i.e. is it trying to appeal to the lunch-time crowd, or does it want to be a full-scale restaurant? I've eaten there for lunch, but primarily go for dinner nowadays, when the pace is much slower). FWIW, Bento Express is not the first Bakes restaurant to suffer an identity crisis (e.g. what is UP with that Hourglass Kitchen and Bar? Is it a kitchen and bar supply house, or is it a restaurant? Believe me: if a potential customer cannot tell what your business is all about, just from looking at the exterior and signage when driving past, then you're screwing up, big-time!) Anyway, having lived in the Bay Area and L.A./O.C. with an abundance of great food, I'd say the sushi at Bento Express compares quite favorably to any other I've had; it was a breath of fresh air to discover such fresh, excellent sushi in Bakes. Frankly, after choking down stale fish at a few of the other so-called "best" places, I thought I'd have to drive to L.A. or Orange Co. to get good sushi! Not the case! But what of Miyoshi's, Akira, Tokyo Garden, and that new place behind the Market Place, you ask? Puleeze.... I've been to ALL of these, and they're all quite pedestrian, with some better than others, but the bottom line is they are all the local pedestrian fern bars of Japanese food in a cow town (and any sushi place that has an "all you can eat" sign dragged across it's exterior is automatically disqualified from consideration! Two concepts that shouldn't be mixed, IMO!) While some of these places might have nicer interiors (I think Bento Express USED to be a Mexican restaurant), and some have teppan grilles, NONE can compare with the freshness, consistency, and care shown by the sushi chef and his assistant. When it comes right down to it, what counts is the FOOD. Remember, the stuff you place on your tongue? I'm not sure, but I think the sushi chef owns the place, as you usually don't see such concern for quality in a non-owner / operator. It's nice to see the same smiling faces whenever me and my girlfriend enter. So mock at the exterior, the odd location, but don't dismiss this place at the risk of missing out on what I consider one of Bake's best-kept secrets.... read more