What a hidden gem if you like kicking it back with old school sushi.....Nothing fancy, no sauces dripped all over the sushi....or sushi baked in the oven. Or a menu with a 100 different choices of speciality rolls. This place is all about going back to the basics with an extremely small menu focused on just a couple of items: Inari, California roll, mackrael, shrimp sushi and more. The sushi is authentic and yummy in the tummy! If you are deciding to stop in for some sushi- Make sure you order in advance as they do sell out. Call the shop to put your order in with pick up time. Note the shop is not open at night- best to call early in the morning before they sell out. The shop is just carry away. There are no places to sit and dine. You will find this shop within an apartment complex on the first floor around a courtyard. If nobody is at the window, ring the bell at your pick up time and a friendly person will attend to you. The ladies are so cute. And the to go boxes are so cute and perfect as well. Once you grab your box, you can enjoy it at home or take it to the park.... Don't forget to bring cash as this is a cash only place!!!! read more

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This place will forever hold a special place in my heart!!! #1 rule. Cash only. This is a small mom and pop sushi spot that serves quality sushi made with love. Their menu is very small and with good reason! Place your order over the phone and get ready to stand in line to pick up. A really good friend of mine introduced this place to me a few years ago and since then, I've be hooked. Also, I must add! Their sushi rice is prepared to perfection. Once you place your order, they carefully pack your box like a gift! Customer service is the best. You can tell they take pride with their food. Restaurant is really small and meant for to go orders only. This place can be a bit hard to find so keep that in mind. Anyway, support small businesses and enjoy!! read more

Sakae Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

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This spot has been on my list for the longest time and I'm glad I got to try Sakae! Service is quick and friendly. Hours see more limited and availability may vary if you don't order earlier. Take out and cash only! The food was very tasty and although the ingredients were simple, they paired very well. The ratio of rice is quite high although it is very high quality. The California Roll is my favorite and the most balanced piece so far. Ginger is included but not wasabi. I will definitely be back! read more

Sakae Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

It's a simple and homey meal but nothing that really stands out to me! I really liked their pickled ginger that had a slightly herby ginseng(?) taste to it. My only gripe is that I think the rice to filling ratio is really off - there is too much rice (but good quality rice)! Inari: 3.5/5. I love inari and I think their tofu was really good and seasoned well, it's just there's too much rice underneath :( Ebi: 3/5. My ebi was overcooked so it was a little dry. Also, it was a really thin slice and there was again way too much rice under! I would say there was 85% rice to 15% ebi Saba: 4/5. Would be a 5/5 except again, too much rice and the saba was so thin (85% rice to 15% saba) The saba was really good though and very fresh! Tamago: 4.5/5. My favorite out of everything cuz I love how there's a bit of everything in this! In the picture you can clearly see the 50% filling to 50% rice ratio Nori: 3.75/5. Not bad but between nori and tamago, I would order tamago! California: 4.25/5. Wow, so much avocado and they put actual ebi in this one which is really yum! Just too much rice again. Not sure if I'll be back cuz of how there is too much rice compared to fish/filling, but I think it's worth a try! read more

Sakae Sushi - 2 inari, 1 ebi, 1 saba, 1 tamago, 2 nori, 1 california roll (earl grey matcha from junia cafe!) - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

*** CASH ONLY & Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and Some Holidays*** Sakae Sushi is a hidden mom-and-pop sushi take-out only shop located in Gardena and the shop has been family-owned and operated since 1962. Currently the third generation of the family continues to carry on the legacy of Sakae Sushi. Sushi rice at Sakae Sushi is cooked over the stove and never a rice cooker. Sushi here is Kansai style (a bit sweeter and more vinegary). [Parking]: There's a small designated free parking lot right next to the building, but it was completely packed on Sunday at 12:15 PM. Lucky there should be plenty of free street parking spots available. [Atmosphere]: This is a take-out only shop with no outdoor tables. [Special notes]: On some occasions they may close early if they sell out of sushi. Walk-ups are subject to a longer wait time. The shop recommend to preorder sushi whenever possible. Also place orders early on weekends and holidays. Order may be placed days or weeks in advance. I called and placed an order 30 minutes ahead of time & my order was ready by the time I got here. [Menu]: Customers usually order Sushi by the Box (ranges from 7 pieces to 36 pieces) or Sushi by the Piece. For each box, customers can order Nori/Inari, Mix, or California Roll. Please note that California Roll is not included in the standard Mix Box. The only two side orders are ginger cup and wasabi (packets). *** 8 Pieces Mixed Sushi by the Box ($14.15): My Mix Box came with 3 Nori-Maki (shiitake mushroom, spinach, kampyo, oboro, egg, and seaweed), 1 Tamago (shiitake mushroom, egg, spinach, kampyo, and oboro topped with sweet egg), 2 Inari (fried tofu), 1 Ebi (cooked shrimp with sweet vinegar marinade), and 1 Saba (pickled Atlantic mackerel). The box was presented beautifully. I really liked vinegary rice and it was one delicious sushi box with fresh fish slices. *** Fresh and delicious sushi at an affordable price. Not sure whether this place will last another 60+ years so enjoy this sushi shop while it still lasts. read more

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I am in love with Sakae sushi. It's so close to what you'll find in Japan with the homestyle, simple, to-go sushi concept. I ordered ahead and asked for a 12-piece mixed box and the woman on the phone confirmed it would be $21. The sushi is simple and delicious. I loved every piece the inari, mackerel, tamago, it was all so light, tasty, fresh, and well made. When I arrived, a sweet lady managing the window asked for my name, and she said it would be a few minutes, no problem! But when she brought my box she said $17, said the phone order taker told me $21 but the woman insisted $17. I thought one or the other made a mistake and didn't count my pieces but then I get a call saying I was given the wrong box and they apologized; of course, I apologized too for grabbing the wrong one. SO I am just sharing this as they do take pride in customer service and want to make sure you get what you ordered, I was okay with a slightly smaller box but I'm glad they offered to resolve it! A great place that should last another century at least! read more

Sakae Sushi - 10 piece set - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

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My friend and I came here on a Wednesday afternoon - we called in around 3:30 asking to place an order. We would have made it there around 4 with the traffic. However, the workers of this restaurant really went above and beyond to ensure that we would still be able to pick up our order. When arriving at this hole in the wall - you need to keep in mind that it is not your traditional sit down restaurant. You go through a walkway and will see a friendly woman at the counter ready to help you and take your order. Everything here is TOGO. This is my first time here at Sakae. My friend highly recommended this place and said that I just HAD to try their sushi because it is life changing. After trying their food, I must say I have to agree. We got a box of sushi that consisted of: Tamago, Saba, CA rolls, Inari, Ebi, & Nori-Maki. Each piece tasted fresh and perfect. I also have to mention that the price point is very reasonable BUT you need to make sure that you bring cash! They do not take card. read more

Sakae Sushi - A little bit of everything - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

We called to order and pick up, fast and easy! It's a small place, parking is ok! Food was good, nothing fancy, just simple sushi! read more

Sakae Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

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This place is a MUST if you are in the area. Their sushi is so authentic and delicious!! Things you should know: this place is cash only so be prepared, also there is no place to sit/no inside you can go into. This is a place with only an order window to go up to. You can order at the window but I would recommend calling ahead of time so they can have your order ready for you once you arrive. There is a parking lot next to the building so parking is easy. I walked up and ordered so to kill so time I walked across the store to the Asian market, so that was nice. The prices are very fair and the food is delicious. I highly recommend trying this place out read more

Sakae Sushi - Parking - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

If you want authentic and delicious sushi, this is the ultimate spot to go. Everything was delicious! Tried the inari, California roll, mackerel, shrimp sushi and enjoyed it at the beach. Definitely recommend calling ahead of time to order as the wait can get long. It's a pick up only spot as well just fyi! read more

Sakae Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

NOTE: CASH ONLY REPEAT CASH ONLY ** Pick-up is BEHIND the storefront seen on the street. ** Order in ADVANCE and call it in or some sushi flavors will be SOLD OUT Got the mix box and it's fresh and most importantly the PACKAGING is FIRE!!! Lots of rice, fresh as ever and you will not be disappointed. Ordering is EASY #1 - Pick your box size #2 - Select from Nori/Inari, Mix, or California rolls #3 - Call it in and pick up with a SMILE Missed the Tamago-maki so definitely need to order earlier before it's sold out. read more

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My grandfather who passed away recently always came here with me when I was little. I'm half Japanese and my grandfather is full Japanese and he loves this sushi place. However, it slowly declined in value as of current due to inflation. I used to order the saba sushi and inari 36 pack for about $36 back in the day. Now it exceeds $50 for the maximum. I can now order the 20 sushi for $34 or so. I thoroughly enjoyed the flavor of the sushi as of current as I did in the past. The box, the presentation is respected and for fresh sushi as they do it in Japan, this place is my favorite for sushi lovers. I ordered the nori futomaki roll which was delicious, and the California roll. The California roll had a ridiculous amount of avocado and no shrimp to barely any. I did not like that! Picture is shown to prove it. Service was friendly but quality of sushi is supposed to be top of the line and it was not perfect like I remembered. Process is now ordered through phone call not calling first hand. I enjoyed the box, I really did. I just wish they had the tamago tbh is time which is their signature sushi but it was sold out! It is an egg sushi roll with fresh ingredients. I was letdown by the California roll and I'm upset about it. It was a giant avocado roll that should have been cheaper. Sure it tasted good but no shrimp inside. I was annoyed by that. Other than that, the futomaki roll which had some mushrooms in it, was delicious. I come here every 10 years or so since it is located in Gardena. But, overall, if you love sushi, without the raw fish, this place has the best! Ambiance is non existent because orders are taken outside. read more

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Sakae Sushi is my go-to spot in the South Bay whenever I'm visiting. The food is always consistent, fresh, and delicious. They only make six kinds of sushi and rolls and they do it so well. My favorites are the California roll and the nori maki. Their California roll is made with fresh avocado and real shrimp--not imitation crab--and it's always so good. The nori maki tastes like something a Japanese grandma would make, with sweet stewed shiitake mushrooms and perfectly tangy sushi rice. My family also loves the inari. A couple of tips: 1. Call ahead to place your order. 2. Bring cash (no cards accepted). It's strictly a takeout spot. When it gets busy on the weekend, people would have to wait standing around the shop. Totally worth it though! read more

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Amazing hidden gem, got the mixed box of assorted sushi - I wish it also had the California rolls! I'll have to try that next time. Beautifully wrapped sushi boxes for takeout. Call ahead and place your order since limited supply and they accept cash only. Parking is easy in the back and its delicious sushi with great value. read more

Sakae Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

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Been wanting to try here for a while. Food is super fresh and service is great. The food comes in a lovely package. It's cash & takeout only. We got the 21 piece box with one piece of Cali roll, just to try (total 22pcs). There is only a limited selection of rolls/nigiri to choose from, and what made me a bit sad is that almost everything is sweet-pickled so the entire box was just overbearingly sweet (apart from the California roll piece). I wish they incorporated more fresh fish in their selection! read more

Sakae Sushi - MIX selection: 7pcs inari, 2 pc tamago roll, 3pc saba, 3pc shrimp, 1pc cali roll, 6pcs of nori - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

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Sakae Sushi is a Gardena institution! There are many options for sushi in the area but if you're looking for high quality at a reasonable price than it's Sakae. The rice is amazing! Soft, perfectly wet, well seasoned! My friend and I ordered the California roll (7 piece) and a mixed box (10 piece). By 2 pm they had already sold out of the tamago so we got an extra inari and an extra nori maka. The 10 piece came with two saba (mackerel) and two ebi (shrimp). Each piece was delicious in its own way. The California roll was perfection. I love avocado and what some reviewers say is "too much" I say is "just right". The avocado, the rice, the nori, wow, so satisfying. Sakae does everything with intention. From how they organized the sushi in the box, the wrapping of the box, and the hashi you're given :) Though you can order when you arrive definitely order ahead! Like others have said, there will be a wait if you order there so no need to complain about it. Also, if they have sold out of anything you'll know ahead of time and save yourself from being disappointed when you arrive. And don't forget, it's CASH ONLY. This is a "pick up and go" place, there's no indoor seating and you can park along the street or in the parking lot adjacent to the building. If you're into supporting local, supporting small then support Sakae Sushi. read more

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Yes- call in your order. They get busy in weekends and sometimes, your order could take a while (45min or so). Vegetarian review: there's a veggie roll that's off menu- avocado, spinach, some other veggie. It was amazing. Giant roll, filled to the brim with avocado. Other rolls (2, I think) can be made vegetarian as well. Wait for rolls on a Wednesday afternoon was none, but I took about 10min to make. They sell most things by the piece, but for these specialty rolls, you have to buy the entire thing. I think I was... $17 or so? There were 8-9 pieces. Parking is easy, and this is strictly a pick up and go place. It's basically a window. Lovely service, wonderful food. read more

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Nice hidden sushi spot in redondo with big pieces of sushi. I liked how the pieces are decently sized but for the shrimp and fish, the protein was very thin compared to the rice ratio. The mackerel was my favorite but the fish had a strong taste which I liked but others might not be used to strong fish taste. I also called ahead to order which is very helpful to ensure they have stuff in stock before making a long trip out. They also only accept cash, so have that on hand. A big fan of how the food was packaged and it was very cute! I just wished there were more fish options other than just the mackerel offered. read more

Simple pieces of sushi, well made with quality ingredients. Don't expect the variety of choices, just a few great options. Sakae sushi has the best inari and cali rolls! You pay per piece or as part of one of the sets. This joint is cash only. Call ahead or order at the window. Nowhere to sit, this is a takeout only spot. read more

We love Sakae Sushi! Great for takeout and for parties! It's always a treat when someone brings it for a potluck or event. Consistently yummy every time. Best way is to call ahead to order, but sometimes the phone line is busy. Be prepared to wait a bit if you're ordering in person. There's lots of places to kill time across the street if you want to grab boba or go to the market. Our usual order for 2 people is 10 Nori, 6 Inari, 6 Tamago. You can also just get the mixed box if it's your first time to try everything. Those three are our favorite types. They definitely do sell out of certain types, so go/call early if you can. read more

This place has been here for years. I remember coming here when I was a kid. The taste and quality never changed everyone here is very friendly. The best thing is to place your order over the phone to minimize your wait. You can walk up and order Its made fresh you may have to wait a few minutes. But its well worth it. They only have takeout. read more

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Service was phenomenal. Sushi was fantastic. I called to place an order and the person who helped me was the sweetest!!!! Easy to find and easy to find parking. Would definitely recommend! read more

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Wow! I thought there were no more hidden gems to be discovered but this one is it. I've gone to the Marukai and the Book Off across the street, and only caught a glimpse of this store while turning left. It's a cash only take out with no sit down area. I highly recommend following their instructions to call ahead and place an order instead of placing an order when you're there, since it does take a while for it to be made. I recommend the mackerel (saba), and the 10 piece mix was absolutely perfect for a meal. For under $17 flat, this is a steal anywhere in LA. The staff are very nice and very patient with any questions you might have. If you're a native Japanese speaker, then you'll be right at home! read more

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Local institution place, order to go only plus CASH only. Love this place for decades, it's convenient (to go) for work lunch for quick dinner. The lady work there is nice and helpful and she alway makes sure your order is correct. Menu is small and price is very reasonable and affordable. When they boxed your food, you can see the old fashioned style and simplicity of the culture. They located in a not so update building. There is a parking lot behind and there are also street parking around the building. The qualify of the foods are fresh and tasty. The rice is packed more than the sushi but for the prices, can't really complaint plus if you're working in construction type, perfect to fill your stomach. Overall, perfect place for good foods, nice service and conveniency. read more

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I came here on a Friday afternoon for lunch, there was no wait, and I probably only waited 10min max after ordering to receive my food. This place is cash only so don't make the mistake I did and not have enough but the lady at the window was gracious enough to hold onto it until I grabbed more money. The sushi was very well packaged, and very tasty! The only thing I'd say is it has a little too much rice for the amount of fish you get, but the taste is spot on. Well seasoned sushi rice! I ordered a 12pc mix box for 21.50, so well priced!!!! There's not much variety in menu, but it's all solid and you can customize your box. I did 2 of each. They say it's better to call ahead and order, but I thought it was totally fine ordering at the window. Will come back again. read more

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It's good! My wife and I love this simple but timeless handmade sushi rolls. An icon!

Absolutely loves this place It's not your traditional sushi spot the rice has its own unique flavor. Simple but yet delicious read more

Sakae Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

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I was working in the area and wanted sushi and Yelp lead me here. I actually remember seeing a TikTok about this place so I was pretty stoked to try it. I called in a mixed box order with 10 PCs. and asked the lady to choose the mix. She let me know it would be around $12 and that I could pick it up in 15 minutes. Parked in the lot and walked through the office suites to the famous pick-up window. Got my order right away and it was wrapped so cute! I ate the sushi in my truck and it was the perfect lunch on a hot-day. Everything tasted fresh, healthy and I wasn't disgustingly full at the end of it. If I lived or worked here, I'd be here for lunch at least twice a week! Super cute concept and unique lunch spot. Great for solo lunchers! read more

Sakae Sushi - Mixed box, 8 pcs. $12.95! - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

We got a mixed box of a bunch of different sushi rolls, and they were all delicious. It's literally a hole in the wall where you order ahead and come pick it up, so we brought ours to the beach for a picnic. We will be coming back for more in the future! read more

Sakae Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

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I've been wanting to try Sakae after seeing a few reels on instagram. I had checked out some photos of the exterior and menu beforehand and noticed that it's preferred to call in orders ahead and that it was cash only. It's at the corner of an older building and there is no indoor or outdoor seating. This is definitely take out only spot. You can tell it's a family owned shop that puts a lot of care in each sushi piece and packaging the lunch sets. Opening my lunch box, I felt like I was opening a gift from an old relative, who is more traditional. When I ordered on the phone, the woman who picked up was very friendly and asked when I would like to pick up my order. I was already on my way so I let her know about 10 min. It wasn't too busy on a weekday during lunch so my order was already ready! I had a wonderful experience in regards to the food. If you decide to partake in this experience, I recommend keeping an open mind as the style is more comfort food instead of mainstream sushi restaurants. I am typically on a very low carb diet and these sushi pieces are definitely predominately rice. However, I did not mind this at all, the rice is so flavorful and savory, it almost makes the sushi! It was so delicious and I didn't mind at all (but probably personally wouldn't eat this on a weekly basis). The rice also complimented the saltiness of the fish and the flavor of the bean curd skin! Sakae sushi has truly mastered rice. I am sincerely mindblown at how tasty their rice is! read more

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Grabbed Sakae Sushi before the Dodgers game... and they won the NLCS!! Go Dodgers!! 　 ドジャース球場へ行く前に、栄寿司さんへ寄って寿司お弁当持参で応援しました！ その甲斐あって勝利しましたー！！野球見ながらお寿司最高！ read more

Sakae Sushi - Nori & Inari mix $14 oishii - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

This place is great, plain and simple. Not your typical LA sushi at all - instead, expect very balanced but soulful sweet-tart flavors and careful preparation of just a few menu items. Vegetables, egg omelette, vinegared pressed fish and shrimp, and plenty of very flavorful rice take center stage. Even the inari, the tofu rice pouch I normally do not care for, was great here. The distinctive food here, so different than most sushi places, is part of the charm. A few things to note: this place defines the phrase "hole-in-the-wall", it is easy to miss driving by and there is no ambiance, no seating, just a window. Order by phone ahead of time (no website or app), bring cash, and note the short hours. However, they are friendly, prompt, authentic, and delicious. $13 out the door for eight filling assorted pieces - this may be the best sushi deal in LA. Or anywhere. read more

Sakae Sushi - 8 piece mixed box - plenty of food for lunch - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

A cute little walk up family-owned sushi shop with good sushi for good prices! Online they recommend phoning in your order beforehand, due to their business, which I would recommend too! You can even place your order at least a day ahead! Worker taking my order was very kind. I got 2 inari, 2 nori-maki and 3 saba. All of this only for $11.20! That's such a great steal nowadays and for the quality of the sushi as well as great customer service, this place is super great! The saba was my favorite. The pickling wasn't too strong but it was still very flavorful. The nori-maki was packed and flavorful too. Lastly, the inari was what you'd expect but good nonetheless! Parking is a little tough if you're not able to park in the lot right behind them. read more

Sakae Sushi - Saba, Inari and Nori-Maki - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

This is a takeout place. It was a little hard to see from the street. Once you enter the parking lot for the plaza, it was a lot easier to see. It is a cute little hole in the walk place with a window open for orders. You order by pieces and you can see the options pasted on the side. The sushi is big and colorful when you open the box. It is so pretty that I also did not want to eat it and mess it up. I think it is a great idea to bring to the beach, picnic, or catering for a party at home. The wait was not very long, 15mins on an early Saturday morning. read more

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Such a charming place hidden away in the most unassuming building. Parking lot in back for easy access -- this spot is takeout only and phone-in orders are highly encouraged. Cash only. There's a sign stipulating that walk-up orders that weren't ordered in advance will be subject to a higher wait time. The menu is small and simple and we tried it all. The big bummer was that our order did not come with soy sauce, which I didn't realize until we had already left. I would've really liked to have some soy sauce for my sushi. But, amazingly, it was all still really delicious even on its own, which I think speaks highly to the quality. The seared mackerel was my favorite bite. Sushi rice packs a real punch, super flavorful. And the boxes come so nicely packaged. read more

Sakae Sushi - Packaged sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

What a gem! Ordered the 7 piece mix and added a piece of California roll to try. All pieces were flavorful but the Saba stood out the most. Cash only. read more

Sakae Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

I wanted to like this place so much because of the great things I'd heard but I was left feeling disappointed. The rice and inari skin were flavored really well, and overall everything tasted good and fresh, but there was just so much rice with very little fish. The saba and shrimp on the battera style sushi was sliced so thinly, and there really wasn't much shrimp in the California roll. I felt like 85% of the $32+ I spent on 20 pieces was rice. I could tell the sushi was made with care, but the value just wasn't there for me, and by the end I just felt sorta uncomfortably full on rice. Note: this place is cash only and take-out only. They encouraging calling ahead. The spot is a bit hidden away in a building courtyard, and there's no seating. read more

Sakae Sushi - Packaging - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

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Always wanted to try this place growing up and finally got people to go with me! Got a mix box with inari and a few other rolls. Loved the variety and flavor. Didn't even need shoyu. read more

Sakae Sushi - 7 pc Mix - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

the california roll is the BEST. you must call to order and pay in cash. they've been in business for multiple years and the rolls are so fresh. you can eat it in the parking lot or take it to the beach! read more

Sakae Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Gardena, California

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I love, love, love this spot! the ladies that greet you at the window are always so nice, they let you down gently whenever they run out of items even though it's ME that never gets there early enough and ALL items they sell are truly delicious, i've never had anything mid, it's always so consistently tasty!!!! read more

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