Sakura Garden Japanese Steak House

“Sushi above the rest” is a hard claim for us to make, as we’ve had our fair share of incredible sushi. As we travel and try the bests though, Sakura Garden remains our standard for comparison. Located in South Windsor, Connecticut, with a few sister locations around the state, this Japanese restaurant is one we’ll never forget. We stop in during lunch hours when the atmosphere is more relaxed and the prices are cheap. Hostesses are friendly and the waitstaff are quick with answers to our Japanese-delicacy related questions.

We recommend ordering to share, as there’s so much to try. Our all-time favorite is the spicy crab roll. The fish is mixed with an easy level of spice and the amount of mayo is just perfect enough to not weigh it down. The California and Yellowtail are both simple and delightful. Avocado is vibrant and soft throughout the California and the Yellowtail comes in thick chunks, wrapped tightly in seaweed and packed with less rice than fish. If none of these rolls grab your attention, don’t worry; the lunch menu offers a wide range of simple rolls, including vegetarian and tempura options.

Specialty rolls are pricier than the combination lunch specials, but are worth the splurge. The Sweetheart roll comes plated beautifully, wrapped in soybean paper, pink almost all throughout and stuffed with tuna, salmon, avocado, and tobiko all atop a honey mustard sauce. The roll itself does not come bursting with flavor, as it’s mostly just fish on the inside, but the sauce is the star of the show. This honey mustard sauce is mixed with a bit of miso to help the taste come through even stronger. The China Town roll was a challenge for us, as we were initially put off by the long list of ingredients it contained: picy salmon, crunchy Chinese noodles, jalapeno, basil and scallion make up this inside of this creation, held together by a traditional seaweed wrap and topped with crab stick, scallions and a drizzle of sriracha and spicy mayo. The flavor range is remarkable. With little fish and more accompanying ingredients, this roll is good for those who aren’t a fan of a strong raw fish taste.

Even if you don’t like sushi, Sakura Garden likely will have something for you. It may be at the Hibachi grills or simply off a menu of traditional Japanese favorites. We hope if you can stop in that you’ll love it as much as we do.