Premier Sushi Restaurant Inside a Market? WAKA SAKURA says YES

We're in Gardena, CA, to check out the newly opened Waka Sakura sushi restaurant inside the Tokyo Central market. Can this be any good? We're about to find out together. Plus, we'll give you a tour of our favorite things inside this market.
Waka Sakura, Tokyo Central, 1740 Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA 90248
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Intro artwork by Andrew Denina (Instagram: drawmatic.png and dreww.jpg)
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[@jolenemudra4971]

OMG! My mouth was watering! I love Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Hawaiian food! And that grocery store, I'm going to have to try it out when I am in the area. Thanks for sharing!

[@billandlisa]

You're very welcome!

[@winniepoohbear8916]

Wow! I wish all grocery stores look like that. You can eat first and not over buy on groceries!❤

[@billandlisa]

Right?! lol

[@aileeneto1399]

Thank you also for sharing your Japanese grocery store foods and snacks experience!

[@billandlisa]

Our pleasure!

[@luisgochez1]

That’s on my list , now that you guys had this review. Thank you 😊

[@billandlisa]

Our pleasure!

[@SandraRamirez-og7gf]

I was born in gardena california. I'm sure it's changed quite a bit since nineteen fifty six. Another great video.

[@billandlisa]

Lots of changes for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@ladyT_VR46]

That sushi was the best looking sushi I've seen in a while. Especially the eel. More sushi 🍣 videos please! 😅 x

[@billandlisa]

Love unagi too!!

[@melaneymattson3733]

The restaurant looked great, good eats! The market was reasonably priced, wish I had a market like that in San Clemente. Can't wait for your next adventure!

[@daymon6868]

You guys always succeed at making me hungry ! 🤓😁😁

[@ginas.6656]

Need that place in Tampa FL! That snack area brings back memories living in Japan!

[@ireneaguilar872]

Wow I was drooling! Sushi looked yummy. Thank you Bill and Lisa

[@billandlisa]

Our pleasure!

[@jesusisfaithful7]

SUCH A NICE PLACE WITH PLENTY OF DELICIOUS LOOKING FOOD AND DESSERTS. THANKS FOR SHOWING US AROUND. KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK 👍🏼😁👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😋😋😋😋

[@billandlisa]

Our pleasure!

[@devoncopley9296]

Thanks for sharing ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@noragarcia6409]

I have a Tokyo Central in West Covina, sadly no 2nd floor. This looked very good.

[@msavp4481]

Looked like sushi heaven! I loved all the snack foods in that grocery store too! Funny how simple childhood snacks evoke memories.

[@billandlisa]

So true!

[@popeyesailorman911]

Sushi looks really Fresh ✌✌

[@gailsiangco5599]

You guys did it again ! Mahalo for keeping us aware of what's new !!! Love the set up ! Fancy delicious foods ! A must visit Waka Sakura Sushi !

[@billandlisa]

Our pleasure! Waka Sakura is a great addition to the market. 👍🏼

[@carolbrown6765]

It all looked so delicious!

[@michaelm.1807]

😊 kool!! We live almost across the street from that Tokyo Central 😊. Up the street on Dalton Ave. where Rascal's is located 😊.

[@billandlisa]

Love Rascals Chinese Chicken Salad!

[@sharkwarrior1]

Love the video. Keep making more video.

[@lenairene474]

Great video love sushi 🍣

[@chikadolo3133]

Highly recommend this restaurant. Food are so delicious. Big thanks to Bill and Lisa for sharing! I also got Portuguese sausage Bill was talking about in the video 😂 can’t wait to try it.

[@billandlisa]

You're very welcome! You'll like Purity!

[@patriciawade9186]

Yummy!! Cost may seem like a lot to some, but to a Sushi lover like me it's really reasonable. Wish I lived closer.

[@billandlisa]

We agree!

[@debbienishiki7976]

Love sushi!! Thanks Bill and Lisa for sharing your awesome lunch experience!! Happy shopping!! Live life guys!!

[@billandlisa]

You’re very welcome, Debbie!

[@sunnyscott4876]

OMG...looks sooooooo delicious. Local supermarket and airport sushi will never be the same. (Sorry sushi ladies) Yummy. Thanks again for sharing your wonderful experiences, Always a treat.

[@billandlisa]

Agreed, places like markets and airports are stepping up their game!

[@KentoVlog]

A Tokyo Central recently opened up in Kailua. It took the place of Times Supermarket. I haven’t had the chance to go yet but I’ve heard it’s really crowded.

[@juneshkurhan3176]

Bill those childhood candy and snacks were the same ones I remember. My mother is from Japan so we had a lot of those snacks too. Thanks for sharing this market. I live in the greater Seattle area and our Japanese market is Uwajimaya but it’s nothing like this! Your market is superior! 👍😊

[@billandlisa]

We had the best childhood snacks, right?? You're very welcome and thanks for watching!

[@tonybrigner3866]

thanks for the food tour bill and lisa the food looks so good have a great week bill and lisa and your family as well

[@billandlisa]

Thank you, Tony!

[@aileeneto1399]

Wow, that store is huge and excellent with the upstairs as well. Will be so great now with the new tech. sushi restaurant and will be my go-to place as I’m a light and healthy eater and now a real sushi and sashimi lover!

[@chikadolo3133]

Thank you for sharing your review! Sushi look so good. I didn’t know this new place so will definitely try it soon. It’s going to be long drive but maybe this weekend! Thanks again!

[@billandlisa]

Hope you like it!

[@karenglaicar5486]

Really nice store. Nice video. Thanks for the tour/info.

[@billandlisa]

Our pleasure!

[@LadyLakeMusic]

Always enjoy your videos guys!! Wish we had a place like this one - everything looks so fresh!!

[@billandlisa]

Thanks so much!

[@ginNjus]

That is a HUGE store. Conveyor belt far and few. Looks like daikon aka asian white radish noodles on the poke. 😋😋

[@billandlisa]

It is good size, we love the variety of offerings there. 👍🏼

[@rohashimoto2774]

We just got our own Tokyo Central in Windward Oahu

[@karenwright6410]

Moving to LA from Hi, love the local line foods. Will definitely be looking Gor Tokyo Market!

[@s.jensen1492]

Great video Bill and Lisa !

[@billandlisa]

Thank you, S!

[@ricemaster5768]

Tokyo central is by far my favorite Japanese grocery store. I love their mammoth white bread and especially the sushi and cooked food selection. The best!!! I go to the one in chino hills ca. Love your videos!!!

[@georgefunkiv3992]

Thank you Lisa and Bill for the video. Great experience, food looks delicious. Again thank you for the shout out. 😀

[@billandlisa]

Our pleasure!

[@JacobRoss-ml8qv]

Hi bill and Lisa, my name is Jacob and I love in Florida. I have watched all of your videos and I love every single one of them. It is my birthday on Monday, May 20th.

[@billandlisa]

Hi Jacob! Happy upcoming Birthday!! Thank you so much for watching!

[@thejerk95]

This looks like an awesome place. It’s best to eat sushi as it’s served.

[@CarolO2023]

Thanks for the tour of Tokyo Central. Haven’t been there in a while so it’s nice to see how they’ve renovated it.

[@billandlisa]

Our pleasure!

[@CarolO2023]

PS Need to try that ice cream cone!

[@bmccarthy518]

That's an amazing grocery store. Hope they give you a gift card for the 5 star video. Great job guys.

[@billandlisa]

No card yet. lol

[@larrykarenflowers9371]

Thanx for sharing. Not a sushi person but looked interesting. Be safe.

[@billandlisa]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching even though sushi is not your thing, we appreciate it!

[@AshleyNewellDotMe]

I wish we had place like this where I live! This store looks amazing and restaurant looks awesome too!

[@AussieAngeS]

Hi Lisa and Bill I love the name of that restaurant, the sushi is amazing, the quality is fabulous. The store is massive, I would be there all day looking through thanks for sharing. your experiences with us guys xx

[@billandlisa]

You are so welcome, Angie! You'll love this market!

[@tofineone]

I love that Restaurant I will try it maybe when I am there. It does seam a little expensive.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

That’s salmon belly looks fantastic! I would not mind doing grocery shopping with a restaurant like that inside!

[@billandlisa]

You would definitely enjoy both the restaurant and market, Tim!

[@thisworldaccordingtome9495]

I've just realized that I used to drive past that every morning on my way to work on Artesia Blvd. I was a CAD design engineer for some sleazy motorcycle parts company last year.

[@jackiemcglone9225]

Lisa and Bill you should be an Add for them. You make all their food look so delicious. I really enjoyed the video. Take care guys.

[@billandlisa]

Thanks so much!

[@papajames4785]

Wonderful review and I wish we had this store in Hawaii!!! That Botan candy reminds me of Tomoe Ame Rice Candy! Man the variety in the store of ready to eat Bento's reminds me of Don Quixote in Honolulu but this one is so much more variety!!! Thanks for the Vlog so fun to watch you guys. Have a great day!!! Aloha!!!!

[@billandlisa]

Thank you!

[@beverlyherbert6952]

Another great video!!❤ we go to Tokyo central for the best japanese snacks!!! I remember when they sold furniture upstairs!!!!😅 can't believe there's finally a restaurant up there😊 too bad the ice cream was sold out. Wanted to know if it was good. Restaurant looked nice. Thanks for the adventure ❤❤❤

[@billandlisa]

You’re welcome, Beverly! Yes, we remember the furnitures upstairs too. lol

[@irishgip71]

Watching and tattooing. Well actually listening. Straight lines and watching you two is not advantageous to a great tattoo. 😂

[@billandlisa]

LOL Wil! Yes, please focus on the tattoo. You can rewatch this video later. 🤣

[@irishgip71]

@@billandlisa we just did. 😂

[@user-zl1tg4ti1e]

Seeing those Japanese snacks reminded me of my childhood. Great memories. Can you order from the Waka Sakura grocery store for shipment out of state? Thank you for the great video.

[@billandlisa]

You’re very welcome! Not sure if they ship.

[@rohashimoto2774]

25:17 Tomoe ame has a sticker but no toy. It was better when we were little

[@calmwell8424]

Love that store and didn't realize they converted the 2nd flr into a restaurant. Need to try it out next time I need to buy some shrimp chips. But I'll miss the stores upstairs. Thanks for featuring it.

[@billandlisa]

You’re very welcome!

[@yvonneacosta2539]

Another place added to the bucket list. Looks great. Don't think the restaurant is that expensive, just depends on what you order. Get a light meal then go downstairs and pick up snacks and dessert. Mild Portugese sausage with eggs and some type of potato for me but rice would be good too.

[@billandlisa]

That’s a good plan, Yvonne! Plenty of desserts and snacks in the market. 👍🏼

[@rumplstilskin2000]

Awesome Vlog.. We love fried gyozas I could just eat 10 of those and be done!

[@billandlisa]

Thank you, guys! 😋

[@AlusW.]

Will be there on Sunday to p/u lots of sushi & karage for Leilani's birthday lunch! Love the convenience of Tokyo Central in Gardena.

[@billandlisa]

Sounds great! We like the Umami Karage! 😋

[@marydonovan1678]

Very niceplace

[@TheAlanwong13]

I saw you guys leaving the tokyo central mkt ...hello...( I was star struck )

[@billandlisa]

Yell out to us next time! 😃🤙🏽

[@TheAlanwong13]

@billandlisa I saw you carrying so much stuff we actually went there to check Out the sushi restaurant because of you

[@laurene2586]

I am on the CA Central Coast. Is Tokyo Central the old Marukai in Gardena? When you mentioned bentos in the beginning, I was hoping you would showcase them. What a selection! Loved this video!

[@billandlisa]

Yes, it’s the old Marukai. We still call it that accidentally. lol

[@AlusW.]

Thanks so much for showing us Waka Sakura conveyor style restaurant. Can you show us the chefs making the sushi next time?

[@billandlisa]

The sushi chefs are behind a wall area where the conveyor belt goes in and out of. Thanks for watching!

[@liannebryant918]

Our very first Tokyo Central just opened days ago in Kailua!!! Not as big as the one you visited, but happy to have one here. Yes, please come back to experience Spam Jam. It's usually the last Saturday in April. Next year's one is April 26, 2025.

[@billandlisa]

We’ll have to check out both! 🤙🏽

[@siscokyd]

First once again!!

[@stephaniecarmichael5941]

Yum..botan.. disappearing rice paper we thought that was so meat as kids..my dad used to drag us to J town..miss those days..now it's a sticker..no more toys

[@billandlisa]

Yes, others here have mentioned the stickers now. Glad we got to experience the toys when we were younger.

[@mnmaddict37532]

There's always room for ice cream!

[@chaka3084]

Tokyo Central in Kailua, Oahu is now open! 😁

[@timyamasaki8261]

My parents used to go to Tokyo Central all the time. They both passed within a few months of each other in 2022 and 23. I should go there sometime. In two weeks I'll be in Vegas, and I plan to go to Bacchanal, Carmine's, and Yama on Flamingo Blvd. Have you gone to Yama?

[@billandlisa]

Don't think we've been to Yama yet. Have a great time in Vegas! You should definitely check out this Tokyo Central, lots of good stuff.

[@kimberlyle8477]

Yummy

[@lu_to_the_wanna]

Aloha guys! We just got our first Tokyo Central Market on Oahu, in Kailua. I hope our prices are as good as yours!

[@billandlisa]

We hope so too! For us, prices are a bit better compared to Mitsuwa.

[@titasmom678]

How lucky to have this restaurant in your neighborhood. That rice really looks different. Not so sure about that Poke-looks unique for sure. Purity brand, mild for me.

[@billandlisa]

Purity is our go to also! 🤙🏽

[@masteryoda7583]

Sashimi Trio!!!🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@herczeus9341]

I love sashimi. But my local Chinese Supermarket charges a fortune for a few pieces.

[@chubbs500]

Good quality. Don't compare the price to buffet or $1 plate sushi, just look at the color and texture of the fish. Yums!. I can see why the hype.

[@sakurababyxl]

Can you do a review on Hamamori at South Coast Plaza? Thanks

[@billandlisa]

A bit of a drive for us, but we’ll look it up if we’re down in the OC.

[@judithyamamoto9424]

Unfortunately the Botan candy doesn't have toys in them anymore, they have stickers.

[@billandlisa]

Ahh! Thanks for the info.

[@emoryandrewclay]

Hello Bill & Lisa! Where in So-Cal can I buy sushi grade fish at a grocery store and go home and cut?

[@billandlisa]

Not sure of all the places where you can, but Tokyo Central and Mitsuwa is a good start.

[@emoryandrewclay]

@billandlisa thank you so much for your quick response. Thank you for all the content. I have been watching you guys for years. ❤

[@JodyY808]

Looks like a great place to eat, just like the modern "conveyor belt" sushi restaurants in Japan. However, if you folks can talk about "shōyū" instead of "soy sauce," you should be able to pronounce "wagyū" correctly instead of the cringey Americanized ""wag-goo." Itʻs pronounced "wah" (Japanese) "gyū" (beef) like the sound in "argue." Thanks for sharing the variety of things offered at Waka Sakura. Hope it opens at the Tokyo Central in Kailua on Oʻahu, too!

[@jeannewalling4593]

Purity is my favorite. Sometimes costco sells them.

[@billandlisa]

We just bought some Purity today. lol

[@thisworldaccordingtome9495]

Are those prepared bentos designed to be eaten at room temperature ?

[@billandlisa]

Some are. They do have a microwave oven there to use.

[@MermaidMom21]

Hi Bill and Lisa! How are you two? We are longtime fans of your channel! Coming to Cali in July! Can you give a Happy BDAY shout out to my sons (who love you too) Brendan and Conner (May BDays) ? Many Thanks! God Bless you two!

[@billandlisa]

Will do!! Look for it after the upcoming Japan vlogs. Have a great time when you come here!

[@restaurantman]

🍣🫰

[@TheJleliot]

Question. I noticed at the bottom of the receipt tip options. Who are you tipping if you order the food yourself and it's delivered in a conveyor belt?

[@Koicee8]

I guess drink service and they do help people who struggle using technology.

[@jc2333]

You get salmon , tuna .

[@clownshow89]

I'm in Ohio I wish I could get shushi like that.

[@korswe]

That tuna looks processed and the salmon looks like it's from a farm.

[@jc2333]

Bill doesn’t like wasbi . I use it but I’m not into it.

[@shannem1]

How is stuff “from” Hawaii cheaper then buying it “in” Hawaii 😂

[@veritassumma5728]

tax is 10.25%?!!

[@ThePokersurfer]

Marukai 2.0 basically ........

[@billandlisa]

Yup. lol

[@aces7515]

I’m Japanese but don’t eat fish! It looks good but it just won’t go down! lol I live in N Ca, wished we had a large market 😞 Prices looked much more reasonable than up here. Thanks for another great video.

[@billandlisa]

All good! I have a Hawaiian friend who doesn’t like fish either. lol

[@rosaspanjol673]

Sorry,I don’t care for sushi 🍣😞….but, I will check the store.

[@glendamcdaniel7287]

I am so jealous food looks so delicious and the market & deli prices are very reasonable. I grew up eating rice candy and we use to tease our friends as they would ask us why we were eating the wrapper 😆😆😆

[@billandlisa]

We’re lucky to have this market in our area. 👍🏼

[@JimmyVYouTube]

Was this your inspiration to go to Tokyo?

[@billandlisa]

Maybe.. 🤗🤣

[@billandlisa]

… Actually Osaka. 👍🏼

[@e4glewyng5]