Sarku Japan

Pretty decent food that didn’t break the bank. I didn’t realize that mushrooms and noodles were an additional fee but it is what it is. They could use a beef and chicken option, as I didn’t see that on the menu. It’s located on the 5^th floor of the Westfield center. Seating was outdoors and was nice as it was a cool day, probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it much if it were hot. All in all, I’d come back if I was in the area, but likely wouldn’t go out of my way to eat here. My advice, give it a try and see how you like it and make your own judgment, my taste buds can’t speak for everyone.

Working down the street, It’s a challenge not to eat here everyday. For $ 6 you get enough teriyaki chicken and vegetables for 2 meals, and they give you the option do double that for an additional $ 1.50. While Horton Plaza is generally difficult to navigate, this place is definitely worth the trek upstairs.

Food is not bad at all for the value. But the chef is rude and disrespectful to the customers, so Ill make a point not to return to this one.

Passible Japanese Food
Small food shop in a mall food court. Chicken teriyaki was uninspired but filling. You won’t go wrong here, but you could do better.

Cheap prices great food! Humble manager that works there! Asian man sometimes Speaks Spanish to you ! Lol Deliciosooo!

Sooooo yummy yummy! I have many this one of my usual spots!
I usually get their dumplings (very crispy and juicy!) with a side of rice for about 4 dollars, its enough to fill me up! But their teriyaki is soooo yummy~ I was pulled in by the nice mannered asian man offering samples and I am so happy he did! I enjoy their cooking much more than Panda Express and I’d say their prices are even better!

Best teriyaki chicken ever !!! I always order my teriyaki with only veggies and extra meat never had a complaint regarding flavor or freshness is always right out of the grill is simply delicious… Prices vary by locations this one in Horton Plaza mall is the cheapest one among the other two locations I highly recommend this place !.

Chicken terreyaki — need I say more. Hubby got the chicken terriyaki combo and I got the shrimp/​chicken terriyaki combo. Came with rice and veggies. Everything freshly made. You can sample the chicken terriyaki before purchasing a meal. This is what made us order. Not to mention the prices. $ 6-​$ 7 combo. You can also request extra meat for $ 1.49 a plate.

The cooks attitude is horrible, I’ve been here on multiple occasions & it seems like every time I decide to order extra rice/​chicken on my plate, things get a little obvious that they’re bothered by having to give me just a bit more than the original portion of the plate… it’s like, really?
However, Since my love for this restaurant hasn’t diminished in any way, I now drive 15min farther to another one of these in the mission valley area… totally worth it

I’ve eaten here twice. The first time just a small snack, and the second time it was a full meal. Both times, my food was served fresh. The guys that work there are the nicest people. They seem so happy and gladly hand out free samples to all that pass through. I was hooked by the free sample, the chicken teriyaki special that they have is pretty good. For 6 dollars I got a to go container full of rice, with veggies and plenty of chicken. They even asked me how much sauce I wanted on it. Very thoughtful of them. I was only trying to get a small quick meal as I passed through, but it was too much food for me so I ended up saving the leftovers. While I was there trying to eat as much as I could of my food, there was a man sitting next to me, he was telling me that he’s been there many times and has never been disappointed. It was funny because as we were sitting there, a family took some samples, looked at the menu, thought about it, then proceeded to lunch over at panda express. The man said «they don’t know what they’re missing.» I definitely agreed with him because I’ve eaten at panda before and this place is much much tastier.
The first time that I was there, I ordered some sort of chicken snack. While I was waiting, there were some tourists ordering the teriyaki chicken and the poor boy dropped his food before he even made it off the counter. One of the guys came over to him and helped him clean up, then they made him a fresh order. The boy seemed embarrassed but the guys were happy to give him a new meal.
I think these guys have great customer service. If you want an inexpensive tasty meal, I recommend this place.

Super fast fresh and delicious. Always great quality food. Consistent amongst the other sarku Japan’s I’ve been to from Wisconsin to California. Pretty good deal for this quick meal!

Just the best!!! Love the food I’m a regular there I don’t mind the drive lol!!! I just love the food!!! Fast and fresh!!! Always get the extra chicken with extra sauce!!! Just the food speaks for it self yummy!!! It’s pretty cool to see how they cook it. Good amount of food for a great price. Just driving in the mall to get it it’s a hassle but other than that it’s worth it!!!

The best of the fast food world!
Can you beat a $ 6 lunch in downtown with plenty of chicken and rice? And don’t forget they cook it in front of you, so you know it hasn’t been sitting out. Unlike Panda, sarku isn’t stingy on their meats. I went to panda paid $ 6, close to $ 7 for a rice bowl and literally got 8 pieces of chicken and a more string beans. Totally not worth it, next time going to Sarku more often.
Compare to the fast food world, Sarku is a great deal with everything! It’s a bit greasy but what fast food isn’t?! And it may make you feel like shit afterwards… You can probably get double meat and share it with someone, I don’t get double meat and always have left overs.

SIMPLY AMAZING! Fast, friendly service with a smile and great tasting food to boot. This will be my first 5 star review. The first time my wife and I came here, the food was just perfect. This time around I wanted to do right by Sarku Japan and rate them.

The first time I had Sarku Japan was at Fashion Valley mall. Me and my boyfriend loved it so much. We ordered the teriyaki chicken and vegetables with double meat. The reason we like this place so much is because the teriyaki isn’t overpowered with sauce and doesn’t taste like your typical panda express teriyaki chicken. It actually taste wonderful.
The Fashion Valley Sarku looks cleaner than the Sarku in Horton plaza. I definitely recommend this place if you want a hardy serving of clean tasting japanese food.

Oh my god I thought I was the only one who noticed the tough, buff looking middle aged Asian guy yelling out chicken teriyaki yummy yummy. I feel exactly like this guy whenever I’m with a group of articulate white people, and thats why I wanted to make this special shout out. I hope your son appreciates you and that the Mexicans in the back aren’t bullying you or objectify you as the token Asian man.
Franchise self indulgence. I think this is my second choice when it comes to franchise joints, I know I’m tired of Panda Express.
RIP Yoshinoya SD.

«Chicken teriyaki, yummy yummy!»
I would ALWAYS hear that coming from the folks handing out free samples at the Sarku Japan location in Westfield UTC, and the location at Horton Plaza is no different. This time, to celebrate the end of jury service last week, I decided to go order something from the place.
I ordered the classic Chicken Teriyaki with rice and vegetables, and splurged a couple bucks extra for some Maki Rolls (vegetable spring rolls). I have to admit, the food at Sarku Japan was very good for mall food — that chicken teriyaki really is yummy yummy, with a sauce that isn’t too sticky or sweet, and cooked fresh alongside the vegetables. The rice isn’t mushy, and the Maki Rolls are pretty good!
The price point is bit more expensive than Panda Express, but the quality is much better, and you definitely get what you pay for in terms of portion size.

Wow. Last week I visited San Diego with my father. Not being the best place to vacation, we ended up at the Westfield Mall in the Gaslamp District. It was lunch time, and as we walked around looking for somewhere to eat, we realized we were in a mall, and we did not want mall food. The greasy, cheap, fast food that malls tend to have. There was no way I was going to indulge in MSGs and fats from Panda Express or a burger joint. That’s when I heard the man in a chef hat and sunglasses handing out Teriyaki Chicken samples, yelling «Yummy yummy chicken!»
There was a pretty long line outside Sarku so I assumed this was good news. We lined up and I ordered the classic Chicken Teriyaki and rice. So did my dad. We sat down to eat our long awaited mall lunch, not expecting much at all. I was very impressed. Sarku has the ability to make mall food look even worse. The chicken was freshly cooked with the heavenly teriyaki sauce on top, and the rice was nice and steamed.
If you really want to eat food at a mall that does not taste greasy, and unhealthy, come to Sarku Japan. If only malls in NorCal had Sarku’s, and if they do, I will never eat other mall food again.

Ordered the chicken teriyaki combo.
Chicken was well flavored
Veggies were pretty bland and undercooked
Rice… Was rice
Chef and cashier were cursing at customers in Chinese :-) wonder what they said about me afterwards :-)

Six bucks for huge servings of noodles/​rice and freshly grilled chicken? Considering the fact that its a downtown lunch spot, pretty good deal for a plate of piping-​hot food. No illusions of authenticity as the chefs were speaking Mandarin, but be prepared to be amused by faux Japanese accents (especially by the free sample guy).
As for the sauce, you can always ask them to add more if you want. The noodles are steamed for a bit in the sauce, but the rice might need more. Siracha bottles too for those who want a bit of spice.
Going for the double meat next time! Yummy yummy Teriyaki indeed