Sakura Palm Teriyaki House

I ordered a simple combo shrimp and chicken. Once I got home and threw away patini shrimp and the horrible tasting chicken the rice was fine

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 4

Great food, loved the menu selection and great for vegans and vegetarians like me. Love that they have great Japanese food and nice boba drinks. Can’t wait to come back. The only reason I’m giving them a 4 is because I asked for a little extra ginger with my sushi which I was willing to even pay for, but it’s like their whole attitude changed just bc I asked, and they started chatting in Japanese in front of me right after I asked — I wish I knew what they were saying. It wasn’t a big deal and pretty rude to do that since I would have paid for it also and it was such a tiny amount. Initially they were nice until I asked for a little extra ginger, god forbid lol. It was almost humorous but also definitely rude. Maybe a cultural issue, idk…

Aside from that, I’ll definitely be back bc I love the place, love the food and we need more places like this in the desert! I got the veggie zen for what it’s worth with a little extra vegetable spring roll.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 3

Great place to stop for some true Japanese food. Had the the Mexican burrito sushi roll, had low expectations and it ended up being phenomenal !! Gotta try it!! And the ppl that work here are so very nice. And u gotta try the ice cream as well, surprisingly delicious. You'll be glad u came here.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place is so fantastic I love coming here, whenever I bring friends they love it as well. The food is so good every time and the owners are very sweet 🩷 have never been disappointed here

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

It was my first time coming to this place and right from the beginning it was so welcoming, not only are the staff super helpful and approachable the atmosphere was great:) The food came out quickly and everything was delicious I definitely recommend😁

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great owners. Really kind and amazing with the service. Food was amazing from the Beef Shrimp Teriyaki to the amazing spicy beef ramen… you can’t go wrong with anything on this Menu.. and the drinks are a boba lovers fantasy .

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Roll, Chicken Teriyaki, Shrimp Teriyaki, Teriyaki Chicken, Peach

Outstanding sushi! Along with great tasty beef Teriyaki, it is amazing !! It won’t be the last time I come back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Roll, Shrimp Teriyaki, Teriyaki Chicken

The food and service were excellent. Every dish we ordered was delicious and absolutely hit the spots so nicely. We ordered a Bento box, chicken and trimmed teriyaki, Fried Chicken pieces. Delicious meal, freshly made to order😋

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing food, and customer service. Would definitely recommend. 10/10 sushi 😁

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We stopped by Sakura Palm Teriyaki House on a Monday around 11 a.m., and the experience was refreshingly down-to-earth and authentic. Right off the bat, I noticed the lack of a central air conditioning system, but instead of it being uncomfortable, they had small fans set up throughout the restaurant, giving it a cozy, homestyle feel. If you're lucky, you might get a fan blowing your way, which really makes the experience enjoyable—especially if you're with family. That said, it was only in the low 80s that day, and the fans did their job. But in the middle of a Palm Desert summer, a full central AC system would make a world of difference.

The seating was very spacious. Lots of tables and chairs, and I especially appreciated the sturdy wooden seats. As a big guy, I often worry about comfort and stability at restaurants, and this place definitely passed the test.

Parking was abundant and easy, which is always a huge plus in this area.

Now let’s talk about the food—because that’s where Sakura really shines.

I ordered a teriyaki bowl, and it was loaded. The portion was massive, the meat was flavorful and juicy, the sauce had the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and the vegetables added a fresh crunch.

We also tried a few rolls (including the Philadelphia roll). While they were a bit on the smaller side, they were fresh and tasty. It's worth noting that this place leans toward traditional Japanese portioning, not the oversized American-style sushi you find at fusion spots.

To drink, we ordered a passion fruit tea with boba—super sweet but incredibly refreshing. Next time, I’ll ask for it a little less sweet, but the flavor was excellent.

Now for a few things to be aware of:

Payment with American Express didn’t go smoothly. Frank, the owner, explained there was a high fee involved, which caused some confusion. I had to use Google Wallet to pay with a different card. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely something to be aware of ahead of time.

The tip screen appears before you’ve even tasted the food since you pay up front at the counter. It threw me off, and with the Amex issue, I forgot to tip properly. Maybe a small sign reminding customers to tip or explaining that it's a small, family-run business would help. These folks deserve it.

One of the highlights of the experience was Frank, the owner. He’s a genuine, down-to-earth guy—the type of person who knows how to run a good business without all the fluff. He reminds me of an old friend: warm, hard-working, and straight to the point. You can tell he and his wife put their heart into the place, and they make you feel welcome just by being themselves.

Overall, I really enjoyed my visit. Yes, there are a few things that could be improved—mainly the AC and smoother payment experience—but the food is incredible, the vibe is humble and authentic, and the people running it are kind and hard-working. I’ll definitely be back.

Highly recommend Sakura Palm Teriyaki House if you’re looking for authentic Japanese food, good prices, and real people running the kitchen.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

The bento box was so good. Perfect size meal. Love that they are real Japanese soda and snacks to buy because we don’t have a good Asian market in the valley. The owners are so sweet and kind. Definitely check this place out.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Hidden Gem-Bento boxes are fresh and filling. Was invited here by a friend and now this is going to be my “go to” place.
So many yummy things to choose from.
The owner Frank is such a sweet kind man.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recently tried this place twice back to back stagecoach weekend
Can't believe I didn't come sooner really good

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Teriyaki, Teriyaki Chicken

Great food and atmosphere. The owners were very kind. Will come again!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Katsu Curry

Really loved the food and it was so peaceful and the owners really nice. I got the chicken and beef teriyaki. Food came out fast and hot.
Will come back again 🤗🤗
Update :I came back for a second and third time!!!
The food is soooo good it’s become my usual lunch spot!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Bento Box