Sakuraya

So under the radar that you’ll likely only discover it when hunting for sushi near the @orangecountyzoo, this Japanese/Korean restaurant in Orange has all the influences one might expect from that description: traditional sushi, fusion sushi, don katsu rather than tonkatsu, and bulgogi/spicy pork bowls alongside bento boxes, tempura and noodles. Some of the sushi – including the riceless Elvis (crab, radish sprouts and onions wrapped in albacore), the scallops, and eel – delivers way better flavor and quality than one would ever expect from a place you’ve never heard of, though the prices vary from moderate (entrees) to fairly high (special rolls and nigiri). That said, this isn’t a formal or stuffy place; cold drinks are served in mason jar mugs, and the ambience is otherwise “1990’s family Japanese restaurant,” seemingly carried over from the former business in this space, Ginzaya.