Location: Salinas
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California, United States Food Guide: 7 Japanese food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Salinas
Discover Restaurants offering the best Japanese food in Salinas, California, United States. Salinas /səˈliːnəs/ is the county seat and largest municipality of Monterey County, California. Salinas is an urban area located just outside the southern portion of the Greater Bay Area and 10 miles (16 km) east-southeast of the mouth of the Salinas River. The population was 157,218 as of 2016. The city is located at the mouth of the Salinas Valley roughly eight miles from the Pacific Ocean and has a climate more influenced by the ocean than the hot-summer interior. The majority of residents live in single-unit detached homes, built between 1950 and 2000, while one third of the housing stock has three or more units per structure. Salinas serves as the main business, governmental and industrial center of the region. The marine climate is ideal for the floral industry, grape vineyards, and vegetable growers. Salinas is known for its vibrant and large agriculture industry and being "The Salad Bowl of the World" as the hometown of writer and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate John Steinbeck, who based several of his novels there.
Things to do in Salinas
7. Samurai Japanese Restaurant
Overall Ratings
3 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By GrammyJ43
I was visiting family and wanted to take them out to a good restaurant. This restaurant was selected because of its' reputation. We are California girls so that's what we selected for our dinner. I ordered the Avocado Roll and the Cucumber roll. The other strangely named rolls were the caterpillar roll and the dragon roll. We tested them all and enjoyed each unique flavor. This would be consider just a little "hole in the wall" kind of place. It was clean and very welcoming. I rolls came out within 10 minutes of ordering. The chef was behind the bar busily making up everything fresh. Don't be deceived by the frontage on this restaurant. It's what is inside that counts. All the waitresses were very efficient and very nice. Stop by when in Salinas. It is worth it!
Most Popular American food in Salinas, California, United States
6. Ikebana Japanese Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By itsben
We were traveling between L.A. and San Jose area, and wanted Korean food. Found Ikebana advertised as a Japanese and Korean restaurant. Clean and open floor plan. Under new ownership. All in all, the food was pretty good. And the owner was amazingly friendly and the service was great. I would stop by again when in the area.
5. La Fogata
Reviewed By oddholio
Just down the street from the Steinbeck Museum, that draws in all the Salinas tourism, is La Fogata. You may be confused when entering to see if it is a mexican restaurant (as la fogata is spanish for campfire) or a japanese one, as the sign on the door is in japanese. It is in fact mexican-japanese fusion. The owner-waiter-server is japanese and has been living and running this place for decades. His original partner, of mexican origin, passed away and he has added a japanese touch to the menu, so besides the standard mexican dishes, you can get things like burritos with sticky rice, chicken teriyaki tacos, and so on. When we were there, a japanese family was eating in the back (and not having mexican food), so if you feel courageous, you can probably get some homestyle japanese food as well, but when you can try the fusion stuff, there is no need. Hidden jem.
4. Shogun Japanese Cuisine
Overall Ratings
3 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By AdventureMonkey12
I am a Sushi snob. There is no such thing as average sushi it's either good, great,amazing,spectacular or horrible. Shogun is good. Considering that Salinas is probably the worst city in California for food. Shogun is a diamond in the rough. We went to Kokoroo down the street once and it is absolute garbage. I have no idea why anyone would go there when they could go to Shogun. Unfortunately we live in the area right now and will definitely be returning to Shogun.
Where to eat Cafe food in Salinas: The Best Restaurants and Bars
3. Gold Leaf Spice & Teas, Inc
22 ft Tea Bar with over 320 loose leaf teas. You may purchase in bulk or order an iced or hot tea to drink at the Tea Bar or to take out. Gold Leaf also carries 150 spices and blends. Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oils available. "Enter as Strangers, Leave a
Reviewed By Salinas411
This establishment has a good selection of teas and a nice atmosphere to enjoy them at the 'tea bar'. The owner is very knowledgeable about the product, however, while she was not outright rude, she was not very welcoming. I'm giving this place an average rating because of that. Probably won't go back. Thank you Trish, I am sorry that you did not have a good experience here at Gold Leaf Spice & Teas. Terri MadridOwner
2. Fujiyama Hibachi & Sushi
Overall Ratings
4 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By JOYSKID
Fabulous Japanese food! Clean restaurant. Went here for the soft shell crab tempura dinner and was not disappointed. Generous portions, ample sides (came with salad, soup and rice) and delicious. We also order the shrimp yaki soba (a gluten free choice) and it too came with soup and salad and an assortment of tempura vegetables. More than enough food, all of it fresh and delicious. I highly recommend it
1. Kokoro Sushi
Overall Ratings
4 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By downtowndeb
I am from Spokane and loved lunch so much we ate there two days in a row. Bento lunch box was fabulous tempura, beef teriyaki, miso. Sushi was delicious. Service was great. Can't wait to go visit Salinas again
