Louisville’s Best Sushi Is Hiding in a Shopping Center (and the Prices Will Surprise You)

Sometimes, the best meals come from unexpected places. I love stumbling upon a hole-in-the-wall cafe, food truck, or strip mall restaurant with an understated presence but incredible food. I recently experienced a strip mall surprise in my hometown, and I can’t wait to return. Sakura Blue is a Japanese and sushi restaurant in a strip mall in Louisville, with amazing food.

One recent early afternoon, after doing some shopping in Shelbyville Road Plaza, I had worked up quite an appetite. I spotted Sakura Blue in the shopping center and looked up the menu. I saw that it had a lunch menu with very reasonably priced meals and headed inside. An attentive waitperson let me choose from the available tables and quickly brought me a menu and a glass of ice water. I hadn’t had sushi in years and decided to ease back into the scene with a California roll. Because I couldn’t resist, I also ordered the Chicken Teriyaki lunch meal. 

Within seconds, a person delivered the salad that came with my meal. The lettuce was fresh and crisp, and the ginger dressing was bright, flavorful, and slightly sweet. Before I could even finish the salad, the rest of the food arrived.

The California roll had eight generously sized pieces, and the Chicken Teriyaki was fresh and piping hot. It came with a mound of perfectly cooked white rice and a chicken stir-fry with broccoli, carrots, onions, and mushrooms. The teriyaki sauce was thick and rich, but not too sweet. I felt like a queen with so much delicious food laid out before me.

As I enjoyed my meal, I took in the restaurant's layout and decor. The small restaurant has a narrow street presence, but has floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with natural light. Inside, there are rows of wooden tables and booths. In the back of the restaurant, a large sushi bar had chefs diligently preparing food for waiting diners and take-out.

Although I gave it my best effort, I couldn't finish everything I ordered. I packed up my leftovers and vowed to return soon. I enjoyed Sakura Blue's friendly, prompt service, calming atmosphere, and mouthwatering food. There are many menu items I'd like to try, including the hibachi dinners, fried rice, and ramen dishes. The Spicy Seafood Ramen and Chicken Yakisoba sound delicious. There are also many intriguing sushi rolls, such as the Surf & Turf with fried lobster, spicy crab, and steak, and the Thunder Over Louisville, which includes fried shrimp, avocado, and tuna.

For more information and to make a reservation, visit Sakura Blue's Facebook page. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

There are many reasons to visit Louisville, Kentucky. The city has fantastic museums, restaurants, and nature activities. It's also a great starting point for an adventure, and there are several easy day trips from Louisville. These include the Kentucky Horse Park, Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, and Mammoth Cave National Park.

If you're interested in planning a getaway to Louisville, consider staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Louisville Northeast. This excellent hotel has an indoor swimming pool, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a fitness center.