Full Steam Ahead for Sakai Sushi Train as Doors Open Tomorrow

The train is a-comin to town.

Bellevue’s newest restaurant, Sakai Sushi Train and Grill, is set to open its doors tomorrow, Tuesday, February 13, at 11:00 am. Owners of the restaurant called the first few days of operation a soft opening, where their team can serve customers while working out any kinks in daily operations.

Sakai Sushi Train and Grill’s Grand Opening is scheduled for 5:00 pm on Sunday, February 18. The grand opening will feature a ribbon cutting with the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. The owners have also planned a ceremonial Dragon Dance. Co-owner Son Sean explained that performing a Dragon Dance during festivals and celebrations drives away evil spirits and ushers in good luck and blessings for the community.”

Sakai’s Sushi Train and Grill is connected to the business next door, Thirst Teas. Both enterprises are a collaboration of multiple groups with some of the same investors in each group. The groups work so closely together that both businesses will share a common entrance. One of the owners, Johnny Shi, also owns the popular Dragon Cafe in La Vista, which he has run for the past twenty years.

Sean said that ‘Sakai’ is a city located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It has been one of the largest and most important seaports of Japan since the medieval era. The word ‘Sakai’ is also associated with a 14th-century Japanese samurai clan.

The concept of what is sometimes known as conveyor belt sushi originated in Japan, with the first sushi train restaurant opening in Osaka in 1958. The idea gained popularity and spread across Japan, eventually leading to hundreds of sushi train-style restaurants. The concept spread and made its way to the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Sakai Sushi Train and Grill is the only one in Bellevue and only the second in the Omaha-Metro. “We are an innovative and tech-interactive Japanese restaurant. With the innovative system that combines advance technology, premium ingredients, and affordable prices to enhance the unique dining experience,” Sean said. “There’s a continuously rotating conveyor that offers small, color-coordinated plates. Each plate color represents a different sushi roll or small bites and price point. There’ll also be a tablet on each table where the guest can order directly from the kitchen. Certain sushi rolls and kitchen appetizers will then be sent directly to your table on a separate, second-tier train. Other options like ramen and items off of the Chinese menu will be brought out by the server. We will also have specialty cocktails developed just for the restaurant.”

Beginning on opening day, Sakai Sushi Train will commence with its regular days and hours of operation. They are open seven days a week. Sundays from 11:30 am-9:30 pm, Mondays-Thursdays from 11:00 am-9:30 pm, and Fridays-Saturdays from 11:00 am-10:30 pm. Sakai Sushi Train is located in Richmont Pointe II, 555 Cornhusker Road, Suite 204. The location is near the intersection of Fort Crook Road S and Cornhusker Road and right next door to Makovika Physical Therapy.

Sakai Sushi Train said they are always looking for servers. Anyone interested can reach out directly through their social media pages on Facebook or Instagram. They can also e-mail directly to [email protected]

Some Pictures Provided by Sakai Sushi Train and Grill