JACKSON COUNTY, MI – Victor Taihuttu wanted to bring a different kind of cuisine to Jackson County, so he opened a restaurant that offers hibachi, sushi and Thai food.
Taihuttu opened Sakura in November 2022 in the former Northwest Coney Island location after it closed last summer.
Related: Sign on the door signals permanent closure of Northwest Coney Island
Taihuttu had worked in several restaurants as a chef, but when he and his wife found out they were expecting their now 15-month-old daughter, he said he decided to open his own restaurant so he could focus on being a great dad.
Sakura specializes in Japanese and Thai food.
The Drunken Noodles, a Thai dish, have become a favorite menu item, he said. The meal comes with noodles, eggs, bell peppers, onions, a sweet brown sauce and a choice of tofu, chicken, beef or shrimp.
“Everybody that feels adventurous, they will ask, ‘What is it?’ (Thai Food), and then I would tell them to try the Drunken Noodles,” Taihuttu said.
Specialty sushi rolls, such as the Yum-Yum Roll, are popular as well, he said. The roll is made with crabmeat, cream cheese, avocado and cucumber and deep fried and topped with spicy crab meat.
The Hibachi, known for its big portions, has stayed as a top seller, as it is something most people are familiar with, Taihuttu said. The fried rice dish usually comes with a choice of protein, vegetables and some ramen noodles on the side, he said.
“That was the concept from the beginning,” Taihuttu said. “Sometimes they order one food and they split it with somebody else or they take it home for lunch tomorrow.”
Taihuttu said he loves to host and offer a different style restaurant, and he strives to make it a comfortable atmosphere.
Sakura, 6070 Clinton Road, is open 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
More information can be found be found a Sakura’s website and Facebook page.
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