Business

Sushi restaurant opens in Brookdale Square

Jennifer To serves a specialty, the fried Spindale roll.

By Bill Moss, Published: November 15, 2013

Jennifer To and her husband, Xuan Tang, searched for four years for a place in the mountains for a second sushi restaurant.

They traveled as far west as Marshall before an agent recalled a location in Hendersonville. That was where they wanted to be.
The couple opened their Sakura restaurant in Brookdale Square last month.
"We love to be in this area," To said.
The couple has run their first restaurant, in Spindale, for seven years. Sakura has about eight employees, plus the bosses.
"We are always here on site," To said.
The sushi restaurant moved into the space that was occupied for many years by Beef O'Brady's and briefly by South Willy's.
Sakura features raw and cooked sushi, seafood, vegetable, chicken and beef entrees, appetizers, beer and wine and mochi ice cream (strawberry, green tea, chocolate and mango) and cheesecake.
One of their specialties from the original restaurant, the Fried Spindale Roll, includes tempura shrimp, tuna and smoked salmon. It's one of the most popular orders.
When the couple first opened the Spindale restaurant, To said, many local people were reluctant to try sushi. Now, she said, Sakura has lots of regular customers.
"We expect to be growing more" in Hendersonville, she said.

Sakura Japanese Cuisine is in Brookdale Square, 825 Spartanburg Highway. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Prices range from $5.99 for a Teriyaki chicken and broccoli entrée to $11.99 for shrimp and scallops platter. Sushi platters are $14.95 to $24.95. Phone: 828.697.1700.