Beloved SoCal sushi restaurant to close after 45 years

A fan-favorite sushi joint in San Pedro is pulling the plug after 45 years as their owners head into retirement.

The owners of Senfuku Japanese Restaurant –– Helen and Yoshi Kikuchi –– are planning to close the longtime restaurant next Wednesday.

Chef Yoshi Kukuchi Instagtram/ Senfuku
The owners will serve customers for the final time on September 16. Instagtram/ Senfuku
Chef Yoshi Kukuchi has been serving customers for 45 years. Instagtram/ Senfuku

“For 45 years, Senfuku was so much more than a Japanese sushi restaurant. It was our second home. It was where we spent our days, celebrated special moments, made lifelong friendships, and watched so many of you become part of our family,” the restaurant posted on Instagram.

“Thank you for welcoming us all in to Senfuku to share good food, drinks, and conversation with your family. We will miss you but congratulations on your retirement!” one user commented.

Senfuku first opened in 1974 before moving to its current location on 380 W 6th Street in 1982.

Senfuku first opened in 1974 before moving to its current location on 380 W 6th Street in 1982. Instagtram/ Senfuku

The Japanese eatery sells different types of sushi rolls, sashimi and other combination sets including chicken and beef teriyaki.

“There were many, many customers who became friends and we went to their celebrations, and they came to our celebrations. I’m going to miss them all,” Helen Kikuchi told ABC 7.

The restaurant welcomed some big-name diners over the years, including writer Charles Bukowski.

Helen Kikuchi spoke to ABC 7.
A sushi platter posted on Senfuku’s Instagram Instagtram/ Senfuku

While Senfuku normally opens from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the restaurant will serve customers until 10 p.m. for their final day on September 16.

Most recently, another popular and longtime Japanese sushi spot was closed down.

Ta-Ke Sushi in Los Angeles was forced to shut down in April after 43 years of operations due to a mixed-use development project. The restaurant served as one of the area’s first sushi restaurants outside of Little Tokyo.

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