In an unexpected location that might be the last place you’d guess for an authentic Japanese dining experience, Sakura has opened in Givat Shmuel, bringing cherry blossoms, sake, and traditional Japanese cuisine to this quiet residential neighborhood near Bar Ilan University.
A Japanese Oasis in Givat Shmuel#
Linon Buzaglo, the visionary behind Sakura, decided to bring everything he loves about Japanese culinary culture to Givat Shmuel. To make the unconventional connection clear even before guests taste the first dish, he designed the restaurant as a blooming Japanese boulevard, complete with cherry blossom trees, black doors, and gold walls that create a striking contrast with the pink springtime atmosphere.
“I want to create a surprise effect when people enter here, and give an experience that is as far as possible from where we are - a pleasant residential neighborhood in Givat Shmuel,” Buzaglo explains about the surprising spot. “The design immediately transports you to the atmosphere, the lounge music takes you into the nightlife world, and then you receive the menu and understand that Japan is here - in the dishes, in the ingredients, and in the presentation aesthetics.”
Authentic Japanese Cuisine#
When considering the concept, an immediate concern arises - the location is Givat Shmuel, meaning kosher food, so how can the deep connection to Japan be maintained in spirit, approach, and food? The good news is that there’s no compromise here because the menu is based on vegetables, quality fish, and rice prepared in various traditional methods.
To ensure this connection happens in the best possible way, Chef Elhanan Filipson, who specializes in Japanese cuisine, is responsible for execution. Filipson has been conducting boutique chef dinners based on sushi and traditional Japanese dishes for years.
Menu Highlights#
Filipson brings his rich experience to Sakura with a precise, unpretentious sushi menu that keeps the focus on the fish and rice cooked with vinegar and mirin - exactly as in Japan. The menu features:
- Traditional Sushi: Expertly crafted with fresh fish and perfectly seasoned rice
- Mochi Desserts: Traditional Japanese rice cakes
- Sake Selection: Authentic Japanese rice wine
- Vegetarian and Vegan Options: The vegetable-based menu ensures plant-based diners find their favorites
Design and Atmosphere#
The cherry blossom (sakura) trees are an integral part of the experience, creating an immersive environment that transports diners from a Givat Shmuel residential neighborhood to a Japanese springtime street. The lounge music and carefully curated aesthetic complete the transformation.
Significance for the Japanese Community#
Sakura represents an important development for Japanese food culture in Israel:
Authentic Representation: The restaurant demonstrates a commitment to authenticity rather than fusion or adaptation, maintaining traditional Japanese cooking methods and presentation.
Kosher Japanese Dining: By maintaining kosher standards while preserving Japanese culinary traditions, Sakura bridges two cultures and makes authentic Japanese cuisine accessible to the observant Jewish community.
Cultural Education: Beyond serving food, Sakura introduces diners to Japanese aesthetic principles - from the cherry blossom design to the precise presentation of each dish.
Asian Culinary Presence: The restaurant strengthens the visibility of Asian cuisine in Israel beyond the typical Chinese and Thai offerings, showcasing the sophistication of Japanese dining culture.
For the Asian diaspora in Israel, particularly the Japanese community and Japanese cuisine enthusiasts, Sakura offers a taste of home and cultural connection in an unexpected but welcoming location.
Source: Channel 13 - Cherry Blossoms, Sake and Mochi: New Japanese Bar Near Bar Ilan University
