Senfuku Japanese Restaurant, a fixture in San Pedro for 45 years, will close its doors next Wednesday as owners Helen and Yoshi Kikuchi head into retirement. The Kikuchis announced their decision to close the beloved eatery, which opened in 1974, via an Instagram post.
"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 post read. The restaurant moved to its current location at 380 W 6th Street in 1982.
Customers have expressed their well wishes and appreciation for the restaurant's long service. "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 on the restaurant's social media.
Helen Kikuchi told ABC 7 that many of her customers became friends over the decades. "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," she said.
Over the years, Senfuku has served a variety of sushi rolls, sashimi, and combination sets, including teriyaki chicken and beef. The restaurant has also hosted notable diners, such as writer Charles Bukowski.
For its final day of service on September 16, Senfuku will extend its hours, serving customers until 10 p.m. Normally, the restaurant is open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The closure follows a trend of long-standing Japanese restaurants closing in the Los Angeles area. Ta-Ke Sushi in Los Angeles closed in April after 43 years in operation due to a mixed-use development project. Ta-Ke Sushi was one of the first sushi restaurants in the area outside of Little Tokyo.