Tsubaki Japanese Restaurant - Lufkin (TX)

2 /5 Brett Arnold: The food was good, we had Hibachi and sushi/sashmi. We havent been in a while (almost a year) because the food nor the service was good then. I did not receive my sushi/sashmi until everyone else was done with their hibachi, in fact the waitress asked if we needed to go boxes before I even got to eat...not to mention we were not checked on throughout the meal to see how we were doing i.e. refills, or to let me know about a delay on my meal, etc... Im sorry but when Im paying to eat out at any restaurant i shouldnt have to ask for the normal essentials that should be with my meal, for example: soy sauce, a tray for the soy sauce, chop sticks, straws for drinks, etc... All in all it will probably be a long time before we come back to try again! One more thing, it was very cold in there. And as with the other times weve been before, its either extremely hot or cold, depending on the season of course. I did notice as we were leaving. They had space heaters, trying to warm everything up. And not working for mild winter weather.

3 /5 Malorie Atherton: Atmosphere was beautiful and peaceful! Our server was on her fourth day and was still learning! She was very kind! The sushi chef was also very kind! I had a crunch roll and it was good! The calamari was okay, BUT the pieces were HUGE. I ordered the lunch walnut shrimp, and i was expecting something totally different. They were understanding of my goof and took it off our ticket. First visit was okay but we do want to come back to try the hibachi side!

1 /5 Rhonielle Ademolu: We just moved here from Los Angeles and were excited to try hibachi here, but this was honestly a very disappointing experience. After we were seated, we waited about 15 minutes before anyone even acknowledged us—while a family seated after us was helped immediately. The hostess eventually noticed we hadn’t been served and took our drink order, but the drinks never came. When my husband flagged down another waitress, she seemed reluctant and told us she had to re-enter the drink order because it was never submitted. From there, everything stayed slow, and we were repeatedly ignored while other tables around us received prompt service and attention. The difference in how we were treated was obvious and made us feel like second-class customers. We won’t be returning. If I could leave 0 stars, I would.

1 /5 Taryn Chambliss: Unfortunately, our experience was disappointing due to the service. Our server was not very friendly and made us feel rushed. She brought us the check before all of our food had even come out, which made it feel like we were being pushed out rather than welcomed. The lack of attentiveness really took away from what could have been an enjoyable dining experience. It was our first time there. Definitely won’t be going back.

5 /5 Matthew Yelick: If you’re anywhere near Lufkin, Texas, do yourself a favor and stop by Tsubaki Japanese Restaurant—this place sets the standard for what great sushi and hibachi should be. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels warm, welcoming, and genuinely authentic. The staff is attentive without being overbearing, and everything from the décor to the presentation screams quality. But the real stars of the experience are the chefs. Sushi Master Audi is in a league of his own. Every roll is crafted with precision, balance, and creativity. The fish is unbelievably fresh, the cuts are perfect, and the flavors are clean and bold. You can tell he takes pride in every plate that leaves his station. If you’re a sushi lover, Audi will absolutely ruin every other sushi spot for you within a 3 hour radius—in the best way . On the hibachi side, Ive heard Chef Wong brings pure entertainment and skill to the table. His timing, techniques, and showmanship keep you smiling the whole time, and the food itself is phenomenal—tender steak, perfectly seared shrimp, vegetables cooked just right, and fried rice that hits every note. He’s fast, funny, and really knows how to create a great hibachi experience.