Japanese Express Introduce
For those in the heart of North Carolina, particularly within the bustling community of Sanford, a craving for quick, flavorful, and satisfying Japanese cuisine often leads to Japanese Express. This local establishment has been serving the area for quite some time, becoming a familiar name for residents seeking hearty hibachi-style meals and other Japanese favorites. While it's known for its efficiency and generous portions, Japanese Express offers a distinct experience for anyone looking for a convenient and tasty meal on the go or a casual dine-in option in Sanford.
Japanese Express is strategically located in Sanford, North Carolina, making it a convenient stop for many local residents. You can find this Japanese restaurant at:
1129 Spring Ln, Sanford, NC 27330, USA
The address on Spring Lane places Japanese Express in an accessible part of Sanford. While some customers note it can be "easy to miss with Google" and recommend checking a map, its location generally allows for straightforward access for those driving. As a local establishment, it's typically positioned for easy entry and exit, supporting quick visits for takeout or a comfortable, open dining experience for those who choose to eat in. The convenience of its location makes it a practical choice for a quick lunch during a workday or a no-fuss dinner after a busy day, fitting seamlessly into the daily routines of Sanford residents.
Japanese Express specializes in providing quick and satisfying Japanese meals, primarily focusing on hibachi-style dishes. Their services cater to both dine-in and takeout preferences, making it a versatile option for locals.
- Dine-In Service: The restaurant offers an open dining area with plenty of seating, providing a comfortable space for customers to enjoy their meals.
- Takeout Service: A significant portion of their business appears to be takeout, catering to those who prefer to enjoy their food at home or on the go. Customers note that takeout orders are promptly prepared and include necessary accompaniments like extra sauce.
- Hibachi-Style Meals: The core of their menu revolves around hibachi dishes, which typically include a choice of protein (like chicken, steak, or shrimp), served with fried rice and vegetables.
- Popular Carrots: Their carrots are a standout item, frequently praised by customers for their wonderful flavor.
- Tea Included with Lunch Specials: Traditionally, their lunch specials have included tea, adding to the value of the meal.
Japanese Express has several key features and highlights that contribute to its popularity among locals in Sanford.
- Delicious Food Quality: Overall, the food is described as "excellent" and "wonderful," with particular emphasis on the deliciousness of their carrots. The quality of the main hibachi components, such as the rice, is also positively noted.
- Generous Portions: Patrons consistently highlight the significant amount of food received, often stating that they "get a lot of food." This generous portion size, especially the rice component, makes it a satisfying and filling meal.
- Reasonable Pricing: Many customers appreciate the "very reasonable prices," which contributes to the overall value proposition of Japanese Express.
- Prompt and Friendly Service: The staff is generally described as "helpful and friendly," and the service is noted to be "prompt," which is ideal for those seeking a quick meal.
- Attention to Takeout Orders: For takeout customers, the restaurant ensures that "everything needed including extra sauce" is provided, indicating attention to detail and customer satisfaction.
- Consistent Local Favorite: Despite some recent concerns regarding pricing transparency, Japanese Express has a history of being a "favorite place in Sanford" for many long-time customers, showcasing its enduring appeal.
Based on the provided information, the area of promotions and special offers at Japanese Express in Sanford, NC, appears to be a point of some recent customer concern regarding transparency. Historically, Japanese Express has offered "lunch specials" that were a significant draw due to their pricing, which included fried rice, zucchini, onion, sweet carrots, shrimp sauce, and sweet or unsweet tea. However, recent reviews indicate inconsistencies in advertised pricing versus actual in-restaurant pricing for these specials.
While older references might show lunch specials at a lower price, and some online menus may display different figures, the actual price experienced by a recent customer was closer to $10.50, compared to previously advertised lower rates. This suggests that current pricing for lunch specials might be higher than what some older or less updated online sources indicate.
It is important for local users to be aware that while lunch specials exist and typically include tea, there might be discrepancies in advertised prices. Therefore, to get the most accurate and up-to-date information on any promotions or special offers, it is highly recommended to:
- Inquire Directly: Call the restaurant at (919) 774-5955 or +1 919-774-5955 to confirm current lunch special pricing and what is included.
- Check In-Restaurant Pricing: If dining in, look for any posted pricing for specials or ask a staff member before ordering to avoid surprises.
Despite these recent pricing concerns, the inherent value of the generous portions and the inclusion of tea with specials still offers a compelling reason to consider Japanese Express for a reasonably priced meal.
For inquiries, takeout orders, or to learn more about Japanese Express, you can reach them using the following contact details:
Address: 1129 Spring Ln, Sanford, NC 27330, USA
Phone: (919) 774-5955
Mobile Phone: +1 919-774-5955
For the residents of Sanford, North Carolina, Japanese Express remains a highly suitable and popular choice for a convenient and satisfying Japanese meal, despite some recent operational points. Its appeal primarily stems from its consistently delicious food, particularly the much-loved carrots and flavorful fried rice, which form the heart of their generous hibachi portions. Customers appreciate that they receive a substantial amount of food for their money, often enough for two meals, making it a valuable option for both individual diners and families. The friendly and helpful staff, coupled with prompt service, ensures a pleasant experience, whether dining in or opting for takeout. While there have been some recent concerns regarding the transparency of lunch special pricing and the provision of included items like tea without prompting, the core strengths of Japanese Express — excellent food quality, ample portions, and overall reasonable pricing — continue to make it a favored spot. For locals seeking a reliable, tasty, and quick Japanese meal in Sanford, Japanese Express provides a solid and enduring option that delivers on flavor and value, reinforcing its position as a true community staple.
Japanese Express Photos










Japanese Express Location
Japanese Express Reviews
I've been coming here on and off since they opened. (Moreso pre-Covid, but that was a lifestyle change) The food is wonderful, especially the carrots. You get a lot of food; about 60% is rice. My issues is that the current pictures of the menu showed lunch special at $5.84. The menu information (that says updated 1 day ago as of this writing) says $6.99. Their actual website menu says $10.38. There are no prices posted for lunch specials in the actual restaurant. The woman ringing up said "Around $10.50". This is b.s. to me. I think they are doing this so they can just charge whatever they want for the lunch special at any given time. She also did not give the cups for tea until she was reminded that the special actually comes with tea. Disappointed today. This used to be one of my favorite places in Sanford.
Apr 18, 2025 · Alotta HeartThe food is excellent with very reasonable prices. Staff is helpful and friendly. Service is prompt. My to-go order had everything I needed including extra sauce. Seating is plenty with an open dining area. I like this place. One note: it's easy to miss with google. Look at the map.
Apr 06, 2025 · Bill BondI used to really enjoy the food here, but I went in yesterday to get food and had to wait on the server to take my order since apparently being on her phones more important than the customer. Then to top it off she messed up my order, apparently her names Belinda according to my receipt. I came back in to get it fixed since I asked for teriyaki chicken, not hibachi steak, and she wanted to argue saying that she did my order right, I guess her phones more important than her job, so disrespectful. Luckily I was able to get my meal right going somewhere else.
Jan 27, 2025 · Billy TaylorThe food is amazing. Kids portions are big too. You’ll walk away satisfied. The other views are just way too picky. This is a 5 star food place for sure.
Apr 22, 2023 · Amber ShawFood was good and delivered fast. The white sauce was very good as well; they give you a whole bottle so you can go to town with it.Definitely easy to miss though, as it's hidden in a small shopping center.
Mar 15, 2020 · Drew Carter
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