Cherishing Tradition in Modern Life

Takara Japanese Steakhouse

Location: 1610 State Route 35, Oakhurst, NJ 07755
Phone: 732-663-1899
Offers: Dine-in, Take out
Cuisine: Japanese Cuisine
Signature Dishes: Spicy 2 in 1, Spicy Girl 
Capacity: 200
Year of Establishment: 2006
Website: www.takarasteakhousenj.com

An eatery with exotic culture and flavor, Takara Japanese Steak House distinguishes itself from its competitors along the boulevard in New Jersey with spaciousness, attention to décor, and unsurpassed expertise in the traditional culinary arts.

Located by the ocean, Takara Japanese Steak House was opened in 2006 and is now in its fourth year of operation. Though less crowded than New York City, this area of New Jersey also thrives and the downtown area is visited by a multitude of tourists annually, especially during summer time.

To entertain both travelers and locals, Takara Japanese Steak House treats them to a visual experience anchored in the beauty of the traditional Japanese décor, and the artistic element present in each dish. It is a manifestation of enthusiasm, hospitality, and festiveness on the part of the hosts—Shiyu Chen as well as his helpful and efficient employees.

Beautiful Tatami Rooms
Upon entering the restaurant, diners will be immersed in Japanese culture. Take the private tatami rooms for example. They differ in size, ranging from intimate to party-sized. The smallest are for couples but the larger ones can seat up to 40. If you aren’t throwing a huge party, any of the three little tatami rooms will be enough to provide you with a fitting dining environment in which to enjoy exquisite Japanese dishes. These tatamis are especially popular with couples and businessmen and anyone else who is looking to dine in a private setting. Birthdays and wedding parties can also be celebrated here, as the large lounge hall can seat about 50. In addition, it also boasts two teppanyaki sections, one big enough to seat 60 and the other 40. In total, Takara Japanese Steak House can easily seat approximately 200 diners.

The owner, Mr. Chen, has proven to be an outstanding businessman and sushi artist.  Years ago he opened similar restaurants in New York’s Chinatown. But, the hustle and bustle and inconvenient traffic just wasn’t what he was looking for. He decided to move to New Jersey where things were more relaxed. As revealed by Mr. Chen, Takara Japanese Steak House is blessed with a quiet environment perfect for a dining experience that will awaken the senses. A meal at Takara is a feast not only for the palate but also for the mind. The serene surroundings and pulsing flavors together create two contrasting energies that guide the diner on a journey of taste and discovery. This journey begins the moment one steps through the door; the rockery and flowing water at the entrance welcoming customers and giving them a hint of what is to come.

Pricing is a key to the success of any restaurant. Therefore Takara Japanese Steak House bases its market position on pricing with long term goals in mind. The prices here are neither too high nor too low, but instead high enough to promise consistency and quality without being pompous. But along with the prices, utmost care must be made to serve the best quality food possible. Recipes are constantly refined with the goal of continuing to bring more exciting tastes to diners.

Customer-driven
Good restaurants cater to the taste and interest of customers of all ages and Takara Japanese Steak House excels in this respect. Besides lunch specials and other combos, there are unique holiday menu items. This approach delivers value through providing what a customer wants instead of what the market as a whole wants. One special included in the menu is called “Spicy-two-in-one”, which was created one day when a customer insisted on ordering a roll made from mixed ingredients found in separate rolls. One more interesting item related to American individualism is “Spicy Girl,” which is named after a female customer who used to dine at the restaurant and always ordered spicy entrees. Customers’ needs dictate what kind of specials and new dishes are placed on the menu. In this way, the food on the dinner table will more accurately reflect current trends in Asian cuisine.

Nowadays, customers aren’t just looking for great food and service, they want to know what they’re eating is made from quality ingredients. Customers dining in Takara Japanese Steak House needn’t worry about this though as most of the ingredients cooked here are shipped directly from Japan. As aforementioned, the owner of this restaurant, Mr. Chen, is also a veteran sushi cook. He is an expert in making top-grade sushi, including picking fresh ingredients, creating attractive colors, and using mild sauces. According to Mr. Chen, food and colors also play a decisive role in maintaining a high customer-retention rate. To accomplish this, they create a host of colorful nori out of soybeans, thus providing a visual feast for diners’ eyes while they watch the delicacies being made. Many customers also take a fancy to a special ice cream roll called “tropical island,” which consists of various delicious fruits rolled up inside a roll.

In running his business, Mr. Chen considers it important to be in tune with the local culture. For example, every year he has the restaurant painted and decorated with the belief that an alluring appearance is necessary to celebrate red letter days. Halloween and Christmas rank as the two biggest days for teenagers, so Mr. Chen and his ingenious chefs ingeniously erect artificial icebergs on the plates and spread sashimi over them. To the children, a dinner here takes them on a thrilling adventurous hunting expedition in snow-covered world. On Valentine's Day, “Taste of Love” is prepared for lovers, for they hold the belief that a romantic dish might usher them on a romantic journey of love. Another offering popular with young lovers is a roll called “Love Sea,” a bamboo tube decorated with flowers containing crab meat, salad, mango, eel, and more.

Part of the Community
The global economic downturn inevitably had a negative impact on the catering industry in New Jersey. However, Takara Japanese Steak continues to enjoy good business because of the support of its long-time customers and regulars. Mr. Chen stops by the restaurant a lot, taking time to not only speak with the staff but also chat with the diners, thus cultivating friendships with many of the patrons. The staff is quite international with employees hailing from Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam among others. With their help, Mr. Chen has transformed his business,  from a common restaurant into a popular eatery frequently visited by both locals and tourists. They are also a part of the community, working together with schools, groups, and golf clubs with the goal of giving back. The ongoing cooperation between the restaurant and the community is one reason why the restaurant has become so popular. Mr. Chen doesn’t believe in complicated equations for success instead he just treats diners like they are his friends. This warm approach has made this restaurant a must try as Takara isn’t only a place to enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine but also a place where one can feel at home.