The wait is finally over—Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar is officially opening its doors to its much highly anticipated location in El Dorado Hills. The newest location for the local restaurant group opened its doors for a soft launch Monday and Tuesday and will officially open with full operations this Wednesday, bringing its signature Japanese cuisine to El Dorado Hills Town Center.
Located at 4361 Town Center Blvd, Suite 111, the new Mikuni marks a milestone not only for the restaurant group but also for the local community—this is the very first Mikuni location to open in El Dorado County.
With an enthusiastic “Let’s Go!” shared by Chief Dreaming Officer Taro Arai on social media, Mikuni made its quiet debut in a space formerly occupied by Aji Japanese Bistro. That restaurant, a local favorite for over a decade, closed last May due to rising operational costs.
Bringing Mikuni to El Dorado Hills has been a long-standing dream for Arai, who has spent more than 15 years working to make it happen. After years of negotiation and searching for the right location, a deal was finally struck in 2024 with El Dorado Hills Town Center.
“This endeavor represents a significant milestone for us as we continue our mission of delivering exceptional Japanese cuisine and unparalleled dining experiences to communities across Northern California,” said Arai.
The El Dorado Hills opening brings Mikuni’s total number of restaurants to 10 across the Sacramento region. For years, El Dorado Hills residents have driven to Folsom or Fair Oaks to enjoy Mikuni’s famous sushi rolls and Japanese dishes. Now, with a local location, those same diners have a much more convenient option.
“Folsom is so successful, and that restaurant was too small,” Arai shared in a previous Folsom Times interview when they announced the expansion to El Dorado Hills.. “That was a mistake I made when we opened in Folsom.”
Founded in 1987 in Fair Oaks, Mikuni has grown into one of Northern California’s most beloved restaurant brands. Arai, who affectionately refers to himself as Mikuni’s “Chief Dreaming Officer,” has long been a trailblazer in the local culinary scene. He’s also known for his community spirit and philanthropy—raising hundreds of thousands of dollars through creative campaigns like the “Rescue Roll” in times of disaster.
“This is such an exciting addition to our community,” said Debbie Manning, CEO and President of the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled to welcome Mikuni into Town Center as a restaurant business partner. Their successful history of serving exceptional Japanese cuisine will benefit the community greatly.”
Earlier this year, Mikuni was acquired by Vanshow California, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Pan Pacific International Holdings. Despite the acquisition, Mikuni emphasized that it will remain locally operated, with the Arai family continuing to lead day-to-day management.
“We want to emphasize that Mikuni’s heart and soul will remain true as we live by our mission to be the most loving and loved company in the world,” Arai said in a statement. The acquisition is expected to help fuel Mikuni’s longtime expansion goal of 50 locations by its 50th anniversary.
With the soft opening now underway, Mikuni El Dorado Hills is welcoming diners for an early look at its newest location. Full operations will continue to ramp up in the coming days, offering everything from the beloved Fair Oaks Roll to inventive creations inspired by Arai’s culinary imagination.
For more information and updates, visit www.mikunisushi.com or follow Mikuni on social media.
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