Arizona has lost another beloved independent restaurant with the closing of Samurai in Tucson. The North Oracle Road Japanese restaurant served its final customers on October 25, 2026, ending a 40-year run in the community.
Samurai operated at 3912 North Oracle Road and built its reputation without an elaborate dining room or fine-dining ceremony. It was a casual, neighborhood place where customers could stop for a quick lunch, an affordable dinner or a familiar takeout order.
A wide Japanese menu under one roof
The kitchen covered an unusually broad range of everyday Japanese favorites. Customers could choose ramen, sushi, curry, teppan dishes, donburi rice bowls, bento meals and noodle plates rather than being limited to a single specialty…