Johnny’s a spatula juggler. He has them up in the air, floating like space junk around Earth.

“I’m from Shanghai,” he says.

“Me too,” says Jackie. He’s offering chicken samples to draw customers in.

“I’m from Canton,” says Li Jing Yue.

Li Jing Yue

He’s loading up my polystyrene lunch box with rice and teriyaki chicken.

Actually, this is a Japanese place. Sarku Japan, 7007 Friars Road, Fashion Valley, Suite 935, 619-296-5622.

And, looks like I fell into another franchise. No, it gets worse: the blurb says it’s the “largest quick-service restaurant operator in the United States,” with “over 20 million customers annually at more than 200 locations nationwide.”

Never heard of them. Where have I been? Asleep in my cave? Has to be a made-for-mall creation, and Fashion Valley ain’t usually my thing.

Just here looking for a little pocket camera. (You can see by these pix. Ancient one I got ain’t the greatest. Especially after I dropped it running for a bus.)

First, popped into the FV food court, gathered wits, energized. Eight places. But Jackie was handing out samples at the entrance. Teriyaki chicken...what can you say? I walk in.

They have sushi and other dishes, but the chicken-teriyaki special looks like their main thing. I get a box of it, $6.24 after tax.

Man. There’s lots. I sit outside at a table and chow down.

The greatest I’ve ever chopsticked into my maw? Probably not, but it’s a deal, specially for the mall.

And, bottom line, a filler...tasty filler for a hungry feller.