6 Best Japanese Restaurants near South Pasadena

“Very nice little whole in the wall restaurant! Service is very attentive. For starters, I like ordering their edamame or takoyaki. Their chicken katsu with curry is my go to plate here because it's very filling with decent sized portions.“

“I like this location more than Little Tokyo due to distance and ease of parking. They both aren't that much different to each other, but there's a few differences. Parking: no seriously, you don't have to struggle to find parking here. They share a huge lot behind the plaza so parking is a breeze. No struggling to find a space when you're in DTLA Indoor seating isn't as big at the OG spot, but it doesn't feel as outdated and rundown. Food is pretty good here. The 3 hand roll set is enough to fill me up, but I was hungry and opted for 5. The unagi and the snow crab are pretty good. The reg hand rolls like the salmon and spicy tuna deserve an honorable mention. Portion sizes are fair and you get an equal rice:protein ratio. Service is good. Would return again“

“OVERALL EXPERIENCE: Quality of sushi is fresh!AMBIANCE: Casual. Noise level is average.DRESS CODE: CasualORDERED: Typically order sushi, chirashi, dinner combos, hand rolls. My family would come here often pre-pandemic. I noticed that the sushi rice on their chirashi wasn't as flavorful as before (there used to be more furikake, which I feel set them apart from other restaurants).SERVICE: Service was great!PRICE: ~ $25+ppPARKING: street parking, small lot next to Gus' BBQ, or in the back (off Hope St.) stars stars stars“

“Solid ramen spot in South Pasadena, great, attentive, chill service on a stormof a Sunday, served food nearly after I placed my order, reasonable prices for portions given, generous on your chashu pork & kimchi for kimchi ramen, appreciate they saved me from overeating & just took the small portion of food I wasn’t able to finish. Broth & noodles were warm with good texture on the noodles. Didn’t even ask for a tip, pleasant surprise beyond the meal before I took off. Ambiance is definitely relaxed and they maintain a clean restroom if you need to use it of course. -would give business again“

“This will be the only poke salad place that always meets or exceeds my expectations. I have been to other poke places, but nothing compares the selection of their sauces/dressings. Ambiance is nice and cute and always clean. Service is mostly great I however encounter staff that seem "just too over it" like they don't like seeing people walk in. I get it. Probably too tired and just wanna get paid and go home.“

“Food is outstanding. Been a fan since the late 90's. Their Nabeyaki Udon is the best I have ever eaten. If you want it the way it is served in Japan, ask them to use a fresh, rather than hardboiled, egg. To go food can be frustrating. If they say 30 minutes, figure at least an hour.“