Izakaya Restaurants near Pasadena, CA

“This place was awesome. the fish was extremely good and the service was fast. I'm not sure why it is rated so poorly, but I had a wonderful experience here and I would definitely return if I lived in the area!“

“Budonoki is a very special place. Food is innovative and exceptionally delicious. Wide assortment of flavors, ingredients and textures. We tried an assortment of plates and all were delicious. Excellent service. A warm and inviting environment where guests are treated like family.“

“Everything was perfect, fave drink was lychee martini and in the morning strawberry matcha. For dinner we loved the rib eye, ceviche, tuna tartar and chicken the most. The Caesar salad was unique and I really enjoyed it. Miso eggplant also great! We were so full and didn’t think we could eat any more but The sorbet at the end was delicious, super light and refreshing. Service was friendly, atmosphere very pretty.“

“Bomb sushi!!!! Everything was wonderful, can’t say anything bad. Good rolls and gotta try the crispy rice for an appetizer😀“

“I’m from Japan, and the food at this place rivals most good restaurants in Japan. The sushi/sashimi quality is out of this world and the sushi chefs behind the counter are generous with the cuts of fish. Also a really great mix of appetizers, shareable plates, and bigger family-style meals with high quality meats and fish. The sake list is also very high quality and not too expensive. HIGHLY recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a place to eat some authentic, high quality Japanese food whilst in Little Tokyo.“

“Sashimi is fresh. Grilled items are tasty. Good selection of sake. And the service is very good. Thank you, Nathan.“

“😘😘😘😘😘The taste is very good.“

“I've been a few times. I don't think I've encountered a dish I didn't like. The yakitori selection is solid. My favorites are chicken skin and hearts. If you see gizzard skins on the socials menu, definitely add an order. Also, the Mac'n' cheese is delicious. Udon, tempura and sushi are solid as well.

Parking: There is parking validation“

“Oto-Oto is exceptional in every way. The food is fantastic and considering the quality, reasonably priced. The presentation of the food is beautiful without being over the top. The staff is friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and timely without being intrusive. The chefs are professional trained sushi chefs. The atmosphere is lovely, warm, and interesting-- note the giant bonsho (bell) hanging from the cool, high open ceiling and the display of bottles at the bar for example. It is quiet so you can hear yourselves talk. It stays busy without ever feeling cramped or rushed. If you look at the clientele, you will know it is a top-notch place because they are locals and people who keep coming back time and time again -- the staff recognizes and remembers them and there are warm exchanges between them.We often get take-out and one night I sat and just observed the interplay of staff -- it was like watching a beautiful dance as they wove in and out -- making drinks, taking orders, delivering food, and the chefs with hands flying as they made dish after dish and without breaking stride, they smiled through it all - it was better than watching most of what is on television. We love Oto-Oto in every way and highly recommend it.

Parking: Big lot“

“Pretty decent yakitori spot. Think its a little overhyped. Ordered a couple of skewers. Nothing too memorable. Perhaps it's the skewers I selected.
Ordered Mexican jumbo shrimp, hamachi, mushrooms, shishito Peppers, blackened fried crab roll, and broccoli.
Not certain I like this place enough to return.“

“4.5 ⭐️s for overall experience! My friend, her kids, and I enjoyed our meal in mostly every way - flavors, service, and cleanliness. The house salad was healthy (not just iceberg lettuce) and had a generous portion for one person. My friend said it was super delicious - Sunset roll, blue crab roll, and miso black cod were on point flavor wise. Only negatives were that the seaweed was a bit chewy (not super tough though) and the soup slightly salty. The staff was kind, friendly, attentive, and patient - hard to come by these days. Prices are reasonable and I plan to come back. Parking is tougher at times in this plaza, but at some point, you'll find a spot.“

“A hidden gem in Montrose. Very good food, attentive service, reasonable price.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had an incredible dining experience largely thanks to our server and general manager, Savior. He made us feel welcome and truly immersed us in the culture behind the cuisine. Each dish was insanely delicious thoughtfully made and presented to perfection! The sashimi and any skewer on the menu are a must.

Savior took the time to explain the menu in a way that honored the traditions for each dish. His passion for the food and the overall experience made our meal feel special.

I can’t recommend him and this restaurant enough. If you’re looking for a fantastic meal paired with genuine hospitality, you have to try Taberu!“

“The flavors of all the food was amazing.... everything on the menu was intriguing , I wish I tried it all!“

“Great location on the 2nd floor of the Weller Court shopping center! They validate parking and have very fast service. You can order 50% off the regular menu or do all you can eat sushi. I opted for the premium all you can eat sushi and it was pretty good! I love the box they presented the premium items in! You gotta try them out!“

“The best everything…so, Go!“

“Moxie is a great place for family and friends to hang out. Outdoor seating is cool and comfy. Super yummy food by Japanese Chef. Staffs are super nice and helpful too. They sanitize before seating the customers. They even prepare small bottle of hand sanitizer on every table which customers can bring home. During COVID, they have continous deals such as AYCE before, and now $1 skewer. It's a 'must try' dining. A cool place to chill. Highly recommended.“

“I’ve tried several Shin-Sen-Gumi locations, and this one is definitely my favorite! The tall ceilings paired with lantern decorations make you feel like you’ve stepped into Japan.

The chefs prepare piping hot skewers of delicious barbecue right on the spot, and the passionate, attentive service left a great impression on us.

This restaurant is well-known for its grilled skewers, so we ordered tender and perfectly cooked beef chunks, flavorful chicken meatballs, and fresh jumbo scallops — all of which were absolutely delicious!

As for the udon, I found the soup base a bit on the sweeter side for my taste, but the stir-fried udon had a wonderfully chewy texture that I really enjoyed!“