Traditional Japanese restaurant. Cozy environment. Attentive service. Amazing food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eddie Ouchi
If you are into Japanese sushi, this hidden gem in Pasadena will bring you a smile because food here is so delicious! Service was 5 star service and will be back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tommy Lei Studio
The best kept secret. We love their staff and the food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lamia Lauar
Simply the best all around. I love Matsuri.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
grace p
I had high hopes for Matsuri based on the ambiance and some early reviews, but unfortunately, the experience did not live up to expectations.
First off, the service was unusually slow even though the restaurant was only half full. It took nearly 20 minutes just to get water, and even longer to place our order. When we finally did, the staff seemed rushed and inattentive, forgetting part of our order entirely.
As for the food — it was underwhelming at best. The sushi rice was mushy and warm, and the fish didn’t taste particularly fresh. The “signature rolls” were drowning in sauces, likely to mask the lack of quality. We also ordered a hot dish that came out lukewarm and lacked seasoning.
On top of that, the prices were way too high for the quality. I don’t mind paying premium for exceptional food, but this wasn’t it.
The only saving grace was the interior — the space itself is beautifully designed, and the lighting gives it a nice vibe. But sadly, ambiance alone doesn’t justify a poor dining experience.
I won’t be returning, and I wouldn’t recommend it unless the management makes serious improvements to food quality and staff training.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
MÖzil 99 (Mo)
Delicious Sashimi, Teriyaki, and fried Cod Amazing service Phenomenal experience Would definitely come back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lillian Rhinehart
It feels as though this restaurant has been around for quite some time: the atmosphere, the kind and welcoming staff, the quality, and energy are all sweet! and having their own parking behind the restaurant is great. Wish the sashimi had ginger to refresh between the different fish and flavors, but a small note compared to the overall experience.
Deborah Saito
This is an authentic Japanese restaurant. Owners are from Japan! Great service and delicious food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pearline Lam
Good service. Got parking is a plus. Sushi was ok. The chicken in the udon was dry and tough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Adrienne Quinn
A hidden gem! Their food could be served completely unchanged at a super high end restaurant in Beverly Hills for 5 times the price. We’re lucky to have this place in our backyard.
Went with my mom. We both ordered the chirashi bowl. Excellent. The hostess and chefs were friendly, gracious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sashimi
James Chou
Used to be a nice local restaurant. No it is just okay
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Keanan Block
Unassuming from the outside, but a truly great Japanese restaurant. Great quality on the seafood. The basic chirashi was very good with a fantastic variety of sashimi. I will definitely go for the deluxe next time! Definitely a must order is the Matsuri Gozen. It’s a beautifully organized set meal and the flavors are spot on.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matt Maltese
My first time at Matsuri was about 2.5 years ago sometime in 2022. I now am a regular there and visit them 1-3 times a month. A-Gee, Jun, and Hisashi are not only incredible sushi chefs, but they are incredible people as well. And A-Gee and Jun’s mom is a warm and welcoming owner and host. Matsuri has a sushi bar and a restaurant area which is more often than not filled with patrons - many of whom are regulars. But the real magic is at the sushi bar where you will find amazing conversation with the guys behind the cases as well as the other usuals that visit. Some people I’ve met have been going to Matsuri for over 20+ years. You will always be greeted by a smiling face here. I’ve never been to a sushi spot with so many repeat customers. — aside from the wonderful vibes, the food is incredible. Wonderful traditional and augmented Japanese dishes, excellently prepared nigiri and sashimi, and delicious rolls. My favorites are: oysters (dressed up), shiso hot, fried rock fish, fried life soft shell crab, toro, saba, red snapper, yellowtail, kampachi, uni AND i could go on. Give it a try. You’ll be hooked.
Traditional Japanese restaurant. Cozy environment. Attentive service. Amazing food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you are into Japanese sushi, this hidden gem in Pasadena will bring you a smile because food here is so delicious! Service was 5 star service and will be back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best kept secret. We love their staff and the food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Simply the best all around. I love Matsuri.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I had high hopes for Matsuri based on the ambiance and some early reviews, but unfortunately, the experience did not live up to expectations.
First off, the service was unusually slow even though the restaurant was only half full. It took nearly 20 minutes just to get water, and even longer to place our order. When we finally did, the staff seemed rushed and inattentive, forgetting part of our order entirely.
As for the food — it was underwhelming at best. The sushi rice was mushy and warm, and the fish didn’t taste particularly fresh. The “signature rolls” were drowning in sauces, likely to mask the lack of quality. We also ordered a hot dish that came out lukewarm and lacked seasoning.
On top of that, the prices were way too high for the quality. I don’t mind paying premium for exceptional food, but this wasn’t it.
The only saving grace was the interior — the space itself is beautifully designed, and the lighting gives it a nice vibe. But sadly, ambiance alone doesn’t justify a poor dining experience.
I won’t be returning, and I wouldn’t recommend it unless the management makes serious improvements to food quality and staff training.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Delicious
Sashimi, Teriyaki, and fried Cod
Amazing service
Phenomenal experience
Would definitely come back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It feels as though this restaurant has been around for quite some time: the atmosphere, the kind and welcoming staff, the quality, and energy are all sweet! and having their own parking behind the restaurant is great. Wish the sashimi had ginger to refresh between the different fish and flavors, but a small note compared to the overall experience.
This is an authentic Japanese restaurant. Owners are from Japan! Great service and delicious food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good service. Got parking is a plus. Sushi was ok. The chicken in the udon was dry and tough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
A hidden gem! Their food could be served completely unchanged at a super high end restaurant in Beverly Hills for 5 times the price. We’re lucky to have this place in our backyard.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Went with my mom. We both ordered the chirashi bowl. Excellent. The hostess and chefs were friendly, gracious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sashimi
Used to be a nice local restaurant. No it is just okay
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Unassuming from the outside, but a truly great Japanese restaurant. Great quality on the seafood. The basic chirashi was very good with a fantastic variety of sashimi. I will definitely go for the deluxe next time! Definitely a must order is the Matsuri Gozen. It’s a beautifully organized set meal and the flavors are spot on.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My first time at Matsuri was about 2.5 years ago sometime in 2022. I now am a regular there and visit them 1-3 times a month. A-Gee, Jun, and Hisashi are not only incredible sushi chefs, but they are incredible people as well. And A-Gee and Jun’s mom is a warm and welcoming owner and host. Matsuri has a sushi bar and a restaurant area which is more often than not filled with patrons - many of whom are regulars. But the real magic is at the sushi bar where you will find amazing conversation with the guys behind the cases as well as the other usuals that visit. Some people I’ve met have been going to Matsuri for over 20+ years. You will always be greeted by a smiling face here. I’ve never been to a sushi spot with so many repeat customers. — aside from the wonderful vibes, the food is incredible. Wonderful traditional and augmented Japanese dishes, excellently prepared nigiri and sashimi, and delicious rolls. My favorites are: oysters (dressed up), shiso hot, fried rock fish, fried life soft shell crab, toro, saba, red snapper, yellowtail, kampachi, uni AND i could go on. Give it a try. You’ll be hooked.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cucumber Sunomono, Sashimi, Tuna
Amazing sushi! We really enjoyed our sushi bar experience! Get the Shiso Hot and the golden eye snapper
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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