50 Best Japanese Restaurants near South Pasadena

“I like this katsu place. We also tried the spicy miso ramen. It was good, but quite spicy, so if you can’t handle spicy food, I think it’s better to choose something else. Expect to wait for a while during dinner time. If you order katsu to-go, they will give you the whole set in a bento box.“

“Hot take: way better than Silverlake Ramen down the street. Better portions. Better food. They can easily accommodate my kid’s random eating habits and they have options outside of ramen for that one person in the group that just isn’t in the mood. Staff is nice and attentive without hovering. So happy they’re back open again. The remodel is great! No notes from a design point of view.

Vegetarian options: Vegetarian options and modifications.

Dietary restrictions: That same kid is a vegetarian and they have no issues augmenting things for her.

Parking: Parking is shared with the small shopping center. Plenty.

Kid-friendliness: We always have our kid with us when we eat here. It’s usually her idea.

Wheelchair accessibility: There’s a ramp into the sidewalk. The restaurant isn’t cramped. Plenty of room for a few wheelchairs in there simultaneously.“

“It was a great experience We took our dear granddaughter to celebrate her birthday !!!“

“They have vegan options …memorable onigiri (rice balls), edamame, pickled veggies, seaweed salad, and temaki (hand rolls). Their vegan onigiri keep me coming back! Soooooo good! The spot in Little Tokyo 123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St, Ste 103, Los Angeles, California 90012. Updated from previous review on 2024-11-08“

“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.“

“My experience with the Pokeball was great the only thing that was missing was Ginger for my salad I didn't ask for any but I would have assumed that they would give me at least one to two small packages to go.

Service West okay did they didn't acknowledge me as soon as I got in but it looked like they were a bit busy my visit was about 15 minutes and I took my food to go.

Overall the young lady that was helping me was very kind and attentive.“

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“สนุกสนานอาหารอร่อย บรรยากาศดีมีระดับ“

“I pop in here probably once a week sometimes twice for a glass of wine. The bartenders are very cheerful and informed with respect to varieties and flavors and all the jazz. They walk you through the options and make tip top recommendations. The place is always slammed at night, yet the manager is extremely accommodating and always finds a place for me to chill and savor the weekend ambiance. I’ve never had their food, but it looks delicious. All the servers are friendly and have excellent people skills. The outdoor space is a fun hang too if you have a group. I always feel spoiled here. 5 star experiences.“

“Both dishes were so good! I really liked the way they cooked the Bento- Shio Koji Marinated Norwegian Mackerel. The side dish Side- Chicken Karaage (Mild or Spicy)- had just the right amount of spice (l ordered mild). Overall, this will definitely be my go-to lunch spot now! (Doordash Pickup)“

“Really good food! The manager fit us in even there was an issue with our reservation. He was so sweet. The menu is a bit confusing/overwhelming, but our waiter Nessie knew exactly what we should order and hooked us up. The miso sea bass was incredible.“

“Delicious food. Fast service. Get here early to avoid a long line.“

“If you're looking for the best udon soup in town, look no further! This gem offers a delightful dining experience with its rich, flavorful udon soup that keeps you coming back for more. The teriyaki chicken is a standout, perfectly cooked and bursting with taste. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, enhanced by the charming backdrop of Japanese television, which adds to the authentic feel.

The service is exceptional—super sweet and polite staff made us feel right at home, attending to our needs with genuine care. It's rare to find a place where food, ambiance, and service come together so harmoniously. I absolutely love this place and can't recommend it enough!“

“I didn’t know this place was takeout-only, so when I got there, I had to wait at least 30 minutes because all the other orders had been placed online in advance. I decided to wait, and it turned out to be one of the smartest decisions I’ve made—the wait was absolutely worth it. Their sashimi was incredibly fresh and rich, the seaweed rice was also delicious, and the portions were generous! Considering the high quality of food, the price is fairly reasonable!“

“So strange, when I’m in Hawaii, I plan my hotel to stay next to this place, and plan
Two meals there because I love it so
Much and yet this location is never busy 🤷🏽‍♀️ last time I went in Honolulu, I waited in like for 45 min for lunch . Try this place if you haven’t“

“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.“

“Every dish was delectable, and great service! We all had a fantastic time there! Definitely will be back, and for celebrations.“

“Amazing takeout family meal which features the most flavorful and delicious Char Siu Wagyu Short Rib with fluffy bao. All side dishes are well executed and delectable. One of the best staying at home meals I’ve had! Highly recommend it!“

“I was really craving some fresh sushi one night and this place did not disappoint! Everything was so flavorful, fresh, and delicious.
Definitely one of my favorites was the Sama Hand Roll. I was savoring every bite. I’ve already come back here 3 times and I can’t wait to bring my friends and family to try this place. This is definitely a resturant I recommend.“

“This place is a true culinary delight. The dishes are flavorful and beautifully plated, using fresh ingredients. The staff is friendly and attentive, providing excellent service. The ambiance is warm and inviting, making it ideal for any occasion. I highly recommend this restaurant for a memorable dining experience.“

“Absolute perfection. The food, the service and the atmosphere are outstanding. The most buttery, delicious salmon I’ve ever had…couldn’t stop eating the salmon hand rolls. Every single thing had incredible flavor and melted in your mouth, staring with the garlic edamame. Try it out, you won’t be disappointed.“

“The food here was amazing!!! Super affordable price!! I’ve tried most of the food here. Plus, the food itself will take you back as if ur eating in Myanmar. The service was fast and very friendly. Highly recommend to anyone!! Definitely gonna come back again !!!“

“Tasty bbq take out outside. Amazing desserts to ans friendly staff“

“Salad Dressing is amazing. Parking is horrible. They said 10-15 for my order. 25 minutes and I got a $52 Parking Citation🤬🤬🤬🤬“

“The plant based kaiseki was amazing. Beautifully presented, deliciously seasoned, and well portioned. The hot pot was the biggest of all courses and it was so much food! The black sesame ice cream was surprisingly delicious.

Vegetarian options: The 7 course plant based kaiseki was amazing

Dietary restrictions: Dietary restrictions was the very first question asked!“

“Great rolls. Big selection.... fresh.“

“Exceptional Yakiniku experience! Ben's knowledge and attention to detail made our visit memorable. The premium meat selection is remarkable, particularly the marbled wagyu cuts. The contemporary atmosphere and high-end grills create an elegant setting.“

“Azabu in Whittier was 🔥! Food was fresh and delicious, service was amazing—shoutout to Yuli for taking such great care of us. The ube cheesecake was absolute gas. Only heartbreak? No chocolate cake… guess I’ll have to come back for it. 😉“

“Great service and great food, but even better drinks because of my guy Cash there an extraordinary bartender with requisite taste and such an amazing aura can’t wait to go back and try more of his drinks thank you Cash had a great time!!!“

“The food is all excellent, the service exactly what it should be (neither intrusive or absent), and a wide variety of price points that should satisfy any budget. Highly recommended - We’ll definitely be back! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“so far everything I've tried has been delicious!“

“A true hidden gem that I hope won't be hidden for long. Some of the best poke and handrolls I've had in LA. All very fresh fish, flavorful seasonings, and big portions, especially the huge handrolls. Better than Kazunori. I recommend the blue crab and spicy tuna.“

“good recommmend for eveyone“

“Yes. Very nice servers etc. clean. Yummy food. Usually get beef teriyaki with tempura. Good batter on tempura snd lots of food“

“Good food, portions & service...“

“Its open and they really made sure its safe , service and food perfect . Happy days“

“my experience here is always great, it’s my go to spot for sushi and even though i usually order for delivery, the dine in experience today was amazing with great customer service and equally as amazing food; can’t wait to order from here again!“

“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.“

“This Raman is hands down one of the best!I always get The blaze spicy tonkotsu with extra pork belly, corn, and extra garlic medium 🔥🔥🔥 wish I had a photo for you but it was to yummy I couldn't even wait to take a photo lol worth it to very reasonably priced the place is not fancy. Good service good food.“

“It was very nice. Loved the hellos and thank you for coming. I can’t wait to come back next time I visit the area.“

“Best sushi on the West Side ❤️“

“Just stopped by here for lunch for my kiddos and I and I’m so glad we did it was delicious! I got a teriyaki bowl with veggies. I’ve been to different teriyaki places and this has to be my top favorite now! Very fresh and flavorful the place is very clean Inside, and the employees were very sweet. Definitely give this place a try if you’re craving a teriyaki bowl.“

“Fantastic. Great service and even better sushi.“

“The Japanese, who have lived in the United States all year long, love to make friends“

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

“Solid ramen spot, got the classic ramen recommended by chef as well as their limited time curry ramen. Both options were filling and delicious. I personally prefer the pork belly over charsiu but was surprised they didn’t cut it in half to make it easier to eat this time. Still delicious and would come back when craving a bowl.“

“Kinkan feels like a love letter to flavor. We came to celebrate a friend’s birthday and left feeling nourished in every way. Each dish was beautifully crafted, delicate yet bold. Perfect for a quiet celebration, a romantic date, or a night to remember. A true neighborhood treasure.“

“good for romatic and I recommend here for everyone“

“Delicious food at a reasonable price. I ordered one of the options with multiple handrolls and chefs were attentive enough that they never stacked up, but I somehow always had one in front of me. I'd passed by it without trying it before as we were meeting up with family at another place, but I'm glad we made it back here.“