50 Best Japanese Restaurants near South Pasadena

“Tried the Spicy Miso Ramen. The broth was rich and the noodles were nice and chewy. Although, the portion seemed a bit smaller end for the price.

Please note they use QR codes as a menu. So you have to scan the code and order on your phone.

The interior is very cute and clean. The staff are friendly. Overall, a good experience.“

“This restaurant was amazing! The food was well cooking and seasoned lots of flavor in the Ramen broth and noddles, everything was prepared fresh. The staff was very attentive and kind, my friends and I had a great time there definitely will be coming back!“

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

“The reviews are right, the onigiri and hand rolls are delicious. The service is super quick as well.

The seasoning is perfect and the rice is molded well, as in you can taste each grain of rice rather than places that crush the rice to death. They make it perfectly here. The nori does get soggy if you take out, but that's to be expected and unless you want a crispy bite, it's perfectly fine.

The crab handroll was amazing, by far my favorite. I would definitely go again.“

“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.“

“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.“

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“Not a big fan of sitting on the side of street where people walk by and you intake that fumes coming from all these traffic. Got to sit inside by the bar, the food here is okay, but a bit pricey for what it's worth. Been to many affordable to very expensive sushi places in the U.S. and in Asia, this place is more IG/social media friendly picturesque place than an actual sushi/sashimi place. Not much nigiri/sashimi choices. Not a big fan of places that sell pre-made canned alcohol with an extreme markup.“

“สนุกสนานอาหารอร่อย บรรยากาศดีมีระดับ“

“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)“

“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!“

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

“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!“

“Dear Troy,

Your service impeccable, your smile inviting
You made our night and us feel so at home.
Thank you for allll of that wonderful house sriracha and night. Until next time
We will be back“

“An Arts District gem. This food blew our minds, we stopped in for a quick bite and everything we had was an absolute 10. Will be coming back to try more of the menu but highlights we had:

- seaweed salad
- spicy tuna crispy rice
- lobster pasta (incredible)
- chicken skewer

Friendly, knowledgeable service, great ambiance, definitely worth a visit!“

“Te Isshoku Sushi is probably one of the only reasons I look forward to going into my office now that I am required to be in my office. Finding this gem has been a game changer.

The sushi is amazing quality. It is always fresh and large portions.

Besides the sushi being excellent, the real star is Lisa. After 1 order Lisa will remember you and little things you like and don’t like. Lisa’s service is impeccable and she will always have a big smile to greet you and make you laugh.

Full disclosure I am biased because I eat there almost 3 times a week because it is that good. It’s the highlight of my work day. I just had to share how amazing this local business is.“

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

“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“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“We came here for our anniversary and had an absolutely perfect tonight! The staff was wonderful, very friendly, and the restaurant is new and beautiful. We got the Shabu Shabu and sushi combination and every single dish they brought was fantastic. We just got back from Japan a month ago and were missing it, and this entire experience was so authentically Japanese and the quality was absolutely five stars! Highly recommend and they have a ton of menu options for vegan, no fish, etc. The cocktails and dessert were great too! We will be back!“

“This is my second time at Hatch. Loved the ambiance and the service was outstanding! Anthony was especially great! Great customer service! I loved the soft shell crab taco so much so I ordered it twice. 2 of the dishes I tried weren't my favorite but overall food was good . Will definitely be back preferably with a group so I can try more dishes!“

“Been meaning to eat here forever. Finally, I came in today for lunch. Got the Combo C and the Blossom Roll. I've eaten at all the Japanese restaurants in SGV and Little Tokyo. This one is up there. High quality of food, while flavors go together well without being overpowering.“

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

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

“Really good food. Came in during the SILENT HILL F collab, the line was extremely long but what would you expect. Giving it a 5/5 because regardless the service was quick and efficient! Both treats offered were so good, social media was making people believe they tasted weird but nope. It’s for a certain audience to say in short. Love love love!!“

“Best sushi on the West Side ❤️“

“good for romatic and I recommend here for everyone“

“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! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Our whole experience was amazing I love how well the staff treated us how clean and fast serves I highly recommend to my friends and family the only thing I can say that wasn't to my liking was the king crab where over cooked but every else was delicious thank you again definitely will be returning.“

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

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

“Came here after a Dodger game and was very happy with the food, service, and quiet atmosphere. All the food was delicious and came out quick. It was exactly what we needed.

Staff informed us right away there is no bathroom in the restaurant but directed us to the nearest one if needed.“

“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.“

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

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

“Absolutely incredible vegan dishes and top notch service! We stumbled on Rice when looking for vegan options; so happy we did! Dishes we tried: vegan crisp rice sampler, miso soup, garlic edamame, homemade ginger ale and the crispy dynamite role vegan. Everything was so good! The ginger ale was next level - highly recommend! We got homemade pickled ginger with the roll and it was unbelievably tasty and fresh. The miso soup was a nice surprise as most are not vegan; a broth that built upon each sip and the tofu was also homemade. The crispy dynamite vegan roll had such a unique and deep flavor - more smokey than spicy. I can't recommend the food enough. Thank you to the chef and for the exceptional service. What a treat!!“

“We recently embarked on a three-week west coast “foodie” vacation, spanning five states and six major cities. Along the way, we dined at everything from Michelin-starred establishments to small mom-and-pop restaurants. By the end of our trip, everyone in our group unanimously agreed that our experience at Tensho was one of the absolute highlights.

From the warm hospitality and the evident pride in food preparation to the impeccable service and outstanding flavors, everything about our visit was memorable. We left the restaurant on a true “food high,” feeling as though if the entire world could experience what we just had, it might inspire world peace.

Be sure to order the wagyu—it’s an absolute must and a true indulgence!“

“ABSOLUTELY the BEST ramen I have ever had!!! The service is amazing, the fried pumpkin... off the hook!!! Spring rolls, yaaasssss!! I had the King Ramen...whoaaaaa! Daaaaammnnn!! You will NOT be disappointed. Thanks to the owners for the great experience.“

“Cute homey Japanese vibes. It’s a small restaurant so I can see there’d be a wait on busy days. Luckily we only had to wait about 5 min. The menu is straightforward. Comfort Japanese dishes. Service was great, they’re super nice and very attentive!

The tempura was good, sauce was great too. Katsu was fried perfectly, sauce was tangy and fantastic, just wish the pork was more moist/tender. Karaage was just okay, probably wouldn’t order it again, most of the flavor came from the sauce. My dad loved his eel bowl set, flavored and cooked well. My katsudon bowl was delicious, again katsu was a little dry, togarashi is a must with this bowl. And the cold soba noodles were great, the sauce dip was perfectly seasoned and noodles were perfect texture, very refreshing to eat.

Parking - small free lot! We had no issues getting parking.“

“First time here and it met our expectations. It has a very romantic and luxurious atmosphere. The sensory experience was warm and elegant inside. Dim lighting, gentle music, and stylish decor. Food was delicate deliciousness in every bite! So many subtle flavors excellently combined to delight my tastebuds. We started with an Azabu Old Fashion and Lemon Drop Martini....perfectly crafted and served. For appetizers, we enjoyed: Wagyu Dumplings and Spicy Garlic Edamame. For our mains: Toro Uni sashimi (incredible!), and Salmon sashimi. Spicy Tuna and Albacore rolls and the Denver Wagyu Carpaccio (with Hot Stone). Desert: Ube Japanese Cheesecake! If you are looking for that perfect night out, enjoying delicious food in a warm romantic setting, you won't miss here. I will definitely be coming back!“

“good recommmend for eveyone“

“On my last visit, I accidentally ordered the wrong item, but the manager was so kind and accommodating. They not only brought me the dish I had originally wanted but also let me keep the first item I ordered by mistake. That level of customer service really stood out to me and made me feel valued.
The food here is consistently delicious great portions, flavorful, and always fresh. Every time I come, I leave satisfied. Highly recommend this place for both the food and the excellent service!“

“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!“

“Deliciously authentic Japanese food joint, owned and operated by a talented Japanese chef. I’ve been eating here for years with my family! This professional chef has personally made every sushi roll by hand for as long as I can remember. 10/10 Highly recommend. Truly a hidden gem in East Los Angeles.“

“Best Japanese Food in Whittier“

“Hidden gem of an authentic Japanese sushi and sashimi market. The entrance is located in the back of a side driveway. Though this market is small, I carries fresh sushi, sashimi trays ready to eat. Plus they have a kitchen made to order & ready to cut sashimi at your request. I'm also amazed to see the varieties of different raw fish, uni from Santa Barbara and raw scallops; all at reasonable prices.
They also carry cute Japanese stationary, frozen and regular food items. Definitely this is a place I heartily recommend.“

“Good food, portions & service...“

“Tried this place out as part of our monthly ramen runs.
The food did not disappoint. We got two ramens (classic tonkotsu and the shoyu ramen) the flavor of the broth and the tenderness of the meat were the highlights. We liked that this place seems to offer really good value and price for the quality of food. We also got the pork belly bowl and Philadelphia roll and they were better than I thought they would be.
We'll be back, I recommend trying this place if you're looking for a top, solid ramen joint.“