50 Best Sushi Bars near South Pasadena

“Best sushi, ever! Style and quality is excellent!“

“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 !!!“

“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.“

“Great food and I was shocked at the affordable prices. I got for for 4 people and it cost only a little above $50, which is insane in this day and era. The Tonkatsu Ramen really was delicious and my family went crazy for the Mushroom Curry.“

“Easy to miss at night, the outside is dark and unassuming. Calm atmosphere, attentive service. The individually delivered hand rolls amazing! Great pacing to savor the contrast of warm toasted nori and seasoned rice against the chilled fresh fish. Highly recommend taking your time with the 6 roll order. Great value for the quality of sushi. 🍣“

“Bar Sawa is a total hidden gem—an intimate omakase adventure wrapped in speakeasy style. From the moment you enter the discreet entrance, it feels like you’ve stepped into a secret culinary world. The chef is a true artist: meticulous, passionate, and warm, guiding you through each course with care and storytelling that elevates the experience.

Every bite is exceptional—ultra-fresh fish, perfectly balanced flavors, and beautiful presentation that makes it almost too pretty to eat (but you will, and you’ll be glad you did). The service is attentive yet relaxed, striking the perfect tone for the cozy setting.

Theme nights add another layer of excitement—creative twists that keep things playful without sacrificing authenticity. It’s rare to find a spot that nails atmosphere, service, and world-class sushi in one go, but Bar Sawa delivers across the board. A must for anyone who wants something unforgettable.“

“Just had a self Omakase date and I have to say, the detail that was poured into each dish, flavor wise, was really special. Even just the sashimi pieces themselves really had great complimentary garnish flavors that weren’t even noticeable just looking at the fish.

Great service and throughly enjoyed.“

“Great food and great service“

“Sushi Takesa is truly one of the top omakase spots in town. The fish was incredibly fresh with a great texture, perfectly complemented by expertly prepared sushi rice. Every course was outstanding—each one thoughtfully crafted and delicious. The service was also exceptional, attentive without being intrusive. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience and will definitely be returning!“

“We came down from Texas and my my cousin recommended this spot(La Zona) so we came in and had good service, quik and friendly. The food was good. We had the h.p roll and the lobster popcorn roll send the H.P roll. Also the strawberry milk tea was good. Will forsure be back when in town again“

“All of the people that hate waiting in line should come on a weekday night, because our party of 2 got seated immediately upon arrival.

It’s definitely not cheap (maybe a reasonable-ish price for sushi) but the quality is pretty good.

The fresh water eel (unagidon) was GAS!! The sauce is pretty standard — sweet and savory and sticky — and it was everything we expected and more when paired with the tender eel and chewy rice. It also serves as great leftovers.

Salmon: buttery and the quality was phenomenal

Toro: tasted kind of like beef, fatty but also had texture to it

Tuna: this was probably the most lackluster fish I had of the night; quality was just ok and didn’t really have any memorable texture or taste

Sea bream: with the lemon it was so refreshing and had a similar butteriness as the salmon

Scallop: it was sooo sweet and the lemon brought out those flavors even more

Yellowtail scallion: the refreshing kick of the scallion paired really well with the fish

Overall salmon, scallop, and yellowtail scallion were my favorites. I’d probably get the combination if I wasn’t looking for anything in particular since it’s more bang for buck.“

“This little neighborhood gem is worth visiting! The sushi was elegantly presented and so flavorful. Even the sticky rice was so perfectly cooked and tender. Chef’s wife was very kind and took the time to explain the various specialty rolls. Stop thinking and just do it! You won’t regret it“

“best japanese rich fllavors unique taste simple fresh and delish“

“amazing food, service and ambiance!“

“The best sushi you can get in Los Angeles. It can easily hold its own against some of the best places in Japan. I love dining here and if you are fortunate enough to get a reservation I think you will have a great time. The food they make is certainly with a Japanese palette meaning that there are dishes presented here will not be all melt in your mouth fish that most Americans want. There will be a variety of tastes and textures. I love it, but I can see how some people may not love every dish.“

“The service, the food, the environment and the kindness and efficiency of our server tonight! 😋👍“

“Very hole in the wall sushi spot with a few unique items on the menu. I got their dragon roll and loved it. Their California roll was good but not my favorite. Overall, if you're in the area and need a sushi pick-me-up, like I did, this place does the job.“

“I am Korean and have been to many sushi, tempura, and omakase restaurants in Sapporo.
It's good here. It's good, but it's really crappy. It's no exaggeration to say that it's salt sushi. When Koreans go, please ask for a little less seasoning. Otherwise, you'll feel like you're eating from a soy sauce container.
And it's so, so, so cold. I'm not a neta, but I go to Michelin and pay $500, so I can't help but wonder why I'm shivering from the cold. And when I hold the nigiri, I don't know if it's a habit, but every time I hold it, I take a small amount of rice... a little bit from the nigiri. It feels a bit like an amateur. The fact that there were a lot of tsumami made was enough to give that feeling.
And the chef speaks a little Korean.
This business could get better if they just don't use Chrome Hearts chopsticks and show a little more consideration for their customers. The food was good, and except for the saltiness, the sushi and neta were good.“

“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.“

“I have been coming to Oji for a while their service is always great, this past time their was a small confusion with my order but they fixed it right away can’t blame them it was a group of six people and it was a busy Friday night. The food overall is very delicious I have never had any complaints they try to stay consistent with their recipes. This sushi spot also has good Happy Hour specials you won’t be disappointed with their sushi, sushi rolls, and drinks I recommend it if you ever have a sushi craving.“

“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!“

“We ordered 5 different rolls. This is our new go to spot for to-go sushi. Everything was packed neatly and the presentation was excellent and appetizing. 10/10 quality and taste. We ordered the dragon roll, spider roll (omg so hard to come by), tempura and crunchy and salmon rolls. All left us satisfied . I recommend.“

“Great setting and great Sushi two thumbs up 👍🏽“

“I mean, this is the besttttt handroll spot in all of Los Angeles. Cool unique hand rolls (like the same woo jang and banh mi) and premium rolls (uni, toro/caviar/uni). AND they give huge chunks of sushi. Since the seaweed layer is taken off when eating the seaweed is crispy while eating. The technology is giving! Honestly, IMO better than some of the big popular establishments around for hand rolls (IYKYK). Their to-go and delivery is not bad as well!“

“Celebrated a graduation here and had a great time. Were seated promptly, had excellent service, enjoyed the lively atmosphere. Food was tasty and beautifully presented. Management came by and brought dessert for the table on the house for the graduate, very thoughtful and appreciated. Made the meal that much more special. Would go again.“

“I ate here yesterday along with my mom, uncle and aunt. I ordered the Salomon bento with California roll instead of rice. I liked the server since she was kind, got us extra wasabi and an extra bowl and spoon and water. The music wasn’t too loud and it was enjoyable. The salmon wasn’t too tough and had the right flavor. I loved the salad and veggie tempura.“

“If you are in the San Gabriel Valley area you must stop here if you want amazing Sashimi. Started with fatty Tuna that melted in my mouth so fresh delicious then moved on to giant Clams (Mirugai) it was sweet & crunchy I could have gone for second order not many sushi restaurants have (Mirugai)The fatty belly Salmon was buttery & the spicy Tuna hand roll sashimi was perfect coz I’m a spicy food addict it was just heavenly for me. Yum yum 🤤 ended with Kumamoto Oyster 🦪 it was so sweet like cotton candy in your mouth made me wanting more which I did order more. Lol 😂 The house hot Sake was good for a cold night paired so well with my amazing Sashimi! Great way to end my Friday night here! Thank you Chef!“

“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!“

“ordered the Nozawa Trust Me and it did not disappoint! fish was fresh and brought out at a good pace - never went too long between plates, but also didn’t feel rushed. ordered some of the limited selection as well, and they were delicious (uni & eel)! highly recommend this place if you’re a sushi lover“

“I came into Yuki Sushi in the Sheraton wanting Lychee Martini’s for a group of friends. Sean- the bartender- went to the hotel pantry and Googled a recipe to make us a round of Lychee Martini’s that were not on the menu. I applaud this outstanding customer service, and Sean for his initiative and time to do this for us. I am so impressed by the service at this hotel and we thank you Sean!!“

“The building and location are a little sketchy, but everything else is excellent. Small, very intimate atmosphere. Not much privacy. Menu options are simple. Food is fresh and worth the price. Even the sides, like house salad, miso soup, and hot sake, are quality.“

“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.“

“We really enjoyed our dining experience at Kenbey. The sushi is fresh and you can tell the chef cares about each piece he serves. I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because of 3 things. The first is that I didn’t like the sauce that came on the hirame and the sauce on the albacore with the slice of garlic. Second, we tried the Hokkaido uni, it was a very dark orange (so not the freshest - we should have gone with the Santa Barbara uni) and so bland and flavorless. Third, for the prices they could add some decoration.
I would still recommend trying Kenbey. The service was excellent and overall pretty good!“

“Came here with high hopes and was not disappointed. Had to ask for the omakase since it was not on the menu. There's the 100$ level and the boss level for 150$. I honestly dont know what the difference was even though the very nice wait staff tried to explain it to me. It was just a bunch of japanese words lol. Anyhow I went yolo and got the boss level and it was the best 150 i spent that day. Every dish was mostly perfect except for the dessert. They need to up their dessert game.“

“One of the best omakase experience i’ve had.

There were so many dishes that came out that I started to get full. Love it!

The service was very attentive. The fish quality was great and there were some unique options i’ve never had before. My favs were the ankimo, seared baby barracuda, spotted ebi, and uni. The espresso hojicha dessert was absolutely amazing as well.“

“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.“

“Our meal was delicious and the service was amazing“

“Quality food & service at reasonable prices 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻“

“Delicious and freshly prepared food 🥘“

“Best sushi in LA! Everything melted in your mouth! The fish is fresh, the price is affordable, and the service is great! It looks like a hole in the wall - but wow :)) We eat there once a week and love it! Drove all the way from Studio City to have dinner there - 2 hours each way in traffic - so that's obviously what it says :)) Haha Just love it!“

“Food Delicious Service excellent ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Just go and order Omakase. It is the sushi experience of your life!“

“As soon as I stepped foot in this joint, I knew it was gonna be a hit!!!
The ambiance 😍😍😍😍😍

The customer service was top tier. Amanda (?) took my to go order and was very sweet.

The rolls were delicious 😋.
O ordered the veggie rolls with tempura flakes on top.
Fresh and yummy!!

I WILL BE BACK!!“

“AAAAAAAAAAAAA++++++++++ Plus First time and will definitely come back“

“fresh sushi 🍣 at temporary reduced price dieing covid!“

“The service was professional and great. The staff are very friendly. Covid protocols are adhered to at the door. Temperature checks are required prior to entering the dining area. The food is excellent. If you love sashimi and sushi then you must visit.“

“Clean and modern. Sushi bar.“

“Absolutely the smallest place you can imagine. 90% kitchen for the owner (?) to work in. A tiny bench, no ventilation inside. No indoor/outdoor dining...

But this place is ALL ABOUT THE FOOD!!!
Great sushi!!!
Excellent price, due to little overhead costs!!!
Get your food and enjoy it wherever you want, probably not inside though.
The slices of salmon are excellent!!! Fat and thick!!!
Eel is excellent!!!

It is recommended you order ahead, he is a solo team and is hard at work in the kitchen!!!

The only thing I wished for is some kind of chicken bowl. He already has the rice, he just needs to toss some chicken into a pan...but I understand he specializes in sushi and doesn't want added complexity to his operation.

I highly recommend this place!!!“

“I like this place. Premium rolls are delicious!!!!“