The spicy miso soup is absolutely delicious, and it completely filling. Nice Japanese beer selection. Definitely worth what you pay for. read more

Ducks - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

My gf treated me out to lunch today since I visited her in SGV...well also because I got a street cleaning ticket picking her up and she felt bad. Her friends suggested she try the place. First off it's in some strip mall on Las Tunas. Walked in and it felt/looked kind of dirty...like ewww (yes I am a hater, but not that much of a hater since I was from SGV and I'm used to dirty hole in the wall places). The table was sticky (should have known) luckily since I'm a nurse I always carry little alcohol wipe packets and when it's really dirty mini bleach wipe packets. IF you're a nurse you know what I'm talking about and for everyone else...NO I'm not a germ-a-phobic...=P She had Miso Ramen (dude go down the street to Ajisen Ramen so much better). Can't comment on her food since I did not try it. I had the Lunch #2 combo Udon soup and chicken curry with rice. Seriously...no seriously is this a joke? The udon tasted like it came out of a bag with seasoning packet. And the curry was sour? Dude save your time and money go to Curry House in Little Tokyo or Hacienda Heights. Foods better and place is a LOT cleaner. You'll thank me later when your not peeing out of your ass. I also carry Imodium ...*shakes head*. read more

After living in the area for 18 years of my life and attending jr. high a few blocks down, I've passed by Ducks a million times without ever knowing something so good existed in that dinky plaza, until finally, one of my hometown friends took me to this hidden gem. This place ABSOLUTELY, hands down, makes the BEST tonkatsu I have ever had. The outside is fried to a crisp, while the inside is perfectly juicy. I've had their chicken katsu also and it's pretty good, but I have to say their tonkatsu is spectacular. Their katsudon is also not bad. Their curry is pretty standard. It is a little pricey, especially their tonkatsu, but they have very generous portions. It's not some place where I'll visit weekly, but it's definitely a good place to go to once in a while when I want to splurge on some good food. read more

It is small and almost missable, but Ducks is some solid curry. It's a pretty typical Japanese curry, and the katsu I had were excellently prepared. While nothing out of this world, it's good for what it is and I wouldn't mind eating it again. So based solely on food, I'd have given it a 4. So why is it a 3 instead? Price and quantity. It's a bit ludicrous to pay over $10 for a relatively small plate of curry. The menu offers the recent economic downturn and rising prices for ingredients as the reason for the price increase. What? I can make a giant pot of curry, albeit somewhat worse, for the same price, and that's without purchasing wholesale ingredients the way restaurants do. A plate of curry that small should not be $10. read more

My bf had been raving about the katsudon here every time we passed by and we finally stopped here this weekend We ordered the katsudon (of course! I don't think I really had a choice here) and a chicken curry - mild I would def go back for the katsudon. It's like and fluffy and has more of a fluffy egg taste than other ones I've had before Chicken curry was pretty ordinary. Lots of rice, just chicken and a bit of pickled vegetables read more

I absolutely love this place & because it's one of the few places my boyfriend & I can actually agree on. I always order the katsudon and he orders beef curry. When my bowl of katsudon arrives Isee this beautiful glistening egg on top with a few sprinkles of green onion. Check out the picture someone took, it's beautiful. The dressing combined with the egg, fried pork and rice is heavenly. The only down part is that their hours. I've gone twice in a row and both times they were closed so my tummy cried for about half an hour until I settled for another location. read more

Best katsudon in LA! they didn't fail me even once, i always empty my bowl! but the rest of the menu is just so-so, ramen is so-so, curry is so-so but they did a good job in preparing katsu (but it's your luck if you get a big piece or not). read more

Favorite and best katsudon in SGV area. Went to Hawaii and paid double the price and no where close to taste and made me wonder why did I even go to Hawaii in the first place ‍ read more

good place for my family . Katsu don so good... love here. The tonkotsu ramen and tempura and curry is good too, come on come on. read more

Ducks - The restaurant - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

When I was growing up, my mom and I used to go to Shibuya on weekends, eat curry at a restaurant near the train station and then walk across the street to Toa and shop for fabric! I graduated from high school and left Japan in 1969. I have missed those days. Today I went to Ducks with my mom (now 85 years old) and my daughter, who is almost 29. To my surprise... the curry was every bit as wonderful as I remember. Not only was the food delicious, but the service was welcoming. It felt like the good old days. A customer had a seizure while we were there and everyone immediately jumped up to help. Total strangers at a nearby table got down on the floor and held him until the paramedics arrived. It's been a long time since I've witnessed such good in people. I will be back often to continue the curry tradition with my mom and.. now with my daughter. Ducks is truly a wonderfully run family business! read more

Katsu Don Awesome. Nuff said. No need to say anything else, I continue to write because Yelp claimed it was too short for a review.

I've wanted to try this place for a while, however their dinner hours conflict with the time i get out of work. Being without lunch today, I decided to try Ducks for take out. Ordered a lunch set of Kitsune Udon and Beef Curry total $11.50. Though the exterior off this restaurant is dated, inside seemed clean. My food was ready when I came to pick up. My serving of Kitsune Udon came with a generous portion of udon in container with two pieces of fried tofu, surprisingly after making a quick gas stop to fill up my car and driving back to work ( total of 20 plus minutes) my udon was still pipping hot and noodles were not soggy. It was simple but delicious. I've yet to try my Beef curry, but saving it for my lunch tomorrow. I'll definitely be back. read more

The curry is decent but I come to eat the hot soba and Japanese bolognese/meat sauce spaghetti (tart and sweeter) and cute atmosphere. Very homemade for everything read more

Ducks - Meat sauce spaghetti (bolognese), lighter and sweeter and tart. Japanese spaghetti is so good! - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

nice cozy place here. friendly staff, family owned i believe. small hole-in-the-wall amongst the chinese population out here in san gabriel. the food is pretty good, though my bf's katsu-don came out rather salty?? the downer of this place is their price :/ its pretty expensive for lunch sets read more

Ducks - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

I've been coming here for many years and would give this place 5 stars if the price of their dishes would stop going up. Without fail, Katsudon (fried pork cutlet + cracked egg on top + special sauce over rice) is what I order 8/10 visits. The other two times, I would order the chicken curry and in the summer, the cold ramen. Noodles are super chewy and fresh and delicious. Mom & pop japanese restaurant, food is made to order which is why it doesn't come out as quickly as you would probably like. Despite the rising prices, I will still continue to come here and support this restaurant! read more

They are friendly. Food is at par. Pork cutlet curry and combo A (udon and don ) were decent solid Japanese food. Slightly pricey. But i can't really compare to Torrance. Otherwise a good mom and pop place. read more

A very good friend invited us here a couple of years ago and my family now dines at least once a month. The Curry sauce will in itself bring you back. Try any of below and you will be all smiles. Tonkotsu Ramen Curry Char Siu Ramen Pork Cutlet Curry Spaghetti or Rice Gyoza Tempura Katsudon Soba Noodles read more

They charged me $4 for adding a little amount (two tablespoons) of curry to my Pork Katsu Curry when I asked for more curry on the side. Total ended up being $19 for a small meal. Absolute rip off. Rather go to Kosuke. read more

Seems like a nice local neighborhood eat. I had the pork katsu curry (hot!) and the BF had the katsu-don. We liked both. The curry had a rich, meaty flavor and it surprisingly had a nice kick to it (which I usually feel like doesn't happen with Japanese curry). The BF was happy with his katsu-don. In the end though, Mitsuwa food court does better. We had to ask the waitress about water and the side salad the entrees come with, but no big deal as she just seemed very busy with a packed room. Prices are reasonable. I'd come back if I were nearby. read more

Ducks - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

This is the place to go if you're looking for authentic, Japanese comfort food. I've been coming to this place every weekend for over 20 years and am still not tired of it. The restaurant is a small, family-owned place and serves your staple Japanese dishes, including ramen, curry, and katsu-don. My personal favorite is their soy sauce ramen, while the oyakodon is a favorite among my friends. I'm a definitely a customer for life! read more

This place is quite hidden in its little empty plaza, you would never expect to find delicious food here! This restaurant is family owned (or so I believe) and the workers are very nice. The place is usually empty on the weekends whenever I go. But other than that, it has cute decorations all around the restaurant. As for the food, I ALWAYS get the Curry Ramen, it never fails to make me crave for more. It is definitely worth returning to comparing to the Curry Ramen at Ajisen... the taste just doesn't compare at all. The pieces of chashu aren't the thin slices you normally find in ramen, which is a definite plus! This place is definitely worth a try! read more

When you hear a name like Ducks Restuarant, the first notion you may get is that this place probably specializes in Ducks, but to your surprise, what you will find is a Japanese restuarant that specializes in curry. They have lunch specials in which you have a choice of 3 entrees, I went with the last one on the lunch special which was a curry based soup with udon noodles and chicken. It also comes with a small salad with a sweet creamy dressing and some white rice with sesame seeds The curry soup was delicious, good aroma that you expect from Japenese curry but not super over powering. The udon noodles were soft and the chicken was tender. The rice was any jasmine rice you can find, with a nice salty sesame seed flavoring. I also ordered some ice tea which comes with syrup and milk on the side if you'd like to turn it into a milk tea. The restaurant is pretty small, but the service is great and quick. read more

A hole in the wall place. Authentic Japanese mom and pop place. If your craving tonkatsu, ramen or any Japanese food other than sushi this is spot. There katsudon is delicious! They always serve you a sriracha mayo dressing cabbage salad as complimentary. But there chicken tonkatsu is the best! So thin and crispy and love to they use panko breadcrumbs batter. It's absolutely juicy too! Comes with rice or can get it with curry. Not a lot of variety on their menu however they really know how to make tonkatsu. The price is decent but it's worth it! I will try other items on their menu! read more

Lived in Arcadia for more than 6yrs and never came to this restaurant which is really close to where we live. Passed by couple of times but the exterior never made me want to go in. But finally gave it a shot. Went in and nothing special about the interior. Felt like in the 80's. When the food came and finally taste it, and OMG! It's sooooo good!! I ordered Gyoza, combo of chicken curry and soba. While I was finishing up my food, told myself I'm coming back again! The restaurant is a gem in the area, the food is definitely the gem! They take credit cards too! Not just "cash only" Don't let the exterior/interior fool you. You'll be glad you tried it. read more

I came looking for udon but the only flavor they had was tofu so I got ramen instead. The tonkotsu ramen was lighter than most I have had, but in a good way. The chashu was very tasty...slightly sweet and roasted tasting. You get some bok choy in the bowl. They bring you out a raw cabbage salad to start. I was surprised that the only condiment they had was Japanese pepper. I have a feeling I should come back and try the dishes they are known for. Everyone in the restaurant (except me) was Asian so they must be doing something right! read more

Oh how I love you, Ducks! Still haven't worked up the courage to ask why it's named ducks when there is no duck on the menu, but nonetheless... cute family-owned place with attentive service. The place is filled with duck/bird decour (including Tweety, who I am certain is not a duck). The five-star rating is for the Katsu Don alone. The meat is tender with just the right amount of crisp and flavor. And consistently perfect every time! The sauce is so good that you'll undoubtedly finish every grain of rice and still be tempted to lick the bowl. I think this is one of those never-gets-old dishes that I'd happily eat any day, any time. The bf and I are hooked. I've also tried the curry, cold soba, and mentaiko (I believe it's called? cod roe + noodles). All were decent, but outshone by the Katsu Don. Come hungry, leave happy. read more

The BF & I came here for japanese curry based on all the reviews, and I'm so glad we did. I thought the curry was great! I got the chicken cutlet and the bf got the pork. They were both good and he couldn't tell the difference, but I think I may get the pork next time. To me, the pork seemed less breaded. My only complaint is that they do not give nearly enough pickled ginger for the dish (we had to buy a side order). There was only one waitress for the entire room but she handled itl. I can't wait to go again! The cost is low and the quality is great. The place has a very home'y feel. read more

Their food here is soooo good! I got the oyakudon and it was a good portion and super worth the price! The outside seems kind of dingy but you can tell that the food and the vibe is super wholesome and genuine. There was this woman working and waiting tables by herself. There was a bit of people when my friend went and she was trying to get to everyone. She was extremely sweet and I can tell that this restaurant is fueled with love and hard work. Will 10000% be coming in again!! read more

+ Authentic Japanese? + Nice Japanese lady - Pricey for a smaller than average plate - I got the curry chicken. Feels like they used instant curry with steam chicken that came with white rice. - Poor customer service. Somewhat attentive but NICE Japanese lady. I feel bad for her because she's the only one catering to 10+ people at times. Perhaps they should hire more waiters/waitresses? read more

A small place, but it gets the job done. The waitress was great, food takes a little while to get out but its okay. The katsudon is awesome, a little TOO sweet but their best dish! Plus there are duck decorations all over! read more

This is a nice little Japanese restaurant in Temple City that basically has the same stuff you can find on the menu at Curry House, but without the wait or drive. The first time I went was really good. I was with a party of 7 and we were seated right away. The service was friendly and the food was pretty good. The portions are not as big as Curry House, but you can ask for the bigger portions for a couple bucks more. It's not that cheap here either, but I guess if you can get what you want pretty fast, it's worth the extra money. It's small and pretty quiet. Curry House is a little more exciting to go to, but it's nice to support a mom and pop place that doesn't have all the commotion as well. I would say try the Curry Katsu. They give you plenty of curry to smother your katsu AND rice, which is definitely good. I like this place and would definitely come back for more. read more

Curry Curry Curry Curry CURRY Simply the best damn curry !!! I had the tonkatsu which was perfectly crispy on the out side and the pork was so moist and tender you could cut it with a spoon. My friend had the pork cutlet curry which was FABULOUS!!! I can't wait to go back and try more of their curry dishes. read more

Ducks Restaurant may be oddly named, but their food is definitely top notch. I remember first time I ever went to Ducks was in high school (wow, talk about a long time ago). The place is pretty small and reminds you of one of those hole-in-the wall type places. I remember seeing the grandma in the kitchen then thinking to myself that the food is going to be good for sure. Grandma definitely didn't disappoint! My favorite dish at Ducks has got to be the Katsudon. The meat is nice and juicy and has a little sweetness to it. The breading on the katsu is crispy and not too oily. You can put on some spice and picked ginger too if you'd like. Ducks also has curry, udon, and spaghetti, but I haven't tried those yet. Though, I'm pretty sure they're just as good, if not better. All in all, the place may be small, but the taste and flavors of Duck's food is HUGE. I remember later on during those years that I would just ditch class and come to Ducks to eat. GOOD TIMES. read more

I roll with food fans. They bring me to delicious spots. Ducks is definitely one of them. The first time I went to Ducks, I was starving and felt like it took FOREVER to finally get there. All I kept thinking to myself was, "this food better be worth it". Thankfully, it was. There are no bells or whistles about this place, which I think adds to its charm. It is not fancy and seems to be stuck in the late 80's - early 90's. The old Sony boombox that sits in the dining room is definitely of the 80's era. The decor is completely random. The dining room furniture is reminiscent of what might be found in an episode of "Saved By The Bell". And now, the food...if you like tonkatsu or chicken katsu, this is the place to be. The breading is like no other place I've found; perfectly done, juicy and delectable. The curry is good. Nothing to scream about, but who cares. The real star here is the katsu. The gyoza is worth mentioning, as is the chicken karaage. This is a total mom and pop joint, with both working in the kitchen. My boyfriend tried the spaghetti, which was decent. Portions are not huge (which is fine with me) and the food tends to err on the pricey side. Still, this place is worth it. And, paying a few extra dollars to support a small, independent spot like Duck's is something that I strongly support. I will definitely continue to frequent this place. You should too. read more

KATSUDON!!! Best I've ever had... but maybe avoid it if you don't like runny egg. The egg they crack on top of their katsu isn't really allowed all that much time to cook... so for those who like that, it helps bring all the ingredients of the bowl together. The sauce in the rice is what sets this place apart, straight up delicious... yo. Come hungry, leave happy. read more

Ducks - Gyoza - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Best katsudon and oyakodon I've ever had in SoCal, seriously. Very good ramen too, and for a price that in pandemic climate, can't be beat. I wouldn't bother with appetizers - tried them all, and they were all underwhelming...it's like the appetizer menu is an afterthought. But aside from that, everything else is great, loads of flavor. read more

You do NOT come here for the ambiance. No siree. Not when the place is a refurbished business storefront (take a gander at the ceiling when you're in there. Office lights if I ever see 'em!) and reeks of ginger, which comes as a side on many dishes. But you SHOULD come here for the katsu-don. Oh the katsu don. How to describe it? With my limited vocab I shall tell you that it is a wonderful fried pork meal, sitting on a bed of rice, drizzled in sweet soy sauce, and most importantly, covered in fried egg--yolk and all. The fried egg cracked on top and the sweet soy sauce make the meal, in my opinion. This is one of the ONLY places in San Gabriel Valley--heck, even LA, I'll say it!--that make an excellent katsu-don. If you're looking to try Japanese food OTHER than sushi (which is wondrous in itself, but c'mon, be adventurous!) or ramen (which you can get ANYWHERE in the area), then try Ducks restaurant. And of course, ask for the katsu-don! :) read more

An average-tasting mom and pop establishment with a peculiar name. Dish Ordered: Chicken Cutlet Katsu Curry Portion Size: Talk about following the food pyramid! The chicken cutlet was the size of a deck of cards. They give about 2 tablespoons of the red pickles that I love so much but when I asked for more, it had to be ordered as a side order. Not gonna lie, it made me kinda sad! Curry was served as a bowl of plain curry. Taste: Again, nothing spectacular. Considering the price, I would come here for "lunch special pricing" not for a dinner that costs over 10 bucks! Gourmet pricing is for gourmet food. The curry tastes like a smoother version of the boxed Golden Curry you can buy at the market. Take home point: Come here for the cheaper priced lunch version. Im sorry, but ducks have nothing to do with curry! read more

Excellent mom and pop place. Excellent flavor. Portions are plenty but not huge. They have cilantro tempura which is very rare

Love, Love, Love!! When I don't want to cook, this is the place where kids request to go!! Our usual orders are Tempura soba (Love), katsu-don (yummy), rib-eye steak (tender) and katsu curry (big portion)!! They are all good. Casual place to go!! Only problem, I usually forget to check-in with yelp read more