Wonderful amazing family owned restaurant! This place has amazing food and such lovely homey character. Every time I'm in the area I come to this restaurant and always feel so warm and full! A silly plus to coming here is the restaurant has lots of plastic ducks and duck themed decor! It's not overpowering the place, but if you take time to notice it, it'll put a smile on your face. read more

Ducks - Oyako Don - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

The duck figurines brought me in but the food is what's kept me as a returning customer. I love this place. It feels like I'm eating my grandmas food from home it's so comforting and as a someone who's Japanese there's so few restaurants that truly give me that home style vibe and this place is one of them. The mochi udon soup is a must, their donburi bowls are delicious, and their teriyaki eel is so good. read more

Ducks - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Pass by Ducks over decades and never have a chance to visit it. Have a sudden craving for tempura soba and their name show up on Yelp search. It was just OK and their portion is so small (2 shrimps and some vegetables) and price is almost double and not as good as Hannosake in West Los Angeles ( 3 shrimps with more vegetables and warm saurce for tempura, cold source for soba). Staff are friendly. Without yelp no way we can improve or have a voice - thanks yelp - happy new yr good folks read more

I went with a large group so I tried quite a few items. Everything was delicious! I was particularly surprised by the cold soba because I usually don't like soba noodles but the flavor was so refreshing. The place is fairly small and decorated with ducks everywhere. They also have a manga section where you can grab a book to read while you eat. I was told many do that during lunch. Service was great, definitely a new favorite for hot Japanese comfort food! read more

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real eaters!!!! always delicious, hot, fresh, & fast + very friendly service. love love love ducks if you want somewhere with funny cute ducks everywhere and delicious comfort food!!! 1000/1000 everytime read more

Ducks - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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We got here on a rainy Saturday just before noon and got seated right away. We got the unagi bowl + miso soup and mini katsudon & mini tempura bowl + miso soup. The portion is big and everything looks super appetizing! The unagi felt really fresh and I love how the drizzle the unagi sauce onto the rice, speaking of which we also love the texture of the rice it was just perfect! The unagi bowl also comes with pieces of tempura (super crispy on the outside and not soggy whatsoever)! The katsudon definitely exceeded my expectations - crispy on the outside and extremely tender and juicy on the inside! The dressing was perfect as well - just enough to give it flavor and yet not overpowering. The interior decor is super cute - the windows are lined up with assorted rubber ducks and they have even more (and bigger) ducks around the counter area. There is parking in the plaza and service was amazing! Will definitely be back! read more

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If you are looking for affordable Japanese comfort food in San Gabriel area, this is one of the hidden gem in the area! The interior is designed to look like a traditional Japanese restaurant, which gives off a very OG vibe in my opinion. Not to mention that staffs are very kind and services are superb. Now let's get to the food! What I usually order is the Pork Katsu Don! Again as I said, it's a comfort food, and the portion is huge! As a big eater, I can only eat half of this nowadays. But that's of course because I always order their karaage appetizer on the side! Personally, their karaage is to die for! It is very different than the other karaages you can find in other Japanese restaurant. Dare I say that the karaage is actually their specialty! It is like and crunchy, and it will not disappoint! Definitely recommend fellow foodies to order the karaage! read more

Ducks - Karaage Chicken - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Delicious Japanese restaurant! I was curious why they called themselves Ducks because there was no duck on the menu. But when I entered, I saw duck related decor everywhere and it all made sense. I ordered the katsu oyakodon and it was delicious! Crispy katsu with fluffy rice and a sweet and savory egg on top. It was very well executed. Service was pretty friendly and they have one gender neutral restroom. Parking is free in the parking lot but it's a bit small. I knocked off one star because it was so warm inside when I went (we were literally sweating) and their menu is not very extensive - I wish they had more options! read more

Ducks - Katsu Don and Karaage Bowl - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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i recommend ducks to everyone i know and everyone that goes says that they love it. the small restaurant is located on las tunas and is decorated with different duck decor (but there is no duck on the menu XD). they specialize in Japanese cuisine such as rice bowls, udon, curry, etc. that are all hearty and delicious. i always get one of their dons (i.e. katsu don, oyakodon, or ebi don) since they use the same sauce and cook method just with a different protein, but the sauce is absolutely addicting! it's a perfect balance of sweet and savory and with the eggs and protein of your choosing is a perfect combination that leaves me full and satisfied. i highly recommend trying this place for yourself it definitely is a hidden gem! read more

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

This was my first time eating at this place. It was actually recommended from the Yelp community. (Thanks everyone!!). Once we walked in, we were greeted and seated right away. It took us a while to look over the menu and the staff was really patient with us. They answered all of our questions with certain dishes. We ended up ordering the Hot Udon/Shrimp Tempura Combination, Miso Ramen and the Ribeye Steak. We thought we over ordered, but as the plates were set on our table, it was just the right amount of food! The miso soup was hot and tasty. The ribeye steak was cooked to perfection. There was just enough char on both sides so when you take a bite, you can feel the texture of the crunch and steak at the same time. The tempura had a crunchy exterior, with warm vegetables on the inside. I will have to come back to this place and try some of their signature dishes like the chicken karage. I will have to add this to the list of restaurants I frequent. read more

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Ducks is a small, indoor restaurant inside a plaza! Really good service and food at a reasonable price. I LOVE THE COLD SOBA! Everything was delicious and the lunch menu is a good deal to try out their curry as well. Parking - limited in a small plaza read more

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Ducks is my go-to spot for Japanese comfort food. I can come here in any season in any mood. The curry and oyakodon is warming and has never let me down. Soba on a hot day hits the spot. The chikuwa is legendary and a must try. The staff is always kind and attentive. read more

Ducks - Soba/curry combo set - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Simple, homey food that soothes the soul. Ducks is always a good idea. I love that I can add mochi to the hot udon to make it my fav mochi udon. Tempura is the only thing hit or miss here. The last couple times I found tempura would have an unpleasant oil aftertaste so we've been skipping out on tempura since. read more

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Even with the wintery temps and drizzly weather, there were 3 people waiting outside the restaurant when I arrived. The wait wasnt long. Inside the restaurant they are able to rearrange tables quickly to accommodate guests. I ordered the hot udon and mini curry (I ordered chicken for my curry - you can have beef, chicken or plain). The udon was perfectly made and both dishes arrive steaming hot. The udon soup is wonderfully understated at first, and then the umami flavor makes its presence known in your mouth for a delightful tasting. The chicken in the curry was chunky and split up easily with a spoon. Loved both dishes. The turnover for tables was pretty fast. For the check, they bring a POS device to your table so you can check out with a card. But, they also accept cash! I had a great experience, and just the right meal for a cold, drizzly day (or any time!). read more

Stopped by Ducks for lunch. Although it's during lunch hours, I was able to get seated for two people right away. Parking was easy to find too. I ordered cold soba with tempura bowl. Never had soba here before. It's delicious with dipping sauce. In my opinion "Teishoku" section is a good value. A gem for the local for sure. read more

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Everything here is just too good. Every dish hits you with the umami flavor. Portion is huge for its price and can be shared among others. I usually order their Katsu Don. Quality remains the same. Tried their lunch menu recently and got an item with cold soba, my cousins begged to go back because they fell in love it is. It became one of my go to resturant in the area. Especially when you have picky little cousins who harder want to try new food. Service has always been excellent and the if you like ducks, youre in for a treat. This small yet cozy resturant is filled with little ducks figurine everywhere. It a simple entertainment for little ones. read more

This is a nice small spot for anyone craving comfort Japanese food. The highlight of my visit was the pork katsu with curry. The katsu was nicely cooked and the savory curry sauce mixed nicely with the rice and katsu. If you're hungry, you will make the plate spotless. The mochi udon was okay. The chewy mochi pieces add a fun texture to the dish, paired beautifully with the thick and flavorful udon broth. It's a unique twist, but wouldn't get it again. Service was warm and friendly, and the vibe is nice and casual. It does get a little busy during weekend and lunch hours! read more

Food was good, but not something I feel the need to return for. We ordered the katsudon, tempura + udon set, and the karaage yaki udon. Everything tasted fine, but maybe my expectations were a bit high -- I had just come back from Japan, so the difference in quality and the price jump likely influenced my experience. Ambience was great, and the server was very attentive -- checking in frequently, which was appreciated, though at times it felt a little overbearing and interrupted the flow of the meal. Overall, a solid spot with decent food and great service, but nothing particularly memorable for me. read more

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The cold soba and tempua combo and it was so good! Perfect for a warm day. The restaurant is small so it can get crowded pretty quickly, same goes for the parking lot. We beat the lunch rush and saw the line down the strip mall. The waiters are attentive but since it can get so packed you might have to wait. Food came out in decent timing, it seems that the tempura is made to order so it was hot and crispy. read more

My favorite Japanese comfort food restaurant! A real hidden gem! So delicious and perfect for cold weather. I highly recommend their tempura appetizer or tempura bowl, the ebi fry donburi, and the tonkatsu donburi. Their tempura is so good here! And the donburi with the egg and sweet soy sauce mix is one of the best donburis I've had in the area. Price and portion is good. Highly recommend this place! read more

We didn't get our fill of curry katsu cutlet in Japan so we stopped here! There was a wait at lunch time but once the rush was over around 1:30 many tables cleared up. The tempura is nice and lightly battered! Recommend trying the tempura in combo with soba or curry! The curry can be ordered to desired heat level. The crust is nice and crunchy and held well to the tender meat. The pickled veggies gave a nice acidic complement to the rich gravy. Available parking in the lot. read more

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Super yummy! I loved the pork cutlet curry rice. The breading was delightful, not soggy and not overly crunchy to the point it will hurt your mouth. It was just right. The cabbage salad was great too. My only gripe is that I think there needs to be more curry and fukujinzuke, but the current ratio of curry / cutlet / rice is probably great for most people. The staff were friendly and answered all my questions kindly. The ambience when I went was not too loud, cozy, and couples, groups of teenagers, grandmothers, all sorts of people were dining there. I felt comfortable dining there solo so the vibes were great! Saw a few people ordering oyakodon and it looked super yummy, will have to visit again to give it a try. read more

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first time going to ducks despite living so nearby. it was so authentic and delicious! i love katsu and didn't really know where to go so ducks was perfect for my cravings. the tempura was yummy as well. i need to come back and try other dishes. the service was quick and the restaurant felt so homey! read more

Ducks - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Is a nice Japanese restaurant in San Gabriel i had small combo with tempura. The taste was excellent and it wasn't oily on tempura. read more

Ducks - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Veggie tempura cost $10.50 and 2 of the pieces were cilantro.... Speechless. Mini curry rice had 2 nuggets of chicken only. Plain udon had 2 pieces of tofu and 3 slices of green onion which cost $10. Can't believe it........... read more

Ducks - Veggie Tempura - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

This is a very casual restaurant with cute duck decorations. Nothing is fancy, from the menu to the decor. Te food is basic, but also absolutely delicious! I got the tonkotsu ramen and enjoyed the rich noodles. My boyfriend had the mild chicken curry and enjoyed how flavorful it was, but said it didn't have any kick. read more

Service by the owner was really good and friendly, I asked why "ducks?" And she shared us that their family used to go to the park and feed the ducks together. And now they are feeding us. (Me: So we are the ducks?) Yes. Lolz. My daughters liked that there was a bunch of Japanese comics to flip through. My daughter wanted to get the big bowl of udon a la cart but she got the combo instead, no big deal, she enjoyed the mini curry nevertheless. Cute atmosphere with a lot of mini rubber duckies on the window-still. My friend enjoyed her Tonkatsu and commented it was "tasty." For me, since I'm doing carnivore I omitted the salad and rice so my rib eye was a little small for me, maybe add an option for a bigger piece? All in all a good place for simple, comfort Japanese food. read more

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This quirky Japanese dining spot that's decorated with rubber duckies filled up quickly shortly after opening on a Saturday. Friendly staff who are responsive and quick to tend to you. I tried their gyoza, chicken karagae, their mini katsu don and tempura don. The batter on their gyoza and chicken was eggier than most tempura I've come across so this has a fluffier, softer crunch. I liked this twist. If I had to pick a favorite: the katsu don as it got polished off quickly. Sooo good. Everything was so comforting and tasty. Will come back. read more

Ducks - Peek inside the gyoza hidden inside the tempura jacket. - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Cozy Homely Japanese spot. Great hole in the wall. Would suggest turning on the ac higher. This time we ordered the curry patsy and curry chicken katsu along with the chicken kaarage. Both were good, the only complaint on the curry katsu's would be the thick batter, and not enough chicken. read more

Ducks - chicken katsu curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Good food, good service, casual ambiance. We stopped by because it was close to where we were. My daughter loves the noodles texture. I love the light and crunchy tempura with soba. read more

Had this place bookmarked and with high expectations, was so disappointed. Unbookmarked and would not recommend it. The place is not big and they do not take reservations. The service makes you feel rushed to finish your meal. Foodwise, the cold noodle is bland, there's nothing in the udon soup and the broth is so salty. There were two small pieces of chicken in my curry. The fried dumplings had way too much batter and was also bland. I think they put all their salt into the udon soup broth. The pork katsu was underwhelming in both taste and portion. Wasted an hour and a half round trip in traffic to try this place. Wouldn't come back if it was in my backyard. read more

Ducks - Udon soup with super salty broth. Pork katsu was unfulfilling. - Japanese Curry Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Finally made it here for lunch after wanting to try this spot for so long. This spot is busy and there's only two people working in the front and two chefs in the back, so service can be a bit slow but they're doing the best they can. The three of us ordered the Cold Soba & Mini Chicken Curry ($14.95), Hot Udon & Mini Beef Curry ($14.50), and Karaage Bowl ($16.95). The food came in a decent time considering there was a large party that ordered just before we did. We were starving, so we were eager to eat. The karaage bowl was good as the chicken was nicely fried, although probably too much breading with minimal chicken. I think I ordered the wrong thing since I was expecting a gyudon-like bowl with egg, oh wells. The lunch sets were solid and good if you're looking for some variety, but flavor was just okay to me. The mini curry were quite sad with just two pieces of meat though. Overall, the food didn't impress me. I felt like I could make everything at home myself. I will say the customer service was superb though and you see how hard they are working though. read more

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4.5/5 Don't let your friends talk you into "sharing" so you can try different things--just get the karaage bowl and inhale it yourself. It's that good. Fair warning though: you will leave Duck's smelling exactly like the restaurant. So maybe don't plan to go anywhere fancy afterward. Eat, enjoy, and head straight home. read more

My friends and I had dinner at Ducks on a Saturday at 7 PM. Our party of four was seated immediately, but we snatched up the last table. People after us waited outside since it was full house. The dinner menu offers combo specials for $20, donburi bowls, curry plates, ramen, and udon (hot & cold). Personally, I would prefer more vegetables and fewer deep fried options. Everyone was served two small bowl of shredded cabbage topped with salad dressing that tasted like a mix of ketchup, mayo, and sesame oil. - Karaage Chicken ($7.95). Pieces of juicy dark meat enrobed in huge ruffles of tempura batter. While the tempura was airy and light, it was too much batter for me. I thought it obscured the chicken. The dipping sauce tasted similar to the salad dressing, except it had a bit of spice. - Katsu Don ($16.95). Pork cutlet and scrambled eggs cooked in sweet soy sauce, served over rice. The eggs were runny, which is technically the "right" way but not my preference. Apparently, you can ask for the egg well done -- I just saw it on the website. The pork loin(?) was thick and juicy, but I don't recall it being soft. I enjoyed the layer of fluffy scrambled egg between the meat and the breading, which was thick and crispy. - Chicken Cutlet Curry Rice ($16.95). Like the pork, the chicken katsu had a layer of scrambled egg between the meat and batter. The dark meat chicken was juicy and savory. I think the curry was just alright. I ordered it hot and detected the spice plus a slightly pungent flavor. I appreciated the generous pile of fukujinzuke on the plate. read more

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I want to give thanks to this small mom and pop shop in the heart of SGV! They have one of THE best katsu curry dishes in SoCal. Food: amazing! The katsu is nicely fried and juicy. Practically melts in your mouth and the curry is so well seasoned and light. I recommend the pork cutlet as the pork matches well with the curry. Service: great! They are super kind and bring everything out for everyone at once. It's night to see their happy faces every time we come in. Thank you again for an amazing and comforting meal! read more

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Fairly decent Japanese diner in SGV. Serving up easy lunch style food like noodles (soba, udon), rice bowls, cold noodles, katsu, and spaghetti. I got the spicy beef spaghetti (soup) as it says spaghetti on the building's sign so I would assume it was a speciality. The flavor was ok but the portion size was not very large. Based on the katsu and mochi udon as well, it seems like most dishes here are ok but not anything special. read more

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This place has delicious Japanese curry, light and airy chicken karaage with a delicious spicy dipping sauce, crispy chicken katsu and tasty soba noodles. The service was friendly and efficient. Try this place is you're looking for a restaurant with tasty Japanese food along with a homey, family feel. read more

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Service was excellent at this very reasonably priced Japanese restaurant. I was very impressed with the fun atmosphere and the personable staff. Food was great! I was super pleased and surprised at the robustness of the chicken soup- large chunks of chicken and super tasty broth! The ribeye was tasty and seasoned well and super reasonably priced. It could have been more tender but still very well done. The amount of food was surprising as well with what we paid- the Chicken Karage was the best I've had. You may have to wait because it's a small sized dining room but you will be happy you did! read more

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This place was AMAZING. Went here on a whim after seeing on Yelp - we were so happy we did. Ducks is a hidden gem. The curry chicken was delicious. You are served a generous portion of curry alongside wonderfully fried protein of your choice. The value here is insanely great. I have to highlight the unique batter and frying styles of the gyoza + karage. Ive never had it like this and I'm not sure how to refer to it, but it was so good. Juicy chicken and a decent gyoza. Service was so attentive and very polite. Felt right at home. Ducks kinda feels like your eating at a friend's house or a relative's place. Very warm and inviting. Overall, blown away. read more

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Homestyle Japanese food restaurant. We tried the Katsu curry, karate Don and mochi udon! The service was friendly, kind and quick! The food was warming and delicious! A friend took us here and we left feeling like we ate at a place we always go to even though it was our first time! Greta place! Highly recommend! read more