The concept of hand rolls to order is good but something about the fish is a little off--I had a white fish that was difficult to bite through so pieces pulled out. Rolls weren't very tight. Counter space is a little tight and although I like not being rushed in service, everything depended on others being served down the line. For the price I'd support local sushi restaurants. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Let's put more KazuNoris on the map! The menu is straight to the point and the hand rolls are always solid. The price point is great and you can't go wrong with any of the preset menus whether it be 3 or 6 rolls. Salmon sashimi is fresh and melts your mouth. My favorite of the hand rolls is the Bay scallop and yellowtail. Gotta make sure to eat them right away while the rice is warm and the seaweed is crunchy. Service is quick and attentive they've got a whole method down. read more

We ordered the $29 set of six hand rolls. The rolls were fresh and well-balanced, with a satisfying crunch from the seaweed in every bite. My favorite was the lobster hand roll. The ambiance is casual with moody lighting, and seating is arranged at one long table where the sushi chef prepares each roll one at a time in front of you. The food was very good and surprisingly filling--I would definitely return for the quality of the hand rolls. The only downside to the experience was the sushi chef's demeanor. He appeared to be in an unpleasant mood, which was noticeable in his interactions. There was no greeting or smile, rolls were placed down rather abruptly, and at times he walked away while discarding his gloves with a negative tone. While the food itself was excellent, improved customer service and professionalism would greatly enhance the overall dining experience. Also, there is an automatic 15% fee charged to your total so tipping is not required. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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For the price point, honestly this chain can't be beat. Quality is as good as the other locations I've been to, although seating is still tight and limited so you will probably have a 30min wait on average if you don't come at opening. No reservations as other spots. Went with the Nozie set. I really do enjoy the monkfish liver roll as a unique option and very umami with the flavor. The yam was an interesting texture to change up the full set from being only seafood. It's a good amount but hungry eaters can probably get more a la carte. I'm just happy they opened closer to us here in the SGV! read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Toro from the Nozie set - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Kazunori without driving through LA traffic - say less. If you've been before -- same great rolls, different location. If you've never had it; go for the 6 roll, don't be a fool. Service is generally good, note there is a 16% gratuity automatically included ("no-tipping establishment"). Ambience is a bit dim like most other Kazunoris and a bit loud if it's crowded (and it definitely gets crowded). Parking is available on the street or they do validate on the lot on the back. Wait times will be hefty during peak hours, keep that in mind. Definitely a regular spot in the rotation for me. read more

This is a no frills type of place, but the food is an excellent value and lives up to the other restaurants in the family. Service is polite but they definitely do not encourage any sort of lingering, especially since there is consistently a line of people waiting and there are not many seats. I would not recommend this for a party larger than 2, or for a meal where you want to hang out with someone. We have been wanting to come since before it opened and, since we live close by, have walked past multiple times and seen a line. We thought maybe if we went at an off peak time it would be easier, so we went at 3pm on Saturday and only waited about 10 minutes. We tried six hand rolls total between us. They were all tasty, but my favorite and the one I expected to like the most was the crab. Toro was a close second. I'd definitely come back to try more, though I felt more full than I did at Thanksgiving once we finished. Definitely a great place to get full from high quality sushi at a fair price! read more

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***TIP*** facing the restaurant, the right door is the entrance and the left door is the exit. During my visit every single person tried using the left one including myself. Lines make it long and they will go out the door but don't block the left door This is one of those places where pictures don't really do it justice. There are now several places like this but dare I say, they are still the best. They truly have the best quality and the best part is that it's consistent. You know exactly what you're going to get every single time and you know exactly how it's going to taste. Thrilled that they finally have a location more East. Used to have to go to DTLA and pay a premium for parking next door in a sketchy area. Now in the heart of Pasadena, I'm just thrilled. I always get the six piece roll and at times I add on. The six piece roll comes with: Toro 5/5 Crab 5/5 Lobster 5/5 Yellowtail 5/5 Salmon 5/5 Scallop 5/5 Added on: Sea bream 4/5 Ankimo (They mushed this up a bit and I wasn't particularly a fan of whatever seasoning or dressing they put inside, on the salty sweet side but worth a try) 4/5 Parking in this area is in particularly easy to find. Kind of have to get lucky and try to find street parking or lots that are still open read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Love the friendly service and delicious hand rolls. That first bit into the crispy seaweed is always my favorite. They have a house sake drink that tastes a bit like Yakult - it's yum. You can also purchase a bottle to go. I've been here twice now as a local and will continue come back :) read more

Came on a rainy Sunday and the line is short. Food is excellent. Inside is signature bar seats. So glad Kazunori open one in Pasadena. I'm about to come to this location a lot often. Park on the street. I do see a parking garage entrance from N. Madison Ave. but not sure if there is validation option. Update: Parking is validated for 2 hours read more

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We tried the new Pasadena, CA location. I had two others dining with me. The place is small and we arrived just before a dinner rush. Service was good during a soft opening week. Food quality was very good. Service was o.k. Decor is understated, and needs a bit more of a Japanese theme. They validate for 2 hours in a nearby lot. We left still a bit hungry. Rating: 4 Stars. read more

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Visited last night for a late dinner and had an exceptional meal. Service was super quick and attentive. The interior is dimly lit and vibey. They were out of The Nozie, so we got the regular 6 piece hand roll menu. We also added the shrimp hand roll, sea bream hand roll, and ankimo hand roll (this was a daily special). Everything we got was a hit and was delicious. We also ordered Sapporo light and their house sake (Kazunori Nigori - which was sweet and creamy). Both were lovely additions. We've been to the DTLA location, and this one holds up to that standard (and might even be better because it's not in such a bustling location). We were in and out of there in half an hour so it's a great option for a quick dinner if the line isn't long. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Hand roll - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Had the priviledge of an invitation to the Opening of this store this afternoon and it was absolutely perfect! Such great hosts and the rolls were perfect! Freshest of fish and absolutely delicious! Of course, there is beer and sake, as well as soft drinks. Loved the sake I had. It's cute and sleek, but small, maybe 26 seats at the bar (only seating option), but people were courteous and moved along as soon as they were finished, so the wait time was minimal. As a bonus, L.A. and Sushi Icon, Chef Nozawa was there with his lovely wife, Yumiko, so it was an added bonus to see them and say hello. It brought back great memories of our visits to the original Nozawa in Studio City! read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Liked the bar-like setup. The hand rolls were all very good. Service was quick and easy. Will come back again.

Stick With the $29 6 Roll Set instead of the $30 "Trust Me, Just Eat" version of SugarFish. KazuNori, same family as Sugarfish, spontaneous dinner with husband & son -- love those. Do yourself a favor: order the 6-roll menu at $29. I went for the $30 "Trust Me, Just Eat" and fell for it. The $29 set menu is already perfect "best of everything" including bay scallop -- which neither of them got, sadly. I had monkfish and eel; however, hindsight the 6 roll is perfect. May go back to select that or less, but will still choose SugarFish b/c perfect amount of rolls to sushi portion. The $30 is no surprise, it's rather an insult. My unsolicited advice: make bay scallop as the interchangeable surprise, uni, tuna, monkfish, shrimp. Replace that section with a combo tree hugger set. Pull it or fix it. The $29 speaks for itself. read more

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We absolutely love KazuNori! Since moving to the area, we've been stopping by on a weekly basis! Sometimes 2-3 times a week! Consistent quality, fast streamlined service and delicious hand rolls! Whenever we're thinking of going out for dinner, KazuNori is at the top of the list. We go so often! If they had a membership, we would easily be top tier members! We also love bringing people for the first time and sharing one of our favorite spots. Don't ever change, KazuNori! read more

Came at night when they were almost closing. So by this time some items get sold out. In this case we were not able to get crab but it was subbed with shrimp. Shrimp wasnt bad, it was alot better than i thought it would be. Our server henry kept refilling my water and was patient with me cause apparently i have hearing and memory problems when he said some items were out so i had to pick another. So far never had a bad experience at this place. Service is always great now. read more

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KazuNori does it right every time. Quick, efficient and friendly service, you couldn't ask for a better hand roll experience. Their hand rolls are always on point. Our favorites are Toro, Crab and Unagi. We've been to a few locations and we've always had the best time. This time around we were in and out in about 30 minutes. The ambiance is simple, clean and easy. At the counter with the chefs and served one at a time. They serve you at your own pace so you never feel rushed. Just enjoy every bite and you will leave satisfied. We'll be back soon :) read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Toro Hand Roll - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Treated myself to a solo lunch here after I got a haircut a few blocks away! It was quite busy for a Thursday afternoon, seems like a popular lunch spot for people working in the area. I was seated within 5 minutes and service from there was quick and efficient. Servers were attentive and refilled my water and ginger often. All five handrolls were flavorful, delicious, and well portioned, and the chef kept them coming at a good pace. Very reasonably priced and it's a no tipping establishment. read more

Minimum and cold vibe of the restaurant. I love it. Service is top notch since there's only a bar and yes! They need the customers turnover like those standing ramen bar in Japan. Fresh seafood , good amount of chew on rice and fresh nori( thank goodness) I am so happy for my quick lunch grab and I am glad I do not need to travel to downtown anymore. read more

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Amazing amazing food! Only one comment I would have is the chefs speaking up a little bit when telling us the name of the roles, especially when we got the chef's choice. Absolutely will return again! Fish was so fresh and the weight was not too long on a Monday night. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

My friend and I came here to have a late night snack. Decent prices for hand rolls. Customer service was great Nice ambiance but you may have to wait for seating depending on what time you come. Overall, great experience! read more

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I love Kazunori's blue crab. The quality here replicates the other branches (which is good). I'm so glad there's one in Pasadena now! It's the same as the other branches; set orders of rolls. I always get the 6 roll though hahaha :) read more

A great spot for hand rolls. Honestly, Kazu Nori never misses. I was able to get 5 rolls for about $30 and each one was delicious. I couldn't help but inhale each roll. We came at a good time cause we were able to be sat right away for a party of two. They have parking in the back which is free for about two hours. Would definitely recommend from anyone craving hand rolls in Pasadena! read more

Newest KaruNori location. Glad I don't have to drive to DTLA anymore for my closest fix. We drove by and there was a huge line - but they were in line for Matu. We got seated as soon as we got there but there was a line when we left. Free 2 hour parking with validation on their underground lot. Service and food were great as always. read more

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Seaweed was so crispy. Scallop hand roll in the set was the best and staff was kind! Would definitely come back! Bathroom was clean and the bar seating was intimate read more

Minimalistic bar-style seats only, just like every other Kazunori locations. They are consistently good. Great place for a quick lunch or solo meal. Great quality hand rolls and staff were very friendly. Street parking for a fee read more

Intimate. Delicious. High quality Handroll Bar. That's all you need to know. Prices are pretty affordable and the line moves pretty quick. I love the set up and how casual yet intimate the space is. It's perfect for catch up with friends or a date night spot! For the hand rolls, I love their 5 set and the amount they offer. Everything is fresh and so delicious! The staff make the rolls in front of you too. Love this spot and I'll be back! read more

Came here on a Friday night with friends. As we went in it was packed and a line but staff were really nice and kept checking up on the line. It was a minor wait as there is limited seating in their unique bar layout. They make the rolls fresh with warm rice in front of you 1 by 1 so it's fresh as you eat. Originally I got the 5 piece but after eating the 4th piece I was so full and asked if they could change my order. They were so nice and ended up letting me cancel my last roll. The price was also very reasonable. If you like sushi, I would definitely recommend you to come try this place out! read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

I had such a great experience. I went on a weekday in the late afternoon and was pleasantly surprised that there was absolutely no wait or line and I was seated immediately. I was quickly given a menu, offered water, and the service was attentive from start to finish. The entire visit took less than 45 minutes, which was perfect. The food was just as fresh and delicious as any other KazuNori location I've been to. Even though it wasn't very busy, there were plenty of staff members present and ready to help if we needed anything. The atmosphere was clean, calm, and just as nice as the Downtown location. Overall, a smooth and enjoyable experience and I'll definitely be back! read more

If you know KazuNori, you know the drill, long lines, but totally worth the wait! This spot on Colorado Blvd is easily one of the most popular hand roll spots in LA, and for good reason. The setup is all bar seating and it's pretty limited, so definitely expect a bit of a hangout before you get a stool. Once you're in, the service is great and the rolls come out fast and super fresh. I went with the 6-roll set which included the lobster roll, so good! But honestly, the scallop roll was the sleeper hit for me; the flavor was spot on. I love that you can do the sets or just go à la carte if you have specific favorites. Parking in this area can be a nightmare, but there's a big garage nearby that makes it super easy. Great food, fresh fish, and that signature crispy seaweed. I'll definitely be back (once I have time to stand in line again)! read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Lobster Hand Roll - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Service: Always incredible. Consistently great every visit. Atmosphere: Vibey and laid back. Good for a chill night whether you are solo, on a date, or with a small group. Food: Amazing as always. The hand rolls never miss read more

When to this restaurant after taking engagement photos at Pasadena City Hall. Went on a Sunday evening and it was a little bit of a wait, inside is like bar counter seating but the food was incredible had the 6 Otoro had rolls and a couple of yellow tail hand rolls and they don't disappoint. Inside is dimly lit and has a modern feel it! I'd be back every week if it wasn't an hour drive each way for me! read more

AMAZING experience!! A friend mentioned this restaurant to me so we decided to try it out! We came on a Friday evening, unfortunately there's no reservations so we waited but it wasn't too bad. This is a cute place for a random date night. It's a little different to other restaurants because it's set up like a bar, but the ambiance is nice because it's dark and has candles set up for your date night! I tried their hand roll set and my husband ordered the nozie. We also shared a salmon sashimi! Delicious and fresh! We got back from Japan just a few months ago and I can truly say the food is very comparative! Don't get me started on the service! We had Chanel as our server. She was very attentive and came to check on us throughout the night. I couldn't even tell you how many times because every time we looked up, there she was tending to us! Thank you Chanel for making our date night so memorable!! read more

Everyone here is SO lovely. Came in for a little date night with my daughters and everything was delicious, fresh, fast and served with such kindness. Thanks for making a great day even better! read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Love their seating. - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Super simple handrolls. If you like sushi and you like to hold it come here. You have sets to choose from and you can swap any handrolls you'd like from your set. You get a new roll when you're finished with your current one. I would say I wish the rice wasn't so hot compared to the fish. The seaweed starts to get warm which makes it harder to bite off the roll towards the end, so the fish and rice start to fall out the other side. However the service is good they are attentive. It definitely feels intimate bc of the lighting and the seating. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Crab Hand Roll - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Wow. Came here a month ago and there was a long wait, but really wanted try they place. Finally got to try this place and damn it's worth the wait. The bar only sits about 26 people and the menu is small but oh so good. The service was top notch we had Taylor help us and she was great. The food came out fast and it was delish. The vibe has a dark nightclub theme. Will be back for sure! read more

I was stoked to hear KazuNori finally made its way to Pasadena! Waited in line for about 20 minutes on a Friday night which doesn't seem too bad considering there isn't a whole lot of seating, which all bar style. Hand rolls were delicious, I could eat more if I wanted to. Definitely on the lighter side but sometimes that's just what you need, especially when considering the quality of ingredients. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Crab Hand Roll - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

I love you very KazuNori I've ever been to and this one is no different. Beautiful bar, friendly service, deliciously warm and perfectly seasoned rice, fresh fish and very affordable prices. The only negative is that (and this may be my imagination) they seemed to have a larger rice to fish ratio than they used to. It wouldn't be surprising since the prices have stayed the same for many years while everything else has definitely gotten more expensive, but the result is a bit of an overly rice-y roll with not enough fish. Will definitely be back, but will be on the lookout. read more

Hands down the best sushi hand rolls ever. Every roll was incredibly fresh, perfectly balanced, and made right in front of us so you could taste the quality in every bite. The fish melted in your mouth and the nori stayed perfectly crisp. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Unfiltered and sweet sake - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Right door is the entrance, left door is the exit. There's a queue to get seated. It was pretty busy but luckily, the line moves steady. I love Kazunori and I've been to other locations so I wanted to check out the Pasadena location. It feels a bit rushed but overall, it's a similar experience to the other locations. We tried the Nozawa Special with 6 hand rolls. I tried rolls that I normally don't get like the Ankimo, Yamaimo, and Eel. It was nice to try but next time, I'm definitely getting my favorites which are the Bay Scallops and Crab! It's a bar set up and the seats are very close together. I would suggest only coming with a small group. Or a plus one. read more