We came here completely on a whim after spending the day at the Huntington Library. We had stopped at a nearby creamery for dessert and noticed this little sushi spot just a few doors down. We decided to give it a try, boba in hand. Unfortunately, they don't allow outside food or drinks, but they were kind enough to keep it in the fridge for us. Walking in and seeing an all-Japanese staff, I had a feeling we were in for something special. The menu prices were a little higher than your average neighborhood sushi restaurant, but after the first few bites, it all made sense. The service was prompt, friendly, and efficient. Our food arrived quickly, and the quality of the fish was outstanding--fresh, buttery, and literally melted in my mouth. This is top-tier sushi. The meal was so impressive that I had to meet the chef and owner. They were incredibly kind, and I learned they've been serving the community for over 25 years. It's easy to see why they've stood the test of time. We found an unexpected gem, and this will definitely become part of our Huntington Library tradition. If you're in the area and appreciate high-quality sushi, Matsuri is absolutely worth the visit. read more

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Came here for a work lunch at around 11:45 on a Thursday and it was totally empty. Service was quick. I ordered the mixed sashimi lunch with tempura. It came with a cabbage salad, miso soup, bowl of rice and surprisingly some Mac salad. I honestly thought it would have had more sashimi cause the dish was kinda small but no worries. Next time I'll try the sushi lunch combo cause my coworker got that and it looked like a good deal - it came with 5 pieces, a California roll and a spicy tuna roll. She only got miso soup and not the salad though. Food was pretty good. I did get a stomachache later but I think maybe it was just too much fried food or I just ate too much cause the fish tasted fine when I was there. There's only two bathrooms though - one for men and one for women. The one for women was out of order so they let me use the men's. It was clean. I just note this cause I dislike having just one bathroom for a fairly mid size restaurant. We also walked here so I'm not sure about the parking situation but I didn't see a lot so I'm guessing street parking on green or Wilson is what you'll have to do. The only other downside was that the couldn't do separate checks which always sucks in a group setting. Anyways, it's better than the other sushi place near our workplace so I'd give this place another chance. read more

Matsuri - Mixed Sashimi Combo Plate - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

We walked in around 7pm and were seated right away, without a reservation. Each server we encountered were so nice and helpful. It's a pretty casual restaurant and everyone seemed to be enjoying their dinner as well. We ordered a few appetizers and have no complaints about any of them. The cold tofu was different since I'm used to it being in a dish with soy sauce and the toppings in it but it came in its own bowl in ice water, which kept it at a perfect temperature and a nice texture. The gyoza had such a nice freshly grilled taste and the filling was nicely flavored also. The tempura mix was super light and was definitely fresh. The last thing ordered was the sushi which was fresh. I'd love to go back for happy hour and try a few more options. read more

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One of, if not the best Sushi places in Pasadena! Cannot recommend enough. It has a truly authentic feel. Their lunch plates offer a great selection at a great price. The staff are also really nice and take great care of you. read more

Every time dined there it was a lovely experience. I had delicious bento box lunches before, now looking forward to try black cod.

Came here again to celebrate my mom's birthday. Still love this spot for really consistently good sushi, sashimi and set meals with really friendly service. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for! read more

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I could give it a zero. I didn't like the service so I decided not to give her a tip . -and since tipping isn't mandatory! if I didn't like the service--maybe because I'm Latina, I don't know--when we left, the waitress was yelling, yes yelling me , Excuse me, ! excuse me, ! why don't you leave a tip?" And I was even more upset because she said it loudly in front of everyone. I told her I didn't like the service, and then she said, "Oh, I'll never come back to that place in my life." read more

Been wanting to try this place for a while & glad I did. Made a reservation for a Thursday evening & was promptly seated. Cute Japanese decor inside, & food is authentic. The Shoka-do had a good assortment of items. Sashimi was very fresh. Would come back again to try their other bentos. Easy street parking. read more

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I've been a loyal customer of Matsuri for years, which makes this especially disappointing. My daughter and I were seated immediately and ordered ramen for her along with my meal. Her food was forgotten, and after more than 35 minutes in an otherwise empty restaurant, it only arrived after I followed up. We were still charged for it. We decided to take our food to go when the server chuckled as she gave us complimentary edamame beans, even after I directly communicated to her that my daughter does not eat beans. This was our queue to leave after realizing she didn't actually care about how long we've already been waiting, and that my toddler was not going to eat the free beans she was trying to feed us. There was no real apology or accountability, and the overall attitude felt dismissive. If this is how longtime customers are treated, I would not recommend dining here. Based on this experience, I won't be returning. read more

I go here at least once a month because of the fish quality, reasonable prices, and hospitality. It is a local staple in my book. I highly recommend you try any of the specials, you'll be impressed. I love the sashimi and spicy tuna hand rolls. read more

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Late an hour before they closed. Was seated promptly with a warm greeting that can be in Japanese. Ordered Baked green mussels and hamachi kama, a sunomono octopus salad and 4 spicy tuna hand-rolls with a large hot sake and large Orion beer. The service was great and the place felt like I stepped into a Kyoto for delicious fresh meal. Hidden gem. read more

Great service! Very authentic and the food was delicious! The food comes out super quickly and everything was very fresh. read more

Matsuri - Ten Zaru Soba, Sushi Deluxe Plate, Black Cod Yuanzuke - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Matsuri I am surprised I only have tried you recently when you have been here for so long. I love when you walk in you feel like you are in a traditional Japanese style restaurant. The sushi tables are right in front and there are small tables scattered around with table seating of two and fours. It is located in the city of Pasadena and I came here for dinner with a girlfriend of mine. We picked it through Yelp and I am glad it was good. We both ordered the sashimi dinner with comes with miso soup and a hefty bowl of rice . Service was friendly and nice and I would totally come back to try more things! I think the freshness of this place will keep many people coming back and probably have long time customers. I am so glad I found this spot! Can't wait to tell all my friends about it too. read more

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Great sushi place along with the nicest people. Quality of the food is great. The menu has delicious items to choose from. The staff is friendly and welcoming.. You won't be disappointed. read more

The family owned restaurant serves terrific sushi and sashimi. Great atmosphere with dishes prepared by masterful chefs.

The ambience was amazing. This is obviously a local spot. The food was delicious and the service was prompt!

A nice family style Japanese restaurant on Green Street away from the busy old town Pasadena. We came to celebrate a birthday and ordered a few appetizers and combo dinners. We enjoyed their fried oysters, baked mussels and soft shell crab appetizers. My combination dinner of teriyaki salmon and tempura was definitely a do over. Servers were very friendly and accommodating and we had a comfortable table in the corner for our group. I'm glad we had reservations since the restaurant filled up quickly on Saturday night. They offered free parking in a private lot adjacent to the restaurant. There was also a lot of street parking on Green Street as well. Definitely plan to return again. read more

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I've been wanting to try Matsuri for over 10 years, and unfortunately it was a huge disappointment. Shishito peppers ($12): Only about 8 pieces, way overpriced. Spicy mayo: Literally just mayonnaise mixed with Sriracha--unoriginal and not appetizing. Stuffed jalapeños ($16): Nothing special, definitely not worth the price. Miso soup ($3.50): Tiny portion and very underwhelming in flavor. Overall, the quality did not match the prices. Portions were small, flavors were depressing, and the experience left me very dissatisfied. Sadly, after waiting so long to try this place, I can confidently say I will not be coming back read more

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I love this sushi bar. I love the family who owns it. I love the customers. This is my favorite restaurant in all of the greater Los Angeles area. Just such good vibes! Try the shiso hot -- ask for the upgraded fish. Omg. Amazing! read more

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I enjoyed a lunch and a dinner at Matsuri recently. The staff is lovely and was accommodating/helpful as I brought a guest in a wheelchair with me. We enjoyed a variety of sushi and cooked dishes over the course of our meals. Lovely all around. Fresh fish that's cut well (not too thick or thin); a little generous on the wasabi accompanying the dishes, but it could be worse. Very darling space. A nice display of treasures from around Japan. Not so loud that you can't hear your table's conversation. Good all around. read more

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This is our go-to Japanese restaurant in an area that has a ton of them. Matsuri stands out because they offer multiple types of Japanese food and do all of them well. The staff are all super friendly and speak Japanese. The ambiance is pretty simple but is clean and welcoming. The sushi is my favorite, but I also really enjoy their appetizers (especially the crab croquettes and salmon collar). Note that if you come during prime time on a weekend there may be a bit of a wait, and there is not really room to wait inside. read more

Stopped by for a quick lunch during the work day. Family-owned, cute place that is reflected by the welcoming atmosphere. Service was generally fast and certainly kind. I ordered the lunch combo with teriyaki rib eye beef and tempura combo. The dish came with miso soup and white rice. The soup was great, rice immaculately cooked. The beef was flavorful and was a perfect teriyaki in my view -- savory, umami-y with a perfectly balanced sweetness. The tempura was breaded and fried well, though the tempura sauce could have used a bit more radish. Also got iced matcha tea and that was great. I would definitely come back and recommend the place for quick Japanese fix. read more

Matsuri - Beef Teriyaki and Tempura Combo Plate - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

What a great spot for lunch! Staff were kind and attentive. Bento box was delicious with a good portion, reasonable price. Serve beer too. Parking lot in the back. Spots are clearly marked. A little small inside with only one table that has room for more than 4. I can see this place filling up. Great spot!!! read more

Matsuri - Entrance - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Honestly my favorite place to have Omakase!! The chefs are so kind and make wonderful conversation. The service is immaculate, the restaurant is always clean and is adorable inside. The quality of the fish is absolutely beyond, the chefs will share what fish was caught day of, and the fish just keeps on coming. I always leave stuffed to the brim and incredibly happy. Thought I didn't like uni until my last visit and now it's all I can think about. The fresh wasabi is delightful and I always go through a few servings. Regular patrons have always been super friendly as well. Easy parking, a nice intimate atmosphere and I always leave dreaming of the next time I will be back. read more

We went back and were pleasantly surprised by how crowded it was! Nice mix of folks. The food was about the same as we usually get and service was kind and prompt. Prices have gone up a bit but still a good deal for what they serve. We could hear some "first timers" trying Japanese food but expect before they were served. read more

Food was amazing but I had to take a star away because service was extremely slow. I had to ask for check and for the empty dishes to be removed. I will definitely be back ... read more

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Matsuri is an amazing small mom and pop Japanese restaurant. As we walked in, we were greeted by all the workers. This is very traditional Japanese culture, to welcome guests. Our server checked on us if we had any questions while looking over the menu. I love that they had tasty selections other than sushi. Most of their combinations (bentos) include sushi! And not just a California roll, but a variety of sushi. The overall quality was really fresh. I loved the presentation of the food in the decorative cutlery and serving dishes/bowls. My ultimate surprise was how good the clam miso soup was. The clams were really fresh, juicy, and the amount of clams was generous. My favorite thing to eat was the tamago. Usually the tamago is bland, too sweet or too thick. Matsuri's tamago is fluffy and delicious. It's really close to the tamago at Tsukiji fish market. Keep in mind that this is a small business and they work hard to keep such good quality of their dishes. If you're not sure what to order, I recommend the Matsuri Gozen bento which includes a delicious black cod, sashimi, tamago sushi, deep fried spicy salmon, spinach, fish and cucumber salad. This is my favorite dish to order here. You get the best of both sushi and trade Japanese dishes. Street parking only on green street shouldn't be too difficult. Bon appetit yelpers! read more

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One of the most authentic sushi, restaurants I've ever been to, the service is amazing, and the food is excellent. I highly recommend this restaurant read more

Apparently the spot in Pasadena!! I was meeting up with some clients for work at Caltech, and they recommended this spot on the corner. It was just a few blocks away from campus, and seemed to be pretty popular with students on a given weekday. Inside, our server got us to our tables and welcomed us with water and miso soup. She was super friendly and gave us plenty of time to order :). I went with the katsu lunch combo, which also came with california rolls, and mac salad. It tasted great, with the katsu being very crunchy and the mac salad being the perfect complement to the meal. I thought the California rolls were great too! read more

Matsuri - a plate of food on a table - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

They definitely go for natural flavors here. We ordered the special of fried rock cod and appetizer of veggie tempura. Tempura batter and batter for fish was a bit too heavy. I prefer lighter batter; the fish was very nicely cooked, light and flaky. Homemade tartar sauce was solid. For main course, I ordered Matsuri gozen. I would say the highlight of my meal was the clam miso. A bit heavy on the salt but delicious! The fish for the main dish was only ok. The skin was chewy and soft rather than crunchy; the seasoning was good. The sashimi was also only ok; some of the fish pieces were too thick for my preference. The boiled spinach was the least appetizing...cold and bland. Would I come here again? Probably not, but I'm glad I tried it. read more

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Great service & considerably reasonable prices for this area in Pasadena. They have all the standard rolls, sushi, sashimi, lunch and dinner box sets, & rice bowls, but I suggest you try their udons & sobas especially in the winter. Came here because they have a less commonly found dish called: - kagiage soba/udon(kagiage is a mixed veggie tempura but they even have shrimp in theirs) 5/5 Love that the whole place speaks Japanese. You know the entire staff is legit. read more

Matsuri - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

I finally had a chance to eat here in person with my fam. We got the bluefin tuna toro sushi, ikura sushi, spicy yellowtail roll, the matsuri special. We also got the saba shio (mackerel) dinner entree and karaage chicken and yellowtail collar for appetizers. It was more than ample food for the three of us. We also had a green tea and beer and lemonade for beverages and the bill was slightly over $158 inc tip. great service no wait. read more

Home style Japanese comfort food. Easy parking and one of the best secrets around for a reasonable quality Japanese

Lovely restaurant with terrific food in a relaxed welcoming environment. A favorite, for sure. You won't be disappointed

My family has been coming here for years, and I have to say it is the best sushi in Pasadena! Great family atmosphere, and lovely service. This family-owned restaurant does a great job of creating a good vibe for a weeknight meal or a nice weekend date night. They also have lunch for Monday through Friday. Can't recommend Matsuri enough! read more

Matsuri was a place we would go often since I use to live about a hundred feet from the establishment. Would it be my go-to for sushi? No. However, for convenience, it does the job. The service here is good. Everyone is super friendly and my experiences here were nothing but pleasant. I often order the sushi platter, which has a variety of different sushi. My only gripe is the rice - it just seemed a bit dry and they do give you a lot compared to other places. Each piece of fish is good but not the freshest. The eel bowl is good and filling. Nothing special and grilled eel is hard to mess up. My favorite item on the menu is the salmon collar. I love the fatness, which is reminiscent of bone marrow. Your hands will get sticky from the fish oil but well worth it. The spicy tuna hand rolls are good but I wish it had more spice to it. read more

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We finally found our Pasadena sushi spot. This is the real deal. We sat at the bar and everything was great. Wonderful experience. Great chefs, great staff, great service, delicious fresh and flavorful cuts of fish with wonderful texture. We ate primarily nigiri sushi and it was expertly prepared, with a few very welcome creative touches here and there (that the chef asked us if we would be ok with). A special place. read more

Best spot in Pasadena! Sit at the bar, tell the chefs what kind of fish you like, and enjoy! Will be the best experience you've had in Pasadena for sushi! read more

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This is a staple chirashi restaurant in Pasadena!!! The raw sushi fish comes with a rice base and is also topped with Japanese veggies. They were super generous with the portions of fish. Love that it comes with egg, yes so simple yet you need it to balance the texture of the raw fish. It's now my go to chirashi spot!!! Highly recommend!!! read more

Matsuri - Chirashi Sushi Plate - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I cannot express how happy we were to find Matsuri! There is a wide menu selection of appetizers, combos, sushi, and izakaya appetizers, and western style japanese dishes. The crab croquette was sooo good, fluffy and soft on the inside, but crispy on the outside. The Matsuri Gozen is also a great meal with nice variety of items to try. The tempura and sashimi combo I got had really great, well made tempura. The sashimi good too, but I could tell that the quality of sashimi in the Matsuri Gozen seemed somewhat higher quality. The same for the Sushi Super Deluxe, it seemed like the fish quality was not as high as the Gozen set. The price point on the a la carte sushi is kind of high, so I haven't compared the quality for that method of ordering. The service is very attentive and the atmosphere is very cozy. There's bar seating but also plenty of tables. There's so many great items on the menu to try, so I'm definitely going back. This is definitely becoming our regular Japanese spot. read more

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