(Dined/Drank 06/12/26 FR @ 8:00pm): This sake and sushi place wasn't too "far away" from my…read morehometown's stomping grounds! A dear friend and I caught up for her belated birthday at Haruka Sake And Sushi, which was once the home of one of our favorite sushi restaurants years ago in Inchiban. Neither of us could recall how long it's been since Ichiban left, but we were amazed that neither of us have tried this replacement since it opened sometime around the pandemic. We both loved to support local businesses in our old neighborhood, so we were excited to see what the new restaurant did to the place. Was it a blissful evening filled with sake, sushi, and stories, or was this place a bit far off from what we happily remembered it to be!? PURCHASE(S) Sapporo Breweries Sapporo Premium Beer 4.9% ABV 22floz Bottle ($9.00 x2): Rich amber color, malty sweet aroma, low body, light malty sweet flavor, clean smooth finish, and light malty sweet aftertaste. Always a favor with sushi! Deep Fried Shishito Peppers ($9.50): Butter sautéed shishito peppers with ponzu sauce, these slightly spicy tasty treats were fun to nibble on between sushi rolls! Sesame Chicken Karaage ($12.50): A bountiful amount of deep-fried sesame seasoned chicken pieces, this was a meal itself as I had to stop myself from feasting on these hot tender crispy nuggets! Garlic Albacore Fresh Cut Roll 8pc ($18.95): Albacore on top of a spicy tuna roll, accompanied by refreshing cucumber and topped with crispy onion and garlic served with a savory garlic ponzu sauce, this was an aromatic delight with plump succulent pieces of fish that melted in your mouth! Lion King Baked Cut Roll 8pc ($18.95): Baked spicy tuna on top of salmon wrapped California roll topped with smelt eggs, green onions, and unagi sauce, each flavorful packed piece was the size of shumai that almost made me snore than roar due to an onset of food coma! Hot Night Tempura Cut Roll 8pc ($17.95): Jalapeño, spicy tuna, sriracha on top of shrimp tempura roll, mild spicy crunch and spicy mayo on top, a beautifully-presented roll with warming spices from start to finish, I was fanning down a bit. Salmon Crazy Tempura Cut Roll 8pc ($17.95): Spicy chopped salmon on top of shrimp tempura roll, topped with spicy mayo and green onions, another beautifully-presented roll this time with buttery salmon and a light sweet tempura casing. SERVICE Warmly greeted by a young hostess, she asked if the bar was fine (which it was) and led us there where we were then met by a friendly gentleman who gave us menus and glasses of water. After a few annoyed attempts by our female server to take our order (we weren't ready), we finally got our shit together and threw it down! Within minutes, everything arrived like an assembly line with minimal space to put it all... but we managed. With plenty of leftovers, they kindly packed everything up, we paid, and off we went into the night - arigato! PARKING (FREE): They shared parking within a smallish strip mall that featured a handful of other businesses such as Handel's Homemade Ice Cream, Rice & Nori, Kobeissi Properties, and more. Otherwise, there were spots along the main drags of Foothill Blvd. and Oakwood Ave. - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE A clean modern open spacious layout with plenty of barstool, booth, and table seating, and a quieter small back dining room. The bar counter gave access to the chefs as you watched them prepare each creation. No promotional items at all, while the decor was minimalistic Japanese. A decent amount of natural lighting entered through the front doors and windows while an assortment of electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were no TVs while faint music played in the background. ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL Haruka Sake And Sushi was a wonderful replacement for our beloved Ichiban, and we will definitely return! The food was fresh and tasted wonderful, the portions rocked, the menu was vast with plenty of options, the prices were comparable, and the service was outstanding (sorry for making the server wait for us). And, I preferred to support small mom & pop businesses (they had three total locations). I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $126.00 BEFORE any discounts, points usage, and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

I tried Haruka Sake & Sushi the other weekend with my partner and another couple, and we had a…read moregreat experience. If you're looking for an intimate date night spot, this is definitely one I'd recommend. The music was relaxing, the lighting in the main dining room was dim and cozy, and there was another seating area off to the side that was a bit brighter for those who prefer more light. The menu is straightforward, offering all the standard sushi rolls, sashimi, and appetizers you'd expect. One thing I appreciated was the inclusion of several health-conscious "rolls" that don't contain rice, which is a nice option for anyone looking to cut back on carbs or who simply isn't a fan of rice. Ordering was a little different than most sushi restaurants. Instead of ordering directly from the server, they give you a paper menu where you either check off or write the quantity of each item you'd like. It was simple and made it easy for our group to keep track of everything we ordered. There were four of us dining together. My partner ordered the Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box, which came with miso soup, a small salad, eight pieces of a California roll, mixed tempura, rice, and the chicken teriyaki. The miso soup was served piping hot, and the salad had a light ginger dressing that paired nicely with it. I ordered the Shrimp Tempura Roll, Edamame, and split the Lobster Tail Roll with my partner. Our friends ordered the Oishii Roll and the Vegas Roll. Both rolls had interesting textures, but for me, the cream cheese overpowered the salmon. As someone who loves lox on a bagel with cream cheese, I expected to enjoy it, but the combination of cream cheese, rice, and avocado overshadowed the fish. That's completely a matter of personal preference, though. I did enjoy the contrast between the crispy tempura exterior and the cool, soft center of the rolls. Now let's talk about the Lobster Tail Roll. This was on an entirely different level. I'd never had one before, and honestly, I'd come back just for this $25 roll. There wasn't any nori holding it together, and I honestly have no idea how it managed to stay intact--but somehow it did... mostly. You'll want to pop each piece into your mouth pretty quickly before it decides to fall apart. It was absolutely delicious, and adding soy sauce would almost feel like a crime. The light drizzle of eel sauce was all it needed. Service was another highlight. Everything came out quickly, and the staff worked together like a well-oiled machine. They turned tables efficiently without ever making us feel rushed, and they were always nearby to refill our drinks before we had to ask. Pricing was also very reasonable. Our group averaged about $30 per person, depending on what everyone ordered, which I thought was fair for the quality and freshness of the food. As a bonus, Handel's Homemade Ice Cream is right next door, making it the perfect place to grab dessert after dinner. One final thing I really appreciated: the food looked exactly like the photos the restaurant advertises. It's always refreshing when what arrives at your table is just as picture-perfect as what you saw online. Overall, I'd definitely come back. Whether you're looking for a casual dinner with friends or a cozy date night, Haruka Sake & Sushi delivers a relaxing atmosphere, attentive service, and quality sushi at a reasonable price. The Lobster Tail Roll alone is worth the return trip.

Came here for a quick dinner and were the only people in the restaurant. There's 2 tables outside…read morefor outdoor seating and a few inside. Ordered the albacore sushi, uni pasta, and black cod bento and was pretty happy with everything! I wasn't sure at all what to expect but it's definitely fun. The uni pasta had deliciously fresh uni, but fascinatingly tasted like a slightly elevated kraft mac and cheese. The black cod bento was so delicious, but the sides are heavily onion flavored and I'm not too big of a fan of onions. Overall an amazing spot well worth the visit if you're in the area!

I was pleasantly surprised by my takeout order! We ordered the 16-piece sushi + 2 cut rolls (blue…read morecrab and California), a spicy tuna roll, and the mackerel bento box. A few things stood out: * The takeout order was thoughtfully and carefully packaged. Everything arrived organized, secure, and looking fresh. * They provide real wasabi and a generous amount of pickled ginger, which I always appreciate. * The quality of the fish was excellent, especially for takeout. Everything tasted fresh and well-prepared. The only downside was that the rice in the mackerel bento box was a bit undercooked. It wasn't enough to ruin the meal, but it was noticeable. Overall, a very solid experience with quality fish and attention to detail. I'm not usually in the area, but I'll happily stop by again the next time I'm visiting.

This sushi restaurant is off foothill blvd, La Cañada, CA…read more Yesterday, I came by here with my sister in law , I noticed when we first entered how super clean and so were their restrooms, highly organized and attention to details. It was very warm, very friendly, chic, and classy. It's a very beautiful sushi restaurant! There is wide range of sushi here, everything is fresh! They have appetizers, salads, Lunch specials 11:30am-3pm , kitchen , sushi/sashimi , carpaccio, noodles, sakes, wines, beers, sodas. They also have Salamat specials: hand rolls, wagyu, abalone. Julie Ham was our waitress, she asked us if we had any questions and we did. She answered them all beautifully! We ordered : 1 hand roll sampler, 1 salmon roll, 1 bulgogi which included : spicy tuna, white rice and salad! Our delicious meal both came with a delicious miso soup too! All mouthwatering deliciousness! Julie always made sure our cups were full or if we needed anything she was on it! Their price points are spot on! We had a lovely time here! Julie Ham was so very sweet, kind, caring, super genuine, down to earth! Julie has this super upbeat energy about herself that really radiates! I would love to Thank Julie Ham for a lovely, Fantastic and memorable visit ! I would like to Thank Sakana Sushi for a wonderful visit! We will definitely be back here again! I'll tell all my Family & Friends to come here!

Always a great experience here! I love grabbing a seat at the bar and ordering the Sakana Lunch…read moreSpecial. It's the perfect combo of fresh sushi, salmon, and crispy tempura. Everything tastes amazing and always hits the spot. John was especially friendly and made the experience even better, it was so nice chatting with him. I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

The ambiance inside is nice and clean, with a huge open space allowing seating for tons of tables…read more The design of the restaurant is much more modern than other Teppanyaki places. The service was great and the food was really good and the portions are huge. All of the servers and chefs pay attention to small details and made sure to provide us with refills and great service. Once pretty big issue I had was how hot it was inside the restaurant at all times. The thermostat inside said 84 and it really felt even hotter. Although I understand we went during the peak of summer heat and there is constant cooking with fire going on, the temperature inside the restaurant is almost unbearable. We were sweating the whole time.

We come often, but I will say, last night, for my birthday, my daughter and I went for dinner. We…read morewere sat with a family, (with kids) and they took over the entire table. I mean loud, crowding.... Kids running around. Then, to make matters worse, they had friends from other tables visiting and hovering over us as they talked to the family at our table. It was if we didn't exist. The kids weren't even watching the show! Good $$$ for dinner + separately tipping our chef...our experience was "less than" and we won't be coming back. (Food was at least decent) Maybe have your hosts do a better job at grouping people at tables versus filling simple vacancy?

Amazing value for quality food…read more Great bone broth Raman and the Spicy Tuna Don is fabulous for $11

Came here with my bestie for a quick dinner. Located on the second floor of the strip mall,…read moreKontentsu is a cute little restaurant with a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. We ordered one of their new menu items, the curry udon. It came out fairly quickly and was surprisingly flavorful. The dish was also incredibly filling. All in all, we enjoyed our dinner. ****************** My Ratings: 1 Star: Terrible; just thinking about it makes me angry. 2 Stars: Wasn't a fan so Not likely to return. 3 Stars: Meh. Average. Might return if others drag me. 4 Stars: Yum! Likely to return. 5 Stars: Amazing! Would plan my day around it.

I have to say I am extremely disappointed…read more 76 dollars for 3 plates. SMH. And before I go on, mochiko chicken is the only dish worth eating here. Now let's begin. Walked into a restaurant where you don't get greeted upon entry, the girl walking around just smiles at you with no words. No hello, nothing. Not even an Aloha! I've been to the big island, there's endless praises everywhere. You did not get the vibe here. First time we came here we were wowed by the food. Portions were great at first. Once we got our orders yesterday, I knew our time had come. Cant support places that over charge for no apparent reason. Plain and simple. Chicken thighs are 2-3 dollars a pound, beef is like 8-10 dollars a pound. I use to be in the food industry and to see the portions of food here the second round. Either it shows they are hurting bad, or the chef "was having a bad day?" I just don't believe that. And I can assure you they are not using halal nor organic meats for them to justify portion to pricing. Back to my first remark like I mentioned above, mochiko chicken is the only dish I recommend if someone is coming for their first time. Soft tender chicken bites sprinkled with some nori like seasoning. Rice scoop and the infamous sad Mac salad. The Mac salad needs love. Serious revamping. I make an authentic island style Mac salad time to time. Far better than this recipe. I also ordered the Galbi which I did not appreciate the bait and switch. Since I've ordered it before and this time it was not cut into strips. Last I checked with the numerous photos posted here on yelp. The version we received just wasn't it. Everyone gets a decent portion of meat. Nothing chewy or even with bones. I even said to my mother in law she is going to love this dish. And she hated it. They still had the bones of the sliced short rib on, VERY FATTY, very chewy. Such a let down. And last the Dinosaur ribs. I asked about them and was given a hand comparison to sizing. Not gonna lie this wasn't it either. There was almost no meat. Was the cow taking ozempic? Google Dinosaur Ribs. No seriously Google, Dinosaur ribs. I mean you guys need some help if you think what I got was dinosaur ribs. Definitely gotta 86 this item or give people what they actually deserve. If you're going to serve a dish and call it dinosaur ribs, atleast provide a dinosaur portion of meat on them. I mean poor execution. Flavor was decent, but having to chew the bottom connective tissue was unappealing and far from appetizing. 68 dollars plus an 8 dollar tip was too steep for this lack luster rendition of what Hawaiian food is and should be.

Driving down to Universal City was a harrowing experience when you have your 2 nieces in the back…read moreand expecting the worst (fighting, arguing, pulling hair????). But these two angels were great and happy to hear the suggestion of Hawaiian food for dinner. We went straight to Aloha Kids (not even stopping at our hotel before hand). The restaurant is so well decorated to me. I loved being in their space! The patio was their catering pick up (next day was Thanksgiving). It was busy! There was a constant stream of people coming and going. Inside Aloha Kids is smaller and narrow with few places to sit. They have a shelf with merch and I recognized some artists from the Bay Area in there! The person helping us told me they like to support small businesses and they were definitely doing so. Now, on to the most important part: the food. I ordered the Kalbi ribs, my husband ordered the loco moco, and our nieces ordered the chicken teriyaki and a spam musubi to share. The ribs were super tender and so good. I almost didn't want to offer my husband one. But I did and he really enjoyed it. He loved his loco moco so much, he barely spoke a word to me while he was eating. Our niece also really enjoyed their food and polished off their plates (just like us). My husband also ordered a side of their kimchi and it was DELICIOUS. The only thing we noted was the mac salad needed a little something, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. If we're ever back in the area, we're definitely coming back and trying other things on their menu!

I've raved multiple times about the food here and as we're sitting here at the restaurant I wanted…read moreto also do a big shoutout to the awesome staff. In particular, Ji Woo! She has the best memory! Thank you Ji Woo for always taking care of us and making us feel so special to be at your awesome sushi restaurant. You not only remember our faces but also what we like to order. Per usual, we had the most amazing rolls including the Alex roll but of course. Pls see my previous review for the breakdown. We also added yellowtail delight and energy and jamming rolls to the mix. Our typical go tos baked crawfish, rainbow, Philadelphia and dragon. Yummmmm the new ones r probably gonna be our regular ones too as they were delicious. We also tried the avocado with soy paper, perfect for kids or toddlers. Thank u all! Especially Ji Woo once again. We had an amazing dinner and we'll be back soon! Also, ambience is a perfect sushi establishment setting. Always lively and fun!

Large establishment with parking lot in front. There is…read moreboth sushi bar seating and table seating available The menu is quite large and variable Ingredients are fresh Preparations are made to order Sushi rolls are offered with and without rice options and a variety of wrappers Items are described well Notifications of spice level is made clearly The amount of rice is minimal so that the fish is not overwhelmed Will har to come back and try more in the menu

A little gem of a restaurant for Montrose. Sushi quality is comparable to West LA or WEHO. Yes,…read moreit's pricey, but 100% worth the expense for the variety, service, and authenticity. You won't find a California roll here, but you'll experience unique flavors worth every penny!

Fantastic AUTHENTIC Japanese food! This is a hidden gem!…read more Great service, kind staff, very clean environment! An authentic experience that this city was lacking.

Amazing Japan 7-11 quality experience; rice is hot and fish is cold, very authentic. Love it :)read more

The Nozawa Group is one of my favorite restaurant groups. Consistency across all their restaurants…read moreis key for me. While I've been to Kazu Nori before, this is my first time at this location. Parking: Street Parking is available surrounding perimeter, but they also have parking in the building itself, the entrance is on El Molino Service: Amazing and fast, we came during lunch, we were sat immediately and were in and out within 35 minutes. I imagine this is a solo lunch person's dream. Food: I always get the 5 handrolls, I think it's the best deal. I always sub out the crab for the scallop as a preference but it's my favorite roll at Kazu Nori and should not be missed!

We went on a Sunday around 7pm. Short wait. Outdoor seating was very nice…read more Our server was very good to us. Food itself was very good. Fish tasted fresh and I thought they pairings of toppings and sauces on the sushi was very well curated. Overall very good experience.

I met a colleague here for lunch and it did not disappoint. It's in the heart of old Pasadena along…read morea street full of amazing eateries. Parking is super tough, pretty much your options are street parking far away or the parking lot across the street that charges. The service was stellar, they were super busy so we opted to sit outside instead of waiting. They put a porta-cooler on us as it was very warm and kept topping up the ice water throughout our meal. They have great lunch specials and excellent fresh seafood and great miso. It was the perfect spot for a business lunch and even the dessert didn't disappoint. I'll definitely be back for dinner! Great sashimi, moderate prices and stellar service!