Delicious and low cost meal option! I tried the Spicy Tuna Mayo Onigiri, Salmon Yuzu Miso Onigiri, Salmon Sashimi and Lychee Lemonade. There was a line when I arrived but the wait wasn't too long. The place was packed but people receive and eat their food pretty quickly. The Lychee Lemonade is smooth and sweet with the drink leaning more lychee than lemonade but I really enjoyed it. It had two pieces of lychee inside the cup. The onigiris were a great size and had a decent amount of filling. The rice is dusted with a sesame seed salt and seaweed seasoning so every bite has flavor. The sashimi portion is small but the pieces are of quality and the dipping sauce is great.I ate inside and the tray presentation was a nice touch with a disposable soy sauce tray provided and a small cup of wasabi. The inside of the restaurant felt clean and inviting with indoor and outdoor seating available. They offer free water in the dining space. There is a parking lot onsite so don't worry about parking. read more

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6/24/2026 3 1/2 Stars SALMON YUZU ONIGIRI Salmon did not taste fishy and it was not dry, it was done well. The rice was slightly hotter than luke warm. Barely any yuzu flavor, which was disappointing. Salmon needs to be salted a bit more. The nori wasn't crispy, however, it wasn't oily. Onigiri was mild in flavor overall. This was decent, but it wasn't addicting. Onigiri was a good size. If you're hungry, ordering two to three onigiris would suffice. BEEF SUKIYAKI ONIGIRI This did taste like beef sukiyaki. Could taste the sauteed onions too. But this also needed more flavor, more salt. The nori wasn't crispy, however, it wasn't oily. I enjoyed this more than the Salmon Yuzu. BAKED LOBSTER SHRIMP HANDROLL Ordered the wrong one. I thought this would be spicy. But they later told me they only have baked, not spicy for the lobster shrimp handroll. Only the onigiri is spicy and there's a spicy tuna for the handroll too. The handroll was underseasoned and it was just plain baked lobster and shrimp with rice. If you eat it with soy sauce and wasabi it might help a bit, but still so disappointed that no one told me this was not a spicy handroll! LYCHEE LEMONADE This was a bit sweet, but it tasted like lychee and lemonade. A good balance. It had real lychee in it too, which I appreciate. This was good! AMBIANCE + SEATS & TABLES The ambiance was very casual. As soon as you enter, you see the wooden and metal tables and chairs. Small tables for 2, table for 4, a bar seat table in the center and in the back. More smaller tables than large. It was comfortable to sit in. Tables are close together. Two unisex bathrooms toward the entrance. Bathroom was clean. CUSTOMER SERVICE It was good. Person taking my order was nice. But he did not do a good job at explaining everything when I asked about the hand roll I was ordering. I guess misunderstandings can happen. Overall, it was an underwhelming experience at Rice & Nori. Not sure if I would return. Have had better onigiris at Japanese supermarkets. read more

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I used to teach in Osaka, so I really miss having onigiri everywhere. They don't always translate well in U.S. restaurant settings, so the most reliable versions are usually found at Japanese supermarkets. I love both locations of Rice & Nori, but the Pasadena one wins for the free parking. If you're really hungry, go for the rice balls, their thicker take on onigiri. If you want something lighter, mix it up with a few hand rolls instead. Grab a sake can honoring the Dodgers, and you've got a perfect lunch spot. They used to go a bit heavy on the nori, making it overly salty, but on my recent visit, they nailed it. read more

Rice & Nori - Dodgers Sake - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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Got UberEats since they're having a BOGO on the Tuna Mayo Onigiri. My order came pretty fast - less than an hour It normally costs $4 each but I got 2 for $4! What a deal! I was impressed with how big the Onigiri was and how fresh it was! The rice was very soft but the tuna was a bit too salty. The rice and tuna ratio was perfect and I had chunks of tuna in every bite! I also got the Matcha Horchata ($5) and it was nothing special. The matcha tasted very weak and bland. The Horchata was decent and not too sweet but tasted pretty artificial. Overall, I really enjoyed the Onigiri and thought it was a great deal but I would pass on getting the drink again read more

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Got the spam and egg musubi, shrimp and lobster onigiri, salmon yuzu miso onigiri, & the beef sukiyaki onigiri. Felt like there was too much rice and not as much filling. The salmon yuzu miso was my least favorite, super salty and not that good. My favorite would be the shrimp and lobster (though I noticed mostly the shrimp in the filling and barely any lobster). Probably would not come back again, just an alright place read more

Rice & Nori - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Excellent spot for good fast hand-rolls and sushi. You get edamame with your order too! The shop is small but turnover is high. Their yellowtail was particularly good. If you are looking for good sushi fast then give rice and nori a try. read more

Rice & Nori - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

This is one of my go to spots for a quick and filling meal! Their onigiris are definitely the best thing on their menu, I have had the handrolls but I think that their nori is soggy and is hard to bite through. My absolute favorite onigiris are the shio salmon and the spicy lobster shrimp. They are very filling ! I will usually get 2 or 3 if I am super hungry. The food always comes out fast and is better eaten at the restaurant! But on the weekends can get kind of busy. read more

Rice & Nori - Shio Salmon Onigiri, Spicy Lobster Shrimp Onigiri, Beef Sukiyaki Onigiri, Chicken Teriyaki Onigiri - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Was recommended to come here for their handroll sets since I love all things sushi, handrolls & all I wanted to see what the hype was all about (: It was very busy when we went around lunch time during the week. Thankfully we found a seat on a bar stool area. I ordered the set of 5 to try out each one & got some edamame & yellowtail on the side & everything was super good (: loved it! Would definitely just get water next time cause the lemonade was just okay. Would definitely come back again for more hand rolls. Maybe try some other things on the menu! (: Street parking was easy to get then we just ran across the street! read more

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Stopped in here for a quick lunch! Very clean and casual spot. I got a chicken teriyaki onigiri, salmon hand roll, and chips. Perfect serving size and nice flavor! read more

Rice & Nori - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Went to Pasadena to check out Rice and Nori to get some onigiri. They have hand rolls as well if you do not want too much rice. They have meat, veggie and seafood options for their rice balls. You order at the register and find your own seating. Once your order is ready they will call you to go up and pick it up. The onigiris are pretty decent size and I was full after 2 of them. They range from $4-$5 depending on which filling you get. I got the salmon yuzu miso and spicy lobster shrimp today. The rice was nice and sticky and the seaweed was crispy. There was a good amount of filling inside and everything was made fresh to order. This is a good spot for grab and go or having a quick meal. read more

Rice & Nori - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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It was okay! The toro hand roll was not the best. It was discolored, tasted fishy, and not fresh unfortunately. Blue crab hand roll was good though! The spam musubi was okay, I have had better ones but it was still good. I came late in the day though, around 8pm, so maybe things were laying out all day??? Should be fresh at all times of the day though. Not too impressed, but still good, will give it another chance maybe earlier on in the day. read more

Rice & Nori - Negi Toro not fresh, tasted fishy, very dark and discolored - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

This place is usually my go-to spot for hand rolls and onigiri. The value typically is decent, more on the pricy side and of good quality. However in my most recent trip it's making me think they're skimping out on serving amount. I would give this place 5 stars but my most recent experience was more of 3, so this averages to 4/5. When ordering in person, depending on how busy it is wait time is around 10 min to 25 minutes. Lately I've been doing Uber Eats and picking up. Make sure to specify you want soy sauce and ginger/wasabi otherwise they won't give you any. My favorites are the tuna mayo spicy onigiri, blue crab hand roll, and the spicy lobster shrimp onigiri. When they decide to give fair servings of protein. In my most recent trip on Easter Sunday, I ordered thru Uber Eats and got the usual order - tuna mayo spicy, spicy lobster and unagi hand roll. The spicy lobster shrimp was very disappointing there was probably two tiny pieces of lobster and shrimp (1 piece each) and rice. I paid $6 for pretty much rice and a tiny piece of lobster. The unagi roll was disappointing as well. Very little amount of unagi and they charge $7. There's plenty of seating inside, 2-3 tables of 4 seats, one long table, and plenty shared outdoor seating for the plaza. read more

Rice & Nori - Menu as of 2-29-24 - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

One of my favorite places to get some onigiri and hand rolls! Hands down one of the fastest services in the game. The quality is always consistent and the food is always fresh! My personal faves are the salmon yuzu miso onigiri, beef sukiyaki, California, and bacon avocado. For hand rolls nothing beats the blue crab . They have complimentary water and tons of parking! The filling inside is PLENTIFUL with a perfect balance of rice. If you're looking for a full meal or a light snack I would highly recommend. 10/10 read more

Rice & Nori - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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There's some public lots and street parking to get here. They have a decent amount of indoor and outdoor seating although they can fill up quick. It's a chill and casual atmosphere for a small meet up. There's might be a line but it moves quickly to order. The food arrives fairly quick. I got the salmon yuzu and tuna mayo onigiri. They were tasty! The rice was still warm and there's a nice salty taste from the toppings. The Beef onigiri tastes like a bite from a beef bowl, which makes sense. It's pretty good, especially since I prefer fish for my onigiri. read more

Rice & Nori - Front: Tuna Mayo Onigiri, Salmon Yuzu Onigiri Back: Beef Sukiyaki Onigiri, Chicken Teriyaki Onigiri - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Tried a trio roll combo $21 was pleasantly surprised added a pineapple drink to wash it down. Sat outside in shady patio. Nice corner location Mission & Fair Oaks. read more

Rice & Nori - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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Rice & Nori is a casual, quick, hand roll place. I love it because it's affordable, casual, or a great place to take out. I got the 3 hand roll set which came with 3 hand rolls of choice, edamame, and nigiri or choice. The fish was fresh and it's great food for value. While I've had better tasting places, Rice & Nori is definitely worth the price. There is a large parking lot and street parking. There is also indoor and outdoor seating available. read more

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Rice&Nori is a place where you order first then get seated. Ordered the 3 rolls with edamame and sashimi. Honestly this meal made me full! It's definitely a place for a quick grab and go. They have indoor seating and outdoor. Parking here wasn't too bad. read more

Rice & Nori - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

You can easily find street parking near the restaurant. I just turned to the side street and found parking instantly. The restaurant is clean and cute. As soon as you walked in, there's snacks for sale. I came for the onigiri (rice ball) and hand rolls which are their specialty. I ordered the five hand roll set and a few onigiri. The spicy tuna mayo rice ball was the best, very flavorful. The salmon miso and avocado-spicy caviar rice balls were good. They were big for its price (of course you are paying mostly for the rice). The handrolls were good. For some I had to dipped in soy sauce. It was nice that the set came with edamame and a few tiny sashimi cut (one piece cut up into a few smaller pieces). read more

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I come here cause its super convenient and more of a fast food sushi spot. It also fills me up when im hungry. I got the 5 meal set and i like how it comex with edamame, sashimi, and handrolls. The sashimi comes with a truffle dipping sauce and roe. For the sushi i always get salmon with no sesame seeds for the regular and depending on my mood, either toro or all salmon again. I get the salmon sashimi too and it gets me stuff with all the food. For the drinks my favorite one is the lychee lemonade but there are times where it could be too sour. Lines go by really fast and you sometimes have to ask for utensils and a water cup if they dont give it to you. Theres a container of vold water that have to pour yourself. It is also self clean up if you dine indoors as well. I dont think ive seen people leaving their trash for the workers to pick up. They also dont wipe down the tables if its dirty. I used handsantizer to wipe it down myself. Not sure if you had to reach out to someone to do it or not. read more

Rice & Nori - 5 set with lychee lemonade - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Hand rolls and sashimi that feel way more fresh and flavorful than you'd expect from such a casual spot. Rice & Nori nails that sweet spot of being fast but still high quality. Portions are generous and everything is put together neatly (no falling apart mid-bite). A few things worth noting: - They're quick, convenient for when you're on a schedule. - Their onigiris are filling. - They have hand roll sets; great way to sample different flavors. The space is small, but if you absolutely want to dine in, I recommend snagging one of the patio tables. It's in the shade and you can watch the hustle and bustle of Mission St. read more

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I can't count the amount of times I have ordered from here via Uber Eats and not once ate at the actual restaurant until now. I absolutely love this place. This is my go to for handrolls/ onigiri. Came here with a co- worker to celebrate a new job position during our lunch time. We ordered: - Blue Crab Hand Roll X3 - Spicy Tuna Hand Roll X2 I also want to mention that I have ordered from here many of times: - Blue Crab Hand Roll - Baked Snow Hand Roll - Spicy Tuna Hand Roll - Bay Scallop Hand Roll - California Onigiri - Tuna Mayo Oinigiri - Salmon Yuzo Miso Onigiri - Yellowtail Sashimi Everything that I have ordered from here has been nothing but great, and fresh. I haven't had any disappointments. I will say though, the rice ratio in the onigiri could be a little less. But, that's just me. read more

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i love rice and nori so much. i come here whenever im craving onigiris, hand rolls, and sashimi. everything is great. i love getting the 3 hand roll set. the staff are also attentive. read more

Rice & Nori - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Tired Rice and Nori for the first time and we go it to go. Inside there was a lot of people but the inside was pretty small. I got one spicy tuna (5/5) and two yuzu salmon (4/5) and i preferred the spicy tuna one more. I wish the rice to filling was more portion but the rice was soft and seasoned perfectly. Even though there was a lot of rice, it didn't make me bloated and the food was fresh. read more

Rice & Nori - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

I ordered a beef rice ball, Spicy Lobster Shrimp Rice ball, yellowtail hand roll, and pineapple iced tea The Yellowtail Handroll was very good, good rice to yellowtail ratio. The yellowtail tasted very fresh, the size of the handroll is small. I would recommend to order this. The Spicy Lobster Shrimp was good overall. The spicy Mayo in here is not spicy at all, but still tastes good. I wish there was more meat, but I guess for the price it isn't too bad. Overall I would recommend to order it if you like the taste of spicy mayo. The Beef Rice Ball was very good and a much better meat to rice ratio than the Lobster Rice Ball. I would recommend to order this. The pineapple Ice tea was not overly sweet and tasted refreshing. I would recommend to order this. Overall I would definitely recommend this place if you are in the area. I wouldn't drive far for it but everything I had tasted great. It came out fast even during lunch rush hour (when I came) and the staff is friendly. The ambience is very casual and moderate volume. read more

Rice & Nori - Pineapple Yuzu Ice Tea - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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I originally went to the Pasadena location in the past but this time ended up at the south Pasadena location. The restaurant had was beautifully designed and very clean. The rolls are pretty cheap in price and it tasted like it was very high quality. Worth every penny and my son said he would rate this a "ten one thousand three million!" read more

Rice & Nori - Spicy Lobster Shrimp Onigiri Baked Snow Crab - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Although I have everything to make this at home, I have been to check Rice and Nori out. The server at the corner was quick and efficient. The spicy miso eggplant rice ball was flavorful! It was just enough for a snack. The other vegetarian choices were the mushroom kombucha, umeboshi plum or plain rice. I'll be back! read more

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Was in the south pas area running errands and decided to swing by here for a quick lunch. I've had rice & nori before but the downtown location in Little Tokyo. I ordered the salmon yuzu and spicy tuna onigiri and both were just okay. The rice to fish ratio was way off in my opinion. I'd say it was like 80% rice and 20% fish. It was also overly salty. Service and staff was really good tho and this restaurant is much nicer and bigger than the other location. But the quality is better at Little Tokyo and they put more fish in their onigiris. read more

Rice & Nori - Spicy Tuna Mayo Spicy Onigiri & Salmon Yuzu Miso Onigiri - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

My husband and I stopped here on our way back from Oxnard, as we were headed back to the IE. Sushi always hits for me when I've been eating bad so i was trying to find a decent place to stop when i stumbled on this page on Yelp. I'm a huge hand roll fan and thought the onigiri would be filling. I will say my husband and I shared this and i def could have doubled it and been happily stuffed! So just a FYI. We got the 2 Onigiri and a combo set of 5 hand rolls i believe. It comes with 1 sashimi and edamame. Of the top of my head i believe we got the salmon yuzu miso and a tuna mayo spicy oni. The salmon yuzu miso was BOMB. Super good. Would get 2 of those. For handrolls i believe we got the baked lobster and baked snow crab from premium; spicy tuna, salmon and yellow trail from the reg handrolls. They were all super good. I love spicy tuna so i loved that one the most. But that's just me being bias. The service was really quick, they were pretty busy so they aren't really on you about stuff. More of a chipotle style vibe? If that makes sense. We did get good recommendations from the cashier so that's a plus :) Lots of seating for a small joint, but good overall! I would 100% come again but def get more foood for my big back self read more

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Great place for a quick bite to eat in or for take out. Their onigiris are FRESH! Parking/Environment: There's a dedicated parking lot. On a Sunday early afternoon, it didn't seem too packed but we just parked in the 10 minute spots since we only ordered take out. There were high and low seating indoors and some outdoor patio seats. Food: Aside from their onigiris and hand rolls, they also sold Japanese snacks and drinks. We ordered Spam & Egg Musubi ($4.25), Salmon Yuzu Miso ($4), Spicy Lobster Shrimp ($5.50), and Spicy Tuna Mayo ($4). They were sooo good and hit the spot! Wish I ordered more. read more

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- will always be one of favorite on the go spots! quick service, never too busy, you can get in and out within 10 minutes :) only difficulty is finding street parking - i will forever go back for the salmon yuzu onigiri, i think there's the perfect amount of tang from the yuzu and there's a generous amount of filling - the hand rolls are amazing as well! most of the time the filling ends up dripping out the other end :3 love how vinegary the sushi rice is - albeit it could appear pricy for one, but two is more than enough to fill you up read more

Now this is a delightful little Japanese spot that can't be passed up if you happen to be cruising the area. They offer a nice diverse menu with a focus on fresh hand rolls. I was definitely game for all the items on their menu but they highly recommended getting their five piece hand roll set. I got the Blue Crab, Smoked Salmon, Spicy Tuna, Snow Crab and Lobster Shrimp. I can say these were really tasty and the price was way cheaper than going to a restaurant. I also tried the Salmon sashimi which was pretty good for the price too. The service was decent and they have shared parking so it tends to get hectic. One last thing, they offer Sake and Cocktails so that's an added plus for some of us! LoL! And that's my take on this tasty experience, Peace... read more

Rice & Nori - 5 Handroll Set with Salmon Sashimi - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Pretty casual place! I liked the fish, my favorite were yellowtail scallion and blue crab. Their blue crab was heavier in mayo which I didn't mind. The salmon was also good, between the yuzu salmon, sukiyaki and spicy lobster shrimp - my fav was probably sukiyaki and lobster. I would skip the salmon next time.. rice is well seasoned. Each sashimi you get a different sauce, I had yuzu for my yellowtail and garlic soy for the albacore. You order, pay then find a seat, then and get your food all at once. I think because of this, the nori gets soggy. I wish they had a more sit down service because the food is great, or a way to not get them at once. Not bad, would recommend if you're in the area! read more

Rice & Nori - 5 5 Handroll Set side of edamame and albacore sashimi - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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Prob my favorite place around. Anytime my daughter and I want to have a little date together this is my go to. Anytime I'm in South Pas it's my go to. I can't get enough, it's really that delicious! I highly recommend the salmon hand roll, spicy tuna hand roll, the beef suyaki rice ball, and the salmon sashimi. Get some spicy mayo on the side to dip it in! My daughter loves the chicken teriyaki rice ball, sashimi, and spicy tuna hand roll as well. We do not like the salmon rice ball, kind of reminds me of like a canned tuna (which is something I don't care for, if you're a fan of that style of tuna it could be a win for you). The horchata matcha is good too. I do think they could clean a little bit more under the dining counters against the window. (Specifically the floor area it gets dusty.) I've tried to find other places like it in the area, as we live further from it, and have come up short. Not many do the roll style hand rolls, I've only found triangular shaped hand rolls, and these are better!! I wouldn't say it cheap, it can add up, but it's great to have sushi without having to do all longer sit down at a restaurant where you're served. I like the quick service model of this restaurant where you order at a counter( get your food quickly and then sit at a table to eat and leave. It is probably already at the max price I would spend here though. Overall we really love it and highly recommend it. It's our favorite place around!! Absolutely delicious! read more

I love this place!! I'm so happy I discovered it. Fast, casual eats. Spicy tuna hand roll is so tasty and all of their onigiri is fire. They also have great prices. read more

Rice & Nori - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Have gone to their other location in LA and was surprised to find one in Pasadena. I got quite lucky with street parking right away so I'm not sure if there's any other issues with parking. It's a small, chic location with some outdoor seating. The food was also delicious. The staff said two to three nori would fill you up and I was quite full with just two. I'm not a huge eater but can sometimes overeat. Once you let the food settle in your stomach, it really fills you up. Just give it some time. read more

I've had Rice & Nori bookmarked for long time and was finally able to stop by. We came in on a weekend and it did not disappoint. The restaurant was pretty packed the entire time with people flowing in and out. The restaurant has some small plants and succulents for sale. Plus they sell chips, candy and drinks too. The menu is pretty vast full of options for their Onigiris. Handroll sets of 3 and 5 were also options. We decided on trying the handrolls and a few Onigiris. 5 handroll set includes 2 premium HR, edamame, and sashimi for $28. Solid deal and great for sharing. On top of that we ordered the Salmon Yuzu miso and Spicy Lobster Shrimp Onigiris per the staff recommendation. A freshly made Onigiri is so delicious! They looked so appetizing like straight out of an anime. Both of them were good choices! Filled with proteins and good on each bite. The handrolls as well, all of them were good! So much food for about $40+ for 2ppl is a good for lunch. Overall, nice staff and clean restaurant. We'd come back again in the future. The rice balls are worth a return visit. read more

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Very delicious with generous portions. The rice is well cooked and flavorful, and the nori is fresh and fragrant, which makes each bite satisfying. Portions are large and filling, offering excellent value for the price. A great choice if you want a hearty, well prepared meal that does not compromise on taste. read more

Rice & Nori - Nicely packed with individual paper wrap - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Made fresh and warm, the onigiri are delicious. We ordered the baked lobster and shrimp, beef sukiyaki, spicy shrimp and spam and egg. Everything was light and not overly heavy, great for a snack lunch. Staff is friendly and fast. There is limited parking but spots turn around quickly. read more

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For the location, in South Pasadna, the pricing is reasonable and the atmosphere is easy to walk into. Onigiri are in the $4+ range, and not only the onigiri but also the hand rolls are good. The rice has a nice sheen, and the furikake on top pairs well. The salmon yuzu is highly recommended. read more

Rice & Nori - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Came here for lunch. They have hand rolls and musubis. Me and my friend ordered a total of 4. The rice was fresh, seaweed was crispy and the filling was decent. It's pretty expensive for what it is but the place was packed on a Saturday lunch time. Parking is shared with chipotle and another restaurant. read more

Rice & Nori - Salmon roe and miso tuna - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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