Food was amazing. Felt like in Japan! The host are lovely and everything was 100%. Would definitely go there again. read more

Sushi Karen in Pasadena is a hidden gem you absolutely need a reservation for--trust me, I learned that the hard way. There's no waitlist and no walk-ins, so plan ahead or you'll be sushi-less and sad. It's worth the call to reserve, trust me. The moment you step inside, the smell hits you--in the best way--like a warm, smoky aroma that instantly makes your mouth water. I could not get enough of how good it smelled inside the whole night. The vibe is cozy and homey, with dim downlights that spotlight each table like your own little sushi stage. It's a small place, but each table feels like a private nook, perfect for an intimate dinner or low-key celebration. The fish portions are very generous, whether you're ordering nigiri, a hand roll, or a cut roll. Everything comes out with beautiful presentation that makes you pause before devouring it. The salmon belly nigiri melts in your mouth--it's buttery in the best way. The yellowtail cut roll was fresh and flavorful, and the spicy tuna on crispy rice was a standout. They pile on the tuna, so it's definitely not a one-bite situation, and I loved the added crunch from the fish eggs in it. The spicy tuna hand roll had great flavor too, but I wish the seaweed had a bit more crunch--still, I appreciated the smart little flap at the bottom that kept all the fishy goodness inside. Honestly, every dish we tried was a hit. The vibe, the flavors, and the generous cuts of fish make this place feel extra special. Sushi Karen isn't trying to be flashy--it's just good, honest sushi done really really really well. I'd happily come back again any time (with a reservation, of course). read more

See all

Take this place SERIOUSLY. Absolute hidden gem n Pasadena - in a mini mall. As most really great places are these days. Sushi and Sashimi only. Authentic, wonderful fresh, incredible nigiri and hand rolls for serious sushi lovers. No tempura. No teriyaki. No fluff. Just impeccable quality sushi. Highly recommend. read more

Awesome sushi spot. Tried it during Covid when dine in wasn't allowed. Very fresh. Will go dine in soon. read more

Sushi Karen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

I've been wanting to come here forever since I live so close but I always forget to make reservations. I finally was able to snag one with one of my best friends and we came on a Wednesday around 7pm. There's a free parking lot available as needed. It is a really small establishment with approx 5-6 small tables and when we arrived it didn't appear that they utilize the sushi bar area. We got seated at a small table. I thought about the omakase but didn't think I would finish so opted to share some apps and order some sushi a la carte. The soft shell crab was actually served in pieces which I usually don't see but it meant every piece was crispy so that was pretty good. We also split the miso glazed cod which tasted very fresh and had great flavor. The service was decent, nothing too stand out and I wouldn't recommend cominf here if you are looking for an upscale "experience" or trendy ambiance. It is very no frills and I don't mean that negatively. The sushi was good but I don't know if it's anything that was particularly memorable. Since they don't take reservations online I'm not sure if I would make the effort since there's so many other great spots. I also really like the sushi bar experience to chat with the chefs and just have a good time so this was not really the place for me. read more

See all

What a great local Pasadena spot. As others have stated, there are only about 5 tables, no walk ins or takeout and you must call for reservations. The sushi itself was excellent. It is run by a husband and wife duo, who clearly care about providing a great experience and fantastic food. The location is in a small strip mall, so while the restaurant is non descript, it is well worth the visit. read more

What a cute family-owned, mom-and-pop shop! The restaurant is small and intimate, with limited seating. The host was incredibly hospitable, and I highly recommend calling ahead to make a reservation. We ordered two omakase courses. One of the courses included sushi rolls and was shareable, so there's no need to order the same omakase course for everyone at your table. We decided to pair our omakase with sake, and the chef recommended the Mizubasho Junmai Daiginjo. It's a dry and smooth sake that paired beautifully with everything we had. The omakase course included kanpachi, red snapper carpaccio, albacore, eel, Spanish mackerel, red snapper nigiri, salmon belly, scallop, sea urchin, sweet shrimp, yellowtail belly, and seared salmon belly. I'm not sure if the sushi roll changes daily, but tonight's roll was blue crab. It wasn't bad at all! Everything was fresh, delicious, and packed with umami. Sushi Karen offers excellent value. I highly recommend it for their omakase course, especially if you're looking for high-quality, top-notch sushi at an affordable price. Unlike many omakase restaurants that require a reservation months in advance or even a deposit, Sushi Karen is much more accessible. The pricing was affordable, no deposit was required, and we were able to book a reservation just a week in advance. read more

See all

Take Note: Must have a reservation! I've been wanting to try sushi Karen. I've heard such great things and I loved that it was a mom&pop shop. If I can support small businesses over a corporation, I absolutely will. Let me tell ya, this place was an absolute joy. I loved every moment of it. It's very tiny and although they might not take a reservation even with empty tables it's literally because the chef puts his heart and soul into every plate. I had a perfect view of Chef preparing the dishes and he does not miss a step. Every item we ordered it was made to order. Spicy sauce made to order with each item. He didn't have it premade to the point where if you have salt on a piece, it's freshly cracked. Like quality, way over quantity here and I understand why they don't take walk ins. My husband and I felt like we were in Japan, in a cute little shop, the sushi was so good and don't let the 1 piece price fool you. That one piece is massive! And absolutely delicious. I loved the scallop sushi, with fresh yuzu, lemon juice, yuzu paste and salt. It was incredible. Everything was incredible and the service was lovely, she was so kind, and was overjoyed when we said we loved it. She definitely was curious after each plate and would be so happy when we said it was amazing. The tempura appetizer, hot, crispy, lightly battered. No mistake. It was wonderful. Will this be my quick eats sushi fix, no. This will be the place I get excited for and make a reservation for date night. It's a no frills, eat slow and feel like you're at home enjoying an incredible perfectly paced meal. read more

With a few special California things aside, this small restaurant is like the ones I got to know many years ago when I was a Navy sailor visiting Japan. This is the authentic way sushi is supposed to be. read more

We always drove by wondering how the sushi was here and finally tried this place after successfully making a reservation. They get booked quickly on the weekends. We were pleasantly surprised by how good the omakase was. My husband was BLOWN away by the muscat dessert at the end. read more

See all

Call ahead for reservations! There are only about 4 tables or so, so they may not be able to accommodate walk ins. We got the omakase for one and a salmon skin salad and salmon shioyaki meal. Based on the price difference we thought the sale would be single but it's quite large! The shioyaki also had generous amounts of meat. The Omakase for one is a good tasting experience, starting with two carpaccios then ten pieces of quality nigiri. We enjoyed the salmon belly and unagi, but all were delicious. Parking available in lot. read more

See all

STOP EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING AND GO TO SUSHI KAREN. This tiny, unassuming hole-in-the-wall on South Arroyo Parkway is an absolute gem. The portions? HUGE. Like, "Are they making money on this?" huge. The fish? Insanely fresh, thick cuts that make every bite feel like a chef's kiss. From the kanpachi with citrus and jalapeño to the crispy rice with spicy tuna, every dish feels like it's punching above its weight class. The kicker? It's criminally underrated. Seriously, why isn't this place packed to the gills every night? That said, the seating is super limited, so you NEED a reservation. Trust me--this is the kind of spot you'll be texting all your foodie friends about before you've even finished your meal. Sushi Karen is the real deal. read more

It is always special when you walk into a "mom and pop" type place. The food is carefully prepared and brought to your table. They are so friendly and nice. The mood is chill. This is my favorite go to spot for sushi. Whenever I crave sushi, this is the place I think of first. The crab roll is better than any other place i have been to. Prove me wrong...All the food is great. Enjoy friends. read more

Authentic and high-quality sushi and sashimi. While it is a small venue, all the sushi and sashimi were very fresh and delicious. Highly recommend. read more

See all

We made a reservation for dinner on a Thursday around 6pm and got seated right away. It is an extremely inconspicuous place with only a few tables inside so definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time! We ordered the assorted sushi dinner and two oysters. Everything was soooo good that I forgot to take pictures of a couple nigiri. Everything tastes fresh and like what other reviewers said, you do get BIG pieces fish!!! I love how flavorful each piece is but the sauce/dressing doesn't overpower the freshness of the fish. The oysters are AMAZING - must try! You can either get it with rice or just on its own. Service was amazing and there is a parking lot but it might get packed. They also do not offer takeout / to-go currently. Highly highly recommend! Give it a try and you won't be disappointed! read more

See all

Always a great experience at Sushi Karen! Relaxed atmosphere to go with some of the best high quality sushi on the West coast. Both Chefs including the staff went above and beyond to provide the best service as always. Been a loyal customer for over 20 years ever since they were located in Culver City. Definitely worth the drive. read more

If you're looking for no frills restaurant with fresh fish look no further. This place is small with 5 tables and they require reservations. My husband and I came here on our first date night after having our daughter and as a bit of a belated birthday celebration for me. I wanted some delicious and fresh raw fish since I hadn't had much during my entire pregnancy. We ordered one of each of the omakase options. Each fish was perfectly cut, seasoned and sauced - no need to add sauce. This restaurant is run by a husband (sushi chef) and wife (hostess/waitress) team. I'd highly recommend this hidden gem if you're looking for great sashimi / sushi and a reasonable price. read more

This place has really fresh fish and make their sushi rolls to perfection. The spoiler and tempura roll was delicious. It was a good ratio of rice and filling. Not much wasabi if you like that ask for more. The shrimp tempura is light and crispy. One of my favorite places for tempura. However today may be a bad day for them it was slightly greasy tasting. See my photos for what we got. My favorite is the scallops and eel. read more

See all

I was being very lucky without a reservation and able to get a seat on the weekend night!!! Thanks for sushi Karen and Chef!! Best of the best quality fishes so freshly, delicious and mild in the mouth!! Especially Amber Jack, Scallop, Yellowtail and Yellowtail Belly!! Unagi water eel is so incredible good size portion!! All those selections of sashimi cappuccino are so good!!! I picked Amber Jack - Kanpachi spicy Jalapeño Citrus .... Services were quick enough, by looking at the chef making all those sushi n sashimi... it's a Art ... the knife technique skills!! So cool!!! Definitely recommend!! I do and definitely suggest all customers to make reservations before arrival and make some arrangements ahead. This's a small mom n pop restaurant that not really good for a big group, it's best for 2-4 people in a party... Here is running by a older Japanese couple and they are very into Japanese traditional culture, being patient after you ordered and enjoy Chefs knife cutting skills!! read more

See all

Fresh and delicious. Came here for lunch so luckily parking and reservations were relatively easy. Ordered a la carte, and the scallop and blue crab were some of the best I've had. read more

This is a small place. Only one server and one chef. I think they are couple. The food is authentic n fresh

Absolute perfection, no notes. Call ahead to reserve since the place is small they don't really do walkins.

Love this place. We had such an amazing experience here and do plan to come again soon. If you can order their chef's choice. It's so worth it. I don't even want to tell you the dishes that we had because it should be a surprise. If you are a foodie and love to try new this, you will love it. The money is well worth it for the quality of the food alone. I just really love local places like this. Our waitress was adorable and personable. We had a little running joke at our table where she would let me know if it was ok to put soy sauce on the dish or not. Which, I greatly appreciated! This place is not meant for large groups however. I think 4-5 people max since this place is a bit on the smaller side. With how small it is, the owners know how to utilize the place, and it was quite intimate and private. Friends on the larger side may have some issues with navigating, it's not impossible, just takes a bit. Overall. Take the time to make an appointment here. Sushi Karen is amazing and deserves it for all the time and effort they put into their business! read more

Sushi Karen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Don't let the name fool you. This place is fantastic & no Karens at all. It's a 3-man operation... the sushi chef, the server & the hired help in the back kitchen. There were only 5 tables so definitely need to make reservation to dine here. We ordered the omakase, the tempura & an extra roll with eel. The food was fantastic. The tempura was light & crispy. All the fish were so fresh. The service was excellent. This lady did everything... from taking your reservation on the phone, to taking your order & serving them. My tea cup was never empty... she continuously checked my cup & refilled it. We really enjoyed our dinner. Would definitely go back. read more

See all

This is my favorite sushi bar in LA. I loveeeeee everything about it. Their sushi is top notch and service is impeccable. You wouldn't expect it from the outside but this place is legit! read more

See all

My husband and I chose to celebrate our 3rd year anniversary here on Sunday night! He's from Japan and I thought it was special that this restaurant is ran by a married couple. We made a reservation via phone the day before and chose the 5pm slot. Parking easy! There were already diners inside when we arrived too. We were surprised that the C19 protocols / partitions are still in effect -- but all good. Made for cozy private nook to dine! I like rice paper screens anywho! I didn't find the service very friendly or warm at all -- more neutral. No greeting or banter was given. We didn't try to engage bc of the vibes we got but note, this didn't effect our meal here. The pacing of the food was wonderful and allowed for a leisurely dinner, enjoying each bite. The albacore, amber Jack and scallop nigiri was our favorites (perfect amount and temp of fish + rice and not too much wasabi underneath hehe) and the tempura was nice too! I was disappointed there wasn't any kani (snow crab season now) but they did have a blue crab cut roll that was tasty. Miso soup was also not hot but didn't want to embarrass host so just ate it. Crispy rice spicy tuna should be removed from the menu -- I think the spicy tuna was half tobiko (those tiny microscopic fish eggs) and was just not good and unnecessary for their more traditional lineup. Unsure if there were any specials bc of the limited view of the establishment to see any board and the waitress didn't verbally offer anything. Although an adventurous dining experience (also fair price) it may be a one time visit, as there wasn't anything that was mind blowing and I don't think they do takeout anymore. read more

See all

Quite possibly the best sushi on the U.S. West Coast. I have homes in California, Tokyo and Seattle and Sushi Karen is by far the best and closest to authentic quality in Japan of any other restaurant I've been to. Best thing about it is that it's family owned and they truly appreciate every customer. Don't miss out on Sushi Karen. read more

Karen is a real Karen! Unfortunately, they seem not to care about providing a nice service. On the phone inquiring about a takeout, the rude response was just "no" and the guy hung up. Will not try as dine in either. read more

I heard about this place from a friend and made a reservation for 2 two weeks in advance for the omakase. What I Ate: -5/5 Omakase: The fish was quality cuts with some top favorites including seared salmon, uni, scallop, yellowtail, salmon, and tuna. They also give a crab roll if you order the larger omakase option. Absolutely would recommend if you're looking for an omakase with quality cuts. If you're looking for an omakase that has more unique plating or dishes, then I would recommend a different omakase. Ambience: It's perfect for a small group since they only have six tables in the whole restaurant. You had to call to make a reservation. I read that the owners are a couple and they named the restaurant after their daughter. They were very kind and provided great service! read more

See all

Exceeded expectations. Sushi was excellent! My husband and I had a long over due date night and it didn't disappoint. We will be coming back it was a nice surprise! read more

Just outstanding! Scored a table late and so happy we did. Among the best Omaske experiences ever! They are still pretty serious about covid protocols and seating is segregated and limited. But, it's cozy and the husband and wife team are really hustling the entire time. Fish is fresh and it's beautiful. 100% recommended and we will be back! read more

See all

I came with 3 people, and we ordered the omakase. It started with amber jack followed by squid tempura, which were well seasoned, and tempura was crispy on the outside yet smooth on the inside. Then, we had salmon belly and yellowtail belly; scallop and sea bream (which were fresh and delicious), then red snapper carpaccio, uni and sweet shrimp (not my favorite but still very fresh) then shrimp head tempura (crispy and delicious). This was followed by Spanish mackerel and albacore and seared salmon belly (all delicious). We then had lobster with crab cut roll, which was an additional charge but completely worth it! It was warm and delicious. We ended with an eel roll. Usually eel isn't my favorite, but this was delicious! I was surprised I managed to eat it all, but I was also very full. Overall, I was very impressed with this meal. The sushi was clearly fresh. The price was also very reasonable given the taste, quality, and presentation. The service was also great; it seems to be a husband and wife team, where the wife is the server, and the husband cooks/prepares the food. This establishment is very small, only a few tables, so I now understand the reason it can be tough to get a reservation. It's fairly casual overall though I could also see dressing up a bit for a nice dinner out. We secured ours by calling one week in advance and coming on a weeknight. I can't wait for my next visit! read more

See all

Great quality! Would recommend sushi or sashimi so you can taste that quality fish. Don't forget to make a reservation.

3.4 stars Ordered the omakase ($111) for one. #SoloDining I came here once during the pandemic (dined outside), and the fish wasn't that fresh...but I figured it was pandemic caused so I decided to give them a try again... and I'm glad I did.. It's a small mom and pop shop. The dad is the chef, the mom is hostess/server, 1 worker in the back. The whole restaurant fits about 8-9 tables (2 per table). Ordered a glass of wine (chardonnay). Instrumental Christmas music playing in the background, yay! The sushi chef made each piece one by one and personally brought it out to me. He would advise on which piece is which and which ones not to dip in soy sauce... I appreciate the attention to detail. Fish was fresh... some cuts more simple than others, e.g. salmon, halibut.. but overall, a real sushi joint. Not the fanciest place, not the fanciest omakase... but it's a legit sushi place. My favorite pieces were the uni and amaebi. Ordered extra of those, nom nom. It was interesting how chef explored with certain flavors like olive oil mixed with ponzu and jalapeños or yuzu... and the sushi doesn't come with 2 pieces, it's one piece per sushi nigiri but it's a relatively big cut so still getting your money's worth. Locally speaking, I love sugarfish but the wait can be pretty terrible at times. And I like Matsuri too but their omakase is misleading... It's brought out on a platter all at once instead of one by one... which is why I appreciate Sushi Karen. Keep up the good work!! read more

See all

Excellent service, food, privacy and people. Definitely come back another time. The food is also really good. p.s. a 1st grader wrote this. read more

Wonderful mom and pop sushi restaurant in Pasadena/south pasadena area. They only had an 8pm reservation available and don't take walk ins. It's a small place with just 5-6 tables but that made it more intimate. The nigiri sushi are ordered by the individual piece, and the prices are comparable if not cheaper than other high end sushi places with similar quality. The owners are very sweet and hard working. It seemed like they were the only ones working at this time, with the husband making the sushi and wife serving the food. Their sushi combo comes with 9 piece sushi, 6 small rolls, and a miso soup for $44. It's a pretty good deal if you like all the types of fish they'll be serving you. Otherwise, ordering individual sushi may be the way to go. I ended up customizing 9 pieces and the total was around $40 anyway. My favorite was the Hotate (scallop) and salmon belly. The Hotate is perfect with the yuzu. Salmon belly just melts. Yellowtail belly, amaebi, and amberjack were also very tasty. I wasn't a huge fan of the Spanish mackerel. They cut very generous slices for each piece with a small portion of rice, making it easier to eat in one bite. I'll definitely be returning soon! read more

Sushi Karen - Spicy tuna with crunchy rice - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Food quality is not everything. That is why this place is not packed even though 5 stars. I understand that regulars/locals probably put up with it and the food might be amazing. Who knows? However, you can't choose when to be open as a restaurant, it needs to have regular business hours. Why? So that if you drive 30 minutes to get there During regular business hours, you expect it to be open. Second time I've been here that the doors have been locked with signs up that indicate that they have reservations filling up the place for the night however, the place is empty, and the doors are locked. You can't have customers inside of a locked restaurant!!! Now agreed, they might be doing something, maybe they are getting ready for a big catering event and they couldn't have their restaurant open while they did that, I don't know. But let's at least be honest. read more

Sushi Karen - Friday evening at 7pm - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Simply Excellent. It was a pleasure seeing the master at his work. Will return definitely for the set menu. read more

Stumbled not this place and was about to be turned away due to the restaurant being full, but they found a place for us to sit. And thank goodness we got a table, delicious sushi I can't wait to go back. read more

Definitely the best, most unassuming sushi restaurant in Pasadena. Aesthetically, it's a no frills "hole in the wall" mom and pop restaurant located in a small shopping center on Arroyo. However, looks aside, the service and food speak for themselves. The fish literally melts in your mouth and is served at the perfect temperature (not too cold). My husband and I have dined here two weekends in a row now and we are officially hooked. We've eaten at a handful of sushi spots in Pasadena trying to find our fave, and I think Sushi Karen is the winner (currently). Tip: Be sure to make a reservation at least 3 days prior to when you want to dine because the interior is very small, and with social distancing measures in place, it can only accommodate about 10-12 guests per seating. Dress code: Casual Price: $$$ (not cheap) Good for: non-dressy date night read more

See all