Osawa is a jack of all trades, as comfortable creating amazing sushi and sashimi as they are making…read moreshabu shabu and bento boxes. They also offer some compelling specials that will keep bringing you back to their location in Old Town Pasadena. Shokado Bento Box: This is the ultimate surf and turf. The strips of Angus ribeye steak have a sweet and savory teriyaki glaze. The meat is wonderfully marbled and flavorful. Miso salmon is slightly charred and perfectly cooked, soft and supple throughout. There's some irresistible sashimi. The tuna is ruby red, firm, and minerally. The salmon is rich and creamy. Yellowtail is tender and buttery. For contrast, there's a slippery green wakame seaweed salad with sesame seeds. Pickled cucumbers add a strong briny crunch. The dark, squiggly hijiki seaweed also adds some crunch combined with soft squid. Miso soup offers savory and umami flavors. Parking: You need to hunt for paid sidewalk parking.

I had been a longtime customer here for about seven years, but I stopped going after getting food…read morepoisoning from fish here in March 2025. After more than a year away, I decided to give Osawa another try on May 8, 2026. Unfortunately, the experience confirmed why I had stopped coming. Around 9:02 p.m., my waiter came by to ask for last orders. I ordered chicken karaage. This is a simple dish that usually comes out in about 4 to 5 minutes. For whatever reason, the order did not arrive until around 9:26 p.m. -- almost 25 minutes later. It seemed obvious that the order had been forgotten. When the karaage finally arrived, it looked hastily sauced. Several parts of the chicken were unsauced, which is not how the dish was normally served in the past. Given the delay and the apparent mishandling, I did not touch the dish. A Japanese male manager wearing glasses then came over. He recognized me, and I explained that I had not been back for more than a year because of the food poisoning incident from fish in 2025. Instead of responding seriously, the manager smiled and giggled slightly, then launched into an irrelevant conversation about his connections in the Japanese food industry in Old Town Pasadena. When he asked why I had not touched the chicken, I explained the almost 30-minute delay and the problems with the dish. Rather than comping the item or offering a real apology, the manager asked whether I still wanted to eat it or would prefer to cancel it. He then ended the conversation by suggesting that I come in during weekday lunch for the $18 lunch specials. That response was bizarre and tone deaf. I did not return after a food poisoning incident to hear a sales pitch about lunch specials. I returned as a longtime customer giving Osawa another chance. Osawa's way of doing business has changed a lot. I've seen better customer service at Erewhon.

First time coming to this location. Went to the other location in Downtown LA. Seating is only bar…read morestyle. Got there around 5pm on a Friday and waited about 15 mins or so. Not too bad considering a long line start forming outside. If you enjoy sushi hand rolls, KazuNori is the place to be. The design inside is very nice. Feels calm and the lighting was just right. Got their 6-hand roll set menu which included toro, yellowtail, salmon, bay scallop, crab, and lobster hand rolls. Can't go wrong with either one. All of them were fresh and delicious nicely prepared. Each bite of these hand rolls was satisfying to say the least. The staff were friendly refilling my water and asking if I needed anything from time to time. Really enjoyed coming here. Price isn't so bad also. Great experience and will definitely come again.

KazuNori is a restaurant opened but the same group as SUGARFISH. They specialize in hand rolls…read moreserved one at a time across the counter. They have multiple locations across the Southern California area including this one near Old Town Pasadena. They do not reservations and you wait in line until there are open seats for your party. We came at around 6pm on a Friday evening and were seated immediately for a party of two. When we left at around 7pm there was a long line waiting so I recommend coming earlier. I recommend coming with a smaller party. They have different presets of hand rolls by count (3 to 6) where 6 is the most popular. The chef hands each roll to you individually and you're expected to eat it immediately to ensure the seaweed is crisp and the rice is warm. I got the 6-hand roll set ($29) which included toro, yellowtail, salmon, bay scallop, crab, and lobster. My favorites were the salmon, bay scallop, and crab. I also got the eel hand roll ($5.75) which was also good. If you want to be surprised, there's The Nozie which is their omakase style 6 hand roll set.

It was fantastic ! We will go back on the regular! The food was delicious , the service was…read moreamazing! Definitely a must place to go if you are in LA

My first time trying Tendon Tempura! We came here to celebrate my friend's birthday before we…read moreheaded to the Pasadena Playhouse which was down the street. We both ordered the Tempera Special and shared an order of the Yellowtail Hand rolls for an appetizer. The hand roll was generously stuffed and it tasted fresh. The tempera special came with pumpkin, scallops, white fish, shrimp, seaweed, and jalapeños. It also includes an order of rice and miso on the side. Overall the food here was great. I will say the highlight of the night was the outstanding service. The multiple staff members that helped us order/ served us were very friendly and attentive. That alone would make me want to return to Tendon Tempura.

I've been coming to Ichima for over 25+ years since my high school days. My friend ended up…read moreworking here for a few years after high school, and that was one of the last times I was here. I recently visited for the first time in over 20 years, and everything seems to be the same. The service is fairly quick, the food is fresh, and it tastes good. Much better than the other sushi place in the same shopping center.

I was passing through East Pasadena and looking for a good…read moresushi spot, so I decided to try this place since it seemed pretty popular. The atmosphere was quiet, clean, and very comfortable,which made the whole experiencefeel really relaxing. Instead of doing Lunch set we ordered a few sushi items separately, and everything tasted fresh. The sushi rice was especially good and nicely seasoned. The tables were also spacious, so I think it would be a great spot for small gatherings or family dinners. Staffs are also friendly(Thank you, Grand!) I also enjoyed the uni egg toast, but I'd probably come back for the sushi again next time.

They were very accommodating with our large group for our group gathering. The service was great…read morewith all foods coming in a timely manner. We would come back again with a large group of 9 people.

Such good service! Had a great experience with my friends with the all you can eat! It was very…read moreyum. Thank you Mike!

This is my go-to spot for sushi in Pasadena. Usually, my partner and I get a couple of lunch sets…read moresince it comes with a poke soba, miso soup, and some veggies, in addition to the entree. The salmon lunch bowl is lightly seared and the fish melts in your mouth. And the beef in the beef bowl is so tender and is phenomenal every time. I've been here 3-4 times in the last few months and the quality is always great, clean, and consistent. Great spot for a date night or a dinner with friends. Alison, our server, was attentive and always really courteous! She made some great sake recommendations as well.

Super solid Japanese spot in Old Town Pas. Service was great, I like the interior of this…read morerestaurant. It's a great space. A little pricy, but makes sense given the location in the epicenter of Old Town. I appreciated all the available options they had. Tonkotsu ramen, 8.7/10: Very comforting bowl of ramen. Chashu had a perfect ratio of fatty to lean pork and the sear on it was phenomenal. All the accoutrements on top were a nice addition. Corn, bamboo, and plenty of green onion all were great. I personally like the thinner firmer noodles, but the bowl still hit the spot. I also asked for firmer noodles, but they weren't quite there. The super creamy, fatty, pork broth really stood out though. The black garlic oil is top tier. Unagi, 8/10: Good buttery smooth piece of unagi. No complaints here.

This is my second time at Yakiya, and I think it was better than the first time! I'm not sure how…read moreit's even possible. Food: AMAZING. The cuts were perfection. The first cold dish is so beautiful. I do not usually eat raw meat, but my experience is pretty pleasant here. The beef tartar tasted very fresh. The cooked cuts melt in your mouth! My favorite dish was actually the miso cod! It's sooooo flavorful. I dream about it still. It's comparable to the black cod dish from nobu. The bone marrow fried rice is just as great as the first time I had it! I want to come back everyday to eat it! Service: Our server is amazing! He cooked everything so well. He made small talk with us and was pretty attentive. Parking: FREE PARKING LOT OUTSIDE! Overall: Their restrooms bring me back to Japan. The seats automatically open up when you enter a stall. All the courses were definitely unforgettable. For the price, everything was unbeatable. It's a wonderful celebratory meal or a regular date night meal. I will definitely be back in the future!

Yakiya offers a refined and modern take on Japanese BBQ, with an atmosphere that feels intimate,…read moreelevated, and perfect for a special night out -- whether it's a date, a small gathering, or even a celebratory dinner. The highlight here is definitely the quality of the Wagyu. The experience leans more toward a curated meat tasting, with beautifully presented, juicy cuts that are satisfying without being overwhelming. Even with two 16-year-old boys at the table, everyone left full -- which says a lot. That said, I took one star off because the setup feels more like a traditional restaurant than a true omakase experience. Since you're seated at tables, there's a bit of passing plates and bowls back and forth with the server throughout the meal, which slightly interrupts the flow and intimacy you might expect from a classic omakase. If you're looking for a sashimi-focused experience, this isn't that -- it's much more Wagyu-forward. Service was a highlight. Jamie was attentive, warm, and made the experience feel smooth and well-paced. Overall, if you go in expecting a high-quality Wagyu tasting rather than a traditional omakase, this place really delivers. A great Pasadena spot when you want something a little more polished and indulgent.

Second time walking in and dining here, one of the best places to get rolls, sushi, and any other…read morerelated cravings. I usually don't leave reviews but their service and food is amazing so how can I not leave one. The best item for me is the dragon or rainbow roll alongside the mussels. Definitely coming back many more times!

This place is amazing, ambiance is super cute. Been coming…read morehere for years for their AYCE Love the staff and the fish is always fresh. Don't forget to get your green tea ice cream.

One of my fave Pasadena sushi places! Get the Vegas roll and Monkey Brain if you love them fried…read moreand saucaay! I was craving sushi and it was my dog's 2nd birthday, so what other way than to celebrate the two at one of my favorite sushi places in Pasadena lol! My dog loves chilling in outdoor restaurant patios (and just taking in the sights lol), so we of course had to come for their dog-friendly outdoor patio. Our server (I'm so sad I forgot her name) was AMAZING, she was so so attentive and friendly, giving our dog a water bowl and also a candle for our vanilla ice cream to celebrate our dog's birthday! So kind!! APPETIZER: -Monkey Brain FOOD: -Spicy Garlic Albacore Roll -Vegas Roll -Fire Roll DRINKS: -Beer with frozen top -Lychee cocktail I LOOOVE this place for their fried/baked sushi rolls!!! My fave are rolls with a lot of cream cheese, garlic, and/or tempura and this place had it all!! So so so good. I am definitely coming here again, or ordering it for the millionth time on food delivery lol. Thank you again for the lovely food and service Kaiba!

Excellent food sushi is fresh The green tea ice cream is…read morereally good as well The service was good

Came by the other night on a Friday and wow, this place was packed. We checked in around 7pm and…read morethe wait was close to an hour and a half. Luckily they have a waitlist system where you can track your spot in line, so we just walked around Pasadena and did some shopping while we waited. Once seated, we had a table and were taken care of by Diane, who I believe was the manager. She was amazing and made sure we were well taken care of despite how busy the restaurant was. To be honest, all of the staff were great. The servers and hostesses were friendly, professional, and kept things running smoothly. As for the food, Sugarfish continues to be one of my favorite sushi spots for the price. The rice is always cooked perfectly and the fish is consistently fresh and melts in your mouth. This time I tried the yellowtail sashimi with lemon and it was absolutely delicious. My girlfriend and I usually order the Nozawa Trust Me and the "Don't Think. Just Eat." Since it's just the two of us, we split both meals so we get to try a bigger variety of fish. Some of my favorites are still the scallops and the anago. Those two never disappoint. Overall, another great meal. The long wait is probably the biggest downside, but once you're sitting down and eating, it's easy to remember why this place is always so busy.

Sugarfish is such a gem! I recently visited the Corona Del Mar location and had to have it again in…read morePasadena. My entire party ordered the Nozawa Trust Me: Edamame Tuna and Chutoro Sashimi - ponzu and chives Albacore Sushi - ponzu and chives, 2-pc Salmon Sushi - toasted sesame, 2-pc New Zealand Sea Bream* Sushi - citrus salt, 2-pc Toro Hand Roll Bluefin Otoro Sushi, 2-pc Japanese Yellowtail* Sushi - lemon, 2-pc Hirame* Sushi - yuzu ponzu, 2-pc Blue & Dungeness Crab Hand Roll This location was just as good as the Corona Del Mar one. I think that it is such a great deal for quality sushi! The restaurant is small, and they don't take reservations, so keep that in mind when visiting!