(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.

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.

Amid all the sushi spots around Montrose, this is the one you want! The first time my wife and I…read morestopped in for takeout, we ordered one miso soup to share. The staff noticed and surprised us with an extra bowl so we each had our own soup. A small, but thoughtful gesture that brought us back through the door. We made a point to return for what we now proudly call "Sushi Monster Monday," a tradition we invented moments before walking in on a Monday night. Every roll we tried was incredibly fresh. The California Roll was made with real crab, the Spicy Tuna Roll was perfectly spicy, and the Tamago was deliciously squishy! Beyond the food, the warmth of this place really seals it. The team is genuinely kind and welcoming. They even let my wife and I draw a monster, which they proudly taped up on their wall of monster drawings. Delicious food, warm and welcoming staff, and great atmosphere! I give this place 10 monsters!

I'll upload the picture of the food , but I'll save you the aftermath pics. Worts sushi I have…read moreever had.

Matcha beer was interesting/different. The Matcha latte's - AMAZING…read more Food and service was 10/10 but 4/5 for atmosphere b/c we weren't able to sit in the upstairs area. Apparently it's reserved for larger private parties. Still overall a great night out with friends and family.

Really satisfying meal. There are a lot of good choices in Montrose. I was craving sashimi. First…read moreoff, the server was so pleasant he should train others in the hospitality industry. He took such pride in his job. He was honest and recommended what he felt was best. I had the BEST sashimi salad i have ever had. Believe me I have been to a lot of places. The cuts of fish that were in my salad were AMAZINGLY fresh. It really blew my mind. I would go again and again when I am craving sushi. I had an amazing specialty cooked roll that was a flavor bomb for sure. This was my first time at Sake and it will not be my last for certain. The outdoor seating area is really nice if you like sitting outdoors. I judge a sushi spot on their sashimi and my salmon and tuna were melting...that's how tender and fresh. This was an incredible sushi spot. They were super generous!!! I will visit again soon.

Another amazing experience at Hikari Sushi. Whether you're looking for a fabulous sushi experience…read morefor lunch or dinner, birthday or just because, I highly recommend Hikari Sushi. We have easily become regulars here and not only does the food speak for itself but the service is always on point as well. Jee Yung has helped us multiple times and always such a delight with good recommendations as well. We typically go as a party of 5 and there's always a semi private area that's just a perfect area to sit. Let's get to the food we ordered. So we have tweaked their Montrose roll to perfection and call it the Alex roll named after our son. You get the Montrose roll and add lemon slices, salmon, jalapeño slices and a dot of siracha on top. Be forewarned that there's an extra charge for the additions but definitely worth it! Their dragon roll, baked crawfish roll, rainbow roll and Philadelphia are definitely our go tos also. And we tried the Cajun Tuna roll this time as well. All super fabulous and worth going back as often as you can for sure. Thank you for a great sushi establishment so close to home. I would drive here even if I lived much further out, currently driving from Glendale area. See u all soon!

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

My dad's go-to place for sushi…read more Blue Fish is located on Honolulu Ave with plenty of parking in the back. There's usually just a short wait--only a few minutes--and it's absolutely worth it. The restaurant is very clean with a comfortable, enjoyable ambiance. You can sit inside or outside, both are great options. The service is excellent. Unlike many places, the staff doesn't interrupt with unnecessary questions while you're trying to enjoy your meal, which I really appreciate. Good sushi isn't cheap anywhere, and Blue Fish is no exception--but the quality matches the price. I highly recommend the Anoosh Roll--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly crunchy.

Update - July, 2026 This really disappoints me. The prices versus the quality just wasn't syncing…read more $3 for a can of coke. Nope! That's offensive. Bento Sesame Chicken w/Mixed Tempura and Udon - $$$ 2261 Roll (my favorite) $$$ Dragon Roll (love eel, but not this time) $$$$ WHAT IS GOING ON, BLUE FISH? Are you really this hard-up for cash? You do good business and have loyal customers but your rates are ridiculous for the waning quality. My total should not come to over $70 (before I tipped; but, why should I feel obligated to give-away money for a WALK-IN-TO-GO order?) I can no longer recommend Blue Fish as a priority Sushi spot: the quality of the food is no longer top-notch and the prices for that waning produce are a tad insulting. I'll have to imbibe another chef to make a similar roll to the 2261, as I will no longer eat here.

Zen is a hidden gem with exceptionally fresh fish and beautifully crafted rolls. The menu offers a…read moregreat balance of classic favorites and creative specialty options, all consistently well-prepared and flavorful. Service is friendly, attentive, and efficient. The atmosphere is clean, modern, and comfortable, perfect for both casual lunches and relaxed dinners. Overall, it's a reliable spot for high-quality sushi that never disappoints.

I have been here twice. The first time was 2 years ago. Then I recently visited. This review is…read morebased on the latest visit. Pros: Decent back parking Clean Nice dining environment Cons: The food. The prices Slow service Since food is the most important aspect of a restaurant, I will focus my review on the food. It's not great. In fact, you can have much better Japanese / Chinese food in the area for less $$$. I'm willing to pay more if the food were better. But I can't accept dry overcooked salmon, greasy tempura and overly salty Kung Pao chicken. The standard needs to improve. The entrees need to taste better. I'm better off going to Panda Express or Sushi Stop for half the price, and better tasting food.

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.

One of my favorite restaurants ever! I come to La Canada just for Sakura. I feel just as welcome…read morehere as I do at home. The staff is so kind and accommodating. They are funny and comfortable to talk with as well. The menu is wonderfully crafted and has a great balance of high quality sushi and steak dishes. The new happy hour from 5-7 pm came with special dishes such as takoyaki and a few exclusive rolls. I highly recommend trying this place out! 11/10