50 Best Japanese Restaurants near South Pasadena

“Tried the Spicy Miso Ramen. The broth was rich and the noodles were nice and chewy. Although, the portion seemed a bit smaller end for the price.

Please note they use QR codes as a menu. So you have to scan the code and order on your phone.

The interior is very cute and clean. The staff are friendly. Overall, a good experience.“

“This restaurant was amazing! The food was well cooking and seasoned lots of flavor in the Ramen broth and noddles, everything was prepared fresh. The staff was very attentive and kind, my friends and I had a great time there definitely will be coming back!“

“It was a great experience We took our dear granddaughter to celebrate her birthday !!!“

“The reviews are right, the onigiri and hand rolls are delicious. The service is super quick as well.

The seasoning is perfect and the rice is molded well, as in you can taste each grain of rice rather than places that crush the rice to death. They make it perfectly here. The nori does get soggy if you take out, but that's to be expected and unless you want a crispy bite, it's perfectly fine.

The crab handroll was amazing, by far my favorite. I would definitely go again.“

“Food is outstanding. Been a fan since the late 90's. Their Nabeyaki Udon is the best I have ever eaten. If you want it the way it is served in Japan, ask them to use a fresh, rather than hardboiled, egg. To go food can be frustrating. If they say 30 minutes, figure at least an hour.“

“My experience with the Pokeball was great the only thing that was missing was Ginger for my salad I didn't ask for any but I would have assumed that they would give me at least one to two small packages to go.

Service West okay did they didn't acknowledge me as soon as I got in but it looked like they were a bit busy my visit was about 15 minutes and I took my food to go.

Overall the young lady that was helping me was very kind and attentive.“

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“Not a big fan of sitting on the side of street where people walk by and you intake that fumes coming from all these traffic. Got to sit inside by the bar, the food here is okay, but a bit pricey for what it's worth. Been to many affordable to very expensive sushi places in the U.S. and in Asia, this place is more IG/social media friendly picturesque place than an actual sushi/sashimi place. Not much nigiri/sashimi choices. Not a big fan of places that sell pre-made canned alcohol with an extreme markup.“

“สนุกสนานอาหารอร่อย บรรยากาศดีมีระดับ“

“Amazing place. A real gem and great find. The mackerel bento tier 2 was amazing. The fish was butter and crispy. All the vegetables were so tasty too. The area it’s in is a bit rough, but this place is worth it. The inside is decorated nicely and it’s a nice atmosphere. The staff was nice and the even gave us cute holiday cookies. Can’t wait to visit again“

“The food was excellent. We had the salmon roll and rainbow sushi (highly recommend the salmon roll) as well as the chicken curry and gyoza. The quality of the food was very high and flavorful!

It's very rare that you go to a restaurant and know that the staff loves the restaurant. There was one person running the entire front of the house, but she was always genuinely smiling and at the end of our meal gave us cookies that her and her brother (the cook) had as children!

We especially enjoyed the little slice of history this restaurant is a part of!“

“Delicious food. Fast service. Get here early to avoid a long line.“

“I had Japanese breakfast w/ miso black cod, it was tasty.“

“Amazing takeout family meal which features the most flavorful and delicious Char Siu Wagyu Short Rib with fluffy bao. All side dishes are well executed and delectable. One of the best staying at home meals I’ve had! Highly recommend it!“

“This might be the best restaurant in LA. The service was phenomenal from start to finish. Our waiter was bright, engaged when needed, and provided everything we needed. Great ambiance with this nice, lo-fi synth.
But the best part about this place is the food. This is some of the best food in LA, if not the best. We got the shishito peppers and crispy rice, handrolls, sea bass and steak, eggplant, and cheesecake. Everything was fantastic. Perfectly timed out of the kitchen. Every dish bursted with flavors that complimented each other. The dessert wasn't too sweet. The Kitsune is also an incredible old fashioned.“

“Tasty bbq take out outside. Amazing desserts to ans friendly staff“

“An Arts District gem. This food blew our minds, we stopped in for a quick bite and everything we had was an absolute 10. Will be coming back to try more of the menu but highlights we had:

- seaweed salad
- spicy tuna crispy rice
- lobster pasta (incredible)
- chicken skewer

Friendly, knowledgeable service, great ambiance, definitely worth a visit!“

“Dear Troy,

Your service impeccable, your smile inviting
You made our night and us feel so at home.
Thank you for allll of that wonderful house sriracha and night. Until next time
We will be back“

“Te Isshoku Sushi is probably one of the only reasons I look forward to going into my office now that I am required to be in my office. Finding this gem has been a game changer.

The sushi is amazing quality. It is always fresh and large portions.

Besides the sushi being excellent, the real star is Lisa. After 1 order Lisa will remember you and little things you like and don’t like. Lisa’s service is impeccable and she will always have a big smile to greet you and make you laugh.

Full disclosure I am biased because I eat there almost 3 times a week because it is that good. It’s the highlight of my work day. I just had to share how amazing this local business is.“

“Kaminari specializes in Utsunomiya-style gyoza, a pan-fried dumpling that uses a paper-thin wrapper. In Japan, Utsunomiya is a town known for gyoza paired with experimental and non-traditional ingredients

🍽 The first gyoza bar in LA all the way from Utsunomiya Japan!

FOOD 4/5
- Yaki gyoza which is pan fried
- Sui gyoza boiled gyoza in clear pork soup w/green onions = LOVE THIS!

SERVICE 3.5/5
Kinda had a weird vibe from the staff members here. Just wasn't the friendliest or authentic.

PARKING 4/5
Parking in the perimeter of J-twn“

“Its open and they really made sure its safe , service and food perfect . Happy days“

“Amazing find, theit sushi kaiseki is the best and the middle set at $160 is one of the best values in town. Reminds me of places we went to in Japan. Sit at the bar and get an authentic omskasa experience for way less than comparable restaurants.“

“This was so good!!! I got the new Tomatama Curry bowl and I loved it. I’ve never tried udon before but I’m so glad I had a chance to try it today. I also got a cheese and sweet potato tempura. I honestly wanted to get back in line for more. That sweet potato was the best (though I may be biased b/c sweet potatoes are a fave). And to top it off I got the pineapple sunrise. Super refreshing. This was exactly what I needed after a long day of traveling. Plus the artwork and vibe was super cute.“

“Sushi is delicious here and always fresh - this is our fave spot in Blossom Market Hall! Great quality food, friendly service, and decent prices given the portion sizes and quality.

I’ve tried the Dragon Roll and the Tiger Roll and loved them both. The Tiger Roll has plain cooked shrimp, shrimp tempura, crab and cucumber with a lovely mix of sauces over the top. The Dragon Roll has spicy salmon, shrimp tempura, crab, cucumber and onion also with delectable sauces on top.

The Dragon Roll was the winner for sure - the spicy salmon on top was some of the best I’ve had - not surprised it’s one of their best sellers.

Their rolls are quite large - more than enough for one person per roll and the prices are very decent. Their combos are pretty huge and an excellent bargain. We got my FIL a combo C and a Blossom Roll to go on our last visit - I was impressed by the presentation and he loved them both. Will have to try one next time!

Service was efficient and very welcoming. Order at the counter and they’ll give you a buzzer. The vibe in the market hall is lively and inviting - with lots of seating options and promising dessert choices once you’ve finished your dinner. Sushi Rolland is right inside the main entrance and there’s plenty of free parking on site.“

“This is my second time at Hatch. Loved the ambiance and the service was outstanding! Anthony was especially great! Great customer service! I loved the soft shell crab taco so much so I ordered it twice. 2 of the dishes I tried weren't my favorite but overall food was good . Will definitely be back preferably with a group so I can try more dishes!“

“Great rolls. Big selection.... fresh.“

“A hidden gem in Montrose. Very good food, attentive service, reasonable price.“

“Salad Dressing is amazing. Parking is horrible. They said 10-15 for my order. 25 minutes and I got a $52 Parking Citation🤬🤬🤬🤬“

“Really good food. Came in during the SILENT HILL F collab, the line was extremely long but what would you expect. Giving it a 5/5 because regardless the service was quick and efficient! Both treats offered were so good, social media was making people believe they tasted weird but nope. It’s for a certain audience to say in short. Love love love!!“

“Best sushi on the West Side ❤️“

“good for romatic and I recommend here for everyone“

“Yes. Very nice servers etc. clean. Yummy food. Usually get beef teriyaki with tempura. Good batter on tempura snd lots of food“

“Our whole experience was amazing I love how well the staff treated us how clean and fast serves I highly recommend to my friends and family the only thing I can say that wasn't to my liking was the king crab where over cooked but every else was delicious thank you again definitely will be returning.“

“Its a must try experience. Everything is made on the spot.
You can taste how fresh and authentic every bite is. Nothing is rushed, flavors and textures are perfect.
Customer service is exceptional and the ambient is a chill ambient that allows you to talk with some background music without it being over bearing.
10/10 will come back.“

“The Japanese, who have lived in the United States all year long, love to make friends“

“Suehiro Mini review:

Suehiro Mini is a cozy, casual spot known for its authentic Japanese cuisine, especially sushi and ramen. The flavors are fresh and well-balanced, with generous portions. The staff is friendly and helpful, creating a welcoming vibe. It’s a great choice for a quick, satisfying meal with quality ingredients. Prices are reasonable, making it popular among locals and visitors alike.

If you want details on a particular dish or experience, let me know!“

“Every dish was delectable, and great service! We all had a fantastic time there! Definitely will be back, and for celebrations.“

“so far everything I've tried has been delicious!“

“It was very nice. Loved the hellos and thank you for coming. I can’t wait to come back next time I visit the area.“

“Absolutely incredible vegan dishes and top notch service! We stumbled on Rice when looking for vegan options; so happy we did! Dishes we tried: vegan crisp rice sampler, miso soup, garlic edamame, homemade ginger ale and the crispy dynamite role vegan. Everything was so good! The ginger ale was next level - highly recommend! We got homemade pickled ginger with the roll and it was unbelievably tasty and fresh. The miso soup was a nice surprise as most are not vegan; a broth that built upon each sip and the tofu was also homemade. The crispy dynamite vegan roll had such a unique and deep flavor - more smokey than spicy. I can't recommend the food enough. Thank you to the chef and for the exceptional service. What a treat!!“

“Cute homey Japanese vibes. It’s a small restaurant so I can see there’d be a wait on busy days. Luckily we only had to wait about 5 min. The menu is straightforward. Comfort Japanese dishes. Service was great, they’re super nice and very attentive!

The tempura was good, sauce was great too. Katsu was fried perfectly, sauce was tangy and fantastic, just wish the pork was more moist/tender. Karaage was just okay, probably wouldn’t order it again, most of the flavor came from the sauce. My dad loved his eel bowl set, flavored and cooked well. My katsudon bowl was delicious, again katsu was a little dry, togarashi is a must with this bowl. And the cold soba noodles were great, the sauce dip was perfectly seasoned and noodles were perfect texture, very refreshing to eat.

Parking - small free lot! We had no issues getting parking.“

“ABSOLUTELY the BEST ramen I have ever had!!! The service is amazing, the fried pumpkin... off the hook!!! Spring rolls, yaaasssss!! I had the King Ramen...whoaaaaa! Daaaaammnnn!! You will NOT be disappointed. Thanks to the owners for the great experience.“

“We recently embarked on a three-week west coast “foodie” vacation, spanning five states and six major cities. Along the way, we dined at everything from Michelin-starred establishments to small mom-and-pop restaurants. By the end of our trip, everyone in our group unanimously agreed that our experience at Tensho was one of the absolute highlights.

From the warm hospitality and the evident pride in food preparation to the impeccable service and outstanding flavors, everything about our visit was memorable. We left the restaurant on a true “food high,” feeling as though if the entire world could experience what we just had, it might inspire world peace.

Be sure to order the wagyu—it’s an absolute must and a true indulgence!“

“good recommmend for eveyone“

“Azabu Sushi – Whittier, CA
★ ★ ★ ★ ½ (I docked half a star purely out of spite because I can’t afford to eat here every day)

I walked into Azabu expecting the usual Whittier sushi experience: decent fish, questionable rice, and a lingering fear that the “spicy tuna” might just be yesterday’s salmon wearing hot sauce as war paint. Instead I was immediately hit with a vibe that says, “Yes, we know we’re in a strip mall next to a boba place, but we’re about to ruin you for grocery-store California rolls forever.”

Let’s start with the Salmon Carpaccio (the flat pizza-looking thing in the photo). Imagine if salmon had a glow-up, went to Coachella, and came back wearing citrus ponzu as body glitter and microgreens as a flower crown. It’s so pretty I almost felt bad eating it. Almost. Then I inhaled the entire plate in 45 seconds like a savage who’d never seen raw fish before. Zero regrets. The texture is silkier than my ex’s lies.

Next up: the Shrimp Gyoza in that dark, mysterious broth. These dumplings show up swimming in what I can only describe as “umami bathwater.” One bite and I involuntarily whispered “oh daddy” — which was awkward because I was on a date with my actual father. The wrappers have that perfect pan-seared crisp before collapsing into the sauce like they owe it money. I’d bathe in that broth if it weren’t socially unacceptable (and if the staff weren’t watching me like I’m one impulse away from grabbing a straw).

Portions are annoyingly civilized — translation: you’ll want to order three of everything and then lie about being full so you look refined. Pro tip: don’t. Just commit to the food coma. Your jeans will forgive you eventually.

Service is ninja-level attentive without being obnoxious. Our server knew the menu like he personally caught the fish at 4 a.m. while doing CrossFit. When I asked what was good he just smirked and said “everything,” which should’ve been arrogant but was 100% correct. Rude.

Ambiance? It’s dark, moody, and sexy in a way that makes you want to use chopsticks seductively even though you still hold them like a toddler with crayons.

Only complaint: the bill. It arrives looking innocent, then you realize you just paid Beverly Hills prices in a city where the biggest landmark is a 24-hour donut shop. Worth it? Absolutely. Will I be eating cup noodles for the next week? Also yes.

Verdict: Azabu is the sushi spot Whittier doesn’t deserve but desperately needed. If you’re still going to the conveyor-belt place down the street after eating here, I’m afraid we can no longer be friends. 9.5/10 — would sell a minor organ to come back tomorrow.“

“The food is excellent. If you are in the area, go eat here. I knew the price was worth it right away when I saw the food. And I did not regret it after eating. For the around same price as other restaurants that give me thin slices of eel, Yume gave me basically the whole eel. I am amazed and grateful. I think this is an honest, authentic restaurant with high quality food.“

“There used to be in a Marugame near my college, but it has disappeared and since then, I’ve been yearning for it. Marugame’s noodles are bouncy and the soup rich in fishy flavor. I love the ability to tempura, but my tempura was a little too soggy in the breading. But overall, loved the experience and the food“

“Best Japanese Food in Whittier“

“my experience here is always great, it’s my go to spot for sushi and even though i usually order for delivery, the dine in experience today was amazing with great customer service and equally as amazing food; can’t wait to order from here again!“

“Deliciously authentic Japanese food joint, owned and operated by a talented Japanese chef. I’ve been eating here for years with my family! This professional chef has personally made every sushi roll by hand for as long as I can remember. 10/10 Highly recommend. Truly a hidden gem in East Los Angeles.“