I always enjoy the food here. Light, fresh, great service. But are they still open? They seemed closed today at noon.

Real fresh seafood with right seasoning and sauce. Highly recommended. Great chef and plenty of food. Chef really enjoyed cooking and showed it read more

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I am so lucky that my wife had a craving for Thrifty's ice cream today! As we were leaving, we found Fanta-Sea Grill! I've been craving seafood and like magic, we found a delicious and healthy restaurant. The owner recommended a fresh and delicious salad with crispy panko breaded shrimp. It was so delicious, with perfectly balanced flavors, that I want more! I can't wait to go back for their lobster pasta and crab pastas and everything else on their menu! read more

Fanta-Sea Grill - Fresh salad with crispy panko breaded shrimp - Seafood Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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Never have that good lobster noodle ever. I am strongly recommending this restaurant to everyone.

It seems I have passed by this place for decades on my way to Urban Pet. It didn't seem to be open all the times I walked by. It's a little hole in the wall that is easily missed. I was finally able to check this wonderful restaurant out after moving from the area. It was worth the wait. We had their signature Three Mushroom Salad, Salmon Pasta, and Clam Pasta. Everything is cooked in a flavorful broth (my sister saw Swanson's broth being used) without butter, MSG, or shortening. Light and healthy. Their Warm Mushroom Salad is a must have for the table to share. It has enoki, portobello, and button mushrooms cooked in broth served on top of mixed greens and topped with toasted seaweed and sesame seeds. A very tasty salad and would make a nice lunch by itself if you don't want to share. The Salmon Pasta had a generous amount of salmon in a sun dried tomato and basil sauce. The sauce had a slight kick to it, not too spicy at all. The pasta was cooked to al dente. The Clam Pasta came with a creamy wine and basil sauce. Very light and not a heavy dish to make you feel too full. The clams had a nice, fresh briny flavor. This is definitely a restaurant that warrants a return trip. I will try the recommended Lobster Pasta next time. It is only open Tuesday through Saturday so be sure to catch it when it is open. Plenty of parking in the back since it shares the shopping center with Urban Pet and Rite Aid. read more

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Today we went to Fanta Sea. First learned about the restaurant back in pandemic. Here are pictures of what we got to try. Lobster pasta set in creamy sauce. Lobster is carefully processed with shells removed/cut, fresh, sweet, and juicy. They worked with us and did a jumbo shrimp and clams combo pasta. Both pastas is in the form of noodles resembling asian noodles like 油面. Both the creamy sause and basil white wine sauce were done just right, we like both and drank both like soups. However not over powering, complements the flavors of each dish very well. I'm very sensitive to both quality of seafood and dairy used in creamy sauce. My stomach approves both! Amazing quality, we'd like to return and try the rest of the menu soon. Last pictures shows the current menu and phone number. Today we got to meet one of the owner/head chef, her name is Grace, and Elvis who helps with running the restaurant. Grace is so kind and knowledgeable, we're so lucky that she got a chance to actually sit down and talk with us about some of her favorite dishes from surrounding restaurants. Her passion for taste and quality is what makes this restaurant so unique. We wish her great health and keep enjoying doing what she does best! read more

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I'd give 5 stars for the red cod and the mushroom salad alone .Fanta Sea grill is all about the food ! This is literally a mom and pop joint serving fresh seafood prepared with a homestyle vibe . The lobster with cream sauce was all that I knew it would be . So was the salmon pasta which had a somewhat spicy yet tasty sun dried tomato essence .The star of the show however was the steamed Red Cod and mushroom salad . Both of those dishes were nothing short of amazing . The cod was cooked perfectly and the sauce with these little green olives came together in a way that's just simply to die for. The mushroom salad which is a medley of mushrooms and veggies is sooo delicious and a perfect way to start the meal . If you're in the area give them a try ! read more

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My lady and I have been wanting to come here since COVID due to their fantastic reviews on various social media platforms, but this establishment was closed for a long while during COVID. Today we finally had the chance to try, and the overall experience was just so so. While the food was pretty good, it was not as good as we had thought from the rave reviews. The long wait time between food and the use of paper plates was quite off putting. We had to request for the side salad that was supposed to come with the sandwich because the server assumed that we didn't want it since we ordered the 3 mushroom salad. Portion-wise, it was just average... had we just ordered 2 entrees we may still be hungry. Many patrons are Taiwanese, probably to support local Taiwanese mom n pop shops. I am adding an extra star to support as well :) read more

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Buried in the middle of South Pasadena like a pearl. 1 star: none 2 star: Fair Oaks traffic 3 star: home town atmosphere 4 star: balanced, flavorful dished that uniquely tread between Asian and American seafood. 5 star: well priced for fresh ingredients. The fish is fresh and firm, not powdery. read more

This place has been here for decades as a little hole in the wall that if you blink you will miss it. Sits right outside of rite aid in the small attached shopping center manned by the same family for decades. An assortment of really nicely priced and tasty seafood pastas and their crab tofu burger which is the best. Call ahead as a small family business they are sometimes closed on vacation. The crab tofu burger is worth the try. Very friendly family service. read more

Fanta-Sea Grill - Seafood Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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The place is small and simple The owner has stuff on other tables so it's only a few sit down tables available The food is delicious! Lobster pasta and crab pasta and clam pasta and salmon pasta. The salad and fish my mom orders We've taken all relatives to eat here and everyone loves it here ! Plus we know the owner!! read more

You know those chef friends who invite you to pop on over and then they ask you if you're hungry and what you'd like to have? Next, they proceed to whip up something amazing in no time flat, and you're floored and offering to wash their car for life if they'll only let you move in? **Poof!** Yeah, me neither, but visiting this cozy little place is just like that. Nestled into a corner of a little shopping nook in South Pasadena, mere paces from Rite Aid, is this little place that's been there for a long while. Quietly serving up stellar and fresh dishes they apparently pull from their very talented sleeves. Even their signage is appealing: an adorable crab with big, soulful eyes. I stopped in there tonight and ordered clam pasta from their "new" menu. I wanted something to take with me to work tomorrow for lunch, and after driving home with the incredible fragrance filling my car, I couldn't take it any longer. I had to open it - just to peek in and maybe have a taste...and then it was all over. I ended up eating most of it. So much for lunch tomorrow! Fresh herbs, super fresh clams, satisfying noodles, umami deliciousness. Like having a talented chef friend who whips up something incredible and fresh in minutes. Bonus: these folks are lovely. Friendly and warm, they engage you like they've known you forever, which is so refreshing. Do visit them, soon. It's a short little menu, and I'm going to order everything on it. read more

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Well, it certainly is "like no other" as advertised!! It is tucked around a corner across from the Rite Aid on Fair Oaks in a tiny strip mall. Upon entering you will think "this CAN'T be it!!!" Small space with stacks of boxes piled up here and there. Only two or three tables, one taken up by staff. BUT...what it lacked in ambience it made up for in hospitality and the delicious food!!! It is Taiwanese-influence and, I believe, Taiwan owned. Very, very friendly and gracious staff who were all very sweet and helpful. I felt very welcomed, like I was in someone's private home (like when I was in Cuba). The food was very good!!! I ordered the garlic shrimp with broccoli and white rice. My friend ordered grilled salmon with veggies and a "grass" drink. Everything was very tasty! read more

IT's OPEN AGAIN! The restaurant you loved pre-COVID is back and better than ever. I had the mushroom salad. Light yet filling. Delicious. I loved it and can't wait to go back and chow down on the salmon pasta. A cool place with a cool vibe. read more

Fanta-Sea Grill - a sign on a brick building - Seafood Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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My friend and I were looking for a good seafood place to eat , came across this little place in Pasadena!! Restaurant is small but very welcoming!! We asked the owner / chef what she recommended and she said her lobster entree with salad !! OMG !! Excellent perfect seasoning , temperature and taste the best I have had!! And actually reasonable priced!! read more

Fanta-Sea Grill - Lobster with noodle !! - Seafood Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Fanta Sea has been opened in South Pasadena for over 20 years, but I found it recently. The owner is a truly food lover, spending her life time enthusiasm and energy on food. It opens only 3 days a week, my husband and I came here twice. Everything here on the menu tastes really good. My husband never ate fish at home, because he hates the fishy smell. He almost ate one fish at here...unbelievable! We would like to highly recommend this little gem to friends, family members and those unknown Yelpers. If you become the regulars, Grace(the owner) will probably make something special for you. LOVE this restaurant, and really appreciate Grace who has been so dedicated to the restaurant business and respectes food with her love. read more

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Omg. How has this place been here forever and I've never gone? The food here is soooo good!! Was going to rite aid so I thought I would get some takeaway. Ordered the warm mushroom salad - amazing!! Salmon plate-salmon was perfectly cooked. Outstanding. Person behind the counter was really nice. Btw they don't have the blue crab and tofu sandwich anymore. read more

The Warm Mushroom Salad is soooooo delicious!!! I'll definitely come back for that again and again!!! The signature Lobster Pasta is great, full of flavor. Next time I'll try Salmon Pasta. Tip: call ahead to reserve your dishes. read more

Great food with reasonable price. Greta Staff. Good services. The lobster pasta, salmon pasta and clam pasta are always my favorite

Such an amazingly delicious meal! Every bite of the lobster pasta and steak sandwich we ordered was immaculate. The portions were filling, and I wanted to go back and order more just because it was so tasty. Everyone who worked there there was very kind. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!! read more

Randomly ended up at this place and was pleasantly surprised by the salmon noodles I had. The ladies behind the counter were nice and their recommendation was on point. They have a limited menu due to covid, but what they have is great. It's only take out now, so if you're in the area, try it out! Support local restaurants and stay safe y'all! read more

Good service, explain everything is very detail. Organize is excellent. I will recommend to my friends & family.

** MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT ** They are not kidding when the best food can be found in hole in the wall locations, because this is definitely one of those places. I still remember my slightly raised eyebrows when someone took me here for our first date a few years ago... Tiny restaurant that serve you food and drinks with paper plates, paper cups, and plastic forks. I was a little scared during my first visit. Well, let me warn you, just because they serve some of their food on paper plates with plastic forks, this place is not cheap. I have been dining at this restaurant for over 6 years now. Same staff, same quality of food. My favorite is their LOBSTER PASTA, always creamy and cooked to perfection. I lick my bowl clean everytime I order their lobster pasta! Just thinking about it makes my mouth waters... Other dishes you might want to try is to SALMON PASTA that is a stir-fried with tomato based. Absolutely wonderful too! If you are feeling adventureous and don't know what to order, I guess you can always ask them for recommendation or to surprise you. During my past experience, I have found that they always have dishes that is not listed on their menu or "Specials" Menu. read more

I have been coming to Fanta-Sea Grill with my mom for what feels like most of my life. I came back here after a long period of, well, not visiting. The menu is MOSTLY still the same and everything still served tastes as good as I remember. FOOD - Now cooked by one of the two Taiwanese owners. The items are mostly a mix of Chinese and Western flavors and cooking methods. Some of the plates are quite small in terms of portion size, but not to a point where you'd leave hungry. The specials are usually always good. When I went back recently, I enjoyed the WIDE MOUTH BASS ($26). Most other tables there got the BRANZINO special ($27) or ROCK COD ($24), which is lightly fried in a Chinese cooking method and served with a soy and cilantro sauce. Both basses were cooked by searing in a pan, with light use of ginger. All the sandwiches, salads, and pastas are good. The shrimp dishes tend to be some of my favorites. The SHRIMP SANDWICH ($10) is very delicious and comes between a multigrain roll with onions, tomatoes, some sauce, and a couple fried shrimps cut flat. The specials are on the pricier side obviously, but the main menu stays more consistent. Note that the tofu and blue crab sandwich so many ppl race about is no longer available (sad, was my go-to for many years). Entree and specials come with rice and veggies. The pastas are good as well, and are served in a very large bowl, so you won't be hungry if you go with one of those options Would not recommend the salmon. The fish portions are too small. PARKING - Very easy. Parking lot behind the plaza itself. Gives you the chance to grab ice cream at the Rite Aid next door or the old pharmacy across the street! read more

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Hole in the wall seafood restaurant located next to Rite-Aid on Fair Oaks. Ordered: http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=7WifIZUlhLJGcm_uSCUQZA&userid=yhdwc7zvDAUwDxMxKWIluw *Bay Scallop Pasta ($11): linguini topped with scallops (A LOT), mushrooms, basil and scallions in a white wine broth. Very tasty! Only complaint is the linguini was soft and clumped together... I prefer it al dente. Portion size: HUGE (feeds 2) *Grilled Salmon ($11): served with two pieces of salmon, two zucchinis, two broccoli, two cauliflower, brown rice and two dipping sauces (tartar and a peach colored cream sauce). It was okay, nothing special. The standout was the zucchini, surprise surprise! Portion size: Small *Lobster Pasta ($22): linguini topped with 1/2 a lobster in a creamy sauce. The lobster was cooked perfectly and was so meaty! Portion size: HUGE (feeds 2) Check out the size of the Lobster Claw: http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=f6mVm2NNRlds2peXbCdw8w&userid=yhdwc7zvDAUwDxMxKWIluw *Seafood Corn Chowder: Pretty good but would've been better if it was creamier. Not a fan of watery chowder (unless it's manhattan). Service: Good Parking: Street read more

Fanta-Sea Grill - Bay Scallop Pasta, Lobster Pasta, Seafood Chowder & Salmon! - Seafood Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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A unique place with a unique flavor! Dine in area is not big but the food is great, never tasted such delicacy before. Grace is a cuisine genius, with her past experiences with different chefs, she became her owner legend, If you are not planning to take out food, make sure you call to reserve a seat. read more

Although we've been back a few times since my initial review, I never bothered to update it. We started with Mushroom Salad which is light but flavorful with a good amount of mushroom. I had the Lobster Pasta. You do get a good-sized lobster, and the creamy broth is light. It was a big portion, so I had leftover. Hubby originally ordered the Tri-Mushroom Pasta, but the server suggested the Truffle Mushroom Pasta instead, so that his pasta dish wouldn't taste too similarly to the Mushroom Salad. The Truffle Mushroom Pasta was a good call. Our friends also had the Greenland Halibut and Seabass, both of which were Special. Everyone enjoyed their dish. They kept refilling our water, and it turned out to be a lovely dinner. Yes, you use paper plates, and there isn't much of an ambience, but you get good food at affordable prices. read more

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Given the outside decor and the location in a small mall right next to a Rite Aid, I was surprised to find a seafood place service delicious and fresh seafood. Fanta-Sea Grill is privately owned and operated by the head Chef herself, and the menu features mostly seafood and mushroom dishes, often in combination. Prices were surprisingly expensive, on par with what I would expect to pay at a nice Italian place, though the quality of ingredients and overall taste is commensurate with the price. The Warm 3 Mushroom salad with citrus dressing was light and refreshing, the three types of mushrooms were cooked and warm, in contrast to the cold greens of the salad. The Salmon pasta had a tangy mushroom-sun dried tomato sauce, with a few red pepper flakes for some spice. This dish stood out to me, the sun dried tomatoes were a nice touch to add robust flavor to the sauce, and the spiciness and tang were a unique pairing. The pieces of salmon were nice cubes, and were a generous portion. Lobster pasta was in a light cream sauce, which was indeed a light, thin sauce. This thin sauce would drain off of the linguine noodles, but still leave sufficient flavor on the noodles. The sauce included tomatoes and mushrooms, and there were free pieces of lobster in the broth in addition to lobster shell with intact meat. The special of the day was a filet of Branzino, lightly battered and pan-fried, some bones still in. This dish came with little sauce on top, some green onions and trace of a brown sauce, and it was the least flavorful of the many dishes eaten. read more

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This hidden gem deserves 5 stars for providing health-conscious dishes at reasonable prices. At the bottom of their simple one-page menu, it clearly stated their foods containing no butter, no MSG, and all cooked with low sodium and low calories awareness. It was true! I didn't have thirstiness nor the numbness in the tongue which are two typical symptoms while ingesting MSG. The famous lobster pasta was outstanding! The lobster was fresh, briny, but also tasted sweet and tender. Though it was "pasta", they used Chinese noodle instead of ordinary Italian pasta noodles. So the noodle had a more chewy mouthful and also absorbed the sauce better. Since the sauce made with no butter, it looked creamy but indeed tasted much lighter and cleaner. The Chinese noodle fully coated with light French style creamy sauce, it was a great match. The three mushroom salad was amazing! The portion was generous and good for two people. It was an unusual salad, a pile of various greens topped with seasoned-well mushrooms. The fragrance of sauteed mushrooms and a hint of tangy flavor from the ponzu dressing made the salad super appetizing. We literally finished it in no time. The garlic prawns consisting of five pieces of prawns, brown rice, and boiled zucchinis and carrots. The prawns were very springy, tender, bouncy, and never mushy. The garlic flavor wasn't overwhelmed, just right to bring out the sweetness of the prawns. Service was superb! Grace greeted us with a big and warm smile right when we walked in. She also checked on us often and made sure we enjoyed each dish. Her affable character made the whole mealtime comfier and had us revel in the food more. After the meal, we left with a great enjoyment, and also felt no redundant burden which usually came from overseasoned dishes and MSG. We will definitely go back to try other dishes! read more

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It's good, not wow though. Lobster pasta is my fave, especially the creamy sauce. Dishes are very light-flavored. read more

Fanta-Sea Grill - Lobster pasta. Garlic prawn. Mushroom salad. - Seafood Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Came with my mom to have the salmon pasta, my mom had a pedicure appointment next door so they took us in early and paid for our meal and came back after our pedicure. The chef did not want our pasta to sit around so she made us fresh pasta order to have fresh, my mom and I loved it. It was delicious with a hint of spice. This place is back open and it taste just as good. Will come back. read more

I was surprised at the quality and superb taste. I expected a standard seafood grill but will pleasantly surprise with an Asian American fusion restaurant. We were able to meet the owner, who is also the chef and she cooked a wonderful meal for us. We had a mushroom salad, uni pasta which needs to be order the day before and seafood pasta. The food was amazing and the pasta was perfectly al dente. read more

Horrible service and attitude. I understand that this is a popular restaurant but the hype is simply not worth it. I called an hour ahead for my order and got a quoted time "12:30" which was when I arrived. Then the owner/chef (who was not wearing a mask) told me I needed to wait 15 minutes more. And I did, then she told me to wait 20 minutes more because they are making order to order and they are busy. I simply don't understand why couldn't I be informed at 11:40 when I called the restaurant to order my food. I was running on a schedule and because of their terrible service my whole schedule was delayed. Didn't get my food, and don't recommend people going. read more

I was on my way to Rite Aid in South Pasadena when I saw that the Fanta Sea Grill was open. I've seen the sign from outside, but I didn't think it was a going concern. A more conspicuous sign that indicates it's open for business would be helpful. I ordered the prawns with veggies. The server said the restaurant cooks the veggies fresh. read more

Fanta-Sea Grill - Seafood Near Me - South Pasadena, California

I like the food here. Not blow you out of your mind, but good. I've been here several times and I've never been disappointed. My mom actually is old high school friends with the owner, Grace. She's the short one with the Chief Brown Cow haircut and Star Wars Padawan learner ponytail. Really nice though. But yeah, my mom LOVES this place and the first time she brought me here, I got the lobster pasta and now that's all I get. Some tail meat and some claw meat, it's not overcooked and it just soaks up all the flavors from the sauce, which I'll get to in a second. The pasta itself a little chewy, but in a good way. The consistency is a little bit more like a chinese noodle, even though the menu says "linguine" So the sauce... diced tomatoes, sauteed sliced mushrooms in a light cream sauce. The sauce is more on the brothy side, which tells me they use most likely a seafood stock combo with dairy, instead of all dairy. Which don't get me wrong, I like heavy cream sauces, but especially with something like lobster, you want something a little lighter that won't overpower the meat. Also for lunch, you're not run down by a heavy cream sauce. It's seasoned well, but not overpowering or bland either. I can't tell you about any of the other dishes because like I said, I've only gotten the lobster pasta, but my mom loves the escolar with curry sauce. It comes with a white/brown rice mix and steamed vegetables. Although I just went for lunch right now with my mom and one of her friends (free meal, hahaha) and they ran out of lobster, but one of their daily specials was a king crab pasta, which was exactly the same as the lobster pasta. The crab was also cooked very well and also soaked up all the flavors of the sauce. They gave me almost half a crab, with 3 or 4 leg sements and a nice chunk of the body where all the succulent *drool* lump meat is. They cracked the shells for you so it's easy to dig it out. Just remember to ask for a small plate so you have a place to put your shells. I gave my mom a piece of crab and she liked it too. read more

Fanta-Sea Grill - Crab Linguine in a tomato and mushroom cream sauce - Seafood Near Me - South Pasadena, California

This place is nothing Fancy but the food is AWESOME!! the portion is big so 2 dishes feeds 3 people easily. The owner Grace is super nice, she used to be in the seafood importing business so she knows how to pick the highest quality seafood and meats for her restaurant. -lobster pasta: half lobster (very meaty and perfectly prepared) -beef short ribs: hands down the best beef short ribs I've had. The the price is too low for the quality and taste. (it wasn't on the menu so Im not sure how much it costs but it's was just a little over $100 for 4 people!!!) -spicy shrimp in stew: I eat very spicy so I am not a big fan of the not so spicy sauce but the shrimp is very big and juicy. Overall, this place is great, Michelin rated quality and taste. Seriously, the food tastes better than some Michelin rated restaurants out there. read more

Fanta-Sea Grill - Seafood Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Like everyone else, I was somewhat disappointed with the food. If it hadn't been hyped up, I probably would've liked it a lot more. The decor is nothing to look at and with a couple of the cooks having a loud conversation, I decided to get the food to go. I had the fish cutlet sandwich (5.50) and a cup of the chowder (2.00.) It was pretty cheap actually. Unfortunately I felt the food could've used more seasoning or herbs or SOMETHING. Good thing I took it home because I threw in some parsley and black pepper into the soup and some garlic salt onto the fish. They both tasted FRESH, just not great. I may come back to try a fish entree but I don't think I'd be ordering either of these again. read more

Another bookmark off the list! Fanta-Sea Grill is a wonderful small eatery located in South Pasadena that serves up seafood dishes. It's located inside the same plaza as Rite-Aid & the now dead Crown Books on Mission & Fair Oaks. The menu is very simple with Pasta, Sandwiches, Salads, and Fresh Fish being served. Because it is seafood, the prices fluctuate with the market for some of the top items such as the Lobster Pasta, and speaking of the Lobster Pasta, that is what I had today :) I think the Lobster Pasta is influenced by Japanese flavors. The broth with it's milky consistency reminds me of having ramen. This one happen to be lobster and mushroom flavored and it was sooooooo good! The Lobster that came with the dish was half of the body + a very very large claw. I'm not sure what type of Lobster they use, but they don't skimp out on providing it to you which is a plus! Other little add-ons such as carrots, green onions, and mushrooms made this dish a winner! While this may be nit picky about things, I really had wished that the Lobster meat was actually pulled out and cut up for me already in my pasta rather then in a half a body & a claw form. The dish became finger food like as I had up the Lobster to dig for the meat and try to split it apart into tiny pieces so that I could eat it with the noodles. Other then that, the flavors were jam packed, and served up in a really really large bowl! The damage? $22.00 + tax. It comes with a drink & a small salad (which is nothing special). This item is definitely not one for lunch (unless maybe you share). It's really really large! No joke. I had to go walk off what I had just intaked in Old Town Pasadena because it was THAT FILLING! Other items that my friend has said is good to try here is the Mushroom Salad, and the Tilapia Fillet. read more

Fanta-Sea Grill - lobster pasta - Seafood Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Wow. Just another example of how the most surprising restaurants seem to be tucked in the most unlikely places. The salmon pasta is great! Amazing flavor and such sweet ladies working there. YUMMMM!!! read more

Fanta-Sea Grill - Hidden in the Rite Aid shopping center - Seafood Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Finally stepped into this place, and ordered the Blue crab tofu burger which came with a side salad. The burger was not small like I thought it would be, and it was very fresh tasting too. For $6 bucks this meal filled me up. read more

Fanta-Sea Grill - My crab sandwich - Seafood Near Me - South Pasadena, California