I ordered the fillet and jumbo shrimp plate and upgraded with chicken fried rice and garlic…read morenoodles. I wanted to try a lot of things she did not want to waste of space for the veggies although they did look good. I ordered the chili oil and the garlic butter. The garlic butter easily was shared between the fillet and the shrimp adding a nice umami flavor. The garlic oil was smoky and not too hot. The chicken fried rice in my opinion was better than Benihana's or just as good. Although the garlic noodles were a little sweet from my liking, I was evil easily able to alter them to something. I enjoyed with some chili oil and soy sauce. It tone down the sweet. Simple, clean decor. Several ways to see the menu on the wall LCD or by the counter. The service was very good, quick and kind. The quality of the product was very good. The fillet almost melted in your mouth, and the shrimp was cooked well without being rubbery. I spent $52 here to upgrade two chicken fried rice and garlic noodles. They have plenty of parking a huge parking lot, limited seating, maybe eight tables or so, mostly four tops.

This place is quite small but it can hold a group of 6,7 people if it is not busy…read more The service was ok. Just know it takes about 30-45 minutes to get your food. The food is actually really really flavorful the lobster I had was very tender and juicy and the jumbo shrimp were a good l size. I would have ordered the chowmein though instead of the rice because the chowmein was way better! After discussing with the family we enjoyed it but it is 4 stars since it does take quite a while to have your meal and the customer service could be better. The food itself carries this place but 5 stars if they can improve service!

Great service here at the Pasadena Location! Stephanie & the Manager Ian was super attentive and…read morefast! Very pleased with their service & i will definitely be coming back!

Food is delicious, service is very personal and fun. Mary remembered us from last…read moreTime and even remembered our orders. Get the fried rice, it's worth it.

Didn't wanna show, so we ate at the bar. Andrew was so attentive and made the bar dining experience…read morebetter than I could've imagined. Strongly suggest eating at the bar if you want a little bit more steak on your plate.

Another year, another birthday dinner at Benihana, which is pretty much the only time I come here…read more This year I actually got two BD deals. First was through their traditional (phased-out) Chef's Table Loyalty program--$30 off after an initial $30 spend (weekday dinner only, not including alcohol). Second was through their new Friends with Benefits Loyalty program--$50 off (no specifics on dinner or alcohol). Benihana is now part of The One Group that includes other restaurants like STK and Kona Grill where you can also earn points/rewards. I've seen the Benihana teppanyaki "show", and once is enough. It's best enjoyed with a group large enough to fill up an entire table, otherwise you are grouped with others. And the wait for a chef can be long depending on how many are working at that time and the number of tables occupied. Benihana food is mediocre at best, far from authentic, and quite pricey for what you get--without the BD offer, there is no value, although they do have some specials and a Happy Hour menu. For the past few years, we've avoided the teppanyaki tables and go to the sushi bar/lounge, which has bar seating and high and low-top tables. Here's where you can do Happy Hour, Lounge menu, or the regular menu without the show and less of a wait. I noticed in the interim between my 2 visits, the menu prices increased! The Happy Hour menu is not included with the BD offer, so I usually order sushi/sashimi. This year I tried a few noodle dishes. Although there is a sushi bar, I don't think it has traditional seating nor a dedicated sushi chef. Frankly, when I've ordered sushi/sashimi in the past, it was pretty much like supermarket sushi, often haphazardly cut, as if a butter knife was used. I ordered the Spicy Crispy Rice app both visits--6 pieces of crispy rice topped with tuna, yellowtail and salmon and jalapeno slices. The fish are indistinguishable from each other, the black pepper soy sauce cloying, and some of the rice crisped to burnt. I did two noodle dishes--shrimp yakisoba and seafood diablo (scallops, calamari and shrimp with udon in a spicy sauce). Both came with onion soup, salad, steamed rice and sauteed veggies (zucchini and onions). The shrimp yakisoba was decent, although the shrimp were smallish and probably frozen. I asked for less spice on the seafood diablo, but it still packed a punch. The shrimp were the same, the scallops were quartered but tasted like scallops. The calamari, however, were large hacked-up pieces with a texture like a faux seafood item a vegan would order (texturized vegetable protein). There were no tentacle pieces. There were a lot of yellow bell peppers plus some mushrooms and frozen corn. I do like the Benihana Lemonades, available in 4 flavours, refills included. Overall a slightly better and less depressing experience compared to years past. A HUGE shout out to my server for both visits, Alaast, who is actually one of Benihana's supervisors. She was also the hostess my second time, and the bartender and lounge server both times, and seemingly a back waiter at the teppanyaki tables as needed. Service in the lounge in the past has ranged from meh to non-existent, so Alaast is a great asset. I may try Happy Hour here one day, although it's hard to beat the HH at Cheesecake Factory next door.

Excellent quality Wagyu with rich flavor and a fun Japanese BBQ experience. Service was attentive…read moreand friendly.

Been a while, but came back to iWagyu for a birthday celebration! Food is still solid and the…read moreserver was very attentive. I will say, I tried beef tounge for the first time here and it was tougher than other spots. But still delicious. Still get an upscale vibe that's perfect for special occasions.

This review is for the "Taste of Benihana" special that they have in the bar dining area. It's $39…read moreand you get a choice of starter (soup or salad), a choice of a sushi roll (full 8 pieces), and choice of entree. Like at the main dining room, you get fried rice, veggies, etc. it's basically the same food without the show. But food is your focus, it's a great deal. The roll choices include Dragon Roll, Spicy Tuna, Rainbow Roll - just to name a few. These aren't usually offered for deals like this. Entrees include hibachi chicken, steak, or shrimp. While it may not be fancy with the cooking show and all, it's plenty of food. We ended up eating the starter and rolls and saved most of the entrees for the next day. The bar area is to the right of the hostess desk and has booth seating opposite the bar. It's a little hidden but nice if you like a quiet meal. Well, ours was quiet because no one was at the bar yet. Forgot to take photos because we were hungry; it's a good deal.

Warning: there may be a long wait before you get your food so don't come hungry because you will be…read morehangry! We arrived at 11am on Sunday with reservation and were seated promptly. The server took our drink order and gave us time to study the menu. Took about 25 min before he returned with our drinks (soda, beer, water) and took our order. Then the looooong wait began. We waited another 20 minute before getting our salad and soup. And about 1 hour into the our reservation, the teppanyaki chef finally came to our table and started the cooking. I got the Emperor's Feast (filet mignon and chicken), and kids got filet mignon kids meal...kids meal comes with corn as well as ice cream. Flavor-wise...maybe too much seasoning. The first few bites tasted really nice because we were starving after waiting one hour for our food...but then everything started tasting pretty similar (veggies, meat). The chicken fried rice upgrade was quite pricey (extra $7.50 for kids meal, $8.30 for adult meal). Our family of 4 (two adults meals, two kids meals) with tax and tip came out to over $255. The price point is too high for the slow service and average food quality. Not impressed.

I have no idea if some of these reviewers even know what they're complaining about, like the "miso"…read moresoup that's actually consommé, and is very tasty. Maybe it doesn't have an Insta ready wall for fancy pics but it's a hidden gem that's been run by the same award winning chef for decades. There are pictures of him with generations of famous people from the world over who eat here so that speak speaks for itself. Also, he must be over 80 and he still greets and seats every customer personally. The place has been around a while so one might consider it a bit "rustic" and sure there's a wait, but that's because this place has stood the test of time and still turns out incredible food and service. And no, like the other reviewers said, there's no sushi but this is an authentic teppan whose focus is grilled food...and they're great at it

One of the original teppanyakis in LA before it became popular! Much cleaner than Benihana and…read moresince it's smaller, more detailed customer service. It's still run by a Japanese family and feels more closer to a homey Japanese-American mom and pop. All the little photos and drawings give it a nice touch. Food was great and portions were generous. However, if you like medium rare food or fat on your steak, make sure to ask for rare and to keep the fat. The norm I think is most people want really lean and well done. My fam prefers stuff more rare and if you like it rare too, keep that in mind. The grill also contributes to cooking the food more well done. Overall, give Mori a try if you're in the area.

Kobe Gyukatsu is a restaurant we frequently visit. My children especially love the place. This time…read morewe went as a party of seven on a Tuesday night. There was no wait, and we were able to be seated right away. They have a promotion going on where you can order two Gyukatsu sets and get one noodle dish for half off. So we ordered two beef Gyukatsu sets, our favorite, and also the cream udon. We also ordered a Pork Cutlet set, Agedashi Tofu, and Chicken Karaage. Below are my ratings: Gyukatsu set: 5 out of 5. This is what they are famous for. You cook the beef on the hot pot, and it is tender. The dipping sauce adds to the flavor, especially the one with wasabi in it. The cabbage salad is perfect. Cream Udon: 3 out of 5. The cream on top looks very interesting, but after a few bites, it does feel a little too creamy and heavy. Pork Cutlet: 5 out of 5. Huge portion of two pieces, worth the price. Tofu and Karaage: 4 out of 5. Good. Overall, we loved the meal and the service, and would definitely come back.

Kobe Gyukatsu offers a distinctive take on Japanese comfort food in the 626, with its signature…read morebeef cutlets at the heart of the menu. Service was attentive throughout our visit, and we took advantage of their summer special, which offered 50% off a second Premium Gyukatsu Set with the purchase of one. **Premium Gyukatsu Set: 4/5** Made with American-style Wagyu prime short rib, the gyukatsu was incredibly juicy and tender, with beautiful marbling throughout. A coating of fine panko breadcrumbs formed a golden-brown, crispy crust, creating a satisfying crunch with each bite. The set came with a personal tabletop grill, allowing you to sear each piece to your preferred doneness for an interactive dining experience. Accompanying the gyukatsu were rice, miso soup, and several small sides, with the shredded cabbage standing out for its refreshing contrast to the richness of the fried cutlet. The corn salad, however, felt somewhat like an afterthought and wasn't particularly well executed. An assortment of seasonings and sauces was also included to pair with the meat. The specialty salts complemented the beef especially well, while the gyukatsu sauce had a light, savory flavor with a subtle sweetness that enhanced its natural character. The only miss was the wasabi sauce, which was dominated by an overwhelming horseradish taste. **Takoyaki: 4/5** The takoyaki had a delicately crisp exterior that gave way to a molten, creamy center. Each piece contained a sizable portion of octopus, while the bonito flakes on top added a smoky umami depth that paired nicely with the generous drizzle of mayo and takoyaki sauce. Kobe Gyukatsu delivered an enjoyable meal, with the quality of the dishes and tableside grilling among the main highlights. There's certainly enough here to warrant a return visit.

We have been going to Tokyo Wako in Pasadena for many years now and have great memories. Since I…read moreheard that one closed down permanently and I was in Monrovia, I found location 5 minutes away from the hotel that I was staying at and decided to go there. The timing was perfect. A friend of mine, Laura and her husband Ternaded lived closeby. Arcadia, to be exact. We met up there and got a very nice welcome from the host by the name of Leilani. She took us to the grill where they make Teppanyaki food. It's very similar to Benihana style. We were seated with another wonderful family and enjoyed our time together. Got to know each other and had a nice conversation. I ordered their Cut Spicy Tuna Roll, (15.25), Tokyo Imperial (52.50), which came with Miso Soup, Salad with their yummy ginger dressing, Shrimp, healthy sautéed vegetables and Filet Mignon. Asked for medium-rare, and Chicken Fried Rice (5.00), I don't know why they charge for the rice? I also got one of my favorite cocktails..Piña Colada (11.00). William was our server along with Linda. They were both kind and sweet. Our chef Luis made all of us a PERFECT MEAL! He was a bit quiet, but did a FANTASTIC JOB! Place was kind of empty for a Saturday night. The reason for that is that they close at 9pm. They also have a lunch menu. Since we got there at 8pm, we were being a bit rushed. Not their fault, rules are rules and we need to follow them. Everything tasted above and beyond everybody's expectations! Fresh and delicious. Thank you Tokyo Wako and staff. Will definitely return when I am in the area!!!!!

We were just there yesterday and the food was delicious. But, what stood out was the little lady…read morewho was serving the drinks, taking order etc. very sweet and attentive. Garlic edamame and the filet mignon and shrimp were delicious. The chicken fried rice with the yum yum sauce is a must. The outside and inside decor are nice and there's koi fish!! :)

First time at Habachihana Grill and we were very impressed! The New York steak bowl and chicken…read morebowl were both phenomenal. The sauces are also delicious and add an extra touch of flavor, though the food is great on its own. Lizette at the register was super friendly and welcoming, and the seating area has a really nice vibe. Great food, great service, and a great overall experience. Highly recommend--we'll definitely be back!

I definitely broke the bank buying just the bowl and every sauce (as well as two drinks) but man it…read morewas quite delicious! The steak is no joke, which explains the price. It was so divine, and the fried rice upgrade was a must! I was craving something late night and I saw that there was some activity going on outside of this restaurant so I took a note and then I pulled over to Yelp what was good and open this late at night and I had ironically bookmarked this as a place I wanted to try. The service was quick and great. Staff is extremely friendly and the ambience is chill I love that they have an outdoor area where you can enjoy your meal and people watch all the inebriated folks leaving the bar.

This was my first time at Mikiya, and I had such a fantastic experience! Landen was an amazing…read moreserver friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely made the experience even better. He was on top of everything and made us feel very welcomed. Great service from start to finish. I'll definitely be coming back! And the food was bussin.

Mikiya Wagyu Shabu House is one of the most consistent shabu-shabu spots in the area. The quality…read moreis always great, the meats are flavorful and tender, and I feel like the pricing is reasonable for what you get. We usually go with either the Silver or Gold Wagyu set and add on the Wagyu tartare or Wagyu bone marrow. Both are always delicious and packed with flavor. For broth, I normally choose either the Japanese tomato or spicy miso. You really cannot go wrong with either option. For sides, we usually order the vegetable platter, Japanese ramen, and rice. My go-to meats are the premium Wagyu chuck ribeye, premium Wagyu shoulder cut, and kurobuta pork. In my opinion, those are the best choices on the menu. They are consistently tender, well-marbled, and have a great balance of fat and meat without feeling overly heavy. I usually skip most of the other sides and ask for extra garlic and green onions to add to the goma sauce. That combination with the Wagyu is so good. It can add up depending on how much you order, but I think it is reasonably priced for the overall quality. If you get around seven to ten rounds of the meats mentioned above, you will likely get close to your money's worth. I would definitely recommend Mikiya to anyone looking for a solid Wagyu shabu-shabu experience.