I had to update my review. I've been back a multiple times since my one-star review, and they've made some great improvements. No more waiting for your entire party to arrive before being seated, when the restaurant is empty. The fish is fresh, and they offer more exotic selections instead of just the usual yellowtail, salmon, and tuna. The staff is super friendly and accommodating, and the quality of the fish has been consistently excellent. I'm happy to give my local sushi spot five stars. Thanks for listening to your customers and making these improvements! read more

Tuesday June 23rd. They were notified that we were coming in with a large group. Lady on the phone said no problem. We were probably about the only ones seated by 3:45. Ready to order, Waitress kept helping other diners that walked in... while we waited. By the time we ordered off the lunch menu we were told that we couldn't get the lunch prices. Yet we had been sitting there for a full 15 minutes waiting for one of the three servers speeding around. Finally one of the servers took our orders, couldn't understand her since she was taking very fast so we had to have her repeat herself several times. When we got our bills it didn't reflect the price for lunch. Server said because we put our orders in after 4..... after sitting for 15 minutes to have our orders taken. Lady in our party asked for the mgr, then the server decided to change the price of the orders. Our orders were slow to arrive read more

I really liked this place! It's a solid and affordable sushi spot. The restaurant and food were clean and well served. Service was quick and the staff was very friendly. For ~$20, you can get a Bento Combo with +1-2 items in addition to rice, salad, miso soup, and tempura or gyoza. We got the Salmon Teriyaki, Mixed Tempura, and Sashimi/Spicy Tuna Roll. My friend and I thought this was a great deal and left very full! This place is a great, charming spot and a new go-to. read more

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I have been coming to Ichima for the past 15 years and think the overall quality of their food is top notch. Their prices are affordable and they have something for everyone. If you are not into fish they have curry, udon and teriyaki. They provide complimentary miso soup for all guests. Today I ordered the pork katsu curry, spicy tuna crispy rice, hanabi sashimi, shrimp tempura roll, ichima wrap and chirashi bowl. All the dishes were presented elegantly and our server checked in on us frequently. Pork katsu curry: Served on a big plate you get 2 scoops of rice, 2 big pieces of pork katsu and a sea of curry. The katsu was crispy, meaty and not oily. The curry was mild and I was overall surprised at how much meat the dish came with. For about $20 this is enough to feed 2 people. Spicy tuna crispy rice: This order came with 4 pieces. The crispy rice was stacked with a mound of spicy tuna and avocado. It was a perfect starter that my friend and I enjoyed. The rice was the perfect amount of crispiness as other places tend to make it too crispy and it'll stick to your teeth. Hanabi sashimi: For $53 you get 15 pieces of premium assorted sashimi that features salmon, fatty toro, amber jack, yellowtail, snapper and octopus. All the pieces of fish I had were glistening and melted in my mouth. They were thick cut and the presentation was IG worthy. Shrimp tempura roll: The shrimp tempura roll had a giant fried shrimp in the middle. The crispy tempura flakes were generous and soaked up all the eel sauce. Ichima wrap: If you want an option that has no rice then the Ichima wrap is the way to go. It is wrapped in soy paper and you get a mouth full of spicy tuna, spicy crab, shrimp tempura and gobo. It has a very rich taste and carb friendly. Chirashi bowl: If you come for lunch their chirashi bowl is only $20. There is about 12 pieces of fish on top smothering the whole bowl. The sushi rice was warm and lightly acidic from the sushi rice vinegar. I enjoyed the variety of fish that it came with and will be coming back to lunch more often. read more

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(2026 review) MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT,MY SONS AND I HAVE BEEN GOING HERE FOR YEARS... The food is absolutely delicious...hot and tasty,had my mouth watering as the [free] Mitzo soup was served... I love they're Bento boxes...Full of delicious food just the way you ordered it....I get the beef and ask for it medium rare/sauce on the side I love their tempura...With the 2 shrimp, an onion slice, a piece of broccoli, two different slices of yam and a piece of pumpkin, and my favorite , a temporary slice of eggplant...And all the vegetables are delicious! The ginger is soo0o addicting...natural with no artificial color...I highly recommend the 'Heart attack"...you can thank me later! read more

Sushi date in Pasadena but make it elevated Pulled up to Ichima and let's just say...this was NOT your average sushi run. Started strong with the Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice (perfect crunch) and Albacore Crispy Onion--light, flavorful, and gone in seconds. The Toro Toast? Insane. Buttery, rich, melt-in-your-mouth energy. Had to get the Spicy Garlic Edamame for a little kick, then went all in with the Baked Crab Hand Roll and Crunch Roll (no regrets). And of course...we kept it classic with sushi: Bluefin Tuna, Yellowtail, Red Snapper, Scallop, and Shrimp--fresh, clean, and chef's kiss every bite. Lowkey date night vibes, highkey obsessed. read more

Ichima - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

We always have a good time coming here. Staff are friendly, food comes out quickly and everything tastes delicious! read more

Ichima - Chicken Karaage Rainbow Roll Marilyn Mon-Roll Beef Teriyaki - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

I don't remember exactly the first time I dined here, but I do remember kicking myself for not trying Ichima earlier, since I live close by and shop at the adjacent Ralphs all the time. Restaurants closer to Foothill in this same shopping plaza have come and gone (Kabuki, Pick Up Stix), but Ichima, situated further back near N. Rosemead by the bowling alley, remains. Lots of folks come here for the sushi, which is great. It's always been better than Kabuki, although Kabuki did have Happy Hour specials that lured people in. However, what I always get at Ichima is their bento box. It's available and lunch and dinner, with dinner costing a bit more, although you get more food. You can get 1-2 main items (teriyaki, fish, katsu, rolls--some have an upcharge), with a side of mixed tempura or gyoza, a salad and rice. I usually add a bowl of curry for $2.95 more--great to put over the rice. A very substantial meal. Since I usually get some sushi as well, I usually have leftovers. When you're seated, they'll ask for your drink order and if you want miso soup. Say yes, because the soup is free. Service is consistently good. The place can get crowded--they have a Yelp list when they are busy. A local fave! read more

Service was great. Menu had a lot of selection. Food was very tasty. Food came timely after ordering. Plenty of parking read more

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I was passing through East Pasadena and looking for a good sushi 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. read more

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Ichima Sushi in Pasadena has been a Japanese staple restaurant for years. From their tasty bento boxes to their chef special nigiri. Everything is fresh and tasty. Service is always amazing here. The star of my meal was the uni scramble toast which was so rich, creamy and buttery melt in your mouth. I also love the warm and inviting atmosphere. read more

Ichima - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Ichima - such a warm, cozy, inviting sushi restaurant. There are a lot of items on their menu, a bit of something for everyone. We came as a party of 2 and waited about 15 mins on a Friday night. Parking wasn't an issue as it's located in a shopping plaza. We ordered: Otoro & Unagi Sushi - Tasted super fresh and so good BSCR Roll - Such a filling roll, but really good too. 24 K gold - Sushi w/ Caviar - This was a super fancy roll, however I felt like the taste was very underwhelming. Would not order again Overall, it was a good first time and I would definitely come back. Enjoy! read more

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What a total pleasant surprise! I have not been in Ichima in years and decided to try it out today. I found that their menu has been changed and greatly improved. They got a LOT more small plates and rolls now, still very reasonable price. We ordered a bento box, a salmon lover roll and a salmon skin salad. My greatest surprise is the salmon skin salad. They are so generous with the skin and it is cooked perfect as well. The portion is huge with this price. Service is ok. It's never their strong point. But the seating, environment and the food are all good. read more

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Great food great service and great customer service every time! The fish is always fresh and delicious read more

Ichima - Salmon roll, yellowtail and tuna - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Everything was great. Fast and kind service staff. A little pricey but presentation was on point read more

Ichima - Bento box & jalapeño yellowtail appetizer - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Great food and service. The restaurant was very nicely decorated! Will be back again! Michell was a great server!

Ichima is a classic sushi spot in Pasadena. This used to be my friends groups go to high school sushi spot after school. The spicy tuna crispy rice was always our go to. We love that they add avocado cause some places don't do that. The service I already great and the servers are always attentive. The food comes out quite fast and the fish is always fresh. It's always a great place for big groups and I like how that you can join the waitlist from online unlike some other spots. Super family friendly here and there is tons of non raw fish options options too such as ramen, bento rice sets and tempura. read more

Ichima - Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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This has always been our family m's go-to restaurant. However, ordered Bento boxes which came with salads and miso soups. Shocked to discover the quality of these veggies with transparent conditions. Both boxes of salads are the same. Disappointed read more

Ichima - Concerning the condition of the included salads. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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It's SO good. The Toro Toast lives in my head rent free and I can't believe I hadn't tried this place sooner. We ordered Hotate Crudo, Fatty Tuna Sashimi, Salmon Lover Roll, Lobster Roll, Hamachi Kama, and Nigiri. Everything was delicious!!! I'll definitely come back again. New sushi spot, parking is also super easy. Our server was also super kind! read more

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Ichima is a great sushi place in the Hastings Ranch area in Pasadena. It's kind of hidden in the back of a shopping center but don't let the location fool you. It's a standalone restaurant with lots of regulars, plenty of seating, and great customer service. When you walk through the doors, you feel like you're stepping into Japan. The decorations create such great ambiance for lunch or dinner. I have friends from all over the San Gabriel Valley that know of this place and it's a great central meeting point for us. All of their food is fresh and the portions are generous. I've never had a bad meal or item here. Their iced green tea is also very traditional and delicious. They have a unique selection of cooked and fresh rolls, and the usual sushi selections. They also have udon, ramen, and bento box meals so there is something for everyone - even those weirdo non-sushi eaters in your family. read more

Ichima - Rainbow roll, yellowtail belly, octopus, snapper, yellowtail - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Sushi tasted fresh and rolls are big and easily get full by 1 or 2 rolls. Fried squid was crunchy. Spider roll was good with crunchy crab inside. Chicken karaage was crispy on the exterior and kind of dry inside. Baked green mussels had normal taste with creamy sauce. I wish there was more salmon in the salmon skin roll. Salmon Kama had a good taste with soft salmon grilled to perfection with good amount of portion for an order. Service was fast and staff were friendly. Good for family dinning. read more

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Love this place you get miso soup right away! We ordered lunch combos look at these pics!!! Good portion and great service! read more

Ichima - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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overall it was an okay experience. The restaurant itself is clean and the service was friendly and attentive, which I appreciated. The menu has a good variety of rolls and sushi options, so there's plenty to choose from. The sushi was decent, but the quality and flavors didn't really stand out compared to other sushi spots I've been to. It was good enough, but nothing particularly memorable. Some dishes were better than others, but overall it felt pretty average. Not a bad place if you're in the area and craving sushi, but there are probably better options if you're looking for something exceptional. read more

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Been coming here for their lunch special countless times - food is always solid! This time with a big party, we got to try even more dishes: What we ordered: - Negi-Toro Don: minced bluefin tuna belly, scallions, scallops + caviar - Umi Sashimi: 28 pcs Chef's choice (fatty toro, sweet shrimp, uni, amber jack, yellowtail & more!) - Salmon Skin Salad - BSCR - Sushi Taco: spicy tuna, truffle oil, crunch crab, micro cilantro & eel sauce - Salmon Lover Roll - Caterpillar Roll - Sake Kama - Mixed Tempura Enjoyed all the food there. read more

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Always great food, energy, and service at Ichima! Everything tastes fresh, food comes out quick, and employees are friendly and attentive. read more

Ichima - Bento box - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Pasadena staple Ichima Sushi has been serving for over 20 years and it definitely delivers--everything from the crispy, flavor-packed sushi taco to the fresh chef's choice sushi and that underrated Pasadena roll hit. The sizzling salmon teriyaki stone brought the comfort, and the bento combos were fully loaded with variety. If you're looking for a spot that does a little bit of everything and does it well, this is it. read more

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Sushi is amazing. The quality and freshness was on point. If you like mushrooms they have an amazing mushroom roll and monkey balls. They are both very similar, but I suggest you try both. The prices are also very reasonable. Service is great even on a busy night. It can get crowded and nosiy depending on when you go. Its a little bright inside for those of you with light sensitivity. read more

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nice go to place for japanese, we have been going since they first opened. reasonable price for good food that satisfies many palettes. read more

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The food wouldn't blow off your socks and the menu is pretty generic. It's an okay option if you really are craving sushi and have to eat at this specific area. Con: The spicy tuna roll I had was pretty mushy and didn't taste like anything. Pricy. Pro: They give you a really generous portion of mixed tempura in the bento box. My kids liked their beef soup udon. read more

Food is always so good here and fresh! Portions are huge and worth the price. Love the quiet ambience during lunch and the decor is so cute, can't get over it! Our servers were so sweet and always bring such a good vibe. Eli was especially attentive and very sweet! One of the best places in town to come for dinner/lunch :3 My mom loves coming here read more

Ichima - Bento box combinations - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

I took my kids to the Botanical Gardens and found this restaurant. There is plenty of parking at the door and plenty of seats inside the store. You can sit at booths, tables, and counters. I prefer to sit at the counter for one or two people so that I can enjoy the production process. There are many kinds of sushi here, many of which are innovative and I have never eaten them before. The taste is quite surprising!! Uni Scramble Toast, Toro Toast, and Sushi Taco impressed me the most, and they are all worth trying!! Lobsta Roll and Baked Green Mussel are also delicious, and the kids like them very much. I feel that their ingredients are very fresh and the production is also very delicate. This is a restaurant that I am willing to drive to eat at. read more

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Wow, it's been a while since I last came here. I think it's been over 10 years. Came here on with my family of a party of to celebrate Father's Day. Parking is never really an issue since in a plaza with ample of parking. Just need to walk. I was not greeted as I entered unfortunately. Possibly because it was really busy? I just went straight to their I-pad and put my party on the waitlist via Yelp. We waiting approximately 45mins to be called. We had to wait outside in the heat since there were people already sitting inside in their waiting area also waiting to be seated as well. We ordered alot of food that I couldn't remember but will try to name a few: - Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice - Yellowtail Sushi, Yellowtail Belly Sushi, Smelt Egg Sushi - Salmon Teriyaki Stone - Grilled Beef Teriyaki - B. S. C. R - Salmon Lover Roll - Lots of Beer & Hot Sake Overall the food was expected, decent. As a family, we would come back. My parents enjoyed eating here. The staff weren't as attentive, assuming due to the high volume from Father's Day. Overall, it was a pleasant experience and will come back for family celebrations/ gatherings. read more

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Really good and good quality food and vibes. We got seated quickly and the service was good too. The bento boxes are definitely fire so 1000% dine in read more

Ichima - Bentos, yakisoba, soup - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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It was my first time at Ichima and it was amazing. The servers were attentive and knew what I wanted! Most of all, all the menus we ordered were fresh! I'm definitely coming back!!! read more

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2.5 rounded up to 3. Service is decent. Space is great for larger groups. If you've got a birthday, they blast a little tune over the speakers for ya. It's a cute themed place to go out for westernized Japanese palette. Menu is huge. For the food, bento box is the way to go. Stick to the cooked items like chicken teriyaki. It's a great value and portions are pretty large. We also ordered the Ichima roll and spicy tuna w/ crispy rice. Those were both meh. Even on the bento I would stick with cooked items unless you are fine with softer / mushier texture fish. It was okay, they just did not taste the freshest. read more

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This is my go to resturant when I want to take out Japanese food. The service is just ok but the food is good. Cool vibes inside and plenty of light. I love their bento boxes and tempura broccoli. Parking is easy in front of the location.. read more

No longer a hidden gem as the word has been out for a while. My discovery came during Covid and I love picking up the Bento plate for good meal. If you grab a seat here you'll find good energy, friendly services and of course great food. Love it read more

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I've been coming to Ichima for over 25+ years since my high school days. My friend ended up working 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. read more

We had been wanting to try Ichima for a while and one Friday night, we decided to stop by. The wait was long (50 minutes) but worth it. I was most shocked by how many vegetarian items they had on the menu! They not only had a regular avocado cut roll but they had this incredible fried spicy avocado roll? I have literally never seen that at another sushi restaurant before so I was wholly impressed. The vibe is VERY upbeat, the music is VERY loud, and the staff is VERY friendly and attentive. If you are looking for a chill and fancy place, this is not where you should go. If you are looking to have a fun time with friends, try a bunch of rolls, and be allowed to partake in raucous laughter, then this is your spot! read more

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The place is a great find. The service is great and the place has a ton of ambiance. The food is served fresh. The quality is top notch. Highly recommended for large groups with plenty of parking. read more