The crispy rice w/ spicy tuna is delicious! 10/10 recommend! Great service, friendly staff, all the above!

very nice place very kind and friendly waiter and I would definitely suggest this place to others!

well priced. fish is fresh. black pork sausage, tasty. tempura is crispy and not oily. They even give real wasabi. karage worst than costco orange chicken. Our server, Prim, was kind and patient. Very attentive, Refilled our waters frequently. Clean place. read more

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I was in the area and took my friends out for sushi after shopping. I stumbled across this place on yelp and thought we'd give it a try and I was slightly disappointed with the service and our overall experience. However, I'll start with the pros. The pros: 1) The portions and price were worth it. 2) The fish quality was pretty good. 3) The place was cozy and comfortable. We didn't have to wait long at all. 4) There's a designated parking lot. Cons: 1) It was pretty empty but we still had to flag down a server several times for basic things, more water or to put in our order after the apps. 2) I ordered another of the Salmon Enawga and we got the completely wrong roll... it was baked instead but I had already waited super long for it to come out (which makes sense since it was baked not seared) that we didn't feel like complaining. After cross referencing the menu, it was the same price. It was just odd since the receipt showed we ordered another of that roll even though we got the completely wrong thing. Although we enjoyed that roll, I'm not sure we'd come back with just the overall lack of care/service. read more

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We were searching for sushi places in the area to eat with my family and this place popped up. We came at around 1230pm on a Saturday and we were the only party there. We ordered a bunch of food including the Kids Boat, Chirashi Bowl, Sashimi Salad, Rolls, Udon, appetizers and some beers. The Chirashi Bowl was a bit disappointing. Limited variety of fish and probably one of the smallest portions I have had. Udon was the last thing to come out which made no sense since its just boiled noodles so our kids ate last. The service was average and the food was not bad but no good enough to warrant coming back. Plus is that they do have a small parking lot. read more

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I was searching for sushi places to eat with my family for my birthday and came up upon Kaijin Sushi. We started with their calamari, Mixed tempura, and spicy tuna crispy rice. We really like the spicy tuna crispy rice. The calamari wasn't bad. It had a good flavor but a pretty small portion. We were really disappointed at the mixed tempura. The shrimp was super tiny and the portion was really small for the price. We ordered the soba noodles and that was just OK. The needles came out a little soggy. Their chu toro was OK but the Yuzu kinda overpowered the fish. The blue fin don was pretty good, but again the fish was very thin. Their sashimi combo was a pretty decent for the price. We also ordered their sushi combo with a specialty roll that I didn't get a picture of. I have to say... For the price that we paid. I wish the sushi was more fresh and the portion was a little bigger. Also, I know that we had a bigger group (8 of us) and the gratuity is already included, but I wish they had a little bit better of a service and checked in with us a little bit more. read more

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Their lunch special for under $20 is super good. My friend got the bento box for $18, and I got 3 hand rolls for $18! I'm as well pregnant so they were extremely accommodating in cooking everything in my hand rolls for me. Definitely will be coming back soon for more! read more

Kaijin Sushi - Japanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Wanted to give this new place a try! I'll have to say the sashimi sets they have on their menu is worth it for value. Sashimi 22 piece set 4/5 - It comes with salmon, yellowtail, albacore, tuna, and white fish as well as a small pieces of tamago. The salmon was very buttery and tasty. Everything else on the sashimi was good too but it was a lil way too fishy. The amount and size of the sashimi was worth it despite that. Tempura Udon 3/5 - Just very very average udon, nothing special and I was hoping there would be more some sort of veggie in it like onion or napa cabbage, but the main thing was the broth as it was not super flavorful and very mild. The tempura was really good though, but the tempura sauce it came with was not sweet whatsoever which is how tempura sauce should be. Overall this place was not bad and I would come back here again if the sashimi was a lil more fresh and less fishy tasting. The service was very good though and the staff is very friendly. read more

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3-Month Update: Still a top mid-grade sushi restaurant for the SGV. Uni (Sea Urchin), Ikura (Salmon Roe), Mackerel, Hokkaido Scallops, and Salmon: all so fresh, rich, and masterfully put together. Also had the Soba noodles which were all dente with not-too-salty Soba sauce. New menu design too. Please see old review for restaurant details. read more

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Kaijin has some of the freshest sushi around. Also yummy appetizers and bowls/plates. They ownership has changed for the better I think. Give them a chance as they're an up and coming local sushi spot. The sushi Chef Tone is pretty down to earth and makes some nice specialty rolls. We talked some football as well since they had the game on behind the sushi bar. Kaijin has your classic Japanese sushi restaurant feel. Wish them the best of luck on their new sushi joint. read more

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Came here for a friend's birthday lunch and had a great experience. We came in on a Saturday afternoon which wasn't super busy so everything came out really fast. The spicy tune on crispy rice was really good! I also enjoyed the Kanin roll. Service was good, I absolutely would come again! read more

Kaijin Sushi - 4 Piece Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna - Japanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Came here for dinner at 6pm for dinner on a saturday. Staffs were welcoming and nice. We came here with a big party and they attended us pretty quickly. The food was great and fresh! Definitely would have to come back and try the rest of the menu. read more

Kaijin Sushi - Sashimi combo platter - Japanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

It's out first visit. I saw some delicious photos from other review and wanted to come here and try. We ordered the Agedashi tofu and crispy rice with spicy tuna as appetizers. The tofu is so silly and tender inside. The dashi broth is a perfect pairing to the fried tofu. The crispy rice with spicy tuna is great. The crispy rice with spicy tuna goes well, the final touch of avocado and chili oil puts a perfect kick to it. We ordered the salmon sushi and a salmon skin hand roll. Both taste fresh and refreshing. The menu has a variety of choices and prices are reasonable. We will come back to enjoy their happy hour! read more

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Come to try this restaurant out for the first time today. It used to be another sushi restaurant we liked. This is a pleasant surprise. Food is tasty and enjoyable. Gyoza, miso soup, kid's boat are all very delicious. My kid enjoyed it. Their wasabi and ginger are fresh. My husband likes the yellowtail collar, though he says it's on a skinny side That means it's delicious and he can have more LoL The tempura udon and chirashi bowls are good for the price. Service is great Price is good and reasonable. Overall, I recommend this restaurant for families to enjoy! read more

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Kaijin is a great little hole in the wall sushi spot in the 626. I have been coming here for a while now and it has become one of my go to places when I want something quick, good, and reasonably priced. Their salmon hand rolls are honestly the reason I keep coming back. They are huge and only $7.50, which feels like a steal these days. The fish is always fresh and the portion is generous, so you actually feel satisfied after eating one. I have also tried a few of their other rolls and they have all been solid. You really cannot go wrong with the dragon roll, and the Seas Master roll was super fresh with great flavor. It is one of those spots that does not look fancy from the outside, but the quality of the food speaks for itself. The atmosphere is really cute too. I love their interior decorations. They have a little pond outside the store and lights all over which gives the place a nice charm. It is a small, cozy neighborhood sushi spot where people come for good food without the high prices or long waits. If you are in the 626 and looking for a reliable sushi place with fresh fish, generous portions, and great value, Kaijin is definitely worth checking out read more

Fish quality is ok, but do the math on some dishes... they don't add up. Got the sushi deluxe sampler and with what they gave me, it would've been cheaper to order separately, pretty sure. Also, weird that the sushi sampler didn't come with a miso soup. I feel like it's always included at other places. It's a bit too out of the way and did not impress enough, I wouldn't come back. read more

Kaijin Sushi - Sushi deluxe sampler - Japanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Fairly new Japanese restaurant in San Gabriel with a parking lot. Situated on Rosemead BLvd, Kaijin is around two months old and has an older sister location in Los Angeles. This location is bright, clean, high-ceilinged, with some light pine wood booths. Comfortable. The food is solid with decent portions and not overpriced. Since the place is new, we decided to try a full range of dishes and we were pleased with the appetizers, entrees, sushi, and sashimi. None were a disappointment. We had: Takoyaki, Agedashi Tofu, Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice, Hamachi Kama Dinner, Pork Katsu Curry Dinner, Kaijin 22 Piece Sashimi, a Paradise Roll and Green Tea. Liked the Hamachi Kama and Sashimi the best with the sashimi having little flags identifying the item (yellowtail, albacore, halibut, salmon, bluefin, and Hokkaido scallop - nicely presented), while the Katsu Curry needed a bit more rice considering the amount of curry sauce. Slight disappointment in that Green tea was $1.50 a cup for a green tea bag in a cup of hot water. I hope brewed green tea is in the future as business picks up. Overall, a solid affordable Japanese restaurant that won't disappoint you. Service was also good from the lone front-end employee on a quiet Monday. Parking lot could be a bit brighter. read more

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So glad my favorite local sushi spot reopened! They used to be branded as Hayatobi. We ordered the premium sushi set, sweet shrimp, and ikura sushi. My favorite was their otoro, salmon and sweet shrimp. Everything was flavorful at a very reasonable price. Definitely check them out! read more

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Kaijin sushi overall my impression is positive. What stands out to me the most is value. We got the kids boat and it was a ton of food- same with the lunch combo sets- everything came with salad and a miso soup. Basically if you want somewhere you can take your kids and get a good bang for your buck come here! read more

Kaijin Sushi - Lunch Sushi Special Set - Japanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Came here for Mothers Day dinner for the first time and I will say the fish is fresh and buttery. The service is great and the servers were super friendly and accommodating. It's rare to find a sushi place that is reasonably priced, but Kaijin definitely is that! read more

All the food hit the spot, service was quick and friendly, atmosphere calm for lunch. read more

Kaijin Sushi - Finished. - Japanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

We wanted to try this restaurant, since it's so close to our house. I would say the food was not bad! Beats driving all the way to downtown LA area, but we only got sushi rolls here - not sashimi or Nigiri. We didn't dine in the restaurant, and we did takeout. Because we ordered a baked roll. It did take a little bit longer. But overall service was really good and fast. The price is fair as everything is very expensive nowadays! I would come back. It might be a different experience if you were dining in. read more

They pretty much kept a similar menu to hiyatobi but with more staff, service is quicker. Inside got updated nicely and there's happy hour which is key! read more

Kaijin Sushi - Japanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Casual spot with super fresh sushi Everything tasted clean, flavorful, and high quality. Service was friendly and fast, and the prices were solid for what you get. Great place to satisfy a sushi craving -- we'll definitely be back! read more

Kaijin Sushi - Crunch roll - Japanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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I've been a couple of times since it reopened as Kaijin in order to give an appropriate review. While the menu has expanded it just isn't the same. The fish quality has gone down since the change over. The rice is overly sticky and under seasoned. Sometimes the rice is also too warm and it changes the taste of the fish. The salad portions are smaller and overly dressed. The Karaage chicken is cut into smaller pieces and the chicken is dry when fried. Lastly the decor is updated. The booths are all wood now and are a hard surface making for an uncomfortable dinning experience. Also there are a lot of decorations which becomes visually overwhelming. read more

I love the foods here where it used to Hayatobi Restaurant. The waitress who served us was very efficient even though it was getting busy. Foods came out quickly enough. And the restaurant has somewhat a nice face lift from the previous setup. read more

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Good options! We came by during happy hour on a Saturday from 4:30-6pm. All of the food looks great and they weren't too busy. HH pricing ranges from $4.50-$8. Definitely would come back again for it. read more

Kaijin Sushi - Indoor seating - Japanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Great quality, no frills, just delicious sushi and Japanese dishes!! The staff is friendly, and restaurant is clean! I enjoyed my visit here for dinner. We ordered some rolls, but I loved the sashimi combination platter! This spot is a great spot for when you want sushi but don't wanna break the bank! read more

The service was exceptional and the food was amazing, will be coming again soon . Thank you !! read more

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Top-Tier Sushi Artistry in the SGV Kaijin - A Fresh New Chapter in San Gabriel's Sushi Scene Kaijin has reopened under new ownership, and it's clear the passion and expertise behind the bar run deep. The new owner brings years of sushi catering experience, blending artistry and tradition into every dish -- and you can taste that dedication in every bite. The Hokkaido Breeze features a scallop roll topped with ikura was an absolute standout -- rich, balanced, and beautifully presented. We treated ourselves and add extra to the sashimi platter, showcased pristine cuts of bluefin, kanpachi, halibut, yellowtail, and red snapper, each slice perfectly fresh and tender. Everything felt intentional, from the plating to the subtle flavors that let the fish shine. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming -- perfect for date night or a relaxed evening with friends. Kaijin may have a new name and new owner, but the same spirit of exceptional sushi craftsmanship remains. Pro tip: For true sushi lovers, don't miss the Aji sashimi. It's flawlessly fresh and a must-try for anyone who appreciates authentic Japanese technique. read more

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Chill vibes and cool decor. Service was fast but that might be because it wasn't very busy. We got curry and two cut rolls (salmon and yellowtail). The curry was a proper gravy consistency and a milder flavor than other curries I've had. The quality of all the fish we had was high. The food was on the pricier side though. read more

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The restaurant was spotless, and the sushi was incredibly fresh. Both of my kids and my husband really enjoyed the food, which says a lot. It was also very reasonably priced, especially compared to most Japanese restaurants, which tend to be on the higher end. Great quality without breaking the bank, we'd definitely come back. read more

Kaijin Sushi - Sushi set - Japanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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came to try for the first time! Ordered - salmon skin salad and Unagi Don rice bowl along with a few rolls. everything was delicious and can't wait to come back and try all their different rolls. they also have great lunch specials with bento option, and hand roll combo option! read more

We went for lunch today.and it was yummy. My husband hand a bento box And I had sushi rolls and both came with salad. Tasty. The miso soup was great and they serve high quality rice. read more

My family and I went to enjoy some food and beer so we could catch up. We were the first customers when they opened at 4:30 PM and a couple came in shortly after us; other than that, the restaurant was empty. The service was terrible, honestly probably some of the worse service I've had in a while. We were a table of 6 and our server, Kevin, was inattentive from the start. He wasn't very friendly and honestly, whenever we asked for something, we felt as though we were bothering him. Our menus were never cleared so we placed them on the empty booth next to ours. We had to keep clearing our own plates and piling them on that same booth. Since he never checked up on us, we had to be ready for that moment the he dropped off food so we could ask for whatever we needed. In fact, my sister had to walk up to the counter a few times to place an order or ask for or follow up on condiments that we requested but never received. We managed to ask someone else who was helping around (not sure if he's a server) for the bill and he was nice. As we waited for the bill, Kevin finally asked if we needed water but we were obviously ready to go. They have an 18% tipping policy for a party of 6+ stated on their menu, but they charged us 20% on our bill. I usually tip 20% but the service was so bad that it didn't warrant the $45.40 tip. My family seemed to enjoy the meal, but they were also dissatisfied with the service. read more

It was our first time at Kaijin Sushi. The staff is friendly, and the environment is welcoming. They offer a wide range of options, and we will be returning soon. Thanks! read more

The menu is huge here with a bit for everyone. The kids boat is a nice touch and we were able to substitute the chicken with shrimp tempura! The service is really great. Overall, a really enjoyable dinning experience. The ambiance is more like a sports bar and Japanese restaurant fusion. The location is just off of Rosemead, we pass by it many times. What a surprise. read more

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Came in on New Year's Eve a few hours before closing and the restaurant was a bit empty. The servers were very attentive and service was good. Ambiance was good, they have music playing but it isn't loud, and there's a projector playing a movie in the corner but it isn't distracting. We ordered the fried ika geso (squid legs), agedashi tofu, salmon don, and Kaijin 22 sashimi combo plate. Everything was good, but the combo plate tasted especially fresh! Will definitely be coming back! read more

Kaijin Sushi - Kaijin 22 sashimi combo - Japanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

super fresh fish and great tasting sushi. we also really enjoyed the handrolls and overall really enjoyed this sushi spot. will be back again for sure. also nicely decorated inside and a reasonable amount of parking nearby. read more

Kaijin Sushi - Japanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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This little restaurant surprised me. The sashimi and sushi were fresh and tasty. We ordered the crispy rice, yellowtail collar, tofu, tempura, soba noodles, and 2 rolls. Everything was pretty good, will likely return. read more