KazuNori has become my daughter's favorite hand roll spot lately, and the rest of the family loves it too. The hand rolls are consistently fresh, delicious, and very reasonably priced. Our favorite is the Nagaimo hand roll--simple but incredibly refreshing and flavorful with the fish roe. The 4-roll set is only $20, which is an amazing value these days. They also allow some substitutions within the set as long as the replacement is of similar value, which is a nice touch. Service is always fast and efficient, making it an easy place for a quick lunch or dinner. I used to go to the original KazuNori location years ago, and this Pasadena location is relatively new to us. We recently started coming back because my daughter loves it so much, and I have to say I think it's even better than I remembered. The quality has remained consistently high, and it's now our go-to spot whenever we're craving sushi hand rolls. Highly recommended! read more

Love love love Kazu Nori! I was so excited that they finally opened a location closer to me! I've been here twice and have gotten the set of 5 both times. Very attentive staff - constantly checking in on you and refilling water as needed. Loved that the restroom had two separate soaps, one to use during your meal (unscented), and one to use after your meal (scented). Quality of the fish is great! One thing I always look for is good /fresh nori, perfectly cooked/seasoned rice, rice to fish ratio and they always deliver. Highly recommend - Price is pretty dang unbeatable for the sets or a la carte. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and there was no wait! I also arrived on a Saturday at 11am and there was a short line, but I was promptly seated and served! read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Service: Always incredible. Consistently great every visit. Atmosphere: Vibey and laid back. Good for a chill night whether you are solo, on a date, or with a small group. Food: Amazing as always. The hand rolls never miss read more

First time coming to this location. Went to the other location in Downtown LA. Seating is only bar style. Got there around 5pm on a Friday and waited about 15 mins or so. Not too bad considering a long line start forming outside. If you enjoy sushi hand rolls, KazuNori is the place to be. The design inside is very nice. Feels calm and the lighting was just right. Got their 6-hand roll set menu which included toro, yellowtail, salmon, bay scallop, crab, and lobster hand rolls. Can't go wrong with either one. All of them were fresh and delicious nicely prepared. Each bite of these hand rolls was satisfying to say the least. The staff were friendly refilling my water and asking if I needed anything from time to time. Really enjoyed coming here. Price isn't so bad also. Great experience and will definitely come again. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Roll and Beer - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

KazuNori is a restaurant opened but the same group as SUGARFISH. They specialize in hand rolls served one at a time across the counter. They have multiple locations across the Southern California area including this one near Old Town Pasadena. They do not reservations and you wait in line until there are open seats for your party. We came at around 6pm on a Friday evening and were seated immediately for a party of two. When we left at around 7pm there was a long line waiting so I recommend coming earlier. I recommend coming with a smaller party. They have different presets of hand rolls by count (3 to 6) where 6 is the most popular. The chef hands each roll to you individually and you're expected to eat it immediately to ensure the seaweed is crisp and the rice is warm. I got the 6-hand roll set ($29) which included toro, yellowtail, salmon, bay scallop, crab, and lobster. My favorites were the salmon, bay scallop, and crab. I also got the eel hand roll ($5.75) which was also good. If you want to be surprised, there's The Nozie which is their omakase style 6 hand roll set. read more

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I came here about two months ago when they first opened! I thought I had posted my review, but it somehow got saved to my drafts. I still wanted to leave a wonderful review based on the experience I had here. When arriving on a Saturday morning, there was a small wait - but it's completely understandable why. I ordered the five piece hand roll. Each hand roll was absolutely delicious and fresh. My favorite would have to be the yellowtail, lobster, & scallop. It's honestly the taste of perfection. My experience was made even more positive with service from Kyle and Eddie. They both were extremely friendly and always made sure that I was tended to. Their upbeat personality only added more my dining experience here. I will definitely be back soon. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Excellent service & delicious food!! - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Had the pleasure of dining here! Sushi Handrolls are quite the craze. And KazuNori did not disappoint (well, maybe except for one roll). First of all you're in the head of trendy old town Pasadena. So the vibe is there and this place definitely fits in. Clean, organized, and well lit. No load music or even crowd noise. I opted for The Nozie 6 handrolls. Chef's Choice omakase style. 5 of which were absolutely outstanding: toro, sea bream, monkfish liver, lobster, and the final unagi. The one handroll that was a let down to me was Jamaica with spicy roe. That was the fourth roll of the order and left like that unnecessary dialogue in the middle of an otherwise great movie. Attractive and attentive staff. Adriane (rocking the pink hair) provided great service, clear conversation, serious eye contact. Paying attention to customers with care. Waters and ginger were always full without asking. Clean bathrooms. 2 hour validated parking off Mason St. read more

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Our party of 3 waited around half an hour late Saturday night. I ordered the 5 piece set and added the sea bream roll! I think my favorite roll was the crab or the yellowtail. It's a tiny intimate spot with verrrrrry moody lighting, and service was efficient and great! Overall, pretty solid hand rolls and I'd happily come back! read more

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I finally tried this popular handroll place that has multiple SoCal locations plus some in New York City. It's a pretty small space on Colorado Blvd between Star Leaf and the even more popular Cheesesteaks by Matu, whose line intermingles with KazuNori's line just before their 11:30 openings. I actually ordered from both buzzy spots on the same day. For dine-in, KazuNori is a counter-only spot that immediately fills upon opening. I did take-out, ordering online, which offers cut rolls only. There is a separate entrance. I ordered the 16-piece with lobster set menu. It came in a well-organized custom box that perfectly fit in the take-out bag. Service was friendly. Note KazuNori calls itself a "no tipping establishment", but there is a mysterious 16% fee added to each check. The sushi was delish, very fresh. The set included toro, cucumber, crab and lobster. I liked how they included a small aluminum dish to put your soy sauce and wasabi in, plus chopsticks and a wet wipe. I'd like to try their counter seating next, which has set handroll menus as well as individual rolls, tea, beer and sake. I now know which line to queue in. read more

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Dimly lit to create vibes, friendly staff, bomb hand rolls. First time visiting the Pasadena location and it did not disappoint. Just know the barstools are set in place which can mean you are shoulder to shoulder with your neighbor/ party especially because this place fills up fast. This place serves with ease, swiftness quality, and intention. Pricing is best on a set of hand rolls, and love the à la carte options. Tried the salmon, scallop, crab, yellowtail, and lobster. All were excellent. Something about that warm rice, cold fish, in a crispy seaweed sheet. KazuNori Nigori Sake was more expensive than the other sake offering but was sweeter so it had more flavor. Nearby parking lots and street parking to choose from. I would recommend and come again since it felt more accessible than the LA location that I previously visited. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - KazuNori Nigori Sake - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Kazunori is always a consistent hit and my go‑to spot whenever I'm craving hand rolls. The quality is unbeatable for the price -- truly the best deal around -- and everything is always fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Service is friendly and attentive. They keep your water filled, and they're quick to refill wasabi and ginger without you even having to ask. It's bar seating only, which can be a little tricky for a shorty like me to hop up and down from, but the food and service make it worth it. There are no reservations, just walk‑in, but the service is fast and I've never had to wait. Plus, they offer free parking validation for 2 hours, which is a huge bonus. Always reliable, always delicious -- Kazunori never disappoints! read more

First time coming here, parking was available right out front on a Saturday afternoon. The inside was nice and clean. Was seated right away. Ordered The Nozie, overall, the hand rolls were delicious. For the size and amount of seafood in each roll, $30 is a little steep. The restaurant is a no tip restaurant but automatically add 16% to the bill. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I order the mobile order 16 pieces. The mobile order menu is different then the inside dining menu. The rolls were different. I would recommend if you want something quick to eat. The restaurant was clean and quiet. The rating is mainly due to the wait time to receive my order, which they said was delayed due to their systems not syncing. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - 16 pieces - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Visited with a friend and tried the $29 6 roll set. It was really good. Parking was street parking or their own lot in the back. I could not find their validated parking area so I parked elsewhere. I enjoyed the rolls freshly made rolls. Staff were attentive. They were made one by one. It is all bar seating so you will have to wait for a seat when it's busy. The restrooms were clean. read more

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Came here on a Saturday Afternoon with my two best friend. The wait wasn't that long, 15 mins tops and seated right away. The spot itself is small, cute, clean, with a simple yet beautiful interior. I ordered the: 5 Hand Roll -$25 which consists of: -Toro -Yellowtail -Bay Scallop -Crab -Lobster Iced Green Tea- $3 The hand rolls came out at a good pace and were all delicious! The Crab was my favorite. Every bite was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly satisfying! Would I come back? 100% yes! read more

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Been to Kazu Nori Pasadena twice now and both experiences have only solidified IMO that they are the standard for hand roll bars. The first time we went, the line was out the door & then some. The 2nd time we went, we were the only ones in line and were seated within 5 minutes. It didnt matter. The staff direct it well and the food is top notch. That's really it for me. Cant go wrong with Kazu Nori. Ever. Ever. I get the Nozie ($30), which is said to be the closest to what Chef Nozawa would serve his guests at the original Sushi Nozawa in Studio City. I cant divulge what it consists of, youre just gonna have to get it. The 1st rule of Fight Club... The warm rice, the crunchy nori, the high quality of the seafood & other ingredients make their rolls my favorite. Simple but perfectly executed. Validated underground parking behind the restaurant is what we've heard. We've been lucky enough to find street parking. Located on Colorado Boulevard near El Molino. Be back soon. read more

First time visiting, we were lucky to get the last 2 seats for lunch on a Friday. It's a bar-like seating & they don't take reservations. I got the 5 hand-roll set menu for $25. The only roll that wasn't gluten free was the bay scallop. They were kind enough to let me substitute it for salmon. I enjoyed the toro, yellowtail, salmon, crab & lobster. Everything was fresh & delicious. I wish they had tamari (GF soy sauce). The food came out quick. I will probably get the 6 hand-roll set menu the next time we visit. read more

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Let's put more KazuNoris on the map! The menu is straight to the point and the hand rolls are always solid. The price point is great and you can't go wrong with any of the preset menus whether it be 3 or 6 rolls. Salmon sashimi is fresh and melts your mouth. My favorite of the hand rolls is the Bay scallop and yellowtail. Gotta make sure to eat them right away while the rice is warm and the seaweed is crunchy. Service is quick and attentive they've got a whole method down. read more

Parking can be tough, but I later realized they do have parking in the back. I ended up doing street parking, which worked out fine. I ordered the $29 combo, and it is a really good value. The warm rice pairs really well with the fish and makes each hand roll satisfying. One surprising note is that I actually do not recommend the toro here, which is weird because I usually love toro as sashimi. The standouts for me were the salmon and the scallop, both of which were excellent. Service was great, and it is very easy to get in and out. No tipping is allowed since gratuity is included, which I appreciate. read more

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The new KazuNori location on Colorado Boulevard just opened, and we stopped by for lunch before heading to the Huntington Library. Overall, this was truly a 4.5 out of 5 experience. We each ordered the 4 hand roll set. I added an extra yellowtail and substituted the crab for salmon, which was handled easily. The rice was seasoned perfectly, the fish was fresh, and the seaweed continues to be one of the best you can get for hand rolls. The staff was friendly, and the hand rolls were presented right when you expected them, which kept the pacing of the meal spot on. Service was quick and efficient without feeling rushed. The ambiance is consistent and inviting, exactly what you expect from KazuNori. My only minor wishes would be fresh wasabi as an option and seats that are a bit more form fitting, especially if you plan to sit through a full set. Neither is a deal breaker, but both would elevate the experience even more. KazuNori remains one of the most reliable spots for high quality hand rolls, and this new Pasadena location is a great addition. I will definitely be back. read more

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Warm rice hand rolls at its best! I love the original Kazunori in DTLA and super pumped that they opened another location in Pasadena. Their dining experience is unique in that you wait in line for an opening at the bar. Yes it's only bar seating with about 30 seats (eyeball estimate). They have an order form at the front while you wait. The selection is typically a set 3 - 6 set menu hand roll. You can also select sashimi on top of the set menu. The freshness of the fish is pretty consistent and is wrapped in fresh seaweed and warm rice. It's absolutely mouth-watering deliciousness in every bite. Parking can be tricky it's mostly street parking. There are structures nearby as well for parking. To beat the crowd, go during odd dining hours. Bon appetit my friends! read more

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Better than expected! Love the modern decor, and fast, friendly service. We came in for an afternoon snack to cheer my son up after his soccer team suffered a thorough shellacking. Hand rolls from Sugarfish are one of his favorite things and this did not disappoint. The perfectly seasoned warm sushi rice that is in each of the rolls is one of the best things about this place. We tried the toro, yellowtail, ko ika (squid with mentaiko), salmon and albacore. It's what we're used to at sugarfish, with the exception of the ko ika - my son didn't prefer the spiciness of the mentaiko, but I thought it was interesting enough to be worth a try. I don't know if I'd come here for a full meal, but great spot for a quick hang or to mourn the soccer team's total devastation. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Ko Ika Hand Roll - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Kazunori without driving through LA traffic - say less. If you've been before -- same great rolls, different location. If you've never had it; go for the 6 roll, don't be a fool. Service is generally good, note there is a 16% gratuity automatically included ("no-tipping establishment"). Ambience is a bit dim like most other Kazunoris and a bit loud if it's crowded (and it definitely gets crowded). Parking is available on the street or they do validate on the lot on the back. Wait times will be hefty during peak hours, keep that in mind. Definitely a regular spot in the rotation for me. read more

Love the friendly service and delicious hand rolls. That first bit into the crispy seaweed is always my favorite. They have a house sake drink that tastes a bit like Yakult - it's yum. You can also purchase a bottle to go. I've been here twice now as a local and will continue come back :) read more

This is a new location that opened not too long ago! We got here on a Saturday around 5:30pm and the wait was about 30 minutes. Once you get in, you can grab a menu and a pencil from the wall and start making your selections. They have set menus or you can also order à la carte. We got the 6-hand roll set and added eel hand rolls. Everything is so fresh and delicious! I also really like their ginger - it's mild but flavorful! Service is amazing! It's all bar seating so no tables and 16% is automatically added to your bill (it's a not tip establishment). read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

KazuNori came highly recommended by a close friend who absolutely loves their hand rolls. We had originally planned to come on a Saturday but we were afraid of not making the 1st seating as we were out and about. Ended up coming on a Sunday around 11:15 and was shocked to only see 2 people ahead of us. Once the doors opened, we were quickly seated at the back of the restaurant. Not a fan of the spacing of the barstools and basically felt like I was shoulder to shoulder with the couple next to me vs. my own wife. Started the meal off with the albacore sashimi which was just ok in my opinion as I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce. A bit too sweet in my opinion and they were extremely generous with it. I ordered Nozawa's 6-hand roll course which was pretty good although this would've been better for my wife as she loves ankimo and yamamimo. I would've been happier with their normal 6-hand roll set. I think I'd enjoy the hand rolls a bit more if they didn't chop the filling so finely as I prefer a bit more texture. Service was excellent and appreciated them pausing service as a buddy stopped by to drop off some stuff. Will be back if there isn't a long wait but they do seem to get patrons in/out fairly quickly. read more

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My friend and I walked in for lunch at 11:35am on a weekday and we immediately got seated. The menu is pretty small, which makes life easier since I'm not a big fan of choices. (lol!!!) I did the five hand roll set and enjoyed the selection that came out. When we asked if we could do substitutions, we were told that we could substitute the fish handrolls for cucumber (no thanks hahah) or the shellfish handrolls for certain types of fish. Overall, a pleasant experience. Chill environment. Appreciated the unscented soap in the bathroom for before the meal and the scented soap for after the meal. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Stick With the $29 6 Roll Set instead of the $30 "Trust Me, Just Eat" version of SugarFish. KazuNori, same family as Sugarfish, spontaneous dinner with husband & son -- love those. Do yourself a favor: order the 6-roll menu at $29. I went for the $30 "Trust Me, Just Eat" and fell for it. The $29 set menu is already perfect "best of everything" including bay scallop -- which neither of them got, sadly. I had monkfish and eel; however, hindsight the 6 roll is perfect. May go back to select that or less, but will still choose SugarFish b/c perfect amount of rolls to sushi portion. The $30 is no surprise, it's rather an insult. My unsolicited advice: make bay scallop as the interchangeable surprise, uni, tuna, monkfish, shrimp. Replace that section with a combo tree hugger set. Pull it or fix it. The $29 speaks for itself. read more

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Parking: Street parking Ambience: Dim lighting in a small space that makes for an intimate, classy environment but does make for a decently long wait as there are no reservations. Service: Standard, no complaints! Chef stated name of each fish as he placed it down onto our plates. Taste: Got the set of 6 hand rolls + salmon sashimi + toro sashimi. All the sushi was absolutely delicious, especially so for the hand rolls when combined with the warm rice and crispy seaweed! read more

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I went here on a Saturday and got there around 11:20 am. At first, I thought there were no like but once I opened the door, there was a long line inside. My bf and I waited for about an hour to finally get seated. The workers were friendly and gave us water while waiting outside. We ordered The Nozie set which was their special set of hand rolls for that week. I remember I ate lobster, sea beam, monkfish, this radish/ root veggie with this spicy sauce and salmon? Everything tasted fresh and flavorful. I ordered an extra side of crab hand roll which was my favorite. My bf ordered the scallops and he loves it. The chef making the hand roll was really efficient and quick. Service was excellent. I'll def be coming back when it's not so busy. read more

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Mixed feelings about this place. Overall the food is good but I don't think it's worth it. 6 hand rolls for $30, they are small but fill you up with rice Pros: Service was nice and quick Automatic 16% tip on every bill Fish is fresh, rice is good Cons: Very uncomfortable bar seating with little space to move They chop up the sashimi into a mush which takes away from the hand roll in my opinion No reservations, long line read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Minimum and cold vibe of the restaurant. I love it. Service is top notch since there's only a bar and yes! They need the customers turnover like those standing ramen bar in Japan. Fresh seafood , good amount of chew on rice and fresh nori( thank goodness) I am so happy for my quick lunch grab and I am glad I do not need to travel to downtown anymore. read more

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We ordered the $29 set of six hand rolls. The rolls were fresh and well-balanced, with a satisfying crunch from the seaweed in every bite. My favorite was the lobster hand roll. The ambiance is casual with moody lighting, and seating is arranged at one long table where the sushi chef prepares each roll one at a time in front of you. The food was very good and surprisingly filling--I would definitely return for the quality of the hand rolls. The only downside to the experience was the sushi chef's demeanor. He appeared to be in an unpleasant mood, which was noticeable in his interactions. There was no greeting or smile, rolls were placed down rather abruptly, and at times he walked away while discarding his gloves with a negative tone. While the food itself was excellent, improved customer service and professionalism would greatly enhance the overall dining experience. Also, there is an automatic 15% fee charged to your total so tipping is not required. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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The concept of hand rolls to order is good but something about the fish is a little off--I had a white fish that was difficult to bite through so pieces pulled out. Rolls weren't very tight. Counter space is a little tight and although I like not being rushed in service, everything depended on others being served down the line. For the price I'd support local sushi restaurants. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

When to this restaurant after taking engagement photos at Pasadena City Hall. Went on a Sunday evening and it was a little bit of a wait, inside is like bar counter seating but the food was incredible had the 6 Otoro had rolls and a couple of yellow tail hand rolls and they don't disappoint. Inside is dimly lit and has a modern feel it! I'd be back every week if it wasn't an hour drive each way for me! read more

KazuNori does it right every time. Quick, efficient and friendly service, you couldn't ask for a better hand roll experience. Their hand rolls are always on point. Our favorites are Toro, Crab and Unagi. We've been to a few locations and we've always had the best time. This time around we were in and out in about 30 minutes. The ambiance is simple, clean and easy. At the counter with the chefs and served one at a time. They serve you at your own pace so you never feel rushed. Just enjoy every bite and you will leave satisfied. We'll be back soon :) read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Toro Hand Roll - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Treated myself to a solo lunch here after I got a haircut a few blocks away! It was quite busy for a Thursday afternoon, seems like a popular lunch spot for people working in the area. I was seated within 5 minutes and service from there was quick and efficient. Servers were attentive and refilled my water and ginger often. All five handrolls were flavorful, delicious, and well portioned, and the chef kept them coming at a good pace. Very reasonably priced and it's a no tipping establishment. read more

Intimate. Delicious. High quality Handroll Bar. That's all you need to know. Prices are pretty affordable and the line moves pretty quick. I love the set up and how casual yet intimate the space is. It's perfect for catch up with friends or a date night spot! For the hand rolls, I love their 5 set and the amount they offer. Everything is fresh and so delicious! The staff make the rolls in front of you too. Love this spot and I'll be back! read more

For the price point, honestly this chain can't be beat. Quality is as good as the other locations I've been to, although seating is still tight and limited so you will probably have a 30min wait on average if you don't come at opening. No reservations as other spots. Went with the Nozie set. I really do enjoy the monkfish liver roll as a unique option and very umami with the flavor. The yam was an interesting texture to change up the full set from being only seafood. It's a good amount but hungry eaters can probably get more a la carte. I'm just happy they opened closer to us here in the SGV! read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Toro from the Nozie set - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Came at night when they were almost closing. So by this time some items get sold out. In this case we were not able to get crab but it was subbed with shrimp. Shrimp wasnt bad, it was alot better than i thought it would be. Our server henry kept refilling my water and was patient with me cause apparently i have hearing and memory problems when he said some items were out so i had to pick another. So far never had a bad experience at this place. Service is always great now. read more

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