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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

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

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

See all

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

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

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

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

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

See all

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

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

See all

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

See all

Amazing amazing food! Only one comment I would have is the chefs speaking up a little bit when telling us the name of the roles, especially when we got the chef's choice. Absolutely will return again! Fish was so fresh and the weight was not too long on a Monday night. read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

See all

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

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

See all

There is a bit of a wait/line especially during lunch and dinner hours since it is only bar seating. The place overall is small but we were seated rather quickly for it being packed and busy. High top seating only which is fine but nowhere to really put your bag since you're right next to your neighbor. The hand rolls themselves were delicious. To the point and not overly fancy but great nonetheless and our server was super attentive! Will definitely be back! read more

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

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

Minimalistic bar-style seats only, just like every other Kazunori locations. They are consistently good. Great place for a quick lunch or solo meal. Great quality hand rolls and staff were very friendly. Street parking for a fee read more

Everyone here is SO lovely. Came in for a little date night with my daughters and everything was delicious, fresh, fast and served with such kindness. Thanks for making a great day even better! read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Love their seating. - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Came here on a Friday night with friends. As we went in it was packed and a line but staff were really nice and kept checking up on the line. It was a minor wait as there is limited seating in their unique bar layout. They make the rolls fresh with warm rice in front of you 1 by 1 so it's fresh as you eat. Originally I got the 5 piece but after eating the 4th piece I was so full and asked if they could change my order. They were so nice and ended up letting me cancel my last roll. The price was also very reasonable. If you like sushi, I would definitely recommend you to come try this place out! read more

KazuNori | Pasadena - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

I had such a great experience. I went on a weekday in the late afternoon and was pleasantly surprised that there was absolutely no wait or line and I was seated immediately. I was quickly given a menu, offered water, and the service was attentive from start to finish. The entire visit took less than 45 minutes, which was perfect. The food was just as fresh and delicious as any other KazuNori location I've been to. Even though it wasn't very busy, there were plenty of staff members present and ready to help if we needed anything. The atmosphere was clean, calm, and just as nice as the Downtown location. Overall, a smooth and enjoyable experience and I'll definitely be back! read more

My friend and I came here to have a late night snack. Decent prices for hand rolls. Customer service was great Nice ambiance but you may have to wait for seating depending on what time you come. Overall, great experience! read more

See all

This is a no frills type of place, but the food is an excellent value and lives up to the other restaurants in the family. Service is polite but they definitely do not encourage any sort of lingering, especially since there is consistently a line of people waiting and there are not many seats. I would not recommend this for a party larger than 2, or for a meal where you want to hang out with someone. We have been wanting to come since before it opened and, since we live close by, have walked past multiple times and seen a line. We thought maybe if we went at an off peak time it would be easier, so we went at 3pm on Saturday and only waited about 10 minutes. We tried six hand rolls total between us. They were all tasty, but my favorite and the one I expected to like the most was the crab. Toro was a close second. I'd definitely come back to try more, though I felt more full than I did at Thanksgiving once we finished. Definitely a great place to get full from high quality sushi at a fair price! read more

See all