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    KazuNori | Pasadena

    4.5 (145 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese, Sushi Bars
    Open 11:30 am - 11:00 pm

    KazuNori | Pasadena Japanese Restaurant Photos

    KAZUNORI | PASADENA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - KazuNori | Pasadena

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    They thought of everything
    Jon S.

    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.

    Michelle T.

    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.

    sushi set with lobster, cucumber, crab and toro
    Stewart L.

    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.

    Inside
    Victoria S.

    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.

    KazuNori Nigori Sake
    Valerie C.

    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.

    John D.

    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.

    16 pieces
    Christopher L.

    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.

    Megan C.

    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!

    Kurt T.

    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.

    Nick S.

    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.

    Blue Crab Hand Roll
    Sue I.

    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!

    Wall
    Eva C.

    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.

    Ko Ika Hand Roll
    Johann C.

    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.

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    Ask the Community - KazuNori | Pasadena

    Can I order to go?

    It doesn't look like you can place a to-go order online or by phone at the Pasadena location. Other locations, you can order by Postmates or KazuNori mobile, but they're cut rolls or a DIY hand roll kit.

    Does this location accept Apple Pay at the restaurant?

    Hi. Not sure. Check with the business. Eat Smaller, but Eat Better. 😎

    Are there reservations available?

    No, there are no reservations

    Does KazuNori serve Mackerel sushi?

    No, it's not on the menu. Sugarfish has it on a limited basis.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Osawa Shabu Shabu & Sushi - Outside - IG: @eatwithxjenn3

    Osawa Shabu Shabu & Sushi

    4.4(2k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Osawa is 100% worth the hype, and if you haven't heard of it, let me hype it up for you…read more The place is small so be prepared to wait if you're trying to go on a Thursday-Saturday, or show up when they open for lunch or dinner. Ambiance is super cute, love the little flags over the sushi/shabu bar and the art on the walls adds to the Japanese restaurant feel. The aroma when you walk in is mouthwatering (I was really hungry) but it doesn't smell fishy like some sushi places can. Staff is unbelievably great, super friendly and helpful if you have any questions about the menu or want recommendations. Don't be afraid to ask what the MP is on omakase, they totally work with what you're looking to spend or based on how many pieces of sushi you want to eat. Now for the real reason to visit Osawa: the food is absolutely amazing!!! Fresh, tasty, perfectly portioned. From the shishito peppers appetizer to the sushi, sashimi, hand rolls, and shabu; I cannot recommend this place enough! They have plenty of sake options to pair with your meal as well as beer or specialty cocktails if that's your preference. They offer to explain your order when it arrives which is great for those newer to sushi or just trying something different. Seriously, some of those fish practically melt in your mouth. I personally haven't ordered any rolls yet but they absolutely look delicious. If you're looking for a good sushi date spot, this. is. it. It's also good for a small group, maybe up to five or so before you feel cramped. Shabu is seated at the bar and their meats and veggie are delicious and fresh, enhanced by the tasty broth. It's even good on a summer day because they have solid air conditioning. Cannot say enough good things about Osawa. Go try it for yourself. :)

    I had been a longtime customer here for about seven years, but I stopped going after getting food…read morepoisoning from fish here in March 2025. After more than a year away, I decided to give Osawa another try on May 8, 2026. Unfortunately, the experience confirmed why I had stopped coming. Around 9:02 p.m., my waiter came by to ask for last orders. I ordered chicken karaage. This is a simple dish that usually comes out in about 4 to 5 minutes. For whatever reason, the order did not arrive until around 9:26 p.m. -- almost 25 minutes later. It seemed obvious that the order had been forgotten. When the karaage finally arrived, it looked hastily sauced. Several parts of the chicken were unsauced, which is not how the dish was normally served in the past. Given the delay and the apparent mishandling, I did not touch the dish. A Japanese male manager wearing glasses then came over. He recognized me, and I explained that I had not been back for more than a year because of the food poisoning incident from fish in 2025. Instead of responding seriously, the manager smiled and giggled slightly, then launched into an irrelevant conversation about his connections in the Japanese food industry in Old Town Pasadena. When he asked why I had not touched the chicken, I explained the almost 30-minute delay and the problems with the dish. Rather than comping the item or offering a real apology, the manager asked whether I still wanted to eat it or would prefer to cancel it. He then ended the conversation by suggesting that I come in during weekday lunch for the $18 lunch specials. That response was bizarre and tone deaf. I did not return after a food poisoning incident to hear a sales pitch about lunch specials. I returned as a longtime customer giving Osawa another chance. Osawa's way of doing business has changed a lot. I've seen better customer service at Erewhon.

    Photos
    Osawa Shabu Shabu & Sushi
    Osawa Shabu Shabu & Sushi - Yellowtail

    Yellowtail

    Osawa Shabu Shabu & Sushi - Large scallop and large salmon sushi

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    Large scallop and large salmon sushi

    Yakiya - More wagyu

    Yakiya

    4.5(273 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$$$

    This is my second time at Yakiya, and I think it was better than the first time! I'm not sure how…read moreit's even possible. Food: AMAZING. The cuts were perfection. The first cold dish is so beautiful. I do not usually eat raw meat, but my experience is pretty pleasant here. The beef tartar tasted very fresh. The cooked cuts melt in your mouth! My favorite dish was actually the miso cod! It's sooooo flavorful. I dream about it still. It's comparable to the black cod dish from nobu. The bone marrow fried rice is just as great as the first time I had it! I want to come back everyday to eat it! Service: Our server is amazing! He cooked everything so well. He made small talk with us and was pretty attentive. Parking: FREE PARKING LOT OUTSIDE! Overall: Their restrooms bring me back to Japan. The seats automatically open up when you enter a stall. All the courses were definitely unforgettable. For the price, everything was unbeatable. It's a wonderful celebratory meal or a regular date night meal. I will definitely be back in the future!

    Yakiya offers a refined and modern take on Japanese BBQ, with an atmosphere that feels intimate,…read moreelevated, and perfect for a special night out -- whether it's a date, a small gathering, or even a celebratory dinner. The highlight here is definitely the quality of the Wagyu. The experience leans more toward a curated meat tasting, with beautifully presented, juicy cuts that are satisfying without being overwhelming. Even with two 16-year-old boys at the table, everyone left full -- which says a lot. That said, I took one star off because the setup feels more like a traditional restaurant than a true omakase experience. Since you're seated at tables, there's a bit of passing plates and bowls back and forth with the server throughout the meal, which slightly interrupts the flow and intimacy you might expect from a classic omakase. If you're looking for a sashimi-focused experience, this isn't that -- it's much more Wagyu-forward. Service was a highlight. Jamie was attentive, warm, and made the experience feel smooth and well-paced. Overall, if you go in expecting a high-quality Wagyu tasting rather than a traditional omakase, this place really delivers. A great Pasadena spot when you want something a little more polished and indulgent.

    Photos
    Yakiya - Interior room

    Interior room

    Yakiya - APPETIZERS (A5 JAPANESE WAGYU TARTARE, NORI RIBEYE TARTARE)

    APPETIZERS (A5 JAPANESE WAGYU TARTARE, NORI RIBEYE TARTARE)

    Yakiya - Bluefin tuna tartelette with caviar

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    Bluefin tuna tartelette with caviar

    SUGARFISH | Pasadena - Outside of restaurant

    SUGARFISH | Pasadena

    4.1(1.9k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    Came here for lunch on a Saturday. There was a line before opening so I would recommend coming…read moreearly, especially if you are coming with a group. The meal was a fun experience! It was clear that the chef put a lot of thought into each bite. The ones that stood out the most to my group were the salmon sushi with toasted sesame (the nuttiness of the toasted sesame was incredible), unagi (the eel sauce was the best that I've ever had and I've been to Japan!), and the lobster hand roll. I would recommend parking The Commons so that you can get validation at Sugarfish.

    Free Trust Me on your birthday! You have to dine-in twice prior to your birthday and make sure to…read morewrite down your information on their check-in papers that usually come with your bill. There's a few parking lots that are surrounding the place but they all require payment. I came here on a Wednesday night at 8 p.m. and there wasn't a wait fortunately! We were seated instantly next to two tables and I will say, it's an uncomfortable few seconds (for both parties) squeezing in between to sit down since the tables are so close together. I will say that the restaurant has a dark/intimate ambiance since it's lit by the candles at your table. My table ordered 2 trust me's and 1 nozawa trust me. You're served with a plate of edamame and then each fish one by one. They wait for the entire table to finish eating the plate in front of you before going back to the kitchen to let them know when to prepare to following dish. The fish literally feels like it melts in your mouth. You get a chance to chew but then everything else melts in your mouth. The sushi rice they use is magnificent. When the sushi comes out, the rice is so warm and the fish on top is cold and it's honestly an amazing experience in your mouth.

    Photos
    SUGARFISH | Pasadena - Outdoor dining available starting 9/29

    Outdoor dining available starting 9/29

    SUGARFISH | Pasadena - Albacore Belly

    Albacore Belly

    SUGARFISH | Pasadena

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    Haruka Sake and Sushi

    Haruka Sake and Sushi

    4.8(160 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Minority-owned & operated

    I called a week ago to make a reservation for 10 of us to celebrate our family members 75th…read morebirthday And I called to add 5 more they were able to accommodate us No problem and so nice and ask us not to worry she said I'll be working that day for lunch We all were so happy with such fresh fish and ingredient Great lunch and drinks and I ordered #2 with ribeye steak teriyaki and Tempera excellent Combo But oh my the beef short Kalbi ribs is my favorite My our nephew ordered that and that looked amazing next time They have the most delicious food we love good Japanese and Haruka hits all the boxes for us I'm glad our family enjoyed and laughed and had a good meals here We'll be back soon Excellent service And Excellent food This one of the most authentic Japanese food as you can get!!! And it's so clean and the ambiance is so Zen here

    So far so good! This…read moreis our first time here at Haruka Sake and Sushi and it wasn't too crowded on a Thursday evening. I ordered the omakase A which came with 8 different assortments of sushi and a spicy tuna roll. They look super delicious and taste just as good! The fish is just fresh and I'll definitely say the prices aren't too bad for a sushi restaurant. The decor of the restaurant is modern and minimalistic which gives a nice upscale vibe. The servers were very attentive and even cleared plates very quickly that were in our way. My husband works down the street and I am so glad we took a leap of faith and tried a new sushi spot!

    Photos
    Haruka Sake and Sushi
    Haruka Sake and Sushi
    Haruka Sake and Sushi

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    KazuNori | Pasadena - japanese - Updated May 2026

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