Great quality sushi. Tried soft shell crab for the first time and now I'm hooked!

Highly recommend coming here for their lunch specials! I ordered the chirashi bowl with a large Asahi and life was good =D. Fish has been consistently fresh and delicious everytime I come here. Definitely a notch above other sushi places. read more

Matsuri has become a favorite for lunch andI enjoy the traditional Japanese ambience, friendly staff and menu. So like the restaurants I frequented when I lived in Japan. I have changed and so has the world, but simple Japanese fare remains a favorite. The miso shiro takes me back to Japan. read more

This place is super small. I stumbled upon it by accident. It's very authentic and the fish is SUPERB. Fresh and buttery. With sushi all you need it quality, fresh fish and this place delivers. No frills, clean, delicious sushi. I'm in love! And a great price!! I got a sashimi lunch for under $15!!!!! read more

Had supper here this evening - place is adorable, they beat a drum when you enter. Very authentic. We had sushi - excellent; chicken teriyaki and shrimp and scallops tempura. Very good. Both meals came with rice and miso soup. Parking on the street, no problem. A tad pricey, excellent service. Will be back. read more

Matsuri - Supper - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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matsuri is a great place for authentic japanese food and then some. they offer the usual fare, fresh sashimi and a host of inspired japanese dishes with a twist. i've been twice and have tried at least a couple of new dishes each time in addition to my usual must haves and have not been disappointed. good place for a group with purist and fusion style taste in japanese food. free parking is plentiful on the streets and service is always attentive and polite. i only wish they were open on sundays... the gong when you enter is neat welcome :0) read more

Awesome sushi experience! The staff was the nicest in town and the sushi was the freshest I have had in quite some time. Keep it up!

I went to Matsuri with the hubs base on a recommendation from a friend. When we got there we were greeted by a charming Japanese lady (from the mainland) and then she proceeded to do this drum roll thing which kinda took me by surprise. I also find it nice when you walk into a sushi restaurant and find that the waiters, sushi chefs there are indeed Japanese. You know it's the real deal...I really enjoyed it...the salmon sushi was OK but the albacore, spicy tuna were really good. We also had the baked cod which was REALLY good...it's miso-ish but not...try it for yourself...you (probably) won't be dissapointed. read more

I LOVE this place. : a) unassuming b) not a hipster hangout c) consistently great d) and always has good service. It's a family owned place that is run as such. We started coming here a few years back after Sushi of Naples installed their Megatron TV's in the sushi bar. read more

This is my local Japanese food haunt. When I need a go to that will be solid with food and service this is a nice family owned joint. I bring my kids here all the time. Very accomodating for kids. Good sushi and solid hot entrees. My recommendation for best quality of food is on the weekend, Friday or Saturday. Seems like they bring their A-game cook wise and also with the freshness of when their foods are shopped (at the market). Price is very reasonable. I love their Nabeyaki udon and their hand rolled sushi. Getting hungry just thinking about it. read more

Better than your average sushi place. The black cod was melt in your mouth good. Liked the salmon skin salad and fried spanish mackeral. Couldn't tell the difference between the yellowtail toro and the regular toro (maybe their regular yellowtail is just really good). Ended with a udon which was very nice. We enjoyed all our dishes and had a lot to choose from on the menu. The tab was a little on the high side - $115 for two people and $8 bucks for uni. But definitely high quality food and nice service. read more

I have traveled to Tokyo and other parts of Japan on business for more than 15 years. Matsuri is a very authentic Japanese restaurant. (It is not an American interpretation of a Japanese restaurant.) Remember that Japanese cuisine is much more than sushi and sashimi. I come here regularly. My favorites are the seaweed salad, and the tempura. The food is generally good, but the chef's do seem to have an occasional evening when they are not at their best. read more

After my regular spot closed, my husband and I were in a desperate search for an authentic Sushi restaurant. I was so thankful and happy when my friend introduced me to this wonderful place. The employees are always friendly, and welcoming. The sushi chef's never disappoint. This is my GO TO place when family and friends come to visit. I can count on them to always have the freshest Sushi around. The atmosphere is very relaxed- always a game on the T.V. over the sushi bar. This place is excellent! read more

Went for lunch and ordered Chirashi, good portion and fresh fish. Miso soup was very good as well. Great service.

Authentic Japanese food. Great, really fresh fish. Place doesn't have too much seating and isn't a trendy type of sushi place, good food and good service. read more

The sushi here was very good. The rolls were a bit more expensive than I'm used to, but not so much that I wouldn't eat here again. The house sake was cheap and very good. read more

Definately the best sushi in Pasadena so far.

Been here a few times for weekday work lunches. They have alot of variety as far as menu options and they also have daily specials that are worth trying out. From what I can tell, the fish is fresh & I've not gotten ill from eating here....so that's a good sign. Location is a bit secluded & you would have to look twice to find the place if you don't know about the restaurant. Aside from that, parking is not too convenient. You can park behind the restaurant. Probably a good 6-7 spots available. read more

Great service and great food, you can't go wrong with getting their sushi or any cooked items. Make a reservation ahead of time, this place fills up fast especially since it's a small restaurant. I'v been here many times, I always leave happy and full. read more

Best Sushi ever. The Blackened Cod under Appetizers was wonderful.

Great place! This is my favorite sushi place in Pasadena! I highly recommend this place to all! read more

Matsuri - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Three and a half stars. One of the better sushi restaurants in Pasadena, which is really not saying much where there is a lack of decent ones in the area. Based on the other reviews, we decided to try Matsuri on a Friday evening. We dropped in around 7pm and immediately found two seats at the sushi bar. After we sat down, we asked the chef what was good that night. He says everything, and I give my BF a skeptical look. I can't stand it when a sushi chef says that because it's completely meaningless. If a chef knows what he has, he should know which items are the best. There is a large dry erase board next to the sushi bar where the specials are written. Stick with the specials, they were better than the items we ordered off the menu. We tried the Japanese scallop and the aji, both of which were very good. I also enjoyed the seaweed salad. The kanpachi was a bit firm. The salmon was mid-grade. We tried the albacore sashimi with garlic ponzu. It was good but not blow your socks off good. We also tried this special called the tuna tower. It was chopped tuna, topped with avocado, in a pool of sauce. The chef told us to stir everything together before we ate it. Like a mindless drone, I complied, when I should have tasted the sauce first. The sauce completely overpowered the tuna and there was way too much of it. On the specials board was baby pink scallop. Since I'm a big fan of scallop, we ordered it. However, to my surprise, it was not sushi but a hot dish. The scallops came on their shells in a scampi-like sauce. It tasted good but was not what I had in mind. Near the end of dinner, we waffled about whether to try the toro. I figured, what the hell, and ordered it. When it came, I looked at it and immediately knew that it was sub-par. The pieces rigidly sat on top of the rice like two wooden boards. At $12 for two pieces, it was disappointing. The service was friendly and efficient. The damage, at the end of the night, was slightly over $90. For the hit and miss quality of the sushi, the price tag is a bit steep. read more

Good sushi, good company, great service, what's not to like! When you first walk in, you are greeted with a loud booming of the drums. My friends were goofing off a bit and the waittress was pretty patient coming a few times to check on us as we looked over what to get. It's a pretty normal japanese restaurant, the sushi is pretty good, and hot tea was delicious. I'll definitely come back. read more

OMG Looooooove this place! Must try the spicy tuna on rice crackers and Jalapeno bomber.

Whenever I'm in Pasadena, I almost always drop by here to pick up something. It is definitely my best choice for sushi, and Japanese food in general, in the area. It's a very welcoming place with a laidback atmosphere. You always get the special drumroll when you step in through the door, and the service is always polite and friendly. I usually come for a bento box or just to order some sushi and of course, I ALWAYS order the Jalapeno Bombers. In fact, I sometimes come in just to order those. I love the taste, and most other places who make it, don't seem to make it the same way (nor is it as delicious). Sushi seems fresh, and everything tastes delicious. Price seems average for a sushi place to me, but with the service and taste, it's quite the bargain. read more

This is the type of Japanese restaurant that brings me back for more. It's located in the un-busy part of pasadena so parking is not a problem. The food here tastes great, fresh ingredients and cooked as authentic as can while still catering to an American taste palette. It's Japanese family owned, which is a huge plus as I much prefer supporting a business like this than large corporate restaurants like Sushi Roku. Mama-san giving you the entrance drumroll is a cute touch, not distracting at all. The interior is minimal, not much of an ambience but I rarely go to a restaurant on the basis of decor. Most important, the food is good, priced well (not cheap not expensive) and you an get a filling sushi dinner for 2 for about $50, or around $30 if you decide to go with the cooked menu. This is one of those restaurants you'll come back to regularly if you are local. read more

Although I enjoy sushi, and consider it healthful, I usually avoid it. Rice is fattening. The waitress was very helpful and charming, and I was able to pick three dishes that had no rice: cooked spinach with a sesame sauce, miso soup with clams, and a three-type tempura. All was very lovely, reminding me of the little restaurants and their meals in Japan. An interesting custom - as each new customer enters the restaurant, the waitress bangs away on a large drum. read more

If you are a true sushi-lover....REAL sushi...this is the place for you. Eiji surprises me with plates of awesome everytime, the portions are perfect, and the fish is always fresh. read more

When there last night with a friend and had a great time dining there once again! My friend had the Sashimi Dinner while I got the Beef Sukiyaki. Both looks excellent! Her 11pcs Sashimi Dinner comes with Tuna, Yellowtail, Salmon, and White Fish. My Beef Sukiyaki broth was ultra delicious! I wiped out the entire Beef Sukiyaki and ate 2 bowls of rice. The broth is sweet not over done. In the broth, there's yam noodles, tofu, napa, and beef slices. A side of pickles and only cost $13.50 for it! Excellent service! Great for Lunch or Dinner! Very Fulfilling!! read more

My girlfriends and I come here at least once a week for their lunch special! We just can't get enough. But their sushi is also very fresh. When I go there for dinners with my husband we always get a bunch of delicious rolls. The Matsuri roll and baked salmon with asparagus are must tries! Also they have the best sashimi salad! Always the freshest and finest fishes are used and the dressing is perfection! read more

First off I wanted to give 5 stars just for the taste of their Sushi however for the same excellent quality I have had sushi way way way reasonable price around LA and more. This place is overpriced. The servers and chef are very friendly and respectful. read more

The decor is simple and unassuming but the food and service are really good. Nothing will blow you away but it's comfortable and the food is consistently solid. A good bet for a quiet Thursday night sushi foray. read more

Had a nice dinner with the boyfriend here last night. We started with the miso soup; it was ok... nothing special. I had the shrimp tempura and i really enjoyed that. I think panko was used instead of badder, it was very crispy and flavorful. We also had spicy yellow tail roll which was good, tekka maki which was ok and the crispy tempura roll; i enjoyed this. The service was also good, very nice staff. For the whole meal including a soda and a small saki with tip i spent $40. Overall it was pretty good and I will probably return to order different things off of the menu. read more

One of my fav! Its a small spot right along green street - it's pretty secluded...(I've bn here a few times & i still tend to pass the place lookin for it) =p Very good sushi! I wouldn't recommend this place though if you're really hungry, cuz it can get a lil pricey. Must try SHI SO HOT, spicy tuna and also love the Matsuri special. Great service! read more

Tried a variety of sushi, all decent to very good but nothing came close to the eel sashimi; super DELICIOUS!!! I will be back to taste more variety & drink more Asahi Black'. A nice place to get good food and be able to enjoy it WITHOUT being bothered by overly attentive servers or hustle 'n' bustle of an over crowded dining room. read more

Its a Japanese restaurant that is family owned by Japanese people. This in itself is a rarity (no offense Koreans). If you are looking for crap like 'Mexico Roll', 'Spread Eagle Roll', or some similar mayo+fish+rice combination, this is not the place for you. If you are looking for good quality sushi with fresh ingredients (the fish looked amazing), great sushi chefs who aren't piss drunk (cough... Gin Sushi), good beer food (ika maruyaki, takoyaki), and great authentic Japanese cuisine (it came in a stackable bento box!), then this IS the place for you. read more

This is the best sushi/sashimi we have found thus far in Pasadena. Very fresh, excellent spicy tuna roll, nice cali roll, very nice sashimi. Prices are good and you can have a great meal for two for 40bucks+tip, and we order Asian style. Lighter meals and much cheaper choices abound and their tonkatsu bowl looks like a great single meal to bat. Wonderful service! read more

Prices are standard, portions are a bit smaller but it's all so tasty. Love the vibe and the food.

Hands down my favorite sushi place in Pasadena! The fish is consistently fresh and delicious, the rolls and nigiri look as fantastic as they taste, and the service is attentive and friendly. And you get all of this with no attitude and a great price. This has been my family's go-to sushi place for five years - it's our son's favorite by far, partly because he digs the food, and partly because they play a drum when you walk in. :-) read more

Sushi plate A has a variety of nigiri, but the fish is not as fresh as I expected. Only the uni is pretty impressive.