Always the best in flavor and portions, very generous with a wide selection of choices, reasonably priced for the quality and hospitality, this our go to spot when in Pasadena. read more

Good for Japanese casual. Food is fresh and tasty. Got beef teriyaki and spicy tuna roll. I enjoyed very much. Got sumi and oriental salads: both excellent. read more

SanSai Japanese Grill - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I had the best Beef Teriyaki Combo eating experience. Let's be honest, normally Beef Teriyaki is dry like jerky or thinly sliced that doesn't taste like beef but at Sansai Pasadena , the BEEF TERIYAKI is incredible. It is an actual piece of tender steak that looks like hangar steak that is beautifully grilled and sliced up to perfection. It's served with a veggie kabob and fresh mixed salad, then rice on the side. On top of that their grilled chicken and salmon teriyaki are just amazing. Their rolls are creative like the TIGER ROLL and the 10 pieces of nigiri. IMO, Sansai Pasadena is so underrated because it's a fast casual Japanese spot with a mini Japanese snack shop inside! I don't understand why this spot has such low reviews. It's probably because those yelpers b never had the Beef Teriyaki !!! read more

SanSai Japanese Grill - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

The staff are very straight forward and kind. would absolutely recommend! We got fast service, a well air conditioned space, and a lot of table space for the booths. They were playing the Beatles at a reasonable volume and had some tv in the background read more

SanSai Japanese Grill is a casual counter-serve chain for health-minded Asian fare from sushi roll to salads to chicken breast. This location is at Lake ave in Pasadena. Its interior decor and atmosphere were modest and relaxing, respectively. Their menu items were vast. I ordered their Chicken Breast Plate x salad and soup. It has satisfying flavor and tender breast; I dig it. Service was fast. Prices were fair and competitive. Overall, I enjoyed their food and service. Perfect for a quick meal. I recommend you visit. read more

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We needed a quick take out lunch for heading back to the hotel. So we stumbled here because of the large sign that said SanSai Japanese Grill while driving. Ordered: Spicy Tuna Roll Tiger Roll Steak Plate The food was not bad, just pretty average sushi. A typical mall japanese food, cheap and affordable. read more

SanSai Japanese Grill - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

We've been dining at this SanSai for well over 10 years. We used to work in Pasadena, and it was one of our favorite places, but had not been here for at least a couple of years. Happy to report that the food is as good as we remembered it to be! My favorite is the salmon bowl---delicious grilled teriyaki salmon with steamed white rice. I always get the Sumi Salad, which is so flavorful and refreshing: Shredded green and purple cabbage, julienne carrots, green onions, roasted almonds and sesame seeds tossed with rice vinaigrette dressing and garnished with crunchy noodles. This was as good as ever. JJ;s absolute favorite is tempura, and he always gets the Tempura Plate. Tempura with steamed white rice. It comes with two side salads, Instead of the one salad, he gets the miso soup with the Sumi Salad. He said that the quality of the tempura plate was as good as he remembered it to be. Service is top notch---A plus! Several of the staff have been there for over 10 years, and they were happy to see us. Especially JJ, who always loves to engage with the staff. They are super friendly and service continues to be as great as ever---superb. The interior is spacious, bright and cheery, with plenty of seating. You order your food at the counter and pay. Then they call you when your order is ready---it seems like now they bring it to your table. Parking is plentiful---there is a huge parking lot adjacent to the restaurant. It was fun dining there again after such a long time, and seeing friendly and familiar faces. Such a nice experience! Highly recommended. read more

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Shopping along South Lake Avenue in Pasadena always leads to great finds, and this lunch stop did not disappoint. We stopped by SanSai Pasadena for a quick bite, and the food was fresh, satisfying, and a clear step up from a typical fast food option. Clean flavors, quality ingredients, and portions that actually fill you up. The bonus is the mini mart inside. Japanese snacks for the adventurous, single-serve cakes, frozen treats, and a fun lineup of drinks make it worth lingering a little longer. This is one of those easy local spots that fits perfectly into a day of shopping and strolling. read more

Stopped by while in Pasadena and it ended up being a solid, easy meal. Nothing fancy, just straightforward Japanese comfort food that does the job. Service was quick and the dining room was clean and relaxed. We ordered the shrimp & steak plate, yakisoba noodles with chicken, sushi special box, tiger roll, and shrimp & veggie tempura. The yakisoba with chicken was definitely my favorite -- good portion, well seasoned, and filling without being too heavy. The sushi was surprisingly solid for a casual spot, and the veggie skewers that came with the shrimp and steak plate stood out more than I expected. Portions were generous and prices felt fair for the area. There's also a small Japanese snack section inside, which is a nice bonus while you're waiting. Overall, a reliable place for a quick, satisfying lunch or low-key dinner if you're in Pasadena. read more

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Food is really good and it is fresh. It is a casual spot to have lunch and the service is good. My mom and I like this place because it is enjoyable and a nice treat. read more

SanSai Japanese Grill on South Lake has become one of my go-to places whenever I'm craving comforting Japanese classics in the area. It's casual, clean, and easy to settle into, whether you're stopping by for a quick meal or dining with friends. Food: We ordered a variety of dishes, and everything tasted fresh and well-prepared. The Chicken & Steak Plate was the standout--tender, savory, and easily our top pick of the visit. The Sushi Special Box offered a great variety, with fresh and enjoyable tuna, salmon, shrimp, and yellowtail nigiri. The Udon Noodle Soup was warm and comforting, especially on a cooler day. We also tried the Veggie Tempura, which was crisp, light, and perfect for sharing. Ambiance: The restaurant has a relaxed, casual atmosphere, making it a convenient choice for both quick lunches and sit-down dinners. It's a comfortable environment with plenty of seating and a clean layout. Customer Service: Service was friendly and efficient. Staff were attentive and made sure orders came out quickly and accurately. It's the kind of place where the experience feels smooth from start to finish. Overall: SanSai Japanese Grill offers solid food, good portions, and a welcoming environment. If you're in the Pasadena area and want something fresh, flavorful, and dependable, this is a great option. I'll definitely be coming back. read more

The staff was so nice to us! The steak plate was yummy! If you want a yummy salad, this is the place! Very nice area! Very cute read more

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SanSai Japanese Grill absolutely hit the spot! The food was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared -- every bite had that real Japanese-inspired taste that keeps you wanting more. The portions were generous, the protein was tender, and the veggies tasted like they came straight off the grill. The atmosphere was clean, welcoming, and fast -- exactly what you want when you're craving something delicious without the long wait. The customer service was on point too, super friendly and quick. From the taste to the presentation, everything was A1. I'll definitely be back for more. If you haven't tried SanSai yet, you're missing out! read more

Not gonna lie, I'm a cheap date. Bring me here and I'll be one happy clam! I've been eating at various SanSai restaurants since I was a wee little schoolgirl. The quality has not changed and it's just as delicious as I remember! Their salads are my favorite part because they make me feel at least a little healthy while I scarf down rolls of sushi, terriyaki and rice Two plates which included 6 pieces of sushi, 2 salads, terriyaki chicken and rice only set me back about $30! That's a great deal if you ask me, and a much needed break from other unhealthy take out options. read more

SanSai Japanese Grill - About $15 for this California Roll and Chicken Breast Combo Plate! - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

The food is amazing here. I got the California tempura roll and the shrimp tempura roll and it's was amazing. The place is clean and sanitary. The service here is great. Workers are nice and welcoming. Overall, it's a nice place to eat. read more

Got salmon roll, salmon bowl and chicken bowl. both bowls came with small side salad. The sumi salad was pretty good. The salmon plate was decent and good sauce. The salmon roll was also good. Overall decent fast type Asian style food. read more

SanSai Japanese Grill - Salmon Bowl with sumi salad - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Everything tasted bland.. the salads all tasted basically the same, the noodles were thin and burnt and the steak was dry. The miso soup tasted like it was store bought and in general the vibe/taste/service was pretty mid. If you want authentic Japanese food, personally for me this is not it. Nothing tasted fresh. read more

It's a great spot to grab some lunch, it's fast food but it's healthy so a much better option than anything else out there. Service is fast.

San Sai is always a winning experience. Miss the one on Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood when they closed. My combo. platter is fresh, and all this fresh food would cost much more at a full service place. I especially love the side salads. read more

Craving sushi or a bento box? You'll get great value without sacrificing flavor. The service is lightning-fast and super friendly, making every visit a breeze. The vibe? Perfectly chill. read more

for this being a fast food sushi restaurant i felt it was pretty good. prices are very reasonable for the quality of fish you get but if you're looking for high quality sushi then go somewhere else. this is perfect for a quick grab and go. the service was fast, workers were nice and overall it was pretty clean. would come back again! read more

SanSai Japanese Grill - Sushi & Roll Combo Tempura California Roll Gyoza Miso Soup Oriental Salad Side - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

The owner clearly took all of these reviews seriously and acted on the suggestions, because the quality has improved significantly. I got the steak and chicken plate with grilled vegetables, Sumi salad and Oriental salad as the two sides. The steak and chicken were tender and still had that smoky flavor from the grill. The oriental salad was superb; It's the salad with baby greens, roasted almonds, and mandarin slices tossed in a delicious vinaigrette. I'd skip the sumi salad next time and just get two sides of the oriental. The bento plates here are actually pretty healthy, they don't feel like mall food anymore. Overall a solid lunch choice. read more

SanSai Japanese Grill - Steak and Chicken plate, Sumi and Oriental Salad - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Absolutely delicious and affordable! Had the chicken and shrimp combo with two selections of pasta and rice for $16!!! All of it was mouth watering. My mother is a picky eater and she loved it with no complaints. read more

The food is decent. This is typical mall Japanese food. Every time I go here they mess up the order. If you are standing in front of this place and you want mall japanese food, go in, order your food, roll the dice. If you are looking at this review and thinking of ordering to go or online, just go somewhere else. There are like 200 of these places in a 5 mile radius. read more

Great food and atmosphere. But, staff is no longer paying attention to order details. Today was the second time in two last visits where the order was incomplete. This was a take-out order. Since I was in a hurry I did not check the order before leaving the store: 1) No salad was enclosed with the tempura order. 2) we ordered teriyaki sauce with both meals. Only one teryaki was enclosed. Management should train their employees on paying attention to order fulfillment. read more

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The restaurant is located in a plaza with a large parking lot so parking was easy to find. I ordered a California roll and a salmon plate. The salmon plate comes with grilled vegetables and choice of 2 salads. Everything tasted delicious! I am pretty picky with salmon and they made it so well - not fishy and still tender. Staff was very nice here. Great spot! read more

SanSai Japanese Grill - California roll - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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The food is always good here, the service fast and good, with accessibility to eat inside or outside. This place would be a 5 star if they could only stop using the plastic 'to-go' containers that have been proven to leach micro plastics into your food. For this reason we have decreased the amount of times that we frequent this restaurant now, and may eliminate it altogether from our places to go if they don't change these practices. I'm hoping they will change soon because I love their food. read more

Sansai is my favorite place for delicious take out food! Their salads are wonderful, so are their bowls, combo plates, and sushi! My number one dish is the combo plate with steak and shrimp. It comes with two side salads, a roasted veggie skewer, and white or brown rice. The steak with it's yummie teriyaki sauce is so tender and savory! I love this place! There's also a nice seating area with booths and tables and the staff is very friendly. I highly recommend!​ read more

The food is always good here and the employees are friendly. I like that there is an option to eat either inside or outside.

Staff is awesome, but perhaps not the best option is the food court. Hey everyone, former security gaurd, and gotta say although the vibes where good here the spot may not be the best bought for your buck. read more

I love love Sansai! I can eat here everyday and I will not get tired of it! It's tasty and affordable. My favorite is the Salmon plate with double the salad sooooo yummy. read more

One of the better SanSai locations I've been to (much better than the Burbank one). Lots of open space and the staff does a great job cleaning up the tables so for a order at the counter space it's very clean and the tables are cleared quick. Food wise I like the spicy pork loin plate- that's kind of my go-to. Love the different salad options. Food comes out decently fast. All-in-all a good lunch spot when you have work. read more

every dish here is super affordable, generous in portion, and honestly so satisfying.

As a loyalty customer, I would suggest that the owner should give the customers an option to apply the credits toward their food orders or perhaps get a side dish equivalent to the meals e.g., salmon plate, chicken bowl, salads, etc. read more

For years I have been going to this place. The food is excellent here and if you actually eat at the restaurant, everything is fine as far as I can see. They used to have a lady behind the count However, I am rapidly becoming frustrated now by SanSai's screwups with our online orders. For like the last five months, our orders from them have on at least FOUR occasions been missing items or just plain wrong. When we have asked (and paid extra for) brown rice, they often still just give you steamed rice. It's kind of a minor thing, but it bugs me. Now also they almost always do not give enough sweet & sour sauce, even if after you have asked them emphatically by the phone for a specific number. The sauces really bring out the flavor of their entree dishes. One time recently through UberEats they only gave us one entree plate of chicken and shrimp had to drive in my car to Pasadena to get the other one. (At least they did give us an extra oriental salad for my trouble and were apologetic about the whole ordeal for me.) The salad bit was kind of ironic, because on one UberEats online order, we were shortchanged one oriental salad. I am not sure, but I think this is my second Yelp. But, because of the mess ups with so many of our online orders, I had to SUBTRACT two stars. read more

This is my favorite Japanese restaurant ever! The spicy chicken is actually hot and the oriental salad is so crisp and refreshing. The steak and noodles were extremely filling as well The tiger roll is by far the best roll I have ever had. The layers were explosive and the ingredients were fresh tasting and balanced If you are ever in the area to try a San Sai restaurant they are worth it read more

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This spot is a really great, delicious and plentiful. Everything is delicious here on the menu, since the style of this place is like a quick in and out setting. Think of it as a hamburger stand. People would expect something expensive or exquisite but it's just a simple stand with quick eating on-the-go foods. Not many people don't know what to order or how to order, because of so much items on the menu, so if it'll be your first time, I suggest to come in person and order where the have suggested plates. My favorite that you can try out here is the tempura plate, and the yakisoba plate. What's great about these is that you can substitute items of your plates or add more. For the tempura plates I usually change the salad for the miso soup. The salad is okay it's just not my taste in particular but others have different tastes than I do. For the yakisoba, if you go for chicken I usually get the chicken breast, and the beef is really juicy and delicious. They have kid plates as well and the gyoza are a good pick and the California rolls. If you go in person there is a lot of space to sit but be warned about lunch hour which is noon until 2 pm it can be super pact and will take longer than usual to order. It is set in an area of companies and office which explain for how pact it can be in those hours. Overall the food is fresh and delicious and hopefully the recommendation I mentioned will help you enjoy your meal. read more

So glad I found a Pasadena location. For years I went to the one in Brentwood and Westwood. Theirs is a less refined more quick dining experience and exactly what my kids love and I can enjoy. Their food is always fresh, reasonable prices and quick service. Staff is super friendly gives recommendations and just nice every time I have visited. The restaurant is a little hidden but once you find it you will keep coming back! Outdoor patio available. read more

I had the spicy sashimi salad and a shrimp tempura side. The salad leaves were very wilted and not fresh. The tomato was the very top layer with the stem still attached. The only good thing was the few strands of green apples that was crunchy. The sashimi itself was not fresh. The pieces were very obvious beginning and ends of the better piece. This is fine, but at least it should still be fresh. The shrimp tempura was better. Shrimp was crunchy and the sauce was done correctly. My other coworkers had their bentos and thought it was good, maybe they're better at the cooked/grilled food as their name suggested. Not coming back for sushi nor sashimi, maybe cooked food. read more

I've been to a couple SanSai(s) during my lunch break with my friends from work... this was pre COVID-19; once at this location and another time in Glendora (unfortunately, it looks like the Glendora location is permanently closed). I know... this review is long over due LOL. I got their Tempura and Chicken Plate. All was very tasty. Tempura was very crunchy and chicken was quite moist and tender. I wanted to try their sushi and cut rolls as well, but it'll have to be next time. The staff was friendly. Service was quick... got our food timely. Prices were pretty reasonable IMHO. They have inside and outside dining areas. I usually prefer outside dining if available, but we ended up dining inside because it was at night. Give this SanSai a try when you're in Pasadena! Hope you like them as much as we did. Happy SanSai'ing! read more