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    Star Leaf

    4.4 (899 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:30 pm

    Order Star Leaf Takeout or Delivery

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    STAR LEAF ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

    Recommended Reviews - Star Leaf

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    Reviews With Photos

    Madame Noi's Pork Collar
    Melissa H.

    My family and I have been here multiple times and have enjoyed ourselves every time. The Pork Collar was our favorite - the mix of flavors was honestly so good! All of the dishes were solid from the fried rice (which was much larger than expected), to the seasonable veggies. The ambiance is great - we saw larger groups celebrating birthdays and folks on dates. I do think they need to staff more waiters. We saw one waiter handling all the orders with support from a bus boy. She was pretty busy and handling the tables well, but didn't have much time to check in on us, refill waters, etc. Tip: there is validated 1 hour parking at 44 Madison

    Lychee Martini
    Barbara G.

    My daughter took me out to start leave for Mother's Day. We had the Mother's Day six course special menu. Luckily we were able to get a table without reservations. The staff was super friendly and helpful to keep asking how we wear and if we like the food also the ambience it's so welcoming and pretty. I'm glad that we would have this special so we could try a lot of their foods.. my favorite was the line steam Chilean sea bass. The lychee martini was good and strong. Check it out .

    Susan G.

    This place has easily become one of my favorite Thai restaurants in the area. Whether it's celebrating a birthday or just going out for a date night, this place does not disappoint. Definitely recommend trying their 12 hour Braised Angus Short Ribs, the Golden Salted Egg Yolk Prawns, and the Spicy Thai Som Tum Mango Salad. SO DELICIOUS! Staff are always very friendly and personable!

    Mango Sticky Rice
    Sam D.

    Our fave go to spot for family dinner! Serving portion is good for sharing. Service is impeccable, the staff were super friendly and welcoming. The overall vibe and ambience was really comfortable. Highly recommend this place!

    happy hour menu
    Vivian P.

    Yall better treat your staff well- The only reason why I'm leaving a positive review is for Connor. The happy hour menu online is outdated, the new hh menu is significantly smaller. We ordered their SINGAPOREAN WINGS(5PCS) and when it arrived, we only got three pieces. I asked them to cross verify the menu and with the kitchen. They're claiming since the wings were bigger than usual, they only gave me 3... We went back and forth and the kitchen still stood their ground. You can't advertise 5 wings and give me 3. Buy smaller wings if you're cheap. Connor made it right by asking them to make the additional wings we were promised at the end of our meal. The apps were tasty- their royal fried rice is nothing special. I'd come back for happy hour in Connor's section but nothing else.

    Archie R.

    This place is by far one of the best places to eat in Pasadena. We were lucky to be seated in the Athena section again. She also remembered the table. She always gives the best selections for the table. She is beyond kind, and as I said before, always asks to sit in her section. She is a true joy at the table. We, of course, ordered all the same favorites in the photos and were able to try the desserts too. The ambiance is very fun and uplifting. I will be back again soon. So glad this location is thriving and here for everyone to try.

    Singaporean Chicken Wings
    Shelly A.

    Great vibes and ambiance. We came during Happy Hour from 3 pm- 6 pm and got the chance to try most of the dishes. We sat at the bar for Happy Hour and the bartenders customer service was fantastic. Very chill and we were loving the decorations. The food was delicious and did not disappoint. We ordered the Singaporean Chicken wings, 2 short rib tacos, Shrimp Ceviche, Shrimp cakes and Crispy Chilean Sea Bass. I loved all the dishes my 2 faves were the Crispy Chilean Sea Bass and Short Rib Tacos, they both come with really good dips on the side. I will say they often change their Happy Hour items. We will come back again soon! Can't wait to try the other dishes.

    Lime Steamed Chilean Sea Bass Thai Royal Lobster Curry
    Rhea M.

    Came here last night for a birthday + anniversary dinner. We ordered: Thai som tum mango salad - delicious! I think at a traditional Thai restaurant this would be on the light spicy side so if you're used to having this be spicier, I'd ask. But the ingredients are fresh and it's a well prepared dish. Saigon summer rice paper rolls - good for vegetarians and a nice, light way to start the meal Bakka salmon - the sashimi + mint + garlic trio was lovely and made every bite so bright. My family was practically drinking the sauce. Golden salted egg yolk prawns - my biggest disappointment. If you like salted egg yolk chips, you'll probably love these. I assumed it would crispier, but it wasn't. Spicy string beans - wasn't spicy at all, but still very enjoyed by the table. Thai royal curry with lobster - came with baguette slices to soak up the sauce. The red lobster tail is for show as the meat is right next to the shell. Someone in our group isn't a huge fan of seafood, but he actually ended up eating some lobster because he found the texture to be perfect and the curry to be a great compliment. Again my family was basically drinking the curry by the end. Steamed Chilean sea bass - wasn't super popular at our table. Despite the plate being hot, the fish felt almost a little chilled? Tropical panna cotta - great for a light dessert Coffee flan - best way to end a meal here. It is a sweet dessert, but coffee flavor hells balance it out. Strawberry pandan lemonade - didn't taste any pandan. Was very sweet. My family loves spicy food so we had to ask for extra hot sauce on the side. Our server was amazing and got us chili oil using Thai chilies and house made Sriracha to help turn up the heat on some of the dishes. The menu is extensive so there's something for everyone. Decor was beautiful as well and it's a spacious restaurant. The price point is a little high, but it's fancy restaurant so I get it. For a table of 5 and 2 mocktails it came out to be roughly $50 per person without any left overs (we were hungry that night!). Lots of groups celebrating birthdays so I'd say this place is good for a small splurge.

    Royal Crown Fried Rice
    Amelea J.

    The service was great, super nice and clean inside. The restrooms were clean and fancy looking - I would approve to go #2 there. However, the flushing isn't the greatest. It seemed really weak. The royal fried rice is too much and I couldn't enjoy it. Good flavor but too many fish balls. It was popping in my mouth in every bite. Would not get it again. The 12hr short ribs were tender. Good flavor and enough for 2 people.

    Silver cutlery, table setting, note the unique placement of the knife - brilliant
    Peter M.

    Imagine going to an Asian restaurant that does not have the standard (and boring, because they are found everywhere), dishes. Instead, a menu, though tilted towards Thai offerings, delivers it in a creative, unique manner with a culinary expertise of using bold Asian spices. These are presentations, that you will not find anywhere else. Enter, Star Leaf, a Bar and Grill in Pasadena, serving exciting Asian Cuisine. I started off with the Mamasan Shrimp Cake Skewers. They came to the table minus the skewers and I did not even notice. I was captivated by the 4 deep fried patties, served with small triangles of pineapple that were skillfully grilled and lightly charred, on only one side. My request for Thai chilies with fish sauce came deconstructed. What a lovely idea, to preserve the freshness and showcase the vibrancy, of both ingredients. For the main, their signature dish, the Royal Crown Fried Rice (capelin fish roe, scallops, eggs, shrimp, green onions, peas, white rice & wild rice). This entree is presented in eye catching fashion. A good size thick disc of the fried rice assembly covered fully with a thin even layer of mini sparkling spheres of the orange roe. When eaten, there is a blend of crunch (from the roe) and softness (from the rice and its ingredients). As a side, the sambal string beans (dried shrimp, dry-roasted chili, shallots, sambal shrimp paste), provided a bright green color, perfectly cooked al dente, with well married spices. To have a ground breaking restaurant, in terms of food choices, is already an arduous challenge. But how about coupling it with a perfect location, a stunning inside ambiance and outside design. I am always hunting for these kind of restaurants. And now, I have found (after much searching), another one that deserves praise. There are also other points. The table setting, polished silver cutlery (only a fork and knife), but what was striking was the placement. The knife was standing upright (see my pictures). Superb. One of a kind. There were incense sticks at the bar. Brilliant. And individually sealed toothpicks in the men's restroom. A nice touch. If there was a problem with this place, it's the lack of close free parking. There is a garage around the corner, that honors validated parking from the restaurant, free for one hour (other places provide 2 hours), after that it's $1.50 for every 15 minutes, and it piles up fast. If you ignore that annoying fact, this eatery is definitely worth the 30 plus mile one way trip from the SFV. In my opinion, Star Leaf, is one of the best, if not the best innovative Asian restaurants in the area and also counting its neighbors. Service (by Alicia) was exceptional.

    Thai Royal Lobster Curry
    Sheeny N.

    Celebrated Star Leaf on Valentine's Day with my boyfriend and had a wonderful experience! We tried the set menu ($138 for 2 people) which came with 5 courses of phenomenal food and various options. My thoughts on the dishes: Bakka Salmon with Thai Vinaigrette- Fresh fatty pieces of salmon sashimi drenched in a Thai chili seafood sauce. Strong notes of cilantro in the sauce. The fish melted in my mouth! It was a light, but fulfilling appetizer. 10/10 Mamasan's Shrimp Cakes: I'm usually not a big fan of fried food but this.... WOW. It was phenomenal and definitely the star dish of the night for me. The shrimp cake inside was flavorful and paired well with the sweet and sour sauce. The batter on the exterior was crispy but not overly thick. I loved every single bite of this. It also came with fresh pineapples! 100000/10 Thai Royal Curry with Lobster: creamy curry with hints of coconut milk. They definitely do not skimp on the lobster! There were many pieces and egg plants within the dish. Came with a side of freshly baked and oiled bread slices. I loved dipping the bread with the sauce. We ordered a side of rice too and it paired well with the curry. 10/10! 12 Hour Braised Angus Short Ribs: Surprisingly, this one was a little bit on the drier side. The meat itself was tender, but lacked a lot of flavor. Thus, I had to rely heavily on dipping it in the creamy sauce the provided as well as using the leftover curry sauce from my other dish. 7.5/10 Mango Sticky Rice: this was heavenly. The sticky rice with the coconut milk poured on top had the perfect amount of sweetness! Mangoes were fresh! 10000/10 Service was amazing. Our waiter was super kind and always checking in on us. Since it was Valentine's day, they also gave us free roses! Food came out very quickly, and I love how you can make reservations online! So convenient! They have a designated parking lot around the block that is free! Interior design is very classy and lights are dim lit. Dress code can range from casual to upscale. Very clean and boujee atmosphere. Would definitely be back to try their other dishes!!

    Entry and patio
    Rebecca J.

    Star Leaf in Pasadena is DELICIOUS! I came in for an early birthday lunch and it truly delivered that special birthday treat energy. The beautiful space with thoughtful details throughout and the friendly staff made us feel genuinely welcome from the moment we walked in. Although I typically don't order a drink other than water, with lunch, I'm a sucker for Thai Coffee and my friend is a Thai Tea kind of girl. Her Thai tea came with a scoop of delicious, homemade tasting coconut ice cream on top. It was delicious! My Thai coffee was equally delicious! We ordered three dishes to share and every single one was a standout: Thai Som Tum Mango Salad was perfectly balanced with fresh mango and just the right amount of heat and pops of mint. Thai Royal Curry was rich, fragrant, and flavorful. The potato and other veggies soft savory and delicious. We opted not to get shrimp or other protein in this as I am a vegetarian and it didn't feel like it was missing anything at all. It was great. Vegan Pad Krapow Wraps were elevated, creative, and absolutely delicious. My non-vegetarian friend even remarked that this dish was fantastic. Super tasty and the little lettuce cups (clearly cut into little frilly shapes) were actually the perfect size to build bite sized cups. Sadly, I was just too full from the dishes we'd ordered to try a dessert. Portions were the perfect size to share and I was even able to take some of everything home to share with my partner. Overall, the food is flavorful, refined, and clearly crafted with care. This isn't your average Thai spot. Although, definitely on the pricey side, the quality shows in every bite. I'll definitely be back.

    Thai Margarita and Tropical Aperol Spritz
    Tiffany T.

    While I haven't taken a trip to Southeast Asia yet, my taste buds certainly felt transported there after dining at Star Leaf, located in the Pasadena Playhouse District. The restaurant is beautifully designed, with notable colonial-inspired elements and a modern, upscale yet approachable vibe. The service is just as welcoming and consistently attentive. We ordered the following dishes: - Tiger Prawn Ceviche (4.5/5): I loved the punchy, bold flavors of the Thai chili fish sauce paired with the succulent, meaty shrimp. It would've been a 5/5 had it been served with something crunchy on the side, such as prawn chips, to balance the texture and acidic flavors of the shrimp and onions. - Thai Royal Curry (3/5): I thought I'd like this dish more, but despite the promising menu description, the flavors didn't stand out. We ordered it with the soft-shell crab, and for its price ($28), the portion felt underwhelming. There were barely any vegetables in this as well. - Royal Crown Fried Rice (4/5): Not your average seafood fried rice. The fish roe on top added a pleasant pop with each bite, and the shrimp and scallops were generously portioned. A solid dish that's great for sharing. - Madame Noi's Pork Collar (4/5): The pork was incredibly tender, and the basil-garlic dipping sauce with the papaya salad packed a perfect flavor bomb. However, I wished they used a softer lettuce, such as butter or romaine, to wrap with instead of the iceberg variety. Also, don't sleep on the cocktails here. Star Leaf has one of the most interesting cocktail programs in Pasadena, thanks to its tropical, Southeast Asian-inspired flavors. We ordered the Tropical Aperol Spritz and the Peacock Margarita, both of which were as refreshing as they were photogenic.

    Thai Royal Crab Curry

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    Page 2 of 23

    Star Leaf Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Star Leaf

    Can one order to go dishes? And if yes, by telephone?

    Yes

    Do they have outside seating?

    Yes😊

    I see a number of vegetarian entrées. Do we know if any of them are vegan, or can be prepared so?

    Yes, they do.

    Is there parking?

    Other than street parking, no. You have to look for parking in that area

    Hi do you have a allergy menu (I have a nut allergy)?

    No they don't but you can tell the server for different options and accommodations

    Can i reserve on line?

    Certainly, reservations can be made either through our official website at starleafusa.com or via Google map.

    When is the restaurant officially open? Attempted to call but goes to voicemail. Really excited to experience this very unique taste of quality savory

    The Countdown is Over! Reserve Your Seat at the Table! Star Leaf Asian Cuisine is now accepting reservations starting today 3/8/2024! Please call us at 626-345-5371 to secure your spot. We are looking forward to seeing you.

    View All 9 Questions

    Noodle St

    Noodle St

    4.4(1k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$
    Women-owned & operated
    Kid friendly

    After a long day of walking around, we decided to warm up at Noodle St. Being able to check-in with…read moreYelp was super helpful and gave us a good idea on wait time. Once we were seated, we were met with a friendly server who offered recommendations to our party depending on spice levels. I tried their beef fried rice and the portions were huge for the price! I had to get a braised egg and it made for such a great combo. I also tried their chili oil and loved how spicy it was. I wish there was a Noodle St. close to my city!

    We were served two small bowls of cucumber at the start of our meal and assumed it was a…read morecomplimentary side (similar to what a lot of Korean restaurants do). We didn't question it and started eating. Midway through our meal, the manager came over and said it was actually a mistake - that the cucumbers were a paid item. He gave us two options: keep eating and get charged, or have it taken away and not be charged. At that point, we had already eaten about half. Of course, we declined the extra charge since we genuinely thought it came with our order. What happened next is what lost me as a customer. The manager took the dish and immediately dumped it in the trash right behind me, where I could hear it. It felt unnecessary and honestly a bit disrespectful. A better way to handle it would've been to acknowledge the mistake and just comp the dish this time. Instead, it turned into an awkward moment over what couldn't have been more than a few dollars' worth of cucumbers. Not a great experience, and not a place I'd return to based on how this was handled.

    Photos
    Noodle St - Stir Fry Noodles with Tofu ($15.80) - onions, spinach, bell peppers and carrots. With triangle noodles.

    Stir Fry Noodles with Tofu ($15.80) - onions, spinach, bell peppers and carrots. With triangle noodles.

    Noodle St - Dining room

    Dining room

    Noodle St - Beef Stir-Fry Noodles

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    Beef Stir-Fry Noodles

    Daisy Mint

    Daisy Mint

    4.0(2k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Found this spot nearby when I went to a local theatre-Boston Court. Good food, the staff was nice,…read morethere's parking and the vibe is cozy with charm. I've been twice already! First time I got beef pad se ew and it was yummy. I went for early dinner on a Tuesday and the place was empty. The second time I went I got tofu pad Thai and it too was yummy. This time I went for lunch (they have great lunch specials) and the place was busy and buzzing. Note that here they put sautéed purple onions in their pad Thai. I'm used to onions on the dish being green onions. I happen to hate onions so it was a bummer, but I just picked them out and it was fine. Both times I got Thai iced tea, I'm lactose intolerant so can't usually have it. They have oat milk to substitute for the milk. There's a small parking lot with a couple of designated spots and you can enter through the back. There is also street parking nearby.

    I first ate at Daisy Mint in 2010 and truly enjoyed dining there and loved the food. Oddly I had…read morenot been back since. Shame on me for missing out on their delicious food for sixteen years. I seem to recall back then it was more Thai fusion than it is now. But I have consumed a lot of beer, wine, cocktails in the interim so my brain could be foggy on that account. Nevertheless the food we ate was fantastic. I would love to get bottles of their sauces to cook with at home. The summer wraps are largely lettuce and Thai mint - I prefer having a bit more carrot and cuke in them, but I'm not the boss. The spinach peanut with tofu had epic spinach and tasty tofu. The Chinese broccoli in the Pad See Ew was nice and crisp. I guess there is parking in the lot in the back of the store. Seems to be marked for specific stores. I wonder, does the Spa really get that busy they need that many spots? I didn't see anything reserved for Daisy patrons. But I figured most of the other businesses were not open in the evening. Anyway we didn't get a ticket or towed off the lot.

    Photos
    Daisy Mint
    Daisy Mint - Thai Iced Tea

    Thai Iced Tea

    Daisy Mint - Tuna teaser--it's salty sorta but will pair well with beer.

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    Tuna teaser--it's salty sorta but will pair well with beer.

    Colette

    Colette

    3.8(1k reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$
    Fine dining
    Large group friendly

    Very good food and service I like the food there…read more They have a very good chef I send all my friends there too and they love it

    I dine semi-frequently at Colette, as I live nearby. I lately have been ordering the same…read morefavourite dishes each time. I was surprised to read here on Yelp that the original famed chef left for a few years and recently returned, because I did not notice any major changes in the quality of the dishes I usually order. The current manager was my waiter this time, and he said that staffing has been a challenge; he himself also worked here, left , and returned. Colette offers a somewhat non-traditional, somewhat elevated menu, not as varied as other Chinese places, although they do offer dim sum and lunch specials. Note the menu on the website is old and kind of obsolete; the newer menu, which is laminated and has photos, is more extensive. The dish I always order is their fabulous chayote minced pork. I've also ordered their live lobster when I have a hankering. They have the lobsters and crabs in tanks on view, priced per pound. They can prepare it in several ways; I always choose stir-fried with ginger and scallions and add noodles. They also have some specialty dishes like winter melon soup that you must order in advance. I ordered 3 other dishes, only one for the first time. That was honey-glazed beef cubes. Slices of beef covered in sliced almonds on a bed of asparagus with an orange sauce that was similar to orange marmalade. Tasty and unique. The other 2 dishes that I've had before were the golden yolk luffa and the goo-loo pork (aka sweet and sour pork). Luffa is a gourd (like a cucumber) that is edible when young, but turns into the fibrous sponges we bathe with when mature. It's slighty bitter, here stir-fried with salted egg yolk. The pork was pretty traditional, slightly elevated with the addition of strawberries. For me, a reliable neighbourhood spot for Chinese. I hope they can keep it together.

    Photos
    Colette
    Colette - Outdoor dining

    Outdoor dining

    Colette - We take reservations

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    We take reservations

    dan modern chinese - Inside of Pork & Dungeness Crab Xiao Long Bao ($9.76)

    dan modern chinese

    4.1(878 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    First of all, the restaurant is located very conveniently in a little plaza at the corner of…read moreCordova and Lake in Pasadena. I like coming here because it is not usually very crowded, and it is possible that it's because the pricing of the food is usually on the higher end. That being said, the food is reasonably good. The seaweed tofu salad has a nice kick to it. The black pepper beef was cooked well and the seasoning was not overwhelming. The crab fried rice tasted good, but the flavor of the crab was not as prominent. The dumpling was solid, but certainly overpriced for five pieces. The Dan Mein with chicken was a solid dish, but probably could get similar dish at the Chinese restaurant in San Gabriel Valley. Parking is easy, on the street or in the parking lot behind the restaurant. You can also park in the parking lot behind the Jamba Juice, which is located south of the Cordova Street. The servers were excellent, very attentive, extremely friendly, and definitely helpful. Would definitely come back, but knowing that it is on the expensive side. For seven dishes, pretty standard ones, it was approximately $150 after including tax and tip. The ambience was definitely immaculate, very clean restaurant, and the food was pretty solid.

    Food was bomb. Mapu tofu with pork is spicy, but a good spicy, we didn't have to add any additional…read morespice to it. Service was friendly. Dan Dan noodles were too mushy for me and it was mainly because of the peanut sauce. I thought the sauce was too dense. The black pepper beef was tender and super flavorful. Restroom score 6/10 - could use more TLC. I would take a dump in there if I had to. I would recommend but for small groups. The space is charming and small - not good for large parties IMO.

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    dan modern chinese
    dan modern chinese - Dan mein chicken

    Dan mein chicken

    dan modern chinese - Crispy Pork Dumplings

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    Crispy Pork Dumplings

    Star Leaf - asianfusion - Updated May 2026

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