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    Wagyu Master Shabu House

    4.8 (942 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndJapanese, Hot Pot, Seafood
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 week ago

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    WAGYU MASTER SHABU HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Will M.

    I've been here at least 6 times now and I hate to say it, but I feel like the quality has been dropping. On a few recent visits the broths have been noticeably saltier than before. Even the dashi broth, which is usually more balanced, tasted pretty salty on my last visit. The buffet side also seemed to take a hit. The sashimi selection was very limited, only about two types the whole night, and it was empty most of the time. The veggies didn't seem as fresh either, and the sauce bar didn't look very clean. The cilantro and green onions looked like they'd been sitting out for a while. The ponzu sauce also leaned more sweet than sour, which threw me off. The dessert options also seem more limited now compared to before. Service was just okay. We were seated near the register and could hear staff saying they didn't want to be there, which wasn't the best vibe. It also wasn't busy that night, so it made everything feel a bit off. A few other things I noticed, they now validate parking for 90 minutes which is nice, but they removed the unsweet tea from the drink machine and the rice machine wasn't working during my visit. The only thing that still seems consistent is the quality of the meat, which is still decent. Not sure if it was just an off night, but overall it felt like the experience has slipped compared to before. It's honestly a bit disappointing since I used to recommend this place to everyone. I might give it another shot, but right now I'm a lot more hesitant to come back.

    Salmon sashimi , tofu pockets
    Amy L.

    Server ed was amazing. He explained the different tiers to us and showed us what the differences were. He explained the self service items as well. He kept coming by to make sure everything was good and gave us extra napkins as well. Got the gold but next time ill get silver. They have soo much items at the selfservice station. I felt like i got fill off of then instead of the hot pot. For the hot pot meat, beef tongue was the best but for gold you can only get it once. The others were either too fatty or too lean. The sushi section does get refilled pretty often because everytime i went to grab something else, i would have to go back and grab more salmon items. They need to have a sauce bowl for soy sauce and wasabi though. I didnt like the lobster roll. I think it was mixed with ubi which i am not a fan of. They have fruits on top of the sauce bar.

    Fresh hot pot vegetables
    Majella L.

    Visited Wagyu Master for an early dinner and was impressed with their AYCE selection. You can help yourself to items like sashimi, sushi, burgers and curries....or pick from a plethora of ingredients for a delicious hot pot feast. Our servers were attentive and helpful, especially Kit who recommended and prepared the best dipping sauce paired for any bite. The restaurant accommodates many tables but mostly of groups of 4 so if you have a large party, expect to be seated at separate tables. We really enjoyed the large selection of fresh ingredients and the broths were tasty. We especially loved the opportunity to choose our own portions and not have to wait for it to be served to us. But their dessert selection was just ok. The egg tarts looked promising but the flavors were disappointing. We all agreed that it would've been better if they offered an ice cream selection instead.

    Too chewy for the crispy prime cut Wagyu tongue
    Jimmy S.

    Came to Wagyu Master in Pasadena for my friend's birthday and honestly it lived up to the hype. We went with the Diamond tier ($98/person, but with my Chubby Plus membership it came out to $88 each). Totally worth it. Our servers Steven and Kenny were amazing the whole night, super attentive and friendly without being overbearing. For broth, she picked the oxtail tomato and I went with the Yunnan passionfruit. Both were really good and flavorful in their own way. The meat quality here is seriously impressive, even the A4 Wagyu cuts were super tender and rich. What I really like about this place is the setup. You grab your own veggies, hot pot items, and sauces, which makes it feel more fun and customizable. The self-serve sashimi bar was also a nice surprise the yellowtail and salmon were fresh and on point. I was a little bummed they didn't have otoro though. With the Diamond tier, you get two special items per person. Our favorites were the A5 Wagyu nigiri and the lobster with caviar and uni roll. Both felt like a treat. The Wagyu bone marrow with rice was a bit too fatty for me, so that was probably the only miss food-wise. Only small downside is the layout. We came on a Thursday around 7:30 PM and it was fine, but the aisles are pretty tight. I can see it getting crowded and a bit chaotic on weekends. Also wish they had sacha sauce at the sauce bar. Ambience is modern and comfortable, easy to have a conversation without yelling. Parking is validated for 2 hours at Paseo, which is a plus. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this spot if you're celebrating something or just want a solid shabu shabu experience. It's right next to DSW at Paseo if you're trying to find it. Would've gotten 5 stars if they had sacha bbq sauce, caviar on the lobster roll and if they still had otoro sashimi. Love this place more because of more broth options compared to other chubby establishments.

    Betty W.

    We came to Wagyu Master Pasadena for Mother's Day and chose the Silver Level, which is their entry package. For this package, everything is self-serve, and you do not order from the table. There are more than 10 different meat options to choose from, which honestly felt a little overwhelming at first. In addition to the meats, they also offer seafood, crab legs, shrimp, fish balls, tofu, vegetables, noodles, and plenty of hot pot items. I joined the waitlist before heading over, and on a Sunday evening around 6 PM, the wait was about 30 minutes. The waitlist estimate was pretty accurate. The hostess was very nice, and the servers were attentive throughout the meal. The restaurant interior was a little messier than I expected, and the meat quality was okay. The dessert section was definitely under par. The mochi was disappointing--the texture was soggy and overly sweet. There was also a cake option that did not look very appealing. Honestly, for a restaurant like this, serving something simple and classic like green tea ice cream would probably leave a much better impression than these lower-quality desserts. Overall, it was a decent experience, especially considering the large variety of food options available. General experience: 4 stars.

    Wagyu tartare
    Candyce P.

    Super flavorful hotpot!! Saw this place on Instagram and was drawn to the sashimi and nigiri and it did not disappoint. We got the silver tier and it was more than enough options. Loved both the sukiyaki and spicy miso broths, and all of the meats were really high quality. I do think I still prefer Mikiya, but still loved Wagyu master. Our server was really attentive and helpful, constantly making sure we were having a good experience. The restaurant itself is a bit small, so it felt like we were always running into people when we were at the self serve stations. Our group did have a bit of trouble finding the restaurant itself so fyi it is on the second floor!

    Dim Sum
    Aileen H.

    This is an AYCE hot pot resturant and part of the Chubby Cattle group. The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor next to DSW. You can either take the elevator or the stairs. I recommend making a reservation in advance. The Wagyu beef was great. It was self-service so you could help yourself and have as much as you want. They do come in small portions to prevent over-grabbing that leads to waste. I loved the variety. The sushi and sashimi quality were very good. I also enjoyed some of the hot dim-sum items and the yakitori. I didn't even get to try the rice dishes. I got the silver level and the dashi broth. The dashi broth was already very flavorful for me and in my opinion, a bit salty. I enjoyed all the veggie choices. The ambiance was nice: modern and clean. The only thing I didn't like was the Portuguese egg tarts. The inside was too creamy. Service was good. Pro Tip #1 - Park directly downstairs at Paseo Colorado. The restaurant validates for 2 hours so essentially parking is free as long as you don't stay beyond the 2 hour limit. The restaurant has a limit of 90 minutes. Pro Tip #2 - Join the $28 annual membership. It pays for itself. You get $8 off per guest that night off your bill (that was a $16 savings for me since I had an eating partner) and you get a free birthday meal which is worth $50. All in all, I was not disappointed!

    Kelly C.

    It was good but not worth the price. We got the middle gold $78 set. You only get one premium order item. The wagyu tasted like regular meat. It wasn't buttery. The selection was huge. So much stuff to eat and drink. The service was great. Place is beautiful. Felt like we could go to all that shabu or shabuya for half the price and get the same quality of food. HAPPY SHABUING!

    Toro sashimi
    Carmina C.

    Not my favorite of Chubby Group's concepts, but that's okay! Part of the reason for my lukewarm feelings about this restaurant is the fact that the Gold tier option (the one my boyfriend and I opted for when we came by to try this place for the first time), which is priced at $78 per person, was substandard to the lowest tier offered at Wagyu Factory ($49.99 on weekends). The "premium" meat they offer as part of the higher tiers was so fatty that it was kind of off putting, and the slices were so thin that it was impossible to lift them without them breaking apart and sticking onto the tray. I honestly couldn't even tell that these were supposed to be of a higher quality than the other "regular" meat out in the buffet. They offer king crab out on the buffet line as well, but only the cast-off, little leg segments. If you want what normally comes to mind when one thinks of king crab, you'll have to opt for a higher tier (gold and above) and order it as a "specialty" item -- and you can only put in one order. I was surprised to see that they would actually put out such small, obviously discarded pieces, but props to them, I guess, for not wasting anything? For one of our "specialty" items, my boyfriend ordered the lobster roll, which was topped with uni and caviar. Sounds good on paper, but when it arrived, we found that it was mostly filled with...filler, for lack of a better word. Some sort of fishy, mushy, shredded filling, with a couple of lobster pieces up top, where they'd be most visible. Our questions were: a) if you're going to skimp on using lobster for the whole thing, why not make the lobster rolls mini, then? Why make it full size? and b) if you're going to skimp on lobster, why even bother with the caviar and uni?? It's so bizarre...it's like putting truffle slices on a fast food burger. The restaurant itself is super crowded and cramped -- it was hard to navigate around all the waitstaff, other customers, and just how closely all the furniture and everything is positioned together. Apart from the disappointing experience, the service was very nice and waitstaff came by regularly to check up on us. However, I wouldn't come back; the variety and quality of the food doesn't justify the price, and I'm kind of confused as to what niche in their existing ecosystem Chubby Group was trying to fill by creating this restaurant. I would recommend Chubby Group's other concepts, Yumiyaki and Wagyu Factory, over Wagyu Master.

    LOBSTER ROLL - LOOKS GOOD BUT NOT GOOD LOL
    Jennifer N.

    Wagyu Master is a great addition to the Chubby group! I loved that this has Wagyu hotpot, with a lot of options from the buffet line. It isn't a chubby restaurant if it's not an overwhelming one in the first 30 minutes! My group had to be split in 2 tables since the biggest they had seats only 10/11 people. We were seated near the buffet line, which was a pro and a con. Pro - quick access, con - lots of people walking by. The buffet line had multiple drink selections (Lychee Slush and Milk Tea are my tops, they also had other beverages and sodas). They had sliders, dim sum, dessert, fried appetizers, curry rice, veggies + meats and sauce bar for hotpot, sushi and fruits. For the hotpot, my group chose Gold tier which was $78 pp w/o membership. We had options to order from the tablet and I think it was a great option because I was able to tell the difference from the premium meats ordered from the tablet vs. meat selections from the buffet line. Our group favorites were their Wagyu nigiri, bluefin toro, Wagyu steak and the A5 Wagyu lean cut. I really do not recommend the lobster roll! It tasted weird. We chose the hotpot bases: sukiyaki and tomato. Sukiyaki won by a landslide and certainly paired well with the A5 wagyu meat and the veggies. For the price and taste, I would love to come here again! I booked my reservation via IG when they just opened and thankful for the staff who assisted! They were also very helpful when we arrived and had to have adjustments with # of guests and the wait time. They also validate if you park in the underground structure! Last but not least, Eric was our waiter - always checked in on us and provided all of our requests. He did an amazing job handling a big group and did not make us feel rushed. Thank you Eric!

    Sold Out of their Crisp Tongue and Matcha Mochi. The matcha mochi is supposed to be their gold dessert.
    Shaun V.

    We decided to try Wagyu Master after receiving a promo text, which I'm sure all Chubby Club members received. We came in with high expectations seeing that we love Chubby Cattle, but left with an expensive lackluster experience with subpar food. We were also a little confused with their promo wording. Our first impression didn't start off well. We couldn't immediately locate the place. No signs or posters about it. When did find the restaurant, the host was not there. We waited for a while until someone finally came in to ask us if we made reservations, which we did. I think absence of people waiting was a clear sign to avoid the place and was sort of an omen for what was to come. We showed the promo, which initially sounded like a decent deal. We decided to get the gold as that's what the promo said. It was implied that you get the 3 perks in 1 visit - it's not. It's 1 perk per visit as explained by the manager after we dined and only applies to the member - not a plus one. We initially asked a server but he couldn't explain it which is why we spoke with the manager. This was very misleading but we're already there, so I guess we just had to stick with it. We made a huge mistake here by getting gold - not just because it's pricier, but because the price doesn't reflect the quality at all. We came for the tongue, which they did not have at all. That was the reason why we drove here. We also realized that a lot of the gold options were actually sold out and haven't been stocked for a while - which they should have told us. Special dessert? Also out. We just thought it was a glitch since the broth selection also said sold out. It's very hard to justify paying a premium for a menu that isn't there. You're better off just getting their cheapest one since there really isn't an incentive to get higher tiers. Best thing to do is call prior and clarify if everything on the menu. We paid extra for nothing. We ordered what we could get from the abysmal gold selection. Now, seeing that it's limited, you'd expect high quality cooking and savory food. The tiny king crab claws tastes okay. Nothing special about it. The Uni lobster roll? Skip it. It's bland. As for the broth, the dashi tastes like regular water and the mala broth is muted and lacks the traditional medley of spices you would see at an authentic hot pot place. The meat quality is okay. It tastes the same as any other hot pot place - texture and all. Wagyu at this point is purely marketing and the meat is so thin you won't really be able to taste the difference between this and a $19.99 AYCE. Although they did have a plethora of stations, none of them really stood out. The sushi/sashimi were bland. You'd need to slather it with soy sauce to get flavor. It's just like any other buffet. The silver tier selection had decent meat, but again, no different than what you could find at a $19.99 AYCE place. The egg tart here is not flakey like Rowland Heights Chubby Cattle. It wasn't warm either and chewier than expected. The milk tea here is sweeter as well. The service is decent but nothing to write about. It's not the same as their Rowland Heights Chubby Cattle. You don't get the same level attention and care. Also worth noting--within a short window, multiple 5-star reviews appeared that reference specific servers, and some seem to be written by or about employees themselves. That made the feedback feel less like independent customer experiences. You'll see a pattern if you scroll through the reviews. There is nothing special about this place. We expected a lot from Chubby Group, but Wagyu Master needs a lot of work. This experience alone makes it feel like getting a membership was not worth it. $160 with tip for two people is not worth it at all. It's extremely overpriced for the quality of food that you get. We literally felt ripped off. You're better off eating at a chain hotpot or going to any hot pot place in Rowland Heights for better quality food. No reservations needed and I guess there's a good reason for that. Abysmal at best. This place is very misleading and be wary of reviews here. We will not be giving this place another chance and I'm sure we'll be getting the same generic response. Update: We did get an AI response.

    Emily K.

    Amazing service from Matt! This location now has 90 minute parking validation in the underground parking lot. It was easy to find in the ground floor. You just woke up a flight of stairs. We had a reservation and we got seated right away with a group of five. They explained very thoroughly of the menu items. We chose the diamond here without membership. I assume it's cheaper with the membership plan. Everything was full and refilled pretty quickly. The meats kept coming as we ordered more and more. I believe that there is a 90 minute time clock from the first order you put in. Great ambience and tasty food. I will definitely be looking forward to the next time I come back!

    Interior decor
    Angelique S.

    Servers are kind, well dressed, helpful and attentive. Love the dark walls, red lighting and decor. Very classy, sexy for AYCE. The skewers: shrimp and steak, very well done. Tasty. Love the access and sushi quality for the base level. Time limit is a bit short at 90 mins so slow eaters may not get their bang for their buck.

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    2 months ago

    Kit and Nico were great! Excellent service as usual! Always a pleasure to come and eat

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    1 month ago

    The food is good. The meat is so good.Thanks ED for helping us!! He is so friendly. I would recommend here

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    9 hours ago

    food was amazing and shoutout to our server Eric! Super attentive and friendly. Will come back!

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    Page 1 of 24

    Wagyu Master Shabu House Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Wagyu Master Shabu House

    Any time limited?

    90 minutes

    What is the policy for kids?

    Does a party of 8 have to share one pot or each person can get their own pot?

    I came with a party of 6 and we shared one split pot. Hope that helps!

    Chubby Cow- same owner?

    Yes, it's the same owner

    View All 14 Questions

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

    Osawa Shabu Shabu & Sushi

    4.4(2k reviews)
    0.4 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

    KazuNori | Pasadena - Salmon Rolls

    KazuNori | Pasadena

    4.5(145 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Kazunori is always a consistent hit and my go‑to spot whenever I'm craving hand rolls. The quality…read moreis unbeatable for the price -- truly the best deal around -- and everything is always fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Service is friendly and attentive. They keep your water filled, and they're quick to refill wasabi and ginger without you even having to ask. It's bar seating only, which can be a little tricky for a shorty like me to hop up and down from, but the food and service make it worth it. There are no reservations, just walk‑in, but the service is fast and I've never had to wait. Plus, they offer free parking validation for 2 hours, which is a huge bonus. Always reliable, always delicious -- Kazunori never disappoints!

    KazuNori is a restaurant opened but the same group as SUGARFISH. They specialize in hand rolls…read moreserved one at a time across the counter. They have multiple locations across the Southern California area including this one near Old Town Pasadena. They do not reservations and you wait in line until there are open seats for your party. We came at around 6pm on a Friday evening and were seated immediately for a party of two. When we left at around 7pm there was a long line waiting so I recommend coming earlier. I recommend coming with a smaller party. They have different presets of hand rolls by count (3 to 6) where 6 is the most popular. The chef hands each roll to you individually and you're expected to eat it immediately to ensure the seaweed is crisp and the rice is warm. I got the 6-hand roll set ($29) which included toro, yellowtail, salmon, bay scallop, crab, and lobster. My favorites were the salmon, bay scallop, and crab. I also got the eel hand roll ($5.75) which was also good. If you want to be surprised, there's The Nozie which is their omakase style 6 hand roll set.

    Photos
    KazuNori | Pasadena - Inside/bar seating

    Inside/bar seating

    KazuNori | Pasadena - Salmon Roll

    Salmon Roll

    KazuNori | Pasadena - Bay scallop

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    Bay scallop

    Yakiya - More wagyu

    Yakiya

    4.5(271 reviews)
    3.5 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)
    0.7 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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    Wagyu Master Shabu House - japanese - Updated May 2026

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