Kabuki Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Pasadena

I loved this restaurant when it was in Old Town Pasadena!! I'd go almost every month because I'd visit the nearby spa and then I'd stop in for lunch afterward. I loved the atmosphere of the old restaurant, and I loved the food, too. But they moved last October, and I had not made it over to the new location off of San Gabriel Blvd. First, let me say that the new location lacks the warmth of the old one. There just isn't the same feeling--it feels sterile & outdated--even though it's new. Odd.

Then I ordered my meal. I love agedashi tofu, so I ordered that, a combo meal, and a side of rolls. I was absolutely starving. I asked the server to bring the rice with the tofu, and there was seriously something wrong with the rice. It was mushy like someone didn't know how to measure the water and they put too much. For a second, I thought it was actually old rice that they had tried to reheat. Anyway, it was gross--completely sub par! I lived in Japan for four years, so I'm a good judge of rice! I called the server over, and he acted as if I was just being a Karen. I told him that the rice was completely unacceptable. He shrugged, and offered me the brown rice. I took it, but it was also not very satisfying--but it wasn't mushy or undercooked. In the end, the tofu was great, my combo meal was fine, but rice-o-holics like me depend on good rice to make a meal shine. After I was done, the server came back to me a little more apologetically. He said the head cook had tasted the rice and said it was "terrible" and he threw the entire batch away. He was going to make a new pot. I felt vindicated, but the server didn't offer a discount, and he didn't offer to comp any part of my meal. Then, he hovered when I was paying--which made me not want to tip him great. In the end, it WAS NOT a very satisfying experience. It was very disappointing--especially bc I used to go there so frequently! If a customer says that something is wrong & the head cook agrees, then something more should be done to make the meal better! I'm not sure if I'll return. I miss the old Kabuki. I didn't think driving out of my way for that meal was worth it at all. Truly...

Oh boy, where should I begin. Well, I've been here for lunch, happy hour and dinner, you could say that I live here and is always a great experience. If you never been at a sushi bar before, this is the place to get you started, always ask to sit at the bar, you'll have a personal chef for your meal, he'll take care of your sushi and call the server over for whatever you need, you don't have to worry about looking for the server at all.

Happy hour is pretty good, I'm big on Sapporo and they got a pretty good deal, that Fire Cracker tho, make sure to ask for it.

If you got a large party get the Ososume sushi table, is like a giant sampler of premium rolls.

Like I mentioned before, the sushi bar is where is at, Chef Aldo will always take great care of you, there's also Chef Snickles (his real name, I swear) he's usually there for lunch and his top priority is customer satisfaction, both of those chefs are hilarious during lunch. The other chefs are also a good choice specially Chef Bryan. They have a new guy Chef Ben, great guy, if you or your family feel better speaking Chinese over English make sure to go to chef Ben. For all the regulars out there, you already know Chef Garcia and Chef Daniel are a good...

Kabuki Japanese restaurant on Foothill in Pasadena has been a cherished spot for our Japanese cuisine cravings for years. Our go-to favorites during happy hours, like the delectable sesame chicken, fresh California rolls, delightful Crab salad, and the succulent salmon collar, have always been a steal and consistently delicious.

Despite their move to a new location in Colorado and Sangabriel a few blocks away, Kabuki's expanded space and increased underground parking have made dining more convenient. The lively atmosphere and remarkable service continue to impress, even amidst the increased bustling crowd at this larger venue.

What's particularly exciting about this new spot is the addition of a splendid bar offering an array of cocktails, enhancing the overall experience. Despite the changes, the food remains as outstanding as ever, maintaining the high standard that drew us to Kabuki in the first place.

Overall, Kabuki's relocation has brought about positive enhancements without compromising on the exceptional quality of their food and service. It's a delightful haven for Japanese cuisine enthusiasts, now complemented by an inviting bar scene for those seeking a more comprehensive...