Haruka Sake and Sushi Pasadena — Restaurant in Sierra Madre

Wow. Where do I even start. I am so blown away by the incredible experience I had at Haruka. The energy of the staff struck me the moment I walked in the door, as I was greeted by Bibi who I had a lovely conversation with. I was extremely impressed with not only Bibi, but the rest of the staff as well. They work together to create the experience for their guests, and it’s clear that professionalism and teamwork is important. Choosing from the array of mouth-watering menu items was difficult. I leaned on my prior dining experience and chose to start with the Deep Fried Shishito Peppers, followed by the Vegas Roll. Both were phenomenal. The peppers were prepared differently than what I expected, but after a few bites I quickly realized there was a flavor bonanza in my mouth. I credit this mostly to the beautiful sauce they were served in, which was thin and a little tangy. The peppers themselves were crunchy yet succulent. They would be hard to beat, but my sushi roll fell nothing short of amazing. It was lightly crunchy, and the cream cheese came through to the palette perfectly. I washed both of these down with the house sake which was predictably yummy. At this point I was still feeling hungry, so I ordered the other contender for my appetizer, which was the Sunomono Cucumber Salad. Again, not the presentation I was expecting, but still good. Crisp and refreshing, but nothing to write home about. To finish off with something sweet, I ordered the Tempura Green Tea Ice Cream. I unfortunately left 90% of it on the plate, but I would have ate it all if I could! I was not having the best day when I came to Haruka, but I left feeling a warm glow in my chest. I am not from here and when I go back to my hometown I will tell everyone about my experience. It was truly lovely. I wish I could stay in Pasadena long enough to try the whole menu. Thank you so...

Exceptional Service and Incredible Value at Haruka Sake and Sushi! My girlfriend and I recently discovered Haruka Sushi, and it was such a standout experience that we're already planning our next visit! From the moment we walked in, we were impressed, but what truly set Haruka Sushi apart was the exceptional service and the highly affordable prices. Our server, Mrs. Sung, was an absolute delight. She was incredibly respectful and kind and patiently walked us through the menu, explaining different options and helping us choose. It's rare to find someone who takes that much care and time with customers, making our meals all the more enjoyable. Beyond the stellar service, the sushi itself was fresh and delicious, and we were pleasantly surprised by how affordable everything was. It's not often you find a restaurant that hits the mark on quality, service, AND price, but Haruka Sushi does it all. If you're looking for a sushi restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere, outstanding service (ask for Sung if she's there!), and prices that won't break the bank, you absolutely have to check out Haruka Sushi. We can't recommend it enough and are confident you won't be disappointed! We will definitely be going...

I’m so excited that Haruka Sushi has opened a second location here in Pasadena! I’ve always loved their original spot in La Cañada, and now we can enjoy the same amazing experience closer to home. Yesterday was their first day of soft opening and I’m so glad my family and I were able to make it. It felt like a reunion—lots of familiar faces from both Yes Sushi (IYKYK) and Haruka La Cañada, all excited to enjoy great sushi again.

As always, the food is incredible. The rice-to-fish ratio is perfect—never too much rice—and the fish is fresh and high quality (just look at the photos!). One of my absolute favorites is their toro with uni, black truffle, and caviar—it’s decadent yet surprisingly affordable, especially in today’s economy. The sweet shrimp nigiri comes with a delicious fried head, and every bite was spot-on.

Service is excellent—our server Will was attentive, easygoing, and very knowledgeable about the menu. The new interior is beautiful, with light wood and grey tones giving it an upgraded, welcoming feel. The staff all seemed genuinely happy to be there, and we felt so welcomed. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area—you won’t be...