Shiro — Restaurant in South Pasadena

On the last day of DineLA week, we went with our friends to dine at Shiro in South Pasadena, and it was an experience that beautifully blends Japanese ethos with French cuisine and West Coast influences. Hideo Yamashiro's eponymous establishment, which opened its doors in 1986, has set the standard that still prevails today, with a relentless focus on impeccable ingredients.

Shiro's commitment to sourcing their seafood from the bustling Los Angeles seafood market is immediately evident. We had the pleasure of visiting during DineLA week and opted for their tasting menu. To kick things off, we savored their renowned ravioli wonton and chilled scallops as appetizers, and they were nothing short of exceptional.

For our main courses, we selected the duck breast and scallop with Mexican shrimp. Both dishes were a symphony of flavors, leaving us utterly delighted. The duck sauce, in particular, stood out as a masterpiece.

Dessert brought us an apple tart and a soufflé chocolate with ice cream. While the apple tart was undeniably delightful, the soufflé chocolate was slightly underwhelming.

Service at Shiro was impeccable, as one would expect from a high-end establishment. However, there was one minor hiccup in the evening when we requested more bread and were surprised to find an additional charge for it. This came as an unexpected blemish in an otherwise flawless experience.

In summary, Shiro is a restaurant that celebrates the art of fine dining, emphasizing the importance of exceptional ingredients. The blending of French and West Coast influences with a touch of Japanese flair results in a unique and unforgettable dining experience. I would have given it a perfect rating, but the unexpected charge for additional bread compelled me to...

May and June 2025: We LOVE Shiro! And how the staff welcome us-- it's like coming home to family. We try to dine weekly. The prix fixe 3 course meal yesterday was especially delicious, see photo. I chose a flight of 3 white wines!

May 2023: BRAVO TEAM SHIRO !!!!

We savored a fabulous evening at Shiro's this past Sunday with 21 guests in their back room and fantastic feedback ever since then.

A sampling of emails and texts received include:

"The hosts did an outstanding job with beautiful flowers and table settings which set a wonderful tone for the evening. The food was exceptional and service staff was very kind and accommodating. As you know, I love Shiro’s Restaurant and was looking forward to the venue.

What a fun, lovely 80+ celebration. The party could not have been any better. WOW! Shiro's menu! Everything was wonderful!

Thank you and your brother very much for a wonderful dinner honoring your mother!! Just a fabulous Birthday Party !!

I was pleased to see so many ladies I haven’t seen for a long time to catch up.

Thanks for a...

This was such a great dining experience that I have told a few friend already and will be back! The ambiance is eclectic and tranquil. You will see both Japanese and French influences. White linen tablecloths, real silverware, nice china plates. We started with salmon tacos as appetizers along with a cucumber mojito, pomegranate martini, and a glass of merlot. Our dinner entrees were broiled salmon fillet in dill sauce, breast of duck in orange sauce, and the masterpiece signature dish, the whole fried catfish. The presentation of this item was fascinating, the preparation was truly gourmet, and the taste was amazing. Crispy on tge outside but tender and juicy inside. Not only I could eat the fish with chop sticks, but I ate the skin as well as the meat. The duck breast was so tender and tasty that melted in your mouth. The dill sauce on top of the salmon was one of the best I had ever tasted. Then we had apple pie with ice cream and coffee to finish the night. The server was very professional helpful...