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Oba Sushi Izakaya

181 East Glenarm St, Pasadena, CA | Map it  

91105 34.127601 -118.146200

(626) 799-8543 | View Website

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My Rating

South Pasadena locals mix it up with Japanese small plates, fresh fish specials and imaginative rolls at this congenial sushi spot.

Features

Neighborhoods:
South Pasadena
Cuisine:
Japanese, Sushi
Categories:
Restaurants

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Restaurant Special Features:
Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene, Carry Out, Date Spot, Group Dining, Happy Hour, Family-Friendly Dining, Prix Fixe Menu
Payment Methods:
MasterCard, Carte Blanche, Visa, Diners Club

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Review Highlights

drinks
100%
“so delicious ponzu sauce on the bar.”
food quality
100%
“The sushi here is delicious.”
menu variety
100%
“The service at OBA was very friendly, waitress very knowledgeable regarding menu and recommendations, the restaurant has an area where you can watch sports and another area for a more quiet dinner.”
service
100%
“The staff are also very friendly and inviting, and make you feel immediately at home.”

Reviews for Oba Sushi Izakaya

gsanders9

Member since Feb, 2008 View Profile
4Reviews
0Photos
Joined 4 years ago
5.0
March 12, 2010

Won't be disappointed. Good place to eat !!!. It is a bit far for me, but my sister loves the place and their good combo and eil sushi. Super cool and friendly sushi place. The guy there has the best technique I have ever seen to make sushi. They also understand people like good sauces. So besides the traditional soy sauce, they leave the ever

so delicious ponzu sauce on the bar. They also leave jars of spicy mayo, ginger and wasabi so

you're not forced to keep asking for more. You have to try the Dynamite. SPICY or REGULAR.

You can take the whole family to a dinner too.

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nrjope

Member since Nov, 2008 View Profile
1Review
0Photos
Joined 4 years ago
5.0
November 28, 2008

Best Sushi in Pasadena. This place is exceptional, second only to Sushi Nozawa. As all you sushi connoisseurs know, that is a true honor. Chef Alfonso is a true artist; I highly recommend sitting at the sushi bar and watch him work his magic. Ask Alfonso for recommendations; he will not disappoint. Unlike most sushi places that operate on a budget at the fish market, owner Kunche gives him carte blanche to pick the very best. The staff are also very friendly and inviting, and make you feel immediately at home.

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lachica74

Member since Nov, 2007 View Profile
3Reviews
0Photos
Joined 5 years ago
5.0
October 17, 2008

Fantastic sushi place without going to Old town Pasadena.. there is a 15% off coupon on the citysearch page, offer ends 11/28/08. Great incentive to try this place. You will not be disappointed! Location is in South Pasadena. Fair Oaks Ave/Glen Arm.

The service at OBA was very friendly, waitress very knowledgeable regarding menu and recommendations, the restaurant has an area where you can watch sports and another area for a more quiet dinner. I have two small children, perfect environment to take kids. The restaurant decor is simple, clean, modern. This is no dump or "hole in the wall". Dress is casual. Great place to take friends that don't want to get dressed up. Perfect for all ages.

I love the concept of "pub" or "tapas" like style, you can try a variety of food. Portions are fair. The food is very tender, full of flavor, high quality fish and freshness.

I had an Echigo beer, never had one, but was recommended. Delicious, smooth.

Things I tried... Miso soup: super chunky tofu, large portions of green onions/seaweed. Miso glazed cod: by far my favorite, tender, tender, tender, superb! Stuffed shiitake mushroom: pops with flavor, with slight crunchiness. Asian short rib: must have! The best special roll to try is the TNT roll.

I love that I live nearby. This has been my perfect friday/saturday dinner spot.

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wifeandmommyof2

Member since Aug, 2008 View Profile
1Review
0Photos
Joined 4 years ago
4.0
August 27, 2008

Great Sushi Super Friendly Perfectly Priced. Visited for the first time over the weekend. Kunche, the owner is super friendly and made us feel so welcomed. Loved the appetizers. Albacore w/ garlic and soy was my favorite! This is definetely a word of mouth place as they are in a plaza that I didn't even know existed - and I'm from the area. Although the main entrees weren't bad - I would definitely stick to the sushi & sashimi.

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Martha Burr

Member since Aug, 2003 View Profile
610Reviews
2Photos
Joined 9 years ago
August 25, 2008

Citysearch Editorial Review. Unlike many other fancy sushi spots that have despotic rules and codes about how to eat raw fish, this is one of the most congenial Japanese places around. (After all, it is izakaya, which by definition is an informal Japanese pub serving food and drink.) Its cool glass walls, smooth pine furniture and friendly staff hosts a relaxed atmosphere where groups of SoPas friends and families gather for lunch, dinner or casual parties. Prices here are great, with most izakaya small plates like stuffed shitake mushroom and fried calamari between $3 and $6, and entrees including sashimi combos, salmon teriyaki and shrimp tempura all under $15. A daily handpicked fish selection ranges from amberjack to engawa (halibut fin), and out of 17 sumptuous rolls the Volcano--with spicy tuna, avocado and rock shrimp--is the favorite.

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