"Owner and waitresses were super friendly with excellent service. Unfortunately, I cannot give a good score on food though. Food was well-prepared, but they got something missing compared to other Japanese restaurant. Perhaps they focused too much on fusion but lost the essence of Japanese authentic taste. I'd rather not go there unless they seriously consider changing menu or chef."

Dined on 4/28/2013

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Review 2 for Japon Bistro

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Good local Sushi

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 4/28/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Really good neighborhood sushi restaurant with really helpful sushi chefs and pleasant service. Great selection of saki. Close to the Boston Court theater. Reasonable prices and good selection."

Dined on 4/28/2013

Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, great for lunch

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Review 3 for Japon Bistro

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Underwhelmed

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 4/27/2013

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"We've been wanting to visit Japon Bistro but, finally came with some friends last weekend. The service was very good and attentive, almost to the point of annoyance as one person will ask about refiling our ice tea about three minutes after another person did just that. I guess I prefer this as oppose to having our server disappear for like our last dinner at Mccormick and Schmidts. The food just didn't blow us away. My wife ordered salmon teriyaki and she got this tiny piece of salmon on a big plate with three florets of broccoli and three little chunks of carrot. For $15, it wasn't worth it. For less than $15, we use to get a two item combo at Zono Sushi down the street. Too bad Zono has closed for good. We prefer Go Sushi over this place"

Dined on 4/27/2013

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Review 4 for Japon Bistro

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Pasadena Restaurant Week Menu

Top 1000 contributor

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/23/2013

2009

Dined on 04/23/2013

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Pasadena Restaurant Week Menu was a fantastic deal!"

Dined on 04/23/2013

2009

Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot

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Review 5 for Japon Bistro

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Food was outstanding, however

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/23/2013

2011

Dined on 04/23/2013

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Food was outstanding, however the service was despicable. We went to lunch for Restaurant Week and I believe our server was the manager, or at least the lead server for that shift. He paid no attention, forgot things, and was generally rude. There was a sweet guy who was brand new and he will be a great asset to the restaurant. Not sure we will be back. And I will"

Dined on 04/23/2013

2011

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Review 6 for Japon Bistro

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

We have been to Japon Bistro

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/21/2013

2012

Dined on 04/21/2013

2012

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We have been to Japon Bistro several times and have enjoyed their food each time. We enjoyed the Pasadena Restaurant Week menu that evening. Staff is always friendly here."

Dined on 04/21/2013

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies

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Review 7 for Japon Bistro

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

I went to Japon Bistro w/

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/21/2013

2009

Dined on 04/21/2013

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"I went to Japon Bistro w/ a group of friends for the 1st time for Pasadena Restaurant Week. For a place that was recommended by Zagat in the past, it wasn't very crowded. I ordered from the prix fixe menu that included 2 appetizers, an entree & dessert. I got the Koji's tower (kind of like a mini tostada) & the crab cakes as appetizers. It wasn't as much food as some of the other appetizer choices. I followed that up w/ a sushi / sashimi platter & mochi ice cream. It was a nice meal; I'd consider going back again. I appreciated it when I was told I could park at International Golf for free since it's out of business."

Dined on 04/21/2013

2009

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Review 8 for Japon Bistro

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Spectacular, lovely food and

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/20/2013

2011

Dined on 04/20/2013

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Spectacular, lovely food and drink. Always our favorite place for a date night! Always making us feel welcome!!"

Dined on 04/20/2013

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, romantic

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Review 9 for Japon Bistro

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

A great Special night at Sake Bar

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/06/2013

2011

Dined on 04/06/2013

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Only place i've been to with Sake sampler, and believe me unless your a sake Fan, you'll be tanked after those 3. 2 people, well fed 40$/head (with tip), Dinner. Oh, and they are SUPER friendly and informative about everything, especially the Sake, which is their specialty."

Dined on 04/06/2013

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot

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Review 10 for Japon Bistro

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Hopefully this was an off night

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/24/2013

2008

Dined on 03/24/2013

2008

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"I'm not sure what happened. I like this place A LOT. But the other night service was totally off: waiter was new, but still, can I order my drink? Can you not be so awkward during every conversational exchange? Can I have some silver ware or sushi dishes or do I have to walk around and get them myself? How could he miss that in a place that is so accustomed to detail? Speaking of detail whats up with the revamped chicken teriyaki: bland wedding chicken at best. Lastly, it took 30 min to tell me they were out of sea bream, which they weren't cause they offered it to the table nearby. Can't you just say you forgot instead of lying? I want to go back again just to make sure that I had a one off night but I dunno..."

Dined on 03/24/2013

2008

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Review 11 for Japon Bistro

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

This is our second time at

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2003

Dined on 02/14/2013

2003

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"This is our second time at Japon Bistro and we all enjoyed it as much as the first. Although this time our visit was for Valentine's Day and was for a set "Omakase" menu. I will say the service staff is a little young and there was some confusion about the day's menu. We will be back for sure as one person in our group asked that this is her choice for her birtday meal."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2003

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Review 12 for Japon Bistro

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Great service! Very good food.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2011

Dined on 02/14/2013

2011

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Great service! Very good food. Lousy parking."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2011

Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Review 13 for Japon Bistro

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Always good

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/15/2013

2010

Dined on 02/15/2013

2010

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"The food here is imaginative, well prepared and always good. Fish is always very fresh. The garlic edamame and the sticky rice are to die for. Highly recommended!"

Dined on 02/15/2013

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem

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Review 14 for Japon Bistro

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5