Pasadena Restaurant Guide

I have been eating at this restaurant since December 2010, and it's hard to believe that people aren't lined up outside waiting to get in. Perhaps potential customers are confused by what is meant by "Thai-Japanese Cuisine." Simply put, one can order Thai AND Japanese cuisine here, and one will be glad that he or she did. The food just keeps getting better the longer this place is in business. Check out the pictures on its website and see if your mouth doesn’t water.

The owner works very hard and personally sees that each customer's needs and expectations are met. The staff is very courteous, helpful and efficient. How many places still refill one's beer, wine and water glass when they're empty without one having to ask? Yes, it's that kind of place.

The restaurant's interior has been redecorated recently. Whether one sits at the sushi bar, tables or booth, it is a very comfortable and attractive restaurant. I go there frequently and really appreciate the relaxing atmosphere.

The menu has also been redesigned. Now one finds Thai food in the front portion and izakaya and sushi in the back portion. Of course, Singha, Asahi, Sapporo, vintage wine, Thai iced tea and coffee, hot tea and other soft beverages are available. I go twice a week and enjoy Japanese one day and Thai on the other. One can't go wrong either way. I have been eating Thai food since the mid-seventies and all over the country, and I really can honestly say this is the best I can think of.

Today I started off with Monk fried Tofu which is 100% vegan and comes with a sweet peanut dip. It was light and crispy and nice starter to what followed. I had a "small" bowl of Tom Yum, the clear-broth, hot and spicy, sour soup that I ordered with shrimp. I had the Spicy Minced Salad called Larb which features ground chicken, shallots, mint, crunchy rice with spicy chili lime sauce. What a mouthgasm!

My main courses included Pad See Ewe stir fried rice noodles with egg, bean sprout, peanuts, and I ordered it with beef. Wow, it just melts in my mouth. Along with that came the Spicy Squid cooked in a spicy sauce with garlic, basil leaves and plenty of onions. I ordered the Sautéed Garlic but substituted pork for chicken. Rich, creamy Yellow Curry with coconut milk and chicken completed my feast. Like everything else I ordered, I requested "20" on the 1-10 spicy scale. To me consuming great Thai food is like engaging in an extreme sport: it's a full body experience! The portions are HUGE, so I have plenty of leftovers to repeat the experience over and over.

There are a lot of good restaurants now in Pasadena and Greater Los Angeles, and there are quite a few Japanese and Thai restaurants around. Many are quite good. How many restaurants offer really great Thai and Japanese food UNDER THE SAME ROOF? The prices are very reasonable, and there is Happy Hour EVERY DAY from 5-7 when all sushi is 50% off!

This place is starting to get popular, so I don't expect to get the place all to myself for much longer. When it does get too crowded to get a seat, I'll probably just call in and have it delivered to my door. Writing this review has made me hungry again, so I'll be back for Happy Hour and the Sashimi combination, Mixed tempura and Pan seared chicken gyoza.

I'd better get there early!

I had eaten here before, under previous owner. The Pad Thai is not as good as before; it was dense, gooey and pastey, and it gave my tummy a "sick" feeling. The rice and food portions have dramatically shrunk, as have the size of the thai tea.
The banner outside says "sushi 50% off". Of course in TINY letters it says 4-6 PM.