Ai Japanese Restaurant

I've been dining at Ai for more than half of my life — and in fact for more than 2/3 of my 63 years. Ai offers Japanese comfort food at its finest. The cozy home-like atmosphere is always welcoming, and the wait staff is always familiar. I cannot recommend it enough.

Ai is an Authentic Japanese restaurant with excellent quality and atmosphere! The chef and owner is talented and dedicated, staff was hospitable, friendly and helpful. I went for my wedding anniversary and had an amazing dinner. Definitely recommended!

My dear husband suggested we go to AI. The food was remarkablely delicious. Service was warm and welcoming. I had the shrimp tempura. Oh oh it was heavenly. Big butterfly shrimp. Yum. We ordered shumai fried that was new for us. Or for my husband who did not want to share. Also, appetizer shrimp roll. Hubby had ? He ate it so fast I can't remember. Price was fair for lunch $50.00 would have been 30.00 and we'd be full. Valentine's Day we splurged spent a bit more. Parking in Pasadena not impossible but rarely easy. We did park behind the restaurant. So boys and girls go eat there. It delightful. And leftovers too.

This restaurant is a hidden gem in South Pasadena, CA!! I tried it for the first time last Saturday, and I have already been back!! The food is DELICIOUS!! I love the peaceful ambiance, the location and their prices are right.
Yummy!!!

💖美味しい💖 Came here with my best friend and our moms.
Service:
Good service with friendly staff. Positive and warming atmosphere to the restaurant.
Food:
Ordered a lunch special (karage+ California rolls) and got more food than I expected. The food took a while, but tasted amazing and suited my palate. Authentic Japanese flavor. The miso soup was warming and comforting. The karrage was crispy and satisfying. Salad was fresh and balanced the plate.
Overall super good. The only challenge would be if you're in a rush, the food takes a bit since they are cooking it for you. Better to enjoy the food and atmosphere. Would recommend!

I have been coming to happily dine and enjoy the aesthetic ambiance of Ai since 1990. The chef is a master at the art of sushi, the regulars at the sushi bar never fail to interest or amuse, and I've always felt welcome.

Since I eat alone quite often, I also enjoy eating out on the patio in the front with the bamboo and gentle breezes.

I'm very thankful that they survived the pandemic slaughter of restaurants!

The food is reasonably priced and the lunch specials can't be beat for economy and deliciousness!

The tempura is hot and crisp, the teriyaki is plentiful and yummy, and the lunch combinations give you so much wonderful food on one plate that there's plenty left over if you want to take it home.

I should also mention their miso soup has a healing effect on me. When I'm feeling down and foggy, one sip will start making me feel more energized and clear.

It is a South Pasadena treasure!

Love love loved this restaurant! Staff were kind, friendly, and our server was just so wonderful! I feel bad because I forgot his name but he was wonderful! My friend and I came here after a long day showing kimono. Loved the food. I got the yellowtail sashimi dinner, amazing.

Great food. Great atmosphere. Great staff! Thank you Fumito

For over 30 years, this is one of my favorite Japanese restaurants. When we're in the area shopping or running errands, we like to drop by for their tempura. The tempura is fresh, light and taste great. The servers are nice and friendly. Plenty of parking in the back.

Yum-Yum 'n Dem-Sum!! Had the Beef Teriyaki 'Tempura', friend had the 'Sushi Special' and both were served by the vivacious 'Karen' (she's bringing class and elegance back to that most historic name). Didn't think the portions would fill me up but they certainly did.

This place has been around for just over 40 years and still going strong due to the fine cooking & preparation skills of Fumito (or Fumi for short) brings fresh seafood, fish, produce, and various other tasty items every day. Great meals at a modesty fair price! Right next to the 'Ol Rialto Theater in South Pasadena.

Good friends took me here for birthday dinner. Wow, great food (felt home good cookin), friendly service, in a down-to- earth atmosphere 🍣🍣🥗🥢

Destination dining 🍽 always fresh and delicious fish. Lots of creative dishes from the chef Fumito-son.

Great happy hour! Service can be slow but the food and cocktails are well worth the wait!

I didn’t know authentic Japanese food until I went to Japan. Ai is very authentic and the service is friendly. The food was great! I recommend the sushi deluxe and eel and avocado roll.

Lovely Japanese owned restaurant tucked away in South Pasadena. Had wonderful service from Fumi

Honest, unpretentious, modestly priced sushi. My favourite restaurant since high school (over 35 years ago) Always come when visiting SoCal (unless it's Monday [closed]). I usually get a Beef Teriyaki and Sashimi Lunch special and some hand rolls. Love the Scallop handrolls and Nesei style potato salad. Tatami room available. Added a bar in waiting area at some point. Parking in rear is competitive and tight. A South Pas icon! Yumi yumi yumi!

Shrimp and Veggies
Tempura Outstanding make three
Meals Out of there large servings
Place Tempra In the
Toaster oven or air fryer to warm take out of refrigerator let it come to room temperature 😋

Love this place. Totally old school Teriyaki and Tempura - with Sushi for the younger crowd. 😉 I'm sure the decor and music hasn't changed a bit since 1961. It's great. And extremely reasonable priced. Lunch is a steal - under $10!

Food is excellent, service was slow but not overly so, more staff is needed in these hard times of shortages. This is a very established Japanese restaurant that I have enjoyed for years.

We enjoyed a lovely dinner for 4 tonight. The service was gracious and the food was delicious! This was our second experience dining there and we enjoyed it very much both times. Music was jazz piano but not loud. We had noodle soup with tempura along with yellow tail, eel sushi and hot saki. Definitely comfort food. I just wish it had been raining outside.