Gozen Shun Pasadena

Finally got the chance to try Gozen Shun, and it was awesome. My boys really loved the Katsu Curry Rice and Teriyaki Chicken Bento. It was very flavorful, and the curry was perfect for my son. It wasn't too spicy and the spices were not too overpowering. I ordered the Ground Pork Curry Udon and I loved it. It was exactly how I pictured it in my mind. I will definitely try others in the near future.

Wow. Just wow. I’m throughly impressed by this place. If you’re looking for a great Japanese Bento box place, this is it. They serve high quality food, and it’s so pretty. Even the boxes are pretty. These bento boxes definitely reminds me of Japan. The presentation of the food is beautiful. Plus, the price is also very good!I love how you get a variety of dishes and it’s pretty healthy! I got the crispy pork katsu and it was prepared well. The katsu was crispy and the pork wasn’t dry. My bf got the Kara-age box. I don’t think I’ve been to a place where they prepare kaarage like this place. It comes out huge and in a perfect ball shape. The outside is crispy, and the chicken inside is tender and juicy. They use Japanese rice and you can see how great the quality is. The temari sushi was also very good. The bento boxes also come with a side of miso soup. You get a complete balanced meal. The restaurant is also super clean and tranquil. Service was also quick. There’s street parking available.

We tried the salmon teriyaki sushi dog, Kara age bento, miso soup, and pork cutlet bento. Everything was really delicious. I really liked the sides. The Kara age chicken had a nice lemony flavor. The sushi dog was stuffed with salmon and cream cheese you could definitely get full from eating a few. The bento box was beautifully presented. I had never seen one made of paper before but it made for a handy to go box. We will definitely try the other sushi dogs and other bento next time.

Very cute place! I will address the big question/confusion I had looking at this listing though.. it appears the restaurant may have changed its menu in the last 5-6 months or so. Many of the pictures and reviews reference items I did not see in the menu in store. Keep that in mind. When I went, the menu was just bento boxes and the tamari sushi balls. I got the 9 piece - one scallop, one yellowtail, one salmon, two spicy tuna, and four spicy yellowtail. They were all delicious. Spicy tuna/yellowtail/ and I assume salmon (they didn't have the spicy salmon available) are all chopped down to a paste - not whole fish slices. Still delicious but was not what I had expected when ordering - because when I get spicy yellowtail at most sushi places it's a piece of fish topped with jalapeno and a dab of Sriracha. The fish was so fresh and rice perfectly seasoned. They use kizami wasabi, which is one of my favorites. 9 pieces was really filling.. I stuffed myself. I think I was pretty much full by 4 pieces but I ended up eating it all over the course of the next hour because it was sitting on my desk while I worked.. and it was soo yummy. I told my sis we should split a 9 piece next time haha. I really liked the scallop and wish I got more, but the charge per piece for scallop (along with shrimp and eel) is about 50 cents or so more. The sandos looked delicious too... I might have to pay this place another visit sometime

The pork fillet cutlet curry stood out—the katsu was perfectly crispy, and the curry had a rich and flavorful profile. While natto isn’t for me, my partner loved it. The carpaccio salmon was incredibly fresh with a buttery texture that melted in your mouth. The yuzu sauce was so good, we used it to dip our kaarage. To wrap up the meal, the matcha yuzu cheesecake was amazing! The combination of matcha and bright citrusy yuzu was refreshing.

A very clean Japanese restaurant! We went during dinner and ordered chicken cutlet udon plate and sashimi plate for our main dish. For appetizers we ordered salmon carpaccio and crispy rice. I love how the plate comes with a little salad, miso soup, and tofu. I think it’s one free refill of them. The chicken cutlet is not too oily, fried to perfection - crispy on the outside and soft inside. The sashimi are fresh - melted to your mouth. Inside decoration are clean and give a warm vibe. We also ordered matcha mint blanc for dessert - it’s not too sweet & yummy. Parking is a little difficult but I think there’s paid parking lot - we street park so it’s good too.

Super well rounded meals in a modern environment. I think there is something for everyone here - including vegetarian choices. We got shishito peppers, chicken cutlet and chicken karage curry. Everything was delicious and very balanced. Service was also very good. The staffs are very friendly. I would come here again.

The GOZEN are GOATED, so many items on the plate and so many great flavors. Amazing place. Update: it seems like this place has had a change of ownership because the overall vibe has completely changed. Before it used to be a more formal dine in restaurant with high quality gozen. Now it is more casual and focused on takeout mainly with bento boxes. They have seats for dining in but you order at the counter.

Always appreciate the friendly staff and atmosphere here but am bummed at the recent shift from a sit-down restaurant to a self-serve place with limited fast-food style menu options. Loved their curry and tempura dishes which now seem to be gone. Not really into the new anime decor. Hoping the best for these guys but I might not be back for a while.

Two words: Sushi. Dog. This is my current hyperfixation, and I'm in love with it. They're like sushi handrolls STUFFED with salmon, eel, spicy tuna, or karaage chicken. Such a genius idea, and so well done. Theirs are the most aesthetic bento boxes I've ever seen. Get either grilled salmon that they brine for one hour or the thiccc pork loin cutlet, but my favorite is the grilled chicken which is something I thought I'd never say! And then to end things on a sweet note, I got the GIANT tamagoyaki. This sweet egg omelet is usually served as a dessert course at the end of omakase, but honestly is like a bar of gold with egg prices these days. Thanks for reading! ^-^

Super friendly service...very Japanese...in the best possible way. This location has gone through several iterations of fast casual fresh Japanese food prepared with all the care and detail as you would expect from a restaurant in Japan. I love unagi (fresh water ele) and it was spot on, very good portion with all the proper sides in a bento box that serves as a take away box. Second time I ordered the jidori chicken tonkatsu, perfect execution as well, juicy and well portioned. If you eat in they also provide a wet hand towel.

First time at gozen!! Food: -chicken cutlet plate with little sides: solid! :) i love cutlets, I'm curious if the pork one would have had that more classic taste (I'm thinking of the katsu that my mom made growing up, a korean twist to it) but this was still delicious! The sides were a lot of pickled things which I love! Service: -very prompt, friendly and helpful! checked in on us here and there! Ambiance: -clean, comfortable, nice set up! For a catch-up dinner, was a great spot Overall: Would come back! I don't know what I'd do differently, so maybe same same :)

This hidden gem in Pasadena offers affordable and tasty Japanese set meals starting from $17. Each dish comes with a small salad and miso soup. The Sukiyaki Beef Udon ($19) does not come with the typical broth, but it's delicious nonetheless, especially the beef. The pork fillet cutlet ($23) was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They give you the curry on the side so that you can dip the cutlet in or pour over your rice. My favorites of the meal were the carpaccio appetizers ($14) - both the salmon and hamachi were so fresh and delicious!

It's date night, and I made reservations here via Yelp. I heard they serve affordable & traditional Japanese cuisine, so my bf and I were excited to try this. Parking: There's paid street parking, if you get lucky. We parked in a paid parking lot around the corner of the restaurant. We were parked for about 3 hours, and it maxes out at $12. Ambiance/Environment: This restaurant has a medium sized space with a modern and intimate ambiance. Perfect for large & small groups. Very clean inside. Service: Shout out to our server Jasmine. She was nice and efficient. Throughput took less than 15 min after ordering. What we ordered: 1) Sashimi Assortment Bowl - This came with salmon, tuna, and hamachi. I went with the bowl, so it sat on a bed of rice and served with miso soup, salad, pickles, sauces, quail eggs, and gingers on the side. All the fishes were unbelievably delicious. Very fresh, clean, and slightly sweet. Highly recommend this for all the raw fish lovers! 2) Hitsumabushi Bowl - My bf ordered this. It came in a cute bowl with a generous amount of rice. The unagi sat on the flavored rice and served with the same sides as my dish. Unagi is grilled eel, and it was definitely rich in flavor. My bf described it as "fishy" but the entire dish was sweet & savory. 3) Kara-age - We got these as appetizers. Kara-age is Japanese fried chicken. These were so crispy and seasoned well! 4) Crispy Rice - These were topped with cooked tuna. Fair warning, these are spicy! It's the perfect amount of spice in my opinion. The rice was indeed crispy and had lots of flavor. 5) Kyoto Matcha & Koshihikari Echigo - These beers were bitterly sweet! It came in a bottle and cold glass. Pricing: These prices are considered affordable, especially with the dishes they offer. Usually a sashimi assortment start at $30+. I was very shocked with the prices here. I'd say it's worth it; we left fulfilled and satisfied.

This unagi bowl is what dreams are made of. The golden, savory but slightly rich unagi had smoky undertones and was incredibly tender and fatty. It contrasted well with the texture of the mochi-like rice, and I couldn't stop eating it. I also tried a bit of the salmon bowl which I've gotten for myself before and the quality of the fish is amazing as always. The only unfortunate part is that the ratio of rice to fish is not the best. The salmon carpaccio, on the other hand, was just alright. Not because of the fish quality but because it was overdressed with garnishes that I could hardly enjoy just the salmon with the sauce. The crispy rice is definitely a better alternative with nicely fried rice as a base topped with a generous amount of minced tuna. The service was great with multiple waiters coming by to refill our waters and serve our dishes. The place was pretty empty on a Saturday at noon but if you plan to come in a large group, I would reserve the middle table because that one can seat a lot.

This place is so yummy! The people are super friendly and attentive. The restaurant felt really nice and aesthetic. Their sukiyaki beef plate was so delicious. The portions are huge here and come in an abundance of food. My friends ordered the eel bowl and pork filet cutlet. We all had so much food leftover we couldn't finish it! If you post on Instagram you get a free dessert. We got their black sesame Mont Blanc and I can't say I've ever tried anything like it. Def can't wait to come back!

I give it 3.5 stars! It was my first time at Gozen Shun. I'm not sure if this is usual, but they seemed understaffed. While the servers were nice, the service was incredibly slow. The experience felt disorganized--possibly due to a lack of communication between the staff and kitchen, issues with their system, or being overwhelmed by to-go orders. For example, our first appetizer, the shishito peppers, took 40 minutes to arrive. The food itself was delicious. We ordered Shishito Peppers and Hamachi Carpaccio as appetizers, along with the Pork Fillet Cutlet Curry, Sukiyaki Beef, and Negi Toro Bowl as our mains. The Pork Fillet Cutlet was fried perfectly, with a satisfying crunch in every bite. The curry was savory but a bit on the salty side. The Sukiyaki Beef was good, though it was served lukewarm, which I wasn't expecting. The poached egg on top wasn't runny as I expected. I'm not sure if that's how the dish is typically served. My favorite dish of the night was the Negi Toro Bowl. It comes with soy sauce for mixing, but here's a tip: skip the soy sauce and mix it with the salad dressing instead! Tonight's dressing was a wasabi vinaigrette, and when we mixed it into the Negi Toro, it was amazing. I highly recommend trying that combo! We actually never received the Hamachi Carpaccio, though the server apologized. We still got to try it tonight, and it was good. I'd still recommend it as an appetizer. Would I come back? Yes, I would. The food is worth it, but they definitely need to work on improving their service and organization.

The pork fillet cutlet curry stood out--the katsu was perfectly crispy, and the curry had a rich and flavorful profile. While natto isn't for me, my partner loved it. The carpaccio salmon was incredibly fresh with a buttery texture that melted in your mouth. The yuzu sauce was so good, we used it to dip our kaarage. To wrap up the meal, the matcha yuzu cheesecake was amazing! The combination of matcha and bright citrusy yuzu was refreshing.

A very clean Japanese restaurant! We went during dinner and ordered chicken cutlet udon plate and sashimi plate for our main dish. For appetizers we ordered salmon carpaccio and crispy rice. I love how the plate comes with a little salad, miso soup, and tofu. I think it's one free refill of them. The chicken cutlet is not too oily, fried to perfection - crispy on the outside and soft inside. The sashimi are fresh - melted to your mouth. Inside decoration are clean and give a warm vibe. We also ordered matcha mint blanc for dessert - it's not too sweet & yummy. Parking is a little difficult but I think there's paid parking lot - we street park so it's good too.

Gozen Shun in Pasadena is a great spot if you're craving authentic Japanese comfort food. The atmosphere is cozy and traditional, with a calm, inviting vibe that makes it perfect for a relaxed meal. Now, onto the star of the show--the Sukiyaki Beef Plate. It's seriously impressive. The beef is thinly sliced, tender, and cooked in that perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that you expect from sukiyaki. The sauce has a rich umami depth, with just enough sweetness to complement the beef without overpowering it. Paired with the fresh vegetables and the soft, slightly sticky white rice, it's a comforting and hearty dish that hits all the right notes. The portions are also generous, leaving you fully satisfied. The gyoza appetizer is another win. The dumplings are perfectly crisp on the outside with a juicy, flavorful filling inside. It's a great start to the meal and pairs well with the main dishes. If you're in Pasadena and looking for something delicious and filling, Gozen Shun's Sukiyaki Beef Plate and gyoza are definitely worth trying.

There's public parking attached to the building. Credit Card only just in case anyone needs to know that. This restaurant is so pretty! I'm in love with the decor inside! Service is wonderful! I love the staff here! Music is so much fun inside as well! Food! Tuna and Salmon Carpaccio: It's so fresh and delicious, the bit of heat you can get from the jalapeno on top is great! Tempura Curry Bento: Like, the shrimp you get for it are MASSIVE! All the veggies and shrimp have the perfect coating on it! Curry is perfection! And oh my goodness the sides. The miso soup in a cup is wonderful! I love sipping on it! The salad is simple and amazing! The pickled veggies are a great addition! The seaweed and tofu salad is also a wonderful addition to the dish! If you want amazing Japanese food, come to this place! I promise it's a wonderful foodie experience!

Not only is it peacefully, beautiful inside, but the food presentation is spot on, gorgeous! We started with the crispy rice appetizer, which comes with tuna on a bed of crispy rice divided into five pieces. The salmon sashimi bowl had generous proportions of salmon with real ground wasabi and a "flower" made of ginger. Miso soup seems easy to make, but it's hard to get it quite this good. The house sesame salad dressing has a subtle warmth. The chicken cutlet plate is their specialty and I can see why. It's deliciously juicy on the inside, perfectly crispy on the outside, and pairs well with the cool crisp shredded cabbage. The new owners took over around June, '24. Parking is in the back, but they do not validate.

8/10 Overall: I was craving some katsu with curry and this place definitely satisfied my cravings! The dishes here are plated so beautifully and the servers are super attentive and kind! I especially enjoyed the thick and flavorful curry, the huge pieces of karage, and both desserts we got! I also loved the ambiance of the place, perfect for a date night! Pork fillet cutlet curry $23: 5/5 I loved the thickness and flavor of the curry! It went so well with the crispy katsu which had the perfect breading to pork ratio! I also loved the sides it came with! Sukiyaki beef udon $23: 4/5 they really didn't skimp out on the amount of beef! Not only was it so flavorful and tender, it paired beautifully with the savory broth and chewy noodles. The portion was also very hefty. Kara-age $7: 5/5 I loved karage and the pieces are huge! The breading is perfectly seasoned and you have to get the spicy mayo to dip it in! It comes with 5 pieces and is the perfect appetizer to share with the table. Salmon carpaccio $14: 3.5/5 paired with crispy garlic, fresh veggies, and their signature sauce, the fresh salmon melted in my mouth. Next time I'm definitely trying their tuna carpaccio! Black sesame mont blanc $9: 5/5 I love black sesame and this was the best sweet treat with the perfect flavor and texture. The cream was light and fluffy and everything about it tasted like home. A must get!!! Matcha & yuzu cheesecake $9: 5/5 the flavors were so strong which I loved! The matcha was high quality and the yuzu was a delightful sweet and tart combination. The cakes were thick and creamy and overall wonderful.

Gozen Shun has been around for awhile and gone through some changes. They used to serve prepared cold dishes in a display case up front. It was a great way to add some small dishes to hot entrees. Now, they only have food off the menu. This works as well, but they seem to have fairly limited vegetarian/vegan options with this iteration of the restaurant. That being said, I am still giving 5-stars for the following reasons: 1) The quality of the food is beyond reproach. A simple lettuce salad is elevated by a creamy, sesame ginger (I think) dressing. Miso soup is rich, perfectly concentrated, and piping hot which I like. (Can't stand lukewarm soup!) The salad and miso soup are refillable by the way!! just learned this! Tempura is very lightly coated, still crispy but allows the flavor of the unique items - like fresh shiitake, shisho, Japanese yam, and shishito peppers - to shine. Oishii! 2) Service is wonderful. Serving staff are cheerful, friendly, and attentive. They check in enough but don't disturb. 3) Presentation. It is said we eat with our eyes before we place food to mouth. The dishes are always so nicely arranged. I love the simple elegance and beauty: white dishes against a bamboo tray. Ambiance of the restaurant is pleasing: bright and sun-filled during the day, dim and moody at night but still uplifting. Minimalist, monochromatic decor with warm tones, live palm plants add a pop of green and life. It's very soothing. Parking is easy, underground structure. No validation, but none of the stores there offer it. You can also try for street parking. *I would suggest / request that they make more vegan/vegetarian options, especially plant-based proteins. There are the traditional soy-based products like pressed tofu, baked tofu, beancurd skin, etc. And now there are minimally processed options like Meati or Unlimeat.

Now open for lunch, @gozenshun serves beautiful and delicious tasting Japanese Lunch Sets and amazing street snacks as appetizers. You can taste the freshness of each of the plates served and where everything is made inside the restaurant. The restaurant is modern & sleek and it's great that I am always welcomed with smiles as their service is wonderful! This is what we enjoyed for Lunch. Taiko Yaki Chicken Karage Carpaccio w/ Yellow Tail Shrimp Tempura Udon Pork Cutlet Curry Set Unagi Rice Box Jumbo Fried Shrimp Plate Beef Sukiyaki w/ Soft Boil Egg (my fav) By the way, the plated dishes was served with soup, salad with sesame dressing and Japanese pickles. Duo of Cheesecakes Black Sesame Monte Blanc It's refreshing to step into an authentic Japanese Restaurant because you and I know that most of the Japanese and sushi restaurants in the US are run by Korean, Chinese or Thai.

Very yummy Japanese spot in Pasadena! Came here to celebrate something and was delightfully surprised that it was completely empty on a Friday evening. I ordered the beef gyudon dinner and my friend got the katsu dinner. It comes with pickles, miso soup, salad, and a bowl of rice! The gyudon has beef and onions and it's savory and sweet. Pairs well with the rice! The salad comes with a peanut dressing and it's really delicious! We also got a cheesecake to share for dessert but I'm not the biggest cheesecake person. The total came out to about $35 per person. There's restrooms and tables for large parties. Plenty of parking all around- street parking is metered mostly and there's also some lots. For a comfort Japanese meal, I think I would prefer Ducks but it was great to try Gozen Shun! I will definitely come back if I'm craving something here :) Service is really friendly and quick. They're definitely a little more on the pricey side - but I think it really shows in the quality and service. One thing I didn't love was that my entree came out significantly quicker than my friends did so there was a good 10 minutes where I was just waiting haha not ideal but it is what it is

For appetizer we got the crispy rice and hamachi carpaccio. The crispy rice had 5 big pieces, very crispy and flavorful. The hamachi carpaccio was fresh and I liked the crispy onions with it added a good texture. For the main we ordered the sukiyaki beef plate and sashimi assortment plate. The sukiyaki beef was flavorful and a great portion size with sides to form a balanced meal same as the sashimi assortment and it was fresh and great quality.

If there is one thing that the management of Gozen Shun should work on is service. Although nice and friendly, the servers during our visit did not understand the concept of checking back to see how everything is going, refilling water glasses, being attentive to see that no one had napkins...Restaurant 101. That being said, it all starts there. If the food is lack luster, then sometimes the service will make up for it. I will say that the food wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Pretty much, normal, run of the mill Japanese food that really didn't "wow" me at all. The next thing they should work on is the ambiance of the restaurant. I like that they had Japanese music playing, but the decor didn't fit. Empty bottles of wine on the wall doesn't help. And the hallway to the bathroom HAD pictures or something hanging on the wall, but it's now empty. Ambiance 7/10 Service 5/10 Cleanliness 8/10 Bathrooms 7.5/10 Food 7/10 Value 7/10 Will I return? Most likely not

Perhaps you can describe this restaurant as a hole in the wall ! Good Quality Food, good service and Value Pricing !

I had such an amazing experience here. The food and service were so great. Everything from the crispy rice, salmon carpaccio, beef udon and curry katsu were all delicious. The pricing is also very reasonable. The interior is modern but I love how their plates and dishes are traditional style. This place is perfect for lunch time or a nice dinner out. Parking is street parking mostly. I would highly recommend.

The waitstaff was pleasant and helped us make our choices for dinner. Our servers were kind and attentive - they always seemed to know when to refill our water glasses. I appreciated that a great deal. The space is mostly done in black. It's not intimidating but it is a vibe. I loved how intimate it made dining there feel. The price point was a bit off. The wagyu tongue slices were very small portions, nestled in a bunch of sautéed onions. For that, they charge $31. It was tasty but extremely chewy. Gozen Shun gets so many flavors right, though. Their takoyaki is worth writing home about, because their version has a crunchy, super crispy exterior that once sliced into reveals a soft and chewy interior. I loved the mouthfeel of this. The clams stewed in sake was a revelation. We slurped the broth down till there was nothing. This place is walking distance to Lake Avenue, where there are a lot of shops and trendy boutiques you can visit as you do your after-dinner walk. It's wonderfully located and one of Pasadena's better-kept secrets.

I had no idea there was a revamp and new management. The new menu is so good. Wagyu beef tongue slice. 5/5 Kushi katsu: I got the mountain yam, shrimp, and chicken thigh. Chicken thigh was my fave. The Hitsumabushi eel combo was my favorite dish. It hit all the marks for me. Follow the directions to get the best taste. 5/5 Wagyu beef tongue steak also 5/5 Really happy with the new menu. Highly recommend. Park across the street and walk over for free parking.

This establishment is right out of a Hollywood movie as it fits the image of a pretentious, high-ceilinged, big windowed, modern-industrial vibe restaurant that would befit a Pretty Woman scene. Yep, dark tones and sparsely decorated walls just make you feel cold like the architect's house in the Joyluck Club. I guess I eat too much Japanese food as I expected warmth and comfort from familiar food but the atmosphere and the slightly higher prices just made me uncomfortable. I hope this restaurant survives but the atmosphere is a downer and especially when the table next door didn't finish their Salmon Rice dish, boxed it up, paid and left but forgot the box. The server or busboy was quick to clean the table, leaving the box on the table and did not make any effort to go out the door to flag down the diners on the sparsely populated Pasadena Street. This lack of effort really turned me off. We had: - Katsu Skewers of Onion, Shitake Mushroom, Chicken Thigh, Pork Filet, ranging from $3 for a small piece of onion to $8 for the pork filet. Check out the sliver of onion that went for $3. OMG. - Takoyaki for $6. Reasonably priced and worth it. - Miso Clams for $14. Also worth the price. - Salmon and Salmon Roe over Rice at $28; good but pricey - Butter Soy Sauce Scallops for $24 was overcooked and a bit chewy - Hitsumabushi Eel over Rice for $31 was around half of a grilled eel, pricey - Braised Short Rib Special - couldn't remember the price. Reminded us of ox tail stew. The food was all tasty but not memorable knock your socks off. Service needs to be stepped up to make diners feel comfortable in this spartan like techno ambiance.

Clean interior. Choices of sushi combos and plates of katsu. You can get top ups of rice and miso. And bonus free side dishes for posting on social. . Street parking only

This place is under new ownership within the last few months and it seems they have rebranded a bit. Atmosphere is a bit on the darker side, more like for date night, even had a small lamp on each table. The food experience is different, food came out one by one and portions were smaller. These are my thoughts on the must tries. Wagyu Tongue Slice - I'm not a tongue person but this place does it right. It's a bit chewy but not that much and flavors complimented each other. Its delicious. (4.5/5) Takoyaki - Thought this was one of the best takoyaki I've had in America. Dough had a lot of flavor, octopus was super soft and nothing was overpowering. Solid pricing and a must try. (5/5) Edamame - This was basic but was as good as it could be. It's just steamed edamame but it comes in a bamboo basket. (4/5) Wagyu Beef Tongue Steak - They precut beef steak into many little easily cut pieces. The pieces were perfectly cooked and dipped in the many sauces they came with (matcha salt/soy sauce/special wasabi) paired for the perfect bite. Even if you're not a tongue person, this is still delicious. (4.5/5) Wagyu Beef Stew - This was my favorite dish. The beef was so tender and the stew itself had a strong beef flavor. It wasn't overly salted and I easily drank/ate everything. (5/5) Onion Whitebait Swirl Roll - This was a unique roll and not what you may expect. It seemed like a roll with sushi eggs on top or something. It was good but it was also pricey for 6 pieces. (3.5/5) Pork Loin Tonkatsu - I would say the pork loin was a bit on the more cooked/done side, the meat was fairly white and it's not as tender as you may expect. It was good, flavors were on point and they gave you a bunch of sauces to dip it in. Overall alright. (3/5) Hitsumabushi Eel Rice - Make sure to read the menu about how to eat this because there is definitely an ideal way! It comes with some broth you can mix with the rice to make a soup. Eel was super tender and presentation was great coming in a box. It's pricey and portions aren't that big but the food experience is there. (4.5/5) We came on a Friday at 6 pm and it wasn't crowded. People with reservations started coming at 7 pm though and the restaurant was pretty full at that time. Parking -You can easily get parking at the parking structures nearby (kind of pricey) or there was plenty of street parking on the nearby streets about 2 minutes walk from the restaurant. (2 hour limit but unlimited after 6 pm) Overall, I'd come here for a special occasion. Food portions are small and prices are high so you can easily expect to spend anywhere from $50 - $75 per person. Service was on point and attentive. Restaurant was dimly lit and they were blasting anime/japanese music, certainly a vibe.

I came by here again last night with my husband after seeing that they restructured their menu. It's a great menu - super simple. You pick which dish you want and then how you want it - plate, bowl, curry, or noodles. We both got plates. I got the sukiyaki beef plate which comes with a poached egg (I LOOOVE Sukiyaki beef with some creamy egg yolk), miso soup - perfect for a relatively chilly night, rice (PERFECTLY cooked), and two kinds of pickled vegetables as well as a salad with dressing on the side. I have a thing for pickled vegetables to be eaten with Japanese food. It just adds that crisp salty, tart bite that acts almost as a palate cleanser. This is the perfect bento style meal and I intend to come back to try the different variations. It was well priced and the staff is super nice.

My boyfriend and I were excited to come back for their sukiyaki gozen only to find out they got rid of it and changed their menu almost entirely. The whole ambiance of the restaurant has changed too; you have to go up to the counter to order and are then given the choice to eat in or take it togo, and they've added a lot of anime decor which was a bit off-putting.

they changed the concepts 2 times already, and both times it was good. I need to go back for their concept change again! What's consistent is the quality of the food. Price point is okay just for the neighborhood.

My friend and I were looking for restaurants in the nearby area on Sunday afternoon and came across Gozen Shun. I had seen reviews of the restaurant and heard from friends that it was pretty good, so we decided to head over. This restaurant is located right across from the Trader Joe's on the corner of Lake and Cordova. There isn't parking, but if you're fine with walking, you can park at the lot across the street or use the 90 minutes free parking area. Apparently a ton of people had the same idea as we did because the restaurant was packed. It is, granted, a smaller restaurant - but we were asked if we had made reservations. Luckily they did have open seating outside so we braved the minor drizzle and sat outside for lunch. Menu is fairly simple. They offer curry, udon, and gozen sets. I wasn't too into the sets, so I ordered a curry udon with chicken for $21. This also came with a soft-boiled egg. I personally enjoyed this dish, although the price point was a little steep for $21. The chicken seemed like breast-meat and was a bit dry; however, I enjoyed the curry flavor and the chewiness of the udon. I also thought the egg was especially nice. My friend ordered sukiyaki beef gozen which came with an egg as well as some side dishes. For about $26, she thought the flavor was pretty on-point and comparable to Japan. Workers were friendly and efficient. Overall, we enjoyed our lunch at Gozen Shun!

Went here on a random Friday night and it was pretty empty (which was nice bcus I love a quiet restaurant). The service was great. And I loved that we get to pick our own sake cups! Tbh I think this place is a 3 but the takoyaki was sooooo good I would give this place a 5 just for this dish! The takoyaki was so big and crispy and flavorful! I would come here again and just get takoyaki. We also got the chicken wings which was solid. The salmon rice w/ roe was super disappointing. It didn't have much flavor also lacked salmon. It was mainly just rich w/ little tiny bits of salmon. For $30, I wanted a bit more protein. We also got the eel dish. It came with a soup that also lacked flavor and a lot of rich! Maybe our bad for ordering two rice dishes but the proportions were a bit off. Too much rice, such little proteins! For $120+ for two ppl, I probably wouldn't come here again for a full meal but I may just for takoyaki!!

:: Food :: We wanted to order two Salmon and Salmon Roe Rice, but they only had one portion left which was a blessing in disguise because we then opted to order the Hitsumabushi, which was better in my opinion. The grilled eel was so tender and just the right amount of sweet! The salmon rice, on the other hand, was a bit dry and there were clumps of dried rice it seems, I'm not sure if that's normal. The karaage fried chicken was good though, even though it did not come with any sauce. :: Service :: Customer service was great, the servers were nice. Their credit card machine wasn't working that day and thankfully we had cash. :: Parking :: There's a parking garage near the restaurant where you'd have to pay or you can park behind Veggie Grill and it should be free for the first 90 minutes.

Went to Goken Shun for dinner on a Tuesday night. There was no problem getting seated right away. There is underground parking with plenty of spaces and you need a credit card to pay. The restaurant itself is quaint and simple. It felt comfortable and modern at the same time. Service was excellent and made us feel right at home. Now for the food: Iced Green Tea - definitely matcha powder based and was cool and refreshing. Tuna/salmon carpaccio were both amazing. The sashimi was fresh and delicious. The accompanying sauce, vegetables and jalapeño added to the complexity of flavors. Pork Fillet Cutlet Curry - and beautiful presentation. I love the separate curry to pour as much or as little as you want over the cutlet and rice. The cutlet was massive yet moist and tender. The curry was hearty, warm and filling. I loved that the miso soup is served in a cup. I loved the variety of tsukemono. The seaweed salad on top of tofu was light and refreshing. The small salad with the sesame based dressing was fabulous. The dressing needs to be sold because I would buy a bottle or two. Tempura Curry - another beautiful presentation and the only difference is the large and crisp Tempura pieces. My friend ate all of it. She loved the large shrimp and all the tasty vegetables. A fantastic dining experience with even better service. I cannot wait to go back again.

Ordered hamachi sashimi bowl, plating presentation is fine but it was just a bowl of dry rice with few pieces of sashimi on top. Not worth of the price for lunch. Servers also could be better but felt they were rushing us to leave, even in a start of the week empty lunch time. Parking is also not validated within the premises fyi

Gozen Shun's menu changed. No more sushi and bento box style meals. Everything is a la carte, but delicious. Excellent service and the servers were very patient and knowledgeable. Ambiance is modern and classy (good date night or meet-up with friends). I decided on the tofu salad with my sesame dressing on the side with 2 chicken thigh skewers cooked to a crispy perfection. My husband who's not too fond of eel ended up trying the Hitsumabushi, which is fresh grilled eel over rice. Pleasantly surprised he truly enjoyed it! Dessert is a must and he got the Matcha cheesecake while the kitchen surprised me with Sesame Mont Blanc Cake! Both light and fluffy and just the right amount of sweetness. Perfect way to end dinner. Definitely a place to come again!

Simple menu of Japanese fare that is reasonably priced with decent portion size. Parking is either paid lot or metered but it is only short walk from the free 90 minute parking at the shops on lake if you can find parking there. I ordered the curry beef and while I liked the flavors the curry sauce needed to be heated up hotter. It included a small bowl of miso soup, pickles, and salad. We were a party of 4 and everyone enjoyed their food. The unagi in particular was very tasty. Service was friendly and efficient. Simple and comfortable decor with option for outdoor seating. I would come back for another quick lunch.

The Kara-age was the best thing we ate here. 5/5 Would come back just for the Kara-age. Came in on a Friday for lunch with the family. It wasn't very busy. I've been wanting to check this place out ever since I saw people talking about it on Instagram. Unfortunately, the food doesn't taste as good as it seems in the photos. I gave this place a strong 3 out of 5. Although I don't blame them, the service clearly required improvement. My questions about the menu were not answered by the inexperienced personnel. Since they were being taught while we were eating, I knew they were new. Although the personnel was pleasant and helpful, as mentioned by another reviewer, they neglected to replenish our water glasses or napkins. One had to wave them down. The food was decent, not outstanding. It was average. We ordered Hamachi sashimi bowl, pork fillet cutlet plate, sukiyaki beef bowl and Kara-age. Might come back over time. They may improve in the future.

A nice healthy Japanese meal! I like the set gozen meals! The protein (so far I tried chicken and cod) were cooked well. The poached egg is fantastic. Make sure to add it to your meal. It is a pricey meal but for the quality, I recommend it. I say skip the sashimi which is too pricey for what you get. Dessert was ok. Not highly recommended. The rice set meals are the way to go!

Alert: this is authentic Japanese food; the real! Restaurant has reinvented itself re-opening in January 2024. New menu, new decor, and alcohol. Service is same attentive and friendly. Food continues to be exceptionally good. Had the Hitsumabushi eel and it was wonderful. Followed the suggested 3 step protocol and savored the flavors and texture of the unagi, rice, fresh wasabi, green onions, nori, and dashi broth. A delightful journey. Definitely 5/5 highlight. Also had the tofu hot pot that was light and tasty, 4/5. Had to try the Katsu shrimp because the tempura shrimp that they used to serve was all time good. The shrimp was good but didn't like the heavier katsu batter as much as the light tempura batter, 4/5. Had very tasty chicken wing tips 5/5. Like in Japan, portions are small for Americans but quality is large. Savor the goodness. Search for free street and lot parking or pay for lot parking. Will definitely be back!

First time trying this place and it was a nice dinner. I enjoyed the assorted sushi plate I got. The pickles and side dishes that came with it were nice too. You can get refilled on soups and salad which my friends loved. Staff were attentive and helpful. Would come back !

I've been coming here for a few years and still really enjoy this place! Yes it's true the menu has changed over time and management has changed, regardless the food is still tasty and good quality at a fair price. I personally love bento style meals, so this is why I come. I think their tempura is one of the most well done in the area, it's extremely light and crisp but not oily. The presentation of the food is still very thoughtful and cute!

I rmb I was browsing around on Yelp when I came across this place. It has great reviews and the food looks good so I decided to give it a try. I went there on the weekend at night time. The place was spacious and played really relaxing music. Some of the tables are on the smaller side though. I ended up ordering the deep fried pork curry and the sukiyaki set. Both are pretty good. The deep fried pork is crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The curry is not particularly, although I still think curry house (not longer in business) was better. The sukiyaki beef came with a few side dishes that was nice. I have to say though, I didn't taste much of the truffle that was mentioned in the menu. Aside from the food, I particularly like the plates and bowls since they use good quality ceramics which enhance the dining experience. As far as service, there's only 1 waitress mainly. She's still kind of new but pretty friendly, so there may be a bit of a wait if you need assistance. Overall, if you want a nice relaxing quality meal, this place would be a good option. And of course, it might be a bit pricy like others mentioned but I guess you get what you paid for

Cute little eatery. Is on the pricy side, but presentation and service are great. I can tell they put a lot of care into how they prepare and serve their food. Location isn't the best because you have to pay for parking in the lot. Getting parking on Lake is pretty slim pickings.

I really wanted to like this place, but all I can say is I was disappointed. First of all, my mother's food came out very quickly. The miso soup was totally cold. We told the server, who took it back. It did not come back hot for a half an hour. My food did not come out for another 25 minutes. I ordered salmon -- it was cold. I told the server it was cold. I told him I was so upset that my mother was done with her food and because I was hungry I ate the rest of her food. I put my tray on the table next to mine because my food was cold -- This place is very very average and overpriced....just don't do it...

daisiki Gozen shun! I did really enjoy the previous menu format, but I think the simplified comfort options really allow the restaurant and sensei to shine. The cutlet is made to order and succulent. The udon noodle is appropriately chewy and the curry is heartwarming. And I hear sensei is going to put curry udon on the menu going forward .... let's go!!!!!

Got to transport back to Japan for a quick lunch eating here! Gozen Shun offers some different Japanese dishes than your typical sushi! They have a salmon ikura bowl, other sashimi bowls, sukiyaki beef, udon, curry, and all their main dishes come with side dishes which reminded me so much of dining in Japan plus the offerings are on the healthy but not healthy gross side if you know what I mean! Their staff was also really sweet and the restaurant is very clean and aesthetic. I felt great after eating here!

I have never been to the previous version of this restaurant so my review is simply reviewing the current iteration. As someone from Osaka, I can confirm this is an authentic Japanese restaurant with home style dishes and legit kushikatsu (of which is a bit lighter due to less batter and more panko crusted instead). The portions are normal (not "small") and is intended for various items to try and share. We went on Valentine's Day for a special meal, recommended by my foodie friend, and it was packed. The staff set the tone with a glass of complimentary champagne! The ambiance was much nicer and modern than I expected -- so cute, dim and vibey. My husband and I ordered: - 6x kushi katsu skewers: onion, mushroom, scallop, mountain yam, shrimp -- all v good and lighter than what you may get at other spots. The condiments were also unique (I have never had matcha salt before!). - Unagi yanagawa: first time trying this Fukuoka dish, made with simmered eel with strips of burdock root covered in egg. It was very comforting and tasty. Next time we will ask for a small bowl of rice on the side to enjoy it with. - Cabbage salad and Shishito peppers were perfect veggie sides. Big portion. - Chicken wings were also excellent and ate them fast bc they were hot and crispy so no photo haha - Ichiko yuzu drink was delicious and refreshing! It was surprising they couldn't accommodate hot water with ichiko so hopefully they buy a electric kettle for those who'd like shochu with warm water. ~ Pricing was fair for 2 people with drinks ($116 not including tip). We were satisfied and did not have room for dessert! "Onaka ippai" hehe Eel is expensive so the pricing is totally fair for this delicacy. It's doubtful you can make that at home! Service was relaxed and reminiscent of Japan. For those who are in a rush, please be considerate. This isn't fast food and it's a cultural difference and potential language barrier - not a personal dis to you. Also to note - much of Japan menus are seasonal, so this may be why items change or perhaps they are also testing to see what people like. Thank you for the delightful and memorable meal! We will see you again soon!

Coming back from Japan and craving the foods again, I have been meaning to try Gozen Shun and what better time than to than now. The parking situation is a bit difficult with primarily street parking, but there is a few free street parking around the surrounding neighborhoods. The staff was very sweet and attentive and we were sat very quickly. I had ordered their sukiyaki beef set, which came with a salad, and egg for the sukiyaki, Miso soup, and a few different types of veggies. Overall, it was very good and reminded me of japan. The flavors were not that strong and it definitely hits the spot. My only gripe about this was that it felt only slightly better to the sukiyaki I could get in the fast food shops in Japan. Coming here and getting it at around a 30$ price tag does put me off, but if you are looking for a fix for these types of meal, this place definitely can offer. Of course, the ice cream was just as stunning and amazing, and honestly preferred it more compared to the food. The caramel was a nice touch and the ice cream was creamy. 10/10