Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr

Stopped by this cozy little spot for a quick lunch and was pleasantly surprised by the quality and care put into their Special Tempura Plate. The tempura was light, crispy, and not greasy at all--exactly how it should be. The plate came with a nice variety: shrimp, fish, sweet potato, pumpkin, and other seasonal veggies. Each piece had a clean crunch and held onto just enough of the house-made sauce without getting soggy. The shrimp was plump and tender, and the veggies still had a bit of bite to them, which I appreciated. It also came with a perfectly cooked bowl of rice and a side of miso soup, rounding out the meal nicely. The space is small but clean and welcoming. Service was friendly, and food came out pretty quickly even during the lunch rush. If you're in the mood for solid, well-executed tempura in a chill setting, this place is worth a visit.

This place was recommended by my neighbor who works around Pasadena. Food, ambience and service were all very good. The tempura were fresh and cooked perfectly; my family really enjoyed it. The only caution is to be sure your party is all present or else they will not seat you.

Authentic Japanese Tempura and Udon, Worth the Wait! Very smalls establishment but boy, do they do their food right. I was extremely impressed by how simple but effective their menu is. Tempura was fried to perfection with large shrimps, pumpkin, egg, and veggies in a mild batter. Udon broth was flavorful and was the perfect complement. We even ordered Yellowtail Sushi for the heck of it, and WOW, were we surprised on how good it actually was! Cannot recommend this place more, it was amazing. Service can be a little slow with different dishes coming out at random times but please be patient with them, its a small place dedicated to serving authentic mom n pops style Japanese food.

I have no problem with their food, but their service was terrible. While so many seats were open, we had to wait for 30 minutes more than what Yelp told us to come back. Because our server was not good at English, my friend got the order wrong even though my friend pointed out the order from the menu and our server came back to confirm our orders again. Since we were seated outside, it was hard to catch servers and had to go inside to ask what we need, for stuff like check and wrong order. And later the chef at the sushi bar gave my friend attitude as if we are going to do something too. They need to improve the service.

Our first time trying. We both had the Tempura and Cold Soba combo. It was excellent! Just like in Japan. Servers were nice and helpful. No reservations, Yelp wait list only. Public parking is a block north or behind the building.

There tends to be a 20-30 minute wait, both because the restaurant is cozy with limited seating and also the popularity. But it is definitely worth the wait, some of the best tempura I have ever had. The radish dipping sauce goes perfectly with the tempura, and the miso soup is top tier. The plate is presented amazingly and leaves you completely satisfied rather than overly stuffed. Staff are very friendly, overall great experience.

This place is so highly rated. I agree this food is good, but I got tempura-d out. It's a lot of fried food for me. I had a party of six people. We waited and waited until it got close to 8 PM. They let us stay in line and still served us even though it was getting close to closing time at 8:30 PM. At first they split our party into two tables. Then a table opened up, and they let us combine our tables together. After waiting in line for so long, the Carlos tempura roll $18.99 tasted soo good. This one came out first. We finished this so quickly. Each meal comes out on a tray. I got the special tempura bowl $18.99. This was delicious. I liked the mixed seafood. The servers are really nice. Parking - find street parking in downtown Pasadena or you can pay for parking in a structure.

Finally got to try the Pasadena location, I remember when it used to be in Torrance which was a far drive. I got the special tempura bowl which had white Fish, 2 Shrimp, Pumpkin, Kakiage (Mixed Seafood Tempura), Seaweed, Shishito Pepper, Half Boiled Egg and side of Miso Soup. It was so good, it had the perfect amount of sauce enough for the tempura and bowl. I didn't feel like it was too oily and the tempura was good and crispy. It is a small restaurant so not too much seating but has indoor and outdoor seating. They serve rice, tempura, udon, soba noodles, sushi, rolls, and more.

Love love love this place! My bf and I frequent this place as they have options for protein. My bf is allergic to seafood and this place is able to sub it and from the bowls/plates. Make sure to get the sauce too! The service is pretty quick when you get there early. They have patio seating on the weekends so you can also bring your dog. They only do bowls for takeout! Overall, the flavors are great and the sushi is also good.

My buddy told me about this place and I finally got to try it. There was a wait, but not too long for Saturday evening dinner. I probably waited about 20-25 minutes or so for a party of 5. My buddy said that wasn't too bad because he waited upwards on an hour before when it was still new. The food is good, I'm Japanese, and I approve of it. The chef used to work for another popular Japanese restaurant and was also trained in Japan. So, it makes sense why it tastes like authentic Japanese tempura even though he isn't Japanese I ordered the medium fatty tuna bowl + tempura combo ($30 + tax) The bowl came with 5 pcs of fatty blue fin tuna over rice. Tempura included 3 pc of shrimp, 1 pc of pumpkin and 1 pc of shishito pepper. I also ordered an extra tempura (eel, $11 + tax). The rice they use in the bowl is very good, I assume it's from Japan versus the Japanese rice grown in California. Although the food was good, paying $45 + tip (20%) is very pricey for what it is. $54 in total with tip. I don't mind coming here again, but I don't think I'll come here often or anytime soon because I don't think the food is extraordinary enough to spend $54 for the amount of food you get. It's crazy because this price doesn't even include a drink. After this meal, I still had enough room for 2 scoops of gelato at a nearby spot in Old Town Pasadena and also got a combo meal at Dave's! This rare that I'm still hungry after spending nearly $55 at a restaurant. Because of this, I have to give this place a 4-star. $55 is too much to spend to not get decently full. Also, not one time did the waiter check if we wanted any more water or extra items. Maybe I should have tipped in the range of 10-15%. Oh well.

When it comes to Japanese food, tempura is not the first thing that comes to mind when I think of my favorites. However, with Tendon Tempura Carlos Junior, I'll make an exception. The space is small and intimate, with less than 30 seats in-house which can often lead to a wait during peak hours. However, judging from the willing parties who do wait, it's well worth it! I had the Tempura Udon Combo Set which came with 3 shrimp, pumpkin, shishito pepper, and seaweed. The tempura was fried to perfection in a way I've never experienced before; the batter was light, crispy and enhanced the ingredients nicely. I opted for the udon to be served cold, and was glad I did, because the noodles were so refreshing and paired fantastically with the dipping sauce. My husband had the special tempura bowl which came with mixed seafood tempura, and other fixings, which he enjoyed nicely as well. But the real cherry on top of this excellent dining experience? For music, they were blasting X-Japan in the restaurant. I may have been calmly eating tempura on the outside, but my inner Japanese-rock, visual kei fangirl was head banging the entire time.

I'm a HUGE fan of the original location and was ecstatic to hear that one has opened up closer to me in Pasadena. Only until recently have I had the chance to go, since I've heard horror stories about the wait. It's been about a year or so now and there's still a wait. For context, my friends and I dined here on a weekday and our group of 3 had around a 20 minute wait and we came shortly after they just opened. Also, FYI, the check in tablet is underneath their laminated info flyer on the podium stand. You have to flip it up. We were dummies and didn't read the entire thing... We did the patio dining since it was the quickest option for seating, but it can get crowded too. This location is quite small. We got the: 1) Carlos Tempura Roll with Ikura: -It's a California roll with lobster kakiage (mixed tempura) and fish roe on top. -Everyone loved this and it comes with extra tempura powder on the side. Goes great with the sweet teriyaki-like sauce that is drizzled on it, but can never go wrong with adding in soy sauce and wasabi (it's not the cheap tube wasabi, but it's not grated horse radish either). 2) Special Tempura Plate: -This comes with a side of rice, miso soup, and the grated radish tempura sauce. -The actual tempura includes: white fish, 2 shrimp, pumpkin, kakiage (mixed seafood tempura), seafood, shishito pepper, and half boiled egg. -Obviously not the easiest dish to share amongst 3 people, but we weren't super hungry and wanted to sample a little bit of everything. -Honestly, the bowl is definitely more eye catching and filling from what I remember. However, it's still nice to dip and enjoy the tempura with the sauce. -Everything is delicately crisp without being too oily and the tempura isn't super doughy or thick, accentuating the shrimp (though the tails were really sharp and not edible like other restaurants as what my friend stated). The quality and taste are there, but it just wasn't as much of WOW factor as my first visit to the original location. It took a bit longer for the rolls to come out in comparison to the plate and the dry was bit overcooked and mushy. I don't mind giving them another visit, but my default will always be the OG.

I. Love. TEMPURA!! This place had such amazing quality tempura that I'm dreaming of the next time we'll be visiting!! My partner and I walked in on a Monday afternoon and there was no wait, and were seated immediately by the most nicest waitress! It is a small, quiet establishment and felt very cozy! We also love the story of how the place was founded. Our food came out very fast and loved the presentation and the table complements (marinated veggie of some kind, ginger, soy sauce, and something else) FOOD: -Deluxe Tempura -Green Tea We are gonna visit as soon as we have another cheat day from our Keto diets!! Thank you!!

Super crispy, flaky, and fresh tempura! Came here during their soft opening last year and have been back multiple times since :) This place has a limited number of tables available compared to their Torrance location, so the wait time can vary depending on the day/time of when you go. Thankfully, the most I've had to wait was ~25 minutes. What I've ordered here so far: 1) Premium Tempura Bowl: Visually looks stunning! This bowl includes a variety of seafood tempura, half boiled egg and miso soup. However, since the tempura is covered in sauce and is placed on top of a bowl of warm rice, the tempura itself is not as crispy as I would have preferred. Would highly recommend ordering the Premium Tempura Plate instead if you want your tempura to be crispy! Has the same exact ingredients as the bowl, but the rice and sauce are provided on the side. My friend ordered the plate option and both of us agreed that it was the better option. 2) Tempura & Soba (Udon) Combo: A great option to consider as you get a small plate of crispy tempura AND your choice of either soba or udon.

My favorite tempura spot in CA! I got the special tempura bowl, and the batter is crispy, the selection of seafood is really good, and you can tell that it's all great quality. It's perfectly saucy and had such a great balance of flavors. I really need to make the drive out here more often just to get their tempura bowls!

Tendon Tempura Carlos Junior is seriously a spot to try! The food here was exceptionally delicious, I tried the Special Shrimp Tempura Bowl and was blown away, everything was fried to the perfect crispiness, I love the sauce in the bowl. The food may be good but the wait isn't sadly. The place is small so it's hard to accommodate a lot of people at once but the staff does their best to get you seated. I was pretty disappointed that our table ended up being outside the restaurant where it was cold and dark but on the bright side, I'm glad I still got seated and a chance to try a tendon bowl. I kept hearing people raving about this spot so I definitely had to go try it for myself but hopefully the next time I'm back, it'll be less of a wait and I'll get an inside table to enjoy my meal!

This is good tempura (lightly fried), but overall, I feel like it leaves a little bit more to be desired. Initially I came by when they recently opened, but the wait was crazy. I returned back months later and decided to go near opening to reduce the probability of waiting a long time. Since then, they also have outdoor seating. Overall, I think portion-wise, it is reasonable and relatively light with about 4-5 pieces of fried tempura / veggies for the main entree. I liked how authentic it felt with pickled veggies. (+): good service Authentic experience (-): Long waits would reduce my likelihood of returning Tips- Come by near opening to reduce wait times.

Amazing spot for your tempura cravings! Lots of street parking however the wait can be a bit long. We waited 40min for a party of 2 for Saturday lunch so that should be expected. I got the tempura plate with cold soba and my friend got the tempura plate with hot udon. Both were delicious! The tempura is uniquely crispy and savory. They also do something special to the radish within the tempura sauce that makes it so so good! Both the soba and udon were delicious. Very savory and a hint of sweetness. Highly recommend checking this spot out!

This is the best tempura spot I've ever had! Parking can be difficult since there are only a couple parking spaces in front and around the restaurant. However, there is street parking and a nearby parking structure too! This restaurant is extremely small so don't be surprised if there is a waitlist! I went on a Monday at 6:30pm so there were only 3 parties ahead of me. I only waited 15 minutes BUT I'm pretty sure it'll be an hour wait on the weekends. The menu had a nice variety of sushi and tempura options, ranging from $20+. Service was friendly but not too attentive (which is why i gave it 4 stars instead of 5!) It's hard to get the staff's attention for water refills or just paying the bill. Keep in mind that the Tempura Plate and Tempura Bowl are pretty the same BUT the tempura and rice are served separately on the plate whereas tempura and rice are combined in the bowl. Also, the Plate costs an extra $1 compared to the Bowl. The Special Tempura Plate ($21.99) consisted of White Fish, 2 Shrimp, Kakiage (Mixed Seafood Tempura), Pumpkin, Seaweed, Shishito Peppers, Half Boiled Egg, Rice, and Miso Soup. The Tempura was phenomenal! It was so lightly battered and super crispy without being too salty or greasy! My favorite was definitely the Kakiage (squid) and shrimp! The shrimp and squid were pretty fresh and flavorful! The egg combined into the rice made it so delicious! My least favorites were the peppers and pumpkin but that's only because I don't like peppers or pumpkin. This was definitely 9/10. The miso soup was quite nice and not too salty! This was 8/10 Would definitely recommend and return!

Entered and seated right away! There is a parking lot in the back with the entrance on Green street, and then scan a QR code at the door to validate your parking. The ten-don was so good. It was battered so well and didn't taste heavy at all. Seasoning was on point. Breaking and mixing the soft boiled egg into the rice at the end with a dash of the chili powder just solidified the whole dish. I tried my friend's soba and it was super refreshing and the sauce was really light and flavorful. Definitely worth coming back here!

Prepare for a long line when you here. We waited around 50 minutes Saturday lunch. Get here when they first open or on a weekday for a better wait time. Pretty small traditional Japanese restaurant. There's a couple of tables inside with 2-3 outside seating options, there's bar side seats as well which is the best seats in my opinion. They are most known for their tempura. You can order the tempura bowls alone or get a combination with soba or udon. I got the udon combo but in the future might get the soba next time because of how tasty it is! Not that the udon isn't good but the soba definitely out tastes in comparison. The tempura is light, crispy and so flavorful. They serve it with a tempura sauce with grated radishes and it's absolutely divine. It can take a while for you to get your food because they fry it as you order. Be patient the food is definitely worth the wait. 10/10 would recommend. Please try if you haven't!

Pre Mother's Day Celebration. Ordered the following: Special Tempura x 3 Tempura and Udon The flavors are not bad and I enjoyed my dipping sauce with the tempura. They fry it light and the dish must be eaten onsite for peak freshness. This time I decided to go with the Tempura and Udon instead of the Special Tempura Bowl. The place is quaint and parking can be a fuss but there is a parking lot one block away that you can park for $1 an hour. Tendon Tempura is a solid restaurant.

Severely overhyped. 45 min wait for one person on weekday during early dinner time. Service was non-existent after they take your order. It seemed like they were so short staffed/bored of their jobs (they had time to tell each other jokes while standing around) that they avoid eye contact with you so you can't wave them down. I ordered the deluxe tempura set with rice and a cold soba noodle on the side. The tempura set came with miso soup but unfortunately the bowl that the soup was in, had bleach/dishwashing soap residue so it was inedible. Which, I would have let them know about but they were actively ignoring customers and instead chatted amongst themselves. Portions were small but because the star of the show; the tempura, wasn't much to write home about (batter was not crispy, lacked flavor and some pieces were even soggy), a blessing in disguise. I haven't been to their original location in Torrance but after this experience at their Pasadena location, doesn't make me curious at all.

One of my new favorite restaurants!!! The food was amazing, and the service was equally pleasant. The staff are extremely friendly--and all Japanese speakers as well. The only critique I can offer is that the wait time was inaccurate. It was listed as approximately 14-29 minutes, but we ended up waiting over 45 minutes. That said, I think people were just taking their time eating on this particular day, so I wouldn't fault the restaurant. The place itself feels homey and genuinely reminds me of a restaurant in Japan. Shrimp Tempura Bowl - $21.99 (5/5): The miso soup has a unique flavor that might not be for everyone--it includes mushrooms and cilantro. The tempura is crispy, and the shrimp tastes incredibly fresh with a perfect texture. The sauce comes with a ball of daikon, which pairs deliciously with the tempura. Tempura Plate - $21.99 (5/5): A generous portion, with plenty of rice and tempura. The person I went with ended up taking some of it to-go. Sashimi + Tempura Combo - $29.99 (5/5): The sashimi bowl was delicious! I chose salmon, which was soft, fresh, and not fishy at all. The portion was large--I managed to finish it, but it could definitely be shared between two people (assuming neither is too hungry, haha). Yellowtail Handroll - $14.99 for 2 during lunch special (4/5): It's delicious, but a tiny bit pricey for the portion size--especially if you're not getting it during the lunch special. It's on the sweeter side, which I love. Definitely worth a try.

Waitlist: Check in on your iPad. A text notification will be sent when your table is ready. Usually, there are about 1-2 groups waiting outside depending on the day and time. Parking: Street parking or, if you're lucky enough, there could be an open space to park at El Porto restaurant, then walk through the store alleyway to the front of the restaurant. Combo, small tempura bowl and soba: Oh my god, I loved how light the batter and crispy the coating was on the veggies. Best tempura I've ever had! Chilled buckwheat noodles were perfect on a sunny day, they do fill you up! They had good amount of noodles to fill you up, but not too much! Service: On the slower side, there is a smaller staff, but they are friendly and attentive.

Premium Tempura Plate 5/5 Vegetable Tempura with Ikura 5/5 Jumbo Shrimp Udon 5/5 Cold Udon 5/5 Spicy California Roll 5/5 Spicy Tuna Roll 5/5 Service 5/5 Atmosphere 4/5 Overall 5/5 We visited for an early Sunday family dinner around 4:45 pm. We came early to avoid the wait! There was no wait since we came so early. I definitely recommend coming earlier or later to be seated immediately. The space itself is much smaller than the Torrance location so I can imagine the wait can get pretty long. I've been to the Torrance location before and all the food at the Pasadena location is just as excellent. Every single tempura is fried to perfection, crispy, but not overdone, savory, and somehow not too oily for being completely fried. The udon was chewy and fresh - we ordered hot and cold, and both were equally enjoyed. The Jumbo Shrimp Udon had 2 giant fried shrimp tempura. Even the Spicy Tuna and Spicy California rolls stood out and were immediately gobbled down as our appetizers. As a group the favorite tempura pieces were the giant fried eel, jumbo shrimp, and pumpkin. I can't wait to come back and try more tempura!

3.3/5 stars Service and management- understaffed with one waitress, she was nice but seemed to be handling too much at one time. The kitchen staff also don't seem to be very happy there, I worry about the management at this restaurant Food- delicious fry on the tempura! Not a fan of the tempura shrimp (tasted like they smashed it) though. Next time I'll get the veggie tempura bowl with ikura! The ikura was delicious and the veggies are fried to a crisp. Parking- superrr hard to find unless you're lucky to find a spot in front of the restaurant. If not I'd park at target or street parking (crossing fingers). Ambiance- bare bones tables, chairs, lighting. Again with the management, I wish they put more thought and care for the ambiance, staff, and service.

Our first time trying. We both had the Tempura and Cold Soba combo. It was excellent! Just like in Japan. Servers were nice and helpful. No reservations, Yelp wait list only. Public parking is a block north or behind the building.

Delicious food and great service. One of the best tempura places I've ever been to. Everything was perfectly cooked especially the fish and scallops!

Pretty solid good food overall, with the tempura being a great ratio of batter. The shrimp was very large and meaty. I also really enjoyed the ikura and salmon bowl pairing. Everything was fresh overall. Worth a visit but note to come early. It's clear they are understaffed with food taking up to 15 to 20min wait and staff wasn't attentive enough for those of us seated outside. We weren't checked up on by the staff the full time we were out there and it was clear that they were very backed up just getting food.

Maybe it's not my cup of tea, but I wasn't impressed by the tempura. Service was good and the spot itself is cozy.

Japanese tempura fried to perfection! If you are a fan of tempuras, this is a place worth checking out. Located in an alleyway on Colorado, this restaurant is small, but offers a few outdoor seating with heat lamps available. The wait can be long, so it may be preferred to go with a smaller group or to plan in advance. Simple, no frill restaurant that offers a variety of tempura combinations along with some sashimi items as well. They also have beer and sake available, but you can't order these if you are seated outside on the patio. I opted for a tempura and soba combo, which comes with three shrimps, pumpkin, seaweed, and shishito pepper, along with a choice of hot or cold udon or soba. I decided to get cold soba at the recommendation of the waitress, and it was a good call. The soba was served with a dipping sauce that paired well with the plain chewy soba noodles, which was nice and refreshing. The amount of soba given was deceiving, since it is plated on a raised box to drain any excess water, as opposed to filling the whole box. The portion may be small for dinner/large eaters. Overall, even though I'm not a big tempura fan, it's nice to know that a tempura don spot exists nearby. I might return if the wait isn't too long and I'm in the neighborhood craving some lightly battered tempura.

Heard about this place for quite some time. The chef came from another restaurant that was very famous for its tempura and he didn't disappoint. The food was delicious but I wish the portions were bigger. The prices are slightly outrageous for the amount of food they give you but I guess they try to push quality over quantity is my assumption? Majority of the table ordered one of their combinations which comes with a few pieces of tempura and either a side of a rice bowl, sober bowl, or udon Bowl. The bowls are on the mini side. For the combination after tax and tip, each of us spent a ballpark of $45 without any drinks. Never thought I would spend that much on the quantity of food that came in for what it was but it was definitely good? Normally this would probably be a place I would frequent just based off of how good it was but I'm not sure I can justify the cost for what it is when anywhere you go for similar type of food would be closer to half the cost. Every single one of us left saying that we could have easily eaten more.

I would like to give this restaurant 2.5 to 3 stars. Everything about the restaurant is mediocre, except for the food which deserves 4 stars. My party of 4 waited about 25 minutes to be seated, which we found to be reasonable considering the size of the restaurant's interior and the timing (it was a weekend). I was not too impressed by the decor in the restaurant, which looked quite plain, nor was I impressed by the smell. The aroma of chemicals or "somewhat old bathroom" rather than "delicious tempura" permeating the air was a bit disappointing and contributed to the mildly dingy feeling of the restaurant. Service in both the front and back of the house are quite slow. In the front of the house, only 2 individuals were working on a Sunday afternoon. While safety is important in a slightly smaller establishment like this, I felt that their movements were leisurely rather than efficient, and this contributed to how quickly (or slowly) tables were available for waiting customers. The attitudes of the staff were generally friendly but perhaps a bit casual or nonchalant. At the end of the meal, I was asked to pay and the server walked away afterwards without any "thank you" or mention of a receipt. The rest of my party then asked why I had tipped so generously (more than 15%, but I wonder if it was appreciated). The food is authentic, and I have eaten tempura bowls with a very similar taste in Japan as well as Taiwan, where tendon restaurants are aplenty. All of the usual players are present in the Special Bowl (shrimp, scallop, pumpkin, nori, and my sadly not-soft-boiled egg) and taste as expected. The tare provides a delicately salty-sweet flavor for the rice and tempura. The portion size was a bit disappointing for the price but it was enough for my lunch appetite. I also wanted to note that it took approximately 30 minutes to receive my food...which is not ideal, but I will give the back of the house the benefit of the doubt and assume they are carefully preparing each dish to order. Glad to have tried this restaurant since I have been eyeing it since its opening, but disappointed with the results.

It might seem simple, but they make the tempura so damn good here! The batter is so airy, light, crunchy, and flavored inside. Usually tempura is a second thought as an appetizer, but the main thing here is their tempura entrees. I came with a friend at 11am right when they opened and there was no wait at all (unlike the reviews I've been reading here). We both ordered the Combo, which came with Small Tempura Bowl with Soba/Udon ($20.99). We also both added the Kakiage ($3.99), which is tempura squid. For the soba/udon, you also have a hot or cold option. My friend and I both got the udon but one hot and one cold. They also offer two pickled sides on each table along with some tempura sauce and spices. Let me just say that I was blown away by how delicious this bowl of tempura was paired with some smoothing and refreshing noodles. This is so simple, but so good. It's one of the closest things you can get to Japan without traveling there. Love the tempura here!

Came right when they opened and seated promptly. Good service. Prices were on the high side. I'd been wanting to try this place since hearing about the Torrance location, so was glad to see one open closer to us. Unfortunately stray I thought it might be a bit hyped up in my mind -- tempura was good and fried well, but nothing amazing. Personally I found it Not as good as Uchi and Inaba Restaurant in Torrance, which is had just tried and was blown away by. Solid food though

Located near downtown Pasadena. It's close to Oh LaLa and a Target. It's a pretty casual area to get a decent meal around Pasadena. The service was fine but I would recommend coming early to sign up for the waiting list to avoid the long wait times. I got the soba tempura combo and it was pretty good. I felt like the meal hit the spot after a long day wandering around Pasadena with some friends. I would say that the tempura batter is a bit thicker so it had more chew than crunch to it. Besides that, it was fine. Overall, I would come back here to eat if I'm craving a tempura-related meal with some friends.

I heard great things about this restaurant, so I was really excited to try it! I expected it to be sensational, but it was unfortunately disappointing. Expect to wait a long time, and the food also takes a while to prepare. Don't get me wrong, I love tempura. However, it is a fairly bland meal. We both got the premium tempura plate, and it comes with a good assortment of fried pieces. I tried substituting one of the items but the server didn't allow me to, but I think that's reasonable considering it is a set menu. while the food is nice and crispy, the sauces don't make up for the lack of flavor, so you end up with a one dimensional meal. The service is just okay, and there is just some street parking in front. I honestly think there are a lot of better restaurants in Pasadena, so I don't think ill be back.

Came here on a weeknight and the wait was super long. We waited for a little over an hour but I think it may be because we were a group of 4 and the place is very small so the worker was trying to wait for more table to open up to accommodate us. I ordered the premium tempura plate and I got very full as it came with miso soup, bowl of rice, an egg, and several different tempuras. The tempuras were made fresh and tasted very good quality, almost like Japan's standards.

I loved tempura from the very first time I had it back in my late single-digit years. And chances are that if you (yes, you) are reading this, you probably love tempura too. But no one loves tempura like how (and founding chef Carlos Pinto) loves tempura. We didn't even know this place existed, only happening upon it as we walked downtown Pasadena in a cold, hungered determination; almost daring something to call out to us and steal our hearts. Noticing an outside crowd/queue nearly double the size of its dining room's capacity, we identified the green flags before our feet had even braked to a complete stop to read their self-evidently specialized menu. But better than any billboard or marketing strategy were the windows into the dining room itself. Whether piled in bento boxes with cold soba or in ghibliesque bowls of hot udon, everyone here was visibly enjoying picture-perfect portions of the namesake tempura. After a relatively short wait, we too were on the other side of the painting: Having spent the last hour walking 1.5 miles in the evening chill (with moderate incline), I was hung up on a want- no, a need for hot broth. And having spent the entirety of our wait for our table trying not to ogle every coquettishly-crossed pair of genuinely-jumbo shrimp tempura, I aptly ordered the Jumbo Shrimp Soba for myself while bbgirl got the enviable Premium Tempura Plate; an absolute education in tempura-battered including half boiled egg, white fish, pumpkin, scallop, shishito pepper, and more. As I've previously observed, places whose aesthetic splits the difference between "no frills" and "doing the most" tend to offer some of the utmostly rewarding dining experiences. TTCJ absolutely embodies this phenomena as the casual minimalism is the intention that frames the message: you will crave this place and then you will crave it again.

I've heard so many great things about this tempura restaurant from so many people so I decided to give it a try. Bluefin tuna was as fresh as it can get! Honestly I wasn't really expecting much since this restaurant is known more for their tempura but this hit the spot. Cold soba + tempura plate was honestly so refreshing. Fatty, crunchy, sweet and acidic... then you got the el dente bite from the noodles The fried shiso with uni was also very good but a little on the pricey side which is understandable since it's uni. We honestly didn't really wait that long but was shocked to see how busy it was on a Wednesday night. The tempura is probably one of the best I've had so far.. there's something special about this batter where it didn't taste overly greasy and it had this crackling crisp to it. I'd definitely come back.

When I heard this place, I was immediately drawn in by the interesting name -def read it as Carl's Junior the first time and had to do a double take. This is the second location of this restaurant, I believe, with the first location being in Torrance. It's located on a slightly quieter street in Downtown Pas but still close enough to the lively crowds on Colorado. Prob one of my fave tempura places in LA/the States so far and I loveeee soba so extra brownie points. They're known for their tempura and I was really excited to try it after my trip to Japan last year. It's light, subtly flavored, not too oily or greasy, and not too much breading. You can choose from different tempura combos - I've tried and enjoyed premium tempura combo (with the soba) but I'm sure you can't go wrong. You can get the soba hot or cold and both are great. On the doorway of the restaurant, there's a little infographic showing you how to enjoy the tempura properly with the sauce and radish! I've also tried the hot beef soba, which is so comforting on a cold night. It's flavorful but not too heavy or oily. Service is super friendly. I recommend going early and putting your name on the waitlist (ipad in front of the restaurant) because the line gets long, the flow of customers is not too fast, and there's not too much seating in the restaurant. There's parking in a structure nearby but I've always just found street parking.

Came on a Saturday right before the lunch rush and there was already a line! They have a electronic waitlist system where you can put down your name to save your spot, so definitely make sure you put your name down. The place is small so there are limited tables, especially if you have a large party. We waited about 15-20 minutes in like and were seated. The menu is pretty simple and offers a variety of tempura bowls/plates and soup bowls. Of course we came to try their tempura and opted to go with their special tempura bowl. We had asked what's the difference between the bowl and plate (about a dollar difference), and were told that the plate has a bit more rice and the tempura is serve on a plate. Because they make things fresh, it does take a bit of time for the food to get served. We debated getting another dish in case it wasn't enough food, but glad we did not! The bowls were more than enough with a good proportion of rice to tempura. The tempura came out pipping hot and crispy. You also get a small bowl of miso soup which helps to round out all the flavors (savory, salty, and sweet). The meal was definitely worth the wait so if you're in the area definitely check it out!

Now I don't have to go to Little Tokyo for delicious tempura, udon and soba. The tempura is crispy perfection. Hot soba is a much appreciated option in addition to cold soba and hot udon. The beef udon rivals Monzo in Little Tokyo for taste. The wait can get long on the weekend, but it's to be expected and not different from goin downtown.

Came on a Sunday afternoon and had to give this a try!! I've heard great things about their other locations and was sooo happy to find out there's this new location in Pasadena! The restaurant offers a small intimate space with indoor and outdoor seating. We waited about 15 minutes before being seated! I ordered the udon and tempura combo, which was perfect for someone like me because I love getting to try a little bit of everything! The tempura is of course their signature dish! The tempura was crunchy, yet not too oily!! Delicious!! The udon was the perfect balance to offset the tempura when I needed a break! The udon broth had good flavor, simple yet very well done!! Would definitely recommend! Loved this place and am so happy it's here in Pasadena!

We actually love the tempura bowl here. The one with the rice small bowl set had two tempura and fried egg with the special sauce drizzle over the rice, super yummy. The cold soba dipping was another favorite of mine. The salmon sashimi was pretty fresh. Would like to try the Carlos roll next time. They have another store in Torrance mitsuwa food court.

came here on a whim. we were literally the last table to be seated before they closed the standby line so glad we made the cut. its a small little joint, maybe about half the size of the original carlos junior in torrance. i love japanese food as much as the next guy, and i usually fawn over it but this place didnt do it for me. the food itself wasn't too shabby but couple things. the california roll was sauced down. never seen that before haha. and the teriyaki chicken was tempura fried! was actually quite good and i would order it again. the sashimi seemed fresh. annnnnd for the most part, the tempura batter just seemed really heavy. at the end of the meal, my whole party felt that heavy feeling after having too much greasy or oily food or yeet hay if you will for my canto brothers and sisters. i remember going to the torrance location and never getting that feeling so take it as you will. it is a lot of food for the price you're paying so i'd say its a good value but personally next time i'd make the drive to torrance.

Went on a weekend during lunch and there was around an hour wait Lots of different varieties of tempura, very unique. Tempura wasn't as crispy as I expected but everything was still yummy

I've been wanting to try this restaurant for so long and I'm so happy I went. The tempura batter was so light and not oily. I was in heaven!! What surprised me the most was how in love I was with the rice and tare (homemade sauce) combo. I also ordered the uni with seaweed off the daily special and it was tasty but I don't think it compared to a bite of the egg and rice mixed. I did think the miso soup was a bit bland and I could smell something soapy which threw me off. Parking lot in the back and minimal 1hr street parking. I came on a super rainy day so I was able to park and get seated quickly but I overheard someone say this place is usually really busy.

Would I wait 30 minutes to eat here? No Would I wait 10 minutes to eat here? Also, No After months of waiting for a day without a line, I was finally able to pounce on the opportunity to grab a quick bite here. I ordered the tempura and udon combo. The tempura wasn't bad, but wasn't stellar either. It was fresh, lightly battered, and a bit sweet (had some type of sauce). The White Rice was delicious. The udon was okay, This place was not for me, but maybe it will be for you. Worth at least a try if the line is short.

Parking in lot off Green Street when you register your car through QR code posted at restaurant door or Street. Credit card only Came here for lunch on a week day around 1145pm. Not a long wait but got really busy later on Food is not bag buy I was really disappointed of the 5 or 6 tempura combo, they only had eel bowl. No sushi, sashimi, salmon, or Ikura. Otherwise the tempura was very savory and the eel bowl was not bad. Decent portions

A delicious spot if you love tempura! My friends and I went on a Sunday afternoon and the line was out the door. We got there around 12:30 pm and the staff told us that their waitlist was already full until their afternoon break at 3 pm. We returned later at 4:10 PM where they just brought out their waitlist for the 4:30 pm start and we were able to get in easily. The staff were cheerful and enthusiastically greeted us as we entered. The interior was a nice small area with both tables and bar seating. For food, I ordered the Special Tempura plate that included an assortment of tempura, tempura sauce, miso soup, rice and a fried soft boiled egg. The tempura was deliciously crunchy and flavorful. I thought my favorite would be the shrimp, but it was actually the kakiage, which I believe was squid. The soft boiled egg was also perfectly cooked with the inside being a nice gooey consistency. I recommend mixing the egg with your rice and adding miso soup to create a nice porridge! Definitely a place I recommend and will return again the next time I visit Pasadena! Highly advise you to put your name on the waitlist early when they open, so you're able to secure a spot.

Returning For 3rd Time In A Month. Sooo Goood Tempura. Order Jumbo Shrimp Cold Soba + Extra Tempura. Good Service.

Absolutely worth the hype. The combos come with a decent portion or udon or soba. The texture of the soba noodles was fantastic. Their tempura is light and crispy. If you order a bowl, the tempura is topped with a slightly sweet sauce white the plates are served with a side of the sauce with grated daikon for dipping. The tempura is cooked perfectly. The tempura nori was an unexpectedly fantastic bite! I want to try their whole menu. Friendly staff. Theres a waitlist at the door for their limited inside seating but outdoor tables are usually available. Cozy interior with some bar seating for solo diners. Be prepared to wait. Their hours on here, google, and their instagram are all slightly different but luckily they were open when we came.

Tempura here is amazing. My udon was okay. It was very lemony compared to the last time I came. I preferred the rice bowl as the sauce made the tempura better. I think the rice plate might be the best choice since they have tempura sauce on the side. Don't forget to ask for pickled stuff. I think it was celery and radish. We waited almost 45 minutes on a Sunday around 1230. They closed the waitlist around 1 something when the line got longer since they do close at 230 then reopen later.

My partner really wanted to try this tendon restaurant and the day has finally come. Unfortunately, there is no parking lot dedicated to this place so you'll need to street park. Most of the signs show 1 hour parking only except Sunday but fortunately we went on a Sunday so we didn't really have to worry about time. The restaurant is on the smaller side so you may need to wait. The online waitlist closes sometime so you would need to check-in in person. Onto the food review, I got the tempura and soba noodle set for about $21. For LA prices, it's fair I'd say. They have radish in the tempura dip which made it feel more legit. The tempura itself did have a decent crunch but it didn't feel so airy and light compared to other places I've been to. The skin on the pumpkin tempura felt hard to bite into as well. The soba noodles and dip were nice and refreshing but the dip was on the saltier side. They did feel very very cold but it could just be me. Overall, I did enjoy the set and would come back to try the tendon set.

Delicious! Hard to find tempura like this in LA. Their sashimi bowl was so good! quality fish and quality rice. It's a TINY restaurant so expect a wait... with that, don't park in the 1 hour spots nearby.