Ever since my regular sushi place starting to slide downhill, I have been on the hunt for a replacement, but hesitant to really try out anything new for fear I’d be wasting my effort. There is so much on the line in regards to finding good food, sushi in particular: money, time, taste buds, and the safety of my stomach. When my ex-sushi place finally hit rock bottom, I took the plunge and, deciding that the establishment two blocks down the road, Masa, could not be any worse, ventured over there instead.
Masa turned out to be such a great experience I went back with friends Steffie, Manik, Evan & Mary to take pictures and try out more of their special sushi rolls.
Rainbow Roll: 5 pcs of assorted fish on top of California roll.
Verdict: Very good and fresh!
Bomb Roll: Spicy tuna, cream cheese, avocado, crab meat are wrapped inside, the entire roll is fried and topped with masago and sweet and spicy sauce.
Verdict: Tasty, but not all that spicy. Manik in particular liked it. We nicknamed it Junk Food Roll.
Love Roll: Spicy tuna, crab meat, avocado are wrapped inside, topped with special sauce.
Verdict: Delicious! Kind of looks like a boob on top, huh?
Spider Roll: Deep fried soft shell crab, sprout, avocado wrapped inside, topped, with eel sauce.
Verdict: Very good, but could use less sauce and smaller portions.
Hawaiian Roll: Spicy tuna, crab meat, avocado are wrapped inside, topped with spicy tuna and green onion.
Verdict: Scrumptious! Manik & I split two of these suckers.
Price range for special rolls are $10-$14 a pop. Fresh sushi, sashimi and standard rolls round out the rest of the sushi-related items. If you or your company isn’t fond of raw fish, there is a variety of alternative meals including teriyaki meat dishes, udon, Korean style BBQ ribs, tempura and tonkatsu (breaded pork loin).
There is a nice selection of hot and cold appetizers which are 50% off during happy hour (along with house sake and beer).
HOURS
Monday-Thursday: 11:30-2:30 (lunch), 4:30-10:00pm
Friday-Saturday: 11:30-2:30 (lunch), 4:30-11:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm-10:00pm
Happy Hour: Monday- Friday 4:30pm-closing
It’s a very clean environment, with moderately attentive service. The first time I went there, the service was impeccable. The second time, a little spacey even though my friends and I were the only party there.
BE WARNED: Examine your bill very closely if you are there during happy hour. We had two misprints with our happy hour related drinks. They were quick to correct it, though, with no argument, so bonus points.
MASA (website – view menu & order pickup or delivery)
2063 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena CA 91107
(626) 796-9604
