Located on Colorado across from the Paseo, Ami is a small tastefully decorate restaurant serving Japanese appetizers, salads, sushi, tempura, teriyaki and sashimi. The type of food one would expect when visiting a Japanese Restaurant. However Ami is anything but typical.

I have had the pleasure of lunching at Ami’s on at least three occasions and have also availed myself of their delivery service. For lunch they are one of the best deals in town. $7.25 will buy a two item combination with twelve different items to choose from. They have the classics; chicken, steak and salmon teriyaki, shrimp and vegetable tempura, California roll and spicy tuna roll. Added to these choices are a fish cutlet, pork cutlet, B.B.Q. Rib, steamed vegetables, spicy chicken, and stir fried vegetables with shrimp.

Chicken Teryiaki and Beef Teryiaki with California Roll

The lunch combinations are served with Miso soup, rice and salad. You are also served a bowl of edamame when you are seated, like Japanese peanuts. The Miso soup is what one expects, slightly salty with bits of seaweed and nice squares of tofu. I love their California roll, there is plenty of krab (imitation) and avocado with just enough cucumber for a nice crunch.

The chicken teriyaki is made with chicken breast, but tends to be a bit dry; however the steak is cooked medium-rare and is tender and juicy. The teriyaki sauce is sweet and gingery, but a little too viscous. The salmon steak, is cooked nicely with just a touch of the teriyaki to compliment it.

Salmon Teriaki

The tempura is wonderful, the vegetables are crisp-tender and include squash and sweet potato, two of my favorites. The dipping sauce is just delicious, sweet, salty. The combination makes my taste buds dance.

I did try the spicy chicken which was described as “lightly spicy”, it was a bit more than I could handle. But if you like really spicy, you will love it!

When ordering be sure to speak clearly, the waitresses first language is not English and sometimes there is confusion with the orders. However, they are quick to remedy the situation with a smile.

All-in-all Ami is a great place to have lunch. Good food, friendly staff, good service and great prices. Ami Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar is located at 245 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena. Their business hours are Monday – Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 – 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 – 10:30 p.m., and Sunday, 5:00 – 9:30 p.m. For more information call (626) 744-1822.