Known for its flare of fusing traditional Japanese culinary style with contemporary ingenuity, Sushi Roku Pasadena specializes in innovative and worldly-inspired cuisine. Since opening its doors in 1997, it’s become a foodie favorite. Recently, the fusion Japanese restaurant updated its cuisine to include a pint-size menu. Okosama Kids’ Menu for children 10 and under features new bento boxes, offering a great choice of beef, chicken or sushi with healthy sides such as edamame and applesauce.
We were invited to try out the new menu and my soon-to-be eight-year-old was happy to oblige. Eating out with my daughter has always been simple. I can only remember leaving a restaurant once because she was tired. So, eating out for us has always been an enjoyable experience. My daughter enjoys new foods (she’s an emerging foodie), chatting with wait staff and choosing from the kid menu. Eating at Sushi Roku was a pleasure, it doesn’t’ scream KID FRIENDLY but offers an attractive, relaxed environment for guests with or without children.
Sushi Roku Pasadena’s Okosama Menu features the following bento box options for kids:
Beef Yakitori – beef skewers, tempura potato & broccoli, edamame, applesauce, steamed rice
Chicken Yakitori – chicken skewers, tempura potato & broccoli, edamame, applesauce, steamed rice
Sushi Combination – tuna roll, cucumber roll, shrimp sushi, egg sushi, edamame, applesauce
Crispy Chicken – Japanese fried chicken, tempura sweet potato, edamame, applesauce, steamed rice
Bento box with Crispy Chicken.
My daughter decided on the Chicken Yakitori which she devoured. She was thrilled that Edamame came with her meal as we always order it as a side at other Japanese restaurants. She couldn’t get enough of the chicken and wished for a second skewer. What was her final thought of her meal? “This is the best lunch I have ever had!” The portion was just-right and she was extremely satisfied!
Children’s Bento box with Chicken Yakitori
Don’t fret parents, Sushi Roku still will satisfy your cravings. My husband and I both ordered the lunch Bento combos which is served with white rice and miso soup. I chose the Baked miso Cod and the Chicken Kara-Age (Japanese version of fried chicken) for my box and my husband ordered the beef teriyaki and the Chicken Kara-Age. Everything was cooked perfectly and the flavors were delicious. I have to admit that I was eyeing my daughter’s tempura but thankfully she’s a sharer. We wrapped up our tasty lunch with an order of strawberry-chocolate flavored Mochi Ice Cream. Fresh fruit harmoniously aligned the three pieces of the refreshing Japanese confection. Perfection!
Mochi Ice Cream
Sushi Roku Pasadena is a hip establishment that offers each Okosama Kids’ Menu ($8-$13) with an activity or toy in every Bento box. My daughter received Wikki Stix which kept her (and me) busy during the entire meal. Youngsters can also play with “Busy Bentos” from Melissa & Doug, which are 24-piece wooden sushi play-food sets packed with sliceable sushi rolls, shrimp, tuna, easy-use chopsticks, a cleaver, and more. I like the nice, laid-back ambiance. It has some of the best-tasting sushi in town!
She loves Wikki Stix — This toy came with her meal and kept her busy while we were waiting for lunch.
Kids will enjoy checking out the sushi bar or ask for a table outside for people watching and enjoy the sun.
Sushi Roku is located at 33 Miller Alley in Pasadena. Find additional Sushi Roku locations in Hollywood (8445 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles), Santa Monica (1401 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica) but for now the Okasama Menu is only available at the Pasadena location. We parked in a public lot on South De Lacey Ave. the first 90 minutes is free or look for metered spots.
* Sushi Roku graciously hosted our meal for editorial purposes. Our opinions are own. Photos courtesy of Sushi Roku.
