Top Southeast Asian Restaurant in Pasadena
Bone Kettle
67 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103, United States
Overhyped and overpriced.As Asians, my party didnt enjoy the food here at all. We ordered more than three types of meat and every single one of them was overly oily and tasted weird and didnt bring out the texture of beef at all. The famous broth was also underwhelming- where is the essence of bone broth?? Tasted like an average bowl of noodle broth served in an southeast Asian restaurant. On top of that they charged each dish at least 30-40% more of what theyre supposed to be and an automatic 20% gratuity. Ive been to many restaurants at the same price level and thus far this one lives up to the least.
Nine & Nine Thai Kitchen
738 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, United States
After hearing much about Nine and Nine Thai Kitchen in Pasadena, my anticipation was met with nothing short of a culinary calamity. From the moment I stepped in, the ambiance felt more akin to a forgotten storage room rather than a restaurant with any aspiration of providing a dining experience. The air was stale, carrying a faint but distinctly unpleasant odor, reminiscent of a blend between overused cooking oil and forgotten leftovers.I decided to give their renowned Pad Thai a chance, hoping the food could redeem what the atmosphere could not. Regrettably, this was a grave mistake. The dish, if one could indeed call it that, was an unpalatable jumble of ingredients. The noodles were so overcooked they had begun to form a singular mass, the chicken was drier than the Sahara, and the sauce was overwhelmingly sweet, as if the sugar jar had accidentally emptied itself into the pan.To add insult to injury, the service was as lackluster as the meal. My attempts to catch the attention of the staff were ignored with such dedication, one might have thought it to be a practiced art form. When the bill arrived, it felt less like a request for payment and more like a ransom note for my lost evening.In summary, Nine and Nine Thai Kitchen delivered an unforgettable experience, though not for reasons one might hope. It stands as a stark reminder that not all that glitters is gold, and certainly, not all that is Thai Kitchen is worth the visit.
President Thai Restaurant
498 S Rosemead Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107, United States
The outside looks appealing, though the inside is one big brightly lit room with tables clustered closely together. Not a warm or cozy dinning space. Noisy boisterous bus boy greeted me, and immediately went to a table I didnt want to sit, all the while, making odd sounds. I asked to sit elsewhere, and he was quick to accommodate. Tables have glass tops and menus underneath. Only one side though. I asked for a complete menu. The restaurant only had one other table occupied, so they were not busy. Probably because it was 840pm on a Wed night. Service was quick. They have a wide variety of items on their menu. Prices are on the high side, but the portions are large. I ordered Panang Curry with vegetables and pork. I requested a side of limes and cilantro. I received lemons and cilantro. I asked why, and was told they dont have limes. I thought that was odd, considering they charge a lot more than most Thai restaurants and that its a Thai restaurant. I also ordered white rice and Thai Ice Tea. Everything tasted good. However, the size of each piece of meat and vegetable in my Panang Curry, were cut rather large. I had to eat each piece separately. A first! I prefer more bite size portions, so I can taste a mix of all the different items at once. Panang Curry is very flavorful, and theirs was very flavorful. The bill came to 31.00. Since it was close to closing time, they started to use chemicals to clean, and they were strong smelling. That ruined the last part of my dinning experience, so I asked for the bill. I may go back and try something different, but, the things I mentioned, mostly negative, will weigh against my desire to return.
Phoenix Food Boutique - South Pasadena
456 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030, United States
Parking can be a little crazy depending on the time but for the most part, I can always find a spot.Coming in at night, it can be easy to miss the entrance so look carefully!I recommend using cash because I got double charged one time for someone else's order. They ended up refunding me but I could have easily missed that on my credit card statement.I looooove Phoenix's mango desserts! Absolutely the best!! From their silken mango tapioca with condensed milk to their mango tapioca drink and their mango tofu ???? absolutely the best!!I always make the mistake of thinking the tofu's in their little fridge is already flavored but they label it to show you what they can flavor it as.For instance, I wanted the mango tapioca with condensed milk tofu and she told me to grab the silken tofu with ginger. She clarified to me that it does not have the ginger taste (I don't like ginger) and sure enough, she flavored it with everything I wanted so it was delicious!!!Their black sesame tofu is also super delicious??As you can tell, I only come here for dessert. I have tried the food and it's okay. But their desserts are phenomenal!!!!
Saladang Garden
383 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105, United States
FOODSPICY THAI FRIES $12The seasoning was tasty, but the texture of the fries was mediocre. They were akin to grocery store frozen fries. The portion was large, though, too much for two people.LEMONGRASS SOUP (TOM YUM) Small w/shrimp $10Pleasant broth, but the soup contained too many inedible ingredients. The galangang slices felt and tasted like raw ginger. There was quite a bit of some kind of woody shoot (bamboo?). The texture of the lime leaf was unpleasantly firm/waxy.PUMPKIN CURRY w/ chicken $15 & WHITE RICE $2.50Enjoyable, but not spectacular.GREEN BEAN & SHIITAKE MUSHROOM STIR-FRY w/ beef $16Sent this one back. The veggies were good, but the beef was tough and overcooked. It seemed like it had been microwaved. Some pieces were cool or lukewarm while others were piping hot.SERVICEThree different young ladies helped us. No one was rude, but neither was anyone particularly friendly. When the soup was brought out, the server asked us what else we had ordered. The fries and entrees arrived shortly after. No one came to see how we were enjoying our meal, so I had to flag someone down about the stir-fry. She did offer something else, so I asked to see the menu again. She left to get us a refill while we looked at the menu but forgot to come back! Eventually another server came along. We were going to order a salad to replace the stir-fry, but it had been so long we just asked for our bill. The girl who had left the menu did come back with the refill and to bus our table while our check was being processed. She said, rather bluntly, I forgot to come back. Did you want something else? She never apologized about the stir-fry or the failure to return for my replacement order, nor did a manager ever appear.ATMOSPHEREThe website boasts: with exquisite décor and elegant ambience, it is the ideal setting for romantic rendezvous. The patio looked lovely, but it was a chilly evening. None of the outdoor heaters were operating, so we opted to sit inside. The dining space has high ceilings and concrete floors, but it felt more abandoned warehouse than hip industrial. There are no booths, just open floorspace with tables and chairs. The food is brought out on noisy rolling carts, which added to the overall cafeteria feel. We didnt get the romantic vibe we were hoping for.OVERALLIt was a disappointing experience for our anniversary dinner. It might be okay for a casual lunch on a nice day to sit outside, but we likely wont return.
Top other services in Pasadena:
Norton Simon Museum
411 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105, United States
Norton Simon Museum is conveniently located in Pasadena, California by the 210 and 134 fwys. The museum houses Impressionist works, Fine Art works, Modern works and sculpture in addition to stone statues.Famous and notable artists include Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Edgar Degas, Diego Rivera, and Kandisky. The viewing room are spacious and there are many volunteers to answer questions. I recommend the audible tour. There is so much history behind each work that someone has painstakingly researched. Its fascinating why artists choose colors, paints, medium to paint on and what was going on in their lives at the time they created the art piece.Norton Simon Museum has a Cafe in the outside garden which offers sandwiches and refreshments. You can sit by the vast lily pond. Tour the garden to see bronze statues in a serene setting.The Museum Gift Shop is a gem. The inventory includes books, puzzles, games, cards, lithographs, jewelry, umbrellas and so much more. I bought an Impressionist jigsaw puzzle where you spot the artists in Belle Epoque Paris. Highlighting twenty different artists.Parking is on the property under beautiful Sycamore trees. The whole experience is very enlightening and tranquil. Operating hours are accommodating as the Museum is only closed three days out of the year, but closes at 5:00pm.
IPIC Theaters
42 Miller Alley, Pasadena, CA 91103, United States
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Epic Movie Theater, and I must say, it lived up to its name in every sense. From the moment I stepped into the theater, I was immersed in a truly epic cinematic experience.The first thing that struck me was the sheer grandeur of the theater. The spacious lobby, modern decor, and comfortable seating created an inviting atmosphere. The theater was clean and well-maintained, giving off a sense of professionalism and attention to detail.The selection of movies at Epic Movie Theater was outstanding. They offered a wide variety of films, ranging from the latest blockbusters to independent gems. No matter your taste, there was something for everyone. The theaters commitment to showcasing diverse genres and stories was commendable.The audio and visual quality of the screenings were exceptional. The state-of-the-art sound system and crystal-clear projection added a new dimension to the movie-watching experience. It truly felt like I was transported into each film, fully immersed in the captivating visuals and booming sound effects.What truly set Epic Movie Theater apart was the exceptional customer service. The staff members were friendly, helpful, and attentive, ensuring that every visitor felt valued and had a seamless experience. From purchasing tickets to concession stand assistance, the staff went above and beyond to provide stellar service.Speaking of concessions, the food and beverage options were top-notch. The theater offered a diverse menu of snacks, including classic favorites like popcorn and candy, as well as more gourmet choices like loaded nachos and specialty drinks. The quality and variety of the concessions were impressive, adding to the overall enjoyment of the movie experience.The seating in the theaters was comfortable and well-spaced, providing ample legroom and a clear view of the screen from every seat. The plush seats were designed with comfort in mind, allowing for a truly relaxing movie-watching experience.In conclusion, Epic Movie Theater exceeded my expectations in every way. It offers a fantastic selection of movies, impeccable audio and visual quality, and outstanding customer service. The theaters attention to detail, comfortable seating, and delicious concessions make it a go-to destination for any movie lover. Whether youre looking to catch the latest blockbuster or discover hidden cinematic gems, Epic Movie Theater is the perfect place to indulge in a truly epic movie experience.Ramon & Jose
Cluck2Go
1771 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107, United States
Im glad that theres a pretty authentic Hainan chicken shop in Pasadena now that can give Savoy a run for its money. With all the positive feedback that I was seeing about Cluck2Go, my friends and I came with high expectations. Honestly, I dont think there was anything all that amazing about this place - food is pretty good, but we werent wowed by what we tried.I wanted to try their signature Hainan Chicken rice dish, but all of my friends ended up ordering it. I ended up going with the Chicken Tom Yum Soup with rice noodle for $9.50 instead. Hearing the words Tom Yum Soup, I expected the soup to be tangy and a little spicy, but Cluck2Gos soup was not acidic at all. My friends all tried the soup and said that it tasted flowery - I could taste the floral hints of the soup and felt that it was sweeter than expected. I liked the rice noodles, chicken pieces, and vegetables that were in the soup, but I have had better Tom Yum Soup in the middle of nowhere than at Cluck2Go. The chicken pieces were soft and tender - and with the complimentary sauces, tasted pretty good. I just wasnt a fan of the Tom Yum soup, which should have been the star of the dish.The Hainan Chicken rice with dark meat ($9.95 - one dollar more than the regular white meat) came with flavored rice, a bowl of chicken soup, and three additional sauces (sweet soy sauce, scallion paste, and a chili sauce). We all agreed that the broth was too oily although the chicken soup did taste pretty flavorful. Rice was good and had flavor from the chicken broth, and the chicken was juicy and tender. I liked all three of the sauces, but the sweet soy sauce was my favorite. The pickled vegetables were a great addition to add some tanginess to the dish.A lot of people mentioned that the portions were really big, but I actually thought the portion was just right for the rice dish. Portions seem to be much bigger at Tasty Food. Since my friends were the ones who ate the Hainan Chicken rice, I asked them what they thought of it - they liked it, but still all agreed that they have had better Hainan chicken elsewhere. Workers are friendly, but since this is a fast-food ordering type of restaurant, you pretty much serve yourself after you order.Restaurant is on the smaller side - located on Colorado across from PCC. There was a good amount of customers coming in and out the night that we visited.tl;dr - I thought Cluck2Go was just okay - I was disappointed in my Tom Yum Chicken bowl, but I can see why people like the Hainan Chicken rice dish. Would not mind coming back again to try their food, but I hope they improve their Tom Yum soup recipe.
QQ Kopitiam
1491 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106, United States
SINGAPORE ??Excerpt from Eat the World Los Angeles:If you have ever traveled in Singapore and some of the larger cities of Malaysia and Indonesia, the letter Q used twice in names will be very familiar. Small street vendors, hawker stalls, and full restaurants all use it similarly, most of which have nothing to do with each other. The term originated in Taiwan and has spread throughout the Chinese-speaking world with many meanings and usages.In terms of food, the literal translation is akin to chewy, the Taiwanese version of which sounds like the way people say the letter Q in English. Chewy does not tell the whole story of QQ though, as it implies that the item in question has a good resistance and mouthfeel. Not too soft, a good bounce, nice and chewy.A good introduction and a wonderful barometer of how satisfying the QQ here will be is a handsome plate of Singapore char kway teow ($9.95). Also full of the other textures from meats, vegetables, and egg, the broad flat noodles have some of the best QQ in town and are the perfect vehicle for a well-balanced blend of seasoning and good spice level. Each bite of the char kway teow reveals a deep level of skill by the chef and just the right amount of each ingredient. When the meats (beef, Taiwanese sausage, shrimp) and vegetables are slightly charred, they give the surrounding elements even more flavor, a technique Cantonese chefs describe as wok hei or woks breath in English. This simple phrase might be the best way to describe the simple satisfaction that comes from eating the dish.