Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–2:30 PM, 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
| Monday | 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–2:30 PM, 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–2:30 PM, 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–2:30 PM, 4:30–8:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 694 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: (626) 298-6200
Menu Photos
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Related Web Results
Tempura Carlos Jr (@tempuracarlosjr) • Instagram photos and videos
694 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101 Tendon Tempura by Carlos Jr. is that place. Right next to my office, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it …
Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr. – Visit Pasadena
Tendon Tempura Carlos Junior is an intimate restaurant that specializes in fresh tempura. Chef Carlos Pinto went all the way to Japan from his hometown in Peru.
Special Tempura Plate @ Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr (Pasadena)
Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr. first opened in Torrance in 2019 and pretty quickly distinguished itself as a quality tempura spot.
Reviews
Alex Xander
This has to be the best Tempura in Los Angeles and one of the best outside of Japan.
Staff is incredibly kind. I ordered the premium tempura bowl that came with unagi (eel). I thought the portion size was great, until the waitress came back to tell me that they served me a smaller eel filet and will bring me another. I thought they might bring me another small piece to “fulfill” the missing amount. Nope. They brought me a whole entire other piece!! Who does that!??
Each and every piece of tempura was so light and flaky and crispy. The “meat” for each was tasty, cooked well, and delicious. The eel was so soft and delicious.
I also ordered a side of pumpkin tempura that was delicious.
The spicy tuna handroll was simple, straightforward, and excellent
… moreStaff is incredibly kind. I ordered the premium tempura bowl that came with unagi (eel). I thought the portion size was great, until the waitress came back to tell me that they served me a smaller eel filet and will bring me another. I thought they might bring me another small piece to “fulfill” the missing amount. Nope. They brought me a whole entire other piece!! Who does that!??
Each and every piece of tempura was so light and flaky and crispy. The “meat” for each was tasty, cooked well, and delicious. The eel was so soft and delicious.
I also ordered a side of pumpkin tempura that was delicious.
The spicy tuna handroll was simple, straightforward, and excellent
Z Xue
Only one server on Friday night! Are you serious! Make it unreasonable long waiting, although there were tons of open tables. Super stupid serving strategy. The worst experience I have ever had.
The table was sticky. The floor was sticky too.
The side dishes tasted great
their tempura is always great.
… moreThe table was sticky. The floor was sticky too.
The side dishes tasted great
their tempura is always great.
Sarah D
No idea why this is rated below 5 stars because this is a cozy restaurant I was delighted to have stumbled upon!
The food is delicious and vibe delightful. The food is all made fresh to order—and wow what an abundant spread. I came in fully expecting to have leftovers but cleaned my plate. I truly feel like I blacked out as I ate because I couldn’t stop. The tempura sauce has grated dikon and I added hot pepper to it *chef kiss* wow my mouth is watering thinking about it. The tempura is hot, light, and oh so crunchy—but one of the highlights has to be the house made pickled ginger with burdock—could have eaten the entire bowl. The folks working here are so nice and friendly too. 10/10 so happy to have had dinner there and would eat there again and just might have to since I’m here for a conference. Very clearly labeled veg options—which was amazing.
… moreThe food is delicious and vibe delightful. The food is all made fresh to order—and wow what an abundant spread. I came in fully expecting to have leftovers but cleaned my plate. I truly feel like I blacked out as I ate because I couldn’t stop. The tempura sauce has grated dikon and I added hot pepper to it *chef kiss* wow my mouth is watering thinking about it. The tempura is hot, light, and oh so crunchy—but one of the highlights has to be the house made pickled ginger with burdock—could have eaten the entire bowl. The folks working here are so nice and friendly too. 10/10 so happy to have had dinner there and would eat there again and just might have to since I’m here for a conference. Very clearly labeled veg options—which was amazing.
Lesley Tan
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.
… moreThe 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.
Mei Chi Siu
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.
… moreJenna Nakagawa
Excellent tempura, soba and udon. I have been eating Japanese food my whole life and for tempura, comparing to my grandmother’s, which is of course special in its own way but this is among the best tempura I’ve had. The udon broth is unique with a hint of orange and ginger and is rich but light and delicious. I appreciate how traditional and simple the menu is. Have been going to the Torrance location and am so glad one opened in Pasadena. Truly a gem.
… morePeter Bonamici
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.
… moreVery 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.
Shawn Sheng
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.
… moreEric Cruz
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SEP 5, 2025 : 5-STAR > 1-STAR
We love this place. We love the food here. During our decade living in Japan we have known the Japanese to be the kindest and most considerate people in the world. Society is built with social cohesion in mind. Japan is our second home with the friends we maintain to this day.
We ate at Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr. this past Friday. And it’s packed as usual because of the great food. We recommended it to curious passersby. Hands down the Best Tempura in LA bar none. But the service leaves a lot to be desired. Yes I’ve read some of the reviews praising the service staff. But honestly, the staff is rude and lacks empathy. In particular the woman with the high-pitched voice who is consistently cold, callous, and at times rude to most guests. But this occasion tops the cake. There was a disabled senior couple who’s been waiting for almost 40min. We helped them check-in and watched how unpleasant the whole experience was for them. They were continuously ignored. The experience was so unnerving that we could not enjoy the food. We even offered to switch seats to accommodate the wheelchair disability. We and other fellow customers worried more for the elderly couple, as they kept being ignored and the old woman kept suffering. We didn’t see a single moment of compassion from the staff. Finally I spoke Japanese to one of waitress (the one with more EQ) to at least acknowledge and tend to them, at the minimum make them feel welcome.
The tables were mostly all free. The issue being they are short staffed and the waitress is the one bussing and cleaning tables. We’re attuned to the challenges behind this. But honestly speaking, they were just inefficient, inconsiderate and “Tone Deaf”. The old couple proceeded to leave in the woman’s wheel chair after her husband tried 4X to check on their table. So we prompted the kinder waitress to do something. After pausing and conversing with us for a minute she decided to ran after them. We encouraged the older couple to come back. The food is worth it.
But if the service will be like this it ruins the whole experience. It’s hard to sit through. As much as we want to come back because the food is good, we actually don’t want to.
There are other famous places like Golden Deli who have long lines. But they have a system down packed. Where people don’t feel ignored and disrespected.
We seriously hope that the owners of Tempura Carlos Jr reads this and rectifies the situation.
People deserve common decency. That’s non-existent here now with the current staff.
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DEC 2024 : 10months ago : 5-STARS
Absolutely the best Tempura in the USA. We lived in Japan for 10yrs and love this place. Takes it to the level of mastery of Japan.
… moreSEP 5, 2025 : 5-STAR > 1-STAR
We love this place. We love the food here. During our decade living in Japan we have known the Japanese to be the kindest and most considerate people in the world. Society is built with social cohesion in mind. Japan is our second home with the friends we maintain to this day.
We ate at Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr. this past Friday. And it’s packed as usual because of the great food. We recommended it to curious passersby. Hands down the Best Tempura in LA bar none. But the service leaves a lot to be desired. Yes I’ve read some of the reviews praising the service staff. But honestly, the staff is rude and lacks empathy. In particular the woman with the high-pitched voice who is consistently cold, callous, and at times rude to most guests. But this occasion tops the cake. There was a disabled senior couple who’s been waiting for almost 40min. We helped them check-in and watched how unpleasant the whole experience was for them. They were continuously ignored. The experience was so unnerving that we could not enjoy the food. We even offered to switch seats to accommodate the wheelchair disability. We and other fellow customers worried more for the elderly couple, as they kept being ignored and the old woman kept suffering. We didn’t see a single moment of compassion from the staff. Finally I spoke Japanese to one of waitress (the one with more EQ) to at least acknowledge and tend to them, at the minimum make them feel welcome.
The tables were mostly all free. The issue being they are short staffed and the waitress is the one bussing and cleaning tables. We’re attuned to the challenges behind this. But honestly speaking, they were just inefficient, inconsiderate and “Tone Deaf”. The old couple proceeded to leave in the woman’s wheel chair after her husband tried 4X to check on their table. So we prompted the kinder waitress to do something. After pausing and conversing with us for a minute she decided to ran after them. We encouraged the older couple to come back. The food is worth it.
But if the service will be like this it ruins the whole experience. It’s hard to sit through. As much as we want to come back because the food is good, we actually don’t want to.
There are other famous places like Golden Deli who have long lines. But they have a system down packed. Where people don’t feel ignored and disrespected.
We seriously hope that the owners of Tempura Carlos Jr reads this and rectifies the situation.
People deserve common decency. That’s non-existent here now with the current staff.
__
DEC 2024 : 10months ago : 5-STARS
Absolutely the best Tempura in the USA. We lived in Japan for 10yrs and love this place. Takes it to the level of mastery of Japan.
Dae Young Roh
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.
… more