Mama Musubi - South Pasadena

Musubi are pretty good but too pricy for what they are supposed to be. A snack on the go. Mushy raw spam no good. The Spam is not seared and it needs to be seared, fried browned… whatever way you want to call it. Sometimes the Spam is soaked in teriyaki after browning before assembling the musubi. Never the Less spam needs a hot searing so the flavor stands out more and the texture isn't mushy! The spicy tuna was good … a little small for the price. Hope you can make some improvements… Great customer service. Aloha

TLDR; yummy but pricey (Located in united kitchen) Got the rice sandos: Spicy kelp: a little sweet with a mild kick. I dont usually eat spicy and it was just a hint of spicey for me Yuzu salmon: i liked it but i felt lile it needed more yuzu flavor. I still enjoyed it but wish it had something more to it for is 9 or 9.50 pricetag. Really sad they didnt have any onigiri. Ive had them at the SP farmers market and always enjoyed them and reasonable price. These sandos, i felt were way overpriced. It was a 3-4"square cut diagonally for 8-9.50. It says its 2 pc but just cause they cut it in half. Also got the garlic edamame. It tasted smoky but i felt like it was missing salt because i didnt get much of a savory soy garlic flavor. I can understand things will be a bit more cause its pasadena, but i think the prices dont justify what you get. Not sure if its higher also because its in united kitchen and they have to upcharge for fees? I love mama musubi! Just not willing to pay almost $20 for 2 sandos that are small

EDIT: Disappointed that they no longer make riceballs (Onigiri). They’re replaced with fewer flavor selection of so called “musubi sando” (Onigirazu). Probably won’t return unless they serve what they used to make. Was surprised and excited to find a RICEBALL restaurant! They were everything I expect from good riceballs and so much more. Would definitely return for the unique fillings and flavors! I was slightly confused by the location at first though, it’s inside Kitchen United Mix which is this futuristic food court with only the order kiosks in the room. Attendants bring the food out to you, and there is no seating there so everything is for to-go. I got Kelp Rayu, Mama Special, Spam Tamago riceball combo and they were delish!

So good! The spicy tuna and yuzu salmon are seasoned well and the rice is cooked perfectly. Will be back again for the others!

It’s delicious! I discovered it at the farmer’s market on Saturdays in Irvine. My favorite is the salmon, with the mild herby spice lightly sprinkled on the outside of the rice. Perfect.