23 Best Japanese Restaurants in Hilo

“One minor feedback, shrimp tempura curled up in to a ball inside the batter instead of the usual length of the tempura today, batter is still amazingly crispy. Besides that still the best and tastiest okazuya I’ve ever had. The flavor of the food has been consistent for the 60 years I’ve been eating here. The workers and the customers maintain that unique Hilo friendliness and charm.“

“If you are japanese food lover, you definitely need to stop by here. I tried the Karaage Bento, it worth the price. One thing I am a little bit disappointed is that we need to buy sauces separately and it quite expensive(around 2USD per tiny sauce)“

“Okonomiyaki and sashimi omakase and miso salmon are my favs! Miso ramen is yummy.“

“I must be perfectly honest with everyone. I've been inside Hilo Lunch Shop but i have not eaten their food. However, if you like local food, you'll love this place. I've, never heard a negative thing about this place except they might run out of certain favorites if you don't get there early enough.

My fiance was picking up food for her work and I went with her. There was a long line which moved quickly. I observed those waiting in line as well as the staff. EVERYBODY in the establishment were upbeat and there was just a positive vibe flowing throughout. I could tell the customers were eagerly anticipating and being excited about getting there favorite dishes. Totally cool vibe in there. Im going back to get what I missed out on. Check it out“

“Good food.. perfect noodle soup..“

“One of the best places in Hilo to dine. Loved coming here in my childhood and I intend to keep going.“

“This place is fast and the service and taste are consistently good. Some of my favorites are the fried tofu curry, spicy ramen, teriyaki chicken, mushroom skewers, miso eggplant, and potstickers. They make a pretty brownie sundae for dessert. There is an ice cream place next door that is open during the day too. They are open on Mondays which is notable in Hilo. We like to make reservations here for family parties, but there are usually tables available for walk-ins. You can definitely eat here during your lunch hour. This place is very clean and quiet with pleasant instrumental music.“

“Poke cake Best ever Ever“

“Just tried for the first time. I expected it to be like store bought sushi since it was already made and packaged up, but I was wrong and it was absolutely incredible! I was so happy from the first bite to the last bite. Will be coming back 100%.“

“The food is always excellent - the ceviche is amazing! Reservations are a must - staff is friendly and knowledgeable.“

“A True Culinary Gem: Sakura Sushi Delivers Excellence in Hilo!
Stepping into Sakura Sushi feels like discovering a hidden treasure on the Big Island. In my eyes, this isn't just a sushi restaurant; it's the sushi restaurant, hands down the best on the island. Every visit is a delight, largely thanks to their truly exceptional team.

From the moment you walk through the door, the staff at Sakura Sushi are nothing short of wonderful. They are incredibly nice, remarkably attentive, and astonishingly fast – whether it's getting your drinks to the table or serving up your delicious food. What truly sets them apart is their ability to make you feel like you're the only guests in the bustling restaurant, even when it's packed to the brim. That level of personal, dedicated service is a rare find and a testament to their commitment to their diners.

Our family has an unwavering list of favorites that we simply can't get enough of. The Philly Roll is, without exaggeration, AMAZING – a perfect blend of creamy and fresh. The Godzilla Roll packs a fantastic punch, and the Super Crispy Gyoza live up to their name with every delightful bite. And then there's the BEEF TATAKI (no apologies for the spelling, it's just that good!) – a dish so sublime, it alone is worth the trip.

While these are our go-to choices, believe me when I say we've explored most of their menu, and you truly cannot go wrong with anything you choose. Every dish is crafted with passion and precision. The chefs, no matter who is behind the counter, are consistently AMAZING and deserve every bit of praise they receive. Their skill, creativity, and dedication shine through in every perfectly prepared piece of sushi and every flavorful plate.

I would confidently put Sakura Sushi's best against any other sushi establishment around the Big Island, and they would win hands down. Hilo is incredibly fortunate to have such a magnificent culinary gem. We absolutely adore this place!“

“i have tried a lot of thai food but nothing comes close to this place. the red thai curry is so yummy! amazing food, amazing service and the people who run the restaurant are some of the nicest people you will meet! this is a not to miss place in the big island :)“

“Brown rice sushi Intricate sauces Fresh“

“Drinks and everything we got were soo delicious!! Husband got the chinese fish which is the snapper as of right now and I got the pan seared duck. Also got the soup of the day which is the potato soup and got a sushi roll. Will definitely be back here if we ever come back to The Big Island!“

“This is the best sushi I have ever had in my life. The staff was so nice. they recommended me squid to try which i never had before, but it was awesome. Atmosphere is so nice because you get to go out and joy the fresh air. If you are in Hilo, I recommend stopping here.“

“First timer here and the service was great!! The front worker she’s very nice! The food came out quick.
I had the Loco plate, fries and a drink. I was told they have the best fries and they absolutely do! Also if you plan on going, they only accept cash, which thankfully I did have on me. ☺️“

“Delicious 😋 & generous portions of entre, salad & rice served. Friendly, patient, & helpful waitress. Short wait time for food & waitress checks, & replenishs water without requesting.
Prices above average, would recommend to family & friends.“

“We decided to go here as one of the only Saimin places near Hilo. We were not disappointed. We were greeted with a kind woman who spent time taking our order and explaining things to us. After ordering, we spent some time talking with her, to which she discovered we had driven 2 hours to visit her restaurant. She happily provided us with sushi and dessert in addition to our meals, and some delicious elderberry tea. The food was delicious!! We recommend the garlic Saimin and Mochi cake!

Things to note:
- You cannot eat in, only carryout.
- Note the hours before going.
- Paying for the local cuisine, not the design of the place...“

“Amazing food. Had the chirashi chefs choice. Great service. Tea was tastey. Only eight spots to sit around in a sushi bar set up. Reservations required. Had a ring a bell to get in.

Parking: Parking stalls directly in front. Lots of stalls in the lots bit it is a bit chaotic.“

“The bentos and staff are excellent
update: May 2025
OMG. lick ur plate action. I ate a one choice (blk belt chicken (my daughter's name for it), aka Nori Chicken with fried rice from the line. the food was yummy (ONO) the amount of food I wasnt able to finish (picture is left over - sorry should have taken b4 i ate).. this place is awesome for a quick bite..“

“I found my favorite restaurant in Hilo on the Big Island.I recommend the ribs & spice chicken combo. Of the 4 side dishes, I don't recommend the japchae because it's too spicy.Noodles are also good when you're craving hot soup.You can order without tip and eat in the common area or To Go.“

“On June 16, 2021, my mom, husband, and I decided to treat ourselves to dinner at Izakaya Miyo after a long, stressful year. It's a prix fixe menu ($99 per person at the time). I highly recommend this restaurant to celebrate a special occasion or just to treat yourself. Chef Louis Pauole is very warm and friendly and explains each dish to you. This is not just a meal, but it is a memorable experience for the senses. Every dish is both beautiful and delicious! Standing ovation!“

“My first time eating at Genki Sushi by myself. There was a 20% dine in promotion happening. Service was quick, efficient, and friendly. Atmosphere was enjoyable, quiet enough where you could have a conversation with someone. I appreciated the menu since there were photos of each of the dishes-no guessing required. Ordered four dishes and enjoyed every one.“