23 Best Japanese Restaurants in Hilo

“Great food. Iconic establishment. Pre-order the nori chicken. That wooden case is going into a museum one day, but hopefully not anytime soon! #supportlocal“

“This is my new favorite eats in Hilo. I’m mostly vegan but the chicken was so good with the honey lilikoi sauce. We also got a tofu salad and it was the best tofu I ever had! I keep thinking about how good it was! The staff was very friendly which is a plus. We’ll be back!“

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

“This is not an eat-in restaurant. It is a great place to grab some local food for lunch, gathering of the clan, or office party. You will probably order too much, because it all looks and smells delicious. Or grab something to eat when you go to the beach.“

“Poke cake Best ever Ever“

“Came here on a Thursday at 9:50 AM. They had lots of selections, though there were no sashimi platter or chirashi bowl type of items. Lots of maki, inari, and bento boxes. You can also order poke bowl (shoyu tuna or spicy tuna).

I ordered poke inari set (2 shoyu 1 spicy). The rice was perfectly cooked. Tofu skin was very flavorful. Though I wasn't able to taste the shoyu poke much, because the inari sauce was overpowering.

Overall, the quality of food was good. Price is reasonable. Good grab and go before your adventure day.“

“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.“

“Good food.. perfect noodle soup..“

“Papaya salad was excellent. Coconut soup was great. Pad thai was just okay. This place specializes in papaya salad so that's on me for getting something else. Get the papaya salad and you'll have a great time.

The people working there were super nice.“

“Sakura Sushi & Grill is a great place to enjoy fresh sushi and flavorful Japanese cuisine. The menu offers a wide variety of rolls, grilled specialties, and classic favorites, all prepared with quality ingredients. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the welcoming atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for a casual lunch or dinner. Highly recommended for delicious food and excellent service.“

“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!“

“Brown rice sushi Intricate sauces Fresh“

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

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

“Finally stopped in at this great little drive-in. First off Miko (sp) at the counter is super friendly and made some great recommendations including the lasagna and she was not wrong! Garlic toasts, big piece of lasagna and fresh salad. Also got two breakfast burgers with ham, 2 for $8 on Monday, and everyday they have an $8 special! They also have an afternoon fry and burger special for $3.99.“

“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.“

“Very good food. Well sized portions too.

There were some Japanese food options that are less common than what we always see in the menus.

I also think it is great option for groups with different tastes, because they have Korean, Japanese, local dishes and American cuisine. They also have a kids menu.“

“No dine in which is fine. But this place is a gem. Dont go waiting in line somewhere when you can get some of the most delicious food on the island right here and the prices are insane. Loco Moco is up there with the best and the Hilo style siamin was so good. Healthy portions as well.“

“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..“

“The eatery is in a nondescript food court but the AC keeps it comfortable while you wait for the food. The prices are rather high but to make up for it the portions are generous. The meat is well seasoned. The sides (bean sprouts, kimchi...) disappointingly are rather bland, lacking punch to cut the richness of the meats. Overall, would I eat here again? the answer is yes!“

“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.“

“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!“

“Food comes out on a little service train. We had a larger party and split between 2 tables. Prices were reasonable. Plates are small with reasonable portions. Food was tasty and well done. Other options are available aside from sushi such as eggs, chicken and beef. There was a selection of things unavailable when we went but it could've been timing for us. Service was kind. Restrooms were clean.“