50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Honolulu

“Great service😊 Friendly staff ❤️“

“The food was absolutely delicious! Top notch tempura that is fried fresh. It was served in 2 courses ensuring fresh frying. I ordered shrimp and vegetables. The dipping sauce was light but my fav part with the additional dipping salts/powders that added more flavor depth.
The service was excellent. The staff were kind. The Resturant was clean.“

“Authentic Japanese food! It was great to be able to have it while vacationing in Hawaii. Brought back so many memories of living in Japan!“

“Lunch Set was nice and a good price, $30. Tempura, 3pcs sushi and a choice of miso soup or $3+ for udon. We chose to have it with udon. Everything was tasty, from the quality of the sushi and the tempura. I have no complaints, some of the items are a little pricey but its worth it for the quality.“

“Very impressive, from the salads (Seaweed and also the Spicy, not too hot, but delicious), down to all of the Miyazaki A5 meats... Upper echelon and just Heavenly! Chateau Briand is "other worldly"! Soooo Delicious, and reasonably priced for what your getting as a set of your choosing, plus Ala carte options make it fun to venture into... (I loved the tongue)! ! The Marscapone Icecream with the Corn tea will become your new favorite dessert! Han no Daidokoro is simply OUTSTANDING!!!“

“So delicious“

“This little place packs an amazing punch for some great sushi. It was the best sushi I have had. I got the shrimp crunch and we tried several others that I can’t recall the name of but was all excellent. Service was good. The atmosphere was quiet. Would definitely eat there again if I ever come back to Waikiki.“

“We arrived before 11am. Super small place. The food was amazing. Lots of options. We purchased and ate outside where there was plenty of seating. There is only street paid parking. My husband had to drop us off and circle around a few times before he found parking.“

“Very high quality udon with great selection. Only drawback was parking, but the new manager is on it — he went out of his way to figure out validation for customers in the closest lot. Otherwise street parking it is. 10/10 would recommend — will be back!“

“Food is ALWAYS delicious and the staff is so kind and attentive! Katsu-san creates the most beautiful sashimi platters and omakase sushi!“

“お蕎麦はもちろん今回は雲丹、いくら、帆立の海鮮丼がとても美味しかったです。 ランチセットがリーズナブルです👍“

“Celebrated our engagement here... been here a few times since living here and even after leaving and the vibes and food here are always excellent! We sat at the sushi bar this time which I think made the experience more fun since it basically felt like an omakase style meal despite us also ordering a la carte. We're more into the casual but excellent fish quality vibe anyway... thanks jeff and to the staff for being welcoming!“

“The Zaru-soba sauce was perfect...the soba itself was good, but the sauce is amazing. I haven't had sauce like that since I was in Japan.

The hamachi carpaccio was a little sad looking, but the salmon with yuzu was really good. There were other dishes I wanted but they were out of it when I went.

Quail eggs were nice, the eggplant tempura was really good too...didn't care much for the grilled tofu. I guess it was because it was harder and dryer than I thought it was gonna be even after letting it sit in the sauce (i poked holes in it to help it absorb more of the sauce, but that didn't work).

Overall this restaurant has some really amazing food, as well as some not so amazing food. But overall I enjoyed it there. But for sure I'll be back when I want zaru-soba and salmon.

One interesting thing that happened was we asked if we could sit at the bar and we were told no. There was plenty of open seating at the bar, and there were only 1 or 2 couples up there at the time eating. I guess we were not good enough for the bar seating for some reason.“

“Best tsukamem! Large portion of noodles with excellent dipping sauce. Neighbors eating fried chicken and fries which looked delicious. One wait staff took care of the entire place with great efficiency. Would go back again.“

“I've been to Gyoza Studio Kubota a few times since it opened, and it's become one of my favorite ramen shops in Honolulu!

Their chicken paitan ramen is hands down one of the best. I love a broth that isn't overly rich or heavy but is still packed with that deep chicken flavor. It's so easy to eat while being super satisfying. Honestly, it's the perfect ramen for a rainy day... or any day for that matter.

And obviously, you HAVE to get the gyoza. It is Gyoza Studio after all! The gyoza was delicious, with perfectly thin wrappers and a great meat-to-skin ratio.

The staff is super nice, and the whole restaurant has such a chill, laid-back atmosphere. One of the fun things I love is that they let you draw on the walls, so naturally we had to add a masterpiece of our own.

Overall, one of my favorite spots in Honolulu. Great ramen, great gyoza, great vibes. Can't wait to come back again!“

“There's not enough space to right the good things about this place. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted and acknowledged by everyone, including the sushi chefs. Water and drink order is perfectly timed. Whether you order teishoku complete meals or sushi, the flavor and and portions are spot on. If you choose to sit at the sushi counter, the spread is just amazing. From white fish, tuna, to shellfish and sometimes even a fruit or plant to cleanse the pallet. I would recommend reservations as this place is always busy. Takeout is also very good!“

“Take and go musubi !! Second location both close by!!“

“Love the food. Delicious. Fresh and hot“

“We got Mentaiko, Miso pork, and salmon with black rice. They were so delicious! We got them as an afternoon snack before dinner, and they hit the spot. The only wish is that they would open earlier. Would love to eat their musubi for breakfast.“

“Got the shrimp burger and the katsu. Katsu is legit super tasty. They do the layering of thin slices of gourmet pork then deep fry it. Super tasty. The shrimp burger patty was good but the bread was definitely microwaved too long so it has this oddly outside moist hard inside and was so tough to chew. I only know this because I freeze lots of buns and thaw in the microwave. What should be done is quick microwave and toast the buns the rest of the wa. If it wasn't for the tasty patty I would not recommend it. Overall decent and worth a trip for the katsu bento!“

“My udon was absolutely delicious and very affordable! 100% would recommend. Plus, if anyone in your group doesn't want anything from their menu, it's surrounded by many other Asian restaurants that they could order from, so you could all order from different places but eat together.“

“It had been a while since my last visit. I remember it being good but this time, I felt like it was far superior than the last time. I thoroughly enjoyed every single bite! Our server was kind, sincere and patient with us, explaining each item. The food was perfectly paced and absolutely delicious. We felt like VIPs as we were the only party for the second seating 😊 The chef even came out to chat with us for a bit 🥰 Can't wait to come back!“

“日本料理が恋しくなって 連チャンで伺いました。 奥さんはカレー蕎麦 御汁がたまらなく美味かった 自分は納豆ぶっかけご飯 店員さんも可愛い日本人で 愛想もとても良かったですよ“

“お蕎麦はもちろん今回は雲丹、いくら、帆立の海鮮丼がとても美味しかったです。 ランチセットがリーズナブルです👍“

“The food was good and the AYCE style is definitely fitting for sushi and small Japanese appetizers. The restaurant is small, but this works in its favor as sushi can take some time to prepare. I give a four-star rating only because I disagree with the concept of mandatory gratuities as a rule. This only applies to parties of six or more, however.“

“Nice atmosphere and tasty food 🍱“

“Fresh made to order Masubi“

“People seem to come here for matcha but their EARL GREY GELATO is the best EVER. I have tried so many earl grey desserts. This is one of the best. I tried earl grey, hojicha, lilikoi, matcha, black sesame and ube. They are all amazing. Loved the rich flavors.

FYI, there is a sitting area if you want to eat inside the building :)“

“Mikiya is my go-to all-you-can-eat shabu shabu spot in Honolulu.

Yes, it can be a little pricey, but if you’re someone who can really eat, it’s absolutely worth it. I highly recommend getting the membership. Not only do you get a discount for yourself, but you can also bring a friend and they receive the discount as well, which makes it a great value.

What really sets Mikiya apart is the service. A lot of all-you-can-eat restaurants tend to slow down service once you start ordering, but Mikiya is the complete opposite. The staff is incredibly fast, attentive, patient, and friendly. Refills and additional orders come out quickly, and we’ve always felt well taken care of.

The quality of the meat is excellent, and I love the sauce bar. Everything is always fresh, well-stocked, and there are so many options to customize your meal exactly how you like it.

If you’re thinking about trying Mikiya, definitely come hungry! Great food, great service, and consistently a great experience every time. It’s easily one of my favorite restaurants on the island.“

“完璧な This is a favorite restaurant!“

“Nice restaurant. We will definitely be back, bringing friends and family.“

“I was surprised that this business is only a few years old, it has so much character! I think the menu is awesome. I tried their lunch special today, chicken katsu and karaage. I love their karaage, reminds me of my mom's delicious cooking. The friendly staff provided me with a small katsu sauce bottle to use. I needed some food for later, so I ordered Hokkaido curry to go 😁 They do ramen and many noodle dishes as well. The space is bright, families or solo diners can feel comfortable. Try them out - they are open every day!“

“With only 8 counter seats, you get an intimate experience with Chef Young. The meal is nicely paced and delicious. Seafood is imported from Japan so course is tailored according to the season. We were full from the meal but if yoy would like more, you are able to pay for add ons. We look forward to dining here again.“

“I was ono for some sushi and soki soup combo. So good.. just like baban used to make.?“

“This place is a staple for my family. Always excellent food. And even more so they are super kind. Aunty behind the counter helped me out by providing me with a bandaid and first aid for a stubbed finger. Super sweet, just makes them that much more awesome.“

“After our last trip to the Kansai region of Japan, I have found a new appreciation and respect for the “ryori” this establishment prepares for its customers. Fort Street Mall is not famous for its cuisine but this place is the best, period. I could see Ohana Dish operating a small stall along Osaka’s Dotombori shopping district. I really love their food. It’s authentic and delicious 😋.
Anyone who loves simple meals will be amazed…try the Chicken Namban!! Oyako-don is my favorite ❤.“

“Love the variety of noodles n the texture n flavors yum!“

“ono grindz...a must when go Oahu“

“We went to Yakiniku Like in Japan and loved it, so we were excited to try the Honolulu location! It’s very similar to the ones in Japan, but honestly, the deals here are even better! The meats were delicious, everything came out quickly, and the portions were great. I left VERY well fed and satisfied 😂 Definitely a great spot when you’re craving yakiniku without spending a ton!“

“Sushi is so fresh and Good service“

“I visited Koko i-naba a little while ago during a trip to Hawaii, and I’m still thinking about how comforting the food was. Coming from California, I’m lucky to have access to a lot of good Japanese restaurants, but this place had such a calm, authentic, neighborhood feel.

The soba was light and refreshing, and the sushi tasted fresh and carefully prepared. I also loved that you can enjoy both soba and sushi together without the restaurant feeling overly formal or touristy. The service was friendly, and the whole experience felt relaxed and genuinely Japanese.

Definitely a nice hidden gem in Hawaii Kai, especially when you want something a little lighter and more traditional than the usual vacation food. I would happily come back on my next trip to Oahu“

“We came in around 1030-ish. We ordered a couple of breakfast specials, a hawaiian plate and pancakes. Everything was ono. Cute little shop, food was ono and the Uncle was really kind and friendly. Love the old-school mom & pop kind of shops and being able to take my kids to experience the nostalgic Hawaii. Tiny sitting area, 3 tables can seat up to 6.

Before we left the Uncle gave my kids some cookies...ONO-LICIOUS!

We will definitely be back...hopefully earlier in the day so we can try more items on the menu!“

“🍽️ Bara chirashi (x2) for takeout
💵 $80

Fantastic bara chirashi using freshest of quality seafood (includes uni, toro, ikura, tamago, octopus, mackerel, and more), cooked with authentic Japanese methods and the restaurant’s unique twist on the dish.

Beyond excellent for the price and a must-have if you are a sushi lover in Waikiki. One box is a perfect amount for one diner.

Note that this must be booked several days if not weeks in advance (can be checked through their booking platform). Pick up is strictly at 4:30pm at the Sushi Sho storefront inside the Ritz-Carlton. Food is recommended to be consumed within the same day.“

“great food reasonable price will go back“

“Family owned and super friendly. We stopped on a whim while running errands for their garlic chicken plate. I got the Mitsu-Ken Bento which is reminiscent of a zip-pac but more local style Japanese and much better with 3 large pieces of garlic chicken, Teri beef, spam, hot dog, and egg omelet. The chicken is big chunks and the teri beef is shaved like bolgogi or the old style WM steak, not a thick slab. We were lucky that they had vegetable tempura today also. So yummy! This hit all the cravings for this local girl who now lives on the mainland.“

“With only 8 counter seats, you get an intimate experience with Chef Young. The meal is nicely paced and delicious. Seafood is imported from Japan so course is tailored according to the season. We were full from the meal but if yoy would like more, you are able to pay for add ons. We look forward to dining here again.“

“They had GOOD WAIT Services , FOOD WAS AUTHENTIC & DELICIOUS!!!I WILL RECOMMEND TO ALL MY FAMILY & FRIENDS TO DINE THERE!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏AWESOME COOKS & RECIPES!!!“

“Our awesome neighbors bought us bentos from here and they were absolutely delicious!! My husband especially gobbled it up in a flash! The savory flavors and seasoning were perfection. It’s been a long time since I last had Teruya’s so it was very nostalgic! I very rarely go to town anymore but the next time I have an appointment, we will definitely be stopping by to grab a bunch of stuff. Looking forward to the sweets especially! Always nice to support our longtime local establishments 👍“

“Authentic Okinawa food. Friendly attentive servers. Hot delicious food. . Option for complete meal. Daily Specials. Generous servings. Affordable prices. Can make reservations.“

“everything about this is place is phenomenal...“