Unfortunately, this restaurant is now closed. We wish Mr. and Mrs. Kato all the best in their retirement!
zac fong
Nice friendly and clean. Wiped down menus before handing to us
Jando S.
One of the gems of Honolulu, Michinoku is an easy to miss, small sushi joint that is worth all the hype. Run by a husband and wife duo, this place is what a small local business is all about: intimate experiences with quality seafood from Pacific and beyond. There are only a handful of tables here. A group of 10 might just fill the entire joint up but this is best reserved for solo or date occasion type sushi. The hubby is usually behind the counter cutting up the fish, while the wifey is the one taking the orders. They're incredibly sweet and gentle people, they also don't try to rush folks even when there's a wait. The sushi is excellent. It isn't the best on the island, but given its price point the quality is extremely impressive. They have a number of set combinations that would appease most sushi lovers, but I think the $40 nigiri sakura is good place to start. There is usually an assortment of 10 really awesome nigiri pieces that usually include a spectrum of tuna along with some cuts ranging from roe to uni. I'm pleased to say they really do a fantastic job with their toro (fatty tuna belly) and it's a must have for each visit. In addition, I've enjoyed their stacked chirashi bowls, their grilled hamachi kama teishoku, unagi dons, and soba noodles. The versatility of their offerings is downright impressive and I think the experience is extremely reminiscent of something I'd find in Japan (#1) with the quality of the food and the hospitality of the owners. Everyone should come here. Tourists like myself could get spoiled if we were even remotely close to this joint like a true local. I certainly know if that I were to live nearby, I'd be here every week. My wallet would hate me but my stomach would marry me. (#2) __________ (#1) Japan in the 1980s. (#2) This gut and I need a divorce. Badly.
Ruby A.
It's a small restaurant run by a husband and wife....the menu is simple but the food is always outstanding! One of my favorites!
Ed Oshiro
Mr. And Mrs. Kato are the very nice.
Jacie F.
Such an authentic place. I always eat the Maguro Natto don combo (with either soba or udon). Their fish is very fresh and their natto is amazing (not super bitter). It's more on the pricey side, but it's very worth it for a Japanese meal. The best part... the TEA. You can hear her whisking it in the back The restaurant is small and quiet. They allow for reservations.
Maka Sasaki
Wanted to check this place out for a long time n finally made it for lunch today! It's a cozy place so I definitely recommend for reservation. The lady was nice enough to make a little counter space for me but all other tables have a reserved signs. I ordered their lunch Chirashi but I can't eat tako, ika and saba(?, squid and mackerel) so I told the lady. Chef made it really good for me without extra charge which is awesome ? I loved it very much! Rice and sashimi quality were all great too?
Marc M.
Probably the most authentic Japanese you can get on Island. Beautiful mom and pop shop
Keith K.
Wife and I needed a break from shopping so dove in here. The food is very good with nice broth in soup, but we both thought we paid a couple bucks more than the dishes were worth. Guess we understand that businesses have to break even.
Brian Morris
Delicious mom and pop store! Friendly atmosphere and very warm smiles from the couple that run it. I highly recommend calling ahead to reserve a table as seating is very tight!
We rarely eat at smaller Japanese establishments. I used Yelp to find a place that was a)non-chain smaller Japanese restaurant; b)offers great sushi c) also offers traditional cooked dishes and set menu (teishoku) specials. This place was it. Between the quaint collection of netsuke behind the sushi counter and the cool offerings of sashimi teishoku, salmon-ikura (mother-child oyako) donburi and traditional gyu-don. My recent “beef” with Japanese restaurants is that they sometimes overuse salt. I really appreciated their just-right seasoning here. I didn’t feel exceptionally thirsty like I do at other places. The service is so polite and professional. I felt like we were in Japan.
Robert S.
Stopped here for lunch on a Friday based on yelp reviews. Tiny restaurant, saw the lady at the table next to me seemed to be really enjoying some misoyaki butterfish, so I ordered the same. Wow it was probably the best I've had that I can remember. Cooked perfectly, tender, flaky, moist with a slightly sweet flavor that went so good with my bowl of steamed rice. My only complaint is it seemed a bit overpriced at $22. I was hungry a few hours later but have to say it was delicious. Looking forward to going back next time I'm in town.
Dave Tsuji
Authentic Japanese food.
Jaclyn C.
A hole in the wall family run small traditional Japanese restaurant that provides sushi and teishoku. Best to make reservations on weekends as they only have a few tables. We ordered the butterfish don set and unagi don. The butterfish taste exactly like it looks, the fish melts into your mouth with crispy skin on the outside. The sauce on the unagi bowl taste exactly like the one I had in Japan. I can finish the whole bowl of plain rice with it! Both sets comes with small dishes which includes cabbage, salad, steamed veggies, miso soup and seafood steam egg. For $22-$24/ set for dinner, I think it is a very fair deal, would love to come back and try out their sushi!
Gayle C.
My go to Japanese restaurant in Honolulu located on busy Keeaumoku Street. Been about a year since my last visit. But never disappointed! Had out of town guest and they loved this small hole in the wall restauranr run by husband and wife team.The sashimi here is fresh and amazing.
Unfortunately, this restaurant is now closed. We wish Mr. and Mrs. Kato all the best in their retirement!
Nice friendly and clean. Wiped down menus before handing to us
One of the gems of Honolulu, Michinoku is an easy to miss, small sushi joint that is worth all the hype. Run by a husband and wife duo, this place is what a small local business is all about: intimate experiences with quality seafood from Pacific and beyond. There are only a handful of tables here. A group of 10 might just fill the entire joint up but this is best reserved for solo or date occasion type sushi. The hubby is usually behind the counter cutting up the fish, while the wifey is the one taking the orders. They're incredibly sweet and gentle people, they also don't try to rush folks even when there's a wait. The sushi is excellent. It isn't the best on the island, but given its price point the quality is extremely impressive. They have a number of set combinations that would appease most sushi lovers, but I think the $40 nigiri sakura is good place to start. There is usually an assortment of 10 really awesome nigiri pieces that usually include a spectrum of tuna along with some cuts ranging from roe to uni. I'm pleased to say they really do a fantastic job with their toro (fatty tuna belly) and it's a must have for each visit. In addition, I've enjoyed their stacked chirashi bowls, their grilled hamachi kama teishoku, unagi dons, and soba noodles. The versatility of their offerings is downright impressive and I think the experience is extremely reminiscent of something I'd find in Japan (#1) with the quality of the food and the hospitality of the owners. Everyone should come here. Tourists like myself could get spoiled if we were even remotely close to this joint like a true local. I certainly know if that I were to live nearby, I'd be here every week. My wallet would hate me but my stomach would marry me. (#2) __________ (#1) Japan in the 1980s. (#2) This gut and I need a divorce. Badly.
It's a small restaurant run by a husband and wife....the menu is simple but the food is always outstanding! One of my favorites!
Mr. And Mrs. Kato are the very nice.
Such an authentic place. I always eat the Maguro Natto don combo (with either soba or udon). Their fish is very fresh and their natto is amazing (not super bitter). It's more on the pricey side, but it's very worth it for a Japanese meal. The best part... the TEA. You can hear her whisking it in the back The restaurant is small and quiet. They allow for reservations.
Wanted to check this place out for a long time n finally made it for lunch today! It's a cozy place so I definitely recommend for reservation. The lady was nice enough to make a little counter space for me but all other tables have a reserved signs. I ordered their lunch Chirashi but I can't eat tako, ika and saba(?, squid and mackerel) so I told the lady. Chef made it really good for me without extra charge which is awesome ? I loved it very much! Rice and sashimi quality were all great too?
Probably the most authentic Japanese you can get on Island. Beautiful mom and pop shop
Wife and I needed a break from shopping so dove in here. The food is very good with nice broth in soup, but we both thought we paid a couple bucks more than the dishes were worth. Guess we understand that businesses have to break even.
Delicious mom and pop store! Friendly atmosphere and very warm smiles from the couple that run it. I highly recommend calling ahead to reserve a table as seating is very tight!
Restaurantji Recommends
We rarely eat at smaller Japanese establishments. I used Yelp to find a place that was a)non-chain smaller Japanese restaurant; b)offers great sushi c) also offers traditional cooked dishes and set menu (teishoku) specials. This place was it. Between the quaint collection of netsuke behind the sushi counter and the cool offerings of sashimi teishoku, salmon-ikura (mother-child oyako) donburi and traditional gyu-don. My recent “beef” with Japanese restaurants is that they sometimes overuse salt. I really appreciated their just-right seasoning here. I didn’t feel exceptionally thirsty like I do at other places. The service is so polite and professional. I felt like we were in Japan.
Stopped here for lunch on a Friday based on yelp reviews. Tiny restaurant, saw the lady at the table next to me seemed to be really enjoying some misoyaki butterfish, so I ordered the same. Wow it was probably the best I've had that I can remember. Cooked perfectly, tender, flaky, moist with a slightly sweet flavor that went so good with my bowl of steamed rice. My only complaint is it seemed a bit overpriced at $22. I was hungry a few hours later but have to say it was delicious. Looking forward to going back next time I'm in town.
Authentic Japanese food.
A hole in the wall family run small traditional Japanese restaurant that provides sushi and teishoku. Best to make reservations on weekends as they only have a few tables. We ordered the butterfish don set and unagi don. The butterfish taste exactly like it looks, the fish melts into your mouth with crispy skin on the outside. The sauce on the unagi bowl taste exactly like the one I had in Japan. I can finish the whole bowl of plain rice with it! Both sets comes with small dishes which includes cabbage, salad, steamed veggies, miso soup and seafood steam egg. For $22-$24/ set for dinner, I think it is a very fair deal, would love to come back and try out their sushi!
My go to Japanese restaurant in Honolulu located on busy Keeaumoku Street. Been about a year since my last visit. But never disappointed! Had out of town guest and they loved this small hole in the wall restauranr run by husband and wife team.The sashimi here is fresh and amazing.