Fire! The fish is fresh and flavorful! The butterfish was to die for
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dexy Maylin Kam
Standard Izakaya style rrstaurant. The food was goverall great. Fresh seafood. Nice service. Definitely recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
PUEO HAWAII
So Japan, good:) we are happy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeffrey H.
My wife brought me here for my birthday. We got the sashimi plate (for 2). While delicious, it was not enough really for 2 people, so we got a salad, some butterfish and some extra toro. All were delicious, but we definitely had more room for desserts, which were tasty as well. In all, it was a good sushi experience and the restaurant deserves its good reputation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ti Liu
From food to service this place knocked it out of the park! Coming from NYC and been to Japan twice I think this is one of the best Japanese restaurants I’ve ever had. Seasoning for each dish was just right. The chef kindly gave me three pieces of dried stingray fin to try. Don’t be fooled by the name. I was surprised by how well seasoned and cooked it was. Moist yet crispy and sweet. It was so good that I ordered a whole plate. Service wise, I dined solo at the counter. Chef and waiting staff were all super attentive but also gave me space to enjoy the food. During our conversation, I casually mentioned how good the mangos in Hawai’i were. The waitress kindly asked the pastry chef to add a few pieces of mango to my dessert. It was such a pleasant surprise! Last but not least, they allow half sizes to some of the dishes. It was a huge positive cause it allowed me to try more dishes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gerald Baldwin
The food, here, is as good as or better than any seafood I've had in Hawaii. It's fresh, tasty, and prepared to perfection. We made a reservation for next time before leaving our table.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Audrey Lim
INCREDIBLE!!! Best otoro I’ve ever had in my life. Not a local but this place was highly praised by my friends from the island. Would love to come back! Quick service, great food and kind servers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dave Feinstein
I walked in and asked to look at a menu. The people before were told a 30 minute wait and when I asked it was booked up for the night.... the host proceeded to snatch the menu out of my hand and say goodbye. I am a clean cut guy and this is unprofessional and a rude way to greet your customers.....
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Kofi Bell
Excellent omakase style, I ordered for myself 🤣. Everything was superb. Fish was succulent, fresh, well prepared. Hit on all my expectations. I will definitely come back next time on the island.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sagor Hoque
Great small family run sushi place. The sushi was fantastic and the owners were nice enough to seat us when we got there close to closing. The sushi rice on the rolls is cut above your typical sushi place.
Izakaya Gaku is absolutely wonderful. Tucked just north of Ala Moana, it’s got that city energy without the rush of Waikiki — a perfect balance. This is a high-tier spot. Not Michelin, sure, but it’s not about that — it’s about enjoying the experience, and they've got plenty of that! And as someone just recently stepping into this level of dining, I get now that there’s a whole world above the usual places — and Gaku is a strong entry into that world.
The oyster shooters were a standout, and the o-toro? Some of the best I’ve had, hands down.
The staff were fantastic — super attentive, and the vibe from the sushi chefs and kitchen crew greeting you with full energy as you walk in or out adds to the whole atmosphere. It’s vibrant, thoughtful, and every detail feels intentional. A real gem.
Zhiyan Liu
Authentic and tasty food. Walked in at 5 pm and got a table for 5.
MARY ROSS
Don’t anger the duck cutter!!!
Chris Alliey
There isn’t enough good things I can say about this. This was an incredible experience, I sat at the bar, and the sushi chef was very interactive, and the sushi he put in front of me was some of the best sushi I’ve ever had in my life! I’m only on the island for a few days, but I am going to hit this place a few times. I highly recommend making reservations and I highly recommend this location.
Matt Auerbach
Great izakaya spot! Lots of options. Pumpkin karage was great. Salads not much. Friendly chefs and staff
Fire! The fish is fresh and flavorful! The butterfish was to die for
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Standard Izakaya style rrstaurant. The food was goverall great. Fresh seafood. Nice service. Definitely recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So Japan, good:) we are happy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife brought me here for my birthday. We got the sashimi plate (for 2). While delicious, it was not enough really for 2 people, so we got a salad, some butterfish and some extra toro. All were delicious, but we definitely had more room for desserts, which were tasty as well. In all, it was a good sushi experience and the restaurant deserves its good reputation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
From food to service this place knocked it out of the park! Coming from NYC and been to Japan twice I think this is one of the best Japanese restaurants I’ve ever had.
Seasoning for each dish was just right. The chef kindly gave me three pieces of dried stingray fin to try. Don’t be fooled by the name. I was surprised by how well seasoned and cooked it was. Moist yet crispy and sweet. It was so good that I ordered a whole plate.
Service wise, I dined solo at the counter. Chef and waiting staff were all super attentive but also gave me space to enjoy the food. During our conversation, I casually mentioned how good the mangos in Hawai’i were. The waitress kindly asked the pastry chef to add a few pieces of mango to my dessert. It was such a pleasant surprise!
Last but not least, they allow half sizes to some of the dishes. It was a huge positive cause it allowed me to try more dishes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food, here, is as good as or better than any seafood I've had in Hawaii. It's fresh, tasty, and prepared to perfection. We made a reservation for next time before leaving our table.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
INCREDIBLE!!! Best otoro I’ve ever had in my life. Not a local but this place was highly praised by my friends from the island. Would love to come back! Quick service, great food and kind servers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I walked in and asked to look at a menu. The people before were told a 30 minute wait and when I asked it was booked up for the night.... the host proceeded to snatch the menu out of my hand and say goodbye. I am a clean cut guy and this is unprofessional and a rude way to greet your customers.....
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Excellent omakase style, I ordered for myself 🤣. Everything was superb. Fish was succulent, fresh, well prepared. Hit on all my expectations. I will definitely come back next time on the island.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great small family run sushi place. The sushi was fantastic and the owners were nice enough to seat us when we got there close to closing. The sushi rice on the rolls is cut above your typical sushi place.
Restaurantji Recommends
Izakaya Gaku is absolutely wonderful. Tucked just north of Ala Moana, it’s got that city energy without the rush of Waikiki — a perfect balance. This is a high-tier spot. Not Michelin, sure, but it’s not about that — it’s about enjoying the experience, and they've got plenty of that! And as someone just recently stepping into this level of dining, I get now that there’s a whole world above the usual places — and Gaku is a strong entry into that world.
The oyster shooters were a standout, and the o-toro? Some of the best I’ve had, hands down.
The staff were fantastic — super attentive, and the vibe from the sushi chefs and kitchen crew greeting you with full energy as you walk in or out adds to the whole atmosphere. It’s vibrant, thoughtful, and every detail feels intentional. A real gem.
Authentic and tasty food. Walked in at 5 pm and got a table for 5.
Don’t anger the duck cutter!!!
There isn’t enough good things I can say about this. This was an incredible experience, I sat at the bar, and the sushi chef was very interactive, and the sushi he put in front of me was some of the best sushi I’ve ever had in my life!
I’m only on the island for a few days, but I am going to hit this place a few times. I highly recommend making reservations and I highly recommend this location.
Great izakaya spot! Lots of options. Pumpkin karage was great. Salads not much. Friendly chefs and staff
Loading...