22 Best Japanese Restaurants near Kahului

“Restaurant Matsu is a true hidden gem and now officially one of my favorite spots on Maui! It came highly recommended by locals and now I see why.

As a big fan of udon soup, I had to try theirs with the tempura vegetables, and it did not disappoint. The broth was flavorful and comforting, and the tempura was perfectly crispy. I also grabbed a spamasubi (because, of course!), and it hit all the right notes; simple, satisfying, and packed with local flavor.

The menu is full of tempting options, so it’s definitely a place I’ll be revisiting to try more. The service was friendly and efficient, which made the whole experience even better.

If you’re in Maui and looking for something casual, delicious, and local-approved, Restaurant Matsu is the place to go. Highly recommend!“

“best casual meal on maui this year’s maui trip (i visit family every year). we got the keyakiya chicken — great texture (not dry), umami, sweet, and very lightly breaded (i don’t like thicc breading). i can’t wait until next year’s maui trip ?check their IG. sometimes they don’t come if the weather is bad. @keyakiyamaui

Parking: park along kahului beach for free“

“Family friendly place. All soup base was pork and we don't eat pork. They were able to do water base. On the seaweed and egg soup. Did the fried chicken but I think they use same oil for pork for the chicken because it had a taste that was not right.
They were very nice and helpful so we had the soup , veggies and drinks. Paid for the chicken didn't want to be any more trouble.“

“It has been years since I have finished a tonkotsu ramen bowl. This place did what no other place in Austin Texas could ever achieve. Not only was the ramen delicious I even took it home after a couple of days and re heated it in a microwave and it was almost the exact same when I ordered it. Normally when I reheat ramen from other places the sodium and richness is too much and I can’t enjoy my ramen having to discard it. THIS PLACE DID NOT. There I was again finishing another ramen bowl like if I was actually there again.“

“Staff great of ono Foods!“

“Got the unagi donburi and it was super delicious. Excellent balance in the portions and top notch eel. The salad had a tasty orange dressing that cut through the eel’s fattiness nicely. I’m gunna keep seeking out this place when I’m back at the food truck oasis!“

“Cute robots that are painfully slow yet functional. Shows you can’t replace human service completely. 🙂

It’s an experience for sure. Great food. Friendly staff. Although the restaurant doesn’t feel “clean”. Service is pretty quick and sushi is generally fresh.“

“The cream puffs are action! So good!!“

“Ichiban Okazuya Hawaii is a must-visit for classic Japanese-style takeout in Maui. The chicken katsu is crispy and flavorful, the nabeyaki udon is rich and satisfying, and portions are generous. It’s a no-frills, takeout-only spot with limited parking, but service is quick and efficient. The menu features a great mix of local and Japanese comfort foods, making it a favorite among locals. Be sure to go early, as they sometimes sell out of popular items. If you're looking for authentic flavors at reasonable prices, this is the place to go.“

“Just arrived on Maui, visiting from NY, selective about food. Was looking for dinner late in the evening and found Lono Blue on google. Ordered Dragon roll and gyoza by phone for pickup. I was a little taken aback because it was a food truck…. But wow! The roll was fabulous & fresh with the rice cooked perfectly, gyoza was authentic, they were very pleasant with wonderful service. Will be coming back to try more, and “eat in” at the outdoor tables. Thank you!“

“Super vibey, they had set it up very cute! Nice tables and prompt service. We got the Aburi Shimesaba which was new for us, and very good! My wife enjoyed the Kakuni soup and the noodles were es expected - DELICIOUS! Also didn't know Soba was a complete protein, added bonus. The sushi rolls were good, but I did find it odd for the price that we only got a half roll (6 pieces). I think price-wise a full roll is to be expected, but everything seemed handmade and tasted clean and yummy. Water was always full, super nice server, and the mochi was the best I've had“

“What a lovely little restaurant with amazing vegan ramen soup and delicious mochi dessert. We loved it! Beautiful and friendly folks! So enjoyable! Mahalo!“

“The food is great and service is fast. My cousin who lives in Kahului brought us here.“

“The food is good, the portions large. The menu has 127 items, while not all are available, it is still impressive. And difficult to choose. The butterfish it's exactly that, butter soft and delicious. Sushi portions are too big for a single bite.“

“Hard to find good decent place to eat in upcountry but Tun’s Kohima restaurant has good food, nice and cozy setting, menu is big, lots of options and friendly staffs!!“

“I've been eating sushi for many years and is the best I've ever found. It is so fresh and beyond excellent. The service is great and the chef will make whatever special requests you want. The Hamachi sashimi is amazing and the soft shell hand roll is perfect. My family and I come here again and again. Don't miss it!“

“Food so delicious everyone friendly ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️👍👍👍👍👍👍“

“Sam Sato’s is one of those spots where you walk in as visitors and walk out feeling like part of the neighborhood. My friends and I stopped by and were instantly swept up in the warm, local vibe — friendly staff, quick service, and an ambiance that feels both classic and comforting.

We tried a little bit of everything and honestly enjoyed it all. The cheeseburger deluxe hits that perfect old-school diner nostalgia. The signature dry noodles are a must, and the super dry noodles with vegetables takes it to another level. Don’t skip the yakitori — simple, smoky, and delicious.

Beyond the food, what really makes Sam Sato’s special is its heritage. From a humble general store in the sugar-cane fields back in 1933 to a beloved Maui institution today, you can taste the generations of care in every dish. It’s the kind of spot where recipes and smiles feel like they’ve been passed down through the family just for you.

Whether you’re grabbing takeout or sitting in for a quick bite, Sam Sato’s serves up flavors that linger long after you’ve left. “ʻO ka ʻai i loaʻa ke ola” — food that gives life — has never felt more true.

A must-visit on Maui for anyone who loves great food, great people, and a real local classic.“

“Great Time! Come early. Make Reservations“

“Great sushi really nice stuff and I love how they even have hotdogs and really good snacks“

“Excellent food great service“

“Amazing! One of my absolute fav sushi places on island!“