Looking for the best Japanese restaurants in Honolulu? Well, you’ve found the right place!
Aloha, food enthusiasts! Honolulu is not just about sun-kissed beaches and surf waves. It’s also a culinary paradise, especially for those with a penchant for Japanese cuisine!
So, let’s wait no more to discover the best Japanese restaurants in Honolulu!
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1. Yohei Sushi Restaurant
Yohei Sushi Restaurant is a traditional Japanese restaurant owned by Chef Kazuto Obara that specializes in making authentic sushi. This spot has been loved for the chef’s style of sushi known as Edomae, made with the best ingredients from Japan, ensuring the freshest and most authentic flavors! If you appreciate the taste of Japanese cuisine, you must visit Yohei Sushi Restaurant!
Chef Obara’s omakase course is highly rated by foodies who seek a unique Japanese dining experience, which allows you to taste a variety of sushi and other dishes.
Besides, you can make your order from the traditional set menus and à la carte items that can be shared family-style.
Highlights like Maguro Zuke Don includes soy-marinated tuna served with veggies, and Misoyaki Butterfish with miso-marinated grilled cod are definitely worth trying.
If you’re here to grab a quick meal, order their Sashimi Teishoku Set with freshly sliced fish, rice, miso soup, udon, and side dishes. This is going to fill your empty tummy!
What to order: Omakase course, Maguro Zuke Don, Misoyaki Butterfish, Sashimi Teishoku Set
Address: 1111 Dillingham Blvd #101, Honolulu, HI
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2. Sushi Sho
Located in Ritz-Carlton, Sushi Sho is one of the best restaurants in Waikiki and offers an unrivaled premium Edo-style Omakase experience, crafted with 40 kinds of fresh fish. This masterful feast is brought to you by world-class sushi chef & Iron Chef Japan, Keiji Nakazawa, one of Tokyo’s most influential sushi chefs.
This is not your ordinary sushi or Japanese meal— it’s like a temple made for sushi lovers! Every dish is precisely made to be beyond just food; it’s a whole sensation.
If you’re not going for the omakase experience, the Sushi Sho Special bento is a great alternative. Just imagine…fresh & creamy sweet Santa Barbara Uni incorporated in three ways using various fresh and quality ingredients – it is worth every penny.
This beautiful bento box comes cutely wrapped with little dessert cups and a menu with instructions on how dishes should be eaten.
What to order: Omakase, Sushi Sho Special
Address: 383 Kalaimoku St, Honolulu, HI 96815
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3. Marugame Udon
Marugame Udon is a popular Japanese place in Hawaii, with two locations in Honolulu, serving hand-crafted udon bowls, tempura, and beverages. The restaurant stays true to Japan’s authentic tradition of noodle making, and their udon noodles are made to order, in their theater kitchen, so you can enjoy the best taste with the best “views”.
Curry Nikutama – this is Marugame Udon’s best-selling dish, which has the best-tasting beef curry broth with fresh, soft, and chewy udon noodles, melt-in-the-mouth sweet beef, and a soft egg.
Have a big bowl of this dish, and your tummy and heart will be happy for the rest of the day!
A simpler version of Curry Nikutama is Nikutama, where the sauce/broth and beef are both savory and sweet, and you can also have this dish served cold upon request.
When you order udon noodles at Marugame Udon, make sure that you also order at least a couple of different tempura plates to go with the udon. Trust us, they make the noodles taste unimaginably delectable.
The most popular tempura choices here are the Shrimp and Chicken. But, make no mistake, they also have a wide variety of vegetarian options, including Sweet Potato tempura and Potato Croquette.
What to order: Curry Nikutama, Nikutama udon, Shrimp tempura, Chicken tempura, Sweet Potato tempura, Potato Croquette
Address:
-Waikiki – 2310 Kuhio Avenue, Suite 124, Honolulu, HI 96815
-Downtown Honolulu – 1104 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, HI 96813
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4. Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu
A Japanese tonkatsu restaurant chain, Ginza Bairin, brings their famous Tonkatsu to Waikiki, and you’ll love it! Offering two options: the “tonkatsu” room and the “yoshoku bistro” room, you’ll be able to choose between signature Japanese plates and Japanese cafe dishes depending on where you sit.
A super refreshing salad dish, the Cabbage Salad paired with the sesame dressing is crazily good. We’re not quite sure what magic they put in this dish, but it’s definitely one for the books.
Crispy fresh breadcrumbs on the outside with the most tender meat inside, the Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu in Ginza Bairin is simply phenomenal. They say they only have 25 pieces daily, so make sure to get there early to cop one.
What to order: Cabbage Salad, Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu
Address: 255 Beach Walk, Honolulu, HI 96815
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5. Musubi Cafe IYASUME
If you’re into rice balls and Japanese comfort food, Musubi Cafe IYASUME must be heaven for you! Here, they make some of the best musubis in Hawaii and have the largest variety in town.
Whenever you’re in search of some afternoon snack, lunch, breakfast, or leisurely dinner, Musubi Cafe IYASUME can easily satisfy you!
The menu is so diverse with a range of musubi options that are unique to Hawaii. The Teriyaki Spam Musubi is a popular choice with its sweet and salty seasoning. Then comes the Avocado Bacon Egg Spam Musubi, which has a creative combination of flavors and texture!
Personally, we love the Kimuchi Spam which is so mouth-watering with spicy and sour kimchi on top. If you can handle the heat, this is for you!
Don’t skip their rice balls as they are the reasons why this place is famous. Highlights of the menu are the Salmon Roe & Salmon and Salmon Seaweed, they both taste phenomenal and packed with umami flavor!
What to order: Teriyaki Spam Musubi, Avocado Bacon Egg Spam Musubi, Kimuchi Spam, Salmon Roe & Salmon Rice Ball, Salmon Seaweed Rice Ball
Address:
-2427 Kuhio Ave, Pacific Monarch Hotel 1F, Honolulu, HI 96815
-227 Lewers St. Honolulu, HI 96815
-334 Seaside Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
-1450 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814
-638 Keeaumoku St., Honolulu, HI 96814
-4211 Waialae Ave, #G-19, Honolulu, HI 96816
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6. Bozu Japanese Restaurant
Situated inside the McCully Shopping Center, Bozu Japanese Restaurant is a gem for sushi lovers and Japanese cuisine enthusiasts! This place is most famous for its sushi bars and Izakaya, where diners can enjoy a variety of Japanese cuisine, including traditional sashimi, sushi rolls, grilled skewers, and Japanese-style hot pot.
With a casual and friendly ambiance, Bozu is perfect for any friend gatherings or family meetings!
To share, get the Assorted 5 Kind Sashimi or let the chef surprise you with the Chefs Special Assortment. For a unique taste, we bet you would love to try the Sea Urchin Sashimi, which is served fresh and has a prominent umami flavor accented by a salty taste.
It has a texture just like an egg yolk, though it may look weird its taste is decadent!
For a crunchy treat, grab the Deep Fried Oysters that are briny and slightly sweet, or the Crab Cream Croquette that reveals a soft, creamy interior of crab and potato. Don’t hesitate to have a bowl of Clam Miso Soup to accompany you along the way!
What to order: Assorted 5 kind Sashimi, Chefs Special Assortment, Sea Urchin Sashimi, Clam Miso Soup
Address: McCully Shopping Center 2nd Floor #209, 1960 Kapiolani Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96826
7. Ichifuji
With many more diners seeking healthful options, Ichifu is definitely a place to visit. Ichifuji is a focus on a luxe hot pot that immediately transports you to a ryokan in the Japanese Alps! The food itself is amazing but the warm and bright interior along with caring service is going to surprise you!
It’s the Otoshi Nabe being their specialty, where instead of swishing thin slips of beef and pork, you’ll dunk bundles of vegetables rolled with beef tongue and pork belly into an oxtail dashi broth that is simmered for 24 hours!
There are 3 options for you to choose from six-course, nine-course, and ten-course.
The ten-course menu upgrades your appetizer course with uni-topped kuruma ebi shrimp and adds a delicious chawanmushi custard. But make sure you’re not in a hurry ordering the ten-course menu as it might take up to 3 hours to finish it!
What to order: Otoshi Nabe
Address: 2334 S King St STE C, 2nd floor, Honolulu, HI 96826
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8. Okonomiyaki Chibo Restaurant
Serving Japanese cuisine with an American twist, Okonomiyaki Chibo is a beloved spot for both locals and tourists!
Here, they specialize in okonomiyaki, which is a Japanese pancake consisting of flour, egg, cabbage, and mountain yams, with ingredients that you can choose from their menu.
The Okonomiyaki is usually topped with Okonomiyaki sauce, seaweed powder, mayonnaise sauce, and dried bonito flakes when done. The original variety is made from pork, squid, shrimp, and scallops, if you want it to be a bit cheesy, get the Negiyaki!
This place is also famous for its Lobster Sashimi served whole, which has a superb taste and fresh-bouncing texture! You mustn’t miss the Sake whenever you visit a Japanese restaurant, in this case, order the Hot Sake to pair with all of your dishes. You won’t be disappointed!
What to order: Okonomiyaki, Negiyaki, Lobster Sashimi, Hot Sake
Address: 280 Beach Walk l106, Honolulu, HI 96815
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9. Maguro Brothers Hawaii
Maguro Brothers Hawaii is not your ideal dine-in restaurant but rather a take-out spot where you can get fresh sashimi, grilled fish, and poke bowls.
With two locations in Honolulu, this grab-and-go counter-service kitchen is any seafood lover’s dream come true.
The King Salmon Donburi, or salmon sashimi bowl, has melt-in-your-mouth fresh salmon on a bed of sushi rice, along with wasabi, salmon roe, ginger, and chopped green onions – fresh, light, and super tasty.
The Hawaiian Limu Ahi Poke Bowl is a lovely combination of fresh ahi, seaweed (limu), sesame oil, Hawaiian sea salt, and chili peppers. The crunch of the limu plays well against the soft, buttery fish, and the chili peppers add a spark to an otherwise cool dish.
From their “Grilled” options, the Hamachi Kama Grilled gets our vote! As the juiciest part of the fish, with this dish, you get to taste moist, super tender, and light flesh with a light charred flavor.
However, if you don’t want to deal with the collar bones, go with the Miso Salmon Grilled or Miso Hamachi Grilled.
What to order: King Salmon Donburi, Hawaiian Limu Ahi Poke Bowl, Hamachi Kama Grilled, Miso Salmon Grilled, Miso Hamachi Grilled
Address:
-Chinatown – Maunakea Market Food Court 1120 Maunakea Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
-Waikiki – Waikiki Hotel, 415 Nahua Street Pearl, Honolulu, HI 96815
10. Mr Ojisan Neo Bar & Sushi
Mr Ojisan Neo Bar & Sushi is a hidden gem in the heart of Honolulu, offering a unique blend of traditional Japanese cuisine with a modern twist. You’ll be trying the freshest and most creative sushi at great prices when dining at Mr Ojisan Neo Bar & Sushi.
Step inside the restaurant, and you’ll be greeted with a cozy and intimate ambiance, which is highlighted by yellow lights and a woody interior.
The menu is diverse, offering a wide range of sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes. In which the most popular items are the Dragon Roll and the Spicy Tuna Roll. Oh, we can never get enough of their rolls!
While the Dragon Roll is a delightful combination of eel and cucumber, topped with thinly sliced avocado, and drizzled with sweet eel sauce, the Spicy Tuna Roll is a fiery delight with a kick of spice that leaves a lasting impression.
To share, get the Sashimi Platter that is impressive both in presentation and taste profile. End it right with dessert, shall we? Mr Ojisan Neo has the best treat called Adults Only made with coffee jelly, Kahlua liqueur, and vanilla ice cream. Too good to be true!
What to order: Dragon Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, Sashimi Platter, Adults Only
Address: 1785 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826
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11. Irifune Restaurant
Located at the edge of downtown, Irifune Restaurant is a hidden gem serves traditional Japanese cuisine since 1974. Inside, the setting is simple yet warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot for any casual eat-outs! Whenever you think of grabbing a quick lunch, pass by Irifune!
It’s the Garlic Ahi, a staple on their menu, that makes Irifune popular. It comes up with a generous portion of ahi tuna, seasoned with a unique garlic blend that brings out the rich flavors of the fish.
Each bite is packed with flavors and texture, we bet you will come back for more of this goodness!
If you’re into their Garlic Ahi, you might want to go on with their Garlic Crab! The dish features succulent crab meat cooked in a rich garlic sauce. The robust flavor of the garlic really complements the sweet and delicate taste of the crab, creating a dish that is crazily flavorful and satisfying!
What to order: Garlic Ahi, Garlic Crab
Address: 850 Mililani St, Honolulu, HI 96813
12. Teishoku Restaurant
Teishoku Restaurant has long been the locals’ favorite in Honolulu for good reasons. Serving up top-notch, authentic Japanese dishes in a relaxed and comfortable dining environment, this is the place to satisfy your craving with bites of fresh fish. You can’t go wrong with this!
The restaurant’s most popular dishes are the Chicken Katsu Teishoku and the Sashimi Teishoku. The Chicken Katsu Teishoku is a crispy, breaded chicken cutlet served with rice, miso soup, and pickled vegetables. While the Sashimi Teishoku offers a selection of fresh, high-quality fish served with the same accompaniments. Whatever you go for, it is sure to please both your taste buds and tummy!
We highly recommend you try their Vegetable Croquette made out of breaded and fried patty vegetables, filled with sweet corn, carrot, and potato. It is super crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside with a mild and slightly sweet taste!
For a hearty dish, go ahead and choose the Ahi Poke Limu Don, totally a treat for tuna lovers!
What to order: Chicken Katsu Teishoku, Sashimi Teishoku, Vegetable Croquette, Ahi Poke Limu Don
Address: 1620 N School St, Honolulu, HI 96817
13. Tonkatsu Tamafuji
Tonkatsu Tamafuji is your next go-to spot to find the best Tonkatsu in town! If you’re in love with these breaded, deep-fried pork cutlets cooked to perfection, this restaurant is not going to let you down. You have our guarantee!
The most recommended item on their menu is the Jyukusei Pork Loin Katsu Set. The pork loin is a thicker filet that is soft and tender on the inside and fried to crunchy, crispy perfection on the outside. The set comes with a choice of miso soup (red or white), and a choice of rice (Hokkaido brand rice, seasoned mixed rice, or 5-grain rice).
The portion is huge, so get someone to share with you or make sure you’re really hungry ordering this!
Another popular item is the Oyster Katsu, which is equally delicious and a must-try for seafood lovers! They also offer Bento Box and Sandwich in case you’re here for a takeaway or a quick meal. The Chicken Katsu Sandwich is widely loved here, we bet you want to make a try too!
What to order: Jyukusei Pork Loin Katsu Set, Oyster Katsu, Bento Box, Chicken Katsu Sandwich
Address: 449 Kapahulu Ave Ste 203, Honolulu, HI 96815
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14. Golden Pork Tonkotsu Ramen Bar
Opened its door in 2015, Golden Pork Tonkotsu Ramen Bar has been offering the best ramen to all Japanese cuisine enthusiasts. The moment you step inside this restaurant, you’ll immediately feel that home-y and cozy ambiance, making the dining experience so wholesome whatever occasion you’re going here for!
Tonkotsu ramen is the main star here, a classic Japanese dish that features a rich and creamy pork bone broth. People have been coming back all over again for their flavorful broth and perfectly cooked noodles.
The Chashu Pork is one of the best sellers with tender and juicy pork belly, we love how the meaty and smoky, slightly sweet flavors complement each other!
Classics like Black Garlic Ramen with a rich, smokey, and earthy taste profile can also surprise you.
Or you can just get their no-less-stunning Spicy Red Dragon Miso Ramen if you can handle the heat! This badass here surely can give your taste buds a kick!
What to order: Tonkotsu Ramen, Chashu Pork, Black Garlic Ramen, Spicy Red Dragon Miso Ramen
Address: 1279 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96814, United States
15. Han no Daidokoro
Situated right in the heart of Ward Village, Han no Daidokoro is a high-end Japanese restaurant that is famous for its luxurious and exquisite interior design, not to mention its signature Japanese-style A5 grade yakiniku! Whenever you think of an extraordinary dining experience in Honolulu, pay a visit to Han no Daidokoro!
The menu features a variety of premium meats, but the Miyazaki Beef and Washu Beef are undoubtedly outstanding! While Miyazaki Beef has a rich and meaty taste profile, the Washu Beef is way more tender and succulent. Both taste great in their own way, we bet you’ll like them all!
Don’t miss their Grilled Sukiyaki as this is truly the gem of Han no Daidokoro.
The beef is thinly sliced and has that melt-in-mouth texture. Dip each into their egg yolk sauce, making it way richer and buttery!
What to order: Miyazaki Beef, Washu Beef, Grilled Sukiyaki
Address: 1108 Auahi St Suite 150, Honolulu, HI 96814, United States
Looking for a place to stay in Honolulu?
Now that you are all set! These restaurants above are more than just places to eat; they are destinations where you can immerse yourself in the rich flavors and traditions of Japanese cuisine.
Remember, this is just the beginning of your Hawaiian food journey. Stay tuned as we continue to explore and share the best dining spots in Honolulu. Until then, happy eating!