Diners' Choice: Japanese restaurants in Hawaii

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Japanese cuisine in Hawaii? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

J-Shop

5.0

5 (22)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Honolulu

About the restaurant

<< We are BYOB, so please bring your favorite liquor >>
Our restaurant is a small, hidden izakaya restaurant located inside the J-Shop supermarket.
J-Shop is a Japanese fresh food store run by a company that imports fresh fish, wagyu beef, vegetables, and fruit directly from Japan several flights a week.
Please enjoy the freshest Japanese foods at Izakakaya.

Top review

Michelle

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Best ever sashimi - Like eating butter. Owners and waiter were so warm and friendly. Ordered two of their specials for the evening. Out of this word. They will even deep fry your fish bones and shrimp heads which were outstanding. You will love it! BYOB

Tempura Ichika

4.9

4.9 (17)

$50 and over

Japanese

Ala Moana

About the restaurant

Discover the vibrant allure of Honolulu’s culinary scene at Tempura Ichika, where Michelin-starred chef Kiyoshi Chikano redefines refined dining with an exceptional Tempura Omakase experience. As Honolulu’s sole full-time resident Michelin-star chef, Chikano infuses his deep-fried creations with a perfect blend of tradition and innovation

Top review

JoshVIP

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Truly a memorable evening. The creativity, presentation and quality of the food is outstanding. Service is exceptional and the ambiance is modern and calming. Highly recommend! Go with an open mind and be ready to be surprised and delighted.

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Experience

Omakase Tempura Special

Omakase By Aung

4.9

4.9 (291)

$50 and over

Japanese

Kaimuki

About the restaurant

Taste the umami!BYOB! (WE DO NOT SELL ALCOHOL )
Omakase By Aung is modern, up beat and contemporary sushi omakase restaurant located at 567 Kapahulu Ave next to world famous Waikiki beach in Honolulu. Mixture of Edomae style nigiris and model innovative nigiris will be served in 1 hour 45 minutes long Omakase meal. Seasonal fish from around the world are used in the 15 courses omakase meal.
Omakase by Aung provides single 15 courses menu to all customers for both Lunch and Dinner Service.
Chef Aung will provide laid back and fun experience for all sushi lovers. Open kitchen with a long 12 seats sushi counter in the middle of the restaurant allows interactive experience between the customers and the chefs.

Top review

Kevin

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

I love this place! The chef and the workers are very friendly!

i-naba Hanalei'i Honolulu Sushi and Grill

4.8

4.8 (21)

$50 and over

Japanese

Mccully-Moiliili

About the restaurant

Chef's Counter: Supervised by Tyler Burges.
He has formally worked as the executive sous-chef at the three-star Michelin in San Francisco.
He is currently the executive chef of "SMOKE DOOR" in Yokohama.
He will deliver the moment when ingredients bloom the most.
You can enjoy all of this in Hawaii.

Hanaleiʻi” is a coined word derived from the place name Hanalei on Kauai island. Hanalei means “crescent”. Our restaurant name “Hanaleiʻi” symbolizes “We will strive for success until becoming the full moon …”.

Top review

JeffVIP

Dined on Nov 15, 2024

I went here thinking I was going for a sushi bar, but I ended up with an Omakase experience. The fish was extremely fresh, I found out Thursday as “fresh fish Thursday“ when they get all of their shipments in, but when I came into this place I thought it was going to be busy because of the reviews, but I was the third person there. The sushi chef was one year in the US coming from Japan, so knew very little English, but I just rolled with it. Turned out. I had a wonderful experience with some delicious sushi. I’ve had Uni in the past and I thought it tasted like the bottom of the ocean, but the Uni they had here was straight from Japan and it was very sweet … and I can now understand why they consider it a delicacy. Had a couple glasses of sake, along with the Omakase experience. All in it was about $160 … but it was unbelievably delicious. I would highly recommend this place.

Han no Daidokoro

4.9

4.9 (676)

$50 and over

Japanese

Honolulu

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Ward, Han no Daidokoro specializes in Japanese style A5 grade yakiniku. We offer 7 days a week with luxe A5 Wagyu from Japan, Miyazaki and Washu beef from Oregon at the Ward Village. We are conveniently located on the first floor of Anaha. (Across the Whole foods, next to the Istambul) Come join us today for an unforgettable experience!

Top review

Cynthia

Dined 3 days ago

Lunch menu was pretty extensive; lots to choose from. Service was excellent! Servers were very attentive and accommodating. The special birthday surprise was so fun; a lit sparkler instead of a candle!

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Popular dish

Seared Washu Beef Sushi

Popular dish

Steamed Washu Beef

Popular dish

Seared Miyazaki Beef Sushi

Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery

4.9

4.9 (210)

$50 and over

Japanese

Kohala Coast

About the restaurant

Welcome to Engawa, a small restaurant limited to 20 guests per night, where we offer an exquisite experience of Japanese cuisine. We invite you to indulge in a memorable dinner experience. Our menu is a celebration of traditional Japanese cuisine, featuring an array of exquisite dishes prepared with the finest local ingredients. From fresh sushi and sashimi to hearty tempura and other savory dishes are crafted to bring out the authentic flavors of Japan. Enjoy a unique culinary journey with chef & brew master Chiaki Takahashi, where each dish complemented by our award-winning hand-crafted sake, designed to enhance your dining experience.
At Engawa, we pride ourselves on providing not only exceptional foods but also an inviting atmosphere and impeccable service. To ensure you have a wonderful evening with us, we recommend making a reservation. Our attentive team is here to accommodate your needs and preferences, making your visit truly special.

Top review

SarahVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

We’ve traveled all over the world to eat. This place could compete with any of the best places. The sake was extraordinary. Even the rice - the rice was the most delicate and silky rice I’ve ever had. If you miss this place, it’s on you. You’re not really living and you’re missing out on something very special. You owe it to your palette. The service was impeccable as well. Just go.

Yohei Sushi

4.7

4.7 (71)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Honolulu

About the restaurant

Kazuto Obara came to Hawaii in the 1970s with a dream to open his own authentic Japanese restaurant. Practicing the traditional style of sushi known as Edomae, Chef Obara crafts a special omakase experience from the waters of his birth country (Japan) and his home (Hawaii). With his family roots from Hiroshima, he has served generations of families here in the islands. Book a reservation today

Top review

RyanVIP

Dined 7 days ago

There was about a 20-25 minute wait despite our reservation, but the food more than made up for the delay. Definitely on our short list to return.

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Experience

Omakase Course - Market Price

Izakaya Matsuri

4.9

4.9 (461)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Honolulu

About the restaurant

"Welcome to Izakaya Matsuri!"
We offer you freshest Sashimi, Sushi and various chef Specials in Japanese cuisine along with selected Sake, Shochu and wines to complete your meal. Izakaya Matsuri is located in the center of town- on Young St. with lots of free parking for our customers.
(*We do not provide highchairs, or baby seats for children since we are Japanese - Izakaya style restaurant which is mainly for adults.)
* Please, aware that your reservation may be cancelled if you do not confirm your reservation, please cancel your reservation within 12 hours prior to your reservation,
or you will be subject to charge the cancellation fee per person $30.
Do text, or call us to cancel (business cell) 808-745-5858. (The cancellation fee will be automatically charged if it happens after 12 hours prior to your reservation time)
* You will be charged the fee for NO show.($50 per person on your credit card)
* Please, be aware we may add group service charge20 % for a table of 5 or more.

Top review

真之

Dined 6 days ago

The food is all appetizing, especially 5 kinds of Sashimi and chicken karaage are fantastic.

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4.8

4.8 (237)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Kaimuki

About the restaurant

Izakaya Nonbei has been a mainstay in Kapahulu for over 30 years serving the best Japanese food and drinks.

Top review

StaceyVIP

Dined on Dec 2, 2024

Izakaya Nonbei is our go-to Japanese restaurant in Honolulu. The large menu ensures that we create the variety of dishes that we want. We go very regularly and will do so for the foreseeable future. We ordered over a dozen dishes for our group of 7 and left very happy.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Kapolei, HI | Kapolei Commons

4.8

4.8 (316)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Kapolei

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

Alfred

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic….. to the last bite. Mio sparkling sake was a great add to an incredible meal. The service was impeccable. I highly recommend Guy- Kaku I will be in search of this restaurant in my travels..

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Experience

Prix-Fixe BBQ Courses for Everyone: Starting at...

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