Somewhat of a newer experience to most parts of the country, sushi has had a long and favorable relationship with Hawaii and her people for many generations. In earlier years sushi was largely home made for bento lunch boxes or to be given away to neighbors and friends to celebrate the New Year. Today sushi remains to be one of the staples found everywhere in Hawaii from beach picnics up to high end fancy restaurants. Whether it is hand rolled, musubi or hoso maki or even as simple as inari, everyone has his or her favorite and with Hawaii 's rich Asian influences, the prospects for the creation of new and interesting formats and flavors are bright.
TODAI 1910 Ala Moana Blvd. Honolulu , HI 96815 Telephone: 808-947-1000
This wildly popular restaurant first appeared on the Honolulu dining scene in 2001 and word of mouth momentum has pushed this eatery to be one of the most popular sushi places on the island. Busy and lively this restaurant is large by Waikiki standards and features a wonderful variety of sushi. The selection seems endless and everything is always fresh, colorful and flavorful. Also exciting is the huge variety of buffet selections at adjacent counters that include fresh fish, tempura and a very smart dessert bar of crepes, cheesecakes and more. No reservations are accepted here so arrive early for dinner and be prepared to wait for a table especially on holidays and weekends.
Holiday Schedule: Open all holidays
Estimated cost per person: $20-$30
MAKINO CHAYA 98-150 Kaonohi St Honolulu , HI 96701 Telephone: 808-486-5100
Hours: (Mon-Sun) 11:45 am-2pm, 5:45pm-9:00 pm
Convenient Aiea location with lots of free parking, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience of table service along with buffet selections with all you can eat pricing. First stop here is the buffet table with great salad and sushi selections from spicy tuna to California rolls. Once seated, you'll be presented with a made to order menu where you can choose small portions from and endless list of tempura, donburi, teriyaki, seafood and other made to order Japanese favorites. Eat till your hearts content and then some, it's all good! Reservations especially for large parties, weekends, and holidays are highly recommended.
Holiday Schedule: open all holidays
Estimated cost per person: $12-$25
GENKI SUSHI - WAIKELE 94-798 Lumiaina St Honolulu , HI 96797 Telephone: 808-678-3180
Hours: (Sun-Thu) 11 am-9pm, (Fri) 11am-10pm
One of several locations on the island, this sushi restaurant has made the most of "pay by the dish" sushi eateries. The Waikele location is always lively and busy, dressed in fresh cheerful colors and a crisp and clean setting. Parking is always ample and free. Once seated "trackside" the conveyor belt with help from the chefs in the kitchen behind the curtains will provide a never ending stream of fresh and flavorful selections on colorful dishes. Even though the restaurant provides a guide to everything they serve who really needs to know so many details when each selection looks so fresh and tempting.
Located in the Waikiki Marriott Hotel and Spa across the street from the famous beach, this award winning resort restaurant offers a cutting edge menu and fabulous service. Chef D.K. Kodama offers unique menu selections that are sure to please even the most traditional sushi enthusiast. Menu selections include Mango & Crab Salad Hand Roll filled with ripe mango, snow crab, Kula greens and a wonderful Thai chili vinaigrette, Spider Roll, crispy tempura -style soft shell crab, cucumber and daikon sprouts with sweet Thai chili sauce. There are also several great entrees that feature fresh island fish more. Reservations recommended.
Holiday Schedule: Closed Christmas Day
Estimated cost per person: $35-$65
KOZO 2334 S. King Street Honolulu , HI 96826 Telephone: 808-951-5696
The original location of what is now several locations on the island, this small sushi counter done in striking colors has only enough room for a couple of small tables and not much more. Parking is limited and often full in the complex, so be prepared to circle at least twice or find street parking when you visit. The service is friendly, but can be slow at times, but the sushi is flavorful and well priced. There are selections of standard nigiri and maki sushi, but the temaki comes in a variety of flavors and offers a special wrapper that keeps the nori fresh and crispy.
Holiday Schedule: Closed Christmas Day
Estimated cost per person: $5-$15
ALOHA SUSHI 579 Farrington Hwy Kapolei, Hi 96707 Telephone: 808-674-1711
This Kapolei restaurant is one of many popular locations on the island and features sushi fast food style at reasonable prices. Located behind a gas station and a fast food joint, there is always a lot of free parking The restaurant offers a simple décor, just a couple of small tables and a side wall that features a display of their customer's the sushi cards. The menu selections offers traditional choices of maki mono, nigiri and hoso maki and the temaki selections are especially flavorful and creative. Most popular temaki choices include shrimp tempura roll, Portuguese roll and even a SPAM roll.
Holiday Schedule: Closed Christmas Day
Estimated cost per person: $5-$15
NINJA SUSHI 91-919 Fort Weaver Rd # 104B Ewa Beach , HI 96706 Telephone: 808-689-3600
Hours: (Mon-Sat) 10am-9pm, (Sun) 10am-8pm
This chain of local sushi joints are the newest on the island scene. The small restaurant is done is bright bold colors and offers stylish tables for those who want to eat in and a large service counter. The huge colorful menu displays offer an easy way to pick and choose your favorite items for ordering. Located in the Ewa Beach Shopping Center , parking is plentiful and always free. There is a host of traditional selections of maki mono, temaki, hoso maki and nigiri but the menu also features a kiddie menu and other items like donburi, bento and desserts.
Holiday Schedule: Closed Christmas Day
Estimated cost per person: $5-$15
GYOTAKU 98-1226 Kaahumanu St . Pearl City , HI 96782 Telephone: 808-487-0091
Hours: (Sun-Thu) 11am-9pm, (Fri-Sat) 11am-10pm
This wonderful and popular restaurant is one of those secret spots that only Hawaii residents know about. Far away from the resorts and beach, this comfortable restaurant is where locals come to eat great Japanese food. It's an award winning family restaurant where you'll find a great atmosphere, reasonable prices and great service. The sushi menu is fabulous with selections like Pele's Lava roll, Golden Dragon roll, Ahi Poke roll and more. There is also a wide selection of noodles, steaks, fresh seafood along with combination plates that include miso soup and salad, and a senior and kiddie menu, too!
Holiday Schedule: Closed Christmas Day Estimated cost per person: $15-$30
KAZOKU SUSHI 338 Kamokila Blvd, Suite 102 Kapolei , HI 96707
Located in the farthest reaches of burgeoning Kapolei not far from Home Depot, this new sushi restaurant offers lots of free parking, a creative menu and boasts the only double track sushi belt in the state. Reasonable prices and a great menu this restaurant has become a notable and friendly place to enjoy flavorful Japanese menu . The sushi here is remarkable, fast and fresh. House specialty rolls include "The Dragon", an inside out maki with tempura, dikon sprouts topped with broiled unagi, there is also "The Volcano", a mixture of scallops, tobikko, mayo baked and drizzled with house spicy sauce. Highly recommended.
Holiday Schedule: Closed Christmas Day
Estimated cost per person: $15-$30
HANAKI RESTAURANT 2752 Woodlawn Dr. Suite 102 Honolulu , HI 96822
Located just minutes from Waikiki in wonderfully lush, cool and quiet Manoa Valley , this family restaurant has been a favorite of Honolulu 's residents for many years. The restaurant is located in Manoa Marketplace and offers lots of free parking. The restaurant features a fabulous buffet and wonderful sushi and other enticing selections that make return visits enjoyable. The sushi here is creative and always inventive. The newest types include a pizza roll, deep-fried-siu-mai-and-egg roll and a Vietnamese roll sushi. This is a popular place for family celebrations and gatherings. Anyone celebrating a birthday can dine free with another paying guest.
The Top List of Sushi Restaurants - Honolulu, HI