Places to Eat

10 Best Japanese Restaurants In Honolulu

A mouth-watering sushi prepared at Doraki Waikiki on International Sushi Day by Aoki Group
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Best Japanese restaurants in Honolulu offer Takeout Menu as a grab-and-go option for its customers. You can also find an online menu on Zmenu.com.

Contemporary Hawaiian food has been heavily inspired by Japanese cuisine due to the influx of immigrants to the island. Innovative chefs have blended traditional Japanese dishes with native Hawaiian cuisine to create new tastes and flavors.

In this article, we have presented a list of the 10 best restaurants in Honolulu that serve Japanese cuisine.

1. Yoshitsune Restaurant

Best Japanese restaurants Honolulu Yoshitsune Restaurant serves traditional Japanese fare and sushi. The dining place is located in Park Shore Waikiki Hotel. 

Service options at the eatery include Dine-in and Takeout. However, the place has not introduced a delivery service yet. 

A full traditional Japanese meal served at Yoshitsune Restaurant
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Yoshitshune is one of the best restaurants in Honolulu that serves authentic Japanese breakfast twice a week: Tuesday and Wednesday. You can enjoy hearty meals including lunch, dinner and brunch.

Every set comes with an appetizer, miso soup, tofu, pickles, and egg custard. Special diet choices comprise vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free meals.

  • Address: 2586 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
  • Phone: 808 926-5616
  • Opening Hours: 11 am to 2 pm, 5:30 pm to 10 pm daily
  • Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5 based on 239 reviews

2. Morimoto Asia Waikiki

Best Japanese restaurant Honolulu Morimoto Asia Waikiki is a casual elegant eatery specializing in Japanese and Chinese cuisines. The dining place is located at Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach.

Morimoto Asia is the Chef Masaharu Morimoto Pan-Asian Restaurant. The chef is among the most creative and inventive forces in Asian cuisine.

Popular dishes at the elegant dining place are hand-carved Roast Duck, Shrimp Pad Thai, and Fish Carpaccio. The warm and welcoming environment makes for a memorable dining experience.

An yummy Mizuhiki Sashimi Salad ready to be served at Morimoto Asia Waikiki
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Guests visiting the place will be greeted with additional facilities including a Bar and Lounge, Outdoor dining, Patio dining and private rooms. 

The Menu at Morimoto includes Appetizers, Soup/Salad, Rice/ Noodle/Vegetable, A5 Wagyu Selection, Meat/Poultry and Seafood. Guests can enjoy Smoked Old Fashioned Cocktail for $19.

  • Address: 2490 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
  • Phone: 808 922-0022
  • Opening Hours: 5 pm to 9 pm daily
  • Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5 based on 413 reviews

3. Tonkatsu Tamafuji

Best Honolulu Japanese restaurant Tonkatsu Tamafuji is famous for house-special breaded pork and Japanese grub. 

The special dish on the Menu at Tonkatsu Tamafuji are listed below:

  • Jyukusei (Aged) Pork Loin Katsu Teishoku - $25 

A complete Japanese dish prepared at Tonkatsu Tamafuji
Source : facebook

The dining place also provides a Takeout Menu for the convenience of the guests. All dishes except for Sizzling Plate Miso Sauce Sets and Egg Toji sets can be ordered for takeout.

  • Address: 449 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
  • Phone: 808 922-1212
  • Opening Hours: 4 pm to 9:30 (Mon-Fri), 11 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 9:30 pm (Sat-Sun)
  • Make a reservation via tablecheck.com
  • Tripadvisor Rating:4.5/5 based on 95 reviews

4. Izakaya Nonbei

Honolulu Japanese restaurants Izakaya Nonbei specializes in Izakaya and Sushi. The place has been a mainstay Japanese eatery in Kapahulu for over 30 years. 

The price of dining at Izakaya Nonbei ranges from $31 to $50. Services at the property include Dine-in and Takeout. The Take Out Menu includes:

  • Shioyaki Salmon Bento - $15.00
  • Pork Tonkatsu Bento - $15.00
  • Chicken Tonkatsu Bento - $15.00
  • Misoyaki Butterfish Bento - $22.00
  • Wafu Steak Bento - $28.00
  • Oyako Donburi - $12

A beautifully decorated entrance of the Japanese eatery Nonbei Izakaya
Source : facebook

If you are looking for a fulfilling meal outside the main drag of Honolulu, then Nonbei is the place for you. The place has polite and helpful staff and the food is top-notch.

  • Address: 3108 Olu St, Honolulu, HI 96816
  • Phone: 808 734-5573
  • Opening Hours: 5 pm to 10 pm daily
  • Free Parking Service onsite
  • Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5 based on 56 reviews

5. Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Best Japanese food Honolulu Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar offers Japanese-Pacific Rim fare and creative sushi rolls. The vibrant and trendy eatery also features weekend karaoke. 

The locally owned Sensei has been a Waikiki staple for over 20 years. This dining place offers the best quality and value in Waikiki sushi and Japanese/American cuisine.

Famous Takah Sushi Roll served at Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
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Here, guests will enjoy an upbeat, casual and yet refined dining experience that will make your trip to Honolulu wholesome. Furthermore, the place has 'To Go Orders' available from 5 to 9 pm.

At Sensei, the adventurous chefs have combined Japanese heritage with Hawaii's ethnic mix and flavors. This led to the creation of New Wave Sushi, and contemporary Japanese cuisine.

  • Address: 2552 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
  • Phone: 808 931-6286
  • Opening Hours: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm daily
  • Dining Style: Casual Dining
  • Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5 based on 1,071 reviews

6. Gyotaku Japanese Restaurant - King Street

Japanese food in Honolulu Gyotaku Japanese Restaurant is a family-friendly casual establishment serving authentic Japanese cuisine. It is located 1.1 miles away from Ala Moana Beach Park.

Gyotaku King Street has an extensive Japanese menu that includes mouth-watering Appetizers such as Maguro Sashimi, Ahi Poke Platter, Hiyayakko, Agedashi Tofu, Edamame and much more.

The variety of Sushi Rolls served at Gyotaku Restaurant are listed below:

  • Atomic Spider Roll - $18.95
  • Flaming Ahi Roll - $16.95
  • Midori Roll - $13.95
  • Pele Lava Roll - $17.95
  • Ninja Roll - $17.95
  • Godzilla Roll - $18.95

A full meal ready to be served at Gyotaku Japanese Restaurant
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The eatery provides additional services of Curbside pickup and Delivery along with Dine-in. Special diets including vegetarian-friendly and Gluten-free are also available here.

  • Address: Gyotaku Japanese Restaurant
  • Phone: 808 949-4584
  • Opening Hours: 11 am to 8 pm daily
  • Free Onsite Parking
  • Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5 based on 98 reviews

7. Doraku Sushi

Best sushi Honolulu Doraku Sushi is a modern gastropub specializing in Izakaya cuisine and innovative sushi. The dining place also offers crafted cocktails.

This casual dining place is located in Royal Hawaiian Center. The Menu at Doraku also includes Cold Dishes that are listed below:

  • Red Snapper Tiridito - $17.95
  • Seared Tuna With Asian Salsa - $12.95
  • Japanese Style Snapper Shiso Carpacci - $14.95
  • Toro Avocado Tartar - $12.25

Visit Doraku Waikiki on weekday after 4 pm and taste the best Sushi
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Doraku Sushi offers Happy Hours twice a week: Tuesday and Wednesday, from 4 pm to 5 pm. The place serves local Hawaiian cuisines, Japanese dishes, Sushi, Asian and vegetarian-friendly meals.

Additional features available at the eatery are Takeout Menu, Outdoor seating, Highchairs, and Table service. Onsite parking facility is also available for the guests

  • Address: Royal Hawaiian Center, 2233 Kalākaua Ave Suite 304, Honolulu, HI 96815
  • Phone: 808 922-3323
  • Opening Hours: 11:30 am to 10 pm (Sun -Thu), 11:30 am to 11 pm (Fri -Sat)
  • Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5 based on 1,090 reviews

8. Furusato Japanese Restaurant

Japanese restaurants Oahu Furusato Japanese Restaurant is a snug sushi house serving classic rolls, and seafood salads. Enjoy the Japanese mains in colorful and cozy quarters.

Furusato Sushi is located in Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, a family hotel in Honolulu. The premium dining place serves traditional and contemporary styles of sushi.

A beautiful and well-organized Sushi Counter at Furusato Japanese Restaurant
Source : facebook

Furusato has over 50 years of experience in Japanese cuisine. The eatery is a walk-in-only restaurant so it does not accept online reservations.

Lunch Special is available from 11:30 am to 4:45 pm. It includes Nigiri & Soba Noodle (Hot) Set ($26.50), Somen Set ($23), and Udon Set ($23).

  • Address: 2424 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
  • Phone: 808 922-4991
  • Opening Hours: 11:30 am to 10 pm daily
  • Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5 based on 353 reviews

9. Yanagi Sushi

Oahu Japanese restaurant Yanagi Sushi offers an à la carte menu that includes salads, soups, broiled fish, tempura and deep-fried foods. Inventive sushi rolls are a specialty of the place.

The eatery has been serving the highest quality Japanese foods to locals and tourists alike since 1978. The use of fresh local ingredients, the variety of the menu, and the at-home atmosphere are the main highlights.

A platter filled with the best selections of sashimi at Yanagi Sushi
Source : facebook

The sashimi and sushi menu includes combination sashimi, combination nigiri sushi, chirashi sushi and omakase. Other specialties are nebmono, served with appetizers, rice, pickled vegetables and dessert, the Yanagi Sushi special combination dinner and the pupu menu.

  • Address: 762 Kapiolani Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96813
  • Phone: 808 597-1525
  • Opening Hours: 11 am to 2 pm, 5:30 pm to 1 am (Mon-Sat)
  • Takeout Special and Late Night Special are offered
  • Make reservations via opentable.com

10. Maguro Brothers

Best restaurants in Honolulu Maguro Brothers is a basic counter-service kitchen located in Pearl Hotel Waikiki. The eatery serves a wide variety of poke and sashimi for takeout.

If you are looking for a place to grab a quick lunch or snack in Honolulu, then Maguro Brothers is the perfect place. This place prepares Takeout meals of the Japanese variety.

AHI burger steak added with daikon, shimeji mushroom and w/ponzu sauce served at Maguro Brothers
Source : facebook

This eatery is famous for fresh poke and donburi that you can get for about $15.95. The fish is served fresh and seafood including salmon tuna, and yellowtail are top-notch.

  • Address: Waikiki Hotel, 415 Nāhua Street Pearl, Honolulu, HI 96815
  • Phone: 808 230-3470
  • Opening Hours: 5 pm to 8 pm (Mon-Sat)
  • Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5 based on 25 reviews