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Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

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  • Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

    when treating friends from hawaii i usually take them to nyc to try some of the great japanese restaurants there. that had me thinking, hawaii definitely has some connections as far as japanese haute cuisine is concerned. i havent been around lately so what are the best japanese restaurants? ive heard some good things about gyotaku. you can also nominate separate categories for yakiniku or sushi bar.

  • #2
    Re: Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

    Not sure if price ranges are major factors but if you're going just on 'wow' factor, a few must-eat places I can suggest off the top of my head:

    Irifune on Kapahulu Ave.-Garlic Ahi and the daily specials are to die for

    Imanas Tei in Pucks Alley-Japanese Izakaya with ala carte menu. Awesome pupu style portions and if you're really hungry, the shabu shabu is unreal.

    Yakiniku Million near Ala Moana Walmart-Hole in the wall establishment but ono meats

    Zippys Sushi bar-Yes, that Zippys. Surprisingly good sushi with reasonable prices.

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    • #3
      Re: Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

      Oahu does not lack in good Japanese restaurants. Personal favorites for me are based on neighborhood mostly. If I'm in the Kapahulu area I like Mr. Ojisan. Aiea has Tadashi which is excellent as well as Kabuki. My favorite sushi spot is Mitch's, a real hole-in-the-wall in the Airport Industrial area but he has what many consider the most traditional and best sushi master (Mitsui Hideo) behind the counter. Other good sushi places (all pricey) are Sasabune and Yohei.

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      • #4
        Re: Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

        Yamachan on S. King next to Flyin' Hawaiian Balloons is great. The food is good, of course, but rice is extra-ono! I can't explain it, you just have to eat it and see for yourself.

        I'm with glossyp on Tadashi in the Pearl Kai Shopping center. Last time I ate there I ran into Ben Vegas and also Rodney Villanueva. They give plenny food! Very busy, make reservations if you can.

        For sushi, Kyo-Ya has the freshest, thickest slices of fish on their sushi that I have found in Hawaii. Expensive. But gooood!

        And of course, hit Sansei for a great variety of brokdamout sushi, and go after 10pm for 50% off. You can't beat that kind of discout! (Be aware that they automatically add service charge/gratuity to your check during discount times.)

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        • #5
          Re: Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

          Imanas Tei is one of my favorites, but already mentioned. Here are a few others that I enjoy:

          Okonomiyaki Chibo Restaurant in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. My favorite Japanese restaurant! Worth the drive, parking validated in the parking structure. Go for lunch - great lunch specials, but you gotta try the okonomiyaki! (My favorite combination: bacon with mochi & cheese!)

          Miyako Japanese Restaurant in the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel.

          Okonomi Kai Cuisine - izakaya style

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          • #6
            Re: Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

            Originally posted by Paul Ogata
            [...]Last time I ate there I ran into Ben Vegas and also Rodney Villanueva.[...]
            Jeez...Tadashi's shoulda had a cover charge that night!

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            • #7
              Re: Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

              Originally posted by Donna
              Imanas Tei is one of my favorites, but already mentioned. Here are a few others that I enjoy:

              Okonomiyaki Chibo Restaurant in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. My favorite Japanese restaurant! Worth the drive, parking validated in the parking structure. Go for lunch - great lunch specials, but you gotta try the okonomiyaki! (My favorite combination: bacon with mochi & cheese!)

              Miyako Japanese Restaurant in the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel.

              Okonomi Kai Cuisine - izakaya style
              Ah yes! Kai is another awesome place. Very unique with a fun, modern ambience and great service. Kinda neat that you can 'design' your own okonomiyaki. Possibilities are endless! Good call Donna

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              • #8
                Re: Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

                Vale46: I like the "exotic" appetizers they have at Kai. Have you tried the Renkon Cheese Yaki? Ooooh, brok' da mout! It's one of my favorites.

                Another place I forgot is Minato. They have "kaiseki" on Monday nights. You have to call to make reservations, but it's really a unique experience as it's the "chef's choice". Aside from the Monday kaiseki, they have great Japanese food on their regular menu as well!

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                • #9
                  Re: Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

                  The best Japanese meal i've had here was at Kyo Ya in Waikiki. Big bucks but worth it. Other favorites are Sushi King, Yagura, Yanagi's, Bozu's, California rock n sushi, and Gyotaku.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

                    Originally posted by Donna
                    Vale46: I like the "exotic" appetizers they have at Kai. Have you tried the Renkon Cheese Yaki? Ooooh, brok' da mout! It's one of my favorites.

                    Another place I forgot is Minato. They have "kaiseki" on Monday nights. You have to call to make reservations, but it's really a unique experience as it's the "chef's choice". Aside from the Monday kaiseki, they have great Japanese food on their regular menu as well!
                    The renkon cheese yaki was the next thing i wanted to try when i go back!
                    Must try it now that you've suggested it. So many yummy looking things on that menu that its gonna take a while to master.

                    BTW, whats champuru.net? Okinawan site?

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                    • #11
                      FLYING KNIVES at the Hyatt

                      So I took my lady to Musashi (1 of 4 feature restaurants there) in the Hyatt Regency Waikiki for our belated Valentine's Dinner.

                      She picked there since she's friends with Kevin Matsuda, famous Teppanyaki chef who was featured recently on the Food Network's FLYING KNIVES challenge.

                      Photos...


                      Front sitting area. Gotta' love those Samurai armor statues (shown is 1 of 2). 2nd photo are the PRIME BEEF (not choice) New York Strip Steaks. These were actually the last item to be cooked on the menu. You can't see the detail in the photo, but these babies were beautifully marbelized!


                      Chef Kevin Matsuda, showing off the famous "volcano onion" (not steaming yet). Look at all those white and Shiitake mushrooms. My fave! Notice the Japanese Zucchini with "Musashi" on the right, and in front, my name "Pomai" carved in by the chef himself. Next to mine was my girlfriend's name +, which I edited out. How romantic, Chef!


                      This is pretty much the entire spread. Teppanyaki is all about chef grilling everything right in front of you. Your plate is kept near the grill-side so that he can serve you dynamically, so there's there's no organization, but that's OK, each and every bite tastes oishii desu!

                      The Nigiri Sushi alone (with Shiso Leaf and pickled Ginger) were gems. These are all about quality. Sorry Kozo, you guys are good for $5, but this partial of $50 dish was SUPERB. Accompanied with everything was also the Tsukemono (Japanese pickled vegetables, Miso Soup (awesome!) and steamed white rice.

                      At Musashi, you can choose to sit on a private table and order from the main menu, or go Teppanyaki (think Benihana) as we did, where you sit around a Teppanyaki flat-top stainless steel grill manned by a a Teppanyaki Chef (Kevin on this sitting), surrounded by a low table you sit in front of, shared by other patrons.

                      There are various items on the menu that you can choose for the chef to prepare, from seafood to meats. $50 max/person (our choice), which includes steak and lobster. A deal, considering the showmanship by the chef, attention to service by the staff and overall experience. Kevin's personality is so awesome. I felt like I knew him for years. We were "wala'auing" the whole time, and everyone sitting around us also had a good time. It was nice that we were all locals, so it was like we all spoke the same language, joking around with Chef Matsuda.

                      The items off the Teppanyaki grill were sugoi oishii desu (very delicious!). Tender, lightly seasoned with just salt and pepper and just a subtle use of sauces, not drowned out in teriyaki like I thought it was going to be. Nice. Steaks, Lobster, Scallops, Mushrooms.. I'm not complaining!

                      On top of that, Kevin is a real character, putting on a magic show, and pressuring me to propose marriage to my girlfriend. I hate that! Kidding.

                      Teppanyaki with Chef Kevin Mastuda at Musashi in the Hyatt Regency Waikiki = HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
                      sigpic The Tasty Island

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                      • #12
                        Re: Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

                        Originally posted by Vale46 View Post
                        Yakiniku Million near Ala Moana Walmart-Hole in the wall establishment but ono meats
                        just wanted to point out that Million is korean yakiniku, not japanese.

                        hata's on south king by times is great for homey, grandma's style local japanese food. john dominis has great sushi (having stolen one of the sushi chefs from sushi king) and a lovely selection of sake. we also enjoyed kai near walmart. for noodles, jimbo's is soooo good. i've not been to natsunoya tea house but i've heard from many that it is a wonderful tea house experience.
                        superbia (pride), avaritia (greed), luxuria (lust), invidia (envy), gula (gluttony), ira (wrath) & acedia (sloth)--the seven deadly sins.

                        "when you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people i deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly..."--meditations, marcus aurelius (make sure you read the rest of the passage, ya lazy wankers!)

                        nothing humiliates like the truth.--me, in conversation w/mixedplatebroker re 3rd party, 2009-11-11, 1213

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                        • #13
                          Re: Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

                          Originally posted by ericncyn View Post
                          just wanted to point out that Million is korean yakiniku, not japanese.

                          hata's on south king by times is great for homey, grandma's style local japanese food. john dominis has great sushi (having stolen one of the sushi chefs from sushi king) and a lovely selection of sake. we also enjoyed kai near walmart. for noodles, jimbo's is soooo good. i've not been to natsunoya tea house but i've heard from many that it is a wonderful tea house experience.

                          sorry to quote myself, but for some reason, the edit button's missing from my previous post.

                          i just wanted to mention hakkei as well--it's supposed to be like eating at a japanese hot spring inn of the . they specialize in oden--hot pot cooking. honestly, it's kinda pricey, they serve kabocha which was simmered then deep fried with crispy rice-y things outside of it. mmmmm! sublime!

                          the chef at hakkei was one of the few who beat iron chef morimoto, if that helps describe what an experience the food would be.
                          superbia (pride), avaritia (greed), luxuria (lust), invidia (envy), gula (gluttony), ira (wrath) & acedia (sloth)--the seven deadly sins.

                          "when you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people i deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly..."--meditations, marcus aurelius (make sure you read the rest of the passage, ya lazy wankers!)

                          nothing humiliates like the truth.--me, in conversation w/mixedplatebroker re 3rd party, 2009-11-11, 1213

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                          • #14
                            Re: Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

                            I like Yanagi Sushi and Sushi King. Might give Musashi a try! Thanks

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                            • #15
                              Re: Best Japanese Restaurants In Hawaii

                              Originally posted by speedtek View Post
                              I like Yanagi Sushi and Sushi King. Might give Musashi a try! Thanks
                              If you go to Musashi, just go for the teppanyaki stuff. The sushi is not one of their strong points.

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