Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Izakaya Nonbei

    4.1 (474 reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars, Izakaya, Bars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Izakaya Nonbei Photos

    IZAKAYA NONBEI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    More like Izakaya Nonbei

    Recommended Reviews - Izakaya Nonbei

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Butterfish bones
    Sharissa C.

    I wanted to take my date to a celebration dinner. We both love izakaya and on a Saturday afternoon I was able to get a 730 pm reservation! I've always wanted to try this izakaya, located just off Kapahulu Ave. Izakaya Nonbei is a cozy spot with parking out front and an additional overflow lot two doors over! This additional parking lot is key because Olu Street is tight and there is commonly no on street parking available. The place was full and we were seated immediately because of our reservation. Despite the two split ACs, the restaurant was rather warm but bearable due to the open kitchen. The seating is close knit and the elderly couple (who said they dine there about every 10 days) next to us struck up conversation. Great place to meet friendly neighbors! The house special fried chicken had an excellent taste, with a slight tartness. It was not as crispy as I would like, but still very good. The house special eggplant mushroom had amazing flavor, very buttery and was our favorite of the evening! The hamachi spicy sushi roll was not spicy at all, very yummy. The miso butterfish also a house special, was very tasty however it was riddled with bones unfortunately. Despite the bones, it was still delicious and very popular as we noticed it on many of the other tables. The Hokkaido UNI sashimi served on a shiso leaf was fabulous! (I love uni) Note, the dishes all came out very quickly! Overall a most enjoyable dining experience. We will come back to try more of the menu!

    Agedashi tofu
    Lori I.

    There aren't many places here that serve both excellent sushi AND cooked food. This is THE PLACE. The sushi is great here but the cooked izakaya type small dishes were also EXCELLENT, came out quickly, and made the rest of us happy. I didn't even take a pic of the crab croquette or the sushi because we were so busy eating. Definitely putting this place on rotation. I don't know why we haven't gone here before, it's been here forever. Transports you right back to Japan.

    Crab Cream Croquette (good!)
    Kelly D.

    This place has been here forever and for good reason! The service is so friendly and attentive; the second we finished eating a dish, they were ready to clean up for us or the moment our waters were empty, they were right there with a water pitcher. And this is how they are when the restaurant is super busy! Not only is the service amazing, the food is also up to standard. We enjoyed everything we ate and I'd say the pricing is pretty affordable. My favorites would have to be the Kurobota Kakuni (super soft and juicy!) and the Nasu Kinoko (buttery mushroom eggplant goodness!) They also have a bunch of specials on their board so defintely take a look! The only small downside is that it can get pretty loud especially when it's busy since it's such a small restaurant but I can't wait to come back again!

    Place setting
    Nadine C.

    Dinner in Honolulu, Hawaii... Izakaya Nonbei is an established restaurant in the Kapahulu area. There's a free parking lot right in the front! My dentist and I had never dined at this cozy eatery in the past, so I made a reservation for opening time (5:30pm) to secure a parking spot. Service was very polite, helpful, and efficient. My dentist added on a grilled musubi (shoyu yakimusubi) to our Tasting Menu - no problem! The Prix Fixe Tasting Menu (for 2 people) was a great deal because we got a chance to try their most popular items: Wagyu Steak, Miso soup, Karei Karaage (fish), Crab Avocado Salad, and Nasu Kinoko (eggplant). We even had an included dessert: ice cream or Strawberry Dream (shave ice with condensed milk and strawberry syrup). Of course, I had to have the Strawberry Dream - it was like a deconstructed goodie goodie ice cream! If you get a chance, support this small local business. It had a wonderful environment, authentic, delicious, beautiful food, and great service!

    Ebi Fry
    Leander M.

    First time trying this place after seeing it was a finalist for the Hale 'Aina awards this year. Had an early 5:30pm reservation on Tuesday and there were already four other tables seated when we arrived, popular place! Service: all of the servers were very friendly and helpful. They were working hard, bringing out food and taking additional orders but always had smiles on their faces and never made you feel like you were interrupting them (even though you were). Menu: huge menu, so many good options! I wish I had a second stomach because there were so many other dishes I wanted to try but could not eat anything more. Even had to skip dessert *cry* Food: izakaya style food and plating size, everything was really good and freshly made. No complaints at all. Lots of interesting choices that I hadn't heard of before so it was nice to try new things! The food looked so good that I forgot to take pictures of our agadashi tofu and Tori Kara that arrived first! Drinks: husband said the sake selections were really good and I need to go back to get a melon float chi-hi which I didn't see until after I ordered a soft drink. Ambiance: quite big inside for an izakaya but the tables are quite close together. The closeness adds to the izakaya vibe though. I think there is a private room upstairs too. Would be a great place for a group get together, lots of drinks and good food!

    Katsu curry
    Rob B.

    Aloha, Izakaya Nonbei is serving lunch! Reasonable priced under $20 a great delicious meal. We opted for the hamburger steak with gravy, so ono! My GF had the spicy poke, fresh and delicious! Will definitely be back to work our way through the rest of the menu. Lots of parking in front or at lot just a lot away on Olu. Enjoy!

    Milton K.

    Izakaya Nonbei Overall: ***** Highly Recommended ***** Food: **** Value: **** Menu: **** Ambiance: **** Service: **** Parking: ***** (in front but limited) Izakaya Nonbei is my go to Japanese RATINGS & RECOMMENDED ORDER: Miso Butterfish = A Salmon Colars = A Kubota Pork = A Assorted Tempura = A Agedashi Tofu = A Crab Avocado Salad = A Tori Kara (Chicken Karaage) = B Nasu Kinoko = B Not Recommended: Spider (soft shell crab) Sushi Roll = B Dragon (unagi) Sushi Roll = B Sashimi A Platter = B (expensive) Omakase Nigiri = B (expensive) Karei Karaage (flounder) = C Okinomiyaki Fries (special) = C Wafu Steak = D (gravy not tasty) Wagi Steak = D (sour) Website: https://www.izakayanonbei.com/ YELP: Sorry! They allow only one 12 second video & the remaining to 3 seconds, with maximum of 10 pictures/videos. The full video can be found elsewhere: MiltonIn808 RATINGS KEY: A = Really Good - one of the best B = Good - would order again C = ok - similar, nothing special D = Not very good - wouldn't order F = Terrible - avoid

    Chawanmushi  packed with a variety of veggies and seafood.
    Michelle I.

    First time trying this place and everything we ordered was so good! I recommend this place for sure! Prices are reasonable, staff are nice, and the restaurant is clean and modern. I didn't take pictures of everything we ordered (was too excited to eat and forgot to take pictures) but everything we ordered was on point. We ordered three rolls. Good size rolls! Dragon roll Spicy hamachi roll Shrimp tempura roll We also ordered hamachi Kama, fried flounder, eggplant with mushroom in a buttered sauce, braised pork belly (melt in your mouth), and a sashimi platter. Everything was so fresh and all such great quality! I will definitely return! Parking is located right outside the restaurant. If that is full, there is street parking in the neighborhood.

    Wafu Steak
    Justin H.

    TL;DR A worthy competitor in the Honolulu izakaya landscape. Nasu Kinoko = ONO (!!!) Wafu Steak = ONO Tori Kara = ONO Karei Karaage = ONO ----- I finally made it to Nonbei! My wife wanted Japanese food to celebrate her birthday, so we dined her with four of our friends. I was able to make a reservation online for a Saturday night dinner at 7:30pm without any issues. There is a parking lot in front of the restaurant and street parking all around if the lot is full. A couple of my friends had already enjoyed several meals at Nonbei, so we followed their lead and mostly ordered their recommendations (in addition to a few selections that people were feeling at the time). We ordered quite a bit to share amongst the table. Simply put, everything was delicious. There are so many izakaya options in Honolulu (and in Hawaii in general), so to succeed in such a competitive space all your offerings have to be on point. And I'm happy to report that Nonbei delivers. We ordered the following items: Agedashi Tofu, Chawanmushi, Nasu Kinoko, Crab Avocado Salad, Buta Bara, Yakitori, Misoyaki Butterfish, Hamachi Kama, Wafu Steak, Tan Shio, Hotate Garlic, Tori Kara, Karei Karaage, Truffle Fries, and Veggie Korokke. All the dishes were oishii, but my favorites were the Nasu Kinoko, Wafu Steak, Tori Kara, and Karei Karaage. The Nasu Kinoko in particular was unbelievably great. I did not expect for the mushroom and eggplant dish to be my favorite, but their signature butter sauce blew my mind. We ordered two of these (as well as two of the Tori Kara and Karei Karaage) because it was so good. We also enjoyed their dessert offerings, including a matcha tiramisu that was fantastic. Nonbae will definitely be part of the Japanese restaurant rotation moving forward. I can't wait to go back!

    9/5/25 Chicken Curry Katsu Lunch Special
    Tommie O.

    9/5/25 Lunch Special "Chicken Curry Katsu" $17 was so worth it! Flavorful crispy coated Thigh Meat was moist Curry had carrots celery n potatoes Dish was tasty n pretty filling Also Cold Asahi Draft hit the spot! Waitress n Manager(?) were genuinely very friendly n provided great service Will go again But check their hours cause they're not open every day

    Hamachi sashimi
    Karl F.

    EVERY IZAKAYA HAS SIGNATURE DISHES THAT YOU MUST TRY. Then there are the other dishes. Nonbei is located just off of Kapahulu blvd. The parking lot is small and the restaurant is a two story house converted into a restaurant. Very loud and festive. First floor has the sushi and sashimi bar. I will say the fish is fresh and these are the must try dishes for sure. We had the hamachi sashimi and it was buttery fresh. All other raw dishes passing by looked amazing. Karei karaage (deep fried flounder) is a signature dish. Presentation is stunning served on a deep fried skeleton of the fish. Very tasty. Our waiter informed us to eat the fin and skeleton like a chip. Never had anything quite like it. Wafu steak comes out sizzling and each piece is tender and flavorful. Yes, get it. The chicken karaage was a bit wet with ponzu flavor. I think the cook likes ponzu here. The chicken skewers were standard, good. Eggplant was solid, cooked with a lot of butter. The tempura roll was excellent. Agedashi tofu was ok. Hiyayakko (I'm boring, I know) was refreshing albeit a small serving. Someone in our party had a cold, so we sampled the udon--nice. Overall, a good dining experience. I will go again and order a lot of sashimi dishes next time.

    Kurobuta Tonkatsu
    Kristian G.

    Izakaya Nonbei is easy to find, right off of Kapahulu Avenue. We had a friends dinner here and to my surprise, the restaurant is very spacious with tables that can fit bigger parties. The only downfall is their parking lot is small and quite tight. However, free parking is still a plus! I really enjoy eating izakaya style in which you order a variety of smaller plates. Perfect for a variety lover like myself! I ordered the Kurobuta Pork Katsu, Agedashi Tofu, Korokke, and Garlic Hotate. Everything cooked well and delicious. I ended my meal with a sweet, refreshing Strawberry Dream w/ add on Mochi and Ice Cream! The service was great! Everyone was friendly and made sure to keep our waters refilled. I'll definitely be back!

    Spider roll
    Vivian L.

    My relatives were visiting from the mainland during the holidays and they invited us to try Izakaya Nonbei. The restaurant were 2 floors where they offer counter seatings, table seatings, and private room for larger parties. Since we were a large party, we sat in the private room on the second floor. Karei Karaage: The fried fish flounder was alright. It was crispy but not much flavor or seasoning. The bones were also edible and crunchy deep fried. Ika Dynamite: When I think of dynamite, I expected a baked dish with torched dynamite cream sauce on top. However, it is a fried squid with unagi and spicy mayo sauce drizzled on top. The fried squid tasted fine. It was like the fried squid from Genki Sushi. Just the labelled "dynamite" was misleading. Nonbei Spicy Ahi Roll: I always get spicy tuna every time we visit a sushi restaurant. The spicy tuna roll was good. Good amount of fresh spicy tuna in the roll and a raw ahi sushi on top. Dragon Roll: The dragon roll was good. It's basically a California roll with a unagi on top. It would be great if there was also a slice of avocado on top along with the unagi. Spider Roll: The spider roll was also good. The soft shell crab was meaty and crispy. Chawanmushi: This was not bad. The egg custard was savory and firm. Good amount of chicken and shrimp. Misoyaki Butterfish: The butterfish was alright. It was a little on a charred/burnt side but the butterfish flavor was good. Sushi Sampling "C" Course: We asked our server what sashimi is included in the C course since the menu stated "today's" fresh fish so we thought the sashimi would change daily. The server said whatever is shown on the picture, which was not helpful since there was no description of the sashimi included for the C course. Regardless, the sashimi we recognized were salmon, ahi, hamachi, and scallop. We not sure what the other 2 types were. The sashimi were fresh. Overall, the foods were not bad. The sushi rolls were my favorite. Their fried dishes and other appetizers were a little on a plain/bland side but their sushi/sashimi were fresh and delicious.

    Age Gobo

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Josh M.
    519
    427
    1717

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lyn L.
    490
    1455
    4504

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Lori I.
    830
    1108
    8757

    7 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 33
    Thanks 12
    Love this 37
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rob B.
    302
    775
    7358

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tommie O.
    0
    80
    182

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 1
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 2
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Cha K.
    0
    55
    10

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rob G.
    3
    99
    4

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Drew W.
    0
    388
    169

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Dianne I.
    261
    13
    0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Erwin G.
    93
    44
    116

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eric R.
    370
    901
    6539

    3 years ago

    Helpful 45
    Thanks 1
    Love this 43
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Li Y.
    989
    949
    9915

    3 years ago

    Helpful 19
    Thanks 0
    Love this 21
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jaye J.
    53
    96
    379

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 12

    Izakaya Nonbei Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Izakaya Nonbei

    Is there a restaurant policy that tipping is necessary for a group of 4?

    I don't believe there is a policy. I think the restaurant could make that determination of the group size to add the automatic "service fee" (guaranteed tip is what I like to call it). I've seen this fee to range between 15-18% for a group 6 or… 

    Do you guys do private events?

    Please call the restaurant to inquire 808-7347-5573

    Does this restaurant serve wine or is it Sake and Beer only?

    Limited selection of wine, sparking proseco, beers and sake. You can always bring your bottle in - just pay for the corkage fee.

    Would I be able to bring my own wine?

    Yes, corkage for standard 750 ml bottles of wine is $20 per bottle.

    Do you have any reservations available for dinner for tonight?

    Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, our renovations are taking a bit longer then expected and we are not currently open. We hope to re-open by November 1st but will be posting updates on our website and Facebook.

    When I drove by on 7/12/2019 the restaurant building was undergoing construction. Does anyone know whether they will reopen?

    Hi - we are undergoing a renovation with a target re-opening date of Oct 7th.

    Do they sell gift certificates?

    Yes, we sell gift cards.

    View All 10 Questions

    You might also consider

    Izakaya Tenkichi

    Izakaya Tenkichi

    4.6
    (253 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    What can I say about Izakaya Tenkichi?? Everything is AMAZING. I've been there twice, once for…read morelunch and once for dinner. It hits every single time. It was much busier at dinner. I recommend making a reservation, because the space is small. The service is top tier. The servers encourage a good time. They even have a drink menu of server favorites. Think of them as party hosts. Every single thing I've eaten there is amazing. From the avocado to the tempura to the massive ikura bowl that serves 4. I can't recommend one thing in particular. I do encourage you to try anything seasonal. I promise. They won't disappoint.

    Given that I've been here three times in the last month, I think it would be safe to say that…read moreIzakaya Tenkichi is one of my favorite restaurants. The first thing you'll notice when coming here (during a busy dinner time) is that it's really noisy, in a fun way!! The staff is super friendly! There are basically three options for seating.... booths that seat about 4 comfortably, tables on the bottom that can accommodate small or large groups, and bar seating. I've done them all and they are all comfortable. You'll find way more specials at dinner time. The food is really high quality, and super consistent too! My favorites are the yummy cucumber and the garlic cabbage salad, and the tempura and sushi/sashimi/donburi are all great too. Oh, and don't sleep on the hamachi kama. The tempura batter is light and airy and you have the option of tempura sauce, tare, or different kinds of salt. They're all really nice!! Great desserts and alcohol selection too!! Parking is a breeze next door at the old stadium mall, but warning that it may be pretty full at night. You can always find street parking along King Street though. I highly recommend this place for small and big parties alike!! But make reservations for dinnertime because walk-ins are probably not gonna happen.

    Photos
    Steep stairs. Much easier to navigate going up. Going down after some adult beverages? Better use the handrail
    Steep stairs. Much easier to navigate going up. Going down after some adult beverages? Better use the handrail
    Yuzu Cheese Cake ($5.50) - really sweet, especially with the granola. Would recommend getting a different dessert.
    Yuzu Cheese Cake ($5.50) - really sweet, especially with the granola. Would recommend getting a different dessert.
    Dinner Menu (1 of 12) as of 3/5/2026

    See all

    Dinner Menu (1 of 12) as of 3/5/2026
    Izakaya Naru

    Izakaya Naru

    4.1
    (547 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Went here on a whim without a reservation on a Saturday around 10:40pm with my boyfriend. There's a…read moredecent amount of free parking surrounding the business and it kinda seemed like Izakaya Naru was the only business open in that building that late at night anyways - which was super convenient for us! Inside, it's really small and there isn't that much seating so I would only recommend going here with a small group or just a pair of people. They immediately asked if we had a reservation (we did not) but there were able to seat us in less than 10 minutes. Looks like it would be good to make reservations in advance just in case! As we were seated, we looked over the three menus on the table. It felt slightly overwhelming to look at, especially with not knowing what some items exactly were (but, thank goodness for Google results and pictures on Yelp!). Our server took our orders relatively quick and we were also handed our drinks in a matter of minutes. It was cool to see them make our drinks in front of us! I will say, as someone who usually goes for drinks that don't taste like alcohol at all, the drinks we both got were a little less sweet than I'm used to but that was ok! They were very easy to drink and it didn't burn the throat. Very smooth! The food was absolutely to die for though!! Their food was legitimately the best food I've had at an izakaya on island. We ordered the beef tongue, chicken karaage, and gyoza - each packing a punch of flavor with each bite. I was most surprised about the beef tongue because of how easy it was to eat since I'm used to beef tongue being on the chewier end and lacking some flavor, yet their beef tongue was very tender and had just enough of that umami goodness. The karaage was crispy and not oily at all! The tartar sauce on top only complimented the crispy texture. The gyoza was pretty decent and is pretty similar to gyoza I've tried at other places. It's still good but didn't have that "wow!" factor that I experienced with the other two dishes. 11/10 would *definitely* come back here again for the food.

    This is absolutely the best experience on Oahu. Why???? Let me not be the gate keeper. Amazing…read moredrinks, must try are their in-house made Awamori with local flavors. Orion beer ( kampaii) and daily specials. This Okinawan Izakaya has delicious pupus and more. Never had Okinawan Cuisine?? You haven't lived life. The staff and owner are incredibly gracious and there will be no disappointment as their attention to detail is impeccable . No trip to Oahu will not be complete without a visit here. My mouth and stomach wants to visit here everyday Mahalo for making my life complete.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Chicken karaage
    Chicken karaage
    Mackerel sashimi

    See all

    Mackerel sashimi
    Sushi Izakaya Gaku

    Sushi Izakaya Gaku

    4.5
    (1.1k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$$$

    An izakaya is a casual Japanese pub-style restaurant designed for socializing over drinks and…read moreshared small plates, acting as a staple of Japanese dining culture. Last meal on Oahu. An excellent offering suggested by my cycle buddy, Randy S. Randy had told us that they were the 2022 James Beard Best Restaurant semi-finalist is deserving recognition. I really can't tell you all we had because Randy took charge. Every bite worked well with the bottle of sake we had. I do know that one of the bites included firefly squid, those cute, small, bioluminescent cephalopods famous for their brilliant blue light. Regardless, it was a fun way to cap off the trip. Loved the food, love the company... what a great place!

    It was an amazing evening spent at this place. We return annually to the islands and make it a…read morepoint to enjoy the cuisine at this comfy restaurant. The fish was fresh colorful and presentation didn't disappoint our evening. We were there when they opened adding a personal touch to our evening before the dinner crowd arrived. The sushi chef and his sous chefs worked together to get the food to their guests quickly. We were sitting at the sushi bar --- the dedication and smooth operation seemed fine to me. It was quiet loud when they welcomed guests which wasn't easy to handle but I understood why they were doing that. Loved the presentation of our choices which we took pics of. Thank you for a fun evening. We'll be back next year.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Warabi Mochi Matcha Ice Cream
    Warabi Mochi Matcha Ice Cream
    Salmon skin salad

    See all

    Salmon skin salad
    Izakaya Uosan

    Izakaya Uosan

    4.3
    (307 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$$

    Halfway between an izakaya and a sushi bar, Uosan is all about well-executed dishes that straddle…read morethe traditional and the modern. We sat at the sushi bar, where the friendly chef recommended a delicious variety of sushi and cooked dishes. It was one of the few places where I can say everything was good, but some of the unexpected hits included: - Tamago: the bellwether of any good sushi restaurant, the tamago was well-seasoned and fluffy - Uni butter rice, where a creamy fresh egg, uni, and butter turned a Japanese traditional TKG into a decadent, risotto-like combo - Simmered foie gras and daikon: a lighter take on a decadent ingredient that's the perfect finisher to a tasty meal

    Down for some Suzuki? How about some Kinmedai? Nodoguro? Wanna get Kinki? NANI???!…read more Those are some of the type of fresh fishes eat Uosan! Izakaya Uosan is located along Kapiolani Blvd. near Piikoi and Pensacola St. in the same building as Gyukaku, Mikiya, etc. Validated parking is available in its QR code parking structure with entrances on Kapiolani and Hopaka St. Just ask the server for the promo code to input when you clock out of your parking. Inside is smallish with the usual izakaya bar style set up and decor with the dark wood and dark tones, but maybe more toned down than a true izakaya. Comfortable, plain, and simple. Menu is pretty confusing and not the clearest, but it's mainly their fresh fish and seafood that are the main attractions. You just gotta figure out what they are cause it's only listed in Japanese and Romanized Japanese. They do have some interesting choices though after a thorough search. Started with Spicy Tuna Roll was very good. Nicely seasoned and prepared sushi rice, neatly rolled with fresh chunks of tuna. $11.50. Spicy Konnyaku was decent. A little light on the seasoning, but not too bad. $4.50. The Chicken Cartilage Karaage was a surprise! Crispy, crunchy, and nicely seasoned. So good. We ordered it twice! $8.50. OH! Toro (Premium Fatty Tuna), 4 pieces sashimi, $42.00. Fresh, melt in your mouth, and nicely presented. Aburi OH! Toro nigiri had a nice char/smoky flavor - equally as good as the sashimi. $13.50. The A5 Mizayaki Beef Sushi with Foie Gras nigiri was amazing! Fresh, melt in your mouth A5 with rich, unctuous Foie gras that was nicely charred and seasoned. $14.00. Grilled Beef Tongue was excellent. Thick cut, tender, nicely seasoned and prepared. Onions garnish went very well adding a nice punch. $14.50. The Uni Shiso Cucumber wrapped with Hirame was a unique combination. Fresh, firm hirame; rich, oceanic uni; bright, herbaceous Shiso; crunchy cucumber. $35.00 - 4 pieces. The Uni Truffle Butter Egg Yolk Rice was okay. It wasn't as rich or as decadent as I'd imagined, especially with uni, egg yolk, and butter noted. A bit too much rice compared to the amount of uni to be able to fully enjoy the richness. Perhaps less rice? Which might lead to a lower price than the $29.00? Corn Karaage was okay. Flavor was one note. It was just corn with miso paste and coated with starch and deep fried to temp. Some seasoning would go a long way. $6.50 for 5 short pieces. Hamachi Carpaccio was good. Fresh fish, flavorful soy-vinegar sauce with complementing toppings (olive oil, sea grapes, grape tomato, onion slices, and Tobikko). $21.00. New Zealand King Salmon Nigiri was very good! Melt in your mouth with a smooth and buttery texture. The Deep Fried Octopus was okay. Slightly toothsome, nicely battered and fried, but very light on the seasoning. Needed the salt to balance the tart ponzu. Overall, a solid meal with fresh, quality ingredients, and everything was nicely prepared and beautifully presented. Decent sake selection, but only two beer choices. The menu had many fish selections, but if you don't know what they are in romanized Japanese, you'll need to search it, which took a bit of time for the decision-maker. Staff was very friendly and attentive in the beginning, but it got busy and it became less. It's a bit pricey, which was expected and known. Uosan feels more of a sashimi restaurant than an izakaya, but that won't stop me from coming back to try more sashimi!

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Kanimiso with Kano and ponzu gelee
    Kanimiso with Kano and ponzu gelee
    Exterior

    See all

    Exterior
    Nami Kaze

    Nami Kaze

    4.5
    (801 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$

    It was so sad this business is closing down by Oct 31st. With rising food costs, inflation and…read morestaffing, it's understandable but I wish best endeavors for Chef Jason Peel and his staff. My fiance won a gift card actually 2 of them (from his coworker whom could not get a reservation secured), we knew we had to make the trip over before they officially close. We had multiple dishes, but staff made Kauai prawns and tomato miso black cod dishes on the house since they ran out the Hokkaido scallops. We ordered the short ribs, lobster appetizer, hamachi crudo and lastly sashimi moriawase to finish food palate. Lukki lemon dessert was great way to end to night. Ordered the Milk tea bouquet cocktail while my better half had water ( either way the food coma knock him out cold the rest of the night lol). To be honest, it was difficult to determine which dish was the best because the staff kept quality there despite it being busy every night since they announce the closure. Sashimi moriawase, fish was so fresh, reminded me of my time spent in Hokkaido and Sapporo. Short ribs was soft and rich in flavor. Both me and my fiance liked the lukki lemon dessert, like lemon meringue pie but broken down version. If you have a chance to dine here before closing and got a reservation, definitely will have a lovely dining experience and your stomach will be full by end of the night.

    Husband and I tried Nami Kaze in our recent trip to Hawaii. This place is huge! I was so glad to be…read moreseated in the side room because I found it to be a lot calmer, less people and no TV. The staff were friendly and very helpful with giving us recommendations. We ordered 3 appetizers and 2 entrees, and honestly it was too much food for us. We had leftovers for breakfast the next day! - For appetizers we got: Ulu Tots, Japanese Eggplant, and Corn Beignets. The Corn Beignets was the best. - For entree we got: Tomato Miso Black Cod and the Short Rib. Both were delicious and worth a try. Sad to see that this restaurant appears to be closing.

    Photos
    Nami bento
    Nami bento
    Nami Kaze
    Nami Kaze

    See all

    855 Aloha

    855 Aloha

    4.5
    (140 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    Happy hour specials
    Full bar

    The front desk recommended 855 Aloha while at check in. He gave me a dining card where if I dined…read moreat certain restaurants, I would receive 15% off. As it was my first night in Hawaii and we didn't have dinner yet, sure why not try it? While waiting to be seated, I had asked the staff at 855 Aloha if the 15% discount would apply for guests at the hotel, and quite oddly, she said she didn't know. Upon being seated, I asked our server and strangely, she also didn't know and said she would ask someone. Sort of made me confused and gaslighted that I'm being told two different things. As it's our first time dining at 855 Ahola, we tried a few entrees and I would say that it's flavorful and delicious; much better than I would have expected. $12 for sparkling water, a little pricier but the food was good. I did enjoy my late meal / dinner. My only complaint would be that when the bill arrived, no discount was applied. I had told three servers that I was a guest at the hotel, had my key card and ID as well. The server came back and she applied 10% off. At that point, I just paid for the bill and left a 20% tip for gratuity. Being in Hawaii, especially after a long flight and it being our first meal which happens to be very late and it's dinner, would have liked for the hotel to have just honored the 15% discount without having to ask about it so many times. 15% discount won't break my wallet but it's more about the principle and fairness -- it is actually listed on the website as well. It made me feel like 855 Aloha wasn't very honest. The food itself was good but I would probably just skip this one next time.

    "Jenny I've got your number...I need to make you mine...eight, six, seven, five, three oh nine..."…read morealthough this song and lyrics have nothing to do with 855 Aloha, that was the only thing upon my entry into this mysterious yet somehow still welcoming restaurant that kept playing over and over in my head. 855 Aloha is hip and trendy restaurant in the Waikīkī area of Honolulu that serves both the local community and tourists alike thanks to their buzzworthy mashup of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and European influenced cuisine that represents the Hawaiian islands rich cultural melting pot. Located on the ground floor of the Romer House hotel, which itself had been recently gutted and remodeled in recent years, along Nāhua Street, 855 Aloha proudly establishes itself as a restaurant that has its roots engrained with a sense of nostalgia from a time when things moved a little slower, even in Hawai'i where things have always moved a little slower, so diners can gather, stay a little longer, which upon my visit I happily did so. Named for Hawaii's once-ubiquitous payphone number, 855 Aloha is a celebration of local history and a bit of an homage to the humble payphone, where a handful of change could connect people back to the mainland. What brought me here was the fact that on a previous journey to the Hawaiian islands, I stayed at the Romer House and thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the hotel, but never got around to visiting their main restaurant on the ground floor lobby. Upon a recent visit to Waikīkī, with the rain coming down in droves, I made it my mission to finally make it one of Waikīkī's most intriguing restaurants. Not having reservations for 855 Aloha was not a problem, as I made sure to call in advance and they said they were taking walk-ins this evening. Being sat in one of their large booths made me appreciate solo dining, and take in the ambiance of a dimly lit dining room. Beyond the cocktail and beverage section of the menu, the dinner menu at 855 Aloha is separated into categories including Sushi Rolls, otherwise known as Roll Call; Salads, otherwise known as Fresh Talk; Shareable Pupus and Appetizers, otherwise known as Party Line; Large Plates, otherwise known as Main Line; Sides, otherwise known as What's Your Extension; and Desserts, otherwise known as Sweet Talk. To start my meal I ordered their Hello Goodbye cocktail which featured Tequila Blanco, Mezcal, Housemade Ginger Syrup, Honey and Lemon. A sultry cocktail that was deep in texture and flavor, this was a nice start to my meal. To eat with my cocktail, I ordered their Cali Roll which was filled with Snow Crab, Avocado, Cucumber and Sesame. This was your traditional sushi roll elevated in an only-in-Hawaii sense of mind. Since I was famished for food, I knew I wanted something hearty, and their Chinatown Chili Crisp Chicken which was served with Gai Lan vegetables, as well as Charred Lemon, and topped with Cilantro. To pair with my entrée, I ordered their Furikake Rice. As I sipped on my cocktail I enjoyed my Cali Roll piece by piece and knew that the food at 855 Aloha was truly elevated and I knew for the rest of my evening I was in for a real treat. My chicken entrée and bowl of steamed rice topped with furikake seaweed and sesame seeds would come out next and I would not be disappointed as it was juicy and flavorful with every bite. The chicken entrée was not the largest dish so sharing this one entrée seems doubtful the side of steamed rice definitely fills up any diner. I didn't think I had any room for dessert but changed my mind when I reviewed their menu, and their Chocolate Haupia Pie topped with Toasted Coconut and Whipped Cream was simply too good to ignore. My total bill for this visit to 855 Aloha was $90.06 that included tax and was before grtuity was added in, which was higher than most, but well worth the price tag. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to 855 Aloha, as it represented the true diverse cultures of Hawaii, thanks to the energy and kindness of the Japanese hospitality that this restaurant represents. Seeing my fellow diners, both large parties and couples enjoy themselves, in such a place where people were clearly bonding over their meal and drinks in such a laid back yet still dynamic social environment was a real treat. "I got it, I got it, I got it...for a good time, for a good time call...855 Aloha!

    Photos
    855 Aloha
    855 Aloha
    855 Aloha

    See all

    Bozu Japanese Restaurant

    Bozu Japanese Restaurant

    4.5
    (469 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Bozu is a local Japanese restaurant where all the locals seem to go. It's located in an unassuming…read morestrip mall (reminds me of LA's Koreatown) and we were able to walk there from Waikiki. We ordered a bit too much food and spent a little under $200 for two people after tax and tip. Some dishes we ordered: 1. Spicy tuna and salmon with garlic roll ($26.50) - massive roll and quite heavy...this was the last dish to come out and we were STUFFED by then. It's good, but I would have preferred to start the meal with this roll, not end with it. 2. Atsuage natto ($9.50) - ordered to hit my protein macros. It's literally fried tofu topped with a generous serving of natto. 3. Eggplant in dashi sauce ($6.50) - light appetizer, and seemed fairly healthy. 4. Miso chilean sea bass ($30) - very flaky and fresh. I was already getting full by this point after our apps and nigiri came out. 5. The nigiri and rolls were all fresh and ranged in pricing. We each got 3 pieces of nigiri and split a couple small rolls in addition to the aforementioned spicy tuna and salmon. Service was decent. We sat at the counter and the chefs were all very nice.

    Best service, even when we showed up right before last call. Thank you!…read more Most places don't look too happy when you walk in right before last call. We are always looking for a quick night cap after UH games and Bozu has both good drinks and quality sushi and sashimi.

    Photos
    Sushi bar
    Sushi bar
    Assorted 5 Kind Sashimi
    Assorted 5 Kind Sashimi
    Yamaimo & Sea-Urchin Beef Roll

    See all

    Yamaimo & Sea-Urchin Beef Roll

    Izakaya Nonbei - sushi - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...