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Mugen, located inside of the Espacio hotel, with valet attendants available right up front on Kalakaua Avenue. It looks like they share a parking garage with their neighbors in the back, to which it may take some time to get your car. When you first enter the hotel, go straight in and up the stairs to Mugen's bar/host area. Restrooms are downstairs, with a key access. There are elevators nearby for those needing ADA access. The dining room is quaint to which it can accommodate 8-10pax or smaller intimate 2-4 top tables. We had an amazing experience, partaking in their Special 7-Course Menu collaboration with cocktails and caviar. We had synchronized service this evening to which all servers would place the plates on the tables at the same time, for however many diners were at that table. Really a great sight to see, as not many restaurants partake in this. Overall, the food was great, the service was great, as was the ambiance. We will definitely be back for their afternoon tea service!
After my first experience at afternoon tea in January I immediately booked one for May 30 to celebrate my daughter's birthday. I had raved to her about the experience. She was so excited. She was flying in from Wisconsin and brought her boyfriend with her. We were seated and greeted warmly. I had indicated we were celebrating a birthday and that I was gluten free. They received the gluten free message, but there was no mention of her birthday although we saw other tables being recognized for their birthdays. Good thing my daughter knew I had good intentions. The thing is, the service was not outstanding. The food took a long time to come out. I noticed they added two more tables in the area to accommodate more people. It took a while for servers to notice the water was low. Our tea had gotten cold before anyone checked to warm it up. Food was brought without any explanation or description as to what we were having. My gluten free options were brought without any explanation. Just said this is your gluten free dish. I didn't know what I was eating. The second course came and it came with two gluten free options. I asked why? He said he didn't know. He also said someone mentioned avoiding seafood. I said that's not accurate. We had caviar in the beginning, is that not considered some kind of seafood? I was disappointed that for my gluten free option I didn't receive caviar. I did the previous time. He said it was because it had a soy sauce. Anyway, the second course- my daughter's boyfriend receive cucumber so I said he's not averse to seafood. They made him another one but it took another 15 minutes. It's was 1.5 hours to get through the savory parts of the menu. He was so hungry. It was disappointing. My daughter asked if this was the kind of service I was raving about. I said absolutely not. This was night and day. The personal attention just wasn't there and for $165 of small little bites, the experience needs to be worth my two hours of time and still go to McDonald's after to get a snack.
I've been to Mugen countless of times, dare I say, I'm a regular here?! It's one of my top favorite restaurants on the island. A romantic date night, special occassion, or if you're just in the mood for delicious food- this is the spot you want to be at. From the moment you step into Mugen, you quite literally feel like you are stepping into royalty. When they say this is "Five Star Dining", you can expect literally no less. Both their afternoon tea and dinner menu is absolutely delightful. However, this review will be for their dinner, which I just attended last night. Mugen offers both ala carte and set menus, but what I really like about their set menu is that you can pick and choose what you want to eat, as well as do add ons. They have three different set menus: a 4 course (Jade), 5 course (emerald), and a 6 course (sapphire). All of the set menus come with an amuse bouche and dessert. Also, they also don't require the entire table to have the same set menu which allows for much more flexibility. My friend and I had the sapphire set menu and our choices were: 2 Starters: oysters & scallops Chef's seasonal nigiri (not our choices but AMAZING) 1 Kai: lobster risotto 1 Aina: toriyama A5 wagyu 1 Dessert: I can't remember the name but I think it was the sakura breeze? Everything was SOOOO good. Like literally everything makes you go "MMMM"! The amuse bouche was delicious- their take on a "poke bowl" and was almost like ahi crispy rice, oysters were super fresh, scallops were cooked perfectly, the lobster risotto was so savory and the risotto it came with was so tasty, and the toriyama A5 wagyu was chefs kiss. The wagyu also comes with a shortrib mandoo- SO delicious! And we actually got three desserts (I can't remember the names), but all of them were great. I also want to mention that sometimes set menu's can take forever (I've been to fine dining restaurants where you are waiting almost 20-30 minutes between each course), but Mugen courses everything perfectly so you're not waiting too long between each meal, but also have enough time to savor your wine pairing. Overall dinner was a 10/10. Their regular menu is amazing, but from time to time they also have collaborations with other chef's and have special menus too! I mean what can't they do? I literally love this restaurant. The staff is so kind and friendly, and the chef's clearly know what they are doing. I 100% recommend Mugen to anyone who is in the mood for a 5 star experience. I can't wait to be back again soon!
I wanted to love Mugen (and at the cost, I really should have). But while impressive, I was left feeling a bit underwhelmed. Perhaps it was that the best dish was an add-on (a Wagyu musubi). I ended up doing the mid-range tasting menu and I'm glad I tried a bit of everything, so I'll just evaluate what I had. The amuse bouche was nice, but a bit heavy on the parmesan flavor. The tartare was overwhelmed by the egg; it needed more meat. Oysters were wonderful (they always are). Scallops were a standout, and the spicy Thai sauce really worked - a new and unexpected combination for me. The shima aji was a fun experience; I associate that mostly with sushi, so a cooked version (tasted a bit like sea bass) was a cool experience. I do wish I'd have tried the lobster, though. The main dish was a well-cooked Molokai beef. Dessert was quite fresh; I loved the combination of flavors. Service: incredibly attentive, but not good with dietary accommodations. I was surprised by how rigid the menu is. The kitchen is trying something impressive, combining Hawaiian flavors with European techniques and Asian influences. It's likely among the best fine dining spots on Oahu, but it was just a "good" for me.
In awe of the utter perfection in service, overload to the visual sense AND deliciously memorable experience to the palate at Mugen. Thank you Yelper Kathy A. for introducing me to this wonderful experience paired with even better company. I have been to many afternoon teas. This was by far, the most memorable. Top notch service began with Valet parking curbside on Kalakaua where our car was received and we were then escorted into the boutique hotel Espacio where Mugen is located. Taken to our dining table where a whimsical tree filled with sweet treats was waiting for us. Each ornament filled with a tasty treat. The set menu started off with a glass of Louis Roederer Rosé kicking off the afternoon tea (for those non-alcohol drinkers may be substituted with a refreshing hibiscus tea). Continuing on with five of the most delectable and palate pleasing savory treats: 1) Ossetra caviar 2) Hokkaido uni chawanmushi 3) Mugen lobster roll 4) seafood cake (my favorite) filled with scallops, shrimp, and lobster, and 5) Wagyu short ribs arancini. Just when you thought your tummie was satisfied, a plateful of sweet treats arrived. Yes, some of it got taken away. Undoubtedly the most memorable afternoon tea in Honolulu!
This small place is a true gem. True fine dining, service staff in suits, a real sommelier, and fantastic world class food. They use a unique approach to their tasting menus, allowing you to select specific options from different categories on the menu. We did the "emerald" version which included an amuse, bread course, two starters, a seafood dish, a meat dish, and dessert. You can add supplements if you want. They then pair wine with each dish. Eduardo (our primary server) was fantastic. As was the Somm. The meal progression was flawless and we enjoyed every single dish. My wife and I chose a few different options along the way and it was fun to get a taste of the things she selected. We have had Michelin Star meals on three continents, and this was as good a meal as many of them. This is now one of my top 3 fine dining restaurants in the state (along with Nylos in Maui and Maze also in Honolulu).
My friend heard about this restaurant & made reservations which are strongly recommended. It's located in a boutique luxury hotel named Espacio. There's an elevator that opens to the restaurant. It's a modern, dark & sleek interior design. It's not a big restaurant which is nice for a quiet dinner. Our server John, strongly resembled Stanley Tucci & he was fabulous, helpful, entertaining & warm. We ordered the Jade level tasting menu & we each ordered different things so we could have more variety. Everything was delicious & beautifully prepared & presented. I would say that I personally enjoyed the seafood dishes over the meat dishes though. We were super full & the lighter dessert (Tropical Fall Fusion) was the perfect ending to our meal. They present their guests with a box of sweets at the conclusion of your meal service.
Visited one of my top favorite restaurants in Waikiki, Mugen. We were celebrating an anniversary with a reservation for two at 6:15pm on Saturday. This seemed like the perfect time to be there with a moderate crowd. Our first time here we had a reservation at 5 and it was a little too early because we had the restaurant to ourselves for a little (unless you like that). The entrance is a hidden little hole in the wall in Waikiki jammed between an ABC store with only a valet desk marking its presence. They only offer valet but it's free for Mugen guests. You enter through a grand secluded lobby, leading to the beautiful Mugen. A small but thoughtful space with an open kitchen layout and subtle decor. For ordering, there are three tiers to the pre-fix menu with the option for 5 courses ($150) or 6 courses ($180) or 7 courses ($200). They also offer supplements and enhancements like a Wagyu musubi or a the caviar course. We had the 7 courses and the caviar course and this was a lot of food! I barely made it to the 6th course! Drinks, we started off with the vaccine, a mezcal with lemon ginger and honey and this was refreshing and not too sweet! We also go the matcha Saturn which was our favorite drink of the night! It was a refreshing blend of floral matcha with hints of lilikoi and citrus! Very refreshing. We also tried nebula's kiss and the bartender's drink of the night a strawberry mule and that was great too! Our favorite courses of the night were the seared scallops! This was a last minute change in preparation but was a pleasant surprise with the refreshing but flavorful Thai sauce with mushrooms and yuzu jam lined dish. The presentation on this dish was exceptional and captivating. Another favorite was the Maine lobster course which we've had before and made sure to get our own this time around! Trying the venison with sunchoke and foie gras was good but I wish I got the lamb too!!! We also loved the amuse and the bluefin Otorro! Caviar service was also great with so many options provided! Basically everything we had was good! Only things I want to point out was the tartare course where it came with the layered potato sides, I do wish my potato was a little crispier as it was on the soft side. And I do wish there's was another flavor like capers in the tartare adding that pickled component you usually have to a tartare. It is just a preference and the texture of the tartare was perfect! For our anniversary they provided a complimentary scoop of ice cream. At first we thought it was vanilla, but after taking the first bite we could tell it was some kind of frozen yogurt type ice cream and it was really good. Service here is always spectacular! The whole front of house works as a team to care for all the tables making sure water stay full, dishes are cleaned in a timely manner and food comes out on time. Do be prepared to be here for a while, our dinner took three hours but it went by so quickly! They also sent us home with a box of housemade chocolate macadamias which were soo delicious! Definitely one of our top favorite restraunts that we will be back to!!
Spent a couple of hours this Saturday catching up with friend Li Y sharing her recent trip to Japan and Korea while having another fabulous Tea at Mugens. One of those "a picture is worth a thousand words" places. You can easily spend a couple of hours being treated to an exquisite banquet that is an amazing experience for both your taste buds and your eyes. I've always believed you embrace your good visually, than by fragrance and lastly palatableness.....this is the place.
Note: Afternoon tea review. The best and most exclusive afternoon tea in Hawaii. The experience begins when uniformed valets escort you into the Espacio Waikiki where you're handed off to one of the servers who takes you through to a sitting room right off the lobby. Guests are guided through a 25 selection tea menu, being offered the chance to look and more importantly smell the tea before finalizing the individual selection. Next, guests are taken to a display case to make their tea pot selection. A glass of Laurent Perrier Cuvee Rose and we're off. Unlike the classic tea service, savory items are coursed keeping everything vibrant and at proper temp. Plating ranges from elegant to whimsical. Flavors are bold and pay homage to the chef's native Barbados. For example "De Pattie", essentially an empanada that is filled with an outstanding oxtail and curried channa. A flavor explosion. Adding the accompanying tamarind sauce made it even better. I have a new favorite lobster roll. Lilikoi and parsley aioli paired with cucumber all accompanies chunks of sweet Caribbean lobster. Brilliant way to add fruity, floral elements while providing the requisite acidity. Sadly, after the vibrant yuzu, olive oil sorbet intermezzo, the dessert box was a challenge. Servers were quick to acknowledge it and had take out boxes and bags ready. Though, the cranberry strawberry scone with clotted cream and pineapple marmalade made for a great ending. Service is extremely friendly and omni present. At the end of the experience, servers take you back to the valet where cars have already been brought out curbside. This is a very exclusive event. Only 12 reservations available per week. Saturday, 13:00. The Spring 2025 experience is $120/pp. Reservations should be made three months in advance. Parking is valet only. Pull into the 3 minute loading zone directly in front of the hotel on Kalakaua Ave. As with all multi course meals, not everything will be to everyone's liking but the huge positives outweigh minor negatives (I did wish there was an option to have caviar spread across the entire creme fraiche cheesecake). So yes, without a doubt the best afternoon tea in Hawaii.
This is a review for Mugen's Afternoon Tea only. Made a reservation via Open Table. Only Saturdays, with a 1 pm seating. They fill up fast. I believe there are only 10 seats. Make your reservation early. Valet parking when you pull up in front of Espacio ON Kalakaua Avenue. There's no driveway, so the valet will come help passengers get out. Take the elevator to Lobby, which is transformed for Afternoon Tea. No charge for parking with validation, just give tip. TLDR; Pricey but comes with excellent Service, a really elevated kind of tea service with really delicious teas and food offerings. Highly recommend AND I would go again. Got a complimentary glass of champagne. Picked our teas and tea pots. The savory food offerings were decadent (caviar, lobster, foie gras, etc.) and generous in their servings. Some of the bites made me swoon, they were so good. The amuse bouche was a three biter for me, which I appreciated over the typical one bite. ;) but you can really see the attention to detail and that things are prepared to order. I went to try their Andagi. EXCELLENT. Crispy exterior and fluffy interior. And it comes out HOT! Hard to get fresh fried andagi. Dusted with cinnamon and sugar with option to dip in Ka'u Coffee Semifreddo. The scones were hot and flaky. I was not as wowed with the yogurt gelato, tapioca, and panna cotta. They were enjoyable but didn't pack the same punch as the rest of the food items. I was told a pastry chef from Germany was starting soon, so looking forward to their creations. I am serious when I say I enjoyed this Afternoon Tea so much that I would go again. Cos I am going again with friends next month! Oh! They gave us a tube of strawberry chocolate covered nuts to take home.
An unexpected little gem in the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. You walk through a small door and narrow corridor, up a flight of stairs and enters a quaint little restaurant. Our party of 4 were seated in a semi private room, which added a nice touch. Our server was extremely friendly, welcoming and professional. He took the time to explain the menu to us (how the tasting menu worked) and also went above and beyond to make sure our picky-eater kids were able to order from off the menu with the chef's permission. Our courses came out at a good pace, unlike many other fine dining which can be tiresome with long waits between courses. Each dish was super flavorful and perfectly seasoned. We loved that the chef created items that were both themed seasonally and best for the season. Dishes that stood out for us were the scallops and lobster. The dessert presentation was exceptional too. We left with a very relaxed and satisfied experience (and a couple of sweet treats that the restaurant gave us too!). Highly recommend Mugen if you're looking for fine dining in the area.
Solid 5 for the food. I stumbled across their page on yelp while looking for afternoon tea, and ended up booking here for dinner. I picked the Jade course because I wasn't super hungry. For just 150 dollars, the portions were generous and I was pretty full with just 4 courses. We can't even eat anything as well cooked in the Bay Area for that price. Every course was cooked well and flavors were delicate. I was surprised by the flavors of the duck and how it wasn't dry at all. Dessert was also amazing. I can't wait to return to other dishes and even to visit for breakfast.
2 years ago
We arrived before the restaurant opened, the valet was already available to park the car. They didn't mind the fact we didn't have our key card for the car. He just called me to remote start and didn't give us any restrictions on the time for parking. The location was perfectly situated in the most popular spot in Waikiki. We conveniently crossed street to the beach and had a nice walk before dinner. We were the first couple walking in the restaurant and all staff wearing nice uniforms were in the lobby greeted us with all kinds of useful and interesting information about the restaurant. Service was beyond excellent in every way. I was very impressed with the pashmina scarf when I mentioned it was too cold. The seven course meal was everything we expected and beyond. It's balanced among seafood meats and vegetables and the dessert is perfectly crafted with edible flower peddles to balance the sweetness. Waiters are attentive throughout the courses with detailed descriptions on each course. If you want a perfect night out, this is the ultimate experience. read more
1 year ago
5 years ago
I rarely leave reviews but I had to post about my experience here. I don't think I've ever had such an incredible dining experience- the ambiance, the service, the people, the food. It was all absolutely pristine. Each bite of food packed a punch and each dish held its own. The waiters spoke about the food in such detail that made you so appreciative of each dish. Highly recommend getting the wine pairings because it just elevated the entire course. I could go on but honestly I'll let the pics speak for itself I'm genuinely upset this restaurant exists so far from where I live, but I can tell you now that I'll be dining here the next time I go to Waikiki. Kudos to the chef and the entire staff - I'll remember this dinner for a long time (I even kept the menu to post up on my fridge) read more
3 years ago
We were at Waikiki on vacation last week. Many nice restaurants were booked. We managed to get a reservation at Mugen. Food here is Japanese French fusion. The food is of high quality, Michelin starred quality. They offer one tasting menu of eight courses for $150. The main course fish is flown in from Japan, the duck was perfectly prepared. The dessert was also impressive. The portion is more Japanese than American. What I would like to mention is that my husband found a small 'mistake' on his plate. It did not affect the taste of the food. When the manager found out, the whole meal was complimentary. We did not expect any of that but really appreciate the gesture. Half of the customers are locals celebrating birthdays or special occasions. They do come in dressing nicely. Don't wear casual shorts or beach sandals, you'd feel out of place. read more
My husband and I celebrated our Wedding Anniversary here. It was little hard to find, but they have Complimentary Valet so it worked out. It was a very nice place, beautiful ambience. We were served an 11 course meal. Not all photos provided. The drinks that the server recommended were so good. We had more than one! Food was great. The service was over the top. We loved it so much, we can't wait to be back. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
This is our second time eating at Mugen. Everyone was very nice taking care of us and explaining each dish. The main chef came out and talked to us we were surprised. Ricardo our host is very attentive. All the foods are delicious. The quality of the foods and presentation are top notch. We had a wonderful dinner read more
7 years ago
Happy birthday to me!! November 15th is my birthday but I usually celebrate the whole month traveling and of course eating in plenty restaurants!! Mugen was the chosen one for this weekend! Here the reviews: -Ambience: small but cute -Service: everyone was pretty nice and friendly but we even got to meet chef Gilberto and he is amazing and has a great background working in french laundry and other nice restaurants so no wonder the food is soo good here! -Food: Fixed course menu is $120 and we did wine pairing for $70 more! EVERYTHING was delicious and i really liked the size of the portions/course. Overall, i will definitely come back!!! #bellyapproved read more
6 years ago
This was probably a waste of money. We were still so hungry after we left. I must say the wine pairing was very generous, however, it left me more tipsy because there wasn't enough food. Service was exceptional. However, after spending over $250 per person with the wine pairing I'd have to say Nay. You can try it for yourselves. Of course everyone's experience will always be different. See my photo. There were some palette cleanser but it didn't fill our tummies. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
6 years ago
A little taste of fine dining tucked away in Espacio, a $3,000/night stay hotel smack dab in the middle of Waikiki. Park in front in the loading zone and it's free valet. If you're looking for somewhere to eat. Don't come here. If you're looking for a palate challenge that'll enlighten your tastebuds... try this place before it gets nearly impossible to get a res. The menu was straight forward yet eclectic offering a visual and tasteful range of fresh local produce, prime dishes and flavor. Every dish was well thought of, a great menu. They have 2 seatings 5 and 7:30pm looks like 6 bar seats, table for 2 and a table for 6. Looks like they're expanding. The food was amazing! A great tasting menu! TASTING as in it is not a place you go to get full. Portions are small (hence the emphasis on taste) We didn't opt for the wine accompaniment but tried tried some amazing wine otherwise. Can't wait to see what else the chef has in store for this place! When considering the price for these types of French inspired prix fix menus this ones is pretty decently priced. read more
5 years ago
It's been awhile since I had a meal that truly amazed, surprised, and delighted as much as the fantastic tasting menu at Mugen Waikiki. Top ingredients with meticulous technique and unique and inventive flavor combinations plus a decadent supplement of summer #truffles and extra #a5 #miyazaki #wagyu #beef Each course was inspired although the best was the #sugarsnap #millefuille which was so different and delicious on so many levels. Service was excellent too. I will definitely be back and recommend anyone traveling to #waikiki to book a reservation well in advance. read more
New hidden gem in the luxury Espacio Hotel in Waikiki. Only 4 intimate tables indoors and a few tables on the outside deck. There are also a few seats available at the fully stocked bar. Prix fixe menu changes daily. French/Japanese cuisine delicately served on contemporary dishes. Exceptional service. There was probably one server per guest! Extensive wine list. Over 500 wines. We chose the wine pairing for an additional $60 per person. The courses and wine were paired perfectly. Food, wine and service 5 stars! read more
5 years ago
I have never spent more on a meal than I had at Mugen. But boy was it worth every penny. We had incredible tasting menu. The lighting was on the darker side (hence the dark pictures) but the service was above and beyond 5 stars. They constantly ensured our drinks were topped off, our food was enjoyed, and fully explained the menu without dropping a beat. Definitely a fine dining experience. read more
4 years ago
Went here on a date night with my bf. Really wanted to like this place, but the food was just okay--after discussing with my bf, we finally came to the conclusion that part of what made the experience odd was how all of the dishes didn't seem to be any temperature other than lukewarm and/or room temperature. Not sure if that's how they wanted it to be, or if it was an off-night. That being said, the presentation was wonderful, and the service was stellar. Overall, the food temperature just threw us off. read more
6 years ago
Wanted to try a new restaurant for Valentines Day and Mugen did not disappoint. Although, when we first walked in, we were kinda taken back by how small the place was but it was actually the perfect intimate setting. Mugen offers a dinning experience that no other restaurant in Hawaii offers. The seasonal prix fixe menu consisted of 8 courses and each dish was consistently interesting and well executed, each bite was like an amazing explosion of flavors in my mouth. I highly recommend Mugen to anybody that is looking for an excellent dinning experience! read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
Our dinner was Mugen was absolutely stellar in every way. From the fantastic service to the chef's every beautifully presented, innovative, and delicious creations, my dining companions and I were astounded at the level of excellence this intimate restaurant offered and how little acclaim it has had to date! When meeting him, Chef Yamaguchi was gracious and humble. Among our party it was agreed that this restaurant falls among the ranks of French Laundry and Michael Mina (and some argued that it exceeded these veteran Michelin starred venues)! read more
Amazing dining experience! Mugen has an intimate modern ambiance inside. The food itself tasted had very unique tastes, different from other tastings I've had before, likely because it's a twist on Japanese flavors. We added on a wine pairing as well. The staff were very friendly and engaging, describing each course and how to best enjoy each of them. Overall, Mugen made it into one of my top fine dining experiences, and I would recommend adding this to your Oahu food itinerary. read more
4 years ago
5 years ago
The dessert was a tiny bit too sour or too sweet for me personally. Other than that, most of the dishes in the 8 course menu were very interestingly prepared and have multiple layers of tastes that you can feel when enjoying them. The winner is the snapper which was the best seafood I've had so far in Hawaii. The portion of the food was alright/slightly small if not counting the last dessert, which was a bit too much of a sugar intake for the night. read more
5 years ago
My favorite fine dining restaurant in Honolulu! Amazing! Great experience and atmosphere. Food was mind blowing. Service is of course as excepted at this fine restaurant. Price was spot on with the quality of food and presentation. Would love to come here again! I hope this place makes Michelin! read more
2 years ago
6 years ago
My husband and I wanted to try something new during this pandemic and we couldn't resist this place. Mugen is located in the Espacio hotel in Waikiki. When we went, we did a take out order since the restaurant was not doing dine-in service at the time. Even though it was take out, the food was still delicious. Upon arrival, we called the restaurant and the staff came out to deliver our food to the curb. He seemed very helpful and understanding since we came a little late for our pick-up time. Now, let's talk about the food. My husband and I ordered the weekly bento, parisienne gnocchi, pork belly don, and the poule au pot pie. The bento had a great assortment of foods. For the week that we ordered, it came with pipikaula which was lightly seasoned and super soft. The gnocchi was probably my favorite dish that we ordered as it had a perfect texture and delicious flavors, especially with that streusel sauce. It was so good that I regretted not ordering my own rather than needing to share with my husband. The pork belly don was not what I expected, I was just thinking it would be pork belly with rice. But in fact, it was like the Japanese oyakodon (egg rice bowl) but instead of chicken, it was with pork belly. Although it was not what I expected, I still found it delicious to eat and I scarfed it down. Lastly for the pot pie, the crust was light and crispy with a filling that was creamy and delicious. However, I did feel like it was missing something, just not sure what. Overall, I enjoyed eating the different dishes from this restaurant and I would love to come back to try out the other items on their menu. In fact, if they have dine-in services again and safety measures in place, I would love to get the full experience. read more
4 years ago
TLDR: This was a fairly disappointing experience overall for both the price point and level this service should be at. I visited on 4/14/2022 at the infancy of Mugen's spring menu which took effect a little less than 2 weeks ago according to the staff. I began the evening a little after 6:00 PM to partake in the cocktail pre-meal service offered as an add-on to the meal. The bartender was both diligent and knowledgeable, and that night's cocktail was the "Original Mai Tai". It was devoid of additional sugars and juices, consisting of only Lime Juice, Orgeat, a blend of Rums ranging from aged to clear. Delicious. I was shown my table promptly at 6:30, and one of the servers went over the add-ons for additional slices of the dry-aged liberty duck, A5 Miyazaki Wagyu, or slices of fresh truffle over any course. I personally didn't indulge in this service, but I imagine it would be very tasty! I instead opted for the Wine Pairing, which I think was the best choice. The courses were served in 10-15 minute intervals which left plenty of time to savor each dish and reflect on it. I can't comment on the wine pairings much, as I don't have a lot of experience here, but to me each pairing felt smart. Like having something dry to cut through thick/ rich dishes or how it progressed from light to heavy, and dry to eventually sweet. 1st Course: The caviar and andagi went well together, and was an interesting play on the use of blini. It was all a bit lost on the thickness and sweetness of the doughnut however. That said, having the champagne with it felt fun. 2nd Course: Dutch Asparagus with pieces of black truffle atop surrounded by dots of truffle sauces and pieces of finely diced edamame. It was served with a savory, and spiced Sabayon in a pourable cup. It was frustrating that it was not pourable nor explained how to eat it. I eventually opted to dunk bites in to the sauce. 3rd Course: Sashimi style Aohata with lemongrass roe, pickled cucumber, roasted artichoke, amaranth, with shio shoyu. Utterly delicious, but the service wasn't thought through all the way. It was not fun trying to use chopsticks to gather whole bites. 4th Course: Gnocchi served atop a tomato sauce with a delicious funky cheese grated over top. One of the richest dishes on the menu, counterbalanced with the fresh tomato. It was very tasty, but I don't think that the micro basil was strong enough to stand up to the buttered Gnocchi. 5th Course: This was the highlight in my opinion. Lightly cooked Amadai, with the scales fried to a potato chip consistency, over a parsnip puree. It was served with a fish mousse Choux Farci, cooked pears, buttered cabbage, and it was surrounded by a chamomile dashi. Everything was cooked to perfection, and it was especially fun to eat it with a spoon to get that perfect bite. 6th Course: Meyer Lemon sorbet with black sea salt and gold leaf, covered in a grey goose and limoncello sauce. It was very refreshing after the richer dishes, but I could barely taste the salt which would have been a really nice contrast. 7th Course: Dry aged liberty duck with parsnips, celery, and jus. It was served a little warmer than rare, but was succulent and delicious. The celery flavor lasted far too long and sat on my palate until the 9th Course. While I loved the duck, I didn't love the dish. I sadly didn't take a picture of this dish, but what really caught me here was the silverware. My sharpened knife had chips all along the edge, and this isn't acceptable at this level of dining. 8th Course: A5 Miyazaki Wagyu with dots of Chawamushi, and Jus on the plate. It is served with a rendition of Kakiage and carrot puree. A complete bite was very reminiscent of a Thanksgiving dinner. I think that the carrot had some sort of fall herb like sage. The Kakiage was a smooth puree. This was a stand out dish, but attempting to fish out the jus and Chawamushi from the plate holes was more work than it was worth. The A5 melts in your mouth almost instantly and still has me salivating almost 2 days later at the thought. 9th Course: Goat cheese served with fennel and citrus roe, in a homemade herb de Provence biscuit. This cheese was very overpowering, but I appreciated that it finally got the taste of celery out of my mouth. There was a lot going on flavor wise here, but it was lost in the cheese. 10th Course: My dish was brought with no silverware at first, but it was quickly rectified. It reminded me of a slice of Tiramisu served atop a Graham cracker. It was fun and very delicious! 11th Course: A Matcha cake with blood orange, pineapple, and preserved Sakura blossoms on a white chocolate stencil. This dish was frustrating to eat as the stencil wasn't easy to scrape from the plate. The blossoms were so overpowering that as a complete bite it pushed through everything. Service Note: Attentive at the beginning, but as the night progressed the service became desynchronized. Overall: While it was good it didn't match expectations. read more
5 years ago
The location is very easy to walk to if your stay near the hotels on Waikiki beach. The food was tasty but it was hard to eat them since most of the courses we had to use a spoon which made it awkward. I'm not sure if the food was memorable but it was fresh. It's a good place to try once but I don't think I'll be back and I would try other fine dining places. read more
6 years ago
My wife picked Mugen as the special restaurant to celebrate her birthday. True, it was three days before her actual birthday( she loves to cook for both of our birthdays ) but the stars were aligned and Mugen was her choice. French/ Japanese is something we love and it's a rarity on Oahu. We were told there was some architectural work to be done but the room that is part of the kitchen was completed. There are only two seatings. We selected the 7:30. Mugen has not been officially reviewed on Oahu but both Yelp and Open Table have a Number of reviews. Our greeting was very special. A super charming young lady who also was our waitress greeted us in the best aloha spirit we've ever had. Her style was addicting making for a truly relaxing evening. Our host for the evening was Lee Kamimura the General Manager. His style was so endearing that we actually felt like were were having a fine dinning experience in his home. Once he found out that we were former Wine Educators from NYC( teaching wine programs for over 25 years) it seemed that his amazing 500 bottle wine cellar was at our disposal. Just kidding but we did order and taste some very exciting wines. The menu was eight courses ranging from a a taste to a full portion. Each unbelievable dish was created by the Executive Chef Jason Yamaguchi and his single sous chef. Being highly versed in wine we look for contrasting flavors, bouquets of equally delicate and layered scents and colors that are impressionistic to the eyes. We got all of this and a lot more. What also made the entire eventing so memorable was that total relaxing feeling that our hosts generated. We can't wait to go back. . Although located in the Espacio Hotel, possibly the most expensive hotel in Hawaii we never once felt overwhelmed. The following is the menu that we had the other evening. Sasanian Osetra Caviar: Mochi Blini. Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta. Cured Yolk. Red Sea Crab: Yuzu Kosho Aioli. Edamame Coulis. Black Sesame Tuile. Heirloom Beet: Salt Roasted Beets. XO Plum. Purple Haze Goat Cheese. Fine Herbs. Parisienne Gnoochi Kona Lobster. Comte Espuma. Coppa. Pineapple Sorbet: Shiso Oil Colorado Lamb: Negi Panisse. Umami Demi. Celery Root. Ykare. Milk & Honey: Honey Comb. Fennel Sugar Cane Butterscotch Pot De Creme: Chantilly Cream. Hazelnut Streusel. Maui Carmel Sauce read more
6 years ago
I've been wanting to try this new restaurant, but then the Covid upset Waikiki and all of the options for dinner. This restaurant is located in the ultra exclusive Espacia Hotel, billed as the Jewel of Waikiki. One day the restaurant was open, the next it was closed. But currently it is serving a special menu for takeout or delivery. There's a weekly bento box filled with choice ingredients from the Islands. The entire menu is created from what is available from the farms and fisherman who work the islands. I can't wait to return for takeout or for the day we open up again and it's safe to dine in person. Bravo Chef! read more
6 years ago
6 years ago
7 years ago
A new up and coming, Mugen met and exceeded our expectations. Certainly the menu stands out, a lot of time and effort went into creating each course. However, how Lee (the director of the restaurant, *in assumption) pairs the wines with each course was by far the most enjoyable part. i strongly encourage the wine pairing with your tasting menu! Food excellence, portions perfect, and the ambiance and staff were wonderful. We will be back, and also highly recommend this place to anyone visiting oahu or residents in the area. read more
4 years ago
We had the 7 courses tasting menu. The service is very good. Great presentation on the food but the portions were way too small. We were kind of disappointed. read more
5 years ago
5 years ago
Amazing experience. Not for every day because of price point but great for celebrations. Excellent service and even better food. read more
More info about Mugen
2452 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
Waikiki
Directions
(808) 377-2247
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https://www.mugenwaikiki.com
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Ask the Community - Mugen
Is entertainment available at dinner?
Aloha Beatriz, Mugen is a small intimate restaurant that has a view of our Chef show kitchen. We do have curated background music to provide the backdrop for Chef's cuisine and dining room service professionals.
Are kids allowed?
Yes, everyone is welcome to try our tasting menu! However we do not have any ala carte or children's menu available.
Are most of the food raw? Is it pregnancy safe for pre-fix?
We do have a couple dishes that are raw or medium rare. But our team will always accommodate our guests who are expecting.
Anybody know the dress code?
Resort casual is preferred. Many other diners are celebrating Birthdays, Graduations, Anniversaries or Honeymoon so are dressed to impress. Don't be that T-Shirt and flip flop person.
How about 2021 Aug price for taste menus?
As of October 1st they have introduced an 11 course tasting menu for $195. Wine pairings are $90.
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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
6 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
2 years ago
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Mugen - newamerican - Updated June 2026
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