$30 bento！love it love it So delicious ! It looks a little small but it's very full! Need to book in advance! omg I want to eat it again Every time I see this pic read more

Sushi Sasabune - Sushi Bars Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

My husband and I have been coming here for about 7-8 years, way before we even got married and way before we moved out of Oahu. I took awhile writing a review bc well, most of the time it was such a good experience & it was tradition we come here for my birthday, sometimes anniversaries. Until we moved to Vegas and made it a "newer" tradition to come here at least once or twice a year when we come home & visit and for my husband's job. What was once special occasion kinda spot turned into "it's our fave sushi spot, we're hungry, let's go!" Kinda place. Out of all the good experiences we had, tonight kinda just nailed the coffin for us. Sasabune was the first "high end" I guess if you wanna call it, it being average $300 (tip not included) for 2 people for the Omakase course. FYI, if you come here & wanna do ala carte, it depletes the purpose bc seriously the whole point of the slogan "Trust me", chef's specials are the ones you really want. Every visit we make it a point to finish the 10-course (sometimes 13) omakase and usually order seconds of our faves + beer and sake for me. This place is the reason why my husband & I are so picky about our sushi. We often compare new restaurants to Sasabune & always say "Naaaaah, this doesn't beat Sasabune at all :)" The quality of their seafood really does melt in your mouth & the rice portion are perfect! Bonus: their fresh wasabi is soooo nice. YES! Those super green ones from Genki aren't the real thing lol. Out of all the visits we've made here, tonight is the second AND last time my husband & I ever want to feel that way again. 1st negative experience was when a service asked us what's the occasion for tonight soon as we sat down. When I replied "nothing, we're just hungry...." he said "oh...." but doesn't ask the table he sat after us. Uhm ok? Yes it's a four dollar sign restaurant, no one dresses to impress, but basically they made us feel as if we don't belong in there & we can't afford the damn fish flown from across the way ‍ Barely packed than what we usually see, 3 servers, and tables that sat down after us received their next courses ahead of us. All the while, my sake is wearing off, my husband is irritated waiting for his beer for the last 15+ minutes as we watch them serve other tables. A perfectly good dinner gone to waste. One for the books, it's the first we've left Sasabune after only eating single digit of the Omakase. No one really picked up the pace until they noticed the frowns on our faces & I started getting my bag ready. Nonetheless, my husband got his beer served to him a little too late. Took a sip or two and asked for the check. Paid, complained, & still tipped above 20% like we always do because when you weigh out our experiences and the quality of food here, it was good. I think we might have overhype this place bc we found a spot across our place in Vegas and it meets the same quality as here. Clearly, if you look young & seem like you can't afford such luxury quality seafood, you can easily be forgotten. TIP: go in dress to impress, rock that name brand bag, sis & walk in like y'all going for some business dinner‍ read more

This review is strictly for the service and not for the food or sushi chef. I am not one to write bad reviews but this service i was genuinely displeased with .The gentleman with the buzz cut at the front host stand on 6/3/2021 at 8:00 pm was not being professional or accommodating .I called two weeks in advance before my trip to hawaii to make reservation at 8PM . I arrive accordingly and timely and the host up front tells me there is no reservations under my name . He checks again and tells me that I called the day before to cancel, which was very odd because i never did and had no call record of it . He says he can't seat me , so i proceed to ask what number called and he says it's busy and he seemed frantic ,continues to tell me he could not . So he brushes me off and says he doesn't know what to tell me and just leaves my randomly cancelled reservation in the air. the host tries to ask the chef if he could squeeze us in, but there was no more space. The host proceeds to go as far to say that someone had malicious intent towards us and tells me that maybe someone is trying to sabotage our dinner and made it sound like he was trying to flip the situation like it was our doing somehow. At this point i'm like wtf are you talking about .... He seemed very fidgety and hesitant . I already had a feeling this host messed up our reservations. We leave the the restaurant and receive a call 20 minutes later that he "accidentally" canceled our reservations assuming it was another person. So this host single handedly canceled my reservation and tries to pull some slick stories only to tel me that he messed up. Own up to your mistake and say it how it was i don't need all these excuses , you messed up now be accountable and fix it. He tried offering a table the next day at 8pm but i'm leaving hawaii already and that would just push my schedule around this reservation that i already planned two weeks in advance only to be turned away because the host messed up ,and this whole ordeal already was a huge inconvenience. This is just unacceptable and that employee failed to represent the restaurants image as a reputable omakase restaurant. read more

Sasabune is one of the good sushi restaurants judged by food quality. However, my experience here was somewhat underwhelming. I booked the 9pm appointment which was their last batch of appointments according to OpenTable and only bar seating was available. About 1.5 hrs prior to the booking time the restaurant called and informed that only the Chef's special menu is available. (I did not check with the restaurant if this only applied to bar seating or to the entire restaurant.) Since the list of items to serve is determined by the chef, if you do not come with a large group or a big appetite, you won't get to try some of the interesting dishes you saw in the online menu before you're too full to stop. When I came in, there was a mild odor of non-fresh fish in the restaurant possibly due to the late hour. (I'm not sure if the smell is normal since I do not frequent sushi restaurants.) The chefs and staffs were very polite and attentive, and I'm quite grateful for that. I brought a small appetite and only tried four dishes. The sashimi appetizers were great but both the tuna and baby squid were a little too oily -- oil was floating visibly on the sauce over the seafood, which is not a sign of authentic Japanese sashimi. The tuna sushi and sushi roll were good, but does not add much to my expectation given the overwhelmingly positive online reviews. I second another review that the dishes were on the salty side, which is especially true for the sashimi appetizers that came with their own sauces. While goodtasting, the sauce covered up most of the natural seafood flavor and freshness. I also second another review that if you had already visited *good* sushi places in Japan or the costal cities in the US, this one probably does not add much to your experience and was pricy among its peers. If you are going there after dark, please consider drive or take a shared ride unless you are in a group of three or more. The restaurant is located about 0.8 miles away from the touristy beach area and shopping malls. Visitors may feel slightly uneasy walking around its neighborhood as the streets can get quite dark and empty. read more

Lived up to all expectations and would highly recommend, took my oldest closest friend here and she had never been, very traditional and fresh fish. Service was on point read more

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One word. OMAKASE If you enjoy spectacular service & traditional rolls, this is the place to go. Make reservations & sit at the sushi bar. "Trust me". Everything is incredibly fresh with clean complex flavors. They take real pride in what they do & it shows. They are informative & well versed in where their sashimi comes from & how to eat it properly. It maybe more expensive then other choices but they are worth every penny. The ambience is great (dig the sliding door). The service was attentive but not over bearing. A superb place. If your a foodie who enjoys traditional sushi, this is a must. read more

Sushi Sasabune - Sushi Sasabune - Sushi Bars Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I wouldnt consider this high quality omakase. It's mid-tier. The price (~$125-$150) is fair for all the items you get, which I assume is one of the reasons for all the positive reviews. It's a lot of food and I went to the end. However, almost all the pieces of nigiri were oversauced and some pieces were difficult to eat like their minced toro nigiri (tasted like complete mush). If the fish was of highest quality, you wouldnt need so many additives. I like that they highlight some local fish but dont expect a fancy omakase. This is "good value" omakase. read more

My low rating is due to poor value for money. The sushi here is good, but it's not life changing. I appreciated that a lot of the fish was sourced locally, but this place was just wayyyyy overpriced. For 4 ppl we paid over $700 USD including tip. We each had the omakase of 9 dishes, 13 dishes, 15 dishes, 15 dishes, and two sakes. Granted, we ate a lot, but we didn't know that we paid per plate. Maybe it would've been less of a shock if the pricing was clearly on the menu. Service was great, food was good, ambiance is average, but the price was shockingly bad. read more

Sushi Sasabune has been on my bucket list for 10 yrs!! I have to say right off... this omakase was a bargain!! Granted 135.00 pp may sound pricey, but I have been to Sushi restaurants in Japan and paid 150.00 and up for omakase where you would get one piece instead of 2 or 3 per plate. The sushi was just as wonderful, if not better. Sushi Sasabune is more diverse as far as their offerings are concerned which we thoroughly enjoyed!! I actually want to go back someday!! read more

10 courses of Omakase with Jumanji sake; follows with mango Sherbet. Local and sourced fish, oyster, blue crabs. It's an enjoyment having sushi in Honolulu. read more

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I can't believe where all the five star reviews come from. I got omakase bento today. How can I start? Yes, $30 dollars sounds like a steal. But when I open the box, I know it is going to be bad. The fish was not fresh. And the type of fish they use is not different than the one at poke places . How could they come up with the word omakase? It would be shame if I compare this with Oshima , Hana,. .. in California. read more

Our favorite sushi restaurant. Too bad we don't live in Hawaii. Quality is the best. Sit at the sushi bar. Favorites include: squid stuffed with crab oysters with roe uni ankimo negitoro (the best) read more

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One of the top three best sushi restaurants in Honolulu. Best to do omakase and let the sushi chef work his magic. Not sure if there are different levels of omakase but think of it as eating at a five star restaurant. read more

Excellent and particular Sushi But lack of detailed order instruction For example; First visitors don't know when is the time to stop eating the Sushi on the way coming continuously, in addition to the foreigners So lost time to stop what happened? The bill says that each person charges $250.00 dollars besides tip & tax Be careful to order! read more

Amazing! Went on a date and had a reserved area right in front of Seiji and his team. Didn't order- We ordered a beer and then amazing sushi starters to come out. We had A very amazing time. Seiji and his crew was amazing from the moment we walked in to the moment we left. They describe the sushi as they hand you each plate. This was by far the best sushi I have ever had in my life and I eat sushi at least twice per week. Seiji and his team know my date as a regular and knew his allergy to scallops so they made him a different sushi in place of his scallop. The flavors were amazing- mint- ginger- Smokey- oh sooooo. Ono yummy :) Finished with the green tea ice cream. Restrooms and restaurant was clean- Trust them- they definitely know sushi. I will always be a repeat customer- it's the best sushi place in Hawaii- it's sooooo good I fly to Hawaii just to go to Sasabune- love it! read more

Ate here for the first time last night. I was very excited from what I've read/heard about Sasabunes. They absolutely did not disappoint it was the most amazing sushi experience I've ever had. Honestly I'm a little upset because I don't think I'll ever be able to enjoy your average run of the mill sushi bar anymore because these guys set the bar so damn high! read more

Omakase...14 excellent courses, 10 of which we have not experienced at any other place, be it here in Honolulu, Osaka, Tsukiji Market, Manhatten, SF etc...highly recommend! Reservations are required..do sit at the Sushi Counter..as a point of reference, Omakase was $125 at Sasabune, $175 at Morimoto and $200 at Nobu....highly recommend! read more

It was bad service from beginning to end. All the sushi was covered in lots of sauce. To give perspective to how rude the sushi men were, not one of them said bye in the end. I have never been to a sushi place where a simple BYE was not given. read more

Omakase can be a risk. Not here the perfect balance in almost every bite. You will not be disappointed

This had to be my biggest disappointment in Oahu. I had been craving some quality sushi after a couple rounds of poke and shrimp and had heard many wonderful things about this place. First, the good parts: Good quality local tuna toro, albeit a bit too sweet of a sauce. Decent oysters. Interesting raw shrimp. Very streamlined pace fitting for sushi served by the piece(s). Now the bad: - Toppings and sauces that completely overpowered many of the pieces of fish. - Rice was undercooked for multiple pieces. - Multiple dishes made with cooked crab that was as salty as seawater. At one point I was asked for request and went for their uni, which they paired with ikuras well. The uni was from Vancouver and was quite bland, but the dollop of sugary syrup that was placed on top was almost insultingly bad. Ikura was less flavorful that what I got in my rice balls from the Mitsubi Cafe. read more

Been wanting to try the omakase bento for takeout since I've been seeing it on IG. Tried calling a few times but no answer so I DM'd on IG and got a response very quickly. They actually asked for my number and called me to take my order. I called at 5:45P and bento was ready by 7pm. They are very busy so it takes about an hour to get the bentos ready. Hubby went to pick up and says it was easy. Park right in the front on King street and enter through the automatic doors. Quality of fish was excellent, fresh and clean. Uni was outstanding. My only thing was that wasabi was a little heavy handed on the sushi pieces even for the hubby who loves wasabi. For me it took away for really enjoying the fish to it's full potential. Wasabi feeling in my nose with every sushi piece-if you know what I mean! Regardless, I'd still order here again but will let them know to go easy on the wasabi next time. Mahalo! read more

Sushi Sasabune - Takeout omakase bento $50 - Sushi Bars Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

$50 benton!!! i would say this is the highlight since the stay home order! It was super yummy!

4/5: Food 5:5: Service and Atmosphere Their dishes were unique and the fish very fresh. One of the best omakase I've had. But I thought some of the preparations could have brought out more flavor of the seafood or more unique, however, for the price point. read more

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Just amazing. We went with the chefs choice. It was so expensive but so worth it. Hands down the best sushi I have ever had. read more

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The place is away from tuorist crowded area but worth to go if you like omakase style serving. Raw fish might not fit for all, but once you try them, it's easy to get loving with that. read more

Best sushi experience ever! This is a "omakase" sushi bar meaning chef's choice in Japanese. Walked into this little gem after realizing my first option only served dinner. I found the door of Sasabune at 1145 and decided to quickly book a lunch reservation with open table. I was the first in and was 1 of 4 customers during their limited 1hr 30min lunch window (12:00-1:30). I was unaware of what I had committed to so if you are worried about the cost know you are committing to a ~$150 lunch. Thankfully I had some previous knowledge so it didn't blind side me. The chef explained every course and told me the name and the Hawaiian name for each fish presented. This is a must stop for sushi lovers! read more

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Sushi Sasabune in my opinion is the Holy Grail of sushi bars on Oahu. When you make a reservation, the receptionist makes sure you understand what to expect. "We are not a Japanese restaurant. No tempura, no California rolls, only sushi". Plain and simple. Heck, I don't want anything else, just great sushi, worthy of the most hard-to-please of sushi aficionados... But, for that matter, the expectations and the level of quality are immediately raised and expected. My only mistake, I didn't get bar seating. To get the true experience, one needs to sit at the bar where you can observe the master sushi chef perform his "work of art" and to hear his explanation of what and where your individual sushi items originated from. Although the servers do a good job of that when they bring your orders to your table. They will also advise you which items will not require soy sauce in order to enjoy the full flavor of the dish. Although we enjoyed every item ordered, several stood out as exceptional. One for example was the South African rock lobster. It was prepared baked and with a ponzu sauce which was excellent! Next was an Albacore sashimi in ponzu sauce, very smooth with a slight tanginess to it, but not overpowering. My personal favorite that evening, locally caught moi. This delicate fish had a nice sweetness to it which pared well with the perfectly prepared rice. A couple orders of delectable negitoro and snow crab nigiri was a perfect match for the baby stuffed squid and the abalone sashimi... Rounding off the meal was an order each of red snapper and unagi nigiri. The service here is fantastic, they will make sure your table is cleared before your next dish arrives and they are always checking to see if you need anything or would like to add more to your meal. As for the parking situation, if you are lucky like we were, there is ample parking in the rear of the building as well as on the street. If you desire low priced, mediocre sushi, visit one of the many "conveyor belt" establishments around town. If what you are looking for is quality, fresh ingredients and excellent service for your dining pleasure, I highly recommend visiting Sushi Sasabune. Serious sushi served here... read more

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Two words..."Trust Me." That's what the Chef at Sushi Sasabune asks his patrons to do when they walk through the doors of his tiny shop. And when a Japanese man with a knife tells you to listen to his instructions...you listen. Some call him the Sushi Nazi, I call him a Sushi GOD! When you order the Chef's special (an assortment of cold and warm sushi served until the buttons pop off your pants) the servers at Sushi Sasabune tell you exactly how to eat your dish. -"Dip in warm ponzu sauce." -"No shoyu please." -"Eat it in one bite or you will die a thousand deaths!" Okay so maybe the server didn't say that last one but boy do they put on the pressure to eat his sushi the right way! I think that the Chef at Sushi Sasabune could tell me to stand on my head and I'd listen because the food is spank my bottom delicious! read more

Omakase, or go home. This was one of those meals that I'll probably remember in the afterlife. When they ask me what I'd like my last meal on Earth to be, I'd probably say, the omakase at Sushi Sasabune. The Chef could just keep bringing on the dishes until I croak. Okay, that was kind of grim, but ... I pity those who die and never taste this. That's all I have to say... read more

Although it took me awhile to write this, I feel that it must be done for the benefit of all of my fellow Yelpers. This is the best sushi/sashimi that you'll imbibe in in your entire life, and certainly the best that I've tried in N. America. Definitely do the tasting menu, (omakase) and do let them choose. I was apprehensive about trying some things, so if you want to ensure that you won't waste any, go with someone who loves sashimi and give them your share. Also, you can stop your tasting menu at any time while the other person keeps going. I think I stopped at 9 of 11? The best was the last one, in my OP, and that was the fresh crab cone. I am ashamed to admit that I'd never tried mochi before, and that was the least memorable thing on the menu. I'd def. skip it. You will know you are in a top sushi place by the descriptions of each dish. Our first three (one being oysters) were all from Vancouver/Vancouver Island area which was funny. The rice was perfectly tender with a slight snap to it; I have not been able to eat rice anywhere else since; yes, it was really that good. Share a Sapporo beer--or two--because when in Rome.... The service was wonderful. Since I knew this would be a special place, I dressed up somewhat, and this is def. as casual as any sushi place you'll visit. If you're a tourist, you can easily walk from your hotels if you are staying by the Outriggers, etc. Although it's a bit of a walk in a sketchy area, it was still safe, and it helps you wear off your dinner after they "roll" you out the door. At least I could take comfort in the fact that the fish was healthy, right? This is the best sushi I've ever eaten, and second only to Japan, or so I was told by a friend who'd recently been there. If you're a sushi lover, you will not be disappointed, and it is certainly worth the price for one of your special dinners out. This is certainly one of the most memorable places I've ever eaten, even after living in both Vancouver and NY. read more

Hands down best omakase I've had in Oahu so far and I've been to a couple. I definitely like Sasabune's omakase style vs other ones because I loved how each course had multiple different pieces. I went with the Japanese omakase (had more shellfish dishes) and it was to die for. I liked how the rice was a lot warmer than some other places... just part of their own omakase style. My favourite pieces were definitely the lobster sashimi entree, the octopus, and the UNI. Definitely check this place out guys ! read more

Lots of sake to choose from... come here to be adventurous with sushi... sit at the bar and do omakase! (Chefs choice) They will bring several rounds of sushi from the chef and you get to try things you probably never would have ordered from the menu! But all in all it is a very good experience... and good to your taste buds as well... Order some sake to wash it down! The omakase was 13 rounds of various sushi... all very tasty and satisfying!!! read more

Sushi Sasabune - Sushi Bars Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I came here for the first time tonight. I have heard all the stories from friends, read all the Yelp reviews on how this is the best sushi in Hawaii. Yeah, yeah. suuuure. After finally trying here, I can agree that this is the best sushi you will have in Hawaii. It is hard to describe in words and to persuade you to come if you haven't. But if you consider yourself a sushi afficionado, then Sasabune is a must. I had the omakase but I kept notes on which courses I thought were 5 star worthy. Thinking I could come here and order them ala carte. I am not so sure, the sushi bar seems like an assembly line for omakase customers. I think it would be hard for them to squeeze ala carte customers in... But WOW, the omakase will floor you. As I am writing this review, I am jonesing for the negi toro--the shiznits!! If you fancy sushi, you MUST come here and have the omakase!! It is a different world here! When you start a discussion on the best sushi in Hawaii, there truly is Sasabune then everyone else... Update: Weeks after coming here, I still think about how excellent my dining experience was at Sasabune and am obsessed about returning... read more

One morning, I was sleeping like a baby... zzZZzz zZzzZzz / {-.-} I woke up, drank a cup of coffee, and ate a bagel... ( '.' ) [_]P (o) Suddenly, I realized my wedding anniversary was only two days away. I started to imagine what would happen if I forgot our anniversary... "You forgot our anniversary? Prepare to die!!!" ? / ( '.' ) O=('.'O=) -- angry wife with boxing gloves on I needed a plan because asking the Magic 8 Ball didn't help... "Ask me again later" / ( (8) ) and consulting the Sarcastic Ball* was no help, either... "Ask me if I care" / ( (S) ) After some thought, I decided to give her roses... -----{---(@ -------{---(@ -----{---(@ and make reservations for sushi... "Never trust anyone who says 'Trust me!'" / (__) (oo) /-------@ / | __|| * ||W || ^^ ^^ [ed: I realize that the above is a cow and not a fish, but Yelp won't allow me to post a review with a greater-than or less-than symbol (error 449) that is required for the ASCII fish I created] What we ate... Albacore Sashimi...didn't like this as much as I remembered Baby Squid Stuffed with Crab...awesome appetizer Butterfish (with miso and a nice touch of lemon)...small portion but very good Hamachi Kama in shoyu...small portion but tasty Oysters (baked and sashimi)...both excellent Scallop...not enough sauce, wishing I dipped it in soy/wasabi Toro...far less fatty than expected, tasted like a piece of maguro Hamachi...where's the red part? hmmmm Salmon with Kelp...pretty good Negitoro...melted in my mouth Aji...can't go wrong with this Sweet Shrimp...nicely seasoned, very tasty Uni...best uni I've ever had, period Ume/Shiso Handroll...I love shiso, so I loved this Crab Handroll...very delicious Anago on Egg...great way to end the meal Monk fish liver...out of this tonight, sorry $200, tip included * Google it read more

I always enjoyed the whole Sasabune package many many times over the years so it should not have been a mistake to consider a Valentine's dinner there a suspect choice. I will never return to Sasabune after the tasteless, flavorless sushi that they served last night. Almost all omakase dishes there are flavor bombs but last night the whole experience was simply a horrible bomb. For $450 I expect my food to have flavor. Sure the fish was fresh as usual but THERE WAS NO FLAVOR. Did they decide to save money on ponzu and other marinades because of Valentine's Day? WTF?! The nail in the dining (or lack thereof) coffin was when the hostess had the nerve to ask us to pay and leave because they had other people waiting for our chairs at the sushi bar! We were not even there 2 hours, had not ordered desert and more importantly had not finished our $120 sake for goodness "sake". (Pardon the pun). For the money I spend every time we eat here I am appalled to have had that experience - and on Valentine's Day when it was supposed to be a special evening. Shame on you Sasabune - you'll no longer be prying your chopsticks into this dude's wallet. Sayonara!!!!! read more

An amazing and divine eating experience. Sushi and seafood lovers, get down here. I was a Sasabune skeptic for years, but had been secretly dying to try this place. And I'm soooo glad I did! (Thank you, SS!) Each course was as delightful as the next. Even their homemade dessert was delish! I especially liked being told how to eat each particular piece / dish. It was quite interesting. I also learned that it's proper to eat sushi in one bite. (I was well prepared, as I am that non-dainty type of girl who prefers large bites and mouthfuls.) #ihaveabigmouth #feedme #learnhowtochew #inhalationleadstochoking #canthelpit #iwouldeatwithashovelificould I won't go into detail on the different courses because there were so many...AND I believe that Sasabune should be experienced and not just read or told. Make that reservation! You won't be disappointed! read more

First of all, I'm not a big fan of sushi. Not that I dislike sushi, I just don't like the taste of most raw fish and I always use a lot of wasabi & shoyu. Sometimes I suspect I like wasabi & shoyu taste better than sushi itself. Recently I was told to move to the mainland for work and was looking for things to try before I leave, so sasabune jumped in the picture. I wanted to try REAL sushi at least once. OMG. I was scared at first reading these reviews about the Sushi Nazi. We sat at a table close to the bar. Our waiter was awesome, he brought hot towels and purse hook to hook up my purse after I went to the restroom, NEAT! The Japanese manager was constantly checking on us, making sure everything was fine. The Sushi Nazi looked so concentrated and every piece of sushi he made looked like a work of art! It was such a pleasant experience. We finished all 13 courses and were very impressed by every single dish. The warm sushi rice, the fresh ingredients, the beautiful presentation, and those sauce he drizzles on them, OMG. I did NOT need shoyu or wasabi, EVER!!! So yes, I LOVE SASABUNE'S SUSHI. read more

Alright, here comes my rant! It was so BAD that we actually stopped after five courses, got up and LEFT. I really don't understand the hype. Check out the other reviews and you will find really low or really high ratings. I'm guessing the reviews fall into 2 categories- one set from people who have actually had good omakase before and then the others that have only had Americanized sushi. This is not the place for exceptional omakase. This is entry level omakase with subpar fish, bad rice and ridiculous service. Having spent time in Japan and also at some of the top sushi spots in the US, I can say this place fell way short of my expectations. Here's why: * the tuna starter course (which the cheesey server described as canned tuna because it was Canadian tuna... how clever *rolls eyes*) was was both fishy and soaked in overpowering sauce. Fail #1. Where do I go from there, oh yes: * the toro was actually CHEWY, yes the toro. * the oysters weren't properly cleaned - GRIT city! * the rice was really warm, like almost hot. yes sushi rice should be warm, but body temp not this garbage. on top of that the rice that wasn't hot was actually a bit hard on one piece of the nigiri. * the sushi seemed to be either drenched in OVERPOWERING SAUCE or not that flavorful. the seafood ok enough but really lacking in flavor for such a pricey omakase. you could tell that they don't pay for the highest grade. I have eaten at Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo, I am no means an expect but I can tell the difference. To top it off, the service is like a TGI Friday's on sushi. The server actually knelt down at the table to chat it up with us. Making sure to let us know not to eat the gari/ginger on top of the sushi. REALLY?!? WTF, I am about to drop about $500 on omakase and drinks and you think I don't know this little gem? Thanks for dropping your knowledge on me, bro server. The decor is horrible. Usually that doesn't really phase me but with the high end vibe it's trying to put forth the ambiance is lacking. It looks like a bad Japanese restaurant from 1986 that hasn't been updated. They try to be upscale and super friendly and it just comes off as creepy and gauche. Stay clear of this place, there are much better options in Honolulu. read more

I ate here because it's supposed to be the best sushi joint in Honolulu. Objectively speaking, they're pretty solid. But based on my experience here, my advice would be to head down a block or so to Gaku. Why? Two reasons: 1. Their Toro Is End-Of-"Million Dollar Baby" Sad. I'm not sure if I've had worse toro, which is unacceptable for a $100+ omakase. When I popped the first one in my mouth, my first thought was that somebody had soaked rolled-up pink toilet paper in tuna flavoring. About the only nice thing I can say about this sushi tragedy is that I got some omega-3 out of it. 2. Their Non-Telepath Discrimination. When we reached the end of our meal, I recognized the blue crab roll from the Sasabune in West LA - where I've eaten many times. So I asked the chef if this was the Hawaii branch and he replied 'yes.' And like the LA restaurant, they offer a Japanese and Western omakase. But unlike the LA restaurant, they didn't ask which we preferred - they just automatically gave us the less-awesome Western omakase instead. When I asked the chef why they didn't offer us the Japanese option, his reply was that we should've somehow known that they had this option and asked for it. "How?" I asked. "Was I supposed to read your thoughts?" He shrugged. Or maybe he answered with his mind. read more

Trust Me is Sasabune's motto to their patrons. I put myself in their hands and had, by far, the freshest sushi I've ever had. Be forewarned though. No spicy tuna rolls or california rolls are offered. If it weren't for the prices (& 1200+ mile distance from my house), I would be there every week. read more