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    T8ste Buds

    4.7 (129 reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars, Poke
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 week ago

    T8ste Buds Photos

    Business Info

    T8STE BUDS ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - T8ste Buds

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    Cali sushi tacos
    Hien D.

    I've been wanting to try this spot for the past 2 years but never made it out to Waianae. Today was finally the day -- and it did not disappoint. I ordered their infamous sushi tacos: Cali and spicy ahi. I know, basic choices... but trust me, the flavors were anything but basic. The crunch from the nori/taco shell was incredible. You get 3 sushi tacos for $17 -- not exactly cheap, but not outrageous either for the quality. Service was quick and the guys working were super kind. I do wish they offered a mix-and-match option for the sushi tacos because I'd love to sample every flavor on the menu. They also have poke and nigiri, which I haven't tried yet -- but that's a reason to come back. Definitely worth the drive. Plus, it's right by the beach, so you can enjoy your food with a bonus ocean view. (;

    Salmon Trio
    JessicaLynn R.

    Unfortunately the flavor and quality is not the same as my first experience. We ordered spicy ahi tacos, salmon tacos, and a roll. I was surprise the spicy ahi was mushed (like it was not just ahi but another fish mixed with it) and lacked a lot of flavor. I was disappointed that the rice just tasted like plain rice, I was hoping for sushi rice. The roll was overwhelming, too much rice, the first roll I ever had that had more rice than filling. The salmon taco was the redeeming part of the experience. The flavor of the salmon with ponzu sauce was delicious. For $66 I was not satisfied at all.

    John F.

    Fish tacos were good, sushi taco was one of those in the combo which is popular and tasted good. Three tacos were in the combo which. Spicy Ahi Poke bowl was good but no wow factor. I could get the same at Foodland with a larger portion. Friendly staff, would try again if in the area.

    Kathy N.

    Went again recently since our first experience was amazing! So disappointing! Fish had no flavor and for $17 for 3 small tacos, it wasn't worth it. Love supporting small local businesses, but with the cost, and tasteless fish...I'll have to pass the next time around.

    Spicy ahi poke bombs
    Kylie S.

    Stopped here yesterday for an early dinner after hiking nearby. I usually go with their poke tacos (which are always amazing), but opted for the spicy ahi bombs. Service was friendly. Seemed like it was just the one guy working yesterday, but he was quick and efficient! There's seating indoors with AC, and a few seats outside with fresh air. Parking is free in the lot outside just off the highway. Rice was soft and moist, seasoned well. Maybe not the most generous with the fish atop, but nevertheless it was delicious and the fish tasted fresh. Also should note that they were not that spicy (which was fine with me as I have a low spice tolerance)! Will be back again!

    Lechon poke bowls special
    Shana Q.

    Came back for another poke fix and they updated their menu options. I tried the lechon poke bowls and this is my newest fave!! I would always get the sushi Tacos at events but I've missed a few events and decided to head to their store in Maili. I decided to dine in and man it was alot of food. The fish was nice and fresh with lots of flavor. Now for the lechon poke bowl it was a very nice twist of poke with crispy pork. It was alot of food that I had to get a to-go container and finish the rest at home.

    Poke bowl for $18?! More rice than fish. Barely any crab

    The poke bowl is $18 for more than 1/2 of the container being rice. Very little fish and barely any crab. Maybe less rice and more fish and crab for the price

    West side special
    Alyson W.

    Bomb, innovative sushi. Sauce is super tasty. I got the west side special tacos and my husband got the spicy poke bowl. He said it was the best poke he'd ever had. The rice was nice and fluffy - delicious, and the fish was perfectly seasoned, fresh, and tender. I loved the taco shells. Inside is small, but we were helped super quickly at the counter.

    Spicy-Tuna-San sushi sandwich
    Sandra X.

    This place has such innovative twists on sushi! I tried the Salmon Trio sushi tacos and the Spicy-Tuna-San sushi sandwiches, and both were delicious. Salmon Trio Sushi Tacos: These came with 3 pieces for $16. The tacos had a super crispy nori-rice paper shell and were loaded with sauces (garlic aioli, ponzu caramel) and a bunch of toppings. The flavors meshed perfectly--I was literally salivating after the first crunch. Spicy-Tuna-San Sushi Sandwiches: These came with 4 pieces for $16. Like the sushi tacos, they were packed with toppings and sauces, making them incredibly flavorful, fresh, and delicious. They weren't that spicy though; I would've liked a bit more heat. They also had a light dusting of Hot Cheetos, which was a fun, unique touch, but the Cheeto flavor didn't really stand out. That said, I'm just being picky--the dishes were amazing overall! It's definitely on the pricier side, but considering the creative take on sushi, I think it's worth giving a shot. Takes some time for the food to be prepared, but service was friendly. As for the location, it's a small and cozy spot with limited seating. There are about 6 counter seats inside by the window (with AC) and a few outdoor seats as well. It's more of a quick-eats kind of place than a sit-down restaurant. I've heard they're known for their T8ste Bombs, which I still haven't tried. I'm looking forward to coming back one day to give them a shot, especially if I'm ever on the west side again!

    Spicy Ahi Taco
    Kaya B.

    T8ste Buds is an amazing fix if you're ever craving sushi on the Westside. Their sushi tacos are so tasty and the crunch? Yes ma'am. The sushi sans (sandwiches) are very filling and the Cali-san is my personal favorite. The spicy ahi taco...need I say more? The best part, putting your leftovers in the fridge and leaving it to sit for a few hours and letting all the flavors meld into each other is the chefs kiss!

    Seriously can't say enough good about this place, everything was SO good! You can really taste the quality and care in the food. Fresh fish, flavors on point, and everything was super filling! My personal favorite was the Cali Bowl and Shenron roll, but everyone NEEDS to try all the sushi tacos! The vibe is nice, all the chefs and staff are amazing people. Super well rounded spot, 10/10 recommend definitely coming back!

    Check your receipt before leaving, the cashier tends to tip themselves without you knowing. I ordered food and it was delicious. But the cashier just went ahead and added the tip to my tab. I hope the tip did not go to her but to the cooks.

    spicy ahi sushi tacos and Shenron roll
    Amanda P.

    Just a heads-up--the spicy ahi sushi tacos and Shenron roll (and probably several other items) use a thick, blended seafood paste instead of actual chunks of ahi. Some people might like it, but I thought it was pretty gross.

    Salmon trio sushi tacos

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    Angelo M.

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    Best crunchy tacos on the island, hands down! Always worth the drive, and great service

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    Ask the Community - T8ste Buds

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    Kazoku Sushi is one of those places you almost don't want to tell people about... but it's too good…read morenot to. We've been twice now, and it's officially a must-visit every time we're on the island. It's a true hole-in-the-wall spot! nothing flashy, but don't let that fool you. The sushi is phenomenal. Every roll we've tried has been consistently amazing, and the rice is perfect (which honestly makes all the difference). You can immediately tell how fresh the fish is! everything tastes clean, high quality, and thoughtfully prepared. I've even ordered rolls to go, and they hold up so well. The staff is another highlight, so kind, welcoming, and genuinely sweet. It adds to that feeling like you stumbled onto a local favorite rather than a tourist stop. Seating is a little limited, so just be prepared. There are a few small booths, but most of the seating is along the sushi bar. Totally worth it though. This is hands down a place I think about long after leaving, and one I'll keep coming back to every time I'm in Oʻahu.

    Wanted to go to Sushi Bay but they were closed. Found this place near Aulani which had good…read moreratings. Ambiance When I found it I realized we have been here years before. It is a small dated place. Most times than not these places have good food. Customers appeared to be locals which is a good thing. Rate 3 Customer Service The 2 young ladies serving were very polite and attentive. Rate 5 Dragon Roll Very tasty spicy tuna and tempura. Consistency of rice was a bit dry, however very good. Beautiful plating. Rate 4 Oyako Don Chicken, vegetables and egg over rice. A bit too sweet for me but very good. Rate 4

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    4.5(1.2k reviews)
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    Looking for sushi and comfort food? I still can't believe I hadn't tried Sushi Spot in Aiea sooner…read more This place was recommended to me by a co-worker and wow! It absolutely did not disappoint. Safe to say I'll be wondering why I waited so long! We ordered quite a variety and every dish brought something delicious to the table. The Red Spider (soft shell crab, crab meat, romaine lettuce, cucumber, avocado, and tobiko) was incredible. Every single bite was packed with flavor and texture. That crispy soft shell crab added the perfect crunch that made this roll hard to stop eating. The Black Spider (soft shell crab, crab meat, cream cheese, romaine lettuce, cucumber, and avocado) was an interesting twist from the Red Spider. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was equally delicious. The cream cheese gave it a richer, creamier bite that worked surprisingly well. Next up was the Chicken Katsu Curry. Japanese-style curry with veggies and crispy chicken katsu over rice. The chicken was beautifully crispy, exactly how katsu should be. Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and paired perfectly with the rich curry. The veggies were cooked just right too. Overall, a really satisfying dish. The Spicy Ahi Handroll was another winner. You really can't go wrong with this one. It was fresh, flavorful, and honestly disappeared within two bites. Yum! Then came the Pork Katsu Donburi with scrambled eggs, veggies over rice, drizzled with their amazing house sauce. Just like the chicken, the pork katsu was delicious. But can we talk about that sauce? Perfecto. I'm not sure what's in it, but it tied the entire dish together beautifully. And of course, dessert! The Fried Oreo with Ice Cream. It came with vanilla ice cream surrounded by deep-fried Oreo and drizzled with chocolate syrup. It was yuuuuummy! Hands down, I would order this again. Do not pass up this dessert. From sushi rolls to katsu dishes and ending on a sweet note, Sushi Spot completely exceeded expectations. Great flavors, satisfying portions, and multiple dishes I'd happily order again. If you've been driving by this place and saying, "I'll try it one day," take this as your sign. This spot is an absolute must try!

    THE BEST!!! THE BEST EVERYTHING!!!!…read more Hate to even review this place. We don't need it more busy!! So good! Everything is incredible. Parking can be a pain tho!

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    T8ste Buds - sushi - Updated August 2026

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