We stumbled upon Shingen for a quick lunch and it was a great experience!…read more Our server was so nice and friendly. He's enthusiastic when answering questions about soba flavors and was even excited for me to try the Tsukimi Tororo. It's not everyday you experience such fantastic customer service. I wish I caught his name! The Tsukimi Tororo was delicious - Light and refreshing cold noodles with grated yam and poached egg! Moringa soba had a nice chewy texture. It was perfect for the hot weather!

Located in Stix Asia next to Kiki Tempura…read more 15% off for Kamaaina so make sure to show your ID to the server. Tried it here one day but it's so hard since there are so many places in Stix to go to. Tried the duck soba and wasn't that impressed, the broth was really good but it was also $30 for soba and a few pieces of duck. The duck was also a little tough. Soba was a little too soft for my liking but really enjoyed the broth. They had some items on happy hour so got the takoyaki for $5. We also got a really small bowl of curry rice $10, didn't think that was worth it but there were not many items for kids, no children's menu. Curry tsuke with soba was served cold with a hot (temperature) curry dipping sauce with onion and thin sliced pork $23 something different that you don't normally see. Not sure if I'd go back, with all the other choices nearby. Also $30 for soba seems a little $$$. They also charge 3% for using credit cards.

What an incredible dining experience! From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed like family…read more The food was absolutely outstanding--every dish was fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. A special thank you to Tom, the owner of 18 years, who went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. His hospitality, warmth, and genuine passion for his restaurant truly made the experience unforgettable. Amazing service, amazing food, and an atmosphere that keeps you wanting to come back. Highly recommend to anyone looking for exceptional sushi and outstanding hospitality!

Doraku has one of my favorite happy hours from 4-6pm everyday. I recently came by with some friends…read moreto catch up and talk story, and Doraku is the perfect spot for that. I love their small shared plates (especially during happy hour)! Craft cocktails are $4 off and my favorite is their lychee martini or the smoky negroni. On the happy hour for food, my favorites are the salmon carpaccio, spicy salmon handroll, agedashi tofu, shishito peppers, and the chicken karaage. Other must-haves are the hamachi garlic roll and misoyaki butterfish. I love the ambiance here and the service is always great too.

Sushi Matsuri is one of the small restaurants in a small food court along Kalakaua- in the same…read morebuilding as Stix, Sephora and Victoria's Secret. The restaurant is located in the lower level, below ground floor so you have to take the stairs down. I was staying at the Royal Hawaiian Resort next door so it took me 5 minutes to walk here : ) I had dinner here and ordered the salmon nigiri trio, salmon skin salad and a bowl of the miso soup. The staff sat me within 5 minutes - it wasn't busy on a Sunday evening. Their menu is straightforward. This is not an all-Japanese restaurant so do not expect any izakaya dishes. It is called Sushi Matsuri for a reason. Everything was served in a timely fashion and everything was delicious! The salmon skin was crispy and tasty with a decent amount of dressing. The salmon nigiri was fresh and the miso soup hot. The staff was also prompt is removing my empty dishes and even gave me an extra napkin! They refilled my iced water and I never felt rushed. Quick, easy and delicious! Hits the spot.

If you catch the daily special, it's one of the best lunch deals around. $10 for six pieces of…read morenigiri is hard to beat, especially if you're looking for a quick and affordable meal. That said, the fish quality reflects the price. It was decent, but I noticed some sinew in a few pieces, so it wasn't the cleanest or most tender bite. If you're expecting premium sushi, this probably isn't the place. The restaurant itself was clean, service was efficient, and it's a great option when you want a fast lunch without spending much. Overall, it's a solid value for the price, and I'd come back for the daily special when I'm craving sushi on a budget.

TUCKED AWAY GEM! 5.0…read more What a hidden gem! After doing a little research, we discovered this wonderful traditional Japanese restaurant tucked away along a street we visit often. From our stay at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, it's an easy walk across Kalākaua Avenue and down Beach Walk toward the ocean. We know this area well, as another of our favorite restaurants, Ginza Bairin, is located just across the street. Wasabi Bistro is nestled behind The Breakers Hotel. Enter through the front entrance to the hotel, past the pool toward the back of the property and you'll find this casual, unassuming restaurant. The décor is simple, creating a peaceful setting that feels pleasantly removed from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. No Japanese meal is complete without sake, so we started with a carafe to accompany our dinner. It's always the perfect pairing. For dinner, we ordered: * Gyoza * Sashimi Deluxe (eight varieties of fish, two pieces each) ~ exceptionally fresh, generously portioned, and colorfully presented. * Black Cod ~ One of my all-time favorites, and this version was perfectly cooked with excellent seasoning. * Papaya Seafood Motoyaki ~ A baked papaya filled with shrimp, scallops, vegetables, and their savory miso motoyaki sauce. It's one of the restaurant's signature dishes, and for good reason. It was absolutely delicious. * Assorted Mochi Ice Cream ~ The perfect sweet ending to a wonderful meal. Every dish was nicely prepared and well seasoned, showcasing the quality of the ingredients. The service was warm and efficiently paced without ever feeling rushed. With so many dining options in Waikiki, Wasabi Bistro easily stands out as a restaurant we'll happily return to on future visits. If you're looking for authentic Japanese cuisine in a relaxed, tucked-away setting, this is a place well worth seeking out.

I was craving fresh/high quality sashimi and sushi in Waikiki and found this semi hidden spot…read more Despite being slightly hidden they had a good amount of people. We were seated fairly quickly and we got to ordering, we got: - Otoro Nirigi (fatty tuna): 10/10. This was good. Exactly what I was craving/ felt like I needed. I WOULD say not if you're like not a sushi/sashimi snob but is js craving the fatty sashimi flavor, salmon would typically sufficient, or even Hamachi, - Rainbow Roll: 9.3/10 this roll definitely hit. The crab in the (California) roll itself is made of real crab which completely changes the flavor profile in a positive way. - Chicken Karaage: 7/10. The karaage was good, nothing mind blowing but I always say that the sauce makes the chicken and they did not give us any sauces. I ended up requesting for siracha and mayo which I then mixed together but even then. - Vegetable Tempura: 9/10 I really enjoy vegetable tempura in general and this was no exception. The assorted vegetables had various textures and flavors which made it very enjoyable to eat. - Washugyu Ribeye Steak: 6/10. I don't recommend ordering this. It wasn't bad per se but for $58, I expected more. There were a couple of completely inedible pure fat pieces. Overall, I don't know if I would go out of my way to come back here again (especially with it being located within Waikiki). The service was really good, the waitress was extremely attentive. Besides that though, nothing stands out.

Taste good and quality. Long line but fast served food. I will go back again. My daughter love udon…read morealso she will give. 5

Absolutely amazing noodle spot! There was a long line when we arrived, but it moved incredibly…read morefast. As soon as we got inside, we knew this place was going to be something special. Being able to watch them make the noodles in the back, combined with the incredible smell throughout the restaurant, made the whole experience even better. I ordered the curry udon, while my wife got the creamy broth, and we also shared the tempura shrimp. Everything was absolutely delicious. Honestly, this was probably our best food stop on the island. I'll be thinking about this restaurant for a long time. Where we're from, there's nothing even close to a place like this. If you're visiting the island, this is definitely a spot you need to try!

The best sushi we've ever had! Fish was so fresh and tender. We haven't been to Japan but I…read moreimagine this is what it's like. Customer service was excellent... just visiting Hawaii but hope to return and would definitely revisit Ya!!Sushi!

Service was great. However, we spent $240 and they forgot our sashimi. Firecracker sushi was meh,…read morewouldn't get again. Sunset sushi was good. Wagyu beef fried rice was great but not a lot of food, would still get again.

My udon noodles were absolutely delicious and very affordable! 100% would recommend. Plus, if…read moreanyone in your group doesn't want anything from their menu, it's surrounded by many other Asian restaurants they could order from and you guys could still eat together.

Literally the best udon on island. The cold kake udon is my favorite food ever and the prices are…read moreamazing.

I'm going to let you in on our little secret omakase spot in Waikiki! Fukurou is an intimate dining…read moreexperience hiding inside of a Mexican restaurant on a rooftop. You'll be greeted at the rooftop Mexican restaurant and guided down a nondescript hallway to an unmarked door. Inside you will find 8 seats around a wood bar and minimalist decor (it's about the food). Behind said wood bar, you will find Chef Young who is a ball of energy and creativity! The dishes are pre-fixe including both local Hawaiian fish and Hokkaido delicacies. All of the highest quality, wonderfully thought out and presented. Sake selection is very good, ask for recommendations. Give Fukurou a try next time you are on island, you won't be disappointed. Cheers!

We had bookmarked Fukurou from reviews and bloggers that we had seen and decided to celebrate our…read morefriend's birthday with this omakase dinner. Some reviewers said the restaurant is tucked away down a hallway in the rooftop restaurant, Buho, on the fifth floor of the Waikiki Shopping Plaza building. The evening before, we decided to check out the location and found the restaurant. A Buho server asked if we were looking for Fukurou and told us that for tomorrow, we check in with the Buho hostess. The next day, we checked in for our 5:30 seating and waited in the Buho bar area. When another couple arrived, the six of us were walked to the restaurant. It was quaint room with eight seat bar. Expecting Chef Miki, our chef was Chef Young and assistant, Brendan. Chef Young was engaging and personable. We asked about the meaning of Fukurou and he said Fukurou and Buho meant owl in Japanese and Spanish. Both restaurants are related. Hence, Fukurou's omakase is a Japanese kaiseiki with a subtle Mexican flair on each course. Our omakase menu consisted of 12 courses: Firefly Squid Sushi Rice wrapped with Bluefin Tuna topped with a quail egg. Their specialty course. Spanish Mackerel Madi Red Sea Bream with cilantro oil Hokkaido Scallop with finger lime Uni Toast with wasabi guacamole Chawanmushi with short-neck clam topped with Mexican corn Otoro A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Taco with crispy nori chips Wild King Salmon topped with garlic chips Blue Fin Toro hand roll Local Abe's Hawaiian ice cream, purple sweet potato bean paste and churro with brown sugar. Each course was meticulously prepared. They were all delicious, but my favorites were the firefly squid, bluefin tuna topped with the quail egg, Hokkaido scallop, and the uni toast. Our friend got a special scoop of ice cream where he rolled in a try of matcha powder that had Happy Birthday inscribed on it. We thoroughly enjoyed our omakase experience and the courses with a slight Mexican flair. $100 for this 12-course omakase was very reasonable. Hope to be back on our next visit to Hawaii.