Sushi Sasabune

Yes, it's expensive, weird neighborhood, smallish space, bossy chef, no cell phones, etc. But it's the best sushi in Honolulu. Yes, you can go to Yohei for ""good"" sushi and Mitch's for ""good"" seafood. But Sasabune is for people who know sushi. In particular, I am an uni person. I know it, I try it everywhere, in every city I go to - I've even had it at...Zippy's. It is far and away the best at Sasabune. You can go west one block to Izakaya Gaku, actually pay a higher price for uni and get less meat and less freshness. They are severe but if you're there for the food and not to be king, you won't care. The menu changes with availability. I remember they used to have some sort of blue-tinged prawn from Santa Barbara (amazing) which was later swapped out for some similar creature (also fantastic). I've had the hamachi, the saba, the usuals. They're so fresh, you will have felt deceived by the taste of those fishes in other sushi bars. If you want your ""corn sushi"" or ""Philadelphia roll"" you are stupid lost. I have been many times and when I call to make a reservation, I am unfailingly warned that there are ""no California rolls, no katsu. just sushi."" This is sound advice to naysayers. If you can't tell the difference and the warm rice is the only thing exceptional that you can discern from the food, you are better off at Genki Sushi or Sushi Man. Pros: Food Cons: Price more

Definitely worth it! A bit expensive but worth it! I was raised in Honolulu and every time I return I HAVE to go to this restaurant! My mouth waters just thinking of it! Pros: excellent and rare fish, amazing sashimi Cons: a bit expensive, but worth it more

sensational, amazing, unbelivable, astounding ... only these words can articulate the overall quality of the sashimi/sushi. The lobster sashimi, abalone sashimi, toro, sweet shrimp was SO good that I couldn't believe it was true. Super fresh, super tasty. The toro melts in your mouth @_@ I really can't tell you enough about this place, JUST GO AND TRY! The only thing is the price, our bill was $350+ for 3 people. HOWEVER, you should never save money when you're experiencing the best sushi in the States! Forget about salmon, saba and all those cheap fish, get the BEST ones like toro, lobster and abalone. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT ^^ Pros: Best sushi in the States, freshest fish, EYE-OPENING Cons: Extremely expensive more

we went to this one after reading the reviews (9.2 overall) for lunch.\r \r when we got to the restaurant, the lady told us that each person have to order at least 4 orders on order to avoid so-called ""service charge"". (miso soup and rice does not count !) not that many order selections and price ranges from $8-20 each order. \r \r the lady was rather rude and she gave us no service at all. we has to ASK for the menu, in order to avoid their ""service charge"" we ordered 8 dishes + 2 drinks. .\r \r when the order came, they switch to a male waiter, he explains everything for the order and advised how to ""properly"" eat a sushi. Then on and off they switched the waiter, the guy explains everything and the lady just dump the dish on the table. Each order it came out with EXTREMELY SMALL portion......food is ok. the only cool thing is the rice of the sushi is warm vs cold in other places. \r \r the bill ended up $50 something dollars, paid them and came out empty stomach. Pros: Sushi has warm rice Cons: Extremely expensive more

I was reluctant to eat at this tiny sushi place at first. I was especially reluctant to eat the chef's special for the night ""Trust Me!"". The first plate was served and I was in heaven. The albacore and yellowfin marinated in whatever sauce were out of this world. Every dish after that was to top the first dish. All I can say is the food is prepared fresh and executed to perfection. You will never have sushi this good anywhere in the world. \r \r Pros: Great Sushi, Great service Cons: Small place, not much happening more

Easily the best sushi to be found in the Pacific. By far the best sushi I've ever had and I've eaten quite a bit in my time. SOOOO fresh, simply prepared and served by very polite, knowledgeable attendents to the chef who will tell you to dip (or not to dip) in shoyu. The green tea is also better than any I've had - it's made from the green tea powder instead of loose tea leaf. Expensive but an absolute must do for any sushi aficianado. The atmosphere is very plain and dress is casual but not sloppy. more

The commercial main street and store front may have you questioning "" am I in the right spot?"" \r The interior of the restaurant is plain as can be and you are not paying for ambience, thats for sure.\r This place is expensive and so so well worth it. It really really is...I cannot stress enough. I am excited to go back to Honolulu just to dine there again. The omakase is a delight because the chef chooses to give you what is freshest of the day and it is well prepared. The restaurant and staff hold very high standards which you as a customer come to appreciate. I had some sushi combinations I have never tasted before and I did follow how to eat it to experience it the way it should be. The flavor does come out as the chef had planned and it was pleasantly surprising. Every different piece was finished off with a long MMMMMM. Could the next mouthful get any better? It did and so on until the end. Great sushi has the texture of melting in your mouth because of the high fat and oil content of the fish. I was actually full after the meal and found it most satisfying. Now when I eat sushi elsewhere I find that it is empty and what I need to fill me up is rice.\r You leave thinking "" damn that was the best sushi ever"" Pros: Very fresh sushi, delicious, worthwhile Cons: Not a romantic place, small and seating is rather close to each other more

The frestest Sushi we have ever tasted! You do not order what you want, the sushi chef decides for you and he was 100 percent on point. Everything we tried was fantastic. Pros: Freshest fish from da sea Cons: EXPENSIVE!!!!!!! more

Truly - have eaten sushi of many kinds, in many places, and this is an incredible experience. Yes it's omakase style ""trust me"" so you have to be a bit brave, but there's never been a bite I didn't savor in many visits. VERY fresh sushi, thoughtfully and creatively prepared but not over-sauced like some 'gourmet' places. The rice is uniquely served warm, which combined with the freshness of the seafood, results in it literally melting in your mouth - mmm! Finish your meal by asking them to make you a blue crab hand roll! Yes, it's expensive... Yes they are sushi nazi's telling you just how to eat it (go with it and get over it)... Yes, it's in an odd neighborhood... (but it's comfy inside) And yes, ordinary sushi will never be quite the same again... But if you love sushi - you must go... Pros: The best sushi ever Cons: Can be expensive more

My fiance and I love sushi, but we are incredibly picky. At Sushi Sasabune, we were not given a menu and told to trust the Chef instead. We were initially worried, but after the first course were thrilled with our decision. We requested sashimi only, and the combinations they invented were creative and delicious. They are very specific about how you eat the fish and frequently told us that we were not supposed to use soy sauce on a particular item. We found that they were usually right, and we wound up enjoying everything. Sushi Sasabune is a real treat, and I cannot wait to go again! Pros: Fresh, Creative, Flavorful Cons: Ambience more

i have eaten sushi ALL over the world, nothing compares to this place. yes, indeed they have their rules about how you should eat the food, but just do it! the experience is well worth it!!!!! more

Went with the chef's choice and it was the best fish I have ever had. You have to trust them, it is worth it. Pros: fish quality, preparation, variety Cons: , atmosphere more