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
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