Sushi Sasabune

1417 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96814, United States

Sushi Sasabune
About This Sushi Bar

Chef and owner Seiji Kumagawa first opened Sushi Sasabune in 1996 with the goal of bringing an authentic 'Omakase' style sushi experience to Hawaii. This means no menu and no soy sauce served at the table. Each course is prepared to be eaten as is, already dressed and seasoned accordingly. Our 'Omakase' is designed to be flexible and unique to each customer, as there is no set price or fixed options to choose from. We specialize in nigiri made with hot sushi rice and cold fish. Sushi Sasabune aims to showcase as much of Hawaii's local seafood as possible.

So, when you come to dine with us, look forward to a food adventure unlike any other. The best kinds of dining experiences are those that are left up to the chefs, so when you sit down

Sushi Reviews
Sushi Experience №1

Pretty good sushi, similar to another review the omakase menu isn’t clear. It’s not a set price but the chef chooses what sushi and dishes to serve and then you are charged individually for each. It’s a la carte omakase style. Wouldn’t go back or recommend the spot but nor would I stop someone from going. The decor is quite tired.

Visited 2 months ago

Sushi Experience №2

The chef/owner had really terrible attitude. His attitude makes the already unsavory food even worse. It doesn't match the price at all. Fishies are not fresh. There are many more delicious sushi restaurants in Hawaii in the same price range, and there are many more considerate shefs. It is a waste of money and time.

Visited 3 months ago

Sushi Experience №3

Amazing. Among the best omakases I’ve tried, with great use of local and international seafood. Creative and lovely. Attentive service.

Visited 4 months ago

Sushi Experience №4

Outstanding food and service.

Visited 4 months ago

Sushi Experience №5

Would I go there again? Probably not. It's pretty pricey. You can get to experience local fish and unique sushi. I didn't love every single dish, but there are a handful that I can appreciate and it was an interesting and unique experience since I normally eat the same type of more common sushi. I think there's a lack of transparency with the omakase style and pricing. I think you can end your courses earlier if you wanted to save money or was full, but we didn't know that and just paid for every course and didn't end up eating the last few dishes thinking it was an all-in cost. The place is also a bit stuffy And not very inviting . The chef who looked like the head chef has a Stern stare and I felt judged by him and the staff . I echo what some of the other reviewers say about it. Feeling like the place thought highly of itself . I mostly wouldn't go back because it's expensive for what it is. It was minimum 200 per person.

Visited 5 months ago

Sushi Experience №6

Worst sushi place I have ever eaten in my entire life, where the chef/owner had this terrible attitude, kept coming to tech us how to properly eat sushi (in one bite, etc) and how and when to eat ginger. This place will not remain in business long, with this kind of attitude.

Visited 5 months ago

Sushi Experience №7

Best sushi on the island, hands down. The freshest fish from all over the world (also hawaiian ahi, tako, opakapaka, sea urchin, among others) like Norwegian makeral, Tasmanian salmon, Hokkaido scallops, Japanese himachi, blue shrimp, oysters, lobster, and a bunch of others for a total of 14 courses. And the chef's menu is always changing, so you never know what you're going to get. The sauces and toppings are out of this world and make the nigiri even better. Service couldn't've been better, and a nice selection of sake and sochu also.

Visited 6 months ago

Sushi Experience №8

Abusive atmosphere. Not enjoyable at all. Let the customers eat how they want.

Visited 7 months ago

Sushi Experience №9

Visited 7 months ago

Sushi Experience №10

excellent omakase, atmosphere and service!

Visited 7 months ago

Sushi Experience №11

This place is totally overrated. Food is good but the chefs are too stuck up. When my bf tried to ask a question, head chef just gave us a stern look with impatience, he waved in silence to brush us off. I mean I am an Asian tourist visiting Waikiki from Asia. I know Japanese foods very well and been to too many restaurants. This service obviously sucks. They think too highly of themselves. Maybe because there is little competition thus the bad attitude.
Usually we go to a fine sushi bar for a great conversation with chefs behind counters and appreciate the refine delicacy they prepare with their hearts. This experience just sinks to the bottom especially for a cheerful couple who’s celebrating our 10th anniversary in Honolulu. We both flew a long way cross the countries and states just to see the long faces of chefs. Sure that’s memorable.

My bf has been here once, and he thought he’d bring me to try again.

Food wise, I would give it 4 stars, not 5 stars. Everything is super fresh but nothing stands out. Seasoning is spot-on.
.
Ambiance and room decor is very mediocre. For the big money we paid…. We were totally not impressed.

My bf will return to Honolulu many times for meetings, I for sure will advise him not to retunr and his banking industry friends or clients as well!

Not a happy place to dine.

Visited 7 months ago

Sushi Experience №12

Visited 9 months ago

Sushi Experience №13

Visited 9 months ago

Sushi Experience №14

The food was extremely good and the service was as well. The price is a little bit too much tho in my opinion. Other than that I don't really have complaints. It's a cool experience.

Visited 9 months ago

Sushi Experience №15

Visited 9 months ago

Sushi Experience №16

Incredible. This is definitely an experience. Wonderful service.

Visited 10 months ago

Sushi Experience №17

The best sushi place in all islands ❤️❤️

Visited 10 months ago

Sushi Experience №18

The best sushi I've ever had! Tbh I'm not a big fan of sushi but theirs are exceptional. Also their sushi was fresh enough that even my weak stomach was ok after that. We went there for my husband's birthday. It was also helpful that they let us know beforehand about their omakase system which we didn't know. Not cheap but worth it for a special day. Thank you.

Visited 10 months ago

Sushi Experience №19

Fantastic high end sushi restaurant. Worth the price tag, but be prepared for it if you have never been. We paid $200 per person when we went. I've had high quality sushi and sushi with great flavors before, but this is the best I've ever had of both worlds. Extremely high quality fish and really well played out flavors in the offerings. Highly reccomend this place.

Visited 10 months ago

Sushi Experience №20

My wife and I were excited to try this restaurant, lured by the promise of an Omakase experience, which traditionally means a chef-curated meal where each dish is a surprise, tailored to the diner's preferences and the chef's creativity. Unfortunately, what we encountered was a stark departure from the Omakase promise and more of an ala carte experience.

The price mark-up on beverages was astonishing; a bottle of Kubota sake, typically $29, was priced at an eye-watering $120 here. While the meal began on a mediocre note, it wasn't until the fourth dish that we began to see a glimmer of quality. However, any semblance of a fine dining ambiance was shattered by a disruptive argument between two servers in the kitchen, complete with a two-minute tirade of F-bombs and a final, resounding "you're done, bro." This was not the serene, focused culinary experience we anticipated.

Our quest for an alternative to our favorite sushi spot, Sushi ii, led us here. While Sushi ii offers an exceptional selection of exotic and delectable seafood, where each dish feels like a curated journey, this place fell dramatically short. If you're in search of a local spot that delivers on the Omakase experience or even just a high-quality ala carte menu, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Sushi ii a try instead.

In the end, our bill totaled $512.00—a sum we wouldn't mind parting with for a memorable experience. Sadly, this was memorable for all the wrong reasons. While we always champion exploring new culinary landscapes, this experience was a stark reminder that not all journeys end in delight.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №21

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №22

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №23

Exceeding my expectations, great Japanese cuisine, only thing is there are homeless outside in the streets, hawaii has deteriorated over these years. I hope folks understand it is the result of what they had voted for.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №24

So this place is NOT an omakase. An omakase is a set course with a set price. Otherwise, it would be a la carte and you get to pick what you eat. I reserved based on it being an omakase which we confirmed at the door. The waiter asked if it was our first time, and it was so we told him as such. We were seated and started getting served these courses drenched in sauce with 2 pieces per plate. At first, I thought that it was the style here kind of like poke. But I think the quality of the fish is not great so they need to cover it with sauce. I witnessed sauce and some kind of spray being used on almost every piece. The rice was warm/hot. I saw steam come out of the open rice cooker. Rice used for sushi is not supposed to be warm. The oyster was about to go bad. There was a weird ground up fish and it was just terrible. So we decided to leave before the end of our course. We asked for our check and we get a bill of a la carte pricing. Apparently, courses keep coming out at a la carte pricing until you are full and ask for it to be stopped. Nobody explained this to us. Otherwise we may have left after the third plate. I do not recommend this place at all. This is not omakase. It is a la carte that you don't even get to select. Trust us, it says. Please do not trust them. Take a look at that uni and roe. It is not fresh and will get you sick. I ate a lot of ginger so I hope I do not get sick...

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №25

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №26

Really amazing food and experience - I come here each time I’m in Hawai’i. Never disappoints.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №27

Insane subtle tastes, texture ethereal. Service was full on and friendly. Gave great advice for sake to try. Yes, please. First time going, I was blown away. Things I normally don’t have I tried here and now probably spoiled.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №28

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №29

Absolutely amazing experience. As authentic as you can get to being on mainland Japan. I highly recommend sitting at the sushi bar vs at a table.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №30

Went for sushi. It’s omakase only, no other choices. Great sushi, crazy expensive. Service fell apart towards the end

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №31

Sushi Sasabune is always the highlight of when I vacation in Honolulu. The sushi is always fresh, the garnishes they are paired with are delicious, and the service by both sushi chefs and waiters is impeccable.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №32

One of the most amazing and memorable experiences I’ve had. An absolute joy.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №33

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №34

They were not clear at all about pricing or how anything works. They just kept bringing sushi ala cart which some of it was very excellent. Some of it was not. After about 10 pieces I was left with a 350 dollar bill.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №35

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №36

Always a amazing experience,

Took a friend from work who had never been and they were blown away.

Prices are a littler higher than they used to be..maybe 50$ more per person. But definitely still worth it.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №37

食事はどれも美味しく、店の雰囲気も良く、店主の方をはじめスタッフの方も、もとても気さくで丁寧な対応で最高の時間でした。

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №38

Last night’s dinner at Sasabune was one of the top 5 meals of my life. 100% a core memory restaurant that I will remember and reference regularly.

I found the place on recommendation from a friend of a friend who used to live in Tokyo but now lives in Honolulu, and I am SO happy we went (and didn’t listen to some of the reviews).

Some important things to note:

1. This is not your regular sushi experience. You do not pick your rolls, the menu is pre-set (much like most Michelin restaurants). Do not go in with the expectation of dipping each roll in soy sauce—you will be disappointed.

2. Each piece and plate is thoughtfully crafted, follows some traditional sushi techniques, but feels more like a fusion of new and old. An example would be a roll with tuna belly topped with minced tuna that was marinated in tomatoes and sweet onions.

3. The fish is sourced from all over the world. We had South African lobster, PNW oysters, local fish, fish from Japan—too many to remember.

4. If you can, sit at the bar.

5. Brandt was our sushi chef and our server (since we were at the bar). I can’t give enough praise and accolades to this man—he was absolutely wonderful. He had such care and thought in every discussion we had with him. The way he talked about each roll, how it was prepared, where it came from, etc, elevated each piece even higher.

6, Try to get into the experience. Take the recommendations of how to eat each roll. Everything created here is done with intention, so eat the way it was intended. If they tell you it pairs well with Wasabe (which is real wasabe, by the way) eat it with wasabe. If they tell you to eat something fast; eat it quickly.

7. If you can, try everything.

8. It is NOT cheap. I think our meal was roughly $500 for the two of us. But for us, it was worth EVERY a penny.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №39

The food was not what expected. 95% of the omakase was TUNA. Customer service was ok. This place is over priced for low quality. Ambience is cheap and tacky. Lights were hospital office bright. This place tries to be fine dining high end but it’s not and it shows. I tried to be fun and make the best but it just wasn’t working out. I had a stomach ache later that night as well. The sushi chefs were stand-off. It was my first time and I will not be coming back and I don’t recommend this place either. Save your money and time. Go to BOZU at the muccully center and tell them mina sent ya! Bozu is good for the money, I promise.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №40

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №41

VERY CONDESENDING "Company Policy" - “YOU MUST EAT YOUR SUSHI IN ONE BITE!”

Rating: 🌟 One Star

I had visited Sushi Sasabune in Honolulu, Hawaii, four times in the past always sitting at their sushi bar and unfortunately, this time, my experience was far from pleasant. Brent, Sushi Chef and Server’s, condescending and arrogant attitude left me feeling verbally abused and upset during my dinner.

On two separate occasions, in front of other guests, Brent told me and insisted that I must "eat the sushi in one bite" due to their supposed "company policy." The second time he came around to see how I was eating my sushi, he literally cut me off mid-sentence in my conversation with my husband to reprimand me. Despite explaining that I had a disability and physically could not eat in that manner because my mouth and throat had been reconstructed due to cancer, he responded without any compassion, saying, "Try to do it."
Is this guy for real? A restaurant should not dictate how you eat your meal!

This lack of understanding and empathy towards my situation was truly disheartening. His dismissive behavior made me feel humiliated and uncomfortable, to the point where I could not take another bite. For a restaurant that charges $200 per person, I expected a much higher level of professionalism and customer service.

I believe it is essential for restaurant staff to be accommodating and respectful towards customers in general. Unfortunately, Brent failed to meet even the most basic standards of customer care. It is disappointing to encounter such a negative experience in a high-end establishment like Sushi Sasabune.

I strongly urge the management of Sushi Sasabune to address this issue and provide appropriate training to their staff regarding customer service and inclusivity. No one should be made to feel verbally abused or humiliated during their dining experience.

In conclusion, I cannot recommend Sushi Sasabune based on my personal encounter with their condescending and unsympathetic behavior. I hope that my review serves as a reminder for the restaurant to prioritize their customers' well-being and ensure a welcoming environment for all.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №42

Service staff was phenomenal and the food was amazing, what an experience!

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №43

Top of the line omakase sushi was awesome. Wish they explained pricing a bit better. Thru will start serving you 🍣 courses & stop when you say you're full, then charge you accordingly. Savor the different flavors.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №44

The real deal!

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №45

The menu is decided by the chef; omakase. Good variety. If you get too full, you can stop at any time and only pay for what was served.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №46

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №47

- 13 course meal was very good and the fish was very fresh, but stopping whenever you want, as described, isn’t true.
- The area is the equivalent of Harlem 30 years ago.
- The price including drinks, tax and tip is $250 a person.
- The service was nice and attentive.
- Price and Location really brought this place down

Final answer: No chance of going again, but glad I did it once. Contradictory review. I know.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №48

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №49

Excellent omakase. Very memorable and unique combination of flavors.

Update: tried a Sushi Sasabune in LA and the one in Honolulu was MUCH better.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №50

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №51

If you want quality, this is the place to come. Always top notch

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №52

"trust me" he says. Trust him/them to jack up the price on your bill. Gave them a try and regretted it.
Two seniors don't eat much but bill came out over $120.00 Should have walked out as customers nearby was somber and few. Never went back. Never trust a stranger saying "trust me"

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №53

Sushi Sasabune was a transcendent sushi experience! We had the omakase coursed meal and each dish was mind-blowing. Don't skip this spot.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №54

私は、高級寿司の元祖銀座寿司幸本店や数寄屋橋久兵衛も、相当数行ったなかで、パリの眉山や海外のお寿司、マイアミ、バハマ、ロシア、ポーランド等の海外のフュージョン化された寿司の方が大好きで、そのなかでもお勧めが笹舟のハワイとロスアンゼルです。突飛な独創力というより江戸前の原点を基本とし、そこに、本来の温かいシャリで握るという江戸前の昔ながらの手法を徹底していく中に、粋なシェフのテクニックがあります。味もネタも一級品、全部トラストスタイルで、私は人より多く食べる方ですが、値段は多く食べても満足を売りにするので、変わりません。少し飲んで、おなかいっぱい食べても300ドル行きません。(@一人の値段)、シャリは1級、ネタも世界中の厳選、テクニックと寿司の構成も1級品だと思います。あとは、ザガッドで20年連続5スター1位のロスの寿司の巨人かっちゃんが握る江戸前もやばいと高評価ですが、私はトータルパーフォマンスで笹舟に軍配を上げます。ちなみに世界の一流寿司を食べてきた寿司つうで知られるパリスヒルトンやニコルリッチも、週1で笹舟のロスアンゼルスには、コロナ前は来ていました。(寿司幸銀座は一人1000ドルでビバリーヒルズにもありますが、やはり、私と同じで彼女らも笹舟に軍配を上げています。)

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №55

Several visits to this place and it’s always an amazing experience, from
The food , sake, service are all stellar
This is a must visit when in Honolulu
Save for a special occasion, it is an expensive meal.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №56

Having had omakase in NYC and other places, I found this to be just ok for the price. Most of the servings were good, but unlike other where we have been wowed with every dish. They do keep bringing plates out one after another with no time to breath which I did not like. 2 pieces per serving is fine but they literally bring another plate before you can swallow the previous serving. Atmosphere has much to be desired given the price. Next time in honolulu we would try a different place.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №57

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №58

Food is good but not but not amazing. Service was ok.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №59

Ate there on 3/16. Truly incredible experience. World class ingredients in a very low key unpretentious place. Highly recommend

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №60

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №61

Sushi Sasabune is an Omakase only sushi restaurant that ranges in price, depending on how many courses you end up eating, i.e., it is not actually priced in full but by the item. I found this to be a little deceiving since (at least in my experience) omakases are a typically a set menu with a set price (e.g., 10 courses for $100). In other words, you can stop after 2 items and just pay for those 2 items if you wish. But ultimately, that was only partially why I gave it 1 star.

The sushi and nigiri itself is solid; the fish taste fresh and the items are done with care. But there were two major issues:
1. Wasabi on each item is over done. Some of our pieces were completely smeared with a thick layer of wasabi between the rice and fish which can over-power the taste of both fish and rice, masking all other flavors.
2. The specialization and curated sushi was, honestly, a bit "cheap" or gimmicky. It was mostly a piece of sushi with some type of sauce or flavoring on top. For example, salmon with a lomi lomi on top or tuna with jalepeno on top or scallop with yuzu on top, etc. It was rather repetitive. Combine that with point #1, it can be difficult to taste the full combination of flavors.

Overall, Sushi Sasabune was not the omakase nor sushi experience that I had expected based on the reviews and price point. I think if it was half the cost, it would be more reasonable for the culinary experience that it was.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №62

Lovely place with awesome food

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №63

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №64

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №65

This place is awesome. I thought I knew what good omakase was having spent a lot of time in Singapore and Hong Kong. Wrong. This place best everything. Hope I make it back to Honolulu one day just so I can come back.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №66

Best sushi I've ever had. Several "perfect bites".

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №67

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №68

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №69

They have a unique sushi experience that you will never be able to get anywhere in the world. It is just outstanding.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №70

This place seems to be an institution as the locals around seem to be familiar with it. Chef lives up to his stoic reputation. But it's also hard to flag someone down properly.

The omakase was great - a mix of imported fish and local offerings with a creative local twist. I was more than stuffed and was offered a chance for more surprises which I reluctantly turned down.

I advise skipping dessert. Ice cream didn't come close to the omakase.

The decor is eclectic. The regulars are comfortable and a bit rowdy and loud. So don't expect it to be a quiet or contained affair.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №71

The the sushi was one of the best and had different types of dishes, not all fish. Sadly, I debated on giving either a 2 star but decided 3 cause the sushi was fresh and great. The only reason it brought my score down is the service was arrogant and one could barely speak English so we guessed at what it was. For the price that you pay, I also expect excellent and friendly service. I am very surprised that chef doesn't expect that of his servers.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №72

Very memorable meal. I’m already planning to return!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №73

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №74

Looking for authentic omakase experience, this is the place. Fish is extremely fresh. Service is incredible. Really enjoyed our visit.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №75

OK. Just because I am a white Irish guy from New York, people will say I don't know anything about sushi. BUT, THIS PLACE IS TERRIBLE. Warm, fishy, tasteless sushi with an attitude. Go to Yanagi on Kapiolani instead.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №76

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №77

My wife and I were let down by the experience, as well as the taste of the food.
Oily and fried do not equal an upscale Omakase experience.

I should have left when I noticed the toaster oven placed prominently in the chefs workspace. Many guests stopped the courses early as a way to save money, as the total cost exceeds $250 per person.

Some of the sushi was well prepared but overall the lobster and oysters received in tinfoil made me feel like I was on an episode of hells kitchen...

I recommend Sushi Sho for an amazing Omakase experience, I would have happily paid $60 for my experience at Sasabune.

Lastly the staff recommend miso soup to end the meal and "settle the stomach". It was one of the more flavorful parts, but the idea that we need to settle stomachs after 14 courses is evidence that the menu should be reconsidered and focus on the raw fish.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №78

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №79

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №80

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №81

Alright, Sasabune was great. Delicious even. It was also quite expensive but worth it at the time at nearly $500 for the both of us. Reason for the 3 stars? It was the only meal my wife and I shared this week because she works all the time. Every other meal I had with my kids and we are both sick today on a Saturday after eating at Sasabune on Thursday night. It could be just us for all we know, but we're both uhh... going #1 and & #2 at the same time.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №82

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №83

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №84

好食😋

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №85

must go! just eat what the chef brings, don't make trouble or request, he will kick you out

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №86

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №87

The best sushi in my life

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №88

Still one of my favorite for to for Omakase. Chef never disappoints and the staff is very Attentive to you.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №89

If not the best sushi on island, top 3!
The omakase experience was engaging and the dishes were delicious!

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №90

Love the fresh food here!!! It's fun to sit at the sushi bar to watch the sushi be made!!

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №91

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №92

Oh my! Oh my! You want Sushi in Honolulu??? Then run, don’t walk to here.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №93

Most profound sushi experience you will ever have. Expensive but well worth the cost. If you value high quality and delicious memorable bits, you should try it. If you think Genki has delicious sushi, you probably won't think the experience is worth it. For most of my dinner companions who have gone with me, eating at Sasabune forever changes their view of what is good sushi.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №94

Amazing experience.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №95

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №96

Just an explosion of flavors !!
Loved every dish
We couldn’t stay for all the serves - no room for more :-(
The chef did try to persuade and was understanding
Recommend anyone looking to enjoy a piece of Japan in Hawaii

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №97

The most incredible sushi bar we have ever visited in the USA or Japan. Innovative and delicious sushi we highly attentive service to match. I highly recommend making reservations now.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №98

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №99

Best sushi I’ve ever had! Every piece was delicious. Service was excellent. I’ll definitely go back when in the islands again.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №100

Fantastic! Each one brought depth of flavors. Every thing that came was better than the dish that came before it. Highly recommend tryingng this place.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №101

I am not a big sushi fan. Now I think I've been spoiled and any other place wil fall very short of this. This place was fabulous!!!

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №102

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №103

I will not recommend this place for anyone who is really into traditional okamase. I mean if you like all your fishes covered up with sou sauce, you are welcome to try😬
Oh by the way, for all the sushi… there rice are warm/hot. Their server can’t wait for me to finish my dish.. they grabbed my plate the second I had my last piece of sushi.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №104

We try to plan a dinner at Sushi Sasabune whenever we visit Oahu. Having dined at some excellent sushi-ya in Tokyo, I think Sasabune delivers a very authentic Japanese dining experience. The price is in line for what you expect from a sushi restaurant that uses high-grade ingredients. The omakase menu is always a pleasure as you never know what the chef has planned for that evening. It is a little pricey but worth it. The quality of the fish used and the techniques employed are truly excellent. The pacing of the dinner was good. I never felt that things were coming too fast or too slow. Service was excellent and it was nice having each dish explained in detail.

As we were leaving the restaurant I approached the chef to let him know how much we enjoyed our evening. He was very friendly. I told him I thought his restaurant was even better than XXXXXX, a famous, hard-to-get-reservations sushi-ya in Tokyo. He laughed and humbly said, "Thank you. It's just different. Just different."

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №105

Best sushi I’ve had outside of Japan. Go here, eat it all, leave feeling very full and incredibly happy! The lunch bento is fantastic too and a great way to sample what the chef offers!

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №106

pretty overrated!

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №107

I love Japanese cuisine and this is THE BEST sushi I had in US, yes, not just Oahu. It’s not just the super fresh materials, the design of each dishes are so unique and creative. Every mouthful is a celebration for my taste buds.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №108

Oh man, this is my favorite place I have been for sushi ever. When they say “trust me” you should! We had about 14 courses and the rice was properly seasoned, warm, and the fish fresh, and innovative! There’s one dish where they peel the tuna apart layer by layer so each bite is just the most tender, buttery tuna you’ve ever eaten. Everything was amazing and you should just go.

Cost was around $120 or so for 14 courses, and I’d happily pay that price again and again and again.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №109

Went to RB sushi a couple of night before and this was just a notch below them. We did the omakase and you will not leave hungry as each course is two different preparations plus they offer more at the end if you still somehow have more room. The biggest difference was just the little things, a couple of courses with an unbalanced amount of wasabi or slightly over baked lobster (still an amazing dish).

You will not be disappointed coming here.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №110

This is life changing sushi. Truly a once in a lifetime kind of meal. I pride myself on being a sushi person and this just totally revolutionized my understanding of what sushi can be. We did the omakase. It was out of this world. This is a hidden gem. Do yourself a favor and go.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №111

The best sushi.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №112

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №113

We did the take-out Omakase and ate it in the park but talk about outstanding food and service! Has to be the best sushi i've ever had period.. Don't miss out on this place when you are in Honolulu.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №114

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №115

Delightful sushi, we thoroughly enjoyed the omakase, arigato gozaimasu!

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №116

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №117

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №118

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №119

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №120

Came here 2 years ago for my wife's birthday and to this day it is the single-most amazing experience we've had. Would easily spend the thousands on flights and hotels to eat here again.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №121

Excellent sushi and we enjoyed the omakase experience. I would come here again!!

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №122

High quality fish and attentive staff. Not cheap, but when is really good sushi ever cheap?

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №123

I don't usually eat sushi, but this was exceptional...every dish was delicate & very flavorful. The wait staff throughly explained each dish & answered any questions.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №124

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №125

Excellent meal, wide variety of fish and everything is balanced well. Definitely worth the price. ~$150 per person

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №126

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №127

This is an OMG restaurant for sure. They don’t have the best decor and dining environment. Food presentation was okay. BUT everything tastes Amazing. Every sushi is warm and delicious. They are not the ones that had been sitting somewhere for a long time. Instead, when you eat them, you can almost feel the temperature of the chef’s hand.

One thing to note is that you need to be prepared for 16 sushis plus two starters, a hand roll and a bowl of miso soup. This can be a lot for a small person like myself. You have the option of stopping at anytime but it will be a huge pity. You can also tell them to use a bit less rice. Doing this might change the balance of the sushi but for me it is better than having to miss out some of them.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №128

Amazing sushi in Honolulu. Omakase was great!

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №129

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №130

Food is good, but really below par service.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №131

Came on a Thursday night and it was not crowded, but the main dining room was still full. Reservations on the weekdays were fairly easy to get, and can often be made the same day. Fresh fish and great service. The omakase was expensive but it was so much food. They let you eat as many of the courses as you’d like, and only charge according to how much you’ve eaten.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №132

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №133

A comida maravilhosa, o local poderia ser melhor, precisa de uma reforma e uma musica para alegrar o ambiente!

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №134

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №135

The place is phenomenal, best omakase in Hawaii

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №136

It’s best omakase menu ever . The food is unrealistically delicious, like 1000%

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №137

This is my second time eating here and I’m sold for life. I’ll be coming here every time I visit Oahu. Their Omakase is nigiri heavy so level set your expectations.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №138

😱 OMG.
So so good.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №139

Awesome,low-key omakase experience.Bit heavy on the rice and they are not very open to any modification.You get the usual and the not-so-usual omakase fare.
Service is a bit stiff-lipped but efficient.
🌺must try spot

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №140

Best sushi I've ever had. Cold smoked skipjack was to die for

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №141

So fresh and creative!

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №142

Came here for the 1st time in 2018. Been thinking about it ever since. Finally came back and it was just as good as I remembered

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №143

Omakase is the best experience! You can have preferences and tell them what you don't like, but I highly encourage anyone to at least try things (unless you have allergies of course). The chefs and staff are wonderful, they explain every dish you get, and the vibe brings me back to seafood restaurants in Japan from when I was a kid. 10/10 would go again!

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №144

The best sushi experience I have ever had. There was so many different flavors and types of fish and yet nothing clashed. No bad flavors, nothing I could even say could be better. Staff was absolutely wonderful and I can't wait to go back.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №145

We are a ton of sushi during our time in Hawaii and this was by far the best place on any of the islands! There really isn’t a set menu and they will immediately start bringing out the chef’s omakase. Remember to remind them as you get full - so they know when to end your dinner!

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №146

Had the Omakase dinner last night, 14 courses. If your a first timer to Omakase, you are at the mercy of the Chef. It's a pre-set menu that keeps coming until you say stop or you eat all 14, which I accomplished. LOL. What can I say other than DAMN that was GREAT, so many out standing dishes it's hard to choose one. However there were 2 sushi that I was impressed with,1 was AKU and other AKULE. I've never had either fish on nigiri sushi and it was great surprise. Prepared to perfection so as not to lose the flavor of both fish. Keep in mind that both fish are dark meat and sometimes can be almost irony flavor. My compliments to the CHEF, awesome. If you like to experience Omakase, definitely try SUSHI SASABUNE, but, bring you GOLD credit card cause it's not cheap $$$$. Give Omakase a try at least once in your life time and visit SUSHI SASABUNE. Itadakimasu. Arigato gozaimasu CHEF. BON APPETITE

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №147

Fantastic Omakaze, very unique preparations from the sushi masters

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №148

The most amazing experience, this has been my 7th time going. It's always a new experience feeling.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №149

We always come here for omakase. It is hard but not impossible to get a reservation for the bar but definitely a great experience.

Visited 3 years ago

Sushi Experience №150

The sushi here is absolutely incredible. Wow. A big applause to the chef for putting so much love and care into the dishes that were brought to our table. You can taste the quality and mastery if the chef's work in each bite. Thank you so much for the phenomenal omakase.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №151

A wonderful omakase experience.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №152

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №153

I had one of the best Meals of my life here! Highly recommend! Intimate space with a true feeling of Japan…. Best!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №154

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №155

Bad service, are the workers underpaid because it sure seems like it. Sushi has too much sauce on it, probably to cover up bad fish. No one is smiling, ever, including the customers since they’re paying too much.

Food not worth it, service not worth it, don’t go.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №156

I've had a lot of sushi in many different places and this is the best sushi I've ever had. The omakase style at Sasabune gave us a unique dining experience and we were excited to see each new course. We ended up with 14 courses and were blown away by each one. The sushi was incredibly fresh and melted in our mouths. I highly recommend visiting, just make sure you make a reservation far in advanced because they often times are booked.

We will definitely visit again next time we're in Oahu!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №157

Spanish mackerel was my favorite, service was on point, fish variety and creativity all there. Classic blue crab roll and blue crab stuffed squid.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №158

Talented chefs, attentive wait staff, amazing and unique ingredients. But I would rate this place 3.5 stars (I rounded up) because it's just too much at once.

I ordered the Omakase and right away I was served a tall shot glass with three distinct layers: tobiko caviar on the top, followed by seaweed in the middle, and then a raw oyster on the bottom. "Oyster shooter" is what the chef said it was, but it took some clawing and poking around to be able to 'shoot' this back. As the meal progressed, I noticed an emerging trend: just about every piece served is over-composed with regards to ingredients and flavor.

While the ingredients are very fresh and of high quality, it is nearly indiscernible when pieced together with other fresh and high-quality ingredients. Each round was a constant clash of bold and rich flavors; think heavy metal music meets food. All of this is punctuated by the very last round which was an amazing piece of melt-in-your-mouth toro, topped with fresh uni. Irregardless of the fact that they both were among the tastiest I've ever had, they shouldn't really ever be served together.

Advice to prospective customers: you might enjoy the meal a lot more if you deconstruct some of the rounds and consume the ingredients independently,

And a note to the chefs: you have access to an impressive supply chain of great ingredients. Let them speak for themselves; less is more. Complement them with lighter flavors rather than clashing them against something that is equally bold or rich in flavor.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №159

Best sushi experience of my life. The fish was like butter. The flavors curated with the omakase were to die for. The price is completely worth it. By far the best sushi on the island.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №160

Sushi is well made but:

- In our experience it did not feature much local fish which was disappointing since that was one of the selling points and something they promote themselves on. Most items were from far flung places (like South Africa for lobster).
- No communication about how many courses. It's essentially a neverending tasting menu until you ask them to stop. They will put a new item in front of you after you finish your current item. They do not mention that the charge is per item (versus a set course).
- They don't try to ask what kind of items you'd prefer. The table service is rather impersonal and mechanical. It's adequate but for the price it could be a better experience.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №161

Take out lunch omakase boxes were delicious! And such a great deal for $30! Call ahead to preorder!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №162

Chef wore a chin mask, never once actually had the mask over his nose and mouth. Ummm covid times so... that's probably not a good idea.
Also one of the party members had shellfish allergy, they kept on messing up on who had shellfish allergy, so we had to constantly get them to shuffle it back to the right person.
Also the rice was generally warm. I find this strange, never had warm rice for sushi. Probably will not return, didnt really feel satisfied after their omakase.
Servers were nice though so they get 2 stars.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №163

I’ve eaten at a lot of places for omakase from across the US and Japan. At this place, there’s way too much sauces on the fish and covers the natural taste of most pieces. It’s a shame to cover every single piece with a sauce. The quality of the fish was decent but not spectacular. I was also not a fan of warm rice used for the sushi.

I was even disappointed in the fatty tuna, uni and scallop which are usually my favorite pieces. The only thing that surprised me was their miso soup was very tasty.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №164

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №165

The male host in the front ruined our dining experience at Sasabune. I’ve gone for several years and brought guests from all over; never had such a bad experience. Never going back.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №166

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №167

Wonderful Omakase! Must-go place when in town!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №168

Great value for the omakase!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №169

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №170

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №171

The entire experience made me uncomfortable. The server spoke so fast and barely addressed us. A few dishes were very fishy, and I felt pressured to eat everything on the plate. The actual fish was sliced VERY thin with a lot of rice, and very flavorful sauces. I would not recommend this restaurant and certainly would never return :’(

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №172

Highly recommend! The best Japanese food that I have ever eaten😋 Everything is so delicious! But reserve this place in advance :)

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №173

We always make it a point to visit this place when visiting Honolulu. Awesome sushi-we have never been disappointed!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №174

Neck and neck with Maru Sushi for best Omakase Sushi in Honolulu! Small but excellent sake list. Great friendly service.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №175

Sushi and donburi is so good here. Just very expensive and it’s easy to drop $400 here if you aren’t careful!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №176

Outstanding omasake! Quite a few positively surprising bites! Great sake selection.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №177

Amazing omakase.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №178

Yummy Sushi

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №179

Very good sushi. The fish is well taken care of. The only draw back and the reason i gave it 4 stars and not 5 is that sometimes they had to many homemade sauce on the sushi that it overpowers the main ingredients.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №180

What a delicious and exciting experience. The service was amazing and the food was abosultly the best sushi i have ever had (which is saying a lot because my husband is a fisherman on Kauai.) - What a great experience!!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №181

Really fun flavors and inventive nigiri with warm rice style. Fun service!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №182

Amazing as always

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №183

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №184

Best omakase sushi! We go to many sushi places around the US and this place exceeded expectations!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №185

Absolutely amazing! This is wife's first birthday without her father, sushi was their birthday ritual.
I'm not a big fan of sushi but took her...
I loved it, it's paired perfectly, flavors are astonishing!
2 people fill course was about $330 before tip, worth every dollar!!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №186

First time for Omakase style sushi and was great..service was on top of it. There's no set pricing and the chef sets your menu so expect surprises.. have your stomach and your palate ready! If you love sushi and raw fish then you will enjoy your meal. Expect to pay a good price as well for this style meal and service.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №187

Good food

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №188

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №189

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №190

They advertise a takeout menu but then when I got there they acted like it was obvious that they’d be sold out by the time I arrived. It’s fine if they sell out early but why not give people a heads up on their website to save you a trip for nothing?

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №191

High-end sushi. Fantastic and in a gorgeous, traditional Japanese style restaurant. The plates just keep on coming with superbly fresh seafood. Enjoy the whims of the chef and what he will make for you.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №192

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №193

Fish quality is bad and too much rice. Quantity is good but quality is horrible. They use sauce to cover all the fish flavor.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №194

Definitely not a 4.5 stars restaurant.
I would say 3-4 stars.
Not a place to go if you want to get good omakase experience.
You may feel it is good if you have never tried omakase before.
The rice’s portion is too large and the rice is not tasty.
The sauce is too strong that you can not get the taste of fish.
You can not get satisfied after eat. Just full of rice in your stomach.
I feel it just on par with all you can eat sushi in LA, which is $27 per person.
不推荐
4分最多。
只能让你吃撑。不能让你满足。
跟洛杉矶寿司自助差不多水平。

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №195

So ono!!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №196

Sasabuna is unbeatable.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №197

Good food, host was funny and totally personable. Not a super chatty experience at the sushi bar at all, but that's okay. The sushi chefs just do there thing. I didn't realize I ran late eating slow so I did totally get kicked out... lol... but that's on me. I didn't realize I only had so much time and I was having a special holiday meal. If you are looking for more of a private meal where everyone sticks to themselves, I'd definitely recommend it.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №198

I come here 2 to 3 times a year and they never disappoint!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №199

チョットガッカリ、ローカルの方達に美味しいよって言われてテイクアウトしましたが、何の事たぁない、と言うか、タダの変わり寿司だった、あんなに塩っぱく、ダシの効き過ぎた鮨飯に折角テイクアウトに頂いたタブン寿司醤油も使うチャンスがありませんでした ネタの味が鮨飯の強過ぎるダシ、塩、香味で台無しになって、どの握りを食べてもネタの味が殺されて、全て同じ味、んーん残念。
最初から創作寿司、変わり寿司と分かっていればテイクアウトしませんでした
あ〜、寿司がくいてぇ!

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Experience №200

Simply amazing, I won't spoil the menu because I highly recommend you just ask for their course meal and go as far as you can.

Visited 4 years ago

Sushi Details
  • 16 sushi photos
  • 200 sushi reviews
  • 4.5 Sushi Rating
  • Reservations: +1 808-947-3800
  • Menu Website: https://sasabuneh.com/
  • Sushi Address: 1417 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96814, United States
  • Sushi Map: 21.298177799999998, -157.83984999999998
Specialties
  • Sushi restaurant
  • Japanese restaurant
Sushi Hours
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 5:30–10 PM
  • Wednesday: 5:30–10 PM
  • Thursday: 5:30–10 PM
  • Friday: 5:30–10 PM
  • Saturday: 5:30–10 PM
Service options
  • Takeaway: Available
  • Dine-in: Available
  • Delivery: Available
Highlights
  • Great tea selection: Available
Popular for
  • Lunch: Available
  • Dinner: Available
  • Solo dining: Available
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance: Available
  • Wheelchair-accessible seating: Available
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet: Available
Offerings
  • Alcohol: Available
  • Beer: Available
  • Healthy options: Available
  • Small plates: Available
  • Spirits: Available
  • Wine: Available
Dining options
  • Lunch: Available
  • Dinner: Available
  • Dessert: Available
Amenities
  • Toilets: Available
Atmosphere
  • Cosy: Available
  • Upmarket: Available
Crowd
  • Tourists: Available
Planning
  • Reservations required: Available
  • Dinner reservations recommended: Available
  • Accepts reservations: Available
  • Usually a wait: Available
Payments
  • Credit cards: Available
  • Debit cards: Available
  • NFC mobile payments: Available
  • Credit cards: Available
Parking
  • Free of charge street parking: Available
  • Paid parking lot: Available