Sushi Sasabune, Honolulu, Hawaii Restaurant Details

Food:

I walked two miles each way in the dark past a bridge full of sketchy hobos so I could bleed away my meager yuppie's disaposable income at Sushi Sasabune. No regret.

Sushi: highest quality I've had
-I'd never thoroughly enjoyed uni (sea urchin) and ikura (salmon roe) until Sushi Sasabune
-Baby calamari stuffed with indonesian crab, mackerel, red fin were all spectacular
-The skip jack and negitoro were very well prepared, but I've just never been a fan of any type of tuna

Service:
-Knowledgeable and patient servers
-Pleasantly attentive host

This place has upped my sushi-snobbery to a nearly impossible level.

Food:

OISHI to the max!!!
Best Omakase on Oahu!

Food:

Wife and I had the pleasure to try one of the best sushi places in Hawaii, and it didn't fall short of expectations. We did the omakase, it will cost you, probably 130/pp without alcohol to finish the 15 course meal, but it's an experience not quite your traditional Japanese restaurant.

Think of Jiro sushi in Japan meet Nobu of NY. Don't expect to get soya sauce on the side, every piece is already prepared with the optimal amount of sauce.

Etiquette is a must here: rule is that you must eat the sushi in one bite. Don't eat too slow either as there is also a good set time you should eat the sushi by - you all should know (if you have watched Jiro dream of sushi) that if the fish is on the rice for too long it ruins the texture and taste of the fish. Some may complain that it is too fast from one dish to another - but there is a logical reason for that.

Service was great, no one was grumpy looking except for probably the sushi chef (lol) but that's his look. Apparently he will kick people out if they don't like his food, or he will refuse to serve you if disrespect his food/etiquette.

Overall if you haven't been to Jiro, you should definitely give this a try for the experience at almost 30 percent of the cost of Jiro. A little too rich for my blood to go here daily, but I would consider it a top Sushi restaurant deserving of its reputation.

Food:

For those of us that live in Hawaii, we've all endured the long foodie nerd Sasabune narratives/stories our family, friends and co-workers have snow shoveled on top of us. Discourteous servers. A cursed thousand year old painting. The shadowy presence of a Yakuza paramour. The Sushi Nazi with the hundred yard stare. Of course, there's stories of customers being thrown out. Not just asked to leave but banned. Cursed. Effigies scorched in the night, and on the Sabbath too. Hilts of knives discreetly shown. Oaths sworn. etc.

Eh anyway. I was able to go on the dime of a wealthy friend visiting from the mainland. We did the set Omakase lunch menu. I found the chefs suggestions and pairings helpful and accurate. I enjoyed the crisp courteous manner of the server who kept the plates coming and tea flowing like a strange wound. Decor was practical and evocative of a Japanese sushi house, that was somewhat otherworldly after stepping off that random part of King st.

I'm only giving the 'Bune' 4 stars because while some of the dishes were great, others were suspiciously suspicious. I know my fish and, while living in Japan I ate more sushi than is consciously admitable. 2 or 3 of the dishes seemed like they were being snuck into the rotation. Like a gimpy outfielder in the 8th inning.

Anyways, if you have the cabbage to spend see if you think the hypes worth it. I kinda do...Kinda don't.

Food:

My friend who introduced me to this unique place told me: You have not lived until you have been to Sasabune in Hawaii! Maybe not the place to die, but if there is a Sushi heaven, it's been called Sasabune. Make your reservation!

Food:

"OMG . . . omakase!" – for "mindblowingly fresh sushi impeccably prepared", this "spartan" Japanese "favorite" in Makiki is a "must-visit for purists" who follow "perfectionist" Seiji Kumagawa's motto: "trust me"; yes, he can be "bossy" but his "bark may be worse than his bite – and his bites are worth" the steep costs, since "once you put a piece of signature negitoro in your mouth", it's "simply divine."|"OMG . . . omakase!" – for "mindblowingly fresh sushi impeccably prepared", this "spartan" Japanese "favorite" in Makiki is a "must-visit for purists" who follow "perfectionist" Seiji Kumagawa's motto: "trust me"; yes, he can be "bossy" but his "bark may be worse than his bite – and his bites are worth" the steep costs, since "once you put a piece of signature negitoro in your mouth", it's "simply divine."|"OMG . . . omakase!" – for "mindblowingly fresh sushi impeccably prepared", this "spartan" Japanese "favorite" in Makiki is a "must-visit for purists" who follow "perfectionist" Seiji Kumagawa's motto: "trust me"; yes, he can be "bossy" but his "bark may be worse than his bite – and his bites are worth" the steep costs, since "once you put a piece of signature negitoro in your mouth", it's "simply divine."