Top pick1
Kanoya Sushi Grill and Bar
Ala Moana Area·Sushi Restaurant
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Ala Moana is one of Honolulu's richest neighborhoods for Japanese food, with options ranging from steaming bowls of ramen to inventive sushi rolls and everything in between. I pulled together this guide from all 16 qualifying Japanese spots in the area — leading with my own verified recommendations, then rounding out the list with the best-rated places worth knowing.
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At the top of the list is Kanoya Sushi Grill and Bar, which carries the NateEatsHawaii badge as one of our editors' hand-picked recommendations. Beyond that, the area has a lot going for it: Goma Tei Ramen Ala Moana is well known for its spicy Tokyo-style ramen and draft beers in a casual Ala Moana Center setting, while Sushi ii has earned a reputation for inventive rolls and an omakase menu tucked into a strip-mall nook.
Spots that our editors have personally visited are marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge on each listing page. Whether you're after a quick ramen lunch, an all-you-can-eat sushi session, or a laid-back izakaya dinner, this guide covers the Japanese dining scene in Ala Moana.
FAQ
Kanoya Sushi Grill and Bar earns the top spot as our editors' personally verified pick in the area, carrying the NateEatsHawaii badge. The broader list also includes highly regarded options like Goma Tei Ramen Ala Moana and Hokkaido Ramen Santouka for ramen lovers, and Sushi ii for creative sushi.
Several spots on this list are known for mid-range pricing — Hokkaido Ramen Santouka and Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya are both noted for accessible price points, and Sumo AYCE Sushi is popular for its all-you-can-eat format, which can be a great value for big appetites.
This is a curated BEST guide: our editors' personally verified picks appear first, followed by the highest-rated Japanese restaurants in Ala Moana based on visitor ratings collected on NateEatsHawaii. The list is reviewed regularly as new ratings come in and new spots open on Oahu.
Japanese Food
Ala Moana
The experiences I actually send visitors on.
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Editor's Pick Free cancellationWaikiki sunset sail
After happy hour, get on the water. A sunset cocktail sail off Waikiki is the move — drinks aboard, Diamond Head glowing behind you.
Free cancellationOahu luau night
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Editor's Pick Free cancellationCircle the island
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Editor's Pick Free cancellationDiamond Head + breakfast
Earn the breakfast plate: hike Diamond Head first, then eat. Shuttle + reservation ticket included, so the morning's sorted before you refuel in Waikiki.
