Oahu is one of the best places in the country to eat Japanese food — and with 273 qualifying restaurants on the island, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. I pulled together this guide to cut through the noise, leading with spots I personally recommend and rounding out the list with the area's highest-rated Japanese restaurants as scored by real visitors on NateEatsHawaii.
At the top of my list are places like Marugame Udon in Waikiki, where fresh Sanuki-style noodles are made in-store daily, and Restaurant Kunio in Waipahu, a relaxed strip-mall gem serving sushi, noodles, and lobster dishes. Shingen Soba Izakaya at Stix rounds out the upper tier with soba noodles, tempura, and udon in a compact Waikiki setting popular among visitors and locals alike.
Every spot I've personally been to and recommend carries the NateEatsHawaii badge — look for it on the listings below. Whether you're hunting for a quick udon lunch, a full omakase experience, or a casual sushi happy hour, this guide covers the full range of Japanese dining across Oahu.
The ranking
Top pick1
Honolulu's newest food hall featuring 12 local restaurants with diverse cuisines from sushi to BBQ to banh mi. Located at The Park on Keeaumoku with free validated parking. Note: While the bar stays open until posted hours, most food vendors close between 8–9 PM.
2Best sports bar in Honolulu with $3 happy hour sushi rolls, NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA & MLB packages, omakase dining, and dog-friendly patio at SALT Kakaako. Opens early for game days.
3Waikiki's most popular udon shop — fresh Sanuki-style noodles made in-store daily. Cafeteria-style ordering, famous Nikutama Udon ($12.99), crispy tempura counter. Two people eat for under $45. 14,000+ Yelp reviews. Read our full guide for menu prices, what to order, and how to beat the line.
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5Japanese eatery serving sushi, noodles & lobster dishes in a relaxed, strip-mall locale.
6Rated 4.3⭐ (1955 reviews)
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8Rated 4.6⭐ (1297 reviews)
9Rated 4.5⭐ (372 reviews)
10$$Soba noodles are the main draw at this compact Japanese place that also serves tempura & udon.
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15$$Stylish spot for sushi & Japanese fare, plus a full bar, traditional floor seating & outdoor patio.
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18$$CAMADO RAMEN TAVERN brings ramen to Waikiki at a mid-range price point. Casual and welcoming atmosphere.
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27$$Modern Japanese gastropub specializing in craft cocktails, Izakaya cuisine & innovative sushi.
28Modern Japanese gastropub specializing in craft cocktails, Izakaya cuisine & innovative sushi.
29$$Modern Japanese gastropub specializing in craft cocktails, Izakaya cuisine & innovative sushi.
30$$See every spot on a live map
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FAQ
Oahu has an exceptional range of Japanese dining, from fresh udon shops like Marugame Udon in Waikiki to sushi bars, izakayas, and yakiniku spots spread across the island. The top picks in this guide are a great starting point, with NateEatsHawaii-badged spots reflecting Nate's personal recommendations.
Several spots on this list offer great value — Marugame Udon is well known for budget-friendly fresh udon, Pitch Sports Bar in Kakaako features $3 happy hour sushi rolls, and Musubi Cafe IYASUME in Waikiki is a popular pick for quick, wallet-friendly Japanese bites.
This guide is regularly refreshed to reflect new openings, updated visitor ratings collected on NateEatsHawaii, and any changes to Nate's personal recommendations — so you can trust the list stays current with Oahu's evolving Japanese food scene.
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