16 Best Japanese Restaurants in Honolulu

For tonkatsu, KOROMO in Aiea is the best we've found — worth the drive from Waikiki. For interactive dining, Pepper Lunch Hawaii in Moanalua is excellent. For fresh sushi at local prices, Restaurant Kunio in Waipahu beats most Waikiki options.

Locals skip Waikiki and head to Aiea (Pearlridge), Waipahu, Kalihi, and Kapahulu. KOROMO for tonkatsu, Restaurant Kunio for sushi, and Onoya Ramen on Kapahulu Ave are all local favorites with better prices than Waikiki.

Onoya Ramen in Kapahulu is a local favorite with excellent shoyu broth. In Waikiki, EZOGIKU serves solid Hokkaido-style miso ramen, and Momosan offers upscale options like truffle ramen.

Udon Yama in Waikiki serves quality handmade udon at reasonable prices. The curry udon is particularly good.

KOROMO katsu & curry bistro in Aiea (Pearlridge) is the best tonkatsu in Honolulu. Their Kurobuta pork katsu has perfectly crispy panko and rich curry. It's worth the 15-minute drive from Waikiki. Ginza Bairin is a solid Waikiki alternative.

For solo diners or couples on a budget, Yakiniku Like on Ke'eaumoku Street offers individual grills with sets starting at $9.95 — way cheaper than traditional yakiniku. For groups and all-you-can-eat, Gyu-Kaku has two locations (Waikiki and Kaneohe). The Kaneohe location has shorter waits with the same quality.

Prices vary widely. Budget: IYASUME musubi ($2-8). Mid-range: KOROMO, Pepper Lunch, most ramen shops ($15-25). Upscale: Morimoto Asia ($100-200+ per person). Eating outside Waikiki typically saves 20-30%.

Pepper Lunch Hawaii opened December 12, 2025 at Moanalua Shopping Center — Hawaii's first location of the famous Japanese DIY teppanyaki chain. Two more locations are planned for Waikiki and Kapahulu in 2026.

In Waikiki: Udon Yama for udon, EZOGIKU or Ramen Nakamura for ramen, Morimoto Asia for upscale dining. Just outside Waikiki: Onoya Ramen on Kapahulu Ave (10-minute drive) offers better ramen at lower prices.

Most close by 9-10 PM. Gyu-Kaku Waikiki and some Waikiki ramen shops stay open later. Check current hours before heading out, as they change seasonally.

Musubi Cafe IYASUME ($2-8 per musubi) is the best budget option. Taiga Ramen at Mitsuwa ($12-15) offers solid ramen at fair prices. Both deliver quality without the Waikiki markup.

Udon Yama for udon, Ginza Bairin for tonkatsu, Gyu-Kaku for yakiniku, and Morimoto Asia for upscale dining. For ramen, EZOGIKU and Momosan are the best options in Waikiki proper.

KOROMO at Pearlridge serves the best tonkatsu on Oahu. The Kurobuta pork katsu with their house curry is worth the 15-20 minute drive from Waikiki. Free parking is a bonus.

Yes. The DIY sizzling plate concept is fun, the Beef Pepper Rice is their signature for a reason, and prices are fair at $15-25 per person. Located at Moanalua Shopping Center, about 15 minutes from Waikiki.

Casual spots (ramen, udon, IYASUME): No reservations needed, just expect waits during peak hours. Gyu-Kaku: Reservations recommended for weekends. Morimoto Asia: Reservations strongly recommended.

Pepper Lunch Hawaii — kids love the interactive sizzling plates and it's casual and affordable. Gyu-Kaku is fun for families who enjoy cooking together. IYASUME is perfect for quick meals with picky eaters.

Morimoto Asia in Waikiki for a special occasion splurge. Gyu-Kaku is fun and interactive for couples. For a local vibe, Restaurant Kunio in Waipahu offers fresh sushi in a neighborhood setting.

Most restaurants offer some options. Udon shops have vegetable tempura and tofu dishes. IYASUME has vegetarian musubi. Gyu-Kaku has vegetables for grilling. Note: dashi (fish broth) is common in traditional dishes — ask if strictly vegetarian.

Waikiki: More expensive, tourist-oriented, longer waits. Local spots (Aiea, Waipahu, Kapahulu): Better value, authentic atmosphere, where Hawaii residents actually eat. Food quality is often equal or better at local spots.