Waikiki punches well above its weight for Japanese food, and with 51 qualifying restaurants in the neighborhood, there's no shortage of options whether you're chasing a bowl of fresh-made udon, a perfectly fried tonkatsu, or a late-night izakaya bite. I pulled together this curated guide to highlight the spots genuinely worth your time — starting with my own hand-picked recommendations and rounding out with the area's best-rated places.
At the top of the list, Marugame Udon is one of my personal go-tos — a spot I recommend for its Sanuki-style noodles made fresh in-store daily and its unbeatable value. Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro and Musubi Cafe IYASUME (with two convenient Waikiki locations) also carry the NateEatsHawaii badge as spots I recommend. Beyond those, you'll find well-regarded options like Shingen Soba Izakaya at Stix, known for its soba and tempura, Doraku Sushi Waikiki's modern izakaya-gastropub vibe, and the table-grill fun of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ.
Spots that have earned the NateEatsHawaii badge are ones I personally recommend — look for that marker as you browse the full list of 51 Japanese restaurants in Waikiki below.
The ranking
Top pick1
Waikiki'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.
2Rated 4.3⭐ (1955 reviews)
3Rated 4.6⭐ (1297 reviews)
4Rated 4.5⭐ (372 reviews)
5$$Soba noodles are the main draw at this compact Japanese place that also serves tempura & udon.
6$$CAMADO RAMEN TAVERN brings ramen to Waikiki at a mid-range price point. Casual and welcoming atmosphere.
7$$Modern Japanese gastropub specializing in craft cocktails, Izakaya cuisine & innovative sushi.
8
9$$Snug sushi house for classic rolls, seafood salads & Japanese mains in colorful, homey quarters.
10$$Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ brings asian to Waikiki at a mid-range price point. Lively atmosphere perfect for groups and celebrations.
11$$Cheerful counter-service place offering sashimi, rolls & rice bowls featuring local fish.
12Honolulu Noodle & Co. Is a ramen spot in Waikiki. Locals consider it a well-loved spot with full bar.
13$$
14Kamukura Surf + Dine is a ramen spot in Waikiki. Locals consider it a solid pick with full bar.
15
16
17$Outpost of an Osaka-based chain serving sushi & other basic Japanese eats in a no-frills setting.
18$Maguro Spot brings sushi to Waikiki at a budget-friendly price point. Family-friendly casual dining.
19
20$$Laid-back noodle joint offering traditional Japanese noodle soups, plus vegan options.
21$$Family-friendly chain offering creative takes on Asian fare in a striking space.
22$Seafood fare in Ala Moana. Paradise Poke Hawaii at Ilikai is a solid pick and offers outdoor seating.
23$Funky, compact Japanese spot dishing up plate lunches & musubi specialties for dine in or take-out.
24Artisanal ramen specialist with a variety of preparations & toppings & draft beer in a food court.
25$Casual, contemporary eatery featuring many varieties of ramen, plus gyoza & fried rice.
26$$$High-end chain serving notable chef Roy Yamaguchi's Hawaiian fusion fare in a contemporary setting.
27$No-frills, counter-serve seafood joint with an Asian twist offering garlic prawns & teriyaki plates.
28
29$Located close to the beach, this basic food stand serves breakfast & all-day steak plates.
30$$$$Stylish eatery with a patio offering a reimagined, seasonal steakhouse menu & craft cocktails
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Marugame Udon tops this curated guide as a NateEatsHawaii-recommended spot, celebrated for its fresh Sanuki-style udon made in-store daily. Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro and Musubi Cafe IYASUME are also hand-picked recommendations worth visiting in Waikiki.
Marugame Udon and Musubi Cafe IYASUME are both known for being wallet-friendly options in Waikiki, with counter-service formats that keep prices accessible. Hawaii Sushi is another cheerful counter-service spot popular for sashimi and rice bowls featuring local fish.
This is a curated BEST guide — NateEatsHawaii-recommended spots (marked with the site badge) are selected by Nate personally, while the remaining spots are drawn from the best-rated Japanese restaurants in Waikiki across the site's catalog of roughly 1,900 Oahu eateries. The list is reviewed and refreshed regularly to reflect the current dining scene.
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