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🍱Japanese Food·Waikiki

Best Japanese Food in Waikiki

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.

3 visitor-rated4 Nate-recommendedUpdated September 2026
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The ranking

30 japanese food in Waikiki

Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro
2
Editor's Choice
5.0(1)$$

Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro

Waikiki·Japanese Restaurant
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Musubi Cafe IYASUME
3
Editor's Choice
$

Musubi Cafe IYASUME

Waikiki·Japanese Restaurant
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Musubi Cafe IYASUME Waikiki Beach Walk
4
Editor's Choice
$

Musubi Cafe IYASUME Waikiki Beach Walk

Waikiki·Japanese Restaurant
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Shingen Soba Izakaya at Stix
55.0(1)$$

Shingen Soba Izakaya at Stix

Waikiki·Japanese Izakaya Restaurant
Verified visit

Soba noodles are the main draw at this compact Japanese place that also serves tempura & udon.

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CAMADO RAMEN TAVERN
6$$

CAMADO RAMEN TAVERN

Waikiki·Ramen Restaurant

CAMADO RAMEN TAVERN brings ramen to Waikiki at a mid-range price point. Casual and welcoming atmosphere.

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Doraku Sushi Waikiki
7$$

Doraku Sushi Waikiki

Waikiki·Sushi Restaurant

Modern Japanese gastropub specializing in craft cocktails, Izakaya cuisine & innovative sushi.

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Fukurou
8$$$$

Fukurou

Waikiki·Japanese Restaurant
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Furusato Sushi
9$$

Furusato Sushi

Waikiki·Sushi Restaurant

Snug sushi house for classic rolls, seafood salads & Japanese mains in colorful, homey quarters.

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Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
10$$

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

Waikiki·Barbecue Restaurant

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ brings asian to Waikiki at a mid-range price point. Lively atmosphere perfect for groups and celebrations.

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Hawaii Sushi
11$$

Hawaii Sushi

Sushi Restaurant

Cheerful counter-service place offering sashimi, rolls & rice bowls featuring local fish.

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Honolulu Noodle & Co.
12$$

Honolulu Noodle & Co.

Waikiki·Ramen Restaurant

Honolulu Noodle & Co. Is a ramen spot in Waikiki. Locals consider it a well-loved spot with full bar.

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Honolulu Sushi
13$$

Honolulu Sushi

Waikiki·Sushi Restaurant
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Kamukura Surf + Dine
14$$$

Kamukura Surf + Dine

Waikiki·Ramen Restaurant

Kamukura Surf + Dine is a ramen spot in Waikiki. Locals consider it a solid pick with full bar.

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Kan Sushi
15$$$

Kan Sushi

Sushi Restaurant
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Katsumidori Sushi Tokyo
16$$$$

Katsumidori Sushi Tokyo

Sushi Restaurant
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Kozo Sushi Kapahulu
17$

Kozo Sushi Kapahulu

Kapahulu·Sushi Restaurant

Outpost of an Osaka-based chain serving sushi & other basic Japanese eats in a no-frills setting.

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Maguro Spot
18$

Maguro Spot

Waikiki·Sushi Restaurant

Maguro Spot brings sushi to Waikiki at a budget-friendly price point. Family-friendly casual dining.

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Omakase By Aung
19$$$$

Omakase By Aung

Kapahulu·Sushi Restaurant
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Onoya Ramen
20$$

Onoya Ramen

Kapahulu·Ramen Restaurant

Laid-back noodle joint offering traditional Japanese noodle soups, plus vegan options.

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P.F. Chang's
21$$

P.F. Chang's

Waikiki·Chinese Restaurant

Family-friendly chain offering creative takes on Asian fare in a striking space.

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Paradise Poke Hawaii at Ilikai
22$

Paradise Poke Hawaii at Ilikai

Seafood Restaurant

Seafood fare in Ala Moana. Paradise Poke Hawaii at Ilikai is a solid pick and offers outdoor seating.

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Pioneer Saloon
23$

Pioneer Saloon

Japanese Restaurant

Funky, compact Japanese spot dishing up plate lunches & musubi specialties for dine in or take-out.

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Ramen Bario Waikiki
24$$

Ramen Bario Waikiki

Waikiki·Ramen Restaurant

Artisanal ramen specialist with a variety of preparations & toppings & draft beer in a food court.

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Ramen Nakamura
25$

Ramen Nakamura

Waikiki·Ramen Restaurant

Casual, contemporary eatery featuring many varieties of ramen, plus gyoza & fried rice.

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Roy's Waikiki
26$$$

Roy's Waikiki

Waikiki·Seafood Restaurant

High-end chain serving notable chef Roy Yamaguchi's Hawaiian fusion fare in a contemporary setting.

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Sam's Kitchen
27$

Sam's Kitchen

Waikiki·Seafood Restaurant

No-frills, counter-serve seafood joint with an Asian twist offering garlic prawns & teriyaki plates.

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Shichimusubi
28$

Shichimusubi

Waikiki·Japanese Restaurant
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Steak Shack
29$

Steak Shack

Waikiki·Japanese Restaurant

Located close to the beach, this basic food stand serves breakfast & all-day steak plates.

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STRIPSTEAK Waikiki
30$$$$

STRIPSTEAK Waikiki

Waikiki·Sushi Restaurant

Stylish eatery with a patio offering a reimagined, seasonal steakhouse menu & craft cocktails

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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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Japanese restaurant in Waikiki?

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.

Where can I find affordable Japanese food 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.

How is this list of Japanese restaurants in Waikiki put together, and is it kept up to date?

This is a curated BEST guide — NateEatsHawaii-recommended spots (marked with the site badge) are selected by our editors 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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