Engawa — Restaurant in Hawaii

This two-person-run Japanese omakase restaurant delivers an experience so refined, so intentional, it genuinely outshines several Michelin-starred establishments I’ve been to. Every element — from the service to the food to the atmosphere — is executed with quiet precision and heartfelt passion.

The service is exceptional. Thoughtful, seamless, and never performative. You can feel the care behind every gesture and every word. The chef and host work in perfect sync, creating a warm, almost meditative environment where you can truly focus on the craft unfolding before you.

Each dish is extraordinary. Locally sourced ingredients are prepared with restraint and brilliance, allowing their natural character to shine. They don’t just list ingredients — they honor them, often telling you exactly where each element came from and who was behind it. It’s a beautiful nod to community and a level of transparency that’s incredibly rare.

The in-house made sake wine pairing is an absolute must. Each pour is carefully calibrated to match the nuances of the food, enhancing the experience in subtle and unexpected ways. It’s not just a pairing — it’s an extension of the chef’s vision, and skipping it would mean missing half the story.

And the passionfruit panna cotta? Completely unforgettable. Silky, vibrant, and balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s the kind of dessert that stays with you long after the last bite.

This place is a treasure. I truly hope it continues to thrive — it deserves every ounce of recognition for the extraordinary experience...

As is an older generations custom in Japan; guests are seated and should keep conversations to a minimum. This is out of respect for the chef.

The food is exceptional. As a trio of ladies out for an evening we did not realize that our “chit-chat” was offensive to the older host and server.

Upon leaving; a gecko appeared at our outdoor seating table which surprised a diner at our table who has a gecko phobia. She screeched. Uh-oh!

The host/server appeared displeased upon our exit.

I suggest that if you have an issue with flies or other uninvited geckos; request seating inside at the bar area.

The sake is lovely and you do receive one serving of sake while dining but can add a flight of suggested sakes with dinner for the tasting.

A beautiful evening indeed. The maker of the sake is a lovely Japanese woman who was very gracious who appeared toward the end of the meal to introduce herself.

Highly recommend this beautiful experience and our apologies to the chef for our not aware of the customary silence during a fine dining experience in Japan.

We hope to go there and be proper guest in the future. Mahalo from Hawaii residents. The...

We had the most wonderful meal and experience here. Our server was so warm and personable and just a pleasure to talk to and learn a little about his village in Japan. The service could not have been more perfect. His wife is an incredible chef and every course is as delicious as it is beautiful. The ingredients are the absolute freshest and everything was such a treat and clearly prepared with love! They only had 3 tables of couples at our seating to provide the highest quality experience to everyone. The patio is a beautiful place to sit as well. I can't recommend this experience enough, so delicious and...