Maguro-ya — Restaurant in Honolulu

If you like authentic Japanese food and fish, this place is a must try. They specialize in Maguro (Bluefin Tuna), but their menu is vast with lots of other authentic Japanese classics focusing around seafood. It's a small place, but cozy and relaxed. When I went, it seemed like mostly regulars who were dinning there that day.

Since it was my first time checking out this place, I ordered their signature dish, the Maguro Zukushi Teishoku. It is a great sampling of tuna prepared in various ways and substantial in size. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I do recommend it for a first timer that is hungry.

Freshness and quality is outstanding at Maguro-ya along with their friendly and attentive hospitality. As it is small, the seating is limited and probably not very comfortable for a group more than 4. Parking is also a challenge in the area. If you are lucky, you might find street parking in front, but make sure you have lots of quarters for the meter. There is also parking in the back that is operated as a...

Really lovely sushi restaurant with high quality fish. There’s paid parking in a parking lot next to the restaurant and also a mix of free and paid street parking nearby. The interior space has counter seating for 6-8 people and a few tables for larger parties. Reservations aren’t required, but are recommended if you want to get a seat at the sushi bar.

They serve mainly teishoku sets and sushi - I pretty much just come here for the sushi. Service can be slow at times if you’re ordering raw fish since there’s usually just the owner doing the prep at the sushi counter.

The fish are all fresh and this place has some of the best akami zuke that I’ve ever had. Other highlights are, depending on the season, tachuo (belt fish, a white fish with a very clean taste and bouncy texture), shima-aji (striped jack, lovely texture and slightly sweet), and amaebi (sweet shrimp, sweet and nice mochi-like texture). The sushi is comparable to high-end omakase spots without...

A very nice and cozy Japanese restaurant with great food and service in a more intimate setting. A very extensive menu featuring all of your favorite sushi, sashimi, and teishoku dishes. The staff is very polite, and they will do their best to ensure that your visit is enjoyable. Portion sizes that are appropriate. It is strongly recommended. If you call ahead, they will accommodate your request for a reservation. There is a great deal more to ahi than just poke and sashimi, and Maguro-Ya deftly demonstrates this point with its head-to-tail offering of eight pieces of nigiri sushi topped with various cuts and preparations from a single bigeye tuna. Its collar is prepared in three distinct ways, including being flame-kissed, lightly poached, and served with a variety of sauces. The nakaochi, which is scraped from between the ribs, receives a straightforward seasoning of green onion and shiso. A sumptuous vertical tasting experience is completed with belly cuts...