Sushi Sasabune — Restaurant in Honolulu

VERY CONDESENDING "Company Policy" - “YOU MUST EAT YOUR SUSHI IN ONE BITE!”

Rating: 🌟 One Star

I had visited Sushi Sasabune in Honolulu, Hawaii, four times in the past always sitting at their sushi bar and unfortunately, this time, my experience was far from pleasant. Brent, Sushi Chef and Server’s, condescending and arrogant attitude left me feeling verbally abused and upset during my dinner.

On two separate occasions, in front of other guests, Brent told me and insisted that I must "eat the sushi in one bite" due to their supposed "company policy." The second time he came around to see how I was eating my sushi, he literally cut me off mid-sentence in my conversation with my husband to reprimand me. Despite explaining that I had a disability and physically could not eat in that manner because my mouth and throat had been reconstructed due to cancer, he responded without any compassion, saying, "Try to do it." Is this guy for real? A restaurant should not dictate how you eat your meal!

This lack of understanding and empathy towards my situation was truly disheartening. His dismissive behavior made me feel humiliated and uncomfortable, to the point where I could not take another bite. For a restaurant that charges $200 per person, I expected a much higher level of professionalism and customer service.

I believe it is essential for restaurant staff to be accommodating and respectful towards customers in general. Unfortunately, Brent failed to meet even the most basic standards of customer care. It is disappointing to encounter such a negative experience in a high-end establishment like Sushi Sasabune.

I strongly urge the management of Sushi Sasabune to address this issue and provide appropriate training to their staff regarding customer service and inclusivity. No one should be made to feel verbally abused or humiliated during their dining experience.

In conclusion, I cannot recommend Sushi Sasabune based on my personal encounter with their condescending and unsympathetic behavior. I hope that my review serves as a reminder for the restaurant to prioritize their customers' well-being and ensure a welcoming...

Last night’s dinner at Sasabune was one of the top 5 meals of my life. 100% a core memory restaurant that I will remember and reference regularly.

I found the place on recommendation from a friend of a friend who used to live in Tokyo but now lives in Honolulu, and I am SO happy we went (and didn’t listen to some of the reviews).

Some important things to note:

This is not your regular sushi experience. You do not pick your rolls, the menu is pre-set (much like most Michelin restaurants). Do not go in with the expectation of dipping each roll in soy sauce—you will be disappointed.

Each piece and plate is thoughtfully crafted, follows some traditional sushi techniques, but feels more like a fusion of new and old. An example would be a roll with tuna belly topped with minced tuna that was marinated in tomatoes and sweet onions.

The fish is sourced from all over the world. We had South African lobster, PNW oysters, local fish, fish from Japan—too many to remember.

If you can, sit at the bar.

Brandt was our sushi chef and our server (since we were at the bar). I can’t give enough praise and accolades to this man—he was absolutely wonderful. He had such care and thought in every discussion we had with him. The way he talked about each roll, how it was prepared, where it came from, etc, elevated each piece even higher.

6, Try to get into the experience. Take the recommendations of how to eat each roll. Everything created here is done with intention, so eat the way it was intended. If they tell you it pairs well with Wasabe (which is real wasabe, by the way) eat it with wasabe. If they tell you to eat something fast; eat it quickly.

If you can, try everything.

It is NOT cheap. I think our meal was roughly $500 for the two of us. But for us, it was worth...

My wife and I were excited to try this restaurant, lured by the promise of an Omakase experience, which traditionally means a chef-curated meal where each dish is a surprise, tailored to the diner's preferences and the chef's creativity. Unfortunately, what we encountered was a stark departure from the Omakase promise and more of an ala carte experience.

The price mark-up on beverages was astonishing; a bottle of Kubota sake, typically $29, was priced at an eye-watering $120 here. While the meal began on a mediocre note, it wasn't until the fourth dish that we began to see a glimmer of quality. However, any semblance of a fine dining ambiance was shattered by a disruptive argument between two servers in the kitchen, complete with a two-minute tirade of F-bombs and a final, resounding "you're done, bro." This was not the serene, focused culinary experience we anticipated.

Our quest for an alternative to our favorite sushi spot, Sushi ii, led us here. While Sushi ii offers an exceptional selection of exotic and delectable seafood, where each dish feels like a curated journey, this place fell dramatically short. If you're in search of a local spot that delivers on the Omakase experience or even just a high-quality ala carte menu, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Sushi ii a try instead.

In the end, our bill totaled $512.00—a sum we wouldn't mind parting with for a memorable experience. Sadly, this was memorable for all the wrong reasons. While we always champion exploring new culinary landscapes, this experience was a stark reminder that not all journeys...