Sushi You — Restaurant in Honolulu

Came here on a whim because it shared the same name as my favorite sushi restaurant in NYC. Turns out, the owners of this place used to own the NYC Sushi You, and trained the current owner. Small world.

But let's talk food and service. My wife and I had the omakase, and it was... Exquisite. I've had my share of sushi, from NYC to Hawaii to Japan, from deli counter California rolls to book-a-month-in-advance $$$$, and everything in between. This has got to be one of the most unique and wonderful omakase I've ever had. I believe it was something like 7 dishes and a sashimi plate, before we even got to the sushi. Everything was beautifully plated, fresh, and delicious. And a few of the courses I had never had before (though that might say more about me than Sushi You). The goma dofu was one of these, and it was fantastic - a homemade savory black sesame Tofu-like custard (???) topped with a spot of wasabi and uni. Apparently this is more commonly found in Japan, but it was a first for me. The selection of fish was mostly from Japan, but there was also Alaskan salmon (lightly smoked), Canadian shrimp, and others. And everything was so... clean, and well thought out, that despite the many dishes, I never felt overwhelmed.

The restaurant is run by the sweetest husband and wife duo. Hiro prepares (most of) the food, while Keiko serves, cleans, and chats with customers. Occasionally they check on each other to make sure the other is eating or staying hydrated. Keiko is almost motherly with the customers, making sure that everyone feels taken care of. At one point she showed us a way to eat some of the garnish, building a roll with a shisho leaf, some shredded daikon, and seaweed, stopping short of feeding us.

It was a wonderful experience. More than worth the price. And we will be returning next time we're back in...

Book your Omakase reservation at Sushi You now!!

I honestly don’t know why I didn’t write about this place sooner. Sushi You is such a gem, and if you love sushi, this spot needs to be at the top of your list. It’s a true mom-and-pop kind of place. The chef and his wife run it together, and they’re so kind and down-to-earth. We had the nicest conversation with the chef while enjoying our omakase. The food is incredible. The chef is super creative and really takes pride in what he does. Every dish feels carefully thought out, and the flavors are amazing. One bite of the toro nigiri and you’ll be hooked—it’s that fresh and that good. You can get omakase not just for dinner, but for lunch too. The price is unbeatable. It’s $110 + tax, and for the amount of food you get and how delicious everything is, it feels like such a steal—especially in Hawaii. Parking’s easy. You can usually find a spot right in front, or just park at Times Supermarket. The vibe is cozy and friendly. There are about 10 seats at the bar plus a few tables. They play soft music so you can actually talk, relax, and enjoy your meal without any loud, distracting background noise. They even do catering! If you’ve got a party coming up, definitely give them a call—the prices are really reasonable.

So yeah, if you’ve been thinking about trying it, don’t wait. Call Sushi You and make a reservation—you’ll...

Sushi You is a hidden gem of Japanese restaurant, tucked behind Grace's on Beretania Street. The restaurant is run by a husband and wife team, who do an excellent job preparing and serving dishes while engaging with patrons.

Sushi You is only omakase (chef's choice) style, so there is no menu. You simply sit down and enjoy a series of dishes that are brought to your table. (Our dinner included sashimi, sushi, chawan mushi, salad, miso soup, and several other plates.) We were told that the fish is flown in from Japan, and the quality is excellent. The fatty tuna was melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

Just a caveat: like other omakase places, dishes are served at a leisurely pace. So don't eat here if you're in a rush, as a meal can take 1 1/2 to 2 hours from start to finish.

The restaurant does not serve alcohol, so it's strictly BYOB. (And Times is right next door if you forgot to bring your favorite adult beverage.) Also, water and tea are self-serve.

Parking is plentiful in the Times lot. The restaurant is on the smaller side, so reservations are recommended, especially for...