Teishoku Restaurant — Restaurant in Honolulu

Food: 5 Stars Service: 4 Stars Ambience: 4 Stars Value: 5 Stars Overall: 4.5 Stars

I had the pleasure of dining at Teishoku Restaurant during a family trip to Honolulu, Hawaii, and it truly exceeded all expectations. This small but charming restaurant really makes up for its size with the incredible quality of food, freshness, and attention to detail. From the moment we walked in, we knew we were in for something special.

The menu features an impressive selection of fresh fish, and the rice was cooked to perfection—fluffy and light, which is something I really appreciate as a lover of Japanese cuisine. Every dish we tried was beautifully presented, but it was the taste that truly wowed us. The freshness of the fish was unparalleled, and it was clear they use only the best ingredients. You can tell they really care about the quality of their offerings.

One of the highlights of our visit was the nigiri. As Torontonians, we’re accustomed to certain portion sizes, but the nigiri here was a whole different experience. The pieces were not only larger than what we typically get back home, but the fish itself was so fresh, it practically melted in your mouth. We were seriously impressed—these were some of the best nigiri we've had. The quality was so good, we couldn't stop talking about it the whole trip! It was a bit of a shocker in the best way possible, and I would definitely say it's a standout feature of Teishoku.

I’m also still dreaming of their bento boxes. They were absolutely fantastic, perfectly balanced with a variety of flavours and textures. The portions were generous but not overwhelming, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to try a little bit of everything. Every item in the box felt thoughtfully curated and tasted just as good as it looked. The variety of dishes—tempura, rice, fish, pickles—came together so harmoniously that it was hard to choose a favourite.

The restaurant itself is small and cosy, with a casual yet warm atmosphere. The service was friendly and efficient, and the staff clearly take pride in their work. We didn’t feel rushed, and they were happy to chat about the menu and make recommendations, which added a personal touch to our experience.

If you’re a tourist visiting Honolulu, definitely make sure to reserve a table in advance. The restaurant was busy when we arrived, and I can see why—it’s a local favourite. We were glad we had a reservation, as we would’ve had a long wait otherwise. It’s a small place, so securing your spot ahead of time is highly recommended.

Overall, Teishoku Restaurant was one of the highlights of our trip. From the top-notch nigiri to the dream-worthy bento boxes, it’s clear that this place takes great pride in offering exceptional food. If you love fresh, high-quality Japanese cuisine, don’t miss out on this gem. We’re already planning our next visit to Honolulu, and Teishoku will definitely be on our list again!

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I have been coming here for years, but I'm not sure why I haven't done a review, so here goes. Food is very good and portions are decent. Combination plates at either lunch or dinner to me are the best value. I like that there are kids' menu options that provide smaller portions. There is a senior citizens discount of 10% on Tuesdays. Their butterfish is very tasty as the reputation for this dish is true. I'd suggest trying these combination meal favorites also; fried oysters, chicken karaage, chicken teriyaki, chicken katsu, tonkatsu, tempura and spicy ahi. Skip the beef teriyaki as it is shaved beef slices. Combination meals come with pickle appetizers and miso soup as well. Sushi rolls are good, and my kids love the udon. It has limited seating, so call for reservations ahead of time, especially during holidays. Parking can be limited in the shared shopping plaza, but there is a little further 2nd story parking that has more spots. There is a small bathroom in the back as well. The staff was fairly attentive, but you may have to get their attention when it gets busy. This is a double $$ meal, but given the food quality, quantity, and overall value, I think it is great. We have been coming for years, and so long as things stay consistent, we will continue...

Finally got to try Teishoku for the first time. The staff was prompt,polite and professional. We were offered hot tea along with our water, which we loved. It didn't seem to busy since there was no wait. In past we attempted to come to Teishoku but the line outside and sign in sheet was enough to deter us. Today, we ordered one shrimp curry and one 2 choice teishoku with shrimp and vegetable tempura and teri beef as our selection. The shrimp that came with the curry was nice in size was a nice serving of protein. It appeared to be freshly panko breaded and deep fried. The curry was okay, nothing special. The tempura was average. Frozen instant shrimp tempura along with green been, pumpkin, sweet potato and carrot tempura. The teri beef was tasty, just like Korean bulgogi. Miso soup was bland, but chocked full of kombu, green onion and tofu. The server offered desert, which we declined as the servings were generous here. My biggest complaint is the smelly, filthy bathroom. That floor in there needs a thorough scrub and a schedule for someone to regularly clean and mop it. It reeks of urine to me. The restroom opens up directly into the eating area and I pity those customers seated in...