CHIBA-KEN

If you want a late night happy hour Omakase sashimi for $16 that melts in your mouth you’ve gotta come here. The staff is so kind and friendly and the atmosphere is comfy and clean.

Incredible food and wait staff. The restaurant is close to many hotels but just enough off the main road that it is less crowded and has a quieter atmosphere. The sashimi was fantastic. The staff were very helpful and attentive. If I ever get the opportunity to I will definitely return.

Update: this place has finally reopened after many months of hiatus (for unknown reasons). This is a surprise find right in our neighborhood. The menu was extensive and nearly everything that we’d ordered was excellent. One of its signature dishes: poached egg with pork belly was okay as it was too sweet and a bit hard to chew. We tried many dishes including sashimi platter (fresh), beef tongue (good), beef garlic yakitori (excellent), pork belly (good), fried tofu (excellent), shrimp cake with mushroom (excellent), and udon (okay). The service was very friendly and efficient. We sat outside and it gave us a very pleasant aura of an Itzakaya. All in all, our party had a great experience and enjoyed its food very much. By the way, this places only opens after 5:30 p.m. and when we got there at 6:30 p.m., this place was packed. So make a reservation just in case.

Really excellent izakaya - gives solid Japan vibes with some American comforts. The gyoza, karrage chicken, ramen, teppan steak bites, and sushi were excellent. The service was outstanding! Everyone was so friendly! They will bring the food out as it is ready but it’s perfect izakaya style! We live here and wish we had found this place sooner! Highly recommend!!

Tucked away at the beginning of Waikiki next to Sunrise Shack, you would never guess from the outside that this restaurant has the look and feel of a traditional Japanese izakaya. There is a very small, narrow parking area in the back. We got lucky—out of the five available stalls, we managed to snag the third one. Be aware that the parking lot is a tight one-way space, so use caution when driving in and reversing out. ​ The interior looks like a true, authentic izakaya straight out of Japan (with the exception of the outdoor patio seating). It’s cozy, relaxing, and generally a great environment to sit back, drink, and pick at small plates. ​ We ordered a bunch of dishes, and the vast majority of the food was excellent. Our group thoroughly enjoyed the Nabeyaki Udon, Chicken Karaage, simmering pork belly and Agedashi Tofu. The quality and standards of the kitchen really do mirror the delicious flavors you find in Japan. The only minor bummer was that they were completely out of Asahi Zero (non-alcoholic beer) when we visited, but the food itself is absolutely worth trying. ​ Unfortunately, our experience was heavily weighed down by the service, which was pretty poor. It was incredibly difficult to flag down a server. When we finally did get their attention to order, they immediately tried to walk away, forcing us to rush through our requests. While they were tough to find during the meal, they were magically quick to bring the check and pay when it was time. ​Price-wise, it is pretty reasonable for an izakaya in Hawaii, though naturally not as cheap as Japan. ​ Because of the rushed and neglectful service, our group agreed we probably wouldn't return. That said, if you are a visitor or tourist looking for authentic Japanese izakaya food in Waikiki—the food quality makes it a decent option. Oh...suggest to make reservations but walk ins are available.

All the sushi was great. We also enjoyed Ramen and a tempura. Solid all around. Good quality, friendly service. At first appearance I wasn’t sure of the ambience inside but for a simple as it was dining here at night it was very nice outside with all the lights overhead. Very enjoyable and cozy Great prices

Hidden gem in Waikiki!! Definitely a must visit if you love Japanese izakayas! The karage is DEFINITELY a must try!! Best I’ve had since I studied abroad in Osaka!

The food was great. The service was no-frills. Dishes were exquisitely presented, well portioned, and delicious. The pork belly with poached eggs was mouth-wateringly good. The beef tongue skewer with onions was awesome. The place is cozy, and some of the staff were really friendly. Would definitely go back!!

This is an authentic locally owned Japanese restaurant. It has a local atmosphere rather than a high end decor, so it is easy to relax in the informal atmosphere. The service was excellent. I gave a 25% tip that they easily deserved. The food was great and came out fast. I'm now a repeat customer. It's now my local go-to place to eat in Honolulu.

The sushi quality is phenomenal. The tuna tasted smooth and buttery. Heavenly. If you care about fish quality, this is the place. I had to leave a review saying that. Service was very attentive and kind. They brought out ice cream for my birthday 😭 I WILL fly all the way back just to try this sushi again. Also I love the shirts the workers wear.