Nana Musubi - Honolulu Restaurant Image
#581 of 1,740 Restaurants in Honolulu Japanese

Nana Musubi

5.0(4 community reviews)
Moderate ($$)

About

Discover Nana Musubi, offering the best Japanese experience in Waikiki. Enjoy Moderate ($$) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

Honolulu’s for Hand-Pressed Comfort

Tucked away from the high-traffic tourist corridors, Nana Musubi has quietly become a local institution for those seeking authentic, high-quality Japanese rice balls. This isn't your standard convenience store grab-and-go; every musubi is hand-pressed with a level of care that prioritizes texture and ingredient integrity. The shop specializes in using premium, short-grain rice that maintains a delicate, fluffy consistency, avoiding the common pitfalls of overly dense or mushy grains found elsewhere in the city.

The Art of the Musubi

The menu highlights traditional Japanese techniques, focusing on seasonal fillings and high-grade Nori that provides a satisfying, crisp snap with every bite. The signature Salmon Flake and Spicy Tuna options are prepared daily, often selling out before the afternoon lull. Regulars know to arrive early, as the small storefront can experience a steady queue that spills out toward the sidewalk during peak lunch hours. The minimalist aesthetic allows the focus to remain entirely on the food, which arrives wrapped in simple, functional packaging designed to preserve warmth.

Why Locals Keep Coming Back

This is the ideal spot for a quick, wholesome breakfast or a light lunch while exploring the neighborhoods of Honolulu. The space is undeniably intimate, bordering on cramped, but that is part of its charm. It feels like a neighborhood kitchen where efficiency meets craftsmanship. While the parking situation in the immediate vicinity requires a bit of patience, the reward is a clean, honest meal that highlights the simplicity of Japanese comfort food without unnecessary frills or fusion-heavy gimmicks.

Photos

Nana Musubi - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Nana Musubi - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Nana Musubi - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Nana Musubi - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Nana Musubi - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Nana Musubi - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Nana Musubi - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Nana Musubi - Honolulu Restaurant Image

Location

2250 Kalakaua Ave Ste #15 Lower Level 100, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815-2542

Directions

Reviews

Showing 3 of 4 community reviews
R

Rose PerryGoogle Maps

Recently

These are, without question, the best rice balls in Honolulu County — yes, the entire county. Period. Full stop. Every single year I’m in Waikīkī, Nana Musubi is a must, and I come here at least three times in one week. These rice balls are beach-day perfection: I grab a few, head straight to the sand, and live my best life. Other days, I’ll take them right next door to Shanghai Bar in the same Asian food hall — elite pairing, no notes. My go-to favorites: • Pickled leaf with purple mixed rice (obsessed) • Sour plum with white rice (perfectly balanced) • Beef threads when I’m feeling savory Honestly, every single one is amazing. I have yet to have a bad rice ball here — not one. I personally skip the tuna mayo only because I usually take these to the beach and don’t always eat them immediately, but everything else is absolutely good to go. Simple. Fresh. Comforting. Addictive. Five stars isn’t enough — I wish I could give five plus plus plus ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕➕➕ And the best part? I’ll officially be moving here in Spring 2026, which means Nana Musubi will be available to me anytime I want. A dream.

K

Kare KareGoogle Maps

Recently

Located in the Japanese food court downstairs. The food court was very empty on a Sunday. Wanted to try the spam onigiri and garlic shrimp onigiri. The staff is very nice and offered to make anything listed fresh whether it's on display or not. We asked for a fresh spam onigiri on white rice and a garlic shrimp onigiri on brown rice. Paid extra $0.30 for seaweed to wrap the onigiri. It's nice and warm when made fresh. Spam and rice tastes the same everywhere. Nothing special and nothing I couldn't make at home. Rice wasn't anything special. If anything it lacks the usual vinegar mirin flavour. Garlic shrimp had a lot of shrimp. Taste was also nothing spectacular. Chewy shrimp that doesn't taste particularly fresh either. Overall, try once and never again.

C

Comfy Potato PigGoogle Maps

Recently

People told me the popular chain had the best musubi (No they don't. Too much rice that was also dry). Nanamusubi is way better. They made mine fresh since I didn't see more of the Seasoned Kelp. That one and the Unagi were excellent. Perfect ratio of rice to filling, and the flavors were nice and strong. The rice for both were very fresh and not dry. Highly recommend!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Nana Musubi

Common questions from diners about Nana Musubi in Honolulu.

They specialize in premium Japanese musubis using organic rice from Japan.

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