Sushi ii - Honolulu Restaurant Image
#166 of 1,736 Restaurants in Honolulu Japanese

Sushi ii

4.6(92 community reviews)
Moderate ($$)

About

Discover Sushi ii, offering the best Japanese experience in Ala Moana. Enjoy Moderate ($$) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Masterclass in Edomae Craftsmanship

Stepping into Sushi ii, located in the heart of Honolulu's Kaka'ako district, feels less like entering a standard dining room and more like gaining access to a quiet, focused sanctuary. Chef Mitsuhiro Araki brings a rigorous, traditional approach to the local sushi scene, emphasizing the integrity of the fish above all else. This isn't the spot for heavy, sauce-laden rolls; it is a destination for purists who appreciate the nuanced temperature difference between slightly warm vinegared rice and cool, pristine slices of seasonal nigiri.

The Sensory Experience

The space is minimalist and stripped back, allowing the subtle scent of seasoned rice vinegar and the faint, rhythmic sound of the chef’s knife against the hinoki wood counter to take center stage. When a piece of kinmedai (splendid alfrequin) or local snapper hits your plate, the texture is the immediate standout. The omakase here is fluid, moving through progression that highlights the chef’s meticulous knife work. Note that the seating is limited, creating an intimate environment that makes you feel like you are dining in a private Tokyo nook rather than the middle of a busy Pacific island hub.

Practical Details for Diners

Because the service is highly paced and deeply attentive, it is ideal for solo diners or couples looking for a focused evening of food rather than a high-energy group hangout. Parking in Kaka'ako can occasionally be a puzzle, so plan to arrive a few minutes early to account for the street activity. The restraint displayed in the menu design carries over to the beverage list, which features curated sake pairings that do not distract from the subtle flavors of the sashimi. It is a calculated, precise meal that rewards those who sit back, observe the technique, and savor the balance of the craft.

Photos

Sushi ii - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Sushi ii - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Sushi ii - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Sushi ii - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Sushi ii - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Sushi ii - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Sushi ii - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Sushi ii - Honolulu Restaurant Image

Location

655 Keeaumoku St Ste 109 Samsung Plaza II, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96814-3006

Directions

Reviews

Showing 10 of 92 community reviews
J

Julie NguyenGoogle Maps

Recently

It took me Mother’s Day to come back to Sushi Ii. It just seem the hard place to get a reservation so I stop trying however, they will take walk ins. Food pricing hasn’t changed in 2 years. Quality is still phenomenal. Please come back if you love this place.

J

Jerry LucianoGoogle Maps

Recently

Who would ever expect this? I happened to be at Walmart and had a taste for sushi. It turns out this place is just across the street. It’s a little hole in the wall, but it is literally some of the best sushi I’ve ever had in my life. Super high-quality, and what I would consider a good value for the quality that it is. It is not “cheap sushi.“ It is very, very, VERY good sushi. The server was super friendly and helpful. I ordered a lobster tail special they had plus the sushi combo which included Nigiri chosen for me. I actually ate three pieces that I have never had nor what I ordered, and they were excellent. If you want quality sushi, this is a great place to check out.

R

Rebecca TsangGoogle Maps

Recently

Came here for a dinner date with my hubs, sitting at the counter. We didn’t do omakase as there isn’t officially one like some other restaurants. It’s pretty much you sit down and the chef would serve you sushi until you say stop, and our server said it’s roughly about $10 a piece. Since it’s our first time here, and they have an extensive menu, we decided to go for the assorted sushi with maki plate to try it out first before we potentially commit to an omakase next time. We had about 10 pieces of nigiri and 10 pieces of tuna maki. Thats a lot of food for the price actually! (Lots of rice) the nigiri that stood out to us was the ika, eel, akami, hamachi, botan shrimp. The ika was not chewy at all. So smooth and a pleasant. And omg we both normally don’t like eel but that piece was perfectly charred with slight crisps on the edge! It might be the best eel nigiri I’ve had. Their akami was really fresh, even though it’s not my favorite. Hamachi and botan shrimp was of good quality as well! Some disappointments though - Chutoro was a tad bit stringy, and the salmon was close to abysmal. It didn’t taste fatty or fresh at all. Not good quality. We also got some small apps before our sushi plate. The deep fried baby octopus could’ve been better. It’s on the chewy side. Baby octopus is a hit or miss really. When it’s good it’s really good. I love how they had ankimo. The sauce and the shredded daikon and shiso leaf went really well together. I devoured the whole plate. Overall it’s a pleasant meal and we had a great evening. Not everyone sat at the bar. Groups were sitting at tables. Parking gets better when you go inside the lot, away from the narrow lane of the entrance/exit of the lot. We got free validation from the restaurant.

H

Haleigh EpplerGoogle Maps

Recently

The fish quality here is extremely good. I would recommend the sashimi and nigiri options. While I am someone who loves to try new things and will rarely repeat a restaurant when traveling, I came here twice in a work trip - the second time to to share

P

PeterGoogle Maps

Recently

Some of the best food I’ve had - comparable to the sushi I’ve had in Japan. Hamachi Kama was so flavorful. Fried Baby Octopus was another favorite that I had. Staff was very friendly. The restaurant is quite small, so reservations are recommended.

A

Ali ZGoogle Maps

Recently

I’ve eaten many plates of sushi, from coast to coast. From NYC all the way to California, and not ever have I had this pleasure. Every bite was a small celebration within my mouth. Simple, fresh and harmonious flavors that just work. I highly recommend if you enjoy Japanese cuisine.

P

PatrikGoogle Maps

Recently

Sushi ii is a true hidden gem! This little hole-in-the-wall spot delivered an unforgettable dining experience. Every dish we tried was exceptional—especially the sushi and hamachi kama, which were absolutely amazing. The sashimi was fresh and expertly sliced, the tofu was delicate and flavorful, and the soft shell crab was perfectly crisp. Their sushi rolls were creative and delicious, and the wine selection paired beautifully with everything. On top of that, the service was outstanding—warm, attentive, and made us feel right at home. A must-visit for sushi lovers!

R

Robert EGoogle Maps

Recently

Yeah…this is good sushi. Very fresh fish and seafood, excellent selection of sushi and sashimi available. And then there’s also the cooked dishes side, starring the kama. They also have a specials menu that changes frequently. You can’t go wrong with anything here. My favorites were probably the toro, hirame, and king salmon nigiris. The spicy ahi roll was a bit of a dark horse as well. They have a lot of alcohol available, including some rarer Japanese whiskies. All of the bottles were pretty low though so I’m not sure how oxidized they are. Service is fast and helpful, and the atmosphere isn’t pretentious. We made a reservation, but it turns out we didn’t need it since the restaurant wasn’t that crowded even though it was a weekend evening. The biggest thing to be aware of is the cost. Even if you don’t have a huge appetite, expect your meal (including tip) to cost about $50-$75 per person without drinks.

M

Matt DaleGoogle Maps

Recently

I was in town for a business trip, went for walk that created a hunger that could only be satisfied with some fresh sushi and a cold beer. I decided to go with the toro, king salmon, tuna and green onion roll, and spicy tuna roll. If you come here, based on all those items listed above, excellent. The tuna was outstanding, the salmon melted in my mouth. The service was fast. HOWEVER....I was super lucky, party of 1 and I did not have a reservation. Make one. Do yourself a favor and get your butt down here and enjoy some incredible sushi with exceptional service, all at a fair price.

S

SarahGoogle Maps

Recently

Top-notch dining, and a sushi chef with a hearty laugh. I love this place. It’s everything you hope it will be. It’s unassuming, and initially feels like a hole in the wall, but as soon as you open the menu, you become aware that this is a serious restaurant. By serious, I mean that all the menu items (including the sake selection) are carefully considered and individually selected. I ordered 5 different fish, two small plates, lamb lollipops, and a bottle of sake. Every item was better than I hoped it would be. The staff is friendly competent, friendly, and well-versed in their craft. They explained the nuances of different fish flavors/textures in a ways that was easily digestible. Oh, and the sushi chef who served my sushi was warm, kind, and had a bolstering laugh. It was the kind of laugh that starts deep down in the gut and is a contagion to those in near proximity. They’re open 7 days a week. Go today.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Sushi ii

Common questions from diners about Sushi ii in Honolulu.

Yes, Sushi ii offers gluten-free options.

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