Sushi Izakaya Gaku

From food to service this place knocked it out of the park! Coming from NYC and been to Japan twice I think this is one of the best Japanese restaurants I’ve ever had. Seasoning for each dish was just right. The chef kindly gave me three pieces of dried stingray fin to try. Don’t be fooled by the name. I was surprised by how well seasoned and cooked it was. Moist yet crispy and sweet. It was so good that I ordered a whole plate. Service wise, I dined solo at the counter. Chef and waiting staff were all super attentive but also gave me space to enjoy the food. During our conversation, I casually mentioned how good the mangos in Hawai’i were. The waitress kindly asked the pastry chef to add a few pieces of mango to my dessert. It was such a pleasant surprise! Last but not least, they allow half sizes to some of the dishes. It was a huge positive cause it allowed me to try more dishes!

Excellent omakase style, I ordered for myself 🤣. Everything was superb. Fish was succulent, fresh, well prepared. Hit on all my expectations. I will definitely come back next time on the island.

INCREDIBLE!!! Best otoro I’ve ever had in my life. Not a local but this place was highly praised by my friends from the island. Would love to come back! Quick service, great food and kind servers.

Izakaya Gaku is absolutely wonderful. Tucked just north of Ala Moana, it’s got that city energy without the rush of Waikiki — a perfect balance. This is a high-tier spot. Not Michelin, sure, but it’s not about that — it’s about enjoying the experience, and they've got plenty of that! And as someone just recently stepping into this level of dining, I get now that there’s a whole world above the usual places — and Gaku is a strong entry into that world. The oyster shooters were a standout, and the o-toro? Some of the best I’ve had, hands down. The staff were fantastic — super attentive, and the vibe from the sushi chefs and kitchen crew greeting you with full energy as you walk in or out adds to the whole atmosphere. It’s vibrant, thoughtful, and every detail feels intentional. A real gem.

Hidden Gem 💎 More traditional style sushi. You won’t find the fancy American rolls here. Everything we ordered was outstanding. Fresh ingredients. Delicious flavors. The service was wonderful- very friendly and attentive staff. They have non-alcoholic beers too! Much appreciated! Highly recommend!

Hands down best sushi in Hawaii. Gaku was recommended to us by our scuba diving instructor who is a Japanese sushi chef before moving to Hawaii. Every piece of sushi is prepared so delicately and skillfully. Each cut of the fish is so precise and fine. Also must mention that the spicy tartar is extremely creamy flavorful and yet refreshing. Just overall an amazing experience. Definitely best sushi in Hawaii

I tried Gaku in 2021 and was not impressed. I returned due to the overall high ratings and my return back to Hawaii. There is a small parking lot in the back but it is on King street so you have to go up one more street to access. We ordered: * Tofu jelly (one with ikura and another with uni) - 5 stars recommend. They also got rid of the Wasabi with ikura which I enjoyed. * King crab cake - served warm, and full of crab chunks! * Pork dumplings (shumai) - wow one of the best - they use high quality meat for the filling and STEAMED PERFECTLY * carpaccio of the day- this was just ok- I didn't like the oil vinegarette dressing * crab cream corn croquettes - came hot with a nice crust and creamy filling * tamago - can't go wrong * unagi - was good but not the best * homemade custard with fruits - this was just average to me * green tea ice-cream- basic * sushi omakase - my friend got all his pieces at once (they do that here) and he said it was pretty mid. "Not bad but not the best" - definitely not worth the price. I feel this place is a star due to their izakaya menu items ! They have a large selection and I would return for this items but not a place I would recommend for omakase. For all the food plus a bottle of sake, bill was around $300.

My SIL and nephew took me to one of their favorite restaurants, Sushi Izakaya Gaku on King Street. There are about eight parking stalls in the back, accessed by a narrow driveway through the building. We got there before 5pm (opening time) so we were able to pick our parking space. I left the ordering to my hosts but started with an Ohoro gin and soda. This gin comes from Hokkaido with sweet gale and mint as botanicals. It’s strong for a gin at 47% alcohol but has a nice clean taste with a light aroma of citrus. My nephew went with Asahi Dry. The first dish was Omatsuri Natto … with natto as the base, pieces of salmon, ahi, squid, ikura, uni, yamaimo, chopped green onion and okra topped with a quail egg. It’s mixed together and eaten on nori. I found it refreshing with the natto being very mild. Next was Uni and Oyster shooters, Seared Otoro with garlic sauce, Tako Basil, Gyutan (grilled beef tongue) Salad, and assorted nigiri. The uni and oyster shooters were excellent, as was the seared otoro. I thought that was the best dish of the evening. The beef tongue was tender and the salad dressing was great. I enjoyed the tako basil as well. I found the dishes to be very good … My SIL thought some of the ingredients were of lesser quality than during her previous visits. She noted a change in staff though one of the “old timers” came by later in the evening to say hello. All in all, I enjoyed my dining experience. The place was filled with diners, so service was slow and inattentive at times. The kitchen put out dishes quickly despite the crowd. 4 stars for me.

Delicious food.... Even better Sake and service!! Note the parking in back fills up quickly and street parking is a ticketing zone until 6:30pm. Will definitely go back!!!

No reservations so we had to briefly wait for a seat at the bar. Started of with sparkling water and green hot tea. Ordered the sashimi and sushi combo. Sashimi was really fresh with fresh real wasabi. Sushi was made freshly as we waited. Every piece was a delicacy finishing off with a small roll. Pricey but worth it. Service was adequate and the ambiance was very welcoming. Will be back!

Went here to try the sushi/sashimi omakase for a late Mother's Day dinner. Upon entrance it felt like I was in Japan. In a bar. Felt kind of cramped in the front and then all of a sudden a huge rush of haole and Japanese people showed up. Very confused. I guess somehow the tourists show up here? Oh well. I think the first thing I want to say is that the sushi took a long time to come out. We sat at the table and I'm not sure why it took that long. Lots of people sat down after us and got their food and then the chef just forgot us I guess. That was a minus star. The fish itself was delicious, but I think you can get on par sushi grade quality to here at Kaiten Ginza Onodera. Also, omakase from my understanding is an art form supposedly.. I thought they would be serving the sushi one-by-one to allow us to taste the freshness of each fish but it was all served at the same time. The ikura also was spilled over a bit when served... At other omakases not a single egg falls over from the sushi - just a little thing to note. I mean I paid a hefty amount and I feel like I could spend that money elsewhere and get a better omakase experience. I think if you went as a single person at the counter you would probably enjoy yourself and get effed up with the alcohol and sushi but that would be for another time.

Tucked away from Waikiki, this gem came highly recommended by Hawaii locals. Despite the challenging reservations, we walked in as a duo and were seated at the sushi bar in just 20 minutes. It was a small intimate izakaya that reminded us of Tokyo. The sushi quality surpassed even renowned Omakase spots, and the tempura and other hot dishes paired perfectly with sake. A true gem for those seeking an authentic and tasty Japanese food!

09/22/23 It's been waay too long since we've been back here. We had a GC for $200 so I booked a reservation. We let too many GC expire or restaurants have gone out of business. We were fortunate to get a reservation for 7:30 at the sushi bar. The B pictures will say it all. We had omakase and I forgot to take picture of the Chu toro which was the first sushi but think I got the rest. I did not count, too busy eating. Hospitality and service were excellent! Lots if staff and very personable and attentive. I really appreciated that. The ordered dishes were really good. Besides the omakase we ordered soft shell crab karaage, Agedashi tofu with mochi, grilled king crab claw, clams in broth and a fish tempura. Sushi chef recommended the fish for that and it was perfect! Lightly battered and soft moist fish. I'll try to add the rest of the photos

While it is a pain to get a reservation here, the quaint spot with traditional seating and aesthetics makes this a very cute spot to dine in the heart of touristy Honolulu. Service here was very friendly and the food was well prepared. However, I would argue that well all things are well done, nothing stood head and shoulders above the rest as a "come here for this!". While we didn't leave hungry or disappointed, we also didn't leave enthusiastic to return. Overall, beautiful place for traditional Japanese food and experience, but not particularly a must go.

It's been awhile since we've been here. The last time was pre-pandemic. Food was just ok and service was off (the sushi staff were backed up and made the wrong sushi which pushed our order to past a 45 minute wait). Parking is a hassle..there are so many other restaurants that have opened that are worth your time and money (better preparation of dishes, valet parking, better service). We will not be back. We ordered: Kanpachi carpaccio - just aight Seared blue fin chu toro- not cut well Tofu & mochi agedashi - just aight Matsutake dobinmushi soup - standout! Hamachi and otoro nigiri- the otoro was in pieces, not cut well Soft shell crab karaage- small and not crispy Matsutake chawanmushi - aight Soft shell crab tempura avocado roll - the sweet chili sauce did not pair well. We've had better elsewhere.

We visited Izakaya Gaku recently to celebrate a birthday. The parking is kind of a junk situation - there is a small parking lot in the back of the building with maybe 8 stalls? They usually fill up fairly quickly but since the restaurant is on King St, there is free street parking in the evenings. We were actually lucky & snagged a stall in the back this time. We had a 7:30pm reservation & we were seated in the back tatami area, where they require you to take off your shoes & sit on lower tables (there is open space below the table so you're still sitting comfortably! ) While the whole restaurant already has a cute intimate vibe, it felt extra cozy being in the tatami area in the back. We ordered a bunch of items- all which came out quickly & in good order. We never felt rushed or crowded by too many plates lol. Some of my favorites this time were: - Spicy Tuna Tartare: comes with quail egg, mix it up & eat with nori! - Gyutan: always a winner - Sashimi platter: assorted sashimi w/ the freshest seafood. - Tofu! With shoyu gelee & topped with uni or ikura as a supplement We were very surprised at the end of our meal, our entire bill was less than $300 (not including tip)! I felt like we still ate a loooot & we were definitely stuffed to the brim too. We had such a great time & can't wait to come back soon!

Gaku will probably be one of my go-to restaurants. Not only is their sushi good, but their cooked food is amazing as well! It is very tiny, so be sure to make a reservation in advance because walk-ins are very difficult to get. They can also host bigger parties up to around 6 - 8, but space seems very limited. Service is always great! Servers are always attentive and the sushi chefs are always great to converse with when enjoying your email. Mary and Jimin are the best servers to have. I always return because of them! Some of my go-to dishes are the chawanmushi, the king crab bake, agedashi tofu, all sushis of course, and the gyutan. The sushi is very fresh and probably some of the best on the island with a reasonable price point! Gaku's sushi is a bit expensive, but their cooked foods are fairly affordable. Gaku will aways be at the top of my list for sushi.

We have never been to Japan, but dining here made it feel like we were in a different country. This was top quality sushi and enjoyed mouthful! We lucked out and came here without a reservation and were seated right away. I am sure it helped out that it was a week night--drove by over the weekend and there was quite a long line of folks waiting outside. We will most definitely be back for more! Super grateful for the quality food and service. Thank you!

Honestly I was not expecting to rate this place so low as the atmosphere and customer service was great! However, if you are looking for a variety of rolls, this is not the place for you... It looks like they specialize in sashimi but it's very expensive for low portions. Their rolls were super basic only having max 2 ingredients.

Honolulu has some great places for sushi, and gaku is one of the best. We had an incredible meal for two persons for only $250 with tip. Food: Everything we had ranged from very good to fantastic. - Shishito peppers and mushrooms: served piping hot. The flavor combination was simply perfect. - Sushi sampler: very good - Shumai: excellent - Dried ray skin: very good, like fish jerky - Grilled Hokkaido Hokke fish: very good - Spider roll: fantastic flavors and truly a unique spider roll with the rice on the outside of the roll - Oh toro tuna sushi: simply the best, most perfect tuna sushi we've had, and for $20 for two pieces it was a bargain Service: excellent service Ambiance: small, intimate restaurant that reminded us of small restaurants in Tokyo Value: overall very good value for the quality, service, and ambiance Overall cleanliness: excellent Bathroom cleanliness: excellent

A tiny place with such a nice mix of sushi and Izakaya dishes. It can get loud with the social mix of people. There's tables and bar seating. I called for a reservation after 3:00 pm. My friends had sushi rolls and they were very good. I opted for Fried octopus: small pieces of octopus individual deep fried. Perfect! Salmon skin salad: small slivers of salmon skin mixed with an interesting mix of greens and seaweed. Beautifully presented and loved the dish. Red sweet shrimp/gizzard/chicken was a nice protein that I loved. They were all grilled to perfection. The chicken was tender and flavorful. The gizzard was cut into small tidbits and a perfect compliment. A huge number of items I want to try next time!

They never disappoint! Quality of their dishes is always so spot on. Ordered the Moi and it's been so long since I've been able to order and receive a perfectly cooked whole fish! OMG it brings you back to your childhood days! Always love dining here. Only issue is parking.

Nothing special but it was a nice meal, nice atmosphere, and service was ok. Ikura jelly and tofu was a nice novelty item and tasted as expected, like tofu with hamachi and jelly. Hamachi Carpaccio was good but did not have the right size cut with the right size pepper and sauce that makes a flavorful explosion of taste when eating. Shishito peppers and mushrooms came out hot and was delicious. Spicy ahi roll, good but again...nothing special, but of course better than fast food sushi places. Shumai... this was ono! Maguro and Otoro tuna, this was ono too. Karage chicken, good but nothing special Hamachi nigiri...looked like salmon, it had a sauce that gave it an orange color and also masked the taste of the hamachi. If you like eat hamachi and taste hamachi probably better to order hamachi sashimi Saba nigiri...ok, wouldn't order it again. Miso soup was flavorful and even had a piece of kama, not sure what kind of fish it was but not pelagic type, bottom or reef fish. The restaurant's decor was nice and felt authentic, bathroom was located in the store and clean. Service was good although it took a while for my beer to come. I usually order it first thing but had to wait awhile...that and the fact that there was no draft beer was a little disappointing, this is first izakaya I've been to that did not have draft beer and yup you can taste the difference. Nothing like cold draft beer with your sushi. Also almost overpaid, good thing I checked the bill and caught the additional charges. Parking lot was right there and free, the entry tunnel is a little narrow and the lot small, but I didn't have an issue entering and exiting. Good thing I was early, it could've been challenging to turn my 3/4ton 4x4 truck around in the lot. I suspect that if you aren't early you won't get a stall though. Overall the food and ambiance was good but won't go out of my way to eat here again.

We came around 8pm on a weekday and no wait, found parking quickly on the street as well. Enjoyed our meal here! I feel like Japanese food around is a notch better on average. We got the monkfish liver, beef tongue, pork skewers - all delicious small plates to share. Also got a sushi set $58. The pieces were good. So many other things on the item we would try on a second visit.

Stumbled upon this place randomly and was lucky to score seats without waiting at the sushi bar on a Saturday night. The atmosphere is lively and our waitress was attentive to us. My favorite dish was the sake clams which was steamed to perfection. The mild bitter sake flavor leads to a sweeter after taste. The crab croquette was also super delicious. Lightly crispy outer layer that dives into a piping hot cream crab. We also had monkfish liver (not pictured) which was cool because you can't order that dish everywhere. It was really rich and was pretty alright, had a slight fish taste to me. We ordered the 6 kinds of sashimi special which was good but not my absolute favorite. If I had to be picky, the sashimi were not cut super evenly and the tuna did not have that "bite" you are looking for in sashimi. I wouldn't mind coming back again and trying different things!

Love Love Love! We went here for my birthday dinner. It was our first time at this location and we were both excited to try it out. It was a little difficult to make a reservation. There was no answer for a while until after many tries someone finally answered. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the Host and the sushi chefs. They all yell out, "Irasshaimase" which was welcoming. We were seated promptly on a little table for two. As we waited, it appeared that many customers were regulars because the employees and sushi chefs knew who they were. The restaurant wasn't so big but had quite a few tables and a sushi bar towards the front and a few rooms toward the back as you walk towards the back entrance. Several street parking stalls are available out front and there are parking stalls in the back. The service was amazing. Our server checked on us quite frequently to assure that our food was good and that our drinks were always filled. Our food came quickly as well. We ordered several different items on the menu and was not disappointed. Everything was very delicious! We ordered: 1) Miso Butterfish (The fish was soft, delicious, and grilled well.) 2) Sushi Combination Deluxe (This combination consisted of several different nigiri and maki) 3) Spicy Ahi Roll (good ahi) 4) Hamachi Carpaccio (The fish was fresh and the sauce was also refreshing) 5) Unagi Nigiri (Yummy, yummy, yummy... The unagi was soft and the sauce was flavorful) 6) Ikura Jelly & Tofu (this was absolutely amazing. If you love ikura and tofu this is a must. They give you a little spoon so use and it's simply delicious.) 7) Watercress & Nappa Oshitashi (blanched and chilled veggies) 8) Komucha (lightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a light sauce drizzled over it) 9) Fried Octopus (great flavor and fried well, not chewy at all) All of the fish was very fresh and everything was oh soooooo good! I would definitely return to try other items on the menu but would hope that it would be easier to make a reservation.

This is a hidden gem tucked behind king street. The interior is reminiscent of izakaya in Japan, and the service was quick and friendly. If I could describe the food here in a few words it would be FRESH and AUTHENTIC. We tried uni shots, oh toro, maguro, chu toro, hamachi, hamachi Kama, chicken karaage and veggies. I'm usually not adventurous with sushi, but gave it a try since everything was so fresh and it did not disappoint! My favorite sushi wa the oh toro, it truly was the wagyu of the sea. The pieces were thick, fatty, with beautiful coloring and marbling. If you're a sushi lover, give this place a try!

Must come! So delicious! So unique flavors! Each dish is wonderful! This is a very small sushi restaurant with limited seating and a reservation is required. They do not have an online reservation system, but I called them at 4pm and spoke to a kind lady that took my reservation and thanked me for doing so. They do call two day before to confirm you are coming. The restaurant is so pretty and when the doors open all the sushi chefs and employees greet you like in Japan and you feel so welcomed. There is seating at the sushi bar, a few tables, and 2 tatami mat tables. We were at a table but we could still see the sushi chefs. Food: we ordered multiple rounds of appetizers and sushi and so delicious! The shumai is the best I ever had! The delicate shrimp texture that is right consistently. The shishito peppers with mushrooms was a great combination of flavor, texture, umami flavors, and hit of roasted background. I am not sure what it was but the skin of something, shark? Was so unique and I could not stop eating it. We ordered the deluxe sushi platter and each item was beautifully made and fresh and delicious with so many textures from soft uni, fish roe that is so delicate that it pops and then melts into your mouth. We did feel like we were cheating when we ordered a spider roll, but I love those and we are glad we did. It was the best spider roll that I have ever eaten. You get the beautiful lightly tempura battered soft shell crab that has nice crunch and then the fish eggs crunch in your mouth afterwards and the roll is inside out so you get layers of texture and flavor. Just well done and delicious. The star of the show was the oro toro (fatty tuna), it was so buttery and just melted in the mouth and just wow! You just come! Arriving: we took the Bus #2 and it was about 5 minute walk to the restaurant. Restaurant cleanliness: above average Bathroom cleanliness: above average

I had an amazing experience here, I got traditional seating and I ordered the steak! It was delicious and the environment was delightful. Would recommend 10/10.

Referred by a friend, recommended to wait in line by 4:30pm without a reservation, hoping to be lucky to get seated for 2 in a weekday. Saw workers going in for work and owner took the sign and bench out for us to sit before 5pm (when they open) and let us in prior to 5pm. Sat at the bar, friendly workers and chefs, recommend us their favorite fishes. We order lots of variety of food and the food either meets our expectations (hamachi, toro, shrimp, scollap) or exceeded our expectations (tamago, tofu jelly, chawanmushi, Shimaaji, Kinmedai, clam in sake broth)! Thought it would be over $250 but turns out to be a little under $200! Definitely back next time in Hawaii!

Soooooo good! Izakaya Gaku is a more traditional style Japanese izakaya. Just fresh fish that shines! The super standouts were the crab cake and the aburi (torched) otoro with garlic shoyu. Can I just get a few of these next time?!? Parking is really limited. I had to circle many times around the block before finding something. So go with enough time to find parking.

Probably one of the best sushi restaurants on the island. Their botan ebi (sweet shrimp) IS A MUST!

High end sushi place located right by keeamoku and king street. Parking may be tough so either come really early, or come after 6:30 so you can street park on king street. The rice was very soft but not sticky, and the fish were all buttery-melt-in-your-mouth. They offer authentic sushi as well as some American style sushi rolls. Only reason this place is not a 5* is because the service is very slow. I went on a Tuesday evening but it was still 30+ minutes for one order. I wanted to try dessert too but seeing the wait time on everything else we decided not to. For the price they charge, I also expect a higher quality service. Hopefully that was a one off day they were understaffed and they have better service. Overall I'd come back again and also would recommend this place to anyone seeking authentic Japanese sushi in town.

Love, love, love me some Sushi Izakaya Gaku. Reservations highly recommended. I always walk out highly satisfied with our meal. Favorites - fried Kabocha squash, seared Otoro, pork and shrimp shumai, Kurobota sausages, spider roll, tamago, hamachi and crab, bacon and scallop dynamite (a special for the evening). We go to their sister restaurant when we are in Japan. It's just as delicious!

This place is great! Very welcoming restaurant and good quality sushi. We ordered their chu toro nigiri and hamachi nigiri. We also ordered their spicy ahi maki roll and hamachi maki roll, and negitoro maki roll. In addition to sushi, we ordered their Hamachi carpaccio and chawanmushi. For dessert we had their custard pudding with fruits! Everything was delish and presentation was on point. Good service here as well!

A classic -- our family comes back here. So many great dishes but tbh I'm always a sucker for some tamagoyaki -- whether it's the rolls or the apps a lot of really tasty dishes ti try that pair perfectly with a bottle of kubota manju. Mentai jaga...

If you're looking to up your rotation of Japanese izakaya in Honolulu then this place needs to be on your list. It's always been busy and well-appreciated by those seeking good approachable sushi. Being a 2022 James Beard Best Restaurant semi-finalist is deserving recognition. You'll probably want some Nihonshu here - their list has reasonable depth and value. Their single glass pours (150ml) are priced like a cocktail in a traditional restaurant. By the glass is an excellent way to pair with their food. As an izakaya you're probably sharing a constant stream of dishes. Here are a couple of good dry snack starters. Ehire is dried ray fin - sweetened, lightly grilled and served with mayonnaise and shichimi pepper blend. Tatami Iwashi is shirasu (baby sardines) laid out and dried in a single layer to form a mat-like sheet. A fresh vegetable component is usually welcomed but how about trying a sashimi tataki instead of a salad? Tataki is often baton-like slices of Aji, but Shimaaji or other silver skinned fish also work. The fish is layered with micro greens, kaiware, chiffonade of shiso, and sliced onion or myoga. You mix it up and dip into soy sauce. The grilled and sauteed meats and vegetables are sure to satisfy. They are justifiably known for a well rounded selection of fish. When its busy you might actually see one of the chefs breaking down a fresh fish to keep up with demand. Ask for what is in season. You might get lucky with a same night table or seat at the sushi counter. Walking in when they open or in the last hour is you're best bet without a reservation. But if you haven't tried them or it's been a while since you were last there, put Sushi Izakaya Gaku on your bookmark list.

Gaku has been the gold standard sushi izakaya experience in town for over a decade. Has it all: atmosphere, quality, and a good spirit amongst its workers. Something for everyone.

3.5 Stars To start off, it makes me so sad that the service was outstanding but the food did not deliver. Reason for 3 stars: - Restaurant was not busy, but we got platters (9pc, 5pc, 5pc) of sushi for omakase, rather than the traditional table service with smaller dishes - Wife received repeat items (plural) in her omakase, although the sushi selections had more than enough to offer for "Chef's Choice" - Because she was receiving the same nigiri twice, she did not choose to continue and ALSO, there seemed to be no plan of what they would serve next. - Amaebi was not served with the head; major disappointment. Not even miso soup was served. - My meal (non-omakase) was delivered after 50-60 mins of sitting, also to add, my wife was completely done with her omakase at that point so my food was packed and later wasted. I was over it and my stomach thought I was done already too. Waaaay too long of a wait for Butterfish and a Spider Roll. - No price list AT ALL for sushi items consumed. Bill showed $228 Sushi - total bill $356. Itemized list would be nice since most items are Market Price. Overall, the ambiance was gorgeous, servers were attentive, but the food and delivery was lacking that special spark and surprise you'd normally get with Omakase. Kind of sad as this was her bday extravaganza! Lol

We've been to Gaku for izakaya and also for the omakase sushi, and both options are amazing. If you opt for omakase or sushi, its best to sit at the bar and watch the sushi chefs do their thing. If you're in for izakaya hopefully you can snag a tatami with a bigger group, good drinks, good fun w/good company. The sashimi is fresh as can be, and prepared most excellently. Among the cooked items, we really loved the abalone chawanmushi, the ikura/uni jelly, if there are specials on the izakaya list get them! The mirugai/abalone skewers was bomb, The samara was beautiful, and the agedashi mochi/tofu is a staple. Make reservations so you don't get left with no table!! The parking lot out back is tiny as heck too, requires some parking skills.

Seriously one of the top places in Hawaii to go for sushi, authentic, fresh, great service, reservations necessary. Spicy ahi was absolutely delicious. It had an egg yolk on top. They give you nori and you make your own wrap. I like being interactive at dinner. Oysters were fresh and so good. Perfect for date night. We got a sushi and sashimi sampler, both were wonderful. Get the pickled tsukemono to go with your meal. Nice acid and crunch. Leave room for dessert, the custard was yummy.

this place is a gem. they had so many special variety of seafood that is not easily accessible if you are not by the water. this includes special Uni's golden snapper Geo duck sushi. The list goes on. The chefs and staff are extremely sweet and conversational. The interior is simple, and very Japanese-isk. Highly highly highly recommend reservations, because the space is small and they are always packed from weekdays two weekends. the best way to get a reservation is to call during their lunch hours. overall would recommend and go again

Consummate izakaya experience in a small place. Like having omakase-style dishes in Kyoto/Tokyo. Was amongst my fav places for late dining after a long day's work. Love the grilled beef tongue, fried sting ray fin, assorted nigiri sushi, teriyaki style 6oz filet mignon, seasonal matsutake mushroom soup, and daily dessert specials.

Great food, quality, presentation! Great service & enthusiastic individuals upon entering, really makes U feel welcomed just like in Japan!

Amazing sushi, relaxed atmosphere. Service was helpful and friendly. Cannot recommend this enough. We go every visit to the islands, sometimes twice. It's just a good time!

A popular sushi destination in Hono, we were lucky to get a reservation on a busy weeknight. Friendly greeting as we walked in the door, and consistently friendly, non-rushed service throughout our meal. UGH ... I can't remember the names of all of the dishes we had so I will label the photos as best I can. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed by the unique choices, the depth of flavors and the beautiful and simple presentations. Atmosphere is loud'ish, in a good neighborly way. Crowd is a mix of locals and visitors, though seems to be more locals who are regulars. Appreciated the suggestions from our server, who never steered us wrong. Uber'ed there as parking could be a bit challenging. Made our lives easy. Would definitely visit again and recommend, however prices are steep so know that going in.

One of da best In the honolulu Fresh and fast and fun Lots of sake Authentic Many loyal repeat

Jesus take the wheel, this was the best sushi i've ever had in my life. The flavors were perfect, the texture, the rice, it was all perfect. The quality of the fish coupled with the little flavors the chef added to the nigiri was like no other sushi i've had in my life. I want to eat here everyday of my life.

When I tell you this was the most delicious fresh unique tasting sushi I've ever had in my life. I mean every word. I'm from San Diego and I've had some great sushi there and here on Oahu so I'd say I'm a pretty good judge of good sushi and this place is it. My boyfriend and I had 10 pieces of omakase at market price and it was worth every penny. Each bite was curated perfectly with such delicate touches of flavor like yuzu and freshly grated ginger. We also tried the pork belly kebabs which were phenomenal as well. They were cooked and seasoned perfectly. It was also the cutest cozy restaurant. If I could eat one thing every day for the rest of my life it would be this sushi.

Hubby and I spent 9 nights on Oahu, and dinner at Sushi Izakaya Gaku was the best meal of our trip, the second being garlic shrimp on the side of the highway. I failed to make prior reservations, but when I called at opening, I was advised to attempt to walk in at 8pm. This worked out beautifully, and they didn't appear to be out of any of the fresh fish specials. The restaurant is a small shop outside of the beach hotel area but still walkable if so inclined. It is relatively small with seats at the sushi bar and 2- and 4-tops in front with what looks like private chabutai seating in back. Our server was sweet and patiently introduced us to the dishes we didn't recognize. We dared to be a little adventurous, given they made dishes in-house that most sushi places purchase frozen, such as ankimo. We were not disappointed. Decor and food presentation are minimalist, but the flavors are anything but. Every dish was a delight. The fish was so fresh and its native flavor made the centerpiece of every dish, complemented but not overpowered by its accompaniments or method of preparation. Simply wonderful. We would have loved to return for another meal if possible, and will most certainly be back the next time we're on island.

Can I say holy sh*t on Yelp?? This quaint, delicious restaurant is a total vibe in the middle of a residential/business area on the island. Sit at the sushi bar to watch these incredibly skillful chefs make the most delicious sashimi, sushi and soup you've ever had! Is the Kinki Fish on the menu? GET IT!! It was a special on the menu tonight and was flown in from Japan. To. Die. For. This little local restaurant received a James Beard nomination for a reason. Don't miss out on this incredible spot while you're on the island!

Sushi Izakaya Gali offers an extraordinary dining journey--one where history, culture, and exquisite flavors converge. If you seek an authentic taste of Japan's seasons, this hidden gem awaits your reservation.

Here's an idea for your business, update your hours online so customers don't drive 40 minutes away and find out YOU'RE CLOSED!! We ended up walking to Sushi II in the rain. No matter how great the sushi is here, I'll never recommend again. DO BETTER!

Not the worst experience, far from the best. I did love the ikura tofu jelly- one of their Signature dishes ! This I definitely recommend to try! It does come with Wasabi-- ikura usually doesn't- so beware! When I asked for it without wasabi the waitress did not seem very happy. My friend told her that he would take mine and I put in an order for a new one. It took about 20 mins and my friend even joked, is the chef that mad at you that they're going to make you wait this long ??? We all ordered the sushi omakase which was $100+ per person and one of the worst omakase on the island imo. They serve it with 5 sushi on a plate -- not one by one. It was a mix of fresh and not fresh -- very lightly seasoned with maybe a light citrus or shoyu - but pretty basic flavors and fish that you can get at any sushi restaurant. You're better off just ordering Nigiri from the menu and maybe going for their speciality rolls. Tl;dr: I recommend the ikura tofu jelly, not the omakase.

Such an amazing meal at Gaku! If you're looking for an authentic Japanese meal, this is the place to go. They have so many small dishes to choose from, but I highly recommend their seafood and fish dishes. The omatsuri natto was my favorite. An assorted seafood with natto and served with a side of seaweed sheets. The barachirashi was filled with fresh and delicious fish. The butterfish and Chawanmushi were so hearty. You have to make reservations early in advance, or wait until after 7:30 for walk-in. Even then we had to wait for a while for a table.

Gaku (楽) definition: enjoyable; good feeling. I've been so wanting to try Sushi Izakaya Gaku (SIG) for the longest time as I've heard so many good things about them. I've seen a handful of tantalizing food pics that had me bookmark this place. I've also heard stories that it's difficult to get a reservation at SIG so when Auntie (Nadine C.) texted me asking if I wanted to be a part of a group of 4, I cleared my evening and marked my calendar. It was then a waiting game counting down the days. In anticipation of a great meal, I intentionally had a light lunch that day to save room in my stomach. We scored street parking nearby and were seated near the sushi bar, where I immediately noticed Jeff, one of the SIG's many chefs behind the sushi counter. He used to work at my go to sushi joint where I got to know him. Our waitress explained the 2 types of Omakase (sushi or sashimi), where all 4 of us, where it was our very first time here, opted for the open Omakase until we decide to stop. Initially, one of my friends also ordered the housemade tofu with shoyu jelly and added IKURA but requested no wasabi as she doesn't eat wasabi. It didn't take long for the dish to be delivered but we were shocked to see a green dot in the middle of the bowl. We were then stunned when the server said she could take it back and have the staff scoop it out. I appreciate the honesty but such comments should be refrained in front of the customer. My friend who ordered this clearly wasn't pleased with those comments and another dining mate offered to take the error and we asked a new one made but with no wasabi, as initially requested. But the corrected tofu dish was clearly forgotten as we sat there waiting and waiting. We eventually spoke up and clearly they forget to replace the order and this time it came out quickly. The next thing you know, the the remaining 2 dining mates ended up also ordering the housemade tofu with IKURA. One of the best things I ate at SIG was this homemade tofu with Shoyu jelly and IKURA. Because Jeff worked under the chef of my go to joint where the IKURA is prepared with such finesse, I had high expectations for SIG's IKURA and it was pretty good. The IKURA was marinated and seasoned well where it complimented the tofu. However, the IKURA roe was very small compared to what I'm use to eating. Regarding the 15 pc of nigiri we sampled, my favorites were the Kona abalone (so tender and flavorful), mirugai (geoduck) of its crunchy texture yet tender, Japanese Uni, Santa Barbara Uni and IKURA. The amaebi (sweet shrimp) and hotate (scallop) were also fresh and tasty, but these were of a lower grade than what I'm accustomed to. The size of these 2 proteins were small where my friends were also shocked. The belt fish was described as "smoked" but none of us could detect the smoked flavor. For the IKA (squid), we all agreed that it was not fresh. Regardless it was sliced into thin strips for easier chewing but it was slimy and gross. I didn't have the nerve to spit it out from my mouth. My friends and I also were also disappointed of the chefs not showcasing their skills of fish preparation and offering different techniques. Of the 15 pc of nigiri, over half of the offerings only required the chef to slice fish or scoop Uni and place over a morsel of rice. We were still hungry but at this time we called it quits as we were clearly disappointed with SIG's Omakase. We did appreciate the kind gesture of the staff offering us complimentary chicken skin salad because the sushi chefs were busy and would result in a delay. But the chicken skin was so tough and chewy. Clearly the chicken skin was deep fried earlier in the day and sat outside for some time until the staff marinated it with some dressing and sliced cucumbers. The chicken skin was horrible and difficult to eat. None of us 4 wanted to finish the complimentary dish. Service was spotty. The restaurant was too noisy where it was difficult to listen the explanation of the nigiri offerings. On a positive note, our server was kind enough to arrange separate checks for our party of 4. Overall, this was not a memorable meal as we had set the bar high for SIG with so much buzz amongst our friends. With the money I spent here, I'd rather add more money and patronize my go to sushi restaurant. I'm glad I finally tried SIG but not eager for a return visit. NOTE: Gaku (Japanese pun/wordplay): disappointment. This is how I'd describe my dining experience here.

Sushi Omakase in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii... Sushi Izakaya Gaku is a popular, old school establishment. My friends and I had never been there before. We read the stellar reviews and we're looking forward to our first experience there... First of all, it was challenging to make a reservation. When the phone is not busy, it takes a while for someone to answer the phone...then, when you get someone on the line, you find out that the day you want is fully booked, so, you ask your friends again about their dates of availability and start the process all over again... Arggg!!! PARKING: I made a reservation for 7pm because metered street parking is free on King Street after 6:30pm. At first, the restaurant wanted us to come at 6:30pm, but some people don't end work early enough for that time. The restaurant gave in and let us come at 7pm. However, all of the metered street parking in front of the restaurant was full. Luckily, I found a space around the corner on Sheridan Street. INTERIOR: I didn't take any photos inside because the cozy place was packed! Every seat was taken...even at the sushi bar. It was noisy, too, so I didn't really hear anything that our waitress said. We all decided to order the sushi omakase. The price varies depending on how much you eat. We ended up with three rounds of five pieces of sushi... And we each got a bowl of homemade soft tofu with ikura in shoyu jelly. The chef threw in a complimentary bowl of chicken skin salad. The chicken skin was on the chewy side, so we didn't finish it. The kind gesture is appreciated. We each paid about $140 plus tip. My friends weren't really satisfied with the meal. I agreed with them that the ika was slimey - maybe that's why it was kind of shredded and not served whole or scored? I liked the two servings of uni, the toro, ikura, and amaebi. The scallop was okay - as well as the hamachi and everything else. Like I said, I couldn't hear the server... And I was a bit surprised that she kept reaching over the people on the end of the table to serve me and take away my used dishes - instead of coming around to my side of the table. Anyway, I don't think I would return because it was not easy to make the reservation. I felt a bit stressed inside of the restaurant, too. Sorry - I don't enjoy loud conversation and crowds.

I had called about a month before our travel date and they informed me no more reservations available, but we can take our chance with walk-ins after 7pm.  We arrived just after 7am and luckily there was a table for 2 available. I appreciate them checking our vax cards and taking our address for contact tracing during this crazy Covid times. Everything sounds delicious from the menu, we decided on a few appetizers: Tamago egg, karaage chicken, tempura squid, and fish cake. Everything was yummy especially the fish cake. For the main course, we got some fresh scallop sushi, salmon sushi, a sashimi plate and negitoro rolls.  Everything was fresh and tasty but you really can't be on a diet on vacation. So for dessert we got both the red bean mochi parfait and the black sesame brulee.  Yea we were quite full but our bellies were so happy!