Sushi Murayama

Our family tried the extended omakase (reservation made one day in advance), and we were all blown away. Every single course was delicious and presented beautifully. Made me think I was eating sushi in Japan again! Our server and sushi chefs were friendly and helpful to accommodate our needs and requests. We were a rather large party of 7 adults and 1 baby in a stroller. They don't have high chairs or booster seats (small restaurant), but that wasn't a problem for us. Even with my pregnant sister, they were extremely accommodating in providing cooked options that were super delicious and exquisite. We were jealous of each other's courses! Would definitely recommend for anyone wanting high-quality sushi paired with exceptional service. If I ever travel to this part of Hawaii again, I will make the effort to eat here!

After 10 years, this place is still my favorite sushi place. My husband and I live in Chicago and this is the first reservation we make. Sometimes if we have the time, we go twice. We eat omakase all over the country and this is the best in terms of quality and creativity. The chef has an amazing ability to meld different flavor profiles together that works brilliantly. Balancing fish and seasoning. All the ingredients were exceedingly fresh. The service is also great. The chef chats with you as you eat in a non intrusive pace. The service is also good and attentive. The cost is only $180 per person. Very affordable considering what you get.

I’ve had tons of Omakase in New York, LA, and Japan and this place is still my favorite. The cuts of fish are thick and super generous, but the freshness and quality are clearly top 1%. Not only that, Chef Murayama pairs every thick cut with searing and sauce profiles that balance the natural flavor of the fish. Uni rice wrapped with a steak-sized piece of toro that’ll send you to the heavens. Garlic miso to enhance the aroma of a thick piece of tender bonito that you’ll never have anywhere else. A sear on a smelt with just enough sea salt and sesame oil to bring out the nuttiness with the char. And best of all, you feel like you’re having a meal with the staff. It’s no frills, not overly stiff, and friendly. Chef Murayama tells you all about where he sources the fish, how he comes up with the flavors, and makes it all feel like you’re being brought into his home. I’ll be coming here every time I’m in Hawaii.

I sat at the sushi bar with a friend for lunch and was in for an unexpected treat. The Chef asked if it was my first time and made a recommendation. Without me asking, he made me a variety plate of the best poke. From the first bite to the last, I still wanted more. I quickly understood the well thought out marinate and sauces combined with quality ingredients is what makes this place stand out from other spots I've tried. Also I had salted shrimp tempura on the side that is much much tastier than the average one. Definitely, I will be visiting this establishment again.

Sushi Murayama, hidden on the third floor, offers a unique and intimate dining experience. However, the lack of clear signage can make it a bit challenging to find. I had high expectations for their omakase after hearing positive reviews, but my experience was somewhat mixed. While the lower tier omakase offered a variety of courses, including spicy tuna summer roll, saba, sardine with poached egg, dungenese crab, hata, hamachi, Japanese snow trout, king salmon roe, toro, and tuna, the execution left me wanting more. One of the major issues was the inconsistency in the size of the fish pieces. Some were too large to enjoy comfortably, while others were the perfect size. Additionally, each course felt overly complex, with a multitude of flavors that often overpowered the delicate taste of the fish. The chef's choice of including regular fish items in the omakase was unexpected, and somewhat detracted from the overall experience. The pace of the omakase was fast, with courses served one after another. The chef's kindness in offering complimentary nigiri pieces was a nice touch, and the service was generally good. Overall, Sushi Murayama is a decent option for if you like sushi.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Sushi Murayama, and it was an experience I'm eager to share. My partner and I indulged in the Japanese omakase, which comprised ten meticulously crafted courses. From the very first bite, it was evident that each dish was prepared with passion and precision, featuring the freshest ingredients. One of the highlights was the matcha, which was exceptionally smooth and a perfect palate cleanser between the courses. Although there were some fish whose names I was unfamiliar with, every piece, whether served hot or cold, was a hit to our taste buds. The omakase was reasonably priced, offering great value for the quality and variety of the courses. A pro tip for future diners would be to opt for less rice with your sushi to save room for the full range of offerings, though it's worth noting the sushi rice itself was delicious. The service was impeccable, with attentive and friendly staff adding to the overall positive experience. I wholeheartedly recommend Sushi Murayama to anyone looking for an authentic and satisfying Japanese dining experience. It's a solid five stars from me, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

My wife and I have been here a couple times with friends who live on O'ahu (they are regulars here and it is one of their favorite spots). Both experiences were excellent and sitting at the Sushi bar is highly recommended. I will say our first time there was a better experience, but that was mainly due to some of the changes they made to their menu and omakase policy. Previously you could share an omakase meal and order extra of the things you liked best. Now it is just straight omakase. The first time we went we also had a little more Sashimi and Nigiri. The last time they served a bit more fried and cooked dishes. They were good, but when you're spending over $200/person on food and drinks at a Sushi spot, we were hoping for more fresh fish. Regardless of those small complaints, the place is amazing, the staff are a lot of fun and friendly.

Best omakase experience I’ve ever had. Come hungry. Chef Ryuji Murayama was very engaging and asked how I wanted to go with the omakase (i.e. no rice, lots of rice, etc). I really didn’t know what to expect so said “standard” but eventually had to put on the breaks to reduce the rice portion to only when necessary. For context, I opted for the $180 16 course which AMAZING. Super generous portions with premium cuts of seafood. Chef Ryuji is clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about his craft and was able to explain all the dishes well. It was well worth the money. Highly recommended!

Excellent lunch at Murayama with my daughter on a recent visit. Went omakase with Chef who delivered hamachi toro sashimi, chu-toro nigiri (that was the size of a volkswagon), sardine nigiri that was a first and great, some excellent snapper and amazing hokkaido uni. Chef was awesome, great unassuming spot, they even do poke bowls for take-away. Can't wait to come back -- chef will know how much I can eat next time.

Best omakase style sushi on oahu. Yuji and his daughters are the best. One of the only two sushi restaurants we go to.

Grabbed a platter sashimi for vday. Yum. And pretty. Also got some bowls for the airplane. Choke rice. But also nice size slabs hamachi. Got 1 grilled and 1 panko. Delish. Needed lunch too so picked up salmon tempura and salmon skin salad. Holy moly salad is huge. Ate about a tenth of it. Feeding everyone with it! Tempura is so good. Why places don't tempura salmon more often is lost on me...but I love salmon. Never not full after eating their stuff...always happy and content.

I have been coming to Sushi Murayama for over 7 years now and this place is still one of my top choices for places to have Omakase. Omakase phrase literally is, "I leave it up to you". It's most commonly used when dining at Japanese restaurants where the customer leaves it up to the chef to select and serve seasonal specialties. The prices went up.... Like everything else in Hawaii unfortunately. However, it is still worth the experience here. What makes Chef Ryuji Murayama stand out is the way he prepares his sushi. Most sushi places.... It's just fish and rice...Chef Ryuji explains the process in preparing his dishes. The menu items change with the seasons of fish and ingredients that are available as well. For example, his fried hamachi belly, one of my favorites this time... he soaked it for four days and did some magical thing to the outside flaky batter thing before frying it on spot. Soooo good. I took my new boyfriend to experience Omakase sushi for the first time. He asked, "why do I close my eyes when I eat the sushi?" I told him, it's the flavors, the deliciousness and sometimes the way it just melts on my tongue and slide down my throat. He replied, "wow.... I think you're enjoying the sushi more than you enjoy me lol". Chef Ryuji laughed. I was skeptical if my new boyfriend would appreciate and enjoy Omakase sushi being that he's from the mainland and is sometimes picky about food and texture. To my surprise he really really enjoyed the food and the experience here. The atmosphere is like business casual... it's super comfortable in here and Chef Ryuji is fun to interact with when you dine at the sushi counter. After 7 years, this is still one of my top favorite omakase sushi places to dine in at.

Recently discovered and tried their takeout poke bowls and it is a game changer!! One of our new favorites if you're looking for an affordable sushi meal. We've tried the spicy ahi poke, sweet shrimp, hamachi zuke, and salmon ikura. They are always very generous with the fish for the price you pay. I recommend calling to place a phone order. There is a loading zone you could park in or have someone wait in the car while you grab your order if you're bringing it home. 10/10 and we will be back soon!

**This review is for the takeout poke bowls only ** As a poke lover, when I heard about these poke bowls with quality ingredients AND for a great price (basically everything is under $17), I knew I had to try this place out.. asap lol I called ahead and ordered a spicy tuna bowl with a wagyu rice upgrade ($14.50) and a salmon ikura bowl, also with a wagyu rice upgrade ($17.50) At first glance, the containers look small, but the portion was actually pretty filling SPICY TUNA: I enjoyed how this bowl was unique in that it had fresh ahi cubes on top, but a layer of spicy ahi "paste" as well. It resulted in a dish that was enjoyable not only in flavor, but texture as well. The fish was definitely good quality - no stringy pieces here! SALMON IKURA: this bowl did have quite a bit of raw onion, so if you aren't an onion fan, I wouldn't recommend this one. However, the salmon pieces were buttery, the ikura was delicious, and the flavors paired very well together WAGYU RICE UPGRADE: both bowls were delicious with the wagyu rice upgrade. The rice had a meaty umami flavor to it that really made the dish feel extra indulgent Also, it is definitely worth noting that the bowls come with ginger... not thin slices of sushi ginger like you see elsewhere, but big chunks of ginger that are candied! I'm not a ginger fan usually, but the ginger in the bowls were SO good and it really brought the bowls to the next level. I definitely recommend trying this place out and I can't wait to come back and try the other menu items!

One star off for having no chicken or any proteins for the udon for the kids. Other than that, the $180 16 piece omakase was a surprisingly satisfying dinner. Sure, it had no premium pieces I was looking such as hotate, amaebi, or uni but it really made up for it with thick cuts of nigiri, red vinegar rice, and zero fishiness on any of their offerings. Wife did detect slight fishiness on the oyster shoote though. Toro was melt in your mouth tender but didn't have that sweetness from toyosu market. Highlight for me was the aburi nodoguro. Really brought out the fish fattiness and tenderness. Tobiko was very sweet and not overly salty like in most places. Saba wrapped in shiso and kombu was also very creative. Ginmedai with shaved yuzu peel and sea salt was also very good. It kinda mimics the yuzu salt that's very popular in Japan. Squid with shark fin top with honey is really a nice touch. Great textures coming through with the fin. Overall a great experience for the price.

The poke bowls are so good! I got the salmon ikura one, tastes super fresh and it's a good amount of food. Parking is kinda meh at 808 center, can find street parking or at walmart if you don't want to valet. The restaurant itself is very cozy looking, I just got takeout though. Quick service!

Sushi Murayama reminded me of several sushi restaurants I visited in Japan. There is no noticeable signage and you'll completely miss it if you don't see the sushi bar inside. Once inside, the atmosphere is very authentic and there's the distinct smell of fresh sashimi in the air. Dinner was omakase. We had the 10 dishes for $100. The other choice was 16 dishes for $180. Each dish was made of fresh sashimi, complemented with some ingenious ingredients. For example, ikura with house soy sauce topped with grated mountain yam. Or Japan Sea Jack seasoned with sea salt and orange. The dishes were unique and made with high quality, fresh, raw seafood. Sashimi used in the various dishes included ahi, ika, salmon, oyster, sea bass, niboshi, iriko, ikura, sea jack, oyster, and dungeness crab. The service here is excellent. Each dish was brought out in a very timely manner. We never had to wait long between dishes and the servers would constantly check on our water and tea. I would highly recommend this place if you're looking for fresh sushi made with a unique combination of ingredients. $100 may seem like a lot for 9 pieces of sushi and an oyster shooter but when you see the quality and innovative way in which each dish is made, the experience is worth it!

We came back to this sushi place after 3 years, excited to try their omakase again since it used to be one of our favorites. Unfortunately, the quality has gone WAY downhill. The variety of fish is much less than before. The "uni sushi" they served was just a tiny amount of uni mixed with rice, which felt misleading. This is the only time in my life that has seen uni to mix up with rice and call it uni sushi. Overall, the fish quality, presentation, and creativity are nowhere near what they used to be. During our entire dinner, there is no other people sitting at the bar. We mentioned our concerns to the owner, but he simply said, "The menu is different every day." That doesn't explain why the quality dropped so much. Honestly, this used to be a solid omakase spot, but after this experience, I wouldn't recommend it anymore. Avoid this place if you're expecting the same quality as before.

Update again cannot go wrong w/Sushi Murayama . My friends and I were craving sushi so our go to of course . Lunch Omakase along with some extra orders . I was so full and it was very satisfying. Service always on par the daughter Shelly is the waitress and Chef Ruji and the other daughter is making the master piece behind the sushi bar . Support local

It's been a while since I've been here but this review is on my last visit where I ordered takeout. I ordered the mini salmon ikura and my husband got the mini maguro with garlic miso and wagyu rice. I called in the order and luckily I did cause the wait was 20 mins. When I got there, the place was packed. I was a little surprise because it was a weekday. They also have some tables outside so that you can get your take out there if you want. My bowl was really good. I had the perfect amount of fish. I also really liked the ikura. Definitely will be ordering takeout again. The mini bowls are just a great deal.

Parking - It's valet parking. They have that cool parking thing like in the movies. Service - Staff was knowledgeable and if they didn't know they would grab somebody who knew more. Water was refilled. Reservations are a must. Food - Omakase style. There are three styles. But it was delicious. We had the 16 course meal. All was Oishii desu ne. 10/10 would recommend.

I used to visit chef Ryuji ages ago when he worked at Yohei. Since moving to the mainland, he opened his own shop (as he should have!). When I came back to visit with my family, I knew I wanted to see Ryujisan again. I made a reservation and his staff was polite enough to inform me that there are no high chairs available. They sat us at a table that had 1/2 a booth with pillows to accommodate my daughter. We opted for omakase and it did NOT disappoint. We ate a lot of omakase sushi during our vacation and Murayama's was the best! It has the most innovative flavors, with the widest variety of fish from Japan. We loved every single bite of our omakase and wished we could afford to eat there every day until we had to fly back home! Omakase here is money well spent! You will certainly enjoy it and be blown away by Ryujisan's creativity and direction. The best part about this experience is that he was particularly kind to our daughter. He went above and beyond to make her feel welcome. Ryujisan gave her a handful of candies and even a Japanese coolish pouch!! Without a doubt, this is the best omakase on Oahu. We can't wait to come back to Murayama on our next visit!

We love sushi and wanted to try omakase in Oahu while we were here! This definitely was not traditional sushi but more so experimental. I really loved how different this was compared to traditional omakase. The combination of different unique ingredients really made this such a fun experience. My favorite bites were the King Salmon Shiso with Tomato, Wagyu with Uni rice musubi, and Tuna brushed with garlic shoyu miso wagyu fats. At its price point, at $180 per person it is definitely on the pricier side. The portions were huge and it was a 16 course so we were definitely stuffed by the end of our meal. The ambiance though was way more causal than what you would expect from a higher end omakase. It was very intimate , just us and another party of two. The chef was very talkative and friendly. This was a fun experience and the flavors were very unique and different than anything I've had in traditional omakase. I think this is fun to try but definitely quite pricy.

After 10 years, this place is still my favorite sushi place. My husband and I live in Chicago and this is the first reservation we make. Sometimes if we have the time, we go twice. We eat omakase all over the country and this is the best in terms of quality and creativity. The chef has an amazing ability to meld different flavor profiles together that works brilliantly. Balancing fish and seasoning. All the ingredients were exceedingly fresh. The service is also great. The chef chats with you as you eat in a non intrusive pace. The service is also good and attentive. The cost is only $180 per person. Very affordable considering what you get.

This is strictly for take out. I was getting my hair done and was wandering around for some food to eat. This place is on the third floor of the building and I don't believe there was any sign or anything but my friend comes here often so I decided to take a look. Their menu for take out is all on Instagram, so try to be prepared, unlike I was. I opted for the Serrano poke and a side of natto and my friend got her normal spicy ahi poke. The fish was so good and tasted fresh!! I loved the Serrano poke, it blended very well and they add ginger and wasabi in too. I tried my friends spicy ahi and it was so good. I'm glad I tried it here, I would definitely come back to try their dine in menu here. I believe they close in the middle of the day so check hours before coming!

Sushi Murayama is located on the 3rd floor of the 808 Sheridan Center, and offers both an a la carte menu, omakase, as well as a take-out option. Their menu changes often, so if you do come here multiple times, you'll be sure to have a different set than what you had before. We opted for the 16-course omakase - I did like that Sushi Murayama offers you the option to have less rice or have everything sashimi-style! I highly recommend in obtaining a counter seating, as those are the best seats to obtain to watch the chef(s) prepare your course. Staff were friendly, and the ambiance is very casual and laid-back. +obtain central counter seating

I found this place on Instagram advertising the take out mini poke bowls. The mini poke bowl menu can be found on their instagram @sushimurayama. I got two bowls the mini spicy tuna with wagyu rice and the ikura salmon. The ikura salmon was amazing and extremely fresh. The flavor of the wagyu rice was delicious and a little on the richer side with the oils of the meat. Both of them came with onions, cucumbers, and a sweet ginger. I am not a ginger fan but it was delicious and almost like a ginger candy. Overall great experience and would definitely want to try the omakase next time!

My wife and I have followed Chef Ryuji fo many many years until recently. It's been a while since I've returned but I have very fond memories of his food. Recently my son and his wife treated me to omakase at Murayama's for my birthday. The restaurant is now omakase only and you choose the price range you want. Ours was a little over $100 a head and boy was it worth it. Instead of not knowing what to order you instead get dishes that are created that you would never think of ordering and I enjoyed every single dish. There were certain dishes that my daughter in law refused to try so my son and I took turns enjoying an extra bite. The service is good and there is a large selection of sakes. Can't go wrong.

This is not your traditional edomae sushi omakase experience. Come here and be ready to taste flavor combinations you have never experienced before. I've been here about 10 times over the past 8 years and Chef Ryuji consistently delivers delicious Nigiri, small plates and dessert. They also offer takeout bowls, check their instagram @sushimurayama for the latest menu.

This was my first time experiencing an omakase and it was wonderful. My boyfriend booked this place spontaneously for dinner. The quality of the sushi was incredible. I still can't stop thinking about the rice that was cooked in wagyu fat. They also ask you if you want less rice because they give more than other places. We opted for regular rice. The portions were great and we walked out feeling full and impressed. They were so respectful and attentive. Our waters were constantly refilled and our plates were changed multiple times. The chef explained the courses, which was very helpful. As we walked out, we said thank you, and the chef kept saying "no, thank you!" which was so kind! This place really set the bar high for an omakase experience. It's hard to eat at other sushi spots after trying here.

Easily 10 stars. We came here for a birthday celebration and we were gladly surprised! Amazing service, food has now sky rocketed our understanding of flavors and freshness and although a smaller establishment, we loved every part of it. This was the first time we have ever experienced an Omakase. We decided to do the 16 course Omakase in anticipation that we may still be hungry after. We were pleasantly mistaken. The portions were perfect. So much flavor and freshness that there were some courses that we had to double check what we were eating since with was so good and the flavors worked with each other so well to take you on this journey. A couple of our absolute favorites were the ahi nigiri and fresh Japanese eel that was prepped in Sake. Both of these felt like they melted in our mouths and had us in absolute awe as the flavors gave us chicken skin. The head sushi chef (I believe the term is Taisho) really elevated our experience. We requested to sit at the sushi bar to watch the magic in action. He definitely cooked with love, and the way he explained each course in detail helped us to truly enjoy the flavors even more. He also gave us a great recommendation for a sake to pair well with our entire dinner. Highly recommended! Reservations are a must. Will be back with friends and family for sure.

Amazing poke bowl here. Service is very good. Nice and clean have very good seafood and seating

Wowowow this is a real gem!! Hole in the wall, 3rd floor of the Sheridan Business building. Parking sucks but worth it. I had lunch here on a weekday, it wasn't too busy, so we were immediately seated. We ordered off the lunch menu: one miso butterfish teishoku set which comes with fish, rice, soup, and salad; one rice bowl which we got half and half with ahi and salmon. Everything was freshly prepared in front of us and made to perfection. You can tell chef really cares about the quality of each item. The rice was perfect. The salad was fresh and crunchy. The soup had good depth. The miso cod was buttery. The raw fish was so fresh and well seasoned (not to mention very generous). This is my new favorite lunch spot on island!

TL:DR - Incredible omakase! It never disappoints. Whenever I come back to the islands I make a point of stopping by Sushi Murayama. They have the freshest and most innovative sushi that I've ever tasted. This time around my fiance treated me to a lunch time omakase that blew my socks off. I'm going to write out the dishes as they were served. Spicy tuna hand roll -Great flavor, sweet with a little bit of nuttiness. Peanut and soybeans add a unique take on it. Kohada wrapped in kelp. Black sesame sauce with sardines. On top of black throat snapper that's been fried. -The slight tartness of the kelp compliments the oiliness of the sardine. The umami flavor comes in balances out the flavors. Hamachi collar with sweet soy sauce -Super fatty and soft! The charred smokey flavor paired with the sweet soy sauce is a heavenly pairing. Perfectly cooked too! Argentina Red Sweet Shrimp -Super fresh and creamy. Doesn't at all taste like the normal shrimp flavor. It's very refreshing, like a dew drop of flavor. Ikura with grated mountain yam and sweet sauce -I'm not a huge fan of grated mountain yam, I find the texture to be off putting, but the flavor was great. Sweet, salty, with that pop of ikura. Local Big Eye Tuna with house made garlic shoyu, with rice soaked in wagyu fat. -This one was a real eye opener! The big eye tuna hits you with that creamy decadent tuna flavor and then paired with the savory fatty flavor of the rice wagyu; it was like tasting two of the most decadent foods at the same time! Super dank! I've never had a pairing like this before and just want more of it. Shima-aiji, striped jack from Japan, with grated radish and wafu yuzu sauce. -Seared really well, with a soft fluffy texture. It has a very bright umami after taste. Hokkaido Monkfish Liver with Fermented Cucumber. -I have grown to really love monkfish liver in the last couple of years and this dish just elevates it. The soft texture of the monkfish liver paired with the crunchiness of the cucumber works perfectly. Then the flavor of the creamy monkfish is balanced with the fermented flavor of the cucumber. So good. Every bite makes me want to take another. Hokkaido Kinky Rockfish on top of sushi rice made with aged vinegar -Chewy squid like texture, but really sweet. Feels very comforting like a warm hug. The rice really blew me away, such a great depth to it. Shark Cartillege with Honey plum sauce over Japanese Grouper -I didn't know they were going to serve shark, and I don't endorse the fishing or eating of it. That being said, I'll let them know ahead of time that I don't want it. Fatty Tuna with Sweet Soy Sauce -The tuna completely melts in the mouth. Incredible flavor, it's the perfect version of this sushi. It's everything I expect and more. This concludes the omakase portion of the lunch menu. It comes with 11 dishes and for what you get it's totally worth it! BUT, we wanted to ball out and swing for the fences and so ordered two more dishes. These are typically found on the dinner omakase menu, but the dinner menu is also a bit pricier. Chu-toro with Uni -Another piece of perfection! Uni is creamy and sweet with no briny taste. The chu-toro is even fattier and smooth than anything I've ever had. The combination is like eating a sliver of the moon. Cool, creamy, and out of this world. A5 Wagyu Musubi -This is about the size of a small apple and is totally not expected at a sushi restaurant, BUT it's probably the best piece of steak I've ever had. The wagyu completely melts in the mouth, and the fattiness of it soaks through all the rice giving it the same decadent flavor. It's such a hearty way to end the meal and completely stuffs me. As expected my fiance and I left completely stuffed and satisfied. Whatever sushi cravings we had were completely dispelled for the rest of the trip. It once again reaffirms why I think this is the best sushi place on the island and California for that matter. I've never had anything similar to this type of sushi anywhere on the mainland. If you're in Hawaii and you appreciate sushi for more than the standard nigiri stuff, then you'll love this place.

I regret never trying this place out before. Location and parking is super convenient ($2 for valet, 1st hour is free in the same building as Margaritas behind Walmart Ke'eaumoku 3rd floor). So happy that we chose this place for our first omakase experience and it didn't disappoint! In fact, it exceeded our expectations! We had their 16 course omakase ($180 per person) and it is worth the price! Don't skip out on dessert either! So so good! We decided to eat at the bar so we can see the chefs in action. Everything was delicious and fresh and each bite had me wanting more! You have the option of getting the smaller portion of rice or you can do sashimi style (no rice) but we opted for the regular portion. They also ask about any allergies. The service was amazing and I couldn't have asked for a better first omakase experience. I already want to go back!

Had the omakase last night 10 out of 10 been here several times this current menu is the best so far. Always on point, highly recommended, friendly staff, excellent, amazing food!!

You really like sushi? Fresh, innovative and absolutely delicious sushi? This is the place. A favorite, a got to and a do not miss this!!! Lover of CA rolls? Not your place.

Excellent service and the food is amazing. Ryuji is amazing and the staff is great. The ingredients are brought in directly from Japan. Totally worth checking this place out

日本語訳下Wow, it feels like it's been ages since I've been to Sushi Murayama, but the wait was totally worth it! My friends and I decided to try out the "Omakase" at this place we heard about, and let me tell you, it was an experience like no other! At first, I couldn't even find the place because there was no sign, but when we finally got there, the chef blew our minds with every dish he served us. The meal started with an amazing fried fish dish, and what I loved about it was that the chef didn't waste anything! I ate the whole fish - from head to tail, including the bones! But that was just the beginning. The chef's fusion of sushi was out of this world - Saba shiso maki, Hamachi & daikon oroshi, Ikura with yamaimo, snapper, hairy crab, aku, chu toro, wagyu with uni rice, ika, monkfish liver, salmon tomato shiso - the list goes on! Our tummies were so full of happiness that we thought we couldn't take another bite, but then the Ume guava sherbet arrived and refreshed our mouths, and we knew it was time to call it a night. It was such a fun experience, and their NETA is so big! Plus, you can request for smaller rice to go with if you wish. I'm definitely coming back again! Thank you so much, Chef Murayama, for an unforgettable dining experience! うわー、鮨 村山に行ったのは何年もぶりのような気がしますが、待った甲斐がありました！友達と私は、「おまかせ」を試してみることにしましたが、他では味わえない体験でした。最初は看板がなくて通り過ぎてしまったり笑 ようやくたどり着いたとき、シェフが出される料理の一つ一つに驚かされました。 食事は素晴らしい魚の唐揚げで始まりました。私が気に入ったのは、シェフが何も無駄にしなかったということです。頭から尻尾まで、骨も含めて丸ごと食べました！皮も焼き鳥の串に巻いて出てきた笑 しかし、それはほんの始まりにすぎませんでした。シェフの寿司のフュージョンはこの世のものではありませんでした - サバしそ巻き、ハマチと大根おろし、イクラと山芋、鯛、毛ガニ、アク、中トロ、和牛のウニご飯、イカ、アンコウの肝、サーモンのトマトしそ - 食べたことのない組み合わせが斬新です 私たちのお腹は幸せでいっぱいで、もう一口食べられないと思っていましたが、梅グアバのシャーベットをオーダー 口の中がすっきりし、もうこの夜は終わりだと悟りました。笑 とても楽しい経験、そしてここのネタは相変わらず大きい‼さらに、ご希望に応じて、ご飯の小盛りをリクエストすることもできます。必ずまた戻ってきます 村山シェフ、忘れられない食事体験をありがとうございました。

Excellent omakase-style sushi restaurant that was recommended by my friend that is from O'ahu. Now, the price is hefty ($180 per person) for 16 large size pieces (and that didn't include the sake that you must order too), however it was worth every penny. This was my first omakase outing, so I don't have another place to compare it to. But here's what I do know: The fish was fresh and, again, we received large portions. We had fish from Japan, Australia and Argentina (there were more locations, but I can't recall them off the top of my head). We even had shark cartilage and it was divine! I am not sure if the photos will do this place justice, but it's a must visit spot if you love fresh, raw fish and if you are someone that wants to explore seafood from around the world in one sitting. The chef and staff were really nice. I do wish that it was a bit more interactive or that they played some louder background music because it would get a bit quiet at times.. but I still enjoyed it and will visit again next time I'm in Honolulu.

Chef was excellent & described each item that he served. Everything was delicious- fresh ingrediaents, perfectly combined, excellent taste & presentation. Chef answered our questions & was very courteous & professional. Nice, clean, comfortable ambiance. My first experience having omakase- exceeded my expectations! Excellent flavors & Chef was friendly & very knowledgeable. Chef also respected our privacy & conversation was mininal & appropriate. Highly recommend & will definitely return.

This review is for takeout. Murayama has an extensive takeout menu and great options for dining at home. I got the ginger shoyu ahi bowl. The rice was a wagyu butter rice. It definitely tasted rich and decadent. It was covered in tons of fresh ahi. So bright red and soft. I was impressed with how much was on it, especially for the price. It came with a great ginger sauce and negi. Very great take out option!

Did their Omasake, one person did the 10-piece, the other the 18 and we shared. There was maybe 50% overlap. The bowl of fresh baby sardines with a poached egg was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Their spicy tuna roll situation was incredible. There were a couple bites I didn't love and a couple that were good but nothing special. Over all totally worth it and big portions. Definitely recommend.

Sushi Murayama is a must if you love omakase. Parking can be a little hard but the sushi is worth it.

This spot offers some of the best omakase you can get anywhere. The chefs are top notch and the menu changes so you probably won't get many items over again. The preparation, service , and dishes were delicious and made for a very memorable experience. I recommend sitting at the chef's bar for the best experience.

Murayama is my favorite sushi restaurant. Period. Service is great and I'm always confident food is without a doubt going to be the best quality.

This place is difficult to find. It took two trips to find it. I wish I failed. They do offer sushi in an innovative way. Some of it was good. But when they say oversized, they are not kidding. My ideal sushi meal is to finish satisfied but not bloated. If you ate everything they gave you you would be bloated. It's not like there are overly many pieces, it's rather the pieces are huge. Ideally (in Japan) each item is one mouthful. Even the smallest piece here was more than a mouthful. But I'm prepared to accept that in America. One piece ( the maguro) could have made 4 pieces. Another roll looked like a mini burrito. At $200 per person I left disappointed by the quantity and the quality of the food. My wife and I have coined the phrase "slab o' sushi" to describe places like this. It's on my list to never return. Disappointing. For the same money Suntory offered more appropriate sizing of portions. Equally innovative cuisine. Go to Suntory versus this place. Better value for money.

Omakasee only, unique, creative, fresh, delicious, sushi in a casual and well serviced atmosphere. 5 stars (even the valet was attentive!). 16 courses. @$180 per person, but we'll worth the price.

TLDR: Good, unconventional sushi; 4.2/5 The omakase here is certainly not a traditional "edomae" sushi. The chef utilizes fresh ingredients, but with his own twists, such as garlic marinade, tomatoes, and other flavors and tastes that are uncommon in other styles of sushi. Ultimately, though, they end up creating delicious dish; yet, sometimes such techniques or marinades overpower the natural taste of the fish or the ingredients. The portions are pretty big, especially in comparison to other omakase. Service was pretty consistent and good as well, with new sake glasses being offered for each sake we ordered. Nothing too special to note about service. The atmosphere is definitely different from an "upscale" omakase, in a way that it is much more casual than the rest of omakase that I tried at the price point. It is closer to somewhat of an izakaya "vibe" or atmosphere compared to $180+ omakase for sure. Ultimately, it is a great spot if you are craving omakase, especially unique one, but it is pretty expensive coming at $180, with tax, tip, and 3% credit card fee.

An unexpectedly delicious omakase! You'll definitely be full after. I didn't think the salmon with tomato would work, but wow it was one of my favorite dishes! The chef was very excited to serve it to us too. The restaurant itself is casual. No frills, just great flavors. The sushi chef was nice and had great energy. If you sit at the bar, he's friendly and will chat! The restaurant can be tricky to find, take the elevator to the 3rd floor. Make sure to make a reservation!

In a time where everyone is shorting sizes here at sushi Murayama they provide quality and incredibly generous with their portions, for a very attractive price ! All my business meetings down to my date nights as well as my family dinners are held here !!! Yugi & his family are so welcoming and always offer a pleasant experience... highly recommended to all my friends and family! A must try here in Honolulu !!! lol my 3rd time this week

Truly some of the best sushi in Hawaii!!! My husband and I were huge fans of Sushi Sasabune until we came here and found out it's the same level of quality with more original flavors and twists -- and it is owned and operated by a local chef and his family! Woohoo! Go local! Truly exceptional omakase from first to last bite. (FYI we were offered omakase only but would have chosen it anyway.) I was in heaven with the ahi topped by a subtle red sauce; the salmon with roe and tiny crunchy bits; the oh so fatty and delicious hamachi kama - and every single one of the exquisite, fresh 16 courses. Tucked away in a random mall behind Walmart and near Ala Moana (but with parking!), this place is a must visit for locals and tourists alike. You will not be disappointed!

Finally got to dine in!! So so good. Best part was that i told chef ive had the chirashi before, and he said ok, ill make you something different! So he just stayed in the same price range and put whatever he wanted inside. So it was like an omakase chirashi bowl!! Fish and flavors were amazing as always. And the pieces are so huge. Loved sitting at the sushi counter talking to chef. Hes so personable and funny and honest with his feelings. Would highly recommend dining here, and i def want to try the omakase next!

Wow this place was good, and cheap for what it was! Consider this: a "meal" at Jack in the box runs $16. Or you could get some amazing sushi for $15-25! I got one roll and was very full. Definitely going back!

Ryuji is awesome and serves some of the most creative and awesome sushi delicacies in Hawaii. I didn't put descriptions in many of my pictures because I didn't remember what they were, except for the fact that they all had a unique twist and were all delicious. This is a prime example of a family business done right. He hasn't raised his prices even when everyone else had to because of inflation. These are the type of businesses we need to support because they are the ones giving back to the community in times of need. I'll definitely be coming back to this place.

Can't get enough of this place, love visiting with the wife. Fresh fish from Japan and creative ways of making each dish. Recently I've been able to sit at the bar and able to interact with the chef which was nice because they can explain the dish and how to enjoy the best, even making smaller nigiri for the wife.

If you want a new omakase experience, come to Sushi Murayama! Chef Yuji has really infused the flavor of the sea with the tastes of the earth. Don't get what I mean? Chef Yuji has made it possible to enjoy the flavors of fish, not as just sushi, but to make your taste buds dance with his sauces and vegetable additions. Just looking at the pictures makes my mouth water again. His presentation is beautiful, the sauces are not overpowering, and he is not stingy on portion size! Oh and the ginger...two different types. Both delicious, you'll continuously ask for more! He definitely took the time to understand his protein and to get quality cuts for his dishes...yet at the same time, he has an appreciation for the whole fish and has utilized each part so that it is not wasted. I love a Chef that doesn't waste and gives quality food to his customers! He also has the best rice in town! It's not your typical sushi rice. I'll leave you guessing so that you can make a reservation and eat at his restaurant to learn about his rice! Service was on point as well! Kavina was our server and she was always checking in. She knew the menu. And she was super friendly. The drinks were also very good. You had your typical sakes and some I had not heard of before. If you're ever unsure about what to get, just ask the chef or the staff...they will totally help you out! And lastly, you cannot forget dessert. Even if you're full, as I was, still get their sesame ice cream! It's not too sweet and has a sesame glaze that reminds me of peanut butter. I actually forgot I was full after one bite! So naturally, I finished thr whole thing. Check out Sushi Murayama! You will not be disappointed and the price is totally worth it!