Whenever I passed by this place on Kapahulu, there's always a line, and line's don't lie, right?! Made reservations (highly recommended) and found street parking as they do not have a dedicated lot. Once inside, you are warmly greeted. It's a little dim inside during the day. No paper menus; you need to scan a QR code to see what you want to order. Our group ordered the teishoku set which came with the main entree, rice, oxtail broth, and 2 appetizers (we opted for tofu and eggplant). We opted for the Aburi flank steak which was very very tasty and the Aburi chicken. The chicken was a touch on the salty side, but it came with a spicy dipping sauce which was phenomenal! All the meats had the delicious smoky flavor from the grill. The oxtail broth was kinda bland. We also ordered the oxtail ramen which was also a hit. Finished off dinner with ice cream + mochi. The mochi is also grilled but know that it's not sweet mochi. read more

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So thankful for restaurants that open late. We thankfully found street parking and this was the only place open. How lucky for us! Customer service was terrific. Since it was late, we noticed the back of house staff help the front. Everyone was so friendly and food comes out fast. The only reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is because the food was a bit too flavorful - we all agreed that everything was slightly salty. I could also say portion of some items may not match price, but I understand inflation is increasing at an alarming rate. So I'll leave money out of this. Crushed cucumbers were interesting. We couldn't decide if eating it with chopsticks or spoon was better. With chopsticks, you might not get enough sauce. But you could taste the layers of flavor. With a spoon, you get too much saltiness. The spice hits at the end. The tako karaage were a little too chewy for us. Beef tongue was so tender. A definite must order. I dont think it needs rice though. We also ordered the late night nikumiso but it didn't come with an egg, which the menu said it should. We tried handful more items but we'll be back to try the oxtail items, as it sounds like that's their specialties, but takes extra time to prepare. read more

This place ended being our favorite restaurant of our entire Hawaii trip. So glad we made a reservation because it can get quite busy during peak dinner hours. Their grilled chicken thigh was unbelievably tender, juicy, and had just the right amount of smokey flavor. It's one of those dishes that's so simple, yet executed perfectly - a must order. We also enjoyed either ox tail porridge, grilled corn and grilled mochi. The beef tongue was also delicious and cooked perfectly tender, though I wish it had been sliced a little larger instead of diced so small. For drinks, don't miss the lemon tower chu-hi topped with lemon sorbet. It's refreshing, bright, and pairs with the grilled dishes perfectly. We were already talking about coming back before we even finished dinner. Can't wait to be back. read more

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Came for dinner to celebrate a birthday. Our table ordered a variety of things including oxtail ramen, aburiya chicken, beef flank steak, karaage chicken and grilled mochi with ice cream. Everything was very tasty and authentic. You can see your food being cooked on the small hibachi grills. Street parking is available and reservations are recommended/needed. read more

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So I've had many Karaage in my lifetime and this place hands down has the BEST Karaage and chicken thighs of all places!! Servers are very hospitable and the kitchen staff welcomes you and thanks you from the kitchen. Very small place so reservations are recommended! Will definitely be back to try more dishes!! read more

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If you're looking for some delicious Japanese pub food and beer, Aburiya is what you want and what YOU NEED. Service was excellent, food was excellent and the staff was so fun and eager to hangout with tables :) Ambiance did remind me of Japan, just with American sized portions XD read more

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I just want to add that every time I come here the service is great. I took my good friend from the mainland here for dinner - it was his first time in Hawaii and he was so impressed with the food - but more than that I was so grateful how well they took care of us. This Izakaya is so chill and it definitely feels more like a homey vibe - definitely something you'd see in Japan. My homie enjoyed the beef flank, jellyfish, and the unagi kamameshi. All wins on his end and he also enjoyed the matcha next door. :) definitely a must-visit spot when you're on the island. If my LA friends loved it then your outer-island friends will love it too. read more

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We were on the hunt for a Japanese experience and decided to give Aburiya Ibushi a try. We had a reservation for 5PM and we were greeted and sat right away. The hostess/server was outstanding and took care of everything in the inviting dining room. We started with the daily specials, a salad presented on a cracker and vegetable Tempura. Both were good and the Tempura was excellent. Then we ordered the happy hour special available between 5-6 and after 9 where we got an entree, two sides, soup, and rice. The steak option was really tasty and the potato salad was a highlight. Unfortunately the ribs just were not very good. They were tough and needed far more seasoning than they had. It could have been an off day because the rest of the items were very good so it was surprising. The value for the happy hour special is outstanding and this is a spot you should absolutely try! read more

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Original Japanese Atmosphere. Foods such as Grilled Mochi, Potato Salad, etc.. was excellent. This is a MUST EXPERIENCE while in Oahu!

parking here is the worst part about the place. youre lucky if you can find street parking. we uber'd tables are pretty small, so they actually ended up bringing us a stool plus another table for all our food lol everything was pretty tasty. my friends made me eat the jellyfish, which i am still not very fond of. you can never go wrong with kurobuta sausage. the aburiyaki beef was also really good. dont get a lot of rice dishes as thats what fills you up. we had grilled unagi & oxtail, both of which come with a good amount of rice. fried mochi was simple but good. corn was a little difficult to eat since it is on the cob, which is not my fave way of eating corn as it takes some work. read more

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Based on food and drinks alone, this would have been a 5 star experience. The chu-hi drinks were sweet, well-mixed, and yet still had a good amount of alcohol in them. The refreshing taste of the chu-hi drinks balanced out the grease from the pork belly and beef tongue. The meats itself were super tender and were flavorful as is with each bite. The sauce on the side for both were an added bonus. I think I would've like the potato salad more if it had more corn in it but other than that, it was a good small snack/appetizer. Regarding service, however, I can't say I had the same 5 star experience. I had a reservation made about 45 minutes in advance, checked in about five minutes before my reservation time, and was told that my party would be called on when they're ready for us..... My party saw a lot of walk-ins go in before us so after waiting for about an hour, we inquired again at the front door with a staff member. Apparently, we were marked as a no-show which is why our party was not called on. Once seated, it did take some time for our orders to get put in and took more time for the food to get to us. The latter was more understandable to me because it seemed like they were short-staffed. While I was hoping to eat around 8:15pm or earlier, I ended up not eating til more than an hour and a half later even though I had a reservation. This was my first time here so I wonder if it's just better to walk-in and manually put myself on the wait list next time. read more

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Stepping into this restaurant felt like being in Japan again. A quaint space with closely packed tables with the smell of charred meat and boisterous laughter filling the room. It felt very nostalgic and comfortable. I love izakayas cause they're fun and loud. It's great place to catch up with friends and the energy is really infectious (in a good way). I wasn't really what to expect dining here but was pleasantly surprised. I've been wanting to try this place since I visited home last year. I was worried it would be a little too loud cause I was dining with my in-laws, but I think they had a positive experience and really enjoyed the food! We decided to order a variety of different things and shared. Some of my notable favorites were the roast beef kamameshi, cold tofu, beef tongue, oxtail, and the crab flake with miso and butter konbu. The char and flavor on each of the grilled dishes was amazing! The oxtail was also nice and light and balanced the other dishes really well. All of the food paired perfectly for a nice cold beer or sake. Looking back, there wasn't a dish I didn't like and they were all very distinct and memorable in their own way. (As a side note, this restaurant is in Kapahulu so parking will definitely be challenging.) Overall, I had such an amazing experience. I can't wait to return again! read more

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Wednesday March 4, 2026 first time, coming here. Street parking on Kapahulu Avenue. We ordered a few things to try like the potato salad, kurobota sausage and beef flank. Service is fast and friendly. Food is good. Ambiance is casual and comfortable. We will be back again. read more

ABURIYA IBUSHI - Dinner. Wednesday March 4, 2026 - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

My favorite was the chicken, ahi tuna salad & jellyfish. I love the char flavor on the chicken, the ahi was so soft & the jellyfish reminds me of a Chinese banquet appetizer. I would come back for these items. We also ordered beef flank bento, ribeye steak, corn & potato with mentai butter. The ribeye was ok, but nothing wowed by it. The beef flank was way too chewy, the corn was a little too salty & the potato did not taste good. read more

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We went to grab an early dinner at around 5ish, place was already busy. We didn't make any reservation but luckily got a small table. Staffs were nice and helpful. We got a couple items. I enjoyed the beef flank and the stew more than the rice bowl. But still good overall. We also like their seasonal/ special drink, not strong on the alcohol but refreshing. Nice atmosphere. read more

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Aburiya Ibushi is all about that perfect smoky char -- specializing in authentic Japanese charcoal-grilled (炙り焼き / Aburiyaki). Each dish carries deep, savory flavor with that unmistakable grill-kissed aroma. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended -- seating is limited and fills quickly. The bonus? You can stroll right next door afterward for incredible desserts at Cha to Gelato Zen. Food: 4/5 Solid izakaya lineup packed with flavor and texture. - House Potato Salad (ポテトサラダ) - Ewa Sweet Corn (とうもろこし) - Lotus Root (蓮根 / れんこん) - Wagyugyu Beef Tongue (和牛タン) & Chicken Thighs (鶏もも肉) -- absolutely phenomenal! - Ahi Tataki (マグロのたたき) -- perfectly seared and seasoned. Ambience: 4/5 Compact but comfortable setting with clean bar and table seating. Ideal for a relaxed dinner date or hangout spot. Service: 4/5 Friendly and proactive staff. Our server went above and beyond -- even checking dessert openings next door at Cha to Gelato Zen. Parking: 3/5 Parking is limited, so expect to walk a bit. Worth it once you're seated and smell that charcoal. read more

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Another bookmark from reading a magazine article from 2024, I made a point to try this low-key spot in an old-time neighborhood. I made a weeknight reservation on a Thursday and our local friend kindly offered to drive us here, We found street parking less than a half block away on the same side as the restaurant. Walking to this corner spot, we waited at the greeting area as instructed by their sign. We were seated at a wall side table and the hostess pointed us to the QR code to access the menu besides leaving the daily specials menu (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=Nt2kE6u9eBwT9XVsTOVYvQ). After a short group discussion, we ordered with our waitress, getting a variety of menu items (ten total) mostly from the regular menu for our party of four. Again, I will highlight my favorite items. For me, the oxtail zosui (porridge) (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=QV06rYPyiT-f25sp6QCyfg) was the main event and star of this meal. I actually saw this mentioned in a magazine which motivated me to bookmark this place. This was as expected, perfect for a damp and rainy evening. I believe I had three bowls of this. My other favorite was the dessert, the vanilla ice cream w/ grilled mochi and anko (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=GpZleU4J-ZqmcZ0b8yEkLw); the tender warm mochi with the creamy cold ice cream and a dabble of red bean paste for a change of pace. It works. I also enjoyed the "Wasugyu" beef tongue (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=HcC-lWfF0ZmUczC86q6hSQ) though I can't really say how much so as, before I knew it, the plate was empty. My apologies to the reader as I was distracted during this meal. One invited guest had both an emergency and health issue (not life-threatening, thank goodness) so the first half of the meal was spent trying to confirm what was going on and her safety. Thankfully, I spoke with her mid-meal and was assured that she was fine. The dining room was a little less than half full with several people dining at the kitchen side counter and scattered tables throughout the dining room. We were seated at the far wall in the center which was probably best for our conversation given the noise level. Our waitress and the hostess were very attentive to our needs in removing empty plates and bowls and checking on our water glasses. Big thanks to Eri who waited on us and the rest of the staff for providing a nice meal. 4-stars for the food rounding up to 5 with the patience of the staff and Eri for taking our group photos. I need to do this one again on our next visit to best appreciate some of the things that we ordered as well as exploring the rest of their menu. Heck, we didn't even take a gander at their specials menu (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=48&select=Ds1zgs2y0NDYrB0_C9zLTA), (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=48&select=Nt2kE6u9eBwT9XVsTOVYvQ). read more

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If you were a Japanese salary man, you would know about this place! Too bad there's no train outside this place - otherwise it would be perfect for stopping off and getting drinks and food! We were lucky to get a parking spot right in front and I made sure to get reservations. We noticed that they do not overcrowd the place. Even though there were lots of open seats, they made sure that the place was not over crowded as they don't have many people working. People were waiting outside that didn't have reservations. I would say that they have a large variety of drinks - sake, beer, chu-hi, high balls etc..... In fact, the drinks might cost more than the food! The menu is in a Google Drive and is a PDF. They had a great tako wasabi and everything we ordered was good. The flavors are not strong here. It's not salty; even though this is definitely a drinking place! The star of my meal was the oxtail ramen. Really soft, large pieces of oxtail meat, with a perfectly cooked egg, garlic oil and "saimin-like" ramen noodles (less eggy). The broth was completely drinkable - not too salty. It was delicious and I would definitely go back to get it again. The prices are on a high side, but everything we ate was good. I enjoyed my meal. Will definitely go back again! read more

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I ordered the beef tongue. It was really good. Very tender. Also ordered the lychee soda and that was delicious too. The service was great, just a bit slow at times. They did apologize for taking a bit of time and even offered to remake my food since my friends' meals were taking a bit longer. It is a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for. read more

Solid choice for a popular izakaya. Food was good, but not sure anything more special than the other popular izakayas in town. Grilled items were really good. We had: Eggplant w ground pork Grilled flank Grilled pork belly Grilled tongue Potato salad Squid legs Fried scallops read more

The food here was so good and they have many pupus/appetizers type of things that are great to share with others! Came here for a birthday party so there was a lot of us, around 10 people! The aka red chicken wings were so good, I would say that was one of my favorite dishes. It's almost like curry spices and it's not too spicy at least for me because I love spicy. Agedashi tofu was good too and some of the veggie dishes as well. Atmosphere - Japanese restaurant style where they greet you and say bye to you at the end. They have these hand drawn art of their food on the wall which is really cool. Service - Everyone working here is friendly! Make sure to do a reservation as the night we came was reservation only. Cost - For the group of 10 of us and eating a lot of food, it was around $50 per person. Parking - Street parking as it's on Kapahulu and there's no designated lot so wherever you can find it. Location - On Kapahulu Street. I definitely would come here again even for a date night or something. read more

ABURIYA IBUSHI - Aka Red Fried Chicken Wings - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Aburiya Ibushi had been on my list for years, and I kept choosing somewhere else on Kapahulu instead. Finally made it, with another couple who had been a long time ago, and it was worth the wait. This is a Japanese izakaya built around small dishes to share, with a classic look that feels a little brighter and warmer than the usual version We ordered a lot, so this is the short version. The black chicken wings were the visual standout, but the red chicken wings were better, which felt mildly unfair. The potato salad was excellent. My favorite dish was the cabbage: blanched, seared, and topped with miso butter sauce. Very simple, very effective. The grilled eggplant was also a table favorite. The beef tongue was excellent to me, though only half the table agreed. The pork belly was good, but not quite at the same level A lot of the food had that distinct charcoal note, which seems to be the point here, and they do it well. The Japanese mountain yams were interesting in a way that probably needs advance notice. The texture was, for lack of a better term, kind of like saliva. Prices are higher than you might expect at first glance, but the food is very good, and the kitchen seems to care about the details read more

ABURIYA IBUSHI - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Amazing Japanese food away from the tourist strip. This was a welcome find after so many dinners in Waikiki as it is a little off the beaten path and worth any detour you need to take. Be sure to make reservations. Lively atmosphere. read more

ABURIYA IBUSHI - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Food and service was good as always. A special shrimp and cheese egg roll with ume sauce was super good. Food is creative and consistent and a super hospitable staff. Concerning to us was a gentlemen with a bull dog who sat adjacent to us indoor. He ordered no food but 3 Jameson neat cocktails and a beer and approached two tables with the dog to talk - including our table while we were dining which made us uneasy. read more

4.5 stars for a solid izakaya that you know is a gem because they have seating wrapped around the restaurant in anticipation of a line. Among our favorites, the agedashi tofu truly stood out. It was uniquely delicious with an exterior that was both lightly crunchy and delightfully chewy at the same time. It came swimming in the most incredible sauce--so good I literally drank it! We actually ordered two of these because it was that good. The oxtail porridge was also unique and very flavorful. It formed the base for the rice dish we ordered, which took about 25 minutes to prepare. All the meats in that dish were fantastic. I personally loved the beef tongue; unlike typical thin slices, these had a wonderfully bouncy and delicious texture (I know, that might sound odd, but it was excellent!). My family, however, raved about the beef flank, which had a beautiful, deep smoky flavor. The pork belly was also yummy, and I really enjoyed the contrast it offered with the raw cabbage. We also tried the jellyfish bite, which was good and tasted exactly as you'd expect. Overall, I loved everything we tried! If I had to pick just two to reorder, it would definitely be the agedashi tofu and beef tongue, but honestly, everything was amazing. I can't wait to come back and explore more of their menu. read more

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If you're looking for legit Japanese izakaya vibes in Honolulu, Aburiya Ibushi is da spot. The smoky charcoal grill hits you as soon as you walk in, and everything from the yakitori to the beef tongue is packed with rich, savory flavor. EVERYTHING we ordered was absolutely delicious. Small kine cozy inside, so make reservations if you can -- but trust, it's worth it. Real ono, no regrets. read more

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I love the cozy, hole-in-the-wall atmosphere of this izakaya located on Kapahulu Ave. Everything we tried was comforting and enjoyable with wonderful umami flavors - from the potato salad, unagi, pork belly, and our favorite - the oxtail porridge! Service was also terrific. Definitely a great spot to come with friends to hang out and eat delicious food. read more

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Outstanding izakaya in Honolulu! Loved my experience at this place! Made a reservation at 6pm on a Tuesday night during December's holiday season and all the tables + counter spots were booked. The ambiance was vibrant, inviting, and very authentic--felt just like I was in an izakaya in Japan! We ordered multiple items on their menu and a few standouts were their Cold Tofu w/Spicy Sesame Minced Meat Miso, Wasyugyu Beef Tongue, Wasyugyu Beef Skirt, and Oxtail Soup. Each of these items were spectacular and packed with flavor. The beef in each of the beef dishes were so tender and cooked perfectly. I know many people order their Aburiyaki, but I don't necessarily recommend those items unless you like your food more on the charred side. With the Aburiyaki, the place does get quite smoky (I didn't think it was tooo bad but it is something to keep in mind). Service was great, theres only 2 waitresses and not many cooks, so service isn't the fastest, but I thought the food came out at a good speed. We finished our meal in around 1 hour's time, which I think is pretty timely. Overall, I really enjoyed the quality of food served during my visit. 100% a spot I will be recommending to anyone in Honolulu! read more

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We eating here and it is one of our go to places. Tonight we were lucky to snag the last hamachi kama and it didn't disappoint!! The people are so friendly and accommodating. Besides being within walking distance from home it's the people and the food that keeps bringing us back here. Thank you!! read more

"Wisdom comes even to a wet stone after three years." - Japonism Wisdom You had me at IZAKAYA! A couple of my Judo buddies have been wanting to catchup when I was back in town, so a long *one month long* layover lol made it perfect timing to meet up! My favorite Izakaya stop is Tori Ton, but I wanted to try something different, so booked their sister location, Izakaya Tenkichi, located just above. Happy as a clam as I've been wanting to checkout Tenkichi with my ninjas, however when I told one of my buddies of my choice, he revealed that another bro in our dojo didn't eat seafood. Huh what?! Mind you this ABB is Asian and travels to Tokyo & HK several times a year visiting family. Then again he's not the first Asian I know that doesn't like seafood. Just kinda weird heehe. Okay, now that I got that SUS out of the way lol... ABURIYA IBUSHI became a consensus choice with all the grass-fed menu options lol. Friday night after work was chosen and I booked it days in advance. A wait list option is available, just know while we were here it was really busy for hours. Upon arriving we were warmly greeted and given a choice of tables where to sit which was nice. The menus accessed via QR code or you can use Yelp or Google recent menu photos. We ordered family style and chose the country farm. OUR TABLE: "ABURIYAKI" BEEF FLANK: $18.00 KALBI SHORT RIB + UME SAUCE: $19.00. SHIO-KOJI CHICKEN KARAAGE: $10.50. "ABURIYAKI" GRILLED CHICKEN: $16.00. BEEF ROUND TATAKI: $18.00. HOUSE POTATO SALAD x2: $6.50 per. GRILLED YUKON GOLD POTATOES: $7.00. ONION + BUTTERED PONZU: $5.00. ASAHI DRAFT BEER: $7.50 each (several rounds). The standouts for me the "ABURIYAKI" BEEF FLANK, SHIO-KOJI CHICKEN KARAAGE, HOUSE POTATO SALAD, YUKON GOLD POTATOES, but imho everything was delicious! Ngl only thing I passed on was the large Onion that non-seafood bro ordered lol. Hey, more onions for him! Mmk. NINJA TIPS: NOW OPEN 7-DAYS A WEEK! WEEKEND LATE NIGHTS TIL MIDNIGHT! FREE STREET PARKING AFTER 6PM! IG: @ABURIYA_IBUSHI In the end, I really loved ABURIYA IBUSHI! I vibed that authentic Izakaya feels you'll find in Osaka and Tokyo. Cozy with tables that fills fast & furious, a hopping bar! The crowd was fun and diverse. The staff nice and we never felt rushed. Always checking on us, and yes another Biru, pleeeeeease! ABURIYA IBUSHI! KANPAI! 乾杯! Pls follow my IG adventures: @eric_travel_guru read more

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Had the oxtail ramen, grilled edamame and the shio-koji fried karaage chicken. All were very delicious. This was our first time eating here. The service was excellent at 9:30 pm even when the electricity randomly stopped at the restaurant and in the Kapahulu area. The staff still served us with much respect and a smile. I had inklings and feels of being back in Japan from the delicious food, cleanliness and courteous service we received. We will definitely be back even if power is out haha! read more

Every single dish here is insanely delicious and packed with flavor. The chargrilled meats are the stars -- especially the karaage chicken, chicken thighs, skirt beef, beef tongue, and flank steak. But don't sleep on the "side" dishes either -- the potato salad, corn, and jellyfish are all incredible. And the oxtail ramen? Unreal. Honestly, if they opened a separate ramen shop with just that, it would crush. What blows me away is how every single dish on such a diverse menu hits the mark. The chefs are unbelievably talented, and the staff are always friendly and warm. Been here three times now, and it never disappoints. read more

ABURIYA IBUSHI - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Limited street parking. They recommend reservations although half the restaurant is empty. Service is somewhat slow. Restaurant is smoky inside from the grill. Food is just okay. It's nice that they have late hours. I think it's mostly popular for alcoholic beverages and if you are looking for small shareable dishes. Not really family friendly. Good for young adults. read more

If I could give this place 10 out of 5 stars, I would. The food was INCREDIBLE. I eat a lot of good food but I haven't been genuinely blown away in a long time. Multiple times we looked at each other and burst out laughing at how insanely good these dishes were. Yuzuki was an awesome server. The whole staff brought great energy to the intimate space. We loved getting to learn more about the menu, history of the restaurant, and vision for this spot. If you have not been here (like me before this weekend), you are MISSING OUT. Run to this place and get the potatoes in every form! read more

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Service, ambience, food all around 5 stars! Honolulu undoubtedly has some of the best food in this part of the world and our experience at Aburiya Ibushi was better than we expected (we had high expectations). As we were seated in the bar area, we enjoyed watching the food prepared in front of us. It really reminded of us of our time in Japan, particularly in shinjuku where yalitori stalls are prevalent. Everything and I mean everything that we ordered was absolutely delicious. The cucumber salad was refreshing, tangy and mildly spicy. The cold tofu was abundantly flavorful, savory and a beautiful umami balance. The mackerel was juicy, with a generous amount of meat. And the seared steak bowl was incredibly tender with the most delicious mushroom pilaf/risotto rice. My fiancé and I have agreed this was our favorite meal this trip and will become one of our must-eat destinations going forward. Also, shoutout to the servers and cooks for the amazing hospitality!! read more

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I just went to Aburiya Ibushi with my friend, and overall it was a great experience. I made a reservation and was a bit disappointed that our table had lawn chairs instead of the regular ones, felt a little out of place for such a nice restaurant. Otherwise, the interior was beautifully designed with a warm and modern feel. I really liked the open kitchen where you can see the chefs working. It adds to the atmosphere. We ordered the potato salad, lotus root and mountain yam charcoal grill, crab gratin croquette, and steak kamameshi. Every dish was delicious and flavorful, and we were completely stuffed by the end. The waitresses were kind, attentive, and the food came out surprisingly fast. Despite the chair situation, I'd still recommend Aburiya Ibushi for a cozy night out with great food and service. read more

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Haven't been to Aburiya in a long time, pretty much since they opened and only for lunch! Decided it was time to brave the lines and try dinner there! Went on a weekend evening and the wait was about 20 minutes at around 7:30-8PM. Since the restaurant opens til midnight, I wasn't stressed about not making it in time. A good mixture of locals and tourists there. They are short staffed on waiters so just be patient. Dinner time is great for parties or date night. Alot of pupu options to share over drinks, izakaya style. I ordered the potato salad (excellent! With kernels of corn and turmeric spice), grilled sweet Ewa corn (excellent!), beef tongue (my favorite of the night), cucumber tataki (excellent!), oxtail and egg soup (not bad), Aburiyaki - marinated and grilled beef flank (juicy but a little too sweet, tastes like kalbi with less fat), agedashu tofu and Kamameshi - grilled Shima hokke (fish with ikura and beans). I will say the last two menu items were my least favorite. I think they add too much corn starch on the tofu so the fried skin gets a little mushy. I would have preferred the beef or unagi kamameshi dishes. The fish and ikura was a little underwhelming. I would go back for the beef tongue and other small plates! Would definitely try the pork or chicken Aburiyaki (grilled) menu items. Might be more to my taste! I didn't really care for their oxtail soup either. The tender oxtail is braised well and the soup is nicely salted but the flavor is a little one note, not too much depth where you can get a little tired of the taste. Solid 4 stars. read more

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Our very favorite Japanese Restaurant on O'ahu NOT your standard Sushi and Sashimi Joint (although we love those) And NOT your standard Japanese BBQ (which we love too) This is SUPER UNIQUE and SUPER AUTHENTIC and UNREAL ONO Japanese Food HIGHLY. HIGHLY Recommend. Small though, so make reservations or be prepared to wait 30-60min. read more

The food was okay...nothing spectacular. We made a resy at 5 and were promptly seated. Their speciality is charcoal grilled meats. We tried the chicken thigh, which they are known for. It was tender but tasted similar to regular grilled chicken. The grilled unagi was the highlight of the meal, which was delivered in a beautiful wooden bowl with rice. I would recommend trying the ikura (salmon roe) with the grilled unagi. Salmon roe is much larger than masago and has a texture similar to popping boba. The oxtail soup was tasty, and I enjoyed the addition of egg to the broth. It had two large pieces of oxtail and a very mild flavor. None of the appetizers stood out to me. We tried five appetizers. The cold tofu with miso was silken and had a nice consistency but was a little salty. The tsukemono had very little flavor and not the traditional vinegar that I am used to. read more

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Small spot! Cute. Called ahead to put our name down since the waitlist was closed. Never seemed to be full house while we were eating around 9-10pm Oxtail ramen was good! Soup was tasty, good flavor! Ramen was good, good texture noodles which is important to me. And the meat was soft and yummy. I enjoyed this bowl and it filled me up. 8/10 My partner ordered the grilled roast beef cap sirloin kamameshi, because the waitress said it was big enough for 3-4 people but I think we heard her wrong cause it was more like 3-4 bites haha. It was delicious nonetheless good texture and flavor, good quality just really small portion and might leave u still hungry (unless u eat all the rice it was mostly rice) read more