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    Kahala Sushi

    3.5 (82 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

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    Jerry E.

    Really like this small place, but the establishment 's undermanned situation made it less than desirable to dine there. I hope they will at least install a bell or something in the reception area, so when customers come, they can ring for services; we waited for a while and nobody showed up, so we had to go to the kitchen area asking for services, one unpleasant dining experience. For certain, it will be a while before we even think about returning.

    Current menu 2/13/2023 1st day of reopening
    Brian M.

    Kahala Sushi is located in Kahala Zippys on Hunakai St and Waialae Avenue. I was saddened by their closing during the Covid years (2020) and I thought that they would never reopen. Well it's February 2023 and Surprise! Kahala Sushi has reopened! They might not be what you would call a true blue Japanese Restaurant, but the food is consistently good. On the 1st day back I ordered the Chef's Special which I enjoyed. I haven't eaten udon in a long time and it reminded me of my Grandfather. He would always basically eat the same thing and I would eat udon with him when I was small, so comforting. The sushi was good and the ratio of rice to fish was on point. I'm not a sushi snob, but I do know what my palate likes. The Tempura is always great here, not greasy, light crispy batter. My wife always has the Miso Butterfish and Shrimp Tempura Teishoku when we dine in. It must be good because she's a picky eater, lol. After coming here all these years I finally decide to review Kahala Sushi. I don't know why, but hey I live close and enjoy eating here, that's all that counts.

    Shrimp tempura and butterfish. Top notch.
    Jen C.

    I can't believe I've lived on Oahu my entire life and have never been to Kahala sushi! When my friend originally suggested we eat dinner here I was sour because I don't like sashimi/sushi or raw fish if anything kind. She told me they have Japanese food too which I love but my first thoughts were Japanese food at Zippys? I'll pass. Well, I ended up going and ordered a shrimp and vegetable tempura and miso butterfish teishoku which came with rice, miso soup and salad. It was so good! The vegetable tempura came in generous portions including a gigantic kombucha pumpkin. The shrimp tempura was good and the miso butterfish as well. Service was top notch, lots of parking and luckily it wasn't too crowded at 5:30 pm on a Friday night we were seated right away. I'll definitely be back to this location!

    Sushi and sashimi combination
    Sandee M.

    We have had this little gem in our neighborhood for many years and we have only recently discovered it! I guess as creatures of habit we only ordered our regular Zippy's faves from Zippy's. We love Japanese food and definitely have our go-to favorites including now Kahala Sushi. This place is super convenient (you can order takeout on your Zippy's app) and the food was delicious! And packaging was great. The teishoku meals were accompanied by miso soup and tossed greens. The sushi was made beautifully too! Check them out when you have a yearning for Japanese food!

    Salmon skin salad, tekka hosomaki
    Rachel T.

    Delicious food and very attentive service. Love the fact that the Kahala sushi section is quiet and set aside from the main dining room - very good place for the older aunties and hard of hearing to enjoy a peaceful night out.

    Miso Soup
    Andy F.

    One wouldn't think to have "fine" sushi in a Zippy's restaurant, but believe it! You also better believe you will pay for "fine" sushi. I came here for dinner with my girlfriend and her friend and family. Her friend raved about the Unagi don, so we had to try it. Right? We ended up just ordering the Unagi don because everything else was very, very expensive. I'm seeing a Tamago nigiri go for over $5, Unagi nigiri for over $11, and why in the world is Futomaki over $10!? It's a futomaki! One of the most inexpensive sushi rolls anywhere. There should be a good reason for the higher prices. Perhaps the rent and overhead are high in cost? The Unagi don was over $23, which is definitely expensive. It's just Unagi on rice that's probably heated in the microwave plus a side of miso soup. The piece of Unagi was a thick piece, but it didn't have much taste. It was rich, but not savory rich. It also lacked the sweetness you normally get from the Unagi sauce, and really lacked the char taste from a grill. I've tasted better Unagi that's frozen and from China. Overall, the Unagi don was very average in taste, and a very boring and uninteresting meal. The miso soup was on the bland side and had zero aroma. The service was good with friendly and attentive servers, and the food took a little while to come out. When I think of Kahala Sushi, I would believe it'd be simple, straightforward, and inexpensive sushi since it is located inside a Zippy's, that serves somewhat inexpensive food. I was wrong and paid for it.

    Chefs choice and Teishoku. Miso soup and tea hiding.
    Joyce T.

    A quaint Japanese restaurant within Kahala Zippy's. It features a real Sushi Chef! I'm never dissapointed with their salmon and ahi sushi on their teishoku plates. Real wasabi. I like that they have featured specials to try and perhaps discover a new favorite dish. Green tea and water is served with your meal. The tempura is batter crispy and veggies are fresh and juicy. I like their dipping sauce. Service on par bringing out the food piping hot and keeping our hot tea filled. There is parking upstairs and on the ground floor. There is an elevator.

    Hot soba (very simple but delicious)
    Alisa K.

    I use to frequent Kahala Zippy's restaurant and have never tried Kahala Sushi until recently. I've always seen long lines, people waiting for a table at Kahala Sushi, so decided to try it out. To start off, they are located inside Kahala Zippys, closet to the bakery side... there's about 11 tables and sushi bar seating so there's usually a line at night, so recommend going during the day. The menu is very simple... you can get donburi, sushi, sashimi, teishoku (set meal), and udon/soba. So far, everything on the menu that I've tried was so delicious. Reminds me so much of authentic food from Japan. Their tempura is legit too. Not local style with the thick batter but a light and crispy batter with a real shrimp. I love that there's a good Japanese restaurant in the Kahala area. Highly recommend trying out Kahala Sushi!

    John F.

    When somebody says take out party platter from Zippy's, I think about sliced and seared Portuguese sausage and chicken katsu. When somebody says take out sushi, I think about a Kozo sushi platter that is just OK as far as quality but very good in terms of pick up ease and convenient locations. Kahala sushi is a mix between these two. Decent quality sushi at a higher price. On New Year's Day, I sampled the 52 piece Deluxe platter. There were four nigiri pieces of ikura, tako, ika, ebi, salmon, hamachi, tai, eight maguro, and two cut up rolls, about 12 pieces, of California roll. Presentation was very nice with the wasabi molded into the shape of a leaf and a couple of lemon wedges carved into something Swan-like. There was the usual plastic greenery to separate the fish. I ate many pieces and all in all it was very good for take out sushi. Definitely recommended!

    June specials
    Amy Y.

    GPS says we are on the location. Ooookayyy, it's the parking lot under Zippys. My friend said, your locator is broken. Heck no it ain't. So we walked up to Zippys and my friend said he sees people eating Asian food. I was like, maybe Zippys serve that. Apparently, Zippys and Kahala Sushi are working together? So this sushi place is hidden on your left side of Zippys when you walk in. A very small area. It wasn't busy when we came and got seated at the sushi bar. So we looked at the menu and we ordered the two June specials. My friend got the teppanyaki steak and tempura don with miso soup and I got the Asian chicken with miso soup, salad and rice. The sushi chef behind the counter was nice to get our orders because I don't know where the servers were. He served us a mini appetizer..not too sure what its called. It had this green noodle mixed with salmon and mayo. OMG! It was sooooo good. It didn't take long when our food came. I love the chicken with this red and orange looking sauce. It was soooo goood! My friend seems to enjoy his meal but he said he rather get my chicken meal. My friend and I never had our tea and water refilled at all. Both our cups were left empty when leaving. They never came up to ask if we were okay or anything. We had to ask for everything except the bill. They gave it to us right after I packed my leftovers. I would come back for their specials only since the sushi menu are expensive.

    Lauren S.

    Best Chirashi EVER! For $22 you get ridiculously large pieces of sashimi and just a large of bowl of sushi rice. I never really expect to get too full from chirashi but this is my #1 stop from now on. MUST COME HERE! Service is always really friendly and I need to comment on the green tea which was also probably the BEST tea I've ever had. It was so strong and the green tea bursting with flavor. Got to sit in a booth next to the sushi bar (score!) Can't wait to come back.

    Spicy ahi don
    Jenel O.

    I had the spicy ahi bowl here. It was the right size, with the right amount of fish and the right amount of spice. I think it was about $14-$15 dollars and came with miso soup. I do like salty, but I would say everything is just a tad on the salty side. Service was underwhelming - with my daughter waiting and waiting just for water. The food came even before the water did. I would come again... I mean, it's a sushi joint in Zippy's. Parking is easy and abundant in their structure.

    Take-out: Chicken Karaage with tsukemono (pickled veggies), miso soup, green salad, potato salad and rice (not picturedr

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    11 months ago

    Food and services with clean and spacious place. The waitress are very friendly and courteous and our food is served fast.

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    Fast service. I ordered food in person and the entire order was ready in 20 minutes! Food quality was good.

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    Great tasting food...Love their Udon, Oyakko Donburi, and Sushi! I recommend ordering their Maki Sushi !

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Kahala Sushi

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