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    Sushi Hana

    4.7 (39 reviews)
    Special Hours Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Mixed tempura udon

    We discovered this little gem 3 years ago. Since then we always stop here to eat a couple times on our annual island trip. However last year we ate here 5 or 6 times in our week long stay. Now when we visit we eat dinner here basically every evening it's open!! The food is just so delicious and fresh. The host Etsuko and chef Harumi are so genuinely gracious. For us it's worth the drive up from Waikoloa Beach each time. So far this trip we've tried some sushi rolls (seared scallop, fatty tuna, salmon) along with our standard mixed tempura udon. Omg so smooth and melts in your mouth. Nothing like this in Vancouver BC sadly. They are very popular now so expect to wait for dinner!! Make sure you come early as they don't take reservations. Once the food is gone they shut down. That's why everything is sooo fresh. Enjoy.

    Entrance.
    Rachael M.

    Sushi Hana in Waimea is the best sushi I've ever had the opportunity to experience. We received a few restaurant recommendations from staff at the resort we stayed at, and Sushi Hana was recommended more than once. No reservations are accepted for their regular menu, only for Saturdays, which is Omakase only, and often booked out 2 months in advance. Had we known about Hana Sushi prior to visiting the Big Island, we'd have made sure to visit for the Omakase experience, but dining here on a Friday for their regular menu was an intimate and personalized experience anyway. The restaurant is run by a passionate duo who do everything - Chef Haruki Higashitai prepares the sushi, and his partner takes the orders and runs the items out from the sushi bar. The bar itself is cozy, with maybe 15 seats in total, and decorated with curated art and knickknacks from Hawaii and Japan. They are first come, first serve, seat parties 10-15 minutes apart, and stop accepting folks from their waitlist when they have enough folks for the evening so as not to crowd the restaurant, or run out of their fresh, and quality fish imported from Japan - so arrive early to secure a spot! We ordered their daily miso soup, pickles, seared favorite nigiri (6 pc/3 different fish), two of the Chef's choice assorted sushi, the Yellowtail roll with avocado, cilantro, and with yuzu soy dipping sauce on the side, and a small tuna roll prepared in a more traditional Japanese fashion to finish everything off. To drink we had hot tea, and the Kai Lychee Mule. Everything was fantastic. The fish was fresh, melted in your mouth like butter, and we we had the pleasure of trying the elusive Black Throat nigiri or Nodoguro as a part of the Chef's choice assorted sushi, and salt-cured anago (or fresh water eel, and not pictured because I was so immersed in the experience at this point that I forgot to snap a photo of the second half of the Chef's choice assorted sushi). The service is amazing, warm, and inviting, like you're dining in a home kitchen, or private club. If you are a sushi lover I absolutely recommend visiting Sushi Hana for a one-of-a-kind experience.

    Sarah B.

    What a pleasant surprise!! This restaurant is located in an unassuming strip mall. There was a short wait for lunch. The interior is very clean and nice. Perfect for a date night. Service is warm and friendly. Do not come here if you want fast food - this is delicious made to order food, made with care. Come here to enjoy a relaxed dining experience! I had 2 sushi rolls, the miso of the day (pork and veg) and edamame, all of the food was excellent. They also have a great sake menu and a nice selection of wines and a few house cocktails. I had the Kai Lychee Mule which was sooooo delicious. There is ample free parking in the lot. I highly recommend this restaurant and will be back!

    Tempura (I think it was cod) with special imported salt for seasoning

    Really wonderful Omakase dinner at Sushi Hana this evening, including items flown in fresh like Hokkaido Scallops and Hairy Crab. Each course was beautifully presented and we were treated to a detailed descriptions of the chefs preparation of our meal. The perfect amount of food, all high quality and prepared with care and attention to detail.

    Uni from Japan
    Mai M.

    I am only giving my review for the OMAKASE experience which was EXCELLENT. Although, I heard the regular menu is just as good. As a Big Island lover who has eaten at ALL the best places on the Island (Kona/Waimea side) I was completely shocked I had never heard of Sushi Hana. I guess because technically it only changed hands a little over a year ago. Plus, we have such great sushi in LA that I never thought sushi could get any better other than Japan but boy was I wrong. Our local friends kept telling us on our last trip there that we needed to try the omakase at Hana. Know that you need to put in your reservation ASAP. I believe the reservation opens up 1.5-2 months in advance and you have to book it quick because there are only 6 seats available per Saturday night which makes this omakase super special. The owner Etsuko and Chef Haruki are really nice and they are the only two employees here. The restaurant itself is small, quiet and cozy. I don't want to give too much away for the omakase itself but you definitely get fed enough. A majority of the fish that was presented came directly from Japan that was picked personally by the chef the morning of our meal. It was really awesome because there were a few fish we hadn't had before on the mainland. Plus, the fresh wasabi and yuzu coming straight from Japan? Well, there's nothing like it. Honestly, this was really is one of the top of the top omakases we've ever had so if you are a sushi fan (rolls are a no no) then you can't sleep on Sushi Hana. Good luck getting that reservation!

    Hana Chirashi
    Theresa N.

    Are you kidding me?? I can't believe this place exists. I almost don't want to write a review because I don't want it to become inaccessibly busy here. BY FAR better than any sushi place in California. And we've dined at all "the best" omakases. We can't even eat sushi in California anymore. We ordered the Hana Chirashi, uni nigiri, otoro sashimi, yellowtail roll, miso soup, & shrimp tempura udon. Everything was absolutely incredible. AND the service was so lovely. 1000/10

    Megan H.

    Best omakase experience -- my in-laws live in Waimea and frequent this place, I was blown away by the omakase for our private celebration booked on a Saturday night. The team made the experience incredibly special, the curation/preparation/presentation of the fish and accompanying courses went above and beyond expectations. The fish was fresh, with several surprising/rarer cuts and perfectly prepared. The vibe is warm and inviting, unpretentious while still feeling unique and nice, it's a very small spot so if you're dining without an omakase booking, plan ahead - it will be worth it. Our entire experience was thoughtfully guided. Will be coming back here every time we are back on the Big Island!

    Udon
    Jewel A.

    The food is superb!!! Service is awesome, we were served matcha goodies after our dinner without even ordering it, they had said that it cleanses the palate. Thought that so nice of them. Ambience is definitely a date spot, cute spot, not too spacious but great for date nights.

    Lori F.

    My husband treated me to the Valentine's Day Omakase at Sushi Hana tonight. We come here often (as often as possible) and feel confident that when we come it will always be a special occasion. We know the food will be memorable, and that the preparation and presentation will be impeccable. I wish I could recount each course served tonight, and the level of attention, the skill and the craft in every dish prepared. I was too absorbed with the experience to stop and document each delightful course. Etsuko and Chef Haruki's care and skill are beyond my ability to convey. They are warm and welcoming and so accommodating of any special dietary requirements. But beyond that, their depth of knowledge and expertise make the dining experience so relaxed and unpretentious you might miss the extraordinary quality of the food and the preparation. It is such a pleasure to just thoroughly enjoy a meal, and the people who clearly love bringing it to you.

    We've been to Sushi Hana for dinner many times, twice for Saturday omakase! I make it easy for myself and usually order the Lehua Kea (chef's 10 piece) and a few more nigiri. Sake is always good, however I found the Kaiyo Whiskeys and/or 2Xo bourbon goes great with the sushi! Only two running the restaurant and service is nice and relaxed. Decor is cozy and inviting. Seating for table service is 10 and counter seating for 4. No reservation, sign in on iPad by the door. You'll be texted on how long your wait time will be. Want better sushi? Easy, just go to Ginza and find a high end sushi bar! Pictures are from week night and omakase.

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    2 years ago

    Great sushi, salty service. No reservations. Try it if you're in the area but have a backup plan if the wait is atrocious.

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    1 year ago

    Small but amazing.. we like to share our sake with the chef as we always sit at the sushi bar

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    2 years ago

    Best sushi on the island!!! Much mahalo for the great service as well! We'll be coming again tonight!

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    2 years ago

    Comfortable setting, fresh and tasty food selections, an overall positive experience.

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    Ask the Community - Sushi Hana

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