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Saved: December 23rd 2016
Exterior of Sushi Sasabune
I wasn't kidding when I was it was nondescript.Located in a nondescript strip mall along King Street (cross street Keeaumoku), Sushi Sasabune's low key exterior gives little hint about what is hidden inside. Considered by many to be one of the best sushi restaurants in Honolulu, Sushi Sasabune can be intimidating. When you make your reservation, they will tell you right off the bat this this place serves traditional sushi only: no California rolls, no spicy tuna, no tempura, etc. When you arrive and you are seated, you are handed only a drinks menu. If you are a first timer, the rules are recited to you. They are:
• One piece, one bite;
• Gari (ginger) may only be eaten as a palate cleanser between courses. It may not be eaten with the sushi; and
• Only dip your sushi in soy sauce when your chef tells you it is okay to do so.
And yes, they're serious. Sushi Nazi-San has created quite a reputation for himself. I know one person who was banished from the counter for ignoring his instructions.
Why do they give you only a drinks menu? It's because individual orders are strongly discouraged. All diners are expected to order the omakase (chef's
choice). They will, of course, ask you if there is anything you don't like, but you are otherwise expected to eat what they give you. It's no wonder that signs inside and outside the restaurant say "Today's Special. Trust me!".
Here's a little known secret. The default omakase is geared towards Caucasians. If you ask for the Japanese omakase, you'll get more shellfish and other items that may not be palatable to western tastes such as abalone, ankimo (monkfish liver) and uni (sea urchin). You have to specifically request the Japanese omakase, though.
I've been to Sushi Sasabune in Honolulu twice. It took almost ten years for me to gather up the courage to face the Sushi Nazi. I had been to the original Sushi Sasabune in Los Angeles (then a small hole-in-the-wall along Sawtelle Boulevard) a couple of times though. On my first visit, I went with two co-workers and we were too intimidated to sit at the counter. Our course-by-course tasting menu included:
• Abalone
• Hamachi collar
• Toro
• Halibut and red snapper
• Hamachi and trevally jack
• Salmon and scallop
• Surf clam, kushu oyster and spot prawn
• Mackerel
• Geoduck clam and octopus
• Snow crab and skipjack
Visit #1 Course #1
Abalone from Kona marinated with lemon. tuna
• Ankimo, Ikura and Uni
• Miso Soup
Our server took a real shine to us and he took the time to explain each course and the origins of the seafood (see the descriptions in the photos). I did end this meal feeling very guilty about the carbon footprint.
The damage: about $150, including drinks plus a flan for dessert. There are typically 11 to 13 courses. You can tell the chef to stop anytime.
My second visit was with a business associate. This guy is a serious sushi aficionado and he reserved spots at the counter, so we were face-to-face with Sushi Nazi-San. Gulp. For one brief horrible moment I thought we would be yelled at because we did not get to tell him we wanted the Japanese omakase before he prepared the first course in the western omakase (almost always a tuna dish swimming in ponzu). We stopped him as he was about to hand us this course. He looked a little surprised at first but he said okay. He was all smiles the rest of the time. Hmm, maybe his reputation was unwarranted. Or we made his day. He was also impressed that
Visit #1 Course #2
Hamachi kama (yellowtail collar) from Japan. we finished the entire tasting menu.
Our menu for today:
• Abalone
• Baby squid stuffed with crab
• Toro
• Halibut and red snapper
• Hamachi and trevally jack
• Salmon and scallop
• Kushu oyster, geoduck clam and blue prawn
• Mackerel
• Arrow squid, snow crab and abalone
• Ikura and uni
• Baked lobster
• Miso soup
• Anago and Tamago.
My business associate ordered a couple more items plus dessert after going through the full course. The damage: $190. Unlike the last time, we did not ask about the origins of the dishes because we were served directly by Sushi Nazi-San and he had everybody else's dinner to prepare.
I've attached and labeled my pictures from the two visits. I have pics of all courses except course #10 of my second visit. Enjoy the food porn.
Tips: Sushi Sasabune is at 1417 South King St. Yelp reviews are
here .
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