Sushi Murayama: A Unique Omakase Experience in Honolulu

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.

Great food, and coolest chef ever. We went in for a casual lunch, and the chef welcomed us as if we are their friends - he talked to us about what type of fish they have today, give us some recommendations, showed us what type of mixup they can do. He customized the bowels and sashimi for us. It’s like a light weight omakase experience, but just the next door neighbor dude is the chef today They are proud of the family business style and we love it as well. This was also just the day before the marathon and we asked for 1 extra rice today. The chef suggested getting some sushi rice so there is some taste of it for the 4am morning carb loading. Super thoughtful!!! also there one of his friends brought him Starbucks coffee. That’s some kinda of inner joke that people can bring Starbucks coffee. Next time we’ll bring coffee This is easiest our best food experience in Hawaii among the many visits.

Chef Murayama gave us an amazing experience with huge pieces of fish on each piece of sushi; it really felt like two pieces in one. He runs the place with his two daughters and it’s a place the locals love so it has great food and service with a neighborhood charm. Highly recommend!

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.

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.

Tasted flavors I’ve never experienced at this restaurant. It looks like a hole in the wall but is better than $400 omakase I’ve had in big cities on the main land. If you want the best experience ask for Dice.

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!

Enjoyed this amazing, kind of hidden (third floor with minimal signage) restaurant at the suggestion of a local, and it was delightful. As a solo traveler, I opted for the 10 course dinner for $100, which meant I had to sit at a table. The sushi bar, where you can chat with the chef, is reserved for the 15 course/$188 customers. Nbd, just an fyi. I’m 49 and was not starving so I even struggled to even finish the 10 course dinner despite the great flavors. I kind of wished they’d slowed the roll out of food so I could relax and enjoy it. All of the food was so good, very unique flavor combos, and so very fresh!