Sushi Que

 One of my husband's friends invited us to dinner at Sushi Que, and we happily accepted. The reservation was for 6:30 p.m., and when we asked if the time could be adjusted, he explained why it couldn't. Sushi Que is a cozy, intimate restaurant with just a sushi counter and a handful of tables. The tables have only one seating each night at 6:30 p.m., while the sushi counter turns over twice.

As it turned out, the single seating was one of the best parts of the evening. There was no pressure to rush through the meal or make way for the next guests. We were able to relax, enjoy good company, and savor each course at a leisurely pace.

The sushi itself was outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and expertly prepared. 

The intimate setting, unhurried atmosphere, and exceptional sushi made for a memorable evening. We're grateful for the invitation and left with full stomachs and an evening to remember!

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Bozu Japanese Restaurant

I recently met up with some friends for a great meal at Bozu Japanese Restaurant.

Bozu Style Fried Chicken & Eggplant

Toro Takuan

Burdock Tempura

Hot Kake Udon

Beef Tongue

Seared Stingray Fin

Mentaiko Butter Pasta

Unagi Avocado

French Fries with Anchovy & Butter

What a feast! I had so many faves!  The Burdock Tempura and French Fries were so addicting (I made sure to sop up all the remaining anchovy paste with the remaining fries).  The Beef Tongue was tender and delish - I loved all the green onions!

The Pasta was another fave, and the Udon was just what I needed.  

Definitely come with a big group so you can try all sorts of izakaya dishes!

Bozu Japanese Restaurant
McCully Shopping Center 2nd Floor #209

1960 Kapiolani Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96826

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Okome at Salt

Okome opened their second location at Salt Kakaako late last year featuring their authentic tempura rice bowls known as tendon. On the menu, they offer a variety of tendon and fresh poke bowls as well as udon. 

You can either order at the self-service ipads or put in your order with the staff. The service was great and the staff was very helpful and friendly. I opted for the volcano bowl which was great, but I did think the sushi rice could have been tastier.

There is plenty of booth and table seating making this casual eatery a great choice at Salt! They are open Monday through Saturday from 10:30am to 8pm and on Sundays from 10:30am to 6pm. 

Volcano Bowl

Okome Tendon 

Dining area

Okome Kakaako

685 Auahi Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

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Aji Ramen

 One of my kids was craving ramen, so we decided to try Aji Ramen.

Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen

SPAM Katsu Curry

Takoyaki

Chicken Katsu Ramen

Shrimp Tempura Udon

Gyoza

Chicken Katsu Curry

I had the Chicken Katsu Curry. It was a generous serving at a reasonable price. The katsu was tender and the curry was tasty.    

Everyone else devoured their meals, and my son was happy to have had ramen. 

Aji Ramen
94-050 Farrington Hwy

Waipahu, HI 96797

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Lunch Banquet at Natsunoya Tea House

This summer, we had the honor of celebrating an incredible milestone — the 70th wedding anniversary of my in-laws. To mark the occasion, we gathered family for a lunchtime celebration at Natsunoya Tea House, a hidden gem nestled in the hills of Honolulu that’s known for its warm hospitality and beautiful, traditional setting.

We reserved one of Natsunoya’s private banquet rooms for the event. Our party was one of several taking place that day, and it was impressive to see how the staff managed multiple private functions so seamlessly. Even with the full schedule, everything was well-organized, and the service was attentive and 5-star.

For our celebration, we chose Menu G — a generous, family-style spread. It featured:

• Bara Sushi and White Rice

  

  

• Oriental Salad

  

  
  

• Agedashi Tofu

  

• Shrimp & Vegetable Tempura

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Hibachi Chicken

  

• Tonkatsu

  

• Steamed Fish

  

• Nishime

  

• Potato Salad

  

The menu was very family-friendly and absolutely delicious. My personal favorites were the agedashi tofu, crispy tempura, and the perfectly cooked steamed fish — each dish was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully prepared.

For our gluten-free attendee, Natsunoya prepared a special gluten-free bento, ensuring that everyone could enjoy the meal without worry. 

With its combination of great food, attentive service, and classic local charm, I’d definitely love to return to Natsunoya for another family gathering in the future.

For more information on their banquets, catering, and sushi bar, visit their website.

NATSUNOYA TEA HOUSE

1935 MAKANANI DRIVE

808-595-4488

 

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