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Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar - WAIKIKI, Oahu, Honolulu, HI

Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar - WAIKIKI, Oahu

4.1
4.1
1206 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary Asian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 14 times today
  • Hot spot
  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
Sansei, meaning third generation, is a locally owned contemporary Japanese Restaurant offering new wave sushi. The force behind the food is Chef/Owner Dave "DK" Kodama. An Oahu native, he is fearless when it comes to flavors and one of the most adventurous chefs you will meet. At Sansei, he has combined his Japanese heritage with Hawai'i's incredible ethnic mix and the flavors he experienced in his travels to create a New Wave Sushi, Japanese-inspired Pacific Rim, Contemporary Japanese type of cuisine. Call it whatever you like. What you will taste are unique combinations of flavors and textures.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Asian, Sushi, Hawaii Regional Cuisine
  • Hours of operation
    Early Bird Mon, Sun 4:45 pm–5:30 pm Dinner Mon, Sun 5:30 pm–9:15 pm Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:15 pm
  • Phone number
    (808) 931-6286
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Albert Balbas
  • Catering
    Off property caterings and private dinners from 20-200 covers. Plated or buffet style.
  • Private party facilities
    Private Dining Room available with reservation.
  • Neighborhood
    Waikiki
  • Cross street
    Ohua & Paoakalani
  • Parking details
    Parking in the hotel. Self parking = 3 hours complimentary, valet parking = $12 flat rate.
  • Entertainment
    Free Karaoke on Friday Nights for 21+, 10pm-1am Open Mic Night on Saturday Nights for 21+, 10pm-1am 50% off Sushi & Appetizers & Drink Specials
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,206 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.1
4.1 based on recent ratings
  • 4.2Food
  • 4.1Service
  • 3.9Ambience
  • 3.8Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Hawaii

    Kid-friendly

  • Hawaii

    Healthy

  • Oahu

    Kid-friendly

  • Oahu

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Waikiki offers "excellent sushi" and "awesome service" in a lively setting. Guests appreciate the "friendly staff" and "gorgeous setting," with standout dishes like the "Hawaiian ahi carpaccio." While some find prices high, the "fresh sushi" and inventive menu keep patrons coming back.

1,206 Reviews
  1. Megan

    VIP

    Indiana

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food and service. There was something for everyone since we had options from sushi to steak. Nice variety.

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  2. Hannah

    Omaha

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    My daughter and I had a reservation for 7:45. We waited 20 minutes to be seated, and once we were seated we didn’t see a server for 30 minutes. We finally flagged someone who apologized and brought us water. We waited another half hour and no server ever appeared so we left, sitting and waiting a full hour to even place an order for drinks or food.

    1 person found this helpful

  3. Cherylee

    Sydney

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    If I could give no stars I would. Do not waste your time or money going here. We made a reservation. Told we were 2nd in line, we ended up being 4th and sat at a make shift table outside. We specifically asked, “Are we going to be forgotten out here?” Told no but of course we were. 20 mins before getting seated. 1 hour wait for our first drink to arrive. 2 hours later 2 mains arrived, no sides. After we finished our meal the 3rd main arrived with still no sides. So many tables left dirty and uncleared. Staff really did not care at all, though the server did apologise as we were leaving. Never had a worse experience anywhere in the world. Do not go here.

    1 person found this helpful

  4. Michael

    Indiana

    5 reviews

    1.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    I have been to Sansei many times over the past 30 years and have always enjoyed the food and service. Unfortunately, it appears there is a newer manager at the restaurant and he/she has failed so badly, that I would caution anyone from going to Sansei in Waikiki. There are far too many other great restaurants in Waikiki/Honolulu to deal with the poor service we experienced (party of 7). This family dinner had everyone exited and ordered appetizer sushi rolls, miso soup and a variety of entrees. After 15 minutes, the miso arrived, tepid. Then meals started to appear over the next 20-40 minutes... 2 guests first, another 2, 10 minutes later and the remainder 10 minutes after that... Then, after more than an hour, our appetizers arrived (AFTER dinner was served and finished). We were told throughout the dinner how "backed up" the kitchen was (while seating across from the sushi bar that never appeared to be overwhelmed. ) During dinner, when we asked to speak with the Manager, the waitress noted our request, but the manager never showed.. A half-dozen times over the last hour of our meal.. The Manager NEVER arrived. While an assistant manger came (after we paid the bill), the Manager NEVER DID, even though at 9pm the restaurant was 50% occupied. The Assistant Manager took my phone number and apologized for the Manager not showing up... 3+ days later, he/she has not called. I have no idea what the standards are anymore, at Sansei. Apparently the wheels have fallen off the bus with basic service execution and etiquette with respect to dealing with CUSTOMER issues. When you spend $100/person for your meal, you expect A LOT more than a food truck. You might decide to risk it, but if you have any party of 5 or 6 or more, I would advise you go elsewhere, until Sansei fixes there Management and Training problems.

    1 person found this helpful

  5. Lisa

    VIP

    New York City

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was very good but we were a party of 4 and 3 of us got our entrees and 1 person had to wait over 20 minutes for part of her entree . We had to cancel the rest of the order because it still was not ready. The waitress was wonderful. Manager had excuses when there honestly is no excuse for everyone not eating their entrees at the same time. Disappointing.

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  6. Cloyce

    VIP

    Sacramento

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We’ve been traveling to Honolulu for many years and have dined at many of the restaurants in Waikiki, without question Sansei is our favorite. Great ambiance, outstanding service (Beigh has been our favorite server) and the food is always incredible!! The Cajun Seared Walu Sashimi is the best Sashimi that we’ve had anywhere in the world. Sensei will ALWAYS be on our itinerary whenever we’re in Honolulu.

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  7. Paul

    Cleveland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good food great view. Dry aged steak was excellent

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  8. Jordi

    Portland

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Food Was not as expected. Very expensive. Food just ok

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  9. Andy

    Philadelphia

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    this place is very busy but still be able to make reservations at the last minute, the service is slow… but food is decent!

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  10. Brock

    VIP

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 19, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    Amazing food but watch out for a lack of attention from certain servers as Bailey did nothing but take our order and essentially abondon the table in addition to not offering a printed bill but when reviewed on handheld had incorrect items charged. First time in years that I felt the need to lower the tip due to poor service. Hopefully management starts paying attention to customer satisfaction. All this is unfortunate as the menu and food is absolutely perfect!!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar - WAIKIKI, Oahu is rated 4.1 stars by 1206 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 14 times today
Google Map for Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar - WAIKIKI, Oahu

2552 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815-3662

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Ohua & Paoakalani
  • Neighborhood
    Waikiki
  • Hours of operation
    Early Bird Mon, Sun 4:45 pm–5:30 pm Dinner Mon, Sun 5:30 pm–9:15 pm Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:15 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Asian, Sushi, Hawaii Regional Cuisine
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Parking in the hotel. Self parking = 3 hours complimentary, valet parking = $12 flat rate.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Albert Balbas
  • Entertainment
    Free Karaoke on Friday Nights for 21+, 10pm-1am Open Mic Night on Saturday Nights for 21+, 10pm-1am 50% off Sushi & Appetizers & Drink Specials
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (808) 931-6286
  • Catering
    Off property caterings and private dinners from 20-200 covers. Plated or buffet style.
  • Private party facilities
    Private Dining Room available with reservation.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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