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Honolulu Japanese restaurant ranks among top 5 in U.S.

STAR-ADVERTISER / SEPT. 2004

From left: Choon Hi Lee, Kyung Hi Bae and Soo Kyung Lee of Manoa enjoyed a shabu shabu dish at Imanas Tei in Moiliili. The restaurant, located at 2626 S. King Street near University Avenue, placed behind No. 1 Raku, in Las Vegas; second-ranked Sushi Yasuda in New York City; Sushi Ran, in San Francisco; and Brushstroke in New York City on the TimeOut.com list of the best Japanese restaurants in the U.S..

Imanas Tei in Moiliili is the only Japanese restaurant in Hawaii named on the TimeOut.com list of the best Japanese restaurants in the U.S., and it ranked at No. 5.

The restaurant, located at 2626 S. King Street near University Avenue, placed behind No. 1 Raku, in Las Vegas; second-ranked Sushi Yasuda in New York City; Sushi Ran, in San Francisco; and Brushstroke in New York City.

Thirteen other Japanese restaurants in the U.S. were ranked beneath it.

The online and printed publication cited Imanas Tei for its fresh seafood “so recently plucked from the ocean that it quivers and glistens on the plate,” as well as its shabu-shabu and sake offerings.

Methodology used by TimeOut.com to determine the restaurants on the list as well as their rankings was not disclosed.

On the net:

https://www.timeout.com/usa/restaurants/best-japanese-restaurants-in-america

15 responses to “Honolulu Japanese restaurant ranks among top 5 in U.S.”

  1. eros_et_logia says:

    If they think Imanas Tei is the best Japanese restaurant in Honolulu, they have no idea what they’re missing. That place isn’t even in the top 10.

    • BH1 says:

      Name 10 others then.

      • ryan02 says:

        I’ll name one: Yohei.

      • eros_et_logia says:

        Sushi ii, Gaku, Wada, Kona Kai, Maruyama, Sasabune, Kin-Chan, Ginza Bairin, Kohnotori, Onodera Tenpanyaki, Onodera Sushi, Yaki Yaki Miwa, Rinka…..

        • pj737 says:

          Genkis get da meanest California roll cuz. cheeeeeeee

        • boolakanaka says:

          Nice list!!

        • peum says:

          Very nice list. Can add Mitch’s to that too.

        • tho808 says:

          sound like rap r. with the JAPANESE ROLL call.

        • BH1 says:

          I respectfully disagree with the notion that these are better “Japanese” restaurants. Many specialize in a few items. I is basically a fusion/local novelty place like Kona Kai, where large portions are the draw. Gaku is an apprentice of Imana’s. Ginza Bairin is tonkatsu. I can’t say that makes a well rounded Japanese restaurant. Same with onodera teppanyaki. I’m not about to debate quality of meat. But saying that’s a better overall “Japanese” restaurant is debatable. And don’t even get into the “quality of fish”. 99% of the restaurants here get their fish from the auction or same food suppliers. All otoro comes from offshore just as it does in Japan. So that leaves you with preparation, presentation and authenticity. Imana’s is top 5 imho. Sasabune, Yohei, sushi onodera and gaku are there as well.

    • allie says:

      Palani will take me there when he is back! Sounds great. Congrats to the restaurant!

  2. boolakanaka says:

    Because they have no methodology?!? Not even in the top 6…

  3. Tony94 says:

    I think it is a readers poll. Essentially meaningless.

  4. aomohoa says:

    Never heard of TimeOut.com, so who cares what they think? LOL

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