Honolulu's 5 best spots to score affordable Japanese food

Musubi Cafe Iyasume | Photo: Trinh L./Yelp

Looking for a tasty Japanese meal near you?

Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Japanese restaurants around Honolulu, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fulfill your urges.

1. Musubi Cafe Iyasume

Topping the list is Musubi Cafe Iyasume, located at 2427 Kuhio Ave., Floor 1, Aqua Pacific Monarch Hotel in Waikiki. The Japanese, Hawaiian and fast food spot is the most popular cheap Japanese restaurant in Honolulu, boasting 4.5 stars out of 3,035 reviews on Yelp.

Open since 2000, this spot has established a tradition of Japanese style bento, with menu items such as chicken or pork bentos and traditional rice balls. Looking for noodles? Try the udon noodles and the shrimp tempura for a change. (Check out the full menu.)

2. Palace Saimin

Kalihi-Palama's Palace Saimin, located at 1256 N. King St., is another top choice. Yelpers give the affordable Japanese and Hawaiian spot, which offers noodles and more, 4.5 stars out of 388 reviews.

First established in 1946, the restaurant still maintains a menu of old fashioned saimin and BBQ sticks. Noodle lovers, try the wonton udon.

3. Hawaii Sushi

Hawaii Sushi, a sushi bar and Japanese spot in Diamond Head-Kapahulu-St. Louis, is another much-loved, inexpensive go-to spot. With 4.5 stars out of 326 Yelp reviews, head over to 3045 Monsarrat Ave., Suite 1 to see for yourself.

Expect to find on the menu the chef's specials, such as the local Ahi special and snow crab and Ikura bowl. Check out the daily offerings too, like the salmon salad poke bowl on Mondays.

4. Burger & Sushi

Over in Waikiki, check out Burger & Sushi, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 273 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the sushi bar, Japanese and traditional American spot by heading over to 444 Niu St.

On this unique menu, expect to find calamari and chips, as well as bacon cheeseburgers, breaded shrimp and fries.

5. Kokoro-Tei

Finally, there's Kokoro-Tei, a McCully-Moiliili favorite with 4.5 stars out of 216 reviews. Stop by 2424 S. Beretania St., Suite A105 to hit up the Japanese spot the next time you're in the mood for cheap eats.

This eatery is known for its made-to-order bentos. Try the deep-fried oyster bento or the teriyaki beef bento. Vegetarians, look for the healthy vegetable bento. (See the full menu here.)

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