Nigiri lovers, rejoice — there’s a new omakase at Restaurant SUNTORY, located in Royal Hawaiian Center.
With just nine seats, Sushi Tokiwa is known for its exclusive sushi counter dining within Restaurant SUNTORY. Its entrance is behind a wine display, giving it a modern “hidden gem” vibe.
The sushi counter previously featured a $280 omakase course. In mid-December, the restaurant launched two distinct omakase options — Tokiwa meal ($250) and the brand-new Hakushu meal ($160). The new Hakushu option allows guests to enjoy Edomae-style sushi while showcasing seasonal ingredients at the more budget-friendly price. (Edomae-style sushi translates to ‘Edo front’ and is known for its stronger umami flavor). Regardless of the omakase you choose, two seatings (5:30 and 8 p.m.) are available.
“Since our omakase is very popular now, we are trying to make it more reasonably priced and more traditional,” says Akane Goto, Restaurant SUNTORY assistant manager. “Our previous omakase provided a lot of appetizers, sashimi and soup. Hakushu is cheaper and focuses more on nigiri. For the customer who only wants to have nigiri and a little bit of appetizers, this is better.”
The Hakushi omakase starts with a small appetizer — in this case, a refreshing salmon roe — then segues into 12 pieces of sushi. Diners can look forward to classic Edomae favorites, like tuna and Japanese horse mackerel, according to Goto. She says the $250 Tokiwa omakase is geared toward Japanese customers, while the $160 course is designed for locals in mind, since it features nigiri more than anything.
The majority of the fish featured in the omakase is from Japan, but some local fish are used as well. Highlights from a recent omakase included hairy crab with Hokkaido uni, chutoro nigiri, akami nigiri, Hokkaido uni nigiri, and anago (saltwater eel). The fish boasted that melt-in-your-mouth texture, while Hokkaido uni was luxuriously creamy.
The omakase concluded with a petite sushi roll, miso soup, egg with mountain yam and dessert — in this case, mochi with ube filling. I always look forward to the tamago course, and the mountain yam gave this version a sweeter aftertaste.
Customers craving a more indulgent experience can go for the Tokiwa omakase, which includes appetizers, three types of sashimi, hairy crab, eight pieces of sushi, soup and a dessert.
While the Hakushu omakase has only been around for a month, Restaurant SUNTORY is already preparing to launch a new option called Okonomi. This is the first of its kind in Hawaii, in which the customer gets to customize their dining experience, according to Goto.
“You go to the sushi counter and ask for whatever you like,” she says. “Okonomi can be expensive; it really depends on how much you order and what you order.”
Okonomi starts at a base price of $40 and will include an appetizer, soup and sashimi. From there, customers can add on any nigiri they like. They can let the chef know their budget and any special requests.
“Omakase is chef’s selection; okonomi is our selection,” Goto says. “This is our first attempt; we have never done okonomi before, but I want people to try it.”
CONTACT
Sushi Tokiwa inside Restaurant SUNTORY
Royal Hawaiian Center
2233 Kalakaua Ave. Ste. B307, Honolulu
808-809-6657
restaurantsuntory.com
Instagram: @restaurantsuntoryhnl
Lunch omakase: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., dinner omakase seatings at 5:30 and 8 p.m.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
