“What is Brazilian sushi?”
That’s my first question upon arriving at Kahuku-based Babadi Sushi, which specializes in Brazilian-style sushi. The business originated in 2022 as a small home delivery concept, according to co-owners Samara Freitas and Leticia Bonfiglioli.
“We were both working in the food industry for years, and always dreamed of creating something of our own,” Samara Freitas says. “We started making sushi at home just for friends — Leticia missed Brazilian sushi so much that she taught herself through YouTube. She was the one who introduced me to it, and I didn’t even like sushi before!”
Freitas explains that Brazilian sushi is completely different from Japanese-style sushi.
“It’s more creative, a little heavier, and full of flavor,” she says. “It often includes fried rolls, and lots of cream cheese and salmon, which is one of the favorite fish for Brazilians.
“In Brazil, people love to take foods from different cultures and give them a Brazilian twist, and sushi is no exception,” she adds.
Freitas and Bonfiglioli spent one year making sushi only for friends, who recommended that they start selling it. They saved up to buy their food truck and found a spot in Kahuku for it, and opened in 2023.
“For us, this style of sushi also carries an emotional side,” Freitas says. “Leticia really missed Brazilian sushi after moving away from Brazil, and that’s one of the reasons we started Babadi Sushi. We wanted to bring a little piece of home here to Hawaiʻi. It’s been amazing to see how much the Brazilian community connects with it — many Brazilians living here, and even people visiting from other states come to our truck because they can’t find Brazilian sushi where they live.”
“Even though it’s a Brazilian twist, we’ve also been able to win the hearts of many Hawaiʻi residents,” Leticia Bonfiglioli adds. “We deeply appreciate the support we get from the local community. It means a lot to us to see that our food connects not only with Brazilians, but also with the people of Hawaiʻi.”
The business’s name is inspired by the “baleia,” or the Portuguese word for whale. Bonfiglioli explains that when Freitas’s son was two years old, he used to call whale “babadi” (instead of baleia).
“It became a little inside joke between us and our friends because it was so cute,” she says. “Later, when we decided to open our sushi business, I had the idea to call it Babadi Sushi, connecting it back to that word.
“The whale also carries a special meaning for us — it represents transformation and new beginnings, which was exactly what we were stepping into with this new chapter of our lives,” she adds.
Babadi Sushi’s menu is extensive, featuring a variety of appetizers, uramaki, nigiri and fried sushi rolls. While the uramaki and rolls include eight pieces, some of the appetizers are only four pieces, allowing customers to try more dishes.
Start with the spicy heaven ($12) — fried avocado sushi roll topped with spicy ‘ahi and pineapple jelly — avocado tempura ($7.50 for four, $12.50 for eight), or The Bomb ($8). The latter is one of Freitas’s favorites.
“It’s inspired by a classic Brazilian sushi called Joi — a small rice ball wrapped in salmon, filled with cream cheese and lilikoi jelly, and topped with green onions,” she explains. “It’s sweet, tangy, creamy and savory all at once, and it always reminds us of the Brazilian way of mixing flavors.”
Meanwhile, the Waimea ($14) is one of the business’s most popular fried sushi rolls. These rolls feature a panko-crusted exterior and are topped with green onions and unagi sauce.
“Brazilian sushi is known for fried rolls with salmon and cream cheese, but we wanted to give that classic a local Hawaiian twist,” Bonfiglioli says. “The Waimea includes ‘ahi, salmon and cream cheese, wrapped in crispy panko. It’s the best of both worlds — Brazilian comfort with a taste of Hawaiʻi.”
Jade the Special ($16) — an uramaki roll with ‘ahi, cucumber and cream cheese inside and seared spicy salmon on top — is another customer favorite. Bonfiglioli explains that this roll started back when the business was doing home deliveries.
“Samara’s sister-in-law, Jade, loved experimenting with sushi combinations, and her creation became such a hit that it’s now on our menu,” she says. “It has a perfect balance of freshness and smoky flavor.”
Other must-tries include the dragon roll ($16) — filled with shrimp tempura and cucumber, and topped with avocado, spicy mayo, unagi sauce and crispy onions — the Chicago ($15), with spicy imitation crab, avocado and ‘ahi, and the Double Z ($16). The latter features a deep-fried spicy ‘ahi filling and raw ‘ahi, spicy mayo and unagi sauce on top.
“This roll has a sweet meaning behind the name,” Bonfiglioli says. “It’s inspired by twins Zeus and Zio, the best friends of Samara’s son. It features ‘ahi in two ways; the mix of textures and flavors makes it one of our standout favorites.”
If you want something more traditional, opt for the business’s seared spicy ‘ahi nigiri ($7.50) and garlic seared salmon nigiri ($6.50).
Be sure to save room for dessert. The biz offers a special banana dessert ($12.50 for eight pieces), which features panko-crusted banana pieces coated in cinnamon and sugar and topped with your choice of Nutella or dulce de leche. It’s crunchy, fragrant, and impossible to only eat one piece.
If you’re looking for something refreshing after all that sushi, the owners recommend trying Guarana ($4). This Amazonian fruit drink includes high caffeine levels and a tropical flavor — perfect for any long drive back to Honolulu.
For its owners, Babadi Sushi is not just about food — it’s about providing community and connection.
“We are so grateful for the Brazilian community that always shows up to support us, and for the locals of Hawaiʻi who embraced our Brazilian twist on sushi with so much love,” Bonfiglioli says. “Seeing Brazilians gather around our truck because it reminds them of home — and at the same time, watching local residents enjoy and connect with something new — makes us feel like we’ve built more than a food truck. We’ve built a place of exchange, culture and good vibes, and we really appreciate every single person who comes by.”
“We’re really grateful for all the support we’ve been getting,” Freitas adds. “Starting a small business isn’t easy, but the love we’ve felt from both locals and visitors makes it all worth it. We’re excited to keep growing and sharing our sushi with more people.”
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CONTACT
Babadi Sushi
56-565 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku
Instagram: @babadisushi
Open 12-8 p.m., Mondays-Saturdays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
