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Where excellent sushi is ‘king’

A La Carte

October 18, 2020

Story By: Paige Takeya |

Su Sa Platter ($44)

For nearly 30 years, Sushi King has reigned supreme in its nook in Moiliili, serving high-quality Japanese food to students, locals and tourists alike. While the pandemic shutdowns have challenged this family eatery, they haven’t kept it down.

“We’ve learned to modify,” says Sylvia Kondo Akaka, who manages the restaurant alongside her sister, Tez Hartney. (Their parents opened Sushi King in 1990.) “We honed in on our strengths in takeout, we offer delivery service — we’re being more proactive and creative.”

The restaurant just reopened for dine-in lunch service this week, and there’s another surprise to go with that happy news: an extension of the legendary Sushi King late-night happy hour — to all day long.

That means items like the best-selling Jumbo Salmon Katsu ($14.95) are discounted no matter when patrons stop by.

“Now that we close earlier, we decided we’d offer that menu all day,” Akaka says.

She also advises that patrons keep an eye on the restaurant’s social media accounts, as they highlight daily specials, like the Su Sa Platter ($44) — a discounted combination of Sushi King’s famed Sushi Deluxe and Sashimi Deluxe plates.

None of this would be possible, Akaka emphasizes, without Sushi King’s customers.

“We’re so blessed because we have such a loyal following,” she says. “That’s what kept us going.”

Honolulu, HI 96826

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