Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar - WAIKIKI, Oahu

Review summary

1. D

   Denise

   VIP

   San Francisco

   16 reviews

   4.0

   16 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   We've been going to Sansei for the last five years. First time back since change of management and combining with dkSteakhouse. Sushi was very good . Caterpillar Roll was excellent! Our waitress was very good. She apologized for the delay in food service. It seems kitchen is struggling a bit with changes. Yes, sushi came out slow, one roll at a time...but quality remains high. My husband and I are in no hurry. We will be back several more times before we head back to mainland. I'm sure management will get it together. Food is too delicious not to return.
   

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2. W

   Wim

   VIP

   New York City

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   We were 4 and food came per person with 15min in between. Since it was hot there was no option to wait resulting in each of us eating separate.
   

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3. 慎一郎

   Hawaii

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   The spicy tuna roll was incredibly delicious.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
   

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4. M

   Megan

   VIP

   Indiana

   13 reviews

   5.0

   13 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Great food and service. There was something for everyone since we had options from sushi to steak. Nice variety.
   

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5. H

   Hannah

   Omaha

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   My daughter and I had a reservation for 7:45. We waited 20 minutes to be seated, and once we were seated we didn’t see a server for 30 minutes. We finally flagged someone who apologized and brought us water. We waited another half hour and no server ever appeared so we left, sitting and waiting a full hour to even place an order for drinks or food.
   

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6. C

   Cherylee

   Sydney

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   If I could give no stars I would. Do not waste your time or money going here. We made a reservation. Told we were 2nd in line, we ended up being 4th and sat at a make shift table outside. We specifically asked, “Are we going to be forgotten out here?” Told no but of course we were. 20 mins before getting seated. 1 hour wait for our first drink to arrive. 2 hours later 2 mains arrived, no sides. After we finished our meal the 3rd main arrived with still no sides. So many tables left dirty and uncleared. Staff really did not care at all, though the server did apologise as we were leaving. Never had a worse experience anywhere in the world. Do not go here.
   

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7. L

   Lisa

   VIP

   San Francisco

   33 reviews

   1.0

   33 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Experience was not good. Starter salad came out after entries . Steaks came first and all the sushi was delayed so hot item sat and got cold. No utensils were provided so food got colder. Waiter seems very confused about everything Drinks were delayed. Automatic gratuity was added for 8 but we were a party of 7. Just not a great experience.
   

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8. M

   Michael

   Indiana

   5 reviews

   1.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   I have been to Sansei many times over the past 30 years and have always enjoyed the food and service. Unfortunately, it appears there is a newer manager at the restaurant and he/she has failed so badly, that I would caution anyone from going to Sansei in Waikiki. There are far too many other great restaurants in Waikiki/Honolulu to deal with the poor service we experienced (party of 7). This family dinner had everyone exited and ordered appetizer sushi rolls, miso soup and a variety of entrees. After 15 minutes, the miso arrived, tepid. Then meals started to appear over the next 20-40 minutes... 2 guests first, another 2, 10 minutes later and the remainder 10 minutes after that... Then, after more than an hour, our appetizers arrived (AFTER dinner was served and finished). We were told throughout the dinner how "backed up" the kitchen was (while seating across from the sushi bar that never appeared to be overwhelmed. ) During dinner, when we asked to speak with the Manager, the waitress noted our request, but the manager never showed.. A half-dozen times over the last hour of our meal.. The Manager NEVER arrived. While an assistant manger came (after we paid the bill), the Manager NEVER DID, even though at 9pm the restaurant was 50% occupied. The Assistant Manager took my phone number and apologized for the Manager not showing up... 3+ days later, he/she has not called. I have no idea what the standards are anymore, at Sansei. Apparently the wheels have fallen off the bus with basic service execution and etiquette with respect to dealing with CUSTOMER issues. When you spend $100/person for your meal, you expect A LOT more than a food truck. You might decide to risk it, but if you have any party of 5 or 6 or more, I would advise you go elsewhere, until Sansei fixes there Management and Training problems.
   

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9. L

   Lisa

   VIP

   New York City

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   The food was very good but we were a party of 4 and 3 of us got our entrees and 1 person had to wait over 20 minutes for part of her entree . We had to cancel the rest of the order because it still was not ready. The waitress was wonderful. Manager had excuses when there honestly is no excuse for everyone not eating their entrees at the same time. Disappointing.
   

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10. C

    Cloyce

    VIP

    Sacramento

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    We’ve been traveling to Honolulu for many years and have dined at many of the restaurants in Waikiki, without question Sansei is our favorite. Great ambiance, outstanding service (Beigh has been our favorite server) and the food is always incredible!! The Cajun Seared Walu Sashimi is the best Sashimi that we’ve had anywhere in the world. Sensei will ALWAYS be on our itinerary whenever we’re in Honolulu.
    

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