Kenichi Pacific

4.3

1512 Reviews

$31 to $50

Sushi

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 22, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 28 times today

Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions
Healthy

Walk Ins are welcome or please call for personal reservations if there isn't an open time 808 322-6400
Kenichi Pacific, where your taste buds embark on an unforgettable journey! Located in the heart of Kailua Kona, HI, Big Island we pride ourselves on serving the freshest sushi, steak, seafood, meticulously crafted cocktails from locally sourced ingredients.
Our menu is a celebration of flavor, featuring daily sushi specials, that showcase the finest catch of the day, as well as unique Chef specials that highlight seasonal ingredients. Each dish is a masterpiece, designed to tantalize your palate and elevate your dining experience.
At Kenichi Pacific, we believe that great food deserves a great atmosphere. Enjoy our inviting setting, where friendly service meets a vibrant ambiance, perfect for intimate dinners or lively gatherings with friends and family. Join us for a culinary adventure that promises not just a meal, but an amazing experience.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Sushi, Steak, Seafood
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sun 3:30 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Fri–Sun 4:30 pm–6:00 pm
Phone number
(808) 322-6400
Website
http://kenichikona.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Christopher Massella
Catering
Offers: Full sushi station with your Private Chef Bar station Sushi, food/pupus & more At least a week notice for smaller groups.
Private party facilities
Bar area with outdoor lanai 75 guests maxSmall Dining room hold up to 14 guests maxTwo out side patio (Covered) hold up to 30 guests max

Location
78-6831 Ali'i Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Neighborhood
Kailua-Kona
Cross street
Kamehameha III
Parking details
We are located in Keauhou Shopping Center. We do have plenty of parking space.
Public transit
Keauhou shuttle Open-Air 44 seat trolley type shuttle. Between Keauhou and Kailua town eight times a day.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Raw and Local
Big island grown julienne vegetables, miso caesar dressing
Honeycrisp Apple & Bok Choy salad
Carrot Shoestrings | Honeycrisp Apple | Red Onion | Macadamia Nuts | Macerated Raisins | Ginger Vinaigrette
Kenichi's Caesar Salad
Grilled Romaine | Shokupan Croutons | Parmigiano Reggiano | Miso Dressing | Lemon Zest

Cool Tasting

Seared Beef Carpaccio
Tellicherry pepper | Truffle Ponzu
Chilled Seasonal Oyster
Coconut Finadene | Salmon Ikura | Spring Onion
Hamachi Tiradito GF* (New Style)
Serrano Chili | House Ponzu | Micros | Cilantro
Seasonal Oyster & Quail Egg Shooter
Seasonal Oyster | Quail egg | Spring Onion | House Ponzu | Daikon Oroshi
Sunomono Salad
Japanese Cucumber | Wakame Seaweed | Sesame seeds Add Shrimp / Octopus $5

Entrees

Duck Confit
Ginger Sweet Potato | Tempura Baby Spinach | Zhenjiang Reduction
Pan Seared Chicken
Japanese Mushrooms | Kimchi Butter | Neri Goma
Diver Scallop Coconut Curry
Udon Noodles | Braised Vegetables | Fresh Coriander | Ocean Tuile
Wafu Style Mushroom Pasta
Japanese Mushroom | Temopura Baby Spinach | Zhenjiang reduction
Chicken Katsu Carbonara
Smoked Bacon | Dashi Cream | Bonita Flakes | Kizami Nori
Itameshi Kauai Shrimp & Scallop Risotto GF*
Mushroom Dashi | Tomato Brodo | Parmigiano Reggiano
Macadamia Crusted Lamb Chops
Crispy Ulu | Baby Spinach | Cherry Tomatoes | Zhenjiang Reduction
Misoyaki Broiled Black Cod or Salmon
Neri Goma Spaetzle | Edamame Succotash | Misoyaki Glaze
Japanese Style Spaghetti & Clams
Manila Clams | Cherry Tomatoes | Sweet Onion | Sake Butter | Italian Parsley

Sides

Honey Gochujang Brussel Sprouts
Bacon Lardons | Panko Gremolata | Macadamia Nuts
Smoked Mac & Cheese
Bacon Lardons | Panko Gremolata
Sake Glazed Mushrooms GF*
Japanese Mushrooms | Tamari Butter | Lemon Zest
Buttery Soy Glazed Noodles
Parmigiano Reggiano | Tamari Butter
Potato Puree
Regular $8 | Truffle $14 | Wasabi $10
Seafood Fried Rice
Bay Scallops | Shrimp | Crab | Spring Onion | Tamago Egg | Bonito Flakes

Hot (Warm) Tasting

Manapua Duo
Duck confit | Braised Pork | Organic Greens | Pickled Vegetables
Asian BBQ. Ribs
Barbeque Sauce | Herb Oil | Sesame Seeds | Spring Onion
Age'dashi Tofu
Fried tofu, green onions, grated ginger, bonito flakes, dashi broth
Wok Charred Edamame
Sea Salt | Yuzu Shichimi | Charred Lime
Poached Mussels
Sapporo Ale | Yuzu Kosho Froth | Maccerated Ume Oil | Garlic Miso Butter | Shiso Leaf Crisp
Grilled Hamachi Kama GF*
House Ponzu | Spring Onion | Oroshi Daikon
Charred Shishito Peppers V*GF*
House Ponzu | Sea Salt
Japanese Street Corn GF*
Miso Butter | Cotija Cheese | Shichimi Mayo | Bonita Flakes | Aonori Powder
Spicy Crispy Calamari
Blistered Shishitos | Yuzu Shichimi | Charred Lime | Ginger Aioli
Vegetable Tempura
Tentsuya Dipping Sauce Add Shrimp $4.5
Bacon Wrapped Kauai Shrimp
Yuzu Orange Marmalade | Maui Tabacco Onions
Karaage Chicken
Pineapple Relish | Miso Aioli | Tsuma Salad

Soup

Miso Soup
Add Clams $6

Fresh Wasabi

Fresh Wasabi
Freshly grated wasabi from Japan

Meats

includes One Sauce

Filet Mignon 8oz
Ribeye 12oz
Japanese Style Short Ribs
Surf & Turf
Filet Mignon & Lobster tail
Add on to Meats
Kauai Shrimp $16 | Diver Scallop $18 | Lobster Tail MP
Add on Sauces
Truffleyake Glaze | KP Sauce | Shitake Bordelaise | Garlic Cilantro

Sushi Rolls

Soft Shell Crab Roll
Inside: Tempura Crab | Avocado | Kaiware sprouts | Truffle Outside: Daikon Sheet | Ginger Masago
Shogun Shrimp Roll
Inside: Tempura Shrimp | Japanese Cucumber Outside: Ahi Tuna | Wasabi | Tobiko | Uni | Unagi Reduction
Samurai Eel roll
Inside: Avocado | Japanese Cucumber Outside: Freshwater Eel | Unagi Reduction | Sesame Seeds
Rainbow Roll GF*
Inside: Surimi Crab | Avocado | Cucumber Outside: White Fish | Salmon | Shrimp | Tuna | Avocado
Vegas Roll
Inside: Avocado | Serrano Slivers | Tempura Shrimp Outside: Spicy Crab | KP Sauce | Unagi Reduction | Crispy Shallots
Nojo Vegetable Roll V*GF*
Inside: Cucumber | Avocado | Spring Onion | Pickled Burdock | Shiso Leaf | Soy Paper
Tempura Shrimp Roll
Inside: Tiger Prawn | Spring Onion | Spicy Aoli | Unagi Reduction
Cucumber Roll V*GF*
Inside: Sushi Rice | Cucumber
Avocado Roll V*GF*
Inside: Sushi Rice | Kona Avocado
California Roll GF*
Inside: Surimi Crab | Avocado | Cucumber
Spicy Tuna Roll GF*
Tuna Tartare | Cucumber | Smelt Roe
Tuna Roll
Sushi Rice | Ahi Tuna
Hawaiian Roll
Inside: Shoyu Tuna | Avocado | Cucumber Outside: Unagi Reduction | Inamona
Natto Roll GF*
Fermented Soybeans | Spring Onion
Avocado & Cucumber Roll
Kona Avocado | Cucumber

Nigiri

Yellowtail
Salmon
Saba
Ebi
Unagi
Tako
Ahi Tuna
Sweet Ebi
Big Island Kanpachi
Ikura Nigiri

Sashimi

Yellowtail
Ahi Tuna
Salmon
Big Island Kanpachi
Hamachi Toro

Signature Nigiri

Kona Kanpachi Nigiri
Kanpachi | Yuzu | Tobiko | Inamono
Maguro Zuke Nigiri
Soy Blanched ahi | Fresh Daikon Oroshi
Seared Hamakua Ali'i Mushroom Nigiri
Yuzu Miso | Lemon Zest | Torched
Aburi Salmon Harasu Nigiri
Salmon Belly | Unagi Reduction | Lemon Zest | Garlic Chips | Torched
Sea Salt & Lime Cured Saba Nigiri
Tsu Vinegar | Fresh Ginger | Spring Onion
Hamachi Nigiri
Wasabi Tobiko | Lemon Zest
Diver Scallop Nigiri GF*
Salted Kombu | Lime Zest
Uni Nigiri GF*
Uni | Grated Wasabi

Sashimi Dinners

Served with Miso Soup & Steamed Rice

Poke Chirashi
An Array of Diced & Sliced Fish | Sushi Rice | Avocado | Salmon Roe | Sesame Ponzu | Arare | Cucumber
Sashimi Dinner GF*
Yellowtail | Kanpachi | Salmon | Tuna

Desserts

Shokupan Bread Pudding
Burnt Miso Butterscotch | Chocolate Truffle Crumble | Haupia Ice Cream | Seasonal Assorted Berries
Banana Fosters
Burnt Miso Butterscotch | Haupia Ice Cream | Roasted Macadamia Nuts
Ice Cream
Inquire for Daily Flavor
Sorbet
Inquire for daily flavor

Keiki Menu

Buttery Soy Glazed Noodles
Parmigiano Reggiano | Tamari Butter
Karaage Chicken
Edamame Succotash | Steamed Rice
Grilled Filet Mignon 4oz
Edamame Succotash | Potato Puree

What 1,512 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3

4.3 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.2Service
4.2Ambience
4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Hawaii
Neighborhood gem
Hawaii
Sushi
Hawaii / Big Island
Innovative
Hawaii / Big Island
Good for groups
Hawaii / Big Island
Healthy
Hawaii / Big Island
Neighborhood gem
Hawaii / Big Island
Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Kenichi Pacific offers a diverse menu with standout dishes like "dynamite shrimp" and "lamb chops cooked perfectly." Patrons rave about the "amazing sushi" and "excellent service," making it a local favorite. While some reviews mention inconsistent service, the fresh ingredients and "wonderful dining experiences" keep guests returning.

1,512 Reviews

L
Lew
VIP
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The Misoyaki Black Cod dish is Michilen 3 Star entre!!!
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LC
LindaC
San Francisco
4 reviews
1.0
4 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
Made a reservation for my birthday. Seated right away but waited for 30 minutes for a waiter to show up at our table. Then waited for another hour for our sushi rolls to show up. Then the main course came another 20 minutes later. Sushi rolls were small and terrible. Main course was good but a bit salty. We had to chase our waiter for refilling the water because our drinks did not come for an hour. We had to complain in order to get them at the end. I will never go back there again. Used to be good. Not anymore.
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J
John
Vancouver
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 1
Food was good but not stellar. Our server was very good and friendly. She made up for the downsides. Kitchen was very slow. Noise level was high. Restaurant was outdated and worn out.
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C
Chay
VIP
Hawaii
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 5
Took 20 mins before someone came to our table to take drink orders and about 30 mins to get our drinks and another 30 mins to take our food order and it only got worst from there. No apologies from server for everything taking too long to come out I had to ask the server to bring out the kids food. I had to asked to speak to the manager and complain about poor service!!!
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S
Sigrid
VIP
San Francisco
99 reviews
5.0
99 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
For a very long time, Kenichi Pacific Restaurant has been one of my favorites. The food is outstanding in quality and creativity. My server Alika answered all my questions about the menu and explained terms unknown to me. His service with excellent.
Is this helpful?
C
Constance
Hawaii
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on December 13, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a group of six and a baby. We were outside and it was very comfortable and enjoyable meal.
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E
Eric
VIP
Hawaii
36 reviews
4.0
36 reviews
Dined on December 11, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Food and service were good. Drinks were ok. Still deciding if it was worth the price jumps on this new menu. I think the specialty nigiri are worthwhile.
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N
Nancy
Seattle
36 reviews
4.0
36 reviews
Dined on December 8, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Great food. Service was exceedingly slow. Lovely server, once she arrived after we were seated about 15 minutes, with staff walking by. Also, it took almost half an hour for our scoops of ice cream to arrive. However, the salad, sashimi, and salmon were delicious.
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L
Lian
VIP
Portland
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Good sushi and pretty good service. We haven’t been here since we last visited Kona in 2019. The menu has changed a lot, and many dishes listed on the OpenTable are no longer available and the prices are not accurate either. Seems like they’re trying out a hybrid of a sushi steakhouse concept. I will always miss the ono (delicious) with potato—I can’t remember what it’s called. We had a couple cocktails, a very good bottle of sake, nigiri, tempura, split a sizzling ribeye (next time we will choose something other than the rather bland KP sauce), and had a delightful salad with apples, macerated raisins, greens, a bit of carrot and it was perfectly dressed. If you’re out of something at the beginning of the night, don’t make lame excuses like the happy hour sake in 3 different sizes is sitting in customs—send a manager to the store for a suitable substitution.
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L
Lucy
San Francisco
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 2, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 1
We were so sad upon returning to one of our favorite restaurants find that it had been recently sold and retained none of the amazing qualities that we used to love. It was dirty inattentive environment. The sushi rolls were smaller and tasteless served very unattractively. Our bananas foster dessert had 5(!) slices of banana in it. All above of course was at the same prices as previous. Kenichi Pacific in name only avoid at all costs!
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FAQs

Kenichi Pacific is rated 4.3 stars by 1512 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 22, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 28 times today

78-6831 Ali'i Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Additional information

Cross street
Kamehameha III
Neighborhood
Kailua-Kona
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sun 3:30 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Fri–Sun 4:30 pm–6:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Sushi, Steak, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
We are located in Keauhou Shopping Center. We do have plenty of parking space.
Public transit
Keauhou shuttle Open-Air 44 seat trolley type shuttle. Between Keauhou and Kailua town eight times a day.
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Christopher Massella
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://kenichikona.com/
Phone number
(808) 322-6400
Catering
Offers: Full sushi station with your Private Chef Bar station Sushi, food/pupus & more At least a week notice for smaller groups.
Private party facilities
Bar area with outdoor lanai 75 guests maxSmall Dining room hold up to 14 guests maxTwo out side patio (Covered) hold up to 30 guests max

Kenichi Pacific

Make a reservation

Additional information

Sashimi Dinner GF

Hamachi Nigiri

Ikura Nigiri

Greens

Raw and Local

Honeycrisp Apple & Bok Choy salad

Kenichi's Caesar Salad

Cool Tasting

Seared Beef Carpaccio

Chilled Seasonal Oyster

Hamachi Tiradito GF* (New Style)

Seasonal Oyster & Quail Egg Shooter

Sunomono Salad

Entrees

Duck Confit

Pan Seared Chicken

Diver Scallop Coconut Curry

Wafu Style Mushroom Pasta

Chicken Katsu Carbonara

Itameshi Kauai Shrimp & Scallop Risotto GF*

Macadamia Crusted Lamb Chops

Misoyaki Broiled Black Cod or Salmon

Japanese Style Spaghetti & Clams

Sides

Honey Gochujang Brussel Sprouts

Smoked Mac & Cheese

Sake Glazed Mushrooms GF*

Buttery Soy Glazed Noodles

Potato Puree

Seafood Fried Rice

Hot (Warm) Tasting

Manapua Duo

Asian BBQ. Ribs

Age'dashi Tofu

Wok Charred Edamame

Poached Mussels

Grilled Hamachi Kama GF*

Charred Shishito Peppers V*GF*

Japanese Street Corn GF*

Spicy Crispy Calamari

Vegetable Tempura

Bacon Wrapped Kauai Shrimp

Karaage Chicken

Soup

Miso Soup

Fresh Wasabi

Fresh Wasabi

Meats

Filet Mignon 8oz

Ribeye 12oz

Japanese Style Short Ribs

Surf & Turf

Add on to Meats

Add on Sauces

Sushi Rolls

Soft Shell Crab Roll

Shogun Shrimp Roll

Samurai Eel roll

Rainbow Roll GF*

Vegas Roll

Nojo Vegetable Roll V*GF*

Tempura Shrimp Roll

Cucumber Roll V*GF*

Avocado Roll V*GF*

California Roll GF*

Spicy Tuna Roll GF*

Tuna Roll

Hawaiian Roll

Natto Roll GF*

Avocado & Cucumber Roll

Nigiri

Yellowtail

Salmon

Saba

Ebi

Unagi

Tako

Charred Shishito Peppers VGF

Nojo Vegetable Roll VGF

Cucumber Roll VGF

Avocado Roll VGF