The Fashionably-Forward Foodie: Morio's Sushi Bistro

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Morio's Sushi Bistro

I've heard Morio's Omakase is amazing and a must-go, but my friend, Jeremy and I settled for their regular menu. The restaurant recently moved from its Waikiki location to next to Jack on the Box on King Street. I didn't ever make it to his Waikiki location, but this King St one seems much more convenient. Also, a small parking lot in the back devoted to him! Perfect.

While this restaurant is still extra small, with just about 4 small tables and a bar seating 4 people, it is definitely tight quarters. I felt I had to whisper to keep conversation to ourselves! I also read on Yelp what a character Morio usually is, however the restaurant was quiet as a mouse! He was quietly making his sushi and Omakase for a couple at the bar.

Some tips- Make a reservation. The restaurant is so small, you can't get in without a reservation! Secondly, get the Omakase!!! While the regular menu was mediocre, Jeremy and I are going back in a couple weeks to get their Omakase. A lot of the food I saw in the pics on Yelp, I asked the waiter for, but he kept saying that was part of an Omakase set. Clams, part of Omakase. Scallops, part of Omakase. Lobster Soup, part of Omakase. Ok, I get the idea. So, when I asked the waiter around how much the Omakase is per person, I expected the usual ~$100. But to my delight and surprise, he replied $30-40 a head! You're kidding me!! A friend went, had the Omakase, asked for Toro, Morio served her 6 pieces of it, not to mention clams in a wine broth, seafood dynamite, a 6-piece nigiri platter, unagi with yamaimo, salmon collar, seafood soup with prawns AND 6 oysters......and her tab ended up being about $35 a person (and took about 5 hours to eat)! What a secret gem this place is.

Will definitely be updating in a couple weeks with their Omakase menu. Keep checking back! For now, here's some of their regular menu items!