Genki Sushi
I'm not really one to visit "robot" sushi places as I think I'm a little old fashioned. You see, I like to be able to interact with the guys behind the sushi counter -- talk to them about what's fresh, and most of all, find out what they enjoy. This was my first ever visit to Genki Sushi, and let's just say that it might not be my last.
A couple of weeks ago, after spending a few hours at the mall, I was asked if I was hungry. When I said yes, my friends asked if I had ever been to Genki Sushi. Well, once they discovered that I had never eaten there, they told me that I didn't know what I was missing.
When we arrived, it was about 8:15 pm, and there were a few people there. It was strange to see the plates of sushi going round the room on a little conveyor belt.
What I didn't know at the time was that you could actually "order" sushi off the menu. There were quite a number of choices available here -- much like you'd find in any sushi bar, except at 1/3 to 1/2 the price! The prices start at US$1.35 for a "gold" plate, US$1.90 for a green one, US$2.45 for a red one, US$3.60 for a silver plate, and the most expensive plates, the "black" ones, are US$4.40. This sort of tiered pricing system can either work for you or against you. As you can see in the picture below, the items are pictured in the corresponding "plate" section of the menu so you know what to look out for on the conveyor belt.
Tobikko (green, US$1.90).
Vegetable croquette (gold, US$1.35).
Inari (gold, US$1.35).
Ahi (tuna; red, US$2.45).
Chicken karaage (red, US$2.45).
Shishamo (river smelt; gold, US$1.35)
Ebi (shrimp; green, US$1.90).
Dragon roll (silver, US$3.60).
The photos above represented a small sample of what we actually ate. As you can see below, we enjoyed a few more dishes that were not photographed.
While the sushi here may not be of the best quality, the ingredients seemed fresh and some of the items sampled were just as good as any that I've had elsewhere -- the chicken karaage and the vegetable croquette come to mind. The sushi is worth the price and now that I know about ordering from the menu, I'll be sure to visit again.
Genki Sushi
885 Kapahulu Avenue
Telephone: 808.735.7700
Well, I'll just put my $0.02 in now, before Reid adds his commentary.
I LIKE Genki! Especially the Kapahulu branch (I don't like the Ala Moana one). Food's good, service is usually good. Big crowd of Locals...
The parking, however, is AWFUL!!
Posted by: MBS | December 27, 2005 at 06:47 PM
oh I want Sushi!!!
Posted by: clare eats | December 27, 2005 at 07:36 PM
18 dishes? HOLY COW! Heck MBS, I kinda think Reid will agree with you! I hope you had company for that chow. Even Mike can't really get past 8 to 10 and he can put sushi away. By the by, what's with the frowny face emblem?
Posted by: Jo | December 27, 2005 at 08:05 PM
I need some sushi now..!
Posted by: Mama BoK | December 27, 2005 at 08:35 PM
Jo:
The frowny face emblem represents the expression on most people's faces as they look for parking!
Posted by: MBS | December 28, 2005 at 12:13 AM
The Genki Sushi plates in Msia have the frowny face and comes in colours so we know how much everything is.
Tis the season for sushi as I also had some last weekend. A very late Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to you.
Posted by: boo_licious | December 28, 2005 at 12:59 AM
Hey!!! At last !!! A chain I recognise !!! *excited* We have genki sushi in Singapore or was it Sydney??? Ahh I am confused anyway I think its a quick way to get sushi as all the food is there already. Some of the stuff is better if you order it fresh and the waiters actually will get one for you even if its already been going around on the train 20 times. Love the variety. Freshness I think is so so :)Japanese food yaay!
Posted by: Rachel | December 28, 2005 at 04:13 AM
I like Genki Sushi ^_^
Posted by: Cindy | December 28, 2005 at 01:41 PM
Mmm I love Genki sushi! I like the one in Pearl City because it has a drive through and they do make it to order. I always get a few of the spicy tuna 2 piece rolls and a dragon roll or soft shell crab maki... YUM!
Posted by: Linday | December 28, 2005 at 03:28 PM
Darn you Reid, I want sushi...*cry*
Posted by: milgwimper | December 28, 2005 at 08:32 PM
the karaage (sp?) chicken is one of my favorite menu items :o)
tastes really good when its freshly cooked.
Posted by: John | December 29, 2005 at 01:19 PM
Lol only Reid can attract 11 comments without even completing a post *grins and shakes head*
Posted by: Rachel | December 30, 2005 at 04:39 AM
Hi MBS,
I have to tell you that I enjoyed my experience at Genki. The quality was OK, just like what you'd get at Kozo, so it wasn't too bad. The service here was great and I will definitely be back.
Hi Clare,
This was my first experience at a robot sushi joint, and it was pretty good. I love sushi, so now that I've found a pretty good place that's inexpensive, I can eat it more often.
Hi Jo,
In the past, I've eaten 13 plates of sushi before...I love the stuff, but I usually go for about 7 or 8 different ones. I was here with two friends...and we had a few more than 18 plates...some were in hiding! =P
Hi Mama BoK,
Are there good sushi places where you're at?
Hi MBS,
LOL! At least there is some parking here. Think about other places down the road (like Bangkok Thai)...no parking whatsoever!
Hi boo_licious,
I had no idea that there was a Genki Sushi in M'sia. I'll have to keep my eyes open. Here the plates are different colors as well so that you know how much you're eating.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!
Hi Rachel,
On this particular visit, I only ordered from the waitress. I wouldn't be able to pick food off of the conveyor belt as I saw someone take a plate to look at it, and then put it back!
The variety and the prices are what make this place worthy of a return visit.
Hi Cindy,
I definitely enjoyed my first visit here and will definitely be back. Can you believe that it's taken me this long to visit Genki?
Hi Linday,
Welcome to the blog!
I haven't ever visited the Genki in Pearl City, but I do think that drive-thru sushi would be a novel idea!
I enjoyed the dragon roll and wouldn't hesitate to order it again. Next time, I'll definitely try the spicy tuna. Thanks for the recommendation.
Hi Milgwimper,
Aww...sorry! =(
Hi John,
Thanks for dropping by the site and leaving me a comment.
I liked the karaage too. It was hot and crunchy. Mmmm! I could have definitely had another plate's worth!
Hi Rachel,
LOL! I think the food here speaks for itself! =)
Posted by: Reid | January 02, 2006 at 12:33 AM
I used to like Genki until an acquaintaince told me that the conveyor belts are really unsanitary. He said that they never clean them and he heard from workers that it is totally unclean. I haven't got to chance to really examine them closely but am avoiding Genki's for now.
Posted by: mr. sushi | January 02, 2006 at 07:28 PM
Hi Reid,
I love genki sushi too! The one in waikele is the one I go to usually since it's near where I stay when I go to Waipahu.
If you enjoyed this style of sushi place, I would recommend that you also try Kuru Kuru sushi right next to Curry House in Pearl Kai... their cuts of fish seem bigger and fresher if you go on a good day, and the prices are a little cheaper (i think?).
Posted by: James | January 04, 2006 at 12:39 PM
Hi James,
I've never been to the Genki Sushi in Waikele and I should have thought about it since I was just in the area last week!
This place was fun, and I have seen Kuru Kuru. I was told that it is owned by one of the guys that used to work at (own?) Sushi Supreme. I'll try it next time I visit Pearlridge.
Posted by: Reid | January 05, 2006 at 11:46 PM