38 Restaurant Bar — Review by RainaisCrazy
Honolulu, United States — Seafood, Japanese-Hawaiian Fusion
38 Restaurant Bar offers the freshest seafood in Hawaii with fish delivered directly from their boat to the kitchen. The reviewer loved the creative dishes like the calamari katu inspired by okonomiyaki, fish tacos, and lobster tail, praising the quality and tenderness of the seafood despite not enjoying the poke preparation.
What was great: Fresh seafood delivered directly from their boat, lobster tail, calamari katu with Japanese barbecue sauce, fish tacos with chumuri sauce, fish BLT with tender fish, creative okonomiyaki-inspired dishes
What could improve: Poke (raw fish texture) - reviewer doesn't enjoy raw fish preparations
The Dishes
The meal at 38 Restaurant Bar showcased an impressive array of fresh seafood creations. The lobster tail arrived beautifully prepared with sauce, and the reviewer immediately praised its quality. The standout dish was the calamari katu, an okonomiyaki-inspired creation featuring a beautifully fried calamari steak topped with Japanese barbecue sauce, mayo, and coleslaw with bonito flakes. The sauce struck a perfect balance between savory, subtly sweet, and tangy notes - distinctly different from sweeter American barbecue sauces. The fish tacos came with chumuri sauce and featured a nice kick of spice balanced by creamy, crunchy coleslaw. The fish BLT showcased incredibly tender fish steak paired with bacon, delivering another winning combination. The poke was prepared with pickled vegetables and coleslaw, though the reviewer acknowledged that raw fish textures are not their preference, making this the only dish that didn't resonate as strongly.
The Experience
The restaurant's most impressive feature is its proximity to the fishing boat, visible right outside the establishment. This direct connection ensures that seafood travels from water to kitchen to plate with minimal delay, guaranteeing unparalleled freshness. The interior design impressed the reviewer, and the overall atmosphere conveys a casual yet sophisticated seafood dining experience. The fresh ingredients and creative preparations suggest a kitchen focused on quality and innovation.
Value and Pricing
While specific pricing details were not mentioned in the review, the quality and freshness of the seafood suggest premium pricing typical of upscale seafood restaurants in Hawaii.
Notable Moments
If you're looking for fresh seafood in Hawaii, it doesn't get more fresh than this. This is 38 Restaurant Bar and the boat is right there.
That is a beautifully fried calamari steak. Sauce is tangy. The fish is so tender.
The reviewer's enthusiasm for the freshness factor and the visible boat connection created memorable moments throughout the review.
The Verdict
38 Restaurant Bar is the ultimate destination for fresh seafood in Hawaii, offering creative preparations that go beyond standard seafood fare. The calamari katu and fish tacos are must-tries, and the direct-from-boat delivery ensures quality that cannot be matched elsewhere. This restaurant is best for seafood enthusiasts who appreciate both freshness and creative culinary preparation, though those with sensitivities to raw fish preparations might want to stick to the cooked options.