Photo courtesy of Sansei Kihei : SanseiHawaii.com
We don’t often get the opportunity to talk about what’s happening in the wonderful world of dining, but being South Maui real estate specialists, how could we pass up on sharing about the three sushi restaurants in Kihei that made the top 50 list on The Daily Meal? For those of you who aren’t familiar, The Daily Meal is an online community of culinary enthusiasts who feature stories, reviews, recipes and ranked lists, all to do with food and restaurants.
The three winners were Sushi Paradise, Koiso and Sansei, which has multiple restaurants, including one in Kihei. For some prospective Maui real estate buyers who are thinking about moving here permanently, good food is like the cherry on top of all the beautiful beaches, clean air and balmy weather. When it comes to sushi, being on a tropical island that thrives on seafood is a pretty good situation. Local fishermen bring in their fresh catches to some of the island’s restaurants every day, and the variety is tremendous. So, here are a few sushi restaurants that you won’t want to miss here on Maui.
Sushi Paradise – This charming sushi spot is easy to miss, tucked into a little strip mall where the locals know where to find it. With just three devoted individuals on staff, their work is a labor of love, and you can expect an intimate experience if you’re willing to wait. Chef Watanabe will be hard at work behind the sushi counter, crafting his wonderful creations while his energetic wife waits the tables. As for the food, Chef Watanabe is known for his generous portions, and his spicy tuna is a big favorite among patrons.
Sansei – While Sansei’s first restaurant opened up in the Kapalua Resort out in West Maui, their Kihei restaurant gets a lot of love from both local residents and visitors. Founder D.K Kodama has received big accolades for the quality of Sansei’s food and service as a chain, which is notoriously challenging to achieve. Their specialty rolls are quite popular, and the favorites include the Panko-Crusted Ahi Roll and the Kapalaua Butterfly Roll.
Koiso – Right across the street from Kamaole Beach Park, this celebrated restaurant has earned stellar reviews from its patrons, and tables are in such high demand, it can be very hard to get in. Like Sushi Paradise, the keyword here is intimate, being that there are just fifteen seats. Once you’re in, however, you get some of the highest-quality fish from the best sources. In fact, about a quarter of the fish comes straight from Japan, which is conveniently not too far from Hawaii. The rest of the fish is locally sourced from the waters around Hawaii. This restaurant is the place to try new types of fish for a rainbow of unique, pristine flavors.
Hungry yet? Amazing cuisine like this is just one more aspect of life to fall in love with when you’re living on Maui. On that note, if you need our assistance making your Maui dream home a reality, you’ll find our contact information at the bottom of the page. We would be happy to help you find the right one for your needs. Mahalo!
