Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar South Maui Restaurant Spotlight


July 30, 2021

South Maui is one of the best areas to live in Maui. This peaceful community lies on the southwestern coast of the island and is lined with beautiful sandy beaches. When you’re not at the beach, you can enjoy several other activities, such as golfing in the world-class golf courses of Wailea, shopping at Kihei shopping centers, or dining at some of the best restaurants in the area. One of the top-rated restaurants in South Maui is the Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Kihei. This restaurant serves some of the freshest and most delicious seafood dishes on the island. Read on to find out more about this South Maui restaurant.

Restaurant, Karaoke Lounge, and Sushi Bar

Sansei has multiple personalities and in a good way. During the day, it functions as a seafood restaurant and sushi bar, then transforms into an intimate karaoke lounge at night. Its name, “Sansei” is derived from a Japanese word meaning “the third generation”. That is because the chef who owned this place came from the third generation of a Japanese family living in Hawaii. The restaurant has several branches all over Hawaii. Aside from Kihei, you will also find this restaurant in Kapalua, Waikiki, and Waikoloa.

During the day, the restaurant is filled with customers, both locals, and tourists, who want to savor their delicious sushi and seafood specialties. When evening comes, the restaurant functions as a karaoke lounge. Every Sunday and Monday, guests can take advantage of the Kama’aina Early bird discount of 50% off on food and sushi. This will be from 5 PM to 5:30 PM. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they will only take reservations for early bird seating.

Delicious and Creative Menu

Sure, there are several other sushi and seafood restaurants in Maui, but what makes Sansei stand out is the creative and unique items on their menu. You will see several items on the menu that you will not find in other sushi places. One of their most popular rolls is the panko-crusted ahi roll, which is very delicious and filling. This dish is best served with one of their delicious cocktails, such as the lychee or mango martini.

The other popular items on their creative appetizer menu are the shrimp cakes with ginger-lime chili butter and lobster-and-blue-crab ravioli. Their fusion dishes are also worth a try. The most popular of these are the herb beurre fondue and Japanese jerk chicken with garlic mashed potatoes. Guests also love the Kukui Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi served on top of mashed potatoes, fresh greens, and mushrooms. For dessert, the Granny Smith Apple Tart and New York Style Cheesecake are worth a try!

DK Restaurant Group

Sansei is part of the DK Restaurant group which started operating in March of 1996 after the chef-owner returned to Hawaii from the Mainland. The first branch he opened was in Kapalua Resort. During the first couple of years, the menu expanded and the restaurant became one of the most popular seafood restaurants and sushi bars on the island. The restaurant’s concept is serving contemporary sushi items and fusion seafood dishes in a casual and lively setting.

Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar is one of Maui’s award-winning restaurants. Soon after their opening in Kihei, they received numerous awards and accolades, both local and International. To meet the demands of their growing loyal customers, the owner opened several other branches on the island, including a steakhouse and Italian-style wine bar.

Location and Directions

Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar is located inside Kukui Mall in South Kihei Road, Building A. If you’re staying in any of the properties in Kihei, you can take a shuttle going here. But take note that this is one of those restaurants that would require a reservation in advance. They take reservations up to four weeks in advance. Sansei Kihei is a very popular restaurant in South Maui, so if you plan on dining here, you better make a reservation as early as possible. They are open every day except on Wednesdays.

Like most of the restaurants in Maui, Sansei Kihei has a takeout menu. They accept takeout orders from 5 PM to 8 PM, however, during Sundays and Mondays, they will start accepting orders for takeout at 6 PM. Aside from calling, guests can also place their orders online. Their online ordering platform allows customers to place their orders and make a payment using credit cards. They can also request a curbside pickup through the website. Once your order is ready, you will receive a text so you can go to the restaurant to pick up your order. If you’re dining at the restaurant, they will start serving dinner from 5 PM to 8 PM. But then again, reservation is a must.

Health and Safety

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Sansei Kihei has a limited in-room dining capacity. To minimize the spread of the virus, they encourage guests to order takeout. The restaurant practices social distancing, so there will be a limited number of guests that will be allowed to dine inside.

All guests are required to wear face masks when entering the restaurant. Their staff and service crews are all wearing masks as well. Guests’ temperatures will be taken upon entry, and those with temperatures that are beyond the normal will not be allowed to enter. All the staff of Sansei Kihei has been pre-screened through temperature checks before starting to work to ensure the safety of everyone. The tables, counters, and equipment are being disinfected frequently, including the tables and chairs. For safety precaution, the restaurant will only accept credit card payments for those who will dine at the restaurant. It’s also possible to pay using restaurant gift cards.

Overall, the Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar is a great restaurant to check out in South Maui. The items on their menu are delicious and are reasonably priced. It’s no wonder why this restaurant is so famous. So if you’re dining here, better make your reservation as early as possible.



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