The North Shore’s very own tropical sushi bar, Banzai Sushi Bar, had a prosperous year in 2012. As we enter 2013, the ohana here at Banzai wanted to look back at all the great events that made 2012 so special.
Perhaps the biggest news in 2012 was that Banzai Sushi Bar underwent a rebranding. Banzai’s rebrand features a new website in addition to a brand new menu. While the new menu retains our classic sushi favorites, the menu expands on Chef Hide’s passion for creating one-of-a-kind tropical fusion sushi. Banzai’s philosophy of creating the freshest sushi at an affordable price netted a Honolulu Star-Advertiser People’s Choice Award. Voted on by locals, Banzai Sushi Bar was humbled to receive this great honor for the 4th consecutive year in a row!
Banzai Sushi Bar also expanded our selection of sake. Working with World Sake Imports, Banzai added 15 premium Japanese sakes to the menu. Banzai is now proud to offer one of the most diverse collection of sake on the island of Oahu. For the 2nd year, Banzai Sushi Bar was honored to participate in the Joy of Sake festival. With over 360 different sakes, this Honolulu event is the biggest sake tasting outside of Japan. For the event, Chef Hide showed off his culinary talent by creating a delectable yuba wrapped ribeye steak, enoki mushroom and asparagus dish served in wafu-dashi fondue.
In 2012, Banzai Sushi Bar upgraded its general license, which means Banzai now has a full service bar stocked with everyones favorite spirits. Residents and visitors alike can now enjoy a cocktail, in addition to sake and imported Japanese beer, in our serene oudoor dining area. Banzai Sushi Bar also launched a catering business during 2012. The catering business was immediately busy during the winter surf season, catering events at the Nike House and the Fox House. This year Banzai also continued to support one of our favorite North Shore artists, Mr. Clark Takashima. Banzai commisioned 9 paintings from Clark, and each painting shows a different face and angle of the Banzai Pipeline, our namesake.
Banzai Sushi Bar is known for hosting great Saturday night events with live entertainment, and 2012 was no exception. Banzai partnered up with our favorite radio station, KTUH, as they launched their new North Shore frequency of 91.1 FM. Our North Shore tropical sushi bar finished the year in style when we hosted Night of the Legends to end the surf season. Night of the Legends was a night filled with classic surf movies and there were also appearances from surfing legends such as Randy Rarick, Tom Carroll, Gary Elkerton, Buttons Kaluhiokalani, Reno Abellira and more!
Banzai Sushi Bar will continue to keep it real and keep it raw in 2013. Mahalo for your continued support. Arigato gozaimasu.