Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: experience (18) dining (16) service (14) wine (10) great (9) dishes (9) menu (9) truffles (8) table (8) restaurant (8)
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  • 4/5 洋シェーン 2 years ago on Google
    The service was wonderful, the wine list was deep, and the knowledge the servers had about just about everything was great. I grew up near the famous pottery capital of Japan (Arita) as a child and lived there as an adult as well. I noticed that the dishes were very unique and each dish looked custom made for each course. I asked about the dishes and sure enough, most of the ceramic dishes were from Arita! The wine we chose was delicious and the sommelier was very knowledgeable about his list. The service was very good; not too fast or slow. My only issue with anything is the addition of truffles for 60$ per person for a single dish. The server has said that the truffles were Australian truffles, and I asked him twice if they were Australian... for the 60 price of a small dish with truffles, I thought they knew something that I didn't know. What I know of truffles from Australia is that they're dry, crumbly, very earthy, and not very aromatic at all. But for a 60 pricetag on a small dish? 🤔 I thought they discovered something that I hadn't known, so I tried it... very disappointing. The food was great. I don't eat a lot, so I wasn't concerned with the portions. It was enough for my wife and I. The price tag was high, but this is a kind of place you treat as a tea ceremony. Look at the plates, the table settings, sip your wine, enjoy conversation. It's not an all-you-can-eat buffet. This is a dining experience to be treated as if you're sitting seiza on a tatami mat, eating wagashi and sipping matcha 3 times. This is a 3rd date night restaurant, an anniversary place. Don't get the truffles (unless they bring in Italian ones) And if the restaurant is looking at this, offer add-ons for people who want more volume in their meal (4oz of wagyu vs 2, or larger fish fish portions)
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kevin K. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing dining experience! Mugen has an intimate modern ambiance inside. The food itself tasted had very unique tastes, different from other tastings I've had before, likely because it's a twist on Japanese flavors. We added on a wine pairing as well. The staff were very friendly and engaging, describing each course and how to best enjoy each of them. Overall, Mugen made it into one of my top fine dining experiences, and I would recommend adding this to your Oahu food itinerary.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Beien F. 3 months ago on Google New
    Food quality was good, but the portions are tiny. If you go with the wine tasting menu they give a generous amount. My friend, after making reservations but weeks before we got to the restaurant, tried to substitute some of the dishes in advance because I wouldn't eat some. They refused so I had to give away those dishes to my friend to eat. It was a sign of the poor service to come. The waitress that served us lied and said it would only be about 2 oz. of wine per tasting to get us to buy the wine pairing. It was way more, but too much on a weekday evening, so much I had to call out of work the next day to recover. There is no view, the restaurant is literally a hole in the wall on the 2nd floor. Nice paintings on the walls, but nothing extraordinary I don't mind spending $900 after tip, but the place should have great value to cost. It does not. There are places with a better view, great food, that cost $600 or less for dinner for 2 I went once because a friend wanted to for her birthday, never again. I'm giving it a 1 star in spite of the good food and generous alcohol because of how much it cost. It is the only restaurant I have ever given 1 star to
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Carolina M. 2 years ago on Google
    Fantastic dining experience from the food to the service. You are first escorted to a quiet area to wait for your table while served complimentary champagne. That sets the tone for the entire experience which is intimate and carefully curated by the attentive staff. The menu changes but I captured ours in the attached pictures. There were 8 courses in varying sizes, from amouse bouche to small entree for the protein. It was very filling and we were given the option of adding grade A5 wagyu and/or freshly shaved Italian truffle for an additional charge of $60 for each. Overall the flavors skewed towards the sour, which we found really woke up the palette but might not be to everyone's taste.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Xi R. 2 years ago on Google
    Great service and great presentation of food. But it might just not be the flavor for us (very sour appetizers). The dish is small but I won’t complain that given it’s only 8 courses tasting menu.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Connor T. 1 year ago on Google
    There are some shining moments at Mugen but the evening left me wanting more. For starters, Mugen knows how to do customer service. They have a neat setup where they call you the day of to find out how you’re arriving and answer any questions. Upon arrival, they welcome you at the door and bring you to your table in the base dining room of the most exclusive hotel in Waikiki. Service starts shortly after every one is seated, in our case the dining room was roughly half full for the evening. We were offered a cocktail which we declined, considering we chose the wine pairing. I am glad we did because once service started, everything moved quickly, maybe a little too quickly. The meal was 9 courses but with the portion sizes, should have been 12+. It’s quite an odd menu as well. With 9 courses you essentially have a few single or close to single bite plates yet there are 2 desserts. They also count the amuse bouche as a course. It’s too light a meal for all but the lightest go eaters. It feels like multiple dishes have been cut out for whatever reason because the remaining menu is not cohesive. The result was a 90 minute $350 per person bill plus $20 in fast food on the ride home. I would recommend working on the menu as it stands now. A5 wagyu and lobster alone just isn't enough any more. When going to a fine dining experience, everything must be next level. Unfortunately, I felt obvious shortcuts in a few key areas. Mugen needs to provide their staff and kitchen what they need to succeed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Darren D. 1 year ago on Google
    We booked a champagne and caviar tasting at this amazing location. Everything here is wonderful. We were greeted and escorted to the rooftop location for our experience. The staff were all fantastic. Mary, our server, was gracious, helpful, and just a pleasure to be around as we had the entire rooftop pool area to ourselves. We loved everything about this experience. Highly recommended. VIP treatment.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sayaka S. 2 years ago on Google
    Fine dining experience in Waikiki area. Some plates were confusing but overall it was good. I needed to give one star less because of the lack in ambience. I could constantly hear the car honking outside or people screaming and that kinda kills the mood. I don’t mind that for street food but not for fine dining experience. Though service was very informative and attentive. Well portioned and timed perfect. Good for a date night.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Gigi T. 2 years ago on Google
    Finally tried this place after easy reservations via open table. I booked two days before and they had a table at 6:30pm. That's the only seating they have for now but they hope to add one more later. The service was great and waitress was super thorough in explaining the dishes and each ingredient in it. She also told us we had the seat that has the kitchen view but most of the time it's blocked by the servers whenever a dish is being prepared . I also indicated that this was a birthday celebration and responded via text they will add that to the rsvp but NOTHING happened during dinner. very surprising for this caliber of restaurant. Cocktail - butterfly pea daiquiri...they froze a flower in the ice cube which made it very pretty. They added local rum to it which changed the color a bit. But not as pretty as what I thought it would be after her description. Drink was also more sour than I thought. The Itoyori was my fav dish. Refreshing sashimi mixed with the right flavoring and mushrooms! They pour a light dashi/broth that paired with the fish really well also. All the dishes were paired really well in terms of flavoring. Very delicate but also a tad small. However the 11 courses was just right and filling enough for a girl. Others w a bigger appetite might still find themselves hungry though.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Curtis M. 2 years ago on Google
    Phenomenal service, incredible food. Do whatever you have to to get a reservation
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vicky T. 1 year ago on Google
    It was a great fine dining, food tasting experience. The service was amazing and the food was delicious. Reservation is a must. The parking is vallet and it’s free, so you don’t have to be headache about Waikiki parking

  • 5/5 Lindsay S. 2 years ago on Google
    We came here for the first time and experienced an amazing 11 course meal with a drink pairing. Each plate was more impressive as it arrived. The attention to details, the presentation, service, and flavors were all so enjoyable. Some of our dishes included Duck, Wagyu beef, truffles, Hirame, risotto, and array of mouses and pickled garnishes. Go here! You will not be disappointed 🥂

  • 5/5 丨Yuxuan 2 years ago on Google
    Flavor and presentation were both great. Located on the second floor of an ocean front hotel; however the main dining room is sort of hidden in a windowless space behind the bar with a fairly dark ambiance - on top of that, no table candle/lamp - so a rather confusing aspect of a high end restaurant. Meanwhile at the same $$ they offer rooftop champagne & caviar by the pool at sunset in a separate one-hour package. You will sure be greeted with a much better view. No dinner service, but there will always be some delicious musubi around the corner.

  • 5/5 Racheal R. 1 year ago on Google
    Sherry (I'm sorry if I misspelled your name!) Really enhanced our experience with the dining. Her knowledge of the menu was A1 and beyond with her wits. She's great!!! All the course food were exponentially paired well with wines. Our table really enjoyed the dining experience with Mugen♥

  • 5/5 R S. 2 years ago on Google
    The most unique dinner experience I’ve ever had. The food & cocktails were both amazing. I had never heard of A5 Wagyu washed bourbon, but I had some there, was amazing. Definitely a restaurant to try on a special occasion.

  • 5/5 Amy C. 2 years ago on Google
    This was a beautiful experience start to finish, top to bottom. Our waitress, Shari, and all the other staff members were absolutely incredible — they are attentive and pay attention to every single detail. You truly feel taken care of and the whole staff is so well educated on the menu. There wasn’t a single thing I didn’t love about this incredible dining experience. Unfortunately I am pregnant so could not enjoy the wine or cocktails, so I made for a cheaper date, but others in my group enjoyed the selections. The bartender made me a delicious mocktail, which Was so appreciated.

  • 5/5 Joe L. 1 year ago on Google
    Could not be more pleased. From the excellent service, the attention to detail, to the excellent pairings of wine with each course. Don’t expect large courses and savor each bite. Well done Mugen and thank you for going above and beyond to make this night special for us.

  • 5/5 Tipatat C. 2 years ago on Google
    It's been awhile since I had a meal that truly amazed, surprised, and delighted as much as the fantastic tasting menu at Mugen Waikiki Top ingredients with meticulous technique and unique and inventive flavor combinations plus a decadent supplement of summer truffles and extra a-5 miyazaki wagyu beef. Each course was inspired although the best was the sugar snap mille fuille which was so different and delicious on so many levels. Service was excellent too. I will definitely be back and recommend anyone traveling to waikiki to book a reservation well in advance

  • 5/5 Curtis L. 2 years ago on Google
    Hidden gem. I don't know why more people aren't talking but more importantly, eating here. I've been to many fine dining restaurants and this one ranks up there with the very best. From beginning to end, you are treated like royalty. I almost feel like i didn't deserve this kind of treatment. Yes, it wasn't cheap but for the experience it was worth every penny. Our server Eduardo was inviting, knowledgeable, and nothing short but a perfectionist. He did not overlook any details from asking about allergies and also making our dinner experience memorable as we were celebrating our anniversary. We also got to do a room tour of their diamond suite. So many plays on texture, tastes, presentation that I cannot explain it all. You have to try it for yourself. A5 wagyu with $60 add on freshly shaved truffle table side was highlight for me. Dessert was also amazing and very creative. Love the back story that queen Elizabeth loved chocolate cake. And they basically made this dessert their own from that inspiration. A dining experience i will not soon forget. Thanks Eduardo and mugen staff. ❤


Call +1 808-377-2247 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Organic dishes
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible lift
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✗ Takeaway

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