I've been eating here for years one of the best if not the best sushi restaurant in Kona. Really going to miss this place when it closes.. Mahalo plenty for all the food times and memories I had here.
KarenK
The food was outstanding in the service very quick. However, there was a large group party of 10 that were very noisy drinking lots of alcohol, and it was hard to carry on conversation within my table. Next time I think I will request to sit outside that's the first time that has happened to me while dating at Shionos Other occasions have been outstanding with a quiet ambience. Unfortunately, large parties do tend to get quite noisy.
RebeccaT
We are sushi regulars and this place was recommended by a local. For us it was simply average. sorry, I wanted it to be amazing it just wasn't. Maybe we are spoiled by our local spot at home
Lizbelle E.
Could be because I was pregnant at the time but I dream/crave about the Ten Zaru Soba dish. No one sells cold soba noodles around where I live so I might have to fly to Kona again just to satisfy the craving.
We came to eat there after a long day of snorkeling. We were quite hungry! Miso soup was watery, we also ordered the premium chirashi bowl which was nicely presented. Rolls were decent proportions but one too much mayo for our palate. Nigiri cuts were small, rice base gummier than typical. Overall compared to sushi places back home in PNW/Seattle area food quality failed to impress, but service was good and restaurant had nice ambiance. Also takes reservations which was a plus for us since we didn't want to wait long to eat!
Sara P.
Intimate ambience, perfect for a nice dinner. Can get crowded so best to get a reservation. Love the furikake chicken and fresh sashimi. Desert is also delicious!
LynnJ
It was a very pleasant experience. The food was tasty: sea urchin was fresh and flavorful. Yum yum, and Hawaiian rolls were delicate and balanced; two special rolls were very Japanese style: the main ingredient, fish was straightforward; a lot of fresh and tender ahi and yellowtail. We've been to Japan a few times and my husband enjoyed "very fishy" rolls very much. However, we are from California and I'm used to a bit more eclectic taste of roles. The service was excellent and the price is adequate. I strongly recommend the place.
Rick Dillavou
Amazing, great service!
Gerald R.
BIG ISLAND HAWAII 2023 VACATION #9: CLEAN AND SIMPLEThe Friday during Memorial Day Weekend I came to Sushi Shiono for dinner. According to the guidebook I bought "Hawaii The Big Island Revealed" it stated this place is where Japanese who visit Kona go to eat sushi. That set up an expectation. About a week before my trip I made a reservation through Open Table.When I checked-in the receptionist asked if I wanted to sit at a table or at the bar. If you eat sushi it is meant to eat at the bar. With so many choices on the menu what kind of sushi do you get? My server pointed me to the Today's Special Menu, which listed three sushi/ sashimi and three sushi rolls. Also from the regular menu under the appetizers section she pointed to the item chef's special sashimi, which I ordered. Most of the orders I ordered were from the Today's Special Menu. From that menu my first orders were the ehu and ono sushi.The first item I received was the chef's special sashimi. The fish for this sashimi was ono. When I think of sashimi I think slices of raw fish. However the ono sashimi was combination of sear and raw. That combination resulted in unique texture I can't describe but I liked the sashimi. Next were the ehu and ono sushi. I wondered how different the ono sushi would differ from the ono sashimi. These two sushi I ate were one of the cleanest sushi I ever had as they didn't taste fishy or briny. From the Today's Special Menu I then ordered the seared tuna roll. In the past spicy tuna rolls have made me full and I don't know why. The seared tuna roll is unique because on the outside is the slices of seared tuna. Inside the spicy tuna roll there wasn't a strong mayonnaise taste that you usually associate with. This is the reason why I didn't feel bloated after eating the tuna roll as the emphasis of this roll was tasting the tuna. This is the lightest spicy tuna roll I ever ate. The last item I ordered was the surf clam sashimi. This sashimi had a meaty, but not rubbery texture. There's a saying "quality versus quantity". The fact there were only three sushi/ sashimi from that Today's Special Menu showed the emphasis on quality. I don't know if I could've eaten three better sushi that evening. From the other special menu I thought about ordering the tonkatsu set, but I was already full. I enjoyed the sushi and sashimi I ate that I didn't want to force myself to order another item.You hear the saying "exceeding my expectations". This place didn't exceed my expectation but met my expectation as to why the Japanese who go to visit Kona come to Sushi Shiono for sushi.
Melissa F.
So fresh you could taste the ocean! Service was so quick. We came in pretty much when they opened and we're out in maybe an hour. Fish was so fresh and aligned to exactly what we were looking for. Smaller type of place so if you have a group, definitely need a reservation.
It was a great experience. The sushi and food was excellent. Very fresh and the atmosphere is what you would have at any Japanese sushi joint. If we ever travel back here to Kona, we will definitely reserve to eat here again.
patrickhL5436FD
Centrally located. Good atmoshere. Fish is fresh and the selection is good. Only place I found Anago and the Uni was very sweet.
KonaBlue
The food is fresh and delicious with attention to detail, and the service was friendly and prompt. I was annoyed that the staff refused to seat us outdoors, as I had requested. There was no reason for the outdoor dining area to have been closed.
Kristine Y.
This restaurant is located in the heart of Kona in the middle of a shopping center. The restaurant is clean and tidy. The service is very friendly and attentive. We didn't have a reservation, which I recommend you have, but offered us a table at the sushi bar or outside. We chose outside. The service was still very good even though we were located outside. We ordered three different rolls, a saba dinner and a Kona kampachi cheek. All were obviously made from fresh fish and delicious! We really enjoyed the fish cheek as it is not widely available elsewhere. I would definitely come back!
N Clever
Love Sushi Shiono. Have been going here since the first week they opened eons ago. The sushi is top notch. Excellent rolls. Love their Boat for two. The staff are very friendly and helpful.
I've been eating here for years one of the best if not the best sushi restaurant in Kona. Really going to miss this place when it closes.. Mahalo plenty for all the food times and memories I had here.
The food was outstanding in the service very quick. However, there was a large group party of 10 that were very noisy drinking lots of alcohol, and it was hard to carry on conversation within my table. Next time I think I will request to sit outside that's the first time that has happened to me while dating at Shionos Other occasions have been outstanding with a quiet ambience. Unfortunately, large parties do tend to get quite noisy.
We are sushi regulars and this place was recommended by a local. For us it was simply average. sorry, I wanted it to be amazing it just wasn't. Maybe we are spoiled by our local spot at home
Could be because I was pregnant at the time but I dream/crave about the Ten Zaru Soba dish. No one sells cold soba noodles around where I live so I might have to fly to Kona again just to satisfy the craving.
We came to eat there after a long day of snorkeling. We were quite hungry! Miso soup was watery, we also ordered the premium chirashi bowl which was nicely presented. Rolls were decent proportions but one too much mayo for our palate. Nigiri cuts were small, rice base gummier than typical. Overall compared to sushi places back home in PNW/Seattle area food quality failed to impress, but service was good and restaurant had nice ambiance. Also takes reservations which was a plus for us since we didn't want to wait long to eat!
Intimate ambience, perfect for a nice dinner. Can get crowded so best to get a reservation. Love the furikake chicken and fresh sashimi. Desert is also delicious!
It was a very pleasant experience. The food was tasty: sea urchin was fresh and flavorful. Yum yum, and Hawaiian rolls were delicate and balanced; two special rolls were very Japanese style: the main ingredient, fish was straightforward; a lot of fresh and tender ahi and yellowtail. We've been to Japan a few times and my husband enjoyed "very fishy" rolls very much. However, we are from California and I'm used to a bit more eclectic taste of roles. The service was excellent and the price is adequate. I strongly recommend the place.
Amazing, great service!
BIG ISLAND HAWAII 2023 VACATION #9: CLEAN AND SIMPLEThe Friday during Memorial Day Weekend I came to Sushi Shiono for dinner. According to the guidebook I bought "Hawaii The Big Island Revealed" it stated this place is where Japanese who visit Kona go to eat sushi. That set up an expectation. About a week before my trip I made a reservation through Open Table.When I checked-in the receptionist asked if I wanted to sit at a table or at the bar. If you eat sushi it is meant to eat at the bar. With so many choices on the menu what kind of sushi do you get? My server pointed me to the Today's Special Menu, which listed three sushi/ sashimi and three sushi rolls. Also from the regular menu under the appetizers section she pointed to the item chef's special sashimi, which I ordered. Most of the orders I ordered were from the Today's Special Menu. From that menu my first orders were the ehu and ono sushi.The first item I received was the chef's special sashimi. The fish for this sashimi was ono. When I think of sashimi I think slices of raw fish. However the ono sashimi was combination of sear and raw. That combination resulted in unique texture I can't describe but I liked the sashimi. Next were the ehu and ono sushi. I wondered how different the ono sushi would differ from the ono sashimi. These two sushi I ate were one of the cleanest sushi I ever had as they didn't taste fishy or briny. From the Today's Special Menu I then ordered the seared tuna roll. In the past spicy tuna rolls have made me full and I don't know why. The seared tuna roll is unique because on the outside is the slices of seared tuna. Inside the spicy tuna roll there wasn't a strong mayonnaise taste that you usually associate with. This is the reason why I didn't feel bloated after eating the tuna roll as the emphasis of this roll was tasting the tuna. This is the lightest spicy tuna roll I ever ate. The last item I ordered was the surf clam sashimi. This sashimi had a meaty, but not rubbery texture. There's a saying "quality versus quantity". The fact there were only three sushi/ sashimi from that Today's Special Menu showed the emphasis on quality. I don't know if I could've eaten three better sushi that evening. From the other special menu I thought about ordering the tonkatsu set, but I was already full. I enjoyed the sushi and sashimi I ate that I didn't want to force myself to order another item.You hear the saying "exceeding my expectations". This place didn't exceed my expectation but met my expectation as to why the Japanese who go to visit Kona come to Sushi Shiono for sushi.
So fresh you could taste the ocean! Service was so quick. We came in pretty much when they opened and we're out in maybe an hour. Fish was so fresh and aligned to exactly what we were looking for. Smaller type of place so if you have a group, definitely need a reservation.
Restaurantji Recommends
It was a great experience. The sushi and food was excellent. Very fresh and the atmosphere is what you would have at any Japanese sushi joint. If we ever travel back here to Kona, we will definitely reserve to eat here again.
Centrally located. Good atmoshere. Fish is fresh and the selection is good. Only place I found Anago and the Uni was very sweet.
The food is fresh and delicious with attention to detail, and the service was friendly and prompt. I was annoyed that the staff refused to seat us outdoors, as I had requested. There was no reason for the outdoor dining area to have been closed.
This restaurant is located in the heart of Kona in the middle of a shopping center. The restaurant is clean and tidy. The service is very friendly and attentive. We didn't have a reservation, which I recommend you have, but offered us a table at the sushi bar or outside. We chose outside. The service was still very good even though we were located outside. We ordered three different rolls, a saba dinner and a Kona kampachi cheek. All were obviously made from fresh fish and delicious! We really enjoyed the fish cheek as it is not widely available elsewhere. I would definitely come back!
Love Sushi Shiono. Have been going here since the first week they opened eons ago. The sushi is top notch. Excellent rolls. Love their Boat for two. The staff are very friendly and helpful.