In perfect time for International Sushi Day, Kauai’s culinary scene has recently reeled in a new gem.
Sushi Blue Wave is making a splash this International Sushi Day as the first Japanese-owned sushi restaurant in Lihue. With its authentic, ocean-to-table, high-quality ingredients and traditional atmosphere, it has quickly become Kauai’s new hotspot.
Hidetoshi ‘Teddy’ Seike, owner of Sushi Blue Wave, shares his culinary journey and expresses his profound appreciation for the Garden Island, which he now proudly calls home.
“After eight years in California, running four sushi and ramen restaurants, and maybe a little pressure from my family, I came and visited Kauai and immediately fell in love with the island and people.
“I was ready to move to Japan, but I decided to keep our ohana together, so I moved to Kauai. I knew there was a business opportunity here, but once I came here, I saw that all the restaurants faced the same issues, labor issues, and high costs, but we keep our prices fair, and when you taste the food, you’ll know that the quality of our food is what makes all the difference.
“Everyone here is so nice; we shop local, we gather our veggies from the east side, and I’ve got a good local connection with the Kauai fishermen, so our special menu changes every day,” he said.
Seike is pleased to introduce the Japanese techniques of Dry Aging and Wet Aging for fish and meat to the residents of Kauai, aimed at enhancing both flavor and texture. These methods involve suspending meat in a controlled environment with precise temperature and humidity for an extended duration, allowing for optimal maturation.
“Over on our Dry and Wet Aging station, we are dry aging aku fish typically three days to three weeks, and once you eat it, it just melts in your mouth, and it’s so good. Not many restaurants practice this tradition, so we are proud to bring this special delicacy to the island.”
Koji Miyamoto, Executive Chef at Sushi Blue Wave, meticulously crafts each dish, delivering an elevated dining experience that keeps local guests returning.
Darin and Erin Millard, who were celebrating their 21st wedding anniversary at Sushi Blue Wave, expressed that they have received numerous positive impressions regarding the new restaurant and have finally taken the opportunity to visit.
“I’m a big fan of saba, and this saba was really good,” said Erin. “There is a little hit of the shiso and then topped with the seaweed, and I just want to eat that all day long. The ume on the scallop, it was really the star.”
Seike is proud to be on island and welcomes the community to come by, say hi, and enjoy the restaurant’s authentic offerings.
“We look to expand our menu soon, and the public is invited to join us for lunch now. We will now be serving Ramen. I love that the locals understand and appreciate quality. I love Kauai, and I want to keep contributing to this community; I want to make people happy with our dishes.
“When they want to have authentic sushi, they can come here. I know sometimes they have to go to Oahu, but I am glad to provide an authentic experience here on the island so they can have a taste of Japan.
“We promise to keep our quality and standards high; I want locals to try my restaurant at least one time so you can taste the authenticity. In five years, we hope to remain the staple of that and this community because, without the help of the locals, we could not open this restaurant, and I truly mean that. I cannot stress that enough: without their help, this restaurant would not exist.”
Sushi Blue Wave is now open from Wednesday through Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and is closed on Monday and Tuesday. To view their complete menu, visit sushibluewave.com.
Source: The Garden Island