Dining Scene
Lunch Break: Itochan offers a high-noon sushi fix for downtowners

By Debra Yuen
TGIF Editor

Lisa Ito of Itochan Sushi displays the California Special platter, which includes eight pieces of California roll, plus ëahi, squid, shrimp and smoked salmon sushi. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

Luckier still if you happen to work downtown and can satisfy that fish desire at midday five days a week (Saturdays, too!) at affordable Itochan Sushi.

The California Special — eight pieces of sliced California roll, and 'ahi, squid, shrimp and smoked salmon sushi, $5.75 — is a winning combination. The toppings are fresh, the rice bed not overly bountiful — in sushi land, that, too, is a good combination.

Itochan's offerings range from cut rolls of sushi (anywhere from five to eight pieces, from $1.50 to $5.25 a set); hand rolls up to $2 each and single pieces of nigiri sushi from 75 cents (egg) to $1.75 (hamachi); and an assortment of sashimi plates. Most sushi-bar favorites are here, from negi toro to unagi, from natto to tobiko. Alas, no uni (sea urchin), but that's quite an exotic, acquired taste!

Good news for those who are not fans of fishy delicacies: Itochan offers daily specials of the nonraw variety. Check the signs by the cash register.

Itochan Sushi is at 212 Merchant St., No. 4, in that little arcade near the Hawaiian Electric building. A tiny place, it still manages to seat several people at a few small tables. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. 545-7848.