You Make The Roll

Long long long long wait. I recommend calling your order in! This place is very small limited parking and only enough room for about three people to be inside at the counter at a time. Last time we were 6thin line and after we ordered the wait was 45mins!

Worth the wait! The Austin roll and spicy ahi roll were so delicious! Fresh and yummy!

OK, I’m going to be one of those reviewers who gives the local hotspot a bad review.
Only outdoor seating in extremely high temperatures which is less than desirable.
The staff is downright rude. You know when you go somewhere, and people just don’t care about your business? These people simply don’t give a damn that you’re there. Our impression anyway. They might cater to locals, again I understand that, but just being so nonchalant and rude, and acting as if they do not speak English or understand you is really off-​putting. When we talked about it at the snorkel place we went to the gal said «after all this time they still act as if they don’t understand English»
People were lined up outside the door, and the sign on the door says don’t leave the door open. So there was this awkwardness about do you go in and order, is it too crowded, do you stand outside, then go in and then shut the door. Just odd.
We got there, during posted business hours, and they were closed for 20 minutes, which they do on a regular basis because they need to catch up on orders. I understand being backlogged, but again it’s not very appealing.
The sushi was just OK. It was extremely large, and when I asked them to cut them smaller, it didn’t happen. Every bite we took fell apart. They put very large chunks of cucumber or whatever inside and it’s not real tightly rolled and they fell apart. Not the end of the world, and not really a big deal, just less that desirable.
The highlight is… The prices are extremely reasonable. If you go to Hawi at sushi rock you’ll pay $ 20 a roll on average. A lot of places on the island are very expensive with regards to sushi. These are around $ 6.95. Very nicely priced. That is about all I can say. Good price point.

This place is also called hiyashi’s. Good sushi. The hype is real. This is arguably the best sushi in the area. It’s a very small shop and they pack everything in for togo. Expect a long wait here. Upwards of 45 mins most likely. The wait is worth it if you can handle it. Their rolls are amazing. The shop probably takes awhile because there is one person making the sushi and one person taking orders. You really get quality sushi here. Other than that the got the basics. Standard tables and plastics chairs enough for big parties although there probably can’t be more than 20 people eating at one time. I don’t think it’s too difficult to get a seat since most people get their food to go. They’ll order then go away and come back to pick up. Just listen to the lady taking your order. She has a good time approximate for how long it’ll be. I recommend asking her before ordering. She wasn’t too happy when we ordered paid then realized it wasn’t going to work out haha. Sorry if you’re reading this!!! We did end up coming back tho. I would highly recommend making a stop.

I came here because of the awesome reviews and it’s a fav local place. I had to wait 40 min which I agreed to thinking it was going to be the best sushi I’ve ever had. Honestly, I’ve had better sushi in California. Three stars because the owners seemed nice and the sushi was just ok. No place inside to eat. You order in a small shack and eat outside.

Kinda overrated in my opinion. If i have to wait an hour for something it better be damn near amazing. This was mediocre at best. Was taken there by some friends that said it was awesome. I think these people need to come to Oahu and experience some real sushi.

A friend recommended this place, and on our last day in Big Island, we finally made our way here. Having heard about the long wait times, I was glad when we arrived close to 5 pm and found a sign stating that they were temporarily closed and would reopen at 5; we ended up being one of the first people in line, and also snagged a table. I loved the fast service, the cheap food, and the casual atmosphere. I ordered three rolls (two off the menu and one we made ourselves) and the bill came out to be around $ 20. The Big Island and Makai rolls were great with the addition of papaya! I’d never had papaya in sushi rolls before, but the flavors were so fresh and unique. The sushi pieces were the big, stuff-​your-​face kind of pieces and they were all amazing. I almost couldn’t believe it. I’ll definitely be back.

The Sushi Nazi! Good rolls, great price, always a wait. Or, they just shut down when they get too busy. This was the best secret for locals for years but with Unilocal,etc., it’s just gotten ridiculous. Now, you get stuck behind a group of mesmerized tourists, who order 5 of everything! That would be fine if it weren’t just the owner making all the rolls. Beware that a «20 minute wait «means 45 minutes. Now, I only go if I’ve got a good hour to kill for my food and don’t mind waiting, trying to find parking, etc. Oh, and good luck getting anything close to a smile out of the wife as she takes your money!

This is a great hole in the wall to try! I enjoyed miso soup w tofu and a salmon role. I heard around town is was the local spot for sushi so I gave it a try and I was pleased. The prices are extremely reasonable. There was a 35 minute wait but it was definitely worth it. You cannot beat the prices!

Ohhhhhhhhh hyashi’s! How my love for you will never fade. They have the most amazing deal on the island! 6 bucks for amazing sushi, my fav is the Austin roll with ahi cucumber shrimp tempura and avo with spicy mayo Sauce. If u don’t get the sauce. You don’t get the full taste Of glory.
Super reasonable but don’t go at lunch time because you’ll be waiting 30 – 45 minutes for sushi.
Tip– ask for 10 pieces instead of 8! Last longer and easier to eat!

I do love Hayashi’s/You Make the Roll but for reals… the wait is out of control and major bummers — you can’t phone in orders. if i’m going to be in Kailua and i can plan it out, i’ll go in and order, then go run errands, and swing back after i’m pau with errands to get my lunch. HUMBUG no? but i do love their sushi so sometimes it’s worth the effort.

35 — 45 min to wait, it is OK???
Yes, sure! The best sushi in the town. Fresh, cheap, delicious. My fav is Makai rolls & spicy sauce. Yummy

Long overdue review!
One of Kona’s bestest littlest gems around. Mom and pop kitchen. Delicious. Huge. Cheap.
There’s always a wait during lunch and sometimes they won’t pick up or take orders over the phone when they’re swamped, which is often. You just gotta get down there. If you’re local, you already know the drill. If you’re a tourist, it’s tucked into a side street off of Ali’i Drive, go left, it’s on the right, there’s no parking and no street parking, you can walk if you’re browsing the shops. Try to figure out what you want before getting in line, otherwise the menu is posted up above the kitchen of the tiny hole in the wall. Just look up. Keep the door closed (per owners’ request), don’t hold it open. Stand outside if you’re in that spot. You’ll end up inside soon enough.
The sushi is fresh tasting and the rolls are really big (understatement). Sake roll is the go to, then the «ninja star» roll at a close second. So fun. I do love a good shrimp tempura roll and these are the best ninjas around. You know it’s good when it’s not drenching soggy in a sauce and all the hipsters and kooks are still eating it. The Sake (salmon) always depends on the fish; luckily Hayashi’s is gloriously consistent and the sake is always prime here. So I get these two rolls for right under $ 10 and I’m over stuffed actually. My man and I will take just the two (and sodas that finish us at $ 13 tops) to the beach and it’s the perfect snack, a light lunch even. Sounds ridiculous and impossible but it’s very true, they’re huge and maki style when traditionally maki are tiny. Such a sweet surprise! Record breaking fatties, island style maki. A must try if it’s your thing like it’s mine. You won’t be let down, it’s a fat piece of sake in each and it’s always so buttery. No bad piece yet.
These are the cheapest prices you will find on the little strip. Owners mainly speak Japanese. Order quickly please. Outside seating. You can get ticketed and towed in the nearby parking lots (behind) so don’t chance it. Park farther if you don’t want to pay.

To be honest I don’t know why this place has 4 stars. While on my honeymoon I went to this place with my husband and the food was hot and not the most tasteful. I live in California and seriously I’ve had better sushi here. I felt like the place was not the most sanitary place to buy food and for me to say this it takes a lot because I will eat almost anything, except raw meat that has been sitting outside refrigeration for so long. Maybe when I was there was a bad time because there was a lot of ppl due to the ironman triathlon in oct 2015. Regardless I didn’t like it and on top of having to wait 45 mins for our food, I even got sick to my stomach that evening after eating it, so good luck.
FYI this place was recommended by a local, locals think this is the best but then again maybe they never had anything better or anything outside the island

They have really cheap sushi here, but it’s unfortunate that they aren’t able to keep up with all the orders that they get. Sometimes, they’ll close for a bit at random times of the day and then reopen when they’re ready to take more orders. They’re this small (very small) shop right off of one of the roads on Alii Dr. The wait time can vary, but usually I wait about an hour.
I really love their salmon rolls – which are VERY cheap – and they also offer spicy salmon rolls too. If you try to call them during business hours and they don’t answer, this is actually kinda common. No, their number isn’t out of service, they just don’t really answer it when they’re super busy – and they’re pretty much always busy. But if you’re not on a strict schedule and don’t mind waiting a while for your food, then try this place out. If you get antsy waiting, walking around Alii Dr. helps to pass the time :)

This local’s best, unkept secret is an absolute MUST when in Kona!
It’s tucked behind a touristy shopping center on Ali’i Drive and is run by a husband and wife team.
The sushi is AMAZING! You can order off of their menu or create your own custom roll with your favorite and always fresh ingredients. Don’t forget their signature spicy sauce — it is incredible!
They are always busy so be prepared to wait… wait to order and wait for your sushi to be prepared. BUT, it is always worth it!
Hands down, our favorite place to eat in Kona!
* They haven’t been accepting phone orders so arrive early!

If there was ever a 5 star place this is the one.
You gotta be down to wait, but that’s a part of the hayashis experience.
I have NEVER Had a bad experience here. I have been coming since for 10 years since I was in elementary school and it has been just as good every time. There is no sushi place like this one. That is not to say there are not better sushi places, but the distinct hayashis flavor is something I can’t find anywhere else. And believe me, I’ve tried. Add to this that it is the cheapest sushi available in the state, and. You have a place that is the only thing I look forward to when coming home from Oahu.
Give this place your business. Get a makai roll. That’s my favorite.

You can’t beat the price for what you are getting. We got the ninja star roll and the Jenna roll. Ninja star was my fave. The rolls are quite large and filling. They lose two stars for the long wait time. I got there 10 minutes after opening and waited another 15 minutes to order. Once I got to the order counter the lady told me it would be another 35 – 40 minute wait for the food. So all in it took almost an hour to get two rolls. Food is good but I don’t know if I would waste an hour of my vacation time for the sushi here.

Back again after a two year hiatus, and the epic awesomeness continues. Long lines around lunchtime and the aromatic promise of delicious sushi if you’re willing to wait 45 minutes for your custom creation.
So worth the wait.
(We usually cruise down to an oceanfront bar for our waitin’-drinks, then wander back up just in time to get our fresh hurricane rolls from the little ovens.)
Highlights: cheese covered baked rolls. We love combining teri chicken, spicy tuna, and cream cheese.
The Jenna roll is also awesome, and any time they have pineapple in stock, it’s a great addition.
Worth. It. Always. Just make sure you get here before they’re overloaded with orders and close!

You’ve found Kona’s beloved YMTR.
*The locals spot.
*Awesome everything starting @ $ 5.95 for 3 choice roll. Build your own or select from amazing builds.
–Yes, it’s a small spot… There is no room inside to eat– just to order.
–Yes, this is no frills: You order, then you get amazing sushi creations. That’s it.
*Do not eat here if you need to be pampered by a waiter… Eat here if you appreciate good food and can appreciate this beloved spot.
What makes YMTR special is the spot it earned in the hearts of the community. To be consistent over so many years and to have always provided amazing food, unbeatable prices, and most important; the ALOHA.
****I have been coming here for literally 15yrs. And I still HAPPILY wait in the 30 – 45 minute line for my rolls & UFO bowls.