san sushi restaurant interiors at Hilton Hotel Tahiti — *Chef San at San Sushi Bar, in the Hilton Hotel Tahiti*

Trust in Chef San and gastronomic delights await you at San Sushi, Hilton Tahiti’s newest Japanese restaurant.

At first glance, the San sushi menu seems somewhat simple, with everyday dishes like Nigiri, maki rolls, and sashimi platters. Don’t let that deter you from booking a dinner at the Hilton’s San Sushi restaurant, with a world of off-menu specialties from sushi chef San that will tantalize your tastebuds.

Restaurant design & Atmosphere

Unassuming, hidden beneath the stairs on the Hilton’s ground floor you’ll find the entrance to San Sushi. As you step into the interior you’ll be transported out of the tropics of Tahiti and into an inviting space with inspired contemporary Japanese interiors.

The restaurant is fitted with natural materials synonymous with Japanese-inspired design. Textures such as wood and stone help to create a clean, minimalistic style while warm lighting creates a coziness that makes the space feel intimate. These crisp natural materials used throughout the main features of the space are modernized with the use of navy blue and millennial pink accents.

At the center of San restaurant is the main sushi bar, a large extended stone table setting, lit with Tokyo-style neon blue lights, it’s here you’ll find the best seat in the house. For larger groups, the restaurant has a variety of seating selected with socializing in mind, including a number of round tables and a few banquet-style table settings.

The star of the show is, of course, Chef San, who creates a convivial atmosphere throughout the evening, regularly checking on diners, discussing dishes, and creating bespoke meal items to suit his guests.

Hilton Tahiti Sushi Restaurant Interiors — *San Sushi Restaurant Interiors at Hilton Tahiti*

The Menu

The restaurant interiors create a sophisticated backdrop for showcasing their delicious sushi dishes. The sushi menu features a refined selection of traditional options. From the classic maki rolls to edamame, there is something everyone will enjoy. The restaurant also offers a selection of carefully crafted cocktails and sake, perfect for pairing with sushi dishes.

The presentation of the sushi is nothing short of stunning, with the vibrant ingredients perfectly arranged in a delicate and eye-catching manner. Not only is the sushi visually impressive, but each bite is full of flavor and the freshest ingredients. The seafood is melt-in-your-mouth fresh and tastes as though it’s come straight off the Hilton’s wharf.

The attentive and knowledgeable staff are on hand to provide recommendations for the best food and drink pairings, helping to ensure that every dining experience is exceptional.

Salmon sushi from San Sushi restaurant at the Hilton hotel in French Polynesia — *Off-menu Salmon sushi dish from Chef San*

Sashimi & Sushi

We decided to order the sashimi platter, spicy tuna roll, and California roll. The sashimi platter was a masterpiece of succulent fish and vibrant colors. The sashimi was clearly fresh and of high quality, and its flavor matched its beauty. The spicy tuna roll was also excellent. It was spicy, but not overpoweringly so, and the balance of flavors was perfect. The California roll was a nice addition, with its crunchy texture and delicate flavor.

As we raved on and on about the sushi, Chef san brought out sauces he had created that he thought we would like to try with the sashimi. One was a light, citrus sauce with chili and mustard. This worked perfectly with the salmon sashimi cutting through the fat to deliver a light citrusy finish. He also brought out a special fatty white tuna sashimi to try which completely melted away. Soft, fresh and delicious, this was one of the meal highlights.

The sashimi was masterfully cut and prepared, we enjoyed it so much that we ended up ordering a second round of the same dish. The chef expertly combined the perfect balance of ingredients, making sure to highlight the flavor of the fish in each and every bite. The presentation was exquisite, with delicate garnishes and colorful accents that made the sushi look almost too perfect to eat.

Dessert from San Sushi restaurant in Tahiti a pineapple tapioca — *Pineapple and Tapioca dessert from San Sushi at the Hilton Resort Tahiti*

Desserts

After our mains, we ordered desserts. A mango mochi and a pineapple and tapioca pudding. The mango mochi was a delightful surprise. The dough was light and fluffy, and the mango filling was incredibly sweet and juicy. The tapioca pudding also hit the spot, the smooth and creamy texture was a perfect combination with the fresh pineapple. I can easily say that this sushi restaurant has some of the best desserts in town! From the delicious mochi to the creamy tapioca pudding, I was truly impressed with how the flavors and textures came together. The combination of the sweet fruit and soft dough was heavenly.

Final Thoughts

Overall, our experience at San Sushi restaurant was absolutely sublime. The staff outdid themselves with their attention to detail and creative combinations of flavors. We would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking to try some of Tahiti’s best seafood, or those who want to enjoy an unforgettable dinner. We recommend trying to sit at the sushi bar if you have a small enough group.

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