My #1 tip: make a phone order so you get what you want and you do not have to wake up at the crack of dawn. And they'll hold your food until closing, even if they run out of food and close up shop early. Small okazuya that opens early and closes early. My favorite foods: STUFFED CABBAGE: I think it is a Friday special and this is a late find new favorite. I love stuffed cabbage, the kind that reminds you of old school kine flavors, and this is it. SOOOOO GOOD. WARABI SALAD: I love their warabi but it's also because I don't like seafood. I think it's a weekday only thing but you should check. They use kamoboko (fishcake) instead of all the other seafood so it's a mild seafood flavor only, so I can live with that. The warabi is so fresh and tasty. SPAM MUSUBI: I know it sounds boring and you can get this anywhere but theirs is my favorite - flavorful and perfect. and you can tell it was made with love. I don't care for the fancy ones but they have the deep fried ones that come with sauce and everything but their spam musubi is just THE BEST. NORI CHICKEN: so good. Crispy and flavorful. Juicy. And still boneless. Other things: fried chicken is good, but to me it's just fried chicken. They have hash - the regular kind and the deep fried croquette. They're all ok. So many other things I'd like to try. They are small, they are crowded, but they are always super friendly. On the phone they are super helpful and friendly too. This is my #1 stop in Hilo. Tough one, considering it's next to Two Ladies Mochi. Which is probably my second stop in Hilo. Street parking. If you have to park across the street, be careful. I know a lot of people jaywalk, but the crosswalk really isn't that far at the light. read more

Asami's Kitchen - Spam musubi, nori chicken, hash, croquette - Sushi Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Finally tried this okazuya spot on our last trip to Hilo in February. I'd say its a little intimidating to the uninitiated (as I was). A steamed up glass case with hot items as you walk in, no readily apparent menu until you look to the left wall where theres a barely legible white board. Barely enough room for more than a handful of people inside, which is why there be a line outside. At 8am, inventory was low, few selections, we were able to get fried chicken and fried shrimp. We heard a customer in front of us ask for the musubi (not on the menu and not visible), so we got that too. I thought the food was 'pretty good'. I'm clearly not their intended target customer (i.e., wanting to get in super early for warm food for the day). Prices reasonable. Friendly service. read more

Finally got to try Asami's Kitchen during my recent trip to Hilo, (10/2025) Usually, I make a stop after breakfast and Farmer's market which they were sold out or didn't have what I wanted to try. This time it was the first stop after getting our rent a car. Look for the colorful Yellow painting with the flowers at the front/window, a few doors down next to Two Ladies Kitchen, the hubby waited in the car while I went in quick. Even arriving early they only had 2 pieces of nori chicken left. Asami's Kitchen been providing the Hilo community since 1999, It is a very tiny shop filled with variety of traditional Japanese, local Okazuya, sushi, bentos, & even desserts. I noticed they have daily specials posted on the white board. My Okazuya box: 4 fried spam musubi, 2 hash, 2 nori chicken, and shoyu chicken. Also got a package of chocolate banana bread. We enjoyed our Okazuya at the Falls later that day and the verdict, pretty much loved it all, our favorite is the shoyu chicken (love the sauce and the chicken is tender) & fried spam musubi. I prefer another Okazuya spot for the nori chicken. Overall, Happy to finally try the 3 Okazuya spots in Hilo and have to say this one is pretty good too, so many choices, so hard to decide! Asami's Kitchen is a great spot for locals and visitors, now deciding on what to get, that is a hard one, don't forget go early! **I thought I could kill 2 birds with one stone, stopping at Two Ladies after, but they open later in the am. I had to make a stop back to this area after. haha. read more

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Food was delicious! We went at 6:00 am because we couldn't get the hamburger gyoza at 9 am the day before. It was worth the early rise! The long line of people with us at that ungodly hour is a testament to the taste of their food. read more

At 6am you have 2 okazuya open and fully stocked. Asami's is the one several doors down from Two Ladies Mochi. I went to both of them to do taste testing while they were both fresh. Everything was still warm and crispy when I ate them. NORI CHICKEN - Asami's has the better nori chicken. Chicken is bigger and juicier and flavored better. FRIED CHICKEN - is boneless but still has the crispy skin on. Flavored to perfection! SPAM MUSUBI - idk how but Asamis spam musubi is better. They also have a fried spam musubi if you want that. ONO nuggets - are smaller pieces but flavored better. Batter isn't as light but overall I prefer this one. PARKING might be a little bit easier on this side compared to a mile down the road. There are many things I still love about the other okazuya several blocks down but I definitely enjoyed my Asami box more today. read more

Asami's Kitchen - a car parked in front of a restaurant - Sushi Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

This was my first time at Asami's Kitchen and I was not disappointed. We arrived at around 930 am and there were only a couple people in front of us. The wait was not long, but quite a few people lined up behind us. We got fried fish, shrimp tempura, vegetable tempura, croquette, spam musubis, cone sushi, chicken, and wonton. About 4 of us shared this, and it was more than enough. Food was amazing! Probably one of the best cone sushi I've eaten. The shop was welcoming and the person who helped us answered our questions about the items. Will definitely return. read more

Asami's Kitchen - Lunch Plate - Sushi Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Very reasonable, yummy local food! A great spot to go to. Fried chicken was very tasty.

Very good. Would recommend. I love their mochiko chicken and spam musubi best travel day food

Wow I love spam musubi and this place sell good spam musubi regular and fried. I like both. There are so quite a few different chicken pieces that we tried. The staff here are great. The staff spent time telling us what each piece that they sell are. This place is definitely a gem. read more

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A great okazuya in cute little Hilo town! We were walking around town, and this was one of the few places open for breakfast. They only allow about two people in the store at a time, so the line moves pretty slow. We came around 7am, and there were still a lot of options available. The lady working was friendly and helpful and explained what some of the dishes were. We got a box filled with a variety of items. I tried the laulau, onigiri, spam musubi, spring roll, and croquette. All the dishes tasted like my grandmas cooking. There were other cold salad dishes in the refrigerator on the right. I really enjoyed the sweet potato salad. We also ordered fern poke, which I wasn't the biggest fan of. It's definitely an acquired texture. Overall, a great okazuya to stop at when in Hilo! read more

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This place never fails! You need to early in the morning though to get the goodies. You know what they say, "early bird gets the worm." 10/10 RECOMMEND!!! read more

Asami's Kitchen - (varies of different okazuya choices) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Awesome staff and awesome food. I always make it a point to stop by when I'm on the island.

Horrible service! The worker literally was giving me the death stare as soon as I walked in and while she was serving me...I almost said nevermind because I felt completely uncomfortable. The food is alright rather go Kawamotos where they're all friendly and welcoming. NEVER going to Asamis again! read more

Japanese okazuya is such a big part of Hilo culture that I never realized until moving here! This place is one of the few places. It's located on the same block as Two Ladies' Kitchen on Kilauea Ave. There's only street parking which can fill up quickly. I personally haven't visited the location, but I have gotten bentos from them through volunteering or my school. And I feel that the food deserve praise! I always get similar bento as the picture posted which comes with an assortment of different options on top of rice. My personal favorites are the fish cake and the potato hash patty. But overall, the entire bento itself is always deliciously filling. I do recommend checking them out! Grateful for them for providing delicious bentos to volunteers and students! read more

Asami's Kitchen - Bentos from Asami's! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

I feel like I'm cheating on Kawamoto's but Asami's deserves their own praise. Their food is so good, their service is so good, and parking is a LITTLE bit better than Kawamoto's. HIGHLY recommend the deep friend spam musubi, shoyu pork, and the friend chicken. It is SO ONO! read more

Another hole in the wall bento style store in downtown Hilo! Love the variety of items they offer - in addition to the fried bento items like tempura there are also Misubis (rice balls) and sushi to choose from! The deep fried spam misubi is an item I don't see anywhere else and is delish. The fried stuff is pretty greasy/heavy but okay obviously! Total came out $25 for 2 salads, 5 pieces of sushi, and 14 bento pieces. Great service as well. read more

Asami's Kitchen - Assorted Bento Items - Sushi Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Food was good!! A lot of fried local food. So if your a tourist then you really try this place to see what Hawaii food is like. Good customer service. Lady was real nice and patient. Won't rush you to order if it's your first time. And the setting matches the vibe. read more

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This is my go to place in Hilo for my customers' lunch. When I go there for sales calls I'll buy some spam musubi, chicken, hash, and sometimes the specials. Try the breakfast bentos too. When I went in the last time I took all their food so they suggested I call the day before and then pick it up when I get in. This last trip I did exactly that and there it was waiting for me just like she said. No problems. That to me is special. Just do what you say you are going to do and deliver a great product. It's that simple. Nowadays you don't always get what you order and not always at a good price. Most times without a smile and sometimes they don't even understand what you said. read more

Totally recommend this place. I last minute place a bento order for 7 people, and she was willing to fulfill my order. Didn't know what to order for my bentos but she gave me recommendations to keep the price in my budget. Food had just the right amount of taste. Everyone enjoyed their bento and kept asking where the bento came from. read more

Kawamoto's and Asami's are my go to okazu-ya joints in Hilo. Main difference is that Asami's runs out of things faster so you gotta get there early. Shoyu pork, korean chicken and chow fun is my go-to grinds. read more

Review #10 for 2020. Asami's Kitchen is awesome! Their food and service have consistently been good every time I visit. And recently during the stay at home mandate, I've been super grateful for the ways they serve the community. SERVICE: The workers in the front are super nice. They quickly get your order together and double check to be sure that you have everything you want and that your order is accurate. Kaleo has helped me twice recently, and she's awesome. They work well together to be able to handle big orders with ease. FOOD: I'm grateful that Hilo still has a handful of okazuya, including Asami's. Some of my favorite items are the warabi salad, fried chicken, nori chicken, nishime, shoyu chicken, and bean sprouts. The fried chicken stays crispy for a long time, and the nishime is cooked perfectly and not too sweet. The fried ono was bomb! HELPING THE COMMUNITY: During this time of COVID-19, there are people who are doing all they can to serve and support those in most need. Asami's has been making and distributing bentos to low-income kids who can't make it to a school to pick up a free lunch. And they've also been footing the majority of the bill for weekly bentos for 15 kūpuna who are high risk, low income, or don't have social supports on island. So grateful for the ways Asami's is helping the community! I've loved Asami's in the past, and I love them even more now! Please support this restaurant who is giving so much even as they are struggling as well. read more

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Yummy musubi and super friendly woman behind counter. Will be back to try other stuff but was starving after a run and they were kind enough to make me some bc they were out! read more

If you don't go early you are limited in options. Unlike other Okazu places in town that constantly replace popular options they seem to have the business model of same amount everyday read more

Definitely a must when in Hilo Town!! Their cone sushi is the best I ever tasted in a long time!!! It remind me of how cone sushi use to taste back in the days when food was still authentic!!! It's worth every star and price was great portions size was good. But hey you got to go EARLY - cause it's definitely early bird catches the worm!! They going be all out of you snooze... snooze you lose they say and that is true! I would totally recommend - this place when in Hilo Town. You just have to go and enjoy the flavors!! You will not regret that you did!! Your fat cells with be doing the happy dance and so will you! Now stop reading and go check it out!!! read more

Early morning, wake up, go to Asami's kitchen. Their deep fried musubi is so good. Dont know where else to get it. Good salads too. Yummy yummy read more

Asami's Kitchen - Broccoli salad, ono tempura, fried musubi, corn beef hash, potato korokke - Sushi Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

We made our own moco loco for 2 people at a good price and the food was excellent. Would go back again next time in Hilo read more

Asami's Kitchen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Amazing service! Great food! Will order again when I need a bento for the beach. It was perfect!

My favorite place to get good local food when I visit Hilo. They have all the favorites and it's always fresh

I love mom and pop bento shops! They are the best and Asami's Kitchen is no exception. I was here for work and our office ordered us these bentos. There was a little something in there for everyone. Amazing! read more

Asami's Kitchen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Had a one week roofing job in Hilo on the new Taco Bell being built next door and my co workers and I stopped here a couple mornings for breakfast. Food was always awesome and the prices were even more awesome. I'd recommend the deep fried musubi when they have. Best musubi I ever ate hands down! From the Tulbas Roofing crew in Oahu, much mahalos! God bless! read more

All I saw were lots of oily foods. Not much to choose from. Might have came on a wrong day or time or both. Will try again as I don't like knocking on small businesses even if it's the truth but sometimes you gotta let others know, business could take constructive criticism, etc. I'll be back to try again and hopefully it's better. read more

Although I'm more of a Hilo Lunch Shop kinda girl, when its closed, I drive straight to Asami's. Even though I'm always buying just for me, I always get a box full of yummy goodies which include nori chicken, spam musubi, corn beef hash cakes, the breaded shrimp, a few rice balls, and a few others. I love that Asami's is so close to the Farmers Market, so I grab breakfast here on Saturday morning then head to the Market. read more

I got to Asami's kitchen at 6:15 am and was packed . Take out only and everyone was picking up lunch . I , however got my order for breakfast. Fresh lau lau, sweet sour spare ribs and sides of nishinae & long rice. I am more than full and the price was great. The service is awesome. I highly recommend this place weather your a local or a visitor . Ive now been here four times and I absolutely love it. One of the best local food places I've been to. read more

Asami's Kitchen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Love the okazuyas over here. Love there fried chicken, spam musubis, deep fried musubis, fried noodle, and hamburger patties. I would definitely recommend this place when you're in Hilo and craving okazuya. read more

Asami's Kitchen - Front Window of Asami's - Sushi Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Gotta come here early before they sell out of the fried nori chicken! I came at 6:15am and they were already out. Luckily they Still had the fried spam musubi And mochiko chicken which hit the spot. read more

Yummy breakfast at Asami's! I had nori chicken, korean chicken, spam musubi, pork hash, tofu patty, California musubi, spicy shrimp musubi and a BBQ chicken musubi. I enjoyed everything but the California musubi and the pork hash. Nori Chicken - Delicious, juicy, crispy, and moist. The nori chicken here is really good. I believe they fry it with corn starch to get that crispy outside because I've had nori chicken a hundred times and the texture of the chicken here is different from any I've had thus far. I give the nori chicken a 4.5/5 rating. If you're looking for the best nori chicken in town be sure to check out Hiro's Place. They're another off the wall, hole in the wall joint. Spicy Shrimp Musubi - This was very good! I wish I bought more. It was your standard musubi but instead of spam it was filled with a fried shrimp and a spicy sriracha mayo. The proportions were perfect. The shrimp was nice, fat and juicy and it wasn't overly sauced. The rice to filling proportion was perfect too. I'm a huge critic when it comes to musubis. I loved this musubi even more because it stuck to the simplicity of local cuisine. It was made with minimal ingredients that was flavored, seasoned and cooked to perfection and simplicity is what local cuisine is made of. I give this dish an easy 5/5 rating. Korean Chicken - The korean chicken was a major disappointment. I decided to try it because Asami is known for their fried chicken and I I've tried it before, it's really good. The korean variation however, I can't recommend. The chicken was super dry, the sauce was too sweet and the meat was sparse. There was more skin then there was chicken. I rate this a 1/5. Tofu Patty - So one of my favorite sides in the world is the tofu patties from Hilo Lunch Shop and when I saw that Asami's had a variant of their own, I just had to try it. A decision I'm glad I made. It was delicious. It tastes just like the ones from Hilo Lunch Shop. The tofu patties are made of tofu grounded and mixed with seasoning and veggies then formed into patties then floured and fried. Simple yet delicious. Pork Hash - the pork hash had a nice flavor but the wonton was super dry. It was crispy and I don't like my pork hash crispy and for that reason alone I rate those hashes a 2.5/5! They need some help. BBQ Chicken Musubi - Was delicious yet strange. It was strange to me because there was lettuce in it. I think that was the first time that I've ever had lettuce in a musubi and surprisingly it worked for me. There was something about having a crisp, clean, fresh piece of lettuce that complimented the sweet and tang from the marinated chicken. I can't believe I liked it. I rate this musubi an easy 4/5 dish. I recommend you give it a try. I need to go back and try it again because it completely threw me off, in a good way though. If you guys go here you should definitely try it and let me know if I'm crazy lol. Be sure to follow me on yelp as well. California musubi - Had absolutely no flavor and way too much mayo. I have nothing good to say about it so I'll leave it with a rating of 1/5 and that's that. The prices here are super reasonable and the specials change daily so be sure to read and learn the specials and daily specials menu because a lot of their specials are super delish. They're open Mondays through Saturdays from 6am to 1pm and they accept cash, credit and debit. read more

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Super nori chicken and other yummy stuff - musubi, hash patties, and much more! Staff is really nice and friendly. Just love this old style local okazuya (deli)! read more

Okazua spot in Hilo. Fried Chicken and Cali Roll musubi is gOoOodness!! Reasonable pricing and great staff Go early to get da good stuff. Plus cheap breakfast read more

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My favorite when visiting Hilo. Deep fried spam musubi is great and reminds me of da kitchen's one onaui. That is meant to be a compliment. I enjoyed talking with the servers to. Their suggestions on what to try was appreciated because everything looked so ono! Our girl even cut up our boneless fried chicken. One big box and $20 later, we left happy and enjoyed every bite. Thank you Asami's staff and cooks. We will return b read more

My favorite breakfast spot hands down. Pay by the piece build your own bento. Usually a long line so if going before work go with expectations to wait in line. Once you know your faves you can order ahead too. read more

Asami's Kitchen - deep fried spam musubi! Almost went back and bought the whole tray .... - Sushi Bars Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii