Cancel

Open app

Search

HIGOTO Japanese Eatery

4.6 (269 reviews)
ModerateJapanese
Closed 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

HIGOTO Japanese Eatery Photos

Business Info

HIGOTO JAPANESE EATERY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed

You might also consider

More like HIGOTO Japanese Eatery

Recommended Reviews - HIGOTO Japanese Eatery

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Dan A.

Higoto is a Japanese takeaway bento and onigiri eatery in Kaimuki Shopping Center. I went maybe once but I don't recall. Went in the afternoon this weekend and they were almost cleared out. I got a couple of Konbu Onigiri and a Strawberry Purin. Onigiri was too salty...Konbu paste was overwhelming. The purin...excellent...served as a palate cleanser. I shall go again whem they have more of a selection. Open from 1100a till 400p, Wednesdays to Sundays. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Noriben Bento - A feast for the senses. As pretty as it is tasty!!
Dawn K.

Good things come in small packages...and the best bentos come from this small shop. I'm especially fond of the fact that their fish bentos are all fish. This very much pleases my pescatarian preferences. I can enjoy every bite of the bento without having to pass a piece of chicken or beef to the hubby. And, I enjoy every bite down to the last kernel of multigrain rice. So far (because we're still working our way through the menu), we've enjoyed the noriben bento and the butterfish bentos (more than once). Both are worthy of a dine-in restaurant. The high-quality rice (trust me, you can tell) is a perfectly-cooked pillow for the assortment of bento toppings. They offer both white and multigrain rice. Hubby likes white. I enjoy the pleasant nutty, sweetness of the multigrain. The noriben bento includes a piece of salmon, ahi katsu, and a tempura-furikake fish cake. A generous portion of shredded nori covers the rice and an assortment of pickled veggies compliments the sweet corn. Not only is this bento pretty, it is amazingly balanced in taste and texture. A feast for the eyes and the palate! But, the butterfish bento is the real showstopper. A very generous serving of carefully sliced, richly marinated butterfish tops your choice of rice. The hubby said it's probably the BEST butterfish he's ever had. And, I totally agree with him! Because of the way they slice the fish, the marinade saturates the filets and then it's grilled so the sauce caramelizes just enough to give a sweet and smoky flavor. SO ONO! Like I mentioned, the shop is small but if you get there early, it's full of bentos (fish, chicken, katsu pork, and hamburger steak), assorted musubis and inari, as well as sushi cups. They even offer desserts by Malu Honolulu. What a great collab! Every nook and cranny of this little shop is full of food prepared with thought and care. Only three people are allowed in the shop at a time, so there is sometimes a line outside. Don't worry! It goes fast, and it's SO WORTH the wait. Not surprisingly, they sell out. But if you don't think you're going to make it there early, you can call to order and schedule a pick up. Service is always very friendly and accommodating. Higoto is located on the first floor of Kaimuki Shopping Center on Waialae Avenue (by Times Supermarket next to Sacred Hearts). Parking is free and ample. Really, there is NO good reason to not give Higoto Japanese Eatery a try. You definitely won't be disappointed.

miso butterfish
Samantha L.

This is hands down one of the best grab-and-go bento spots, especially if you love miso butterfish. The miso butterfish was absolutely delicious, perfectly cooked, flavorful, and super tender. It also came with rice and veggies on the side, which made it such a satisfying meal. Definitely come early though because the best items sell out fast and you'll want the full selection!

miso butterfish bento // salmon ikura bowl
Kacie S.

Food tasted so yummy and fresh! The salmon ikura bowl was huge and loaded with fish, veggies, and rice! Bentos were also hefty portions. Great service, decent prices for quality and amount of food! Can park in the shopping center. Went 10 mins before open and there was already a small line. Would recommend pre-order if you dont want to worry about things running out.

Crab and ikura bowl. Delicious!
Faye Y.

We stopped by pretty late 1pm so expected no selection but we were wrong! Sure they were out of some things like butterfish bento & chicken katsu but they had a good assortment still there. We chose the fish lovers bento sand crab & ikura bowl! Husband loved the crab bowl and I loved the fish bento. There was edamame, lotus root and corn in mine. I couldn't finish it all. It had salmon, Saba, shrimp tempura, butterfish and ika(?). It came with a Japanese tartar sauce but honestly not sure what I would use it on because all the fish was flavorful

Fish Lovers Bento and a sushi roll.
Steve L.

It's a small place and there will be a line because it's got great bentos. Not only did the fish lovers bento taste great with the wonder variety of fish and seafood, it is attractively presented. Nicely set up over the purple rice, it's one of the best bento I've had outside of Japan. Friendly, small place. They pack a lot of variety in a small shop. Well worth a visit if you are in the area and want something to go.

fish lovers bento, so ono!
Doug T.

Definitely 5 plus stars for this WONDERFUL bento and musubi shop. Yummy bentos, musubi, sushi cups, inari, salads, & desserts. My favorite is the fish lovers bento (see photo). The last one I had included miso butterfish, salmon, shrimp tempura (yummy and plump), fried white fish, saba, and chikuwa (fishcake) tempura. It includes shelled edamame, hijiki (seaweed salad), corn, tsukemono, cherry tomato, and rice (white or multigrain). Right now the price is $22.80, which is a great price for all the fish included. You have to order ahead (recommend 2 days ahead) -- call at 9:30 a.m. or a bit after. They open at 11 am. - 4 p.m. Wed - Sun but take orders after 9:30 a.m. Their musubi are really great also. My favorites are the mentaiko & egg and kombu & harihari. Try 'um, so ono!

Yakitori Chicken Bento
Nikki U.

I have heard so much hype about this place ever since they opened 5 years ago. I just never got the chance to try it until now. If I am being honest, it is ok. I went with my family and got three bentos: pork katsu, yakitori chicken, and grilled pork. They were all fine nothing special. The meat was moist. The katsu, however, was soggy which was to be expected as it had been sitting out for a while. Also the chicken had five pieces in it. The store is tucked away near Kaimuki Times and is super small. No where to sit and they only allow 3 people in the store at a time. Their musubi looked tasty but we didn't try them. Perhaps the hype around this place has to do with the musubi and not the bentos. Unfortunately, I will not be coming back as it is on the pricy side for bento and has similar flavor to the bentos you can get from Times right next door.

(Top) miso butterfish bento (bottom) salmon/ikura sushi cup
Kira K.

I've always been curious about this place but keep forgetting to check it out. Well, today, my schedule aligned with their opening time so it was the perfect opportunity! 10 minutes past opening, and there was already a line outside. They only allow 3 people at a time inside, but luckily the line moved pretty quickly :) I ended up getting a miso butterfish bento, spicy ahi avocado hand roll, and a salmon ikura sushi cup. In total, it came out to about $34 SPICY AHI AVOCADO HAND ROLL: really filling and a decent amount of avocado inside. Spicy ahi was not a creamy type of spicy, but it was still spicy SALMON IKURA SUSHI CUP: good portions and beautifully/thoughtfully layered with rice, pickled cabbage, and I think some egg? The fish tasted fresh and there were no chewy pieces! It was enough for me to share with my husband, so it was very filling MISO BUTTERFISH: the amount of butterfish they give for a little under $18 was surprising! The butterfish was tender, flavorful, and I didn't come across any bones. With the multigrain rice and the mini sides that accompanied the bento, it was also very filling! Overall, if you are looking for delicious Japanese food on the go, THIS is the place! I can't wait to come back and try other items as well :)

Unagi Bento
Sara L.

Great small Japanese bento spot tucked behind the parking lot, to the right of Kaimuki Times Supermarket. Location and Parking: ample parking available outside Kaimuki Times. Location is a bit difficult to find. I would recommend walking toward Times, turn right, take the walkway behind the railing toward Higoto. Food: Ordered the miso butterfish bento and the unagi bento. The fish and unagi were soft and tender, flaky, and covered in a light layer of umami sauce. The unagi even included a side of extra sauce. Bento also included veggies and a choice of white or multigrain rice. We also ordered some desserts made by Malu; chocolate panna cotta which was rich and creamy; matcha panna cotta which was light, airy, and delicate, but didn't have a very strong matcha flavor; and the cookie cream puff. The cream puff was light and sweet, but didn't distinctly resemble or taste like a cookie. Value: the price at $17.50 per bento was very reasonable and the servings were very generous. Each bento included 3 large pieces of fish or unagi. Service: I ordered ahead for a 3:30pm pickup and they were very accommodating. I was also so thankful they waited for me when I got lost and was 15minutes late. Great service. Would recommend to anyone.

Best Japanese food ever!
Noelani C.

This cute sweet little bento spot is a gem in Kaimuki. Nestled below next to Times Supermarket Kaimuki, they always have the best quality Japanese food & desserts! The employees are so nice! Friendly and helpful staff! I absolutely love the crab & Ikura cup with purple rice! The side containers of Ikura too, I take home to freeze and thaw when I want to eat it on hot rice! The fish bentos, chicken bentos, yummy vegetarian options too like the tofu soybean salad is so delish with sesame dressing! Absolutely love their musubi selection! They have the highest quality ingredients and make all their side dishes from scratch! The sauces are all home made too! Oh the tartar sauce! I am so beyond happy they made a large container of their homemade tartar sauce for sale now too! I love it! It's the best tartar sauce on the island! Thank you Higoto for finding a little cute home here in Kaimuki!

Ami C.

We came here after 2 pm and most of the food were out already. It's buy whatever is left on the shelf. You have to get here early to get your choice of bento. I got the Kama bento and it was delicious. Hubby got the chicken bento and liked it. Service was great.

Chicken yakitori bento

See all

9 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Neal N.
1
40
67

25 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

28 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

3 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 2

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

20 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0
Photo of Doug T.
1
64
22

5 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 3
Love this 3
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 2

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Kim S.
287
859
1057

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Bentos are really good especially the miso butterfish! Come early cuz lines do get long but move fast just like Hawaii time! Haha

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 4
Love this 5
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 4
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 27
Thanks 14
Love this 23
Oh no 2

9 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Vi Y.
561
2502
764

8 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 1
Love this 6
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Good food, great service. A little pricey but worth it. Recommend this eatery, have patronized this business often throughout the years.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 2
Love this 3
Oh no 0
Photo of Cate T.
515
24
10

6 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Jo Y.
449
637
32998

3 years ago

Helpful 40
Thanks 10
Love this 44
Oh no 2

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 3
Love this 2
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 4
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 2
Love this 3
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 7

HIGOTO Japanese Eatery Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - HIGOTO Japanese Eatery

Is it wheel chair accessible?

Yes park on the bottom by times

Someone mentioned that Higoto has a Happy Hour. Anyone knows about a Happy Hour there?

Their happy hour (20% off) is towards closing time and it is to help them sell out their food that day. You have to follow their Instagram page and they will post when they will have it. If they are super busy, they probably won't have it that day.… 

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Japanese 43,213 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro

Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro

4.3
(4.2k reviews)
1.6 mi
$$$
Free parking
19 years in business

We've been coming back to Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro in Waikiki for years now, and…read morethere's genuinely a special place in our hearts for this spot simply because it's still here after all this time. In a city where restaurants come and go, that kind of longevity says something. The Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu set and Set A are our go-tos every time. The pork is consistently tender with that perfect crispy crust. And can we talk about the sesame seed crushing situation for a second, I half-joke that it should be a litmus test for any good tonkatsu place. If they hand you that mortar and pestle to grind your own sesame for the sauce, you know they're serious about the details. One practical note: seating is limited and it fills up fast, so I'd recommend making a reservation if you can, especially during peak hours. The first time we ever visited, our kid was still in the stroller and we were so embarrassed how much space we were taking up. But everyone here is just in for a good time. Too bad there's no downtime or else that's when we usually like to visit the restaurant without bother other guests. Just plan ahead. Ginza Bairin has stood the test of time!

My daughter got to choose our dinner on night 2 here on the island and she picked chicken or pork…read morekatsu. I found this place on Yelp, thanks Yelp! It did not disappoint. The staff is amazing and the food was delicious. It reminded my husband and I of this place in Kyoto. Don't get confused, there are two sides, one side requires reservations (which we didn't have) so they sent us next door and they were able to accommodate us. The interior was cute, very Japan. My daughter and I ordered the chicken katsu, it was yummy and my husband and son ordered the beef katsu with a side of pork katsu. I loved how they gave sesame seeds in a bowl for the kids to grind up to put in our sauces. That kept them entertained for a bit. Also, apparently this is a branch of a tonkatsu restaurant in Ginza. I recommend this place is you're specifically looking for a Japanese restaurant aside from sushi.

Photos
Tonkatsu, katsu-don, gyukatsu
Tonkatsu, katsu-don, gyukatsu
Special Katsu-don set
Special Katsu-don set
Katasu-don

See all

Katasu-don
Tonkatsu Tamafuji

Tonkatsu Tamafuji

4.6
(2.5k reviews)
1.0 mi
$$$

I finally got reservations for lunch and got to sit in their new expanded area. The restaurant it…read moreso beautiful and clean. The servers were very nice, fast and very accommodating. We ordered three different items: Jyukusei Pork Loin Katsu Set, Sizzling Plate Miso Sauce Pork Loin Set, and a side of the shrimp tempura. Everything tasted amazing. The tonkatsu was crispy, but juicy on the inside. The shrimp with that delicious home made tater sauce was delicious. And the unlimited salad is always a plus. They gave us tea to finish the meal and it was a nice way to end it. There is limited parking on the street or on the basement level of the building. They offer validation if you dine with them. Love coming here, it's always consistent.

My cousins highly recommended this place, and after seeing so many Instagram posts about it, I knew…read moreI had to give it a try. We attempted to make reservations, but they were completely booked until the following month. Since we didn't want to miss out, we decided to order their most popular tonkatsu meal to go instead. When we arrived, there were already a lot of people waiting outside. I went in to check on our order, and they let me know it would be another 10-15 minutes. Since it was a hot day, we wandered over to the crystal-themed shop next door while we waited. It had lots of interesting items to browse, although we ended up leaving empty handed. About 15 minutes later our order was ready, and we Ubered back to our hotel, which only took a few minutes. When we opened everything up, the portion felt a bit small for the price. The tonkatsu itself was tender, but for us it didn't quite live up to all the hype. I did appreciate that you can choose clam soup instead of the traditional miso soup, and there are different rice options as well, which is a nice touch. Overall, it was a good meal, but not one that completely wowed us given the price. It's possible the experience would have been different dining in, but with the long waitlist and the hot weather, takeout was the better choice for us.

Photos
Inside seating
Inside seating
Making the sauce
Making the sauce
Mix Katsu Set

See all

Mix Katsu Set
Izakaya Tenkichi

Izakaya Tenkichi

4.6
(253 reviews)
1.3 mi
$$

What can I say about Izakaya Tenkichi?? Everything is AMAZING. I've been there twice, once for…read morelunch and once for dinner. It hits every single time. It was much busier at dinner. I recommend making a reservation, because the space is small. The service is top tier. The servers encourage a good time. They even have a drink menu of server favorites. Think of them as party hosts. Every single thing I've eaten there is amazing. From the avocado to the tempura to the massive ikura bowl that serves 4. I can't recommend one thing in particular. I do encourage you to try anything seasonal. I promise. They won't disappoint.

Given that I've been here three times in the last month, I think it would be safe to say that…read moreIzakaya Tenkichi is one of my favorite restaurants. The first thing you'll notice when coming here (during a busy dinner time) is that it's really noisy, in a fun way!! The staff is super friendly! There are basically three options for seating.... booths that seat about 4 comfortably, tables on the bottom that can accommodate small or large groups, and bar seating. I've done them all and they are all comfortable. You'll find way more specials at dinner time. The food is really high quality, and super consistent too! My favorites are the yummy cucumber and the garlic cabbage salad, and the tempura and sushi/sashimi/donburi are all great too. Oh, and don't sleep on the hamachi kama. The tempura batter is light and airy and you have the option of tempura sauce, tare, or different kinds of salt. They're all really nice!! Great desserts and alcohol selection too!! Parking is a breeze next door at the old stadium mall, but warning that it may be pretty full at night. You can always find street parking along King Street though. I highly recommend this place for small and big parties alike!! But make reservations for dinnertime because walk-ins are probably not gonna happen.

Photos
Steep stairs. Much easier to navigate going up. Going down after some adult beverages? Better use the handrail
Steep stairs. Much easier to navigate going up. Going down after some adult beverages? Better use the handrail
Yuzu Cheese Cake ($5.50) - really sweet, especially with the granola. Would recommend getting a different dessert.
Yuzu Cheese Cake ($5.50) - really sweet, especially with the granola. Would recommend getting a different dessert.
Dinner Menu (1 of 12) as of 3/5/2026

See all

Dinner Menu (1 of 12) as of 3/5/2026

HIGOTO Japanese Eatery - japanese - Updated July 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...