We enjoyed (thoroughly) Hukilau (San Jose's Japantown) Bar & Grill over this past weekend. My lunch was a huge Kalua Pork sandwich w/ garden salad side & a glass of white wine. My wife's was a nice heaping of Loco Moco (instead of the typical ground beef, Kalua Pork was used) & a glass of guava/pineapple juice. They were both outstanding. The service was excellent & the price point was inexpensive. Then there was the ambiance - 'Hawaiian Festive' - reminds me of my many enjoyable visits to Duke's in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hi. RGJW. p.s. San Jose's Japantown is fun, interesting, lively. read more

I have a difficult time finding a Hawaiian restaurant outside of Hawaii, and I was quite excited when I heard about this place. The ambience gives you the tropical "tourist" feel of the islands. From the few times that I've been there, I've noticed there's no consistency in the way the food tastes. Some days, the macaroni salad is great; and the next, it tastes bland. That goes for some of the other dishes as well. The food didn't exactly meet my expectations. Other than that, I would go for the ambience on a warm San Jose afternoon. read more

Let's get to the point. We go here to drink, not to eat. The food is okay, I like the poke items. However, we only go here on Thursdays since it's open for happy hour till 10. The drinks are really cheap, half off...and it's half off appetizers as well, just not the poke. If I drink enough beers, the cheap appetizers aren't that bad. The atmosphere is fun, and they have a pretty good selection of beer. We haven't yet sat in the back area of the place, not sure why. Everytime we ask, they won't let us. It seems nicer back there. read more

Came here after dinner nearby for some drinks on a Thursday. Half off on cocktails, so great deal. The drinks are pretty strong but tasty. I agree that service is pretty slow, but good thing we were there to just talk and catchup, so it didn't bother us too much. read more

Came here the day of the Obon Festival on Sunday and it was packed. The bar area is not air conditioned and there were a lot of people chilling near the bar to get drinks, so it was very crowded. I ended up eating on the other side of the restaurant, where it was actually air conditioned. I ordered the garlic fries for an appetizer, due to the fact that I was oddly craving fries that day. The garlic seasoning was good and all, but the quality of the fries were kinda of eh...I guess that's what you get for $4 appetizers here. For my main dish I ordered the Ahi Poke w/Spam Musubi combination plate and the Poke was real good! Made me miss Hawaii and the Poke I had there. The portions are huge, which is normal for Hawaiin food, but I'd say one of the most priciest Hawaiin dinners I have ever had. But I guess it was worth it. Not a bad place when you're craving some Poke and Hawaiin food. read more

In preparation for my trip to Maui I went to Hukilau to get some goods w/o conforming to L&L's. The pork cheese fries were good however I feel like they could use an extra kick, garlic or onions maybe. Loving the mayo the mac salad is always a winner with my clogged arteries. I got the fried rice here with egg, throw in some hot sauce and you got yourself a winner. They also have live music and if you tip generously enough they try to play whatever you request. read more

Good food, small portions, over priced.

Soo good! Had the short ribs. It was so yummy! And surprisingly those were pretty thick ribs, it was almost like having steak. Anyways, it's also pretty inexpensive. The most expensive plate is $15. Overall, I liked it! I will definitely be back for more and try something else from the menu. read more

I went to a big group get together here for a graduation and had a nice time. The food was great and plentiful. I really enjoyed everything but the spam musubi is always my favorite since I am a spam junkie. Everything we had was good, i just wish I could remember it all. The drinks were also good if you are into the fruity drink think. I can see myself going back but might not make a special trip. read more

I often visit the Hukilau in the evening and late night. Its usually loud and packed which is a good sign. The back room on weekend nights often has Hawaiian music and Hula dancers. (So cool!) The patrons are pretty mellow and create a fun-loving atmosphere. Some of the best Hawaiian food I've had in the lower 48. read more

i love this place.. the adobo chicken is amazing and the poke is to die for!! Id give it 5 stars but the last time i was in there we had some blonde waitress that i had never seen before and she was really rude and no fun. read more

Hukilau - Adobo chicken - Hawaiian Near Me - San Jose, California

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I have been going to the Hukilau for about 6 years now. The best time is during there Happy hour to get there drink and food specials. I like the Hawaiian Burritto that they have and mostly all of there food. Last time I had the Spam Saiman which is basically a trumped up version of Top Ramen but I love it. The wait staff always seems to be nice, its a great place to bring a large group for drinks. read more

This place is delicious and has a really nice Hawaiian atmosphere. The hukilau chicken is the best, along with the pasta salad and noodle side dish. The poke, garlic fries, and spam musubi are also good. I've come here for my birthday for the past few years, and I am never let down. The happy hour on Thursday is great! The drinks are really good! read more

I love poke salads and this is probably one of the better places! I ordered the chicken katsu and it was yummy. The crust was crunchy and light. The portions are pretty good. read more

I went here to try it out based on a huge recommendation... I heard the one in SF was reeaaaalllyyy good but it closed down, so I had to try the San Jose one. My sister and I had great service, but overall, I thought the food was VERY mediocre. I couldn't really complain about anything, but at the same time, I had nothing to rave about it. It's kind of pricey for just a mediocre meal. The poke was too onion-y. It just over powered it and the fish itself was hit or miss. Every other piece was either really good or oddly textured. My sister had the burrito with the kahlua pork--it sounded amazing on the menu, but ended up being "just okay". I really expected better. I think I'll stick to hawaiian fast food joints like Hawaiian Drive In. read more

My only qualm about this place is that parking can sometimes be an issue, and the lines here can be an even bigger issue. But with such a small eatery in Japantown this Hawaiian food eatery is always packed with great music, amazing drinks, and spectacular food! It might be a little rich for some, and a little grotesque to some for the extensive use of spam in their dishes; but if you have that problem, you shouldn't be eating here anyways. This place is for those who want great tasting food. Just be ready for the lines that can show up out of no where. read more

I had the Ahi Poke salad- definitely was expecting something bigger, but it's really small- think of two cupped hands portion size for $10. Nothing special imo, but I think I should come here for other things than the poke salad. Honestly, I could make this for cheaper and at the same quality. ._______. read more

Given the fact that this would be the only dine in Hawaiian restaurant, they give generous portions. Although it may not taste like it does in Hawaii, it's what I settle for what we have here. I always get the yummy ahi poke and honestly, any platter will do you good. Service is here is always great. read more

Bar in the front and restaurant in the back, plus plenty of TVs with the game on. And the food was delicious, tried a couple things I'd never had before and they were great. Not too expensive, this place has a very social feel to it read more

I've been here a couple of times now and find the food to be okay, nothing great in my opinion. The portions are large and definitely shareable, foods always a hit or miss here. I've tried their Sesame Chicken, Spam Masubi, Chicken Katsu, all in which were okay... Some days they're cooked good and other days it's too fried or too salty. I'm pretty sure there are other better places, but pricing not too bad here either. Worth a shot, but not something you would crave. read more

This has improved by a ton, best Hawaiian spot in Silicon Valley! Spam Musubi, Kalua Pork, perfection.

Nice sized portions for a decent price. Definitely way better than the conventional fast food Hawaiian places like L&L. I like the sit down or dine in aspect. Food is authentic. read more

True spirit of ALOHA. Have been going here for years, the food and service are always great, however Kalua pork fried rice with Spam would be good one to add. Last weekend we were eating dinner with our family, my wife's uncle forgot his credit card and left it by mistake. The next he called and the card was still there with no issues. Thank you to the all of the folks at Hukilau for taking of this for us. See you soon ! read more

Our party of three shared a plate of Loco Moco with chicken katsu and teriyaki. The dish comes w eggs, rice, and macaroni salad. The dish was big enough for us. We also had a side of garlic fries and one spam masubi. The fries were so good. It was not too salty at all. Smell reminded me of crawfish. The waitress was very attentive and came back to fill our waters, etc. read more

Great service, great location, great food. the macaroni salad is the best compared to all the other southbay hawaiian restaurants. great atmosphere. read more

i thought it was great that this restaurant was opening up... but i was quite disappointed with the food... i don't know... something with trying to duplicate mouthwatering hawaiian food here in the mainland... it just doesn't work... not even my spam musubi is 100%... hehe... i do come to see my cousins (aloha brewed) play every now and then... i'm not sure if it's wise for them to hold events... it gets too packed... last time some guy totally crushed my toe... they should let my cousins have a vip area for family memebers while they are performing... read more

Made reservations at 7:00pm for 15 people on a Thursday night, we did not get seated until 8:00pm. The manager said there were two big parties before us and one of them was almost done. I was annoyed that the manager underestimated how long it would take for that group to be done. I guess there was nothing he could do. But I felt like it would have been nice to give us free drinks or a few appetitzers for making us wait so long to be seated. So minus 1 star for that. I think the food here is generally ok. I had the Kalua Cabbage, which is basically Hawaiian style roast pork stir fried with cabbage, with two heaping scoops of rice and macaroni salad. I tried my friend's Pele Katsu plate -- tonkatsu with their " special Pele fire sauce", which tasted like tabasco sauce to me; so much for the "special fiery twist". The Muana Kea Loco Moco was popular among the guys. Two hamburger patties smother in gravy, topped with two fried eggs. Can't eat too much of it or else you're asking for a heart attack. One good thing was that they had live music that night, which really gave it a nice relaxing atomosphere. However, the place is rather small so it was really difficult to carry a conversation over the loud music. Service is alright, the few times I've been here the servers always look unhappy and tend to be on the slow side. But I definitely like it better than L&L's. read more

I give Hukilau 5 stars. :) I've eaten here twice, and plan on returning many times more. It's a great place to go out and chill with some friends. The food is also DELICIOUS. The chicken terriyaki is tasty and the portion is enough for two. The prices aren't that bad either. The atmosphere is fun and the service is wonderful. Definitely going back soon. read more

i love their fried rice! i always get it when i go there. it's a big portion and its yummy! service is good and the atmosphere takes me back to hawaii, which i love so much. i recommend it! read more

I fell in love with this place 3 years ago. Is it me or has it somewhat downgraded? Or have my taste buds changed? First and foremost, their burgers are no joke. I will always forever love their Volcano burger! Add cheese avocado and bacon = heart clogs and pure ecstasy. The burger comes with either a side of fries or their famous mac. I say go for the mac to achieve a heart attack (but its worth it) Cons- One time I bought a plate of combo of pork stuff and it was definitely um sorry to say gross. I even found a huge slab of fat (literally a slab of fat) it was quite strange to say the least. I also ordered a cocktail one time. I cant remember the name of it, but it tasted like blue cool-aid Please boost up the alchy.... Maybe im just picky or an undercover alcoholic lol read more

I really like this place, but I'm not sure why I don't come here more often. The food is good and there is a full bar! They only thing that sucks is parking, it's hard to find a spot around this area. read more

I remember the first time I went here it was bad ass. I like the decor. Its nicely lit as well. The lady serving us was real cute. Food was great and the plates they use are real nice. read more

One of the girls had an itch for some dinner and live music, so we ended up going here. We came on a Friday, about a half hour or so before the live entertainment began. I tried to see if I could try something new, but when it comes to Hawaiian food, I can't seem to stray away from my beloved short ribs. "Portion control" should definitely not be in anyone's vocabulary when coming here, because the amount of food on your plate can be tomorrow's breakfast, lunch, or dinner depending on what you choose to make of it. I like how thick the ribs were. I think I would've liked it more if it weren't a little charred, but it was still good. The mac salad was great as well, not overpowered with mayo like some other places I've tried. I would have traded in one of the ribs for another scoop if I could, but that's probably not negotiable. For a moment, I felt like was back in Hawaii without having to drop a crap load of dough for it. Thanks Hukilau! read more

Hukilau - Shortribs - Hawaiian Near Me - San Jose, California

i love this place, I'm here every Thursday. they serve some of the best teriyaki chicken Ive ever had. The portions are well endowed and the prices are very reasonable. the front seating is nice, big windows lots of light and a soothing environment although the back could use some work, its quite dark and has a "cafeteria" feel to it. still the service is outstanding and their drinks are strong. :) read more

Japanese influenced Hawaiian food. Yum? yeah pretty much. My cousin, who lived in Hawaii for over 5 years believe this place serves pretty decent hawaiian food. But i really don't know how credible he is. Anyways... I always get the fried mahi mahi plate or the Hukilau fried rice kimchee style. The portions are HUGE (no surprise here) so i usually end up taking home tons of food which is big enough for another lunch. The mahi mahi is yummy and i especially like their mac salad which comes on the plate (you can order more on the side). The gravy on the mahi mahi is also delishhhh. The fried rice is a-okay, def not like the korean style ones. Oh and you must get a guava juice or cocktail. yumz... read more

Good for happy hour, though small bar area. Good selection of fruity drinks, which are really cheap on Thursdays. Excellent ahi/avocado poke, with large chunks of both tuna and avocado. The back room seems kind of bland and wide open, but has plenty of space for a group dinner. Nice to have a place in Japantown that stays open a little later! read more

What happened to my favorite Hawaiian spot?! this use to be the go to place, but now it's just a secondary option. Not sure what it is, but the food just isn't as good anymore. read more

I came here for dinner on a Tuesday night and it had an average amount of diners. I ordered the poke platter, which came with macaroni salad, rice, and 2 spam musubi. Personally, I am not a huge macaroni salad or spam musubi fan, but I do know my poke. This poke was alright, but it wasn't the best I've had (a little too salty for my taste) but edible. I wouldn't mind returning to try other items on the menu. read more

Good, chill vibe to sit back & talk story with friends. Kind of small front dining room but they had another space in the back with live music. Had the fresh ahi poke dinner with rice. Good quality fish and was a decent portion for the price. Would definitely come again! read more

This place is cool especially on Thursdays when their happy hour menu is available from 5 to 10 pm. Love their Moco Locos.