I haven't been there for over 9 years! We used to go when we lived in Waikiki. Last night I got off work fairly early but it was too late for HH. I remember this place and decided to try again with my coworker. This place didn't disappoint me. Foods( loved the jellyfish especially!)and drinks are great and quick service. Very comfortable atmosphere. We will go back again soon!!! read more

One of my favorite places in Waikīkī! Been here multiple times. Great spot to go with friends on a weekend night. Highly recommend the loco moco, chicken yakitori, and crab coquette! Their take on loco moco is quite different from the typical plate lunch. The sauce is not the gravy kind, instead it's like a thicken sweet cornstarch slurry sauce. Similar to the Chinese sweet and sour sauce, but it's not sour. Second, the hamburger patty style is super soft and juicey. The style is more like the Japanese Hambagu. This was one of my favorite dish that I always get. The cream croquette was yummy dummy delicious. Crunchy and creamy in each bite. The chicken yakitori was tender and umami. Love sprinkling with the red pepper to add a nice kick. It can be a bit of a wait for the food to come out. As for parking, they have a two hour validation at the Hyatt Centric Waikīkī. I recommend placing a reservation as sometimes the wait can be a bit long during busy hours. read more

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We got to experience an adventure! This hole in the wall Japanese eatery hit the spot for us. We were just strolling searching small bites / tapas style and this popped up. We were set and went on foot, lucky we started early as the streets of Waikiki was getting full of tourists & locals alike. Mid early evening. We missed it as we passed by it cause it was literally a hole in the wall - located on the side and the back area of a building. We were surprised how dainty and uniquely when we walked in. You'll know when you go and check it out yourselves and by the photos shared on SM. It felt so homey and authentic especially the decor. I know our boiz would enjoy it. Back to the food, wow! Had the lotus root and tofu salad. Squid grilled eye sockets, grilled teriyaki salmon with picked garlic and the grilled (huge portion) hamachi Kama!! Pineapple and a Coke Zero for drinks. Service was substantial great! We'll be back to try the rest and bring along some fam to enjoy too. Arigato!!! read more

Izakaya Pau Hana Base - Grilled Hamachi - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Great atmosphere, located around the back of the building, so not too busy. Smokey flavorful skewers with some happy hour drink and app options. Ordered skewers and fried options, really enjoyed the fried squid and the chicken skewers, as well as the refreshing chu-hi drinks. Nice service and answered any questions we had about options. Did not have to wait long to be seated nor for food :) read more

Izakaya Pau Hana Base - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Happy hour on Saturday evening 5 till 6:45 took me by surprise! I'm down for Izakaya! Fluidity of Japanese and English language. Immersing in cultural aspects and food experiences on O'ahu and Japan. Lychee Chu-Hi is a winner for the smooth taste, ounces and price. Perfect complement for any dish. Deep Fried Pork Dumplings is crispy on the outside and scrumptious on the inside. Deep Fried Fishcakes with kewpie mayo is a match made in heaven. Cold Tofu offers a balance of firmness and accompanied garnishes. Fried hamachi is tasty. Minced ginger freshens the breath. Mabotofu surprises the palate with unexpected spiciness, lighter taste of protein, onions, green onions, and sesame seeds. Rib eye steak appears sizzling and tastes well done. We're searching for in between pink slices. Attentive customer service. Restrooms are available for dine in patrons. Nearest parking is on street or at Hyatt Centric Parking Garage. Get $3 parking validation sticker. Huge gratitude to YE, Eric R for introducing this tucked away spot, memorable and humorous trio conversations. read more

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It's a perfect spot hidden away from the main street with great food, service, and quality for the price, highly recommend.

Went for HH on a Monday night and we were first to get seated and stayed fairly empty until we left an hour and a half later. The HH pricing for drinks is great and little bites are also fun to try. Everything is very basic and while I wouldn't say it's a place for great food, it's a good vibe for just having a drink and chilling with friends. read more

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Really enjoyed our late night food adventure here and the staff were nice enough even though it was close to closing time. The only downside of going late is there were food items that were out of stock for the day. The items we did end up getting ended up being delicious and the ambiance was a mix of intimate, and low-key. The decor was awesome and it really felt like a small place you would find in Japan! read more

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Stunning food and service. We had jellyfish, stingray fin, squid eye socket, yellowtail collar and deep fried scallops + 5 beers for $100. Food items ranked 1. Yellowtail collar - tender and delicate. Just perfect for 1 but could be shared by 2. 2. Grilled squid eye socket - sounds gross? Nope. It's crunchy on the edges with a beautiful taste and then chewy in the center. One of the most delightful dishes I've ever had. 3. Jellyfish - weird AF but not bad. Smoky, crunchy, not slimy at all. If I grew up eating this it would taste just like Cheetos but way healthier. 4. Stingray fin - wife loved it. She eats dried squid. Me? I liked it. It's sweet, smoky, and with a touch of sea. Like beef jerky from a really fresh piece of seafood. Service is amazing. Our waitress was incredibly kind despite our overly obnoxious western attitudes about trying strange foods. She is a patient saint who made our dinner an exceptional experience. Try this place. It's in the back, hard to find, has a fun vibe, and delivers an incredible experience. read more

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One of my favorite places we visited in Waikiki!! We were looking for a really fun izakaya experience especially because we were left disappointed with our prior visit. This spot is so good! And super fun! Location wise- it's pretty hidden - without the lamp in the front, it would be very challenging to find as it's located in the back of the building. If you can't find it - look for the sign for Zigu and it's behind the large white lantern. We got seated pretty quickly which was not the case as the night went on and more parties came in. I highly recommend coming earlier. It's a pretty small palce but the vibes are so good. It's a really fun izakaya - decorated with a lot of toys and fun memorabilia around. During our visit, a fair amount of Japanese tourists also came in and added to the atmopshere. We tried a couple of dishes and enjoyed all of them! - Crab Omelette (5/5): Served with cheese, crab sticks, eggs, and a thick sauce over rice! I was a big fan of this dish - Karaage (4/5): Nicely fried and crispy - a classic dish - Yakitori Chicken (4/5): Also a classic yakitori item - loved the grilled juicy flavor - Agadashi tofu (4/5): Really warming and good dashi broth with the tofu read more

We went here during staycation Covid time so we know we need to make reservation. Food was still good. Portion is really small just like pupu style. Drink was good. One of the waitress looks so grumpy but lucky thing the lady who wait for us was nice enough. Not enough waiter/waitress. Lots of people waiting outside & empty table but not enough helper. Ambiance is casual. Too bad. It could be better. read more

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Love the quirkiness of the place. The service was very friendly, and the food was great--albeit a bit salty and greasy for some. Loved the happy hour drink prices! read more

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We came here with a party of 17 and the host was really accommodating in trying to rearrange tables so our four families would be able to sit together. We basically took over half the restaurant! We ordered chicken skewers and beef rib eye, but I thought both were just okay. I wish the chicken had been cooked a little more charred. My favorite was actually the chicken cartilage, but you have to be a fan of those really crunchy parts! We also got a beef with onion over rice, which was basically a beef donburi bowl and, along with sides like fries and edamame, helped fill up the kids. They also have a happy hour if you go early enough! Fun activity for the kids at the end is the make-your-own cotton candy! You ask the server for a little cup of pink sugar and can spin your own cotton candy with the machine just outside the restaurant! My kid was asking if she could have cotton candy exactly five minutes into the meal haha. The total bill ended up being shockingly cheap -- $80, plus tax and tip, for our family of five, which is unheard of for Japanese food. The restaurant also split the checks by family, which was super nice of them even though it was more work for them. Really great service and a good, affordable option if you want izakaya and don't want brave the really crazy lines at some of the other restaurants on the main road. read more

Izakaya, beer, and free cotton candy make for a great night out! We're staying in Waikiki and found this place when looking for a quick, late night snack! We just made their last call for food around 10pm, but they're still open til midnight for drinks. We got their hamburger steak, smelt fish, simmered intestines, deep fried squid legs, beer and highballs. Food was what you would expect for an Izakaya, but we really loved the vibes here. Plus, when you're done with your meal the staff gives you stuff to make your own cotton candy right outside for free! Surprisingly, Joseph was really good and making these, and even the staff was impressed! They're located in a small back alley, making it a bit hidden, but it's definitely worth checking out for a fun night out in Honolulu! read more

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2nd visit Date: 1/24/25 Time: 5:00pm What they got right: Friendly service, fun atmosphere, tasty food, good selection of drinks and overall good value! Areas for improvement: none at the moment. Happy Hour is 5-6:45pm. Great food & drink prices! A pitcher of beer for $15! 1) The Happy Hour salad was a large serving, enough for 4 to share. 2) The nankotsu was chewy and tasty. 3) The cream croquette had a creamy interior and a crunchy exterior. Very good! 4) The yakitori was juicy. 5) The ginger pork was tasty! 6) The cotton candy was the star for me!! I would highly recommend this place! Delicious food and a good value! read more

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"Hidden in the busy Waikiki strip, Pau Hana Base is a cozy izakaya that served up a crisp draft Kirin and comforting grilled mackerel (saba). The space is small, so it's best for groups of up to four. It's a solid spot for a quick bite, whether you're craving yakitori or fried snacks paired with an ice-cold beer." read more

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Good izakaya in Waikiki! This restaurant is located along Seaside Ave, tucked away in a small alleyway; you can see a string of lanterns hanging outside that lead you to the entrance. Finding a seat during a weekday evening is usually no issue, but it can get a bit busier on the weekends. The interior of shop is clean, with simple wooden furniture and cute little decorations lining the walls; overall, it has a charming and cozy feel to it. Service was very attentive, which I appreciated! I got the okonomiyaki, and it was crispy and tasty! The sauce was sweet and paired with the pancake perfectly. The Kirin draft was also at a reasonable price. In general the food prices were reasonable for it being in Waikiki, though portions are a little on the smaller side. If you're in the mood for an izakaya, you should definitely check out this spot! read more

Izakaya Pau Hana Base - Kirin draft - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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My wife saw this place on Yelp and wanted to try it. They have Happy Hour everyday from 5pm - 6:45pm. Cute little Tapas/Izakaya place with charm and character. It felt like you were transported to Shinjuku and how lively and visually charismatic some of those restaurants are. Modern Japanese house music is playing. One outside non-gender restroom (key needed). Great food and drinks! HH Bamboo Shoots - nicely seasoned menma (4/5). HH Deep Fried Chicken Cartilage (3/5) - this was interesting. The breading was nicely seasoned and deep fried to a golden brown. The cartilage was crunchy. HH Deep Fried Fishcakes (4/5). This was served with a mayo dipping sauce. This was recommending by our waitress and this was so delicious and tasty! HH Deep Fried Horse Mackeral (4/5). Served with tonkatsu sauce and a lemon wedge. Crunchy, lightly battered gave the fish a nice flavor. At the end our meal, our waitress asked us if we wanted to try their cotton candy machine. She gave us some flavored sugar and some paper sticks. Us making our own was a epic fail. But it was fun to try. LOL. Congratulations for passing 7 years serving the community! Check out this gem! read more

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Legit Japanese izakaya. The flavor is what I usually get in Japan. Compare to other izakaya in the area, their price and portion are super reasonable. I'd definitely go back. The staff were friendly. He was offering us to make cotton candy at the end :) The place is located in the back of the building. It's easy to miss. But it's like a hidden gem that brings me back to Japan. Love the vibe. read more

Izakaya Pau Hana Base - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This Izakaya distinguishes itself from typical mainland USA establishments by replicating the authentic Japanese Izakaya experience. The menu offers reasonably priced and delicious selections, and the late-night hours are a definite plus! During our stay in Waikiki, my husband and I frequented this spot three times Lol. The beef hamburg was a standout dish and highly recommended, also the deep-fried ikageso and yakitori. We also enjoyed the fresh and flavorful grilled squid and mackerel. read more

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Looks quite basic, but you go there for the very well prepared food and inexpensive Japanese beer. Some of our favorites are beef intestines, deep fried oysters, wasabi octopus and deep fried smelt read more

We started with the vegetable spring rolls and the edamame as appetizers. We came during the happy hour so each dish was $4 and slightly smaller amount than you might get for the regular price but both were very good. My pork kimchi fried rice was excellent. I've been looking for this the entire trip here and had it one other place that I really didn't like at all. This was top notch and I could have been a pig and had two servings It was kind of nice that they walked around right before the 6:45 p.m. happy hour ended and showed you the happy hour menu and asked if we wanted anything else before happy hour ended. Nice touch. My only regret is that I didn't discover this trip early into our 5-week stay, I would have been a repeat customer. read more

Izakaya Pau Hana Base - Vegetable spring rolls, very good. - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I love this izakaya. I love how casual and easy it is to drop in, just like in Japan.

One of the best meals I've had in a while. Everything we ordered was delicious and I savored every single bite. read more

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This was a humble establishment that truly felt like an Izakaya due to location and the cost oh my lawd so affordable especially in Waikiki 2 drinks and 8 dishes for...... 92$ WOW ! There's a bit of confusion as it is registered on Open Table, however they took either check in or waitlist. Hidden in a small alley it truly felt like a hole in the wall in the best way possible! Me and my gf ordered - Yellow tail collar( Ono!) - Chicken cartilage (Loved they didn't leave - cartilage to waste; used the entire ingredients) - Beef bowl with omelet ( decent) - Grilled Mackarel (transported me and my gf back home. So good!) - Takoyaki (delicious) Grilled Squid (had more chew then it was tender but flavor was great) Chicken skewers 4 pcs (plain but easy to season not a problem!) Plain Udon ( it's plain nothing really special) Drinks Chu -Hi peach Oolong tea Shoutout to the waiter who had a rush and was able to get the large orders from the traffic of customers arriving. Very polite and responsive to removal of finished dishes, sauces, and extra napkins. Got to be up there in my list of izakaya in Waikiki ! read more

A really cute Izakaya spot in Hawaii! The interior is so cozy and filled with little knick knacks. I loved the variety of foods they offered. The drinks were also great tasting! I got a yogurt chu-hi and really enjoyed it!! The salad with the lotus chips and the omurice were my favorites! read more

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Cute little izakaya place tucked behind an alley way. This feels like an authentic Japanese izakaya place similarly to the ones that I have been to in Japan. Each dish was prepared with love and meticulously, so don't expect to be a quick meal. They only had 2 servers and probably 1 cook so it was a bit of a wait between dishes. What I enjoyed most was their menu selections. They have "rare" items such as raw octopus, eye sockets, and etc. While the portion was small but the price made up for it. For someone like me who likes to order a lot of varieties, this is a great place to be. Their cocktail drinks were pretty weak so I would stick with sake and beer next time. Lastly, their omurice was delicious. It had the right balance of flavors and not overpowered by the taste of ketchup like many others. read more

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Stumbled upon this quaint Japanese/Korean spot and it turned out to be a great find. The menu has plenty of options to choose from, all reasonably priced and packed with flavor. We tried the Japanese pancake, cheese corn, and spring rolls--each one hit the spot. The real surprise? After dinner, they offer complimentary cotton candy that you can spin yourself! Fun, nostalgic touch to end the meal. It's a dinner-only spot, so plan accordingly, but definitely worth a visit if you're craving something different with a playful twist and great service. read more

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Highly recommend this restaurant! It is a little gem in the wakiki downtown. This izakaya has a lot of food and drinks options. We got the lotus salad (highly recommend. Lotus is deep fried and it's very crispy), fried oyster (also a must order), yakisoba, chicken karaage, and some drinks. High quality food with very fair price (which is pretty rare in Wakiki). The servers were very nice. They also provide free cotton candy which you can make by yourself. I will definitely return if I am back to Wakiki in the future. read more

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If you are in Waikiki don't miss this hidden gem! Happy hour is between 5:00-6:45, we've ordered a table full of food and it's so yummy! Will definitely come back again. read more

Food was good, but the service was disappointing. The lady who served us had an attitude and wasn't friendly. No water was provided at first. When I asked for water, she turned away to chat with another table speaking Japanese. I had to ask another staff member for water. Later, when we asked for forks, she said, 'I already gave them to you in the beginning.' If we had them, we wouldn't have asked again. Overall, the food was good, but the service really affected our experience. read more

Got to say this place was a surprise. It's tucked away in the back of a lot where Zigu and another place is and I was not really confident about this place.i don't care for smoke and there were smokers outside which made me wince, but I wanted to give it a shot, it was good! Solid happy hour drink menu and the izakaya menu was tasty. I especially liked the lotus salad, yakitori, and the happy hour udon was huge with a broth that was subtle and oishi. Check it out read more

Great service, great menu selection. Small out of the way from tourist this is your place. Thank you for the great dinner.

Fun, casual atmosphere. It did remind me of Japan like others said in their reviews so that was a positive. This was our first meal after getting off a long flight and it was a great start to the trip. I'd say the food was decent, although we did come at last call so it's possible if we had come earlier it would have been better. The whiskey highball was so refreshing (and reminded me of Japan), the lemon chu-hi was not as good (too lemony, not enough fizz). Waiters were kind and pretty laidback (read: not hurried or in a rush). I'd come back for highballs and the laidback ambiance! read more

Great food and good service. Highly recommend trying out for drinks and food. We got the squid, pork belly and tofu. All three were good. read more

Came here on a Tuesday night and it was surprisingly busy. We didn't get seated until about 15 minutes, and though a lot of tables inside were empty, they wanted to seat us outside. We ordered grilled Bbq squid, pan fried udon noodles with veg/pork/squid, and pork fried rice. The grilled bbq squid was sweet and chewy. The udon noodles were flavorful and al dente. The pork fried rice was my least favorite because there was no flavor. I would recommend making a reservation if you want to come. I probably won't be back because the food wasn't too impressive given the wait. I would give this place 3.5/5 stars, but I rounded it to 4 read more

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Just like the name, Pau Hana base was the foundation of a great dinner and get-together with friends pau hana (after work)! My friend, Dan O., recommended myself and Li Y. check this spot out since he enjoys coming here. All three of us plus Eric R. joined! Thanks to them we came for an early dinner! Normally I don't venture into Waikiki, but this hole-in-the-wall izakaya was well worth it! The three of us entered the izakaya right when they opened. We were greeted and seated immediately where there were several ample tables and bar seating available. The restaurant can be hard to find as it's tucked away in an alleyway. It reminded me of those small, homey, but memorable izakayas in Japan serving up savory foods at a reasonable price! Since my friend has been a few times, we all decided to order a few dishes to share. The great thing is that the plates are reasonably priced and perfect for family style. This allows you to try multiple things with others which is what we did! We ended up getting the Grilled BBQ Squid, Grilled Yellow Tail Neck (Hamachi Kama), Pan Fried Udon Noodle, Hamburg Steak, and Ribeye Steak. My favorite dish was the hamachi kama. It was lightly grilled, the skin was crispy (my favorite part), and the fish was tender and mild. I also enjoyed the udon which came with vegetables, squid, pork, and bonito flakes. Savory taste, crunchy toppings, and chewy noodles--yum! Everyone seemed to enjoy the dishes which is a plus in our books! The presentation was laid out nicely and perfect for us to divide and share. The service was attentive but it did take some time for our items to come out. In the heart of Waikiki, you can find Pau Hana Base--a hidden gem away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist crowds. It's a couple of doors down from Zigu. Parking is street only which can be hard to come across in Waikiki so parking structures, walking on foot, taking the bus, or carpooling is recommended! Come for the reasonably priced tasty food and stay for the unique atmosphere! It's a great place to come with friends, families, and small and large parties. Thank you Dan O. for taking us to one of your hidden treasures! I wouldn't mind coming again if I were in the area. read more

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"I told you I would always come for you." - Princess Bride There's three things you should know about me: I'll defend the less fortunate, I love a good joust, and I'll protect those that I love to the death... okay let's save my Chivalric Code for another day since it's 2023 and people are more concerned with their Gucci & iPhone. There's three things about my time at Pau Hana Base that maybe all can relate to today: good food, good company, and hey it's Gucci wallet friendly! My bestie invited me while we chatted jousting. It was perfect as I had no clue on dinner and I love a good Izakaya! I arrived about ten minutes after her party of three already ordered. Warm greetings and eyebrow waving as I enter to a cozy setup. The menu is probably the most difficult part as it's so busy with choices which is actually a good sign. Fortunately they already ordered Fried Soba, Grilled Squid, Hamachi Collar to start off as I peruse and peruse the menu. I finally decided to add Japanese Hambagu and they also added Ribeye Steak to the mix. We all shared the delicious foods but for me I loved the Hamachi Collar and Japanese Hambagu the most. A round of drinks! Kanpai! Izakaya is best experienced shared. So Arigatō to my dining partners for sharing the plates already ordered! The service friendly and bilingual and plates came out staggered as expected. Sometimes if flagging doesn't work, I found what works best, from past experiences, is to order directly at bar. Kanpai! In the end, big hugs to my bestie for including me in her dinner plans. She didn't have to, but did so anyway, and even gave me a box of chocolates! And you wonder why I'll protect her from all the evil in the world. Tho I'd fight her for that last piece of Hamachi! read more

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What a hidden gem in Waikiki. It's located in a super discrete location, literally in the back of an alleyway off the main road of Kūhiō Ave. The ambiance feels like a truly authentic izakaya, as if it was transported straight from Japan. You know it is a good sign when the customers are all mostly Japanese. It seems like a really simple restaurant, but they have a large selection of small plates to share and drinks to choose from. Best of all, the prices are very reasonable. My favorite of the night was the beef intestines, chicken nanban, and okonomiyaki. But fair warning, this restaurant is small and costumers tend stay long to drink (guessing that to be the izakaya culture?), so the turnover rate for a table can take quite long. read more

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Love the variety of choices. Great tasting food. Will definitely be back. We were not offer the cotton candy at the end. lol