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    Musubi Cafe Iyasume

    3.3 (99 reviews)
    InexpensiveJapanese, Fast Food
    Closed 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

    Musubi Cafe Iyasume Photos

    Business Info

    MUSUBI CAFE IYASUME ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Hidden Gem
    Didi Z.

    For me this is a hidden gem in Waikiki area. The food is cheap and fulfilling. I live the spicy chicken musubi.

    Dylan Keith W.

    My favorite Iyasume location because they can always make the "double bacon" which isn't available at all locations. It's great for me because I don't like nori but I still want to be able to enjoy a musubi with my wife. Great for taking to the beach as a snack. The staff here is friendly and the location is super convenient at the mall. I definitely recommend checking this place out.

    Menu
    Jodi T.

    I was told this chain was very good, but it was mid. They do have a large selection, but once they run out, they are out for the day. My issue is the rice to filling ratio is completely off. It's way too much rice, and the rice was a little dry.

    You're my musubae at Musubi Cafe Iyasume.
    Rebecca C.

    Grab your musubi's from Musubi Cafe Iyasume. It's perfect for a quick bite, picnic, field trip, and really just to eat at anytime. They also have poke bowl. My favorite is their spicy tuna mayo, spam with cheese musubi, and peppered spam musubi. My only ask is if they can add a little more tuna on the spicy tuna mayo. The ratio is off, there's too much rice but not enough tuna. The staff is always friendly. The young guy is my favorite staff. He had the brightest smile. The cafe is small but is packed with musubi, bento plate and merchandise for souvenirs. It's located next to Jamba Juice in Kahala mall. There's lots of parking too. It's easier to get into than the one they have in Ala Moana. I can make musubi but the convenience of buying it is sometimes easier specially if you're in rush. Thank you for reading my review. Have an A L O H A Friday!

    Beef bowl
    Katherine P.

    Located at Kahala Mall. Park near Whole Foods and right in the food court area. Masubis always hit the spot. I always go for the spam, tuna mayo,, and shrimp tempura and the beef bowl. They have a section where you can pick from the already made but don't worry if you can't find it just order at the counter and you'll get a freshly prepared one. I actually prefer it this way as it's prepared as you order.

    Irene M.

    Place cute as their Musubi... Located near the Kahala Mall grand fountain is this cute and cozy store. Musubi Cafe Iyasume is found all the across the island and is just known for their bento and musubi with or without Spam and is all basically made to order. These ladies in the back work their magic to make an incredible amount of choices you're given and I do love my Spam plum with the traditional Spam musubi with a seedless Ume right under the spam giving the salty/sour combo bridging the Hawaiian local and traditional Japanese into this simple yet flavorful merge into this handheld treat. They do have some musubi that's pre-made though majority are made to order but they do work very fast with rice cooked to perfection and seasoned just right is a favorite here with the constant flow of folks knowing exactly what they want as this portable yummy is the fast food version of our favorite savory snack has a great system to make it here in Kahala. Thank you!

    Abigail Joy Y.

    Came here around 0845am, there weren't a lot of choices ready yet but the lady was so nice to make it for us even though we ordered one of each. We got Salmon Roe&Salmon, Eel Musubi, Tuna Mayo, Salmon Mayo, Black Peppered SPAM, and a Shrimp Bento Box. Everything was so good and made fresh and ALOHA! I will definitely come back here for my musubi fix! This store is located inside the Kahala Mall which is not hard to find and there's lots parking!

    Outside store front
    Tim H.

    Easy parking outside, you'll see Whole Foods and right when you enter the mall it'll be on your right side. 7 Days OPEN from 8:00am-6:00pm per their website but others seems to have issues on their hours of ops Ambience is pretty busy with all the different types of food to select from! Tons of SPAM combos and Riceball selections that DO NOT always have meat in them. I only wish they filled up the musubi's with a little more protein. Overall, such an easy place to grab and go where you're headed too. It makes sense why they have 6 different locations

    Avocado Bacon Egg Spam Musubi and Tuna Mayo Onigiri (@miguelmoralesphotography on Instagram)
    Miguel M.

    Love stopping by any of their locations for a quick snack! I always get the spicy mayo tuna variations of their onigiri, and their musubi with avocado are surprisingly good! Great choice for something to snack on in-between adventures - Miguel Morales Photography

    No avocado
    Ruth M.

    Got an avo shrimp roll, clearly labeled but no avo. $3.98 waste for this small roll. Also go their Tuna musubi and it tastes spoiled! Idk if they add vinegar to the mayo or what but that tasted sour and rancid, I couldnt finish. I bought all these at around 1230pm. I just wanted something simple I was like oh good some musubi for lunch. Also their spam is like cardboard Everytime too ugh! All their bentos look unappetizing too and the noodles look so oily..not quality at this location..the alamoana lanai food court is better quality and I think they actually make effort in that. This kahala location is pretty much consistently bad everytime I pick up some things from here which is not often but often enough times to conclude I should stop getting from here...overpriced too for the quantity. Learned my lesson.

    Cute Ume Musubi decoration

    This is the best spot for musubi! As a vegan, I enjoy the ume musubi, which is usually fully stocked, so I can just grab and go. My husband likes to order a custom musubi with avocado, which they are always happy to make. Even the custom orders are super fast, so it's wonderful if you're in a rush! Most people I see there grab 5-10 in a bag for work or family -- or just planning ahead for their next craving! :) I have gone to four or five locations now (all delicious!), but this one is my favorite. Why? 1) Kahala Mall is a great spot to grab a quick bite or to sit down and hang out. 2) The shop is super cute with a great location near Starbucks and Jamba Juice. 3) Many of the other locations get a little crowded with lines, but this one placed their cash register in a good location, so there's room to spread out. 4) The staff is the nicest here! :) Thanks, Musubi Cafe Iyasume! We'll be back soon.

    Cecilia T.

    If you love spam musubi & onigiri like myself, you won't be disappointed. This place has tons of it- all different types of spam musubi, rice ball, even sushi roll as well as poke bowl, bento box and udon noodle. They also have merchandise for sale- musubi stickers, magnets, aprons, shirts, lunchbags, etc. It's cheap too- you can't go wrong with $2.50+tax for a spam&egg musubi. The egg (tamago) is sweeter & spam is less salty here. Love it! Filling and makes a great snack or meal any time of the day. I wish they had locations on the East Coast, I'd be getting it everyday! A must-visit for musubi when in Hawaii :)

    Other Musubi merchandise!
    Laurie Y.

    So glad they have a location at Kahala Mall! I go at least once a week to get lunch! It's a popular place as there is always a long line! I see most people buying the Musubis! They make it fresh so you can order if they're not already available! I go and check out the bentos to see what's available, usually so many choices! Check out my pictures! My favorite is the Butterfish, rice, corn noodles, nishime! Then i go and stand in line! Remember to use your reward stamp card for every $5 you spend!

    Wrapping hard to take off

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    1 year ago

    A good variety of musubi. Lots of options to choose from. Always have a line when I go. Very casual.

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    2 years ago

    The rice in the musubi is always the right texture and great flavor. Service is always cheerful and helpful.

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    Marujuu

    Marujuu

    4.5
    (221 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    My brother has been talking about wanting to go to Marujuu for a while now, so we visited on a…read moreFriday afternoon after work-- and it was a pleasant experience for the both of us. This is my second time here and my brother's first time. We were warmly greeted (in Japanese) by staff, and the restaurant walls are filled with posters of anime which I find really cool. We started off with the soup, which was light but flavorful. I remember the soup being different from the first time I came here, but this new version is actually much better. My brother ordered the Hamburg & Ribeye with Gorgonzola Cheese Sauce ($36), and he couldn't stop saying how much he liked the dish. He loves to eat beef and rich & creamy dishes, so it was the perfect choice for him. I ordered Hamburg & Fried Oysters with Grated Daikon Ponzu Sauce ($30), and I was surprised at how the sauce was able to cut through the richness of the hamburg and oysters, giving a really balanced flavor profile. They also have a corner when you can grab your own refills for rice and soup (it's unlimited!). I ended up pouring leftover sauce on my rice and getting more :) Metered parking available around the area, and there's also the municipal lot across the street.

    Absolutely delicious and such a great experience!…read more Marujuu was such a great find in Honolulu! The food was excellent, and the service was fantastic. I had the Classic Hamburg with the house special curry sauce, and it was absolutely amazing. The burger was flavorful and perfectly complemented by the curry sauce. I also loved that it came with unlimited rice and beef stock soup with onions--such a great combination and a really satisfying meal. We went on a Friday night without a reservation and were pleasantly surprised to be seated immediately at the counter bar. The service was friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. One thing to note is that it does get a little smoky inside from the hamburgs cooking, so our clothes smelled a bit like smoke afterward. Honestly, though, I didn't mind at all--the food was so good that it was completely worth it! Overall, Marujuu is definitely worth checking out if you're in Honolulu. Fantastic food, great service, and a really unique dining experience. I'll absolutely be back!

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    Spacious and plenty of bar, table, or booth seating
    Spacious and plenty of bar, table, or booth seating
    Signature Onion Sauce Hamburg
    Signature Onion Sauce Hamburg
    Hamburger & chicken karaage + sauce

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    Japanese Restaurant Aki

    Japanese Restaurant Aki

    4.0
    (285 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Found myself wanting some yakitori and the original restaurant was all booked out. Searched on…read moregoogle maps and this popped up... Without too much research we decided to give it a try, and we were very pleasantly surprised. 0 wait, great service, beautiful courtyard... Everything we tried was fresh and authentic. They also have a big menu of sushi/sashimi from the other restaurant in the building they own. I didn't get to try but I bet it's good. A few things to know: - the place is within a plaza with gated paid parking lot, meaning you can't access the place without paying parking first. That was kinda confusing to me at first. - they make all the orders fresh... and sometimes including putting the ingredients on the skewers. Orders take about 20 minutes to complete, so I'd recommend having a cadence or ordering bulk.

    We tried the restaurant side and we were thrilled that they served the sushi there too for us to…read moretry. I really wanted to love this place, but the sushi just didn't do it for me. That ruled out trying the omakase side in the future. The yakitori was really good though! The veggies tasted best with the teriyaki sauce, and the meats with the shio. A standout was the pork with shiso and the gizzard which was a flavor bomb. Service was really good and the staff were nice. The space was also very nice, I felt like I got transported to Japan and it was cool. Will I go back? Yes, for the yakitori. Did it blow me away? Not quite. Is this the best yakitori I've ever had? Definitely not. So jury's out. You can decide for yourself.:)

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    Inside
    Inside
    Hotate from Aki's Premium Sashimi
    Hotate from Aki's Premium Sashimi
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    HIGOTO Japanese Eatery

    HIGOTO Japanese Eatery

    4.6
    (270 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    TL;DR Refined…read morebentos, musubis, and other Japanese dishes to go. ----- HIGOTO Japanese Eatery (HJE) is a solid option for takeaway Japanese food. I had HJE on my radar for a while and was finally able to stop in for lunch in the first week of July 2026. The restaurant is located in the same shopping plaza as the Kaimuki Times. In fact, it's on the ground floor next to Times. It's tucked behind some large concrete walls next to the parking lot, but just keep your eyes open and you should be able to find it. I ordered the Fish Lovers bento and a Cheeseburger musubi, both with the mulitgrain rice. The Fish Lovers bento was PACKED with offerings, including chikuwa, ahi katsu, shrimp tempura, miso butterfish, grilled saba (?), and grilled salmon, plus an assortment of wonderful side dishes. The Cheeseburger musubi included a beef patty topped with cheese, plus multigrain rice all wrapped in nori. I was a big fan of both my choices, and I would definitely order them again!

    We went to this place late. Everything was sold out nearing closing time. But there were just a…read morecouple of bentos and musubis. So we bought what was there. I was so upset with myself, because I wanted to go here weeks ago when I found it by accident on Instagram, lol. Next time I will not forget. So the bento that was left was the chicken Kara'age. I wasn't expecting much since it was the last meal available. I decided to try it after organizing my clothing in my closet. Honestly I wasn't hungry, but it was approaching 5pm which was very late for me, lol. I nuked it a little to get it warm removing all the cold items out first then ate the side dishes first I thought mmm, not bad. But then came the chicken and I was mesmerized by the first bite. I thought okay take a few more bites then judge it. So I thought maybe I was starving, so I dipped it into the sauce it came with and my mouth started to have a party inside! The dip reminds me of Japan and the red rice is exactly how my Okinawan mom used to make it. Well, I'm sold and if this is the least wanted plate of the entire day I can't even imagine how spectacular the others must taste. The lady at the register was so kind and apologized several times for being sold out. I totally understand but she definitely meant the apology I can tell. Reminds me of Japan again and she was wearing a mask which is a Japanese custom these days. There is a little table outside for seating of three I think. This place is small but don't be fooled, I heard and seen the massive line this awesome eatery can get. Go early and the wait will definitely be worth it.

    Photos
    Musubis & bentos
    Musubis & bentos
    Fish lovers bento (closeup of miso marinated items)
    Fish lovers bento (closeup of miso marinated items)
    "Sauce katsu" bento

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    "Sauce katsu" bento
    Maguro-Ya

    Maguro-Ya

    4.0
    (399 reviews)
    0.9 mi
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    Maguro-Ya is the most dependable Japanese eatery for fresh seafood dishes in Kaimuki. This is my…read morego-to restaurant when I have out of town guests or a special occasion or event to celebrate. Comfortable setting insures a pleasant meal. Wait help are friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable of their menu items. I try to order something I never had before to add to my repertoire and Maguro-Ya hasn't let me down. I enjoy the no frills, laid back and nothing loud or distracting almost like eating at home with an outstanding chef preparing your epicurean delights. Try Maguro-Ya and you will just love this place.

    Lunch in Kaimuki, Honolulu, Hawai'i…read more.. I had walked past Maguro-Ya many times, on my way to other restaurants on Waialae Avenue. Somehow, I was there at the wrong time, or I didn't have a plan to go to Maguro-Ya. This time, we made a decision to meet for lunch. We didn't have a reservation. I parked in the residential area for free and walked a couple of blocks to the restaurant. Service was very polite and efficient. The interior was cozy and seemed authentic. I didn't feel any air-conditioning, so drinking hot tea was a bit challenging. I let my miso soup cool off before I drank it. I got the Maguro Zukushi Teishoku ($1.50 less during lunch vs. dinner) because it had a variety of Maguro: grilled, deep fried, and raw. I could taste the miso flavor on the grilled fish. I appreciated the crunchy breading on the ahi katsu. The sashimi was fresh! The assortment of sides and beautiful presentation was worth the visit to this established eatery! Thank you for the wonderful experience!

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    Inside the restaurant....
    Inside the restaurant....
    Pacific saury's bone snacks   秋刀魚の骨煎餅
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    Seafood salad for those cutting carbs

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    Yohei Sushi KAHALA

    Yohei Sushi KAHALA

    3.8
    (76 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    We were eager to try the dinner here since mom's friend comes here every week. In addition to…read moreomakase, you can also get entrees which are served à la carte. In addition to sushi, the menu covers a lot of bases including Wagyu, tempura, and even ramen and tonkatsu . I started with the Vegetable Garden, a colorful assortment of vegetables and potatoes with a trio of delicious dressings including my absolute fave, Mentaiko and mayo! Shared a Miso Marinated Black Cod that comes with 2 pieces. However you must order rice separately. One of the best I've had! The All About Salmon nigiri was a nice little medley of 5 different kinds of salmon: cured, belly, seared, tartare, and ikura. Each piece was delicious and two were cured with beet juice which added a beautiful red tinge. If you like salmon, you will love this as long as you don't have a big appetite! Bro got the Hau'oli Omakase $120 attractively plated tidbits of goodies including sushi, tempura, chawanmushi, etc... The I Love Sushi junmai sake was a perfect pairing with the sushi and very easy to drink! You get to select your own sake glass too. There is an impressive list of sake and wines that even go into the $1k range! Our server, Aya, was sweet and friendly but food was a bit slow to come out since they were busy on a Tuesday night and only had one sushi chef. This is a good place to come for leisurely dining where you can eat off of beautiful dishes!

    We love going to Yohei for the $120 dinner!!! It's so well done and well worth the money…read more From appetizer to desserts, everything is prepared to perfection... beautiful, tasty and so filling. Fish is fresh, chawan mushi so good! Sushi so fresh and nice assortment. Fresh salad with delicious dressing. I highly recommend Yohei. It's so worth it. The only humbug thing is the parking lot. Just gotta be patient.

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    Dinning room
    Dinning room
    Matcha brownie with Azuki ice cream
    Matcha brownie with Azuki ice cream
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    Today's Riceball
    Minatoku Kitchen

    Minatoku Kitchen

    4.4
    (101 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$
    Takes reservations
    Free parking

    After an unusually challenging physical therapy session, my husband decided to take me out to lunch…read moreinstead of heading straight back home. Although he didn't have any restaurants in mind, I quickly looked at my Yelp Bookmark for a nearby eatery. I suggested Minatoku Kitchen, whose Osaka, Japan-experienced chef featured affordable and authentic bentos, mille feuille tonkatsu, chicken karaage, and more in the Mō'ili'ili neighborhood. We fortunately found metered street parking near the entrance of Minatoku Kitchen and strolled in. As soon as we opened the door, two female workers welcomed us in a friendly and exuberant tone, "Irrashaimase!" Seeing there were empty seats available, we informed them that we planned to dine in, as one of the workers gestured toward seating near the doorway. She quickly brought us menus and glasses of iced water as we took our seats. While we were deciding on our menu selections, several other customers entered, ordered, and picked up takeout meals at the counter. Since this was our first visit, we both ordered the VICTORY COMBO ($18), which featured a hefty plate of 3 pieces each of mille-feuille tonkatsu and karaage chicken, a large scoop of fluffy and tender steamed Japanese rice, a small scoop of Japanese potato salad, fresh tossed greens with Asian dressing, and a small ramekin of tonkatsu sauce. We were impressed with the shatteringly crisp and golden-fried panko coating and tender layers of the mille-feuille tonkatsu. The panko crust hugged the tender meat slices and did not slide off when cut into. Also, the karaage chicken (thigh meat) was flavorful and juicy from its marinade, which contrasted beautifully with its crispy battered crust. We wolfed down our fresh, hot, and not-greasy fried lunches, although I did give my husband one piece of chicken karaage and tonkatsu. We were impressed by the friendly and attentive service, and the food's flavors, textures, and aromas matched the rave reviews from fellow Elites. Minatoku Kitchen was affordable and its ambiance is comfortable and cozy in this neighborhood.

    Minatoku Kitchen is a great little neighborhood spot in Moʻiliʻili, especially if you're looking…read morefor a late-night bite or a casual place to enjoy Japanese bar food with friends. I stopped by and ordered the Miso Salmon Plate to go, and it was delicious. The salmon was flavorful, cooked well, and made for a satisfying meal. I'll definitely be back to try more of their izakaya-style menu. One of the biggest perks is that they're open until midnight, making it a great option when many other places have already closed. The restaurant has a cozy, intimate atmosphere. It's not a large space, but it's perfect for a small group of about 5-6 people who want to relax, chat, and enjoy drinks together. The only downside is the parking. There isn't much available, and while it may be tempting to park at Longs across the street, be mindful of where you leave your car and follow any posted parking restrictions. Overall, Minatoku Kitchen is a hidden gem for late-night Japanese comfort food, drinks, and a laid-back atmosphere. If you're in the Moʻiliʻili area, it's definitely worth checking out!

    Photos
    New shabu-shabu!!
    New shabu-shabu!!
    Minatoku Kitchen
    Minatoku Kitchen

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    ABURIYA IBUSHI

    ABURIYA IBUSHI

    4.5
    (452 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Whenever I passed by this place on Kapahulu, there's always a line, and line's don't lie, right?!…read moreMade reservations (highly recommended) and found street parking as they do not have a dedicated lot. Once inside, you are warmly greeted. It's a little dim inside during the day. No paper menus; you need to scan a QR code to see what you want to order. Our group ordered the teishoku set which came with the main entree, rice, oxtail broth, and 2 appetizers (we opted for tofu and eggplant). We opted for the Aburi flank steak which was very very tasty and the Aburi chicken. The chicken was a touch on the salty side, but it came with a spicy dipping sauce which was phenomenal! All the meats had the delicious smoky flavor from the grill. The oxtail broth was kinda bland. We also ordered the oxtail ramen which was also a hit. Finished off dinner with ice cream + mochi. The mochi is also grilled but know that it's not sweet mochi.

    So thankful for restaurants that open late. We thankfully found street parking and this was the…read moreonly place open. How lucky for us! Customer service was terrific. Since it was late, we noticed the back of house staff help the front. Everyone was so friendly and food comes out fast. The only reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is because the food was a bit too flavorful - we all agreed that everything was slightly salty. I could also say portion of some items may not match price, but I understand inflation is increasing at an alarming rate. So I'll leave money out of this. Crushed cucumbers were interesting. We couldn't decide if eating it with chopsticks or spoon was better. With chopsticks, you might not get enough sauce. But you could taste the layers of flavor. With a spoon, you get too much saltiness. The spice hits at the end. The tako karaage were a little too chewy for us. Beef tongue was so tender. A definite must order. I dont think it needs rice though. We also ordered the late night nikumiso but it didn't come with an egg, which the menu said it should. We tried handful more items but we'll be back to try the oxtail items, as it sounds like that's their specialties, but takes extra time to prepare.

    Photos
    Storefront... just like we're in Japan!
    Storefront... just like we're in Japan!
    Their famous potato salad.
    Their famous potato salad.
    Potato Salad

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    Potato Salad

    Musubi Cafe Iyasume - japanese - Updated August 2026

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