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    Nana Ai Katsu

    4.7 (470 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese
    Closed 4:00 pm - 7:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Nana Ai Katsu Photos

    Business Info

    NANA AI KATSU ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Nana Ai Katsu

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    Ami C.

    Food is so ono here. Service was quick. There are a few tables if you like to dine in. Ebi burger was so ono. Tonkatsu was delicious. It is one of hubby's favorite place for tonkatsu.

    Nikki U.

    Great food. Tonkatsu is one of a kind made in layers. The layers of meat make it super tender and it just melts in your mouth. It is super crispy and just perfect. The only thing keeping me from giving them 5 stars is that the service is a little weird, not sure how to explain it. Also the hours are strange so sometimes it is hard to catch them when they are open.

    Shiso roll Tonkostu
    Janice U.

    This place has very limited hours making it difficult to go there. We ordered take out. We had the kasane tonkotsu, shiso roll katsu and the shrimp kastu. The store was small with limited seats and a lot of nick nacks being sold on the side like Japanese candy and rubber toys. Sort of odd to me. We took it home and had it family style. The Tonkostu was delicious as I enjoyed the layered feature and crunchy exterior. The shiso roll had an extra umami taste and shrimp tonkatsu was interesting as it was a shrimp paste rather than actual shrimp. However it was quite tasty. The only thing I didn't like was the rice as it was mushy. Overall very delicious and I would go back for more.

    Ramen katsu okonomiyaki (bite view)
    Catherine P.

    I was having a friend get together and wanted to get something quick and easy. Nana Ai katsu was right down the street. I texted them my order: numbah tree chicken katsu bento, papa size tonkatsu bento, and my favorite the katsu okonomiyaki (without fish flakes). The order was ready a little after 530. The chicken was jidori breast, but sometimes it's jidori thighs. I really enjoyed it and my friends did too! Parking is in the municipal lot where you can enter through Nana Ai rear entrance. The parking ended up being free for me because I guess there is a grace period of 10 maybe 15 min? So convenient and so easy to preorder ahead, pop in for your takeout and be on your way!

    Papa tonkatsu, numba tree chicken katsu, uzumaki shiso katsu roll, takoyaki.  All oishi!
    Mark Y.

    Finally got the chance to pick up some food here a little while back and gotta say, all my friends that told me how good the food here is was right. The items we got were the Papa size tonkatsu bento, the Numba tree chicken katsu bento, the Uzumaki shiso katsu roll bento, and an order of Takoyaki katsu. These were all fantastic but the one that stood out for us was the tonkatsu. The kurobuta pork is thinly sliced and layered then panko fried. The thin layers really made the texture of the pork super soft and succulent. I've never had tonkatsu like this before and it was amazing. The chicken katsu was a standout as well. This katsu is made using jidori chicken and was moist and flavorful. Honstly everything we ordered were standouts. The bentos come with rice, potato salad, some edamame and takuan. Also included are some ground up sesame seeds and great tonkatsu sauce made in Japan...not the kind of tonkatsu sauce a majority of places here serves which is a mixture of ketchup, sugar, shoyu, and worchesteshire. They also use a short grain Japanese rice (koshihikari) which really has a nice flavor and texture. Their attention to detail for all parts of their dishes is top notch! One thing I was a bit bummed out about was they didn't have any Churry (chili-japanese curry mix) and didn't have the Saba katsu either. When I called in my order the day before they said they wouldn't be serving either of these for two weeks. A good reason for us to come back here when those items are available.

    Menu 1
    Winston L.

    Honorary 6 Stars! I first visited Nana Ai Katsu in 2022 and they weren't fully open to the public yet. We got some take out, ate at a park nearby, and had our minds blown. I loved all the food and wanted to make a return visit this time in 2025. We didn't have a car and it's a little off the beaten path, but it was a reasonable bus ride away. We arrived 30 minutes before close at 1:30PM and unfortunately they were out of their pork and chicken Katsu. A nice consolation prize was the Spam Katsu and the Takoyaki. The Katsu here ridiculously good. There is the normal panko exterior, but underneath, there is a shell of crispiness that I can't recall at other restaurants. This was on both the Spam Katsu and the Takoyaki. Both were also seasoned really well. Takoyaki had an interior similar to a croquette. Staff is very friendly as well. Really nothing bad to say about this restaurant except their food is so good that items run out.

    Judy C.

    I've never tried Nana Ai Katsu, until my foodie co-worker asked me if I have been, she mentioned they got the best katsu ever and of course I have to make time to try it out. I also saw a Instagram reel from (@Tommy Eats) of the cute shop, featured pop up shop with treats from Japan by the owner's daughter. I love shops like this and I wanted to support her. Luckily my dentist was near by so I got to stop by just to check out the pop up shop, I got some some snacks for my son to try and he loved it. I went back again ( another dental appointment) and wanted to get him more of the same snacks but they were out. The goodies are cute, unique and cheap. Items varies and new items comes in every month, I asked the owner about it. Such a great entrepreneur! Now more reasons for me to visit Nana Ai Katsu. I finally get to try the katsu/bento, burger during this recent visit and OMG, WOW.. I fell in love. We arrived after 12:30 pm on a Friday, they were busy and only 3 items on the menu were available. Almost sold out, but happy I was able to try the bento & burger. I wanted to order the noodles and spam musubi but that was already sold out. There was a little wait for a table. We ordered at the front counter and waited for a table, self serve utensil, water- which is Menehune water dispenser. The shrimp katsu is huge, filled with 2 pieces of katsu and I can see the shrimp after cutting the burger in half. The shrimp bento is fancy in the bento container. We really enjoyed everything! Although I wanted to try the chicken, pork, and spam katsu musubi and they were all sold out, means I will look forward to more future visits and something to look forward to. I love the bottled drinks @$5., ( non alcoholic) that they have available, I tried the Yuzu ginger . I want to try the rest of flavors next time. Nana Ai Katsu is such a cute & welcoming shop, I loved the decor and welcoming vibe. Nana Ai Katsu is located at the Kaimuki, plenty of parking in the lot. Opens from 11-2 lunch and 5-8pm dinner. They are very popular so plan accordingly, this is my newest spot for katsu fix comparable to the other popular tonkatsu place without the wait. LOVE & Recommend!

    Wayne I.

    Looking for a place that makes you feel that you are eating in Japan? Then you gotta check out Nana Ai in Kaimuki. They use Kurobuta pork and Koshikari rice-and it tastes great. So if you are looking for great food at great prices then checkout Nana Ai. Plenty of paid parking in the back of the restaurant-we paid $2.25 but would have been cheaper if we didn't go someplace else afterwards.

    Diana M.

    A small hole-in-the-wall spot about 10-15 minutes from Waikiki, this place came highly recommended by locals--and it totally hit the spot for our katsu craving. Now, this isn't your high-end tonkatsu joint, but don't get it twisted--the food is delicious! Served in a simple disposable container, the katsu comes out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Just a heads-up: unlike traditional Japanese tonkatsu restaurants, there are no refills on the cabbage. But the trade-off? No reservations needed, quick service, and unique offerings like the shrimp katsu burger and spam katsu musubi. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area and looking for a casual, satisfying meal.

    Lyn L.

    09/11/25 Anytime my kids come home, it's Nana Ai Katsu for dinner. Delicious, easy and filling. The bentos are perfect!...nice crispy, tender tonkatsu with sauce and sesame seeds, Japanese potato salad, rice with furikake, takuwan and hash. So easy, order and pick up.

    Marisa G.

    This was not my first time having their food, but my first time dining in :) My dad and I came here for lunch and ordered the katsu bentos. Their katsu is made with 7 layers of thinly sliced pork that makes it super tender and juicy! They have some tables to dine in if you want or you can take it to go. The katsu was piping hot when we ate it! It was pretty filling, so I ate about half and took the rest home so my mom could have some :)

    Amanda S.

    Came here from a local's recommendation on their shrimp katsu burger. It was outstanding! The cashier was super sweet and friendly and I love the quaint decor -- felt very authentic and Japanese. There's even an honor system to paying for the candies and snacks inside the store too. We took the one burger to-go to try on our way to our other destinations and man it hit the spot! Freshly warm and crispy! Once you bite into it, the cheese starts melting with the heat inside; just yum watch out though, if you eat right after you get it, it can be a bit hot. It's $10.99 not including tips. Highly recommend!

    Ojichan Katsu Bento. Double stacked layers of thin sliced pork on a thick blanket of cabbage. Quite filling.
    Randy S.

    This is nicely done kasane tonkatsu, where thin slices of pork are layered or stacked before being dusted w potato starch, dipped in egg and coated in a crunchy panko batter. It isn't going to be meaty and juicy like a really nice piece or whole pork, but it works fine and satisfies. I can make their Papa size tonkatsu into two meals. Their brick and mortar operation allows you to dine in. There are self serve utensils and water, with comfortable seating. Since the food is served in disposable containers they are still best as a take-out choice. If you dine in take a look at their daughter's pop-up. Now that she is older they've given her a dagashi-ya where she can make some spending money. Dagashi is inexpensive sweets and treats - nothing fancy. You put your money in a honor box. Get yourself a treat and support Nanami. This is not high end tonkatsu. There is chicken, shrimp, and spam also made into various katsu. But stick with the mille-feuille pork and you won't go wrong.

    7-layer Tonkatsu so good!

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    2 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    Lei-Anne J.

    Thank you soooo much, Liane! We can't wait to see you again!

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    1 month ago

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    3 months ago

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    Lei-Anne J.

    Thank you so much for coming to visit, Nikki!

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    3 months ago

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    Lei-Anne J.

    Thank you so much, Janice!

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    Lei-Anne J.

    Thank you so much for coming Wayne!!

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    10 months ago

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    Thank you so much, Diana! We hope to see you again!

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    11 months ago

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    Thank you so much, Lyn!!

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    26 days ago

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    Lei-Anne J.

    Thank you so much for the kind review, Kristen! You are so sweet!!

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

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    Thank you so much for stopping by, Amanda!

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

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    Lei-Anne J.

    Thank you so much, Rissa!

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

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    Lei-Anne J.

    Thank you so much Miyuki!!!!

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    8 months ago

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    Lei-Anne J.

    Thank you so much, Marilyn! Happy Holidays!

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    1 year ago

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    9 months ago

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    Thank you so much, Nicole! We hope to see you again!!

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    1 year ago

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    Lei-Anne J.

    Thank you so much for the kind review, CJ! We appreciate you!!

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    1 year ago

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    Thank you so much for the review, Kevin! We hope to see you again!

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    Thank you so much for the sweet review, Irene! Please come again!!

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    2 years ago

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    Thank you so much for coming by, Minji!

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    3 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    Thank you so much, Porsche!! Happy New Year!!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Thank you so much for coming for lunch, Ross!!

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    1 year ago

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    Thank you so much, Henry!!!

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    2 years ago

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    Thank you so much for coming to eat at our shop, My My!!!!

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    2 months ago

    Had a takeout bento meal. The pork katsu was very good, soft & tender with thin layers of pork. We all enjoyed bento.

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    Thank you so much for coming and for the kind review, Judy!

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    8 months ago

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    Yay, thank you so much for coming!!!

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    3 months ago

    Good food, takes a little long but great quality. Free seating available. Nice ambiance

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    Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and for waiting, Kmas!

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    2 years ago

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    Thank you so much for coming by, Rob!!

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    11 months ago

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    Yay, thank you so much for the review, Carol!!

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    11 months ago

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    Page 1 of 12

    Nana Ai Katsu Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nana Ai Katsu

    Is everything served in take out containers even if dine in?

    Yes, their dine in area is more for sitting and less for dine-in type service, kind of like getting food from a food truck and sitting nearby

    Morning just saw on the newspaper u guys has signature platter wanna know how much is it?

    Aloha Josie, You can find their different platter options and prices on their website:… 

    Hi, Is it still take out? Can we dine there? Are we able to make reservations for a party of 3?

    You can dine in as of now- order at the counter and sit. We didn't make reservations

    Is dine-in available yet?

    Hi Brian, We are take-out only for now but will try to open up for dine-in this year. Thank you!

    Is the ohana hale location still open?

    Hi Emma! We decided to close our Ohana Hale Marketplace location on 12/5/21. We hope to see you in Kaimuki!

    Are they open for indoor dining?

    Take out only

    How would I know when you are serving chicken katsu?

    No...pork or steak. A tako balls side?

    View All 9 Questions

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    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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    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
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    Fish lovers bento (closeup of miso marinated items)
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    "Sauce katsu" bento

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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!

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

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    Seafood salad for those cutting carbs
    Yohei Sushi KAHALA

    Yohei Sushi KAHALA

    3.8
    (76 reviews)
    0.8 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. The menu covers all the bases you'd hope for on a Japanese menu including sushi, 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.

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

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    Today's Riceball
    Minatoku Kitchen

    Minatoku Kitchen

    4.4
    (101 reviews)
    1.7 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
    (451 reviews)
    1.0 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

    Nana Ai Katsu - japanese - Updated August 2026

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