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Everything I got here was fantastic! Cashier knew all the items on the menu. Even suggested a few things to try. I think there were two small tables to eat in but to be very honest. This is solely a take out joint. The food is delicious. The wait is not that long. The staff is friendly. Can't ask for much more.
We were assisting my eldest sister, who lives in the lovely Mililani Mauka neighborhood, with preparing travel documents for our family's trip to Australia and New Zealand when she suggested we have lunch at Rice Box Cafe. Although she had been a fan of their generous and tasty takeout plates from Rice Box Cafe since their pop-up days at various farmers' markets, she has continually raved about them and shown her excitement when she discovered the brick-and-mortar location, Rice Box Cafe - Gateway Mililani Mauka, in late 2024. We usually trust her dine-out suggestions in Central O'ahu, so we heartily agreed to call in our lunch orders to-go since we weren't sure if their small dining room would be crowded at the time. Typical of my very organized eldest sister, she whipped out a copy of the Rice Box Cafe's menu before I could even open my Yelp app and suggested several of her favorite local-style Japanese to-go plates. We're omnivores, so everything she recommended sounded delicious to us, and we called in our order, which was ready for pick up within 10 minutes, or just enough time for us to drive down the hill to the restaurant. FOOD: -Miso eggplant w/Agedashi tofu: miso marinated roasted Japanese eggplant and fried tofu topped with kabayaki a.k.a. "Unagi sauce", sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and served with choy sum, steamed rice, and tsukemono. The thick miso-marinated roasted Japanese eggplant slices were "meaty", delicious, sweet, and tender to the bite. Big 1" lightly battered and fried tofu cubes added to this plant-based protein-packed plate. I barely finished half my heaping lunch plate before pushing it aside, my appetite comfortably satiated by its flavors and textures. $17.25 -Salmon Katsu: crispy fried panko-crusted fresh Atlantic salmon topped with masago ponzu, shiso aïoli, sesame seeds, and green onions. My husband declared Rice Box Cafe's salmon katsu the best-tasting locally prepared dish he's ever had. He doesn't usually like having sauce on anything deep-fried, because the crust gets soggy, but NOT so this time. The masago aïoli was thick and savory, enhancing the salmon's flavor. He was also impressed by the tenderness and moistness of the fried salmon fillet, which contrasted nicely with the crisp, yet not mouth-shattering, panko crust. He gobbled down his entire takeout before my sister and I got halfway through our meals. $19.50 -Sake Garlic Shrimp: sautéed (shelled) shrimp in a garlic sake butter sauce with sesame choy sum. My sister also wolfed down her lunch while extolling the flavors and silky texture of the garlic-sake butter sauce. The lunch plate had at least a dozen shelled shrimp, and she also showed me that each was tender-cooked and juicy. She did offer me a taste of her shrimp, but I declined because I was savoring my plant-based meal. $18.75 Walking into the small restaurant, the friendly cashier/counter help greeted us and confirmed our name and order. Although a package sat on her counter, I was relieved it wasn't our order, because she stepped back into their kitchen and brought out our three boxed lunches. She packaged our order while my sister paid and handed the bag to me. The package was a "wrist-bender," and I could tell that the portions would be pretty substantial. The Rice Box Cafe at Mililani Mauka's Gateway is a hidden gem in this neighborhood for its flavors, generosity, and value. We look forward to returning for more.
Wow, what a hidden gem. Saw this place awhile back online but never had a chance to visit here. This place is basically designed for takeout with only 2 sit-in tables. We arrived closer to closing and was able to get a table. It was clean and up lifting modern. The staff were very polite and accommodating. They went over the menu with us. We had the Furikaki Garlic Chicken, Dynamite Ahi Cake, Garlic Ahi, Misoyaki Salmon, and Nishime. I had a taste of all of these dishes and each had a unique taste of it's own. To sum it up, all dishes were incredible, rich in taste, fresh and flavorful. This is my new go to place in Mililani. I would order any dish anytime. I love them all, lol.
I haven't been here in a while and I wanted to eat something different! They're located in Mililani Mauka next to Poke Stop. It's pretty small in there with 2 tables. Each table has 4 seats each. I looked through the menu and what other yelpers reviewed about... my mom and I decided to try their dynamite ahi cakes. I asked for the sauce on the side. Each plate comes with rice, pickles, and edamame. The ahi cakes were a bit overcooked... they tasted good but the texture was like rubbery. I was expecting the texture to be like crab cakes. The sauce was absolutely delicious! I hope it was just a bad day for them. I'll be back though... I want to try other items on their menu :)
Rice Box Cafe is a hidden gem, possibly Millilani's best kept secret. The storefront is inconspicuous and, upon entry, there were only two tables. Everyone seemed to be getting takeout but we opted to sit in and enjoy our food fresh from the kitchen. We didn't want to eat too much so we got the Dynamite Ahi Cakes to share and it was the best decision ever. Rice Box is now my favorite local plate lunch establishment! The ahi cakes were moist and I loved their negi-kabayaki sauce--not too sweet and with a slight (good kine) burnt that added so much depth. When I go back, I definitely want to try the Dynamite Chicken and Salmon Katsu. I saw some rave reviews about the miso eggplant so that may be good to try as well!
Rice Box Cafe is Mililani Mauka's best kept secret!! So much so that I've held off writing a review for a loooong time now. Lol. Located in the Gateway at Mililani Mauka, it's nondescript from the outside and only has a couple tables for dine-in. But it is very neat and nicely lit inside. Mostly everyone does takeout from Rice Box Cafe and I would assume the majority of their business comes from takeout orders. You can also order online which I've done for all the times I've eaten here. The portions are good-sized for the price and the quality of their dishes is 100! Their menu isn't expansive but the items that they do make are just so good. I can appreciate a smaller menu that leads to focusing on the quality of the menu items that they do offer. I quite certain everyone in Mililani already knows about Rice Box Cafe....word of mouth has made it a pretty popular place already and it's probably my favorite takeout spot in all of central Oahu right now!
We were in the Mililani area and wanted to get some food. I looked up Yelp, and found Rice Box Cafe with good reviews. Figured it was something different than burgers and plate lunch, so we decided to try it out. It was super easy to find, although the parking area was small. We sat in the car for a bit, and noticed how many people were getting food from Rice Box Cafe. Its a small shop with maybe about 20 items on the menu. Its like Japanese style plate lunch. We ordered Miso Salmon and Miso Eggplant with Agedashi Tofu. Both plates came with two scoops of rice, pickled cucumbers (japanese style), and under each entree had hijiki with corn. The miso salmon was pretty good. The fish was dry but the flavor was good. Even though the Miso eggplant with the agedashi tofu was my plate, my husband kept wanting to eat my plate. I recommend that plate. It was so good and so flavorful! The cashier that took our order was awesome. She was very sweet. I waited in the car, while my husband, who is disabled, waited in the store for the food. The cashier was so nice. She opened the door for my husband, and even carried our bag of plates to our car. As I was about to leave, she ran out because apparently my husband forgot his phone and keys on the table. Big kudos to her! I wish and hope they open more locations in town. It'll be good to have a good japanese plate lunch place in town.
Came here on a Sunday around noon, and it was definitely busy! Lots of people were picking up phone orders and more people were coming in, but even with the crowd, we got our food pretty quickly which was great. The space is small. There are 2 of tables of four inside, but the food makes it worth it. I ordered the Dynamite Ahi Cakes and it was so delicious and filling! It came with two scoops of rice and three ahi cakes. I couldn't even finish it all and took the leftovers home. My husband had the Furikake Chicken, and my brother-in-law tried the Dynamite Chicken. Both were good, but if I prefer the Dynamite Chicken more. It was crispy that's why. Service was friendly and efficient despite the rush. Definitely a great local spot for comfort food in Mililani!
The ease of ordering is at your fingertips. Service is always good when I pick up my order also. My favorite item from Rice Box is the Salmon Katsu. The flavor is good and the batter around the salmon is always crispy. I haven't seen the pork chops on the menu, so decided to to get the Yuzu Kosho Pork Chops. Now, if you like spicy you're gonna like their dipping sauce. It was too spicy for me, but I was okay with just eating pork chops as is. It had good flavor and the batter was crisp. Also came with sautéed onions.
I was craving fried chicken and came across Rice Box Cafe, a cute, cozy restaurant, at the edge of Millilani Mauka. We were greated with friendly, helpful service and shared the Furikake Garlic Chicken and Dynamite Chicken. Both dishes featured hot, crispy chicken, tsukemono (pickled veggies), edamame, and white rice. The Dynamite Chicken was definitely my favorite of the two. Flavorful and saucy. I'll be back for the Dynamite Ahi Cakes. The restaurant is a bit tight with only two tables. Luckily we were able to get a seat but plan to take-out in case it gets busy.
They have come into their own and with attention to small details have created one heck of a Japanese influenced local "plate lunch". Using a generous amount slaw mix (head cabbage, purple cabbage, carrots) as a base for the hot proteins instead of a few strands of poorly chopped cabbage creates a hot salad when mixed with the castoff green onions, furikake and whatever sauces the protein. Room temp instead of ice cold soy beans and a sweet / sour / spicy thinly sliced namasu that quickly heats up on the hot rice so as not to cause a temp contrast works to cut any oily mouth feel from the proteins. Finally, the option for sauces on the side solved the problem of over seasoning in the past. Perfectly fried chicken with a crisp exterior for the furikake chicken. Dense, chunky, well seasoned from the inside out ahi patties. Stuffed plates average $18. Solid value. Easy, no fee, online ordering with food ready at promised time. Easily a top choice for a takeaway lunch in and around Mililani. a
Ricebox is our go to spot for a quick takeout meal. We picked up a couple plates for a family dinner. They really liked the agedashi tofu and eggplant. This is one of my go to's because it's super flavorful. Their online ordering system is super convenient, and I use it every time we pick up from here. The food is always ready at the designated pickup time, and the workers are friendly. Parking in the lot is easy.
11 months ago
3 years ago
Update on Menu: No yakiniku beef / teriyaki chicken plates indefinitely. Ate their last night again and when my husband asked why to one of the cashiers, he said it's the "Chef's decision." Food: Finally a new place in Mauka that is worth the money for the quality of their food! My husband enjoyed his yakiniku beef plate and said the meat was soft. The chicken katsu plate that we shared was fire. It had an extra sauce that made an already good chicken katsu even better. I'm a sucker for ahi cakes so I got that plate. Not a big fan of that sweet soy glaze that was added, but I'd still get it again. I know they just opened, but I'm hoping they add a combo plate where you can choose any of the 2 items because when I eat, I like to have a spread of dishes to choose from. Service: Probably the only reason I'm giving them 4 out of 5 stars because when I tried to go on 07/20/23, their sign said open until 2pm and when I got there at 1:37pm, the sign said closed . Also, I wish the boy behind the counter was more customer oriented and friendly. The lady that was also in the front, however, was a bit more outgoing. Other: Our 3 plates came out to $50 and some change, so about $16 a plate which I feel was worth it given the taste and quality. Would I come here again? Yes. If our nuclear family of 4 can spend over $50 at (For example, Jack-in-the-Box), why not spend the same amount or a little more on a local business that is making good quality food? In all, I'm a nurse who works in town and when asked if they'd be extending their hours into the evening, the lady said yes until 8pm. As a person who's been living in Mauka for most of my life, this is a nice local business/spot that I'm willing to support because I can just pick up good quality food on the way home from work for those times where I'm just too beat to cook at home. read more
1 year ago
11 months ago
do better rice box! attended event on saturday july 26 and where they ordered bentos from rice box. raw meat! zero stars read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Absolutely love Rice Box Cafe! The Salmon Katsu and Garlic Chicken are simply divine--bursting with flavor. Every bite is a delight. Quick service and a cozy atmosphere make it a go-to spot. Highly recommend! read more
2 years ago
The chicken is very moist...4 stars cause the sauce lacked a little. Wish was a little stronger and sweeter read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
Love that we have a good plate lunch place in Mauka! Favorites that you must try: Furikake Garlic Chicken Salmon Katsu Classics that you can't go wrong with: Sake Garlic Shrimp Miso Eggplant w/ Agedashi Tofu Yakisoba noodles were okay read more
2 years ago
Finally a great restaurant to order food from in Mililani!! This little hole in the wall is in Mililani Mauka right across from Starbucks and McDonald's. The food here is very original and they serve everything made to order. Being a Mililani resident, I've tried this place multiple times and everything we ordered was super delicious! During our most recent trip here, we ordered the Salmon Katsu, Garlic Ahi, Shoyu Pork, and the Furikake Garlic Chicken. Each plate comes with rice, some edamame, and pickled tsukemono. Service is very friendly here, and they have one (1) table inside for seating. They definitely intended for their food to be takeout only as the size of the restaurant is small, but its nice that they have a table inside to enjoy your food. Definitely on my list of favorites restaurants to eat in Mililani. read more
3 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
The food is consistently delicious and the service is unmatched. We have been twice in the last week! read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
Amazing unique flavor packed but still local plate lunch! Do you cater??? Not cheap but you get way more than you pay for!! You are worth it! Go get some! read more
3 years ago
We've come here twice now and tried a variety of dishes- all have been delicious! I tried the dynamite Ahi cakes the first night and they are truly dynamite! They have a lot of spicy kick! My favorite though was the salmon katsu. Even though it's takeout it still had a good crisp/crunch! The portions sizes are big so I felt it was a good value. We'll be back! read more
3 years ago
The company I work for has cater from this place before. We're normally busy when the plates come and eat when we can. The food cold was so good, I'm glad I was able to try it hot. Of course in true at Yale I couldn't decide what I wanted so I tried things I never got before. The Sake Shrimp, the Dynamite Ahi Cakes, and the Somen Salad. Everything was so good! The Dynamite Ahi Cakes are bomb, flavor and spice was on point. So glad they have a restaurant finally open and pretty great store hours for people who get off work at 530. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
Sooo gooooood! I got the salmon katsu and by far it met my expectations. My husband got the garlic chicken, very tasty. Kind of salty for him but end up eating it all. Hardly any dining area just two tables, preferably a take out place. Would go there again read more
Ordered takeout on a Sunday. Answered the phone quickly, said my order would be ready in 15 min. Got there within 20 min. and food was ready. The inside of this place is small and quiet. There's only two tables so if you'd like to dine in just be aware of that. $47 for 3 items: Salmon Katsu plate, Dynamite Chicken plate, and Tofu Taegu Salad All three plates have delicious flavor and I like the dressing that the salad came with though it may be strong for some people. My only complaint is that I wish they put more taegu and tofu in the salad. Of course, if you get takeout for any deep fried item then it's not gonna be the same at home as opposed to dining in so don't get mad if your katsu ain't crispy! But my salmon katsu was still pretty crispy when I got back home. The Dynamite Chicken is kinda like chicken karaage. Great flavor as well. Prices were reasonable for the portion and location. Mililani definitely needed a place like this. Great food, would eat again! read more
2 years ago
First time here and we were very pleased with the food, service and atmosphere. This is a small, quaint Japanese Cafe. We ordered the Miso Eggplant w/Agedahsi Todu and the Garlic Ahi. Both dishes were braised perfectly with the sauce and flavor. The eggplant and tofu were tender and flavorful. The Ahi was seared and seasoned just right. We ended up eating in the cafe - only two tables, but comfortable and the staff continually checked on us to make sure everything was okay or if we needed anything else. The food looked so ONO we started eating right away and forgot to take a picture of the initial presentation. We will definitely come here again. read more
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Came back for the second to this place within a week!!!! This time we got the dynamite furikake chicken and dynamite ahi cakes. It was good. We want to try different things in the menu each time we come. Can't get enough of this place.Yelpers come by this establishment and support small local business. Ono Japanese Food! read more
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Rice Box Cafe - japanese - Updated July 2026
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