Nani's Hapa Cafe

A few months ago @melliadrian mentioned an okazu shop in Waialua - Nani's Hapa Cafe, so I finally went to check it out!  

They have pre-made bentos, or you can select your own foods from an array of items.

The AAA Threat Bento came with rice, ube ulu hash, kal-bi beef, mochiko chicken, and a burger pattie.

I got a plate with Mochiko Chicken, Chow Fun, and Kalbi Tofu.  The chicken was tasty, and so was the tofu.  The chow fun had some sweetness to it - a little too sweet for me, but overall everything was good.

Other options included Fried Pork Chop, Miso Chicken, Shoyu Hot Dog, Gobo, Nishime, and more.

They also offer an assortment of sweets!  We ordered so much food (more than what is pictured), that we were given a few Ube Doughnut Holes on the house!

Ube Doughnut Holes

They even have drinks!

Guava Matcha Latte

Definitely check them out for some yummy eats - perfect for the beach!

Nani's Hapa Cafe
67-292 Goodale Ave Unit 101
Waialua, HI 96791

(808) 637-6373

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$5 Bentos from Mama's Bento

Dealages alert! I had heard that the former owner of Mama Woo's in Moiliili was selling $5 bentos on the grounds of a church on Keeaumoku next to McDonald's, and so of course I had to check this out, because I used to love going to Mama Woo's when she was running it, and it's not the same under the new owners.

I came on a Friday at around 12:15 PM and there were a lot of bentos for sale. Prices start at $5 and go up to $10 for a combo like this one: 

The loco moco sells for $7.

 I tried these two $5 bentos:

Would I return? Certainly! These $5 bentos were way better than the $5 Bento Box that you see around town. 

They have lots to choose from and it's so convenient - just grab n go. Cash and credit cards are accepted. 

There is lots of parking on the church grounds - you can enter through the narrow driveway just past Domino's Pizza (if you're heading makai on Keeaumoku), or you can park in the back off of Sheridan Street). 

 

Their table is located in the shade, and they are here Mondays - Fridays from 11 am - 2 pm. The address for this location is 915 Sheridan Street.

According to their business card, they also have locations at 959 Queen Street (M-F, 11-2) and Queen's POB 3 Parking Lot (Mondays 10:30-1).

They also do catering! 

Check out their Instagram page (@mamas.bento.hi) to see some of their offerings and menus!

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Holo Holo Bistro Express

Hawaii Mom Blog was fortunate to receive an invitation to media day for Holo Holo Bistro Express, which occurred a couple of days before their grand opening day.  Holo Holo is no stranger to the food scene in Hawaii. Owner Jill Owens has been in the catering business for years, and prior to opening this location in Kalihi, she's been operating at Paradise Palms on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus, with a grab-n-go concept that has been a popular eatery on campus.

So why did she open this location miles away across town in Kalihi? She needed to find a kitchen for her catering business, so she found this restaurant, which used to be known as Meg's Drive In. Now, her onolicious offerings can be purchased here in Kalihi, 6 days a week!

This is a convenient location for this type of operation. It's located on a busy road, but not too far off the freeway, making it easy for people to stop by to get what they need and go. And since it's a grab-n-go type of operation, there should be parking spaces available (they have 7) since customers are constantly going in and out. 

Here's what was out on display during the media visit:

bentos and bowls

assorted musubis

PB&Js and chips

wraps, salads, fruit cups, overnight oats

cookies, banana bread, brownies

Li Hing Gummy Bears

assorted beverages

merchandise

The carnitas bowl and the pesto pasta salad are some of my favorite offerings from Holo Holo. 

The portions are generous and I love that everything here is grab-n-go, because I often do not have the time or patience to wait for my food. 

They are constantly replenishing the items on the floor throughout operating hours. 

During the breakfast hours they sell breakfast-type bentos with Portuguese sausage, eggs, fried rice, mocos, etc.  The garlic chicken is their best seller and it comes as a musubi or in a bento. They also have daily specials that often sell out quickly. 

Current Hours are: Monday through Friday: 6-4. Saturdays: 8-2. 

_____________________________________

HOLO HOLO BISTRO EXPRESS
743 WAIAKAMILO ROAD
808-551-7677
sales@holoholobarandgrill.com (sales and catering)

www.holoholobistro.com

@holohologrilluh

@holoholo

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Teruya's Andagi

 Teruya's Andagi offers a small variety of bentos, donburi, and handrolls. Their prices are very reasonable - varying in prices from $8.95 for a veggie bento to $10 for the large roll bento. 

The large roll bento is my favorite bento here. It comes with one garlic chicken roll and one shrimp tempura roll and a few small bites of veggie items. 

And of course, I can't come here and not get a few pieces of andagi, which is what Teruya's is most known for! 

Their bentos are made ahead of time, the donburis are made to order, and you can call in your order ahead of time. There is only metered street parking along Pensacola Street which is usually quite busy. 

Visit their website for more information. 

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TERUYA'S ANDAGI
1104 PENSACOLA STREET
808-389-1714

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Visit Kaua`i: Konohiki Seafoods

A few years ago I went to Konohiki Seafoods, where they offer poke, bentos, and their famous ginger chicken, made from the secret Hanamaulu Chicken recipe. 

Pork Won Tons

Ginger Chicken, Shrimp, Sushi Bento

Ginger Chicken, Shrimp, Cone Sushi Bento

We went mid-morning to grab some lunch, and there was a steady line of people picking up grab-and-go eats and ordering poke and chicken.

I was a little turned off how one local came in and just cut the food line, grabbed most of the bentos at the other end of the table leaving almost nothing for the rest of us patiently waiting in line, and even cut the line to pay for his food, but thankfully there were a still a few bentos left by the time we reached the table (but if he did grab every single one, I discovered you could "create your own" bento with chicken and sushi they had in the display cases).

Despite that lack of courtesy we observed, we enjoyed the food and it really hit the spot.  The chicken is a popular go-to, so if you can't decide on what to get, get the chicken (but please don't cut in line)!

Konohiki Seafoods was the perfect spot for mid-morning eats.

Konohiki Seafoods
3-4301 Kuhio Hwy #102
Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 245-1707

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Mai Musubi

It takes a little bit of planning to try the bentos and musubis from Mai Musubi, since all orders must be placed online ahead of time (no walk-ins). 

Their online ordering system is easy to navigate, and once your order is placed, all you need to do is wait until you receive a text message, notifying you that your order is ready (my order was ready 15 minutes ahead of schedule!).

They have parking in the back of the building (turn onto Holokahana Lane from Liliha Street) - you are allowed to park in any open stall.

Your order will be given to you from the small window at the storefront. 

 

Bentos are packaged in brown boxes - be careful not to tip it over.

This is Musubi Set C which comes with choice of rice (white or mixed-grain), white fish cats, tofu fish nougat, tamago maki, tsukemono, vegetable kinpira, and 2 musubis. You get to chose one musubi filling for your two musubis - I chose Konbu.

Their musubis are larger than other musubi places, and they put a lot of filling in it!

I've seen these tofu nuggets a lot lately - they're one of my favorite things to eat at the moment.

You can buy the musubis separately (they come in pairs) or as part of a set. Also on the menu are bentos, donburi, curry, and Shogun Bentos which are available on Saturdays and Sundays only (I have my eye on these!). 

Yes, Mai Musubi is open on Sundays, which is quite rare for bento places on Oahu! Just another reason why you should plan a visit to Mai Musubi (but don't forget to pre-order!).

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MAI MUSUBI
1636 Liliha Street
808-277-9863

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Visit Hilo: 5-Spice

I've passed by 5-Spice in Hilo many times, and I've always known it to be a crack seed store.  I had no idea they served food too!

Pastrami Sandwich

Katsu Moco

5-Spice Bento

Gravy Burger

Chicken Katsu Curry

I was pleasantly surprised with just how tasty everything was.  The Chicken Katsu was nicely seasoned and cooked, and my friend enjoyed the Gravy Burger and Pastrami Sandwich.

The bento came with BBQ Chicken, BBQ Meat, Kimchi Patty, SPAM, Hot Dog, Hash, Zucchini, Egg, and Koko (I never heard of Koko until I got this bento!).  

Prices are very reasonable, and I'd definitely order from 5-Spice again!

5-Spice
2064 Kilauea Ave

Hilo, HI 96720

 

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