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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Visit Hilo: Kawamoto Store

If you can, call in your order to Kawamoto Store in advance.  If not, you may have to wait in a long line if you walk-in.  And call in well in advance.  We would typically call the day before, but a friend called several days before to pick up on a Saturday only to be told they were not taking any more pre-orders that day (turned out they had a huge pre-order - we saw boxes and boxes walk out!).

I usually get the same things at Kawamoto - SPAM Musubi and Nori Chicken.  On this visit I also got Eggplant Tempura (delish!) as well as Shortbread and Peanut Butter Cookies.  My friends didn't care for the Nori Chicken, but I liked it!  

It was my first time trying the cookies and they were good!  The man in line in front of me had a bag of cookies in hand and he said they were good.  When I checked out, the employee told me they baked them the day before and they sold 37 bags so far.

My friends got all sorts of goodies - Shrimp Tempura, Shoyu Chicken, Inari, Hot Dog, and more.

Kawamoto Store
784 Kilauea Ave

Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-8209

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Visit Hilo: Asami's Kitchen

A couple of years ago a friend of mine said that Asami's Kitchen in Hilo has great fried chicken, and it wasn't until a recent trip to Hilo did I finally get a chance to try this popular spot where there is almost always a line whenever I pass by during operating hours.

I ordered a variety of okazu items: fried chicken, shoyu hot dog, corned beef hash, nori chicken, SPAM musubi, deep-fried SPAM musubi, spring roll, fish cake, shrimp tempura, and korokke.  

I thought the chicken was good - a little on the drier side than I would've liked, but thankfully there were many other faves in the box.  I liked the nori chicken, shrimp tempura, spring roll, and the deep fried SPAM musubi.

You can pre-order via Instagram DM, and I highly recommend doing so, since they may run out of items you want to try, and it will also to make the line go faster.

Asami's Kitchen
308 Kilauea Ave

Hilo, HI 96720

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Visit Hilo: Kawamoto Store

Kawamoto Store is a must-stop for anyone in Hilo looking for tasty okazu eats.  During my visits to Hilo over the past few years, I've tried the Shrimp Tempura, Nori Chicken, and Corned Beef Hash, but I tend to stick to the Keiki Bento!

Keiki Bento

The Keiki Bento comes with 2 SPAM Musubi, 1 Korean Chicken, and BBQ Beef, and is the perfect size for kids or those who can fill up on a few delicious bites.  

Kawamoto Store also offers a variety of set bentos, or you can customize your own!

On a recent visit, we ordered bentos with Cone Sushi, SPAM Musubi, Corned Beef Hash, Sweet Potato Tempura, Nori chicken, and Shoyu Pork.

I highly recommend pre-ordering to avoid long lines (there is a separate line for phone orders), and to avoid disappointment if your favorite item runs out (the Nori Chicken and Shrimp Tempura often sell out fast).

Kawamoto Store
784 Kilauea Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-8209

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Hashi Okazuya

Hashi Okazuya took over the former Sato's Okazuya in Waipahu.  They offer the same type of fare, and they even have Sato's noodles on the menu!

Corned Beef Hash, Ume Rice Ball, Shrimp Tempura, Fried Chicken

Shoyu Hot Dog

Hamburger Steak

Fried Noodles

The Fried Noodles were so yummy!  It was super tasty, and it's definitely a must-order.  I ordered the XL to feed our family, and it lasted for a few meals!

Everything else was delish as well.  I was pleasantly surprised they gave a full hot dog vs half hot dogs that I've seen at other okazu spots.  

The Hamburger Steak was comfort food at its finest.  Loved all that gravy!

Call in your order so you don't need to wait! 

Hashi Okazuya
94-235 Hanawai Cir

Waipahu, HI 96797

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Okazu from Maru-Hi

I've been to Maru-Hi Restaurant & Lounge in Mililani only once before for dinner, and after several years, I finally went back, but this time for some okazu for a get-together.

SPAM Musubi

Meat Jun

Fried Chicken with Noodle Bento

Ahi Tempura with Spicy TNT Teriyaki Sauce Bento

Chicken & Sausage Yakitori

I saw that they also sold CupBops, so I decided to pick up a Spicy Pork & Chicken CupBop.

Spicy Pork & Chicken CupBop

As expected, the kids went straight for the chicken & sausage skewers and SPAM Musubi.

The Fried Chicken was really tasty, but I thought the noodles were a little underseasoned.

The CupBop was not very spicy, but it was filling.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the Ahi Tempura.

The Meat Jun was good.  The gals did give me a couple of extra servings (I think because I ordered so much food!).

Prices are reasonable at Maru-Hi.

I can't believe I haven't been there before to pick up food for the beach!

Maru-Hi Restaurant & Lounge

95-1249 Meheula Pkwy # 153

Mililani, HI 96789-1789 

(808) 623-584

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