Restaurant Kunio Takeout

When my middle son said he wanted Japanese takeout for lunch one day, I immediately thought of Restaurant Kunio.

Online ordering made take-out a cinch, and everything was packed efficiently.

All the teishokus came with rice, salad, an appetizer, and miso soup.

Combo AA

Combo AA Teishoku allows you to choose two items from the Choice A options, including miso butterfish, veggie tempura, and soft-shell crab.  I went with my go-to - Teriyaki Chicken and Chicken Katsu.  

It's been a while since I've dined in at Restaurant Kunio, and I thought that the food I ordered for this take-out was good, but not as good as before.  The Katsu was pretty tasty, but it was a little on the dry side, as was the Teriyaki Chicken.  I really had to douse both in their respective sauces, which I did like.  Also, most of the chicken pieces were really thick and huge.  

Chicken Katsu Teishoku

Beef Teriyaki, Chicken Katsu, Sashimi Combo

Dynamite and California Roll

Nabeyaki Udon

Although previous dining experiences were better in terms of the food, I like how Restaurant Kunio offers a nice variety of dishes, and I really appreciated how everything was packed for take-out.  I would dine in or take out at Restaurant Kunio again, as I still think it's a great family-friendly, Japanese restaurant in Central Oahu. 

Restaurant Kunio
Waikele Center
94-799 Lumi’aina St.Suite 2F
Waipahu, HI 9679
808.680.9188

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Breakfast at Waikele Country Club Restaurant

I've been to Waikele Country Club Restaurant for lunch and dinner, but I tried breakfast there for the first time last month.

Classic Eggs Benedict

Crispy Breakfast Quesadilla

Macadamia Nut Waffle

Waikele Fried Chicken

I ordered the Quesadilla, which was filled with eggs, bacon, tomatoes, avocado, and cheddar cheese. It was really delicious!

My son ordered the Waffle, and I decided to add on the Fried Chicken for a few extra dollars. The Waffle came out a lot earlier than the Fried Chicken, which turned out to be small chunks of fried chicken - not a large piece of golden fried chicken, as I had expected. Luckily my son loved both the Waffles and Fried Chicken.

My friend enjoyed her Eggs Benedict (can also be served Hawaiian Style with Kalua Pork instead of Canadian Bacon).

The service was very friendly, but a bit on the slow side.

However, I was very impressed with the quality of the food and the prices, and being the breakfast-lover that I am, I'm sure it won't be long before I'm back at Waikele Country Club Restaurant for breakfast!

Waikele Country Club Restaurant

94-200 Paioa Pl # 2

Waipahu, HI 96797 

(808) 676-1199

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Sweet Treats from GODIVA Chocolatier

I've been seeing photos of the GODIVA Chocolatier soft-serve cones on Instagram for a while now, and I finally got a chance to try it myself.

Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Swirl in a Belgian Waffle Cone with Dark Chocolate and Praline Almonds

OREO Trufflelata

Chocolate Lava Cake Trufflelata

Milk Chocolate Trufflelata

The soft serve ice cream is a bit pricey at $6, but it was really light and delicious.  It was also quite sweet, but still very good. I'm surprised that my kids decided not to get any ice cream, and instead each of them got a Trufflelata.

Also at $6 each, the Truffelata shakes each have a truffle blended right into them. The very helpful woman who was working that day advised that the Chocolate Lava Cake was very popular. It's a dark chocolate concoction, but it wasn't bitter at all (I just had a tiny sip).

Each of my kids enjoyed the shakes, and my husband, who loves shakes, said they were really good as well.

The Belgian Soft-Serve and Trufflelata were sweet indulgences for a warm spring day!

GODIVA Chocolatier
94-790 Lumiaina St
Waipahu, HI 96797
(800) 946-3482

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Restaurant Kunio

Whenever I'm in the Waikele area, I know I can always count on Restaurant Kunio for a delicious and satisfying meal. 

Miso Soup and Appetizers

Combination Chicken Katsu and Chicken Teriyaki

Combination Salmon and Chicken Teriyaki

My friend and I both ordered combination meals. We did have our kids with us, and although Kunio does offer a kids meal, the combination lunches offered more than enough food for us to share with our little ones.

I had the Chicken Katsu and Chicken Teriyaki, and they both were delicious. Both the katsu and teriyaki were very flavorful.  My son really liked the katsu.

Although service was a bit on the slow side, the food did not disappoint.

Restaurant Kunio
Waikele Center
94-799 Lumi’aina St.Suite 2F
Waipahu, HI 9679
808.680.9188

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Mountain Magic Shave Ice

After lunch in the Waikele area, my friend and I decided to take our kids to get some shave ice from Mountain Magic.

Kiddie sizes are just $3, and are rather large (and also includes a lollipop!).

Rainbow Shave Ice

You can request all sorts of toppings (azuki beans, mochi balls, etc.) to the shave ice, and even add ice cream, but the kiddos ate their shave ice "plain."

It was the perfect treat!

Mountain Magic Shave Ice
Waikele Shopping Center
94-809 Lumiaina St.
Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 384-1998

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Waikele Christmas Lights

For the past few years we've been taking the kids to see the Christmas Lights in Waikele - specifically Hopoe Place and Anapau Place.

On Hopoe Place, every single home is decorated.  Colorful lights and fun inflatables adorn trees, lawns, rooftops - even cars!

Just one street over, on Anapau Place, is a home that puts on a fantastic light show (if you can view the video below, you may have to view this post on your desktop).

Over the years more and more homes on the street have begun to participate in syncing up their lights to the computer system, which makes for a very neat display.

One house on the street also offers hot chocolate, and while we there a young girl walked all around passing out candy canes to the kids (and adults!).

These two streets in Waikele truly exemplify the holiday spirit.

The crowds have grown over the years, so get there early to find a decent parking spot so you can walk around and enjoy the lights!

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Genki Sushi - Waikele

Since I rarely eat sushi, Genki Sushi was a place I never thought I'd go, but when a friend suggested that we meet at the newly-renovated Waikele (Waipahu) location for lunch one day, I was totally game, and I'm so glad I went!


Center: Spicy Tuna Bowl; From top left, clockwise: RB Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Pie; Agedashi Tofu; Garlic Chicken; Menu; Potato Fries; Bullet Train serving us the fries; Sponge Bob Ice Cream; Touch Screen Ordering Panel; Chicken Karaage; Vegetable Croquette; another Bullet Train; Edamame

I was so pleasantly surprised with the variety of options available at Genki Sushi.  Yes, there are the many sushi options, but I loved that there were other dishes, like chicken and tofu.

Everything I ordered - the Garlic Chicken, the Agedashi Tofu, and the Croquette - was delicious!

The new ordering and double-rail delivery system is great, and kids will get a kick out of the bullet train as it delivers food.

I thought the prices were reasonable and the service was friendly, and I can't wait to go back!

Genki Sushi
Waikele Center
Sp.201 Bldg 2 Sp.12
94-799 Lumiaina St.
Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 678-3180

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Waikele Community Park

We love taking our kids to the playground at Waikele Community Park.

The playground equipment is identical to those that can be found at many other parks on Oahu, but I love that the playground at Waikele Community Park is beneath a huge tree which provides plenty of shade, and there's a short perimeter wall which provides seating for parents to watch over their kids.

There is a large grassy area if you want to have a picnic or if your kids want to run around, and there's also a larger park above the parking lot for even more places to picnic or run around (Waikele Community Park is popular for birthday parties).

Bathrooms are located in the back of the rec center (a bit of a walk). 

Waikele Community Park 
94-870 Lumiaina Street
Waipahu, HI 96797
808-678-0871

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Jurison's Inn - Waipahu (Waikele)

After spending some time at the Waikele Community Park with our youngest son, my husband and I decided to pick up some lunch from Jurison's Inn.

Mochiko Chicken and Meat Jun Combo

Tofu Katsu and Teri Chicken Combo

My husband ordered the Mochiko Chicken and Meat Jun, and he said everything was good.

I love the Mochiko Chicken, but I decided to try something different this time, and ordered the Tofu Katsu and Teri Chicken.  The Tofu Katsu was okay - a little on the bland side, and the Teri Chicken looked more like BBQ Chicken, but it turned out to be really tasty!
 
Next time I'll just stick to the Mochiko Chicken,

Jurison's Inn:
94-799 Lumiaina St.
Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 676-1171

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Jurison's Inn - Waipahu (Waikele)

After spending some time at the Waikele Community Park with our youngest son, my husband and I decided to pick up some lunch from Jurison's Inn.

Tofu Katsu and Teri Chicken Combo

Mochiko Chicken and Meat Jun Combo

My husband ordered the Mochiko Chicken and Meat Jun, and he said everything was good.

I love the Mochiko Chicken, but I decided to try something different this time, and ordered the Tofu Katsu and Teri Chicken.  The Tofu Katsu was okay - a little on the bland side, and the Teri Chicken looked more like BBQ Chicken, but it turned out to be really tasty!
 
Next time I'll just stick to the Mochiko Chicken,

Jurison's Inn:
94-799 Lumiaina St.
Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 676-1171

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Mountain Magic Shave Ice

After a nice day at the park with friends on the 4th of July, we headed down to Mountain Magic Shave Ice in Waikele for a cool treat.

We ordered two smalls with ice cream - one strawberry and one rainbow - for only $3.75 each.  The small size is actually very large and was more than enough for our family of 5 to share.

Fortunately the line wasn't very long when we arrived, but the line did move quickly, so don't get discouraged if there is a long line.

The shave ice is well worth the wait, especially on a hot summer day.

Mountain Magic Shave Ice
Waikele Shopping Center
94 Lumiaina St
Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 384-1998

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Waikele Country Club Restaurant

I recently met up with some of the girls for lunch at Waikele Country Club Restaurant.

Side Order of Curly Fries

Hamburger Steak

Teishoku

Fried Rice

Chicken Katsu Curry

Because I had a very early dinner that same day, I only ate the curly fries.  It was a side order for $5.50, and it was a HUGE plate of fries.  Even after sharing some with a friend, I still couldn't finish it, and another friend took home the leftovers.

All of the food looked really good.

Our server was super sweet - even offering to give everyone separate checks!

Even though I didn't eat very much on this visit, I still think it's a good place to go to for lunch or dinner.

Waikele Country Club Restaurant
94-200 Paioa Pl # 2
Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 676-1199

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Kunio Restaurant

I recently met up with one my dear friends at Kunio Restaurant in Waikele (Waipahu).

I arrived right at about 6pm on a Saturday, and fortunately there were still several parking stalls open nearby (it can get really crowded in the area) and there was only one other party ahead of me on the waiting list.  However, it did take at least 15 minutes before we were finally seated.

These are the appetizers and miso soup that came with our combination meals (I only had the miso soup and took everything else home for DH, who ate it along with my leftovers).

I ordered the Chicken Teriyaki and Chicken Katsu Combination Plate.  Everything was really good.  I love Kunio's teriyaki sauce, and the katsu always comes out nice and crispy out the outside, but juicy on the inside.

My friend ordered a combination also, unfortunately I don't remember the two items she ordered.

The service was great, the food was great, and it's no wonder that Kunio is one of my favorite Japanese restaurants on the island.

Kunio Restaurant: Waikele Center, 94-799 Lumi’aina St.Suite 2F, Waipahu, HI 96797; 808.680.9188

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Jurison's Inn

A loooong time ago DH and I used to often eat the Mochiko Chicken from Jurison's Inn, but at one point it started to taste not that great, so we stopped going there.

However, recently DH ran some errands in Waikele, so we decided to give Jurison's another try (it was probably at least 5 years since we were last there).

I ordered a Mochiko Chicken and Fried Noodles Combination Plate.

Everything was good.  The Mochiko Chicken was really tasty, almost like how I originally remembered it, and the fried noodles were pretty good too!

DH had the Mochiko Chicken Katsu.

DH really liked it, and I decided to give it a try.

I never heard of Mochiko Chicken Katsu before--but it was pretty good.  It had a nice mochiko chicken-flavor, but it was prepared katsu style.

I was very happy with the food--I'm glad we gave Jurison's Inn another try!

Jurison's Inn: 94-799 Lumiaina Street Waipahu, HI 96797 - (808) 676-1171

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