Favorite Okazuya

[Pomai]

We've discussed Okazuya in bits and pieces here (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=11866) and there.

Well, here's the thread to cover them all. If you don't know what an Okazuya (http://starbulletin.com/2000/05/24/features/story1.html) is, see that link.

Are you loyal to just one place? Mitsuken? Matsumoto's? Nuuanu Deli? St. Louis Deli? Gulick? Masa and Joyce? Just to name a few!

Wouldn't it be great if you could have da' best Chow Fun, Nishime, Konbu Maki, Corned Beef Hash, Mochiko Chicken, Gobo Kimpira, etc. from each Okazuya that specializes in a particular item, all put on one plate? I'd love that!

Okazuya is local style comfort food at its best. Love it!

[Beau]

I love good okazuya food too! My favorites would include, Fukuya and George's Delicatessen on Beretania diagonally across from Times.

St Louis is okay, but their reasonable prices are offset by how they scrimp on seasoning their maki and cone sushi. IMHO, it needs more flavoring...Their nishime also has a lot of daikon and other cheaper ingredients, instead of konnyaku, araimo, etc.

Fukuya and George's food is consistent with quality and taste!

[Hilo Artist]

I have been to them all, but in the entire State no one beats the selection and quality of Hilo Lunch Shop! It's located right across from the Stadium they hold the Merrie Monarch at.

Their salad selection is out of this world! all kine variety of limu salads, warabi salads,lomi salmon, cold tofu salads, and potaoe salads.

Their okazu section is outstanding with a variety of fish, chickens, and beef, Gobo, noodles, deep fried tempura, fish cakes, then even Hawaiian stuff like lau lau. their nori chicken is currently the best in Hilo.

I had Hilo Lunch Shop cater my Yakudoshi last year for about 200 people and they seriously gave enough food for 300! So much extra we had another lunch party the next day at my house.

Listen to this, their price for catering, only $8.00 a head! Included Grilled ono, Nori chicken, Nishime, Teri beef, Namasu, Kimpira gobo,Potato salad, Noodles, and Rice.

So when your in Hilo a must stop !

[Lei Liko]

About 6 years ago, I bought The Okazu Guide (http://www.amazon.com/Okazu-Guide-Cause-You-Hungry/dp/0970578709) by Donovan Dela Cruz and Jodi Endo Chai and my then-BF and I actually went to all but 5 (I think) of the okazuyas featured in the book.

It's interesting to note that okazuya (or okazu-ya, whichever you prefer) is a plantation word that's hardly, if ever, used in Japan today.

From the book:

What Hawaii residents call okazuya is a sozaiya - delicatessen - in Japan. Even okazuya owners who've lived in Japan say that okazuyas are unique to the Islands. Although some of the okazu items are similar to Japanese food, they point out, the taste can be different. Hawaii's okazu has a true "local" flavor influenced many local ethnic groups. What's more, okazuyas have created and developed their own recipes which have been in families for many generations.

I can't remember which thread it was in, but a visitor to the Islands had some chow funn from an okazuya and was surprised that it didn't look nor taste like the usual chow funn one can get from a Chinese eatery. :p

I've been faithful to St. Louis Delicatessen since my freshman year of HS and always get the same thing (chow fun, long rice, teri meat, and hot dog).

And then there's Mitsu-Ken: breakfast special, garlic chicken, and chow fun. I remember when the breakfast special was less than two bucks.

Sugoi in City Square was also in the book. Don't know if they should be classified as okazuya since they've ventured beyond the traditional bento, but I still love their Karai Spicy Garlic Chicken bento!

Sato's in Waipahu. Mmmm. Fried Noodles.

*sigh* I'm hungry now.

[scrivener]

Not a favorite (yet) because I haven't tried it, but Natsunoya Tea House in Alewa Heights began to sell okazu and bentos on weekday mornings from six to one. I live two blocks from there, so you can believe I'll be dropping in soon.

[na alii]

I love good okazuya food too! My favorites would include, Fukuya and George's Delicatessen on Beretania diagonally across from Times.

Fukuya and George's food is consistent with quality and taste!
George's Deli had Ron working up at front before. He would always be yelling back to the kitchen where his sister and mother are cooking. My co-worker would order a nori musubi and had none in the display counter so he would yell " TWO NORI MUSUBI, WAITING, WAITING" or one time had this customer waiting for his saimin so Ron yells 'WHERE DA SAIMIN? THEY WAITIING!".

[Beau]

George's Deli had Ron working up at front before. He would always be yelling back to the kitchen where his sister and mother are cooking. My co-worker would order a nori musubi and had none in the display counter so he would yell " TWO NORI MUSUBI, WAITING, WAITING" or one time had this customer waiting for his saimin so Ron yells 'WHERE DA SAIMIN? THEY WAITIING!".Today 10:29 AM
I know! Ron is really a nice person beneath that gruff exterior. And his sister Diane and I have had many pleasant conversations.:)

[scrivener]

whoops. just drove past natsunoya. tues-wed-thurs, six to one.

[Pomai]

whoops. just drove past natsunoya. tues-wed-thurs, six to one.My Uchinanchu friend told me that most Okazuya shops owned by Okinawans are closed on Tuesdays by tradition. St. Louis is an exception. They're open that day. Masa and Joyce is closed on Tuesday.

I had Hilo Lunch Shop cater my Yakudoshi last year for about 200 people and they seriously gave enough food for 300! So much extra we had another lunch party the next day at my house.Sounds like a great place with a huge selection. Great tip for future Hilo visitors!

And then there's Mitsu-Ken: breakfast special, garlic chicken, and chow fun. I remember when the breakfast special was less than two bucks.
We passed there around noon yesterday, and as usual, there was quite a line out the door. Gulick (the Gulick location) was packed too.

With that, as I said in Caryn's thread, we paid a visit to Matsumoto's Okazuya and Restaurant on Gulick Ave. for lunch yesterday. This was my first time to order an entire plate for myself.

http://www.96seven44.com/images/matsumotos_front.jpg
There's lots of glare, but in that front window are the classic open display of Okazuya items to choose. More selections are also located just as you walk in the door, where you're greeted by a very attractive local gal (bonus!). On the right of the front counter is an opening that leads to a rather small restaurant seating area. Here you can order from a menu that includes box lunches, teishoku and ramen. Worthy of another thread in itself.

We got there around noon, and most of the Okazuya take-out items were almost sold out. We obviously just missed the rush. Two fellaz in front of us had just placed an order for 50 bentos. Obviously Matsumoto's is a hit.

So we walked out with this...
http://www.96seven44.com/images/matsumotos_hbmplate.jpg
"Bluesman's" plate: Fried Rice, BBQ Teriyaki Steak, Mixed Vegetable Tempura, Kimpira Gobo, Corned Beef Hash patty and Chow Funn (they spell it with two N's). $5.50

http://www.96seven44.com/images/matsumotos_pplate.jpg
My plate: Corned Beef Hash Patty, Shoyu Hot Dog, Mochi? Spring Roll, BBQ Teriyaki Chicken, Ume Musubi and Chow Funn. $6.09

I'm willing to bet either of these plates would have costed at least $2 more at Nuuanu, Fukuya or Gulick. All great places, but can prices can really add up.

Matsumoto's value is hard to beat, but more importantly, the Okazuya items are all AWESOME. No complaints at all.

One noticeable quality they have is a grill that really sears and puts the BARBECUE in the BBQ meats. That Teriyaki Chicken with the sear marks and rich glaze was EXCEPTIONAL.

The most interesting item on my plate was that Spring Roll. The wrapper was made out of a sort of glutenous, stringy thing that had an interesting, chewy texture. It was filled with shrimp, and what looked like daikon and green onion. Sugoi oshii desu.

The corned beef hash was tasty. Not as good as Tanioka's, but still oishii. The shoyu hot dog was your typical basic Okazuya affair. Take a nibble and chase it with the musubi. Oh yeah.

Just like the last time I tried, it, the Chow Funn. Oh the Chow Funn. This is what Okazuya is all about. Winner all the way. I'm going back here many times again just for that. Hopefully that beautiful server will still be working too. lol

You gotta' check Matsumoto's out. Great food, great value. Highly recommended.

Matsumoto's Okazuya and Restaurant
1323 Gulick Ave. (Kalihi, a.k.a. "God's Country")
808-848-7464
(owner's name is Todd)

[Lei K]

Ahhhh Pomai and your food porn! Everything looks ono.

[Glen Miyashiro]

I love good okazuya food too! My favorites would include, Fukuya and George's Delicatessen on Beretania diagonally across from Times.

Fukuya and George's food is consistent with quality and taste!I'll second Beau's endorsement of Fukuya (http://www.fukuyadeli.com/), on King Street just past Puck's Alley in Mōʻiliʻili. So ʻono!

[Lei Liko]

Ahhhh Pomai and your food porn! Everything looks ono.

What she said!

Pomai, do you know what their hours of operation are?

[1stwahine]

I would get dee following: Fried Butterfish from Gulick.
Chow Fun, Cone Sushi, Macaroni Salad from Mitsuba.
Thingy in seaweed :confused:, Fried Pumpkin, Hamburger Patty, and Corn Beef Hash from Nuuanu.
Garlic Chicken from Mitsuken.

Ice cold Passion Orange from Mitsuba!:D

Auntie Lynn

[Pomai]

What she said!

Pomai, do you know what their hours of operation are?A picture says a thousand words.

Matsumoto's hours of operation:
Monday-Saturday (Sunday closed)
Okazuya: 6am-10am (No wonder when we got there at noon everything was almost gone)
Lunch: 11am-2pm
Dinner: 5pm-9pm

Fukuya is great, but pricey.

LeiLiko, please change your Avatar. So naughty! lol

[Beau]

Auntie Lynn, the thingy in seaweed you're referring to is probably, "konbu maki." It's a kelp roll tied with a gourd strip (known as kanpyo) and has gobo and pork inside.

[1stwahine]

Auntie Lynn, the thingy in seaweed you're referring to is probably, "konbu maki." It's a kelp roll tied with a gourd strip (known as kanpyo) and has gobo and pork inside.

Yeah, das da one! Some onolicious! I can eat three!!! I treat you lunch there one day instead of Dalisay!hahaha

Auntie Lynn

[Glen Miyashiro]

A picture says a thousand words.

LeiLiko, please change your Avatar. So naughty! lol"Former Catholic Schoolgirl". Heh. That reminds me of high school time. Tia Carrere went to Sacred Hearts Academy, and though I can't say for certain, I could swear I knew her back then. :rolleyes:

[oceanpacific]

"Former Catholic Schoolgirl". Heh. That reminds me of high school time. Tia Carrere went to Sacred Hearts Academy, and though I can't say for certain, I could swear I knew her back then. :rolleyes:

The more important question is: did Tia Carrere know you? :D

[Glen Miyashiro]

If she did, she never let on! :o

[Pomai]

I love good okazuya food too! >>>George's Delicatessen on Beretania diagonally across from Times.
>>>George's food is consistent with quality and taste!O.K., George's is now officially on my target list. Diggin' that "grumpy guy in the front" factor. So there next work week! :)

[Da Rolling Eye]

It's interesting to note that okazuya (or okazu-ya, whichever you prefer) is a plantation word that's hardly, if ever, used in Japan today.

From the book:What Hawaii residents call okazuya is a sozaiya - delicatessen - in Japan. Even okazuya owners who've lived in Japan say that okazuyas are unique to the Islands. Although some of the okazu items are similar to Japanese food, they point out, the taste can be different. Hawaii's okazu has a true "local" flavor influenced many local ethnic groups. What's more, okazuyas have created and developed their own recipes which have been in families for many generations.

One of the local faves that was influenced by Japanese regional cuisine is the local style teri sauce. Notice how sweet it is. Wife said it stems from only one area in Japan, can't remember which area and I'm not about to wake her up to get it. ;) Anyway, it's the only area where the food is sweeter than the rest of the country and where most of the Japanese plantation workers came from. Local style made it even sweeter than the original (I'm gonna guess because sugar was way cheaper here) and now most Japanese restaurants/okazuyas make their teri to suit local palates. Ever since meeting my wife, I've come to notice these differences and, today, cannot eat local style teriyaki anything. I now find it way too sweet and salty, a bad combination for us old futs with high blood pressure and type 2 anyway. Needless to say, I no longer eat a lot of okazuya food, although I do miss it.

In the old days, there used to be a couple of okazuyas here in Wahiawa. Early mornings they used to be busy with planation workers buying their lunches, having the okazuya fill those old double decker lunch tins for them. Rice on the bottom and okazu on the top. We used to buy our lunches for school excursion days from them.

Well, they all went by the way side when the plantations started to down size and don't recall going to another okazuya till much later. I remember going to Fukuya a couple of times, then later still, St. Louis deli, then Gulick. More recently it was the Japanese place over in Mililani Town Center. My faves have been relegated to a simple musu, fried chicken and some gobo. Not too much of the latter because it's totally too sweet for my now more "sophisticated" tastes. :rolleyes: :D

[Pomai]

I'll second Beau's endorsement of Fukuya (http://www.fukuyadeli.com/), on King Street just past Puck's Alley in Mōʻiliʻili. So ʻono!A plate from Fukuya...

http://www.96seven44.com/images/fukuyabento.jpg
Inari sushi (aburage), Furikake Musubi, Corned Beef Hash, Misoyaki Butterfish, Shrimp Tempura (2), Vegetable Tempura, Grilled Saba (fish), Namasu (pickled cucumbers) & Nishime. $10

If I could wake up every morning and find this sitting on the table (in one variation or another), life would be complete. :D

[Beau]

Pomai, that picture from Fukuya's is awesome. I want to thank you for your recipe for Cha Su which I tried, and it came out delicious. Like you, I love Sun Ramen Noodles!

IMHO, what's good at George's is their cone and maki sushi. They use enough "su" so the sushi is nice and moist. I like their maki even better than Fukuya's. George's puts konbu, kanpyo, shiitake, kamaboko, and a generous amount of "oboro" shrimp flakes so their maki is definitely tastier than most.

I also like their fried chicken thighs. They filet it open (Korean style) and it's boneless, but with the the skin still on. Very nicely seasoned and crispy too!

I also like their nishime, since they use expensive ingredients such as hasu, gobo, shiitake, etc. and it tastes great.

The last time I was there, a woman customer came in and exclaimed to Ron, "Ron your deli is the only one that makes breaded teriyaki steak, it's so delicious that it's positively addicting!" Ever since I heard her say that, I wanted to try it too! lol Alas, it's available as a lunch plate, and not part of the the regular okazu.

[Da Rolling Eye]

Pomai, knock it off! :D <sigh> Maybe I gotta go out an get one okazuya plate today, kunfunnit. Bettah check m'meds firs. ;)

[Lei K]

Pomai, knock it off! :D <sigh>

Yeah Pomai, Lei Liko is just being sexy, but with these XXX food pictures you post, you are being naughty, such a tease. ;) I keep on looking at them though, I guess I love being teased. :D Your food blog is hot stuff too.

[Lei Liko]

Re: My avatar...what can I say? Once a Catholic school girl, always a Catholic school girl. 13 years of it, baby! ;)

And Pomai, I hope you don't mind, but I sent my cousin in Silicon Valley a link to your food porn. Poor thing, she posted a MySpace bulletin about how she was craving those Nibbits chips Yick Lung used to make and then she went on about how she misses local food, etc.

Of course I'm an evil cousin and sent her the links to Pomai's pix. :D I definitely deserved the reply message containing all those expletives.

Good thing she's coming back in July.

[Pomai]

Re: My avatar...what can I say? Once a Catholic school girl, always a Catholic school girl. 13 years of it, baby! ;)Well, I was a Catholic school boy, but not nearly as naughty as you are.

Until now. Here's more...

From Gulick Delicatessen's new SECOND location in the former King's Bakery, then formerly Makino Chaya on King Street....

http://www.96seven44.com/images/gulickplate1.jpg
Gulick Deli’s Chow Fun, Nishime, Ume Musubi and Teriyaki Burger.

http://www.96seven44.com/images/gulickplate2.jpg
Shrimp Tempura, Hash Patty and Vegetable Tempura

Aunty, that Nishime has the Konbu Maki "thingy in seaweed" you were talking about. I've made it a few times for Oden. Easy.

[1stwahine]

Aunty, that Nishime has the Konbu Maki "thingy in seaweed" you were talking about. I've made it a few times for Oden. Easy.

heheheh

I gave it a new name..."Thingy!":p

Sum onolicious!

Auntie Lynn

[scrivener]

Just found out this morning that Natsunoya is closed for okazu for the whole summer. :(

I made it a few times, and it was really good. A bit on the pricey side, but very good, and there was almost never any waiting, at least in the mornings.

[miltk]

Can anyone give me some "-ya's":) that are in the Honolulu area and east to the windward side of the island. Caryn's looks close. Since I plan to beach on that side of the island, I'd like something along the way. I'll probably take the Pali hwy to the beaches.

[Pomai]

Can anyone give me some "-ya's":) that are in the Honolulu area and east to the windward side of the island. Caryn's looks close. Since I plan to beach on that side of the island, I'd like something along the way. I'll probably take the Pali hwy to the beaches.In Kaneohe, there's Masa & Joyce (http://tastyisland.wordpress.com/2007/09/08/masa-joyce-okazuya/).

Another one to consider since you're taking the Pali is Nuuanu Okazuya (http://tastyisland.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/specialties-classics-at-nuuanu-okazuya/), which is just up the street near downtown, about a block over, behind the Pali Long's.

Like most Okazuya's, arrive early (no later than 11am) for best selection.

[bittersweet]

Can anyone give me some "-ya's":) that are in the Honolulu area and east to the windward side of the island. Caryn's looks close. Since I plan to beach on that side of the island, I'd like something along the way. I'll probably take the Pali hwy to the beaches.

There is this small place next to Coconut Grove music in Kailua...I think it's called Kuulei's Okazuya. Pretty good but a little pricey.

[kani-lehua]

it is kuulei (delicatessen). they have new owners. not as good as the original imo. also, blossom's in enchanted lake. not bad, but pricey as well. there's the one at windward mall (don't know the name) and of course, zippy's for the zip pack.

[Likeke]

I rememeber when I was living in Oahu (Kalihi town) back when I was growing up.. I remember down at Gulick Ave. right there almost by the intersection on Gulick Ave. & School St.. ova deya.. get one Okazuya store that's been up for so long and the ono okazuya food for sure. :D

[sansei]

:o hi this is sansei and i do agree that gulick's okazuya is one of the best and i do miss wisteria which had the best tendon which is tempura on rice with vegetable's and this was the best dish and i miss it and i dont mind gulick's okazuya is they have the best sushi with either cornbeef hash pattie's or something with egg's and those are yum!

Well thank's for your time:o

[Walkoff Balk]

:o hi this is sansei and i do agree that gulick's okazuya is one of the best and i do miss wisteria
I liked the Oxtail Soup at Wisteria.