Best bento

[808shooter]

Re: Best bento

For a Japanese-style (as opposed to Local-style) bento, I really go for Imari's near the Samsung Plaza on Keeaumoku. Quantity, quality, packaging, everything. Check this out.



The one on the left is Ginger Pork, Aji Fry, and Unagi. The one on the right is Wafu (Japanese-style) Hamburger, Tonkatsu Chunks, and Chicken Karaage.

the japanese style hamburger with that ponzu sauce on it is killer. too bad they stopped offering the potato croquet - another of my favorites. they will never catch on though, the service is suuuuper slow. which is fine by me. if it gets too busy it will go the way of Zippys. for that matter - Sugoi's used to be awsome, it's slipped in the last few years. I guess that's what mass production does to quality.

[anapuni808]

Re: Best bento

For those of you downtown, there is a new place at Remington College Bldg called "Sora" - their bentos are real Japanese style - lots of variety and good tasting. Prices are between $6-$8. Prepared fresh as you order them so you get fresh hot rice & other ingredients. They also have some noodles and other bowls on the menu. They've only been open a couple of weeks but are doing a really good business at lunchtime. They are located on the lower courtyard level.

There is also a Vietnamese place on the lower level called "Pho Twin Bento" that has some good bentos - my favorite is the salmon, and then next would be the ginger chicken. They only bring in a limited number of bentos so sometimes are sold out. But, they're fresh and very tasty.

[alohabear]

Re: Best bento

Here's a Flickr group dedicated to Bentos. Gotta love them!

[OahuGirl]

Re: Best bento

I read about this place and their award winning bentos here: http://www.aroundhawaii.com/lifestyl..._catering.html
Going there today. I will give my input after...

[Da Rolling Eye]

Re: Best bento

For local kine bento, we usually go all the way to St. Louis Drive In and order their "supreme" bento or go next door to order okazu. For Japanese style bento, we don't find much difference between the offerings and prices of the major Japanese dept. stores. We just go to whomever is closest, usually Pearl City Don Quijote or Dillingham Marukai. There's a place at the 99 Ranch Market food court that sells bentos, but we found them to be very mediocre to just plain junk for our tastes. Even Mel didn't like their food so that has to account for something.

[oceanpacific]

Re: Best bento

K's-Bento-Ya in Waipahu. The small one for $4.25, I believe, is filling. It used to be only $3.90.

It contains:

one plain musubi;
three pieces of pressed sushi;
small corned beef hash patty;
1/2 shoyu hot dog;
1/2 tofu tempura;
three pieces boneless cayenne chicken.

The chicken is deep-fried, has a shoyu-based glaze, and is very tasty.

We've ordered these for UH football tailgates when we're too lazy to cook.

[cynsaligia]

Re: Best bento

best japanese style bento is definitely imari on keeaumoku across from wal mart but their hours of operation aren't always dependable. i suggest the salmon bento with the takana rice..mmmm!

sugoi's bento IS huge and yummy. eric and i were superfat after we shared one.

zippy's is overpriced and it's not even real mahi anymore.

i eat entirely too much.

[Pomai]

Re: Best bento

I've been going to FUKUYA in Moiliili every so often for nearly four decades since my UH-Manoa days to create my "pick-your-own" okazuya bentos. Musubi, mac salad, cone sushi, hash patty, shoyu chicken, mahimahi, char siu pork, sweet potato tempura, and BBQ beef among my favorite items.

Fukuya is excellent, but like every Okazuya, can add up if you want lots of variety. Unlike preselected bentos that already include a little of each at a set price.

Case in point this Fukuya plate...

All this was certainly oishii, but also costed $10.

vs. this preselected Bento from Tropics...

Pretty good variety, and just as satisfying and filling, yet only set me back $3.75.

[oceanpacific]

Re: Best bento

I've been going to FUKUYA in Moiliili every so often for nearly four decades since my UH-Manoa days to create my "pick-your-own" okazuya bentos. Musubi, mac salad, cone sushi, hash patty, shoyu chicken, mahimahi, char siu pork, sweet potato tempura, and BBQ beef among my favorite items.

[Pomai]

Re: Best bento

My wonderful girlfriend brought me this for lunch at work yesterday...


Misoyaki Butterfish, Nishime and Sekihan (mochi rice with Azuki Beans) bento from Marukai at Ward Farmer's Market, $6.79.

The Nishime wasn't cooked long enough, as the vegetables were still a bit hard, but that Misoyaki Butterfish was just AWESOME. It looks kinda' small in the photo, but it was actually a really thick cut. The fatty skin part just melted in the mouth. Oishii desu.

One thing I love about bento lunches is eating them at room temperature. It's like being at the beach.

Marukai has an in-house Okazu-ya shop now, so there's pretty much as good a selection as Shirokiya at around the same prices. I've never been there late enough to know when they start marking them down though. Shirokiya marks the bentos down after 7pm now.

Yearly membership fee at Marukai is just $10. A must if you love Japanese food (like me!).

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Best bento

Well, considering the "generous" size of my face, I guess I shoulda said "BIG KINE" blushing.


That said, my green dot's about to turn pale blue, as I gotta cook dinner now!

G'night ... TTYL

Okay now go make more dakine chicken and go make for one good evening. Remember...Yoshida's Gourmet Sauce. Pick some up at Safeway on the way home!

[Erika Engle]

Re: Best bento

Not...big kine blushing eh sistah?

Well, considering the "generous" size of my face, I guess I shoulda said "BIG KINE" blushing.


That said, my green dot's about to turn pale blue, as I gotta cook dinner now!

G'night ... TTYL

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Best bento

Aw, shucks Manoa.

I stay small-kine blushing now!

Not...big kine blushing eh sistah?

[Erika Engle]

Re: Best bento

Aw, shucks Manoa.

I stay small-kine blushing now!

[damontucker]

Re: Best bento

I am "mature" enough (sigh) to remember when Zip Pacs cost less than $3.00. That was a long time ago, nevertheless I was shocked when I saw that they were nearly $7.00 ... and that was awhile back. I have no idea what they cost now.

The food p0rn pix of the bentos from Ward Warehouse and Imari's sure are compelling ... and Sugoi sounds really good.

I just have to say that whenever I hear/read someone say that even the "mini" is enough, I am instantly skeptical. I'm not one of those girls who eats half a bagel and claims to be stuffed -- which only partially explains why I don't work as a supermodel.

eh - I saw you on TV dis year at the Taste of Honolulu...

You can eat... but you don't hold it! Besides... I know where you went HS... and you skinnier than everyone in your class!

You look great... Manoa wondering... hey... why you not a supermodel?

I know... cause you get brains