Favorite Okazuya

[na alii]

Re: Favorite Okazuya

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!".

[scrivener]

Re: Favorite Okazuya

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.

[Lei Liko]

Re: Favorite Okazuya

About 6 years ago, I bought The Okazu Guide 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.

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.

[Hilo Artist]

Re: Favorite Okazuya

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 !

[Beau]

Re: Favorite Okazuya

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!

[Pomai]

We've discussed Okazuya in bits and pieces here and there.

Well, here's the thread to cover them all. If you don't know what an Okazuya 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!