Let’s take a bite into one of Hawaii’s most beloved local food traditions. You’ll find these humble, no-frills deli-style counters across the islands, but okazuya on Oahu have carved out a special place in neighborhood culture. Tucked into small shopping plazas and along everyday streets, they’re a staple of Oahu’s grab-and-go food scene.

What is an Okazuya? (And Why You’ll Find Some of the Best on Oahu)

In Hawaii, an okazuya (oh-kah-zoo-yah) is a kind of old-school deli-meets-lunch-counter. The word comes from Japanese – okazu means side dish – and these places started popping up in the early 1900s, when Japanese immigrants began selling pre-packed bentos to workers heading out to the plantations. Fast, filling, and easy to eat on the go, okazuya became part of daily life.

Most are small, family-run spots where the menu lives behind a steamy glass case. You walk in, point at what looks good, and someone behind the counter packs your tray or box with rice, fried noodles, chicken, Spam, cone sushi – whatever combo you’re craving that morning.

The dishes lean Japanese but always with a local twist. Sweet shoyu meats. Tempura stacked next to hash patties. Chili tofu and long rice. Some of these flavors you’ll only find in Hawaii.

On Oahu, you’ll find okazuya in neighborhoods with strong Japanese-American roots like Kalihi, Moiliili and Kaimuki. A few are still holding it down in Waipahu and Kaneohe, but they’re becoming more rare. Some closed during the pandemic, others have quietly retired after decades of business. So when you do find one – appreciate it. It’s more than just breakfast or lunch. It’s a piece of local history.

How to Order at an Okazuya on Oahu Like a Local

• Go early. Some shops open at 6 or 7 a.m. and sell out before noon.
• Bring cash. A few are still cash-only or have credit card minimums.
• Don’t overthink it. Just point, mix and match. Trust your instincts – or Auntie’s.
• Eat anywhere. Many spots are takeout only. Grab a bench, a tailgate, or your hotel lanai.

Gulick Delicatessen – Kalihi

This one’s legendary. It’s the kind of place where people pick up breakfast and lunch in one go. A long glass case lines the counter, filled with everything from fried chicken to chow fun to cone sushi. The line moves fast, but you’ll want to take your time.

What to get: Corned beef hash tempura, spicy fried chicken, cone sushi
When to go: Before 10 a.m. for best selection
Insider tip: Don’t sleep on the chili tofu – it goes fast.

Address: 1512 Gulick Ave A, Honolulu, HI 96816
Phone: (808) 847-1461

Mitsu-Ken – Kalihi

A Kalihi institution, Mitsu-Ken is most famous for its garlic chicken, which is crisped up and doused in a sweet, sticky sauce. But the bentos here run deep. You’ll see construction workers, aunties, and high school kids all crowding in before the day starts.

What to get: Garlic chicken, fried rice, egg roll
When to go: Early morning – sometimes they sell out before noon
Insider tip: Call ahead if you’re ordering more than a couple bentos.

Address: 2300 N King St, Honolulu, HI 96819
Phone: (808) 848-5573

Nu’uanu Okazuya – Honolulu

A true mom-and-pop classic, Nu’uanu Okazuya has quietly held it down on Oahu since 1965. This humble shop has a loyal following and a lineup of old-school favorites you don’t find everywhere—like their house-made fishcakes and famous andagi (Okinawan doughnuts). There’s nothing flashy here, just tried-and-true flavors packed with care.

What to get: Boiled egg fishcake, shoyu chicken, cone sushi
When to go: Early—they open at 5:00 a.m. weekdays and 7:00 a.m. Sundays
Insider tip: Check their rotating andagi flavors—some days it’s lilikoi, some days it’s ube.

Address: 1351 Nuuanu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96817 (Located in the Miyamoto Building)
Phone: (808) 533-6169

Toshi’s Delicatessen – Honolulu

Small, quiet, and old-school in all the right ways. Toshi’s doesn’t have flash—but they do have killer fried noodles and the kind of food that feels homemade. It’s a place you stumble on once and return to for years.

What to get: Shoyu chicken, long rice, fried noodles
When to go: Mid-morning for a full spread
Insider tip: Closed Sundays—plan accordingly.

Address: 1226 N King St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: (808) 841-6634

Fukuyama Deli – Moiliili

This is okazuya with history. Fukuyama has been around since 1939 and still feels like walking into someone’s kitchen. The dishes lean Japanese, with classics like butterfish nitsuke and teriyaki beef.

What to get: Butterfish, cone sushi, namasu
When to go: Before 11:00 a.m.—it gets busy
Insider tip: The cone sushi is sweet, vinegary and perfect. Grab two.

Address: 2710 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826
Phone: (808) 946-2073

Sekiya’s – Kaimuki

This part diner-part okazuya counter, located across the street from Kaimuki High School, is all retro vibes. Sekiya’s has been family-run since the 1930s and still serves saimin alongside shiso musubi. The okazuya side is tucked next to the restaurant—blink and you’ll miss it.

What to get: Hash tempura, chow fun, shiso musubi
When to go: Before lunchtime—later in the day the okazuya options thin out
Insider tip: Grab a Hawaiian Sun drink from the cooler and make it a full set.

Address: 2746 Kaimuki Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
Phone: (808) 732-1656

Mitsuba Delicatessen – Kalihi

Tucked along a busy street, Mitsuba is a no-frills, beloved neighborhood okazuya. The portions are generous, the chicken is crispy, and the bentos feel like something your aunty packed just for you.

What to get: Shoyu chicken, chow fun, cone sushi
When to go: Early! Open from 2:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Insider tip: Try the shrimp tempura—it’s often hidden behind the usual suspects.

Address: 1218 N School St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: (808) 841-3864

Tanioka’s – Waipahu

Equal parts okazuya and poke spot, Tanioka’s is an Oahu powerhouse. It’s modern and polished but still rooted in family recipes. Expect a line—and expect it to be worth it. Their mochiko chicken might ruin you for all others.

What to get: Mochiko chicken, Spam musubi, cone sushi
When to go: Right when they open
Insider tip: Grab a bowl of poke for later. You’ll want one.

Address: 94-903 Farrington Hwy, Waipahu, HI 96797
Phone: (808) 671-3779

A Local Bite Worth Seeking Out

Okazuya on Oahu isn’t just a place to grab food—it’s a piece of Hawaii’s story, tucked into foil cups and stacked in Styrofoam. These shops carry generations of flavors, family pride, and local love. And while they’re becoming fewer, the ones still holding it down deserve your time and appetite.

If you’re visiting and want to experience this kind of local flavor—beyond the beach bars and resort buffets—our all-inclusive Hawaii vacation packages take care of the planning so you can also explore the spots locals love. Contact us today—we’ll handle the big stuff, and we’ll help with the small stuff too – like finding your perfect bento.

You might just find it tucked between a tire shop and a laundromat. 🤙🏼