Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro

We made 2 separate reservations for a group of 8 (4 and 4) for a Thursday evening. They have 2 sides of the restaurant. When we got there our reservation was on the other side and they have a grace period but make sure not to be late. This place reminds me of a traditional Japanese katsu place that only seeks katsu and prepared traditionally. They all come with unlimited salad and miso soup, you can always ask for more. You have options of sets to order for pork, different cuts of pork, chicken, and even beef. I ordered the most popular set which may have been a little too hearty and fat for me. I prob would have liked a leaner smaller portion. Some sets also come with a shrimp tempura. Nicely breaded and crunchy and good cuts of pork. I was stuffed at the end. You make your own sesame seed sauce and can use the mustard to add more taste and dip as well. If you’re driving here parking isn’t easy, you’ll have to find a parking garage.

December 2025 Popular Japanese originated restaurant serving arguably the best katsu and Yoshoku dishes on the island 🏝 👌 😋 😍 Maintaining a high level of quality and consistency in service makes for a very enjoyable meal. The recommended dishes are indeed spot on. Yoshoku are dishes with Western influences from historic encounters and transformed into culinary staples. Serving sizes are very generous. Service staff is very informative, helpful and attendant The place is indeed cozy and well cleaned with a limited number of tables. Thus reservations are highly advised. Noise often carries across the area. The toilet 🚻 is shared with another establishment.

Ginza Bairin gives you classic Japanese comfort feeling. The location is convenient and easy to stop by. Inside Ginza Bairin, the vibe is calm and old-school, very relaxing. Staff are polite and professional, explaining menu clearly. 日本の接客はやっぱり安心。Service speed is good, not rushed. The tonkatsu is crispy outside and juicy inside, not heavy at all. Rice and cabbage refill make you happy. The space is quiet and clean, good for conversation or solo meal. No loud music, just peaceful dining. Ginza Bairin is simple but very satisfying. Ginza Bairin is the kind of place you want to return again.

Made reservations for dinner here one evening during our stay. Glad I did because the place filled up quickly and seating is limited. Food is excellent and service was good. If you don't know how to eat Japanese food just keep an eye on those seating next to you who are in the know and you'll be fine. Regardless, I would very highly recommend this place if you're looking for authentic Japanese food and atmosphere to boot.

We made reservations for 6:30 but got there a bit earlier and they let us in. Thank you for that, since we're hungry. We had Pork tenderloin set and another one but premium set. The meat was so tender and panto was so light and crunchy. Tonkatsu sauce was delicious. Giant shrimp tempura was so ono! Curry that came with premium set was delicious. Our server was amazing. Very attentive and friendly. His name is Scott. Parking is next to ABC store in the Bank building underground. Make sure to bring ticket to get validation. This is our 2nd times at this restaurant. Will definitely come back again.

Based on previous reviews we decided to walk to the restaurant and we were seated and served immediately. The food was delicious. I ordered the Chicken Katsu and my husband had the Ahi Katsu - both so very tender and yummy. No wonder they received the travelers choice award in 2024

Food was good, but not mind-blowing. I got the combination platter. It came with a variety of tonkatsu pieces alongside an additional savory egg custard dish & curry sauce since I got the deluxe set. I was not a fan of the egg custard but I liked the curry sauce. It was nice to try a variety of tonkatsu pieces from the combination platter, but I did not like the dark meat pieces. I liked how crispy all the tonkatsu was though! The miso soup and cabbage salad that comes standard with all sets were delicious. Their spicy cucumber appetizer is a must-order. Service was okay, we had to flag down the servers a lot but it was busy so I don’t blame them.

Now this was a very impressive meal! In general I am not the biggest fan of Japanese food, but this was one of my best experiences. My biggest dissatisfaction was that I wish I had a little more meat, since I had so many ways to eat it that I ran out of pork before anything else. I tried the deluxe set of the 200 gram pork katsu: Katsu – A nice piece of meat covered well in crispy breading and fried. The meat was very properly cooked, not rare at all and still juicy and tender. It can’t be cooked better. Unfortunately, the bottom side of the breading still ended up getting soggy despite the metal wire stage holding up the pork. The sides and top were very good, crispy but not crunchy, holding up to the addition of sauces but not requiring extra force to eat. The fat cap on one end was a bit rich since there wasn’t much meat to balance it out. The mustard on the side was my favorite topping. I don’t have a high wasabi tolerance and the mustard’s nasal effect was a bit strong, but I really enjoyed the flavor in combination with the pork. Miso soup – flavorful, savory, not too salty Egg custard – sort of a steamed egg with toppings of mushroom, veggie, and a piece of chicken or something. Very light and interesting, egg texture was like silken tofu. Rice and barley rice – not the biggest difference I think, the barley rice has a bit more texture and nutty flavor but the white rice is softer and more aromatic. Sesame seed katsu sauce and curry – deep, savory additions to the pork. I was dunking every other bite in them and still didn’t manage to finish it. I also wish a could have ground up my sesame a bit more fine, but the little pestle was taken from me before I was quite done. Sesame ice cream – this was not listed as on option on the menu but was presented to me as a choice by the server, so I had to try it (I believe the menu options were green tea and lilikoi, but the green tea had run out). It was probably served a little too cold since it was solid and not very fluffy, but still the sesame flavor was strong and it wasn’t too rich or sweet. We also got the edamame appetizer (garlic and anchovy version) even though it supposedly was not available after 6:00p ( we ordered a few minutes after), which was refreshing and had great savory flavors in the sauce.

洋食屋には3回行きましたが、行くたびに味が「普通」になってきました。主にオムライスを食べに来たのですが、味が薄くなってきています。カツ丼を注文した友人にも同じことが起こります。 そしてチップは十八パーセントでなければなりません。レシートは十五パーセントのオプションはありますが、一度に十五パーセントで店員の対応が違う。 最も腹立たしいのは、実際に英語をあまり話せない顧客を差別していることですが、店に来る顧客のほとんどは外国人です。友達が帽子を店に忘れたのではないかと思い、電話をかけ直しました。相手は、あなたが話した英語が理解できないと、からかいのような口調で言いました。しかし、友達はハワイで英語でのコミュニケーションに苦労したことは一度もありませんでした。 結局のところ、チップが少なすぎることが問題だと思います。もう彼らの店に行かない理由はないと思います。ハワイには美味しい日本食が増えています。最近日本に帰る時間がなかったら、ここで食事をしないでしょう。まさかこんなことに遭遇するとは思っていなかったので写真も撮れませんでした。私たちは2024年10月に初めてそこに行き、その後12月に一度、そして2025年1月にもう一度行きました。

The food and the atmosphere were both satisfying, and I enjoyed having Yoshoku cuisine for the first time in a while. However, one aspect was extremely disappointing: the service provided by a blonde-haired Asian (Japanese?) woman was incredibly rude and unkind. She pretended not to understand my order (implying that she couldn't comprehend my English pronunciation) and avoided making eye contact with me entirely. I was surprised, as I've never experienced such a situation where my order wasn't understood at a restaurant. Despite ordering an omelet rice, I wasn't even provided with the necessary cutlery. **there are similar comments, so it's probably the same person. Isn't she embarrassed to expose her poor customer service skills on her own? In contrast, the other woman working there delivered excellent service, which only made the poor behavior of the first woman stand out even more. Aside from this, the quality overall was satisfying, and I can only hope that other female customers won't have to endure her unprofessional behavior.

After trying Ginza Bairin in 2021, I knew I had to come back for my next trip back to Oahu. We made reservations for two about a month in advance. We just so happened to have reservations the last day of the storm - so getting there was a journey in itself, but well worth it. We got the crab croquettes, chicken katsu curry set, and Ginza Bairin Special (specialty kurobuta pork loin katsu & $3.50 Asahi beer!). Our favorite was the pork, but everything was so crispy and tender. The cabbage was also refreshing and helped cut through the fried foods nicely. Truly a must visit every time I come back!

Nestled in the south entrance to Waikiki. For those of you old school locals, this is nearby the former Mitsukoshi Building. Reservation system very easy to use online. Park in the bottom of the Bank of Hawaii building with a validated 90 minute credit. Ambience of the resterauant is modest and this is not a large place. Some confuse it with the adjacent tonkatsu place next door because they share the same website. The difference is this place has more fusion options, but still has some tonkatsu too. Food was good. Just enough to make you content, but not over the top quantity. Tried the tonkatsu and it was delicious paired with the grind your own sesame seed and sauce. Plenty of shredded cabbage salad. My wife had the fried shrimp and it comes with 3 pieces. We also had to try their signature dish. It looks like a rice omelette, chicken, cheese, gravy cut and served table side. Fair is fair come check this place out if you are looking for a Japanese meal in Waikiki. Hint: for you Kamaina's, make sure you inquire if they still offer the 20% discount.

Hands down the BEST Tonkatsu I've ever tried. SOLID date night spot on the island! I would highly suggest grabbing dinner & drinks here if you are near Waikiki area. I recommend confirming a reservation in advanced as availability is limited. It was pretty busy when we arrived and they sat us down immediately with our online reservation. Our orders came with unlimited miso soup and unlimited refills of cabbage which was so clutch. The tonkatsu was so crispy, tender and easy to eat. My favorite thing was grinding up sesame seeds to make our own sauce. It's not a far walk from the beach and shopping areas. An absolute gem in OAHU, you have to try it! I'll be back soon :)

Wonderful service for 4adults and 5kids (5, 4, 3, 2 and 2yo). They were very patient with us and made room for us even though they had a lot of reservations. The food was also awesome and not too salty, like others restaurants we have been to. The kiddos enjoyed the katsu, omurice, and meat sauce spaghetti. We would gladly visit again and recommend calling in advance to make a reservation :) I left a bag there and they were able to call me before I was too far away to return. Thank you!

Trying Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu was at the top of my partner's food list for our trip to Oahu, so I booked our reservation 2 or 3 weeks in advance to ensure we got to try it. We had our reservation set to just after noon, at the tail end of the lunch rush. The shop is located in Waikiki, which made it an easy walking distance from where we were staying. We were seated immediately and had a chance to look over the menu. Since there was still a pretty packed shop, it took a while for us to get our orders in and get our food. Once we got everything, the food was fantastic! My tonkatsu had a pleasantly crispy outside with tender, juicy meat. I loved the sauces too! Our server was so excited to share how the katsu sauce is flown in from Japan - such a nice treat! We had a great meal and the staff were all so kind and didn't rush us out, even as the end of the lunch period was coming to a close. I would definitely recommend trying out Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu if you can! It was a tasty meal and probably the best tonkatsu I've ever had!

What a great place to enjoy the lunch! (The last order for lunch is 1:45 pm) We visited their Yoshiku section and ordered original Hamburg steak ($34) and crab cream croquettes ($26). The set comes with salad, delicious soup, and your choice of rice or bread with butter. Hamburg steak is tender and delicious. Crab cream croquette (two!) are big, hot and delicious. The service is excellent, too. There are lots of other tempting menu such as omelette rice and beef stew. So we will go back there again. Thank you very much for an excellent lunch!

One of the best meals my family and I had while vacationing in Oahu! I found this place based off a recommendation by these foodie vloggers (@yourfoodhomies) that I follow and wasn't disappointed at all! Note: This review is super late, I went in summer 2024 lol! Located in Waikiki and a very walkable distance from most hotels. They've got a great selection of katsu dishes. Pretty small inside so I think if you go during a crowded time, it would be a good idea to make a reservation. But we went pretty close to opening time so our large party was seated pretty quickly! My mom and I shared the Chicken Katsu Curry Rice Set since we both weren't that hungry yet but really wanted to try the food! It's a decent size but if you're actually hungry, then definitely not shareable! The katsu pieces were very large and were perfectly breaded and crispy. The breading itself was pretty flavorful too! Curry was delicious! The cabbage salad was also great too! Wasn't overly saturated with dressing and the dressing itself had a good sesame and ginger flavor. 5/5 Overall, come here while in Waikiki if you want pricey food that is definitely worth the price! Great Japanese katsu! I will definitely be back when in Oahu again!

On our last night in Honolulu, we decided to have dinner here except reservations were only available next door at the Yoshoku Bistro, which was fine because they still had the tonkatsu items on the menu. The only difference here is they also offer western inspired Japanese dishes as well. I went for the Specialty Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu while the rest of the family got the Chicken Katsu and Chicken Katsu Curry Rice. While waiting for the Katsu, we were given the task to ground sesame seeds until it became almost like a powdery paste, which we then mixed in the special Katsu sauce to create a flavorful dipping sauce for our Katsu. The Kurobuta pork was definitely more fatty and tender, which I enjoyed but I think I would have rather preferred the more leaner meat. To balance it out, the shredded cabbage salad with their special dressing was a wonderful way to cleanse the palate. Everyone agreed that the breading and texture was perfectly crispy, yet the meat was tender and moist. Service was friendly and we were satisfied with overall our experience.

Made reservation. The place is clean and nice. Service was slow had to wave them down. Ordered a lot of food. The most definitely have to try is the wagyu beef stew. So yummy. The katsu and omurice is good. Definitely a must try place.

The best Japanese authentic tonkatsu on the island and it's only a 10 minute walk from the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This was our second visit. Reservations is a must since the restaurant is so small. I made mine a month in advance. Kurobuta Pork Loin 7oz Katsu- The pork was extremely moist, juicy, tender and fatty. It was fried to perfection. It was perfectly crisp, golden exterior and not greasy. Each Katsu set comes with AYCE shredded cabbage and rice. Specialty Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu ( 25 serving per day) - Absolutely fantastic. This was so flavorful. Pork was juicy and marbled with fat. Fried Black Tiger Shrimp Katsu ( al carte) - This were huge shrimps. Fried perfectly. It was served with a side of egg tartar sauce. If you're looking for authentic Japanese tonkatsu I highly recommend Ginza Bairin. Service was fantastic, fast and very friendly. Until next time.

This place is where we go sometimes for Tonkatsu. I personally didn't like fried oyster katsu don. The oysters were mostly batter. But the flavor of the rice and onions with the egg was yummy yum. The pork Tonkatsu is really cooked well and add some curry it is even better. They give you unlimited miso soup. They have give 20% for kamaiaana pricing. Great lunch specials too. If you want authentic Tonkatsu like Japan this is the place to go.

Making a reservation for a group is highly recommended! We were seated relatively quickly since we had one but the entire place is pretty full so I imagine it's pretty hard getting a spot if you're walking up to it. We ordered some fried oysters to share and some people in the group tried ordering the specials but they were out for the day. I ordered the 3 piece pork tenderloin with the tiger shrimp katsu mix set and the group ordered some fried oysters to share. The katsu here feels a bit fluffier and lighter than Tamafuji but it's still pretty good! I really enjoyed the fried oysters and the pork tenderloins. The tiger shrimp was too heavily breaded in my opinion but it was still really good. Overall, I will definitely be back again and hopefully i'll get there in time to snag one of the specials!

Waited about 30 minutes on a Friday afternoon and this place was great! Small shop with good service and delicious tonkatsu. I had the "specialty" pork loin and the meat was juicy and a tender in the center, a perfect cook with the crispy outside. I enjoyed the sides and the table sides that let you customize the dipping sauce! The pork tenderloin and shrimp set was good too but the pork was just a little more firm than the specialty. Must try when in the area!

Very easy to find and cozy Japanese restaurant. Very good tonkatsu and big portions, love that it comes in a set or ala cart. I got the tonkatsu tenderloin which was very good and thick pieces. I love the sesame salad dressing too. Very nice and fast service. Was able to make a reservation a week in advance.

Located just on the outskirts of the busiest areas of Waikiki, and one of the spots further away from the beach area, Ginza Bairin is next to one of the larger Long's on the island (so a good spot if you need to shop here for amenities or gifts), but otherwise, a slightly less foot trafficky street. Note, there's two locations to this spot. The traditional location, and also the more casual location. The traditional location is a bit more crowded, and perhaps can use the word, cramped though it's not that much more cramped, but it is a a tighter spot compared to other, as that one has a different layout out, and more spacing between tables, but perhaps less seats. Either way, it's really about preference. The traditional location did seem a bit more formal of a dining experience, while the location on the right felt more casual. Just make sure when you make your reservation, you let them know which side you want to be on. They serve the same menu though, so there's really no difference other than what kind of dining style you prefer. Let's jump right into the food. The menu isn't extensive, but does have enough options for not just pork katsu only dishes, albeit, if you're here, this is really what you're going to get anyways because otherwise, what's the point? They have a very special type of pork that is really fatty, but that was unfortunately already gone by the time we made it to our reservation today so we weren't able to try it out this time, or at least I wasn't able to since this was my first time. I just went with the standard Kurobuta set w/shrimp tempura add-on, while others got the Kurobuta Katsudon, a Kurobuta Katsu curry, and a Katsu sandwich for the kid. One thing before I get fully going into the food, which for the standard set, since there's no sauce on the Katsu itself, it came with a specialty DIY katsu sauce, where you get a small dish of sesame seeds, a grinder, and you just add the sauce yourself from the table after you're done grinding. I mean, it's interesting but I wouldn't particularly say it was fun doing it outside of it being a part of the experience. Perhaps, those who like sesame seeds more can just work less hard to keep them in full form, but crushing the seeds adds more flavor, so give or take. The katsu here is exactly as advertised, nice, flaky, crunchy, all of the above for what I expect out of a great katsu place. All the variations of the katsu we had here (I tried a little bit of everything) was very delicious, and solid place for these variety of dishes I would typically find overseas (in Japan or elsewhere). The Kurobuta was pretty fatty, though, I did feel that parts of the meat was still a bit tough on the visit tonight, at least with my specific set. It was still juicy, but slightly tough on the outer bites of each piece. Do note, this place is expensive if you want the Kurobuta, or if you get the specially fatty Kurobuta which is only offered at a limited quantity per night. However, they do have various options, a la cartes for the katsu, and other things to help fill out the cravings if needed on some of the cheaper menu items. I was pretty full by the time I stopped eating my own set, so I feel the quantity was just fine. Overall, satisfied to get a solid katsu experience here at Ginza Bairin.

We had an amazing time at this place. As midwesterners visiting O'ahu it was an exeptional treat, we do NOT have tonkotsu even half as good as this in Missouri! If i recall correctly we both got pork loin tonkotsu plates. The cabbage was exceptionally thinly sliced and kept cold and dry (clearly recently soaked in ice water then spun dry before serving), it really was the perfect accompaniment to the fried pork. They also refill the cabbage at your request, free of charge! You kind of diy your own sauce after grinding up sesame seeds at your table yourself (really fun, and the scent of the toasted sesame is like an aromatic precursor to your meal -- it helps make you hungry!). The dinners come with miso soup, I chose to switch mine up for tonjiru soup (a pork and veg miso soup) and I'm so glad I did, some of the best miso soup I've had in my entire life. My partner stuck with the original miso soup and he loved his too. They also offer refills on the soup, which both of us made use of. There was also some pickled cabbage (not spicy, not kimchi) as a palette cleanser which was nice. Lastly the pork itself. Damn I cannot even put into words how good it was. My partner and I were in awe. Amazing crispy breading, still felt light -- not overly oily! The pork was delicious too, still tender and moist (you can practically see this in the photo!). The next time we're in Waikiki we will be back!! Thank you for such an amazing meal!

We got the last two specialty cut pork loin, 'twas very good- juicy, moist, flavourful-our first time! The Kurobota pork that we usually order was fattier and a lil more flavourful. I love their rice had 2 bowls, extra helping of the thin thin shredded cabbage- the leaves from the green cabbages in Canada is hard+thick. Look at the colour of the batter on the chop...not old old oil! I usually eat a small portion of meat so half for sandwich lunch next day. Service again was professional and efficient, refilled our tea frequently. Highly recommend! Good value for price paid.

One of my favorite meals on this trip to Honolulu!! We both ordered the curry tonkatsu which came with a soup and salad side, rice, curry, and the crispiest tonkatsu! The outside was so crispy and the pork inside extremely juicy. The only katsu I've had that could possibly top this katsu was in Korea!! We also ordered 3 fried tiger shrimp as an appetizer and they were the biggest fried shrimp pieces I've ever seen! The restaurant was extremely busy and there seemed to be a good mix of locals and tourists eating there. SO GOOD and will definitely stop by again if I am in Honolulu!

Solid tonkatsu spot! We were able to walk in on a holiday weekend around 5pm and sit at the counter (which has roughly 6 seats) For everything my party ordered, we were able to get unlimited refills of our miso soup and cabbage though I didn't need to since it was plenty of food for me. My husband was a big fan of the breading(?) or outer coat of the tonkatsu. Otherwise, I think overall it's a solid spot to try when you're in the area - I actually first came 6 years ago and sat in nearly the exact same spot along the counter!

I had the tonkatsu loin with curry takeout for lunch. The pork was tender and the curry delicious. Gotta have the red tsukemono with the curry for the perfect balance of flavor. Cabbage salad with sesame seed dressing also very fresh and delicious.

I've heard good things about Ginza Bairin and was luckily able to snag a reservation online for the Tonkatsu room. We got the last two Specialty Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu Sets and the Specialty Thick Cut Pork Loin Katsu Set. The kurobuta pork loin katsu is the juiciest and tender katsu I've ever eaten! It was so delicious! There were some fatty pieces in the katsu. The thick cut pork loin was good as well, but less tender than the kurobuta pork loin. They have unlimited miso soup and cabbage refills. The cabbage salad was very refreshing.

This was our first meal in Waikiki after landing. We were able to call in ahead of time to make a reservation which was for one hour later on Thanksgiving Thursday. So plan accordingly if you're looking to eat here! The restaurant itself is a hole in the wall and is not that large inside. Probably can seat around 25-30 people total but there were several parties of 6-7 that were able to be seated. The meal sets include all you can eat cabbage and miso soup (you can ask them to refill) and I really enjoyed the sesame dressing for the cabbage. Food ordered: 4/5 - pork loin katsu set (a little bit dry and the bottom gets soggy quickly). Pretty pricy for a pork loin katsu 4/5 - pork katsu-don set - pretty good and I liked that the egg was a little runny 4/5 - crab croquette Overall solid meal to begin our trip in Hawaii. I do think for katsu it is on the pricy side, maybe the katsu should be $10 cheaper. If the katsu was juicier it may have felt more worth it but I've had better katsu at other places for half the price. Still a solid place to eat but definitely not the best meal I had in Honolulu.

We had dinner at YOSHOKU Ginza Bairin bc the Ginza Bairin dining room didn't have any reservations available. They are adjacent to each other as they are the same company just different restaurants. The perk of eating at YOSHOKU is that you can order the usual katsu from Ginza Bairin AND get western (YOSHOKU) food too. We had a reservation for 5:30pm and were seated right away. There was a mix of locals and Japanese tourists eating there. The atmosphere is casual so you don't need to dress up if you don't want to. The two male servers were friendly, courteous and efficient. My dad got the specialty kurobuta pork loin Katsu set and loved it!! If you are a meat eater then this is for you. Thick and juicy pork slices in a delicate panko batter. The sets came with AYCE miso soup, rice, cabbage (2 types of dressings). I got the pork tenderloin katsu set and loved it! I compare it to filet mignon- juicy and delicate pieces with the crunchy panko coating. Topped with the katsu sauce and sesame seeds and pickles and really good rice- WOW! Little cabbage here and there to cleanse the palate. The others in the group got the katsu curry sets with the kurobuta pork and thought it was good but not amazing like my dad's specialty or my tenderloin. *hint: if u want katsu curry, order the pork tenderloin set and add the curry on the side. I think it would only be $5. And you have to try the omurice!! You can tell they use good quality rice so the rice had a nice chew rather than being mushy. And the egg melts in your mouth. Having the server cut it in front of you made it special like at Italian restaurants when they prepare Caesar salad table side. Amazing food- just like we were in Japan and amazing service- similar to Japan but local style! **pleasant surprise- kamaaina receive 20% off!!! Not sure if that's a permanent deal or just temporary so do check on that when you go. And make sure to go to Henry's down the street for some homemade ice cream and sorbet after dinner.

I had the most amazing meal in Honolulu at Ginza, and I'm still thinking about it! This place is an absolute must-visit, but make sure to make a reservation since it's small and can be hard to get a seat. I had the katsudon, and it was SOOO GOOOD, I couldn't stop eating. The sauce was perfect, and the pork was so tender--it really hit the spot. I also love that it comes in a set so you get miso soup and cabbage on the side. If I could eat here every day, I totally would. Seriously, don't miss out on this place if you're in Honolulu!

Delicious and Authentic The wait was a little long, but the food made up for it. I got the pork curry katsu, and it was crispy, tender, and full of flavor. The curry was rich and perfectly paired with the katsu. Definitely a great spot for authentic Japanese tonkatsu! You can skip the spicy cucumbers and the crab croquette.

Got same day reservations to the Yoshoku room on a Sunday at 7:30pm. When making a reservation, it wasn't clear to me the distinction between the Ginza Bairin room vs Yoshoku Bistro room. The Yoshoku room was on the right, and I believe Ginza Bairin was on the left, when facing the restaurant. When looking for reservations around 5pm that day, there were still openings for both rooms. The Yoshoku room served the Ginza Bairin menu, with the addition of the omurice menu. By the time we got there, the specialty kurobuta sets were sold out, so I got the 7oz kurobuta pork loin katsu set, a side of curry sauce, 2 crab cream croquettes, and the omurice with tomato sauce. The omurice, like their special kurobuta sets, have only a limited supply, so if you want a better chance at any of these items, try to come earlier than later. We were still able to get the omurice, but by the time we were finishing up eating, it was sold out. The crab cream croquette was good, but there was too much excessive fried batter surrounding the croquette in my personal opinion. The 7oz kurobuta pork loin set comes with cabbage, rice, and miso soup. I paired it with a side of curry sauce as well. While the pork loin was good, I felt like it was too oily and again, too much batter. I started to peel off the batter to enjoy the pork loin more. Rather than the sesame sauce, I preferred pairing the pork loin with the curry sauce. The omurice with tomato sauce was good, but we thought the rice inside was overcooked. The inside is on the smaller end for both rooms, but they were both clean. The servers were attentive, and the food as prepared and ready to eat in a reasonable amount of time.

Came to the Yoshoku bistro with a friend for lunch on a Monday. From what I hear the main room and Yoshoku bistro serve most of the same food, but the Yoshoku bistro was much easier to get a reservation at. I got the kurobuta pork loin set, but I wanted the specialty set. Unfortunately it was sold out as they only sell 25 a day. While the pork was good, I still found it to be somewhat dry at some points. Overall I found it hard to justify paying nearly $45 for tonkatsu.

There's no shortage of love for Ginza Bairin on Yelp and with good cause. Serving up high quality very traditional Katsu dishes....you'll think in Tokyo! Reservations are highly recommended and I suggest you go earlier rather than later to ensure all menu options are available. Specifically...the "Specialty" Kurobata Pork loin Set meal which, at $46 comes with 7 ounces of marbled pork, miso soup, cabbage, rice, pickled greens and a beer! They only sell 25 of these a night. Service is very friendly and efficient. The food is spectacular and everything you would want from a traditional tonkatsu restaurant. Side note: they have two dining rooms. The Tonkatsu room specializes solely on katsu dishes. The Yoshoku Bistro has an expanded menu of traditional Japanese diner fare like Omurice, Hamburger Steaks, Japanese-Italian pasta dishes and more. Though the Tonkatsu menu is ALSO available. Highly recommended.

Reservations highly recommended and can be made on their website. Made my reservation about two weeks out from my trip and had no issues. We came here for lunch and the place was packed - mostly reservations only. Inside looks like you took a step into Japan - aesthetics were on point. Absolutely loved this meal! Got to try both the "Specialty" Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu set and the "Specialty" Thick Cut Pork Loin Katsu set. If we didn't try the kurobuta pork loin, I would've been perfectly good with the thick cut pork loin. It was super yummy. However, the kurobuta pork loin was just amazing - melt in your mouth, super fatty and moist pork! Both dishes were great but if I could go back, I wouldn't order the specialty kurobuta pork loin only haha 10/10. You get to grind your own sesame to mix with the katsu sauce. Complementary tea is served after you finish your meal which was really nice. Staff are super friendly and helpful, especially if it's your first time. They are able to tell you the difference between the pork cuts and each dish.

Good quality meat and good service but a bit expensive for a small cut. Probably wouldn't come back just because of the portion size.

One of the best spots for Japanese food in Oahu. Ginza Bairin has two locations next to each other: the Tonkatsu Room and the Yoshoku Bistro. I tried both locations and absolutely loved both! At the Tonkatsu Room, I tried the Kurobuta Katsu Set. This came with pork loin karsu, curry, rice, miso soup, and salad. The pork loin katsu was perfectly crispy and went well with the savory curry sauce and white rice. At the Yoshoku Bistro, I tried the Omurice, which was amazing. Light, fluffy, and delicious. It comes with a glaze usually, but substituted it for their curry sauce - it's just that good! Note that the Omurice does have bits of chicken, so it's not completely vegetarian. Service is amazing and quick. Reservations are highly recommended as they get quite busy later in the evening and some dishes are limited in quantity.

The best Tonkatsu I've had outside of Japan! Very friendly and an accommodating service. The curry is very authentic. A little pricey but worth it.

I LOVED Bairin. Omfg. I love Tamafuji since the consistency of the meat is extremely tender and soft, but I really enjoyed the Ginza Special (25 made per day), since it seemed to taste more like it follows the stereotype consistency of what I would expect from a Japan-level Katsu spread. I tried my friend's regular tender loin Katsu and to be honest, I didn't care for it in comparison to my Ginza special. I would only come back to eat the limited one. The Ginza special limited one reminded me of Tamafuji but a less fattier and more lean meat, so the texture had bite, but the right ratio of fat to meat. Tamafuji is fatty af, and the meat melts, but sometimes having some firmness is good too. If you asked me which is better I can't really tell you where to go, it depends on your preference and mood.

Managed to score a last-minute reservation for the Yoshoku Room, and I was so relieved we did--by the time we arrived, they'd stopped accepting walk-ins. The service was genuinely warm and incredibly accommodating. I'd miscounted our party (missed one person!), but despite being fully booked, they found a way to add an extra chair at our table. The food was excellent. The tonkatsu was perfectly crispy and juicy, and the tonjiru was a hit with the baby. My mother-in-law loved her donburi. The ambiance is clean, bright, and cozy. It's a small space with limited seating, but it's a fantastic spot and just a short walk from where we stayed!

Made a reservation for 4 here and sat down immediately. Ordered the crab croquettes and thick sliced pork loin katsu set. I love how they bring out sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle with the katsu set. The waiter was very lovely and recommended to put the katsu sauce after the sesame was crushed. I kept adding sauce to my liking. The cabbage, rice, and miso soup are included with the sets and are all refillable at no charge. The crab croquettes were freshly fried, hot, and creamy with a cream cheese and imitation crab filling. The sides of rice and cabbage and miso soup were perfect with the meal. My friends and I raved about how the rice was cooked to perfection. I loved the thinly sliced and crunchy cabbage which added a freshness to the dish. The two salad dressings - creamy miso sesame and a soy sauce based one were both yummy. My thick sliced pork katsu was delicious but not as tender as I would've preferred. The waiter said that from top to bottom of the menu showed cuts from most to least fatty. Mine was second to the bottom so perhaps the less fatty the meat, the less tender. Nonetheless, I still really enjoyed it and am still thinking about this meal a week later.

Such a fun tonkatsu experience! With all you can eat rice, miso, and cabbage, Ginza is definitely a winner for dining experience! The pork katsu was also deliciously tender and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. This was one of our top meals while in oahu. As someone who has been to tonkatsu tamafuji before, I would say that Ginza is just as good! I do recommend making a reservation for minimal wait time. We made a reservation pretty easily and got seated immediately. Overall, would definitely recommend and come back

Touted as one of the best restaurants for tonkatsu, Ginza Barin Tonkatsu came highly recommended as one of Oahu's hotspots. We made a reservation a few weeks ahead of time for 7pm, but apparently I missed the mark on trying their famous "Specialty Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu Sets" which comes in a limited quantity of 25 per day. If the special is what you want, book your reservation at an earlier time of the day. Instead, we split the Thick Cut Pork Loin Katsu Set which came with rice, miso soup and cabbage along with a side of the Crab Cream Croquettes. The katsu was as tasty as katsu can be with a perfectly crisp exterior and juicy, flavorful interior. I'm typically impartial to katsu as I typically find it to be dry and prefer cheese katsu but this one was quite tender and delicious. The croquettes were pretty good too though not the most memorable. The ambiance is casual here with not too many frills to be found but service from the staff was efficient and diligent.

The meat was great--juicy and not dry, with just the right amount of fat for flavor without being chewy. Our waitress was also attentive and friendly, making for a smooth dining experience. They offer unlimited refills on the miso soup, rice, and shredded cabbage. We ordered the kurobuta pork loin katsu set, the thick cut pork loin katsu set, and the specialty tenderloin katsu set. Each cut was cooked perfectly, with a nice balance of crisp breading and tender meat. However, when we arrived for our 1:00 PM reservation, their "Specialty" pork loins were already sold out. They only make 25 per day, so if you're hoping to try one, it's best to be one of the first tables when they open.

Been coming here (both the western style next door and the tonkatsu bar) every year for the last handful of years. Reservations are totally a must if you have 4 or more folks. And make them early. Both sides of the restaurant are great. The best description I can think of is the bar is a subset of the bistro minus the Katsu sandwich. The kids meals are probably the best part - adorable and in a little car plate that the kids always love. Not the cheapest meal but the food is cooked fresh to order and everything always tastes good, is crispy and hot.

No line at 4:30pm on Sunday! Amazing, attentive service across all workers. + Pork Tenderloin (3pc) and Shrimp (1pc) Mix Katsu Set ($34): tenderloin is more lean, and shrimp is massive. Loved the assortment of sauces, mustard, katsu sauce, sesame, and a light salad dressing. Unlimited cabbage, miso soup, and rice was nice! (8.5/10) Overall, pricy, but worth the quality and great service.

A foodie suggestion from my expat friend. I booked my lunch reservation online about 30 days out. The first time slot I chose was at 2:15pm Monday as we were flying in the same day around 11:50am. One day prior I receive a text saying the kitchen closes at 3pm. Can I come at 1:30pm instead. Rather than chance missing 1:30pm (good thing as our flight was delayed by 90 minutes) I rescheduled for the next day at 11:30am Tuesday. We parked in the Bank of Hawaii parking garage next door. The restaurant validates 90 minutes. We entered and was given a choice of tables. We selected one and was given menus and ice cold water immediately. What we ordered: * I ordered the thick cut pork loin tonkatsu set vs. the specialty one which is leaner and several dollars more. My pork cutlet came piping hot, and the panko coating was perfect. Part of my cutlet had more fat on one end than the other. So is that what made it thicker? * hubby and daughter ordered the katsu donburi. Looked very yummy. * three draft beers. We all got miso soup included with our orders . What's nice is they kept asking if you wanted more miso soup. Hubby did. You're given a saucer of toasted sesame seeds with a pestle. Grind the sesame into powder. Later you add tonkatsu sauce to it, and you can dip your pork cutlet into it if you would like. Or just squeeze the tonkatsu sauce onto the cutlet. Personal choice. The other two squeeze bottles contain salad dressing for the huge pile of shredded cabbage. Service was very friendly and attentive. The three of us enjoyed our meals and left very content. Later we paid at the machine with our validated ticket. However the arm to the exit gate was lifted and we exited without incident.

Fast and efficient workers with an amazing attitude and attention to detail. Restaurant was nice and cozy. Food was beyond fantastic. The pork was juicy and paired amazingly well with their Tonkatsu and ground sesame sauce. This place is beyond fantastic.

decent spot for tonkatsu but overall wasn't too impressed. the tonkatsu fry was really nice and light but the bottom got soggy really quickly even though it was on a rack. the meat was also a little dry. we also got a don and i really enjoyed the flavored rice on the bottom. we called in to make the reservation but they also seemed a little confused when we showed up but we were able to get seated without any issue. service was a little slower but the workers were really nice and friendly and we ended up getting hot tea after the meal.

We came in for a birthday lunch and happy that we were able to make reservations. Parking is located just before the ABC store next to the restaurant. When you turn right onto beachwalk, the entrance ro the parking garage located at the Longs CVS building is to the left. Don't drive too fast or you will miss it. There are several meter parking stalls fronting, but it is usually filled. We were lucky to get street parking and paid the meter $3 for 1 hour. When we walked in, we entered the door to the right, and she asked if we were Kamaiana, and we said yes. The hostess told us that there is a Kamaiana Menu next door. We were happy to hear that they offered this as we were not expecting it at all. We walked in and were immediately greeted by the hostess. There were many tables and also counter space available. Many patrons were seated and looked as though this is a popular spot. She gave us both menus but we all ended up ordering from the Kamaiana Lunch Menu. This is only available on M-F excluding holidays. There are only 3 items on the menu but great choices. A. MIXED KATSU SET (1 piece each consisting of Minced Pork, Pork Loin, Pork Tenderloin, and Shrimp) - this set was perfect and very filling. It comes with rice, miso soup, a side dish, and all you can eat cabbage salad. The katsu was very very good. It was fried well and crispy outside and tender and juicy inside. B. DONBURI SET (We did not order this) C. KATSU CURRY SET (Choice or Chicken or Pork) This set came with rice, miso soup, side dish, and all you can eat cabbage salad. The curry was good. It has a spicy and sweetness to it. The katsu sauce is on the table along with two dressings. One was creamy and the other was a shoyu base. I preferred the creamy dressing. Everything was amazing and everyone raved about the food. We all said that we would definitely return. I would say it's a must try, especially if you love tonkatsu from Japan.

TONKATSU HEAVEN at Ginza Bairin! After a failed attempt to snag a reservation at the famous and popular tamafuji kapahulu, we found Ginza Bairin and we were not disappointed at all. The shop was small and intimate and we were seated in the back due to our larger group of 5. We loved our server and they were so sweet and friendly to us! I started with an 808 Highball, which was $1 more than the basic highball but the server talked me into the higher quality whiskey in the 808, which was a great suggestion. The soda and lemon definitely helped cut into the fried goodness of the pork. The whole experience was interactive - grind the sesame seeds, pour in the tonkatsu sauce on top for that nutty flavor. Of course we had to order the "set menus" which come with all you can eat rice, soup and salad. The "specialty" thick cut pork loin katsu was perfectly crispy and not tough. We loved the food and the service matched the level of the quality of the katsu. Definitely recommend Ginza Bairin for tonkatsu, whether or not you can get a table at the "other" katsu spot!

We wanted something a little different for dinner so found this place through Google reviews. Of course we didn't have a reservation and it was late at night almost a hour before closing. They were able to seat us in a matter of minutes, which was a relief. The food was amazing and no doubt fills you up! The staff was super nice and accommodating. They have two type of dining rooms, which was confusing. We'd definitely visit this restaurant again, but I'd suggest trying to scoring a reservation.

I was lucky to snag a reservation before our trip to Hawaii. They might accept walk-ins, but it's dependent on the reservations for the day. The service was excellent. The servers checked in on us frequently. We didn't get to try the specialty tonkatsu because they ran out. We ended up getting the kurobuta pork loin tonkatsu. I got the omurice with a brown gravy, but they also had an option for a red sauce. The tonkatsu was really good, but my boyfriend wished we could try the specialty since it would've been more tender. I've never had omurice before and thought that it paired well with the tonkatsu. Overall, it was a great dining experience.