Ichiban Okazuya Hawaii

My husband and I went here right after we landed because it was on the way to our hotel. It’s a hole-in-the-wall place and we both got the chicken katsu. He got the kimchi as a side and I got the salted cabbage. Both were delicious! Would go back again to try more dishes.

Some people just love this place, but I haven't found my hit-the-spot dish yet. ATMOSPHERE: Hole-in-the-wall building in Wailuku. Difficult parking. Take out only. FOOD: Nabeyaki Udon Broth has a salty and slightly sweet taste. Comes topped with fresh mushrooms, green onions, kamaboko, chicken, broccoli, zucchini and 1 piece of shrimp tempura. It's good, but the one from Archie's is better (better taste and more veggies.) Chopped Steak Steak filets done with white & green onions and bean sprouts. Doesn't really taste like your typical local-style chopped steak, unfortunately, but more like a cross between chicken hekka & nishime. Chicken Katsu IMO, it's hard to screw up chicken katsu unless you overcook it. Here, their katsu is good. Tender, tasty and a breading that's not too oily, with a perfect portion size. I'm not a fan of their house made katsu sauce, which is a little sweet and tart, like how most eateries are. Luckily I always have a bottle of Kagome-brand sauce at home. There are different side dishes I could've chosen from, but I'm not sure what they were as I wanted to try their mac salad. The macaroni salad also includes potatoes, diced raw onions, carrots, celery, and relish. Didn't care for it. It was too sweet (possibly Miracle Whip) and crunchy. Just mix in some mayo and salt, and I'll be ecstatic. The plate comes with a big scoop of rice (your choice of white or hapa which is a mix of brown & white,) and a tiny pinch of tasty pickled cabbage. Opakapaka The skin-on filet was on the smallish side, flattop grilled, very lightly seasoned, topped with grilled white onions and a few fresh mushrooms, and came with tartar sauce for dipping. The tartar sauce easily overpowered the delicate fish and killed it. I think seasonings of salt, shoyu, or even teriyaki would be more appropriate to keep with the Japanese theme. A scoop of rice and steamed veggies of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and pickled cabbage were the sides. Teriyaki Chicken So disappointed in this dish! The skin-on, boneless slices of chicken were under seasoned and dry. Talk about a weak teri sauce, but the dryness is unforgivable. Come on guys!? Sides were a scoop of rice, pickled cabbage, and their infamously gross Miracle Whip-based potato macaroni salad that is just too sweet. Chow Fun Their porkless concoction lacked any sort of flavor and tasted similar to chow mein at your local Panda Express. The beige noodles were a bit underdone, and stir fried with julienned carrots, green onions, and cabbage. SERVICE: Fast & friendly.

To go only - during the weekdays. But it’s worth a visit if you are nearby. True gem for locals. The chicken katsu and tempora set were so good.

We went to try the much-praised chicken katsu and were not disappointed. The kimchi side was also excellent. Eat here. Do it!

Very surprised with the food. I ordered the pork katsu and tempura combo with Chowfun. The katsu was crunchy, tender and very flavorful. Unfortunately my tempura was a little under cooked. It came out soggy. It needed about 1 more minute in the fryer. The very surprising thing was the side of chowfun. I thought as a side, it would be bland and just a filler but it was very good. I could of just ate the chowfun as the main, that's how good I thought it was.

Amazing take out style restaurant run by a local family. Great service, super friendly. Food was exceptional! We got the curry udon, house special with Korean chicken and teriyaki pork, and vegetable tempera. Unfortunately, they were out of noodle side dishes when we went, but that was an hour before closing time. Everything tasted fresh and flavored perfectly. Such a convenient option for a bite to eat! Parking available by the shop.

Take out only! I got their tempura udon. The udon taste like it's homemade. It feels nice when you bite into it if you know what I mean lol. The broth is flavorful. The tempura would be better and more crispy if it wasn't sitting closed in the take out box. I still like Marugame Udon more in Honolulu. Other than that it's good to try.

Another lunch spot fav. Combos are great. Got the Korean chicken, rice and Kim chee. Very flavorful, juicy yet crispy.

Ichiban Okazuya Hawaii has generous portions, authentic flavors, and a wallet-friendly menu. The star of the show is undoubtedly their katsu, delicately crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Each bite is a satisfying blend of savory crunch and tender meat, with just the right amount of seasoning. The sides are equally impressive: from kimchi with tangy brightness to nishime, every component adds a different layer of flavor. They're well-rounded and feel genuinely homemade, exactly the sort of comfort food that keeps regulars coming back.

Went here for lunch. There is a small parking lot and street parking around. They were out of some side items but the food was cooked well and the staff at the window were friendly and helpful. Since it was lunchtime we had to wait about 30 minutes, but we weren't in a rush so that wasn't a problem. We ordered a good variety of food and all of it was fresh and ono. I will happily be back next time I'm on Maui!

It's been quite a while since I've made it to Ichiban. Parking was super easy as they have several well marked parking spaces to the left of their building. I ordered a combo plate of chicken katsu, sautéed mahi mahi and nishime for the side. Yum! Nishime was on point and totally hit the spot.

We found this spot on Yelp and it was closeby to where we were staying in Wailuku. It is more of a to-go spot so the ambiance is just the outdoor ordering and waiting for your food. Service was good because you order at the window and credit card is accepted. Utensils and hot sauce were available upon request. For the food, the best thing here was the chicken katsu plate but the korean chicken was a disappointment because it tasted soggy. I think I would come back for the chicken katsu but will pass on the Korean chicken. The potato mac salad was delicious and white rice was standard.

Delicious food! The Korean chicken was so good and definitely worth it. It's a road side restaurant so nowhere to sit but definitely would be back again! The wait wasn't too long either.

We were in the area and had good reviews so we decided to give it a try. The attendant was not very helpful explaining some of the dishes possibly because he gets a lot of customers and he gets sick of answering...so he didn't seemed friendly. The food was good but I my expectations were not met. Ordered the teriyaki pork and was very flavorful but had so much fat...with a side of cold steamed vegetables and rice. You order at the window and they call your number for pickup. There is only one bench so no tables nor chairs.

Longish wait for food, young, humorless "soup-nazi" cashier, but terrific food. I had the mahi/beef (teriyaki) combo and friend had the pork teriyaki. Beware, the pork pieces are typically 50% fat! Also note: all veggie sides are served cold. Free parking adjacent to restaurant and a small sink/soap on side of hut to clean up before/after.

Local Japanese bento box/plate lunch spot in Wailuku on Kaohu St. not too far from another great poke establishment is this hidden gem! Another takeaway spot where you order at the counter. Got a few options and sides. You can mix and match or do one type of protein. We want at 2pm and it was quick. Lady at the counter was friendly. Pork katsu was tender, crispy and moist. The Korean chicken was okay - a bit soggy vs crunchy. Came with rice and chow mein. Enough for 2.

This place is cute, it's takeout only. You order at the window. They have a pretty diverse menu. We ordered the chicken katsu and the curry udon noodles soup. This place gives generous portions and at a really reasonable price. We really enjoyed the curry noodles soup but were a little unimpressed by the chicken katsu, the sauce was okay, the chicken wasn't too crispy and the wakame salad was disappointing.

Delicious home cooked style meals at affordable prices. Love this place. Called in a phone order and pick up was quick and easy. You go to the order window to pay then wait for them to call your name. When presented with our order at the pick up window, the woman there repeated our order and opened up each plate to verify it was correct. I loved that they took that extra step to ensure we got exactly what we ordered. We had a Korean chicken gyoza combo with nishime and also a sautéed Mahi Mahi with chow mein (I always order too late to get the chow fun..... must be so good cause it's always out when I call in the later afternoon) and it tastes like home cooking. One day I will order early enough to try their chow fun.

Excellent food. Best tonkatsu we have ever tasted. When my daughter comes back on school break, this is always on her food list. Some of the other dishes I have tried and loved are donburi, curry, gyoza and mapo tofu. Very popular with locals. Highly recommend

My favorite spot to get a quick bite and take it home. The chicken katsu was the bomb. The teriyaki chicken and pork was tender and delicious. The kimchee was my favorite nice and spicy.

Seriously, such a hidden gem! The food was incredible! It was the first stop of our trip and we loved it so much we had to have it one more time before leaving Maui

This little shack has big flavor! Ma got tempura plate with kimchi, and they make their own kimchi. It's a bit spicy, so I got salted cabbage with chicken katsu. Best choice for my sensitive stomach. Dad got mahi with kimchi amd broseph got Korean chicken with kimchi. We all agree the flavor is great no matter what we order! We showed up around 5 right before the dinner rush, so we didn't wait too long. There's only a small parking lot, so it can be tricky. We got dropped off and ordered while dad looked for parking. There's only a small bench to sit on, but they cook with efficiency, so you won't wait long. If you're in the area, stop by for lunch and treat yourself. You can't go wrong!

Excellent food & large portions! Make sure u call & order ahead for wiki wiki Service.

I'm picky about tempura, one of my favorite treats--and a dish I often use as a gauge of quality and authenticity on my first visit to a Japanese restaurant. So I hope you'll trust me on this one: Ichiban Okazuya does it right....light, fluffy batter that's not too heavy or too greasy, tender and flavorful shrimp, and tasty veggies, all perfectly cooked. Be sure to eat it right away to enjoy at its best. This tiny takeout spot is a longstanding local favorite for a quick, delicious lunch or snack, and you'll often see folks lined up outside. The line moves fast and it's worth the wait. The menu isn't fussy or fancy but includes a lot of familiar standards, and the prices are very reasonable. They also offer bento and catering. No online ordering but you can order by phone, or in person. Open M-F 10A-7P. Check it out if you're in Wailuku looking for some ono food!

Searched for an Okazuya and found this place. Was a bit strange as I didn't really experience the "okazuya" of picking out my food like cafeteria style. Instead you pick and choose, and they make it. Nishime and seaweed namasu were excellent. Katsu, excellent as well, though not enough sauce. The Korean chicken was pretty terrible, soggy and ultra sweet. The chow fun was under-cooked or old, and ultimately tasteless. For me it was a mixed bag here, and should I go again, I will be very picky as far as my choices.

Came around 11am and got out chicken katsu within minutes of placing the order. There are picnic tables and parking at nearby Wells park if you can't wait to dig in like us The katsu was perfectly breaded, shatteringly crisp and served on a bed of fresh crisp cabbage. We picked mac salad as our side and added kimchi a la carte which was a perfect accompaniment with the rice and chicken (I liked the extra spice and texture)

This has become our first stop when getting on the island. Chicken Katsu is amazing and always on point! We have never had anything bad or disappointing here, and the portions are great for sharing!

One of our favs when we're in Wailuku. Love all the combos and gyoza. Everything on the menu is good, can't go wrong

Amazing little gem off the beaten path. We stopped here on the way back from zip-lining and my kids loved it so much we came back a second time when we were passing through the area. Loved the pork katsu and unagi. Food was hot made to order and fantastic! If you're here on vacation and passing through, definitely stop by for a meal. It is take out only however so expect to have to take it back to your hotel or destination.

Came here with my husband in search of some food to eat. This place takes COVID seriously and hustles to serve food promptly. Food was mediocre; the only meatless option is vegetable tempura. Even the veggie gyoza has meat in it. That said, I am not sure how many vegan options there are. The kimchi was good, but quite spicy. I am someone who usually opts for medium-hot salsa, and I still found the kimchi surprisingly hot. While the veggie tempura plate was good, I think it's a better deal (quantity for the price) to order the sides à la carte.

their Korean chicken plate will always be my favorite & go to. They have fast wait times and friendly. Love this place

This place was great and fast service. The chicken was tasty and wet!! Highly reccomend this plate. I got the Korean chicken with sides of rice and potato salad....

A hole in the wall type of place. Chicken katsu so yummy. Take out only - no seating at all besides a small bench outside while you wait for your order. Food came quickly

This was our second time coming here, and it was just as delicious as I had remembered (from three years ago)! This time we took our meal for a picnic at the Maui Tropical Plantation, which I highly recommend! The katsu stayed nice and crispy and the portions were huge! Highly recommend if you are on your to Iao Valley or Paia!

The Korean chicken was excellent! The teriyaki pork was a little fatty but delicious. The rice and chow mein were also excellent.

I've been meaning to visit Ichiban Okazuya for several years. Usually, I stay in Kaanapali or Kihei so their location in Wailuku isn't the most convenient. But this time, I stayed in Kahului, so it was a quick drive from my hotel. There's no indoor seating, or outdoor seating for that matter, so you can either take your food somewhere else to eat, or do like I did and use the hood of my rental car as a table. They do have their own small gravel parking lot with about 5 spaces, so if you come during the lunch rush, you may need to try to find a spot to park on the street. I arrived on a Thursday around 10:30, so luckily for me there wasn't much of a line and their lot was mostly empty. I had a hard time deciding if I wanted to get chicken katsu, the Korean chicken or a combo of the two. Their menu has several mains (About 9 options) and three combos. With each entree, you get a scoop of white rice and one side from a list of about 8. You can also order several items à la carte, if you choose. I ended up electing chicken katsu with chow fun as my side. The katsu was HUGE. Normally when I get that much katsu, it's pounded very thin. This chicken, however was about a half inch thick, tender and juicy and not over or under seasoned. The chow fun was tasty with big pieces of chicken, not overly salty. The katsu sits on a bed of traditional shredded cabbage. I highly recommend Ichiban Okazuya, but definitely that you arrive early; while I was eating, a solid line began to form. Be prepared for large portions, so if you've got a couple people, order a couple different items and share. Definitely take your food and drive to the beach or a nearby park or even Iao Valley, which is nearby as well.

Amazing food! Had the katsu and the Korean chicken. Def coming back. Beautiful friendly little gem

The food is truly awesome. We eat here often. Their Chicken Katsu is so authentic. This is my go to meal when I buy from here. A MUST try place if you haven't already.

Discovered this spot via yelp, and saw that it was closer to the OGG airport. Seemed less touristy too. My husband and I ordered 2 combination plates: 1) Combo plate with breaded mahi mahi + pork katsu, white rice, chow fun 2) Combo plate with chicken katsu + Korean chicken, white rice, potato mac salad Both combo plates were delicious. The breaded mahi mahi was delicious and perfectly cooked. Different from the mahi mahi you get with the fish n' chips at other places. The breading is slightly different. Both the chicken and pork katsus were delicious also. Not soggy at all. The Korean chicken was not spectacular, as it was gochujang and soy sauce heavy. As a Korean American, it was too familiar and wasn't as special as others reviewed. Again, just my 2 cents... The potato mac salad was good. It tasted more like Japanese/Asian style rather than Hawaiian style. My husband liked the chow fun. He said it was delicious. We both ordered white rice as they did not have hapa rice or brown rice today. The katsu sauce was good, thick and bold, definitely not diluted. The service was great. They cook your food as you order, so everything tasted fresh. The wait time isn't so bad either. The woman who took our order was super friendly and nice. This place may not have the best aesthetics on the outside with limited parking, but it is worth it. Would encourage more people to support this eatery! Good comfort food. Would come here again.

I love the food and they have great teriyaki ahi , And I also love their combo plate if you can't pick then pick 2 items I really enjoy that

Food was incredible! I closed my eyes while taking a bite and thought I was back in Japan. When I shared this meal with others I got nothing but complements on how Ono this food was. Stop by and try you will not be disappointed. I had a little bit of everything and it was all made so perfectly.

Plate lunches, udon, curry and homemade chow fun were all hot, fresh and authentic. Local cuisine winners! Easy to access, but only take-out.

Wholeheartedly agree with the other Yelpers who awarded this place five stars. The food is truly wonderful, savory and delicious, served quickly. The staff are friendly and don't mind explaining the menu items, especially the ones that were unfamiliar to us mainlanders. The pork katsu was fried perfectly, beef teriyaki had a wonderful sauce and the chicken was crisp and moist. The potato-mac salad is a lovely combo of creamy carbs, dressed with just the right amount of Mayo, with onion and carrots adding that texturally important crunch. Cannot wait to visit this place again and try their other menu items!

Idk how I feel about this place. I've eaten here 4 times, with today being the fourth and I think they have good intentions, but my experience gets significantly worse. - First 2 times, I got the tempura udon. Great! Comes in hot or cold versions. They packaged the liquid and tempura separately so that was nice. The second time ordered this, I found a hair in my noodles. Yeah. Not the noodle you want in your food lol. - Third time I had Okazuya sides: nishime (pretty standard), tempura. Their tempura batter is more fluffy airy vs crunchy, I've noticed. - The fourth time, I ordered the same tempura cold udon I normally would; I've attached a photo. It was good, tasty as before. The broth nor noodles are not cold, but rather lukewarm (tho it's always been like this). But, I was sad because They did not separate anything--so my tempura had no batter (so soggy it slid off) because they threw it in with the sauce and the noodles. They also put a side of wasabi on a cupcake liner which of course, did not survive the ocean of tsuyu it laid in, so my sauce had tinges of wasabi (I hate wasabi too so that was unpleasant). The noodles were cooked well (the only saving Grace) despite being submerged in tsuyu, along with the amount of tempura they give (tho it also depends on how much you like veggies): 1 cauliflower, carrots, Zucchini, eggplant, 2 shrimps, and a sweet potato. Will update if I decide to enter the depths of what is Ichiban again....

Always fresh and delicious food is served. The service is like a family friendly experience. I always will choose Ichiban Okazuya for a trusted take out meal! Thank you for all the years of faithful service and quality food.

Ichiban Okazuya in Wailuku is a Maui institution, a favorite amongst locals. This small eatery is one of the few nostalgic mom & pop shops remaining, situated off-the-beaten path, just behind the Wailuku court house on Kaohu Street. They took these COVID days to remodel and freshen up the shop to accommodate this 'new norm.' The shop is completely closed off now and patrons must order and pick up their plate lunches outside, at the window. Wear a mask or at the very least, they ask that you cover your mouth. I recommend doing the former. Despite the fresh look, the menu is relatively unchanged with the same delish local favorites! They offer a variety of choices from katsu to tempura to oyako don to udon. Their side dishes also feature a few more traditional Japanese dishes like nishime and wakame. My go-to is the Korean chicken. Breaded bites of chicken smothered in a sweet, salty sauce; the meat is tender, moist, and just absolutely delicious. If you'd like to try more than one thing, go for the combo for just a bit extra $$. Each plate lunch also comes with your choice of side dish; I usually go for the chow mein. Their servings are pretty generous and I usually get 2 meals out of it. At just $10.50 a pop, it's not a bad deal. I would highly recommend a stop here for a solid plate lunch! Just know that it's takeout only and there's no where to sit.

I've been coming here for years. The reason why....consistency in food quality & taste and value. Parking has improved over the years which is a bonus. Special note their udon is awesome and chewy. Perfect on a cold rainy night.

It was my first time eating here since the pandemic started. Noticed they made some great upgrades to accommodate the mandates. You now can order at a window outside and pick up at another window. That was a big upgrade. They also put spruced up their parking lot making it more accessible for everyone. I had a craving for the tempura and tofu balls, and sadly the no longer make the tofu balls. So bummed it was my favorite item on the menu. I decided on the gyoza and tempura udon, and it was delicious. My tempura was a little soggy by the time I got home, but I still enjoyed it. Perfect for a rainy cold day. I thought I took photo's of my food, guess I was to hangry. Next time, cause there will be a next time.

I eat here about twice a month and I always get a regular chicken katsu.. its amazing! Today is 12/6/21 apparently they changed their sizes, the attached picture is a regular plate for $15!! The owner was very rude when I tried to address the issue, she hung up the phone on me.

I don't usually give reviews, but I had to on this one. The Korean chicken was amazing. After a long day of work, this was like heaven in my mouth and stomach.

I was bummed that they only offered a take-out option; everything else after my arrival went perfectly. Parking was easy, and the shop was not hard to find. You order at the window, receive a number, wait around the shop and wait for your order. I was behind five customers, and my order took approximately 10-15 minutes. The owners and staff are amiable, on top of confirming the orders, and just a cute mom-and-pop hidden gem in central Maui. The food was delicious. Adequately stored in take-out containers, they give you a large box to fit all dishes comfortably, and you are off the enjoy your Japanese meal at home or a beach nearest you. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a simple Japanese dish.

Great food and quick service. Prices are a little expensive for a plate lunch. Great spot for lunch on the go.

Quick service. Call ahead of time especially during rushes. Made to order food. Great food, portions are good, good pricing for the amount they give.

Take-out only. A local favorite: get there early. Good variety on the menu. The lady at the pick-up window was detailed-oriented and helpful! I love my pork katsu & curry stew (house combo of 2 items) The unagi bowl was also good. Tempura shrimp on the a la carte menu was disappointing, but overall a very positive experience. Can't wait to come again! * 5 spots in the parking lot * restroom on the side of the building

One of my favorite local eats in Wailuku! This place is takeout only and has very limited parking. Every time we go here we're greeted by a sweet old lady. We love getting their katsu because its always crispy and tender! All orders are always made fresh and hot. You can even see the cooks in the back working very hard to make your delicious meal. The staff here are always nice and the prices are great too! It gets busy during lunch hour and pau hana time but it is definitely worth the wait.

Mochiko chicken was delicious! We had good timing before the lunch rush, but took about half hour wait to get our food.

They have THE best chicken katsu on the island. My boyfriend left his wallet here & one of the workers dropped it off to him using the address on his ID. So grateful.