Izakaya Pau Hana Base

I came here because I’d researched it before our Hawaii trip and put it on my must-visit list—and I’m so glad I did. This is a small, cozy, super cute Japanese izakaya with a great local vibe. There was one woman running the whole show, so yes, she was very busy 😄 She may not be overly chatty, but totally understandable—she’s hustling! And honestly, the service was still satisfying. We ordered almost everything on the menu… and not a single miss. Everything was a win. The grilled dishes in particular were amazing. Also, I didn’t know Kirin beer could taste THIS good until I drank it here. The best part? The prices are very reasonable, so you can order freely without stressing—and that makes the experience even better. Oh, and after you pay, they give you sugar… so you can make cotton candy yourself! Such a fun and unexpected touch. Loved it so much that we’re coming back again on the last day of our trip. That should tell you everything. Highly recommended! 🍢🍺✨

Authentic back alley Izakaya in the heart of Waikiki. Don’t expect glitzy or top notch service here as it’s like a side street in Osaka-shi here. I’ve been here several times and always a good time. Best HH beer prices in Waikiki and everything delicious with the exception of the small and overcooked Ribeye Steak. One of those places you hesitate sharing because you don’t want it to get overcrowded sigh.

We went here during staycation Covid time so we know we need to make reservation. Food was still good. Portion is really small just like pupu style. Drink was good. One of the waitress looks so grumpy but lucky thing the lady who wait for us was nice. Not enough waiter/waitress. Lots of people waiting outside & empty table but not enough helper. Ambiance is casual. Too bad. It could be better. Won’t coming back anytime soon.

The food here is just average, but the service is absolutely terrible—waitstaff were really rude. Worse still, there were huge cockroaches crawling outside, which totally ruined my appetite. I left after only 20 minutes. Avoiding this place! 4 people with alcohol spend totally $280+.

The wait time for dinner is about 20 minutes. You can make a reservation. It is a Korean restaurant. The fried chicken nuggets are not very delicious. There is a fried pig intestine that is like a rubber band that cannot be chewed. It can only be wasted. Choose carefully. There is a toilet. Take the key on the right side of the door. It is a good place for drinking, but not very comfortable for eating.

Third update: stop by on New Year’s Eve without a reservation. Luckily we didn’t have to wait long. The candied taro root salad was excellent as we always get one of these. The chicken yakitori was tender and tasty. The food remained good here, but the service level has dropped quite a bit probably because there were only 2 servers and clearly they looked overworked. The owner should hire additional servers during the busy hours. Hopefully the service will be better the next time. Second update: we’ve returned again and the service was friendly as before, but the food seemed to have taken a step back, thus it’s a 4* now. I’ve raved about this place so much so it was disappointing when we took our son who’s visiting us in Honolulu. The salad remained good, but the steak and the pork seemed tasted too salty and not as tender as before. I’m sure we will return again and see if the food gets better. Update: we went back tonight and tried a couple of new dishes. One of tonight’s specials was simmered beef tendons. It was amazingly good. There are so many excellent dishes here, but we highly recommend the salad with candied lotus roots, the yakitori and of course, the simmered beef tendons. We love the Asian fusion food and as well as Hawaiian food here in Honolulu, but this is definitely our favorite eatery in Honolulu. You know this place has good Japanese food when you are the only person in the restaurant that wasn’t speaking Japanese. At the end, we liked the taste of all the items we ordered, including the tofu salad that was simple yet excellent. The sake selection was good and the service was very friendly as well. Hidden in the back, away from Seaside Street, so look at the name to make sure you are at the correct place.

Was able to walk in at 7 on a Thursday. Found this spot thru TikTok. We got the ribeye, grilled squid, eel over rice, and the Japanese mackerel. Everything was cooked so well!! Probably the best cooked squid I’ve ever tried, not rubbery at all. Try the yuzu chu-hi or share a pitcher of kirin like we did. We also got a complimentary cotton candy at the end that you get to make. We got all this and spent under 100 before tip.

Easy to find but might be challenging for those who don’t like going down alley ways. The food was onolicious. Fried and fried ramen very yummy. The salad with lotus roots chefs kiss. As were the very simple cucumber in salmon roe. The pork tonkatsu and fried chicken also delicious. The soft shell small crabs also delicious.

One of my favorite places we visited in Waikiki!! We were looking for a really fun izakaya experience especially because we were left disappointed with our prior visit. This spot is so good! And super fun! Location wise- it's pretty hidden - without the lamp in the front, it would be very challenging to find as it's located in the back of the building. If you can't find it - look for the sign for Zigu and it's behind the large white lantern. We got seated pretty quickly which was not the case as the night went on and more parties came in. I highly recommend coming earlier. It's a pretty small palce but the vibes are so good. It's a really fun izakaya - decorated with a lot of toys and fun memorabilia around. During our visit, a fair amount of Japanese tourists also came in and added to the atmopshere. We tried a couple of dishes and enjoyed all of them! - Crab Omelette (5/5): Served with cheese, crab sticks, eggs, and a thick sauce over rice! I was a big fan of this dish - Karaage (4/5): Nicely fried and crispy - a classic dish - Yakitori Chicken (4/5): Also a classic yakitori item - loved the grilled juicy flavor - Agadashi tofu (4/5): Really warming and good dashi broth with the tofu

Happy hour on Saturday evening 5 till 6:45 took me by surprise! I'm down for Izakaya! Fluidity of Japanese and English language. Immersing in cultural aspects and food experiences on O'ahu and Japan. Lychee Chu-Hi is a winner for the smooth taste, ounces and price. Perfect complement for any dish. Deep Fried Pork Dumplings is crispy on the outside and scrumptious on the inside. Deep Fried Fishcakes with kewpie mayo is a match made in heaven. Cold Tofu offers a balance of firmness and accompanied garnishes. Fried hamachi is tasty. Minced ginger freshens the breath. Mabotofu surprises the palate with unexpected spiciness, lighter taste of protein, onions, green onions, and sesame seeds. Rib eye steak appears sizzling and tastes well done. We're searching for in between pink slices. Attentive customer service. Restrooms are available for dine in patrons. Nearest parking is on street or at Hyatt Centric Parking Garage. Get $3 parking validation sticker. Huge gratitude to YE, Eric R for introducing this tucked away spot, memorable and humorous trio conversations.

This was a humble establishment that truly felt like an Izakaya due to location and the cost oh my lawd so affordable especially in Waikiki 2 drinks and 8 dishes for...... 92$ WOW ! There's a bit of confusion as it is registered on Open Table, however they took either check in or waitlist. Hidden in a small alley it truly felt like a hole in the wall in the best way possible! Me and my gf ordered - Yellow tail collar( Ono!) - Chicken cartilage (Loved they didn't leave - cartilage to waste; used the entire ingredients) - Beef bowl with omelet ( decent) - Grilled Mackarel (transported me and my gf back home. So good!) - Takoyaki (delicious) Grilled Squid (had more chew then it was tender but flavor was great) Chicken skewers 4 pcs (plain but easy to season not a problem!) Plain Udon ( it's plain nothing really special) Drinks Chu -Hi peach Oolong tea Shoutout to the waiter who had a rush and was able to get the large orders from the traffic of customers arriving. Very polite and responsive to removal of finished dishes, sauces, and extra napkins. Got to be up there in my list of izakaya in Waikiki !

Really enjoyed our late night food adventure here and the staff were nice enough even though it was close to closing time. The only downside of going late is there were food items that were out of stock for the day. The items we did end up getting ended up being delicious and the ambiance was a mix of intimate, and low-key. The decor was awesome and it really felt like a small place you would find in Japan!

Went for HH on a Monday night and we were first to get seated and stayed fairly empty until we left an hour and a half later. The HH pricing for drinks is great and little bites are also fun to try. Everything is very basic and while I wouldn't say it's a place for great food, it's a good vibe for just having a drink and chilling with friends.

Looks quite basic, but you go there for the very well prepared food and inexpensive Japanese beer. Some of our favorites are beef intestines, deep fried oysters, wasabi octopus and deep fried smelt

Love the quirkiness of the place. The service was very friendly, and the food was great--albeit a bit salty and greasy for some. Loved the happy hour drink prices!

We went here during staycation Covid time so we know we need to make reservation. Food was still good. Portion is really small just like pupu style. Drink was good. One of the waitress looks so grumpy but lucky thing the lady who wait for us was nice enough. Not enough waiter/waitress. Lots of people waiting outside & empty table but not enough helper. Ambiance is casual. Too bad. It could be better.

We came here with a party of 17 and the host was really accommodating in trying to rearrange tables so our four families would be able to sit together. We basically took over half the restaurant! We ordered chicken skewers and beef rib eye, but I thought both were just okay. I wish the chicken had been cooked a little more charred. My favorite was actually the chicken cartilage, but you have to be a fan of those really crunchy parts! We also got a beef with onion over rice, which was basically a beef donburi bowl and, along with sides like fries and edamame, helped fill up the kids. They also have a happy hour if you go early enough! Fun activity for the kids at the end is the make-your-own cotton candy! You ask the server for a little cup of pink sugar and can spin your own cotton candy with the machine just outside the restaurant! My kid was asking if she could have cotton candy exactly five minutes into the meal haha. The total bill ended up being shockingly cheap -- $80, plus tax and tip, for our family of five, which is unheard of for Japanese food. The restaurant also split the checks by family, which was super nice of them even though it was more work for them. Really great service and a good, affordable option if you want izakaya and don't want brave the really crazy lines at some of the other restaurants on the main road.

Izakaya, beer, and free cotton candy make for a great night out! We're staying in Waikiki and found this place when looking for a quick, late night snack! We just made their last call for food around 10pm, but they're still open til midnight for drinks. We got their hamburger steak, smelt fish, simmered intestines, deep fried squid legs, beer and highballs. Food was what you would expect for an Izakaya, but we really loved the vibes here. Plus, when you're done with your meal the staff gives you stuff to make your own cotton candy right outside for free! Surprisingly, Joseph was really good and making these, and even the staff was impressed! They're located in a small back alley, making it a bit hidden, but it's definitely worth checking out for a fun night out in Honolulu!

2nd visit Date: 1/24/25 Time: 5:00pm What they got right: Friendly service, fun atmosphere, tasty food, good selection of drinks and overall good value! Areas for improvement: none at the moment. Happy Hour is 5-6:45pm. Great food & drink prices! A pitcher of beer for $15! 1) The Happy Hour salad was a large serving, enough for 4 to share. 2) The nankotsu was chewy and tasty. 3) The cream croquette had a creamy interior and a crunchy exterior. Very good! 4) The yakitori was juicy. 5) The ginger pork was tasty! 6) The cotton candy was the star for me!! I would highly recommend this place! Delicious food and a good value!

"Hidden in the busy Waikiki strip, Pau Hana Base is a cozy izakaya that served up a crisp draft Kirin and comforting grilled mackerel (saba). The space is small, so it's best for groups of up to four. It's a solid spot for a quick bite, whether you're craving yakitori or fried snacks paired with an ice-cold beer."

Good izakaya in Waikiki! This restaurant is located along Seaside Ave, tucked away in a small alleyway; you can see a string of lanterns hanging outside that lead you to the entrance. Finding a seat during a weekday evening is usually no issue, but it can get a bit busier on the weekends. The interior of shop is clean, with simple wooden furniture and cute little decorations lining the walls; overall, it has a charming and cozy feel to it. Service was very attentive, which I appreciated! I got the okonomiyaki, and it was crispy and tasty! The sauce was sweet and paired with the pancake perfectly. The Kirin draft was also at a reasonable price. In general the food prices were reasonable for it being in Waikiki, though portions are a little on the smaller side. If you're in the mood for an izakaya, you should definitely check out this spot!

Great service, great menu selection. Small out of the way from tourist this is your place. Thank you for the great dinner.

My wife saw this place on Yelp and wanted to try it. They have Happy Hour everyday from 5pm - 6:45pm. Cute little Tapas/Izakaya place with charm and character. It felt like you were transported to Shinjuku and how lively and visually charismatic some of those restaurants are. Modern Japanese house music is playing. One outside non-gender restroom (key needed). Great food and drinks! HH Bamboo Shoots - nicely seasoned menma (4/5). HH Deep Fried Chicken Cartilage (3/5) - this was interesting. The breading was nicely seasoned and deep fried to a golden brown. The cartilage was crunchy. HH Deep Fried Fishcakes (4/5). This was served with a mayo dipping sauce. This was recommending by our waitress and this was so delicious and tasty! HH Deep Fried Horse Mackeral (4/5). Served with tonkatsu sauce and a lemon wedge. Crunchy, lightly battered gave the fish a nice flavor. At the end our meal, our waitress asked us if we wanted to try their cotton candy machine. She gave us some flavored sugar and some paper sticks. Us making our own was a epic fail. But it was fun to try. LOL. Congratulations for passing 7 years serving the community! Check out this gem!

Legit Japanese izakaya. The flavor is what I usually get in Japan. Compare to other izakaya in the area, their price and portion are super reasonable. I'd definitely go back. The staff were friendly. He was offering us to make cotton candy at the end :) The place is located in the back of the building. It's easy to miss. But it's like a hidden gem that brings me back to Japan. Love the vibe.

This Izakaya distinguishes itself from typical mainland USA establishments by replicating the authentic Japanese Izakaya experience. The menu offers reasonably priced and delicious selections, and the late-night hours are a definite plus! During our stay in Waikiki, my husband and I frequented this spot three times Lol. The beef hamburg was a standout dish and highly recommended, also the deep-fried ikageso and yakitori. We also enjoyed the fresh and flavorful grilled squid and mackerel.

We started with the vegetable spring rolls and the edamame as appetizers. We came during the happy hour so each dish was $4 and slightly smaller amount than you might get for the regular price but both were very good. My pork kimchi fried rice was excellent. I've been looking for this the entire trip here and had it one other place that I really didn't like at all. This was top notch and I could have been a pig and had two servings It was kind of nice that they walked around right before the 6:45 p.m. happy hour ended and showed you the happy hour menu and asked if we wanted anything else before happy hour ended. Nice touch. My only regret is that I didn't discover this trip early into our 5-week stay, I would have been a repeat customer.

One of the best meals I've had in a while. Everything we ordered was delicious and I savored every single bite.

A really cute Izakaya spot in Hawaii! The interior is so cozy and filled with little knick knacks. I loved the variety of foods they offered. The drinks were also great tasting! I got a yogurt chu-hi and really enjoyed it!! The salad with the lotus chips and the omurice were my favorites!

Stumbled upon this quaint Japanese/Korean spot and it turned out to be a great find. The menu has plenty of options to choose from, all reasonably priced and packed with flavor. We tried the Japanese pancake, cheese corn, and spring rolls--each one hit the spot. The real surprise? After dinner, they offer complimentary cotton candy that you can spin yourself! Fun, nostalgic touch to end the meal. It's a dinner-only spot, so plan accordingly, but definitely worth a visit if you're craving something different with a playful twist and great service.

Highly recommend this restaurant! It is a little gem in the wakiki downtown. This izakaya has a lot of food and drinks options. We got the lotus salad (highly recommend. Lotus is deep fried and it's very crispy), fried oyster (also a must order), yakisoba, chicken karaage, and some drinks. High quality food with very fair price (which is pretty rare in Wakiki). The servers were very nice. They also provide free cotton candy which you can make by yourself. I will definitely return if I am back to Wakiki in the future.

If you are in Waikiki don't miss this hidden gem! Happy hour is between 5:00-6:45, we've ordered a table full of food and it's so yummy! Will definitely come back again.

This place is amazing and I want to call out what a great job Saki is doing. She was the only waitress when I was there and she was killing it. She was bring out food, taking orders, and busing tables while smiling the whole time. The food was delicious and will definitely come back again.

Got to say this place was a surprise. It's tucked away in the back of a lot where Zigu and another place is and I was not really confident about this place.i don't care for smoke and there were smokers outside which made me wince, but I wanted to give it a shot, it was good! Solid happy hour drink menu and the izakaya menu was tasty. I especially liked the lotus salad, yakitori, and the happy hour udon was huge with a broth that was subtle and oishi. Check it out

Cute little izakaya place tucked behind an alley way. This feels like an authentic Japanese izakaya place similarly to the ones that I have been to in Japan. Each dish was prepared with love and meticulously, so don't expect to be a quick meal. They only had 2 servers and probably 1 cook so it was a bit of a wait between dishes. What I enjoyed most was their menu selections. They have "rare" items such as raw octopus, eye sockets, and etc. While the portion was small but the price made up for it. For someone like me who likes to order a lot of varieties, this is a great place to be. Their cocktail drinks were pretty weak so I would stick with sake and beer next time. Lastly, their omurice was delicious. It had the right balance of flavors and not overpowered by the taste of ketchup like many others.

Fun, casual atmosphere. It did remind me of Japan like others said in their reviews so that was a positive. This was our first meal after getting off a long flight and it was a great start to the trip. I'd say the food was decent, although we did come at last call so it's possible if we had come earlier it would have been better. The whiskey highball was so refreshing (and reminded me of Japan), the lemon chu-hi was not as good (too lemony, not enough fizz). Waiters were kind and pretty laidback (read: not hurried or in a rush). I'd come back for highballs and the laidback ambiance!

Great food and good service. Highly recommend trying out for drinks and food. We got the squid, pork belly and tofu. All three were good.

Love the variety of choices. Great tasting food. Will definitely be back. We were not offer the cotton candy at the end. lol

Small hole in the wall. Food was good. Beer on draft. Large selection of Japanese food. Service was decently attentive. Food came out pretty fast. Nice after work place.

The food is amazing. I've been to some great Izakaya on Oahu and this is at the top. Great service, free cotton candy.

Came here on a Tuesday night and it was surprisingly busy. We didn't get seated until about 15 minutes, and though a lot of tables inside were empty, they wanted to seat us outside. We ordered grilled Bbq squid, pan fried udon noodles with veg/pork/squid, and pork fried rice. The grilled bbq squid was sweet and chewy. The udon noodles were flavorful and al dente. The pork fried rice was my least favorite because there was no flavor. I would recommend making a reservation if you want to come. I probably won't be back because the food wasn't too impressive given the wait. I would give this place 3.5/5 stars, but I rounded it to 4

What a hidden gem in Waikiki. It's located in a super discrete location, literally in the back of an alleyway off the main road of Kūhiō Ave. The ambiance feels like a truly authentic izakaya, as if it was transported straight from Japan. You know it is a good sign when the customers are all mostly Japanese. It seems like a really simple restaurant, but they have a large selection of small plates to share and drinks to choose from. Best of all, the prices are very reasonable. My favorite of the night was the beef intestines, chicken nanban, and okonomiyaki. But fair warning, this restaurant is small and costumers tend stay long to drink (guessing that to be the izakaya culture?), so the turnover rate for a table can take quite long.

Excellent food, great service and very reasonably priced. Great for people who want a less touristy place with great authentic food. 10/10 would recommend.

Very cozy, busy and authentic atmosphere. For a pupu, ordered the cheese corn, it was toasty and not too heavy. For dinner, omorice. It was not like I had seen (sliced table side to open up) but was a cheese omelet served over fried rice and topped with ketchup and mayo. The fried rice is cooked with ketchup as well. It was a very deep mixture of tangy and warm comfort food. Very good. Service was polite and quick. Definitely go!

Just like the name, Pau Hana base was the foundation of a great dinner and get-together with friends pau hana (after work)! My friend, Dan O., recommended myself and Li Y. check this spot out since he enjoys coming here. All three of us plus Eric R. joined! Thanks to them we came for an early dinner! Normally I don't venture into Waikiki, but this hole-in-the-wall izakaya was well worth it! The three of us entered the izakaya right when they opened. We were greeted and seated immediately where there were several ample tables and bar seating available. The restaurant can be hard to find as it's tucked away in an alleyway. It reminded me of those small, homey, but memorable izakayas in Japan serving up savory foods at a reasonable price! Since my friend has been a few times, we all decided to order a few dishes to share. The great thing is that the plates are reasonably priced and perfect for family style. This allows you to try multiple things with others which is what we did! We ended up getting the Grilled BBQ Squid, Grilled Yellow Tail Neck (Hamachi Kama), Pan Fried Udon Noodle, Hamburg Steak, and Ribeye Steak. My favorite dish was the hamachi kama. It was lightly grilled, the skin was crispy (my favorite part), and the fish was tender and mild. I also enjoyed the udon which came with vegetables, squid, pork, and bonito flakes. Savory taste, crunchy toppings, and chewy noodles--yum! Everyone seemed to enjoy the dishes which is a plus in our books! The presentation was laid out nicely and perfect for us to divide and share. The service was attentive but it did take some time for our items to come out. In the heart of Waikiki, you can find Pau Hana Base--a hidden gem away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist crowds. It's a couple of doors down from Zigu. Parking is street only which can be hard to come across in Waikiki so parking structures, walking on foot, taking the bus, or carpooling is recommended! Come for the reasonably priced tasty food and stay for the unique atmosphere! It's a great place to come with friends, families, and small and large parties. Thank you Dan O. for taking us to one of your hidden treasures! I wouldn't mind coming again if I were in the area.

"I told you I would always come for you." - Princess Bride There's three things you should know about me: I'll defend the less fortunate, I love a good joust, and I'll protect those that I love to the death... okay let's save my Chivalric Code for another day since it's 2023 and people are more concerned with their Gucci & iPhone. There's three things about my time at Pau Hana Base that maybe all can relate to today: good food, good company, and hey it's Gucci wallet friendly! My bestie invited me while we chatted jousting. It was perfect as I had no clue on dinner and I love a good Izakaya! I arrived about ten minutes after her party of three already ordered. Warm greetings and eyebrow waving as I enter to a cozy setup. The menu is probably the most difficult part as it's so busy with choices which is actually a good sign. Fortunately they already ordered Fried Soba, Grilled Squid, Hamachi Collar to start off as I peruse and peruse the menu. I finally decided to add Japanese Hambagu and they also added Ribeye Steak to the mix. We all shared the delicious foods but for me I loved the Hamachi Collar and Japanese Hambagu the most. A round of drinks! Kanpai! Izakaya is best experienced shared. So Arigatō to my dining partners for sharing the plates already ordered! The service friendly and bilingual and plates came out staggered as expected. Sometimes if flagging doesn't work, I found what works best, from past experiences, is to order directly at bar. Kanpai! In the end, big hugs to my bestie for including me in her dinner plans. She didn't have to, but did so anyway, and even gave me a box of chocolates! And you wonder why I'll protect her from all the evil in the world. Tho I'd fight her for that last piece of Hamachi!

We went a few weeks ago on a weekday to try their happy hour specials. When we arrive, the place was pretty busy and all the inside seats were pre-reserved, so we took the only empty table located outside in their alley/driveway. There's no ambiance whatsoever, but the air temperature was fine and my plastic seat was pretty comfortable, so I didn't mind sitting outside. From the happy hour menu, I liked the spring roll appetizer. It tasted freshly fried, hot, soft, and crispy. I didn't care for the shoju cocktail. It tasted very bland until I got to the bottom where the syrupy juice was located, I guess it wasn't stirred and they didn't give me a straw so I struggled drinking the drink through the ice without dumping on myself. The fried fishcake appetizer was not too appetizing as it had a rubbery texture as though it had been cooked too long or reheated and dried out. It took a while to get served and longer to get repeat service. For future reference, if I were to go back there again, I would plan ahead and be prepared to order everything at once as soon as the waitress arrives. For this spot, it would work a lot better.

Very good spot tucked away. It's worth the effort to find and the food was very tasty.

Cute little spot in Waikiki off Kuhio. It's an Izakaya, so a lot of small, shareable dishes. Everything I tried was delicious! My main issue with this place is the parking - there is none! So, it's just street parking or park at a nearby garage and pay.

My dad used to fry smelts (back in the 1980s). I always loved them but haven't had them in ages. Pau Hana Base had great smelts plus way more. The pickled cucumbers were good and the takoyaki was super tasty. How's this for a compliment? Even if they didn't have smelts, I'd come back! (But I really would prefer the smells)

Authentic Japanese izakaya!! Whole restaurant was filled with Japanese people (except us). Great prices, extensive menu and the best customer service. Super enjoyed the food and the vibe. Get there early because it's a small popular place otherwise you'll have to wait to get in.

This place is a great spot for izakaya. Food tastes great but wish the portions were little more. They have a great happy hour menu. Ambiance is cute and cozy. Location is great very close to most of the hotels near Waikiki beach. Service is pretty good and fast when there's only 1 server. I would go back for sure!

This is my second visit here and I must say, it's best for smaller groups (4 or less). Calling ahead to reserve a table inside is necessary if you have a larger group. Or your group will end up sitting outside in portable table/benches that are a bit wobbly/unstable. They have a variety of food, home cooked feel, grilled, fried, etc. It's a great place for a little drink and catch up with friends! For some dishes the food is a bit salty, but the taste is good. I'd come back to try out other dishes on the menu.

I come to Hawaii often and there is a lot to pick from but I always make it a point to stop here. Great Happy Hour!

This izakaya restaurant was conveniently located by our Airbnb and we popped in for dinner since the daughter was craving curry. I was a little worried that she wouldn't like the curry since it was squid curry but she loved it! The hubs loved the ambiance since it was playing old school Japanese songs the whole meal. It felt like it was bringing us back to another time before kids We ordered a bunch of stuff to try, and everything was good!! Omurice was yum, okonomiyaki was delicious! They even made salt less meat skewers for my babies!! Loved everything !

Pau Hana Base is a small hole-in-the-wall. Every time we passed by this place there were people waiting. We came later in the evening one night for drinks and a good meal. Everything we ordered was very tasty. From the grilled chicken to the beef intestines, we enjoyed it all. The drinks were flowing until we were the last table there. It is small bites (kind of like tapas), so expect to order multiple plates to share. I wouldn't come here solo. Definitely worth a try!

Reasonable price and authentic izakaya so even Japanese people can enjoy very much!!! Sho-wa nostalgic atmosphere! Great service!

3 to 3.5 stars. The food wasn't bad - portions were great given the price. We split several appetizers - okonomiyaki, chicken karaage, grilled squid, yakitori. However, the service was incredibly slow. There were several empty tables in the restaurant and our party waited a while to be seated, they would probably seat a party every 20ish or so minutes it seems (there were ~4 open tables when we arrived and we were 3rd in line.) Next were the mains. We didn't do family style and each got a separate main. From the time the first main came out to the last was probably around an hour. So we were all eating one at a time because one main would come at a time. And the next main wouldn't be out until the previous person finished their main. We spent over 2 hours here, for a pretty simple meal. The food is not bad, but I've never waited this long for food before.