Tonkatsu Tamafuji

This was high on my list too get a reservation and I finally procured one! You have to book 3 months in advance or wait in line right before the restaurant opens. The food was great, especially the oysters and shrimp. The pork is good, but the 300g was too much for me. The beer came out ice cold and tasted fantastic. It was a great meal and fantastic service. I would recommend and return.

Fantastic katsu, really light and airy breading while the protein is still moist and tender (whether that's the ebi, chicken, or pork). I got the mixed katsu set, and really liked all the different options. The shrimp had the best flavor and texture overall, with the pork being a close second. The oyster katsu was good, though I suggest not dipping it into the sauce since the flavor might get overpowered otherwise.

I’ve been here on three different trips and I’ve never been disappointed! The crunch on this tempura is truly like no other, and the oil flavor is very clean. I’d recommend dining in over getting takeout (pictured), but if you have limited time/don’t want to wait 1+ hour during peak wait times, takeout is a good option. The only con is that the crunch quickly gets soggy in the takeout box and you don’t get the special rice or soup that’s included in the dine-in experience. It’s definitely worth it to wait if you have the time. Another pro to dining in is the sesame seed grinding for your tonkatsu sauce. The aroma is very fresh and unique! You can choose between the sweet and savory sauce to dip, and I liked a combination of both. We ordered a 5pc shrimp katsu set (pictured), 1pc pork katsu, 1pc oyster katsu, clam miso soup (seasonal), and the seaweed rice. The shrimp tempura is a shared favorite between my mom and I, but the pork and oyster are great too. For drinks, I’d recommend the grapefruit shochu as a fresh, fruity cocktail to enjoy alongside the katsu. It’s manufactured in California so you can probably find it on the mainland as well, but I think any fizzy drink will complement the fried tempura nicely. Staff and atmosphere are friendly, clean, and pleasant. While dining in, the servers walk around with a basket of shredded cabbage and were kind enough to give me 3 extra handfuls to enjoy with their delicious sesame dressing. I will be coming back for my 4th visit soon!

The food was absolutely delicious. Their service was great. The people there were very kind and taught us how to do everything, because it was our first time going. The wait was very long, but we did not have a reservation. I don't really know how they do reservations. Would definitely come again.

We made the mistake of visiting this place in the Christmas week, which is statistically the most crowded week for Waikiki. Was the tonkatsu great? Yes. Was it worth more than $40 per person (with drink and tip included)? Kind of. Yes if you consider the general food price in Waikiki but no if you consider that this is tonkatsu after all and nothing too fancy. Was it worth the 2 hour wait? We waited 90 minutes waiting outside the restaurant and another 30 minutes after ordering. Hard no from me. It's partly Google Maps' fault. It incorrectly told us that the wait time was 30 minutes.

It was good. I like the different types of rice and miso soup options (shiso rice was delicious). Meat was moist and batter was crunchy. We waited 2 hours, not worth waiting that long for. Would only recommend if there's no wait.

I only speak on behalf of ourselves but the hour wait was worth it. I probably wouldn’t wait for more than that. We arrived a little before 4pm and there was already a line so definitely recommend going 15 mins beforehand to possibly get a seat during the first round. Once the restaurant is filled, it’s about 45 mins - an hour wait before you’re seated. Tip: if you’re wait is minimum 1 hour and you really want to dine here suggest going next door to the Thai massage to kill some time. Prices there are very reasonable but can’t comment on whether it’s good. Now to the important part - the food. Once we sat down, they take your order (we got the 300gm tonkatsu (enough to split between two). It comes with miso soup, side of cabbage and rice. They then provide you a hot towel to wipe your hands with and then they bring out some appetisers and a small bowl of sesame for you to grind (great activity esp when you’re waiting for your food!) The pork was crumbed well and did not taste overly oily however the meat itself was a bit on the dry lean side. Overall, great service and great food! There’s a parking lot downstairs - if you enter before 4pm it’s US$1 per hour for the first 2 hours if you get your ticket validated at the restaurant and US$1.50 every 30 mins thereafter. If you enter the carpark from 4pm onwards it’s US$4 per hour

Outstanding tonkatsu, moist crunchy and melts in your mouth. Add in the fun of grinding sesame seeds to enhance your tonkatsu sauce while getting unlimited cabbage. Had old school Japanese condiments such as umeboshi to enjoy with your rice

Ahhh the Juiciness! The Crunch! Need I say more? When I went my boyfriend and I were not able to find a reservation in advance but I decided to check their page the day of while literally waiting in line and saw there was a last minute opening for a reservation so hooray we got to skip the long line and get seated inside the homey wooden restaurant, facing the kitchen! Definitely recommend making a reservation if you are able to or trying out this hack. When we went we got the Oyster tonkatsu as well as the Pork tonkatsu. Both were incredibly crispy and breaded to perfection. On the side they are also served with two types of tonkatsu sauce (one being sweeter and one being more savory). There is also a cool aspect where you are given sesame seeds you can grind yourself to mix into your sauces if you choose to do so. (I'm allergic so I didn't but my boyfriend had a blast!) Out of the Pork and Oyster tonkatsu I definitely recommend the Oyster tonkatsu! It was even more juicy and delectable than the pork and much more tender like nothing I have ever had before! I cannot recommend this spot enough. It's definitely worth the wait!

Despite the opening of several new competitors, Tonkatsu Tamafuji remains my favorite tonkatsu restaurant in Honolulu. I'd even go so far as to suggest that it compares to some of the best tonkatsu restaurants in Japan. It'd be my go-to restaurant... if only I could reliably get a reservation. The main attraction is the tonkatsu. In fact, aside from several variants (pork, shrimp, chicken, oyster), there are few, if any, options that would be suitable for vegetarians. Like other tonkatsu restaurants, you can choose between various amounts of breaded, deep-fried loin (rosu) and tenderloin (hire). I recommend the tenderloin (hire), which is served in 3-4 medallions, if you prefer something leaner (i.e. less fatty) and crispier (i.e. higher bread crumb to meat ratio). However, the loin (rosu) is still quite good, and some options, like the sizzling miso katsu, are only served with loin. What makes Tamafuji's food so good is the lightness / crispiness of the bread crumb, which come from La Tour Bakehouse, as well as the tenderness of the pork, which derives from the restaurant's aging process. Sure, the price of Tamafuji's offerings are on the higher side ($28-40). But this is one meal where it feels like the higher premium is worth it, especially if you want to avoid paying for a flight to Japan to find similar quality tonkatsu. As part of your order, you get three choices of rice (plain, seasoned mixed, or shiso seaweed) as well as four choices of miso soup (red with claim and green onion, red with tofu and seaweed, white with claim and green onion, or white with tofu and seaweed). I'm partial to the shiso seaweed rice (more savory) and the red miso soup with clam and green onions (more intense flavor, nice saltiness from seafood). Rice and cabbage refills are complimentary, and the waiters do a good job of circulating throughout the restaurant, asking patrons whether they need more cabbage or rice. Additionally, the staff will provide each table with a set of pickled sides, which have frequently included cabbage, cucumber, lotus root, burdock root, and/or plum. Your meal concludes with a cup of hojicha, which is the perfect way to end a delectable meal of fried goodness. Reservations are highly recommended, but it can be difficult to get one via Tablecheck. If you don't have a reservation, they do take a limited number of walk-in guests around each reservation time slot (e.g. 4pm, 5:30pm, 7pm, and 8:30pm on weekdays, 5pm, 6:30pm, 8pm on weekends ), but you'll want to make sure to arrive early to write your name on a waitlist outside the front door. In the past few months, I've arrived a 5-10 minutes before the restaurant's opening, and there are always several names (5+) on the waitlist. Other Notes: - I wouldn't necessarily recommend the 1 lb. pork loin katsu set unless you're looking for a thicker piece of pork. I'd prefer if the restaurant provided two pieces of pork loin that totaled 1 lb. rather than one massive slab. That would provide a better bread crumb to meat ratio. - I always leave the restaurant smelling like fried food, whether I'm sitting close to the kitchen or not. - Things like the sizzling miso katsu and tonkatsu egg toji sets will not be crispy as they are slathered in sauce or broth. - The staff will let you know that there are two types of tonkatsu sauce: "spicy" and "sweet". The spicy sauce is not spicy (read: hot). The "sweet" sauce has a stronger ketchup flavor. The "spicy" one is more similar to conventional tonkatsu sauce with a stronger Worcestershire flavor. - Most items are available for takeout, so you don't have to brave the crowds if you'd prefer to dine from the comfort of home or at the beach. - Validated parking is available in the semi-underground parking lot for a small fee, but I often look for metered street parking on Kapahulu for an easy exit.

Heard about the long waits for this place and having reservations months in advance but luckily was able to get a 5:30 reservation the day of. Handful of walk ins waiting outside. Greeted by the staff walking in immediately and can see the giant pot where they fry the katsu. Excellent service here as the server introduced dishes and the sides to us. Started with grinding our own sesame and the smell was amazing. Then brought out 3 dishes of pickled vegetables for our sides. The cucumber was tasty. Wasn't really a fan of the others. Each dish comes with rice and miso soup. They have 3 kind of rice and you can sample all 3! The red miso soup with clam came out very hot. The cheesy pork loin had gooey cheese when pulling apart. The meat was moist and tender. Crispy and good ratio of the crust. The fried oyster and shrimp were also fried perfectly and tasted fresh. The katsu sauce mixed with the sesame was delicious. Cabbage was refilled and option with yuzu or sesame dressing. One of the best katsu places I've been. Plan ahead and make a reservation for this place. Street parking and lower level garage parking here.

I was a bit skeptical that this place would be overhyped given how popular it is and I'm glad I was wrong. The meat is extremely tender and juicy while the breading is perfectly crunchy without overdoing it. Dare I say it's the closest to Japan level tonkatsu in America? It definitely is delicious although the reservations are really hard to get. I like how the salad is refillable as well.

4 years since my last review of Tamafuji. Just want to check back and say they're still killing it! Went in for a private event with a set menu (subset of the regular menu, nothing new or special), so the experience was a bit different than usual, but the food was still top notch. The pork tenderloin was juicy and crispy perfection. The oysters perfectly deep fried and tasted fresh, as always. The top-of-the line white rice imported straight from Hokkaido was also delicious as usual. The white miso soup yummy. And the heaping portions of unlimited cabbage salad always make me a happy camper. One caveat: The waitress was extremely rude, but ONLY to me. It was so strange. She came to our table and took 3 people's drink orders, then just walked away while I was trying to tell her my order. She came back to check on us and asked 2 people on our table of 6 if they wanted a free refill of rice. But then as I was saying I wanted one too, because my rice bowl was just as empty as theirs, she just walked away. Same thing happened AGAIN when she gave 2 other people on my table refills of cabbage and then just completely ignored me when I tried to tell her I wanted some as well. It was so obvious that multiple people asked me if I knew her and had done something bad to her. Never seen the woman in my life (and hope I never have to again). BUT, the food is just so damn good here, this one negative part of my latest experience could not possibly come near my love for the place. I. Love. This. Place.

No luck getting a res so I put my name down 30 mins before they open at 4pm and was seated with the first seating. It got pretty packed so would recommend putting your name down before they open. Service was really great. They make sure you're taken care of and refill you on cabbage and rice. The set comes with your choice of miso soup, rice and pickled veggies. The tonkatsu was really great. The batter was super crispy and the pork super tender. Even the white rice was incredible. Glad I was able to stop by.

100% worth making a reservation months in advance -- this is the BEST tonkatsu I've ever had both on the island and on the mainland. I got the recommend tonkatsu and it was absolutely delicious -- the meat was super juicy and the fried outside was the perfect consistency. Inside is pretty small but you get to see the chef cooking your dinner in the open kitchen which is super cool! Highly recommend.

Make a reservation! Please do it. It doesn't matter even if you're solo dining, I highly recommend you make a reservation. This restaurant is so worth it. This place is always busy and full all the time from the time they open until the time they closed. Today I've had my reservation at 4 PM (first seating) and it was filled to capacity immediately! It was busy but not chaotic, it was seamless and smooth. Servers were cordial, kind and informative. They genuinely wanted to take great care of you by refilling your unlimited rice and cabbage salad (they have three kinds of rice), the seasoned mixed rice has chunks of scallops in it, but the Hokkaido white rice was my favorite. It was just a perfect match. This is a very busy but a very civilized restaurant. Pork katsu was tender and cooked to perfection. Authentic Japanese people and hospitality, worth your time and your money.

The restaurant is full from the moment they open their doors as well as the wait list. If you don't have a reservation plan to be waiting outside around an hour before open to be front of the waitlist. Be on time, the will not wait for you! I was not fortunate enough to discover this place and thus did not have a reservation and arrived to a waitlist of 20 people. The takeout is still great but you are missing out if you don't dine in. There are more food options, different rice varieties etc. Not to mention the overall experience of making your own sauce! Everything is flown in from japan and each dish is carefully curated, even the take out. If you do takeout, ask for extra sauce! If you are not big into the veggies and other dishes, order the tonkatsu sandwich as you get a large portion of tonkatsu for a third of the price! The outside is crispy and packed with flavor and the lettuce is finely shredded and accompanied with a homemade sauce that you'll be wishing you could purchase. Overall 8.6/10 (takeout rating)

Luckily we're able to snag some reservations in! The go to .... Tenderloin because it's so tender, although it feels like the pieces are getting smaller. Always love the seasoned mixed rice today it was scallops and had so many scallops in the rice! Husband likes to try all the different ones, miso set, egg toji set, both with pork loin and tenderloin and he loves them all. Also love the oysters and the shrimp sets! Even with all the new Katsu places popping up tonkatsu Tamafuji seems to still have the best breading and fry texture. By 11 am upstairs was packed for a Sunday, lots of reservations and had about 10 walk ins already on the sign in sheet. Service is always great, you can get unlimited rice and cabbage. Although just realized that we didn't get the ending hot tea, not sure if you have to ask for it now. It's always a good ending to a deep fried meal. Parking with validation was only $1! For night time it's $4 flat rate after 4 pm. Amazing how their quality year after year stays the same though and packed as ever! Glad that we get to enjoy the Katsu once in awhile.

Omg I ate with my eyes when I ordered! I got the largest portion (300g) of the tonkatsu set and one of oyster katsu and it was a lot! I couldn't finish all my food. My family also got the katsu sandwich and the sizzling katsu toji. Everything was 5/5! Service was great! They will also refill your salad and rice for free. Another thing I loved is that they let you ground up the sesame seeds for the dipping sauce, so my kiddo was enjoying that experience. At the end of the meal, the server will offer you a green tea to wash it all down. And the tea was so fragrant! It was perfect to end the meal. I will be back for sure!

Heard so much about this place so when we were able to end work earlier, we arrived around 3:30 PM to put our name down on the waitlist. We were the 9th group in line and the last group to make it in for the 4 PM dining hour. We ordered the mixed katsu set along with the 1 lb katsu. The waitress went around giving us hand towels and then delivered us the side dishes (pickled cucumbers, ume and cabbage). Our sesame seeds arrived and we quickly got to grinding and adding in our tonkatsu sauce. Our katsu took about 15-20 minutes to arrive and we really enjoyed it with the tonkatsu sauce in the red container. The other one was a bit too salty for us (so keep that in mind!) Some sound out dishes besides the katsu itself were the Shiso seaweed rice as well as the red miso soup with clams. The red miso had a nice tang to it compared to the white miso. Overall, it was a great experience!

Friendly staff. The sizzling plate tonkatsu in miso sauce was very yummy! I enjoyed the grinding of your own sesame seeds for your dipping sauce.

The food was fresh, perfectly cooked/seasoned, and well balanced. The service was very quick, polite, and professional. We were served within minutes of sitting down. I should note, we did not have a reservation and put our name down within 10 minutes of their opening. The ambience was clean, welcoming, and authentic to a small Japanese restaurant. Additionally, I really liked that they serve unlimited cabbage and tea; as well as, offer many different dipping sauces. Overall, a great experience and one of the best Japanese restaurants on the island.

Some of the most delicious tonkatsu I've had. The panko breading is really light and crispy, which really elevates their katsu. I tried the shrimp and pork tenderloin katsu set which includes choice of miso soup, choice of rice and cabbage salad. They provide sides to start as well as sesame seeds to be ground up and added to their katsu sauces (sweet/spicy). They also have 2 different dressings for the salad. The restaurant is relatively small so I would suggest to make a reservation or show up at opening for fast seating. Service was great and I can't wait to go back!

Last time I came I didn't love it as the pork loin was a bit chewy. I had a feeling that I got an off piece so I had to give it another chance and I'm glad I did! It absolutely lived up to expectations. Our group ordered many different items (pork loin, mix set, pork tenderloin and the chicken katsu) and all were very crunchy, tender and moist. The cabbage is so thinly sliced and you can get free refills! Love the different sauces they have for the cabbage and pork. Highly recommend making a reservation well in advance as it's a tiny place and always packed. All the rice options and miso soups are good however we have a personal preference for the white miso over the red miso. The pickled vegetables and umeboshi are a good complement to the fried foods but eat the umeboshi in small bites if you've never had it before. Definitely will come back next time we are in town!

Wow. This restaurant told us they had a multi month wait list for reservations so the only way we could get in was walking in. We got there right at 5 when they opened and got seated right away. Shared a large order of the pork tonkatsu that was super moist. You get to make your own tonkatsu sauce my mashing up fresh sesame seeds and adding your own amounts of their salty and spicy sauces. You get unlimited salad that is really light and balances the pork really well. So glad we were able to get in as we thought this wouldn't be an option!

A very kind friend snagged me a reservation at Tonkatsu Tamafuji (we think it might've been a last-minute cancellation) and I'm so grateful, because this restaurant is AMAZING. Food: I ordered the 180g jyukusei pork loin katsu set, and it was so good. It tasted like katsu I had when I visited Japan. It's crisp, tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned, and it doesn't taste too heavy or oily at all. I loved getting to grind the sesame seeds and mix our own katsu sauce - the fresh ground sesame made a big difference in the taste. The katsu sauce had the perfect sweetness and tang to uplift the katsu. Adding a tiny bit of the mustard gave it a nice kick, too. The set also comes with choice of miso soup, choice of rice, and a set of pickled vegetables. I chose the red miso with tofu and seaweed and the seasoned mixed rice. The miso was bold in flavor and so comforting. The mixed rice was a nice blend of textures and flavors that still paired well with the katsu. The pickled veg were all good, but the gobo was my favorite. The cabbage is so tasty, too - the thin strips give it a light, crisp texture that carries the roasted sesame dressing so well. The hojicha at the end of the meal was so good. It had a deep, roasted, nutty flavor and felt almost cleansing at the end of the meal. Service: The staff was very attentive, greeting us as we entered, giving us a hot towel for our hands, answering any questions we had, and coming back to refill our cabbage. Ambiance: Casual with a charming vibe. It's pretty crowded with tables, which are always full, of course, but it still isn't too loud in there somehow! It's a good spot to catch up with a friend and enjoy a wonderful meal :-) Etc: Parking available under the building for a small fee

I'm happily full of the best Tonkatsu I've ever had! Great value for the price. Service is excellent and quick. Comfortable atmosphere and seating. Everyone there is serious about eating. My daughter and I had has the small standard tonkatsu. My son-in-law had the medium and my husband had the oyster tonkatsu combination. Choice of four different kinda of miso soup and three varieties of rice. Tsukemono, rice and cabbage can be refilled as many times as you wish. Good choices of beer and sake poured in the traditional Japanese style. Sesame style or ponzu style dressing for the cabbage. We're stuffed!

My favorite dish here was the tenderloin. While the variety is great, Tonkatsu Ginza remains my top choice because I prefer their pork and find it to be crispier on the outside. The kids thought the shrimp was just okay, but it was one of my favorites. Just like at Ginza, the kids really enjoyed the cabbage salad! I'd definitely recommend making reservations. However, if you only have one chance to get tonkatsu, I would suggest Tonkatsu Ginza over this popular spot. A quick note: parking here is underground and costs $4 if you don't validate.

Menu is pretty limited so if you're looking for a big range, pass on this restaurant. If you're looking for a nice tonkatsu place, come here! You can choose the amount of grams of meat you want. Although the prices a bit high, reaching about $30/pp. There is a wait so I would suggest coming early to put your name on the waitlist especially for larger parties. Pretty cute inside. Restroom is down the hall and you will need a password so just ask. They do provide water while you are waiting.

Last year I got to try Ginza. This year I got to try Tonkatsu Tamafuji and wow! There's definitely a difference. We couldn't get a reservation so we got there an hour before opening to put down our name. It was absolutely worth it. It seems like they sit tables in waves. If you're not part of the first group that gets seated, you might have to wait another hour. Make sure you're physically present with your whole group of else they won't sit you. I believe it was only street parking. We parked in front by a meter. The servers were so nice and checked on us frequently. They come around often to offer a refill on the cabbage. Highly recommend adding the sesame sauce and yuzu on the cabbage. -8.5oz Jyukusei pork loin set: 5/5!! My boyfriend and I shared the platter. We definitely could've gotten the bigger one. If you want to share, you should get another set of the miso soup and rice. The Hokkaido rice was white rice. The red miso soup was saltier while the white miso soup was lighter in flavor. The pork was soo crispy on the outside but unbelievably tender on the inside. The quality of the pork was top tier. -shrimp katsu: 5/5, I usually dislike the breading at some places because it's thick and not crispy. The breading on this was light, crispy, and it paired nicely with the shrimp. -pork tenderloin katsu sandwich: 5/5, we took this to go as a snack for later and oh my goodness. SO GOOD. The bread is nice and soft with a delicious katsu sauce. Then the pork itself was super tender.

Food was excellent. Service, atmosphere and pricing, okay. This is a busy place so be prepared for that. If you're looking for a nice relaxed dinner spot, this may not be it. You'll need a reservation to get in and be sure to be on time or early to make the most of your times slot.

Located just off the Waikiki strip, this Tonkatsu spot is a small hidden gem tucked away in a commercial business complex. Heads up: the restrooms are shared and outside, so plan accordingly. Reservations are tough to get. We showed up 45 minutes before opening to put our name down but were already around the 10th party in line. Definitely recommend arriving early--and if you have to wait, check out the bar downstairs to pass the time. I personally prefer this place over Ginza Barin. The tonkatsu here comes in thick, juicy cuts that really deliver on flavor. Plus, they offer unlimited cabbage and rice, which is always a bonus. Don't sleep on their oyster katsu--it's a must-try! The staff were friendly and accommodating, rounding out a great dining experience. If you're craving authentic tonkatsu in Waikiki, this is the spot.

Booked reservations the day reservations were available and still was only able to get a 4pm slot! We planned for it though, and just did a brunch and made it an early dinner day. Tonkatsu Tamafuji is probably one of the best tonkatsu places you'll get to try outside Japan! The katsu here is perfectly cooked with the light and crispy coating over a perfectly cooked pork. You grind your own sesame seeds for the sauce, and then pour a sauce of your choice (spicy or non-spicy) to blend. They also start you off with some pickled veggies which pairs well with the Katsu. Service was polite but unmemorable. Overall, worth trying while in Oahu but I don't think I'd wait hours here if I couldn't get reservations.

The line for dine in was over two hours so we opted for take out. Came back at 5pm for our order which took about 25 minutes. The tempura shrimp was our favorite. The tonkatsu unfortunately was very soggy at the bottom but crispy on top, we had picked it up and ate it right away. I would definitely give this place five stars if we ate inside, because I see they have the tonkatsu elevated on a little rack, and I believe that keeps it from getting soggy! The cabbage salad was delicious and finely shredded just how I like it! I loved the pickled veggies it comes with and inside the restaurant they have them available at the tables to grab as much as you want :)

Tonkatsu Tamafuji is one of the only restaurants I go to every time I'm in Oahu and I make it my mission every time to either try to secure a reservation online or wait in line. This restaurant has been consistently delicious while upholding the highest quality of ingredients. Cheese tonkatsu (5/5)- Decadent, crispy and cheesy. The katsu is always perfectly fried where each bite is bursting from the juiciness of the pork. Minced beef ball (5/5)- This is a must get because the beef is succulent and jam packed with flavor! Fried oysters (5/5)- juicy and very meaty. One of my boyfriend's favorite dishes here. If you haven't already checked out Tonkatsu Tamafuji, I highly recommend you change that.

I've visited Japan several times, and Tonkatsu is hands-down one of my favorite Japanese dishes - I even named my dog after it - so I had high expectations coming in. I read all the rave reviews about how this spot is a must-visit for Tonkatsu lovers and how tough it can be to get a reservation. On our last day in Oahu, we decided to take a chance and showed up 30 minutes before they opened for dinner. There were already about seven parties ahead of us, but luckily, we were the last ones seated. I'd recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early - especially if you're in a larger group. The service was incredibly efficient and attentive, and the whole experience transported me back to Japan. They were very generous with sides and sauces (multiple miso soup options, which I've never seen before), and I really appreciated the unlimited cabbage salad - it's always the perfect balance to the richness of Tonkatsu. They also offer two types of rice, which is a nice touch. Personally, I prefer the simplicity of Japanese white rice, but I can see how others might enjoy the variety. I ordered the 180g Jyukusei Pork Loin Katsu Set. It was solid, but just okay for me I like my pork loin with a bit more fat and texture. While it wasn't the best I've ever had, it was still a respectable option, especially outside of Japan. Overall, it's a good spot. Well-executed and worth trying if you're nearby. I wouldn't necessarily center your itinerary around it, but if the timing works out, it's definitely a great option for a satisfying Tonkatsu fix.

When people talk about tonkatsu in Hawaii, Tamafuji is usually the first place people will recommend. It's difficult to get a reservation though and I was lucky that a friend had gotten one and invited me :) The tonkatsu here is of good quality and cooked perfectly. It's fried but you don't get that greasy feeling after eating fried food. There's refills on the rice and cabbage, and they have different rice you can choose from (all really great). Hands down my favorite tonkatsu on the island.

I love this place! It's has the BEST tonkatsu ever!! We waited 1&1/2 hours without reservations but it was so worth it! They start off with 3 appetizers-pickled cucumbers, cabbage and ume. We then had the hot miso soup red or white ( your choice) with tofu and seaweed or clams and seaweed. You then choose the type of rice Hokkaido, mix or seaweed infused. The tonkatsu is so thick , juicy and crunchy. It's amazing with the tonkatsu sauce with the crushed sesame seeds. The ship katsu is also delicious-large, snaps when you bite into it and crunchy. I will be back for sure.

This place was phenomenal! I love how from the moment you step in, you are transported straight out of Hawaii and into Japan! The service was fast and efficient and I love how they spoke Japanese to us and then translated in English. It's a small touch but it made the experience that much more authentic. The decoration was authentic as well! Ok now the food! They started us with a pickled veggies and salty plums. I loved the veggies, the salty plum might be an acquired taste. It was quite salty. The tonkatsu pork was the star of the night! The outside was light and flaky and the inside was juicy and perfectly cooked. They give you a sesame grinder and sauce to use with the pork. I'd highly recommend the place but the reservation system is 2-3 months in advance. Book early!

Reservation or wait!!! The wait is insanely long still but the quality of the food is soooo great. First come first served if you plan on waiting, but the katsu is so amazing. Crispy outside and juicy inside. You can get oysters as a katsu here, something not offered in many other restaurants!!! Delicious!! With seafood miso soup!!

I very very rarely write reviews. I had to write one for Tonkatsu Tamafuji. This place is amazing. I tried to get a reservation for weeks but was unable to, so my wife and I tried our luck with the walk in list. The place is small and intimate, the service is top notch, but the food was incredible! From the Katsu, to the soup, even the rice somehow tasted better. My absolute favorite part was them handing you a bowl of sesame seeds to hand grind with a pestle for your Katsu sauces. Wife and I loved it so much we came back just two days later, because we just had to have it one more time before we head back home.

This was one of the best meals I had in Oahu. It's so popular and so busy, but for a reason. The tonkatsu was incredible. The others at my table would not stop rabing about how similar this was to tonkatsu in Japan. I love that the rice is multi grain. It makes the whole set feel more unique. The experience is cool to be able to grind your own sesame seeds to your liking. Staff was very nice. Overall a 10/10 experience. I tried Ginza Bairin and Tonkatsu Tamafuji is definitely better.

Beware - this place is popular and wait times can be up to 1.5 hours without reservation!! I randomly chose this restaurant without reading reviews. I came with my husband late on a weekday night. There's some street parking available but looks like there might be a paid lot available. The restaurant is on the top floor of the building and there's a clipboard to add yourself to the waitlist. I was surprised watching everyone come out with lots of leftovers in big brown bags after eating. I cannot get over this experience. I've had katsu before but not at this level! First you decide which katsu entree you want then you decide what rice and soup combination you prefer. I didn't know what rice to pick and the server offered to get me one of each kind of rice. My husband and I picked one of each kind of miso (white & red). After the order was placed, the servers provide a hot towel to wipe your hands. They then bring the pickled veggies and sesame seeds to grind. When the food came out of the kitchen, the table side service from the servers was so friendly and professional. The attention to detail these servers give was top notch. Just the gesture of the server putting a napkin over you to prevent the sauce from splattering you really impressed me. The rice & cabbage salad were refillable which the servers were very observant when you were getting low. Now I understand why people were coming out with lots of leftovers when there's so much to eat! Luckily my husband & I came hungry and ate everything provided to us. Overall a great experience to have! This definitely sets the bar high for future katsu experiences.

If you don't have a reservation, but don't mind waiting, you can get in!! On Memorial weekend, Sunday, I had a party of 5. We arrived at 5:10 PM and put our name on the list. There were about 8 smaller parties ahead of us, and we waited 1 hr and 45 minutes to be seated. Parking in the lot below is $4. Honestly the wait is worth it. If you don't mind waiting, don't stress about reservations, and just do walk in. In my opinion, Tonkatsu Tamafuji has better katsu than places I've had in Japan.

FOOD: 3 SERVICE: 4 AMBIANCE: 3 VALUE: 4 Honestly, this place is OK, the tonkatsu was good (not great) and the service was good. We arrived just before 4PM, put our name down for a table of 2. We were number 9 on the walk-in waitlist. When they opened at 4PM, they let all the "reservations" in plus "walk-ins" up to number 7. We, #9, had to wait 2hrs before we were seated. Honestly, there were several empty tables for 2 available 1/2 hour before we were seated. We both ordered their Jjukusei Pork Loin set (6.4oz/180g) set. You get unlimited pickled set (plum/cabbage/combu), your choice of rice, miso soup and unlimited shaved cabbage. The pork tonkatsu itself was a little thick, which required a little more frying time to beyond golden and a little more brown. The meat was neither tender nor tough, but also nothing special. The beading was not particularly memorable, not too thick. Overall, the tonkatsu was good, just not spectacular and definitely not worth waiting 2 hours for. Try to score a reservation or come early enough to be waitlist #6 or lower.

Overhyped, Just Okay My party of four was pleasantly surprised when we called to ask about walk-ins. Considering the reservation waitlist is supposedly over a year, we were shocked they could seat us at all. The wait for a walk-in was about 45 minutes, which honestly felt the same as any other popular spot, so I don't understand why people complain so much about it. The restaurant itself has a cute ambience, and you can see them frying katsu in big copper pots, which definitely added to the excitement. I ordered the aged pork (medium size). They first brought us sesame seeds with a rustic grinder stick to make the sauce, plus hot towels before the meal, which I appreciated as a nice authentic Japanese touch. That said, from the time we got our sesame seeds until our food actually arrived was very long... almost another 45 minutes. And when it did arrive, the katsu was... just okay. I expected it to be crispier. Maybe my expectations were too high since I had Nana Ai Katsu the week before, which was hands-down the crispiest katsu I've had on the island (and a less hyped spot). The aged pork tasted like any other pork (nothing special) and it was a bit dry. My husband got the mixed katsu plate, and I tried the oyster katsu. That was actually the standout of the whole meal. I would consider coming back just for that. Overall, I don't really get the hype. Service wasn't great either. The lady serving us was a bit harsh and rushed us through our orders. For the long wait, average food, and underwhelming service, I'd say save your money and try one of the many other katsu places on the island. There are tons of options that deliver just as good (if not better) food without the fuss.

We were lucky enough to get reservations! I kept checking months in advance to try to get one so I can finally try this place out. Something finally opened up and I was so excited! We arrived 15 min before our reservation and checked in. We immediately were seated at our table. We ordered right away. It was my first time so I wasn't sure what to do with the sesame seeds but the people I was with went before and explained that you have to grind it down fine and then add your katsu sauce to it. I ordered the katsu pork with the oysters. The breading was light and the meat and oysters were just perfect! My favorite was the oysters. I would go back again just for that. I also had no idea they did bento take out orders! That's such a great option for when you are wanting a plate but aren't able to get reservations.

Still the best tonkatsu in town! It gets really crowded. Wait times can be couple of hours. Get there early if you cannot get a reservation. Service is great and food always so delicious. You won't be disappointed. Pork tenderloin with 2 pc shrimp is always a favorite of mine with mixed rice.

What makes Tonkatsu Tamafuji stand out, even aside from its world class tonkatsu, is that everything from the appetizers to the salad dressing to the tonkatsu sauce is amazing and made with so much care and attention. There are no short cuts and you can tell it's all made in house. Their tonkatsu sauce is excellent. They give you a little bowl of sesame seeds and let you grind it up yourself at the table, which was a fun activity for my kids and kept them occupied for five minutes, ha. Then you mix a little bit of tonkatsu sauce in from the two jars on the table: one sauce is saltier and one is slightly sweet. I liked the one that was slightly sweet best, which pairs perfectly with all the katsu. My 3 year old probably consumed an entire bowl of just the sauce; it was that good. Each tonkatsu set comes with a bowl of miso soup and after my first sip, I realized it's been a long time since I had had miso soup that didn't come a package. It was light, flavor-packed and comforting. Now to the mains: we got the pork loin 10 oz size, the pork tenderloin, and the chicken katsu. Our favorite of the two pork dishes was the pork loin, which was juicy and tender. Their breading is amazingly flaky and light tasting, in spite of being fried. I really don't know how to make it so flaky. Our kids were fans of the chicken. Each main dish comes with a generous portion of delicately shredded cabbage, which you can then douse with either a house-made sesame based dressing or a ponzu dressing. Both were delicious, and they have unlimited refills of the cabbage salad! If I could, I'd eat here every time we visit Oahu! For us, it helped to go early to put our name down so we wouldn't have to wait as long with our kids. They also do takeout for those who don't want to brave the line!

Had the opportunity to try Tamafuji fresh as opposed to take out like last time and well worth the effort. Parking underneath the building after 4 pm is $4 flat rate. Service was excellent. Incredibly attentive without being overbearing, when I dropped my chopsticks, a new pair arrived immediately. Consistently checked if we wanted more rice or cabbage. Tonkatsu was perfectly fried--delicious, dark and crispy. The tsukemono (Japanese house pickled vegetables). Inside the restaurant, the decor is simple but gives you a flavor of what it's like to eat in an authentic Japanese restaurant. Debating making a reservation soon. If you don't have one, it can be over a two hour wait. Would absolutely go back.

Tonkatsu was scrumptious along with every delicious part of our meal. Staff was friendly and courteous. We made reservations online and were promptly seated for our dinner when we arrived. The restaurant was cozy and great for a date! Thanks!

One of my favorite stops in Oahu. Luckily my friends made a reservation, but they take walk-ins as well. For the quality, details, and overall experience - the price is very fair! This place must be on your Oahu plans. It was ~30 per katsu set. I got the Shrimp and Oyster option, and traded a piece of tenderloin for an oyster with my friend. 100/10 option for a seafood girly. The sauces were perfect pairings and the katsu was amazing. Our group was too happy about the unlimited cabbage salad as well, I'm always sad about skimpy vegetables when dining out.

I never like Japanese pork chop before I came to try this Tamafuji. The outside coating is light and fluffy . Inside the pork tenderloin is juicy and flavorful. We tried their fried oyster too and it is absolutely delicious! I wish I could eat more ... but I couldn't! Reservation was made 6 months ago cause we have a big table for 8 people . The pork loin is not as tender and juicy as the pork tenderloin. The process of grinding your own sesame and added the solution to make a paste are very different experiences. The meat comes with unlimited supply of rice ( 3 kinds to choose from ) . Soup is white miso with seafood ! We were in heaven !

Plan ahead with reservation. Quaint restaurant with very courteous service. Not rushed or packed. The dining experience is very enjoyable. The staff answered my question about the menu and is so polite and genuine. Food is delicious. Pork tonkatsu has great crunch, oyster is flakey battered, shrimp also flakey. Loved the shredded salad with the sesame dressing. The white miso with seafood is also tasty and smooth. The whole meal is excellent and flavors so tasty. It's fun to grind own sesame bowl for the tonkatsu sauce. The aroma is strong. Recommend to come on any visit on this island.

We decided to order take out on a Sunday afternoon. Food was delicious. We got our food right away when we go there. Service was excellent as usual. Great place to go to when you want tonkatsu.

Had dinner with my boyfriend at Tonkatsu Tamafuji and the food never disappoints! We made these reservations about 5months in advance and just hoped the date would end up working out. To make reservations you just need to check their website randomly. Without reservations expect to wait at 1-3hours on any given day. The restaurant is pretty small so the walk-ins are pretty limited. Food- katsu was tender and juicy. Panko is super flakey. Very comparable to what you would get in Japan. You also get unlimited cabbage and rice. There are also picked veggies as a starter that gets placed on each table. Two different katsu sauces to choose from and you get to grate your own sesame seeds. Service- there are a lot of servers and food came out pretty fast. This wasn't my first visit and will definitely not be the last!

It's nearly impossible to get a reservation because they get booked out months in advance BUT if you get there ~1 hour 15 min before opening to put your name on the waitlist you'll likely get in the first wave of seating! My boyfriend and I were #2 on the walk-in waitlist we barely made the cut for first seating. Might feel a little crazy for going that early until you see all the other foodies who didn't get a resy also waiting :) Not to be dramatic but the oyster katsu changed my life wow. The tenderloin katsu melts in your mouth like no other. Better than ginza bairin. You can choose different types of rice and red/white miso soup with the sets. Comes out to ~$30 per katsu set before tax/tip. Go here!