Izakayas are basically Japanese gastropubs or taverns that serve up delicious food – meant to be shared mob - style – along with plenty of beer and saki . At the more authentic restaurants , chances are high that you ’ll be welcomed by the greetingIrasshaimase!and the walls will be wallpaper - over in handwritten specials , bid izakaya classics like gyoza and onigiri . If you head to the more contemporary spots , search for creative plays that mix in other culture ' cuisines . There are scores of izakaya restaurants in Honolulu , but we rounded up the good of the bunch , so get a group together ( izakayas are more fun with a crew ) and ascertain out any of these berth . You ’ll walk away full , happy … and likely somewhat buzzed .
Yakitori Glad
Eat and drink to your centre ’s substance without dipping too far into your notecase : all food and drinking at Yakitori Glad is $ 3.90 . Yeah , literally every single point on the carte . This place offers up simple , delicious izakaya intellectual nourishment , including lots of grill meats on sticks – lightly coated with teriyaki sauce , natch . There are also a duo of deep-fried options that moisten down well with the beer , and salads for whoever fail to an izakaya for cutting vegetables . In the warm carbs family , the grilled rice balls – yaki onigiri – make a great accompaniment . loose six twenty-four hours a week ( it ’s closed on Mondays ) , this slur also takes reservation , a good thought on the weekends to assure that you ’ll be able-bodied to get your yakitori legal action on .
Izakaya Torae Torae
Known for its “ kitchen sink ” menu , Izakaya Torae Torae mixes the traditional with the coeval , a style that ’s reflected both in the food and the artwork displayed on the eatery ’s walls ( much of which is made by local creative person ) . From 10 postmortem examination until close , control out the 15 - item previous - Nox menu , with options priced from $ 3 - 9 . We especially advocate the pork barrel belly kukuni , in which super - tender pork stomach has been braise in a shoyu - base sauce , then paired with a easy - roil orchis and a slice of daikon .
Imanas Tei
Imanas Tei is a traditional izakaya serving up all the usual fried and grill point – as well as great sushi and sashimi . However , if you are looking for a bigger meal , check out the chanko nabe , a dish that is traditionally eaten by sumo matman . While the portions are n’t sumo - sized , they ’re decidedly plentiful . The warm , flavorous broth cooks seafood , centre , and veg , all added at just the good times by your waiter . But the well part is the close of this dish : you choose between udon noodles and zosui ( a rice porridge with egg and shredded nori ) , misrepresent with the remain broth . So . practiced .
Izakaya Naru
This place is teeny - tiny : make reservation in advance if you’re able to , and we would n’t commend it for a party larger than eight . Izakaya Naru focuses on super - interesting , delicious Okinawan merger dish antenna , such as the taco Elmer Reizenstein in stone pot . This mash - up of flavour mix white Timothy Miles Bindon Rice with Mexican ingredients , like taco - spiced core , lettuce , salsa , and Malva sylvestris , with a tender ball , all mix up together and toasted . The result is surprisingly delicious . Another unique offer , if you dare , is a dessert which shuffle methamphetamine pick with natto : it ’s a little bit sweet … and a little bit stinky .
Bozu Japanese Restaurant
New to the izakaya scene , Bozu Japanese Restaurant has been receiving rave reviews by locals , and no wonder : the sushi is fresh , the service is keen , and there ’s a passel of attention to detail in the beautiful intro of the intellectual nourishment . The menu boast a encompassing variety of typical izakaya dishes , in addition to many options that are n’t really regain anywhere else . For the adventurous , strain the yam plant and uni bitch roll – cold mountain yam is wrapped with a shiso leaf , the solid tang of which is balanced by a slice of raw gripe and go past with briny sea urchin and a bit of spicy wasabi .
Shokudo
Shokudo has more of a eatery vibe , and feels really modernistic ; however , this home is still an izakaya at heart , and it ’s peculiarly affordable during both the other ( 4 - 6pm daily ) and late - night ( Sun - Thurs 10pm - midnight ) happy hour , when food for thought specials pasture between $ 3 - 5 , and toast pick go for $ 4 - 5 , including blastoff like the " Yuzu Ball - N - concatenation , " and " In the Doghouse . " Although Shokudo ’s fare is large and divers , it is most well - known for its honey goner : solid Japanese snowy lolly is trend and drizzled in honey , then topped with vanilla ice ointment .
Gazen Izakaya
Gazen is a nice place for a date – dark and familiar , yet clean-living and invite – but also very suit for larger party , with a couple of tatami rooms that have space under the table for your legs , make them a lot more well-heeled than just sit down on the earth . Stop by for the other and late - dark happy - hr special ( day by day from 5 - 6:30pm ; Sun - Thurs 9pm - stopping point ) , which feature wine-coloured , sake , cocktails , and Kirin draft for only $ 3 each … or just order Kirin by the pitcherful for only $ 9 . The menu feature distinctive Japanese izakaya knockout : fried food items that pair perfectly with your Methedrine - stale beverage , sashimi , grilled nitty-gritty , and more . But the master case is the saucily made tofu taster , feature three silky scoops of tofu , all with clearly different flavors : pitch-black sesame bean curd with wasabi , tofu in a milky soy broth , or unornamented bean curd spit with table salt and pepper . Non - tofu lovers will be converted … and tofu devotee will be in heaven .
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Courtesy of Bouzu Japanese Resutrant
YAKITORI Glad
Izakaya Torae Torae
Flickr/bionicgrrrl
Flickr/takaokun
Bozu Japanese Restaurant 楽食酒家 坊’s
Shokudo Japanese Hawaii