pauhanabase

Food was good, and the menu prices were reasonable considering the location right in Waikiki Beach. The food also came out fast, and overall everything tasted pretty good. Service was quick. They also offer parking validation for the Hyatt Centric hotel, which was nice. We came in as a party of two, and the restaurant wasn’t even fully seated at the time. The only issue we had was the mandatory 20% gratuity charge, which felt a bit unnecessary given the situation. Other than that, overall a good spot with good food, fair pricing, and fast service.

A cute little Japanese izakaya hidden in the back. The staff were friendly and the cozy atmosphere reminded me of Japan. The prices were reasonable, and the food was okay.

Another FANTASTIC hidden gem! Staff was extremely friendly, and when I say that I mean if you have zero idea what to order, ask your server what their favorite menu item is. I let the staff pick my meal whenever I go and they do not disappoint! Happy hour is good, get the chicken cartilage! Then the tofu soup is unreal, fantastic on a rainy day in Honolulu whenever you just wanna stay home or can't enjoy the beach, you can have the soup to brighten your day. Next, the squid eyesockets...you HAVE TO try at least once in your life. It has a caramelized sweetness to them when they cook them. Lastly, the Hokke is BEYOND anything you can get anywhere else. Hard to find, very traditional in Japan, so the fact they have this...just get it. You'll see what I mean.

One of my favorite places in Waikīkī! Been here multiple times. Great spot to go with friends on a weekend night. Highly recommend the loco moco, chicken yakitori, and crab coquette! Their take on loco moco is quite different from the typical plate lunch. The sauce is not the gravy kind, instead it’s like a thicken sweet cornstarch slurry sauce. Similar to the Chinese sweet and sour sauce, but it’s not sour. Second, the hamburger patty style is super soft and juicey. The style is more like the Japanese Hambagu. This was one of my favorite dish that I always get. The cream croquette was yummy dummy delicious. Crunchy and creamy in each bite. The chicken yakitori was tender and umami. Love sprinkling with the red pepper to add a nice kick. It can be a bit of a wait for the food to come out. As for parking, they have a two hour validation at the Hyatt Centric Waikīkī. I recommend placing a reservation as sometimes the wait can be a bit long during busy hours.

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.