The last few weeks I was busy island-hopping for work......and I was also in an okazu-ya haze. "Okazu" means "side dish," while "ya" means "shop." These casual storefronts carry take-out food and are most often family-owned "Mom and Pop" joints.
While on Maui, Dad and I frequented
Ichiban Okazuya many times on our two-day trip. It's a perfect lunch to take to the beach/park...or perfect for Dad and I to munch on in between meetings. I also love the wide variety of dishes to choose from!
Then, on our Hilo trip, I found Kawamoto Okazuya. What a gem! This has to be my favorite okazu on all of the islands. They are best known for their (shrimp, ahi, ono, veggie, sweet potato) Tempura, their Nori-wrapped chicken, and their jaw-dropping prices! I mean "jaw-dropping" in the best way possible, because their prices were so reasonable. In this day and age, it's very difficult to find such a great value. If I lived on Hilo, I would probably eat here so much that I'd be paying for their rent!
Take a peak......there's so much to choose from!!!
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| Veggie tempura, Ahi tempura, and Shrimp tempura. All moist yet crispy! |
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| A bento for $2.50?! Where else can you find such great prices? |
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| The crispiest shrimp tempura I've ever eaten |
Wednesday Farmer's Market!
Restaurant Miwa- Their special of the night was their version of Oxtail Soup. You know I don't ever pass on this! Came topped with lots of green veggies, watercress and seaweed. I loved their Japanese take on it. Only thing I would have loved? More oxtail, please! There were only about 3-4 pieces hiding on the bottom. So tender that I wanted more more more!
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| This will have to be in one of the top spots in my Oxtail search. See the rest here. |
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| Dad couldn't pass on their Haupia Cheesecake. It was definitely worth every calorie though. Dense and creamy- this was the ultimate piece of cheesecake. |
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| I opted for something tried and true- you can't go wrong with Green Tea Ice Cream!! |
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