Ethel's Grill - CLOSED

Ethel's Grill is one of the best hole in wall spots I've found. They are known for Okinawan food and the tataki sashimi. I highly recommend a side order of the tataki sashimi and the taco rice. The portions are good for sharing and the prices are reasonable. They give you small salad and miso soup when you order the plates.

They are located in Kalihi on the first level of a residential building; the outside of the shop is painted red. The inside of the restaurant is small and the tables are set up for 4. If you have more than 4 in your group, you should separate or do take out. It doesn't matter what time of day you come because they are always busy and they don't take reservations. They have 4 parking spaces inside the building but if you get lucky you might get street parking. They only accept cash.

232 Kalihi St
Honolulu, HI 96819
(808) 847-6467

Tataki Sashimi (side order)

Mochiko Chicken

Taco Rice

Izakaya Naru

Izakaya Naru is known for their Okinawan dishes such as taco rice and homemade soba. Their specials change daily and the chefs make creative dishes. Some interesting daily specials I've tried in the past were Italian style poke and house-made smoked pistachios. If you like to drink, this place is good because they have a huge selection of alcohol and they stay open till 2AM. If you like food, this place is also good because the portions are small so you can try a bunch of different things. Their prices are reasonable and it's best to come with 2-4 people. Some dishes I recommend are the yukari seasoned fries, gyoza pizza, taco rice, okinawa soba, and shoyu pork spareribs. You must save room for dessert because the baguette stuffed with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with honey is amazing. 

They are located in Mo'ili'ili in the same complex as Glazer's Coffee and Sushi King. There is a parking lot but the lot gets full quick because it's shared with all the other businesses. There is street parking which is free after 6PM and you can also park in Puck's Alley. You might need to pay for Puck's Alley though. They are only open for dinner and the restaurant is small so call a few days in advanced to make a reservation.

For more information about Izayaka Naru, visit naru-honolulu.com.

2700 S King St.
Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 951-0510

Yukari seasoned French Fries

Gyoza Pizza

Beef Tongue

Butter Sauteed Clams w/ Baguette

Taco Rice

Homemade Okinawa Soba w/ Shoyu Pork Spareribs

Baguette stuffed w/ Vanilla Ice Cream

Sunrise Restaurant

Sunrise Restaurant is a hole-in-wall restaurant located in the Kapahulu area. They are tucked behind the surf shop with bamboo exteriors on the corner of Herbert Street. Sunrise Restaurant specializes in Okinawan dishes. It's a small restaurant so make a reservation before you go. All the customers dining in spoke Japanese and my table was the only table who spoke English. The waitress was very friendly and she made sure we were okay throughout the dinner. If you order deep fried items or sushi, the food will take a little longer. The chef cooks in the kitchen and comes out to make sushi at the sushi bar. My favorites were the Okinawa soba, ox tail soup, dynamite, and deep fried shrimp. I don't care for pig's feet but if you like it, you should order the pig's feet soup. The prices are reasonable and you get a good amount of food. The restaurant is also BYOB. If you forget your drinks, you can walk over to 7-Eleven and pick some up.

They have 3 parking spaces in the front for customer. The stall are at different angles so please be considerate of the other customers and park inside the lines. If your car is crooked, the owner will ask you to adjust your car so other people can get into the stalls. Depending on what time you go, you might be able to find free street parking on Herbert Street.


525 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 737-4118

Okinawa Soba

Oxtail Soup

Pig's Feet Soup

Sushi Combo

Pork Bitter Melon

Dynamite

Yakisoba

Deep Fried Squid

Deep Fried Shrimp