Kyoto Katsuda

Kyoto Katsuda specializes in beef katsu. You can order the katsu ala carte or as a set. For the set, it comes with rice, soup, and cabbage. They offer free refills for rice and cabbage. The waiter will recommend what temperature is best for that cut of beef based on what you ordered but if you don't like it that way, you can ask to change it. Based on the quality of the meat which was very tender, the prices are reasonable. The katsu sauces had subtle flavor and they also had a curry sauce that I didn't care for. They have different salts on the side and that was better pairing for the beef katsu. The 120g is a good size for one person but since I was sharing, I chose the 240g. 

The restaurant is located inside STIX Asia. I did a walk-in on a week night around 6pm and was seating right away. The restaurant starts getting busy around 7pm. The service was excellent because our waiter came by a few times to offer us refills on the cabbage. They have a kamaaina discount so show your Hawaii ID or driver's license at the time of ordering. For parking, I parked at Royal Hawaiian Center and walked over. 

For more information about Kyoto Katsuda, follow them on Instagram, @kyotokatsudahi.

Waikiki Shopping Plaza
2250 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815  

US Beef Tenderloin Katsu Set 240g

US Beef Katsu Set 240g

 

Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin

Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin is known for their kurobuta pork loin tonkatsu. They are a chain in Japan and they have 1 location in Waikiki. The service and taste of their food is excellent. The tonkatsu are served as sets which come with shredded cabbage, rice, and miso soup. You can get refills on miso soup and cabbage. They have lunch specials that are under $20 and they give a good portion of food. I enjoyed the tiger shrimp katsu more than the tonkatsu. The tiger shrimp was huge and very crispy. The pork was a bit dry.

The prices for the tonkatsu sets are high compared to the other place on Kapahulu. They also put a service charge on each bill that is not gratuity so you still have to add tip. They do offer a kamaaina discount if you show your local ID.

I you plan to eat here, call and make a reservation in advance because they do get busy. For parking, you can park in the underground parking lot at the Bank of Hawaii Waikiki Center and get validation from the restaurant.

For more information about Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin, visit www.pj-partners.com/bairin/index.html.

255 Beach Walk
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 926-8082

Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu Set

Rolled Omelet

Pork Tenderloin Katsu Set w/ Tiger Shrimp Katsu

Katsu Don Set

Tonkatsu Tamafuji

Tonkatsu Tamafuji is known for their deep-fried pork loin. They are a chain in Japan and this is their first Hawaii location. The quality and taste of the food is excellent. The teishoku's are in the $20 range but you get rice, cabbage, miso soup, and tsukemono with it. I recommend the pork tenderloin over the pork loin because the meat is juicer. This will probably be the crispiest tonkatsu you've ever eaten on the island and you'll want to go back for more.    

They are located on the 2nd floor of the Hee Hing Plaza in Kapahulu. You can easily spot this place because they always have people waiting outside on the balcony. They don't take reservations and the wait can sometimes take up to 60 minutes. Do not go in big groups because it holds up the entire restaurant. There is parking in the Hee Hing Plaza for $2 but sometimes it's free because the attendant is not there. The restaurant suggests parking inside FHB's parking lot after hours.

449 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 922-1212

Jyukusei Pork Tenderloin Katsu Teishoku

Jyukusei Pork Loin Cheese Katsu Teishoku

Pork Loin Katsu Don