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About
Kawamoto Store
Welcome to Kawamoto Store, a hidden gem in the heart of Hilo, Hawaii. Located at 784 Kilauea Ave, this delightful establishment is your go-to destination for authentic Japanese cuisine, especially if you’re craving some delicious sushi, bento boxes, or unique local dishes.
The menu at Kawamoto Store offers an array of tantalizing options. Patrons can indulge in:
- Sushi: Enjoy cone sushi, maki sushi, and the ever-popular Spam musubi.
- Bento Boxes: Customizable with selections like BBQ meat, chicken shoyu, and meatballs, perfect for a fulfilling meal.
- Tempura: Dive into crispy shrimp, fish, and vegetable tempura for a satisfying crunch.
- Signature Dishes: Be sure to try their renowned Korean fried chicken, known for its exceptional flavor and texture.
Beyond the food, what really sets Kawamoto Store apart is the incredible service. Friendly staff members are always eager to assist you in choosing the right selection to satisfy your cravings, as noted by customer Julie Roberg, who remarked on the helpfulness of the staff during her visit. The establishment may lack sit-down space, but as Julie discovered, there are lovely parks nearby to enjoy your meal al fresco.
Another highlight is the vibrant atmosphere created by the throngs of locals and tourists alike, all patiently waiting to sample the exquisite offerings at Kawamoto Store. Customer Craig Chin described the experience as well worth the wait, noting the impressive display case filled with tempting choices. And let’s not forget about the must-try long rice and nishime, which Craig insists complement the other flavors perfectly.
For those venturing in, be sure to arrive early, especially if you're keen on trying the Korean fried chicken. Customer Zoram Granados learned this quickly, discovering just how addictive these crispy bites are. Each piece brings an incredible crunch while remaining juicy inside – a testament to the skilled preparation at Kawamoto Store.
Finally, the prices at Kawamoto Store are surprisingly reasonable for Hawaii, making it a fantastic value for such high-quality dishes. Regular patrons often place orders for pickup, but the experience of browsing through the options in person is certainly part of the allure of Kawamoto Store.
In summary, Kawamoto Store is a culinary treasure that captures the essence of Japanese comfort food with a unique local twist. From the thoughtfully prepared dishes to the friendly service, this spot checks all the boxes for a perfect meal in Hilo.
For those looking for an authentic taste experience, make sure to stop by Kawamoto Store on your next visit to Hilo – you won’t be disappointed!
For inquiries, you can reach them at (808) 935-8209.
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“ Stop here for breakfast and try the different foods. The food was amazing and the staff were very helpful when helping to pick out what we wanted. A full box and 2 juices was only about 17 so worth the price! The photo here shows how excited we were to dig in and not capture all the food! There isnt places to sit and eat but we found a nice park to enjoy it at. ”
“ Great local place for an impromptu custom bento. Line was a few feet out the door so had to wait about 20 minutes for order to be taken. When you get up to the case a patient employee will take down your order then go fill your order and meet you at the register to pay. Dont worry youll have plenty of time once you get inside to ogle at all the food options they have in the case. Everything tasted great and satisfied the craving. Dont forget to order at least a serving or two of long rice, nishime stewed root veggies, mac salad. They had a Portuguese pickle on the white board for 6. Great rice vinegar based pickle option that helped cut through the fried options. ”
“ I went in to buy Korean Fried Chicken based on a recommendation and was told to go early because they sell out early, I arrived at 1100 AM. I was cautious and ordered five pieces, when I got to the car I ate one and immediately got out of my car to get more. I returned and the entire tray was gone, they were sold out. The Korean Fried Chicken is downright amazing, great crunchy texture, well flavored, and the chicken is well cooked while remaining juicy and not dry. The food and service are 5 out of 5, the atmosphere is a 3, they are not aiming for atmosphere, they deliver on food and service. I will have to try their cookies and other items on my next visit. I saw people buying boxes of them. I will go back and will definitely go multiple times when visiting Hilo. I only leave reviews when the food is fantastic and this definitely was. ”
“ A very unique restaurant serving bento boxes, seemingly popular with locals and tourists alike. You may have to wait a while yo get your food, but it will definitely be worth it. Once you get to the front of the line, you select what you want in your box from a display case filled with different types of chicken and fish, noodles, sushi, spam musubi, and much more. Everything we had was excellent, and we tried a wide variety of their offerings. The prices were also surprisingly affordable given Hawaii standards and the high quality. Seems like a lot of locals call orders in for pickup, so you can try that if you want to save time, although I preferred the experience of seeing the options before ordering. Either way, you cant go wrong with Kawamotos! ”
“ This is one of a kind and original downtown Hilo. Great local food by the piece. Tempura shrimp, Ono two different ways, Korean chicken etc And get there early before its gone. You cant go wrong with anything on that counter and the staff is super friendly. There is a reason they have been in business so long. ”
“ Ok...I remember always loving the food here for as long as I can remember growing up on Hawaii Island. Maki sushi, shrimp tempura, nori chicken, fried chicken, mahimahi and shoyu pork hit the spot on a recent visit. Plus the Pie Crust Manju and Ranger Cookies are brokedamout too! An absolute must stop if youre in Hilo. Old school grinds made with love. You can taste it in every bite. ”
“ Came at 830 am on a Tuesday and it was mostly locals. Busy but we were called in 2 minutes to order. The service was friendly and helpful as we asked questions on the cases many delicious looking items! Maki sushi, mahi mahi tempura, nori chicken, long rice were our standouts! ”
“ Quick Summary Nice little gem in Hilo, when you want to get your fried food fix. Can call ahead to skip on the line, but the line moves pretty quickly. The staff are very friendly and patient. My favorites are their tempura, particularly their fish. Food 5 stars Really solid batter on their tempura. Would highly recommend their tempurad fish. Definitely balance it out with some pickles and musubi, but the highlight was the tempura fish Service 5 stars The staff are very friendly and patient. They were awesome Bottom Line Good and fast tempura with excellent service. Its street parking only, but people come and go quickly. ”