love this place. the food is so good and the room is really cute too. there's bike parking right outside the entrance. definitely
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Regular Katsu
Laura L.
Delicious. Great service. Best I've had outside of Japan. I'll definitely be back whenever I'm on Oahu.
Trevor B.
The katsu is good. Light and not overly oily. They should serve it with the mustard dollop like in Japan and with sesame dressing for the cabbage but, other than that, a very good product. The only turnoff is the fact that they serve it in a takeout container even if you eat in.
Tripps F.
Located on the top of the hill in Kaimuki this little restaurant is the bomb! Lots of parking in the lot right behind. Food is ono and the owners are so nice!
Jordan A.
Nana Ai Katsu is a hidden gem in Kaimuki. Their bentos are delicious, food is always fried fresh to order, and they have a tasty selection of Japanese soft drinks available too.
Krysten I.
I've been to nana ai katsu a few times now and their food is pretty great. I like that it feels more local and homey compared to some other places near or in Waikiki and that they have a limited menu. They offer a few selections of katsu and drinks and there are only few tables inside. I think most people get their food to go. On my most recent visit, I got the shiso pork katsu and I liked it a lot. Make sure you call before you go if you want this limited item because they run out! I like that their Togo containers have sections for katsu sauce and little side dishes. I'm also drooling a little thinking about how good the food was here. I liked everything the pork and shiso katsu came with and that they were served in cute little rolls. The cashier is nice and they pack the food with care. Parking is plentiful in the lot behind the restaurant. It's also fairly affordable. I'll be back. I love eating in kaimuki so I hope this becomes one of my regulars.
Robert M.
Friendly service, great food and strong community supporter. Nana Ai Katsu donated coupons for the Aloha Pacific Foundation blood drive and we used it right away. We tried the spam katsu musubi and the noodle katsu okonomiyaki. Both were excellent but the okonomiyaki will make me come back again. It's not a grab and go kind of place, so place your order and visit the neighborhood for a few minutes. The food is worth the wait.
Caden Y.
Their katsu is absolutely amazing! They are so friendly. The little sides are a very nice touch to the meal. Favorite katsu place by far
Sara C.
Came here with ex-coworker turned good friend as she recommended a few places but this was her top choice. I can see why! Never have I ever tried a katsu this tender and moist - and different! Layers upon layers of delicious, juicy kurobuta pork put together and fried into a nice chunky katsu. Love the bento style box, made it seem so pandemic/hygiene friendly. Cozy shop with Nanami-Chan playing in the corner. Amazing, kind service with delicious, reasonably priced food. We also tried the noodle katsu Okonomiyaki but forgot to take a photo. Very filling and ono. Unfortunately they didn't have the Uzumaki Shiso Katsu as that's the one I'm most intrigued about. Will visit again when back on the rock. Can't wait. Thanks Lori-Chan for the intro and the treat, and thanks to Lei for the amazing service.
This place is a must try! We went kind of early to try and beat the lunch rush (around 11:00am). There is a parking lot in the back that you have to pay before you leave, and there is no validation. The problem is that you're competing with other patrons to the many businesses that border the parking lot. Even though we went before the lunch rush, finding parking was difficult. After going around a few times, we finally found parking. The restaurant was small, but had a very nice vibe to it. There are only a few tables, so good for dates but not big groups. I believe that this is a husband and wife operation, but I could be wrong. They are very nice people. After looking over the menu, you go up to the register and place your order. She was very nice in telling us that unfortunately there would be a 30 minute wait before our order would be ready, which we said was fine. It really is worth the wait. While waiting, there were a lot of phone orders that were coming in, and a lot of walk-ins as well. There were quite a few people that decided to leave because of the wait time of receiving their orders, which was unfortunate. I would say that you should probably call your order in early, or just come and enjoy the ambiance while waiting for your food. The food was amazing! And it already comes in a take out container like in the picture. This is the regular size, and it was just right. It was nice, hot, and crispy! It has definitely set a new standard when it comes to katsu's/tonkatsu's. The only thing is that I wish they gave more katsu sauce. It comes in small little containers, and I had to ask for a few more. At the end, you pretty much buss your own table, which is easy to do. The trash and place to put used plates are by the register. Definitely would come back again, and definitely worth the wait!
Katie G.
I'm from Dallas, TX and visited this place a few months ago,but I DREAM ABOUT THEIR KATSU EVERYDAY! The service was lovely. The lady up at the front was kind in helping my family with ordering as it was our first time. It took a little while for the food to come out but it was no worries, everything was made fresh and tasted amazing. The Katsu was cooked perfectly and I loved the little side of veggies it came with and the sauce. The portion was enough to fill me up. The spam Katsu musubi was also to die for. Will definitely be back if I visit Hawaii again!
Eddie F.
Cozy restaurant with 4-5 tables, simple menu with high quality Tonkatsu bentos. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, crispy and flaky Tonkatsu, good quality veggies, and potato salad. Order at the counter and bus your own tables. We definitely will return to try out more of their menu.
Sophia L.
SPAM KATSU MUSUBI. Genius!!! This is now my favorite kind of musubi! Their regular katsu is also really good, juice yet perfectly crisp. Regulars come here not only for the great food but for the friendly owner who puts such thoughtfulness and quality in creating her menu.
Howard Lo (Kazu)
Came over here because nearby restaurant was closed. The food is excellent esp if you dig a katsu fried to perfection - not greasy, crunchy, on par with some of the best katsu's you'll ever have both in Hawaii and Japan. The takoyaki and okonomiyaki is also pretty decent. However, do note that the flavor only comes with the sauce. Also don't be expecting a fancy atmosphere for your date, take it for what it is - a place with decent food that is quick and no frills.
Incredible pork katsu, light and
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Takoyaki Katsu Boat, EBI Katsu Burger, Regular Katsu
love this place. the food is so good and the room is really cute too. there's bike parking right outside the entrance. definitely
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Regular Katsu
Delicious. Great service. Best I've had outside of Japan. I'll definitely be back whenever I'm on Oahu.
The katsu is good. Light and not overly oily. They should serve it with the mustard dollop like in Japan and with sesame dressing for the cabbage but, other than that, a very good product. The only turnoff is the fact that they serve it in a takeout container even if you eat in.
Located on the top of the hill in Kaimuki this little restaurant is the bomb! Lots of parking in the lot right behind. Food is ono and the owners are so nice!
Nana Ai Katsu is a hidden gem in Kaimuki. Their bentos are delicious, food is always fried fresh to order, and they have a tasty selection of Japanese soft drinks available too.
I've been to nana ai katsu a few times now and their food is pretty great. I like that it feels more local and homey compared to some other places near or in Waikiki and that they have a limited menu. They offer a few selections of katsu and drinks and there are only few tables inside. I think most people get their food to go. On my most recent visit, I got the shiso pork katsu and I liked it a lot. Make sure you call before you go if you want this limited item because they run out! I like that their Togo containers have sections for katsu sauce and little side dishes. I'm also drooling a little thinking about how good the food was here. I liked everything the pork and shiso katsu came with and that they were served in cute little rolls. The cashier is nice and they pack the food with care. Parking is plentiful in the lot behind the restaurant. It's also fairly affordable. I'll be back. I love eating in kaimuki so I hope this becomes one of my regulars.
Friendly service, great food and strong community supporter. Nana Ai Katsu donated coupons for the Aloha Pacific Foundation blood drive and we used it right away. We tried the spam katsu musubi and the noodle katsu okonomiyaki. Both were excellent but the okonomiyaki will make me come back again. It's not a grab and go kind of place, so place your order and visit the neighborhood for a few minutes. The food is worth the wait.
Their katsu is absolutely amazing! They are so friendly. The little sides are a very nice touch to the meal. Favorite katsu place by far
Came here with ex-coworker turned good friend as she recommended a few places but this was her top choice. I can see why! Never have I ever tried a katsu this tender and moist - and different! Layers upon layers of delicious, juicy kurobuta pork put together and fried into a nice chunky katsu. Love the bento style box, made it seem so pandemic/hygiene friendly. Cozy shop with Nanami-Chan playing in the corner. Amazing, kind service with delicious, reasonably priced food. We also tried the noodle katsu Okonomiyaki but forgot to take a photo. Very filling and ono. Unfortunately they didn't have the Uzumaki Shiso Katsu as that's the one I'm most intrigued about. Will visit again when back on the rock. Can't wait. Thanks Lori-Chan for the intro and the treat, and thanks to Lei for the amazing service.
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is a must try! We went kind of early to try and beat the lunch rush (around 11:00am). There is a parking lot in the back that you have to pay before you leave, and there is no validation. The problem is that you're competing with other patrons to the many businesses that border the parking lot. Even though we went before the lunch rush, finding parking was difficult. After going around a few times, we finally found parking. The restaurant was small, but had a very nice vibe to it. There are only a few tables, so good for dates but not big groups. I believe that this is a husband and wife operation, but I could be wrong. They are very nice people. After looking over the menu, you go up to the register and place your order. She was very nice in telling us that unfortunately there would be a 30 minute wait before our order would be ready, which we said was fine. It really is worth the wait. While waiting, there were a lot of phone orders that were coming in, and a lot of walk-ins as well. There were quite a few people that decided to leave because of the wait time of receiving their orders, which was unfortunate. I would say that you should probably call your order in early, or just come and enjoy the ambiance while waiting for your food. The food was amazing! And it already comes in a take out container like in the picture. This is the regular size, and it was just right. It was nice, hot, and crispy! It has definitely set a new standard when it comes to katsu's/tonkatsu's. The only thing is that I wish they gave more katsu sauce. It comes in small little containers, and I had to ask for a few more. At the end, you pretty much buss your own table, which is easy to do. The trash and place to put used plates are by the register. Definitely would come back again, and definitely worth the wait!
I'm from Dallas, TX and visited this place a few months ago,but I DREAM ABOUT THEIR KATSU EVERYDAY! The service was lovely. The lady up at the front was kind in helping my family with ordering as it was our first time. It took a little while for the food to come out but it was no worries, everything was made fresh and tasted amazing. The Katsu was cooked perfectly and I loved the little side of veggies it came with and the sauce. The portion was enough to fill me up. The spam Katsu musubi was also to die for. Will definitely be back if I visit Hawaii again!
Cozy restaurant with 4-5 tables, simple menu with high quality Tonkatsu bentos. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, crispy and flaky Tonkatsu, good quality veggies, and potato salad. Order at the counter and bus your own tables. We definitely will return to try out more of their menu.
SPAM KATSU MUSUBI. Genius!!! This is now my favorite kind of musubi! Their regular katsu is also really good, juice yet perfectly crisp. Regulars come here not only for the great food but for the friendly owner who puts such thoughtfulness and quality in creating her menu.
Came over here because nearby restaurant was closed. The food is excellent esp if you dig a katsu fried to perfection - not greasy, crunchy, on par with some of the best katsu's you'll ever have both in Hawaii and Japan. The takoyaki and okonomiyaki is also pretty decent. However, do note that the flavor only comes with the sauce. Also don't be expecting a fancy atmosphere for your date, take it for what it is - a place with decent food that is quick and no frills.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tonkatsu Bento, Takoyaki Katsu Boat