Kame! Kame! (Eat! Eat!) The 6th Okinawan Feastival runs from Sept. 1–15 and features Uchinanchu-licious specials at 16 local restaurants and food businesses. Not only does it showcase a cuisine with a distinct flavor and character that is completely different from Japanese food, it’s also an ‘ono way to discover new eateries and revisit old favorites.
Go here for a complete list of specials and here to find out when each special is available and which you’ll need to preorder.
Okinawan Feastival is a delicious way we can support Okinawan-owned (and Okinawan-at-heart) restaurants and food businesses on O‘ahu. From the opening of American Café in 1923 to today, there have been more than 350 in Hawai‘i. Most have closed, but a new generation of around 57 Okinawan-owned eateries and food businesses are operating on O‘ahu today—even though, sadly, in the last five years, 17 Okinawan-owned food businesses have shut their doors. Feastival is a way to support these local businesses and help them keep operating.
Okinawan Feastival runs for two weeks, but our hope is these local restaurants will continue to get your support throughout the year. Here’s what each is offering:
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to Okinawan Festival
Photo: Reid Shimabukuro
Oxtail Birria “Ramen” with Tequila Koregusu
Aloha Amigo
This “ramen” is made with soba noodles paired with Aloha Amigo’s version of koregusu, with chile peppers infused in tequila instead of awamori. Reservations recommended. Three hours of validated parking at Waikiki Shopping Plaza.
Sept. 1–15, 4 p.m. to midnight, 400 Royal Hawaiian Ave., Waikīkī, (808) 200-3954, alohaamigo-islandmexicancantina.com, @alohaamigo_waikiki
Photo: Reid Shimabukuro
Okinawan Sweet Potato Andagi and Okinawan Jushime
Aloha Andagi
Junko Bise and her crew will pop-up in the covered parking lot of Marukai Dillingham serving regular andagi and Okinawan sweet potato andagi. Boroboro jushime (Okinawan seasoned rice) will also be on sale. Cash only.
Sept. 20–21, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. or until sold out, 2310 Kamehameha Highway, Kalihi, @alohaandagi_llc
Photo: Reid Shimabukuro
Jimami Dofu
Aloha Tofu
From Sept. 1 to 13, Aloha Tofu Factory will hand-make this Okinawan peanut tofu with a sweet sauce. This is not regularly offered, so don’t miss the chance to try this iconic Okinawan snack. Limit 5 per customer.
Owner Paul Uyehara is also offering discounts on yushidofu (soft, silky tofu with a custardy texture) and the 75th Anniversary ‘Ohana soy sauce bottle (a dashi shoyu that pairs well with tofu). Call to preorder and set your pickup date and time at Aloha Tofu Factory in Kalihi.
Sept. 2–16, 961 Akepo Lane, Kalihi, (808) 845-2669, aloha-tofu.com, @alohatofufactory
Photo: Reid Shimabukuro
Okinawan Sweet Potato Ale and Andachicken
Beer Lab HI
A special release of Karii, Okinawan sweet potato ale, with a new bingata design will be available to drink at Beer Lab HI locations starting Aug. 29, while supplies last. Preorder online (see website below).
Beer Lab’s Pearlridge location (98-1005 Moanalua Road) will serve oxtail soki soba and beni imo crême brulée. The Puck’s Alley location (2600 S. King St. #107) will serve Andachicken (fried chicken coated in andagi batter) and birria Okinawan taco rice.
Aug. 29–Sept. 15, multiple locations, beerlabhi.com, @beerlabhi
SEE ALSO: Beer in Hawai‘i: Who’s Opening, Who Closed and What’s Coming Up
Photo: Courtesy of Okinawan Feastival
Shikuwasa Jello Cream Cheese Square
Chibi Confectionery
Chibi’s is baking up a shikuwasa (Okinawan lemon lime) Jell-O cream cheese square with a brown sugar shortbread crust and Okinawan sweet potato crunch, an Okinawan take on the popular pumpkin crunch. Order via the website or call to inquire about pickup locations.
Sept. 1–15, (808) 383-0063, chibiconfectionery.com, @chibiconfectionery
Photo: Reid Shimabukuro
Shikuwasa Shave Ice with Kokuto Drizzle
Chillest Shave Ice
Chillest Shave Ice, formally a pop-up at Fishcake, now has a storefront in Kaimukī! They will feature this Okinawan citrus shave ice, as well as a caramel kokuto (Okinawan black sugar) drizzle. Cash only.
Sept. 1–15 (closed Wednesdays), 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Tuesday 1 to 9 pm). 3408 Wai‘alae Ave #102, Kaimukī, @chillestshaveice
SEE ALSO: Chillest Shave Ice Opens in a Permanent New Home in Kaimukī
Photo: Courtesy of Okinawan Feastival
Aunty Kay’s Sweet Potato Manju and Big Feastival Sale
Ige’s Halawa
Aunty Kay’s popular sweet potato manju will be available to preorder online (see website below) from Aug. 24, with pickup on Sept. 3, 6, 10.
Ige’s Big Okinawan Feastival Sale will be on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a full bake sale (first come, first served). Preorder Okinawan mixed plate (shoyu pork, sweet and sour pigs feet, chicken tofu champuru, andagi, and many other items) from Aug. 24.
Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 99-1086B Iwaena St., Halawa, (808) 486-6868, igeshalawa.com, @igeshalawa
Ampalaya Chanpuru (Filipino take on Goya Chanpuru)
Ilaya
Chef RJ, an Okinawan at heart and a Feastival alum from Heiho House, has created a Filipino take on the popular Okinawan dish goya chanpuru. His dish, Ampalaya Chanpuru, is a grilled pork belly tocino with pickled ampalaya, bean curd and a cured egg yolk. Also included is Ilaya’s signature vinegared rice and local fermented veggies. Ampalaya is the name for bittermelon in Tagalog.
Ilaya Eatery is a contemporary Filipino food popup that you’ll find on select Saturdays at Fishcake Hawai‘i. This special is only available on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Preorders accepted until Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 9 p.m. DM via IG or email ilaya.eat@gmail.com. Include name, phone number, and the number of bowls you want to preorder. Pick up anytime from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fishcake, 307 Kamani St., Kaka‘ako, @ilaya.eat
Photo: Reid Shimabukuro
Let Us Shoyu (Fried Okinawan Rafute)
Kapa Hale
Chef Keaka Lee, an Okinawan at heart, will be serving up his new creation: Let Us Shoyu. Fried Okinawan Rafute (shoyu pork) with pickled ginger scallion. This exclusive special will be made to order Sept. 1–15. Limited quantities per day. Preorder online (see website below) or phone in your order.
Sept. 1–15, 4614 Kilāuea Ave., Suite 102, Kāhala, (808) 888-2060, kapahale.com, @4614kapahale
Photo: Reid Shimabukuro
Free Pork & Bittermelon Dish With $50 Order
Kin Wah Chop Suey
Kin Wah in Kāne‘ohe is celebrating its Okinawan part-owner Joy Sanchez. When you spend $50 or more on a single order, the restaurant will throw in a free order of pork and bitter melon in black bean sauce (or crispy gau gee). Call (808) 247-4812 to make a reservation or order. Must mention Feastival when you order.
Sept. 2–9, 45-588 Kamehameha Hwy, Kāne‘ohe, (808) 247-4812, kinwahchopsuey.com
Photo: Reid Shimabukuro
Abura Miso and Jyu Shi Me
Masa & Joyce Okazuya
This Kāne‘ohe okazuya will have several Feastival dishes: Okinawan abura miso (seasoned miso using crispy pork), jyu shi me (Okinawan rice soup), andagi, Okinawa soba, pig’s feet soup, Hawai‘i Okinawan-style oxtail soup and Okinawan sweet potato mochi (grilled, not deep-fried). Call to preorder and set the date and time of pickup.
Sept. 1–15 (Closed Tuesdays), 45-582 Kamehameha Highway, Kāne‘ohe, (808) 235-6129, @masaandjoyce
Photo: Reid Shimabukuro
Kaya Toast and Iced Tea with Kokuto Cold Foam
Shioketh
New to Feastival is Shioketh, a pop-up featuring Singaporean street food. Chef Emily Terukina fuses Singaporean comfort and Okinawan soul with her pairing of kaya toast (a sweet bun filled with caramelized pandan egg coconut jam) and black iced tea topped with a creamy Okinawan black sugar cold foam. Shioketh pops up on Saturdays at Hapa Market & Grill in Palolo. Preorder online.
Sept. 6 & 13, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1720 Palolo Ave., Palolo, shioketh.com, @shioketh
SEE ALSO: Shioketh Lights Up Pālolo With Fiery Indo-Singaporean Flavors
Photo: Reid Shimabukuro
Okinawan Bento and 5 Okinawan Soups
Sunrise Restaurant
Katsu and Tomoko Tamayose are debuting their Okinawan bento with Okinawan yakisoba, goya champuru and rafute. They will also offer takeout orders of pig’s feet soup, nakami (intestine) soup, spare rib soup, Okinawan miso soup and Okinawa soba on weekdays. Nakami is not on the regular menu and worth a try. Limited quantities made per day. You can start preordering now. Call and provide your name, order and date/time of pickup.
Sept. 2–8, 525 Kapahulu Ave. #A, (808) 737-4118, Kapahulu, thesunriserestaurant.com, @sunriserestauranthawaii
SEE ALSO: How Kapahulu’s Sunrise Restaurant Was Saved from Closing
Photo: Courtesy of Okinawan Feastival
Andadog / Special Okinawan Bento
Teruya’s Andagi
Albert of Teruya’s Andagi will be serving up two specials this year! Sept. 2–13: Andadog (hot dog on a stick, dipped in andagi batter and fried). $3 a piece. Call (808) 389-1714 to preorder.
Sept. 9–13: Special Okinawan Bento (Spam roll, Okinawan yakisoba, shoyu pork, bittermelon, sweet potato mochi). Limited quantities, no preorder.
Andagi, sweet potato mochi and regular bentos will also be available.
Sept. 3–7 and Sept. 10–14, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1104 Pensacola St., Mō‘ili‘ili, (808) 389-1714, teruyasandagi.com, @teruyas_andagi
Okinawan Sweet Potato Butter Mochi
Yo Mama’s Mochi & Snacks
Arlene Tokuda is offering her Okinawan sweet potato mochi for Feastival. This is a soft and chewy gluten-free dessert with the earthy sweetness and vibrant purple color of Okinawan sweet potato. It comes in a 9-piece bento box for $20 (minimum of 3 orders) or a 36-piece party platter for $55. May combine up to 3 butter mochi flavors in a platter (2 flavors for $60, 3 flavors for $65).
Preorder online (website below), Sept. 1–15. Pickup dates:
Sept. 5, 4 to 5 p.m. at Waikele Center
Sept. 13, 9 to 11 a.m. at Salt Lake Shopping Center
Sept. 18, 2 to 4 p.m. at Pearlridge Shopping Center
Sept. 1–15, yomamasmochiandsnacks.com, @yomamas.mochi
Photo: Reid Shimabukuro
Kurobuta Pork Rafute & Okinawa Yakisoba
Zigu
Zigu is offering four Okinawan Feastival specials: Kurobuta pork belly rafute, mozuku (seaweed) shooters, Okinawan yakisoba and Okinawan sweet potato crème brûlée, plus assorted Okinawan drinks and cocktails. Call for reservations. Validated parking across the street at Hyatt Centric Hotel.
Aug. 30 to Sept. 15, 413 Seaside Ave., Waikīkī, (808) 212-9252, zigu.us, @zigu.hi
Shari Tamashiro is the organizer of Okinawan Feastival. She covers Okinawan restaurants for Frolic Hawai‘i.
AloJapan.com