My first purchase from any convenience store in Japan is usually an egg salad sandwich. They just hit different in Japan — the creamy, yolk-heavy spread made with kewpie mayo sandwiched between pillowy shokupan bread is always a mouthwatering combo.
When I found out Coco Sand Café, a Japanese sandwich shop, opened a few months ago in Eaton Square, I had to go check it out.
Coco Sand Café is a takeout spot that opened a few months ago in Waikīkī’s Eaton Square. Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff)
Coco Sand Café is located next to Komedokoro M’s, which is known for its onigiri. Like the musubi café, this spot is designed for takeout, but there are a few tables outside the store for customers.
Choose from a variety of hot and cold sandwiches. Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff)
The shop offers hot and cold sandwiches (the latter are in the fridge). Savory options include pork tenderloin katsu ($10.95), pork loin katsu ($10.95), chicken katsu ($9.45), salmon katsu ($10.95) and more.
We’re told the pork tenderloin katsu ($10.95) is the most popular option. The katsu is crispy on the outside and the tender pork is meaty and flavorful.
Pork tenderloin katsu sandwich ($10.95). Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff)
Egg salad sando ($9.45). Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff)
The creamy egg salad sando doesn’t disappoint, especially with its ample filling. While the price might seem steep, the sandwich halves are a generous size.
The café also offers croissant sandwiches with a variety of fillings, including kalua pork ($8.45), smoked salmon ($8.45), tuna ($7.95) and more.
Mentaiko pasta ($12.50). Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff)
The café also offers hot dishes like Napolitan ($9.50) and mentaiko pasta ($12.50), which is a customer favorite. Japanese Napolitan pasta features a slightly sweet, ketchup-based sauce and is an example of a popular yoshoku (Western-influenced) dish. The mentaiko pasta features a creamy sauce made with spicy cod roe and butter.
Only metered street parking is available, but there are other public paid lots close by.
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CONTACT
Coco Sand Café
Eaton Square
438 Hobron Lane Ste. 107, Honolulu
808-913-2001
Instagram: @cocosand.cafe
Open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, closed Saturdays and Sundays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
AloJapan.com