October 2025, update. I wish they would allow sitting or waiting space inside the restaurant. It's hot and stink outside with many flys bothering everyone who is waiting.
Kokoro-tei used to be my favorite bento place for the Nori Kara, the Nori Kara Deluxe and Nori Salmon Deluxe costing really cheap and containing lots of food for the price. Before and during covid, they closed their waikiki location and became exclusively a take out place. After covid, you can only step inside a few feet, order and wait outside.
My advice, check their website for daily specials and call it in. I've called my order in and also ordered in person. I have to say, the wait outside...is of significant time, roughly 20 to 30 mins for your food (my orders are typical one item). That's because they get lots of orders per day, so the wait can be very long.
In general service is typically slow.
For atmosphere, I wish they allowed space inside their shop to wait. During the day, and waiting outside, it's hot and often smells/stinks. Some hang out in their cars and come back when its ready.
Anyways, good bento place. Best to call in and pick up. There is no sit down place to eat, take out only.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Ryan Y
Kokoro-tei used to be my favorite bento place for the Nori Kara, the Nori Kara Deluxe and Nori Salmon Deluxe costing really cheap and containing lots of food for the price. Before and during covid, they closed their waikiki location and became exclusively a take out place. After covid, you can only step inside a few feet, order and wait outside.
My advice, check their website for daily specials and call it in. I've called my order in and also ordered in person. I have to say, the wait outside...is of significant time, roughly 20 to 30 mins for your food (my orders are typical one item). That's because they get lots of orders per day, so the wait can be very long.
In general service is typically slow.
For atmosphere, I wish they allowed space inside their shop to wait. During the day, and waiting outside, it's hot and often smells/stinks. Some hang out in their cars and come back when its ready.
Anyways, good bento place. Best to call in and pick up. There is no sit down place to eat, take out only.
Parking: Parking in front of the restaurant on beretania street. Also available, parking on the ongrade lot. Parking sign, i believe says 1 hr in parking stalls 1 through 20.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
keku kuewa
Always great service , clean food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Crabbe
Authentic and flavorful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Bento
Kona Minchew
Kokoro-Tei is a great Japanese bento place. It is take-out only and I would definitely recommend ordering ahead. The food was really tasty and even though the woman at the front didn’t speak very much English she was very kind.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Bento
Jordan White
They are always delicious and have a variety of bento boxes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J O
Great place to pick up bentos for an event!recently when I've asked to pick up around 10 orders, vendors have made me wait 15 minutes but not here. the bentos were actually all ready, still warm too, when I showed up 5 minutes beforehand.amazing service.I'd place an order online on their website a day or 2 before if you plan to order a lot.
Vegetarian options: Vegetarian option actually tasted good !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetable Bento
Elle Marchant
Very authentic flavours, best Japanese bento I have ever had. Rice is topped with bonito flakes and then blanketed with nori. I would eat here every day if I were Kama‘āina. Only critique is that the salmon was overcooked, but everything else makes up for it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nori Kara
K K
Very good food and service.They have daily special bento Try omlet riceEgg is really soft and fuffy!! and Make sure you pre-order before it's sold out!!
Quality food .... delicious!Features: Bring your own bag or box
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paradise Walker
A famous store that has been operating for over 10 years in Hawaii, where prices are high and competition is fierce. One of the best bento restaurants on Oahu. There are many menu items, and all of them are delicious. You can order by phone, so we recommend ordering and picking it up.
Ryung K
It is very delicious !!
Wendy Sato
Delicious. Love the chickuwa. Got as a side. And multi grain rice, side also. Ono ?
Michael Yuan
Super cute shop with a very kind and gentle elderly lady manning the front. Bento boxes are excellent value and taste really good. Highly recommend this place if you're on a budget and want to eat good bento box food!
October 2025, update. I wish they would allow sitting or waiting space inside the restaurant. It's hot and stink outside with many flys bothering everyone who is waiting.
Kokoro-tei used to be my favorite bento place for the Nori Kara, the Nori Kara Deluxe and Nori Salmon Deluxe costing really cheap and containing lots of food for the price. Before and during covid, they closed their waikiki location and became exclusively a take out place. After covid, you can only step inside a few feet, order and wait outside.
My advice, check their website for daily specials and call it in. I've called my order in and also ordered in person. I have to say, the wait outside...is of significant time, roughly 20 to 30 mins for your food (my orders are typical one item). That's because they get lots of orders per day, so the wait can be very long.
In general service is typically slow.
For atmosphere, I wish they allowed space inside their shop to wait. During the day, and waiting outside, it's hot and often smells/stinks. Some hang out in their cars and come back when its ready.
Anyways, good bento place. Best to call in and pick up. There is no sit down place to eat, take out only.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Kokoro-tei used to be my favorite bento place for the Nori Kara, the Nori Kara Deluxe and Nori Salmon Deluxe costing really cheap and containing lots of food for the price. Before and during covid, they closed their waikiki location and became exclusively a take out place. After covid, you can only step inside a few feet, order and wait outside.
My advice, check their website for daily specials and call it in. I've called my order in and also ordered in person. I have to say, the wait outside...is of significant time, roughly 20 to 30 mins for your food (my orders are typical one item). That's because they get lots of orders per day, so the wait can be very long.
In general service is typically slow.
For atmosphere, I wish they allowed space inside their shop to wait. During the day, and waiting outside, it's hot and often smells/stinks. Some hang out in their cars and come back when its ready.
Anyways, good bento place. Best to call in and pick up. There is no sit down place to eat, take out only.
Parking: Parking in front of the restaurant on beretania street. Also available, parking on the ongrade lot. Parking sign, i believe says 1 hr in parking stalls 1 through 20.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Always great service , clean food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Authentic and flavorful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Bento
Kokoro-Tei is a great Japanese bento place. It is take-out only and I would definitely recommend ordering ahead. The food was really tasty and even though the woman at the front didn’t speak very much English she was very kind.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Bento
They are always delicious and have a variety of bento boxes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place to pick up bentos for an event!recently when I've asked to pick up around 10 orders, vendors have made me wait 15 minutes but not here. the bentos were actually all ready, still warm too, when I showed up 5 minutes beforehand.amazing service.I'd place an order online on their website a day or 2 before if you plan to order a lot.
Vegetarian options: Vegetarian option actually tasted good !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetable Bento
Very authentic flavours, best Japanese bento I have ever had. Rice is topped with bonito flakes and then blanketed with nori. I would eat here every day if I were Kama‘āina. Only critique is that the salmon was overcooked, but everything else makes up for it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nori Kara
Very good food and service.They have daily special bento Try omlet riceEgg is really soft and fuffy!! and Make sure you pre-order before it's sold out!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best Beto place in Hawaii. Trust me!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Quality food .... delicious!Features: Bring your own bag or box
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A famous store that has been operating for over 10 years in Hawaii, where prices are high and competition is fierce. One of the best bento restaurants on Oahu. There are many menu items, and all of them are delicious. You can order by phone, so we recommend ordering and picking it up.
It is very delicious !!
Delicious. Love the chickuwa. Got as a side. And multi grain rice, side also. Ono ?
Super cute shop with a very kind and gentle elderly lady manning the front. Bento boxes are excellent value and taste really good. Highly recommend this place if you're on a budget and want to eat good bento box food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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