I'm thankful for any okazuya that exists today. I mean, old style with food displayed on plates in wooden cabinets with glass. There's just something about that kind of food that brings back memories of my youth. Gone are the mom and pop style okazuyas of yesterday, some taken over by younger family members, but with a new concept. Food that is placed in warmers, trays framed by stainless steel counter tops, it just takes away from the experience. Matsumoto's still has the feel of the days of my youth, it's this kind of setting that makes me happy to return over and over again. Except for perhaps more modern kitchen equipment and an electronic cash register, it still retains the old school charm of the sixties. There's a few places that are in the same category and have similar offerings, but I think Matsumoto's is the best of them. The only drawback that I can think about is parking. If you're lucky enough to snag a parking spot out front, count your lucky stars! Other than that, it's side street parking in the little lanes around the shop. All worth it though, a small inconvenience to be able to grab a taste from the past. Four Well Earned Stars * * * *
Armand L.
Chow fun is the best! Prices are good and staff friendly. Go early they run out fast. Food quality is better then what you pay.
Linda Takeuchi
Love the Matsumoto bento! Go there many times!
Ryne T.
Love this place. Because of this Covid-19, they do takeout orders. Call in your order, park in front of of their store and pickup your order. Easy! Look online to see their menu.The food is good, I used to order their Matsumoto Bento but now I opt. for their large Taylor Bento. Pricing is reasonable. Hey, if you order from any Japanese restaurant be ready to pay a little more than a food truck. Support da local business!!
Sean A.
Came here around 10-11 on a weekday. It was a good time to come because they still had everything. Parked right in front.Very friendly staff. Benches to wait on outside for your order. I got hash, hamburger, shrimp tempura, croquette, fried chicken, and a plain musubi. It was hard to tell how much it was for my food because my father got a bunch of stuff too and our total was about $19. Seemed like a good price because my father still had a bunch of food leftover. I really love okazu hash, so it is always a must order. Disappointingly, I did not like this one. It was really salty, and it was not very potatoey. I almost didn't finish it, but soldiered through because I was famished. I would not get the hash again. The hamburger was dry, and it could have used more taste. I enjoyed both the shrimp tempura as well as the croquette. The fried chicken was my favorite item as it was nice and crispy. Incidentally, the staff mentioned chow fun and fried chicken as being their specialties.I was still hungry after. :(
Fran C.
When I like eat Okazuya, da one Bruddah I look to is Bruddah Dan O., as he is da man for da okazuya grindages!A while back Bruddah Dan gave me da scoops to check out this okazuya joint, but unfortunately for me, when I do get to eat lunch, I normally eat wherever I just so happen to be working, and most time I cannot predict on where I will be. My time during work is dictated on my customer's who call me, so I can be anywhere on the island, or on the neighbor islands too.From Tuesday I was craving okazuya, but unfortunately by the time I actually got to eat lunch (which was about 3:00 PM or so), I ended up at da Makiki Zippy's because it was close by where I was working.Now don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with Zippy's because it's an island favorite, and Zippy's churns out a lot of local comfort food, but after eating da Frrrrrrried Chicken plate from Zippy's, I wasn't satisfied as I was still thinking about Matsumoto's Okazuya.Then yesterday, I guess everything fell into place as I was finally able to make it to Matsumoto's! Located in da Kalihi neighborhood on Gulick Street, you head north bound (towards da mountain), NOT south bound (towards Nanding's Bakery, although that's not a bad thing! Lol!) and you will find this little hole-in-da-wall okazuya joint.There is no parking, but I was lucky as I scored a street parking just in front of da okazuya shop! I guess da parking gods & okazuya gods were lookin' out for Bruddah Fran!As I walked up to Matsumoto Okazuya, there were (2) people in front of me, and as I looked around I asked one of the customers (this lady) -Me: Howzit! 'Eh, the signs says gotta place a phone order to get some grindz?" The nice lady customer : Yes, you gotta call the number & place your order. Want to see a menu?Me: Tanks 'eh, no need...........I just go look da menu posted on da glass window.I guess Matsumoto's is doing this for now, due to Covid-19 as they don't want anyone walking into the shop. After placing your food order, they will tally up your bill, you pay your bill at the open window - NOTE: It's CASH ONLY!If you like eat, CASH ONLY! No be d*** & bring one credit card!So after looking over da menu on the glass window (hard to choose, cuz dey' sell plenty ono stuff!), I go make da call (808) 848-7464.Da lady picks up, and I tell da lady who works at Matsumoto's -Me: 'Eh, howzit! I stay outside in front of your restaurant, I like order da following grindz - give me...........1. (2) Frrrrrrried Chicken2. Plain Musubi3. Egg Omelette4. Vegetable Tempura5. Shrimp TempuraWhat can I say about da grindages????1. Frrrrrrried Chicken - Buggah was ono! Nice marinade seasoning, but da bad thing about da frrrrrrried chicken thigh was that it was small, and Bruddah Fran is all about BIG!!! Especially when we talkin' about Frrrrrrried Chicken! Lol!2. Plain Musubi - Das what dey call it, but it's basically a rice ball.3. Egg Omelette - It's just a sliced egg, kinda like da same thing I eat when I got to Peppa's Korean BBQ, they serve the same kinda stuff. I should have ask da lady for some shoyu.4. Vegetable Tempura - Good, but slightly oily, but hey............I'm eating tempura, so it'd deep fried!5. Shrimp Tempura - Excellent, surprisingly da Shrimp Tempura was not oily at all, the batter was light and darn it............I should have nixed da Vegetable Tempura, and gotten (2) Shrimp Tempura! Shucks!Overall a pretty good Okazuya joint, as the food here was pretty tasty, and the prices here was definitely reasonable, as I paid just under $10 bucks for my plate ($9.90 to be exact).Looking for some good Okazuya? Matsumoto's Okazuya my friends! Chance 'em! Bruddah Dan O. had da okazuya hook up!
Keitaronagame2020
A great place to get some food and their chicken is REALLY good.... A great place to get some tasty chicken
Klemens T.
Came here for the first time. Because of COVID-19, orders are taken outside on the sidewalk through their tiny window. I ordered a few pieces of teriyaki chicken, inari sushi, chow mein, egg omelette, shoyu chicken, and fish patty. They're all flavorful, but nothing special about all these items. What I loved is it's pretty cheap for the amount of food that I ordered. I bought enough to feed a family of 4 and still had leftovers for under $40. Staff are friendly and fast. Only street parking available. Phone orders are probably fastest. Located on Gulick Avenue not too far from Gulick Delicatessen.
Nadine C.
Okazuya (Japanese takeout comfort food) in Kalihi, Honolulu, Hawaii... The other day, I was buying some Okazuya cuisine up the street, when my friend, Dan O. messaged me and gave me great advice. He said that there's a small place down the same street with better prices. Wow! I had to come to Matsumoto's and check it out. The reviews warned me that parking was challenging. Yes. I think i was kinda sticking out in the street and partially blocking a driveway. Oh, well... I was quick... and, plus... I have "Auntie Status"! LOLOL! Use it or lose it, eh? Anyway, Dan O. is the Duke here - with 28 check-ins. He prepped me by saying that from the sidewalk, you can look in at the food and call your order in by phone. Hmmm... sounds interesting! So - that's what as i did. I looked in the window (cannot see all of the dishes) and I studied the menu. After imagining how my selections would fit in a takeout box, I called in. A person behind the door covering brought my package promptly and I paid with cash (it's cash only). When I got home, I was so happy with my lunch! Furikake Spam Musubi, Inari sushi (aka Cone sushi), Sweet potato tempura, Shrimp tempura, and Seafood Spring Roll were all comfort food that make me want to return again soon! Thanks, Dan, for again steering me into the right direction for happy foodie adventures! P.S. Matsumoto's Okazuya was voted as the Best Okazuya in 2019. Well deserved! P.P.S. Matsumoto's donates free meals to the community during Thanksgiving... mahalo plenty! P.P.P.S. Are Okazuyas only in Hawaii? Because - back in the day - the food was made for plantation workers? Currently, this cuisine is great to take to picnics and on hiking trails...and any other time!
My husband and I drove there to try it out. Unfortunately, when we got there it was apparent that there was no COVID protocols in place. People were lined up, no distancing, and out of 9-10 people waiting, only one person had on a mask. We left because we did not feel safe getting our meal there. Will not be going back
Jacie F.
First time at Matsumoto's. Such good prices and it's worth it! If you're looking for that old school Hawai'i chow fun, this is your place. Peppery! I also really liked their fried chicken. Corned beef hash was ehhh. Tempura was ehh just because it had lots of oil. I don't want to decrease the stars because it is a very good place, but I did find a hair in my food at the end.
Sina Sison
Support local!!! I was raised in Kalihi so, I support Kalihi restaurants and stores!!!
Kelly I.
Hidden gem alert!!! My dad took me here and I was like okayyy sure. So glad he did! We sat in and I got a combination teishoku. Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Price 10/5 They give so much delicious food and the price is ridiculously affordable. Super nice staff and really clean interior. Coming back here for sure! Next time I'll have to some okazuya.
Kyle Matsumura
Love the chow fun here. Reminds me of Naka's chow fun from back in the day.
I'm thankful for any okazuya that exists today. I mean, old style with food displayed on plates in wooden cabinets with glass. There's just something about that kind of food that brings back memories of my youth. Gone are the mom and pop style okazuyas of yesterday, some taken over by younger family members, but with a new concept. Food that is placed in warmers, trays framed by stainless steel counter tops, it just takes away from the experience. Matsumoto's still has the feel of the days of my youth, it's this kind of setting that makes me happy to return over and over again. Except for perhaps more modern kitchen equipment and an electronic cash register, it still retains the old school charm of the sixties. There's a few places that are in the same category and have similar offerings, but I think Matsumoto's is the best of them. The only drawback that I can think about is parking. If you're lucky enough to snag a parking spot out front, count your lucky stars! Other than that, it's side street parking in the little lanes around the shop. All worth it though, a small inconvenience to be able to grab a taste from the past. Four Well Earned Stars * * * *
Chow fun is the best! Prices are good and staff friendly. Go early they run out fast. Food quality is better then what you pay.
Love the Matsumoto bento! Go there many times!
Love this place. Because of this Covid-19, they do takeout orders. Call in your order, park in front of of their store and pickup your order. Easy! Look online to see their menu.The food is good, I used to order their Matsumoto Bento but now I opt. for their large Taylor Bento. Pricing is reasonable. Hey, if you order from any Japanese restaurant be ready to pay a little more than a food truck. Support da local business!!
Came here around 10-11 on a weekday. It was a good time to come because they still had everything. Parked right in front.Very friendly staff. Benches to wait on outside for your order. I got hash, hamburger, shrimp tempura, croquette, fried chicken, and a plain musubi. It was hard to tell how much it was for my food because my father got a bunch of stuff too and our total was about $19. Seemed like a good price because my father still had a bunch of food leftover. I really love okazu hash, so it is always a must order. Disappointingly, I did not like this one. It was really salty, and it was not very potatoey. I almost didn't finish it, but soldiered through because I was famished. I would not get the hash again. The hamburger was dry, and it could have used more taste. I enjoyed both the shrimp tempura as well as the croquette. The fried chicken was my favorite item as it was nice and crispy. Incidentally, the staff mentioned chow fun and fried chicken as being their specialties.I was still hungry after. :(
When I like eat Okazuya, da one Bruddah I look to is Bruddah Dan O., as he is da man for da okazuya grindages!A while back Bruddah Dan gave me da scoops to check out this okazuya joint, but unfortunately for me, when I do get to eat lunch, I normally eat wherever I just so happen to be working, and most time I cannot predict on where I will be. My time during work is dictated on my customer's who call me, so I can be anywhere on the island, or on the neighbor islands too.From Tuesday I was craving okazuya, but unfortunately by the time I actually got to eat lunch (which was about 3:00 PM or so), I ended up at da Makiki Zippy's because it was close by where I was working.Now don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with Zippy's because it's an island favorite, and Zippy's churns out a lot of local comfort food, but after eating da Frrrrrrried Chicken plate from Zippy's, I wasn't satisfied as I was still thinking about Matsumoto's Okazuya.Then yesterday, I guess everything fell into place as I was finally able to make it to Matsumoto's! Located in da Kalihi neighborhood on Gulick Street, you head north bound (towards da mountain), NOT south bound (towards Nanding's Bakery, although that's not a bad thing! Lol!) and you will find this little hole-in-da-wall okazuya joint.There is no parking, but I was lucky as I scored a street parking just in front of da okazuya shop! I guess da parking gods & okazuya gods were lookin' out for Bruddah Fran!As I walked up to Matsumoto Okazuya, there were (2) people in front of me, and as I looked around I asked one of the customers (this lady) -Me: Howzit! 'Eh, the signs says gotta place a phone order to get some grindz?" The nice lady customer : Yes, you gotta call the number & place your order. Want to see a menu?Me: Tanks 'eh, no need...........I just go look da menu posted on da glass window.I guess Matsumoto's is doing this for now, due to Covid-19 as they don't want anyone walking into the shop. After placing your food order, they will tally up your bill, you pay your bill at the open window - NOTE: It's CASH ONLY!If you like eat, CASH ONLY! No be d*** & bring one credit card!So after looking over da menu on the glass window (hard to choose, cuz dey' sell plenty ono stuff!), I go make da call (808) 848-7464.Da lady picks up, and I tell da lady who works at Matsumoto's -Me: 'Eh, howzit! I stay outside in front of your restaurant, I like order da following grindz - give me...........1. (2) Frrrrrrried Chicken2. Plain Musubi3. Egg Omelette4. Vegetable Tempura5. Shrimp TempuraWhat can I say about da grindages????1. Frrrrrrried Chicken - Buggah was ono! Nice marinade seasoning, but da bad thing about da frrrrrrried chicken thigh was that it was small, and Bruddah Fran is all about BIG!!! Especially when we talkin' about Frrrrrrried Chicken! Lol!2. Plain Musubi - Das what dey call it, but it's basically a rice ball.3. Egg Omelette - It's just a sliced egg, kinda like da same thing I eat when I got to Peppa's Korean BBQ, they serve the same kinda stuff. I should have ask da lady for some shoyu.4. Vegetable Tempura - Good, but slightly oily, but hey............I'm eating tempura, so it'd deep fried!5. Shrimp Tempura - Excellent, surprisingly da Shrimp Tempura was not oily at all, the batter was light and darn it............I should have nixed da Vegetable Tempura, and gotten (2) Shrimp Tempura! Shucks!Overall a pretty good Okazuya joint, as the food here was pretty tasty, and the prices here was definitely reasonable, as I paid just under $10 bucks for my plate ($9.90 to be exact).Looking for some good Okazuya? Matsumoto's Okazuya my friends! Chance 'em! Bruddah Dan O. had da okazuya hook up!
A great place to get some food and their chicken is REALLY good.... A great place to get some tasty chicken
Came here for the first time. Because of COVID-19, orders are taken outside on the sidewalk through their tiny window. I ordered a few pieces of teriyaki chicken, inari sushi, chow mein, egg omelette, shoyu chicken, and fish patty. They're all flavorful, but nothing special about all these items. What I loved is it's pretty cheap for the amount of food that I ordered. I bought enough to feed a family of 4 and still had leftovers for under $40. Staff are friendly and fast. Only street parking available. Phone orders are probably fastest. Located on Gulick Avenue not too far from Gulick Delicatessen.
Okazuya (Japanese takeout comfort food) in Kalihi, Honolulu, Hawaii... The other day, I was buying some Okazuya cuisine up the street, when my friend, Dan O. messaged me and gave me great advice. He said that there's a small place down the same street with better prices. Wow! I had to come to Matsumoto's and check it out. The reviews warned me that parking was challenging. Yes. I think i was kinda sticking out in the street and partially blocking a driveway. Oh, well... I was quick... and, plus... I have "Auntie Status"! LOLOL! Use it or lose it, eh? Anyway, Dan O. is the Duke here - with 28 check-ins. He prepped me by saying that from the sidewalk, you can look in at the food and call your order in by phone. Hmmm... sounds interesting! So - that's what as i did. I looked in the window (cannot see all of the dishes) and I studied the menu. After imagining how my selections would fit in a takeout box, I called in. A person behind the door covering brought my package promptly and I paid with cash (it's cash only). When I got home, I was so happy with my lunch! Furikake Spam Musubi, Inari sushi (aka Cone sushi), Sweet potato tempura, Shrimp tempura, and Seafood Spring Roll were all comfort food that make me want to return again soon! Thanks, Dan, for again steering me into the right direction for happy foodie adventures! P.S. Matsumoto's Okazuya was voted as the Best Okazuya in 2019. Well deserved! P.P.S. Matsumoto's donates free meals to the community during Thanksgiving... mahalo plenty! P.P.P.S. Are Okazuyas only in Hawaii? Because - back in the day - the food was made for plantation workers? Currently, this cuisine is great to take to picnics and on hiking trails...and any other time!
Went to Matsumoto’s Okazuya for chow fun
Restaurantji Recommends
My husband and I drove there to try it out. Unfortunately, when we got there it was apparent that there was no COVID protocols in place. People were lined up, no distancing, and out of 9-10 people waiting, only one person had on a mask. We left because we did not feel safe getting our meal there. Will not be going back
First time at Matsumoto's. Such good prices and it's worth it! If you're looking for that old school Hawai'i chow fun, this is your place. Peppery! I also really liked their fried chicken. Corned beef hash was ehhh. Tempura was ehh just because it had lots of oil. I don't want to decrease the stars because it is a very good place, but I did find a hair in my food at the end.
Support local!!! I was raised in Kalihi so, I support Kalihi restaurants and stores!!!
Hidden gem alert!!! My dad took me here and I was like okayyy sure. So glad he did! We sat in and I got a combination teishoku. Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Price 10/5 They give so much delicious food and the price is ridiculously affordable. Super nice staff and really clean interior. Coming back here for sure! Next time I'll have to some okazuya.
Love the chow fun here. Reminds me of Naka's chow fun from back in the day.