I love the food here. They have good pig feet soup and chicken Katsu. Would definitely be back to try the Soyu spare ribs. They have good bowl dish...love their rice and soyu pork belly. I love their Japanese special. This place is right across from Kam Bakery and the Ube dessert place and Young's fish Market next door. They have Okinawan favorite dishes. I would love to try their oxtail next time.
Brian Choi
The service was nice and had a nice vibe to the place but the food we had was not something I expected nor was the norm of what I am used to.The special, Steamed Cod smelled like a dried cod with an odd flavor. Donkatsu had minimum to no ponko(breading) and was a rough chunk of meat. The debichi soup was ok but with the other meals being mediocre it brought down the overall taste of the meal.Uncertain if I would return if the food tastes like this.
Utage was superb! We didn't have reservations, but it's highly recommended. They had openings for a few walk ins and we were lucky. It's a nice place lots free parking. Our waiter was excellent in explaining everything to us as first timers. If you want good home cooking you got the right place. Sorry no pictures it was so ono we dug right in! I had the ahi tempura rolled up in nori with s special sauce.
Lani H.
Stopped here for lunch heading back from town. For it being 130 in the afternoon, this place was pretty busy. We were seated very quickly (less than 3 mins) and the person seating us was super friendly. Looking over the menu, there were so many choices! Our waiter was awesome, super patient, and friendly. He took the time to let us know what the specials were and his recommendations. We ended up getting the ramen with shoyu pork, shoyu pork don, and salmon/ahi combo. The ramen was super good and the portion was great. The shoyu pork don was small but yummy. The salmon/ahi combo was also pretty good. With the friendly staff and good food, we will definitely be back. If you're looking for yummy okinawan food (or just hungry in general), I would highly recommend. The only not-so-great thing about this restaurant is the parking, the stalls are super skinny.
Robyn C.
My coworker took me here for lunch a couple times; and as a former restaurant manager, I have to say this place is amazing! Most restaurants have good food, but decent - terrible service...Utage has great food and great service! The staff is genuine and attentive to each and every guest, and food is delicious! If highly recommended you check this place out, you will not be disappointed!
Sharon Tong
Good okinawan comfort food. Always consistent in good food, service and atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ahi Belly, Chicken Karaage, Shoyu Pork Donburi, Soki Soup, Nori Wrapped Ahi Tempura with Kabayaki Sauce, Shoyu Pork with Bean Sprouts, 2 Choice Utage Special Teri Beef & Shrimp Tempura
Gerard Lee
A co-worker and I tried to go to a highly rated restaurant at Pier 38 for lunch, but it was closed. Hmmm, we tried another place nearby but there was no parking, so we went to a place we hadn’t been to in a number of years ... Utage, in City Center in Kalihi.We were seated right away even though we didn’t have a reservation … There were the daily specials on two white boards and I opted for one of them .. Nori-wrapped Ahi Tempura for $25.95. My tablemate chose the Goya Chanpuru as he loves bitter melon ($21.95). We each added $6 for the complete meal, which gave us a choice of soup or salad, a drink and dessert.You were given a choice of two salad dressings; we opted for Oriental. I went with an iced tea while my tablemate chose a Green River. How nostalgic! You can choose from Green River, Fruit Punch, Iced Tea, Hot Tea or Coffee.Whoa, my plate contained six ahi tempura and a slice of tomato and a leaf of lettuce and a bowl of (very good) rice. The tempura was drizzled with mayonnaise and teriyaki sauce and topped with chopped green onion. The Goya contained large pieces of pork and tofu along with slices of bitter melon with egg mixed in the stir fry. It’s a quintessential Okinawan dish. My ahi was delicious, and I had difficulty in trying to finish my plate.Dessert options on our visit included Strawberry Jello, Coffee Gelatin, Coffee and Green Tea ice cream. I chose the coffee gelatin sans the whipped cream and my tablemate chose the green tea ice cream.The tab came to $75, including a 20% tip. Though no longer cheap (what place these days is), we enjoyed our meal.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jason Lau
I always like to come here for special occasions or just because I’m too lazy to cook but their Utage Special 3 choice is what I always get. Ahi sashimi is additional $4 (subject to change depending on ahi prices) and I always make it a combo comes with a drink and dessert, for the drink I get my classic Green River and for dessert there is ice cream or jello. Enjoy folks hope you try here someday, ohhhh almost forgot they get really busy best to have reservations, call in advance!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fresh Ahi Sashimi or Poke, Green Tea Ice Cream, 2 Choice Utage Special Teri Beef & Shrimp Tempura, Soup
One of, if not the best Tonkotsu you can get. Think, juicy and crispy!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kar L.
Grams was craving Utage so she took me here for my first time and it was good! Soki soup (pork spareribs with daikon and vegetables) was comforting. It reminded me of an oxtail soup, and they also serve it with a side of grated ginger. Spare ribs were souper soft. Grams ordered the nori wrapped ahi tempura with kabayaki sauce. The sauce basically tastes like unagi sauce and mayo. It was served over a "bed" of cabbage (really small bed haha), with lemon, a piece of lettuce, tomato, and a side of rice. At $24.95, it's pretty expensive for just 6 small pieces of ahi but she enjoyed it. The service was great! Our server checked in with us often and there were quite a few servers available if we needed anything. Ambiance is very cozy. It's a nice spot for casual, comfort foods. And not that it bothered me, but there were quite a few boxes and random bags of bananas lying around. Just thought that was funny
Mika Y.
It's located in Kalihi. Lots of parking.Very popular so make sure you make reservations.The food is good, comfortable atmosphere (good for family or friends get together), and great friendly service. There's Okinawan food, Japanese food, and local food.BYOB, if you forgot to bring there's 7 Eleven close by.My husband and I had Utage Special.I ordered 2 entrees, tempura and salmon.My husband ordered 3 entrees, tempura and teriyaki chicken and sashimi. And we upgraded them to a complete meal (+$6).It includes soup or salad, a drink, and a dessert. So good deal. Our friends had different food but when our food came, we were all quiet for a little while. We were busy eating, meaning the food was good. Okinawan food looked good so I want to try it some day.
Angel H.
It was my first time here and the food was so yummy. I was here with five other people celebrating a birthday and they all raved about this place. It's located at City Square Shopping Center off of Dillingham.I got the Utage Special with two entrees. I ordered the shrimp and vegetable tempura, and ahi sashimi with an upcharge of $4. It came with pickled veggies, white rice, greens and miso soup. Everything in my meal was on point. The food was just amazingly delicious. The tempura was crispy without being oily. The sashimi was really fresh. This is the place to be if you like Japanese food. It is on the pricier side. My meal came out to $35 before tax and tip.
Kristin C.
Clean restaurant, very friendly service. Nice and quiet.The price for a tempura and teri plate was expensive. Although it tasted good.Because of the price, we won't be returning.
I love the food here. They have good pig feet soup and chicken Katsu. Would definitely be back to try the Soyu spare ribs. They have good bowl dish...love their rice and soyu pork belly. I love their Japanese special. This place is right across from Kam Bakery and the Ube dessert place and Young's fish Market next door. They have Okinawan favorite dishes. I would love to try their oxtail next time.
The service was nice and had a nice vibe to the place but the food we had was not something I expected nor was the norm of what I am used to.The special, Steamed Cod smelled like a dried cod with an odd flavor. Donkatsu had minimum to no ponko(breading) and was a rough chunk of meat. The debichi soup was ok but with the other meals being mediocre it brought down the overall taste of the meal.Uncertain if I would return if the food tastes like this.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pigs Feet Soup Daikon Konbu & Mustard Cabbage
Utage was superb! We didn't have reservations, but it's highly recommended. They had openings for a few walk ins and we were lucky. It's a nice place lots free parking. Our waiter was excellent in explaining everything to us as first timers. If you want good home cooking you got the right place. Sorry no pictures it was so ono we dug right in! I had the ahi tempura rolled up in nori with s special sauce.
Stopped here for lunch heading back from town. For it being 130 in the afternoon, this place was pretty busy. We were seated very quickly (less than 3 mins) and the person seating us was super friendly. Looking over the menu, there were so many choices! Our waiter was awesome, super patient, and friendly. He took the time to let us know what the specials were and his recommendations. We ended up getting the ramen with shoyu pork, shoyu pork don, and salmon/ahi combo. The ramen was super good and the portion was great. The shoyu pork don was small but yummy. The salmon/ahi combo was also pretty good. With the friendly staff and good food, we will definitely be back. If you're looking for yummy okinawan food (or just hungry in general), I would highly recommend. The only not-so-great thing about this restaurant is the parking, the stalls are super skinny.
My coworker took me here for lunch a couple times; and as a former restaurant manager, I have to say this place is amazing! Most restaurants have good food, but decent - terrible service...Utage has great food and great service! The staff is genuine and attentive to each and every guest, and food is delicious! If highly recommended you check this place out, you will not be disappointed!
Good okinawan comfort food. Always consistent in good food, service and atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ahi Belly, Chicken Karaage, Shoyu Pork Donburi, Soki Soup, Nori Wrapped Ahi Tempura with Kabayaki Sauce, Shoyu Pork with Bean Sprouts, 2 Choice Utage Special Teri Beef & Shrimp Tempura
A co-worker and I tried to go to a highly rated restaurant at Pier 38 for lunch, but it was closed. Hmmm, we tried another place nearby but there was no parking, so we went to a place we hadn’t been to in a number of years ... Utage, in City Center in Kalihi.We were seated right away even though we didn’t have a reservation … There were the daily specials on two white boards and I opted for one of them .. Nori-wrapped Ahi Tempura for $25.95. My tablemate chose the Goya Chanpuru as he loves bitter melon ($21.95). We each added $6 for the complete meal, which gave us a choice of soup or salad, a drink and dessert.You were given a choice of two salad dressings; we opted for Oriental. I went with an iced tea while my tablemate chose a Green River. How nostalgic! You can choose from Green River, Fruit Punch, Iced Tea, Hot Tea or Coffee.Whoa, my plate contained six ahi tempura and a slice of tomato and a leaf of lettuce and a bowl of (very good) rice. The tempura was drizzled with mayonnaise and teriyaki sauce and topped with chopped green onion. The Goya contained large pieces of pork and tofu along with slices of bitter melon with egg mixed in the stir fry. It’s a quintessential Okinawan dish. My ahi was delicious, and I had difficulty in trying to finish my plate.Dessert options on our visit included Strawberry Jello, Coffee Gelatin, Coffee and Green Tea ice cream. I chose the coffee gelatin sans the whipped cream and my tablemate chose the green tea ice cream.The tab came to $75, including a 20% tip. Though no longer cheap (what place these days is), we enjoyed our meal.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
I always like to come here for special occasions or just because I’m too lazy to cook but their Utage Special 3 choice is what I always get. Ahi sashimi is additional $4 (subject to change depending on ahi prices) and I always make it a combo comes with a drink and dessert, for the drink I get my classic Green River and for dessert there is ice cream or jello. Enjoy folks hope you try here someday, ohhhh almost forgot they get really busy best to have reservations, call in advance!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fresh Ahi Sashimi or Poke, Green Tea Ice Cream, 2 Choice Utage Special Teri Beef & Shrimp Tempura, Soup
M76ymryn9h.g big 8mhk mn8m
Best Okinawan food in Hawaii!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Green Tea Ice Cream, Soup
Restaurantji Recommends
One of, if not the best Tonkotsu you can get. Think, juicy and crispy!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Grams was craving Utage so she took me here for my first time and it was good! Soki soup (pork spareribs with daikon and vegetables) was comforting. It reminded me of an oxtail soup, and they also serve it with a side of grated ginger. Spare ribs were souper soft. Grams ordered the nori wrapped ahi tempura with kabayaki sauce. The sauce basically tastes like unagi sauce and mayo. It was served over a "bed" of cabbage (really small bed haha), with lemon, a piece of lettuce, tomato, and a side of rice. At $24.95, it's pretty expensive for just 6 small pieces of ahi but she enjoyed it. The service was great! Our server checked in with us often and there were quite a few servers available if we needed anything. Ambiance is very cozy. It's a nice spot for casual, comfort foods. And not that it bothered me, but there were quite a few boxes and random bags of bananas lying around. Just thought that was funny
It's located in Kalihi. Lots of parking.Very popular so make sure you make reservations.The food is good, comfortable atmosphere (good for family or friends get together), and great friendly service. There's Okinawan food, Japanese food, and local food.BYOB, if you forgot to bring there's 7 Eleven close by.My husband and I had Utage Special.I ordered 2 entrees, tempura and salmon.My husband ordered 3 entrees, tempura and teriyaki chicken and sashimi. And we upgraded them to a complete meal (+$6).It includes soup or salad, a drink, and a dessert. So good deal. Our friends had different food but when our food came, we were all quiet for a little while. We were busy eating, meaning the food was good. Okinawan food looked good so I want to try it some day.
It was my first time here and the food was so yummy. I was here with five other people celebrating a birthday and they all raved about this place. It's located at City Square Shopping Center off of Dillingham.I got the Utage Special with two entrees. I ordered the shrimp and vegetable tempura, and ahi sashimi with an upcharge of $4. It came with pickled veggies, white rice, greens and miso soup. Everything in my meal was on point. The food was just amazingly delicious. The tempura was crispy without being oily. The sashimi was really fresh. This is the place to be if you like Japanese food. It is on the pricier side. My meal came out to $35 before tax and tip.
Clean restaurant, very friendly service. Nice and quiet.The price for a tempura and teri plate was expensive. Although it tasted good.Because of the price, we won't be returning.