Best food for the price in downtown. The couple who own this restaurant are super nice. Chef (also the owner) is very friendly and passionate about his work and it shows.
Food is great! Better and extremely reasonably priced than other Japanese restaurants in downtown or on Marshall street even though this is technically Japanese Hawaiian. Don't expect a lot of atmosphere but it's a great little place that's clean and well lit.
My favorites bentos are Gyu Don and Katsudon. Shoyu ramen is pretty good too. Their new Miso ramen is excellent. And I looooove Mochiko Chicken and Karaage Chicken, which are essentially flavored chicken nuggets! They're better quality and price than Chick-fil-la if you compare the chicken nugget prices.
And everything is better with a bottle of Itoen green tea.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jennifer
So yummy! I get take out from here and the mochiko chicken is so good! So crispy and warm every time I have it.
Food: 5
Mike Cathcart
Has been my favorite lunch spot downtown for years! The food is excellent (spicy fried chicken bowl is my go-to). The couple that run it are the sweetest and very nice. Every time I go in they remember me and say hi. A hidden gem of Syracuse!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lauren Lee
Everything was super good! Fresh and hot, The potato croquettes were delicious I could eat then daily! The spam Musubi was also really good, the chicken teriyaki was good but I personally am not a fan of thigh meats. The pork gyoza was okay, it has a lot of ginger in it and I don't like ginger, It would have been really good without it in my opinion. I 100% recommend trying this place. The prices are super reasonable for all the food you get
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeff Fabro
If you're craving comfort food with a tropical twist, look no further than the Spam Musubi at Aloha Japanese Bento—a simple dish elevated to something truly memorable.
From the very first bite, it's clear that this musubi is made with care and love. The rice is perfectly cooked—warm, slightly sticky, and seasoned just right to complement the savory richness of the Spam. The meat itself is caramelized to perfection, with that slight crispy edge and sweet-savory glaze that makes you want to savor every bite. Wrapped snugly in a sheet of fresh, nori, the balance of textures is spot-on—soft rice, tender meat, and the seaweed wrap.
What really makes Aloha Japanese Bento stand out is the authenticity and heart behind the food. You can taste the home-style preparation in every element. It’s the kind of musubi that feels nostalgic, even if you didn’t grow up eating it. It’s snack-sized comfort, wrapped in simplicity and flavor.
The atmosphere of the shop adds to the experience—bright, clean, and inviting with friendly service that makes you feel like a regular, even on your first visit. The staff clearly take pride in what they serve, and it shows.
Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or ordering a full bento box, do not skip the Spam Musubi. It’s an absolute highlight—equal parts satisfying and crave-worthy. Aloha Japanese Bento has nailed the art of turning a humble Hawaiian-Japanese fusion dish into a local legend.
I’ll definitely be back for more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butter Mochi
pratik patel
Food was okay
Michelle Cathcart
This place is amazing! Food is incredible, service is top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Fried Chicken Bowl
Kye Bronwyn
Really good, actually!!! If you're like me, you're a bit put off by those generic overpriced Japanese restaurants that focus too much on sushi. This place is not that! Their food is super high quality and very reasonably priced. I got Oyakodon with a side of miso soup for $15 and made two meals out of it. Highly recommend.
Conlon
Su or Zu (sp?) and his Aloha Japanese Bento shop are a hidden gem for any foodie in CNY. Especially if you've lived in Hawaii. His prices are insanely low for the current economic situation, too. How have you not tried this place yet!?! Go get sum ono grinds, and say Mahalo!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Cutlet
R C
Stopped in on a whim to meet a friend..nice quiet and clean first Impression...as soon as you walk in you can order in a kiosk which is nice....food came piping hot.
Very very delicious! My go-to for Japanese quick meals!! Love the service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brooke Myers
I have been telling everyone about the white rice at aAloha. There was something that made the rice taste so much more than white rice. It's my favorite place to go in Syracuse because the money is good and the lunch is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David S
Ridiculously good. I lived in Japan and Hawaii for almost 4 years. Unassuming bento shop with quick service, great value for the $$$, and high quality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butter Mochi, Karaage and Shrimp Tempura, Miso Soup
Grumble
Ate at this place today and got the Gyudon (beef bowl) as I love yoshinoya (Japanese fast food restaurant) and it was good. The flavor was how it should be, only thing missing was an egg and pickled ginger if that’s your thing. Overall, food was great! Definitely will eat here again while in Syracuse!
Best food for the price in downtown. The couple who own this restaurant are super nice. Chef (also the owner) is very friendly and passionate about his work and it shows.
Food is great! Better and extremely reasonably priced than other Japanese restaurants in downtown or on Marshall street even though this is technically Japanese Hawaiian. Don't expect a lot of atmosphere but it's a great little place that's clean and well lit.
My favorites bentos are Gyu Don and Katsudon. Shoyu ramen is pretty good too. Their new Miso ramen is excellent. And I looooove Mochiko Chicken and Karaage Chicken, which are essentially flavored chicken nuggets! They're better quality and price than Chick-fil-la if you compare the chicken nugget prices.
And everything is better with a bottle of Itoen green tea.
Food: 5
Service: 5
So yummy! I get take out from here and the mochiko chicken is so good! So crispy and warm every time I have it.
Food: 5
Has been my favorite lunch spot downtown for years! The food is excellent (spicy fried chicken bowl is my go-to). The couple that run it are the sweetest and very nice. Every time I go in they remember me and say hi. A hidden gem of Syracuse!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything was super good! Fresh and hot, The potato croquettes were delicious I could eat then daily! The spam Musubi was also really good, the chicken teriyaki was good but I personally am not a fan of thigh meats. The pork gyoza was okay, it has a lot of ginger in it and I don't like ginger, It would have been really good without it in my opinion. I 100% recommend trying this place. The prices are super reasonable for all the food you get
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you're craving comfort food with a tropical twist, look no further than the Spam Musubi at Aloha Japanese Bento—a simple dish elevated to something truly memorable.
From the very first bite, it's clear that this musubi is made with care and love. The rice is perfectly cooked—warm, slightly sticky, and seasoned just right to complement the savory richness of the Spam. The meat itself is caramelized to perfection, with that slight crispy edge and sweet-savory glaze that makes you want to savor every bite. Wrapped snugly in a sheet of fresh, nori, the balance of textures is spot-on—soft rice, tender meat, and the seaweed wrap.
What really makes Aloha Japanese Bento stand out is the authenticity and heart behind the food. You can taste the home-style preparation in every element. It’s the kind of musubi that feels nostalgic, even if you didn’t grow up eating it. It’s snack-sized comfort, wrapped in simplicity and flavor.
The atmosphere of the shop adds to the experience—bright, clean, and inviting with friendly service that makes you feel like a regular, even on your first visit. The staff clearly take pride in what they serve, and it shows.
Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or ordering a full bento box, do not skip the Spam Musubi. It’s an absolute highlight—equal parts satisfying and crave-worthy. Aloha Japanese Bento has nailed the art of turning a humble Hawaiian-Japanese fusion dish into a local legend.
I’ll definitely be back for more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butter Mochi
Food was okay
This place is amazing! Food is incredible, service is top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Fried Chicken Bowl
Really good, actually!!! If you're like me, you're a bit put off by those generic overpriced Japanese restaurants that focus too much on sushi. This place is not that! Their food is super high quality and very reasonably priced. I got Oyakodon with a side of miso soup for $15 and made two meals out of it. Highly recommend.
Su or Zu (sp?) and his Aloha Japanese Bento shop are a hidden gem for any foodie in CNY. Especially if you've lived in Hawaii. His prices are insanely low for the current economic situation, too. How have you not tried this place yet!?! Go get sum ono grinds, and say Mahalo!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Cutlet
Stopped in on a whim to meet a friend..nice quiet and clean first Impression...as soon as you walk in you can order in a kiosk which is nice....food came piping hot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Very very delicious! My go-to for Japanese quick meals!! Love the service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have been telling everyone about the white rice at aAloha. There was something that made the rice taste so much more than white rice. It's my favorite place to go in Syracuse because the money is good and the lunch is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ridiculously good. I lived in Japan and Hawaii for almost 4 years. Unassuming bento shop with quick service, great value for the $$$, and high quality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butter Mochi, Karaage and Shrimp Tempura, Miso Soup
Ate at this place today and got the Gyudon (beef bowl) as I love yoshinoya (Japanese fast food restaurant) and it was good. The flavor was how it should be, only thing missing was an egg and pickled ginger if that’s your thing. Overall, food was great! Definitely will eat here again while in Syracuse!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Close your eyes, and you're eating in Hawaii.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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