Kenko-Ya
46-047 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI, 96744
Kenko-Ya Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Kaneohe for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Kaneohe for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Kaneohe for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
46-047 Kamehameha Hwy
Kaneohe, HI, 96744 - Phone (808) 236-2030
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Josh L.
Fair pricing, parking available, came in at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon. Seating for two available immediately, drink and food order taken immediately. I ordered the 7pc salmon sashimi, never had it with lemon. I can't eat it any other way now. I got the combo box for $15.99 with the mochiko chicken and beef teriyaki. The spicy ahi crunch roll is also worth the money. Only downside of this place is the 50 cent charge for spicy mayo, but that seems to be the trend here. Give me more salmon sashimi!
(4)Jennifer K.
At 3:30 p.m. on a Saturday , this place was packed as if it were the middle of dinner rush! People obviously love this place and now so do I. There are a few reasons I marked down a star. One, the chair was wet and dirty. The server saw me clean it with my own napkin and never brought me a new napkin so I didn't have one for my meal. I asked and waited a while, eventually getting one, but it was hard to get their attention. Also there was a scale in the fish. I mean, that does show that it's freshly cut, but it was right on top in the middle of the fish. I'm assuming there is a chef who looked at the plate when he was done and then the server should have looked at the plate as well... somebody should have picked off that scale! Overall, fantastic deal on very fresh fish. The salmon/ahi combo sashimi was delicious! It was piled on top of a generous bed of daikon with enough slices of lemon to meet my needs. I usually have to ask for more. Unfortunately, it didn't have any of the shiso leaf I love so much that was in the picture on the wall. The service was incredibly fast -- I'm talking less than 5 minutes! The food was great. I'll come back whenever I'm on the windward side.
(4)M T.
A typical local Japanese restaurant. We came here for a quick sit-down meal around 9:30pm. The restaurant was close to full when we entered, so that gave us good vibes. The staff were also very friendly and quick with service. It's local Japanese style, not authentic. The food didn't stand out as much for me because I'm used to eating authentic Japanese food, but I think it's well worth it if you want a satisfying meal in the area. Out of everything we ate, the mochiko chicken stood out the most. The crust was very sweet but it went really well with the juicy meat. The portion was also huge that we had to take the rest home!
(3)Mikey H.
My mom told me about this new Japanese restaurant that is my parent's current favorite. So for her birthday, and my last meal before coming back to San Diego, we came here. No reservations, you have to get here early, or end up waiting but go in and write your name down. We were one of the first ones for dinner on a Sunday just before 5, and had to wait a little on the second visit, also a Sunday, for about 10 minutes. I believe this is a family run business and they are all so friendly. Although, they do try to get you in and out as quickly as possible since the dining room is cozy. They are never rude about it, but always check in with a smile. It would've been great to see the sushi chef(s) in action. The sushi rolls I ordered for myself were fresh and delicious! Loved my unagi roll and the crunchy roll. I should probably stop ordering veggie rolls, they are always just so-so. Oh and I love inaris! I also had a katsu domburi on the last visit which was great! My parents usually order the combo dinners. They are always so happy when they leave! I can't wait to come back! When we were leaving, there were quite a number of people waiting, so get there early if you can!
(5)John F.
Although I've only been to Kenko-Ya twice, they are my favorite restaurant in Kaneohe. First of all, I really like Japanese food and they have a teishoku that features soft shell crab and other favorites like spicy poke and butterfish. The most fantastic thing about this restaurant is that it is BYOB with no corkage fee. It always seems like they are not very busy and can accommodate walk in traffic but I have only been there on weekday nights. They don't rush you and are very accommodating with ice for the drinks that you bring in. See my pictures. They are strongly recommended. One small drawback is that the bathrooms are outside of the restaurant and all the way around behind the building. Definitely not convenient but not a deal breaker.
(5)Nicole R.
This little hole in the wall in a windward side strip mall is surprisingly awesome! The food is excellent, service was fast and efficient, and it's great value for the money. The lunch bentos are gigantic, the sushi rolls are delicious, and the ahi rice bowls are perfectly spicy and super filling. Highly recommend!
(4)Kyle H.
It's nice to have another go-to Japanese restaurant in Kaneohe if you ever want a break from Kikuya or if they're too crowded. Beware though, this place gets crowded too and their dining area is very small. I enjoy Kenko-Ya because they have a big variety of items to choose from. They have make-your-own combo meals with two (or even three choices if you're really hungry!) that are reasonably-priced, considering the cuisine, quality and quantity. My go-to order is usually the mochiko chicken and spicy ahi combo. They do their spicy ahi ground-style, almost like a paste, which doesn't bother me. It is pretty darn spicy too. The mochiko chicken are small pieces of crunchy delicious nuggets, served with a dipping sauce. They give you a small mountain of this. The green tea they serve is also very good - It's worth mentioning - it is served very hot and with a good amount of matcha powder, not bitter or over-brewed whatsoever. If there's a big wait for your food, don't hesitate to order to-go. The food is ready relatively fast and tastes just as ono when you go home!
(4)John G.
This place was terrific. We got there just ahead of the dinner rush. Sushi was dynamite! The nigiri was really good. The service was terrific - new young lady in training was very good, and between her and her trainers, wow! The fish was fresh and generous portions and - very tasty! The 'chick rolls' the gals ordered were also quite good. Definitely going back next time we're in the area!
(5)Stefani C.
We went to Kenko-Ya and I got sick from the food. I had the shrimp & vegetable tempura and felt sick shortly after. I could taste the reused oil in the shrimp and vegetables and that's what probably did it.
(1)Chris T.
My wife tells me the sushi was awesome. I got a steak so if you are like us where one person loves sushi s d the other person prefers it fried in beer batter then you have a red meat alternative here. The steak was good, not outstanding but I really didn't expect a lot out of a raw fish place and I was surprised it was as good as it was.
(4)Roy B.
My favorite place for Japanese cuisine in Kaneohe. Located across from the Windward Mall in the Kaneohe Bay Shopping Center this little restaurant should be easy to find. There is usually a lot of available parking near the restaurant and through out the shopping center. Nothing really fancy, just great tasting Japanese food at reasonable prices and adequate portions. Some of my favorites are the Yose Nabe, Salmon Ikura Bowl, Soft Shell Crab and assorted Sashimi. There is so much more to choose from but being a creature of habit I tend to order the same dishes most of the time. Also included with most meals are Miso soup, edame, and some pickled vegetables to hold you as your order is being prepared. The service here is consistently friendly and the place clean and simple. The only setback here is that the seating is limited and elbow room a little tight thus my reason for denying this fine restaurant the "Five Twinklers". Your best bet on getting to dine here is to come during off peak hours which for me is usually before 5:30pm and after 8:00pm.
(4)Robyn T.
I am in love. Yup. In. Love. The husby and I came here 05.16.15 for dinner - I ordered the chirashi at the recommendation of a friend (who said it was a lot of food and filled him up!). He was not wrong! The husby ordered their 6 pc salmon sushi, the crunchy spicy ahi roll, and a side order of vegetable tempura. My chirashi was the best I have ever had. It came with 2 pieces tako, 2 pieces ika, a mound of ikura, 2 pieces tamago, 2 pieces hamachi, 2 pieces shrimp, 3 pieces of salmon, 3 pieces of maguro and 3 slices of takuan and miso soup - all for $18.95!!! It was delicious and filling. I felt so stuffed after trying to finish off the whole thing (the husby had to polish off a few pieces of hamachi and salmon for me). The husby LOVED his salmon sushi! The spicy ahi roll was spicy! The heat just kept building... in a good way, so long as you like heat. The husby also seemed to have an allergic reaction to the tempura (as it's the first thing that came to the table that we ate) and we're guessing it's cause everything (vegetables and shrimp are dipped in the same batter and fried in the same oil) and he's allergic to shell-fish. But other than that, our experience here was awesome! We intend to be back... and often! Just no tempura for him!
(5)Jay E.
I enjoyed my 3 choice meal, I got the chicken katsu, sashimi, & butterfish, all choices were delicious!
(5)Mariko K.
Kenko-ya served typical local Japanese food. I got the unagi and butterfish combo. I'm a bit of Japanese food snob, so I wasn't impressed with the quality of food (I could make the same thing at home better and cheaper). Service was mixed, one waitress was really sweet and the other was "meh."
(3)Jamie B.
We are here often! Love this place! The wait staff remembers us and the fact that we barely need the menu anymore! We routinely order their sushi dishes...specifically the Philadelphia tempura roll, the rainbow, and the volcano...all so yummy! They are pretty fast, and they get busy quick since they are small. So come early! :) Lots of options, great menu!
(5)Tes G.
Always excellent service and always excellent food! The sashimi is a fresh as can be. Tempura always has the perfectly crunchy batter and is never oily. Teri chicken is yummy! If my vehicle didn't eat gas, I would be driving here everyday from Waianae to get my fix. Love it!
(5)Stephen H.
Generous portions of good Japanese food reasonably priced. We had: 2-choice combo meals ($15.95) of shrimp and vegetable tempura, butterfish misoyaki, and soft-shell crab; a spicy ahi and salmon bowl ($15.95); a combo sashimi C ($21.95) = 5 pieces each of ahi, hamachi, and salmon. Our eyes proved bigger than our stomachs as we ended up taking much of the spicy ahi and salmon, and some of the sashimi home for another meal. That's because we had more time to get hungrier and ogle the menu posted on the front door as we waited in line at about 6 P.M. on a Saturday evening. That and the portions are quite fair here. I appreciate that they cut the sashimi a little thicker here. I didn't appreciate that the hamachi was fresh...out of the freezer; though the hamachi-sicle's thawed out soon enough. The combo's come with the usual appetizer (edamame and bean sprouts), green salad w/ mayo-ketchup dressing, rice, and miso soup. The bowl is not, I repeat, NOT of sushi. It is regular white rice. A lot of it. Other than that, and tea cups that don't insulate your hands very well from scalding hot green tea, we all came away from Kenko-ya full and satisfied.
(4)Les Y.
Decent local style Japanese restaurant. Ordered mochiko chicken with teriyaki beef. Chicken was good. Teriyaki sauce for beef came out of a bottle and not good. Menu selection is good. Limited seating. Kikuyu is much better.
(3)Gin D.
I've been here probably over thirty times. It's delicious, it's byob and service is fast. FYI they are closed on Tuesdays and if there is a huge wait just call in your order and it'll be ready in ten minutes.
(5)Mich C.
Kaneohe is so lucky to have a decent Japanese restaurant that is so delicious and well priced. Been here several times over the years and have never been disappointed. My favorites are butterfish, sashimi and spicy ahi. My boys like the mochiko chicken!
(4)Jem T.
Really hot inside this restaurant and it's too small. When I went with my cousin and uncle and we were waiting for our food because we chose to take it out, they told us to wait outside because we were sitting on the chairs. And there was hair in my food right under/inbetween the salmon sashimi.
(1)Kim S.
Decided to head over to the Windward side with friends who have been to Kenko Ya before. Waited about 15 mins so not too bad for 4 people. A couple friends shared a few sushi rolls & seemed to like them. I got the combo with Misoyaku Butterfish & Tonkatsu. It was yummy & enough to fill up my tummy. Price not bad either. Wouldn't go out of my way to eat there but was a fun "road trip" from town.
(3)Christine R.
Visiting Hawaii, we really wanted to try out their sushi. Kenko-Ya, though small, gave us a smorgasbord of yummies. Really fast service for how packed they were. Fresh maki and salads. Even my son gobbled up the california roll. Mochiko chicken (huge plate; beware) came with salad, greens, dip, miso soup. We also ordered a roll of tuna and a tiger, IRCC. Cons: ???
(4)Jin M.
Am I crazy for not loving this place? I could be. But I followed all the recommendations from previous reviews! I ordered the combo meal with the Butterfish and the Spicy Ahi, and I left feeling underwhelmed (and still hungry). My recommendation would be to order the 3 combo meal instead of 2. I thought it would be generous portions so I ordered the 2 ($14.95 + $1 for Butterfish). It's pretty pricey so you would think.. You could probably eat the fish in three bites, honestly, if it wasn't for the bones. BUT, it was tasty. And buttery. The Spicy Ahi was in the least bit spicy and quite bland. Well I mean in their defense, I do pour Sriracha on everything and eat like a baby dinosaur so perhaps the Ahi may have been spicy and the 2 combo meal is decent for a normal human being (with an appetite of a mouse). The meal comes with miso soup and salad which are both pretty good. On the other hand, the service was excellent. The staff works as a team and there is no set server for one table/section so someone is always there to assist you with your needs. :) I would return if a friend really wanted to try this place, but I wouldn't drag my friends here.
(3)Vince B.
Yeah, Okay, I'm rounding up just a little bit on the rating. But, Kenko Ya is a solid reliable favorite for Kaneohe residents. We are fans and we will be coming back. History: Used to be that the Legendary Kikuya was about the only Japanese option in Kaneohe. Then Domo opened (over by Boston Pizza). Domo was pretty good too but there were no long lines of customers waiting to get in. Then in about 2009 Kenko Ya opened. The word spread fast about Kenko Ya. Even a social group of very elderly people we know started coming here soon after it opened. They liked it so much they were quick to abandon their old favorites. The old folks are plate lunch foodies. LOL ! They know value and quality when they see it. Ambience: Small with well worn table dividers and cheap decorations. Over all it is pleasant though. Can seat groups of 6 to 8 if needed. But, because it is small and popular, there is often a wait during prime dinner hours of 6pm to 8pm. If there are lots of tables filled with groups of 2, 3 or 4, then you are going to have to wait for enough people to leave to seat your party of 6 together. Food: Main attraction are the combo/Teishoku meals which are good quality, generous portions and reasonably priced. Sushi, sashimi and sushi rolls are popular. There are some lobster and steak menu items which are priced up to $40. They do have some ramen and udon bowls which I have not tried. Sushi rolls are good. Sashimi seems to be of good quality and servings are generous. My wife was very pleased with her grilled saba (5 stars) and sashimi (4 stars) teishoku meal last night. I had vegetable tempura and spicy ahi teishoku. 5 star tempura with large portion and excellent taste and quality. 3 star spicy ahi but it was good and I would get this same $15.99 meal again without hesitation. How does it compare??: Better than Kikuya and better than Domo (both located in Kaneohe). But, compared to Sushi King and Maguro Ya (both located in Honolulu area) it slips a bit. Sushi King and Maguro Ya are both more expensive even though they are clearly better overall. Bottom Line: Kenko Ya is a good value with large servings and good quality. If you don't want to drive all the way back into town and pay more,then Kenko Ya is an excellent choice. Service: Pleasant and efficient, but, they will try to move you along if there are people waiting. Always good service.
(4)Hinano F.
So, om Sunday (Mothers Day) My mother took all her daughters (theres 7 of us) to this amazing japanese restaurant! SHE wanted to go because she hasnt been there in a long time, sp she told all of us to get in the car because she wanted to take us to lunch! As we all got in the car, one of my sisters pulls her cell phone out and texts all of us saying " Even though Mom wants to take ALL OF US out, lets all split the bill and take HER out. We all agreed! Arriving at the restaurant we got a table of 8, we all ordered our food ( we mostly got 2 and 3 combination meals and some sushi) as our server comes to us i wrote on a piece of napkin "bring the bill to this tabe, dont let my mom see(:" and she nodded her head(: As our food came, I got the 3 combo, butterfish, mochiko chicken, and ahi tempura, with a crunchy spicy ahi roll. it was KILLER!!! I didnt even pay attention to what my sisters got because i was stuffing my face with the amazing food! be sure to come here when you are craving japanese food and in kaneohe area! So as we all are about done, the bill hasnt come yet.. I walk up to our waitress behind the counter and asked her how much? she says... " your mom knew something was up when she heard all of your cell phones ring at once, so she figured you guys wanted to pay for the lunch " DANG MOM!!! so I walk back to the table and we all are going back to our cars, our mom tells us "thank you for the attempt girls, but i wanted to take YOU guys out" never going to forget this mothers day!
(5)Ryan H.
Awesome experience here! There was a small waiting line. There is BYOB policy and the hostess Kim greeted us with a contagious smile. The butterfish, the salmon, and the mochiko chicken was very tasty and mouth melting. Highly recommended. Hostess of the place was very nice and accommodating.
(5)Kristi T.
Kenko Ya.. What do I even say about this place? Another family favorite. One of my favorites, no lie. It's a small restaurant, for very casually dressed people, near L&L. It's not CHEAP, but not all too expensive, either. I like the food. My all-time favorite is the Mochiko Chicken. You honestly cannot beat their Mochiko Chicken. My favorite place to get Mochiko Chicken. It's crunchy, juicy, cooked well, and doesn't have much fat. It goes well with rice, nothing else needed. I also really like their Spider Roll. It's quite simple, but there's something about it that keeps me ordering. Their Chicken Katsu is something else I order quite often. It's crunchy, simple.. Not much else to say! Their Spicy Ahi Bowl is popular, but IT IS SPICY. Be prepared to down some water with that. If you like really spicy spicy ahi, this place is for you! I really like their combo options, but I wish they had more sushi options. That might just be me, though. I just feel like there aren't as many options as I would like. Overall, though.. This place is great. I'm pretty sure that everyone who comes here will find something they like. I'm definitely returning! Get the Mochiko Chicken!
(4)Neeko M.
We were having a little trouble with deciding on a place to eat because we're rarely on this side of the Island. We showed up right before the dinner rush, which was good. Staff was friendly, the food was good and they were playing some good music.
(4)Emily D.
My favorite Japanese restaurant in Kaneohe!! Food is delicious, costumer service is great (everyone's friendly) and lots on the menu to choose from. Very convenient location as well! Located across the street from windward mall.
(5)Co Y.
Food is good. Service is okay if you dine in. If you order takeout you get ignored. I walked up to the cashier and there were tons of workers that completely ignored me. No eye contact at all. They all seemed busy ringing up people who were dining in. No one even acknowledged me. I waited patiently until I finally said "excuse me, is this where I pick up take out because no one is helping me or even acknowledging me". Then I finally got helped. I know they saw me, I'm fully pregnant with a huge belly in that little restaurant. They were very rude. I've eaten here several times before but because of this experience I will probably not return here again. Seemed like because you order takeout they don't care about you because they don't get a tip.
(2)Kyla S.
I tried here because of the reviews on yelp & ever since then I love coming to this place when I want Japanese food. My favorite thing to get is the butterfish. It's the best I have tried in Oahu. It literally just melts in your mouth. This place is pretty small so it can get busy and crowded. I try to go early if I want to make sure I can get a table. M
(4)808state H.
Our usual Japanese restaurant on the Windward side was closed on Mondays so we decided to eat here instead. ! We started off with the California roll, then ordered the combo meal of shrimp tempura with teriyaki beef. The dishes were served quickly and everything was delicious! The atmosphere was nice, cozy. Seating was comfortable and the staff was so nice.This is now our favorite place. A must try if you haven't been here.
(5)Sean Z.
Bad night turned good, in 60 minutes. On the way to Kenko Ya we were excited to eat some delicious Japanese food. Once arrived, my mouth started to water. And, to our surprise there was a long line outside the restaurant. Zealously, we waited our turn to be seated. After waiting 15 minutes to get seated, I thought we would be approached right away to commence the ordering of food. No greeting, no acknowledgement, nothing. In fact, our waiter did not come to our table for nearly another 15 minutes. However, once our waiter arrived, everything went rather smoothly. Miso soup, green tea, and tsukemono were all done well in addition to our delicious 6 piece nigiri spicy ahi. I would have provided a picture of the spicy ahi but we wolfed it down rather quickly. The combination plate of the broiled salmon and mochiko chicken were of generous proportion in addition to its flavorful and incorporated taste. The menu is sleek and helpful considering they have a very extensive selection to choose from. In addition, some items you may find in the menu are: combination meals, donburi, cold noodles, hot noodles, maki mono, nigiri, nabe, etc. *They've got pretty good acoustics in there, can get really loud. *Clean, cool environment, nice beige interior. *NOT good for big parties (5+). *No problem with parking. Minor Update: Finally, after several attempts, I have uploaded a picture of the spicy ahi nigiri.
(4)Undercover S.
Sunday, 5-17-15 at about 4:15 pm AWESOME service, food, price and ambiance! We had the combination meals with three choices each. They were excellent! Misoyaki butterfish, shrimp tempura, sashimi and soft shell crab were out-of-this-world delicious. The ahi tempura was good, too, but the above items were absolutely awesome. Excellent price of $22 to $24 for all that yummy food. So very worth every cent. The service really made the meal even better. Outstanding customer service in a very pleasant atmosphere. Thank you to the three servers who were working when we we there. Very nice people. If you haven't tried Kenko-ya in Kaneohe, please do so. You will definitely enjoy it. Maybe go a bit early to avoid the crowd. Easy to find...across Windward Mall in same area as Safeway. Thank you.
(5)Sara K.
It's good, not great. The spicy crunch roll was enjoyable and the ramen was alright, but $50 for two bowls of ramen, a roll and one coke just didn't add up. The highlight was the friendly staff, who worked hard to seat people quickly and take orders efficiently.
(3)Holly B.
Good Japanese food in a quaint setting, frequented by lots of locals. Service is spotty and if you request something from someone other than your server there is a good chance you will be ignored.
(3)Jamie C.
It's a Friday night and yes it is very busy, however the waitress comes out and asks if anyone wants to share a table. 2 two parties of 2 say yes and instead of putting them on the same table they seat on 2 seater on a 4 party table and the 2 other people on a 6 seater. Are you freaking kidding me?? They pass my party who has 4 people and take the other 2 people that was after us!!! This is some BULL SHIT!!! Maybe you should learn or teach that young girl how to manage the table service. Or better yet make the older Japanese lady handle the table. Yes I'm pissed and it just created the worst service ever.!! I will not bash their food because they have the best Japanese food in Kaneohe and the older waitresses are very nice. But sorry this visit you will only get 1 star!
(1)Tara D.
The food was good but a bit pricy. I got the 2-choice combo meal with Miso Butterfish and Mochiko Chicken. The restaurant was a bit small and if you're waiting for a seat you need to wait outside with no seats. I would recommend coming before 6. Overall, it was good traditional Japanese food.
(4)Kyle L.
This is our favorite Japanese restaurant. We highly recommend going here. They have the best mochiko chicken and spicy ahi!
(5)Paul N.
Well, our orders were over fried, hard and tough. Most likely a new cook that doesn't know how to cook Japanese food. They need to correct this problem as soon as possible. We are regular customers at this restaurant so we were very disappointed by the food we got. When we complained about the over cooked food we were told that's how its suppose to be. Deep fried, hard and tough. Really!
(2)Trisha L.
Quick service. Good food. Make sure you go early on weekends...even on weekdays because it's a smaller restaurant that fills up fast. Sometimes feels a bit cramped but still worth going.
(4)Denby R.
Yelp Review Challenge 4 of 31 (catching up) Actually, i have been wanting to review this place since I first went in so thank you Emi H for the inspiration to review!. This is a little restaurant in Kaneohe (same parking lot as Safeway). One of my best friends and fellow yelper Iris K. and I wandered in one day together and now my husband and I eat here at least once a week when we are home. It is a great place to get consistently good Japanese food for a decent price. We started by ordering two of their "bowls" (you know, spicy ahi bowl or spicy ahi/unagi bowl) which have good value, but when we are trying to "eat light" we were walking out feeling a littlle full than desired (so much for the will-power to stop eating when satiated). We have started ordering the two or three option teishoku and are totally digging it. One between the two of us and we can be "full" without the busted gut feeling, and still have some padding in the pocketbook. There can sometimes be a line outside, which makes sense as this is a place worth waiting in line for.
(4)Stephen M.
The food tastes ok. Just NEVER go to the bathroom there, if you ever want to eat there again. The Bathroom is located in the back of the restaurant. The first thing I noticed was how dirty EVERYTHING was. There was about 10-15 birds behind the restaurant. Once I got to the bathroom door there were 2 birds washing themselves in a pan of Panko. There was a metal bowl on the ground next to the bathroom door with uncooked chicken parts. (So close, the splash from the toilet could hit the bowl.) I have never gone back.
(1)George P.
Was trying to find good sushi while on vacation. And on the advice of fellow yelpers reviews I came here but must say I was disappointed. The sushi did not hold together well. The miso soup was Luke warm. Service was good. But overall I wouldn't return here.
(3)Kayleen T.
Horrible sushi! I could get better sushi at 7-11 for half the price. There was almost no seafood in the rolls, the fish smelled and tasted old, and the overall taste was gross. I can't believe I just spent $30 on 3 rolls that went straight in the trash after the first bite. Yuck! I posted a picture check it out for yourself.
(1)Alan O.
The chirashizushi is a winner! The rice just flavored enough to bring the flavors on the fish and everything.
(5)Angela A.
One of the few Japanese restaurants. One with sushi! Best deals are the Teishokus (2 or 3 choice) and the bowls (donburi) w/ spicy ahi! This is not the normal spicy ahi you find at genki or kozo. It's actually spicy! So be aware before you order this. They also have sashimi (sliced raw fish), the salmon is awesome here. Tons of free parking, but the store is rather small. So, if you go at peak lunch or dinner time, be aware of the wait time.
(4)Paige S.
Summary: Good restaurant, but no food that we couldn't get anywhere else. Day: Saturday night, 2030 First off: the TeleNav GPS & Yelp gave us weird directions and brought us into the Kailua area so our first attempt at eating here was a fail! But we saw the restaurant after leaving the farmers market one week and knew how to get there this time. Not sure why the address is off, but it was near the Safeway and right across the street from Windward Mall Macys. Secondly: I grew up in Japan, and my husband and I met there, so we are kind of Japanese cuisine snobs. I try to take everything as is, while my husband just compares lots of things to back home. Parking: Oddly packed since its in a shopping area so we had to park further than we expected Seating: After reading tons of reviews we had already expected the place to be packed. Its not because there are tons of people, its just because its a tiny space. Upon entering the waiter took our names and told us we could wait outside to be called in. We waited probably 20 minutes and as soon as we entered were quickly seated and served Service: I think the service here is fantastic, 5 stars for sure! They took our orders quickly, we never had to ask for water refills and the chef/owner even came out to ask us about our meals Food: Husband ordered the Mochi Chicken (the main reason we went here since we thought it would be super fab), 4 unagi and I ordered the tempura Philadelphia roll. Serving Portion: The Mochi chicken portion was huge, it was an entire giant plate of nuggets of mochi chicken, the side was a salad, miso and rice. For the price which I do believe was between $10-15 it was a very good portion for my Texan man. The reason we rated this place a 3/5 is because he keeps comparing it to my moms mochi chicken which is made differently. This mochi chicken was fresh, piping hot and the batter they had was delicious to me, but he thought that it was ordinary and that he could find that similar style at any restaurant. Since it was his meal, I let him rate it. His unagi was also fresh and he was pleased with that. My Tempura roll was pretty huge, i'm glad I decided against getting a whole meal on top of my roll. The rice was very nice sushi grade and the salmon melded perfectly with the tempura batter + cream cheese. If I was at this restaurant again, I would def. order this again. Overall: The service is wonderful and I think that there food was good, just not something that I would crave. If you're in the area and want decent japanese food for dinner its a nice place with a very cozy environment.
(3)Ruth C.
Casual neighborhood spot in a strip plaza, pretty busy. Service was fairly prompt though I never got a tea refill. Combos seem solid. Edamame and bean sprout salad were as expected, and miso soup okay. Quality and knifework on the sushi and sashimi were fine, definitely runs heavy on rice with the former. At least they know how to cook rice. Regular salad was boring. The real winner of the night is the butterfish, and probably the only thing worth writing home about. Skin was grilled for Asian eating and the fish was moist and tasty. Portion was right for conservative eaters. I'm not exactly racing back here since everything else was average and we were just looking for a grub spot, but I know I'd get that butterfish again.
(4)J D.
RUDE!!! It's my first time here, and I was asked to move to another table as I was waiting for my food so that a larger party could take my table. I've never been to a restaurant that's done that before--I am beyond annoyed and can't believe how incredibly rude that was, especially since there were other tables the group could have been seated at! I haven't even tried the food yet, but based on service, I will not come back.
(1)Daniel P.
This restaurant is always busy with take out orders as well as dine in customers. Service is a little slow. If you know what you want I suggest placing your order the first time around. Once the food gets there it is well worth the wait. Everything is ready to eat, meaning the food isn't super hot but it's hot enough where you know it was taken off the grill within the last few minutes. Some people like it steaming hot but I would rather be able to eat my food soon after it arrives. Preference.
(4)John C.
The menu is solid, with lots of sushi and non-sushi choices. Staff was super friendly and extremely attentive. Food was great (Doraku has better sushi, but this was solid). Would probably be a 4 star place but it's BYOB and Safeway is across the street so it's getting a fifth star. Will definitely be making it a regular place!
(5)Rhi S.
To be honest, I really didn't like Kenko Ya in the past. Everyone I knew loved it and I'd always find myself going with them but I wasn't really into Japanese food. I tried their Ebi tempura maki and I absolutely loved it! It's inspired me to try more of their dishes, and I must say, the food is actually really good. The portions are really big so unless you have a huge appetite, you'll have leftovers for lunch the next day. The only thing I don't like is that the restaurant is really small and feels a bit cramped. I suppose that's just part of the Japanese style. Since it's really popular there usually is a small wait. The waiters/waitresses are always very nice and the service is pretty quick.
(4)Krissy K.
I somewhat randomly ended up here for dinner one night. We were supposed to eat pho, but my friend changed his mind. I don't venture to the Windward side too often, and this place reminds me of a basic Japanese restaurant you could find in any neighborhood here in Hawaii. The menu is rather extensive, even offering lobster. We both opted for the combos - 2 choices for me, and 3 for him. I had the tonkatsu and shrimp tempura, and he had the spicy ahi, miso butterfish, and...something else I can't remember. I'm getting old. It was a lot of food - I couldn't finish it all. The tonkatsu was well done, but the tempura was just average. There is no dessert here (I have a separate tummy for dessert). A serviceable restaurant in Kaneohe.
(3)Stephen W.
Kenko-Ya is my favorite sushi restaurant on island. Over the years, one way I've learned to judge whether a sushi restaurant was good or not was to see how many older japanese customers would eat there. Lots of older japenese = GOOD. Kenko-Ya has a diversified cutomer base of mostly locals, and yes many are older japanese. The food is of exceptional quality. The fish servings for nigiri and cut rolls are well portioned. Best of all, the prices are reasonable and is no more than the "mediocre at best" chains like Aloha Sushi and Ninja Sushi. I find the staff also very service oriented. Everything here is good, although my favorite is the Chirashi. Only drawback is they're very busy on weekends. Expect to wait if you arrive anytime after 5:30 on Fri or Sat. An early dinner at Kenko-Ya, followed by a movie across the street always makes for an enjoyable evening.
(5)Robin V.
The food was great here. Moderately priced and well presented. Ordered the two-item combination that came in a teishoku box. Good and friendly service. Happy that Kaneohe has another decent place to go and eat at.
(4)Tze M.
Friend: do you like sushi? Me: Yes, but I'm hung over and feeling sick, is it just sushi? Friend: They have other stuff. Me: where is this place? I've never heard of it. Friend: It's over by the mall. Located off Kamehameha Hwy, in the Kaneohe Bay shopping center across from Windward Mall in the far left corner. Parking is in their own lot. This place is pretty much a hole in the wall. Menu varied from sushi, to soba and udon to box set meals. Prices were reasonable. Since I wasn't feeling well, I ordered the kake (plain) udon ($7.85). Udon was served in a hot traditional broth, with 2 slices of fish cake and some green onions. The udon totally hit the spot! My friend got the shrimp tempura sushi maki and gyoza. From the looks of it, it looked delish! I couldn't get myself to try it. My stomach was telling me "I hate you!!!" The place was decorated and set up with Japanese art and pictures of menu items. It was clean and service was good. The ambiance was casual, but I did notice it was a bit dim.. My friend joked that it was setting the romantic feel. I just thought we got there too early for dinner (at 3:30pm - for me, it was the only meal). I will have to return to try other items.
(4)Aaron R.
The staff is courteous and looks after you. The food was excellent as always! The price is a little more than some other Japanese restaurants, but you definitely get what you pay for. The quality of Japanese food is some of the best I've had in a long time. The combo meals are excellent and you really can't go wrong with any meal you choose. The spicy ahi is always so ono!
(4)Chloe M.
I can't believe there aren't more reviews for Kenko Ya! I love this place! This is my favorite place to eat in Kaneohe. Located next to Pho My Vi in the Kaneohe Bay Shopping Center, with a lot of parking. I believe they're closed on Monday or Tuesday, and close at 9:30pm. Prices are fair, and the portions are generous. I recommend their teishokus (2 choice for $14.95) or if you're low on cash, the udon is pretty good. Their tempura, saba, and sashimi is delicious! I haven't had one bad meal from here, and I recommend to anyone looking for somewhere to eat on the windward side.
(5)Lehua S.
Pretty traditional japanese cuisine. Its a very small place but very nice on the inside (they have fake flame lanterns :)) If you love spicy ahi donburis (bowls) they serve a pretty upscale one that comes with all the fixings. about $13 with tax which is way more expensive than kozo or sushi man. They have a lot of variety and really good nabemonos and teishoku. I would go if you feel like treating yourself, just a little! its also fun to say KENKO YA!
(4)David K.
Still good food. But, service was rushed. The waitress were trying to move us out fast. I understand if it's busy, but it wasn't. Didn't feel good about it.
(3)Darla C.
My husband and I waited for about 25 minutes for a table on a Saturday night. We went next door to Safeway to get a bottle of wine. The sushi was good; we ordered the Kaneohe Sunset. My husband ordered the combo dinner and he said his tempura was too oily. Our waitress was very friendly. Even though it was okay, we will return. For the sushi and 2 choice combo dinner, we paid $36 total.
(3)Mami S.
Went here for a lunch with my love and the food was good. The mochiko chicken and nabe yaki udon were really good. The tempura was kind of heavily fried and the salad was pretty weak. Service was great and atmosphere was good. For the east side pretty good.
(4)Arthur S.
I used to think that this place was absolutely amazing. But now all i can honestly say is that ive experienced better, and the dish that i usually order here is quite average. Usually when i order here i get the Yose Nabe, which includes rice and a side. The Yose Nabe is a mixture of seafood, and noodles in tasty broth. The broth is actually quite tasty and i think its one of the few places where you can buy nabe at a decent price! This place is a one of a kind in Hawaii, maybe i should try some of the other dishes. Except one of the reasons why i like this place is because the nabe isnt over priced here as oppossed to going to higher end japanese style resturaunt and purchasing nabe for a family. The inside itself is nice and peaceful, and brings a japanese style atmosphere to the customer. nice for sit down dinners The wait in service can be a little long, but they do take out orders so its possible to call in ahead.
(3)Kevin C.
I would recommend getting the combination meals. ~$14 for two choices of entrees. It also comes with miso soup, rice and salad. A little on the pricey side, for me anyways, but I was still impressed by the meal. I ordered mochiko chicken and vegetable tempura. The mochiko chicken was quite tasty. The portions were decent. Not a lot, but definitely not skimpy. The chicken was very filling considering I didn't finish all of it. And the tempura was very crunchy, which I love about tempura. Service was good. Water never ran low. Definitely will consider coming back if I'm on that side of the island!
(4)Kate G.
My review would be a lot higher if I didn't leave the dining area... My grandpa is old. He needs a good lunch out of the house every so often. I decided to take him to Kaneohe to visit his sister and have lunch. She suggested Kenko Ya. It was quite empty when we got there on a Friday and we were able to order quickly. While we were waiting, my grandpa needed to use the restroom, so we asked the waitress where it was. Turns out it was located in the back of the kitchen and the only way to get there was to go out the front door and around the building. My grandpa uses a cane, so maneuvering around the building was an adventure. Dodging the bags of trash and Heineken bottles (made me question the cooks), we made it to the small screen door that led to the kitchen. I could write pages just about just how filthy the DOORKNOB was. Not only was it covered in black goo, but it was so sticky that it was hard to turn. I'm getting grossed out just thinking about it. As my grandpa was in the bathroom I stayed outside the door and got a good look at the kitchen. You know that doorknob? Imagine that times a billion all over the floor. I'm pretty sure I witnessed both vegetables and meat being cut on the same cutting board. Completely disgusted, I hardly ate my meal and cringed at every bite my grandpa and aunty took. The food actually tasted good, but I just couldn't stop thinking about the icky kitchen. This place needs a health inspection PRONTO, and if they did, I am baffled at how they passed.
(1)Kaleo B.
First time eating here. Usually when I pass by here it's usually busy. Today I went a little early and it was empty. When I walked in I was welcomed and very treated good. Waitress was nice. I ordered the shrimp tempura with veggies. Tastes really good. Not over battered but perfect. Also came with salad miso soup and some other things lol. Next time bring my family. Son loves shrimp tempura..
(5)Kyle L.
This place is really good. I always get the butterfish with sashimi. It is also BYOB so your must stop at Safeway and pick up some Japanese beer or saki.
(5)Sooky S.
The miso butterfish here is really good. Their tempura is on point too. Nice little place for dinner
(4)Taunesha S.
I had the ahi tuna and and it pretty good. I also had the tempura roll, that was good as well. We had the 3 types of chicken and overall they were good. The teriyaki chicken was a little fatty. The atmosphere was very cozy as well! This is a BYOB place. Which was new for us. You can bring any kind of alcohol beverage you want ! For no cost. This is very common in oahu. This was one of my favorite sushi places I tired.
(4)Evan H.
For Japanese restaurants in Kaneohe. This is my favorite! I only been there twice. Love the sets they offer. I'll probably change it up and try yet another combination next time I'm in town. You can expect to be taken care of well if their server Daniel is working. The other waitress we had last time was good too, but for wait staff, daniel was really on top of things. Can't wait to return for another great meal.
(5)Ashley L.
Never disappointed when I come here. Everything is so ono! They have the best misoyaki butterfish & the michiko chicken is really good too!
(5)Kendal T.
Good food, I usually get the combination plate, with mochiko chicken and spicy ahi, but lately I have been really hungry. So I get the mochiko chicken spicy Ahh and tempura. Hits the spot every time. But that is not the only good thing there. The chirashi is good, my dad gets that a lot. So is the sukiyaki and the misoyaki butterfish. I would recommend you go early on the weekends cuz it gets crowded. Service is crazy how they scope out the whole restaurant for empty cups or empty trays. They are right on. I would check it out if you are ever on the windward side. They also do take out too!!
(5)Kylie O.
Word of advice: Dine in, don't do take out, especially over the phone. I was really excited to have Kenko-ya, even it was take out, since I've tried this place a couple times before hand, but after an exhausting phone order, I wasn't so happy. Now I get that this is a Japanese restaurant, an authentic one from my taste buds, but please, give the phone to someone who speaks english. She got my pork katsu order correct, but when it came to the sushi I swear I was yelling at her, and she still couldn't hear me, and after telling her three times that I wanted the spicy tempura roll, she kept asking, repeatedly "spicy ahi bowl?" So I finally said "You know sushi?!" and she finally got the message. Learned my lesson the hard way... Anyways, about the food. Got the pork katsun donburi. Lets just say it was interesting. The pork katsu was soggy but I'm assuming it's due to the fact that it was take out, and not the greatest katsu I've had. Next was the egg, usually donburi covers the entire top, they hardly had any egg. The sushi wasn't bad either, nothing spectacular either. The food here isn't horrible, the portions are good, but like the stars say, I've experienced better.
(2)Lauren T.
Delicious Japanese food in Kaneohe! :) The staff is attentive and the prices are ok, everything is yummy.
(5)D A.
I always get a craving for sushi, but living in Kaneohe there aren't too many choices.... This place does however satisfy the taste buds if you are unable to make the trip over the mountain to sasabune, Kona Kai or inamaste. Nothing spectacular but definitely better quality than Genki.... The butterfish is good, although haven't really had butterfish that I didn't like from anywhere that I've been to.... Will definitely be back here if just to satisfy my sushi cravings for a very reasonable price. Good service, decent food! Could use an upgrade to the restroom.
(3)Rox B.
My husband and I make it a point to try all Japanese eateries. We love Japanese food. This establishment is, by far, one of the rare jewels on the samurai's sword! You must try their chicken or beef Sukiyaki! Your taste buds will be in heaven and your sense of smell tantalized! Their ahi sashimi is fresh, red/pink with no strings and simply melts in your mouth. The waiters/waitresses are friendly and ensure your water glass does not go empty. If you want a BANG for your dollar...try Kenko Ya!
(5)Kari L.
I love this place! Favorite Japanese restaurant in Kaneohe. I usually get the combination with spicy ahi, sashimi, and tempura. The sukiyaki portion is huge! The sushi is good here as well.
(5)Stuart A.
Went to Kenko-Ya in Kam shopping center because Ichiricki was too crowded. (Lunchtime crowds are much better and the staff is way mo awesome.). Either way, I was not disappointed in changing my plans. Kenko-Ya is also one of my favorite eateries in Kaneohe. Tonight we were served by a waitress named Sophia. She was really helpful and extra attentive to our daughter. One of the things I like most about her is that she made us feel welcome and well attended to despite the big dinner crowd. The food is always good here. My boyfriend had the tempura teshoku. The portions here are very large so if you are not a heavy eater then you should get these to share. The tempura is really light and airy here which is good. The shrimp is a pretty big size but to me tempura really shines if the batter is just the right degree of flaky, crispy, airy and not too oily. The tempura dishes also come with a nice selection of tempura vegetables. I am especially fond of the green beans. Not too many japanese restaurants really focus on the veggie tempura so it is very much appreciated by people like me. Tonight i had the nabeyaki udon. It was pretty good and the serving is also quite large. My favorite dish here though will definitely be the beef sukiyaki. It comes with an insanely large amount of beef and delicious veggies. The broth is perfect for one of those sick/rainy days. If there is anything to say bad about this place is that it is closed on Tuesdays which I always forget. I also really miss the old salad dressing they used to serve. I'm hoping that they bring it back soon.
(5)John C.
Food is consistently tasty, prices reasonable, nice exclusive menu to choose from . Dined there at least a dozen times ! & the wait time on our orders was prompt, friendly staff . Being in the restaurant business for many years I'm critical of where I dine this is an establishment I recommend !!
(4)Lyra H.
I love coming here. The prices have gone up since they've opened, but the food is still good. I usually get a combination meal because I like have different things to eat. There's many things you can choose from when it comes to Japanese food. The sushi menu is a decent size too. This place is also BYOB which is nice. The restaurant itself isn't too big, so during peak hours you might have to wait. It's also not ideal for big groups (5+). If you go here, I'd recommend mochiko chicken, california roll supreme, and some sashimi (:
(4)Maleka C.
My favorite Japanese restaurant in Kaneohe. Sushi - 'ono. Tempura - ono. Mochiko chicken - ono. Never ever disappoints.
(5)Lea H.
I have eaten here for years and they still offer a great value. Sashimi, sushi, fish, chicken, steak and udon are all tasty and fresh. The restaurant is small, but worth the wait. Or just call in a takeout order.
(5)John K.
One of the best Japanese Restaurants in Kaneohe, we usually come during off hours to snag seats. The nabe and udon are really tasty. The sushi is also to die for. You have to stop by here when you're in Kaneohe.
(5)Zach P.
I want to make a long story short....I called an order in over the phone and the lady who answered was unable to speak English. I had to repeat my order 5 times and my phone number 4 times. I was looking at a menu online and wanted to make sure the prices were right, so when I asked for the price at the end, she said she would call me back. My friend in the meantime went to pick up the food and I never got a call back (I'm guessing she got my number wrong since I had to repeat it multiple times). I ended up paying almost twice of the cost on the online menu. When I called to complain and have them honor the prices that I saw, I was told it was not their fault that the lady could not speak English and didn't call me back. They wanted me to drive another 40 min round trip to return the food for a full refund. They basically told me that because they were going to lose a few dollars if they honored the prices online, they would not and it didn't matter if I came back. Whoever make the business decisions here, clearly doesn't think them through: 1) Having someone who can't speak English answer phones and take orders. 2) Not following through with a call back with a price for a take out order. 3) Telling the customer "too bad for you" and to screw when they made a mistake. Well see how much longer these business practices allow them to stay open. In terms of food, decent sushi, but severely overpriced for what it is. Might as well go somewhere else.
(1)Martin C.
Best $26 on seafood I've ever spent. I got the combo with the butterfish, unagi, and soft shell crab. The butterfish was hands down the best I've ever had. You MUST order it if you come. Bathroom location was kind of odd, but it got the job done.
(5)Jocelyn R.
Wow, this place was great. We recently rented a house in Oahu for a week and our landlord suggested this little place or we would never have stumbled across it. I had ahi tempura which was amazing and came with some yummy tempura veggies. My husband went with a sushi option, which he proclaimed excellent. The service was prompt and friendly and we both thought our meal was absurdly cheap. We would definitely visit again when in town!
(4)Ron H.
Was pretty good. Not great. The chicken katsu and miso butterfish were pretty solid, but the spicy ahi and sashimi left something to be desired. Large portions, as they should be, for a $13 lunch combo.
(3)sara w.
The food is good. The service good. We have been three times in the past month. Do have concerns about a few things however. Chicken Katsu was crispy but a bite showed it way under cooked not something to eat. What sadly did me In was going to the bathroom. As another review stated its awful. Its dirty, and stinks. Not only that but looking into the kitchen made me realize how unsanitary the kitchen was. Chicken defrosting in a sink in a bag. A man was cutting up chicken into a bowl on the counter and throwing the unused parts to a bowl on the floor. Some was landing on the already dirty floor.. They say you can judge an eatery by the bathroom. That being said I doubt if we will go back to risk our health. They need to scour the bathroom and clean up the kitchen. The restaurant itself is clean and if I hadn't gotten into the back I would not have seen what I am writing about. No hot water to wash your hands which sadly I find this far too much in Oahu so I question the workers hand washing as well.
(2)Lindsay J.
I hate that when the clock strikes 9pm in Kaneohe, most of the eateries close up shop. Thank god this place stays open til 9:30pm on the weekdays, and 10pm on the weekends. I got their combination plate which consisted of 2 choices: I chose unagi and shrimp/vegetable tempura. The unagi was really good! I was totally liking the sauce. The tempura was nice; hot and perfectly crispy. I was surprised to find eggplant in there also. A very yummy surprise... I didn't care too much for the side salad that came with it. It had an oriental/peanutty-ish tasting dressing that wasn't too amazing. The plate also came with edamame and a beansprout salad. Delicious!!! Slightly pricey. Good portions. I was overly stuffed and then some. Great customer service. Definitely one place I will be hitting up once every where else closes. :)
(4)Kristen R.
A new favorite restaurant for me! The gyoza was awesome and their teriyaki is so tender. To top it off, the service was great!
(5)Adam L.
Great food and service! I ordered the misoyaki butterfish, soooo ono! The miso soup was also delicious.
(5)Ryan M.
Hmm went here on a tip from a friend. 2 choice Teshokus for around $12 is quite a bargin! Choose from Shrimp & Veg temura, Veg tempura, sashimi, Misoyaki butterfish, salmon, mochiko chicken, teriyaki beef or chicken, grilled saba. (theres more, thats all i could think of) i got the Sashimi and mochiko chicken, it was so good.. 5 pieces of sashimi (3 ahi & 2 salmon) ahi was super soft and perfect, salmon was just ok (regular) wish it was all ahi. Mochiko chicken was crispy tender and sweet.. yumm.. Someone from another table even came over and asked "What did you order? That looks so good." and it was. my brother got the 6 peice spice tuna nigiri.. it was SUPER good. best spicy tuna i ever ate.. better than genki which seems to be the gold standard when it comes to spicy tuna. Advice: its a small restaurant, and i hear that there can be quite a line forming outside during dinner time.. i went at lunch on a week day, it was fine no line, no problem getting a seat. If youre a fan of spicy tuna sushi, this is a must! i might have given it 5 stars if i could eat here more often and try more stuff off the menu.
(4)Alysha C.
Let me just start out by saying they have the BEST butterfish i have ever tasted in my life and it's not even expensive! I have tried butterfish at numerous places and none of them have'nt lived up to Kenko Ya's. It's a definate must try if you're dining here. Mochiko chickens alright. Spicy Ahi is pretty freakin spicy, but still very good. I had to drown it out in shoyu though. Service is pretty attentive. Reasonable prices. Especially if you order a set.
(4)Lyn L.
Lunch was a very pleasant surprise!!! When you enter, it looks like a fast food restaurant with tables on both sides. Tables are separated with little Japanese "fences"....really quite charming and gives the tables some privacy. The reasonably priced combinations were quite good and filling.....I had the grilled salmon and the tempura combo. Service was good, portions generous, atmosphere pleasant. Great place for a nice Japanese lunch....I would DEFINITELY go there again....
(5)Roy Y.
Always good, fresh food, friendly & quick service at reasonable prices. I travel from Aiea to Kaneohe to eat here.
(4)Natassia S.
We go here at least 2x a month when i'm home. Its a minute away from my house, the food comes out quickly, and everything is tasty. Good service from these cute little asian ladies, and big portions for the food. I usually get combo meals here, but my mom has ordered the sukiyaki before and that was yummy too! My dad says the portions for fish vary from time to time when they go there. sometimes its generous and sometimes its very little. fortunately, the times ive been there its great!
(4)Tiana L.
This place is really good, but a bit on the pricey side. I guess you get what you pay for. The service is really good here, but I just usually take out. My husband loves their sushi. I love the tempura and cold soba noodles. The seating is a bit tight, but the food is worth it.
(4)Leah L.
This is by far one of my favorite places to eat. We go there at least 2 times monthly, and we'd go more if I didn't enjoy cooking so much. It's a low key Japanese restaurant with a very casual feel, but the food and service is excellent. I always order the shrimp and vegetable tempura combo with ahi teriyaki. My husband likes to order different things every time we go and he has yet to be disappointed. This place is BYOB so sometimes we bring our beer and order a few sushi rolls, which we absolutely love. The seafood always tastes fresh. The portions are huge, you will never leave feeling unsatisfied. We have ordered take out a few times, and the items are packaged very nicely and carefully. The best thing about this place is the price! We've been to many Japanese restaurants and left feeling like we just got robbed. It is not the case at this place. The prices are moderate and definitely affordable when compared to other The staff pretty much knows us and we always feel welcomed. As a matter of fact, we had our Christmas dinner there!! Lol.
(5)Alison V.
Got shrimp and veggie tempura and chicken teriyaki, food was mediocre very bland with no flavor. Husband got shrimp udon also no flavor. Service was good and people friendly, but we will not be returning. We're from Cali near the ocean and know what good, fresh Japanese food tastes like.
(2)Matthew K.
Really good service with nice people and great food. Get the tempura roll witl philidelphia cream cheese it was really good. I aslo like they Soba, Udon and the Nabiyaki Udon. A little expensive but the food is really good.
(5)Doris D.
Just OK, nothing to write home about!
(2)Cristyn T.
This is why I gain 5 lbs. in a week everytime I go home to visit. This little hole is always filled with a different restaurant everytime I come home. It is currently occupied by a casual Korean-run Japanese restaurant. The food is pretty good though... Tried some tempura and sushi. The portions were ginormous and you definitely get a lot for what you pay! 2 meals per serving, easy! I was a little suspicious with how fast the food came out though... And they could use some better decorations than the cheesy paper-flames in the hanging pots. All in all, a good place to gain some LBS. without losing too many USDs.
(4)Reid H.
I love, love, looove Japanese food. I'm always on a quest to find ono sushi, sashimi, and other such tastacular nihongo dishes, especially while here in Hawaii (I go to school on the mainland). My grandma decided to take me here one day for lunch; this place has been bookmarked ever since. Offering both sit-in and takeout options, this little gem tucked away in the Windward City Shopping Center consistently serves tasty dishes at reasonable prices. I usually get combination plates, and one choice is always sashimi (raw fish). It's pretty hard to get good sashimi without having to pay top-dollar; the quality served here is decent enough and the cuts are fair. They only serve 5 pieces with the combo, however, which is never enough for a hungry college student like myself. The other offerings, like shrimp & vegetable tempura, broiled salmon, and teriyaki beef, are all quite delicious. Service here, while not amazing, is prompt.
(5)J. C.
Excellent crispy shrimp tempura, tasty butterfish (moderate size), sashimi was in little rectangles & delicious. Volcano was good, Philadelphia roll was so so (little greasy). BYOB is the best part. I would go again if I'm in the area.
(4)allyson o.
So far, I've tried the spicy ahi nigiri, salmon nigiri, butterfish and shrimp tempura combo teishoku, and the nabeyaki udon (my current fave). The Japanese food here is excellent. They look more like a fast-food place when you peek in, but the food is good quality, and the servers are friendly. Really ono Japanese food. Great prices for Japanese cuisine!
(5)Bob L.
Went here for the first time yesterday and was impressed over all. I ordered a lunch set, Teishoku, with sashimi and teriyaki chicken... It was a nice size portion and the quality was very good as well. It was a little more modern style and the food was very good. I liked the atmosphere as well as it was a little traditional...with a modern twist. My friend ordered a sushi role which looked very good and he just loves this restaurant and is a regular...I will definately come back and will be happy to have another business lunch here! It has not earned a five star yet but with a few more visits things are looking good...
(4)Roly G.
Needed a place to meet with up some old friends around Kailua and this was the place to go! Didn't realize it was there because it's a fairly small establishment but the food is excellent! We had the combo teishokus (chicken teri & katsu) and was not disappointed. The katsu wasn't dry like many places I've had before. Considering the price ($14.95) w/rice, miso, salad and edamame, we couldn't pass it up! The only small disappointment was the spicy california roll. It didn't come with very much spicy sauce...I didn't have any of the other rolls, but they look a lot better. A definite recommend if you're passing by the Kaneohe Bay shopping center.
(4)Marc B.
The Saba plate was delicious. The skin was light and crispy and the meat tender. The spicy ahi nigiri was generously sized and fresh. I have not been disappointed with the food's quality or the service in the three times that I've eaten there (to date). Don't worry about the decor, just make sure to show up with before the usual lunch-time rush and you'll be so overcome with the great taste of the food and the speed with which it's served that you won't notice the rather dim lighting or the cramped eating spaces.
(5)Nick Y.
I've heard that while playing guitar is easy, playing it well takes uncommon dexterity. Japanese food, because the simple ingredients should be left to shine on their own, is much the same. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in thinking that Misoyaki Butterfish should be Jimi's Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock. Unfortunately, Kenko Ya's rendition more closely resembles a clumsy dorm room jam session on YouTube. And for $42 for two, the chef should at least be proficient with his or her arpeggios.
(3)Melissa D.
Yuck! My husband and I came here yesterday for hot noodles and were pretty psyched given the reviews, but honestly it was the most disgusting meal we've ever had. Even my husband who isn't picky and loves Japanese food didn't like it. We told the worker up front and she refursed a refund (we ate about 2 bites)...and to top it off she tried to overcharge us by 3 dollars! Bad food and even worse service.
(1)Tracie M.
Tempura udon, delicious! Service is pretty good!
(4)Elle G.
Suggest trying the rib eye steak with garlic butter and the butterfish. Both are reasons why I'd come back.
(4)Katy B.
On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best ) : Tempura Shrimp was a 10; Best we have ever had. Chicken Teriyaki an 8 Chicken Katsu an 8 Driving around the island and just happened to pass this place. Thought we would try it for lunch. What a wonderful find!!! Lunch was very good. Service friendly and we didn't have to wait too long. Large portions. I wish we could have gone back for dinner or another lunch, but we were staying in Waikiki. The only down side to this place, to enter the restroom you must walk behind the restaurant into an 'alley' littered with boxes and other things you don't want to 'see' after eating a meal. they should clean up the back side because it's dirty.
(4)Duchess T.
Perhaps I ordered the wrong thing, but the sashimi pieces looked like it was chopped with an axe... i've seen all sorts of sashimi all over the world, but never butchered to the extent this was... i think i'll stick with their fried foods if i ever go back.
(2)Thomas I.
This is hands down my favorite restaurant on the entire island of Oahu. Friendly staff and the food is absolutely delicious. I created an account on yelp just to show my love for this place. Their Volcano Roll is incredible. The Butterfish melts in your mouth and the Mochiko Chicken is to die for. Portion sizes are generous and the wait staff is very attentive. The only thing I could think of that they could possibly improve on is the selections of sushi rolls, but the rest of the menu more than makes up for it.
(5)Tricia K.
For great japanese food at good prices, Kenko Ya is the place to go! Just across the Windward Mall, it's conveniently located in the heart of Kaneohe. It's a busy place but it's worth the wait or go around 4pm and you should be just fine. I've had just about every Teishoku combination, the Oyaku Donburi, sushi, Nabemono and Zenzaru Soba. Nothing failed to impress.
(4)Corey S.
Great food, service is fast. I had the broiled salmon and it is very good.
(4)Redpine G.
This is a busy little restaurant...so, go before 4pm or after 7pm. I had Teshoku combination sashimi and shrimp/vegetable tempura and in addition to that, rice and salad on the tray + japanese tea [free refills]. My husband had pork/chicken katsu & butterfish combo [he said the pork was dry but the chicken was moist]. All in all the food, service and environment was +++good but they probably would need a larger space in the future to accommodate the folks waiting for nearly 45minutes.
(4)Jimi M.
How I feign for your california roll
(5)