It’s prime lunch time — around 12:15 p.m. — but thankfully, the line at newly opened Oide Kitchen is short.
The new Downtown Honolulu bento shop soft opened last week with a limited menu, but there are still sufficient options to choose from. Fun fact: The team from now-closed Okonomiyaki Chibo Restaurant is the team behind Oide Kitchen. While the former Waikīkī eatery specialized in okonomiyaki and grilled teppanyaki dishes, this new spot focuses on grab-and-go bento.
“‘Oide’ means ‘welcome’ in Japanese,” says John Higa, one of the managers, who explains that the business’s logo includes the lucky cat.
Bento options range from garlic chicken ($12) and steak don ($20) to chicken nanban ($15), garlic shrimp ($14.50) and salmon ($15). The ‘ahi katsu bento ($14) is one of the most popular orders — so popular that the shop is already sold out during the time of my visit.
The steak don, loco moco and fresh ‘ahi poke don ($13) are all made to order. The loco moco with homemade gravy is a hearty, filling option — and that savory gravy is a winner.
“It’s fresh hamburger; we don’t use frozen patties,” Higa confirms. “We also use Kubota rice.”
The bento shop also offers sides like potato salad ($4) — which comes highly recommended — dashimaki tamago ($7) and edamame ($3). The menu gradually expand to include more dishes, according to Higa.
“Eventually, we’re going to add curry and make onigiri,” he says.
CONTACT
Oide Kitchen
212 Merchant St., Honolulu
Instagram: @o.i.de_kitchen
Open 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
