Get ready to FEAST — the 7th annual Okinawan FEASTival is coming Sept. 7 to 21.
For about two weeks, Okinawan-owned businesses and restaurants are featuring specialty dishes that are designed to celebrate Okinawan food and culture.
Check out this year’s line-up of FEASTival specials:
Aloha Andagi
Where: Marukai, 2310 Kamehameha Hwy., Honolulu
When: Sept. 19 and 20, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until sold out)
Details: Aloha Andagi will be popping up in the covered parking lot at Marukai. The biz will feature boro boro jushime (soft rice porridge), regular andagi and Aloha Dogs (Okinawan version of corn dogs).
This Hawaiʻi-Okinawa style jushime features katsuobushi for the dashi and includes pork, miso, mustard cabbage, sato imo, edamame, tofu, shiitake and maitake mushrooms.
The pop-up only accepts cash; no pre-orders.
Contact: Follow the biz on Instagram
Aloha Tofu Factory
Where: Aloha Tofu Factory, 961 Akepo Lane, Honolulu
When: Sept. 7 to 21 during factory hours (7 a.m. to noon Sundays-Tuesdays, Thursdays-Fridays, 7 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Details: Jimami tofu, or Okinawan peanut tofu, features a sweet and savory sauce. This is not regularly offered at Aloha Tofu Factory; the biz will be making 50 jimami tofu per day.
The biz is also offering discounts on yushidofu (soft, silky tofu with a custardy texture) and its Ohana soy sauce bottle.
Pre-order by calling 808-845-2669; specify order, pick-up date and time.
Contact: Follow the biz on Instagram
Beer Lab HI
Where: 1318 S. Beretania St., Honolulu
When: Sept. 4
Details: This collaboration beer is a partnership between HUOA, Beer Lab and In4mation. This Kokuto brown sugar and Kinako dark lager will be available at all Beer Lab locations on tap and in-can, while supplies last.
Online pre-orders start at 1:30 p.m. HST Sept. 3 at beerlabhi.com.
Contact: Visit beerlabhi.com
Beer Lab – The Hall at Pearlridge Center
Where: Pearlridge Center, 98-1005 Moanalua Road, ‘Aiea
When: Starting Sept. 5, while supplies last
Details: This crispy Okinawan sweet potato croquette is stuffed with rafute and paired with white miso mustard sauce. It’s topped with umeboshi pickled ginger.
Contact: Follow the biz on Instagram
Beer Lab: Puck’s Alley
Where: 2600 S. King St. No. 107, Honolulu
When: Starting Sept. 5, while supplies last
Details: This Oki-dog chimichanga is filled with taco rice and a kokuto sugar shoyu hot dog. It’s topped with shredded lettuce, nacho cheese and sour cream.
Contact: Follow the biz on Instagram
Chibi’s Confectionery
Where: Online
Details: Two specials are offered: Shikuwasa jello (cubes of tangy and sweet shikuwasa jello, which features locally grown shikuwasa) and Okinawan sweet potato crunch. The latter features soft Okinawan sweet potato custard atop a buttery macadamia nut crust.
Visit the business’s website for ordering details.
Contact: Call 808-383-0063 or visit chibiconfectionery.com
Chillest Shave Ice
Where: 3408 Waiʻalae Ave. No. 102, Honolulu
When: Sept. 7 to 21
Details: This Shikuwasa shave ice will be available until the syrup runs out. Cash only; no pre-orders accepted.
Contact: Follow the biz on Instagram
HIDE Sushi
Where: 2270 Kalākaua Ave. 19 Floor, Honolulu
When: Sept. 6 to 21
Details: This Okinawan-friendly omakase dinner includes:
- Assorted appetizers: One-bite cold Okinawa soba noodle, Okinawan sweet potato tofu, black vinaigrette mozuku seaweed, “Biragara machi” fishcake wrapped with chives and shikuwasa miso, Goya bittermelon salad
- Omakase sashimi: Charcoal-grilled seasonal fish
- Sushi: Omakase sushi (eight pieces), hand roll and egg omelet
- Soup and dessert
HIDE Sushi is open from Sundays to Thursdays with seatings at 5 and 7:30 p.m. The course menu costs $120 per person. Reservations are required; make reservations via OpenTable.
Three-hour validated parking is available at Waikīkī Business Plaza and Waikīkī Shopping Plaza.
Contact: Follow the restaurant on Instagram.
Ige’s Halawa
Where: 99-1086B Iwaena St., ‘Aiea
When: Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Details: Enjoy specials like Okinawan mixed plate (shoyu pork, sweet and sour pigs feet, chicken tofu champuru), andagi by the dozen, maki sushi, pork nishime, namasu, potato mac salad and more. These dishes are available for pre-sale. The biz will also feature a bake sale with items like Aunty Kay’s Okinawan sweet potato manju.
There will be two pre-order pick-up days for Aunty Kay’s Okinawan sweet potato manju on Sept. 9 and Sept. 16. Pre-orders will close when manju is sold out.
Contact: Visit igeshalawa.com
Ilaya Eatery
Where: Fishcake Hawaiʻi, 307 Kamani St., Honolulu
When: Sept. 12 and 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Details: Ilaya Eatery is a contemporary Filipino food pop-up that is often at Fishcake Hawaiʻi on select Saturdays.
The Shikuwasa Sinigang pork ribs will come with pickled Goya ensalada and vinegared rice. The business’s Okinawan sweet potato “Tupig” features grated Okinawan sweet potato and sticky rice cake grilled over charcoal. It will be served with miso kokuto caramel, shikuwasa and calamansi koji syrup, and latik.
Pre-orders are accepted until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9 (for Sept. 12) and Sept. 16 (for Sept. 19). Email ilaya.eat@gmail.com or direct message the business on Instagram with your name, phone number and number of bowls you want to pre-order.
Credit card payments only will be accepted.
Contact: Follow on Instagram
Izu’s Mochi
Where: Kakaʻako Farmers Market, 919 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
When: Sept. 12 and Sept. 19, 8 a.m. to noon at Kakaʻako Farmers Market
Details: Izu’s Mochi will feature an Okinawan sweet potato kasa muuchi. Kasa Muuchi is an Okinawan style of mochi that’s wrapped in shell ginger leaves and then steamed.
Pre-orders are recommended and must be received before Sept. 5.
Contact: Email izumirandles@yahoo.com or direct message the biz on Instagram
Kapa Hale
Where: 4614 Kilauea Ave. Ste. 102, Honolulu
When: Sept. 5 to 21, available for dine-in or takeout
Details: Chef Keaka Lee will be featuring a new creation — pandandagi, or pandan andagi. Pandan leaves are often featured in Southeast Asian cuisines.
Contact: Call 808-888-2060 or preorder at kapahale.com
Kin Wah Chop Suey
Where: 45-588 Kamehameha Hwy., Kāneʻohe
When: Sept. 8 to 20 (the restaurant is closed on Mondays)
Details: When customers spend more than $50 on a single order, the restaurant will add in a free pork and bittermelon dish (or crispy gau gee).
Customers must mention FEASTival when placing an order.
Contact: Call 808-247-4812
Masa and Joyce
Where: 45-582 Kamehameha Hwy., Kāneʻohe
When: Sept. 7 to 21 (business is closed on Tuesdays)
Details: Masa and Joyce will feature Okinawan abura miso (seasoned miso using crispy pork), abura miso musubi, jyu shi me (Okinawan rice soup), andagi, Okinawan soba, yakisoba, pigs feet soup, Okinawan sweet potato mochi and Hawaiʻi-Okinawan style oxtail soup.
Pre-orders are especially recommended for the abura miso.
Contact: Call 808-235-6129 to pre-order
Oide Kitchen
Where: 212 Merchant St., Honolulu
When: Sept. 1 to 18
Details: Oide Kitchen specializes in poke and Japanese bentos. Its specials include rafute (shoyu pork) donburi with ajitama (marinated soft-boiled egg) and Okinawan sweet potato salad.
Contact: Call 808-524-6433 to pre-order; Instagram
Pitch Sports Bar
Where: 685 Auahi St. Ste. 216/217, Honolulu
When: Sept. 5 to 21
Details: Pitch Sports Bar is offering a FEASTival hand roll set. It includes three hand rolls (imitation crab, spicy tuna and scallop mayo) with a 12-ounce Orion beer.
Contact: Instagram
SKY Waikīkī
Where: 2270 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu
When: Sept. 5 to 21
Details: This Okinawan-inspired three-course tasting menu includes:
- Starter: Roasted Okinawan sweet potato hummus with grilled herb flatbread, goya, smoked paprika, micro greens and extra-virgin olive oil
- Entrée: Okinawan soki soba spaetzle with braised oxtail, fishcake, scallions, dashi broth and black garlic oil
- Dessert: Fundagi a la mode — an Okinawan-style donut cake with chura kokuto and powdered sugar, served with Il Gelato Hawaiʻi’s French vanilla gelato
Customers must make reservations via OpenTable. Three-hour validated parking is available at Waikīkī Business Plaza and Waikīkī Shopping Plaza.
Contact: Visit skywaikiki.com
Splash Bar
Where: Sheraton Princess Kaʻiulani Waikīkī Beach, 120 Kaʻiulani Ave., Honolulu
When: Sept. 4 to 11
Details: Splash Bar is offering two specials:
- Okinawan taco rice: Chef Blake Kajiwara’s version features a sizzling hot skillet layered with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, Japanese garlic butter white rice, crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, a savory taco sauce and green onions. Kajiwara makes the taco seasoning and salsa.
- Okinawan sweet potato/whiskey slushy
Four-hour validated parking is available at the hotel with a purchase of $24 or more.
Contact: Instagram
Sunrise Restaurant
Where: 525 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu
When: Sept. 8 to 17
Details: The biz will be offering takeout containers of pigs feet soup, special miso soup, Okinawa soba, spare rib soup and Nakami soup (this dish is not normally on the menu). The restaurant will only make 20 orders of each dish every day.
Pre-orders are already accepted; include name, order, date/time of pick-up.
Contact: Call 808-737-4118
Teruya’s Andagi
Where: 1104 Pensacola St., Honolulu
When: Sept. 8 to 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while supplies last
Details: Andadogs — an Okinawan corn dog — feature hot dogs that are dipped in andagi batter and fried. Teruya’s Andagi also features andagi, sweet potato mochi and regular bentos.
Pre-order Andadogs by calling the business. No online orders; orders must be placed at least 24 hours in advance.
Contact: Call 808-389-1714
The Veranda at Kāhala Hotel & Resort
Where: The Veranda, The Kāhala Hotel & Resort, 5000 Kāhala Ave., Honolulu
When: Sept. 8 to 12
Details: Alan Wong is bringing back two award-winning drinks featuring Awamori. Awamori Sunrise is a twist on POG and features lilikoʻi, orange and guava, blended with awamori. Ghost of Okinawa is a “Blanc de Blancs” twist on the classic Manhattan. It features aged Awamori, elderflower liqueur and aromatized wine.
Contact: Follow the biz on Instagram
ZIGU
Where: 413 Seaside Ave. No. 1f, Honolulu
When: Sept. 5 to 12
Details: ZIGU is offering six FEASTival specials:
- Okinawa-style pork belly “Rafute”: Okinawan-style pork belly that’s slowly braised for hours in caramelized Okinawan kokuto (black sugar), dashi, Aloha Awamori and shoyu; served with a boiled egg and blanched bok choy
- Pickled Japanese rakkyo with housemade Koregusu: Crisp Japanese rakkyo (pickled shallots) marinated in housemade Okinawan koregusu (an Awamori infused with chili peppers)
- Okinawan Mozuku and umibudo: A combo of Okinawan mozuku seaweed and umibudo (sea grapes), served chilled with housemade citrus ponzu dressing
- Spam, shiso and cheese katsu: A crispy, panko-fried cutlet with Spam, melted cheese and shiso leaves; served with ketchup
- Okinawan purple sweet potato pudding: Creamy Okinawan sweet potato pudding with housemade purple sweet potato chips
- Drinks: Okinawan Sour (cocktail made with Awamori, gin, fresh shikuwasa citrus and Jasmine tea) and premium Aloha Awamori
Reservations are available via OpenTable. Four-hour validated parking is available at Hyatt Centric.
Contact: Call 808-212-9252
For more information, visit the Okinawan FEASTival website.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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