Koji’s Bento Korner

Im 4 yrs old to the island and I have heard of this place before I even moved here. They definitely have the best grinds around. Big portions, big smile. I recommend this place to everyone. Must haves if your curious of how local foods are. Just ask them what best selling and they will take care of you. No regrets guarentees

Perfect little hole in the wall dining. great value for the food and really tasty. I get the Koji steak, gotta be the best steak plate in town!

Great small inexpensive place to get some local food. (Just what we wanted)
Ladies were very nice
We were there early and took our big breakfast for the day. Wish we could have tried other items.

As quoted from Nicki Minaj, «He can tell I ain’t missin’ no meals.»
Koji’s Bento Korner makes sure I don’t miss a meal, too. While my anaconda don’t give a crud if you don’t want none unless I got buns (hun), which I don’t, my Koji’s breakfast burger certainly does. We’re talkin’ that funk, that sweet, that nasty, that gushy stuff! Okay, okay, maybe we’re just talking about a legit burger with bacon, eggs, and lettuce but I like it.
In all seriousness, though, Koji’s is a place that I have quite literally been coming to eat at all my life, and for good reason. Koji’s is downtown, right in the heart of Hilo, and they serve some of the best local food around. And not only that, but it isn’t just typical local Hawaiian foods that you would get at any other place. It’s hard to articulate, but they have a way of putting their own spin on things. Their breakfast burger for example; it’s just unlike any other one that you would get anywhere else in Hilo. The freshly fried eggs and bacon, grilled onions, fresh lettuce, and freshly cooked burger; plus the great buns on it make for, what I think, is one of the best breakfast burgers that I’ve ever had. And the same goes for all of the other things they make. Koji’s just serves really quality food all the time.
I can’t even complain that it’s kind of a small location. It just adds to the classic feel of the place. It makes it really feel like a true divey sort of place. I mean, it’s been around forever, and is kind of a Hilo staple, so it’s not some unknown little spot or anything, but still.
The one downside, though, is that because it is right in downtown Hilo, the parking is more than often pretty bad, and all parallel. Really, though, that’s my one gripe with it. I really love going to eat at Koji’s. Whether or not that’s affected by some sentimental bias I have or not, I think that it’s definitely a place everyone should try out, resident or not. Koji’s won’t disappoint.

I normally don’t eat here because I prefer to shimmy over to Paul’s Place, the little hole in the wall gem next door, but I was assured that the Koji burger was the bomb. The Koji Burger seems to have a hint of teriyaki or something slightly sweet in the mixture. It also consists of fried egg, bacon and lettuce. Fried egg on a burger? BOOM! MEAN! Try it!

OMG The ultimate hole in the wall! If you look at the outdoor pictures I posted, you will see a giant vent on the outside of the building. It’s the vent that airs out the kitchen.
When you get inside, you will find that only about nine people can fit uncomfortably in the room. Behind the counter, there is only enough room for a cook in front of a stove and a cashier in front of a cash register.
In spite of this, I saw a constant stream of customers from 10:30 to 12:00 when I finally went in there. My original trip was not to Koji’s but to Hilo Guitars and Ukuleles. I shopped first for a ukulele. Then I went next door for lunch to think a while about which ukulele to buy.
One problem: If you go there, be prepared to take out and eat out. If you like sitting on grass to eat, there is a public park across the street. There is also a public park with a bandstand a block away. That’s where I went to sit down and eat.
On my way back, I stopped by the Hilo Farmer’s Market, picked up some sweet bananas, and went back to buy a ukulele.
I ordered the chopped steak plate: chopped steak and grilled onions, white rice, and macaroni salad. Heaven in a take-​out box. All of the customers that I saw today were locals.

This small hole in the wall place is serving up some authentic local style dishes with SERIOUS portions. I tried the Koji Loco and to me, it was just ok. I did however like the fried rice omelet with brown gravy. That was delicious! I still have yet to eat my way though the entire menu, so for now I’ll give 4 stars. We shall see if that’ll change. Oh and this place is super affordable. The cheap prices make everything taste better.

Unilocal 365 Challenge 2015 #23/​365
I’ve been going to Koji’s since I was in middle school, and I’ve never ordered anything other than the Koji Steak. Whenever I come back to visit, my mom makes sure to bring up Koji’s, and I never give up a chance for a steak plate.
This place is literally a hole in a wall (well a corner, I guess). There isn’t much room to walk inside, as it will probably fit five customers inside like a can of sardines. Koji’s is strictly a take-​out place, with no tables, but perfect for a person working downtown on a lunch break.
Their portions for all of their selections are rather generous, especially for their prices, which range from about $ 7-​$ 10 per plate.
I love the Koji steak, and years ago, it was the first steak plate that I ever had… I never turned back. Laid on a bed of rice, the steak was chopped and grilled with onions. There’s an extra scoop of rice, and a scoop of mac salad. WINNAHZ.
Friendly service, great food, what more can you ask for?
I wish there was a place like Koji’s on Oahu, but throughout my travels, I have found none. Makes me kind of glad that it’s only in Hilo, making it that much more special every time I come home.

I arrived here thinking that I would get an amazing plate lunch, but instead found a spider in my food. Disgusting. I was very disappointed.

Check out the locals lining up to pick up lunch and you’ll be inspired to stop in as you pull up to this mom and pop establishment. More than just loco moco here. Friendly and quick service. Awesome prices.
The Koji breakfast burger, and the koji burger are definite winners. With all the choices in Hilo, Koji’s lunch shop is a must-​try. The patties are homemade and coated with their own teri sauce (which you can buy a bottle of in the shop), and are topped with all kinds of goodies like kim chee, bacon, egg the way you like it, etc.
There is street parking in front of the shop and across the street at the park. It’s on the corner of Ponahawai and Punahoa. Easy to find, and in walking distance of so many good Hilo eateries and activity. Less than a block away from the farmers market, adjacent across the park from Two Ladies Kitchen, a few blocks away from the grocery store, near gas station, parks and the bay…
When visiting the Big Island, make sure to stop here. If you’re like me and have a list of things you want to see/​try/​do on your trip, Koji’s is a great place to add to the agenda!

The KOJI LOCO, awesome… nuff said !

Koji’s is a hole in the wall kind of place with decent comfort food at very reasonable prices. Every time I’m in the mood for a loco moco, I always head to Koji’s. The Koji loco is as good as it gets. The teri beef patties are so darn good and the gravy hits the spot every time. They also serve a mean Koji burger made with the same teri patties that they use for their loco. The owners are very friendly and accommodating and I’ve never been disappointed with the food. The place is small so they only make take out orders, but it’s not a problem because there is a park across the street that you can enjoy your meal at.

A solid 3 ½ stars. This time got the Koji loco. Hand made teriyaki burgers with 2 Portuguese sausage, Kim Chee, rice and gravy!
Lots of food, good service!
Maybe deserves 4 stars.

Came here on a Unilocal recommendation and was not disappointed. Greeted by a very friendly lady, we ordered the Koji loco moco with an extra egg.
Teri beef Patties were yummy and unique, Portuguese sausage was yummy, egg was yummy, gravy was pretty good, kimchee was okay, Mac salad was okay. All for about $ 9.
Pretty good if you are in the area and looking for a quick bite to eat.

THE BEST LOCO MOCO. The Koji loco is loaded with 2 generous homemade hamburger patties and an over easy egg smothered in gravy, 2 slices of Portuguese sausage, Kim chee and Mac salad all on a generous bed of white rice. Sometimes the best places are the ones that don’t boast how good they are. You practically feel the grease jump on you as you walk through the creaky screen door of this hole in the wall. This is true local style goodness, as real as it gets.

Tried this place for the first time today based on a friend’s recommendation and my endless love of Loco Mocos. I was very happy with what the Koji’s Loco that I ordered today. It came with two teri-​burger patties, one fried egg, two thick slices of portugese sausages, scoop of macaroni salad, side of kim chee, and all served over a large bed of white rice.
Overall, the quality was very good and superior to Café 100 down the street (the rumored originator of the Loco Moco). The hamburgers were moist and the portions were plentiful for the price ($ 7 I think). If I were to be very picky, I would ask for the sausages to be cooked longer next time, so it’s hot all the way through. I would also ask for a another small ladle of gravy, which was very good also.
Parking is a little tricky but since most parking in the area is free, just keep looking and you will be rewarded for your time.

For my first time having Loco Moco, something like a hawaiian sloppy joe over rice, it was a pretty pleasant experience. This is a preferred spot for many locals in the area to go for lunch. Every dish is made to order and they take their time to prepare each order.

Now when you are talking about eating good loco moco’s in Hilo, Koji’s definitely comes to mind. Small shop located at the corner of Ponahawai St. and Punahoa St. in dowtown Hilo.
Good size portions of take out plates at a decent price. No place to sit and eat there, but the food is worth picking up and taking home. I used to go there so much that the owners know my name. Unfortunately I don’t go there as much as I used to, but whenever I do find time to, they still remember me by name! Great family owned and operated business that has been around for many years. What is so good about Koji’s is that their recipes stay the same. That’s why at lunch time you might see a line going outside of the front door. They serve daily specials, with rice and a scoop of their fabulous mac salad! And of course they serve the famous Koji’s loco moco’s in a variety of different ways. From the original, teriyaki, combinations, and custom orders for those who can’t find what they want off the menu.
For a tasty loco moco prepared the way you want, or a home style plate lunch with friendly service, Koji’s is a definite must try. Don’t forget to ask for extra gravy!

Had a taste of Koji’s today for lunch.
Loco Moco… 2 patties, 2 eggs, 2 scoops of rice and mac salad.
Wes is the owner of Koji’s and this mom and pop food stop has been around for awhile. Small hole in the wall in downtown Hilo. So if you’re looking for it, don’t blink your eyes, you may drive right past it without noticing it. Street parking.
My mom and her bf is a fan of their loco moco!
I did like the brown gravy. But I wouldn’t come out of my way to eat here. I make it better at home. But If you’re in downtown Hilo and looking to eat local grindz, stop by Koji’s and try their loco moco! They probably have one of the best loco moco’s in Hilo.

It’s a general rule of thumb for me to not indulge in the all-​loved «Loco Moco»…my arteries just can’t take it. But when my honey and I are visiting his hometown of Hilo, I put aside this precaution to try out his favorite Loco Moco spot, Koji’s.
As all places that I’ve tried in Hilo so far, Koji’s is a small, family owned spot that if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you’ll drive right by it. We walked in one late morning and were warmly greeted by the staff of two. A quick glance of the menu board showed a variety of lunch plates, breakfast staples (Portuguese sausage, eggs, spam), burgers, and the famed loco mocos. Let’s not fail to mention that they had a ton of different kinds of loco mocos too!
I left the ordering up to the bf and he opted for us to share the Supreme Loco Moco: 2 Hamburger Patties, 1 Egg over easy, resting on two scoops of white rice – all smothered with brown gravy. On the side were two crispy pieces of Portuguese sausage and kimchee. A TON of food for only $ 5.95
We grabbed a bench a little ways down the street and popped open the extremely heavy styrofoam box. Woo Hoo, it was tasty!!! All of the goodness of things you shouldn’t be eating, mingled with the simplicity of ingredients. Yum. Definitely one of the best loco mocos I’ve ever had.
10 pounds heavier with arteries pumping a little less efficiently… we were on our way to our next Hilo adventure.