Kuni Restaurant

I love this place because its an old gem. Not fancy or super clean, but love the family feel and the owner is almost always so upbeat. Whenever we feel lazy to cook but craving something that can hit the spot, we come here. 4 stars because the sashimi has decreased in size and very thinly sliced now. Used to give much more and thicker in size.

Good food for a good price
The shrimp tempura is one of my favorite on the entire island, guarantee one of my recommendations for teishoku.
I tried the Tokyo Teriyaki earlier tonight, it was pretty good. I had some sashimi too.
Kuni is a character too, he makes sure everyone enjoys his restaurant

My wife and i go to Kunis at least once a month. The service is great. The food is never disappointing. As soon as we sit we are offered drinks. As soon as we are done with our order a min later we have bean sprouts miso soup etc coming to out table. The food comes out quick, hot, and delicious. Kuni’s is always a favorite for us.

Wow! First time here and I’m so impressed! Brought my daddy out to eat and wanted to try something different. Glad we got to come here and eat almost close to authentic Japanese food! It was a little loud due to the added bar in their restaurant that had the football game playing… But all in all good service and even better food!
I am a happy customer

Another one with rave reviews that I’ll never understand! The area is small and very tight, just like parking. Worse off is that it’s connected to their bar and you can hear a bunch of drunk people making a lot of noise! That’s not very conducive when you’re eating there with your kids! Although the appetizers were good, the food didn’t have that japanese food taste I’m used to. Don buri was too sweet and the chicken terry wasn’t even cooked.

Food is good portions have gotten smaller and prices have gone up. I guess it’s because of the economy but still. I use to love this place because ive been going here since i was a kid but unfortunately the staff could be better, if you don’t mind rude, quiet no emotion staff then this restaurant is for you.

Always wanted to get the sushi boat thing with just me and the wifey because I know I would kill that thing but it suck because you need four people to order it anyways place is always busy. good authentic Japanese food. parking can get crazy but you’ll eventually find one.

I’ve never eaten out in Waipahu but a coworker and I were on that side for the day and she found this place via Unilocal.It was crowded and that was a sign to me that this place had to be good!
And it was.
We both ordered a two-​choice teishoku, with mine being chicken katsu and shrimp tempura. My coworker also ordered chicken katsu, with her second dish being sashimi. We LOVED it!!! The food came out quickly, and at the end the owner/​manager (?) was trying to get us to eat dessert, which they had a nice selection of. (He was also very nice and funny).
I was impressed with this place, and will come back.

I am always satisfied and extremely stuffed when I leave here. Got my normal chicken cutlet. Can’t go wrong with a $ 10 meal that comes with a bunch of sides! The staff was awesome, we took up four tables and we all got our dinner quick and fresh!

Not so memorable. I would’ve rather have gone to jack in the box. Can’t seem to force myself to like this place. If you’re starving and needed to eat and this place is the only one available then I guess you’re plays. Food is okay but nothing special.

Service is spotty. Prices understandably go up. Portions have gotten smaller. The location of the restaurant is in a questionable spot. But at least they didn’t touch the quality of the food, it’s the biggest reason why I keep coming back.
I usually choose from the Teishoku. It comes with bean sprouts, side dis of tsukemono, rice, miso soup, and toss green with Kuni’s special sauce.
You can choose between one, two, or three dishes. There are several choice to choose from. I usually choose the butter fish, beef teri, tonkatsu, or mahi mahi. I rotate my choices depending on my mood.
Tips:
–If you go during lunch the prices are cheaper.
–The restaurant side closes from 2pm-​5pm
–The lounge is open from 11-​midnight and serves food.

What was originally planned as a «small tasting» of items ended up being a local style Japanese smörgåsbord of goodness! My mom chose Kuni’s catering services after pricing around other restaurants and having a little tasting of items with my aunt a few weeks earlier.
Kuni’s lead cook Lisa can cook local style Japanese food like no one’s business and it showed with every dish that came out. Owner Kuni-​san told us to sit back, relax, and enjoy. Very nice man… He even threw in 300 Jin Dui on the house with Mom’s order!
We enjoyed the following dishes that Mom picked out:
Nishime, Tofu Steak, Tonkatsu, Shoyu Pork, Macaroni Salad, Tossed Salad, and although we didn’t order it, she even sent out some Fried Noodles and Fried Akule which were both delicious! The staff at Kuni’s didn’t even want to charge us for anything, so we left a hefty tip instead.
Stop by if you’re ever in Waipahu, Kuni’s will surely satisfy your tastebuds! ALOHA!!!
Shaka Meter: \uuu/​\uuu/​\uuu/​\uuu/​4

A great local spot. The staff and patrons are very friendly and welcoming. I definitely recommend it.

Very average Japanese cuisine. Just a little overpriced. Shoyu pork is my favorite and the tempura is good. I prefer the tempura to be Pablo style though as most traditional Japanese restaurants serve it. Service is fast and friendly. Sato-​san is very friendly and enjoys talking with the customers.

Best Japanese– Local Restaurant in Waipahu! You can’t beat an affordable price for a Teishoku style that comes with (Rice, miso soup, tossed salad with a choice of kunis special dressing or 1,000 isle, moyashi & tsukemono) for roughly starting @ $ 10!
I really love their Tofu steak! Tonkatsu, CKatsu, Butterfish, Beef Teri, Tokyo teriyaki Rib eye steak in a sizzling hot plate!
I love their Pork Tofu Sukiyaki like Nabe style. But this kine is super good! Soup is really something good and of course it comes with veggies, choice of meat and tofu.
For desserts, Sato San likes (Mr. Water Man)
He likes to do his water cup trick show. Lol. Make sure you don’t get wet.
There are water melon pie and all kine flavored ice cream. It’s a homemade kine Ice cream from a guy named Rob. I like the green tea, Maunakea Haupia, tango/​mango and water melon!
Also, there is a bar next door, anybody can sing Karaōke for $ 1.00! But please make keep it down low. Not too loud please. You can some pupus at the bar and watch football game or talk stories while having a cocktail.
If you didn’t know, you can also do take out order. A choice of Bento A-D!b and other t/​out it’s all up to you.
And if you want Kunis to cater to you then we can do that for you. Catering is available with 20 or 25 min ppl upon order. Food is really yummy and I mean trust me when I said that! Funeral services, BD party, holidays dinner are some of the most popular occasions. But anything can do!

Kuni, for me, is definitely a «Woohoo! As good as it gets!» establishment! I literally just got home from a wonderful dinner with my family & needed to hop on Unilocal & leave my review ASAP (even though I need to be putting my face on for fun night out)!
My family & I decided to dine in for an early dinner (5:45pm). The parking lot offered many vacant stalls, so parking wasn’t an issue today, the day after Christmas, but it can get crazy on other days. Anyway, we walked in, got a booth for 6, were served iced water, studied our menu and ordered within 5 minutes. Soon after, our waitress served us our salad, miso soup, sides, and rice. Our entrees began to filtrate our table not too long after as well. We were very glad and pleased with their operation. My nearly 3-​year-​old niece was definitely glad she got to eat her yummy miso soup with rice as a starter.
I really loved everything – food, service, and the feeling of «home». I just really felt like I was in a positive environment (seriously). We ordered a variety of dishes… vegetable tempura (crispy and not oily… very tasty… nice cuts of veggies), tofu steak (came sizzling, very tasty), sashimi (fresh in a cute little boat), salmon multiple ways (didn’t get to taste it… but my sister and mom enjoyed it), fried butterfish (brother loved), etc. Another thing that I really loved was the pickled veggies (sooooo gooooood).
After we tried to finish our dinner (had to take so much of our leftovers home), a man (I’m not sure if he’s the owner or what not, but he was amazing) came over to show us their collection of ice cream cakes. My sister mentioned that we’re celebrating my birthday and so he recommended the watermelon slice & we went with it. Being super full, we ordered one to share.
A few minutes later, the main lights go out and my thoughts were… «what is going on?! Is there a blackout? I’m a little scared…» That same man was back at our booth and surprised us with that slice adorned with a lit candle and he sang the «Happy Birthday» song and encouraged the other diners and my family to sing along too. I surely wasn’t expecting that, but it definitely put a smile on my face. Thank you, Kuni Restaurant for a great dinner and experience. It was definitely a Happy Birthday for me :)

Bah! Humbug!
I hate to be a Scrooge at this time of year, but I feel duty-​bound to forewarn less wary diners of the perils that could befall them in this time of carefree merriment.
I had the 3-​choice teishoku from this place for dinner the other night. Miso butterfish, sashimi, and chicken teri for $ 27.45 + $ 2.75 extra for the butterfish.
The butterfish was NOT «misoyaki». As in marinated overnight if not for days in miso, sugar, sake, and mirin then broiled until marinade caramelizes on outside and center is just cooked through. This butterfish was over FRIED to dryness with a thick, brown, cloyingly sweet, miso sauce applied afterward. Onaji dewa arimasen.
The sashimi was 9 slivers of low-​grade ahi that equate to 3 pieces of sashimi anywhere else. The lack of color (i.e. quality) was not disguised by the red neon «Open» sign under which the waitress seated us. The accompanying shredded daikon was waterlogged.
As with the butterfish, the chicken teri was over-​cooked to dryness and toughness with an overly-​sweet teri sauce applied afterward. My tooth hurts again just thinking about it.
Service rough. Waitress carelessly spilled the namasu juice on the table, and served the tsukemono dish stacked on the moyashi in the underlying dish. ?! Then the manager brought out my Mom’s udon, and promptly spilled the soup on the table. Neither batted an eye.
If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population of Japanese-​restaurant pretender’s and wannabe’s. This place may still have a pulse — store-​bought watermelon ice cream pie thing pretty good ($ 7.25 for a small slice), and daughter liked the juice-​less namasu — but that’s about it.
Or maybe it’s as Tiny Tim thought that his presence in church would help others remember God and His loving kindness. Uh… Thank you Kuni… for your sincere efforts to please; short though those efforts may fall.
God bless us everyone!

Had an itch for some Japanese grinds, so we decided to scratch that itch by going to Kuni.
We were seated pretty fast for a Saturday night. Place reminded me of Japanese restaurants back in the day (mom and pop kine). Real layed back.
Ordered the 3 choice — Teri chicken, shrimp tempura and tonkatsu. My other half ordered the chicken tofu. It was all good! The shrimp was pretty big too! The portions of the 3 choice was plenty, where most Japanese restaurants one of those would be one plate by its self.
Service was good. By the way had this one Japanese man working the front idk if he’s the owner or what, but he gets it done and he’s on it!
Do I hear I returning customer? Yuuup! Right hea!!!

Ventured out of town and into Waipahu for dinner at Kuni tonight. I must admit, I can be somewhat of a «town snob»…but being here brought me back to my roots. Simple & Local. Loved It. I used to come here as a child and was reminiscing the entire time at dinner tonight. Good Times. Waipahu has some great restaurants!
Anyway, I ordered the Combo with three choices for $ 23. So worth it because my leftovers will be my lunch tomorrow (heehee). Must Have: *Tofu Steak*. Delicious! Everyone agreed. It’s Teri/​BBQ flavored presented on a platter and grilled like steak but much healthier. I’ve tried re-​creating this dish, but to no avail. It’s a perfect vegetarian option. My 2^nd choice: Fried Mahi with Miso Sauce. Loved this since I’ve never had Mahi with Miso! 3^rd choice: Shrimp Tempura, of course. Good, nothing special. Overall pretty big portions so you will need a «to-​go» container.
Dinner came with Miso soup, bean sprouts, salad, and a side of namasu. Service was so fast. We couldn’t keep up with our waitress. She was excellent and so «on it.» Thank You!
Dessert: A Slice Of Coffee Ice Cream Cake with an Oreo Crust. It was so cute when the owner (?) came over and playfully cut and served our cake! Very cool. I like seeing that.
We walked out of Kuni happy we picked that restaurant. It’s so nice to eat at a great, local-​style restaurant. Makes you feel… At home.

To My Lover… Kuni,
You know you got me wrapped around your little finger. You play the bad Boy persona well. It doesn’t matter how bad you mistreat me I keep on coming back for your good lovin. It doesn’t matter that beautiful half naked women are always found around you, how you sometimes neglect me at my weakest hour, or the fact I must be subjected to off key screeching ahem singing while I enjoy such a glorious meal.

(Foreplay) The namasu that you offer and whatever that homemade dressing that goes on that salad is another reason I can’t stop seeing you.. It’ s a great beginning for what bigger pleasure is about to come my way.
(The Loving) I thought for sure that I disliked tofu until you shown me otherwise. Out it came sizzling, doused in sauce, and oozing with flavor. One bite I knew I would be coming back for more, more, more! Your sashimi though I noticed is less you have not risked it’s quality and I thank you for this. You also never fail me with your shrimp tempura or the sizzling ribeye.
(The Climax) But the biggest reason I put up with you, is that you carry my all time favorite ice cream pie from RB’s, watermelon flavor. Kuni’s I will never grow tire of you as long as you keep on giving me your magical lovin.
One of your many lovers,
Kim C.
*Location, Parking, & Hours:
This place is located by an adult store called Suzie’s. The neighborhood seems a bit shady so lock your car and hide your valuables. My car has never been broken into but my mother was forced into giving her bag a block or two down. Sometimes this area is busy and I park across the street at 7 eleven.
Hours– on the restaurant side
Lunch 11am to 2pm. (It’s a bit cheaper if you come at lunch)
Dinner is from 5pm to 9pm.
There is a lounge next door that is open from 11am to midnight and they serve the full menu. Every time I have come I’ve only seen curvaceous women bartenders who are wearing tight clothing and baring cleavage. A handful of them have a pretty face, they are all nice and have great customer service. In the lounge there is free Karaōke which you can hear in the restaurant. Sometimes it’s a nice serenade other times it’s a drunkard screaming full blast.
In the restaurant there are two pictures of artfully drawn top bare women posted on the walls so situate your children looking towards the kitchen. My oldest asked me the first time we ate here why there are naked women posted on the walls and I told him it’s art. That’s the best I could do at the time and now I just make sure he’s facing the other way.
Food:
They serve delicious Japanese style meals with some local dishes. My family usually gets the set menus that serve 2 people. But it feeds and satisfies my 8 year old son and my 19 month old. Sometimes we get a side of chicken katsu or teriyaki chicken (sauce on side) if my oldest son says he’s extra hungry. Posted below are some of my favorite dishes that I get here.
A picture of the namasu–
A picture of the tofu steak–
A picture of the ribeye steak–
A picture of teriyaki chicken and sashimi–
A picture of RB’s Pies on the left is watermelon and on the right is mocha–
Service: on the restaurant side
Sometimes it’s awesome and sometimes they are super busy and they forget. To refill water, bring utensils, check on you. Don’t be afraid to stop someone. Despite the inconsistent service the food is always delicious. This is my favorite place to go on the Leeward side if I’m craving Japanese food.