Amazing 100% of the time I order from here. NO COMPLAINTS! Food awesome, portion awesome, you get what you pay for. Hands down my favorite take out local food! read more

If you're around Hilo, this is a must visit place. The whole store is a magical place :) you get all sorts of candied stuff- candied plums, dried mangoes, lemons, and a whole assortment of candies! They have a small cafeteria where they sell food. We got chicken katsu curry plate with mac salad and loco plate with sweet potato salad. The katsu was just perfect - seasoned well and perfectly cooked with the crunch! Ah so delicious. Oh and the mac salad was so good, I could eat a giant bowl with just that. The loco plate was also delicious and we were delighted to have the purple sweet potato salad. This is a hidden gem where everything was reasonably priced. Highly recommend this place! read more

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I'll lead this one off with the fact that 5-Spice is literally a one minute car ride down the street from my workplace, so the sheer convenience to a lazy bum like myself may add a slight rose-colored glasses effect to this review. I'll be as objective as I can, though! Of course, it's not like these fine folks need the embellishment. 5-Spice serves one of the most broad ranges of local foods that I think you'll find anywhere in town. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc. Their arsenal is vast and there's something to be said for it. Even better than the sheer variety of plates they offer, is the fact that they're not at all stingy with the portions. You know you're gonna be immobile for at least an hour after you down one of those plates. It's great. Unless, like, you need to be mobile within an hour of downing one of those plates. That's on y'all. Located behind the Puainako KTA, 5-Spice is very conveniently located and easy to get to from basically anywhere in town. There are, however, just a few parking stalls, so it might be a good idea to avoid dinner/lunch rush hours. I've never had any issues myself, though. TLDR; 5-Spice makes very good food, they give you lots of the very good food, and you should go get you some of that very good food. Again, veeery convenient for me specifically, but no bias in this review. Check 'em out. read more

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5 Spice Crackseed House. I thought if there's any time in my life I needed crackseeds...now after two weeks vacationing with my teenaged was the time. Imagine my surprise when there wasn't a bit of crack to be found. Instead it was a candy/dried fruit/li hing mui store. But the best part was the corner of the store with this walk up order window that produces the equivalent to crack...I'm hooked! We ordered a bulgogi burger...strip of bulgogi beef in a bun, bibimbop, Korean fried chicken-that wasn't spicy at all but sweet and perfect and Meat Jun. Get the sweet potato salad-delish! All was devoured. All was enjoyed. Portions were huge and we ate it all! Move over Cafe 100, this is my new fav plate lunch place! read more

5-Spice - Meat Jun and sweet potato salad - Specialty Food Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

I wanted a good omelet with veggies, so of course, 5 spice came to mind. They're consistent on the quality and speed of service, always a fast and friendly visit. They're always busy any time I've gone in, that's how you know it's a good choice. Get some crack seed, gummies, or candied ginger while you're waiting too. read more

This was recommended to us by a friend who is a local. We consider ourself short rib snobs and these held up. Portions were super generous! We did have to wait longer than about 5 people who ordered after us, could have been the tourist hotel bracelet but even after that, would probably go again. read more

Just good local grinds. Shop is super clean, portions huge. This is a take out spot behind KTA Hilo. read more

At the time this place was rated a solid 5 Stars, so I had to check it out...but I can't give it 5 Stars. I had Furikake Chicken at three different places on the Big Island...5-Spice's was pretty good, but not nearly as good as the other two places. I know there is labor shortage across the country, including Hawaii, but my food took over 30 minutes to prepare. Compared to the other Furikake chicken plates, this one wasn't as good, smaller portion, not as flavorful. Still not bad for $13. Maybe order something else? read more

Great local spot for getting all your plate lunches . We came two times in one day because of such a deal these meals are. The loco moco, spam egg plate, and chicken plates were all freshly cooked and worth the stop. There are tables outside to enjoy the day and everyone was helpful. read more

This is my 3rd visit here since moving from Oahu. This place is convenient to my place and reasonably priced. They've got Korean foods and local foods. They also have crack seeds that I miss back home from Oahu. This will probably my go to place when craving for fish Jun. Their sweet potato salad is really good.. read more

5-Spice - The many seeds they sell. - Specialty Food Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Great service and bentos! Love the selection of crack seed and Asian snacks too! Highly recommend!

Love love love this place. Come early to grab a $8-$10 bento. The lady who is always at the register who I suspect is the owner is always so nice. In fact the whole crew is super nice! My fav to eat is the meat jhun! read more

The good thing about having a son in Hilo is that I get to see all the small shops and their specialties. One of those shops is 5 Spice, a local snack shop that also serves lunch. I was amazed at the selection of seeds and snacks you find here, you cannot help but find something to buy. I don't know how good the lunches are but I will come back and try next time I'm in Hilo. The snacks are very good and they could probably give Wholesale Unlimited a run for the money. The rock salt apricots were excellent and I never seen them before ever. read more

5-Spice - Storefront. - Specialty Food Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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5Spice is just a walkup the street from the house. They have the most delicious and different variety combo bentos around. Customer service is friendly and they easily explain specific items regarding allergens to seafood or GF. It's a cute shop on a busy road, offering an array of snacks, meals, and combo plates. Extremely accommodating and great prices too! read more

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Reasons why 5 Spice is low key high quality ... This place may not look like anything special or fancy to the untrained eye, but they take pride in what they do here. And they do it really, really well. The lemon peel gummies I've bought here taste super fresh, like it was just made and packaged. I kid you not. It tastes magical, which makes me think this is not your average crack seed store. Also I don't know why they make the tastiest little bentos for the most affordable prices, but they do. The kimchi rice with omelette is simple but perfect!! I can't tell you how many mornings before work I stopped by here for a bento. Come early before their pre-made/freshly-made bentos sell out for the day. And if you order takeout get the furikake fish! Big portions and it will hit the spot. You know a place is good when you see only locals stopping in. I hope it stays under the radar forever. read more

First of all let me say "I HATE U"!!!! Burger was so ridiculously amazing, if there was an avocado extra I may have actually killed over. Definitely my every week stop as of today *Great Service *Fast *Yumm Call in advance to avoid line read more

5-Spice - 5 spice burger - Specialty Food Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Five stars for five spice. Food was delicious. Had the chicken Katsu curry plate and it was crispy and moist and very tasty. Highly recommend grab some Food then go eat at Wailoa River park. read more

5-Spice - Chicken curry Katsu plate. - Specialty Food Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Amazing store for all your snacks! Plus the variety of bento boxes and meals was fantastic. Small store, slightly hidden but don't let that fool you. So many varieties and choices and also different sizes to meet your needs. Def worth going to. read more

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This place has good food, a large selection and priced right. They also have reasonably priced seeds and snacks available.

The portion was large and so tasty! Ordered there and the food took about 15 minutes, not bad. Walk around the store and you'll find local treats! The employees were welcoming and had great service. read more

5-Spice - Korean chicken plate - Specialty Food Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Stopped here on our way to the Hawaii Volcano National Park and so glad we did! We got the breakfast sandwich and breakfast plate and also bought a few bags of their huge crack seed selection. Stopped by again for lunch after the park for their 5-spice burger, so good on the sweet bun! Fast and friendly service, mahalo! read more

5-Spice - 5-Spice Burger (double bacon cheese) - Specialty Food Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

I thought I'd see what all the rave reviews were about, and stopped in for some treats and a plate around 11 am. I was so disappointed; all the bentos looked like they had been sitting out forever, cold and soft/mushed. So I ordered a spicy pork plate; the sauce was nice and flavorful, but the meat was too tough as to be inedible. Seriously. They used a tough cut of meat and it was in chunks, I couldn't get through it. Everything is expensive these days. I understand shop owners have to make a living, and I will pay it if it's worth it, but I expect more from a $19 plate lunch than meat that I can't chew through. I washed the pork chunks, minced them, and fed them to my pets, so as not to waste the money. But I won't return. read more

Try their bentos for he first time this morning and they were delicious!! Im new to the meat jun and have only had it a handful of times. Todays Meat Jun was yum! I love the sauce that came with it aswell. We also had the chicken Katsu and the chicken was moist as well as the rice!! Next time will order from their set menu can't wait to come back and try again. We got in and out just before 9 and people started rolling in fast. So I suggest get in there early or call your order in. read more

5-Spice - Meat Jun on the left and chicken katsu on the right - Specialty Food Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

The bentos are delicious and priced just right at $6.50 each... I bought 3 bentos to have a quick bite with a friend before heading home after eating it, it was so good that I went back and bought 2 more before heading to the airport read more

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Really solid plate lunch place in Hilo. Definitely a local spot. Good loco dishes and the Korean chicken was on point! Lots of unique snacks and spices for sale as well. read more

This place is the best. Their food is ono, crack seed is delicious but one thing I must say is that my business always feels appreciated. Especially during Covid i try to support local. They always make me feel welcomed and grateful for my business... My favorite things: meat jun, katsu, bentos, wet lemon peel seed. read more

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A must stop to sending seed to america for family. Great selection of seed an Great bento's as well Great plate lunches

this place was such a hidden gem. we found them while traveling the big island and I would say this was the best food I had the whole time i was there. the burger was so good and my friend got fried rice with kimchi and egg which was also very good. they were decently priced which was surprising for the island. one thing I would recommend is to not get a hot dog there, but that's the only complaint I have. read more

5-Spice - 5-spice burger with fries - Specialty Food Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

The food is great! They have plate lunch and family meal options. Prices are very reasonable and portion sizes as well. They also have other items for sale in their cute shop. You can find things like an old school crack seed shop as well as other goodies. Recommend stopping by. read more

First stop I make when I land in Hilo. Great to go plates for lunch and friendly workers. Best spot for crack seed on the island. Mahalo!

I went on Valentine's Day, 2024, thinking I'd pick up a nice treat for lunch. It was NOT busy n while I waited for my order there were only 4 customers n no line. I thot I'd done my research since this was my first time there. Saw their 4.7 reviews n a glowing review specifically of their chix katsu curry, a particular favorite of mine . I ordered that curry which came out to $18.84. I was SOoooo disappointed! The thick chewy inedible breading was twice as thick as the meat. The chix was in 1/4" thin, 2" long pieces, hard, tough and very very dry (not 4" sliced tender moist thigh or breast meat as most restaurants n recipes call for). I didn't finish it n gave the meat to my cat. To add insult to injury the rice was gummy! To be fair, their bentoes looked good and that's the only thing I'd get from them IF I ever returned. In 6 years this has only been my second unhappy review of Hawaii island places. Hilo has terrific culinary experiences. read more

Update; they've added outside seating. Not much but it's something. Cafeteria style, no waitress, just a place to sit and eat.

Fantastic and authentic Hawaiian food. Will go back for sure. No seating, so find a local park and enjoy!

Amazing food, spectacular array of spices for purchase and quite a variety of candy including lychee gummy bears. The only hiccup is that there is no indoor or outdoor seating, so your meal is always 'to go'. The Liliuokalani Park is not far; think about taking your meal there for a picnic with some amazing banyan trees and a view of the harbor. We had the curry katzu chicken and spicy pork specials, one with macaroni salad (delicious) and the other with purple potato salad (a must). The staff is friendly and helpful with suggestions. We also got a few pork mandu which made for a great appetizer. read more

We're visiting family and our cousins brought us here, everything is we ordered was delicious! Great home cooked island food. Service was fast and they have a variety of candy/snacks to shop for while you wait for your food to be ready. The store is clean and organized. read more

Tastes okay. I don't like breaded stuff and this place has a lot of breaded stuff. So I go here only if I don't want to travel too far. Located behind KTA Puainako. Wish they had non-breaded Korean chicken. read more

Tried for the first time and ordered the Korea chicken katsu and loco moco. Chicken plate is huge but after removing the batter, only left with a this piece of meat. Loco was better since they have a big patty. Gravy was ok. read more

Amazing flavors and portions! This place is constantly delicious making it a must visit for visitors and locals alike. You won't regret it. read more

5-Spice - Japchae - Specialty Food Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Variety of food choices. They're cheese burgers are 10/10. Very friendly staff. They're shop feels very inviting and waiting is not an issue because there's candy on the walls and on the isles. read more

This place offers delicious local style food and treats that we grew up with. The lady that runs the register is very friendly and I really appreciate her graciousness. The line could be out the door and she never waivers in her friendliness read more