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    Broken Mouth

    4.8 (2.4k reviews)
    Closed Closed

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    BROKEN MOUTH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Broken Mouth

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    Drinks
    Justin C.

    Great tasting Hawaiian dishes with a Korean fusion kick! The owner is super nice and walked us through the menu since it was our first time here. He let us sample some of the drinks as well. I highly recommend the POG! The owner told us that all of the food is made to order, and they had a lot of Doordash orders at that time so we were looking at a 20 minute wait. I appreciated the warning but tbh it was no big deal at all! Fresh food is worth the wait :) The owner told us that the two most popular dishes were the beef and the shrimp. What took me by surprise and what I thought was unique was that the beef was cooked in a egg batter, which basically means it comes out kind of like an omelet. My girlfriend really loved the shrimp. You can eat it with the shells too. The shrimp is super flavorful and has a really distinct unique taste. The food is a little more on the expensive side but it is worth it for the portion size. The only odd thing (but minor) about this place is the location. It's located in a random food court in DTLA that is a bit difficult to find. There's no parking so you just have to rely on street parking. It wasn't difficult but it was a little scary since it's so close to Skid Row. Most people don't eat here and take it to go.

    Vendor stall
    Emmett T.

    Broken Mouth | Lee's Homestyle was within walking distance of the Convention Center where I was attending a conference last month. It was on my bucket list after I learned that the business received the designation of the #1 Yelp restaurant in 2023. That was not a fluke either as Broken Mouth has made the top 10 in multiple years. The location was on the ground floor food court of the Santee Apartments in the Fashion District. I was quite surprised to see no customers in line when I arrived shortly after they had opened for lunch hours. In speaking with the manager on duty, he stated that most of the regulars place their order online ahead of time to minimize the waiting. The one page food menu consisted of two brunch offerings, four plate lunches, five a la carte items, one dessert, and various non-alcoholic beverages. After reading some of the reviews, I ordered the most popular choices which were the Spam Musubi, Beef Plate Lunch, and Shrimp Plate Lunch. I was generously offered two cans of Aloha Maid Juice as I paid and then took a seat at a table in the communal dining area to wait for my food. About 25 minutes later, a paper bag was handed over with takeout containers for the two plate lunches along with the Saran-wrapped musubi. Purple rice was used in their dishes which is something I haven't seen at the Hawaiian cuisine restaurants in my hometown. The musubi was Spam and purple rice wrapped in seaweed. It had the proper density and chew when I bit into the product. The beef plate was actually meat jun. It's egg-battered ribeye beef slices served with a tangy dipping sauce. Purple rice and my choice of kimchi cucumber came as sides. The meat was tender and flavorful. The fermented cucumber provided acid to cut through the fried beef. I saved the shrimp plate for later in the day. Six pieces of garlic butter shrimp fried with the shell on were served with purple rice and my choice of macaroni salad. I can't recall the last time I consumed an entire shrimp without removing the shell first. The way it was fried allowed the crustacean to be eaten as is, but at least the kitchen deveined the product first. The mac salad was quite creamy. The manager (Tim) was really down to earth as he explained various items on the menu to myself and the customers who came after me since we were all newbies. The prices were reasonable for the quality of food. It was the level of service that elevated my rating to five stars for Broken Mouth | Lee's Homestyle.

    Garlic Shrimp Plate
    Kristal B.

    Holy moly, I fell in love after the first bite! I got the Kalbi Short Rib special with purple rice and cucumber kimchi. Elite. Immaculate. The flavor explosion! I hope they make this special a permanent addition to the menu because I will order it every time. My husband got the garlic shrimp with purple rice and Korean greens salad. He loved it as well but was jealous of my kalbi after he got a taste I get the hype! Worth the wait if it's busy but we went for a Thursday lunch and were able to walk right up. You can also order ahead if you're worried about a wait.

    Beef with Spam Musubi
    Brett N.

    Why 5 stars? Because this was our favorite meal in LA. --- --- --- My Dad and I were in LA for 3 days and we both agreed that this was our favorite restaurant. Broken Mouth is located in basically a mini food hall with a few other vendors and a communal seating area. There's a parking garage across the street that we paid $5 for when we visited. It's not the cleanest part of DTLA, but when you're headed to Broken Mouth, you should not let anything silly like that deter you. My wife and I got married in Hawaii and often seek out Hawaiian food as often as possible, but I've never quite had Hawaiian food like this. We both ordered the beef meal and the way the beef was mixed into the eggs was what really made this a no-brainer 5-steal meal. I have no idea how they do it and why hundreds of restaurants don't copycat their methods, but they should. Whenever I hear that anyone is visiting LA, I will always immediately send them Broken Mouth and tell them its an absolute must. And every future visit to a Hawaiian restaurant will result in me being said it's not Broken Mouth. There's a reason this place was ranked #7 on Yelp's Top 100 in the U.S. for 2026, and I'm so glad we visited. The owner was awesome to chat with, as well!

    Beef, Local Breakfast, Cucumber Kimchi
    Gina L.

    Delicious food, but the wait for food is kinda insane. Perhaps our own fault because we arrived when they opened, and learned of their online ordering system. So essentially order online, and they'll prep the food, sending a text when it's ready (approx. 50 min from my text timestamps). The guy working was very gracious, thanking us for waiting - gave us a free canned drink. I got the beef plate w mac salad, which was hefty indeed - enough for me to have two servings. I really enjoyed the beef plate, super tender meat with a great sweet and savory sauce. Purple rice was also great, topped with yummy furikake. Mac salad was nothing crazy. Friends got the local breakfast, and cucumber kimchi. I tried a sausage from the breakfast, which was ok, and the cucumber kimchi was alright as well. Feel like this wasn't representative of their other yummy selections. Some seating in the common area, shared with the other restaurants in the area.

    Shrimp
    Holly Z.

    I was in nearby area and wanted something quick. I found this spot which is inside a building like a food court. Sharing the space with other restaurants. Keep in mind, during busy time, it's better to place an order online ahead of time. I got one of their popular dish, garlic butter Shrimp (6pc shell on) with rice and potato-mac. The shrimp soak up the butter and garlic which is excellent. It's tender, juicy, and slightly crisp on the outside (you can eat the skin if you want). Looking at it was already mouth-watering, and it paired very well with the potato mac. Make sure you squeeze that lemon to the shrimps. Great portion and the shrimps was big too. Definitely a pure comfort food perfection. If I'm visiting LA again, I'd for sure to come back. Mahalo!

    Musubi and potato salad
    Nar S.

    They've been on my list for a long time and was so excited to finally try it! Timothy, the owner was so sweet and helpful. Everything was delicious, can't wait to go back!

    Beef
    Jessica G.

    Yelp's #1 in 2023 and 4.8 rating by 2000+ raters couldn't be more convincing. Nonetheless, the long-line and long-wait comments were terrifying. Good thing, I figured that online pre-order's available and pickup time could also be preset, TOTAL WIN! Occupying a space in this fully air-conditioned food-court alike space in downtown, it's pretty convenient dining area. Besides, weekend lunch time wasn't as insanely crowded as I imagined (not sure if it's just coincidence). The attendant was super kind and attentive, making the experience seamless. I got their beef as protein, served with your choice of sides, which I went for the purple rice and Korean greens. The beef was juicy and tender, surprisingly more on the sweet side (I expected it to be savory), but it's such delectable astonishment. Besides, the tangy savory dipping sauce balanced it flawlessly. Portion wise OMG certainly worth the bucks. Tons of carbs and proteins, and for me this could easily go into 2 servings. Not to forget, even the sides were so good; the rice somewhat reminded me of sticky rice and the Korean Greens seasoning was my highlight! Should you wanna splurge like me, go for extra grilled sausages. My guesstimate they're pork. Flavorful and came as extra delicacy!

    Skye S.

    Stumbled into this hidden gem completely by accident and I'm so glad we did. From the outside, you'd never guess there's a whole little food court tucked inside but once you find it, you're in for a treat. We were greeted by Timothy at the front, who immediately made us feel welcome. He was incredibly kind and took the time to walk us through the menu, pointing us toward the absolute best picks and he did not steer us wrong. The food was what you want from a Hawaiian BBQ spot fflavorful, comforting, and generous portions that hit the spot. This place has that true hole-in-the-wall charm where you know the focus is all on the food and the people. If you're the type who loves discovering underrated spots off the beaten path, this is one you don't want to miss.

    Beef w Cucumber plate.
    Matt D.

    If you are in DTLA between noon and 6pm, run, don't walk, to Broken Mouth. This was a genuine amazing meal. Tastes like I was in the islands of Hawaii. It is located in a small dining hall. Plenty of space / seating to wait / eat. Teri Chicken: juicy and flavorful chicken thighs. Cut well to eliminate any bad bites. Great flavor. Purple rice: topped with furikake (sesame seeds, salt, etc). Perfectly cooked. Sticky. Mac Salad: my buddy says it is the best Mac salad he has ever had. Quality noodles are clearly being used. Beef ribeye: served coated in egg. The soy/vinegar sauce served on the side provides a completely different (and fantastic, tangier) flavor vs the slightly sweeter bite as prepped. An adventure in each bite. Again, prepped perfectly to be moist and not chewy. Brioche bread pudding: legitimately the best bread pudding I have ever had. Light and soft. They serve OG Hawaiian drinks in a can in addition to Coke / tea / etc. Caution: if you plan on going, order ahead. Broken Mouth is so popular that people place their orders the night before so they can get it quick. If you are a walk in, no worries. They will still do their best to accommodate you. It is worth the wait. Mahalo!

    Beef plate with Mac salad
    Joseph J.

    Timothy was very kind and guided us for our first time through the menu. Helped us order and get our food. The food is amazing, ordered the beef with Mac salad and you won't regret it. Absolutely fantastic !

    Tofu plate lunch with Cucumber kimchi
    Melanie G.

    I'm so glad I got to try this highly rated spot! I quickly and easily saw why it's raved about! The owner and chef, Timothy, was the one taking my order and was so hospitable, even offering a free drink and spam musubi! After he recommended what side went best with the tofu plate lunch, he continued to make conversation with me. A very genuine and kind person, I continue to wish him success! On top of the great service, the food was so good! It's one of those places where you can tell it will be good just by the look and taste. I got the tofu plate lunch with the kimchi cucumbers. It was such a colorful plate! It comes with Korean purple rice topped with furikake, 6 pieces of fried tofu and a gochujang sauce for dipping, and a veg. This plate lunch was $18 but the serving size was enough for 2 servings for me. I loved the kimchi cucumbers, they were so fresh and acted as a nice palette cleanser. They were topped with a savory gochujaru paste and it wasn't very spicy! The rice was possibly a little overcooked but it still tasted great, especially with the furikake on top. And the tofu was seasoned well too! I just wish the batter was a little more crispy. Parking is a tricky in this area but that's my only complaint!

    Menu
    Eubene K.

    Broken mouth is on the top 100 again! Had to make my way out here! Parking is kinda chaotic found street meter parking Inside is very clean and nice The shop is super cute I love all the representation of Hawaii and Korea The owner is so hospitable! Came in around 12:30pm and the table was filled with orders. When I placed my order there was a flood of tickets and had to wait about an hour. Kevin gave us drinks on the house! Holy moly first time trying Hawaiian drinks and it was so good! Highly recommend the Apple tea! I ordered the beef jun plate with rice and potato Mac and the Kalbi special You can order up to seven days in advance online in case you don't want to wait like me. I will say the quality was the food is S tier Legit gave a food memory of all the church bbq gatherings I've had as a kid! One of my favorites i believe you have to try at least once!

    Shrimp Spam Musubi Potato-Mac Salad Cucumber Kimchi

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    Broken Mouth Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Broken Mouth

    Hi I saw the schedule here Tuesday and Wednesday is open. So, does 24 rd 25 rd is open too? Thx Dec 23. 2024

    Sorry for late reply. We were open on 24th and closed on 25th. We are currently closed for holiday until 1/7/25. Mahalo! Hope to see you in the new year!

    I bought the side of cucumbers, how many days in the fridge can this last for?

    I would say 3 days tops.

    Can I do half chicken half shrimp or a side of chicken ? I want both but don't want to pay for 2 full entrees?

    What do you put in the rice to make it purple? And do you have just plain white rice?

    I think black rice is added to make it purple, there is no plain white steamed rice served here. The purple rice tasted ok, it wasn't super different from steamed rice.

    Do you cater?

    Below is what we usually offer for pickup trays. To-Go Party Trays (packed in half size aluminum… Read more

    Any low carb options?

    Yes, all plates that come with rice, can be replaced with korean greens.

    What's in the potatoe salad?

    creamy potato-macaroni salad, red onions, boiled eggs

    What's a good item to order?

    I love their spam musubi. The garlic shrimp is good too.

    Can you order the lunch menu in the morning?

    Yes, entire menu is available all day! Mahalo!

    Hi! Is there a way to fit a big group as big as (possibly up to) 20 people? :)

    Yea! You just have to go in shifts of 4 people at a time every 30 min or so

    How's the parking? Where is the best place to park?

    There's metered street parking if you can find it ? And a self parking open lot that you can pay a flat fee. I believe it was $5.00 If you're driving and Broken Mouth is on your left, it's just past it on the left hand side. Same side of the street… Read more

    Are there gluten free options?

    Hi Mike! Other than items with bread, the entire menu is gluten free—including our marinades, sauces, and macaroni in our popular potato-mac salad. We’ve worked hard to… Read more

    It's listed as dog friendly, does that mean dogs are allowed inside too?

    I've seen dogs inside before, and overheard the kind owners mentioning there are water bowls laying around and/or outside just for pets!

    Do you have any pancakes or breakfast items?

    Unfortunately no breakfast, but we’ve got a couple brunch items like our Local Plate comes with Portuguese sausage, eggs, and rice. Avocado toast & Chia breakfast bowl are also available!

    View All 15 Questions

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    Rutt's Hawaiian Cafe

    Rutt's Hawaiian Cafe

    4.1(2.2k reviews)
    10.1 miMar Vista
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    New fave Hawaiian spot! I wanted to try all the things on the menu but ended up getting the…read morefollowing: -Kalua Loco Moco: oh man the flavors in this one were so good! Smokey, umami goodness. Got sunny side up eggs with runny yolks that just melt together with the gravy, rice, and pork. The sweet, buttery roll soaked in the gravy is also such a good addition. 100% getting this again! -Chicken Long Rice: a little different than the ones we tried in Hawaii (different noodle and more veggies in this one) but still so comforting and delish. Heartwarming and gingery goodness. -BBQ chicken plate: also very solid, not super sweet like teriyaki and comes in a decent sized portion. Mac salad is legit and so good - perfect consistency and seasonings. -French toast: one of the best! A superb doughy, chewy, cinnamony, thick cut slice that I drowned in butter and syrup. Ordered take out and it was ready within 15 min or so. Parking lot looked tiny but we just parked on the residential street and it was a quick walk. Wish I lived closer (I'd be here all the time) but totally worth the trip - will be coming back again very soon!

    Ambiance was cool. Service was cool as well. What I am…read morewriting I hope it will be for an improvement in the kitchen. My friend was happy I picked this place but the food was not good at least my order. Food. Issues I had the variety plate with a rib, chicken and pull pork. The 3 meats were all over cook to a burnt look and taste. I was able to send it back and it was taken off. The meat sliders were pretty good. The look of the Cole slaw was very wet and not fresh. Very watery. I must say the fries were awesome. They taste as if they were double fired and crispy but moist on the inside.

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    Rutt's Hawaiian Cafe - Island Style Fried Saimin

    Island Style Fried Saimin

    Rutt's Hawaiian Cafe - Mixed Plate Special! Kalua Pork, Kal-Bi, BBQ (our housemade teriyaki) Chicken

    Mixed Plate Special! Kalua Pork, Kal-Bi, BBQ (our housemade teriyaki) Chicken

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    Matiki Island BBQ

    Matiki Island BBQ

    4.3(2.3k reviews)
    20.6 mi
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    So you miss authentic Hawaiian food? You've come to the right place... our first time there and we…read moreloved the delicious combos there. We got the beef rib combo and the chicken & k bbq plate.. servings are generously delicious and the staff is so friendly. Thank you for a amazing experience we will mos def be back.

    I've ordered from Matiki Island BBQ several times now, and they honestly never disappoint. The food…read moreis always fresh, flavorful, and consistently good every single time. I always order the #6 with the short ribs, chicken, macaroni salad, and rice. Normally I get double macaroni salad because it's hands down my favorite part of the meal. The macaroni salad is so good, perfectly cooked with that ideal al dente texture, creamy, flavorful, and well seasoned. I could honestly eat a whole bowl of just that. The short ribs are delicious too. Whatever marinade they use has amazing flavor and the meat is always tender and satisfying. The chicken itself is pretty simple and doesn't have a super strong flavor, but it's always cooked well and pairs nicely with everything else on the plate. Overall, it's just good quality food all around. I usually order delivery, but this was my first time actually going inside for pickup. The restaurant had a really cool atmosphere and everything looked clean and organized. There were customers dining in, a few people waiting in line, and the employees were working efficiently as a team. The pickup process was quick and easy. I walked up, they asked if I was there for pickup, I gave my name, they repeated it back, handed me my food, and I was out the door within minutes. I've tried other Hawaiian BBQ spots before, but this one is by far my favorite, which is exactly why I keep coming back here instead of going anywhere else. Definitely looking forward to my next order. Highly recommend if you want flavorful, satisfying Hawaiian barbecue.

    Photos
    Matiki Island BBQ
    Matiki Island BBQ - 1. Beef Rib Plate (Sam's Plate)

    1. Beef Rib Plate (Sam's Plate)

    Matiki Island BBQ - Sam's 1. Beef Rib Plate (Sam's Plate)

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    Sam's 1. Beef Rib Plate (Sam's Plate)

    Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice  - Hawaiian Shave Ice!!!

    Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice

    4.5(216 reviews)
    4.6 miLos Feliz
    $

    Just in case you were looking for food from the Hawaiian Gods....There is a Ululani's in Los…read moreAngeles on Hollywood Blvd in case anyone loves Hawaiian shaved ice as much as me! And they brought all their yum puréed syrups with them from Maui! How do you eat shaved ice? Li Hing Mui Powder, Mochi, Ice Cream, Cheesecake Cream, Haupia Cream, Azuki Beans? And if you love art, as in cool papers, pens, and such, Ululani's in located inside a really cool art supply store in Los Feliz. It was cold yesterday in LA but I happily ate my shaved ice on a bench reliving all the fun I've had in Maui over the years. Hot tip: the ice is good for sure but add a fun topping!!

    Small shave ice shop straight from Hawaii. I was in Maui earlier this year and we had this bomb…read moreshave ice. Glad to make the drive to this place because everything tasted the same. Got the ulu and shared between two people. Flavors tried were calamansi, passion fruit, and pineapple w/ haupia cream and fresh mad mochi. Friendly service, seating all outside, and limited street parking. Would come again if in the area. Wish they had a more accessible location!

    Photos
    Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice  - Front counter area

    Front counter area

    Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice  - Our shave ice! Sour tart with fresh mochi topping and a cherry-banana-passion orange with a "snow cap" topping and toasted coconut - yum!

    Our shave ice! Sour tart with fresh mochi topping and a cherry-banana-passion orange with a "snow cap" topping and toasted coconut - yum!

    Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice  - My yummy keiki size shave ice - cherry/banana/passion orange with snow cap and toasted coconut toppings

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    My yummy keiki size shave ice - cherry/banana/passion orange with snow cap and toasted coconut toppings

    Malama Pono Restaurant - the dish that keeps me coming back

    Malama Pono Restaurant

    4.7(856 reviews)
    12.3 miSherman Oaks
    $$

    Friendly staff, yummy Hawaiian food, and now a full bar!…read more After going to Malama Pono the first time, we were so enamored with the food that my husband wanted to celebrate his birthday there. When we went to celebrate his birthday, the general manager, Matthew, heard us talking about a cocktail we liked, and he made it for us on the house. I love when restaurants surprise and delight. We particularly like the salmon tartar, the Uni on crispy rice, the lobster noodles, and the candy bar dessert. It's nice to have an upscale Hawaiian option in town.

    According to the restaurant's website, their name comes "from the Hawaiian saying, E Mālama Pono,…read morewhich means to take care of, also until we meet again." Though the staff was gracious and attentive while navigating a small space and a nearly full house, the kitchen still has some things of their own to take care of in order to live up to their full potential. The menu features an interesting and eclectic selection of Asian fusion dishes, and there were far more intriguing items than two of us could try on one visit -- still, nearly everything we ordered was somewhat lacking. We started off strong with drinks: My traditional Mai Tai had a nice flavor without being overly sweet; my wife's Sunset Sangria WAS fairly sweet, but that's how she likes her drinks, and she was very happy. One thing to note: their liquor license has only recently been approved, and their website still says they do not have a full bar -- they'd do themselves a favor by updating the website, as the fun drinks will be a draw. Okay, so drinks were good, but our starter of Garlic Naan with Tzatziki Sauce was disappointing. The bread was really pita, not naan, and there was no presence of garlic whatsoever. Basically, it was warm pita with a touch of salt, so not at all what we were expecting, and not what we would have ordered if we'd known what was coming. Still, the tzatziki sauce was flavorful and fresh. Would have gone well with garlic naan. For an entree, my wife ordered the Horseradish Crusted Mahi Mahi, which is plated with Pineapple Beurre Blanc, Blistered Tomatoes, Roasted Pineapple, Scallion Relish and Shoyu Syrup, and served with a side of white rice. This was a heavily layered dish that was far too sweet for me, but my wife quite liked the flavor. Underneath the many adornments, the fish was fresh and cooked to a very pleasing texture, and I might have enjoyed this in a more savory preparation. My own entree was the Malama Mochiko Chicken: crispy fried thigh meat with a Ponzu Shoyu and Tomato Ginger Sauce. The crispy batter had a pleasing crunch but very little taste; the Ponzu Shoyu had a deep, earthy flavor, but there was just too little of it served on the plate -- there needed to be much more clinging to the chicken, or the batter needed more punch, or both. The other sauce placed to the side, the Tomato Ginger, tasted mostly like a generic sweet chili dipping sauce, and I only used it once. So, yes, the crispy chicken could be great, but really needs a seasoning upgrade. I also ordered a side of the Macaroni Salad, because it's my favorite aspect of a Hawaiian plate lunch. Their version's macaroni was cooked to a spot-on texture, with just the right amount of al dente to hold up to the mayonnaise while still being primarily soft. The salad as a whole had the right creaminess (not too much mayo), but again lacked seasoning. I added some salt, which helped a bit, but it needed something else as well. So, I like the concept of the restaurant and the descriptions of many of the dishes. The creativity and ambition are appealing. But right now, the execution just doesn't bring these ideas to life. Perhaps the chef (described as mostly self-taught) would benefit from consultation with one or two of the many excellent Asian chefs in the city, and I say that without meaning any insult. I'm optimistic they'll goose the flavors if they try, and so to Malama Pono I say, E Malama Pono: until we meet again. PS. Having their valet priced $3 higher than the other restaurants with which they share the service is strange and makes a bad first impression.

    Photos
    Malama Pono Restaurant - Inside the restaurant

    Inside the restaurant

    Malama Pono Restaurant - Pork Belly Fried Rice (house-smoked pork belly, chili oil, quail egg) from their 5-year anniversary menu

    Pork Belly Fried Rice (house-smoked pork belly, chili oil, quail egg) from their 5-year anniversary menu

    Malama Pono Restaurant - Hapa Order: Yellowtail Crispy Rice and Spam Crispy Rice

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    Hapa Order: Yellowtail Crispy Rice and Spam Crispy Rice

    Broken Mouth - hawaiian - Updated May 2026

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