The sushi omakase is so fresh and delicious! Chef is an expert. Truly brilliant! Highly recommend!

This place is hard to get a reservation at, but when you do get one it is a great place for Japanese food. Small place and it seems like there is never enough servers, but the food is good and pricing is great for what you are getting. read more

The best soba ever! If you're looking for phenomenal soba, I-NABA is the place to go! I've never had soba at a restaurant before, so I decided to try it when I went to Hawaii for my anniversary. I-NABA seemed like the right choice, and I was satisfied coming here. We arrived around noon, and there wasn't much of a wait. Even though I-NABA was constantly busy, we were seated right away. My partner got the gomadare soba while I got the Kakiage soba. The soba was so refreshing to have for a hot and humid day. I got a kakiage soba cold and loved the contrast of the kakiage made out of shrimp, burdock, and soybean that was like a tempura fritter. The two textures of cold and hot items blended so well, and the portions were great, too. My partner loved his gomadare soba. We both finished up our meals with no leftovers! I-NABA is also the perfect environment to bring your family and friends. It is such a low-key spot that delivers high-quality food. When I visit again, I'm going to savor the soba for a second time! read more

I-NABA - Kakiage Soba - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Inaba is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Hawaii for truly authentic Japanese food. One dish that is hard to find is kamo soba (duck soba), and they do an excellent version here. The soba texture was spot on and the dipping broth was rich and full of flavor from the duck. There were so many other dishes on the menu I wanted to try, and I'm already looking forward to coming back. Seating is limited, though they have expanded. We didn't have a reservation and were still able to get seats at the sushi bar, which was lucky. Highly recommend, especially if you're looking for authentic Japanese soba done right! read more

I-NABA - Kamo Soba - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Delicious homemade soba! Al dente, firm and flavorful. I ordered the cold one with a homemade sesame broth. It was delicious! Kind, efficient Japanese waitresses. Tempura wasn't as crispy, but nice you could select the individual pieces you want. At the end, they bring a warm water pot, which another yelper commented on -- thanks! You pour the soba water into the broth and it's supposed to be healthy. It was super tasty and the perfect temperature. Really enjoyed our meal and loved that it's a local spot. Pretty casual, prompt service. Arigato!! read more

I-NABA - Soba set with shiso and maite mushroom tempura al a carte. Sesame cold soba broth. Delicious! - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Came here for lunch on a weekday and was seated right away. My friend and I both ordered the tempura and cold soba (zaru) set, and it was a generous portion. The set also came with pickled vegetables and rice, making it a very satisfying meal. The tempura was excellent--crispy, light, and perfectly fried without feeling greasy. The cold soba was refreshing and paired well with the dipping sauce, and I appreciated that they brought out extra dipping sauce later in the meal without us having to ask. Overall, a delicious and well-balanced lunch that left us full and happy. read more

I-NABA - Tempura and cold soba set - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I came here once before and thought the food was pretty good, which brought me back for a second visit. Unfortunately, this time was disappointing, and I don't think I'll return. The service was okay, but the duck soba really missed the mark. I wasn't expecting a full platter of duck, but one piece of duck and a few pieces of duck skin felt underwhelming--especially for the price (around $30). The duck was also quite chewy. After looking over the menu again, I feel the food is overpriced for the portion size and quality. I'd rather spend that amount elsewhere for a better overall experience. read more

I-NABA - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Update on I- Naba wanted to eat some cold Soba so decided to check out I-Naba located on King St. Been here before but not lately sat on the bar seating service was fast and friendly. I ordered my meal and it came out very shortly after . I ordered their cold Soba Tempura, comes with 2 pieces of shrimp tempura, 1 string bean, 1 egg plant , 1 white fish, 2 sweet potato and of course cold Soba noodles w/ sauce . Very tasty will be back in the near future read more

I-NABA - Tempura Soba - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Fresh tasting and traditional bento style meals! I got a box with soba, tempura, and some sashimi. Overall it felt well balanced and clean. Cool to find such an authentic place. read more

Came on a Monday night with a reservation with 6 people and was busy! I recommend making a reservation or going early to beat any business. This place really transports you to Japan. A small cute restaurant. Wide variety of sets to choose from. Whether you want just soba, tempura, sushi, or all together, they have it all. What I got: I Naba Bento - a bento that comes with 6 pieces of sashimi, tempura, rice, and your choice of hot or cold soba, along with side dishes. I really liked this, it gives you a taste of everything and is the perfect size. FYI it is BYOB. Parking lot is a bit small but you can always park on the street. read more

I-NABA - I Naba Bento - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Sometimes you just want to eat tenzaru soba (tempura with cold soba). Where can you go when the urge hits you? This is the place. Consistently good noodles, sauce and tempura. This place is tiny so we arrived right at 5:00 pm which wasn't a moment too soon. Service was fast and friendly. Their appetizers are really tasty as well. It's not "cheap eats," but the quality and service are definitely a cut above. The only downside is because it is tiny, you're going to be seated really close to other people. read more

Friendly staff. Great food! I love grated yam with my soba. All very fresh. I always enjoy coming here! Not too quiet or loud. Just right.

2/17/26 Found a Gift Card that was at least 5 yrs old so took a chance n they honored it Great start 1st time here Came at 11am opening Already had a waiting line 3 Stars Ordered Mixed Tempura Combo; shrimp w assorted veggies, Hot Soba plus a bowl of Mushroom Rice. Meal tasted good and very filling I was impressed w the service; fast n genuinely friendly They even opened the door when we were leaving But what stood out was how a couple of the servers really took care of their, it seems, regular customers There were groups of senior ladies They were all laughing having a good n fun time! 4 Stars Will visit again read more

went here couple months ago for lunch but never got around to do a review, and here it is. Me, wife, and baby in car seat. we walked in with no reservations, they accommodated us by giving us a counter top first until a table opened up, super nice of them. eventually we ordered and a table opened up, so we sat at the table and food came there. Service is good, food is good. -1 star cause the menu was really big to choose from, for lunch there was like 50+ options, i guess they were trying to impress every palate that walked in? but anyways, me and wife both got sobas with tempura and it was really good. would come back but would study the menu 2 weeks before hand, can't fail that exam they hand to every customer(joke) ! read more

I came here for a late lunch today before they closed for the Christmas holiday. Nondescript restaurant is in a mini mall and judging from the silent slurping sounds from people eating their soba, it's a legit place! I had the Tempura Soba Set (2 shrimp, 1 white fish, 1 pumpkin, 1 eggplant) with zaru soba. I saw that I was able to downgrade to a half size option and it was the perfect size for me! The tempura was perfectly fried and the zaru soba was al dente and perfect for dipping in the sauce. I loved this so much - I was able to finish everything and I usually don't finish everything because portions are so big. A big thank you to my friend who recommended this place. This will be on rotation for every time I go to Hawaii! read more

I-NABA - Tempura Soba (half size set) - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This is our first time here. Food was great. Service was fantastic. Great place to have dinner with friends and family. We were not disappointed. Will definitely come back. They have mini bottles of hand sanitizer on the table for you to use if needed. read more

See all

We had passed by I-NABA plenty of times but never knew of it because we always went to Manu Bu's for their musubis whenever we were in the area. Also, I think we went to BR once. The last time we're were in Oahu, we noticed a huge line of people at this restaurant, so we thought the next time we got a chance, we would try this restaurant. It also helped that some Yelp Locals (Irene, Nadine, & Craig T) enjoyed this place also. The parking lot is small, so you need to get here early. We were fortunate to arrive here at 6:30pm on a Tuesday and there were a few tables filled. But, right after we sat down, about 4-5 parties came in. The ambiance is very simple, clean, with traditional Japanese decor. One restroom only with a Japanese toilet. The service was awesome - The two young ladies were attentive, polite, and helpful in recommending dishes. Uni, Ikura, & Hotate Bowl (mini) & Soba (Regular size): Uni, Ikura, & Hotate, served over rice. Also comes with regular size zaru or kake soba (5/5). I went with the zaru (cold soba with dipping sauce). You could taste the freshness of the seafood like the sweetness of the scallop and uni. The soba was nicely thin but had a lot of flavor and was fun to dip and eat. Tempura Soba: 2 shrimps, 1 whitefish, veggie tempura, and zaru or kake soba (4/5). My wife chose the kake (soba in hot broth). The tempura was lightly battered and you could tell the delicacy of the batter, which was not heavy nor oily. The kake broth was so flavorful and the soba was enjoyable. A very enjoyable meal and experience. Support your local business and come here! read more

See all

Desperately seeking cold soba on a warm day brought me here to I-naba on South King Street (on left side past Punahou Street). There's an extensive menu which offered many enticing choices. Finally decided on the gomadore cold soba in a sesame based broth topped with shiso, wakame, shaved bonito, nori, and sesame seeds. Delicious and good to the last drop! I'd order this again!! My lunch mate chose the kakiage soba in hot broth. You may request the kakiage to be served on the side (instead of in the broth) so it will stay crispy. For parking, there are two small lots (including the Baskin-Robbins lot), as well as on-street parking. read more

I-NABA - Gomadore soba - so good! - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

One of our favorite restaurants in Honolulu. The service is always excellent as well as the food. The specialize in soba and you can select either hot or cold. Each entree you get usually also has an option for soba. There is no bento box option for the lunch time menu but for dinner it is. I got the uni and tuna bowl which came with a regular size soba. My family got the grilled sable fish set which comes with 3 sides, rice, and miso soup. The ambiance of the restaurant is very traditional Japanese and the ac is strong. I appreciate how clean and attentive the staff is. They also started serving breakfast on the fridays and weekends. I definitely hope to check it out next time. read more

See all

Just wrapped up our day trip to the Dole Plantation and decided we wanted to hit up some refreshing soba for lunch. We hadn't picked out a spot but it just felt right and after a quick search we found I-Naba. I was surprised to see this place was a chain into Socal also but went forward with trying this out. The one negative to start here is that the parking lot is an absolute nightmare. Not their fault obviously but just account for it if you are going to check this place out. The joint is quaint and it was packed even for a weekday lunch. The service was also friendly and attentive. The joint is separated by a "bar" area, tables, and then a sushi bar (with someone behind the counter). The menu is broken down by soba (hot and cold), seafood bowls (including Uni), appetizers, and tempura. After a quick peruse, we decided to order the tamagoyaki appetizer and the Uni Ikura Bowl and Soba combo set. The orders come out fast here so you wont be waiting long. The tamagoyaki was great texture, not overly/artificially sweet and the radish was the perfect compliment. The Soba was perfectly made and the Soba sauce on the side was authentic and legit. The uni/Ikura was no joke even for the mini bowl. The quality was top notch and loved that the ikura was not just completely drowned in shoyu or soy sauce. Honestly this place is awesome. Love the soba, love the seafood, love the ambiance... will be checking this place out when im back read more

I-NABA - Uni/ikura bowl with zaru soba - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Great soba and tempura! Will need to try the I-NABA in torrance as I think it is more sushi based there. Tempura was crunchy, battered to perfection, and not greasy at all will be back again when craving tempura and soba combo Service was great! Accommodating for the baby that came with us read more

Location: Across Washington Middle School. Corner of Punahou Street and King Street. Same area as BR and Manabu. Service: Efficient and Friendly -5/5 Ambiance: Japanese Casual -4/5 Food: Typical Sushi & Soba. 5/5 read more

See all

A little drive away from the main strip but it was definitely worth it. The place was pretty roomy as they had 2 rooms and a bar seating area. We wanted some soba noodles and saw this had it with each meal. We started off with the supposedly salmon collar, instead they gave us salmon belly and we told the server this is not salmon collar but she strongly insisted it was. (It definitely was NOT, see pic.) We didn't want to argue so we paid the extra price for salmon collar when it was belly. It was probably an extra order and they needed to serve it. My husband was pretty upset but I just told him to take it out of the tip. I got the chirashi bowl with cold soba. The chirashi bowl was fresh! I love all the offerings! I did wish they had an option to fry the shrimps head though. The soba was delicious, tasted like I was in Japan. Bring your own booze for free, and if you want glasses for your booze, it's extra. Parking is a small lot shared with other businesses. read more

See all

Mom and pop tempura shop with a huge menu highlighting tempura and grilled fish. Long wait time for food, but freshly made! + Temp Soba Nigiri Gozen ($40) w Zaru: 4 pc nigiri was good, tempura consisted of shrimp, white fish, eggplant, yam, and green bean. Freshly fried and very light batter, but have had better. Soba was okay (7.8/10) Overall, great vibes, bento style soba and tempura. read more

I-NABA - Shrimp and white fish tempura cross section - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

cute and small restaurant in an unassuming strip mall, with an ambiance just like japan. the menu is extensive, with soba and udon options, build your own option, and a long tempura list. we opted for the kake soba so it was a hot broth with the soba inside. next time i'd love a cold soba. it is pricy. the tempura combo is like $30 and looks like a sizable meal but definitely a lot to spend for one person. parking was not hard to find. service was fast and the restaurant is small so I would recommended sticking to groups of 4 or less. read more

I-NABA - kake soba - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Very quality food but I wouldn't come back for the price and it was sadly a little bland. Nothing really stuck out to me. I think the best soba I tasted was the one in the hot soup. The rest was eh. Parking is tough. We parked in the lot connected to Baskin Robins and the server said it was ok. read more

I-NABA - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Two things I learned after returning from Kyōto: I don't need to be in Japan to see Japanese giant salamanders or have authentic Nishin (mackerel) Soba. If you're slinking along South King Street and craving authentic Japanese soba, I-NABA is the spot to leap into. With handmade noodles, tempura fried to crispy perfection, and a zen ambiance, this restaurant will have you coming out of winter hibernation for more. The Soba: I-NABA's handmade soba is the star of the show, served with a flavor so rich and delicate it could make a salamander slurp with satisfaction. Whether you go for the chilled zaru soba or the comforting hot kake soba, the noodles have that perfect chewy texture that screams authenticity. Pair them with their perfectly balanced dipping sauces or broths, and you've got a dish that will make your taste buds hop for joy. Natto lovers, give the natto + yama imo topping a try on the kake (hot) soba. It's easier to eat than it sounds. The soup keeps the smell in so your party won't be drama and complain about the sticky strings from the natto. The Nishin Soba hits the spot. This dish was the first thing I tried during my most recent stay in Kyōto, so it came with the nostalgia. Nishin Soba is a tough dish to replicate outside of Japan, but I-NABA has this figured out. Ambiance: Walking into I-NABA feels like entering a quiet pond, serene and calming. The minimalist decor is understated but inviting, and the warm service makes you feel like you've been welcomed into a gecko's carefully curated den. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a peaceful meal--no cold-blooded rush here. Service: The wait staff is bilingual and provides an atmosphere that reminds me of dining in soba restaurants in Japan. The staff is attentive and patient when explaining the menu. Thankfully, I-NABA allows walk-ins. I'm still triggered from restaurants in Japan frowning down upon walk-ins even during quite times. Parking: Ah, parking--the eternal lily pad hop of South King Street. The small lot fills up fast, so you might need to try your luck with street parking. It's a bit of a challenge, but once you're inside, the meal will make you forget all the scaly details of finding a spot. But seriously, the parking is quite tight, so carpooling is recommended. Unique Features: What sets I-NABA apart is their attention to craft and authentic Japanese flavors. It's my new favorite spot - better quality, lower prices, and less snobby than the aesthetically pleasing, but slightly off restaurant across the way in Ward. Final Thoughts: I-NABA isn't just a restaurant; it's a sanctuary for soba enthusiasts. Whether you're a local lizard or just passing through, this place offers a meal that's simple, elegant, and utterly satisfying. Come for the noodles, stay for the tempura, and leave with a smile as wide as a salamander spotting a sunny rock. Hop on over and treat yourself--you'll be glad you did! read more

See all

Reminds me of dining in Japan. Tempura and soba was filling. The texture of the soba was perfect. The tempura was light and crispy, with a delicious sauce drizzled all over. I will definitely be back! read more

This place is one of our go-tos for lunch and dinner. Recently, they've opened for breakfast too on some days but I haven't tried it yet. Definitely hands down one of the best soba spots on the island. My favorite is their zaru soba with the yummy dipping sauce along with their tempura which is very light and crispy and well-made. My kids devour the shrimp tempura and their last time we were there, they literally ate 7 pieces each! Recently, they've also started flying in fish from Japan which elevated their sushi and sashimi game. Tried all the specials one day and was not disappointed, although this can get very pricey as they sell the nigiri by piece. By no means the best on the island but nothing to sneer at either. After every meal, my daughter has to always have their kinako mochi dessert. It is so soft and airy and I guess plate-licking good because I always have to tell my daughter to stop licking off the plate after.lol it can get quite busy and loud so try to get reservations as much as possible, although we've also been able to just walk in. The servers are very nice and accommodating but they are running around a lot so would need to flag them to refill waters and things sometimes. They do give you unlimited edamame so that's a plus because my girls love those too and would get at least 3 servings before our food even comes. Highly recommend! read more

The best soba restaurant on the island, hands down. The meal portions are just right--enough to leave you satisfied without feeling overly full. I always go for the tempura soba combo and never skip the edamame rice, which is a must. Ending the meal with soba yu makes it the perfect lunch experience every time. read more

See all

oishii! Some friends and I gathered last month at I-NABA to catch up, and to continue our dining journey of trying new places (or at least restaurants we've never dined at before). NOTES 1. Reservations taken. Thankfully, our friend had the thought to make one for our group of 5. 2. Small parking lot. Adding to the already challenged parking situation, the restaurant shares the lot with Baskin Robbins (which proved to be a popular dessert destination that night). 3. BYOB. As I've already mentioned, the parking lot is not large, and ironically the restaurant complements the lot quite well. Its definitely smaller than I expected it to be. There are 2 main rooms for dining, we were seated in the room to the left of the entrance. In this particular room, there are tables, as well as "counter seating" at what looks to be a former sushi preparation area. The restroom (single use/stall) is also adjacent to this room. When I first looked thru the menu, I found it slightly overwhelming. There were so many different items/choices, and when one is hungry (as I was) everything looks very appetizing. In the end, I chose the curry soba, while my dining companions each ordered a meal set. I also shared the tuna roll and the pork kakuni appetizers with my tablemates. The food was delivered in a timely manner....and what can I say, we slurped every last morsel of soba noodles in our bowls. The noodles were outstanding, simply put. Honorable mention for the meal is awarded to the pork kakuni. Very tender indeed. The tempura ice cream was "ok". We considered it a dessert appetizer before the main scoop at the Baskin Robbins across the parking lot. SERVICE Very attentive and polite overall. Our main server was a polite young woman who was friendly and patient. She and her fellow servers worked well together to attend to all the guests in our dining area. Some of the finest teamwork I've observed in a restaurant setting. BOTTOM LINE Tabemono wa totemo oishidesu! read more

See all

Really enjoyed eating here. Came when they opened & didn't have issues with seating. The tempura is really light & delicious like in Japan. I love that they have different sets with soba, so you get a good variety. Definitely pricey if you do the sets, but it comes with a variety. Definitely get the cold soba, where you dip the noodles in. So delicious. read more

Enjoyed the tempura cold sob set B, one shrimp. I should have gotten set A, which has two shrimp, instead of white fish. Personally, I do not need the rice. Give me more tempura. The tempura and soba were very good. However, I think they could improve by maintaining a cleaner presentation. The space is very clean, but some of the furniture could be hidden to enhance the overall aesthetic. Additionally, displaying all the different pricing on the wall makes it look a bit cluttered. You can say it is an Asian style but it may not do well with some people from the Continent. Service is reasonable and friendly. read more

I-NABA - Tempura Set B, cold soba. - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Came here for dinner and had booked a reservation ahead of time. I ordered the uni, hotate, ikura bowl with zaru soba (cold soba). The seafood was fresh and the soba was some of the best soba I've had since Japan. We also ordered the maguro yamakake and it was also delicious. Definitely one of my top meals while I was vacationing in Oahu, I almost went a second time! One thing I wish I knew ahead of time is that they're BYOB, where you'll only be charged for the drinking glass. Definitely will bring some sake next time to pair with the amazing food! They have a small parking lot btw. Also, the staff were extremely warm and friendly. read more

I-NABA - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Amazing. One of the best meals we've had in Oahu. We went to I-Naba twice in three days. Soba is super fresh with a pleasantly chewy texture. Brown rice (?) with edemame looked very simple but it had an amazing umami flavor! Chirasi was super fresh with ton of ikura. Every bite of every dish was perfect. We didn't love the mochi dessert with red beans. Small private parking lot in front. read more

A small Japanese restaurant in the middle of a bustling neighborhood off the main drag. Food is delicious, portions manageable, and ambience is reminiscent of the small izakayas in tokyo with more square feet. Overall great experience for a midday lunch read more

I was told I-Naba has some of the best soba noodles in town so I made a reservation to have dinner here. Reservations aren't really necessary, or maybe it was a slow weekday when I went, and they had plenty of seatings available. Parking was pretty easy with lots of spots out front. I ordered the tempura soba A, the unaju gozen and also fried uni. I got the cold soba as I heard that's what they're known for. The soba was good, but maybe I was expecting a lot because it wasn't as special as I had hoped. They're very generous with the soba and we had leftovers between my bf and me. The eel rice on the other hand was very delicious. The sauce seeped under into the rice and was so flavorful. I was actually fighting with my bf to finish the last bite. The fried uni was not too impressive. I would just stick with regular uni next time. Overall a pretty decent restaurant. I would definitely come back for their eel rice and maybe try their hot soba next time. read more

See all

Japanese restaurant that has earned lasting popularity among both locals and visitors. Known for its clean and quiet atmosphere, the restaurant serves high-quality soba, tempura, and kaiseki-style dishes -- all made with fresh ingredients and presented with great service. If you're a fan of uni (sea urchin) and ikura (salmon roe), this place definitely deserves a top spot on your must-visit list. The featured dish here is the Uni Ikura Soba Set -- cold soba noodles topped generously with uni and ikura, served alongside a mini donburi (rice bowl) that's equally flavorful. The rich ocean flavors combined with the refreshing soba broth make it a perfect meal to cool down in the Hawaiian heat. Another highlight? It's BYOB with no corkage fee -- so feel free to bring your favorite chilled beer, wine, or sake to pair with your meal. If you're looking to experience the essence of refined Japanese home-style dining in Hawaii, Inaba Hawaii is absolutely worth a visit. read more

See all

This is my favorite Soba restaurant. They serve Sushi, too but I just order Tempura with cold soba. They also bring soba yu, too. Server is very thoughtful! My granddaughter drop fork, she notice soon and bring us clean fork! Foods are always delicious read more

I-NABA - Tempura Zaru soba with edamame rice - Japanese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I'm obsessed with I-naba! I visit Honolulu often, and try to go to I-naba every time. :) Yes, there are many places that you can get soba, but nowhere that has this much variety of types/toppings and then also so many tempura options! They also have "make your own soba" so you can choose cold or hot broth and then just pay for each add on such as natto, fried mochi, grated yam, wakame, etc. Love it (especially the fried mochi!). They also show some possible combinations in the menu. For tempura, I love getting the chicken w/ shiso leaf and ume. So unique and tasty if you're a fan of shiso and ume. Lots of other choices to choose from which is awesome! Lunch menu offers sets while dinner menu has a bit more items (seafood, etc.). They do take reservations but it's relatively small so can get full quickly. If you are one person and walk-in on the earlier side of dinner, you can usually sit at the counter without a wait. read more