Izakaya Tenkichi in McCully was opened by the local Funergy Group on 2/13/24 that also owns Totoya (negitori bowls), Tori Ton (grilling) and Marujuu ((hamburg). It specializes in tempura and atemaki hand rolls. "Tenkichi" is likely an unique name chosen for this restaurant meaning "heavenly fortune", creating a spot for authentic Japanese food like tempura and sushi sides in a Japanese style atmosphere in Honolulu. An "izakaya" is a casual Japanese pub serving smaller plates and drinks.
One of the few izakayas in Honolulu that has been open for lunch since early 2025, its lunch menu offers teishoku sets, tempura bowls, seafood bowls, beef bowls, and udon. Its dinner menu offers a more varied selection of sashimi, soup/noodle bowls, tempura, and atemaki rolls. Pupus and desserts are offered for both lunch and dinner.
As we were nearby during the lunch hours, it was a good time to try Izakaya Tenkichi for lunch. While they opened at 11a, we arrived about 12:30p, with the last call at 2p. There were still some empty tables, so we assumed that diners may have already eaten and left. We shared a lunch set and added a half udon. The set selections were varied and delicious; however, we noted that probably because we were there at the end of the lunch hours, some of the items were pre-made and not served piping hot. I think next time, we should be there when it opens to eat them when they are freshly made.
We shared the recommended Tempura & Sashimi Teishoku that included:
* Hamachi and salmon sashimi. They were fresh and melted in your mouth!
* Tempura - shrimp, fish, sweet potato, eggplant, pumpkin. So delicious, light, crispy, non-oily!
* Beef sukiyaki with tofu. A delicious blend of sweet marinated tender beef with tofu.
* Rice. This was sweet and fluffy!
* Daikon & cucumbers. Went well with the rice.
* Tonjiru soup. Very flavorful with daikon, tofu, and pork.
* Udon. This had a lot of wakame and shrimp flakes. We added on a half bowl of udon.
There was also Kauai red sea salt, konbu salt, and yuzu salt on the table that you can dip the tempura in with the sauce to get different flavors.
Customer service is polite, attentive, and very friendly. A hearty welcome is given when you arrive and a resounding thank you from staff when you leave.
Located on the 2nd floor of Tori Ten, be warned that there are 19 steps to the restaurant, so it may be difficult for those having difficulty climbing stairs. But once you're at the top, you're transported to a cozy Japanese eatery with a loud, fun, lively ambiance encouraged by the friendly and attentive staff wanting you to have a good time! Birthday celebrations are popular here, with the staff providing the birthday person with a hat and hearty singing of happy birthday, while encouraging the restaurant diners to chime in; a free yuzu cheesecake with candle is given and a polaroid pic posed on the wall.
The small eatery had wooden bar seating, booths, and tables. The bar seating is intended for couples, the window booths for a larger number of people and the tables and be reconfigured to the number people available. The ambiance and décor replicate an authentic Japan izakaya.
Lunch is from Wed to Sun 11a to 2:30p, and dinner daily from 5p to 10:30p. There is a 2-hour dining limit. Because the restaurant is small, reservations are highly recommended. Located on the 2nd floor above Tori Ton on So. King St. across from the Old Stadium Park, up to 1-hour free parking is available in the next complex shared with other businesses. Free metered street parking is available after 6p.
We look forward in returning to Izakaya Tenkichi for having good food and a good time! We only wished we had done this 2 years ago when they first opened, but better late than never! read more