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    Nanzan GiroGiro

    4.4 (573 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndJapanese
    Closed 5:30 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Nanzan GiroGiro Photos

    Business Info

    NANZAN GIROGIRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Rand E.

    What a gem of an authentic Japanese restaurant! I know it's been around for a while but it was our first time and what a delightful experience. A low key experience with high end flavors. Each dish was flavorful and presented beautifully. Service was friendly and low key and atmosphere relaxed and calm. Such an oasis! You have a choice of the 6 or 9 course meal which changes on the last Thursday of the month. The difference on the 9 course meal were 2 more "premium" entrees plus a dessert. We chose the 6 courses and were very satisfied. Will definitely be back!

    Outside
    Nadine C.

    Dinner in Honolulu, Hawaii... Thanks to my friend, Marissa, for setting up this fabulous foodie adventure! I had never heard of Nanzan GiroGiro, but have passed by this restaurant for years - without stepping foot inside or even realizing what it was! This was such a unique 6-course kaiseki experience! Each month, the menu changes, so customers may return and have new creations to see and taste! We found free street parking since we had 5:30pm reservations. We were the only ones there for the first hour or so... then, every seat was taken! It was awkward at first because all six staff focused on us. Later, we realized how lucky we were to get everyone's attention and clear explanations of each dish! I liked everything... especially the scallops, black cod, lobster bisque, and mushroom tempura! The beautiful ceramics and modern environment enhanced our meal! Thank you so much for my friend's complimentary dessert for her birthday! She really enjoyed the chocolate mousse!

    Marissa K.

    The February tasting menu was such a beautiful experience from start to finish. I did the 6-course option and every dish felt intentional, creative, and deeply thoughtful. The chef, originally from Kyoto, brings such a refined perspective to each course. You can feel the discipline and artistry behind the flavors -- but also a quiet boldness. Nothing felt predictable. Every plate had a unique twist that made me pause and really taste. What I especially loved were the explanations before each course. The storytelling added so much depth -- hearing about the ingredients, the inspiration, and the technique made the meal feel immersive rather than just delicious. And the presentation... stunning. The dishes and cups themselves felt like individual works of art. The ceramics were so unique and carefully chosen -- it elevated the entire experience. It wasn't just dinner, it felt curated. Service was exceptional. Attentive, warm, and polished without being stiff. The pacing of the 6 courses was perfect -- never rushed, never slow. This is the kind of place you go when you want to appreciate craft, creativity, and intention. Truly memorable.

    Dubai Crepe
    Veronica P.

    I'm only giving the dessert lounge 3 stars, not the restaurant as a whole, since they share the same establishment. The chef was extremely friendly and welcomed us with open arms. We went around 12:30 and there was only 1 other person in the restaurant. We ordered the Dubai chocolate crepe and an apple tart I believe. The crepe had a great flavor, and it was heavy and thick. The crepe is thin, the filling can be a little overwhelming and overpower the dish. The Apple tart had a very different flavor. The apple was cinnamon flavored and the texture was nice. I did love the crust as it was more crispier, and broke easily, which I liked. I feel there could be some potential here, just needs to tweak a few things, but overall it was a good experience!

    Cindy L.

    Kaiseki 5 six course set menu, very delicately handcrafted by the Chef who has been serving this restaurant for 15 years; each course is unique, artistically presented, with balanced flavors Service 5 friendly, attentive Ambience 5 spacious, clean, minimalistic

    Mari H.

    Here you can have an extraordinary experience and enjoy delicious food. We visited Nanzan Giro Giro in Honolulu to celebrate a friend's birthday, and it was absolutely wonderful. Each dish was beautifully presented -- truly like edible art -- and every course felt thoughtfully and skillfully prepared. Parking is street parking around the restaurant (first come, first served). If you don't find a spot nearby, there are additional street parking options within a short 5-minute walk. We went on Valentine's Eve, so it was busy, but perfect for a special occasion. Highly recommended for birthdays, anniversaries, or anyone wanting to experience elegant, traditional Japanese kaiseki cuisine in Honolulu. At Nanzan Giro Giro, the experience goes far beyond the food -- the dishware itself is a work of art. Each piece is thoughtfully selected to complement the food it holds, with textures, colors, and shapes that enhance the presentation and elevate the entire dining experience. The way the ceramics interact with the ingredients feels intentional and elegant -- almost like viewing a curated gallery of edible art. The dishware helps tell the story of each season and course, adding a visual harmony that makes every bite more memorable. Whether simple or intricate, each plate contributes to the beauty of the meal and makes dining here feel truly special. The menu changes every month, with the next month's menu being displayed on the last Thursday of the month. [Note] If you enjoy savoring multiple flavors in one dish, you'll love authentic Japanese cuisine. Authentic Japanese cuisine has a light base of dashi, kelp, and bonito. The sauce, as shown here, is typically mixed with miso or soy sauce and vegetable puree. The combination varies depending on the dish. There are also simple grilled dishes. Foie gras and other Western seasonings are sometimes added. These are considered secret ingredients and are left to the chef's discretion. If you only enjoy butter, lemon, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, ketchup, gravy, animal fat, tomato sauce, olives, and balsamic vinegar, this restaurant will offer a completely different tasting experience. February menu. 6 course menu $88 先付 Start 椀 Broth 向付 Mukoduke 小鉢 Kobachi くずし Main 食事 Broth&rice 香の物 Pickles A la carte 進肴 15 of 9 炙りカンパチ、ポン酢出汁ジュレ、ズッキーニ貝割れ著荷おあげさん、ほうれん草 seared Kona kanpachi, ponzu vinegar jelly zucchini myouga ginger radish sprout, cook fried tofu, spinach ロブスタートマトビスク和え、卵豆腐、西京味噌出汁、ライム Lobster and tomato bisque, Egg tofu, kyoto white miso soup, lime 本鮪、にんじん、蓮根なます、大葉、カリフラワーソース、山葵 Blue fin tuna, carrot lotus root pickles, shiso, cauliflower sauce, wasabi ホタテと炊いた大根ソテー、牛蒡すり流し、マイクログリーン Scallop, cook daikon radish, gobo burdock soup, green 銀鱈幽庵焼き、胡麻豆腐天、ケール豆乳ビシソワーズ、舞茸天、山葵 black cod, sesame tofu, kale sauce, maitake, wasabi 鴨、フォアグラソース、出汁茶漬けご飯、三つ葉 Duck, foie gras sauce, broth and rice, Mitsuba 白菜浅漬け、胡瓜糠漬け、梅肉、わさび hakusai cabbage, cucumber nukaduke, ume puree, wasabi The following is an a la carte menu that can be added: 以下は、アラカルトで、追加可能メニュー 前菜 オナガダイ、あん肝ピュレ、奈良漬け、キャビア、もなか Onaga snapper, ankimo monkfish liver puree, naraduke squash pickles $38 caviar, Monaka sandwich 強肴 和牛、塩昆布ごはん、大葉、山葵、香味醤油 $38 Beef from Japan, konbu seaweed with rice, shiso, wasabi, onion ginger soy sauce 甘味 Desert チョコレートムース、レモンクリーム、苺ソース $12 Chocolate mousse, chocolate soil with lemon whipped ganache and strawberry gel matcha その他は、9品目のメニューあります。 2026 February menu. 9 course menu $168 先付 炙りカンパチ、ポン酢出汁ジュレ、ズッキー 二貝割れ茗荷 Starter おあげさん、ほうれん草 seared Kona kanpachi, ponzu vinegar jelly zucchini myouga ginger radish sprout, cook fried tofu, spinach 椀 ロブスタートマトビスク和え、卵豆腐、西京 味噌出汁、ライム Broth Lobster and tomato bisque, Egg tofu, kyoto white miso soup, lime 向付 本鮪、にんじん、運根なます、大葉、カリフ ラワーソース Mukoduke Blue fin tuna, carrot lotus root pickles, shiso, cauliflower sauce 小鉢 ホタテと炊いた大根ソテー、牛蒡すり流し、 マイクログリーン Kobachi Scallop, cook daikon radish, gobo burdock soup, green くずし、銀鱈幽庵焼き、胡麻豆腐天、ケール豆乳ビシ ソワーズ、舞茸、山葵 Main black cod, sesame tofu, kale sauce, maitake, wasabi 進肴 オナガダイ、あん肝ピュレ、奈良漬け、キャ ビア、もなか Onaga snapper, ankimo monkfish liver puree, naraduke squash pickles caviar, Monaka sandwich 強肴 和牛、塩昆布ごはん、大葉、山葵、香味醤油 Beef from Japan, konbu seaweed with rice, shiso, wasabi, onion ginger soy sauce 食事 鴨、フォアグラソース、出汁茶漬けご飯、 三つ葉 Broth&rice Duck, foie gras sauce, broth and rice, Mitsuba 香の物 白菜浅漬け、胡瓜糠漬け、梅肉、わさび Pickles hakusai cabbage, cucumber nukaduke, ume puree, wasabi 甘味 チョコレートムース、レモンクリーム、苺ソー ス Desert Chocolate mousse, chocolate soil with lemon whipped ganache strawberry gel 抹茶 matcha green tea

    Dessert for July
    Ryan L.

    Awesome seasonal menus they keep rotating and it's always amazing! Definitely recommend if you want to try what the chef meticulously designs and creates for this amazing experience. Definitely if you're looking for something unique and to have a great time. Good spot for dates or just a nice night out. The entire staff is amazing and would definitely come back!

    Justin H.

    If you don't know , now you know. lol Food was off the wall. It was amazing, course only. Menu changes every month, reservations are highly recommended. All of the dishes plates , bows , and cups. Are all custom made. Super superior restaurant, very clean kitchen, it's actually open kitchen you can see the head chef cooking everything in front of you. Gotta give it a try here on what ever occasions.

    Jaclyn C.

    Can't believe this is our 6th year in Honolulu and we have yet to try this place which has been around for 15 years! It's such a gem! We were a little worried we might not be full after but we left with a full stomach. It was such a unique meal and everything was great and tasty. We chose the 9 courses and it was amazing. We are definitely coming back soon!

    Dessert
    Tam T.

    Checked out this place with my boyfriend as a year end dinner. Parking is mainly street parking as the store is in the corner of Pensacola St. and Kona St. The restaurant has an opened kitchen where guests be sitting on the bar counter around the kitchen. If you come in with a larger party, they have more sittings inside. Atmosphere was great. Very Japanese restaurant vibe, felt like we were back in Japan . Staffs were very caring and attentive, explained the dishes well. We chose the 6-course menu and added on the dessert. Overall, the food was great, but I thought the courses could have had more distinctive flavors. (That's just a small thoughts). Portion was good. This could be a nice date night or even good if you want to check it out by yourself too as the staffs will be checking on you often and you can watch the chefs running the kitchen.

    Rice with a scallop
    Mayumi C.

    Enjoyed six course meal from 5:30 pm. Their omakase is omakase with puréed sauce: so that you don't waste all the ingredients the chef chose from the seasonal ingredients. I enjoyed all the dishes except the first one (tasty yet): I hope the first dish doesn't come in a Japanese tea cup: it's the first one so I wish we could enjoy the presentation as well as its taste. The waiters and a waitress are attentive and I enjoyed the conversation with them. However the atmosphere at the time I was there was noisy and a bit random: some customers came at 5:45, 6:00 and 6:30 etc So it made the chef busier to follow the course, (especially yakimono: grilling). Yet I would like to visit there again. Gochiso sama deshita!

    Peter C.

    Nanzan GiroGiro serves up a kaiseki flight of seasonally artful dishes using seasonal ingredients. The dishes are small with six or nine course tasting menu. -Starter: duck foie gras which was rich and buttery. -Soup: somen noodles in tempura fish broth. The broth was really good -Pupu: golden eye snapper -Main: Anago eel, crab with white miso bonita Abalone tuna soy sprout Beef yuan with sea urchin Most of the seating is counter with an open kitchen. You can see the chef preparing, cooking, and plating the dishes. Service was nothing short of 5 stars. This is a dinner that requires you to concentrate and appreciate the different flavors. I left satisfied.

    Kalani S.

    It always impress me with the Chefs concepts and ideas when creating his monthly menus. January menu was exquisite and very tasteful, who knew foe gras egg tofu and caviar goes well in a dish. We just got back from Napa Valley and experienced a couple Michelin Stars restaurants and I would have to say Chef cuisine would consider to be close to comparable. If you are a food lover that knows the complex flavors give this restaurant a try. Limited seating which makes experience great.

    2017 June Menu - 6-course Kaiseki dinner

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    This was one of my top favorite date nights. Food was absolutely amazing. Staff was great. We will be back!

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    9 months ago

    Always innovative seasonal menu and best service. We've been going here for years. We always visit when we're in Honolulu.

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    Page 1 of 15

    Nanzan GiroGiro Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nanzan GiroGiro

    Is it byob?

    They have beer, wine and sake on their menu.

    How much is the Omakase?

    2 omakase course *6 course $88 *9 course $176… Read more

    What days are Nanzan open?

    Thursday Friday Saturday… Read more

    What is their corkage fee?

    $25per

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    Totoya

    Totoya

    4.6(304 reviews)
    3.3 miKaimuki

    Amazing amazing amazing! Service was amazing and everything ran so smoothly. The ambiance is calm,…read morecozy, and intimate as you're sitting at the chef's bar. The food -- amazing. The soup pairing just makes sense and this is such a comforting meal for me since I LOVE sushi and miss Japan.

    The five star rating is two fold. First is that the food was absolutely delicious. The food…read morequality and portions were perfect. The fish was fresh and flavorful. And how do I know that it's fresh? Because as we were at the restaurant, deliveries were being delivered nonstop. My kids devoured the salmon bowl with the salmon roe. My 8 year old's bowl was wiped clean. My 7 year old had only 2 slices of salmon and a few ikuras left. The 5 year old polished off her few pieces of salmon and roe along with her miso soup. And momma's Fukuju? Absolutely demolished. I should have ordered it with extra ikura because the quality and flavor that it provided to the bowl was something that I've never had before. I am usually not a fan of ikura, finding it too salty, but the ikura at Totoya was perfectly balanced. Second, the service was great. I had to give it to the lovely staff who were able to keep it all together when a party of 5 adults and 7 kids (aged between 5 to 11) rolled in, and of course the kids all chose to not sit with their respective parents. The food came fast and kept the peace of very hungry children. The place itself is a small little restaurant with just bar seating, no more than 16 seats, so definitely cozy. My friend sitting all the way on the other side of the bar said she could hear my conversation perfectly well, even though all the kids were loudly chatting. We will definitely be back the next time we make it out to Honolulu. Thanks to the restaurant again for providing such a memorable meal. It was all I could think about on the flight home because it was that good.

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    Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro - kurobuta tonkatsu

    Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro

    4.3(4.2k reviews)
    1.5 miWaikiki
    $$$
    Free parking
    19 years in business

    I'm not sure what happened to my original review when I tried this spot 2 years ago but this update…read morewas well deserved! During both visits, the employees were so accommodating. Even with a decent amount of seating, there is minimal space so they ask that you leave your strollers outside. When we called the first time saying our daughter was asleep they arranged everything in order to fit the stroller inside. The second visit, I had an even bigger stroller because it was a double stroller for my daughter and son. When I said my son was asleep they again, quickly tried to arrange space for the stroller until we realized he woke up. I truly appreciate them being so welcoming because I've come across many establishments that are not especially towards kids. As for the food, the first time the tonkatsu was a miss for me. I was comparing it to a popular spot on the island that books out months in advance that I tried just before my first visit here and it just seemed a lot more oily and not as tender. We were actually going to eat at the other business again but with two kids and walking non stop on our trip already, I was so happy we had an option closer to us. Both times, we were coming from Hilton Hawaiian Village. They have the cutest car bento boxes for the kids, and they let you choose the car color. My daughter loved the mini umbrella that came with her plate. My son was days before turning 1 year old so a lot of things ended up on the floor and even then, they were so kind about it. The best thing though for my husband and I AND my son, was the loco moco which we were told was limited and a new item for dinner since it was primarily only served as a lunch option? The flavor of the gravy alone was sooo good and rich. My son ended up eating my whole portion of rice and gravy with no crumbs left behind or on the floor lol. The other katsu items we ordered were nice and lightly coated and were not heavily oily at all. The only thing that I felt lacked was their curry especially in comparison to their gravy. I would definitely recommend coming here and I can't wait to come back. That was one of our favorite new dishes this trip and we come every year!

    Such a great tonkatsu experience as if I was in Kyoto on a quick trip. The restaurant flavors felt…read morevery traditional and genuinely Japanese in the best way. I got the pork loin with shrimp combo (the mixed portion instead of the large), and everything was perfectly crispy, flavorful, and satisfying without feeling too heavy. One of my favorite parts was grinding the sesame seeds myself in the little ceramic bowl with the wooden grinder, then mixing in the tonkatsu sauce. It made the whole meal feel interactive and intentional, and the sauce was SO good on the pork loin. I also ended up getting a refill of the cabbage because the sesame dressing they served with it was honestly addictive. I went around 8 PM to avoid the dinner rush and was pleasantly surprised I got a table pretty easily. Taking my time with the smaller mixed portion made the whole experience feel relaxed and enjoyable instead of rushed. Overall, really delicious food, great atmosphere, and one of my favorite meals I've had in Waikiki so far. Pictured are the before and after of my dish. Probably a better "go with friends place" than a date.

    Photos
    Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro - Tonkatsu, katsu-don, gyukatsu

    Tonkatsu, katsu-don, gyukatsu

    Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro - Special Katsu-don set

    Special Katsu-don set

    Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro - Katasu-don

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    Izakaya Mitch's - Uzaku (unagi, cucumber, vinegar)

    Izakaya Mitch's

    4.8(42 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    If there's one thing about me, it's that I love an izakaya. Open late and small plates so you can…read moretry a few different things, my favorite! I've been to Mitch's a few times and when I saw that they opened up an Izakaya next door, I knew I had to try it and made a reservation on Yelp. Izakaya Mitch's specializes more in cooked dishes while the other side is more about the fresh / raw fish. But that didn't stop us from ordering the assorted sashimi. All the fish were from Japan and yes you can taste the difference. The fatty tuna was obviously my favorite but even the regular tuna and the hamachi was so buttery, it just melts in your mouth. Plus, it comes with real wasabi. Not horseradish, real wasabi. For the cooked dishes we got the hokkaido crab tempura with a side of matcha salt. One of the best tempuras I've ever had. The kamameshi, a rice dish with their fish of the day. We got the half order and it's kinda like a bibimbap where they mix the rice for you at your table. I saw that people were raving about this on Yelp and put in our order right when we got in because it takes 25-ish minutes to prepare. On special, they had a karei karaage. Karei is a flat fish and I've never had a fish karaage before, it was perfectly fried and dipped in the ponzu sauce it was so good. Ambiance is a no-frills kinda spot but very clean and feels homey and the service is amazing! Attentive and super personable.

    So happy there is an izakaya that we don't have to drive to downtown or Waikiki. Izakaya Mitch's is…read moreclose to the airport in the industrial area. I made reservations, so we were seated right away. Luckily, it wasnʻt crowded when we sat, so our waitress was able to answer all our questions about different dishes we were interested in ordering. Our party of 3 got to try different things from the specials and regular menu. The tai karaage was so tender and seasoned really well, the kamameshi is such a comfort dish, and the burrata with chilled tomato was really refreshing. One thing we all liked was that even though there were a lot of people in the restaurant (most came in after we ordered), we still were able to speak to one another without talking loud. The staff mentioned that they will be getting a sushi chef, so I guess we need to try this place again,

    Photos
    Izakaya Mitch's - Hours of operation

    Hours of operation

    Izakaya Mitch's
    Izakaya Mitch's

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    Izakaya Tenkichi - Beef tempura

    Izakaya Tenkichi

    4.6(241 reviews)
    1.4 miMo'ili'ili
    $$

    We went in the with no reservations but they were able to sit us down for a bit to grab some drinks…read moreand a few appetizers. This place took me back to Japan! The employees were awesome and attentive and had good recommendations. I got a calpico grapefruit soda with alcohol. It was delicious, but pretty sweet. Definitely worth a try if you like sweet drinks. My favorite was the calpico shikuwasa soda with Soju! It was so delicious. It was sour and sweet in the perfect way. Tasted like a creamy sour lemonade. I would come back just for this drink! I also really enjoyed their rolls and sushi. I got a few rolls and hand roll and they were all delicious and fresh. I cannot wait to return again!

    The atmosphere was very fun and laid back! It's a great place to get drinks with family and friends…read moreand pick on izakaya and sushi dishes. Fun tip: If you purchase a bottle of sake, you get to randomly draw a prize! Prizes range from a free scallop sashimi to a "hug" from a staff member lol the staff members were all super friendly, but were a bit busy and rushed. The food was good. The dish they're known for, the ikura bowl, was the best standout dish to order. The other items were good but were a bit pricey for the quality and the portion. Overall, a spot I would return to again to try other dishes. My family had a good time there. Tips: the staircase getting up to the restaurant is steep, watch you step and be careful if drinking alcohol lol parking lot is paid and can fill up fast during prime dinner time. Street parking is hit or miss. Reservations are highly recommended.

    Photos
    Izakaya Tenkichi - Storefront

    Storefront

    Izakaya Tenkichi - Seared Mackerel Negi Sesame Oil ($14.50) - really good

    Seared Mackerel Negi Sesame Oil ($14.50) - really good

    Izakaya Tenkichi - Dinner Menu (1 of 12) as of 3/5/2026

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    Dinner Menu (1 of 12) as of 3/5/2026

    I-NABA - Uni, ikura and hotate don with zaru soba

    I-NABA

    4.4(797 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    TL;DR This might be…read moremy favorite Japanese restaurant in town. Undisputed soba champion. ----- I'm surprised I haven't written a review for i-naba yet. This place has been a staple for my family ever since we moved back to O'ahu a few years ago. Bottom line? The soba noodles here are utterly fantastic. They are, in my humble opinion, the best on the island, and some of the best soba noodles I've ever had. I don't think anywhere else in Honolulu comes close. You come here to eat soba. Period. In addition to the soba being phenomenal, the other offerings at i-naba are also similarly great. Their tempura in particular is outstanding. I typically order the Jumbo Shrimp Tempura Bowl & Soba or the Dx Tempura Bowl & Soba. Plus an upgrade to a large size soba! The tempura is sooo good. It's crispy, light, and airy. The jumbo shrimp is especially succulent and tender. And the ingredients are always perfectly seasoned with the sweet and savory house sauce. Yummmy! If you're looking for the best soba and awesome tempura, this is your spot!!!

    Everytime I asked my Japanese clients which Japanese restaurant they enjoyed most in Honolulu,…read moreInaba consistently came up. And now I know why. I finally had lunch here a couple weeks ago and damn was my tempura and soba set broke da mout. The soba is housemade with a chewy consistency that I love. I had it cold with the dipping sauce and wow wow wow. So good. My friends suggested I get the shrimp and vegetable tempura as well which amazingly stayed crispy the whole time I savored each bite. Probably 30 minutes. Light crisp batter on perfectly cooked shrimp and veggies. Damn it was good. The service was great as well and I cannot wait to go back. Nice warm atmosphere and there's a free parking lot. It gets busy during lunch and dinner, so get there early or make a reservation. Enjoy!

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    I-NABA
    I-NABA - Tempura Zaru soba with edamame rice

    Tempura Zaru soba with edamame rice

    I-NABA - Hana soba

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    Hana soba

    Nanzan GiroGiro - japanese - Updated May 2026

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