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An onigiri is Japanese "fast food' - convenient and inexpensive. An onigiri is Japanese "slow food" - seasonal and fresh. An onigiri is Japanese "soul food' - warm and comforting. Onigiri Onibe is all of the above. Start with their rice being cooked in earthenware donabe. Their thicker and porous clay wall and double lid construction provide excellent heat distribution and a pressurized steam-tight environment. The earthenware absorbs moisture during cooking, but releases moisture back as the pot cools, providing better heat retention than any commercial cooker. The slow heat up of the donabe brings out natural sweetnesss and fluffy and glossy grains. The nori is dry and crisp. The nori will crackled if you bite into the onigiri within the first minute you receive it. The warm rice will slowly moisten the nori but it will still be a clean bite after the crispness is gone. Onigiri. Handmade to order, fast, fresh, and very warm. There is a whole range of savory toppings ranging from vegetarian, pescatarian, and unabashed meat eating. If you don't choose one that already comes with an egg yolk you can simply add it on. One onigiri, with your choice of topping(s) is cheap eats. Add in a bowl of hearthy and filling tonjiru, and you have the makings of a quick inexpensive meal. Don't overlook the pleasure of a plain salted onigiri. Order it with chicken karaage - nicely coated and freshly deep fried with crisp skin and moist thigh meat. Nanban style if you want creamy karaage, or ponzu oroshi w lemon if you want nice acid to cut through the fat. Now you have a full meal. Pre-made take-away is available. Leave that stuff for the hungry downtown office workers on short lunch breaks. order at the register and eat everything at the sit down counter. No frills. You must pay for any beverage. But food made fresh and nicely plated is beautiful fast, slow, soul food.
After seeing this place pop on my feed, I decided to check it out as a lighter breakfast option. Seeing as it is in downtown, parking can be challenging and limited. We went on a Monday also and saw that their hours were until 2pm. As you walk in, there is a sign that tells you to order before getting seated. Upon looking inside, I'd say that there is less than ten seats so it is definitely more of a grab and go type of establishment. Me and my husband both ordered kakuni and yakiniku with egg yolk. We also ordered a tonjiru and an order of chicken nanban. I honestly contemplated ordering a third onigiri but I am very glad we didn't. It was surprisingly very filling and the rice was perfect. I love loved how tender the kakuni was and the egg yolk was jammy and flavorful. Tonjiru was rich and comforting and had lots of root vegetables that made it very filling. Lastly, chicken nanban was perfect. I also thought it was interesting how they rolled them so you could have the crispy texture all throughout each piece. The tartar was tart, sweet and creamy. I always order chicken nanban when I have the chance because it is my favorite and Onigiri Onibe did not disappoint! I will definitely return when I am back in the islands!
Came here from TikTok with very high expectations and they fulfilled it! The rice was perfectly made (tender and piece-y) and the to-go packaging was so well done. I really liked the chicken teriyaki because the flavor wasn't like your generic supermarket sauce, but rather more refined and smokey. The karrage was also so crispy, juicy, and well-seasoned. It was almost a burst of vinegar fried chicken flavor. Smoked salmon: 6/10 Spam: 9/10 Chicken teriyaki: 9/10 Pork: 7.5/10
Sometimes effort goes a long way... Case and point, Onigiri Onibe We visited here on a weekend and it was busy. Located on bustling Alakea street, this small business puts out some high quality food. The kitchen for this restaurant is open, so you can see everything being made by hand The first thing you may notice, is the gigantic old school rice pots. You can tell a lot of effort went into planning the rice cooking area and how they would assemble and make the food. While we waited in line, two of the numerous large rice pots were finished cooking and that means two new rice pots went onto the fire....lot of heavy work. There is a small area for seating inside...maybe eight or so seats. The great part about dining inside is the instant gratification of eating right away....#crispynori. Your food comes out on nice earthenware plates and the soup comes out in warm bowls. We ordered: Shrimp crab nigiri Yuzu salmon nigiri Beef sukiyaki with fresh egg yolk nigiri Tonjiru soup Oroshi ponzu chicken Karaage Everything was delicious You could taste difference in the nigiri, because of the fresh rice...truly comfort food in one bite! The salmon and crab nigiri were delicious. Great texture to the crispu nori and soft, perfectly cooked rice. I didn't get a bite of the sukiyaki one because my wife liked it so much she devoured it! The tonjiru was a thinner version of the soup, but still rich tasting. The soup was jam packed with meat and vegetables and was pretty hearty. The oroshi ponzu chicken karaage was our favorite. Juicy, crispy, and full of flavor, this chicken was so addictive. I feel like strategic ordering of an extra nigiri just for this dish might also be a win...especially to sop up all the seasoned daikon. So tasty! Please dont make the embarassing mistake I did. When in line, it appears there is additional seating upstairs, but in fact it is there storage/office space area. I went up and quickly realized there was no seating up there...and an employee had to come get me to tell me there wasn's seating up there...so embarassing! We will definitely be back for more...so delicious!
Located in downtown so there is no parking right in front and street parking is difficult. We did find a parking lot a few blocks away but had to circle a few times. Nonetheless totally worth it. When we got there, they were not busy, but that line grew pretty quickly. The beef sukiyaki with the egg yolk was definitely the winner. Would go back for this over and over if the parking was easier.
So tasty that we immediately wanted to order more afterwards! These onigiris are on the smaller side but pack a punch - if you're only ordering onigiris and not the sides, then get at least ~3 or 4 for a comfortable lunch. Anything with the seasoned egg yolk is delicious, though my favorite was the mentaiko egg one. I know some reviews mentioned these onigiris have too much rice, but I thought the ratio was actually just right. We ate dine-in at the counter and enjoyed eating these hot and fresh. Fun spot for a casual and quick lunch!
After reading about this place, my son wanted us to try it and even though its a bit of a drive I met him here. Since I used to work downtown right in the area, it was easy to find on Alakea Street. After reading other reviews, I parked at the post office and walked over since I know how difficult parking is to find. The shop itself is like walking into a place in Japan and after talking to one of the staff, they said they have another location in Fukuoka. We were happy to hear that since we often go to Fukuoka to visit! We ordered several musubi to take out. A couple of spicy tuna, miso beef, and my son got one of the egg ones. Take out they wrapped the onigiri (without the nori) which kept the nori nice and crisp. All three were delicious, the rice was especially good. After reading other reviews, I want to come back and eat there, it's such a gorgeous place, and want to try the miso soup!
Small storefront with several counter top seats. Ideal for the grab and go downtown lunch crew due to the limited parking options. When you enter you're warmly greeted and can choose between the premade musubis and bento/bowls or ordering freshly made musubis off the menu. You'll be impressed by the stone pots in various stages of rice cooking, a testament to their craft. I chose to order off the menu and tried three different musubis. The smoked salmon with yuzu cream and a sprig of dill was good. The spicy mentaiko was actually spicy! But my favorite was the miso beef with egg yolk. I got them to go and the packaging was neat with the seaweed packed separately from the rice. I had to assemble the egg yolk on top too which was a tad tricky but eventually it looked like a scrumptious umami bursting ball of deliciousness. The beef is salty and the yolk is creamy, absolutely stunning. I read a previous review stating the rice balls kind of fall apart and I did notice the rice is a bit looser than other places but the grains are just so delicate and perfectly cooked they don't "stick" like your house rice cookers would do. Overall, worth a trip downtown just for the yolk Musubis alone. The price is fair for the quality averaging about $3-5 each.
While I visited Hawaii, I came back twice because it was THAT memorable for me. The crisp nori, the warm and fluffy rice, and the toppings all paired so well for a delicious and cozy meal. Seating is quite limited if you wanted to dine in but we came on weekdays and it was totally fine. Also, they do takeout and it looks like it was packaged pretty well. Service was quick, since I don't think it takes too long make Onirigi. I will miss this place when I go back to the mainland...
Onigiri Onibe is such a gem in downtown--parking can be tough, but if you work in the area, it's the perfect grab-and-go spot for breakfast or lunch. I'd been seeing their egg yolk musubi everywhere and finally had to try it. Service was quick with an eat and go feel. The space is small but cute, with a few seats if you want to dine in. Every onigiri I've tried so far has been consistently good--fresh, well-seasoned, and satisfying. And if you're eating in, pairing your onigiri with their miso soup or tonjiru really hits the spot.
Wow! I have been on a mission to try as many onigiri in Hawaii as I can! This place is a standout. I saw it online on ig while planning my hawaii trip and knew I had to go. The place is mostly setup for grab and go. There's a few grab and go Musubi and bento bowls. If you have the time, I highly recommend ordering a made to order onigiri. The fresh clay pot rice and hot Musubi is just a superior experience! I tried mentaiko shrimp tempura and mentaiko egg. The shrimp tempura and shiso leaf together had an amazing flavor. I loved it!! The mentaiko egg was super Delicious but very messy. As soon as I bit into it, the eggs yolk got everywhere! It was very umami and salty, I would def get it again. There is a small dine in area but it seems to get fairly crowded.. the price was fairly inexpensive especially considering that you can watch a guy making your Musubi!
Onigiri Onibe was soooo good. The clay pot rice made a huge difference in the onigiri, I was on vacation and found this place close to my hotel. I can't decide which is my favorite as they were all equally so yummy! The chicken karage was crispy, savory with lots of umami. Customer service was so kind, quick and efficient. Having a few barstools to sit and enjoy our food was convenient.
8 days ago
Came here to try it out. At first It thought there was a long line outside to order, but it was just people waiting for their order. I went inside and there was a shorter line of 2 people waiting to order and pay. They have some bowls and takeaway items for quick pickup. I ordered the marinated egg yolk with mentaiko. It took about 10 min to get my two orders. The orders came hot and packaged nicely. The flavor was super yummy and tasted just like Japan! 10/10! Reasonable price as well. I'll definitely be back the next time i'm in the area. Parking: Parking downtown is difficult. You could possibly park at the post office and then walk a block over. read more
16 days ago
A friend of mine wanted to try this place out, and as I'm normally working during the weekday, luckily I had 1 day off to visit during their lunch hour. We parked in Ali'i Place which I've found the cheapest in that area. You can also try your luck at the post office metered lot as well. Got there just before the rush, to which they had many different onigiri options to choose from. There are also ready to-go bentos on the countertop as well. Make sure that you order first, before grabbing a countertop bar seat. Note that the seating is very tight, and the chairs are high, to which as I'm 4ft 11" it took a little maneuvering to get in and out of the seating area. Also note that the establishment gets very warm, with little to no air conditioning. Nevertheless, we received our food quickly and efficiently with 4 workers + 1 cashier on duty. The fried chicken and stewed meat curry were a little too salty for my liking. The onigiri were delicious to which I personally don't care for nori, but enjoyed this version! My friend had the tonjiru and mentioned it was authentically flavorful. read more
17 days ago
Quick spot for a grab and go or sit down onigiri. Parking can be tricky but worth it. Food was 10/10 and customer service was super friendly. Onigiri were simple, filling and made fresh! read more
An onigiri is Japanese "fast food' - convenient and inexpensive. An onigiri is Japanese "slow food" - seasonal and fresh. An onigiri is Japanese "soul food' - warm and comforting. Onigiri Onibe is all of the above. Start with their rice being cooked in earthenware donabe. Their thicker and porous clay wall and double lid construction provide excellent heat distribution and a pressurized steam-tight environment. The earthenware absorbs moisture during cooking, but releases moisture back as the pot cools, providing better heat retention than any commercial cooker. The slow heat up of the donabe brings out natural sweetnesss and fluffy and glossy grains. The nori is dry and crisp. The nori will crackled if you bite into the onigiri within the first minute you receive it. The warm rice will slowly moisten the nori but it will still be a clean bite after the crispness is gone. Onigiri. Handmade to order, fast, fresh, and very warm. There is a whole range of savory toppings ranging from vegetarian, pescatarian, and unabashed meat eating. If you don't choose one that already comes with an egg yolk you can simply add it on. One onigiri, with your choice of topping(s) is cheap eats. Add in a bowl of hearthy and filling tonjiru, and you have the makings of a quick inexpensive meal. Don't overlook the pleasure of a plain salted onigiri. Order it with chicken karaage - nicely coated and freshly deep fried with crisp skin and moist thigh meat. Nanban style if you want creamy karaage, or ponzu oroshi w lemon if you want nice acid to cut through the fat. Now you have a full meal. Pre-made take-away is available. Leave that stuff for the hungry downtown office workers on short lunch breaks. order at the register and eat everything at the sit down counter. No frills. You must pay for any beverage. But food made fresh and nicely plated is beautiful fast, slow, soul food. read more
After seeing this place pop on my feed, I decided to check it out as a lighter breakfast option. Seeing as it is in downtown, parking can be challenging and limited. We went on a Monday also and saw that their hours were until 2pm. As you walk in, there is a sign that tells you to order before getting seated. Upon looking inside, I'd say that there is less than ten seats so it is definitely more of a grab and go type of establishment. Me and my husband both ordered kakuni and yakiniku with egg yolk. We also ordered a tonjiru and an order of chicken nanban. I honestly contemplated ordering a third onigiri but I am very glad we didn't. It was surprisingly very filling and the rice was perfect. I love loved how tender the kakuni was and the egg yolk was jammy and flavorful. Tonjiru was rich and comforting and had lots of root vegetables that made it very filling. Lastly, chicken nanban was perfect. I also thought it was interesting how they rolled them so you could have the crispy texture all throughout each piece. The tartar was tart, sweet and creamy. I always order chicken nanban when I have the chance because it is my favorite and Onigiri Onibe did not disappoint! I will definitely return when I am back in the islands! read more
Came here from TikTok with very high expectations and they fulfilled it! The rice was perfectly made (tender and piece-y) and the to-go packaging was so well done. I really liked the chicken teriyaki because the flavor wasn't like your generic supermarket sauce, but rather more refined and smokey. The karrage was also so crispy, juicy, and well-seasoned. It was almost a burst of vinegar fried chicken flavor. Smoked salmon: 6/10 Spam: 9/10 Chicken teriyaki: 9/10 Pork: 7.5/10 read more
Sometimes effort goes a long way... Case and point, Onigiri Onibe We visited here on a weekend and it was busy. Located on bustling Alakea street, this small business puts out some high quality food. The kitchen for this restaurant is open, so you can see everything being made by hand The first thing you may notice, is the gigantic old school rice pots. You can tell a lot of effort went into planning the rice cooking area and how they would assemble and make the food. While we waited in line, two of the numerous large rice pots were finished cooking and that means two new rice pots went onto the fire....lot of heavy work. There is a small area for seating inside...maybe eight or so seats. The great part about dining inside is the instant gratification of eating right away....#crispynori. Your food comes out on nice earthenware plates and the soup comes out in warm bowls. We ordered: Shrimp crab nigiri Yuzu salmon nigiri Beef sukiyaki with fresh egg yolk nigiri Tonjiru soup Oroshi ponzu chicken Karaage Everything was delicious You could taste difference in the nigiri, because of the fresh rice...truly comfort food in one bite! The salmon and crab nigiri were delicious. Great texture to the crispu nori and soft, perfectly cooked rice. I didn't get a bite of the sukiyaki one because my wife liked it so much she devoured it! The tonjiru was a thinner version of the soup, but still rich tasting. The soup was jam packed with meat and vegetables and was pretty hearty. The oroshi ponzu chicken karaage was our favorite. Juicy, crispy, and full of flavor, this chicken was so addictive. I feel like strategic ordering of an extra nigiri just for this dish might also be a win...especially to sop up all the seasoned daikon. So tasty! Please dont make the embarassing mistake I did. When in line, it appears there is additional seating upstairs, but in fact it is there storage/office space area. I went up and quickly realized there was no seating up there...and an employee had to come get me to tell me there wasn's seating up there...so embarassing! We will definitely be back for more...so delicious! read more
1 month ago
Located in downtown so there is no parking right in front and street parking is difficult. We did find a parking lot a few blocks away but had to circle a few times. Nonetheless totally worth it. When we got there, they were not busy, but that line grew pretty quickly. The beef sukiyaki with the egg yolk was definitely the winner. Would go back for this over and over if the parking was easier. read more
So tasty that we immediately wanted to order more afterwards! These onigiris are on the smaller side but pack a punch - if you're only ordering onigiris and not the sides, then get at least ~3 or 4 for a comfortable lunch. Anything with the seasoned egg yolk is delicious, though my favorite was the mentaiko egg one. I know some reviews mentioned these onigiris have too much rice, but I thought the ratio was actually just right. We ate dine-in at the counter and enjoyed eating these hot and fresh. Fun spot for a casual and quick lunch! read more
After reading about this place, my son wanted us to try it and even though its a bit of a drive I met him here. Since I used to work downtown right in the area, it was easy to find on Alakea Street. After reading other reviews, I parked at the post office and walked over since I know how difficult parking is to find. The shop itself is like walking into a place in Japan and after talking to one of the staff, they said they have another location in Fukuoka. We were happy to hear that since we often go to Fukuoka to visit! We ordered several musubi to take out. A couple of spicy tuna, miso beef, and my son got one of the egg ones. Take out they wrapped the onigiri (without the nori) which kept the nori nice and crisp. All three were delicious, the rice was especially good. After reading other reviews, I want to come back and eat there, it's such a gorgeous place, and want to try the miso soup! read more
5 months ago
Small storefront with several counter top seats. Ideal for the grab and go downtown lunch crew due to the limited parking options. When you enter you're warmly greeted and can choose between the premade musubis and bento/bowls or ordering freshly made musubis off the menu. You'll be impressed by the stone pots in various stages of rice cooking, a testament to their craft. I chose to order off the menu and tried three different musubis. The smoked salmon with yuzu cream and a sprig of dill was good. The spicy mentaiko was actually spicy! But my favorite was the miso beef with egg yolk. I got them to go and the packaging was neat with the seaweed packed separately from the rice. I had to assemble the egg yolk on top too which was a tad tricky but eventually it looked like a scrumptious umami bursting ball of deliciousness. The beef is salty and the yolk is creamy, absolutely stunning. I read a previous review stating the rice balls kind of fall apart and I did notice the rice is a bit looser than other places but the grains are just so delicate and perfectly cooked they don't "stick" like your house rice cookers would do. Overall, worth a trip downtown just for the yolk Musubis alone. The price is fair for the quality averaging about $3-5 each. read more
2 months ago
While I visited Hawaii, I came back twice because it was THAT memorable for me. The crisp nori, the warm and fluffy rice, and the toppings all paired so well for a delicious and cozy meal. Seating is quite limited if you wanted to dine in but we came on weekdays and it was totally fine. Also, they do takeout and it looks like it was packaged pretty well. Service was quick, since I don't think it takes too long make Onirigi. I will miss this place when I go back to the mainland... read more
Onigiri Onibe is such a gem in downtown--parking can be tough, but if you work in the area, it's the perfect grab-and-go spot for breakfast or lunch. I'd been seeing their egg yolk musubi everywhere and finally had to try it. Service was quick with an eat and go feel. The space is small but cute, with a few seats if you want to dine in. Every onigiri I've tried so far has been consistently good--fresh, well-seasoned, and satisfying. And if you're eating in, pairing your onigiri with their miso soup or tonjiru really hits the spot. read more
Wow! I have been on a mission to try as many onigiri in Hawaii as I can! This place is a standout. I saw it online on ig while planning my hawaii trip and knew I had to go. The place is mostly setup for grab and go. There's a few grab and go Musubi and bento bowls. If you have the time, I highly recommend ordering a made to order onigiri. The fresh clay pot rice and hot Musubi is just a superior experience! I tried mentaiko shrimp tempura and mentaiko egg. The shrimp tempura and shiso leaf together had an amazing flavor. I loved it!! The mentaiko egg was super Delicious but very messy. As soon as I bit into it, the eggs yolk got everywhere! It was very umami and salty, I would def get it again. There is a small dine in area but it seems to get fairly crowded.. the price was fairly inexpensive especially considering that you can watch a guy making your Musubi! read more
3 months ago
15 days ago
Onigiri Onibe was soooo good. The clay pot rice made a huge difference in the onigiri, I was on vacation and found this place close to my hotel. I can't decide which is my favorite as they were all equally so yummy! The chicken karage was crispy, savory with lots of umami. Customer service was so kind, quick and efficient. Having a few barstools to sit and enjoy our food was convenient. read more
6 months ago
Finally got to try this place after seeing it on social media! I was really drawn to the egg yolk musubis, and they did not disappoint. My favorite is definitely the beef sukiyaki with fresh egg yolk. The musubis are large in size and very filling! I found the egg ones to fall apart quite easily, but they are still tasty nonetheless. I was told they don't do phone orders, so you can order online (ex: Clover), but if you'd like the egg ones you must order in person. Parking is really tricky here. I had someone wait for me along Bishop St, while I hopped out to order. Overall, this place is a really nice treat! I've never had egg yolk musubis like this before, so I'd definitely be back for more. read more
Good quality onigiri . It's made to order, so the rice is always fresh! Each morsel of the rice is soft and fluffy. I like getting their onigiri anything with the fresh egg yolk, it adds a fudgey and rich taste. I also recommend getting their karaage chicken. Each piece is huge and not dry. I like how it's not overly battered. It's very well marinated. As for dining-in, seating is quite limited so I usually do take-out. read more
9 months ago
As downtown Honolulu has been reawakening with people returning to offices, many of the weekday lunch restaurant spot are now hosting new places. This one has been many different types of food over the years, but the current spot has been making waves on social media so I made an effort to try it. I was expecting lighter fare, but all their items skew towards larger bento boxes and bowls. Inside is surprisingly spacious with a large take and go counter, open kitchen, and bar seating along the left for dine-in. It was busy, but they had plenty to choose from. The special of the day was a taco salad bowl; lettuce, tomatoes, corn, beef, and chips, all over fresh rice. It was a little more than I like to spend on lunch ($15), but worth it for the quality and portion size. They also have bottled drinks. This will most likely become a part of my lunch rotation, it's worth checking out. read more
Onigiri Onibe looked so good so I had to try it! We arrived early around 8 am, and the line wasn't too long and moved quickly. We chose to dine in, and the onigiris were beautifully presented. The shop has a cozy, charming vibe that reminded me of the small shops in Japan. Of everything we tried, the beef sukiyaki with egg yolk and the teriyaki spam onigiri were standouts. Everything else was good too, but these were the highlights for us. read more
9 months ago
Huge portions, affordable and satisfying. The musubis are so huge and actually a great light lunch if you settle for just one. I ordered the premade beef, vegetable musubi wrapped in plastic wrap. On first glance the musubi appears indelicate and a little sloppy...shredded meat pickled green vegetables on a scoop of rice..not appetizing on sight but curiously appealing. The first bite was full of flavor..beef perfectly marinated and oh look take a bite of the veggie too all with rice. The tonkatsu is pretty huge with Kubota pork and this dish is worth the $20 price tag. Delicious. Not greasy but fried perfectly. There are sides included with the dish which is nice but the true star is the pork. The negative about this place is the darkness and lack of air conditioning. The musubi ordering system takes a long time. Service is slow. I stood in line behind a group of 4 people still trying to decide what musubis to order. Recommend get the premade stuff if you have a timed lunch. Some people can afford to wait and linger. read more
1 month ago
Onigiri Onibe has da best onigiris in downtown Honolulu and is a good addition to the area! I love stopping by to grab a quick bite and always order 2 onigiris and a side of miso soup. It's a satisfying and comforting breakfast. I've enjoyed the salmon mayo, tuna mayo, and crab mayo (my fave). I love their miso soup, it's so fresh and you can see it cooking in the ceramic pot! I have yet to try other offerings on their menu...there are so many choices including beef and chicken. They offer some already prepared onigiris and bentos. I appreciate how the workers are always friendly and quick. The ambiance is casual and small with just a few bar seats. They're on Alakea and a short walk from the Honolulu post office. Onigiri Onibe is now one of my fave eateries in Honolulu :p read more
8 months ago
Did someone say onigiri? Count me in! Onigiri Onibe recently opened its Alakea Street location this summer, but I knew the hype was real so I waited only recently to try them out. I went during lunch and surprisingly, there were only a few customers ahead of me. I heard wait time for some orders were around 30 minutes or longer so I was quite happy when I only waited for around maybe less than 10 minutes for my take out order. Onigiri Onibe took over the location where Ma'ona Musubi use to be, which is right next to Baker Dudes. Right when you walk in, it look like you just walk into a cute Japanese restaurant. It has an open concept with the left side of the restaurant open for dine in, but I feel like most orders would be take out. It'd be cool to dine in though, as now with the open concept, you can see everyone working hard making orders ready for the customers. Right when you walk in they have already made bentos and bowls for take. They also have ready made bakudan rice balls with assorted toppings that you can take out. Nori sold separately. For the onigiris, it is made to order so you would need to order that separately. I believe nori comes with each onigiri. I ended up getting the shrimp crab mayo with plumb and bonito and the tanaka/mentaiko mayo bakudans. I also order a spicy mentaiko and a shrimp tempura mentaiko. Can you tell I love mentaiko? Both bakudans were very huge and filling. They could barely fit in the nori sheets they provide, but all in all, both were very good and filling. Both onigiris I order were also really good. They weren't as big as the bakudans and could fit neatly in the nori sheets, but both were bustling with flavor. I really hope this place does well because they offer so much flavorful onigiris and I can't wait to try them all. Will definitely be coming back. read more
This place is a hidden gem in Downtown. My hubby wanted to try it out after seeing a video on IG. I wasn't really feeling it as onigiri is good, but it's never my go to for a meal. Walking in, the staff were warm and welcoming. You can order at the counter or you can buy the premade items to go. There's a counter seating area as well. I wanted fresh egg and the recommendation was the beef sukiyaki. Guys, I'd say it's so worth it! The flavors are delicious, the nori is strong enough to hold the rice and the egg is so good. My hubby liked his ikura and mentaiko. I would come here again if I was in the area, but I personally wouldn't go out of my way to come here. read more
10 months ago
Delicious! This new spot is right between Podmore and Alakea Steak on Alakea St. I saw a line of people outside one time walking in downtown, and today I decided to stop by to check it out! I can see this place being between 4-5 stars. Four because I feel like there is too much rice relative to the amount of ingredients, but at the same time, it's also reflected in the pricing. If they had put more stuff in the onigiri, then I could see an increase in price. (It doesn't seem to be one of those places where we go there for the best bang for the buck.) And because there's so much rice, some flavors are better than the others. Five because for some options, they would be really tasty, full of umami. I got to try their salmon ikura, and the mentaiko egg. The ikura was fresh, and the salmon was well-marinated. The rice itself was fresh with a good texture, and being as an onigiri, not too hot to handle and not cold to wrap the nori around. But this is the onigiri that I would just rate a 4 because of the lack of sauce and the small amount of ingredients; I feel like I was eating mostly rice. On the other hand, the mentaiko egg is a must try! It's so creamy and savory. I'm not sure how they made that egg yolk, but it's cooked to perfection where it's thick and gooey! I would suggest getting any onigiri that has the egg in it! If egg is not your fav, consider getting one with mayo or mentaiko so the sauce can coat the rice and not make it too dry or plain to eat. I think that's how I'll go about my future orders. Also got the tonjiru soup that had thin slices of pork, daikon, carrots, sweet potato and green onions in it. I was hoping I would get a lotus root that's shown in their menu photo but hopefully next time haha. The soup was seasoned well, and it's a good compliment to the onigiri. The staff were very friendly. The lady at the cashier was sweet. One of the dudes who brought out my order to the counter where I was sitting at, brought me a plate and sorta showed me how to wrap it. Pleny to counter seating that could fit at least 10 people, but most people chose to do takeout for a weekday lunch. I also enjoyed the decor with gray textured wall, many red pots of rice in sight in front of wooden panels in a modern kitchen. The line wasn't bad at all before noon and 15-20 mins past noon on a weekday. The order also came out in a timely manner. This can easily become one of my regular lunch spots. :-P read more
3 months ago
I love Japanese food, and I miss Japan, so if I can't go to japan, this really comforts the soul until you can go. Went to grab 5 Onigiris from here on a weekday at 12:00pm. That was a personal mistake, not on the establishment, but oh man were they busy, lunch rush was crazy but they handled orders and flow very promptly. Tight space inside but the food covers that no problem! Flavors were great, portion value is great, and service is great! will definitely come back as much as I can read more
The hype is real! I'm a born-and-raised local who's not really a fan of rice. I don't have a rice cooker on my counter. And I certainly never crave musubi. Until now! Twice in a week I found myself walking to Onigiri Onibe for their magical, mouth-watering musubis. I went the first time because my foodie work daughter suggested it and posted a tempting photo of their mentaiko egg musubi. I also picked up a couple for coworkers and thought 'at least I could say I tried it.' But that first bite of the mentaiko spicy takana onigiri had me asking (out loud), "Why is this SO good?!" It was the delicate rice laced with the creamy, briny mentaiko topped with the crunchy, spicy pickled cabbage that made my tastebuds explode. It was inexplicably inspiring. I also tried the smoked salmon with yuzu kosho cream cheese. I expected it would be smoky. But I didn't expect it to be so beautifully balanced with notes of pepper and citrus. Two days later we were back, and I HAD to get me another mentaiko and spicy takana onigiri. I wondered if it was going to be as delicious as I remembered (you know from 48 hours ago). On the second go around, my hand-held, finger-licking-good lunch made me utter the words, "This musubi speaks to my soul." My pretty, little, foodie work daughter enjoyed her pretty, little rice balls as much as I did. She just wasn't as dramatic about it. She already suggested going back next week. Well, she won't have to twist my arm... Because it's a review, here's some info on more than just the food. Onigiri Onibe has a half a dozen counter seats but it's primarily a grab-and-go restaurant. They have a few mixed musubi options available at the front counter if you happen to be in a hurry. But don't hurry! Wait the 10 or 15 minutes or so to get your made-to-order musubi's--rice from Japan cooked in stone pots and transformed to taste-bud tantalizing morsels in the open kitchen. The cashier and musubi runner are very courteous and efficient. They deliver your numbered order, just wait outside (or inside if there is room) and they come to you. They offer 40 different flavor combinations ranging from a simple salted to a creative carbonara choice. Also, as a pescatarian, there are many options that suit my no-land-animals preference. Two musubis satisfy my appetite and even if you get the most expensive ones, you'd still have a downtown lunch under $10. They give you the nori separately so some assembly required. The wait and work are worth it!! As I write this review, I'm thinking of what two-musubi combination I'm having next (week)! Onigiri Onibe you make this not-rice-loving lady dream about your musubi's. But luckily I just have to take a five minute walk from the office to make my onigiri dreams come true! read more
3 months ago
This hidden gem is !!!! First off, there is no parking for the restaurant, so I recommend parking right across from where the Iolani Palace is. There is public parking and the fee is reasonable. I believe is $2 per hour. From there, it is a 5 minutes walk to the restaurant. If it is your first time trying, I highly recommended the ones with egg yolk. It is so creamy and flavorful, unlike any egg yolk you have tried. The rice is also cooked to perfection. For seating, it is all bar seating with no table. Is not great for huge group but you can always order to go. We will definitely come back for more! read more
Takeout lunch from Downtown Honolulu, Hawaii... Our friend, Irene, told us about the new place next to Podmore and Baker Dude's on Alakea Street: Onigiri Onibee. Each musubi is made freshly and with care. That's why there's a bit of a wait. Inside, I didn't feel any air conditioning... it was really hot for me - even though I sat at a counter seat. I saw an air-conditioning unit, but I didn't feel it. Service was polite and efficient! Prices seemed reasonable for the shrimp/crab/mayo and ikura/salmon onigiri! When I finally sat down later, at a place with air-conditioning, both musubi kind of fell apart. I used the crisp nori (packaged separately) to grab the rice and ingredients and squeezed everything together with my gloved hand. I don't know if i would return because I don't like paying for parking. (I actually walked from my credit union.) Irene parked at the metered stalls in front of the post office and walked about a block. Support small local businesses! read more
The ultimate gourmet handheld musubi... If definitely found here at Onigiri Onibe~ (not to be pronounced like bee but like an extended A) as rice is cooked in a clay pot and yes as not a primary rice person when it comes to carbs is an embarrassment as an Asian though know when there's a spot that knows how to prepare and just do it with such flair I just had to see what it's all about. Located right on Alakea you know if you're in the area you're a lucky fella but there are some street metered parking nearby nothing a little stroll will get you there. Just seeing the little noren hanging from the doorway already has me happy and walking in I just love what they did with the whole vibe. There are some seating available right across from the kitchen is nice as you can see it all happen though you do order at the counter to choose any of 40+ musubis from plain salt at $2.50 to snow crab at $6 is a price that I can afford though narrowing it down was a challenge and it was "Yuzu Salmon" and "Beef Miso Shiso" was the two and this surf and turf combo was excellent. The downside is that it's made to order and not sure if it's new but it did take approximately 5-8 minutes wait and there was no air conditioning in the restaurant and with all the cooking it did get quite hot in there so I took the opportunity to visit neighboring shop Baker Dude and it still wasn't ready. You're given a number as they process each order very efficiently as possible but it's all packed very well ready for transport as the musubi are in with ingredients placed right in the middle so you're able to identify each item without it being stuffed inside is a great photo op and no guessing is brilliant and the nori is separated as we all know that the bite isn't instant so you're able to enjoy the freshness at your leisure. The staff is very friendly and can see the hustle they give to each and every order and with these prices you can have just a luxurious bite at a price and size that fits your cravings. Thank you! read more
2 months ago
Happened to be in downtown and saw this place was nearby and decided to get a snack before lunch. Little did I know two onirigri's would fill me up. The are on Alakea st on the right side with the white curtains above the door. Just parking is a bit of a headache with it being downtown. The area to order is a small area and they have a menu outside or on the left side. And they also have seats inside. They are massive onirigi's so price is worth it. I got the Mentaiko mayo and the spicy tuna. I liked that the spicy tuna wasn't super spicy it had a tiny kick to it. The only downfall with the Mentaiko mayo is they wrap it and the toppings for stuck to the top. But other than that I will be back to dry the other items! read more
Currently in their soft opening phases and open daily except Sunday (for now!) They are in downtown/alakea street next to baker dudes. It used to be a musubi shop in the past. Dine in or to go. Except if you dine in you have to order first and then sit down. We made that rookie mistake today! It wasn't too busy at opening but about 10 mins later there was a huge rush. They need a better system when they deliver the food tho. Maybe ask for names or pass out numbers. They were handing them out and announcing what you ordered so you really need to remember what you ordered. I bought about 5 Musubi and it was about 20! Not bad. Most of the musubi ranged from $3.50 to $6 read more
Delicious onigiri! Stopped by on thanksgiving weekend and ordered 5 onigiris. Our favorites were the fish based ones but they were all delicious. We came in the morning so there was no issue finding seating. The onigiri were so good we felt like it was better than some of the spots we went to in Japan earlier this year! read more
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Monday - Friday: 7AM - 2PM Saturday: 10AM - 2PM Sunday: Closed
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Onigiri Onibe - japanese - Updated May 2026
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