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    Tonkatsu Kuro

    4.5 (447 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Tonkatsu Kuro Takeout or Delivery

    Tonkatsu Kuro Photos

    Business Info

    TONKATSU KURO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Tonkatsu Kuro

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    Tablet ordering system was simple and easy to use. Chopsticks and napkins are tucked away in a drawer at the end of the table.
    Leander M.

    Came here on a Friday with a 4:45pm reservation and by 5pm the restaurant was full! Nice spacious interior and a tablet ordering system. The staff were lovely and helpful, attentive and the little robot delivering the meals was fun! I got the perilla soba and half katsu set. I don't usually like cold noodles but it turned out to be my favourite part of the meal. Sesame seed flavored and not too saucy, it was delicious and refreshing. The katsu breading was crispy and light but the pork wasn't as juicy as what I would have liked. My friend got the spicy tsuyu soba a the server said it wasn't too spicy but she said it was, hehe. The lime sparkling ade was good and my eonnies enjoyed their $5 happy hour draft beers. The katsu set comes with rice, miso and cabbage which is refillable throughout your meal. They also have tonkatsu sauce, sesame sauce and a yuzu ponzu sauce on the table to use as you please. All sets came with a 'truffle' sauce which was nice and garlicky. I couldn't really taste the truffle though. For dessert it looked like they only had 5 types of gelato, 4 of which were sold out so we didn't order any.

    Fita N.

    New place I tried yesterday while out in the area. Love that the restaurant was clean and organized with a heavy Japanese influence. I actually felt I was in Japan. They utilized a robot operated server that helped with delivering the meals to each table. The service was quick and efficient with everything ordered from the tablet on the table. What looked like a small meal at forst turned out to be 5 huge deep fried shrimps. The best part...it wasn't mostly batter, it was a thick piece of shrimp on every bite!! Definitely enjoyed my first visit, staff were friendly and helpful and I plan on coming back again.

    Robots deliver your food
    Valerie M.

    We ordered the Assorted Katsu Couple Set for $68. It was a full meal with unlimited cabbage, rice and soup. The pork tonkatsu was tender and tasty. The one shrimp per person was a large jumbo shrimp. You can order that Ala carte but I can't imagine eating all five pieces. Very trendy, contemporary decor. Love this restaurant and will be back.

    Shrimp katsu set
    Rosie P.

    The vibes here are great! I find it easier and convenient to order on a tablet so I am glad they offer it here. The menu isn't as wide as other tonkatsu places but the sets they do offer, they make it gooood. The shrimp katsu was super crispy and the shrimp inside was juicy! The loin katsu was lean and crispy as well! (Maybe a little bit too much panko) I definitely recommend adding curry sauce as an extra dipping sauce. The curry adds a different flavor whenever you get bored of the tonkatsu sauce. The service here is absolutely amazing. I had trouble opening up my miso soup and they helped and even showed me a trick on how to open it next time!

    Lynn A.

    Absolutely loved this tonkatsu restaurant! The pork cutlet and shrimp was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. You can tell everything was made fresh, and the quality really stood out. The soba, miso soup, and cabbage paired perfectly with the meal. The staff was friendly, attentive, and the restaurant had a clean, welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommended!

    Lemon Soba so refreshing!
    Raylyne F.

    Assorted tonkatsu, Spicy Bibim Soba and Lemon Soba were so amazing and delicious! Service was on point! Decor and music was a vibe! Definitely returning again! 10/10!

    Lemon soba set-so yummy!
    Suanne K.

    Make reservations on Open Table-quick and easy. Food is great! Tenderloin looks like a small portion, but the nice cut of meat will fill you up. Soba is nice and chewy, just like Japan! Casual dining with slightly fancy vibes- lucky we live Hawaii, shorts are ok. Lots of parking nearby at ward entertainment center or Whole Foods.

    food
    Kaly H.

    AMAZING FOOD AND SERVICE! all the staff were extremely helpful, i asked for togarashi & i got it right away within 0.5 seconds! the ambiance was amazing as well because of the decor, it felt very high end and nice. took a picture after i started eating because it was so good

    Loin Katsu
    Kyra H.

    The food here was great, everything truly tasted fresh and well balanced. A lot more advanced than most restaurants, ordering through tablets and being served by robots. I would love to come here again however I would advise getting a reservation before hand.

    Robot
    Kayla M.

    Tonkatsu Kuro is a modern restaurant conveniently located in the Ward "live, work, play" area. It's adjacent to the back of the Ward Theater building so free parking is a breeze. They specialize in tonkatsu and soba. We ordered a tonkatsu/soba set, a tenderloin katsu, and a loin katsu. All set meals come with unlimited shredded cabbage, rice AND miso soup. This makes the value of the meal a lot better as most other tonkatsu restaurants only offer free cabbage. The loin katsu and shrimp katsu were huge & so bomb! Definitely recommend getting either of those two. A robot brings the food to your table which is very cool & a server simply assists with any refills on cabbage, rice, soup & beverages. All ordering is done thru touch screens at each table. They do offer desserts, but we were so stuffed that we didn't have any room. However we will most definitely be back again soon! Reservations were super easy on OpenTable.

    Pork loin
    Noelle Y.

    Excellent!! My favorite tonkatsu place right now. It's a little small so I would suggest making reservations but we have walked in as well and gotten seated. Everyone we have come across here is very nice, including the hostesses and servers. We can order on the pad at the table and then a little robot brings the food when it's ready. The servers bring the food from the robot to the table though. So cute! The food is really excellent. The tonkatsu is soooo crispy and delicious. They give refills on the salad and miso soup as well so it's a great deal to me. I love it and will keep coming back!

    Shrimp Tempura
    Winnie L.

    After hearing more positive reviews since we tried this place during their soft opening, decided to give it another try. I tried multiple times during our previous visits to the island to make a decent reso that wasn't late at night. Couldn't make a same night reso so I made one for the following night. After a hike at Makapu'u we were starved and made it just in time. Despite the rain, they were packed with customers at 6 pm. Immediately knew what I wanted. Combo set with soba noodles and katsu. I inhaled the soba noodles as I was hungry. Loved the dashi taste to the chilled broth. Still feel like the soba noodles should be more slurpable like in Japan. 4/5 Note: There were these knats flying around our table the entire time we were trying to enjoy our meals. Somehow it was attracted to the drinks almost diving into my soup and eventually doing so when I was finished. That was a bit annoying. When I delved into the hot food, I was pretty satisfied. The texture and crunch of the panko was so light and flaky. Batter was nicely seasoned. I really enjoyed the tartar sauce. It was creamy and delish, and not like the overly relish ones you have at American restaurants. The pork was tender and also nicely buttered and fried. I remember the 1st time I came it was a bit oily but it seems like they figured this out. The refilled our cabbage salad which was nicely shredded and appetizing. The sesame dressing paired well with it. This time we ordered the Lemon Assam Tea and Strawberry Hibiscus. Both were very refreshing and nicely blended.

    Carol B.

    The food is so delicious. I enjoy the quick service. You order with an iPad and it's super easy. You can even get free refills on the cabbage, rice, and miso soup. The ambiance is very modern and contemporary. It's very cute.

    Shrimp katsu

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    Ask the Community - Tonkatsu Kuro

    Is the soba gluten free?

    No it is Buck wheat noodle but it's not gluten free.

    Is it byob?

    Not BYOB. They serve Highball and Beer. Very typical for a modern tonkatsu/soba concept.

    Is there anything a vegetarian who eats eggs and dairy can eat?

    No unfortunately they have pork and shrimp options. Their Spicy Bibim Soba is vegan without Tsuyu - you can ask them not to include Tsuyu for your Bibim Soba.

    How to make a reservation?

    OpenTable!

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes. It's better to call by phone. The reservations on the website don't work well.

    Where is parking located?

    You can park on the street or park in the theater parking lot across the street, which is what we do. It's very near 🤙

    Do they serve alcohol?

    Not yet . So right now is it's BYOB

    Can you order food for take out?

    Online ordering is available on Google.

    Only reservation? or walk in?

    Because they're very busy right now, I would highly recommend making reservations. I booked about two weeks out to get a time I liked.

    Are there gluten-free options?

    No. The food is basically covered with white bread

    How can I make a reservation?

    Open table or call 808-867-1212

    Is it byob?

    Yes it is BYOB.

    BYOB OK? Beer/alcohol planned in the future?

    It's currently BYOB until they obtain their liquor license!

    View All 14 Questions

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    Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro - kurobuta tonkatsu

    Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro

    4.3(4.2k reviews)
    1.8 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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    Katasu-don

    Tonkatsu Tamafuji - Jyukusei pork tenderloin katsu teishoku

    Tonkatsu Tamafuji

    4.6(2.4k reviews)
    2.9 miKaimuki
    $$$

    Shoutout again to unko Chad from prince waikiki! I knew this place was gonna be hard to get. Even…read moreon youtube, I've seen some local foodies say they got lucky in getting a reservation. Very random one morning after stopping by kona purveyors in Waikiki, I went to the restroom and while my husband was waiting for me he decided to randomly check if they had any reservations available and we were able to get one for the next day! Getting a reservation is definitely the way to go, I've seen people wait in standby however seating is not guaranteed since they prioritize those who have a reservation. The service was amazing! They are constantly checking up on you to see if you need anything else. I like how they offer different kinds of miso soup. I personally had limitations due to my shellfish allergy, but it was amazing! The katsu we ordered was one of the biggest one that they offer. It's crazy how big the katsu was and surprisingly it was super crispy, light, and even juicy in the inside! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants to try katsu in hawaii!

    We were really excited to try Tonkatsu Tamafuji since it's always so popular and busy, and we love…read moreJapanese food. The atmosphere and decor were great very warm and inviting and the service and overall vibe felt authentic. However, our experience with the food was disappointing this time. The tonkatsu we received was overcooked and slightly burnt, which gave it a bitter taste and made it hard to enjoy. For the price and reputation, we expected better consistency in quality. Overall, while we appreciate the ambience and understand why it's well-loved by many, this visit didn't meet our expectations, and it's not our favorite experience.

    Photos
    Tonkatsu Tamafuji - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Tonkatsu Tamafuji - Making the sauce

    Making the sauce

    Tonkatsu Tamafuji - Mix Katsu Set

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    Mix Katsu Set

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

    I-NABA

    4.4(797 reviews)
    1.2 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!

    Photos
    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

    Kaimuki Shokudo

    Kaimuki Shokudo

    4.2(442 reviews)
    3.6 miKaimuki
    $$

    Sunday April 19, 2026 first time, coming here at the 11th Ave. location…read more We were looking for a place for lunch after Planet Fitness Kahala and walking around the Diamond Head Triangle Park. Metered street parking or they have a paid private parking lot. As it was Sunday, we found a parking on Koko Head Avenue and walked there. We were seated right away at 2:30pm and they close at 3:30pm. Then dinner is at 5:00pm. Service was fast and friendly. We ordered right away. Food came out shortly after. It looked good and it tasted good too. The purple potato salad with the 2 sweet potato chips was different and really good! After lunch, we decided to order 2 Kirin beers and a bottle of Iichiko with green tea. We drank 1/3 of the bottle and decided to save the rest for the next time. We will be back again. Support local businesses.

    Great Japanese fusion restaurant with interesting dishes!…read more We ordered the quail eggs, corn, unagi ochazuke, blue cheese shishito peppers, and watercress salad. The peppers might not be everyone's cup of tea but it was certainly unique and interesting. The ochazuke was a favorite! Service was great and ambiance was cozy. Pretty busy on a Friday night. Although I miss their honey toast, I still love their new menu!

    Photos
    Kaimuki Shokudo - Just an opening 11/15/25. The restaurant was filled within minutes. Featuring Yelp Elite All Star Donna O.

    Just an opening 11/15/25. The restaurant was filled within minutes. Featuring Yelp Elite All Star Donna O.

    Kaimuki Shokudo - Chicken kaarage

    Chicken kaarage

    Kaimuki Shokudo - Their famous " Honey Toast"

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    Their famous " Honey Toast"

    Rinka - Spicy ahi roll (not spicy)

    Rinka

    4.1(641 reviews)
    0.1 miKaka'ako
    $$

    This review is overdue, but I absolutely had to share it because I was so impressed with Rinka's…read moredinner menu! I used to think the dinner menu was a bit too expensive compared to the lunch menu, but after tonight..., I believe it was worth it. The variety of Dinner Sets were all sooo amazing! The portion sizes were awesome, and the flavors/freshness of the food were all outstanding. Did I mention how the portion sizes were amazing? Yup Everything tasted great..., and I really mean everything! It's hard to find a casual/semi-upscale Japanese restaurant like Rinka. Our server was very kind and helpful because it was our first time dining with Rinka during their Dinner service hours. I got to try a piece of the Bluefin Tuna Toro sashimi and it was WOW! WOW! WOW! Appetizers were fantastic as well! Great for sharing and tasting different items. This is a place I'd want to introduce to my friends and family for a great dining experience and a higher quality food selections. Very satisfied with our dinner service on this night!

    My friend and I had dinner at Rinka bc I had a $100 Resy benefit on my credit card. In addition, I…read morehave had good experiences with Resy restaurants. Positives: Our waitress Hailey was super nice; The food came out quickly; Clientele was all locals, including a fair number of J clients Negatives: The tables are tiny and the seats are low. The table was as wide as my body. We had a hard time squeezing the food on the table. One of the ladies that sat on the inside had to hang out quite a bit outside the width of the table bc she was too close to her friend; Secondarily, even a woman a foot shorter than me said the chairs were low (I'm 6'2"); None of the food had a wow factor and it seemed expensive. Our tab was $157 for four items inc 2 beers b4 tip; 3.5 Stars overall bc of the good service. I will likely not return bc of the small seats and just ok food.

    Photos
    Rinka - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Rinka - Grilled unagi (deluxe)

    Grilled unagi (deluxe)

    Rinka - Beef sukiyaki

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    Beef sukiyaki

    Tonkatsu Kuro - japanese - Updated May 2026

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