Yakitori Ando is the definition of just a top tier casual dining experience. All of the food is fantastic and can really expand your palate! Even if you feel hesitant it's worth trying everything because you can be sure that you'll remember basically everything purely because of how tasty it is. Ambiance is laid back and relaxing, but for the best experience sit on the bar to watch him prepare everything. Ando-San truly is a master at what he does and it shows through the quality of this restaurant. All in all, worth the visit and worth rebooking in advance again! read more

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Dinner in Kaimuki, Honolulu, Hawaii... I made a reservation a couple of months ago. It tested my patience and perseverance. Maybe I finally called around 4pm or so... before they opened for the day. I tried many other times... no answer. Don't call during business hours... call before they start working. Yakitori Ando is a unique old school place. There were about ten seats at the counter and maybe 20 seats around the tables at the back. People in general were lively and loud, especiallybecauseit'sa BYOB place where they share their libations with the chef. Chef Ando was amazing to watch. He is the master of the grill! How did he know which dish to make later for those who arrived tardy? Keeping track of who didn't get which skewer yet is mind-boggling! Chef was so graceful, cheerful and personable! There's a black and white photo of him on the wall - probably from when he was a sumo wrestler! Parking: metered street parking is free after 6pm. Park across the street and the first hour is free in the lot and $2 per hour afterwards. Remember to scan the QR code. This is an omakase experience. We were asked about allergies beforehand and asked if we would eat chicken hearts and beef intestines. My friend did not want beef intestines nor chicken hearts. She had chicken tails (a bit fatty and oily) when I was served chicken hearts. She refused to eat the intestines so she took the leftovers home for her family. We were too stuffed to make a dent in the hotpot (the last dish of the day). The takeout bag had some noodles to cook at home along with the leftover hotpot items. Thanks! We also liked the four starters, chicken wings, chicken meatballs, Kauai Shrimp, bacon wrapped quail eggs, American wagyu, and chicken thighs. The most unusual dish was the bacon wrapped mochi. It was soft inside and crunchy on the outside... with nori topping! Our servers were very helpful and efficient! Our water glasses were kept full and all of the used dishes were removed promptly! They handwashed and towel-dried the ceramics for the 30 customers to use! If you get a chance, make a reservation for Yakitori Ando. It's a true foodie adventure! read more

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7/18/26 We really wanted to love these local experiences and looked forward to surprising our boys with a yakitori omakase on the island especially with the backstory of chef ando! We read the chef's story to our young tween foodie who was intrigued by the sumo wrestler who turned chef and made a name for himself. I called and made reservations for our family of 4 and was lucky the restaurant had cancellations and scored dinner reservations. My lil man (11 year old son) was looking forward to his omakase dinner. We read that the chef visits the tables and gets personal with the guests of all ages. Upon arrival, we were welcomed, and guided to our table. We were provided with water and a couple of apps to start. We brought 2 bottles of wine and beverages for the boys as it's a BYOB set up. Plates of skewers started coming out once all tables and guest have arrived. The food was ok. Everything was well seasoned. We didn't know what dish was coming out next which I think is always a great surprise for our boys with omakase's. We saw chef interact with other adult guests. Sadly by the end of the omakase experience chef ando never made it to our table at all. Our sons waited patiently. The other guests that dined the night we were there was a bit lit (one lady specifically was drunk) and a tad loud rowdy. Good for her that she had a good time I guess. LOL. The restaurant wasn't very big so we all can hear her. It definitely impacts your "family" dining experience. read more

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First of all, I LOVE this place. An-chan is the best and his food is amazing. That being said... we have to talk about the price. With tip, you're looking at around $100 per person. And this place is BYOB, so that doesn't even include drinks. Even worse, I ALWAYS leave hungry and inevitably end up hitting Jack in the Box or Taco Bell afterward Somehow, though, the food is still worth it. Just as a once-or-twice-a-year treat to myself rather than somewhere I'd regularly eat. Not that you *could* come here more often than that even if you wanted to. Yakitori Ando is consistently booked solid MONTHS in advance. I'm not even going to bother doing an item-by-item review because it's an omakase menu and everything is excellent. Absolutely ZERO complaints about the food itself. Kauai shrimp, bacon-wrapped quail eggs, chicken wings, chicken thighs, chicken hearts, chicken meatballs, and always their signature motsunabe to finish the meal. An-chan even threw in an extra round of bacon-wrapped mochi for us because apparently "we looked hungry." LOL. He wasn't wrong. The yakitori is simple, properly grilled, and delicious. The whole experience also has that wonderful little-hole-in-the-wall-in-Japan feeling rather than feeling like someone tried too hard to manufacture an "authentic Japanese dining experience" in Hawaii. An-chan himself is a huge part of what makes the place so much fun. And the motsunabe is ALWAYS the perfect ending. Rich, fatty, comforting goodness after an entire night of skewers. My only complaint is that I want about three times as much of everything. Parking can be a pain. There are only a few stalls on-site, plus maybe 10-ish stalls across the street to the right. Unfortunately, you're competing for those with customers from a bunch of other small businesses in the area that are all bumping around dinner time. You can also pay to park in the Bank of Hawaii lot directly across the street. TL;DR: Top-notch yakitori, awesome service, and amazing "feels like you're in Japan" vibes. I LOVE Yakitori Ando and absolutely think it's worth the occasional splurge. But $100 per person for a BYOB dinner that still ends with me ordering a Jack's Spicy Chicken afterward is objectively a little painful. Especially when I think about the fact that I could get the same or better meal in Japan for $20-$30, *MAYBE* $50 at some similarly trendy place. Absolutely worth doing. Absolutely delicious. I'll absolutely be back. Just only once or twice a year, when I've forgotten how much the bill hurt last time. read more

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This place blew my expectations off the ground! First off, they're booked out 3 months in advance but we got super lucky because I put my name on the waitlist and there was a cancellation. It's a very hole-in-the-wall place camouflaged by a jiu-jitsu and dance academy. They have a lot across the street and they'll have you scan a code at the restaurant (1st hour free) Ran by a super sweet charismatic chef and his two support staff, they get super busy! So for those trying to make a reservation, it's best to call couple hours before they open. They have bar seating (12?) with couple tables and it's BYOB! Everything was so delicious and flavorful but the true star of the show was the Mostunabe which is basically beef/pork offal aka intestines. Don't knock it 'til you try it because it was literally one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life! It felt so clean and warming after eating all the skewers. I'm so glad they allow for to-go containers because there was no way we could finish all of it. We went in thinking we would still be hungry after our meal but by the second to the last skewer, we were ready to tap out. I absolutely would love to come back again and if I could, book out the whole restaurant so that all my friends could enjoy it with me :) read more

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My wife, friends, and I have been to Yakitori Ando a few times now, and it never disappoints. The food is consistently incredible, the service is excellent, and the lively atmosphere always makes for a fun night out. Every skewer coming off the grill is packed with flavor, and the motsunabe is always a highlight. Being BYOB with a great group of friends only adds to the experience. There's a reason reservations are so hard to get - authentic, memorable, and absolutely worth it every time. read more

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Lets just start off by saying I had no idea what our son made reservations 5 months in advance for :)) I didnt read any reviews or look at the pictures on yelp literally till we were standing in line to get in. Fast forward, this place is located in Kaimuki, they do have parking across the street which gets filled fast bc its a shared public parking with several businesses in the surrounding buildings. Doors opened at 6pm and we are greeted by the waitress, she immediately shows us a QR code for parking, than seats us. When I first walked in I was like "okay" its nothing fancy but I like intimate seatings so I was all for it.. Chef greeted everyone as they walked in and he is so bubbly. My son had brought him some Kirin and sake as I noticed others brought the chef wine, sake, and beer:)) After about 15-20 mins of being seated our first dish arrived, after that point, dishes were just coming out.. I cant tell you the name of some of these things bc one waitress would tell us what it was and they other one barely talked, LOL... I didnt mind bc I was there for the experience:) Anyways, everything was delicious. Im sorry I dont know the name of everything we ate, lol... At the end, we were served this soup, which I later found out it was filled with chicken intestines, let me tell you, I devoured that soup and noodles. It was sooo good. It wasnt till I was reading some reviews when I got home that I found out what it was, hahaha.. None the less, it was sooo delicious. We WILL be back again... read more

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Yakitori Ando is one of those if you know, you know spots -- the kind you almost don't want to talk about... but absolutely have to. Small, unassuming, and tucked away in a crowded little hole-in-the-wall off Waialae Avenue in Kaimukī, this place is all about doing yakitori right. A couple of tables, a bar if you're lucky, zero frills -- and that's exactly the charm. This is mostly a chicken-focused Japanese spot, and they don't miss. Chicken heart skewers, juicy chicken thigh skewers grilled perfectly, plus a few non-chicken standouts like shrimp skewers, wagyu skewers, and a surprisingly addictive mochi wrapped in bacon. Every skewer comes out simple, intentional, and packed with flavor. But the real showstopper for me? The motsu hot pot at the end. Chicken intestines simmered in the most comforting, deeply flavorful broth with vegetables and yakisoba noodles -- rich, soulful, and the kind of dish you think about long after you leave. Absolute perfection. A few pro tips that make this place even better:    *   There's a dedicated parking lot across the street (clearly labeled for the restaurant -- don't skip this detail).    *   Bathrooms are in a neighboring building, and you're welcome to use them.    *   BYOB, which alone makes this spot a must. Chef also loves a good red wine, in case you wanted to share and make him happy! Yakitori Ando isn't flashy, trendy, or trying to be anything it's not -- it's just exceptional food, done with heart, in one of Honolulu's best hidden gem neighborhoods. Read the other reviews -- they don't lie. This place is special read more

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2/28/26 So lucky there was a cancellation I had called at 5pm n got sat for 6pm opening! Come hungry because there's so many morsels; edemame, pickled vegetables, bacon wrapped quail eggs, head-on shrimp, chicken hearts, thighs, wings, tender beef... Lastly, a Motsu (fatty melty intestines) hot pot loaded with tofu, wonbok, gobo, mushrooms... So hearty n flavorful $85 Omakase (only) Made future reservations right away... They're booked 2 months out Bring extra libations for Chef n crew They are so hard working n friendly, too! read more

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We finally got a reservation here (I booked 6months ago) and already put in our next reservation after we finished our meal! All the yakitori are great and the star of the show is the nabe at the end.. it's just so good and tasty! It's BYOB and they only have 1 seating so usually dinner starts around 6pm but it is well worth it! read more

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Yakitori Ando is an absolute gem. Every dish felt intentional and deeply flavorful, but the standouts for me were the chicken heart--perfectly grilled, tender, and rich without being overpowering--and the cow intestine nabe, which was unbelievably good. The broth was savory and layered, comforting yet bold, and clearly made with care. If you're into yakitori done right and aren't afraid to explore beyond the usual cuts, this place delivers in a big way. Easily a spot I'll be coming back to. read more

Yakitori Ando - Mochi bacon yum - Izakaya Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Set menu, my favorite is bacon warp mochi. So yummy also BYOB, great great place to hang out with friends. Service is good too chef and staffs are very friendly. read more

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Second time here and it was AMAZING! Omakase style with some surprises of chicken heart but most were normal yakitori with chicken thighs , mochi wrapped with bacon...texture and taste was just presented with plate perfection! On top of that chicken wings were tasty. A must try and a special treat. We ended with the special mostunabe soup! That is the best soup ever, tasty & always taken home for the next lunch meal! Made reservations to go back but in several months! Love how chef Ando has some nostalgic photos of his previous life and some artsy and fun inspirational paintings with him in it! Cool, hip joint with counter seating to interact with him or have a party with minimal and quaint seating . read more

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Ambiance: Hole in the wall, neighborhood Izakaya. BYOB plus for a great time. Parking: Across the street at BOH. First hour paid by Ando-San. Food: Great tasting, no frills Yakitori and more Service: Outstanding, efficient and friendly service. read more

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The omakase is great. Ando-san selects high quality ingredients that vary day-to-day, lightly seasons them and grills them to lightly charred (not burned) perfection. Most people don't like or even know how uniquely delicious chicken skin, heart, tail area, cartilage and cock's comb are, so those delicacies unfortunately are not offered. But if Ando-san had them on a secret menu, he'd make more $ and use more interesting parts of a chicken. It is also incredibly difficult to get a reservation here, which ensures quality control. But, I still wish I could take more family and friends there. read more

Yakitori Ando - A great way to finish a meal of charcoal-grilled chicken and vegetables: motsunabe. - Izakaya Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Yakitori Ando was an amazing experience from start to finish. The food was incredible--each course in the omakase menu builds on the previous. Skewers were perfectly grilled by Ando-San himself behind the counter. Watching him work added to the whole authentic vibe--it really felt like being in a little yakitori spot in Japan. There was plenty of food too--way more than I expected for the set menu--and everything came out at a great pace so you could actually enjoy each course. The fact that it's BYOB is a huge bonus; bringing your own sake or beer just makes the evening that much more fun and relaxed. Highly recommend Yakitori Ando if you're looking for a genuine, delicious, and unpretentious dining experience. I'll definitely be back soon. read more

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I heard there was a "new" omakase in town and that it wasn't the traditional sushi omakase - it was a yakitori omakase with motsunabe! I was craving motsunabe as I recently came back from Fukuoka, the origin of the dish where I first tried it. I wanted my boyfriend and grandparents to try this specific dish because it left such an amazing impression on me back in Fukuoka. It's located in the same lot as a jiujitsu dojo and behind the Bank of Hawaii in the Franklin Variety Building on Center St in Kaimuki. There's a free 1 hour parking offered to customers (peep at pic) or many free street parking, especially after 6pm, around the neighborhood. Just an FYI, the omakase lasted at least 2 hours, so after that 1 hour parking, you'll have to pay. It was a reservation only restaurant with maybe around 35 seats. My boyfriend and I were able to score a reservation a couple months in advance for Christmas Eve. Highly recommend calling early before the night starts for them as there are only 2 waitresses and 1 chef. A huge perk as part of the restaurant was that it was a BYOB restaurant - the workers went to every party to ask if we brought our own drinks/alcohol as they prepared glasses for parties who did bring their own drinks. How nice! Unfortunately, my party didn't bring our own drinks and stuck to water/hot water. We were offered to purchase non-alcoholic drinks that they had, though! We started off with five okazu (side dishes): edamame, kinpira renkon (Japanese Lotus Root Stir Fry), hijiki seaweed salad, kiriboshi daikon (I believe), and okara salad (soy pulp). The okazu were soooo good. We were caught off guard, in a good way, by the okara as none of us have ever tried it before. Then the yakitori rounds began! I won't be describing the taste as they're kind of "basic" yet everything was delicious and flavorful! - Bacon wrapped quail eggs - Grilled shrimp - Chicken wings - Chicken meatballs - Bacon wrapped mochi - A5 Wagyu - Chicken liver - a childhood favorite of mine as my mom cooked this a lot. If you've never had it before, definitely give it a try! My boyfriend tried it for the first time ever and didn't hate it - love that! Lastly, the "main" course/star of the show - motsunabe (Japanese hot pot with pork or beef offal)! Our pot was HUGE in comparison to all the other parties. We were already starting to get full from all the yakitori and seeing this was insane (peep at pic). While waiting for the dish to boil, I had asked one of the waitresses if the chef was from Fukuoka as the dish originated from there. Turns out the chef was a sumo wrestler from Yokohama who loved making this dish. Would have never guessed! What a fun fact. The motsunabe smelled soooo good and honestly the smell did not do it any justice because the broth was incredibly amazing. It was really addictive and flavorful that I could not get enough of it (could be the potential MSG but omg so good). The nabe had soooo much offal which I loved. They were also cleaned well and didn't have the strong stinky intestine smell that could stop people from trying. Just couldn't get enough of this at all! We were all getting very full that one of the waitresses informed us that noodles were also a part of this dish. Thankfully, we didn't need to eat the noodles there and was able to take the motsunabe and noodles home! The chef came by to all of our tables and apologized for the wait (to be expected!) and offered us 2025 calendars, showcasing one of his friend's artwork for each month. It was so cute! Overall, a really great place to experience. Especially for those who have never had motsunabe. The price we had was $72 per person for all the food we received. It wasn't too bad especially the last few items practically paid for 1/3 of the meal. Definitely enjoyed the motsunabe and quite sad I can't just order that as takeout in the future. read more

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My favorite Yakitori omakase on the island. Food is simple and delicious. It is BYOB establishment and it's always a treat to share a drink with the chef and his team. To make a reservation - no walk ins. Best advice I can give is to call 10 minutes before they open to get connected with someone read more

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This restaurant is only Course style. Yakitori is so good. Last Motsu nabe is the best!! Every Food cooked by Mr Ando. Service also amazing. The staff work efficiently and it's a pleasure to watch. read more

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What can I say, the stars are aligned and we got lucky that when we called there's a spot for 2 and we immediately grab it! It's a great Omakase experience and just paid half price from our hometown in SF! Chef Ando and his staff were friendly and provided good service. Food is delicious and we finished everything! Highly recommend and hope you guys will have a fantastic experience like we did! We'll definitely be back but next time we won't be playing russian roulette and we will be calling ahead of time to make sure we'll get a spot. read more

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Food and experience was amazing! The energy was high and the food got better and better with each course.

What a unique and special experience. After visiting I get why it's popular with the local chefs and I had to make reservations months ahead. We had the privilege of sitting at the counter and watching chef Ando work. I'm having trouble describing the experience because on one hand it simple, but also elegant. The best I can explain it is the balance in the flavors and each skewer cooked to perfection is the experience. The restaurant is on the smaller side and it's byob. The parking lot is across the road and you pay nominal fee with a QR code at the restaurant. 2 hours was sufficient for our party of 2. read more

Yakitori Ando - Real charcoal grill - Izakaya Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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First time for me with a full table of regulars who have nothing but great things to say about this place and I'm happy to report that I agree. There's one seating a day with very limited space so I recommend getting those reservations in early. Plus if you enjoy it, make your next reservation before you leave. I appreciate that every party arrives on time as the fun doesn't begin until everyone is seated. I also recommend to get there somewhat early as there are limited stalls available that are paid stalls across the street otherwise you need to find your own street parking. Payment for parking is secured via QR code once you get to the restaurant at a crazy affordable rate of $1/hour up to 3 hours. Not long after everyone is seated, the service begins. With just one chef and two waitresses, they flow seamlessly throughout the evening. All the food served was tasty. My favorites would have to be the chicken wings, bacon wrapped quail eggs, juicy chicken thighs, and I loved the lamb. Very happy that I enjoyed what was served as not every night is the same with slight variations. If you're not full after the 3 appetizers and about 7 or 8 small plates, the Motsunabe will definitely fill you up. First pot full of meat and veggies and they even come back with a container full of noodles. Overall, I enjoyed myself. I'd like to try sitting at the counter so you can watch the Chef in action. He appears to love what he does and interacts with those sitting at the counter. Don't forget to bring your drinks other than water. They can provide a bucket of ice and glasses if needed. Note that it can get a little warm in there since it's a small space but especially at the end when all the hot pots come out. I feel pricing is fair for the entire experience and there's no other like it on the island. read more

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We were there to celebrate a major birthday at Yakitori Ando and it was a most delightful experience! Each course was even more delicious than the last. The nabe at the end was a great ending. We brought home the broth and made more noodle soup the next day! read more

Yakitori Ando - The shrimp were so delicious! - Izakaya Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Yakitori Ando is a hidden gem off a Waialae that specializes in yakitori sticks ranging from chicken hearts to mochi. They are booked out months in advance so always be sure to make another reservation while you're there. The restaurant is fairly small. There is a countertop that sits around 12 and around 6 tables as well. There is a paid parking lot located across that street. This place is BYOB so don't forget to bring your own booze! They offer glasses as well as ice buckets to accommodate, whichever drinks you decide to bring. Ando-san also loves to partake in sharing a drink with his customers, so please offer him a few for all his hard work and amazing service! My friends and I sat at the counter right in front of Ando-san. It was interesting watching him work his magic and was great having a drink with him as well. Our omakase consisted of three sharable appetizers, tsukune, bacon-wrapped mochi, chicken heart, bacon-wrapped quail egg, shrimp, chicken thigh, and chicken wings. The star of the show was the Motsunabe, a hearty and flavorful hot pot. Yakitori Ando's version of Motsunabe was nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. The ingredients were fresh, and the broth was packed with umami goodness. The melt-in-your-mouth texture of the intestines, combined with the vibrant flavors of the vegetables, made it a dish to remember. We were all definitely very stuffed after our meal. The tab came out to around $80 per person including tip, which is cheaper than I thought it would have been. I will definitely be coming back. This is a high recommend on my list for you to try! read more

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We made reservations a few months ago after a few calls. Currently their next opening is in February. Ambiance is warm and the walls are filled with art works featuring Ando-San. But this tucked away 5 and a half year old restaurant is worth trying! They also have a few parking spots in front of their entrance area but street parking was easy to find as well. After the initial appetizers, the omakase consisted of 7 dishes plus their popular motsunabe for about $64 per person. If you are a pescatarian or vegetarian they will make special accommodations as well. Personally I think the motsunabe here is better than Rinka's :) Our table's fav were the bacon wrapped mochi's and the chicken meatballs. I wished they had bonjiri too. (Forgot to ask if they had but next time) Tip for next time - make your reservations for your next dinner when you are there already! read more

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The last time we ate there was before the pandemic--so over 4 years. Last year when I called for a table the wait was over a month. I had wanted to take my son and dil there but they were only going to be here for a couple of weeks Today when I called I was told the next available opening was mid January! 3 months!! But the woman answering the phone was polite (not hurried like the last year). And she offered to put us on a wait list during their stay. So here's hoping. Can't wait to have those chicken dishes. read more

Never a bad experience here! 100% love this place and all their Yakitori! We decided to come back again and honestly everything is soo good! I'm glad that they change their omakase, so far every experience has been different a unique. Just a reminder: they only take reservation and they do have parking! :) I will definitely be coming back again soon! read more

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Yakitori Ando - the exclusive Japanese restaurant where you need to make a reservation MONTHS in advance (at least 2-3)! It's Omakase. No prices, no menu. Chef Ando-san decides! Dinner only from 6-10pm, closed Wednesdays. For reservations, call BEFORE 6pm because no one will answer as the chef and his two assistants are already busy. Yes, it's just him and two assistants that do pretty much everything besides cook. This is my first time here and made this reservation a little over two months in advance, and wow what an experience! Chef Ando is a character, and it felt like I was in an episode of Midnight Diner in Tokyo. This place is located in Kaimuki, on Center Street, behind Bank of Hawaii. There's no big sign that you can see from afar except for a small one imprinted with "Yakitori Ando" and "Anjiu" in Hiragana on a lantern next to the back door--that faces the street. After checking in, we were greeted happily by the chef and staff, and got our seats next to the grill. Nice! We started off with a few appetizers (edamame, kiriboshi, hijiki, and shiraae tofu). They were all so good!! The kiriboshi/daikon/radish was prepared and marinated very well with a good balance of savory and sweet. The hijiki/seaweed was the same with a nice pop of umami. Our favorite was the shiraae tofu/mashed tofu. It was smooth and packed with flavor that's further enhanced with the sliced shiitake mushrooms and onions. Edamame was good too!. Nice start! Time for the skewers. Started with the Tebasaki Chicken Wings. Can't go wrong with crispy skin, tender and tasty meat with an amazing sweet and savory sauce. Bacon Wrapped Quail was good. Crispy and salt bacon with a soft and creamy quail egg with a nice hit of wasabi on the side. The Grilled Kauai Head-on Shrimp was perfectly grilled. Crispy and softened shell with tender and juicy meat. The head was the best part. Sweet! Chicken Hearts were amazing. You wouldn't even be able to tell it was hearts because the meat was so tender and tasty, and it didn't have that irony/gamey taste. Chicken thighs. Juicy, tender, fresh, and tasty. The Chicken Tsukune was freshly handmade by the chef. Boiled then grilled. Prepared exceedingly well. The chicken was soft and tender, and juicy and flavorful. Next was the Chicken Tail. Grilling is probably the best way to eat this part of the chicken. With the fat rendered, cartilage softened, and skin to a crisp makes for an amazing bite. Of course, it is better when an experienced chef prepares it. The last skewer of the night was Bacon Wrapped Mochi with nori. Prepared so well! Bacon grilled to the perfect amount of crispness. Mochi grilled to a nice crunchiness outside and just the right amount of softness inside. That's a master right there. You wouldn't want the mochi to be super soft inside because that'll be gooey and sticky and unappealing. To end the meal, we were treated to Motsunabe with beef intestines. The server asked us beforehand if we were okay to eat that as I'm sure they've had some customers freaked out by intestines. Yes, I'm okay! You can throw anything in there! The nabe also had cabbage, chives, beech mushrooms, dried chili pepper, garlic, tofu, and tofu puffs. First taste was the broth, and wow, the dashi broth was sweet, rich, and clean. Full of umami. Everything was excellent. The beef intestines were fresh and cleaned very well. With these, you always worry they'll be tough and chewy if they're not cooked long enough, but this wasn't the case. They were actually tender with just the right amount of bite, and it never had any that "gamey" taste or scent. You might think the meal is over, but nope. The final item is Okinawan Soba to add to your broth after finishing most of your nabe. More broth can be added if yours reduced to low. This hit the spot. The firm, chewy noodles were so delicious with that flavorful broth. Overall, wow, what an experience. I can definitely see why you need to make a reservation months in advance. The food, the atmosphere, the service, the quality, the experience, and the price are all exceptional. I didn't mention the price, right? The meal was $60/person. That's it. No tax either. What a great deal! I was honestly expecting a lot more. All the food is fresh off the grill or just cooked. Food is best when it's still fresh and hot. The service was just top notch. Servers were very friendly and attentive and had a pleasant demeanor. Everyone greeted you as you entered and left. It's BYOB as well, and it is encouraged too. Also, it is encouraged to share some with the chef. Can't wait to go to Ando again! read more

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Amazing!!!! Can't believe I didn't know about this place. It's a small place but the food is amazing! We even made reservations to return but couldn't get it for a few months! Service was good. If you think you will walk out hungry....think again.....we were stuffed and it's BYOB! read more

Yakitori Ando - We had more food but I forgot to take pics!!!! - Izakaya Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Located up behind the Bank of Hawaii on Waialae Ave, Yakitori Ando is a small gem in Kaimuki. They are usually reservation only and are packed. It totally feels like you are in Japan there. It is omakase style where Chef brings out multiple types of skewers (yakitori). We received a variety, ranging from shrimp to mushrooms to chicken hearts. I also LOVE that it is BYOB! My friends brought sake for us to eat with our meal. Oishi! What is possibly the best way to end the meal is the huge pot of motsunabe. A piping hot bowl of broth, veggies and meats soothes my soul and my stomach (we must always save room for this nabe)! Cheers to Yakitori Ando, a Kaimuki staple! read more

What an amazing feast. We've been living here for 26 years and my wife and I both agreed that this was one of the best dining experiences we've ever had in Hawaii. B.Y.O.B. with good friends in a friendly and relaxed setting. A really great evening in every way. Thank you Chef Ando! read more

My friend made reservations for 8 of us back in December 2023 for April 2024! Last night was the night! Walking in the place is small with minimal bar/counter seating and about 6 tables (hence why you need reservations months in advance). You are greeted warmly by staff and Chef yelling "Irasshaimase!" Seated, we were brought waters and ice buckets for our bottles of sake and soju (fyi it's BYOB). They also have a small refrigerator for you to put cans or other beverages in to keep chilled. I've never been to a restaurant that was so considerate of their customers' byob needs. First course is edamame, followed by green beans, tofu and what seemed like sukiyaki onions with tofu skin. Then the yakitori starts making an appearance!! Glazed Chicken Wings, Bacon Wrapped Mochi, Chicken Hearts, Bacon Wrapped Quail Eggs, Prawns, Chicken Thigh, Beef, Chicken Balls... To be honest I was initially worried this was going to be one of those situations where I leave hungry... but I was wrong. The meal is completed with a large pot of nabe hot pot! Filled with intestines, tofu, mushrooms, and assorted veggies, it's impressive. Not to mention the stock is incredibly rich, smooth and hits the spot at the end of the meal. One of my favorite things is hot soup at the end of a meal (it's the Asian way). They will also bring fresh ramen noodles too put in the broth once you've mostly finished the vegetables. This was just an amazing meal and definitely worth the wait and $70 cost. Yes, it's a flat price for an omakase experience. We already made another reservation- Can't wait until the next time in August! read more

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I finally got to go here after successfully booking a reservation through phone! Wow. What an amazing experience. 5 stars for chef Ando and his staff of workers. They were all extremely efficient and our waters were never empty and always full. The food was incredible. The side dishes at the beginning were so flavorful and brimming with so many different flavors that we all finished it in one go. The yakitori skewers were all to-die-for. I never knew I would enjoy eating all the parts of a chicken grilled but here we are and it was so wonderful. He is so skilled at what he does because the preparation to get it charred just right to where it is tender yet crisp on the outside with the right amount seasoning takes lots of experience. The motsu nabe. Holy sh*t ya'll. I will forever be dreaming about it. Just when you think you are finished with the yakitori they pulled out the big ass motsu nabe. So in love. This whole experience felt like a dream. A dream that I do not think I would ever wake up from. A dream where the food just keeps coming and then my stomach would explode. I think my dreams are going to consist of that now. I will be just keep getting fed dish after to dish from chef Ando and then black out. LOL. I absolutely love this place. Come with an empty stomach. I also need to come back. This is definitely not something I could eat every week but once every other month. The food is incredible. Props to chef Ando. 5 stars all around for Yakitori Ando. read more

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Had so much fun with a group of friends at Yakitori Ando. Plenty pics already posted of the great yakitori and motsunabe, here is a pic of how we felt at the end of the meal, so happy!! read more

Yakitori Ando - Fun times as Yakitori Ando! - Izakaya Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Aloha, Yakitori Ando is the best kept secret in kaimuki. Get your Rez a couple months in advance as Ando has a major following. Great Omakase for $70 and byob. Wow what a deal. Love this place. Will definitely be back. Mahalo read more

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Update Dec 2023. Visiting Oahu from the 9th Island! Yakitori Ando is on my list of favorite restaurants for dinner and the food and service did not disappoint. This hidden gem hole in the wall is also being your own beer/wine/champagne! No corkage! Can't beat that w the best Yakitori on the island. Ando san is grilling bomb azz Yakitori over perfectly cured charcoal. Amazing and worth the visit every time. read more

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I came because my friend said she needed an additional person for her long awaited Motsunabe hot pot experience! Experience wise, we got seated at a side table and served at a normal table so it really lacked the omakase experience. Everyone was super nice and fantastic and we did share drinks across the restaurant, but definitely didn't get the experience everyone raves about. Food was really good, emphasis and kudos to how well prepared it was, but it did feel like I wasn't full. It was yummy but I don't necessarily think I could come back again with such a high price tag. read more

Wow! What an experience to taste the delicious talent of Former Sumo Wrestler and Yakitori Master, Ando-San! Reservations only - Call when the store opens for best chance to reach them. I made this reservations about 2 months in advance as there is very limited seating. Small gem tucked away in Kaimuki. Located near Bank of Hawaii and lot across the street to park. Street parking available if lucky. Casual spot, so feel free to dress comfortably. Expect to be here 2-3 hours for the entire foodie experience as Chef Ando is the only cook and there are two waiters. We got there 6pm and stayed till almost 9pm, so sit back, relax and watch Chef's magic! "Omakase" style, which means CHEF'S CHOICE and made with fresh ingredients. Many courses that included a variety of yakitori specials and if you want to end the meal with Mostsunabe. Highly recommend if you think you'll have room! Stars of the show: -Bacon Wrapped Mochi -Bacon Wrapped Tomato -Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatball Skewers) -Chicken Wings -MOTSUNABE (Japanese stew with tripe) with the noodles (offered near the end of the meal if you are still hungry) Other tasty ones were shrimp, gizzards, chicken etc. Ended up leaving very happy and full at $60/person. Another plus is the BYOB! Bring libation of choice and they have fridge and bucket of ice you can use. Water and cups provided. read more

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omakase yakitori? yes please. be sure to make a reservation by calling, as it is a smaller location with few seats, but definitely worth it! we sat at the bar so we got to see the chef work. we also brought a small bottle of sake as a gift to him, and he had a drink with our party. some of my favorite sticks were the whole prawns, the aspara-bacon, and the tsukune. the chef noticed i liked to dip all my stick into the shichimi on the table, so he also offered me a very very spicy pepper to dip. that attention to detail was very much appreciated. as others have said, the motsunabe was quite spectacular. i'm not usually a fan of tripe, but i'd have this soup any day of the week. the broth is so flavorful and it felt like the perfect ending to the meal. read more