Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro image

Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro

Restaurant Meal takeaway Japanese restaurant Tonkatsu restaurant

Cozy restaurant specializing in Japanese breaded pork cutlets, plus seafood & poultry options. People often mention katsu, good, pork, reservation, restaurant, order, tonkatsu, experience, side, nice,


Address

255 Beach Walk, Honolulu, HI 96815

Website

www.ginzabairinhawaii.com

Contact

(808) 926-8082

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (1.5K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 4 to 9:15 PM
  • Friday: (Good Friday), 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 4 to 9:15 PM, Hours might differ
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 4 to 9:15 PM
  • Sunday: (Easter), 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 4 to 9:15 PM, Hours might differ
  • Monday: 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 4 to 9:15 PM
  • Tuesday: 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 4 to 9:15 PM
  • Wednesday: 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 4 to 9:15 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: katsu (16) good (15) pork (13) reservation (12) restaurant (9) order (8) tonkatsu (8) experience (6) side (6) nice (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 2/5 The Honest Traveler E. 2 years ago on Google
    Customer service 0/10 Value for money 8/10 Quality of experience 6/10 After a couple tries we finally got this as delivery. The taste is actually very good but not to a point that actually warrant the attention it gets. You might hear good things about it and you want to try. I will say go ahead and do that, it won't be bad. But it will be kind of a bad experience getting it and you won't really be getting anything beyond expectation. When you order for pick up at this restaurant, be prepared for the order to be cancelled without explanation. The place is so busy that we ended up schedule for delivery on a later day only to have our order cancelled 10 minutes before the supposed delivery time: hungry with no other reservation we are deeply annoyed by the cancellation. The restaurant also ignores phone call.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Estel V. 4 months ago on Google
    Honestly, it's probably one of the biggest tourist trap I've fallen for awhile. Lack of selection, average food, exorbitant prices. They refused to serve a second serving of miso soup when the menu indicated you are allowed that because there's a hidden rule that everyone must order a set in order to get that (not mentioned on the menu at all). Not cool at all since we paid for the set meal. I'd say skip this and cross the street to try Steak Farm instead. Half the price and 10x the flavor and quality.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Charlie T. 2 years ago on Google
    Super tasty tonkatsu! We were lucky and able to sit outside (as we did not have reservations). The way they breaded the pork is just plain amazing. It's kinda difficult to explain as you just need to try and experience it yourself. The food here is pretty good and worth to check out.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amy P. 2 years ago on Google
    Many of our friends recommended coming here and they had been to Japan before. They raved how this was the best katsu they've had outside of Japan. I have nothing to compare to since I've never been to Japan and the only katsu I love in the Bay Area is from Demiya. I got lucky and called a week in advance to get dinner reservations at 5pm on a Tuesday. But I had to call 11 times to get through. Between me and my husband, we both ordered the 7.0oz "Specialty" Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu set each ($42) and the katsu sandwiches to share. The sandwiches were so good and a great appetizer while we waited for our entree. We did order a side of curry sauce ($5) since one of our friends suggested it. I thought it was good because it was sweet compared to the crushed sesame seeds and katsu sauce, which was a bit tangy. My husband thought it was a little heavy but we were just dipping our katsu into the curry to eat. The actual specialty kurobota pork loin katsu was sooooo good. It was tender, juicy, and fatty which I loved! I don't even like breaded meat in general but I could eat this all the time. It was the priciest set but so worth every bite. The side dishes are ayce so you can ask for more miso soup, rice, and salad. Of course we got more, which is why we were also so full at the end. If we didn't order the beer, which was $1.30, our stomachs probably wouldn't feel like it's gonna burst. It was such a good deal that we couldn't pass it up. But you could probably skip it. The service we recieved here from the ladies was phenomenal. They were so friendly, nice, and attentive. Our waters were getting refilled and we were asked multiple times if we needed any more side dishes. We definitely would come back and highly recommend anyone who loves katsu to give this place a try!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 May W. 2 years ago on Google
    We liked their food so we made another reservation after our first visit about 2 weeks ago. Yesterday we were there waiting to get in for the first slot, 11am reservation, but they didn't open until 5 min past 11am. Then a guy came out and started to talk to the walk-in people. When customers with reservations asked him about going inside, he said they should just get in the same line and wait for their turns. (In fact, we came early as well; it just didn't occur to us to join the walk-in line.) So while he chitchatted with people (and told them sorry there's no available seating) the customers with 11am reservations stood outside waiting. And the restaurant sat empty. Finally a woman with better sense came out (to find out what's going on) and quickly welcomed us in. Originally I planned to give it a 3-star due to the poor people flow management. But the woman was so nice and kept apologizing so 4-star it is. And the food was very good indeed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Paul Y. 1 year ago on Google
    Leaving a review for the yoshoku side (western cuisine) which is the right side of the restaurant. Food overall felt pretty standard. We ordered tonkatsu too, but it didn’t really blow my mind like I was hoping for it to. Tasted like a lot of tonkatsu I’ve had here in LA. I wonder if it tastes different on the left side of the restaurant? Prices are a little steeper than I expected as well.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Seon 7 months ago on Google
    We made a reservation, so we didn't have to wait. We ordered two specialty kurobuta pork loin katsu and crab cream croquettes. Everything was very good, but it was very pricey for katsu. The servers were nice, and the food came out relatively fast. Parking was also easy. You just have to park in the Bank of Hawaii parking garage and get vouchers from the restaurant to get your parking slip validated.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Serena H. 4 months ago on Google
    eaten here on every single trip ive taken to oahu over the last 3 years and it never disappoints. juicy, high quality pork katsu, with perfectly crispy breading. i’d recommend shelling out for the special katsus if they still have availability—you can definitely tell the difference in juiciness and tenderness! amazing and accommodating service as well. i’d recommend making a reservation beforehand, but even if not, definitely stop by for a delicious dinner in waikiki if you have a chance! one of the best restaurants in this area for sure.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chris R. 1 year ago on Google
    No lie: this is the best tonkatsu I've ever had. The pork was perfectly cooked. Juicy, crispy but not greasy, and amazing flavor. Also I'd highly recommend the curry as it took the meal to a whole new level. Everything about the meal was perfect, no complaints at all. We were able to get seating relatively quick late on a Saturday at the bar area. Wait staff was friendly and attentive.

  • 4/5 Derine B. 3 months ago on Google New
    Decent food, but overpriced. Ordered the thick-cut pork loin Katsu set and it was a bit dry. I enjoyed the hot mustard that came with it over the sesame tonkotsu sauce. Echoing another review, there was one piece in the set that was 95% fat and not enjoyable to eat. Having unlimited rice and miso was nice. Also, their air conditioning kept dripping onto one of our party members so that was a bit annoying. Overall, It reminded me of Saku in Vancouver, so it didn't feel special. Not sure what I should have expected.

  • 3/5 S L. 4 months ago on Google
    Made a reservation for the 9pm seating. Service was friendly, food was okay. Ordered chicken and pork cutlet set. Pork had a huge piece of unchewable fat attached to it. Side order of prawn katsu was over cooked and disappointed me given all the good reviews on this place.

  • 5/5 Steven Z. 9 months ago on Google
    My friend and I made a reservation and we had an amazing time at this place. The staff was great, welcoming us warmly and even cracking jokes with us. As for the food, we started with the sandwiches as appetizers, which were out of this world. For our main course, we tried the specialty meals: the $44 set pork lion and the $31 thick cut lion. Both dishes were delicious, with the premium cut one having more fat that simply melted in our mouths. Overall, it was a fantastic experience with delightful food.

  • 4/5 Kel S. 5 months ago on Google
    We had a reservation here on a Thursday evening and were seated five minutes early. The service staff was great during our visit and were very friendly and attentive! We wanted to try the specialty kurobuta set, but it was sold out so we ended up ordering the kurobuta pork loin katsu set in addition to the katsu sandwich. Overall the food was pretty good. The tonkatsu was very thick and crispy, and the cabbage salad with the sesame dressing complimented the entire meal really well. I thought the katsu sandwich was good despite not being a fan of anything that taste like mustard. However, the balance of the flavors here was just right and not overpowering. When it comes to value, the high price just didn’t match the hype and expectations that came with it, which was probably the only downside. I’d very much pass if there were a long wait time on a busy weekend knowing there are a variety of good local eats at a fraction of the cost. However if you enjoy tonkatsu and are looking for a good experience, it’s definitely worth a try!

  • 4/5 Calvin T. 3 months ago on Google New
    We came here because we have been to the location in Ginza, Tokyo, and wanted to be transported back. We were very satisfied with the generous cut of the pork katsu, and the impeccable service that you would expect at a Japanese restaurant. Though it was much pricier than dining at Ginza, it was still a great experience for those who love katsu, or have always wanted to try. The only factor deducting the 1 star is the interior, it felt tight and almost like we were dining with the table next to us. Otherwise, this was a great way to spend a dinner during our trip.

  • 5/5 Kim S. 2 years ago on Google
    I got the ton-katsu thick cut for takeout and was super satisfied. The meat was super tender and juicy and the crust had a nice amount of crisp and chewiness. Even though 20-30 may be a little steep for ton-katsu, I still think this place is well worth it :) would highly recommend and will come again!

  • 5/5 Maya S. 2 years ago on Google
    Hands down the best meal in Hawaii that we had!!! You have to try this place, but eat there if possible. We were lucky to get in without a reservation around lunch and sit at the counter. If you can make a reservation that'd be better. The pork was so juicy and the crust on it was just the perfect. We tried another place to compare and this place was the best !

  • 5/5 R.S. 2 years ago on Google
    This is the better tonkatsu place around the area. The food is delicious and you can tell there is a lot of care for the preparation. Everything was good. I cleaned my plate. It is better to have reservations. I came at non peak hours so was seated quickly. I wouldn't take the gamble next time though and just make a reservation. The staff is very friendly and professional. I will come back!

  • 5/5 Tommy 2 years ago on Google
    Best fried pork cutlet in Oahu. You won't find a better tonkatsu anywhere else on the island. The pork is juicy and the breading is very crisp. The restaurant is very small, but it is located in a nice location. The wait for this restaurant is long, as they don't allow walk-ins sometimes. You will not get a space without a reservation.


Call (808) 926-8082 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Comfort food
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Curbside pickup
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as Asian-owned

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