Whenever you’re craving homecooked meals served in huge portions, put Teshima’s Restaurant on your itinerary. With a trip over to this popular Kealakekua eatery, you can get all the best Japanese-Hawaiian fusion dishes made using fresh ingredients. On top of that, their cozy atmosphere and bright aloha spirit will have you feeling right at home as soon as you waltz through the doors.
A family-owned and operated joint, this restaurant got its humble start as an ice cream shop in the late 1800s. Through many evolutions, they eventually settled on tasty fusion fare in the 1950s, serving up hamburgers alongside sukiyaki. Grandma Teshima led the way to greatness, eventually passing down the restaurant to her family. In honor of her warm nature, they’ve kept the space feeling truly intimate while ensuring her homecooked recipes continue to delight locals and tourists alike.
Each day, they open their doors for breakfast, proudly serving traditional Japanese fare alongside Hawaiian classics. Then, at 11 am, they switch to an equally diverse menu for the rest of the day, featuring sashimi, loco moco, and everything in between. They only do sushi rolls on Monday from 11 am to 2 pm, however, so you’ll need to time your visit just right if that’s what you’re after.
Although they stay pretty busy all throughout the day, they do not take any reservations. So, be prepared to wait for a table to open up when you arrive. After the lunch hour, you can often start out at the bar where they serve appetizers and drinks of all kinds. Then, when a table becomes available, they’ll switch you over to a more comfortable seat for the rest of your meal.
Whether you’re seated at the bar or at a table in the dining room, your server will provide endless aloha throughout your meal. They always go all out in making their patrons feel welcome and valued. If you need anything at all, just let them know and they’ll make it happen.
Their most decadent dishes include:
Japanese Breakfast
A traditional way to start the day, the Japanese Breakfast will leave you energized for your adventures ahead. With this breakfast, you get an egg, fish cake, fried fish, and miso soup. Pickled veggies in the form of sunomono and tsukemono come alongside to cleanse the palate. Plus, you get a cup of Japanese tea to help wash it all down.
Corned Beef Hash
When you want stick-to-your-ribs deliciousness in every bite, you cannot go wrong with the Corned Beef Hash. They make this dish by frying up their homemade corned beef hash patties. Then, they pair it up with an island fresh egg fried to your ideal level of doneness.
Deep-Sea Trio
If you’re looking to grub on all the best island flavors, treat yourself to the Deep Sea Trio. This dish comes with shrimp tempura, fried fish, and sashimi as the main course. Alongside, you also get miso soup, tsukemono, sunomono, and all-you-can-eat rice. Hot green tea comes with this sunset dinner combo to further elevate your dining experience.
Dessert is always a must at every visit. Also made using Grandma’s recipes, their desserts range from chocolate truffles and oatmeal cookies to pumpkin pie and ice cream. Every last one is absolutely scrumptious, too, making it well worth trying to save room after dining on all the comfort food you could ever want.
Insider Tips:
-If you’re in a hurry, call in your order before you leave the hotel. Sometimes, they won’t answer when it’s busy. When that happens, use their online ordering service, Clover, instead.
-Are you planning a special event any time soon? Ask about their catering services.
-Need gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian fare? Just let your server know about your dietary restrictions.
-They close for three hours between lunch and dinner service, so plan accordingly to arrive when they’re open.