Izakaya Genbe

Izakaya Genbe – Come Visit an Authentic Japanese-Style Tavern in a Kihei Strip Mall
The Bottom Line:

When nothing else will do but authentic Japanese cuisine in a casual setting, pull up a chair at Izakaya Genbe. Although set in a quaint Kihei strip mall, the dining experience always feels upscale, especially as each artistically plated dish comes to your table. Their friendly service is second to none as well, making it a great place to land when you want the full package.  

- The HawaiianIslands.com Local Expert Team

For truly authentic Japanese cuisine with rich, bold flavors in every bite, you just need to take a trip over to Izakaya Genbe. Set in the Azeka Shopping Center, this quaint eatery offers delightful meals in-house all afternoon long and well into the evening. From 11 am to 3 pm, however, it’s all about hand-making their to-go Bento Boxes. Although they only offer a sample of their full menu, these little boxes of goodness promise to satisfy all your cravings in an instant.

For the full dining experience, you’ll need to come by after 3 pm to dine on their in-house menu items. From sashimi and tempura to rice bowls and ramen, they definitely serve it all. They even run a full bar, complete with bottled beer, wine, cocktails, and sake. All their menu items come ala carte, so you can build your perfect meal every time. Go big as you mix and match flavors to experience all their best offerings at every visit.

After putting in your order, it’s always nice to take in the peaceful atmosphere and admire the attractive décor. The Japanese-style tavern aesthetic proves wholly welcoming and perfectly sets the stage for a memorable meal. Their quality service brings everything together, too. They treat all their patrons like family, after all, creating an inviting ambiance full of good vibes.  

As soon as the kitchen finishes your order, the server will bring it right out for you to enjoy. Just be sure to give a moment’s pause before digging in, so you can admire the artistic flair put into plating each dish. Every last menu item comes out looking like a true work of art, making for a 100% ‘Gram-worthy meal if you’d like to take a pic. Otherwise, lock the picture of perfection in your memory banks and dig in, confident that every bite is going to taste as good as it looks.

Their most popular dishes include:

Seasoned Soft-Boiled Egg
Although just a simple dish, the Seasoned Soft-Boiled Egg goes great with all their menu items – and is equally excellent all on its own. They create this popular starter by soft-boiling two eggs and then putting them in a sweet soy sauce marinade. Then, the eggs arrive at the table split in half with their bright orange yolks on full display.

Homemade Karaage
For a flavorful crunch in every bite, treat yourself to their Homemade Karaage. They create this entrée by coating boneless chicken thighs in their signature breading. Then, they deep fry it until golden brown and toss it while hot in their sweet soy sauce.

Miso Butterfish Bento
If you’d like to savor fresh seafood goodness featuring an umami kick, the Miso Butterfish Bento is the way to go. This dish centers around their incredibly decadent grilled cod that first marinated in white miso. Alongside that, they add steamed white rice, pickled vegetables, and your choice of two appetizers, like Seasoned Raw Octopus, Hot Cucumber Salad, or Cold Tofu.

If you can manage to save room for dessert, you’re in for a real treat. All their imaginative desserts promise to tantalize your tastebuds and leave you singing their praises all across the island. You really cannot go wrong with their Matcha Green Tea Cheese Cake, Matcha Pudding with Brown Sugar Syrup, or Crème Brulee. But the real magic lies in savoring every last nibble of their Warabi-Mochi, which comes drizzled in brown sugar syrup.

Insider Tips:
-Avoid the wait for Bento Boxes by calling in your order before leaving the hotel.
-Review all their add-ins before ordering to customize your meal to your liking.
-They’re often plenty busy, so consider reserving a table well ahead of your visit. You can do so by giving them a call or booking your spot through their website.
-When ordering the Teppan Yaki and Grilled dishes, expect up to a 30-minute wait for your meal to come out.