Best bon dance eats of summer 2018
Where to feast on andadogs, Harajuku crepes, KC waffle dogs and more
Summer in Hawaii means bon dance season, but the festivities are no longer just about putting on that yukata and dancing to honor your ancestors.
In Hawaii, many have evolved into foodie fests. And not just any food. With Scout troops and temple elders doing the cooking, the food is always old-school and local style. It’s simple and comforting (and there’s always shave ice!), and together with concentric circles of everybody from your high school buds to your mom’s retired hairdresser dancing around the musicians’ tower, food has helped make Hawaii bon dances a one-of-a-kind phenomenon. It’s not just a local Japanese thing, either. EVERYbody goes.
Back in 2011, Mari Taketa did a summer preview of the best bon dance eats; here’s an updated roundup. Whether you’re going for the full experience of eating and dancing under the stars, or you’re like me and just going for the grinds, here’s where to find your favorite bon dance eats.
June 29-30: Honpa Hongwanji
Where: 1727 Pali Hwy., Pauoa
Time: 6 p.m.
Contact: 536-7044
Parking: Overflow parking at Hongwanji Mission School, Kawananakoa Middle School, Cathedral School and Soto Mission of Hawaii
Grinds: BBQ sticks, BBQ stick plate, stew bowl, chili bowl, teri burger, saimin, soy beans, various baked goods, Spam musubis, andagi, shave ice, water and canned drinks. Friday only: chow fun in a cone, hot dogs. Saturday only: waffle hot dogs, fried noodles
July 6: Moiliili Hongwanji
Where: 1110 University Ave. (old Varsity Theatre parking lot), Moiliili
Time: 5-10 p.m.
Contact: 949-1659
Parking: Free parking at 2331 S. Beretania St. or street parking
Grinds: Barbecue sticks, saimin, SPAM musubi, teri burgers, shoyu pork. New items: takoyaki, chicken karaage
July 7: Moiliili Summer Fest
Where: 1110 University Ave. (old Varsity Theatre parking lot), Moiliili
Time: 5-10 p.m.
Contact: 949-1659
Parking: Free parking and shuttles from UH Manoa parking structure
Grinds: Food trucks and vendors include Heart 2 Table, Waimanalo Country Farms, Hawaiian Fresh Farms, Gyozilla, Yellow Ribbon Fries, Aloha Crepes, Hawaiian Pie Company, Da Ultimate Grindz, Istanbul Hawaii, Ice HNL, No Ka Oi
July 7: Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji
Where: 45-520 Keaahala Rd., Kaneohe
Time: 6:30-10 p.m. (food concessions open at 5:30 p.m.)
Contact: 247-2661
Parking: Free parking at Benjamin Parker Elementary School from 4:30 p.m.
Grinds: Grilled BBQ beef sticks, teriyaki chicken bento, nishime, andagi, edamame, chili hot dogs and rice, Spam musubi, slices of pie, watermelon slices, strawberry ice cake
July 13-14: Rissho Kosei-kai
Where: 2280 Auhuhu St., Pearl City
Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m. (food booths open at 6 p.m.)
Contact: 455-3212
Parking: Free parking at Palisades Baptist Church and Palisades Elementary School
Grinds: Oden, barbecue beef and chicken, grilled corn on the cob, saimin, SPAM musubi, chow fun, shave ice, grilled mochi
July 20-21: Higashi Hongwanji
Where: 1685 Alaneo St., Liliha
Time: 7-10 p.m. (food booths open at 5:30 p.m.)
Contact: 531-9088
Parking: Free parking at Likelike Elementary School and Lanakila Elementary School
Grinds: Shave ice, andagi, garlic shrimp, hamburgers, plate lunch, Spam musubi, somen
July 20-21: Jikoen Hongwanji Mission
Where: 1731 N. School St. (corner of Likelike Highway), Kalihi
Time: 6-9:30 p.m. (July 20), 5:30-9:30 p.m. (July 21)
Contact: 845-3422
Parking: Free parking at Kapalama Elementary School
Note: Food booths open at 5 p.m., live music with Okinawan and Japanese bon dance, fun keiki games like kingyo sukui where you try and catch a fish with a paper net
Grinds: Jikoen’s famous andagi, BBQ plates, poke bowls, Okinawan juushi jook, Uchina soba, the original KC Waffle Dog, shave ice
July 20-21: Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission
Where: 164 California Ave., Wahiawa
Time: 7-10 p.m. (food vendors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Contact: 622-1429
Parking: Street parking
Grinds: Plate lunches (chicken hekka, chili and rice, hamburger curry), barbecue sticks, sushi, hot dogs, teri burgers, fried noodles, saimin, andagi, shave ice, Spam musubi, nachos. Toward the end of the evening, andagi flavors like strawberry and blueberry are usually available
Aug. 3-4: Manoa Koganji Temple
Where: 2869 Oahu Ave., Manoa
Time: 5-10 p.m. (bake shop and food booths open at 5 p.m.)
Contact: 988-4905
Parking: Street parking
Grinds: Andagi, kimono dogs, grilled teriyaki corn on the cob, plate lunches
Aug. 17-18: Jodo Mission of Hawaii
Where: 1429 Makiki St., Makiki
Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m. (food booths open at 4:30 p.m.)
Contact: 949-3995
Parking: Street parking, limited parking available at the temple and next door at Hawaii Mission Academy
Grinds: Shave ice, musubis, BBQ sticks, different types of sushi, yakisoba, gyoza, chili, hamburgers
Aug. 17-18: Mililani Hongwanji
Where: 95-257 Kaloapau St., Mililani
Time: 7 p.m.
Contact: 625-0925
Parking: Limited parking available at MTA Recreation Center 3 (next door) except for marked reserved stalls; drop-off area with turnaround available at end of church driveway for physically challenged
Grinds: Friday only: Chicken hekka, chicken curry, kalua pig and cabbage, fried noodles, hotdogs; Friday and Saturday: Spam musubi, andagi, shave ice; Saturday only: TBD food trucks
Aug. 25: Nichiren Mission of Hawaii
Where: 33 Pulelehua Way, Nuuanu
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Contact: 595-3517
Parking: Free parking and shuttle service from 4-10 p.m. at the Toho No Hikari Church at 3510 Nuuanu Pali Dr.
Grinds: Asian pork, chicken curry, chili, nachos, fried saimin, Harajuku crepes, teri burgers, saimin
Sept. 1-2: Okinawan Festival
Where: Hawaii Convention Center, 1801 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki
Time: 5:30-9 p.m.
Contact: 676-5400
Parking: Parking info TBD
Note: Food booth hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 2. Saturday bon dance food: andagi, andadog, Okinawa soba, yakitori and sushi booths open until 8 p.m.
Grinds: Andagi, andadog, champuru plate, Oki dog, Okinawan soba, pig’s feet soup, yaki soba, chicken plate, chicken nishime, chili and rice, chili frank plate, maki sushi, yakitori sticks and more
