8 Things You’ll Only Find at Don Don Donki in Kapolei

Hawai‘i’s first Don Don Donki opened in Kapolei in February, joining the family of stores that includes Don Quijote, Marukai, Tokyo Central and Times Supermarkets. How is Don Don Donki different? It’s a superstore that exists only outside of Japan, including in Singapore, Macau, Thailand and Guam, with a special focus on grab-n-go food.

So while Don Don Donki Kapolei stocks similar groceries, household goods and sundries as the other stores, we scoped out some unique sections and offerings. A 100,000-square-foot superstore has a lot of ground to cover, so here’s a breakdown of the must-see areas.

1. Aburi Counter

Aburi means “flame-seared.” This is where you can get grilled-to-order unagi kabayaki (most popular) or yakitori, à la carte as skewers or in a box with rice. Cheese is an optional add-on. We got the yakitori skewers ($6.99 for three) with about four bite-size pieces of chicken on each. Definitely best to eat these when hot.

2. Self-Serve Hot Food, Salad & Dessert Bars

Make yourself a quick plate to go for $11.99 per pound. The Hawaiian food, smoked meats and purple sweet potato salad are particularly popular.

3. Poke Nachos

More than 25 poke varieties are sold by the pound, in poke bowls and poke nachos ($12.99 includes a half-pound of poke of your choice on Maebo One-Ton Chips covered in masago, green onions and unagi sauce; it’s $5 more for fresh ‘ahi).

4. Meat Service

You’ll find all the steaks, roasts, chops and sausages at the full-service meat counter. Not sure what meat is best for your dish? Ask the staff, who will also cut the meat to size for you. The bestseller here is the Japan-style char siu, aka chashu or Japanese braised pork belly, in slices in the marinated meats section or whole pieces in the meat case.

5. Sweet Potato Cakes

There is a Japanese Sweet Potato counter and it’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We got there after 5, but a few cakes were left, including the new Mont Blanc. We opted for the original cake ($12.23, $16.99/lb), which looks like a half-peeled yaki imo but is actually a layer of pure potato topped with cake. The two parts were almost indistinguishable in taste and texture. I like sweet potato, but I don’t love it, so it was a bit much. This one’s for yaki imo fans.

6. Baked-in-House Pizza

Kris’ Bake Factory is named for the company’s Category Strategy Manager for Bakery—a special surprise for her when the store opened. Most goods are pre-packaged, but one exclusive is made hot and fresh: pizza. Portuguese sausage, Spam and mushroom pizza (the most popular), chicken teriyaki pizza and pepperoni pizzas are $6.99 a slice and $19.99 a pie. Cheese pizza is $4.99 a slice and $15.99 for the whole.

7. Waka Sakura

Yes, there’s a kaiten sushi (aka conveyor belt sushi) restaurant inside the store. With a huge menu spanning nigiri, poke, temaki, inari, sashimi, tempura, noodles and more, it’s become a lunch and dinner hot spot for Kapolei.

SEE ALSO: A New Conveyor Belt Sushi Spot Just Opened in Kapolei

8. Food Court

Four places are open in the food court: Café Kyra, Wagyukushi, Toriyama Wagyu Ramen and the juice bar. The first two vendors are also at Don Quijote in Honolulu; the last two are only at Don Don Donki and owned by the same person.

Vendors keep their own hours but are generally open around 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. One corner awaits two upcoming eateries serving katsudon and chicken karaage, though no opening date is set yet.

Don Don Donki’s layout has a one-way entrance on one side and a one-way exit on another side of the store. That will lead you to the self-checkout registers, beyond which are the food court and exit.

Follow Don Don Donki’s Instagram @dondondonkihi, check the website and subscribe to the e-newsletter for updates.

Store open daily 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. (not 24 hours), food court vendors have varying hours. 500 Kamokila Blvd., Kapolei, donquijotehawaii.com, @dondondonkihi

Andrea Lee is the digital editor of HONOLULU Magazine.