Celebrate Natto Day with 21 New Natto Takeout Dishes Around Honolulu

From Kalihi to Kāhala to Kāne‘ohe, a record 12 eateries will prepare one-day-only natto creations featuring Japan’s famously slimy bean on Saturday, July 9.

June 28, 2022

Mari Taketa,

Natto again! Yes, Honolulu, the one day a year when natto lovers unite in open celebration of Japan’s much-maligned fermented bean is upon us. Across the city on Saturday, July 9, 12 eateries will prepare and sell natto takeout dishes specially created for this day. Among them are three newcomers to this annual tradition: Got’z Grindz musubi and snack shop in Kāne‘ohe, elevated local brunch spot Nami Kaze in Iwilei, and The Curb in Kaimukī, debuting with natto desserts.

Natto aficionados will be quick to note that we’re off by a day because officially, Natto Day is July 10 (in Japanese, na means 7 and tō means 10). We’re celebrating a day early simply because many eateries are closed on Sundays.

Devotees who’ve followed the Natto Day celebrations that we started 11 years ago will realize that this is the first year the stinky bean is being celebrated on the Windward side. Most of the time, we’ve organized all-natto dine-in feasts at restaurants including Pig & The Lady, Ethel’s Grill, Zigu and Tokkuri Tei. We launched the broader takeout format two years ago to spread the slime among more eateries, with diehards trekking to all the restaurants on Natto Day. In most cases you just show up and place your order. At Okim’s and Kapa Hale you have the option of dine-in or takeout; Feast and The Curb have counter service with tables; and for Nami Kaze you’ll need to pre-order. Find all details in the gallery below.

Shoutout as always to my Natto Takeout Dine-Around co-organizers, Greg Sekiya and Scott Pang. Now scroll on for a look at the slimy delicacies that await, and get your chopsticks ready for July 9.

Dell’s Kitchen & Bakery

McCully

Dells Kitchen Natto Omurice Pc Chihiro Kitagawa

Photo courtesy of Dell’s Kitchen

Natto Omurice, $14

Soft, gooey natto omelet with bacon, jako and takana over natto fried rice; served with kabayaki sauce, green onion, shredded nori, side potato salad, cabbage salad and pickles.

Takeout only. Open July 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., 1110 McCully St., (808) 840-0496, dellskitchenandbakery.com, @dellskitchenandbakery

Ethel’s Grill

Kalihi

Photo courtesy of Ethel’s Grill

Natto 4 Ways, $8 each

Boursin Pesto Natto
Shoyu Sugar Saba Tsukudani Natto
Ginger Scallion Natto
Yuzu Ume Hijiki Natto

Takeout only. Open July 9 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 232 Kalihi St., (808) 847-6467, @ethelsgrill_kalihi

Feast by Jon Matsubara

Mānoa

Photo courtesy of Feast

Natto Tartine, $17

Japanese hamachi, pickled wasabi, Feast chickpea natto and garlic toast.

Takeout and dine-in. Open July 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m., 2970 E. Mānoa Road, (808) 840-0488, feastrestauranthawaii.com, @feast808

Got’z Grindz

Kāne‘ohe

rice bowl topped with natto, ham and cured egg yolk

Photo courtesy of Got’z Grindz

Natto Don, $7.95

with cured egg yolk, egg whites, ham, green onions, mayo.

row of three natto cheese crisps with mayo drizzle

Photo courtesy of Got’z Grindz

Cheesy Natto Senbei, $3.95

Grilled mix cheese crisps with bacon and natto.

Takeout only. Open July 9 from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., 45-726 Kamehameha Hwy, (808) 234-0818, @gotzgrindz

Kapa Hale

Kāhala

Photo courtesy of Kapa Hale

Why Natto? $12

Miso Chiizu Natto Yaki, Ho Farms eggplant dengaku.

Takeout and dine-in. Open July 9 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m., 4614 Kīlauea Ave., (808) 888-2060, kapahale.com, @4614kapahale

Made by Aliyoko

Online/Kalihi

Photo courtesy of Made by Aliyoko

Natto-misu, $10

with natto caramel mascarpone sabayon, Guinness chiffon, mocha natto crunchies.

Guava Natto White Chocolate Chip Cookies, $6 for 3

Azuki Natto Sando Cookies, $6 for 3

aka matcha natto shortbread filled with sweet red beans made from scratch.

Takeout only. Popping up at Ethel’s Grill, open July 9 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 232 Kalihi St., (808) 847-6467, @madebyaliyoko

Mama Kim’s

Pawa‘a

Photo courtesy of Mama Kim’s

Spicy ‘Ahi Natto Bowl, $13

Fresh spicy ‘ahi poke mixed with natto and takuan over sushi rice.

Takeout only. Open July 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 1481 S. King St., (808) 260-4109, @mamakimshawaii

Mio Pastalogy

McCully

Photo courtesy of Mio Pastalogy

Natto Lasagna, $15.50

with house-made fresh pasta, bolognese sauce, pesto genovese natto mix, natto cheesy sauce, eggplant, spinach, ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

Takeout only. Open July 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., 1110 McCully St., miopastalogy.com, @miopastalogy

Nami Kaze

Iwilei

Photo courtesy of Nami Kaze

Natto ‘Ahi Zuke Bakudan, $21

with yamaimo, sizzle ginger, egg yolk jam, kizame nori, sushi rice.

Pre-orders only; call (808) 888-6264. Natto ‘Ahi Zuke Bakudan available July 9 and 10 from 9 a.m to 2 p.m., 1135 N. Nimitz Highway, toasttab.com/namikaze.hi, @namikaze.hi