There’s a New Old-School Okazuya in Kapolei

Photo: Maddy Chow

A brand-new okazuya appeared in Kapolei at the end of February, in a place where you would least expect it. En Fuego Grill & Catering, a local bento and plate lunch eatery, added musubi, noodles, shoyu pork, nishime and nearly 20 other okazuya options on weekdays. The day after I heard the news, I was there before it opened at 6 a.m.

That was still two hours after the cooks, who start their day at 4 a.m. and cook not only for the okazuya but also event catering and lunches for five private schools. En Fuego Grill has been around for about 15 years and still has salads, bentos, Hawaiian food and plate lunches like loco moco, shrimp scampi and furikake salmon that you can order until 3 p.m. On the okazuya side, co-owner Ross Okuhara says they’ve been selling out by 10 a.m. some days, so definitely go before work. It is a weekday thing since the okazuya doesn’t open on weekends.

Photo: Maddy Chow

Here’s what I found at O‘ahu’s newest old-school Japanese deli.

SEE ALSO: You Voted: Here’s Your Top 5 Okazuya on O‘ahu

Starches

Not only are there okazuya must-haves of fried rice and chow fun, you can find some twists on local favorites. I love the fried saimin ($4.50), a thin wheat noodle with bits and pieces of char siu, kamaboko and plenty of green onion. There are also three types of fried rice—bacon ($2.75 a scoop), miso butterfish ($4 a scoop) and ginger ($2.75 a scoop)—each of which adds bold flavor variations. The miso butterfish in that fried rice is tender, a perfect blend of all the flavors, savory and sweet. I will definitely be getting both the fried  saimin noodles and butterfish fried rice again. 

Photo: Maddy Chow

Meats

There are plenty of options whether you like chicken, pork or even seafood: cold ginger chicken, shoyu chicken, hoisin spare ribs, pork adobo, teri hot dogs, hamburger patty, corned beef half. I tried both of the fried proteins. The fried chicken, eaten fresh, has the crispy skin and tender meat that you hope for, and the shrimp tempura has a thick batter that’s crispy outside. They’re reasonably priced, ranging from $1.70 for a teri hot dog to $4 for the fried chicken. 

Photo: Maddy Chow

Sides

The side dishes are the most Japanese—items like chicken nishime, gobo and rolled omelets. The gobo, paired with my plate of fried food, is my favorite. These are all around $3. 

SEE ALSO: O‘ahu’s Great Neighborhoods: Kapolei/Makakilo

En Fuego Grill is located at Kapolei Marketplace with plenty of parking all around. And as I mentioned, the earlier you go, the better (which is the case with all okazuya). This will be your new go-to lunch spot on the Leeward side.

Okazuya open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. until sold out; other menu items available until 3 p.m., 590 Farrington Hwy, (808) 674-8805, enfuegogrillhawaii.com, @enfuegogrillhawaii