With fellow food blogger Nate – the “HWN Pake in Okinawa” – recently posting all these super-oishii lookin’ Okinawan grindz before he makes his epic move back home (to Oahu), this sounds like an ideal time to visit an Okazuya again.  As you know, most Okazuyas in the islands are owned and operated by local Okinawans, with Masa  and Joyce in Kaneohe being up there with the best of the best.

On my most recent visit, they gave me permission to take photos of the okazuya selections behind the display case available on that day.  Mahalo! This was on a Friday around 10:30am when there was quite a few things still in stock.

Let’s see what they got…

You probably immediately noticed that void space on the second shelf in the center. Yup, you guessed it. The item that already sold out was their ever-popular Teriyaki Ahi Patty. Damned it!

No worries, get plenny odda’ stuffs, starting with the cone sushi…

Ginger Maki…

SPAM Musubi…

Fried Rice Musubi…

Furikake Musubi…

Hot Dog Maki…

Hamburger Patties…

Teri’ Burger Patties…

Grilled Tofu…

Omelet…

SPAM…

Grilled Saba…

Ahi Tempura…

Sweet Potato Tempura…

Corned Beef Hash…

Shrimp Tempura…

Vegetable Tempura…

Chicken Katsu…

Yaki Soba…

Teriyaki Chicken Bits…

Shoyu Long Rice…

Ahi Kama (tuna collar)…

Nasubi (Shoyu Eggplant)…

Nishime…

That rounds up the (warm) Okazuya items. Under an adjacent counter are all the cold pupu items, including various styles of Poke…

Shoyu Limu Poke Poke…

Limu Poke…

Tako Poke…

Boiled Peanuts and Edamame…

Lomi Salmon…

There was too much glare for me to get the shot, but also under this cold counter were containers of Haupia, fresh Ahi Sashimi platters and a various styles of dried and smoked fish and tako.

Masa and Joyce also serves hot meals to order, including breakfast and soups…

Plate Lunches…

and Hawaiian Food…

Next time I visit Masa and Joyce, I’ll definitely give their Hawaiian Plate a try. Our good friends over at WOWGrinds.com need to do a “Best Lau Lau” challenge. So far it’s in the middle of the field in a poll they have going on there. Wow, Lau Lau!

Here’s what we ended up ordering on this particular visit, starting with Diner E’s plate…


Masa and Joyce Okazuya – clockwise from top left: Vegetable Tempura, Nasubi (in cup), Cone Sushi, Teri Beef Patty, Yakisoba and Ahi Tempura

And Diner P’s plate…


Masa & Joyce Okazuya – clockwise from top left: Corned Beef Hash, Hot Dog Maki, Nasubi, Yakisoba and Vegetable Tempura

As The Tasty Island always like to do, here’s a cross-cut view of the corned beef hash…

Seriously, this is probably the best corned beef hash I’ve had from an Okazuya. Quite unique too with the various veggies mixed in it, along with that contrasting golden panko crust. So winnahz!

Oh, what the heck, here’s my entire plate in dissected view…

I’m not much a fan of their tempura batter, finding it too glutinous and thick. I prefer the more traditional Japanese style light and crispy batter. Perhaps if it came with some kind of dipping sauce I may change my mind, but plain like this it’s a bit overboard for me. Still ono though, yet gotta’ note that.

Their Yaki Soba is solid. Seasonings are just right, yet I could do without the SPAM in it, as I have enough meats from the other dishes. As a meal in itself, great, but with the other things, no need da’ SPAM.

This is the second time I chose the Hot Dog Maki, for good reason. The  hot dog that’s in it is the protocol Okazuya style that’s lightly simmered in Shoyu, which works so wonderful with the plain white rice and nori surrounding it.  Simplicity at its best.

Finally the Nasubi, or Shoyu Eggplant. If you ask me, the “shoyu” flavoring it’s simmered in tastes like Andamisu, that pork and miso condiment served with Okinawan Champuru. It tasted like it had fat drippings from Rafute (Okinawan Shoyu Pork). Diner E didn’t think so, but that was my detection. However it’s made, the Nasubi is excellent here. It’s veyr deep and savory thanks to the attributes mentioned above, so make sure you’ve got a musubi along side it to help buffer that intense taste. With the rice, winnah, winnah Eggplant dinnah… err, make that lunch.

With that, both Diner E and yours truly give our plates a solid 3-SPAM Musubi.

As you see (again), Masa and Joyce has all the local and Okinawan favorites at reasonable prices and most importantly, everything is fresh and tastes great. Next time you’re in Kaneohe, check ‘em out.

Masa & Joyce Okazuya
Hawaiian & Japanese Foods
Sashimi – Poke – Bento – Etc.
45-582 Kamehameha Hwy.
Tel: (808) 235-6129
Fax: (808) 235-0992

Business hours:
Wed – Fri : 9:00am – 6:00pm
Saturdays: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Sundays: 9:00am – 2:00pm
Mondays & Tuesdays: CLOSED

Tasty Island rating: