Tonkatsu Tamafuji

Tonkatsu Tamafuji is a restaurant on Oahu that is just as famous for its deep fried breaded pork as it is for its long lines. Yes, they do have a reservation system, but apparently you had to book it MONTHS in advance, if you were lucky to even get one months in advance. I got luckier by getting invited to dine with a family that had booked a table 9 months ago. 

Here's what the front of the restaurant looked like a few minutes before the doors opened at 5 pm. Some of these people had reservations like us, and some were on the walk-ins list. 

Is it worth the hype and the wait? Absolutely. I'm sure every detail makes a difference - temperature, cooking time, thickness of the meat, the amount of panko, type of panko, etc.

Each meal comes with miso soup (choice of white or red paste, choice of clams or tofu), choice of premium Japanese rice, and unlimited cabbage.

shrimp and pork tender loin katsu set

chicken katsu

pork tender loin katsu sandwich

When we asked our waiter how to. make another reservation dine here, he said they have temporarily suspended their reservation system, as they were deciding whether to revert back to first come first serve. We hope they'll bring back the reservation system! Until then, go down early to add your name to the walk-in list and hope the parties before you eat quickly! With that being said, this is the type of place where you eat and run, so that the folks outside waiting for a table can get their turn. If you're looking for a place where you can take your time and talk story with your dining mates, you should go elsewhere.

Paid customer parking is available under the building. Metered street parking is also available (free on Sundays).

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TONKATSU TAMAFUJI
449 KAPAHULU AVENUE (SECOND FLOOR)