Kokoro-tei — Restaurant in Honolulu

Kokoro-tei used to be my favorite bento place for the Nori Kara, the Nori Kara Deluxe and Nori Salmon Deluxe costing really cheap and containing lots of food for the price. Before and during covid, they closed their waikiki location and became exclusively a take out place. After covid, you can only step inside a few feet, order and wait outside.

My advice, check their website for daily specials and call it in. I've called my order in and also ordered in person. I have to say, the wait outside...is of significant time, roughly 20 to 30 mins for your food (my orders are typical one item). That's because they get lots of orders per day, so the wait can be very long.

In general service is typically slow.

For atmosphere, I wish they allowed space inside their shop to wait. During the day, and waiting outside, it's hot and often smells/stinks. Some hang out in their cars and come back when its ready.

Anyways, good bento place. Best to call in and pick up. There is no sit down place to eat,...

Just good Japanese comfort bentos. Our bentos came out hot which is always a plus. It's still take out only but that's ok. Their bentos are the perfect thing for a picnic anyway. While I'm not a fan of okara, I was impressed to see it in my wife's bento (at least I think that's what it was). Can't find that a whole lot nowadays that I'm aware of. The area is a little sketch with a lot of homeless frequenting the park across the street but the storefront isn't too far from the parking lot which does not seem to have homeless people.

The setup for safety in this time of covid was great with a paying table in front and a the register back a little ways (if paying by credit card, the only time you'd come into contact with the cashier would be when you got your food).

All in all a great experience and good amount of food...

let this place speak for itself and please visit them if you have a craving for a high quality Japanese bento at reasonable prices! My favorite here is the ginger pork bento (so good!), and if you are hungry, they have mega sizes that pair two entrees together (my favorite is the ginger pork and hamburger steak with wafu sauce combo). I'm happy to see that this place looks to be doing really well, but that does mean you might have to wat in line for awhile to order, and some more waiting till they finish cooking your bento. I notice many people cal their orders in so that's a plus too if you can plan ahead. Really reminds me of meals I enjoy in Japan and their friendly service is...