Ezogiku — Restaurant in Oʻahu

Longtime Mainstay in Aiea, located in the Waimalu shopping center, havent been here for a while and was craving miso ramen so drove down for a late lunch.

Place was empty when i arrived, ordered the miso ramen with the 4 piece gyoza and mini fried rice set. Prices have gone up considerably since i last was here.

Ramen came first piping hot, which was a plus. Charsiu was thinner and the bean sprouts sparce as compared to before. Gyoza size looked smaller. Fried rice also.

Service was nonexistent, Ordered food, got it, no refill on water. Very unfriendly. Taste was okay, nothing stands out to make me return. $20 ramen set was okay.... Miss the old days when you get what you pay...

I've been coming to Ezogiku since 2010 with my then boyfriend, now husband. We predominantly went to the now closed University Ave. location, since it was the most convenient, but we frequented this spot as well. Ezogiku has become our benchmark for non-fussy, old school ramen shops. They are consistent and simple in terms of their flavorful broth, noodles, and char siu. Ezogiku's mochiko chicken and gyoza are to this day my favorite mochiko chicken and gyoza anywhere, bar none. Their fried rice is excellent, and tastes even better as leftovers. My husband and I are super nostalgic for Ezogiku, and will continue to think about it fondly for the rest...

Anyone familiar with the quality of food in Japan will immediately recognize that this restaurant's food does not meet that high standard. I felt there was something lacking in every dish. The ramen lacked any depth and the noodles were over cooked. The curry was a little bit watery, and the gyoza were small. For the good, the value per dollar here is noteworthy. For less than $15 I got 3 dishes.

I might come here again if I really wanted a decent amount of food for cheap. However with so many quality restaurants in the very near area, I can't give my full endorsement...