Musubi Cafe Iyasume: Honolulu, HI, USA
I have yet to find a “super” spam musubi like the one that I’ve found here at Musubi Cafe Iyasume. There is very limited parking in the lot directly outside of this store, and equally limited seating space, but to be honest, I’ve never had the intention of coming here to sit and eat. I love this almost walk-in cafe because it is the most convenient (and tastiest) place that I have found to grab quick musubis and bentos, as well as tasty drinks, and get on the go. The price is also not exorbitant as Hawaii already can be an expensive trip.
One of the things I like is seeing the actual Japanese aunties making the musubi and onigiri by hand in the kitchen behind.
My favorite musubi of all time is what I call the “super” spam musubi. In reality it is a spam musubi with tamago and unagi with avocado. Think of it as your avocado toast equivalent of a deluxe spam musubi.
Tamago, Unagi, Avocado Spam Musubi
PROS:
– great quantity
– well wrapped
– incredibly filling
– great combination of flavors
CONS:
– none
Butterfish Bento: their bentos are very easy and convenient to take on road trips, especially to the north shore. They do have a select variety so please select as you wish!
PROS:
– good assortment of the main dish and side dishes
– well packaged, not leaking
– warm upon delivery
CONS:
– not fancy if this was something you were expecting. It is really like the bentos that you would find, maybe one step above, in traditional Japan convenience stores.
Matcha Latte: you can probably purchase this at any major Japanese grocery store. I’ve definitely found it at Nijiya Mart in SF and other smaller ones but it is one of my favorite and one that I always get in Japan when I visit.
PROS:
– convenient, easy to take to-go
– comes with straw
– good flavor: typical matcha latte
CONS:
– slightly on the sweeter end
– served refrigerated (cold) so if you wanted a hot one, you may have to have your own cup and a microwave/stove.
Parking is a bit hard, but you can find street parking should you not be able to get into the lot. I’ve never found an issue with this. Street parking mind you, is somewhat of a challenge – make sure you have quarters on hand as Hawaii is a bit of a time warp into previous US history days. I will always come back for sure. They do have multiple locations but the one I went to is located below:
1518-B Makaloa StHonolulu, HI 96814
Definitely check them out or at their other location on Kuhio Ave is also great too!
R/g
