Sakura

The place was easy to find. Street parking right out front. The place is take out only. The sweet old lady made the tempura from scratch so the wait was a bit long. However, it was SO delicious I would have waited longer. The variety of veggies for the tempura was impressive. I had things I’ve never seen and they were good. If I’m ever in Hilo again, I will stop here.

tempura set ($ 9)-comes with shrimp and vegetable tempura, miso soup, koko, gobo/​lotus root side, rice
–recommend calling in order
–very friendly owner
–owner speaks mostly japanese

Best Japanese Take out.
The portions are large and hot and come with Miso soup. Everything comes in styrofoam bowls with chop sticks in a plastic bag ready to carry out. It’s best to call in your order and pick it up in 20 — 25 minutes. Be prepared though, the place is run by a little old Japanese lady who doesn’t speak a lot of English. Some days she has help, others she’s on her own. Sometimes she doesn’t make it in at all and they’ll be closed. But regardless if she has help or not the food is always spot on. The Tempura is always excellent and highly recommended. She has other Japanese favorites as well, like Japanese style curry rice, katsu, Oyako don. Really this is the most authentic Japanese food in Hilo.
So if the gate is rolled back and the open sign is on, call Sakura for the most authentic Japanese take out in Hilo.