Takoyaki Samurai

Sure, it’s in the middle of one of the most touristy areas in the nation, if not the world, Yes, it’s a dinky little shanty surrounded by other shanties peddling random stuff, and no, the takoyaki is not nearly as good as what you’d find on the streets of Osaka, but hey…
Fresh, piping hot takoyaki made to order from a nice, middle aged gent who reminds me of Takumi’s dad from Initial D, and right near the beach to boot? Sign me up!
As mentioned, the takoyaki isn’t the most spectacular, but still plenty delectable. The main draw here is of course, the backdrop. There isn’t much else of note in this little section besides Takoyaki Samurai, but do make sure to step deeper inside the shanty area, and you’ll soon forget that you are mere feet away from some of the most commercialized high end luxury areas anywhere.
Also, the owner is an absolute hoot, acting like he doesn’t have a care in the world, just chugging on his beer while prepping your snacks. I’m not the only one who finds him interesting either, as I have noticed scores of enamored young Japanese women also perched outside his stand making friendly conversation.
In short, if you are a seasoned vet to the Islands, I’m certain you will avoid this part of town like leprosy, but for the infrequent visitor, it is an absolute treat.

Just went back here in June and I was really disappointed. I understand that menus change and I was kinda sad that they did not cheese/​mochi takoyaki. However, I settled for something else. I went with the only other option (besides the classic), which was a spam and cheese version. I was again disappointed when the delicious cheese molten cheese that was inside each ball was replaced by a few strips of barely melted american cheese on top. They were also smaller, much more oily and seemed deflated unfortunately, this place has lost my business.

My germophobic mother would be horrified that I ate at Takoyaki Samurai upon seeing the shack tucked next to a street market, and I knew she would be disdainful if she saw them transport items back and forth between the shack and a mysterious kitchen somewhere in the back.
But man, it’s pretty good Takoyaki! I usually don’t like tentacles, but everything is better as a ball, including octopus… especially when it’s covered in batter, fried, and I can’t see those little suckers. It was fried well and the flavor was good. Perfect place to stop for a snack, just not much seating available outside next to it.

Should definitely get their Acai bowl!!!

The man who works here is SO sweet. He ran out of the regular takoyaki but told us that the fried ones are just as good. Made them for us quick and only charged us $ 7 as opposed to $ 7.50. I know 50 cents isn’t much difference but thats just so NICE of him in a tourist-​based city.
The takoyaki was good and super filling. What I love about this place is that it’s totally hidden in an alley. We came across it accidentally our first night and had to come back for some the next night!

Takoyaki was mediocre. Overcooked and the tako was so small. The taste was a bit bland as well.
Yakisoba was okay. So much cabbage though – is that much cabbage «filler» necessary?
Shake/​salmon musubi. Freaking awesome – fresh salmon/​shake. Got full from the first one. Ginormous portion.
Takoyaki served at night only… For a stand called «Takoyaki» Samurai, I’d expect better than mediocre takoyaki that is served less than half the day.
Guy that was working – so funny. Drinking a can of Asahi beer while cooking the food – loved it.
Still yet – perhaps will be back if nearby and hungry. For takoyaki? Not from herd, but other stuff I’ll try.

How do you run out of takoyaki every time I try to order some. The last time I went, he was making a batch and told me he’s out. End result? We went at 6pm the next day to make sure he doesn’t run out.
Was it worth it? It wasn’t bad but not a great as those that I’ve had in Japan.

Street vendor… like I mean shack on the side of the street beside a section of a side market.
Great late night stop.
Takoyaki! yummm.
Yakisoba! yummm!
The tables are on the side walk, with mostly all Japanese customers.
Very authentic street vendor! Japanese guy speaks little English but I did well pointing at menu items! haha.
The first night we came at 11:30pm and he was out of takoyaki batter… so don’t come too late! :)

I LOVE Takoyaki Samurai!
I stayed at the Ohia, student housing, just down the street one summer, and I was at Takoyaki Samurai every chance I could get.
The Takoyaki is grilled perfectly, not too mushy inside, and nice and crispy outside, with the perfect amount of takoyaki sauce.
I also love the yaki udon they have, big soft udon noodles grilled with a delicious sauce, and topped with Japanese mayo.
It’s a small place, and they just do a few dishes, but they do them so well that I just want to keep coming back forever.

Best dried curry sausage and cheese burrito that i’ve ever had in my entire life! Amazing flavor, add siracha for a little bit of zing, a definite hidden gem off royal hawaiian ave.
There are very few restaurants that fuse an asian dish into a burrito (something I’ve always admired and delighted in eating), and this place does it better than any other place I’ve tried in my entire life.

The takoyaki here is SO GOOD. I think that’ s all that needs to be said about it. I’ve only recently begun to like takoyaki in general, and this is the best of it I’ve eaten anywhere. I also got yakisoba there. At first I tried to order 10 pieces but he misheard me as ordering 15 pieces so I was like oh well, right? Well, I finished all 15 myself along with the yakisoba, that’s how good it is.

Need a quick inexpensive place to eat at night. this place is awesome! Yakisoba is a must. They have burritos there which is another great item!

Discovered this place the first night me and my partner arrived in Hawaii. A shack practically on an alleyway of Waikiki, and with Japanese people eating on the outside tables in the middle of the night, this must be ok, if they are just sitting around eating and talking while being illuminated by flood lights. I did not know what to expect from the food, but if it can survive on the street (and I am so into street food!) and attract people at this time of day (midnight), why not take the plunge.
We did not come back till two days later, and this time it was for breakfast. We ordered a Japanese breakfast burrito to share, and it is a quant little shop, where the owner works in with his small grilling pan, he threw down the rice, mixed some chicken, threw some onions, put some soy sauce on top, and took his time to really mix everything in. This may look like just a shack, but you are not getting your food like McDonald’s, where it is just whipped out as fast as they can. There were people who made their orders after me, and slowly waited for their food while he was just cooking mine up. I could only imagine how hot it could be in the summer working in this little stall he runs, but he happily just cooked away, eventually putting the mixture into the wrap, and putting it on a paper plate, and also asking me if I like it ‘spicy’ and pulled out a bottle of tobasco sauce. The meal hit the spot this morning, sharing with my partner, sitting outside on the make-​shift tables was nice. A simple meal, a cheap meal in Waikiki, and more flavourful than what you would be paying for at a restaurant, or even McDonald’s.
I came back here one more time, before I left, as I wanted to pick up some musubi before we departed the lovely O’ahu. This time at night, with the place semi-​busy, he eventually got to my order, and asked if I was hungry, and he added more rice to the musubi (this thing was big!). I did not have enough change, and was going to break up a big bill to pay my bill, and he was nice enough to let it go. He insisted as he knew we were getting on a plane. I hope to come back to Waikiki, and come back to try the other stuff at this stall, but for the two times I came, it was nice.

Small whole in the wall in Waikiki located behind Jack in the Box, next to Kenko Sokushin.
The BEST yaki udon/​udon yaki ever!!! Udon cooked to perfection, bits of tender tako, fried eggs, green onions, katsuo boshi, Japanese mayonnaise, red ginger, special sauce. WOW! I don’t care too much for udon, but was brought here by a friend who eats this at least a few times a month. I’m forever grateful that he took me to Samurai… eating the udon was like having a party in my mouth!
Next time I go, I’m definitely trying the tako yaki!