When it comes to onolicious bentos and a large assortment of different types of poke, Ishihara Market is definitely the one-stop shop on the Westside. Located in the heart of Waimea, Ishihara Market has served the community of Kaua‘i since
When it comes to onolicious bentos and a large assortment of different types of poke, Ishihara Market is definitely the one-stop shop on the Westside.
Located in the heart of Waimea, Ishihara Market has served the community of Kaua‘i since 1937.
“It started out with my grandfather, then my father took over,” said Guy Ishihara, vice president of Ishihara Market. “We’re third generation: my brother Ray, Grace, myself and my wife are now running operations.”
Ishihara said the market opened up its deli in 1996, creating a new wave of delicious grinds that have become a staple.
“We felt that with the growing times, with the small store that we had, we were stuck there,” Ishihara said. “We went a little bit bigger, expanded our variety of foods.”
The change in 1996 brought forth a plethora of onolicious changes. If you have ever had the pleasure of visiting Ishihara Market, you know what I’m talking about.
After you enter the store, take a left. There, you will find the deli area. Your eyes will feast upon dozens of homemade bentos, sandwiches, salads and an assortment of poke that will have your mouth water.
“In the bentos we have four different meat items,” said Edeline Parabus, kitchen department manager. “Also inside we have rice, namasu and corned beef hash. The four meat items are teriyaki beef, chicken katsu, teriyaki chicken and Korean chicken.”
Parabus said bentos vary daily, but you will get a choice of seafood bentos, chicken and meat bentos or a mix of the trio.
“Some bentos will have seafood, some will have meat items,” Parabus said. “It’s a variety. In the seafood there’s breaded shrimp, breaded fish, teriyaki butterfish and once in awhile we have fresh broiled ahi or salmon.”
Small bentos are $4.95 and large bentos are $6.80.
