Secret Japanese Plate Lunch Spot In Downtown Honolulu

In today's video, I will be going to a plate lunch spot that has been on Kapahulu Avenue for years, and recently moved to the heart of downtown Honolulu. They serve great Japanese inspired plate lunches.
Irifune
850 Mililani Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
[phone]
Open M-F 11:00am - 2:00pm
/ irifunerestaurant
Hey, I'm Misty, and thank you for stopping by my channel. I feature local restaurants to show case what food and menu items that they have to offer. If any of them interest you, please stop by and show them your support. Support local businesses to keep them going!
***Now translations in the Closed Caption section for those who speak Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Filipino, Russian, French, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Hindi, Italian, Samoan, Thai, Vietnamese, and Portuguese! Please press the Closed Caption [CC] button on the bottom of the screen and select your language for translations. Some translations take a couple of days to process.

[@FoodFiend]

Irifune is temporarily closed for a break (probably vacation?) and will re-open on June 12th.

[@johnstegen7507]

3:27. That’s my sister!!!! She was so excited when she called me and told me about you. Thanks for making her day.

[@FoodFiend]

Aw that's great! I had fun chatting with her. 🤙

[@hawaiiangurl808]

Thank you for giving us directions and instructions to the location. It's really great that your video shows the location streets, cross streets etc. Most videos tell us of awesome places, but don't give us location or directions or address ?. Your video is easy to understand and great information all around.

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo! I am so glad the tips on parking and location are helpful. I know sometimes finding parking can be hard and frustrating so I try to help as much as I can. 🤙

[@SakuraSpring]

I like when you walk around and give good directions what’s all around to get to the restaurant. It’s convenient you’re able to go after normal workers lunch hour so it’s not crazy busy. These are healthy lunch plates. Just right cooked ahi is good with the caper sauce...its something different.

[@FoodFiend]

Thanks SakuraSpring! I figure it also gives some people that don't live here or moved a perspective of what the area looks like presently. The ahi steaks were really good. I think I'll try to make some at home one of these days. 🤙

[@susuzuk1]

Oh, I'm so happy you featured Irifune! I would have never found it without your directions and parking suggestions, so mahalo for that! You made us all 'ono for ahi!

[@FoodFiend]

Oh I am so glad the direction and tips on parking helped you! Mahalo for watching! 🤙

[@user-cg8ww5pm6s]

Found Irifune by accident (a good one) when I was in the next bldg to apply for my TSA precheck and decided to pick up lunch. Food and service was good. It was pretty busy as well. 😊

[@FoodFiend]

Nice. It's also a nice spot to kill time if you have to do some errands or wait for something in town. A great spot!

[@ripleylv426.]

Your foodie intel is impressive. I would never have found this place. Like when you went to Sweet Corner Cafe...hoh some of these gems are so hidden 😅. "Savory boba" and "sop it up with the butter sauce" are phrases that will catch my attention 👌!

[@FoodFiend]

LOL, I had this on my list forever since they moved, but there's so many places to go to sometimes I don't know where to start and what to pick. I am glad I finally went. The other places are also requested by some viewers so they are the secret intel as well. It's good to learn from one another. I am glad you like my description of capers. 🤙😊

[@spencermukai8565]

Thanks for these ono food spots on Oahu. That Irifune plate lunch with the fried shrimp and the “fried ahi,’ is called “sashimi tatami,” which is where the chef sears a piece of, in this case, “Ahi,” like a cut of sashimi that gets cut into sashimi slices. For the tatami, the chef, again, sears the four sides of that ahi then does the sashimi slices.

[@FoodFiend]

Aloha Spencer! Thanks for teaching me about how the sashimi tatami is made. It is interesting and I really liked it. 🤙

[@annielee7848]

I used to go to Irifune in the 90s every week to eat ，they are always delicious ！

[@zeytong2113]

If you like ginger scallion relish (a la cold ginger chicken style), the ginger pork there is a sleeper hit!

[@FoodFiend]

Wow thanks for the tip. That sounds amazing!

[@dalynnch]

Aloha Friday Misty!!! Kapahulu!!! Irifunes is classic!!!

[@FoodFiend]

Yes the garlic ahi was wow! 🤌

[@SeanKaleponi]

Aloha Misty!! I love the Garlic Ahi Steak!! 😋🤙👍 and congrats on 10K!! And I have a question " Was there ever moments you thought about quitting KZbin and if so.. what made you keep going?" I mean.. we've seen many people come and go. So just wondering what keeps you motivated..

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo Sean for your kind words! I am not sure I'll be doing a Q&A as it proves not many people watched until the end. Only you and Rod had a question LOL. We shall see. But I'll answer your question nevertheless whether in person or on here 🤙

[@BecWes7]

Love your reviews, you do such a great job! I love how you tell it like it is. I was just watching your older videos, your remarks in those videos were so funny, that's what you call priceless, lol.

[@FoodFiend]

Thank you so much. Glad you like the videos and even the old ones. I find those horrible. I'm happy you found them funny. 🤣

[@Lfundoo]

Another great video Misty and congratulations again on 10K subbies! Looking forward to more vids from you! Have a safe, long, blessed weekend, girly! ❤🌺🤙

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo so much Linda! I hope you have a nice long weekend as well. Mine is spent at work LOL

[@hawaiiancane1]

Thank you for the heads up on Irifune. The food looks great!

[@FoodFiend]

No problem! Hope you can try!

[@ThuanHoang-fd3dx]

Oh Misty, Foods look delicious and great price thank you for sharing your video and enjoying your videos so much. Have a great weekend. Peace

[@FoodFiend]

Thank you Thuan! I hope you have a great weekend as well!

[@gailsiangco5599]

Mahalo for sharing Misty ! Beautiful day in Hawaii ! Healthy option is Nice ! Love your description of the plate lunches !!! Enjoy your day !

[@FoodFiend]

Yes finally some nice weather after a whole week of pounding rain! Have a wonderful weekend Gail!

[@kennoma7998]

OMG Misty, so glad to hear that Irifune is still going strong. Have not been there since the 80's when they were on Kapahulu. They were known for their funky nautical decor and their garlicky dishes. Got to go back. Tanks again. BTW Omedeto on 10K subscribers - you've earned it.

[@FoodFiend]

Thanks so much Ken! Never would have thought I'd get to 10k at all! I hope you can go back and the taste is still the same for you compared to the Kapahulu Ave location. 🤙

[@RSER808]

Aloha, Misty...WOW! Thank you for sharing this video. All this time I thought that Irifune went out of business. I used to eat at the Kapahulu location all the time. I can revisit them now. :-0) They are now in a place where I used to buy sushi at once in a while. And I have not been at that location in many, many years, so I know right where Irifune is located at. Mahalo for sharing...Have a super Memorial Day weekend...

[@FoodFiend]

Oh yay! So awesome that you can now go back! Yes, they've been open now in this newer location for a couple of years now. It's refreshing to see it crowded and that they are doing well. The hours are much shorter now compared to the Kapahulu restaurant, but hope you can get your fix soon! Have a great Memorial Day weekend as well. 🤙

[@mikeyalfeche3559]

Oh nice. I’m gonna check them out. Thanks for the post. Mahalo

[@FoodFiend]

Just be sure to not go until after June 13. They are on vacation and closed now. Mahalo!

[@martykong3592]

:) THANKX MUCH for sharing! Yummmmmm! ! ! ! I would HAVE to try Curry Katsu :) ALL the BEST and ENJOY you Weekend! ! Cheers :)

[@FoodFiend]

Have a great week Marty! Curry katsu sounds ono!

[@bolohead1]

We walked by on a Saturday, I don't finish work early enough to get there, but maybe one day. I haven't eaten there foe decades lol

[@FoodFiend]

Yeah hours are kind of difficult. One day!

[@SupremeJudge]

If you haven’t tried them yet, I highly recommend “Str’Eats of Aloha” in Sand Island. My fave is the pork mozzarella with chorizo gravy. The “Town and Country“ plate is always a winner as well.

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo James. I'll add them to the never ending list. The food looks great!

[@paulafriedmanalohafrommaryland]

Aloha Misty. That shrimp looked delicious. All of the food looked great. There are so many great places to dine at in Oahu, it would probably take at year to dine at all of them! Mahalo for another great video, have a great weekend.

[@FoodFiend]

Yes way too many places and new ones popping up. Thanks for watching Paula and have a great Memorial Day weekend!

[@kylerdad123]

Aloha Misty: I enjoyed seeing the culinary delights of Irifuni Restaurant. That ahi steak must have been a "yummy" experience. I missed the ahi cooked just right. Thank you for doing this vlog, which right minded me on the delights of home. I am looking forward to next Friday when you usually post your new vlog(s). Best wishes to you and Aiden. Much 😀aloha to my fellow alumni!

[@FoodFiend]

Aloha Bill! Yes I don't have cooked ahi often but this was exquisite. Great caper sauce. Thank you for watching always and we go on some more adventures next month. Hopefully you'll enjoy it as the travel vlogs get the least views. 🤙 Have a great weekend.

[@KakoMochi]

Yum! I never ate at the old location, but I might trek down there when I’m in office!

[@FoodFiend]

Yes you'll like it Faye. And short walk for you. Just don't go until June 13. They're on vacation and closed.

[@harleydy]

That ahi plate is YUM! I'm surprised it was cooked all the way through. I've been there a handful of times and it was always seared. Love their breaded tofu too. Been to the Kapahulu location a bunch of times as well and was sad to see it close. Shut up and EAT! Love it!

[@FoodFiend]

Yes it was so good. I'm glad the parking is difficult because I'd be there way too often. 🤣🤰

[@NoriFoodTrip]

I remember IRIFUNE 入船 in Kapahulu ave glad to hear IRIFUNE is still there in downtown.

[@FoodFiend]

Yes so glad they are back in business and doing well.

[@ryden7114]

Hi sista. I'm so ono for Ahi. Looks like great quality. You make me so homesick for great local Hawaiian food. The Hawaiian food here in Washington is good but not the same as home. God bless Misty.

[@FoodFiend]

Aloha Mark! Oh no! Hard to get good ahi over there? I know a few friends that moved to the PNW and they go to a few local food spots for Hawaiian and local food but mainly cook their own homestyle food at home. Bumbai you can come back and have a good plate lunch with plenty gravy. God bless!

[@erickim2025]

Seared ahi , fried shrimp garlic fish all sound Ono. Watching you eat makes the food look good, thanks 😊

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo Eric! 🤙

[@titasmom678]

Nice to see they are still in business. You made the Ahi plate sound so delicious.

[@dennistani1986]

Yes, the ahi plate is awesome!

[@FoodFiend]

Yes it was so good! It's the sauce that makes it.

[@telawsonartzy6880]

The intro was extremely tempting and tasty looking🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤 I'm definitely jealous on these food finds the vlog is a solid 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@FoodFiend]

Thanks TE! I'm glad you liked the intro. 😊

[@telawsonartzy6880]

@@FoodFiend The intro made me very hungry. That was a really great food find.

[@annielee7848]

I love the ahi dish，it’s called Ahi Tataki， the dressing is out of this world ！ I will definitely go to their new location .

[@FoodFiend]

Yes so good. 🤤

[@jimicrack29]

yes i will never for get that peace cant find it no where els your so kind thanks for responding back

[@FoodFiend]

You're welcome jimicrack. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

[@B1GJOHNSTUD]

happy aloha friday!! 🤙🏾

[@FoodFiend]

Happy Aloha Friday!

[@Tradewindsvintagehi]

I live in Mililani, and I wish more town eateries had branches near us, Pearl City, maybe. Thankfully more places are opening in Kapolei, about 20 minutes away. Oh, if you haven’t yet, try the fries truck in Mililani Tech Park. Amazing. Thanks for your videos.

[@FoodFiend]

Yes I understand that it's so far away for the folks that live on the other side. At least there is some town options like Liliha Bakery, Little Joes, Gen, Uncle's Fish Market and some nice food trucks in Pearl City / Pearlridge area. I'll put that food truck on my list. Mahalo for your recommendation! Are you related to Carmel?

[@Tradewindsvintagehi]

@@FoodFiend my husband is her first cousin! Oh, man, talk about small world🤣❤️

[@pikakerose]

wow im glad to see irifune open i used to go there in kapahulu i know where it is its in the mall behind state office n the hgea bldg i miss working in downtown i used to work at city hall yellow nikkis lunchwagon makes good beef stew thanks

[@808shorty_10]

Nikis lunchwagon is good and cheap! 2choices is $11.00.

[@FoodFiend]

Nice. Glad they opened up again. So many great eats a block away too.

[@CoggieCarol]

I'm hungry now. When I worked downtown, circa 1980s, there wasn't much to choose from for lunch other than chili, ravioli & tuna fish sandwiches. Then Restaurant Row came & went. You guys are lucky.

[@FoodFiend]

Ooooh that sounds terrible! I'm sure there was something in the Fort Street Mall area? Downtown has definitely gotten better with many food options!

[@MarkFromHawaii]

Ahhh, the haunted section. 😉 Sorry, off topic. I remember Irifune when they were on Kapahulu. We’d get the mahi-eggs breakfast. Oh that was ono.

[@FoodFiend]

🤣 yes the spooky side. Was eating next to the ghosts at the cemetery. 👻

[@carolpohina3798]

I like my Ahi like this. Made me ono. Might have to go to En Furego...lol. God bless Misty.

[@FoodFiend]

Awesome Carol! Does En Fuego have the same kine ahi steaks? God bless you too sis!

[@carolpohina3798]

Yes, I love their seared or fried Ahi

[@alant.541]

Both plates looked great but I would get that seared ahi steak. Congrats again on 10K. I'm 0 for 2 on MB malasadas. 😢

[@FoodFiend]

Oh no! Hope you can find some. Maybe Google some portuguese bakeries around the area. Thank you again Alan! Good luck on your malasada quest!

[@wendelld808]

Food looks tasty. Curious to see how the hamburger steak was. When I try out a new place that is one of my barometers of taste.

[@FoodFiend]

Yes too bad I didn't see it. Darn. Do you like Hamada General Store's Japanese Hamburger steak? I like it. Just pricey is all.

[@wendelld808]

@@FoodFiend I follow them on Instagram. Food looks Ono but I have never tried it. May need to eventually

[@user-id9lq4ym7p]

Hello ～ I used to work Irifune before. Ahi is 👍️

[@FoodFiend]

The the ahi is fire! 🔥

[@Walts-Travel]

So I enjoyed the video, but I will look past the glasses. The food looks wonderful. Now I didn't see anything sweet. Maybe some sweet tea. 😅😂 🤪🥸

[@FoodFiend]

🤣sorry it caused you vertigo and made you fall down 🤣

[@Walts-Travel]

@@FoodFiend I'm not gonna hold it against you. Because we are cool.😎 Let's do better. 😂🤣😅

[@RealCity-SD]

Was wondering have you heard of Me Bar-B-Q in Waikiki if so do you knw if they will be re opening anytime

[@FoodFiend]

Aloha! I don't go into Waikiki much as a local. Never heard of it. Yelp says it's permanently closed unfortunately.

[@warreng5394]

❤

[@FoodFiend]

🤙

[@E9ONE1]

😳😳😳🥂😋😋😋

[@FoodFiend]

🍱🍺

[@Jourdanishungry]

the best plate lunch spots in Hawaii close so EARLY😭 also I love the backdrop for this vlog, only in Hawaii can eat grinds casually next to a random graveyard🤣

[@FoodFiend]

Yes they always close so early! I was chillin' with the ghosts. 💀👻

[@jimicrack29]

excuse me beside the parking you choose next to cem a tery

[@FoodFiend]

It was the only empty parking spots available. Besides, we should be afraid of people that are alive than dead LOL

[@jimicrack29]

he he he ha ha im watching the mina birds the yard behind you

[@alohapoppet6107]

Not secret anymore...If I come back to Hawaii Misty we should go for lunch I will even let you pay. **evil grin**

[@FoodFiend]

How kind of you. 🤣

[@alohapoppet6107]

@@FoodFiend I know right.🤣All thought me

[@jimicrack29]

yuck yuck yuck you never went out to old manoa semetary when a teen i foiener respect all the dead there used to go out there after done drink bars it so quiet an well month be depends cold or warm ect...

[@FoodFiend]

Yeah no time to do other cemeteries. That one has a few famous folks but not enough to make a full video. It is a nice peaceful place.

[@brianhirose8866]

I had a friend that worked in the original one. Loved that place. Was going to comment yesterday but i got banned again. YT likes to censor you, no freedom of speech at all. 😂😂😂😂

[@FoodFiend]

Yeah funny thing is it automatically bans posts. I could see one for this video and didn't block it at all but no one can see it. It wasn't me. Weird.