When I lived in California and started going to Japanese restaurants I was always confused and perplexed when walking in and the entire staff yells at you. This didn’t happen back in Ohio.  My mother and I would go to lunch at Otani but we never got that reception. I did figure out that it was some kind of greeting, but what they were saying remained a mystery to me until a couple of years ago when I took a Japanese class in Kaneohe. Irashaimasen is “welcome” and used only for places of business. You won’t be greeted at someone’s home this way.

Walking into Mr. Ojisan last night we were warmly greeted with irashaimasen fr

om everyone. Then we were led to a table and seated. The table next to us was just a few inches away. It almost felt like I was dining with the couple next to us. It was about 7:00 and apparently they were already out of the special of the night, salmon three ways. I wonder if they were maybe just keeping some on the side for regulars. More about that later.

We both ordered two item combos at $19 each. I had the sashimi and tempura. Howard ordered the tonkatsu and soft shell crab. It’s a full meal, starting out with a salad, with the traditional miso dressing. It was pretty standard fare, as was the miso soup that came next. Before we had time to barely taste the soup our meals were descending on us. The kitchen is certainly quick, but this was rushed. I observed most tables being served very quickly though.

Howard

’s tonkatsu was moist and tender with a light coating of panko. It was good, but doesn’t approach Kaffe Imperial’s katsu. The plate was rounded out with some tofu, rice, pickly things and potato salad. His crab came out a couple of minutes later along with my tempura.

My sashimi was fresh and tasty. It was ahi, octopus, and a white fish I couldn’t identify. The plate was similarly outfitted with pickled cabbage and the soft tofu. The tofu was very nice and when we asked if it was house made we got a funny answer. Our server said “No.” We explained that we thought it

delicious and suspected it was homemade. Then she leaned over and told us we could buy it at Sam’s Club. That gave us a good chuckle.

The soft shell crab was crunchy and crabby. I still get a little freaked out eating the whole animal. I can’t say why. The crab flavor was very strong, bordering on too strong for me. It was perfectly cooked though and very

pretty. The tempura was crunchy too, but the batter was a bit heavy. Once again it was pretty standard fare.

Dessert was either a adzuki bean soup or ice cream. I opted for the adzuki bean ice cream. I’m not a fan. Ice cream should be smooth and creamy, this was not. It had weirdly dry taste.

Mr. Ojisan puts out good solid Japanese food. It’s not a place I’d seek out again, but  wouldn’t mind if we ended up there again. It has a faithful following of regulars. Many of the reviewers complain about bad service in deference to the regulars. I can’t say we experienced that. Our service was very good. That said, I did notice that the regulars got a extra level of reverence, which they should. Regulars are the mainstay of many a restaurant. They depend on them and treat them as valued customers. I’ll never know if the specials were only for the regulars last night and I would never have even suspected without reading Yelp reviews before going. It was curious that they were out already at 7:00.

Mr. Ojisan  735-4455

1016 Kapahulu Ave Ste 140 (Kilohana Square)

Honolulu, HI 96816