Okayama Kobo Bakery is a popular Japanese bakery in Kakaako! They opened in 2023 and there are often still lines out the door (no worries, it moves fast). Come for fresh baked bread, sweet and savory pastries, and tasty drinks.
You know what I really love about Okayama Kobo Bakery?
They bake in small batches so your chances of getting something hot out of the oven (or at least still warm) are pretty high!
I like to come around the late morning hours, think 10-11am. This is when they seem to have the biggest selection of baked goods, and are still baking for the day. So many delicious treats to pick from!
Location
Okayama Kobo is in Honolulu's Kakaako neighborhood, right by the Ward movie theaters and Whole Foods. This specific retail space was formerly a Starbucks for many years.
It's just a 5 minute drive from Waikiki. Growing up, this part of Kakaako was all warehouses, offices, and small local shops (remember Ward Warehouse?).
It is so wild to see how much has changed in the last few decades. I never imagined tourists strolling around, the many new fancy condo buildings, cafes, supermarkets, and restaurants, etc.
There's tons to do in this area, so you can plan ahead ^_^
What To Order:
Salt and Butter Roll
The salt and butter roll is THE signature item here. It's so simple but incredibly tasty, especially when it's still hot from the oven. It's like a cross between a dinner roll and croissant (though more on the dinner roll side).
And I think they tuck a good size strip of butter in the center before they roll up and bake the bread. Love, love this.
All The Other Rolls
Salt and Butter Roll is the "plain / classic." If you only get item, make it that one.
But! They have many variations on the classic roll. I'm a fan of the Mentaiko Roll which comes topped with nori. Mentaiko + bread is a great combo!
And they recently introduced the Everything Roll (it has all the toppings you'd get on an everything bagel). There's even a sweet version with a cookie crust and a red bean version.
Curry Pan!
They make regular and spicy curry pan. I love the spicy! Both are super tasty. If the curry pan is not still warm when you purchase it, try reheating in the toaster oven at home. This one is best hot. Oh, the curry filling is so tasty.
Seasonal Specials
Like this beautiful strawberry daifuku tucked into a sweet-salty bun. This one you must eat asap as you cannot reheat it and the mochi also won't be as soft and fresh the next day.
The Bacon
Very, very good. Have you had the ham roll from Epi-Ya (or the old Saint Germain Bakery)? It reminds me a little of that, but with bacon instead of ham. And just enough Kewpie mayo. I also like how they put black pepper on top...small touch, big difference! My son also love this one for after school snack.
Le Chocolat
Incredible when still warm and the chocolate cream filling is practically molten. Also love the chocolate cookie "crust" that's layered over the bun exterior. Highly recommend this one.
They have two kinds of oyaki bread:
- Oyaki Takana - filled with spicy pickled mustard greens (like the kind in beef noodle soup!), cheese, and mayo. What a combo!
- Mentai Mochi Oyaki - filled with mentaiko and mochi. Also an amazing combo!
Oyaki Takana has the sesame seed exterior. Mentai Mochi Oyaki has the nori exterior. They're both so different. Equally tasty!
Whereas some of the pastries are just as good at room temperature, I prefer both of these items HOT. Like with the curry pan, if it's not hot when I purchase it, I take the pastries home and heat it up before eating it. Makes a huge difference between pretty good and wow.
Matcha Sea Salt Cold Brew
Last but not least is this veerrrry delicious drink. At one point I was drinking this almost every other day. It's a caramel cold brew (sweet but not too sweet)...
...topped with a layer of matcha sea salt foam. It's less of a foam and more of a cream. Sea salt is a nice touch. Definitely more of a dessert than "just a coffee." Super, super good.
They recommend stirring to mix the two parts first and then drink it. But I like to enjoy the top foam/cream part plain first. I eat about half. Then I mix the other half with the cold brew. Delicious.
Insider Tips
Parking
Tons of free parking in the lot located right under the movie theater.
Pop-Ups
They occasionally have pop-ups around the island (get notifications via their email newsletter) and you can pre-order pastry boxes for pick-up. They've done past pop-ups at Tradition Coffee Roasters in Kailua and Treehouse Coworking in Kahala.
Lines
There is often a line on the weekends. Even though it moves relatively fast, I try to come on weekdays for little or no wait.
Coffee
Their coffee is really good! Why? It comes from Tradition Coffee Roasters!
Bread Clock
They have a large clock in the middle of the bakery that has different mini breads in place of numbers. This always makes me so happy to see ^_^
Okayama Kobo Bakery: Info
- Address: 310 Kamakee Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
- Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 8am-4pm. Closed Monday.
- Website: okayamakobousa.com/honolulu
- Instagram: @okayamakobohawaii
- Phone: (808) 888-0724
Mahalo for Reading!