When it comes to going big, the Big Island surely knows how to “bring it,” and that holds especially true for its food scene. The next time you’re exploring the island of Hawaii, check into these spots for a loaded bento made with aloha and packed with some seriously epic portions.
1. The Feeding Leaf Kitchen & Okazuya
74-5563 Kaiwi St. 75, Ste. 121, Kailua-Kona
557-0476
thefeedingleaf.com
Being from Hawaii, coming upon a good okazuya spot rings golden joy to hungry hearts. The Feeding Leaf Kitchen & Okazuya calls to this type of craving serving up “plantation comfort food” offering up a plethora of okazuya pickings. Co-owner Tracey Apoliona shares that the restaurant presents six kinds of rice balls and musubi, fried chicken, sweet potato tempura, corned beef hash and a surefire customer favorite, Korean fried chicken — and that’s just the beginning! Powered by ingredients sourced locally, Tracey and her husband Les who co-owns the biz with Tracey, rely on local farmers, ranchers and food producers to fill the menu at The Feeding Leaf. The eatery’s recipes date back more than a century, most of which were passed on from Tracey’s grandmother. One such sought-after bento on the menu includes the custom large bento with furikake chicken, char siu pork, shoyu hot dog, shrimp tempura, corned beef hash, steamed uala, and namasu on furikake rice. Stop in for this bad boy or happily make your own set up — the possibilities are aplenty!
PHOTO COURTESY THE FEEDING LEAF
2.Sushi Shiono Queen’s Marketplace
69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa
(Also other locations islandwide and one in Japan)
326-1696
sushishiono.com
With five total Big Island locations, there are many ways to enjoy this elevated sushi spot. Its Waikoloa location called Sushi & Bento Shiono Waikoloa specializes in bento making, and it’s truly impressive. Popular bento here include Fried Chicken & Chicken Karaage Bento, Furikake Chicken Bento and Tonkatsu/Chicken Katsu Bento, and numerous breakfast bento. Operations manager Yuka Kawakami says the eatery is especially popular for guests as they enjoy going to Sushi Shiono Waikoloa to “grab and go,” whether to eat in their hotels/vacation rentals, in the comfort of one’s home, at the beach or even to fuel appetites when driving around the island. In addition to bento, other beloved items include sushi rolls like the Hawaiian Volcano Roll and Hawaiian Roll; and sushi, such as the Sushi Nigiri Combo. Sushi Shiono got its start by founder Mr. Shionoya, who loved going to the Big Island to fish. His love for the seafood and island led him to open the original restaurant in 2003 at Kailua Village in Kailua-Kona.
PHOTO COURTESY SUSHI SHIONO
