Kyoto Osho

After writing about such a memorable Japanese restaurant (Kunio), Kyoto Osho seems so disappointing. Kyoto Osho originally opened up as a buffet restaurant at Ala Moana's Hookipa Terrace. With the competition from Tsukiji Fishmarket, Kyoto Osho made a change to offer teishoku meals and a regular menu instead of a buffet. My family and I decided to check it out one night, and we were very disappointed. We found that it was mass produced buffet-quality food in a cafeteria type atmosphere.

The decor of Kyoto Osho is somewhat Japanese inspired, accented with aquariums. The waitresses wear Chinese-style dresses and our waiter wore pants so baggy that it was practically falling off (not something you want to see when you're trying to enjoy your meal). The buffet table still remains, and the high ceilings and wide-spaced tables give the feeling that you're dining in a cafeteria. Take a look at the carpet, and you'll see numerous dirty stains from previous spills.



After ordering our meals, we are served tea, miso soup, salad, tsukemono, and chawan mushi. The chawan mushi looked terribly unappetizing, and it was obviously sitting under a hot lamp (or sitting in the steamer) for way too long. It was over-cooked and appeared to be shriveled up in the dish. The other teishoku accompaniments were not very impressive either.

After the initial appetizers, the teishoku main dishes are presented with a bowl of rice.


The tempura was not so great...


...and the butterfish was small and overcooked.


The chirashi sushi (not considered a teishoku meal) was decent; however the rice was a bit too sweet for my taste.

With all the dining options surrounding Kyoto Osho, I would suggest dining elsewhere.

Kyoto Osho
Ala Moana Center, Hookipa Terrace