Kauai Family Restaurant: A Taste of Hawaii in Seattle

Wow!!! Now this was some fantastic Hawaiian food and just a lovey atmosphere. You can tell it’s a mom and pop shop and it feels so good to see it busy and doing well. Love this place, will come back again

Kauai Family Restaurant is a true mom-and-pop spot in Seattle—no-frills décor, big flavors, and a loyal following that proves how good the food is. Parking is scarce, so plan ahead and be patient. We came on a Wednesday and happened to score a street spot right in front of the bakery, but that felt like pure luck. Once you arrive, get in line immediately—there will be one. The woman taking our order was incredibly peppy and friendly, even while juggling everything: taking in-person orders, answering phones, serving customers, and bagging food. Seriously impressive. All the seats were filled, so we ordered everything to-go. We got the famous crispy ginger chicken, Spam musubi, and chicken long rice. I was hoping for oxtail soup and asked about it—she explained they only offer it on certain days and recommended calling early in the morning to check, then getting there quickly because it sells out fast. Hope to try it soon. Back at the hotel, we feasted. The crispy ginger chicken is famous for a reason—so flavorful, perfectly crispy, and somehow even better the next day. The chicken long rice was packed with noodles directly in the soup (not packed separately as i had hoped), so the broth had mostly soaked into the noodles, but it was still deeply flavorful and comforting. The spam musubi leans on the sweeter side, which is great if that’s your thing. Overall, this place is all about heart, hustle, and seriously satisfying Hawaiian comfort food. Come early, expect a line, plan for parking—and you’ll be rewarded.

Loved trying this spot out as I was in the area. They have good portions, and nice prices. The flavor was decently good. Wouldn’t travel “just to come” but would maybe eat again if I was nearby. Food was nice and hot I’ll admit! And came out promptly! Areas they could improve: keep napkins on table, QR code to scan for menu wasn’t working.

Side quest for Hawaiian food is always comforting, and Kauai Family Restaurant is the spot for it. They’ve got all your Hawaiian favorites on the menu. I ordered a couple of the combos and some katsu—everything was solid. Some items were a bit on the salty side for my taste, but still enjoyable. It wasn’t too busy when I went, so the food came out pretty quick. The vibes inside really made you feel like you were in Hawaii. Definitely check their hours before you go, since they’re mostly open just for lunch and early afternoon.

The saimin, bbq chicken and pork, and masubis we ate were delicious! Will definitely be going back for more!

Delicious food and huge portions with reasonable and justified prices compared to other take out options in Seattle.

I've eaten here a couple of times. I'm from O'ahu, and I know when something is authentic or not. One thing I realized while eating here was that I felt like I was at home again. It was like I was driving from my hale (house) to my main eating spot. One thing that makes a big difference and is why the food and fish here are great is because the owner goes back home to the island of Kaua'i to fish and brings it back to serve. The price is reasonable and not too expensive, to be honest. I can imagine this spot back home would be a bit more expensive, you'd be surprised. It's worth going to and enjoying a meal when they are open. There isn't much space, but enough to sit, eat, and enjoy the view of the food and the warm feeling inside. I also appreciate the staff for being themselves and having the Aloha spirit to serve in every way. Highly recommended for those who haven't tried it. The food is very good and tasty, and worth the expense. Not expensive. A good $25 will get you more than what you paid for. Mahalo nui Kaua'i Family Restaurant for bringing Hawaiian-style food and a taste of home to WA when being away from home. #Authenticity #Home #Food #Fish #Owner #Island #Price #Meal #Space #Staff #Spirit #Recommendation #Taste #Expense #Restaurant #Style #Home

Very nice little Hawaiian restaurant in the industrial area of South Seattle. The service is great. I had the Loco Moco and it was good. Big portions so choose wisely. Everything was good. The place is cosy but was packed, and people kept coming in. Luckily I showed up a little before noon so I did not wait too much, but a little still for the food. Looks like it's a local gem. Prices are really cool. I was happy to try Hawaiian food for the first time.