A new 22-seat izakaya opened Wednesday on the second floor above Totoya on Piʻikoi Street, bringing Fukuoka-style skewers, simmered oden and an extensive sake list to a corner of Honolulu that already draws late-night Japanese food fans. Izakaya LaLa, named after the Japanese kanji for “enjoy,” is tucked into Suite 203 at 1236 Waimanu St., with doors open from 5:30 p.m. to midnight every day except Monday and last call at 11 p.m.
LaLa’s sake service is designed to help diners explore different styles: the restaurant provides information cards at each table and displays a map of Japan showing where its sakes originate, according to Aloha State Daily. The selection ranges from rich and savory to fruity and fragrant or crisp and dry, and can be served chilled, at room temperature, gently warm or hot.
One of the food offerings is maki kushi, a Fukuoka-born skewer of vegetables wrapped in pork. Aya Furuta described it to Aloha State Daily as a Fukuoka Prefecture specialty.
Skewers, Oden and a Sake-Focused Menu
The skewer and oden menus offer a range of options rather than a long list of large plates. Examples include pork belly skewers for $3.50 and enoki mushroom with cheddar for $5.90; oden choices include daikon with shredded kombu for $3.90 and homemade hanpen fish cake for $4.90. Aloha State Daily reported that the hanpen is made in-house.
Other small plates include a dashi omelet with ikura for $16.90, chicken karaage for $7.90 and sizzling mapo tofu for $13.50, the outlet also reported. The restaurant offers parking in a public lot, with the first hour free with restaurant validation, and takes reservations by phone at 808-200-7508.
Part of a Growing Izakaya Corner Near Ala Moana
Honolulu-based Funergy, led by President and CEO Takuya Tsutsumi, also manages other local Japanese dining concepts including Five Star Poke, Tori Ton, Tenkichi, Marujuu Japanese Hamburg & Steak and Totoya, according to The Oahuist. The group's flagship concept Totoya debuted in Kaimuki in 2024 before expanding across from Ala Moana Center in 2025 and opening a third location in Aiea in February.
The building itself sits within the Piʻikoi Parkway commercial complex, where leasing firm ILOQUE Inc. announced in late 2025 a hideout-style second-floor development projected to open in summer 2026, per ILOQUE Inc. Izakaya LaLa shares the second floor with Elan, a wine bar set to open in Suite 202 in mid-October that will curate pours based on mood, according to Pacific Business News.
Izakaya LaLa's arrival follows other Fukuoka-inspired openings in the city; Hoodline previously reported on a Honolulu café's after-dark sake pub transformation, while Pacific Business News reported that Tali's Bagels settled into a new spot after relocating from Ward Centre. For now, Izakaya LaLa has 22 seats upstairs, offers building-validated parking and maintains an Instagram account, @izakaya_lala.
An Earlier Honolulu Izakaya
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser covered a Waikiki izakaya in a column published Feb. 7, 2023, an earlier local example distinct from LaLa’s Piʻikoi Street opening. The available account does not identify the Waikiki restaurant or give its scale or format, so the comparison is limited to its date and location.
