Restaurant Matsu is located at 161 Alamaha Street in Kahului, making it a convenient option for diners looking for Japanese food in Central Maui. Current restaurant listings describe the cuisine as Japanese, sushi, and Asian, while menu sources show a substantial selection of noodles, rice dishes, tempura, seafood, chicken, pork, and combination plates.
Whether you are visiting Maui, looking for a casual local meal, or simply want to explore Japanese food beyond standard sushi rolls, understanding the Restaurant Matsu menu can make ordering easier.
Restaurant Matsu Maui Menu at a Glance
The Restaurant Matsu menu covers several categories, making it possible for different diners to find something suitable at the same restaurant.
Current menu listings include categories such as:
- Noodles
- Soba
- Ramen and saimin-style dishes
- Udon
- Bento boxes
- Donburi
- Tempura
- Chicken plates
- Fish plates
- Beef plates
- Pork plates
- Combination plates
- Spam musubi
- Sushi and Japanese specialties
- Side dishes
This variety is one of the most useful things to know about Restaurant Matsu. A diner who does not want sushi can still choose from noodles, curry, bento, tempura, fish, chicken, or rice-based dishes.
Where Is Restaurant Matsu in Maui?
Restaurant Matsu is located at 161 Alamaha Street, Kahului, Hawaii 96732. The restaurant is in Kahului rather than in one of Maui’s resort-heavy beachfront areas. Current listings describe it as a casual Japanese restaurant with dine-in and takeout options.
This location can make Restaurant Matsu particularly relevant for people exploring Central Maui or looking for a meal away from the resort dining environment.
What to Expect From the Restaurant Matsu Menu
The menu has a strong Japanese comfort-food focus. Instead of concentrating exclusively on elaborate sushi presentations, Restaurant Matsu combines familiar Japanese dishes with local Hawaii influences and practical lunch-friendly options.
Current menu descriptions include traditional choices such as zaru soba, hot soba, tempura soba, udon, bento, donburi, chicken katsu curry, teriyaki dishes, sushi rolls, and other Japanese favorites.
This makes the restaurant suitable for diners with different preferences, from someone wanting a light noodle dish to someone looking for a more substantial combination plate.
Restaurant Matsu Bento Boxes
Bento is one of the menu categories worth considering if you want several flavors in one meal. Bento-style meals can combine protein, rice, vegetables, sushi or other sides depending on the particular selection.
A recent Maui dining feature specifically highlighted Restaurant Matsu’s bento offerings for their variety, describing combinations that can include items such as shrimp tempura, sashimi, chicken katsu, karaage, and sushi.
For diners who have difficulty choosing just one type of Japanese food, a bento can be an efficient way to sample multiple components in a single meal.
Udon and Soba at Restaurant Matsu
Noodle dishes are another important part of the Restaurant Matsu menu.
Zaru Soba
Zaru soba consists of chilled buckwheat noodles served with a cold dipping sauce. Current menu listings describe the dish with green onions and wasabi.
It can be a refreshing option when you want something lighter than a fried or heavily sauced dish.
Hot Soba
Hot soba provides a warmer alternative, with noodles served in broth and accompanied by ingredients such as green onions and kamaboko according to current menu information.
Tempura Soba
For diners who want noodles and tempura together, tempura soba combines the two styles in one meal. Menu listings include both cold and hot soba variations with tempura.
Udon
Udon provides a thicker, chewier noodle option. Restaurant Matsu is frequently associated with udon and tempura dishes in current restaurant listings and customer feedback.
Sushi and Japanese Favorites
Although Restaurant Matsu offers much more than sushi, sushi remains part of its menu. Current listings mention items including California rolls, unagi maki, futomaki, and other sushi options.
Depending on the menu selection available at the time of your visit, sushi can be ordered alongside other Japanese dishes rather than serving as the only focus of the meal.
Futomaki
Futomaki is a larger Japanese sushi roll that typically contains several ingredients. Restaurant Matsu’s current menu listings include futomaki among its sushi offerings.
California Roll
The California roll is another familiar option for diners who prefer a well-known sushi style.
Unagi Maki
Unagi maki provides an option for diners who enjoy eel-based sushi. Current Restaurant Matsu menu listings identify unagi maki among the available choices.
Tempura Options
Tempura is one of the dishes frequently associated with Restaurant Matsu. Current menu information includes shrimp and vegetable tempura as well as tempura combinations with noodles and other dishes.
Tempura can work well as a main dish, a side, or part of a combination meal depending on your order.
If you enjoy Japanese fried dishes but do not want sushi, tempura provides an alternative way to explore the menu.
Donburi and Rice-Based Meals
Donburi refers to Japanese rice-bowl meals topped with different proteins or ingredients. Restaurant Matsu’s menu includes options such as katsu donburi and unagi donburi.
These dishes can be a good choice when you want a filling meal centered around rice rather than noodles.
Katsu Donburi
Katsu donburi combines rice with a breaded cutlet and accompanying Japanese-style toppings. It is a substantial option for diners who prefer hearty comfort food.
Unagi Donburi
Unagi donburi features grilled eel served over rice. It provides a richer alternative to lighter noodle or vegetable dishes.
Chicken Dishes
Chicken is well represented on the Restaurant Matsu menu. Current listings and recent local dining coverage mention chicken katsu, chicken karaage, chicken katsu curry, and other chicken-based meals.
Chicken Katsu
Chicken katsu is a breaded and fried chicken cutlet that works well for diners who want a familiar Japanese comfort-food option.
Chicken Karaage
Chicken karaage is Japanese-style fried chicken. A recent diner review specifically mentioned chicken karaage as a favorite dish at Restaurant Matsu.
Chicken Katsu Curry
Chicken katsu curry combines crispy chicken with Japanese curry and rice, creating a filling meal for diners who prefer a savory and comforting dish.
Fish and Seafood Choices
Restaurant Matsu also offers fish and seafood options. Current menu sources mention dishes including miso fish and seafood combinations, while restaurant listings frequently identify seafood, fish, oysters, sashimi, and other Japanese specialties among the available food categories.
Availability of individual fish and seafood dishes can change, so diners should check the current menu when ordering.
Beef and Teriyaki Dishes
For diners who prefer meat rather than seafood, Restaurant Matsu also offers beef and teriyaki-style choices.
Current menu information describes beef teriyaki among the restaurant’s plate options, while broader menu categories include beef, pork, and combination plates.
These dishes provide alternatives for groups where not everyone wants sushi or seafood.
Spam Musubi and Local Hawaii Influence
One of the interesting elements of the Restaurant Matsu menu is its connection between Japanese food and Hawaii’s local food culture. Current menu listings include Spam musubi alongside Japanese noodles, sushi, tempura, and rice dishes.
This combination reflects the broader food culture of Hawaii, where Japanese culinary traditions have become part of the islands’ everyday dining landscape.
What Should You Order at Restaurant Matsu?
The best choice depends on what type of meal you want.
| If You Want… | Consider… |
|---|---|
| A filling combination meal | Bento |
| Japanese noodles | Udon or soba |
| Something crispy | Shrimp or vegetable tempura |
| A rice bowl | Donburi |
| Japanese curry | Chicken katsu curry |
| Sushi | Futomaki, California roll, or unagi maki |
| Fried chicken | Chicken karaage |
| A local-style snack | Spam musubi |
These are menu categories and examples rather than a ranking. Availability can change, so check the current menu before ordering.
Is Restaurant Matsu Fine Dining?
Restaurant Matsu is better understood as a casual Japanese restaurant rather than a formal fine-dining destination. Current restaurant listings describe a small, casual setting with Japanese and sushi offerings, dine-in, and takeout.
That casual approach can be useful for diners who want straightforward Japanese food without the formality associated with upscale resort restaurants.
Restaurant Matsu for Lunch
The restaurant’s menu is particularly well suited to lunch because it includes bento, noodles, rice bowls, tempura, chicken plates, fish dishes, and other filling but practical meals.
Current listings show daytime operating periods on several days, although hours can change. It is sensible to confirm the restaurant’s current schedule before visiting.
Takeout and Casual Dining
Restaurant Matsu is also associated with takeout, making it useful when you want Japanese food without spending a long time at a restaurant.
Current restaurant listings identify takeout as an available feature, and some menu sources provide extensive takeaway-oriented menu information.
If you are ordering to go, check the restaurant’s current ordering process and menu availability because individual dishes and hours can change.
How Restaurant Matsu Fits Into a Maui Food Trip
Maui offers a wide variety of dining experiences, from beachfront restaurants to local Japanese, Hawaiian, Asian, and international food.
Restaurant Matsu provides a different experience from resort-oriented waterfront dining. Its Kahului location and broad Japanese menu make it particularly relevant for travelers looking for a more casual food stop.
If you are exploring other dining experiences on NovasPath, you can also read the guide to the best restaurants on the water for a broader look at waterfront dining.
Restaurant Matsu vs. Resort Dining in Maui
One reason travelers may search for restaurants such as Matsu is the opportunity to experience a different side of Maui’s food scene.
Resort restaurants often emphasize ocean views, elaborate settings, cocktails, and destination dining. Restaurant Matsu instead focuses on Japanese comfort food, practical menu choices, and a casual atmosphere.
Neither approach is inherently better. The right choice depends on whether you want a special occasion setting or a straightforward Japanese meal.
Tips for Ordering From the Restaurant Matsu Menu
- Check the current menu: Menu items and prices can change.
- Decide between noodles and rice: This quickly narrows down the choices.
- Consider a bento: Bento can provide several different flavors in one meal.
- Add tempura if you want something crispy: Shrimp and vegetable tempura are among the menu’s recurring options.
- Ask about daily availability: Certain items may not be available every day.
- Confirm operating hours: Current listings show different service periods by day, so checking before visiting is worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Restaurant Matsu in Maui?
Restaurant Matsu is located at 161 Alamaha Street in Kahului, Maui, Hawaii.
What type of food does Restaurant Matsu serve?
Restaurant Matsu serves Japanese and Asian food, including sushi, noodles, bento, tempura, donburi, curry, fish, chicken, beef, pork, and other Japanese-inspired dishes.
Does Restaurant Matsu serve sushi?
Yes. Current menu listings include sushi options such as California rolls, futomaki, and unagi maki.
Does Restaurant Matsu have bento?
Yes. Bento is an important part of the restaurant’s menu, and recent local coverage has highlighted the variety available in its bento meals.
Does Restaurant Matsu serve udon?
Yes. Udon is included among the restaurant’s Japanese noodle offerings and is frequently mentioned in current restaurant listings.
Does Restaurant Matsu serve takeout?
Current restaurant listings indicate that takeout is available. Because ordering options can change, confirm the current process before placing an order.
Are Restaurant Matsu menu prices fixed?
Menu prices can change over time. Current third-party menu listings show prices for many dishes, but diners should confirm current pricing directly with the restaurant before ordering.
Final Thoughts
The Restaurant Matsu Maui menu offers considerably more than sushi. From bento and udon to soba, tempura, donburi, curry, teriyaki, fish, chicken, and local-style favorites such as Spam musubi, the menu provides a broad selection of Japanese comfort food.
Its Kahului location and casual dining style make it different from Maui’s resort-focused restaurants. For travelers or locals looking for Japanese food with plenty of choices, understanding the menu categories can make the dining experience easier and more enjoyable.
Because menus, prices, and operating hours can change, always verify the latest information before visiting. For more restaurant and food guides, explore the NovasPath blog.
