Steaming Plates Of Chicken Katsu Come With Scoops Of Rice At These 10 Washington Spots
One Washington spot fries its chicken katsu inside a gas station, and people still drive out of their way for it. I love that detail more than I probably should.
That crispy cutlet is a Hawaiian plate lunch hero. The classic setup is simple: golden katsu, two scoops of white rice, and a scoop of creamy mac salad.
It’s comfort food with rules, and I respect a meal that knows exactly what it wants to be.
The fun part is how far this tradition stretches across Washington. You’ll find it in suburban strip malls, near college campuses, and on the Kitsap Peninsula.
Some places add garlic sauce or curry, and one tucks katsu under a fried egg and gravy.
So which plate is worth your next lunch break? I have a few strong opinions, and a very loud stomach.
1. Kona Kitchen – Lynnwood
Breakfast at 8 AM on weekends sounds normal until you realize katsu is on the table too. Kona Kitchen opens early, and island comfort food clearly doesn’t care about the clock.
The chicken katsu here plays a starring role on the menu. Expect crispy breading, tender chicken, and the classic plate lunch lineup of two scoops of rice and mac salad.
Want to get creative? The Build Your Own Loco Moco Fried Rice lets you pair Hawaiian-style fried rice with katsu chicken, which feels like a delicious loophole.
On Sundays, a special Hawaiian plate shows up with katsu, two scoops of rice, and mac salad. Sunday mornings and afternoons are the busiest stretch, so plan around the brunch rush.
The menu wanders beyond katsu in fun directions. You’ll spot Spam musubi, mochiko chicken, kalua pig, and something called Broke Da Mouth Beef Stew.
Save a little room for dessert, because guava cake and rainbow cake both sit on the menu. Plates are generous, so that might take some planning.
Families will feel at home, with high chairs and a kids’ menu available. Service tends to move fast, which helps when little ones are hungry right now.
Weekdays run 9 AM to 9 PM, and weekends start an hour earlier. That leaves plenty of chances to grab a plate in Lynnwood.
Address: 3805 196th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036
2. Kona Hawaiian Barbecue
Malasadas and chicken katsu on the same menu? Tacoma’s Kona Hawaiian Barbecue makes a strong case for ordering both.
Katsu ranks among the main specialties at this counter-service spot. The golden-fried cutlet arrives plate lunch style, usually with double scoops of steamed white rice and macaroni salad.
Not feeling rice today? Fries can step in as a side, and a large meat plate offers a lower-carb route.
Mixing things up is easy here. You can build a plate with barbecue beef, chicken katsu, and fried shrimp, which covers a lot of cravings at once.
Spam musubi and lumpia make handy add-ons if you’re sharing. Hawaiian BBQ beef also gets plenty of attention on the menu.
The location sits along S 38th Street in Tacoma’s busy shopping district. That makes it a natural stop between errands or after a mall run.
Ordering happens at the counter, and reservations aren’t part of the deal. Just walk up, point at what you want, and wait for your number.
Hours run 10:30 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. Sunday afternoons and evenings tend to fill up, so timing matters.
Groups fit in well, and kids are welcome too. Takeout works great if you’d rather eat at home in your comfiest clothes.
Address: 2505 S 38th St Ste A108, Tacoma, WA 98409
3. Island Hawaiian BBQ
Curry lovers, Everett has a plate with your name on it. Island Hawaiian BBQ serves both classic chicken katsu and a chicken curry katsu plate.
Both versions come with katsu dipping sauce on the side. The curry option adds a rich, saucy twist without losing that famous crunch.
Plate lunches follow tradition here. Meat entrees land next to scoops of sticky rice and macaroni salad, just as the islands intended.
The menu also covers kalua pork with cabbage, laulau, and mochiko chicken. If you can’t decide, the Hawaiian BBQ Mixed Plate is basically a sampler in disguise.
Dessert fans should know malasadas are on the menu too. Fried dough after fried chicken is a bold move, and honestly, a respectable one.
Prices lean budget-friendly, which matters when you’re feeding a crew. Portions are known for being generous, so leftovers are a real possibility.
You’ll find it in a busy strip along Evergreen Way. The room tends to stay casual and quiet, a nice break from louder lunch spots.
Curbside pickup, delivery, and dine-in are all options. High chairs are available for the smallest katsu fans.
Doors open daily from 10 AM to 9:30 PM. Sunday evenings and Monday afternoons tend to get busier than you’d guess.
Address: 7601 Evergreen Wy Suit B3, Everett, WA 98203
4. Hawaiian Style Grill
Late-night katsu cravings get a fighting chance in Vancouver. Hawaiian Style Grill stays open until 10 PM every single day.
The chicken katsu is a menu highlight, known for being crunchy outside and juicy inside. That’s the whole dream in one sentence.
Plates stick to the Hawaiian standard of two scoops of steamed rice and island mac salad. Speaking of mac salad, it gets a lot of love here.
Portions run large, so arrive hungry or bring a friend. Huli huli chicken, kalbi chicken, mochiko chicken, and Mauna Loa chicken round out the poultry roster.
Want a little of several things? The Alii mix plate lets you combine options like huli huli chicken and kalua pig.
Here’s a nice surprise: the restaurant offers a full vegan menu. That makes group outings easier when not everyone eats chicken.
It’s a simple counter-serve setup off E 4th Plain Boulevard. College students and families both show up, which says plenty about the value.
Thursday through Saturday afternoons and evenings get busiest. Mornings and late nights tend to be calmer if you want a quieter meal.
Curbside pickup is available for anyone eating on the go. Reservations aren’t taken, so just stop by when the craving hits Southwest Washington.
Address: 5000 E 4th Plain Blvd A106, Vancouver, WA 98661
5. Island Style Food & BBQ
Mac salad with apples and pineapple might sound wild, but Spokane’s Island Style Food & BBQ makes it work. It’s a fresh twist on a plate lunch staple.
The restaurant blends Filipino and island-style cooking. Breaded chicken options come with house dipping sauces, including a pineapple spicy sauce and a red sauce.
Coconut crusted chicken is a standout for anyone who likes extra crunch. Plates arrive with generous scoops of white rice and that fruity mac salad.
Filipino favorites expand the menu nicely. Look for lumpia, pancit bihon, lechon kawali, and siomai.
Dessert gets playful with ube soft serve sundaes and ube funnel cake fries. Purple treats after a plate lunch feel like a small celebration.
One unexpected feature is a fireplace, which sounds lovely during an Inland Northwest winter. The vibe leans casual and a little trendy.
Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean nearly anyone can find a plate. Gender-neutral restrooms and free Wi-Fi are also available.
You’ll find it along North Division Street. Hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday from noon to 8 PM.
Mondays are closed, so plan accordingly. Reservations are accepted, which is handy for bigger groups.
Address: 2931 N Division St, Spokane, WA 99207
6. Aloha Island Grill | Hawaiian
Katsu from a drive-through window at 7 AM? Spokane’s Aloha Island Grill makes that possible, and it’s a very good reason to wake up.
Katsu chicken is a menu highlight, served hot with traditional dipping sauce. Plates come with heaping scoops of steamed sticky rice.
Here’s a fun choice most spots skip: you can pick pea salad instead of mac salad. It’s a classic island side that doesn’t show up everywhere.
Morning visits come with big portions too. That makes it a hearty option before work or a long Saturday of errands.
The menu also features garlic chicken, teriyaki beef, and fried rice. Spam musubi and Lava Bites make good snacks for the road.
Rice bowls with teriyaki chicken or kalua pork offer a simpler format. Still, the katsu plate feels like the main event.
The setup is no-frills, with counter ordering and outdoor seating. Service tends to move fast, which pairs nicely with that drive-through.
It sits along W Francis Avenue on Spokane’s north side. College students show up often, likely because the value is hard to beat.
Doors open seven days a week from 7 AM to 9 PM. Monday and Thursday afternoons get busier than other times.
Address: 1220 W Francis Ave, Spokane, WA 99205
7. Hang 10 Hawaiian BBQ & Catering
Surf lingo in landlocked Spokane? Hang 10 Hawaiian BBQ & Catering brings beach energy to South Grand Boulevard anyway.
Katsu chicken shows up as a full hot meal or as part of a combo plate. Either way, you’ll get scoops of rice and mac salad in classic style.
Combo plates are the smart move for indecisive eaters. Pair katsu with garlic chicken or teriyaki chicken and call it research.
The teriyaki chicken earns plenty of praise on its own. Loco moco and kalua pork tacos add more variety to the lineup.
Pea salad appears here too, and it happens to be vegan. A full vegetarian menu keeps plant-based friends happy.
The atmosphere leans fun and laid-back. Island-style soda options add a playful touch to the meal.
Portions are known for being huge for the price. That kind of value makes this an easy weeknight pick for families.
Kids get their own menu, plus high chairs. Dogs are allowed in the outdoor seating area, so your pup can tag along.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. Weekday evenings are usually the busiest, so lunch might mean a shorter wait.
Address: 909 S Grand Blvd, Spokane, WA 99202
8. Da Tiki Hut
Tiki decor and chicken katsu make a surprisingly natural pair. Da Tiki Hut serves both on Tacoma’s lively 6th Avenue.
The setting has a tiki-themed, speakeasy-like feel. It’s a fun change from the usual bright counter-serve Hawaiian joint.
Chicken katsu plates come fresh out of the kitchen. Meals follow plate lunch style with two scoops of steamed rice and house mac salad.
Prefer a lighter crunch? The mochiko chicken plate offers another island classic worth considering.
Poke, smoked meats, and Spam dishes fill out the menu. Slushies add a sweet, frosty finish.
The kitchen leans into Hawaiian family cooking. Staff are known for being friendly and welcoming.
Little ones get the Keiki Plate Lunch, made just for kids. High chairs are also available.
Hours are a bit unusual, so check before heading out. Tuesday and Wednesday run 3 PM to 9 PM, while Thursday through Saturday open at 11 AM.
Sundays and Mondays are closed. Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Friday and Saturday evenings.
The neighborhood around 6th Avenue makes it easy to turn dinner into a stroll. Not a bad way to spend an evening in Washington.
Address: 4427 6th Ave Ste 101, Tacoma, WA 98406
9. Unko’s Kitchen
Fill up the tank, then fill up on katsu. Unko’s Kitchen operates inside a gas station in Silverdale, which might be the best pit stop on the Kitsap Peninsula.
The chicken katsu is known for a nicely fried crust and moist meat. It’s fried fresh, and it shows.
Then there’s the katsu moco, a mash-up worth the drive. It takes the loco moco idea and swaps in crispy katsu.
Food comes in traditional Hawaiian lunch boxes. Expect two scoops of steamed rice and scoops of mac salad.
Craving something handheld? A chicken katsu burger and kalua sliders keep things easy to eat.
Meat jun, lumpia, and sushi bake also appear on the menu. Ghost pepper guava wings bring the heat for brave eaters.
This is a takeout-only operation with no restrooms or dine-in seating. Plan on eating in the car or carrying it home.
The schedule is short, so timing matters. It’s open Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays are closed. Saturday afternoons tend to get busy, so an earlier visit could save time.
Address: 1195 NW Tahoe Ln, Silverdale, WA 98383
10. L&L Hawaiian BBQ
Two scoops rice, one scoop mac. L&L Hawaiian BBQ practically built its identity around that formula, and the Vancouver location keeps it alive.
Chicken katsu leads the menu, served with tangy tonkatsu sauce. The katsu is known for being nicely crispy, and that sauce gets plenty of attention.
Garlic lovers have an upgrade option. The Garlic Chicken Katsu adds a bold layer of flavor to the classic cutlet.
Plate lunches stick to the signature base of two scoops of rice and one scoop of macaroni salad. Consistency is the whole point here.
Looking for something lighter? A side of chicken katsu salad offers a fresher spin.
Spam musubi makes a quick snack add-on. The Tropical Boba Chiller is a sweet way to cool down after all that crunch.
The space is casual and usually quiet. Ordering happens at the counter, with dine-in and takeout available.
You’ll find it on NE Centerpointe Drive in Vancouver. Free parking makes a quick lunch stop simple.
Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM every day. Friday evening is the busiest window, so come earlier if you want an easy visit to this Washington favorite.
Address: 8720 NE Centerpointe Dr Ste 201, Vancouver, WA 98665