CONTRIBUTED BY MEGAN HOOSER

Hotto Sign

A typical Saturday for my husband and me is to jump in the car and drive North. No destination in mind, we just go exploring. Often though, halfway through our drive, someone’s stomach starts grumbling. And as those of you who have ever driven North of Nago know, McDonald’s, A&W and the other familiar fast food joints become a rare sight. So in desperation one day, I told my husband to pull into the Hotto Motto parking lot. It was the one restaurant around who’s name I recognized, and I was willing to give anything a chance. Lucky for me, it has turned out to be my new favorite fast food on island.

Hotto Counter

For starters, Hotto Motto is take-out only. It seems most of the locals call in orders, but they do counter orders as well.  The location we went to, none of the staff spoke English. They did pull out a copy of the menu with translations, but we just ordered by picture.  All of the food is served Bento box style. There is Chicken Karage (my favorite- and the closest thing to chicken nuggets), soba, stir frys, and even chicken wings and fries! I think I even remember a few kids meal options. Every few weeks the specials change as well, which can mean menu items or just discounts on current items. For a closer look at the basic menu click here: Hotto Motto

Hotto Chx Hotto Pork

Hours: Most have signs saying they are open 24 hours, but check the location to verify.

Payment: All locations take yen. Certain locations accept dollars.

Locations: They are many on the island, located conveniently to each of the bases. Here are just a few:

Foster- From the Sergeant Major Gate head straight until you hit 329. Turn Left. Hotto Motto will be on your Left, across from McDonald’s.

Kadena- Exit gate 3, turn right onto 329 and there is one a few blocks down on your right.

Courtney/McT- Head South on 75. Turn Left onto 8, Hotto Motto will be on your Left. (There are also at least 3 on 75/330 between Courtney and Kadena).

Also, if you have the Yellow Pages Map, a few Hotto Motto locations are marked on there. Otherwise, just keep your eyes open. Hotto Motto is tucked into buildings everywhere, there’s problem one just down the street from you.

9 COMMENTS

  5. Hotto Motto is excellent! Wife and I stopped on one of our northern excursions in Nago and we loved it. We then went on a search to find one near our house and after searching online, on my GPS, and the Hotto Motto locations website, we accidentally spotted one when we were coming home from the aquarium and it’s only 5 minutes from our house. Probably sure the Torii Station guys know about it but for those that live on the west side of Kadena there is a closer one than the one all the way across base. It is on 6 just west of 58. From Kadena gate 4 go strait across 58 and follow that road over a bridge, past a Starbuck’s, and up a hill until it ends in a tee. Take a right and Hotto Motto is on the left about a block or two down.

  6. I love Hotto Motto, it’s still fast food but the Japanese version of it seems so much more satisfying. There are usually 3 or more kinds of soups to choose from and plenty of bento-style and stir fry sets. It’s pretty affordable, too, and quick…and much tastier than other fast food alternatives, even if they are more familiar 🙂

  8. Miss this place terribly! The kiddos loved the tokko karage (sp?)! I wish they had something similar to this in the states. I also love that during certain hours you could go in and just grab things already made for a super quick exit.