Island Rootz
1610 West Redondo Beach Boulevard Suite 11, Gardena, CA, USA
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Located in Gardena, this casual cafe is the newest concept from the family behind Aunty Maile’s Hawaiian Restaurant and Aloha Platez & Shave Ice Co. Rather than recreating a full-service restaurant, Island Rootz Cafe was designed as an easy stop for fresh poke bowls, musubi, plate lunches, desserts, fruit teas, and grab-and-go favorites that don’t compromise on quality.
If you’ve been searching for your next lunch spot or craving authentic island flavors without booking a flight, this one deserves a place on your South Bay food list.
A Local Story Rooted in Family
One of the things that makes Island Rootz Cafe stand out isn’t just what’s on the menu; it’s who’s behind it.
Owners Kai and Junko Tsukiyama were both raised in the Torrance and Gardena area, giving the restaurant deep South Bay roots alongside their Pacific heritage. Their vision was simple: create food that’s convenient, nostalgic, and packed with the flavors they grew up with.
Kai’s family ties stretch across Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, and Kauaʻi, while Junko’s family heritage connects Japan and Hawaiʻi. Together, they’ve built a restaurant inspired by generations of family recipes, cultural traditions, and the belief that food is one of the best ways to bring people together.
That sense of authenticity is woven into every part of the cafe, from the menu to the welcoming atmosphere.
What to Order at Island Rootz Cafe
Whether you’re stopping in for a quick lunch or picking up dinner on the way home, Island Rootz Cafe makes Hawaiian comfort food incredibly accessible.
The menu features fresh poke bowls, classic musubi, satisfying Hawaiian plate lunches, sweet desserts, and refreshing fruit teas that are perfect for a warm South Bay afternoon. The concept is built around quick service without sacrificing the homemade quality that longtime fans of Aunty Maile’s have come to expect.
It’s the kind of place where you can grab a Spam musubi for a snack, build a poke bowl for lunch, or take home a hearty plate lunch when cooking isn’t on the agenda.
More Than Just Great Food
Reading the family’s story makes it clear that Island Rootz Cafe is about much more than serving meals.
The owners describe food as culture, memory, family, and a way to show aloha. Their team, lovingly referred to as their “hammahs”, has grown alongside their restaurants over the years, creating an environment centered on hospitality, hard work, and community.
That philosophy is easy to appreciate when you visit. It feels less like grabbing takeout and more like supporting a local family that’s passionate about sharing the traditions they grew up with.
Why South Bay Locals Should Visit
The South Bay has no shortage of great restaurants, but Island Rootz Cafe fills a niche that’s been missing.
It offers authentic Hawaiian comfort food in a fast-casual setting that’s perfect for weekday lunches, beach-day takeout, or satisfying those poke and musubi cravings whenever they hit. Even better, it’s locally owned by people who have called the South Bay home for years.
If you’re already a fan of Aunty Maile’s, consider this your next stop. And if you haven’t tried either restaurant yet, Island Rootz Cafe is an easy introduction to the family’s take on Hawaiian cuisine.
Next time you’re in Gardena, swing by, order something you’ve never tried before, and don’t leave without grabbing a musubi for the road. Chances are it won’t be your last visit.
Mahalo!
