Ginza bairin. They make better tonkatsu than anywhere in LA but I prefer tamifuji over them but bairin happens to be closer to the hotel corridor in Waikiki. Chicken and mixed pork were excellent. Their premium loin was dry and did not have good fat layering which I come to expect. Breadcrumbs were excellent. Also suprising hit was the ahi katsu
6 Likes
Onigiri onibe
This place is new and incredible. They probably make the best rice I’ve ever had. It’s fluffy with a tender chew but still holding form and texture of individual rice grains cooked precisely in their donabe pots. The egg yolk ongiri are the best of the bunch but pretty much can’t go wrong with any topping. I think you might be able to do an onigiri omakase but I’m not sure. We ate here twice.
5 Likes
Morning catch
A new poke place in a Chinatown stall that has moved up to the top of my poke rankings. The chef buys fresh fish everyday at the fish auction and makes what appears to be chef driven poke. I would get the sampler next time. Waits can be long so feel free to order shop in the wet market and come back.
Hhh poke rankings:
- Morning catch
- Ken’s fresh
- Off the hook
- Maguro brod
- Ono seafood
9 Likes
Guava smoke - not as good as usual. Possibly because I went at an off time. But the butterfish was dry.
Smoked loco moco was super interesting. Great smoky patty with good char and went well with eggs. Did not like their white gravy though, the traditional brown that most places use is much more aproprietor. I love their smoked meat fried rice and Mac salad. This is one of my favorite spots on Oahu but it didn’t hit this time unfortunately will be back though
4 Likes
House without a key at halekulani
Went for the great music and setting. Beautiful sunset/ocean views and great musical/hula performances. Sometimes you just have to pony up for the vibes I made sure to eat food I liked beforehand lol. Food is dressed up “fancy” mediocre hotel food for midwesterners best things are the coconut cake and braised short rib which is not pictured. Pizza was serviceable.
8 Likes
Didn’t have the budget or reservation availability for sushi sho. But their bara charashi to go for $40 might be the best value in Hawaii and the west coast. We got three lol.
7 Likes
Kona coffee purveyors.
I haven’t had a better Kougin Aman in LA crispy and carmelized bottom with fluffy and pliant interior
3 Likes
Meat jun from Dong yang in Wahiawa. A uniquely Hawaiian creation it’s pajun batter coated around Kalbi like marinated meet and fried. Great for a plate lunch combo came with banchan which cut the richness
4 Likes
Nui ice cream. Coconut based ice cream that doesn’t taste like coconuts I got strawberry and kinako pretzel swirl lillikoi sundae toppings. Was irritated for waiting 15 min but it was so damn good. We went again the following night. Kind of reminded me of Kansha if they did soft serve
4 Likes
I love that place so much, but I’ve never eaten there - just had a couple of drinks and listened to the music and watched the sun set.
6 Likes
Yes that’s probably the right move, we made reservations to celebrate a birthday. I would rather do drinks and enjoy the show next time
2 Likes
Sushi gyoshin - gyoshin is the nickname that tsuijisan’s hometown fisherman give to the nodoguro.
New highly popular sushi omakase that opened up in the last year or so. If you look on open table they are pretty much booked out. Best way is to call for a rez and they were able to squeeze us in. Intimate setting with max room for 9 guests per seating. It’s just tsuiji san and a helper. He was asked to be part of the opening team for sho New York but declined because he likes Oahu so much. Great omakase for 180 pp does not come close to sho levels but I’m not sure if that is his intention or not. Being a relative sushi noob this place compares favorably to the places in the same tier within LA esp giving its sub 200 dollar value. Tsuiji San speaks very little English but is quite friendly. Everything was from Japan except for the geoduck, neta and Shari were immaculate but his blend of vinegars was quite mild compared to many places in LA. Highlights were the madai, Sawara, and shima aji. Those are also the fish I did extra rounds for lol. It’s byob which is a huge plus although they offer beer. Shoutout to @pomodoro and @beefnoguy for sake recommendations but alas we did not end up having time for a second stop to buy it.
10 Likes