Tag Archive | Japanese Food

Zippy’s – Mililani, HI

Aug6

Chan and I met up with some friends at Zippy’s Mililani and it was super nice. Mililani is such a nice neighborhood and the restaurant side was clean and very chill. We were allowed to dine in and stay back to chat without much bother. This is going to be a super short post!

Chili & Cheese Fries | $6.75
golden brown fries topped with our famous chili and shredded cheddar cheese

Appetizer that Chan and I shared. Look, you can never lose with chili, cheese and fries. The cheese came out like this but no worries, it melted as we ate it! Was really good.

Saturday Special Mushroom Chicken

Okay so I didn’t look at the menu closely but in my mind, I expected either chicken katsu or chicken cutlet sliced up and served smothered in mushroom gravy. Heh, this wasn’t it. It was just a hearty chicken and mushroom stew. It tasted fine but I was just a bit disappointed because it wasn’t what I expected. I know better for future!

Zip Min

This is so odd. I am trying to find this item on their website or menus and it’s not available. You can’t order this for take-out? How odd. Anyway, this was Chan’s dish! He said it’s pricey and not really worth it, not as good as he remembers.

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Mixed Plate Friday

Aug1

Happy August! Oh my, is it already August? This is crazy. I feel like summer just started and here we are again. I love summer traffic so much, I need to appreciate the next few weeks until all the schools start up again! Sniff…

Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery | Assorted Dim Sum Items

Baked Char Siu Manapua | Winnah’s (big competition to U-Choice In)
Custard Tart | Just okay (not the flaky pastry crust I like)
Char Siu Su | I didn’t even get to try this. Ugh, too much food for the past few weeks so I let it go bad. My chinese self is kicking herself!
Custard Bun | Okay, this was GOOD. It’s the pineapple bun with custard inside, so so good. Even better than the dim sum restaurants!

Fresh Peach Burrata Salad

In line with the season, I saw this fresh peach salad on TikTok. It’s fresh peaches, burrata cheese, prosciutto over arugula greens. It’s topped with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. If anyone asks, I can post the recipe. Super easy but the ingredients can get pricey. Chan loves arugula so he liked this salad!

Wea da noodles?

Inside joke with V. I made this really refreshing soba salad the other week to eat with Chan. It includes yuzu kosho dressing mixed with perilla oil and is topped with fresh cilantro. So good and refreshing, get noodles in there some place. Simple recipe, maybe I’ll post it one day. 🙂

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I-NABA – Honolulu, HI

Jul23

Every time I come to I-naba, it makes me ask why I don’t come more often. I love soba noodles and tempura which they do SO SO well. We came on a hot summer day for lunch and made sure to get here early because I know this is a popular restaurant. Good thing we did because we were second in line and the line grew and grew behind us. When we checked in, she asked if we had a reservation and we said no and she almost looked miffed about that. I don’t know what that was all about but she seated us in the regular seating area anyway. Weird.

It’s basically a retirement crowd here but they certainly acted like they were in a rush to go back to work. Many of them were barking out their orders as the wait staff were putting out cups of water and the edamame. It was a little irritating because I wish they would take orders in the order of people who were seated and not just anyone who would yell their order at them. Nonetheless, we got our order in and the food came out in a timely manner. I was a bit thrown off because my original dish was not available – sigh. So I had to do a quick change since I didn’t want to lose our ordering spot and totally omitted the tempura. Blah! Oh well, I guess that means I gotta come back sooner rather than later.

Tempura Soba | $30.00
2 shrimps, 1 white fish, veggie tempura and zaru (pictured) or kake soba

Bara Chirashi Bowl & Soba | $34.00
chopped some kinds (lol) of sashimi served over sushi rice. also comes with regular size zaru (pictured) or kake soba.

Some kinds of sashimi is a bit vague but I was very pleased with the quality of the some fish in my chirashi bowl. It was delicious! Love the pop of the ikura. My original order was for the hana soba which would have come with tempura. Dangit! I guess I could have ordered tempura on the side but this was way more than enough food!

Yummy and so easy to eat at home. But doesn’t everything always taste better when it’s cooked for you? What a great meal! I can’t wait to return!

Spam Musubi Rating:

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Hokkaido Ramen Santouka – Honolulu, HI

Jul21

This might sound like an exaggeration but I don’t think I’ve been to Hokkaido Ramen Santouka for over a decade. I know for sure I haven’t been there since the pandemic and we’re already 5 years from that. Santouka never went down in quality but when I used to go, they were super super busy. I guess at a certain point, I didn’t feel like it was worth the wait and also tend to visit restaurants I can make online reservations at. Well, I’ve been hankering for some good ramen lately and decided to go on a weekday lunch break and take my chances. There were people dining in the restaurant but we got seated right away!

Toroniku Shio Ramen | $16.80

Toroniku Karamiso Ramen (Small) | $16.30

B Lunch Set (3 pc Gyoza & Salmon Ikura Rice Bowl) | $6.99

I loved that they have a lunch set! And I also love that you can size down or up your ramen bowl – so I downsized my ramen to get the set (yes, I bodied it all). It was SOOO good. The ramen was perfect cooked and seasoned. The gyoza tasted house-made and was grilled perfectly crispy and the rice? Oh the rice, high quality white rice with perfectly seasoned fresh salmon and ikura. It was just a perfect set. I mean, I am sitting here thinking about my next trip already. Gotta drag Chan here lol. So good!

Spam Musubi Rating:

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Mixed Plate Friday

Jul11

TKG Sauce Packets

Sorry, I’m late to post this. I wasn’t late on the trend but just late to post lol. I was lucky because my cousin actually went to Japan and bought me this whole pack to try before it arrived in Hawaii (and got sold out in like a day). I love TKG rice – I don’t know how they do this. Is the “yolk” part real yolk? How is it shelf stable? I was surprised when they were able to import it here. Have you folks tried it yet?

It looks just like the ketchup and mustard packets Japan made famous years and years ago

Hmmm…

Hmmm…!

Verdict? Ehhh…to me, it doesn’t taste like TKG rice lol. I’m trying to pinpoint what it does taste like but I can’t quite think of it right now. It tastes okay but like I’m not a huge fan. I gave the rest to Chan so he can have quick meals with this. I don’t think I would buy it if I saw it, I rather eat fresh TKG rice!

Spam Musubi Rating:

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Kaiseki Sanga – Las Vegas, NV

Jun30

Kaiseki Sanga is a omakase restaurant that Chan was really excited to try. Unfortunately, this was at the peak of Chan’s food poisoning spell. This restaurant is one that requires a deposit to make the reservation and there is a fee if you don’t cancel with at least 24 hours notice. So…we had a big dilemma. What ended up happening was Chan’s friend and I decided to go dinner to avoid the fees and explained to them about our third diner being out. The restaurant was very nice and understanding about it but wished that we had given them an earlier heads up and just requested that we go for the alcohol pairing and didn’t charge the no-show fee. I don’t drink alcohol but Chan’s friend could definitely do it up, he enjoyed every thoughtful sake pairing they had! The cost of the kaiseki was $250 per person.

The night’s spread before the meal started – yes, you already know this meal will be pricey…

Amuse
Amadai (Tilefish), Hokkaido Uni, Tofu Skin

Appetizer
Sakura Mochi with Ma Tai / Kani Chawanmushi / Hataru Squid / Hotate / Cuttlefish with Miso

Soup
Cherry Salmon, Goma Tofu, Edamame

Sashimi
Aka Ebi with Caviar, Chu Toro, Hirame

Grill
Sawara, Bamboo Shoots

Turf
Wagyu, Iberico Pork

Akami

Ma Aji

Wagyu

Anago

Otoro

Negitoro with Uni

Red Miso Soup

Dessert
Strawberry Ice Cream and Warabi Mochi

Matcha Tea

All in all, it was a wonderful meal. I did however miss Chan too much to enjoy it, really wished he could be with us to enjoy it. It is a bit pricey but I guess you are paying for the high quality imports from Japan. It’s a very small restaurant, just enough seats at the main bar to serve maybe 10 people or less? I can see why they have to be serious about no-shows. Would love to experience this place with Chan one day in the future!

Spam Musubi Rating:

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Mixed Plate Friday

Jun27

I saw this sign the other week and thought it was so funny and oddly specific. It’s like this place had it UP TO HERE with Nan, Inc. vehicles in particular and had a special sign made for them. I couldn’t help but laugh.

Tuna Mayo Omusubi | $2.49

Unagi Hijiki Omusubi | $3.99

I went to Marukai Wholesale Mart the other day and love to peruse the ready made food section – especially after work since they are marked down (I am Chinese after all). I was super excited to try these musubis because I think they are made with a special rice and you even have to get the fresh nori from the cashier as you pay. The tuna mayo musubi was basic, exactly what you would expect. The unagi unfortunately was a bit of a bummer for me. The mixed rice was a bit mushy and sweet for my taste and the unagi was just okay. I probably wouldn’t get this again.

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Fukuya Delicatessen | Moilili, HI

Jun25

Now that it’s summer time, I am more willing to venture out to various places because I know traffic won’t be a nightmare. Don’t you love summer? Less people, less traffic. I am a total introvert. Anyway, Fukuya Deli is located close to my work place but I hardly go because it’s always so crowded. Well, lazy me didn’t think to just park on the road. Why do I stress about parking in their lot? I’m so crazy. I go to work early anyway so I can go right when they open.

Medium Mixed Sushi | $8.20

Got this to share with some coworkers, ate a maki sushi and cone sushi myself. Was okay, nothing special.

Hot Dog Roll (lol) | $7.40

Of course I bought the hot dog roll cause I’m crazy. I didn’t even know they include a piece of spam in it? How funny. Fun to try but wouldn’t get it again.

2x Chow Fun | $7.50
1 Fried Chicken Thigh | $3.75
1 Spicy Tofu Stir- fry | $3.30
1 Nishime | $3.30

My first lunch plate – was good. I always gotta try the chow fun at the different delicatessens. I think what inspired the visit was someone bringing chow fun to a gathering and me trying to figure out where it was from. The chow fun is pretty on-par with Toshi’s. I liked the tofu stir-fry a lot and I love nishime – they do it well, the vegetables are nice and soft but not mushy.

1 Fried Noodles | $3.75
1 Chow Fun | $3.75
1 Nori Fried Chicken | $4.25
1 Ahi Burger | $4.00
1 Spicy Tofu Stir-fry | $3.30
1 Nishime | $3.30

Second lunch plate – this time I wanted to try the fried noodles to see if they were good. They were! The nori chicken is good but mochiko chicken has never been a favorite. I got the tofu and nishime again cause I like it! It’s a delicatessen so it’s pricey as usual but oh! I almost didn’t talk about it but the ahi burger is so good! Nicely seasoned and so soft, I would definitely get the ahi burger again!

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Mixed Plate Friday

Jun6

Kamamalu Market Spam Musubi

This is my lesson in…just because it’s on social media doesn’t mean it’s good. This may be a controversial opinion since the ratings on Yelp are so high for this place and their spam musubi but it was not good. It’s just plain spam musubi. The spam I think is full sodium so no thanks already and there is no seasoning to the spam…so what am I missing here? I got the regular and the spam and egg one – both were just whatever. I mean, I make better musubi at home (sorry). Would not recommend.

Toshi’s Delicatessen & Restaurant | $18.70

I’ve expressed my love for Toshi’s in the past and will continue to do so. They have great food and I love that’s it run by hardworking folks but I definitely could not afford to eat here regularly. I’ll just continue to do my random check-ins when I have time and money lol.

This plate includes 2x chow fun, 1x veggie stirfy, 1 shoyu chicken thigh, 1 hot dog (lol). This was almost $20 – whew. But as always, I love the old school wrapping and we just don’t have shops like this anymore. Gotta keep them in business!!

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Mixed Plate Friday

May9

Straub Benioff | Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi

Shucks, I forgot the price! I got this plate during my Dad’s stay and it was a pretty good deal! I think like $14? They give you two big pieces of mahi and you get to choose two sides. The fish had a mayo sauce drizzled on top which helped to combat any dryness. The cafeteria isn’t too bad! Too bad they don’t post menus online.

Kotetsu Chaya Chicken Karaage Plate | $15.50

My brother felt like chicken karaage (random) so one of their dinners consisted of chicken karaage from Kotetsu Chaya, I never tried them myself but I have heard good things. A small Japanese shop run by a sweet couple. I would call in an order early if you can, if not, you gotta wait like 20-30 minutes. Also, they don’t seem to understand the concept of all rice because I tried to get one plate like that for the bro who doesn’t eat mac salad and all three plates were rice and mac salad. Also, they give super manani amount of mac salad! It was kind of wild. They ate it but I don’t think they consider chicken karaage a main meal you know? I also see it as more of an appetizer.

Kotetsu Chaya Garlic French Fries | $6.00

Like I am pretty sure they just gave them a small container of garlic powder to shake into the fries. LOL, so don’t expect nice garlic butter on their garlic fries okay?

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