Tag Archive | Japanese Food

Kunio Restaurant – Waikele, HI

Kunio Restaurant is a great Japanese restaurant located in Waikele Shopping Center.  If you go during the weekends, you will see a long line at both ends – Genki and Kunio.  Kunio is a great restaurant in Waikele and honestly, the dining options are slim pickings at Waikele…sorry!  Kunio is a comfortable Japanese restaurant that serves up some great teishoku deals.  Also, we’ve had great customer service both times!  That’s winners for me already…check out the food pics!

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Miso Butterfish and Shrimp Tempura/Squid Tempura Combo!  The butterfish is in the bottom left square, looks koge huh?

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Mixed Don – Kuru Kuru Sushi

While I frequent Kuru Kuru Sushi – I have never ordered one of their dons until my last visit.  I used to watch as other tables got these mountains of spicy ahi/poke and just sit in envy.  I don’t know why I never ordered it, perhaps because if I were to ever eat that I would not be able to eat anything else?  Well, this time I had a partner in crime so I ordered it.  The taste was great, the photo opp even better.  Isn’t it glorious?

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Slurping Turtle – Chicago, IL

Being the Asian that I am, I made it a point to scope out as many Asian restaurants as I could.  As if I don’t get enough Asian food in Hawaii right?  The Slurping Turtle was located very close to our hotel so we decided to give them a try one night for dinner.  The restaurant was very busy but we were able to score a seat almost immediately!  As we were greeted by the waitress, we were informed that a future Top Chef contestant was the chef of this restaurant!  How exciting!  He even had a special tasting menu but since I was dining with others, I decided to order just noodles.  I guess this gives me an excuse to go back to the restaurant next time I return!  Let’s take a look at the food shall we?

130908-01Cute ah?  Sorry for the shiny spot on the menu…

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I-naba – Honolulu, Hawaii

I-naba is a small little gem tucked away on South King Street.  I’ve long been a fan of soba so it was only destiny that led me to this restaurant.  We came here a bit close to their closing time but was able to get seated anyway.  Even though we thought we were a little late, there was still a small stream of customers that came in after us!

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I enjoy nice menus…come on in…

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Goma Tei Ramen – Ward Center

I love me some Tan Tan Ramen.  Do you have a place that serves your favorite Tan Tan?  I’ve gotta give it up to Goma Tei Ramen because this is the first place I have ever tried Tan Tan Ramen.  Tan Tan Ramen’s broth looks thick with sesame murkiness but the broth doesn’t taste as thick as it looks.  I’ve been coming here ever since they opened but haven’t been back in over a year.  I was starting to get disappointed in my previous visits because I felt like they were making changes that affected the quality.  So how did this visit fare?   Let’s explore.

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Let my Wakame Tan Tan Ramen lure you in…

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Tenkaippin Ramen

Tenkaippin Ramen is a big chain ramen restaurant in Japan and I heard that they are very particular about their recipes.  I also heard the owner of this restaurant was able to convince them to franchise this location in Hawaii, I don’t know how he pulled this off but I’m grateful he did.  I’ve been to this restaurant a few times over the years and I agree with reviewers, the restaurant has changed in quality over the years.  Have you noticed the Ultimate Japan shows they play in the restaurant?  Well if you didn’t know, the hosts of the show are also the owners of this restaurant!  In the beginning of my visits here, I would see the owners around helping out but lately, they are almost never around…which I think changes the dynamic of the place.

I tried Tenkaippin a few months ago just to try the food again.  I got my favorite Kotteri Ramen and it was as good as it always was.  I feel the food is still good and consistent in taste.  When I went to Japan, I found a Tenkaippin in Shinjuku and tried it.  Oh boy did I prefer the one in Hawaii…is that weird to say?  The broth in Shinjuku was incredibly salty and I just couldn’t enjoy it as much as I do in Hawaii.

Kotteri Ramen - look at that thick broth!

Kotteri Ramen – look at that thick broth!

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Your Kitchen

When Your Kitchen first opened, I remember cracking a few jokes with coworkers.  I’d offer up to pick up lunch and when they asked where, I’d say Your Kitchen and watch them get confused.  I’m just a ball of fun at work, 😛  Anyhow!  I’ve always enjoyed this restaurant, it’s run by a super cute Japanese couple.  It’s a very small space and it’s all street parking but I still like to come here from time to time to pick up some food or just grab their awesome shave ice.  I go for the premium flavors, the homemade syrup.  It’s heavenly – and I go for a matching scoop of ice cream as well.  Anyhow, I wanted to share a quick update of a lunch I had recently.  It is their pork bowl with a tonkatsu egg…I just love how the egg yolk is still runny inside – can’t be beat!

Presentation is key

Presentation is key

I'm a sucker for a well cooked egg

I’m a sucker for a well cooked egg

Your Kitchen is also the first place I discovered Udon Salad and what I used as inspiration to create my udon salad!  You can find my recipe here.

Hot Woks Cool Sushi in Chicago

I have been to Chicago twice in the past 2 years and may be going again near the end of the summer.  The first trip?  Strictly vacation.  I had a great time, the weather was brisk and I really got a feel for Chicago.  The second time was this past February to accompany my cousin to her Pharmacy School interview.  While this trip was unplanned, it could not have been more perfect!  One thing I have wanted to see in all my life was snow and this trip provided that.  Not only did I get to see and touch snow, on one of my last days, I actually got to see snow fall from the sky.  It really was a dream come true.  I’m sure I’ll post the snow pictures soon after this post.  It was pretty funny because when we checked into the hotel, I was told that it was a weird winter for Chicago and that this was the first snow they had all year!  Absolutely magical for this Hawaii girl.

Anyhow, I wanted to share some pictures from this restaurant with you.  I went to this restaurant on both trips and plan to go back if I go again!  When I look up the reviews for Hot Woks Cool Sushi, they are pretty mediocre.  This restaurant is also located right across the street from Cloud Gate so it is probably considered a tourist trap.  I don’t mind though – I’ve enjoyed both meals I had.

Tuna Avocado Salad - amazing dressing!

Tuna Avocado Salad – amazing dressing!

Caterpillar - Signature Sushi Roll

Harajuku – Signature Sushi Roll

These rolls include yellow tail, seared albacore, jalapeño, avocado, cilantro with orange and black tobikko outer covering.

These rolls include yellow tail, seared albacore, jalapeño, avocado, cilantro with orange and black tobikko outer covering.

HOT WOKS Noodles

HOT WOKS Noodles

House specialty. Stir-fry with chicken, shrimp, spinach noodles & mixed vegetables in sweet/tangy sauce. Includes jalapeno peppers.

House specialty. Stir-fry with chicken, shrimp, spinach noodles & mixed vegetables in sweet/tangy sauce. Includes jalapeno peppers.

I also appreciate this restaurant for their clean bathrooms!  After exploring Cloud Gate and the park, it’s nice to settle into a warm and cozy restaurant for some good food and a restroom break.  I think I’ve had good food for both visits, nothing to complain about.  Check them out if you are out in Chicago!

 

Japanese Udon Salad

One of my favorite go-to recipes is this Japanese Udon Salad.  I based this recipe off of a salad I tried from Your Kitchen.  Unfortunately, I think they stopped making this salad so it’s a good thing I make this myself!  It is very easy to make, here are the ingredients:

Japanese Udon Salad Toppings!

Japanese Udon Salad Toppings!

Sliced Cherry Tomatoes

Sliced Cherry Tomatoes

Japanese Cucumbers, sliced and de-seeded

Japanese Cucumbers, sliced and de-seeded

Sliced Aburage - parboiled

Sliced Aburage – parboiled

Corn - I used canned but you are more than welcome to use fresh!

Corn – I used canned but you are more than welcome to use fresh!

Wakame

Wakame

Finished Product!

Finished Product!

I buy the fresh packaged udon noodles in the refrigerator section of the asian supermarket and cook them for about 1-2 minutes and drain them.  Then I toss all the toppings and the udon noodles with a creamy sesame dressing.  I insist on using only Kewpie Sesame Dressing.  I find that they make the best dressing, they sell it in Don Quijote and Nijiya Market but is a bit pricey.  Though it does go on sale for about $4.00 at Don Quijote from time to time.  Right before serving, I add cilantro leaves to top off the salad.  It’s a small addition but makes such a great difference.  I hope you get to try this recipe and let me know what you think!  It’s perfect for the summer – cool and refreshing!

If you ever get out to Japan, I highly suggest getting the huge bottle of Kewpie Dressing!  It is so cheap and totally worth my suitcase space/weight.