When it comes to authentic ramen here in Hawaii I feel like I'm on an epic food inspired adventure. Like every great adventure, there are times that the protagonist finds himself in a bit of a rut but always seems to make the best out of it. Walking into Sumo Ramen and Curry I felt like I was walking into a "rut" situation. The decor seemed somewhat cheap however the open kitchen made me feel right at home.
I was seated with a couple of friends during lunch and was handed a menu. The first thing that I noticed about the menu was that it was huge! The katsu curry and ramen combo is a classic and for the price seemed an excellent choice. Then my eyes landed on the one phrase that stole my heart and made my experience at Sumo Ramen and Curry complete... tonkotsu ramen.
I've mentioned in previous posts that I've been on the lookout for a restaurant that served tonkotsu ramen and here it was right under my nose in a restaurant that I've passed by countless times. It was settled. I ordered a bowl of tonkotsu ramen and a side of gyoza.
The gyoza was good but not great. It was steam-fried in the usual fashion yet the filling seemed to lack flavor. Truthfully I didn't much care about anything else because I knew that my ramen was on its way.
When the moment of truth arrived the only thing I could think about was the gigantic ladle in my bowl of ramen. I wasn't sure if the kitchen staff forgot to take their 3 oz ladle or if it was for consuming my bowl of ramen. After a minute or two I really didn't care. The rich broth was amazing and went well with the shoyu soaked egg and roast pork.
I ventured out of Sumo Ramen and Curry satisfied that I had overcome the rut and came away with a jewel. -- Oh and I hear their curry isn't bad either!
Sumo Ramen and Curry
Rating System: 1-2.5-5 (poor-average-excellent)
Service: 2.5
Food Quality: 2.25
Monetary Value: 3.75
Quality vs Quantity: Quantity (curry+ramen combo's are huge)
Overall: 2.8
2919 Kapiolanio Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96826
808-737-1868
Showing posts with label kapiolani blvd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kapiolani blvd. Show all posts
April 22, 2010
January 23, 2009
Kabuki (Kapiolani Blvd)
As I have mentioned time and time again, I love sushi. So where do I go when I want the best sushi experience on O'ahu? In a name Kabuki and there is only one word that can describe the experience -- epic. Located on the far west end of Kapiolani Boulevard, Kabuki has been serving quality Japanese food since its opening in the 70's. Parking at Kabuki can become problematic as it is a very popular restaurant especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
Kabuki's atmosphere reflects most older Japanese restaurants of its time. Japanese prints adorn the walls, the weathered wooden tables -- all very typical with a izakaya type of feel. The food at Kabuki is top notch Japanese serving all of the traditional favorites. But that is not why I come to Kabuki. I come to Kabuki for one thing and one thing only. Sushi.
As you enter Kabuki you are greeted by the host who ask us if we have a reservation or want a table but we (I don't like eating sushi alone) usually just decline and make our way over to the sushi bar which is secluded behind some Japanese style drapes.
We're greeted with a friendly hello (it's good to know your local sushi chef) and take our seats. We're presented with the traditional wood block of ginger and wasabi while we pour our own shoyu. A hot towel is presented to wipe our hands with while handling the sushi one of the waitresses bring us hot tea.
Now here's where Kabuki shines above other sushi bars. The chef (Yoshio Kazama) brings in only the freshest and finest cuts of fish. He will not settle for lesser grades and would rather be sold out of an item than use a lesser cut. This strive for excellence and years of experience under his belt produce some of the best sushi I have ever eaten in my life.
My theory when it comes to sushi of this quality is to leave your meal in the hands of the chef. Sure you'll order some of your favorites but it's always a good idea to ask what's fresh and what the chef recommends for this evening which is why befriending your chef is a good idea as he won't just recommend whatever special he may be running to get rid of old product. Yoshio-san knows that I have an expensive yet adventurous appetite so he threw me a couple curveballs this meal.
I started off with hamachi nigiri. I love hamachi but I've actually stopped ordering hamachi from other sushi restaurants because recently the hamachi that I've been eating seems sub-par (stringy, fishy, and flavorless). The hamachi at Kabuki however is completely opposite. Kabuki's hamachi is buttery, flavorful and delicate.
I then proceeded with soft-shell crab rolls (Yoshio makes the best), maguro, ama-ebi, and a few more courses. In addition to sushi I also had a special treat that night hamachi collar. I've reviewed hamachi collar before from Shirokiya but this has absolutely no comparison the flavor is just so much more intense.
I ended my meal with fresh akule nigiri (which is again why it is important to ask what what's fresh and what the chef recommends) and some uni (I love uni). We order some sushi to go then leave with bows of appreciation. BUT.... I have to admit. Quality has it's price tag and for a meal of this size and caliber be prepared to drop big bucks (I'm talking triple digits for a dinner for two) when eating at Kabuki. However, after all is said and done you will look back and remember that it's worth it. The quality and satisfaction just can't be beat.
Kabuki
Rating System: 1-2.5-5 (poor-average-excellent)
Service: 4.75
Food Quality: 5
Monetary Value: 4.75
Quality vs Quantity: Quality
Overall: 4.8
600 Kapiolani Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-545-5995
TIP: Call ahead to find out if the sushi bar is crowded and to make reservations if necessary.
Kabuki's atmosphere reflects most older Japanese restaurants of its time. Japanese prints adorn the walls, the weathered wooden tables -- all very typical with a izakaya type of feel. The food at Kabuki is top notch Japanese serving all of the traditional favorites. But that is not why I come to Kabuki. I come to Kabuki for one thing and one thing only. Sushi.
As you enter Kabuki you are greeted by the host who ask us if we have a reservation or want a table but we (I don't like eating sushi alone) usually just decline and make our way over to the sushi bar which is secluded behind some Japanese style drapes.
We're greeted with a friendly hello (it's good to know your local sushi chef) and take our seats. We're presented with the traditional wood block of ginger and wasabi while we pour our own shoyu. A hot towel is presented to wipe our hands with while handling the sushi one of the waitresses bring us hot tea.
Now here's where Kabuki shines above other sushi bars. The chef (Yoshio Kazama) brings in only the freshest and finest cuts of fish. He will not settle for lesser grades and would rather be sold out of an item than use a lesser cut. This strive for excellence and years of experience under his belt produce some of the best sushi I have ever eaten in my life.
My theory when it comes to sushi of this quality is to leave your meal in the hands of the chef. Sure you'll order some of your favorites but it's always a good idea to ask what's fresh and what the chef recommends for this evening which is why befriending your chef is a good idea as he won't just recommend whatever special he may be running to get rid of old product. Yoshio-san knows that I have an expensive yet adventurous appetite so he threw me a couple curveballs this meal.
I started off with hamachi nigiri. I love hamachi but I've actually stopped ordering hamachi from other sushi restaurants because recently the hamachi that I've been eating seems sub-par (stringy, fishy, and flavorless). The hamachi at Kabuki however is completely opposite. Kabuki's hamachi is buttery, flavorful and delicate.
I then proceeded with soft-shell crab rolls (Yoshio makes the best), maguro, ama-ebi, and a few more courses. In addition to sushi I also had a special treat that night hamachi collar. I've reviewed hamachi collar before from Shirokiya but this has absolutely no comparison the flavor is just so much more intense.
I ended my meal with fresh akule nigiri (which is again why it is important to ask what what's fresh and what the chef recommends) and some uni (I love uni). We order some sushi to go then leave with bows of appreciation. BUT.... I have to admit. Quality has it's price tag and for a meal of this size and caliber be prepared to drop big bucks (I'm talking triple digits for a dinner for two) when eating at Kabuki. However, after all is said and done you will look back and remember that it's worth it. The quality and satisfaction just can't be beat.
Kabuki
Rating System: 1-2.5-5 (poor-average-excellent)
Service: 4.75
Food Quality: 5
Monetary Value: 4.75
Quality vs Quantity: Quality
Overall: 4.8
600 Kapiolani Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-545-5995
TIP: Call ahead to find out if the sushi bar is crowded and to make reservations if necessary.
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