A bunch of people told me I should try Yong's Kal Bi in Waimea for great Korean food, and I finally had a chance to get take-out while in the area for work.
Bi-Bim-Noodle
The Bi-Bim-Noodle was full of noodles and veggies. I upgraded to Garlic Pork Belly for an additional $3. I wish they gave more pork, because it was really delicious and added flavor to the dish. The dish itself was just filling and refreshing.
The pancake was loaded with mushrooms, garlic chives, and onions, and the pancake and both the sauce were very tasty, but I felt the pancake could've been crispier.
If there’s one place our family visits every week, it’s L&R Drive Inn in Kāne‘ohe. For the past few years, we’ve been picking up a plate of their chicken katsu to-go like clockwork. The boys absolutely love it — crispy on the outside, tender inside, and always consistent. We’ve tried a few of their other dishes before, but honestly, nothing quite compares to the chicken katsu.
When the boys’ birthday rolled around this year, we decided to keep things easy and cater instead of cooking for 15 people (including the in-laws!). Of course, the birthday boys requested their favorite — chicken katsu — so we ordered a whole pan of it.
To round things out, we added beef with vegetables, fried noodles, and fried rice.
Everything turned out really good! The katsu was just as tasty as always, and the noodles were a surprisingly big hit — flavorful, perfectly cooked, and not greasy at all. I think we’ve just found a new weekly addition to our usual order.
L&R never disappoints — simple, local comfort food done right.
I love cheese tarts! I got a sampler from Bake Cheese Tart which included a regular Cheese Tart, Chocolate Banana, Burnt Caramel, Milky Mascarpone, and Honey Lemon. So luscious!
Kakitane Kitchen
I never noticed Kakitane Kitchen before on previous trips to Japan, but the cute packaging caught my eye. I bought a variety of different flavored rice crackers!
Press Butter Sand
It's been years since I got Press Butter Sand - I was swayed into getting some of the other flavors!
When I was there, one of the employees gave me a Discount Shoppers Pass, in which visitors can get 5% off any 3000 yen purchase, so be sure to ask for it.
It’s actually been chilly lately — at least by Hawai‘i standards — and that kind of weather always has me craving something warm and comforting. So we headed back to Tanaka Saimin, which turned out to be the perfect dinner spot on this chilly evening.
The boys stuck with their favorites: one went for the classic saimin, the other for udon.
Both couldn’t resist the beef sticks — a little pricey at $6.50 each, but once they arrived, I had to admit they were worth every penny. They were huge!
This time, I ordered the fried noodles with crispy chicken. (Last time I tried it with yakitori chicken.) The chicken was on the dry side at first, but after asking for some extra sauce on the side, it hit the spot. The noodles were as delicious as ever — that perfect mix of salty, savory, and satisfying.
The hubby originally wanted mahi, but since they were out, he went with the miso butterfish instead. Honestly, I don’t think he was disappointed — it was an enormous portion, tender and flavorful, and at just over $21.50, probably the best deal on the menu.
All in all, it was another great meal at Tanaka Saimin — hearty comfort food that warms you up. The perfect place for these rare “fall” nights in Hawai‘i.
Our family used to go to Monkeypod Kitchen frequently for their Happy Hour specials, but it's been years since we dined there. I was excited to return to eat some of my favorite dishes.
Garlic Truffle Oil Fries
The Garlic Truffle Oil Fries were just as good and addicting as I remember!
Taro Ravioli
The Pumpkin Patch Ravioli was a go-to order of mine, but now they have Taro Ravioli, and it is also very delicious!
Cheeseburger
Bulgogi Pork Tacos
Wagyu French Dip (Special)
Housemade Gnocchi
The Gnocchi were pillowy soft, and I enjoyed the mac nut pesto. The mushrooms and chèvre made the dish a little more earthy than I had anticipated, but it was still a good dish overall.
I'm not a fan of pies, but I love the pies at Monkeypod Kitchen. We got the Orange Creamsicle (my fave), Strawberry Cream, and the seasonal Butterscotch.
They are huge, creamy, and so decadent!
Service was excellent!
Monkeypod Kitchen Ko Olina Station 92-1046 Olani Street Kapolei Hi, 96707 (808) 380-4086
Disclosure: Complimentary code was given for review purposes.
Film Synopsis
Freakier Friday picks up years after Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna (Lindsay Lohan) endured an identity crisis. Anna now has a daughter of her own and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the myriad challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might indeed strike twice.
Review:
No one in the family had watched Freaky Friday before, so we made sure to watch it before watching Freakier Friday.
To sum up Freakier Friday in a single sentence, my youngest son said "It’s the same as Freaky Friday, but more complicated."
Anna is now a single mom, who gets help from Tess from time to time. Anna ends up falling in love with a man who happens to be the father of her daughter's (Harper) nemesis (Lily).
Emotions are high as the two families plan a future as one, as the daughters are against the blending of the families.
One night, at Anna's bachelorette party, they meet a psychic, and subsequently there is a literal shake-up amongst the four people, in which they experience an earthquake and wake up in someone else's body - Anna and Harper exchanged bodies, and Lily and Tess exchanged as well.
It was quite funny and impressive to watch Curtis portray a shocked and unhappy Lily, who is quite high maintenance, in an elder woman's body.
As they all pretended to be each other, the younger girls planned to do whatever they could to break up the wedding.
And they were nearly successful.
But by stepping in someone else's shoes and living life as another, they were able to discover secrets of sacrifice and heartbreak, hope and love, while realizing that they all really need each other after all.
Although I enjoyed Freaky Friday more, Freakier Friday was still amusing and clever, and I think portraying a character who is acting as another character takes a lot of skill. My son enjoyed the movie as well, and his favorite part of the movie was the Pink Slip performance.
Digital & Blu-ray Bonus Materials*
Deleted Scenes– Check out the scenes that didn’t make the final cut.
Trevor's New Song
Extended Dance Lesson
Anna Cancels Wedding
Pickleball Team Announcements
Beta Girl Backs Up Lily
Intensity Of The V's Blake Doesn't Like What She Hears
Malibu
Eric Reads Tess's Books
School Pickup
Featurettes:
Making Things Freakier – More than two decades later, the band is back together! Go behind the scenes as returning cast members talk about reprising their roles. Learn about the stunts, taking on each other’s mannerisms – and how this film is a love letter to Los Angeles.
Where Were You When... – Join the original cast as they reflect on the fun and magic of the 2003 production and learn where new cast members were in 2003. Writer Jordan Weiss shares a great anecdote that reveals the fandom and staying power of the earlier classic.
Flashback Friday – This playful, narrated piece reveals the hidden nods to 2003’sFreaky Fridayalong with some “freakier” fun facts about the sequel.
"Baby" Lyric Music Video – Catch this heartfelt lyric video that combines clips from the movie with behind-the-scenes production footage.
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