Aoki Group continues to expand with an announcement of the new Doraku Sushi in Kapolei, located at the Kapolei Marketplace, which opens to the public today, December 13, 2022.
Says Aoki Group founder Kevin Aoki, "We’re bringing thelively Japanese dining experience to the residents of west Oʻahu in a 5,000 square foot space complete with a sushi bar, communal table, and indoor/outdoor seating. Guests can look forward to popular menu items that Doraku Sushi is known for including the Garlic Hamachi, Spicy Ahi Tuna, and other Deluxe Maki Sushi Rolls, Wagyu Beef Steak Fried Rice served tableside, and of course, classic cocktails along with our signature Lychee Martini. Cigar smoking is also offered after 8:00 p.m. on the lanai, a feature that residents and visitors can only experience at this Doraku location.”
Even with the delay of the March 2022 theft of a 40-foot shipping container filled with restaurant equipment and one-of-a-kind decor meant for Doraku Kapolei, Aoki and the build-out team continued to move forward, importing refurbished materials and precious artifacts from Asia. Explains Christopher Smith, Architect for Doraku Kapolei, “We had a lot of artifacts that Kevin collected over the years from Japan and Indonesia from our shopping trips. We made an inventory and designed the bar around all of these objects and wanted to place a feature on the beautiful light fixtures, Sake barrels, and other ornaments that we found.”
With innovative furniture designs such as the construction of diamond-shaped teak wood chairs that are comfortableto sit on without cushions, and blow-torching plywood walls, aka “Shou Sugi Ban” (charred wood planks) inspired by the famous “Sumiya” building in Kyoto, Japan, Aoki places a great emphasis on giving reclaimed material new life. Adds Aoki, “Being an environmentalist, I wanted to reduce, reuse and recycle items and put them in a perfect form. For instance, we took the copper material and stripped it from a few of my old buildings and laid it over the bar. You will see that every material and object in this restaurant has been repurposed and is combined together as a whole to create a modern look.”
Doraku Kapolei is located off the H-1 freeway and Farrington Highway at the West end of the Kapolei Marketplace (590 Farrington Hwy, Kapolei, HI 96707). To book a reservation, visit dorakusushi.com/kapolei or call (808) 888-6300. For more information on Aoki Group, visit the website or follow all the restaurant concepts on social media on Instagram and Facebook.
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