Kalihi has a new seafood spot worth checking out: Thirty‑Eight, which recently opened in the former home of Nami Kaze. If you’ve been to the space before, the interior will feel familiar. The layout is largely unchanged, with a clean, modern dining room and an open kitchen that lets you watch the action.
Even though the restaurant had only been open for about two weeks when we visited, the place was full on a Friday night — always a promising sign for a brand-new spot.
We started with two cold appetizers: the spicy ahi cracker and the cabbage Caesar. Both were well executed, but the spicy ahi cracker stood out for me. Fresh ahi, avocado and tare is served over crisp rice crackers — the combination works really well.
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The cabbage Caesar was another winner. Instead of the usual anchovy garnish, this version featured fried anchovies, which added a salty crunch that made the dish very satisfying!
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From the hot starters menu, we tried the shrimp toast. It came with a chili sauce on the side, but I actually preferred the toast on its own.
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Another hot starter — the calamari katsu — was one of the highlights of the night. Served takoyaki-style, it arrived topped with a generous amount of savory goodness that made every bite flavorful.
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To close out the meal, we ordered the fried whole moi, a dish we had noticed on many tables throughout the restaurant. After trying it ourselves, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. The fish was rich and moist, and best of all, skillfully deboned, making it easy to enjoy without having to remove the bones.
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We were too full to try dessert, but they’re sourced from Please Come Again, a local purveyor in Kailua, known for unique flavors and locally sourced ingredients.
The owner stopped by to chat with us, and that's how we learned that the same team is behind several other local favorites: Paradise Poke, Nori Bar, and Chao.
There’s more to look forward to, too. The team just launched lunch service, and they’re also planning to introduce omakase at the counter down the road.
Book your reservation on Open Table.
THIRTY-EIGHT
1135 N. NIMITZ HIGHWAY
808-468-8562
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