Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya Expands to Windward Mall

Ramen lovers, we’ve got news for you. Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya is noodling its way to Kaneohe with its seventh Hawaii location at Windward Mall. The new restaurant will bring its signature ramen, hearty rice bowls, and flavorful izakaya dishes to the Windward side when it celebrates its grand opening on Wednesday, May 13. Located near Ninja Sushi and HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union, the 2,400-square-foot space will offer seating for approximately 70 guests.

Grand Opening Specials: To celebrate its grand opening, guests can look forward to the following offers throughout the month of May:

• Buy One, Get One 50% Off (May 13 only): All guests can enjoy 50% off a second ramen or rice bowl of equal or lesser value when dining in on May 13 before 5 p.m.

• Lunch Combo Special (May 13-17): Guests can enjoy Tanaka’s lunch combo which includes a special lunch-sized portion izakaya dish, your choice of a lunch-sized portion of a Tanaka Classic, Tanaka Spicy, or Tanaka Combo Ramen and any soft drink at a special price during lunch hours from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. throughout the grand opening weekend.

• Grand Opening Weekend Beer Special (May 15-17): Guests dining in at the Windward Mall location can enjoy a Sapporo beer for just $4, available all day.

• Receipt Bounceback: Guests who bring a receipt back from opening day, May 13, within 7 days will receive a complimentary izakaya dish of their choice with any ramen or rice bowl purchase.

• Giving Back: A portion of all proceeds from the month of May will benefit a local nonprofit. 

• Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya Gift Card Deal: Guests who purchase a $50 gift card receive a $55 gift card. Guests who purchase a $100 gift card receive a $110 gift card. Cash only. 

“We are excited to continue our growth in Hawaii with the opening of our newest location at Windward Mall,” said Tina Wang, owner and founder of Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya. “Since launching in 2020, our expansion has been driven by the ongoing support of our local community. We are proud to bring our signature ramen and izakaya offerings to the Windward side and to bring new options to our loyal guests.”

The Windward Mall restaurant will be the company’s first and only location to offer a selection of yakitori sticks, including chicken thigh, chicken thigh with green onion, chicken meatball, and chicken kawa.

Windward diners will enjoy the restaurant’s signature ramen dishes including the restaurant’s Tanaka Classic – a pork broth, pork chashu, kikurage, spicy bean sprouts, green onions, fried onions, garlic oil and a seasoned egg served with thick noodles – and their popular vegan ramen, Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen – a vegan broth, green onions, spicy bean sprouts, spinach, atsuage tofu, crispy onions with garlic and chili oil served with kale noodles. 

Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya also offers a variety of rice bowls like their Beef Sukiyaki Don or Karaage Don as well as Tokyo curry bowls including a Pork Katsu w/ Curry and Pork Gyoza w/ Curry. And to start off any meal, you’ll want to check out their selection of appetizers and izakaya options including their house-made Pork Gyoza.

Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya’s Windward Mall location will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday & Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The restaurant will also be offering its full menu of lunch and dinner items for takeout. To place an order, call 808-367-0293 or order online at www.tanakaramen.com.

All University of Hawaii system faculty and students, Windward Mall employees, and military members receive 10 percent off with proof of ID. 

Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya currently operates seven locations across Hawaii, with locations at Ala Moana Center, Kailua Town, Kapolei Marketplace, Maui Mall Village, Pearlridge Center, and Town Center of Mililani, and Windward Mall. For more information on Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya, visit www.tanakaramen.com. Also be sure to follow Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at @tanakaramenhawaii to stay up-to-date on the latest information on special giveaways, promotions and much more.   

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Special Mother's Day Desserts by b. Patisserie at Kona Coffee Purveyors

Two special desserts by b. Patisserie will be available at Kona Coffee Purveyors exclusively for one-day only, in honor of Mother's Day: 

Courtesy b. Patisserie at Kona Coffee Purveyors

The Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava (POG) Cake ($7.75) is a refreshing cake composed of a crunchy sable Breton base, layered with guava ganache, passion fruit curd, vanilla bavarois, and topped with a guava gelee, finished with chantilly cream and orange segments. 

Courtesy b. Patisserie at Kona Coffee Purveyors

The Chocolate Raspberry Dome ($7.75) enrobes a light chocolate mousse, raspberry coulis, decadent ganache, crispy chocolate pearls, and a delicate chocolate cake in luscious chocolate, adorned with flower petals.

These desserts will be available on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, from 7:00 to 4:00 p.m..

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Visit Catalina Island: Golf Gardens

We had zero planned for the Catalina Island port, and as we roamed around, we saw that mini golf was nearby.  

Golf Gardens turned out to be a lot of fun!

There were all sorts of tricky holes, and as the kids gave the trick shots their best efforts, lots of laughter ensued!

It was a fun way to spend a couple of hours on Catalina Island!

Golf Gardens
10 Island Plz

Avalon, CA 90704

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Jagalchi

Tteokbokki

For her birthday, my daughter wanted to eat tteokbokki- her favorite Korean dish. We would be in the university area so | did a quick yelp search and found Jagalchi. Located on Young Street, this Korean restaurant has a young, casual, and fun vibe. Definitely a good time.

We were greeted by friendliest server and quickly seated. Ordering is done via ipad at the table. There are a lot of great menu choices, but we narrowed it down to tteokbokki, chicken wings, and bi bim bap. Our food came with a plate of banchan. Everything was very yummy and | look forward to returning. The only tricky thing is that parking fills up quickly in the lot and they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more.

Order right at your table.

Banchan

Chicken Wings

Bi Bim Bap

Jagalchi

1334 Young St Ste 106 

Honolulu, HI 96814

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Alan Wong's Kahala

Fun fact: My very first dining experience at Alan Wong’s Restaurant was about 20 years ago as a “secret shopper,” so I guess in a way that was my foray into the media / blogging world. (My name was provided by mutual colleagues at the time).

It was an excellent experience then at King Street, and now at the Kahala Hotel & Resort, that excellence continues, where guests are treated to a taste of Hawai‘i through the lens of a culinary legend.

I was thrilled to visit Alan Wong's Kahala (6 years after the pandemic forced the cancellation of my last res at King Street in April of 2020!), indulging in the classics while being treated with sincere hospitality.

"Soup and Sandwich"

The "Soup and Sandwich" is my fave.  The elevated take on a classic "grilled chilled and tomato soup" is comforting on so many levels.  

Whole Tomato Salad

Dungeness Crab and Shrimp Cake

Sumida Farm Leko Kalua Pig Caesar

This was a table fave.  The peppery watercress and the smoky kalua pig added nice dimensions of flavor to this local take on a Caesar. 

Ginger Crusted Onaga

For many, this Ginger Crusted Onaga dish is synonymous with Alan Wong's.

Pineapple "Shave Ice"

Frozen pineapple is shaved super fine for a delightful "shave ice" that my friend could not stop eating!

Waialua Chocolate Crunch Bars

Looking forward to returning, and also looking forward to the return of one of my fave dishes . . .

Congrats to Chef Alan, Leigh, Chef Spencer, Chef Miya, and the entire AW Kahala team!

Alan Wong's Kahala
Kahala Resort

5000 Kahala Ave #5000

Honolulu, HI 96816

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Visit San Diego: Mr. Moto Pizza

Mr. Moto Pizza is a Cali chain that serves up all sorts of pizzas, as well as stuffed knots.

I decided to grab a Pepperoni Jalapeno Ranch stuffed knot.  

At just $4, it was huge, and it was a meal in itself.

It was essentially like a pizza, but stuffed in a garlic knot.

Definitely hope to try the pizzas one day!

Mr. Moto Pizza
879 W Harbor Dr
San Diego, CA 92101

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The 18th Annual East Honolulu Food Festival Features Vintage Vibes Under a Full Moon on May 2

Credit Tyler Shortt

Mary, Star of the Sea Church and Schools will host their 18th annual East Honolulu Food Festival (EHFF) on Saturday, May 2 from 5:30 to 9:30pm on the school grounds located at 4470 Aliikoa Street.  Themed “Under the Moon in Old Hawaii,” this beloved family-friendly event invites the public to celebrate local cuisine under a full moon against a nostalgic backdrop reminiscent of Old Hawaii.

The EHFF is the largest festival in East Honolulu, drawing approximately 2,000 food and beverage enthusiasts from across the island.  The all-inclusive ticket price allows limitless tasting portions from over 20 participating restaurants and purveyors.  This year’s participants include newcomers Vintage Books Hawaii and Mango Mango in addition to such returning favorites as bEASTside Kitchen, Cafe Julia Hawaii at Laniakea, Katsu Sando 808, Il Gelato, Maile’s Thai Bistro, Tight Tacos, Kamitoku Ramen, Kapa Hale, Quiora and more. Kai Vodka will sponsor a Tiki Bar featuring island-inspired cocktails, while Kona Brewing Company and a wine tent will offer an assortment of craft beers and wines for guests 21 years and older.

Credit Tyler Shortt

The admission price includes a robust line-up of kids’ activities and live DJ entertainment as well as access to the coveted silent auction, where festival go-ers can score restaurant certificates, staycations, and more.  Ridesharing (Uber or Lyft) is encouraged but free parking and shuttle service are available at nearby Kalani High School.

Tickets are priced at $100 for adults and $40 for children ages 3-13.  Admission is free for children under three. VIP tables are also available and come with premium experiences such as servings of prime cuts from Hy’s Steakhouse.  Purchase tickets in advance on the website at www.theEHFF.com.  Tickets are also available at the door for an additional $5 fee. Proceeds from the event will support programs for the community and Mary, Star of the Sea Church as well as fund educational activities and technology upgrades for the Schools.

Credit Tyler Shortt

Participating Restaurants and Businesses

bEASTside Kitchen Maile’s Thai Bistro

Big Girl Bakes, Sweet & Savory Mango Mango

Cafe Julia Panda Express
Da Spot Health Foods & Juices Peace Cafe

Il Gelato Hawaii Quiora

Kahala Nui Solera

KAI Spirits This Lil Piggy

Kamitoku Ramen Tight Tacos

Kapa Hale Vintage Books Hawaii

Katsu Sando 808 Win Spuntino

Kona Brewing Company Hy’s Steakhouse (VIP table only)

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