Yakiniku Like

 My coworker suggested we head to Yakiniku Like for a “working lunch,” and when he mentioned they had a monthly special for under $10, I was all in!

Parking was a bit of an adventure — the lot was full when we arrived, but we lucked out and found a spot on the street. There’s also a paid lot right across the street if you need it (not sure of the rate, but good to know).

We were seated right away, and our friendly server explained how to order: scan the QR code, make your selection, pay online, and your food is delivered to your table. Super efficient — just like Japan!

For October, the special lunch set included thinly sliced kalbi beef, a small portion of chicken, rice, miso soup, kim chee, and salad. 

We started grilling the chicken first since it takes the longest to cook. At first, the grill didn’t seem that hot, but once we added the kalbi slices — boom — the fire kicked in! Must’ve been all that delicious oil dripping down.

One thing I really love about this place is their smokeless grill system — the smoke gets sucked away right at the grill, so you don’t leave smelling like BBQ. Huge win.

As for the food — amazing! They offer a couple of sauces at the table: sweet & spicy and garlic. Even better, nothing here is overly spicy — even the kim chee — which is perfect for people like me who prefer milder flavors.

I still can’t believe the value: all that food for just $9.95 (it came out to a little over $12 after tax and tip). Such a bargain! I’m already planning to come back with my family.

If you’re in Honolulu and craving Japanese-style BBQ without the fuss (or the smoky clothes), definitely give Yakiniku Like a try — it’s fast, fun, and seriously delicious.

Open Daily, 11 AM - 10 PM.

YAKINIKU LIKE

1108 KEEAUMOKU STREET

808-597-9004

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Gina's BBQ Kapolei

We recently ordered the Large Family Pack at Gina's BBQ Kapolei.  The cost is $93, and you get:

6 pieces Kalbi

10 scoops rice

6 pieces BBQ Chicken, 6 pieces Bulgogi

12 Meat Jun Strips and 12 Man Du

and choice of 5 veggies.  We chose:

Corn

Shoyu Potato

Long Rice

Choi Sum

Macaroni Salad

It feeds 4-6, and all of this food ended up feeding our family of 5 for 2 dinners.  

Everything was very tasty, including the banchan.  The mac salad was seasoned well, and I love shoyu potato, but some of the huge pieces were undercooked (although the flavor was still there). 

My faves in the pack were the BBQ Chicken and the Man Du.  

It was definitely a good deal, especially considering it fed our family for two nights!

Gina's BBQ Kapolei
4850 Kapolei Pkwy suite #305

Kapolei, HI 96707

 

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Lunch Specials at Han No Daidokoro Kaka'ako

I recently attended a media lunch with Nat at Han No Daidokoro to check out their lunch specials at the Kaka'ako location. The restaurant which features the highest quality A5 grade Miyazaki beef and Washu beef directly imported from Japan is open for lunch from 11:30am to 3pm with the last seating at 2pm. This was my first time at Han No Daidokoro, but Nat was already a fan. 

Looking over the many lunch specials, we decided to share the most popular set -  Washu & Miyazaki Tenderloin Set ($68.00/5.3oz) which comes with Kimchi, Appetizer, Salad, Miso Soup, and Rice. We also ordered the Hot Stone Bibimbap set and added Washu Beef for $10 more. The Hot Stone Bibimbap was mixed at our table by the server, but we had full control of the grill. The Washu beef was amazing, but the Miyazaki was melt in your mouth incredible! I would definitely opt for this set again. The bibimbap was also really good and I enjoyed the slight sweetness of the sauce. 

Lunch specials comes with Kimchi, Appetizer, Salad, Miso Soup, and Rice. 

You have the option to add Washu Beef to all bibimbap and soup sets.

Signature lunch special with both Miyazaki Beef and Washu Beef tenderloin.

Cooked to your liking!

We ended this fantastic meal on a sweet note with their house-made mascarpone ice cream topped with local honey and a house-made creme brulee. They made the perfect pair of desserts. Service was great and I look forward to returning! 

House-made mascarpone ice cream

House-made creme brulee

Dining room

Dining room

Thank you Han No Daidokoro for the invite!  

Han No Daidokoro
1108 Auahi Street, Suite 150 - Honolulu, Hawaii 96814

(808) 517-3229

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Authentic Mongolian Style BBQ at Khan Skewer Restaurant

Maui Venison, Chicken, and Beef

Khan Skewer Restaurant has been around for a few years and I had no idea how popular this
neighborhood gem was! Lucky for us, we were invited to a media dinner to get a taste of their
authentic Mongolian-style BBQ. Skewers are made fresh daily and served fully cooked. They
include a variety of meat, seafood, and vegetables. The extensive menu also offers appetizers, side dishes, and chef’s specials. As for drinks, they have a selection of wines, beers, sake and sodas.

The restaurant holds about 10 tables and can accommodate large parties. It’s a cozy, relaxed
space and service was great. To start, we opted for the super fun DIY drink station that includes four bottles of beer and one bottle of flavored soju. The drinks are dispensed from a fruit filled LED lit container. So great for parties!

DIY Drink Station

For our meal, we started with beef, Maui venison, chicken thigh, and pork belly with asparagus skewers and followed it up with salt and pepper corn, enoki mushrooms, and eggplant. My favorite skewers were the chicken and pork belly, but I loved the veggies even more! Definitely recommend ordering those veggies to pair with your favorite meats.
We also tried the calamari, grilled garlic oysters, grilled garlic lobster tail, and scallops with
vermicelli. I’m not a huge fan of oysters and scallops, but I really liked the vermicelli with the
scallop. The lobster and calamari were delicious. Included in your meal is the first serving of
Snow fluffy milk ice which was sweet, creamy, and refreshing.

Salt and Pepper Corn

Enoki Mushroom

Scallops with Vermicelli

Pork Belly with Asparagus

Eggplant

Calamari

Grilled Garlic Lobster

Grilled Garlic Oyster

Snow Fluffy Milk Ice

Khan Skewer Restaurant has a daily happy hour from 9pm with 10% off food. They are open
Monday – Wednesday from 5pm to 11pm and Thursday – Sunday from 5pm to 1am.
Reservations can be made on Open Table.

Thank you Khan Skewer Restaurant!

Khan Skewer Restaurant
925 Isenberg Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
808-955-8868

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Dixie Grill BBQ and Crab Shack

Pulled pork sandwich

If you don’t know, Dixie Grill BBQ and Crab Shack is a casual restaurant in Aiea offering food
and drink of the “barbeque belt and coastal regions of the southeastern United States.” This
means brisket, pulled pork, fried pickles, okra, crab, and more!

The restaurant has indoor seating and a private room, but I liked the backyard feel of the
covered picnic tables. Our group was taken care of by awesome servers who regularly checked on us. Our food and drinks arrived quickly and my pulled pork sandwich was delicious! I had fun taste testing my sandwich with the 6 different barbeque sauces they offered.

They offer catering and can accommodate group reservations and private parties. Happy hour is daily from 3pm to 6pm. 

Dixie Grill

99-016 Kamehameha HwyAiea, HI 96701

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Visit Arkansas: Wright's BBQ

We found ourselves having to detour while in Arkansas, and we lucked out that Wright's BBQ was nearby.  This acclaimed restaurant has gained popularity ever since opening in 2017.

We decided to get a Family Meal with Pork, and sides of Mac & Cheese and Smoked Beans. 

The Pork was smokey and tender, and the sides were great too.  The portion sizes were huge!  The plates are served with rolls, so the kids made sandwiches with the pork.  

We also decided to get Nachos, because Nachos are always a great idea!  The brisket was nice and tender as well, and they did not skimp on toppings!

BBQ Nachos with Brisket

Don't be deterred by a long line.  The operations are so efficient, that by the time you finish paying for your order, it's very likely that your order will be plated and ready for you to take to a table.

There are several locations in Arkansas to choose from.  Highly recommend while in the state!

Wright's BBQ

2212 Main Dr

Johnson, AR 72704 

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Daddy Delicious BBQ

Daddy Delicious BBQ operates a food truck in Mililani Tech Park.

Smoked Mac & Cheese

I had the Smoked Mac & Cheese, which was loaded with chopped brisket and pickled onions. The Mac & Cheese itself was so cheesy and so good, but the addition of the tender, flavorful, smoky brisket made it amazing.  The pickled onions added a nice vinegary, crunchy touch.

The container was just full of comfort food goodness - it easily lasted me two meals.  

Daddy Delicious BBQ was a nice find in Mililani!
 

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La Brisket

While eating at the Makai Food Court at Ala Moana with the boys, the sign "La Brisket" caught my eye. I love a good brisket and I had not heard of this brand before. I took a closer look, and the guy who was slicing the brisket asked if I wanted a sample. The brisket was very tender, moist, and delicious! 

I decided to buy a plate to-go for my mom - the Honolulu Bowl, which included all three meats that they sell - pulled pchicken, pulled pork, and brisket. 

Brisket!

Each bowl comes with steamed garlic rice, L.A. Slaw, and Salsa Verde.

Elote, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans, Steamed Garlic Rice, Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken

Side Sauces, L.A. Slaw

Honolulu Bowl

Pulled Chicken

Brisket

Pulled Pork

My favorite of the three meats was the brisket - it was the most moist and had the most flavor. The chicken and pork was a bit on the dry side, even with the salsa verde. 

You can buy the meats ala carte, as a bowl, or as a sandwich (brisket only). If you stick with any of the brisket menu items, you won't go wrong!

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La Brisket
Makai Market Food Court (Ala Moana Center)
1450 Ala Moana Blvd.

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