New Menu Items at Okome Kakaako!

New Menu Items!

I recently had dinner at Okome and I was very impressed with the number of new menu items available. Not only do you have your choice of tendon and poke bowls, but you can now order a number of Korean dishes like kalbi, meat jun, tteokbokki, and their amazing Korean chicken wings. The chicken wings were my favorite and so crispy! I was amazed they are gluten free!

The Okome chicken comes in flavors: Snow, Garlic Shoyu, and Yangyum - a Korean sweet and spicy sauce. You can order them on their own or in special combos. There's even a World Cup Match Combo currently available.

Kalbi

Mandoo

Meat Jun

Tteokbokki

Chicken Combo

Tendon Bowl

Okome 

685 Auahi Street

Honolulu

 

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Okome at Salt

Okome opened their second location at Salt Kakaako late last year featuring their authentic tempura rice bowls known as tendon. On the menu, they offer a variety of tendon and fresh poke bowls as well as udon. 

You can either order at the self-service ipads or put in your order with the staff. The service was great and the staff was very helpful and friendly. I opted for the volcano bowl which was great, but I did think the sushi rice could have been tastier.

There is plenty of booth and table seating making this casual eatery a great choice at Salt! They are open Monday through Saturday from 10:30am to 8pm and on Sundays from 10:30am to 6pm. 

Volcano Bowl

Okome Tendon 

Dining area

Okome Kakaako

685 Auahi Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

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Korean Cuisine at Lani Sot

Spicy Pork Pot Rice Set

I recently saw on a friend’s IG feed her experience at Lani Sot and I knew I wanted to
check them out. Located upstairs at SALT Kakaako, Lani Sot specializes in Korean Pot
Rice sets. Although they opened a few months ago, they are currently still offering a soft opening menu of six different pot rice sets: Eggplant, Mushroom, Garlic Shrimp, Teri Pork, Spicy Eggplant, and Spicy Pork. Priced at $24.99, each set comes with a variety of sides and
soup.

I tried the spicy pork rice set and loved it! I enjoyed every side dish including the very
tasty beef soup. My spicy pork was delicious and not fatty which I appreciated. Service
was great, but it got a little busy at the restaurant so we didn’t get the roasted barley tea
added to our pots to create the rice soup at the end of the meal. I wouldn’t have been
able to finish the soup since I was so stuffed, but I would like to try it the next time.

Garlic Shrimp

Spicy Eggplant

Spicy Pork

Lani Sot is open daily from 11am. Be sure to scan their QR code at the restaurant to
receive discounted parking.

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Pasta Hour at Vein at Kakaako

Watercress Salad

I recently had an early dinner with friends at Vein at Kakaako and was just in time to enjoy their new Happy Pasta Hour! We received 18% off all pasta and appetizers from 4:30pm to 6pm. We started off with some drinks and they were gracious enough to let us modify to our liking. We then had the artichoke karaage and the watercress salad for apps and bolognese, risotto funghi, and caccio e peppe for pastas. Everything was delicious, but my favorites were the watercress salad and the bolognese.

Artichoke karaage

Bolgonese

Risotto Funghi

Caccio e peppe

Vein is also offering a ladies night on Tuesdays with half off all cocktails and glass wines. They are also serving lunch Thursday through Saturdays from 11am to 2pn. 

Vein at Kakaako
685 Auahi St Bldg 2, Ste 121 
Honolulu, HI 96813

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Brunch at Mana + Pua SALT at Our Kaka’ako

Being a fan of Mana + Pua Haleiwa, I was eager to check out their new location at SALT at Our Kakaao. Mana + Pua Salt is located on the second floor with an open air dining room and the cutest vibes that are perfect for your Sunday brunch crew. 

We started off with duck fat fries and guava mimosas, but the cocktail menu looked stellar. Most of the group opted for Okinawan Sweet Potato Hash with red onion, sweet bell peppers, garlic, rosemary and local arugula topped with soft scrambled eggs. It was a hearty entree. I had the Brekky Sammy - served in a pan de sal with pork belly, sage, sausage, soufflé egg, white cheddar, and maple syrup. It satisfied my sweet-salty craving. 

Duck Fat Fries $8

Okinawan Sweet Potato Hash (GF) $18

Brekky Sammy $18

Grilled Prawns (GF) $22

Overall, I liked the ambience and I thought the food was reasonably priced. Next time, I would want to try a different brunch item like the Strawberry Miso French Toast or Ahi Katsu Sandwich, which was the manager's favorite and recommendation. The restaurant is also open for happy hour weekdays 3pm-6pm and for dinner.

Mana + Pua

324 Coral Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

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Full Service Back at Moku Kitchen

“OFF THE SPIT” BULGOGI PORK SLIDERS

One of the things that deterred us from dining at Moku Kitchen was when full service stopped a couple of years ago. Luckily, it's a thing of the past as full service resumed last month. As soon as we heard, we made a reservation for a family dinner celebrating my father's birthday.

We love Moku's for several reasons. The casual atmosphere is nice and makes a perfect place for large groups and families. The menu has a great variety with something for everyone...especially kids! It's also ideal for pau hana, girls night, date night and more. We love their live music, ample parking, and friendly service!

RIBEYE STEAK TACOS 

DUCK TACOS - this was a favorite!

HAMAKUA WILD MUSHROOM

BACON BLUE BURGER

GARLIC TRUFFLE OIL FRIES

FISH & CHIPS

Dinner was so enjoyable that I didn't take pictures of one of the best parts of Moku's! Their pies!! Since we were celebrating a special occasion, they gifted us one slice of pie and we ordered two more slices. We got the strawberry cream (which was like a cheesecake), chocolate mac nut, and banana cream. The banana was my favorite of the three. If in doubt of what to order, get the truffle fries and duck tacos and end with a slice of pie! You cannot go wrong.

Moku Kitchen 

SALT at OUR KAKA‘AKO

660 ALA MOANA BLVD. No. 145

HONOLULU, HI 96813

808-591-6658 (MOKU)

   

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Moku Kitchen

My cousin and her family were visiting from California and wanted to have lunch at a restaurant with outdoor dining. I thought Moku Kitchen would be the perfect restaurant for us since they have a large outdoor dining area, a locally inspired menu that incorporates locally sourced ingredients, and a variety of items on the menu. 

Here's what we shared:

Truffle Fries

Bacon Bleu Burger

Roasted Veggie Pizza

Waipoli Farm Mixed Greens

Cheese Pizza

Fresh Island Fish Sandwich

Kalua Pork & Piineapple Pizza

Strawberry Cream Pie and Lilikoi Pie

 Every dish was amazing and enjoyed by all. The desserts were the highlight for me - I just love their strawberry cream pie. The lilikoi pie was a special menu item - I'm so glad they had it the day we went. Their lilikoi game is strong! 

Reservations are accepted and highly recommended. Validated parking is available (entrance to the parking structure is off of Keawe Street).

___________________

MOKU KITCHEN

SALT at Our Kakaako

660 Ala Moana Blvd.

808-591-6658

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Sun Tea Mix 808

Sun Tea Mix has been on my radar ever since I saw their beautiful soufflé pancakes on Instagram so it was kismet when I was invited for a media tasting.  I was on quite the soufflé pancake kick last year when I found a recipe to make my own.  See my adventure here.  They were really good, but not nearly as delicious when someone else makes them for you!  And Sun Tea Mix's soufflé pancakes have the best light fluffy texture that I have ever had!

Popular Boba soufflé pancakes.

Also on their extensive menu are delicious hand crafted drinks made with quality brewed tea and real fruit.  I had a super refreshing grapefruit mojito made with no alcohol and fresh mint.  I loved the bubbles from the soda water and I would definitely order it again.  My son had a mango smoothie topped with mango gelato.  You could really taste the fresh mango.  My daughter couldn't stop raving about her strawberry smoothie topped with cheese foam and her addition of crystal jelly.  Her eyes widened with every sip!

Mango fruit smoothie topped with mango gelato.

Strawberry smoothie with cheese foam and Grapefruit mojito.

Sun Tea Mix = All smiles!

Currently, Sun Tea Mix is only open for take out.  Which is a shame because their cafe is the cutest!  When it does reopen for dining, expect cozy seating with available WIFI.  Parking is free for the first hour at HMart or Salt without validation and with validation: $1 for two hours or less and $3 for three hours or less.

Visit them at their website for online ordering.      

    

   

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Redfish Poke Bar

After I attended the media event for Redfish Poke Bar, I knew I wanted to return as soon as I could. 

Momotaro

I loved the nostalgic Rock Salt Plum cocktail at the media event, and I was eager to try the Momotaro this time around, because of the housemade tomoe ame rice candy syrup.  I thought the cocktail was good, but the Rock Salt Plum is still my fave. 

Kalua Pig Fried Rice

Lechon Kawali

Both the Lechon Kawali and Kalua Pig Fried Rice were really good.  The Lechon Kawali was served with a tomato coulis and nuoc cham sauce.  The Fried Rice was really tasty, with lomi tomato, fried limu, and inamona.

Malasadas Bites

I wasn't planning on getting dessert, but after eating all of that savory food, I was craving something sweet.  I loved the Malasadas Bites the last time, and I loved them again on this visit.  So delish!

Service was great, and Redfish Poke Bar has definitely turned into a fave dining spot in Kaka`ako!

Redfish Poke Bar
SALT at OUR KAKA'AKO
685 Auahi St
Honolulu, HI 96813

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