No Sushi. No Combination Plates.

I love when people visit! PL, EK, and DS were here this weekend. Too bad SM didn't come up, but we'll make her feel guilty about this later... Besides catching up, having inane conversations about word definitions, and just being nerdy together; the reason I love visitors is because it affords the perfect excuse to try new places and to be adventurous.

This past week, I had some of the most unique and interesting Japanese food from a little restaurant in the Outer Richmond called Kappou Gomi. As the title of this post suggests, there are no rolls or bento boxes here. What you find instead is a fabulous mix of flavors and textures that tickle the taste buds!

Kappou Gomi

Jellyfish Salad

Agedeshi Tofu

Kampachi Yuzumiso Ae

Grilled Tako

Rice in Broth...

Miso Pork

Egg...

Eggplant

Panko Fried Oysters

Salmon Rice

Japanese Sweets

BTW. I apologize for forgetting some names...

Anyways, I really like how unassuming it is. However, my number one pet peeve is that of inefficiency. Even though I really liked the food, don't know if I could bear the inefficiencies. Let me explain. There are about six or seven tables that could seat 4-8 people. Three of the larger tables are made up of two or three smaller tables. Therefore, in reality there is more like nine tables in the restaurant, plus a bar. Unfortunately, the staff at Kappou Gomi allows groups of two to sit at the larger tables that are comprised of smaller tables without separating the tables. One consequence is that if you don't come in at the right time, you have to wait a while for people to leave. I felt rushed towards the end of our meal because I can't handle the non verbal communications we were getting from people in line. Fortunately, the staff didn't rush us...

Otherwise, I enjoyed myself thoroughly here. Food was great, and company was better! I highly recommend that you try this place if you are in the mood for adventure... Don't really know how "authentic" or "traditional" the food is, but it is definitely unique.

Kappou Gomi 4/5

Ono Kine Grindz

As a weathered Luau attendee, I was on a mission to find some local grindz. One place that definitely did not dissapoint was Ono's.


Out of all of the places that we ate, Ono's is pretty much as local as you can get. Read the sign (above) that greets you at the door! "No get mad." It gets me every time. I am told there is always a line at Ono's. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait at all. Must have somehow missed the lunch crowd... In retrospect though, we were pretty lucky all trip with lines (Ono's, Rainbows, Waiola's, and even Diamond Head). It is almost as if we kept bringing the crowds... haha.

Anyways, AO and I were on a mission, so we didn't order a whole lot at Ono's. Just got some Lau Lau (Pork in Taro leaves), Poi (Mashed Taro), and Lomi Salmon. Doesn't look all that impressive, but pretty freaking tasty. Not a fan of poi myself, but AO insisted on getting some... We'll just say that she didn't finish it. Overall a pretty good meal. Kind of a little pricey for a plate lunch, but probably some of the best Lau Lau I have had....

Lau Lau, Poi, Lomi Salmon, Ono's

Next we meandered down Kapahulu to Rainbow Drive-In. I was on a mission to get myself a locomoco bowl. Sadly, I got distracted by the sign reading... "Fried Chicken Special." Nonetheless, the food was good. I especially liked AO's Pork Long Rice. This place was cheap too! Best kind of eats!

Rainbow Drive-In

Fried Chicken SpecialPork Long Rice

Predictably, we saved room for some dessert. So we walked some more on Kapahulu Ave, and indulged on some Shave Ice at Waiola's. I definitely recommend it!

AO with her Rainbow with Snow Cap
Custard Bowl

Looks boring right?

Surprise!

This was so good, I went back the next day to get another one! I think we out did ourselves... Definitely one of the best three eating-hours spent in recent months.

Ono's 3.5/5
Rainbow Drive-In 4/5
Waiola's 5/5

Katsu, and Meat Jun, and Takoyaki Oh My!

According to Wikipedia (what would we do without it?) Shirokiya was one of Japan's oldest department stores during the early 20th century. By the turn of the century however, Shirokiya was largely dissolved and now survives as a single department store in Honolulu's Ala Moana shopping center. Boy, am I thankful that it is thriving in Hawai'i because I would not mind lost in their food court. I say you would need several days at minimum to consume everything that the store has to offer! Feast your eyes on Shirokiya goodies!

Takoyaki

Taiyaki

Tempura and Katsu Bentos

Tempura and Andagi

Kimbap, Jun, and Banchan

Musubi

Tonkatsu

Assorted Sushi

Sashimi

Sadly, I only gave myself one meal slot to enjoy all that is Shirokiya. Nonetheless, I helped myself to a balanced hearty meal of...

Katsu Curry

Sashimi

Takoyaki

Of course, a meal would not be complete without some desert!!!!!

Black Sesame Mochicream

Shirokiya, please come to the mainland!

Shirokiya 4/5

Aloha Spirit

Just got back to the mainland, and I am already dreaming about returning to Hawai'i to wake up to the energizing, sweet, and fresh smell of tropical flowers, the cool summer breeze, and breathtaking beauty that defines Hawai'i.

In true grubhunting fashion, my Hawaiian escape was filled with food and fun. But before I chronicle this week of gluttony... did you know that Aloha is more than a greeting, or farewell, or salution? Accordingly, Aloha means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. It is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for cellective existence. Simply put, Aloha means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.

Neat yeah? Just thought I might throw in some trivia in there for you... Trivia aside, I am here to tell you about my grub hunting adventure in paradise! Though I did not receive a nickname (jjh's ocean wahine) during my travels; two t-shirts, several hundred pictures, and many thousands of calories later makes me more kama aina (local) than you could imagine.

I'll begin my chronicles by first telling you that I swear I thought I was in Asia!!

Byodo In Temple, Valley of the Temples

Shishimai, Young Okinawans of Hawii

Ewa Fukushima Bon Dance Club, Moiliili

Hawaii Plantation Village, Waipahu Garden Park

Kimchi Urns, HPV

Do you see what I mean? This is not the idyllic Hawai'i I had in mind! This was Asia! As they say, when in Asia have some Asian food, or to be more exact, Asia inspired food!

One of our first stops was for some Poke from Tanioka's.

Tanioka's, Waipahu

Poke selection

Spicy Mussel Poke

Sesame Tako Poke

Ahi with Limu Poke

Spicy Ahi on Sushi Rice

Tako on Sushi Rice

Clearly, no food stop would be complete without some fried stuff.... :D

Fish Patty, Fried Chicken, Fried Spicy Ahi Roll, and Fried Rice

I was floored by this fantastic meal. Fried stuff aside, this was one of the healthiest meals that I had on my entire trip! As a side note, don't be fooled by other Poke places... I am told that Tanioka's is often imitated but never EVER duplicated!

Tanioka's 4/5