FORKED UP

Metro-050616-ForkedUp-GomaTei-(1)

CHICKEN TATSUTAAGE
1425 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu (and other locations)
Phone number (808) 947-9188
website gomatei.com

No one can ever complain about Goma Tei’s portions. We personally have never managed to finish a gyoza order here, even with a dinner partner’s help, without extreme strain and a subsequent food coma. Their take on tatsutaage chicken is equally large — big hunks of juicy, tender chicken thigh lightly marinated and fried to crispy perfection. It’s true that Tan Tan Ramen gets the bulk of the fame at Goma Tei, but this chicken is what takeout boxes were meant for.

Metro-050616-ForkedUp-AlohaCones-(1)

SPICY TUNA SUSHI BOWL
725 Kinau St., Honolulu
Phone number (808) 861-0888
website alohaconeshawaii.com

Our quest for the “best spicy ahi ever” recently took us to Aloha Cones and its take on the classic. While this spicy ahi is heavy on the spice and light on the mayo (we prefer a creamier blend here at Metro), it deserves praise for its accompaniments: crab, cucumbers, tomatoes and shredded daikon make this more of a well-rounded donburi experience than the typical spicy ahi bowl (we recommend mixing the toppings for a mishmash of texture and flavor). The effect is light and healthy, and we’re already planning to get the Chirashi bowl on our next visit.