Forked Up

HAMACHI NIGIRI
AKI-NO-NO
2633 S King St.
Phone number
(808) 947-1001

You may think that this doesn’t seem like the most exciting thing to order — and you’d be right in some regards, considering that you can get this at any run-of-the-mill sushi joint — but Aki-no-No does its hamachi just right. Really, it comes down the fact that the fish is so fresh, and it doesn’t overwhelm that simplicity with unnecessary facets like too-sweet rice, as some other places may do. Protip: Get one order of Hamachi Nigiri (or, like, three) as a side to the Nabeyaki Udon, and you have the perfect meal.

CHEESE KIMUKATSU
KIMUKATSU
320 Lewers St.
Phone number (808)
922-1129
website
kimukatsu.com

Kimukatsu’s signature take on the Japanese classic is that its tonkatsu is comprised of thin, layered slices of pork, rather than one thick slab. The effect is juicy and succulent — even more so if you get a flavored katsu, like black pepper (so spicy), garlic (so tender) or cheese (the absolute best). Cheese in your tonkatsu sounds weird, yes, but just do it. There will be zero regrets. Your meal will come with endless shredded cabbage salad, as well as the usual Japanese teishoku staples. You may not want to drive all the way to Waikiki, but trust us: As good as the Shirokiya satellite branch is, it can’t beat the actual restaurant.