As most of you who read my column note, I LOVE to eat. The places I review, are definitely places which don't scrimp on their food. I am NOT racist in any way, but typically when I've gone to eat at Japanese restaurants, especially sushi establishments, I leave, and then a half hour later, I feel like I didn't eat at all! Yes, it could be because of my insatiable local girl appetite, but as a general rule of thumb in my eats, I never get full off Japanese food. That is, until I dined at the selection of this month's column, Kunio Restaurant, located in beautiful Waikele.
Kunio Restaurant in Waikele is right next to Party City and Paul Brown Salon.
After your shopping, or for lunch or dinner it's the perfect, high quality
Japanese meal that will definitely fill you up!
Right next to Party City and Paul Brown, Kunio's convenience is perfect for casual dining, lunch appointments, family dinners, date nights, and typical celebratory meals. In other words, you don't feel over OR underdressed, because its ambiance is just right. Upon entering their restaurant, you're greeted by friendly staff who are dressed for the occasion in beautiful vest-type kimono wear, and the service is very prompt, helpful, and pleasant. Owners George and Kim Tanaka opened Kunio in 1997, and coincidentally, own Jurison's Inn, located a few doors down. With a mix of local and tourist clientele, the mood upon dining in Kunio, is comfortable, with a very "at home" feel. Now on to the important stuff-the food that I got full on!
One of Kunio's friendly staff will assist you with their courteous,
friendly service
Kazu and Kon San prepare generous sushi portions that are tasty
and also with unique flairs that make any sushi lover put Kunio on
their must-try list
First off, their sushi chefs. With two chefs, Kazu San and Kon San, there is never a shortage of fresh, unique, but most importantly, ono-licious sushi, to satisfy any local-appetite such as mines. I was very lucky to try their newest creation, the "Ginza Roll."
Kunio's latest creation, called the "Ginza Roll," otherwise known as, "melt in your
mouth and leaves you mouth watering," in my language. A little spicy, a little
crunchy, it was by far, my favorite sushi roll. PERIOD.
OH MY GOSH. With masago (smelt eggs-small, crunchy, tasty red/orange fish eggs you see on sushis and in poke) on top of a spicy-ahi, with light drizzling of sauce and green onions, atop a roll encased with more ahi and avocado and other wonderful delicacies, it was my favorite roll yet. I've tried everything, but this one definitely tops it. My guest was a sushi-lover, but I hogged the entire roll (*gasp!) because upon my first bite, was in sushi heaven. Definitely a must-try.
Unagi lovers beware! You're really eating unagi, although this looks like a
very tasty caterpillar, hence the name, this roll is topped with avocado and
drizzled with a teriyaki-glaze type sauce
Before trying the "Ginza Roll" I always thought, nothing can top the rainbow
roll. With avocado, shrimp, and different types of fish atop a crab mixture
inside, mmm, a mix for you tastebuds that you'll go crazy over
Their BLT roll is so refreshing! Bacon was super crispy, and avocado very fresh,
but what was different, and very tantalizing, taste wise, was the aioli sauce
drizzled on top of the roll...right on top of the panko-crusted edges.
Need I say more?
Besides sushi and typical Japanese cuisine, Kunio also offers something very appealing to local appetites.
Kunio's Funamori Party Boats are wonderfully appealing to the eye, and even
more so, to your appetite. I couldn't capture the size and selection in just one
picture so you get to see, I mean, drool, over the next few pictures
With everything from lobster tails to sushi, the funamori party boat is a little
pricey, but worth every penny.
So make sure to bring family and/or friends with you, with a minimum
four person order, you will NOT be disappointed!
The "Funamori Party Boat" includes lobster tails, shrimp tempura, deep fried shrimp, vegetable and shrimp tempura (THEIR TEMPURA? EXCELLENT!), teriyaki ribeye steak, chicken katsu, pork tonkatsu, sushi (assorted) and sashimi (top grade ahi), and I couldn't finish it. Sure, its supposed to feed four, but my appetite couldn't beat the HUGE selection of food. I've taken several pictures so you folks can see just how huge the "boat" is. Its presentation is very appealing, so if you plan to go into Kunio, as I did, TRYING not to overeat, it will NOT work once you see the funamori party boat platter. Definitely worth every bite, and such a great selection of the different dishes Kunio has to offer, in portions where you don't get tired of eating too much of the same thing. That's normally my problem. As soon as I get my food, I see the food of the person/people I'm with, or someone across from me, and the dilemma, "Ohhh, that looks good, I should have ordered that." I'm sure as you are reading this you're smiling, because many of us are familiar with that sentiment!
The "sides" to a meal includes the above pictured; loved the miso soup and
fresh garden salad choice!
Other popular, frequently ordered menu items is their shrimp tempura/butterfish combination, or anything mixed with their famous shrimp tempura, including their teriyaki beef, and also the sashimi combo. I couldn't possibly try everything, but it sure felt like I did upon eating a LARGE portion of the funamori party boat, and many of their specialty sushi rolls.
There is a semi-private room where guests can have a little more privacy
and larger private parties can dine in peace
While tucked away from the main dining area, it feels very "homey"
and as if you're in someone's Japanese personal dining room
Last but not least, the service was great. On top of professional and very prompt, waitresses were helpful (and with my infant, I need all the help I can get) and very courteous. A lot of "aloha," with a huge serving of very tasty Japanese food, all led to me being VERY full, and VERY satisfied. As a Nihon would say, "Oishii ne!" (DELICIOUS!)
Kunio Restaurant
Located at the Waikele Shopping Center
94-799 Lumiaina Street, Suite 2F
Waipahu, Hawaii 96797
(808) 680-9188
Open daily from 10:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sushi bar is closed on Mondays-Thursday from 3-5 p.m.
