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Makino Chaya Please the Most Gigantic of Appetites

Columns Lite Bites

September 2, 2012

Story By: Yu Shing Ting | Photos by: Lawrence Tabudlo

Craving seafood and a lot of it? Then you’ll want to head down to Makino Chaya in Aiea where you can indulge in all the Canadian snow crab and Maine lobster you want without spending a fortune.

There also is an endless selection of local favorites, such as teppanyaki steak, sashimi, sushi, shrimp tempura, steamed fish, garlic shrimp and more. And be sure to save some room for dessert, including made-to-order crepes, a chocolate fountain, fresh fruits and newly added cakes from JJ Bistro & French Pastry in Kaimuki.

Open for about eight years, Makino Chaya is known for its great value, taste and family-friendly environment. Lunch is priced at $14.98 from Monday through Friday and $18.98 on Saturday and Sunday. Dinner costs $31.98 from Monday through Thursday and $32.98 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For children age 7 and under, the price goes by their height (under 3 feet is free, between 3 and 4 feet is 75 percent off, and more than 4 feet is 50 percent off).

Lunch buffet offerings are slightly different from dinner, as is the weekend lunch buffet from the weekday lunch. For example, snow crab legs are offered only during dinner and weekend lunch; Maine lobster and garlic shrimp are available only for dinner.

For those on the go, Makino Chaya offers a takeout bento that comes with two pieces of California roll, one inari, one shrimp egg roll, one shrimp tempura, nishime, seaweed or mac salad, and a choice of butterfish, salmon or barbecue chicken for $4.98. There also is a second bento option with two pieces of California roll, one inari, one shrimp egg roll, nishime, seaweed or mac salad, and a choice of garlic ahi, chicken katsu or crab meat salad.

A limited amount of bentos are made each day and available from 11 a.m. The bentos sell out fast, but you can reserve yours by calling a day in advance. It’s also a great option for school field trips, sports games, parties, lunch meetings, etc.

The restaurant also regularly offers some sweet deals. If it’s your birthday you get a famous Chocolate Pyramid dessert from JJ Bistro & French Pastry. Come Sept. 11, the restaurant is honor- ing all active and retired military with a 25 percent discount off lunch and dinner.

Also look for Makino Chaya’s weekly ad in TGIF and here in Dining Out, and take advantage of the coupons found on Page 20.

Located in Westridge Shopping Center (next to Kamehameha Swap Meet and across from Bed Bath & Beyond), the restaurant seats about 300 people, and there’s plenty of free parking.

Makino Chaya

Westridge Shopping Center
98-150 Kaonohi St., Aiea
486.5100
Lunch Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dinner Hours: Monday-Thursday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, 6-9 p.m. Saturday, 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Aiea, HI 96701

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