Spreading Holiday Choi

Sauteed Shanghai Pak Choy with Shiitake Mushrooms ($16.95)

Meeting friends for a bite to eat, going to dinner with family in town for the holidays, stopping for lunch while Christmas shopping — it’s the time of year for dining out and sharing meals with the special people in your life.

Of course, when it comes to food, everyone has their own tastes and preferences, so if you’re a vegetarian, the best course to follow is to find a restaurant that caters to everyone.

Seafood Village Chinese Cuisine is spacious and elegant, and offers an extensive menu just right for family-style dining. Despite its name, vegetarians can enjoy a delicious Cantonese-style feast right alongside all those fish-and meat-eaters.

And, says Steve Matsuno, executive general manager of the eatery located in Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Seafood Village wants to make your dining experience the best it can be, and is ready to meet your requests (within reason, of course).

“We’re really flexible if you want to substitute a dish on a set menu,” he says.

Whether you’re with a group or not, Matsuno came up with some appetizing, meat-free recommendations for Dining Out readers.

To start, Crispy Vegetarian Spring Rolls ($8.50), filled with carrots, cabbage and cellophane noodles, are crispy on the outside while tender and moist within, and they’re served with a sweet and sour sauce for dipping. Also, Spinach Dumplings ($5.25) are a dim sum customer favorite, and it’s no wonder. The fresh, tender packages are stuffed with a savory spinach filling that surely will make you reach for more.

Sauteed Shanghai Pak Choi with Shiitake Mushrooms ($16.95) doesn’t need much explanation, as the name speaks for itself. Attractively plated, pak choi and whole shiitakes are tender yet firm in a light shoyu-based sauce.

And to spread the choi even more, Choi Sum Stir-fried with Garlic ($14.95) is a healthy choice with the garlic adding a pungent punch to the perfectly cooked greens.

Seafood Village Chinese Cuisine

Hyatt Regency Waikiki
2424 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
971.1818
Open daily, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. lunch, 5-10 p.m. dinner