Fairwood Drive-Inn & Hi Yip Cuisine

Digest Step Up to the Plate

November 16, 2014

Story By: Alana Folen | Photos by: Nathalie Walker

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TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS WEEK’S HOUSE SPECIAL: Stir Fry Shanghai Shredded Beef ($12.50)

Earlier this year, restaurant owner Tiffany Ko capitalized on Fairwood Drive-Inn & Ramen Diner, where local classics and healthy alternatives to ramen were on the menu. Nowadays, loyal patrons of the Kaimuki Shopping Center establishment can expect something new; the section of the restaurant once occupied by the ramen diner, now is home to Hi Yip Chinese Cuisine.

According to Ko, Hi Yip is already open for business, though she has yet to announce an official grand opening.

A Shanghai specialty, this dish will lure in meat eaters with tender pieces of shredded beef doused in a homemade marinade that’s equal parts sweet, spicy and sour.

The marinade is a concoction of hoi sin sauce and chili pepper, which completely saturates the meat, providing a substantial amount of savory without overwhelming the taste buds.

A bowl of rice is a must, acting like a sponge to soak up every last drop of gravy.

Ko’s immersion into the culinary world began with her father, who, in the 1960s, was a cook in Canton, China. Ko’s father would roast goose and char siu over a natural fire, setting up 100 tables in the street. In 1988, Ko made the big move to Hawaii, and followed in her father’s footsteps, opening a restaurant of her own.

The dish comes together as the meat is wok fried, along with slivers of red and green bell pepper, vinegar, chili oil and a pinch of chili pepper. The final verdict is nothing but amazing.

“When we originally opened the restaurant, we specialized in pho, then we switched to ramen, and now we’re heading in a new direction with Hi Yip, which in Chinese generally translates to ‘Canton Seafood,'” explains owner Tiffany Ko. “Our customers requested Chinese food with the option to dine-in or take out.”