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Filling Up On Japanese Fare

A La Carte Columns

June 25, 2017

Story By: Elima Pangorang | Photos by: Tempura Ichidai

Summer Menu ($35) is among the season’s hottest bites.

Nestled in the newest wing of Ala Moana Center is the quaint Tempura Ichidai restaurant. With its open windows and contemporary design, passersby can’t help but want to take a peek inside this stylish eatery.

Tempura Ichidai’s friendly staff invites guests to sit at the counter or a booth and gets things started with a fresh oshibori, or wet cloth.

Soon you’ll find that the restaurant’s menu is just as appealing to the appetite as it is to the sights.

A yummy place to start is with Anago Donburi ($22) served with battered and fried anago, or saltwater eel, as well as eggplant, pumpkin and Hawaiian kale tempura all atop a bed of steamy hot rice. The donburi is accompanied by miso soup and fresh pickled appetizers.

Whether you’re enjoying a night out or simply taking a break from shopping, Tempura Ichidai will satisfy any Japanese-food craving you might have.

READY FOR SUMMERTIME

Turn on your taste buds with Tempura Ichidai’s Summer Menu ($35). This menu — available until the end of August — offers a generous portion of several flavors so you don’t have to choose just one. Ready your hashi (chopsticks) and enjoy unagi donburi that has been grilled to perfection, soft and warm chawanmushi, savory clam miso soup, refreshing seasonal appetizers and, everyone’s favorite, an array of crispy tempura.

Tempura Ichidai

Ala Moana Center, Ewa Wing, Level 3,
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
955-8899
Daily, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (last call at 9:30 p.m.)
tempuraichidai.com

Honolulu, HI 96814

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