Filling up on delectable Japanese meals

Mushroom Chicken and Assorted Sashimi teishoku ($24.50)

Yajima-ya Japanese and Local Cuisine on South King Street in Honolulu serves up a perfectly balanced combination of Japanese and local cuisine, like its name suggests, to the delight of hungry patrons.

The roomy eatery seats 62 people in comfortable surroundings. It traces its origins back to 2009, when the Yajima-ya lunch wagon opened serving mostly Japanese dishes such as udon and soba.

Eventually the wagon’s menu expanded to include donburi and local favorites like the now-famed Mushroom Chicken, which is Yajima-ya’s signature item. Powered by social media, radio, TV and extremely loyal clientele, the lunch wagon’s popularity spawned the opening of Yajima-ya Japanese and Local Cuisine restaurant — which became the next step in the company’s growth.

Hamburger Steak Demi Sauce and Assorted Tempura teishoku ($19.50)

Among the popular offerings at the establishment are the teishoku courses, which make up the quintessential Japanese set meal, including a main dish, pickles, rice and miso soup.

On the dinner menu, customers can choose from Teishoku Ichi (two choices from the selection A menu) for $19.50, Teishoku Ni (one choice from selection A and one from selection B) for $24.50 and Teishoku San (two choices from selection B) for $30, explains manager Miha Fukumasa.

For example, there is the teishoku combination of Mushroom Chicken and Assorted Sashimi ($24.50). Among the sashimi offerings available are extremely fresh ahi, salmon, ika and hamachi. Meanwhile, Mushroom Chicken features a luscious original house-made gravy, delicious mushrooms and pan-fried yummy chicken.

Another popular dinner teishoku combo consists of Hamburger Steak Demi Sauce and Assorted Tempura ($19.50). This mouthwatering selection includes a juicy hamburger steak covered with a sumptuous house-made demi-glace. An egg, fresh-sliced tomato, broccoli, corn and onion also accompany this meal. Assorted Tempura includes tasty treats such as shrimp, fish cake, eggplant, bell pepper and sweet potato, each individually coated in a light, crispy tempura batter.

Besides its teishoku combinations, Yajima-ya offers many additional lunch and dinner menu offerings such as udon, soba and much more.

Meals can be topped off with some indulgent desserts such as Yuzu Sorbet, Black Sesame Ice Cream, Tofu Pudding or Homemade Japanese Sponge Cake with Hot Shizuoka Green Tea.

Coming soon, the restaurant management plans to add a local-style kamameshi concept for customers to experience at their tables. The special rice dish will include a combination of both traditional Japanese and Hawaiian, local style ingredients.