Hooked on Hukilau

You don’t have to be on the beach to enjoy Hukilau — just head over to Bishop Street.

The upscale Hawaiian plate lunch-style eatery’s name may conjure up visions of our friends in the sea, but there’s much more in store for hungry diners — and it’s not the usual two scoops rice fare.

There’s a sandwich on Hukilau’s lunch menu that stands out for those who choose not to eat fish or meat. Portobello “Katsu” Mushroom Sandwich ($12) features a large panko-crusted portobello mushroom topped with roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomato spread, caramelized onions, Brie, lettuce and tomato. It’s served with fries, and for an extra 50 cents you can substitute a ‘Nalo mixed greens salad. Or for $1 more, you can reel in some crisp sweet potato fries.

“They don’t have to have cheese on it,” notes restaurant manager Emerson Lewis of the Brie. So if cheese isn’t part of your diet, just have them hold it, as there’s so much more going on in this sandwich you won’t even notice its absence. It’s a concoction that works deliciously with the panko crust complementing the smooth texture of the earthy mushroom, while the sweetness of the sun-dried tomatoes and caramelized onions give it just the right balance — everything goes together swimmingly.

Hukilau’s succulent ‘shroom sandwich is such a wave of flavors and textures, you just might get hooked on it.

Hukilau

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