McCully Shopping Center’s Melting Pot of Flavors

July 1, 2012 By Alana Folen

Since opening its doors in August 1986, McCully shopping Center serves as a mecca for international dining, while also catering to all of your wants and needs with its many specialty shops and stores. And to celebrate its continued success, this 35,290-square-foot outdoor complex will celebrate “A World of Cuisines” all month long, paying homage to the diverse spread of multi-ethnic restaurants scattered throughout the shopping center.

“To go along with the many ethnic groups that visit McCully Shopping Center, we have a variety of different establishments that focus on cuisine from all over the world. These restaurants meet the tastes of all palates,” says McCully Shopping Center’s marketing director Terri Hansen.

“We like to call ourselves a ‘little Tokyo’ because we cater to both the local market and the visitor market respectively,” she adds. “We have visitors from Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, etc. The Convention Center also is nearby, so we see a lot of business clientele from across the globe. We get those individuals who work in Waikiki as well, and we have a great international market comprised of students who attend University of Hawaii, Todai University or HPU. McCully Shopping Center is very conveniently located.”

So whether you’re stirring up an appetite for Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, fast food or local grinds, McCully Shopping Center never disappoints. Also, delight your sweet tooth with an exotic blend of refreshing smoothies, bubble tea drinks and alluring “snow ice” desserts.

To submerge ourselves in the eclectic array of dining options that span all borders, Dining Out eagerly stopped in on a few of the restaurants featured in “A World of Cuisines,” including Curry House Coco Ichibanya, Fook Yuen Chinese Seafood Restaurant, Hot Pot Heaven and Regal Diner. Other participating restaurants include Pho 777 Vietnamese Restaurant, Bistro A Un, Phuket Thai, Taco Bell/Pizza Hut, Yotteko-Ya, Coffee or Tea? and Snow Factory.

“During our event we just encourage you to come and dine at our shopping center and experience the different cuisines that we do have,” Hansen says. “This month, we expect to see a nice increase of patrons. We have a steady clientele here, but we want to expand it, so those who don’t usually come out to McCully Shopping Center can take part in all the fun.”

Fook Yuen, a long-standing eatery in McCully Shopping Center has been in existence for 21 years and highlights premier, authentic Chinese cuisine, such as Whole Peking Duck ($39), Steamed Fish (seasonal price) and succulent Live Whole Lobster (specially priced at $10.99 with the purchase of an a la carte item) with your choice of ginger onion sauce, black bean sauce, or salt and pepper seasoning.

Curry House Coco Ichibanya is another longtime favorite among diners, and is known for its zesty Japanese curry selections, boasting most-alluring entrees of Chicken Cutlet Curry with Spinach and Cheese ($9.58) and Chicken Cutlet Curry with Corn ($7.54), among others.

A relatively newer eatery to grace McCully Shopping Center is Hot Pot Heaven, your go-to hot spot for all of your hot pot cravings. With various broths and more than 80 items to choose from, it’s simple to personalize any meal to your liking.

“The most requested broths are Thai ($8.99), Seafood ($9.99) and Mushroom ($9.99),” Hansen explains, adding that the top hot pot ingredients comprise of beef, pork, shrimp wonton, Chinese cabbage, enoki mushrooms, choi sum, cabbage wrap, shrimp and pumpkin.

Regal Diner fans also will be happy to note that Regal Bakery has recently been added to the ever-popular establishment. According to Hansen, the bakery has been open for about a month now and features sweet nothings galore. Cake doughnuts, original doughnuts and specialty doughnuts — they have it all.

“It’s truly a melting pot of flavors that we’re happy to be able to showcase through ‘A World of Cuisines,'” Hansen shares. “And while dining you can enter-to-win a Napa Valley getaway!

“To enter, simply drop off your entry form at any participating merchant. For additional chances to win and earn Hawaiian Miles, attach your receipt dated July1-31 from any of our merchants along with an additional entry form and your Hawaiian Miles number,” she explains.

The lucky winner will explore two of Napa’s most historic features — the vintage rail cars of the Wine Train and The Napa River Inn and Historic Napa Mill, a world-class urban destination in the heart of California’s beautiful wine country — for a span of three days and two nights.

“Napa is known for its wine and extraordinary cuisine, so we thought it would be perfect to include in ‘A World of Cuisines’ Hansen adds.

“McCully Shopping Center is very convenient, parking is always free and we also have ample parking in the basement.

“If you’re going out night clubbing in Waikiki, you can stop in for a bite, if you’re meeting with clients you can come here, and it takes you away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. We also are quick and inexpensive. All of our restaurants are within your means and don’t gouge your pocketbook,” Hansen says with a smile.