Cool Eats Await You at Yakiniku-style Diner

August 19, 2012 By Ali Resich Photos By Lawrence Tabudlo

At Yakiniku LuluRara — Keeaumoku Street’s newest Korean eatery — you’re in for all the char-grilled goodness that comes along with yakiniku-style dining, in which customers grill their own meats and vegetables at the table. This cozy little restaurant features meals priced at $9.99 or less, to ensure you’re getting top-quality meats at an affordable price.

While most patrons love to throw a strip of their favorite cut on the table top and grill away — LuluRara’s selection includes Seasoned Beef, Short Rib, Beef Tongue, Briskets, Pork Belly and more — owner Sarah Chang suggests ordering a few dishes from the kitchen as well to supplement your barbecue experience.

“We do all the work for you with the dishes that are prepared in the kitchen,” says Chang. As you wait for those beautiful grill marks to form on your meats, you can get a head start with a Bulgogi Bowl ($7.99, lunch special). Sumptuous pieces of Korean-style barbecued beef and hot rice give this dish its extreme craveability.

With the wonderful smoky aroma of grilled sensations that fills the air, yakiniku establishments really know how to turn up the heat. That’s why Chang recommends adding some of the kitchen’s cold noodle dishes to your repertoire, as they are perfect for cooling off.

“Since it is very hot in Hawaii, customers love the cold noodle dishes. They’re nice and refreshing,” says Chang. A must-have is the Spicy Cold Noodle ($9.99) bowl, filled with buckwheat noodles and an array of meats, vegetables and an egg, as well as a hint of spice.

If you’re not a spicy-food lover, you can cool down with Cold Soup ($9.99), which presents a chilled chicken and beef broth filled with meats, vegetables, egg and noodles. While it may sound strange to drink a cold soup, the minute you try its rich flavor, you’ll lose all doubts and sip away.

So don’t hesitate to visit this hot spot for some of the coolest eats in town.