Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at your favorite restaurant? Well, much credit goes to the many chefs, owners and managers who work diligently day in and day out to make sure Hawaii’s diners have a top-notch dining experience.
This week, Dining Out gets the inside scoops from Korean Hibiscus BBQ owners Raymond and Shirley Kodani, who give us a little taste of Korean Hibiscus BBQ and share just what fuels their culinary drive.
NAME Raymond Kodani (Owner/Manager) and Shirley Kodani (Owner/Chef)
TRAINING/EDUCATION Self-taught (husband-and-wife team)
Photo courtesy of Korean Hibiscus BBQ
Who or what inspires you as a chef/manager/owner? Our inspiration comes from customers and their families enjoying our simple preparation of healthy and delicious takeout Korean food. To allow us to provide their families with a complete meal of selected entrees, numerous vegetable selections and “hapa-rice” as an alternative to a home-cooked meal is gratifying.
What is your favorite dish on the menu? Why? Bi Bim Bap consists of hapa-rice topped with five Korean-style vegetables, bulgogi, an egg and Korean hot sauce. It truly is a meal-inone. Numerous variations are available by simply changing the vegetable/ meat topping.
What is your favorite ingredient to work with? Why? Sesame seed oil is an important ingredient used for vegetable seasoning, marinating meats and creating the “Korean-taste” in most Korean food.
Is there a dish that you created that’s not on your menu, but available upon request? Our Bulgogi Bokum is a simplified version of a more elaborate dish available only at sit-down Korean restaurants. Bulgogi Bokum is marinated beef ribeye stir-fried with sweet potato noodles, round onions, carrots and green onion on a bed of hapa-rice with your choice of four Korean-style vegetables, and is currently available as our “Grandma’s Special.” Grandma often made Bulgogi Bokum for her grandchildren at home, and we can now offer this home-style dish to our customers.
Korean Hibiscus BBQ
Kaimuki Shopping Center
3221 Waialae Ave. #A4, Honolulu
734-8232
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Honolulu, HI 96816
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