Rock On, Million

Bi Bim Bap ($10.95 without meat)

If you’re a fan of Yakiniku Million, the little Korean restaurant not far from Ala Moana Center, or just recently decided to try the popular eatery at lunchtime, you may have found its doors locked. But don’t worry, it’s still open for business. You just have to wait until dinnertime to enjoy all your Korean favorites.

And you can be confident it’ll rock your taste buds, as Yakiniku Million knows Korean food, as it’s been serving its traditional cuisine since 1989.

So, you may wonder, what’s in it for me? Yakiniku translates to “grilled meat,” and if you’re not a meat eater, why bother with a place that has meat right in its moniker?

One word: vegetables. Korean food is so rich in vegetables, you won’t skip a beat, just the meat.

For instance, if you bebop right on over for Bi Bim Bap (mixed rice with vegetables, $10.95 without meat), you won’t be disappointed. This traditional Korean staple is a nice big bowl of bean sprouts, cabbage, carrots, zucchini and mushrooms served with rice and laced with sesame oil, hot pepper paste, garlic and more that’s so satisfying and filling, you’ll want to sing for your supper. It’s traditionally served with meat and egg, but just tell your server to omit them. And, of course, it comes with six fabulous sides of flavorful pickled vegetables called banchan, a medley of mouthwatering morsels that include kim chee, lotus root, potato salad, seaweed and daikon kim chee, among others, depending on what’s available. If you love vegetables and enjoy variety, these little dishes will be music to your ears.

And Yakiniku Million is open most days until 2 a.m., so you can boogie on in whenever the late-night hunger pangs hit.

Rock on, Million.

Yakiniku Million

626 Sheridan St.
596-0799
Open Monday-Saturday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
Sunday, 5-11 p.m.