Blooming Eats

If mom-and-pop shops are synonymous with good food and good service, what should one expect from an eatery run by grandparents? Quite the same if we’re talking about Korean Hibiscus BBQ.

“This is what we eat for our meals, so we want to serve this to our customers so they can enjoy it as well,” says owner and grandfather Raymond Kodani.

Such a proclamation isn’t just typical restaurant talking points, there is a history behind the recipes. One such example is Grandma Special, which includes stir-fried barbecue beef, sweet potato noodles, carrots, white and green onions served with a choice of four Korean vegetables.

“This was something we made for our four grandchildren. We didn’t think people would be interested in it, but I told my wife (Shirley, aka grandma) to give it a try. The interest was so strong that we had to put it on the regular menu.”

The entire menu is a mix of local favorites, Korean staples and a combination of both. All told, the choices include 50 combination plates (starting at $10.75), 15 prime entrees, four specialty items, eight soups and 14 vegetables.

One of three seafood options is Saba Fillet ($9). The fresh fish is slow char-broiled to maintain its natural juiciness and comes with veggies (two for the mini and four for the regular plate) and the restaurant’s classic hapa rice — a mix of white and brown rice that undergoes a 24-hour preparation process to ensure a tender product.

In other words, Korean Hibiscus BBQ is a celebration of all things surf and turf.

Korean Hibiscus BBQ

Kaimuki Shopping Center
3221 Waialae Ave.
734-8232
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.