Warm Up to Ichiriki

Take the scenic route through the winding Windward roads that lead to Kaneohe and stop at Ichiriki Japanese Nabe Restaurant’s newest location.

Open for just four months, the third location offers original favorites with its familiar welcoming and chic atmosphere.

It is something the restaurant strives for with its servers, who undergo extensive training.

“(It is) to make sure they’re attentive and they’re thoughtful in the way they cater to the customers, making sure the customers feel at home and that they’re being treated well as a guest,” says general manager Min Kim.

So, sit back and relax while you dine on Japanese comfort food.

Stop in for happy hour, and enjoy the 5-ounce Kobe Shabu Shabu ($16.95; $28.95, regular price).

It comes with rice, ramen noodles, and 5 ounces of Kobe beef.

It also is served with two dipping sauces — ponzu and goma — along with daikon and green onions.

For just $2, you can upgrade your broth to any of the 13 different options to choose from.

“I’m pretty sure we’re the only hot pot restaurant on the island that features so many different flavors of broth,” says assistant manager Andrew Doi.

Also offered during happy hour are Kirin Draft beer ($2 for 16 ounces, $4 for 32 ounces, $8 for a 64-ounce pitcher).

For dessert, Ichiriki is serving up a special offthe-menu option worth indulging in. Introducing the “Fuji Uji” ($11.90) — a more than generous serving of shave ice topped with matcha flavoring, azuki beans, condensed milk, mochi balls and Lappert’s ice cream.

To give you a better idea of its size, it comfortably serves eight to 10 people.

With its cool and sweet flavors, it is the perfect end to a hot pot meal.

If you are dining with a smaller group, the regular Ujikintoki ($5.95) serves around four people.

Reservations are highly recommended and large groups are welcome — the restaurant recently accommodated a 65-party wedding reception.

Ichiriki Japanese Nabe Restaurant

46-047 Kamehameha Hwy. #14 and #15, Kaneohe
236-2299
Daily, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (lunch)
Sunday-Thursday, 4-11 p.m. (last seating at 10 p.m.)
Friday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-midnight (last seating at 11 p.m.) (dinner)
Happy hour daily, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.-last call (Happy hour times vary at each location.)