New Eagle Cafe

By Serena Valdez

A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS WEEK’S HOUSE SPECIAL: CHINESE STYLE STEAMED FISH ($16.50)

Tucked in amid the numerous stores and eateries along Nimitz Highway, New Eagle Cafe has established a cozy nest for those wanting a quiet, intimate atmosphere during mealtime. Although the restaurant has been around since the 1960s — then known as Eagles Cafe — New Eagle Cafe has been serving patrons at the Nimitz Center since 1988.

Known for the ever-popular and delicious Prime Rib and Oxtail Soup dishes, New Eagle Cafe shakes things up every day with daily specials, including Meatloaf Sandwich with soup on Mondays or Beef Curry on Saturdays.

In this week’s special, owner Tae Im wanted to feature something from the core menu that can be ordered any day of the week. The Chinese Style Steamed Fish, Im says, is a “very simple, but tasty dish,” and includes Opaka-paka, vegetables and tofu, all served in a house-made broth. Everything is steamed to flavorful perfection then plated, ladled with broth and topped with Chinese parsley, also known as cilantro.

The steamed vegetables include cauliflower, carrots and broccoli.

Although the house broth is a SECRET RECIPE, Im divulged that it includes soy sauce and sesame oil, which gives it that Chinese edge for which it is named.

The Chinese Style Steamed Fish has kept its place on the menu for more than three decades, and is still popular today, getting about 100 orders per week.

OPAKAPAKA, also known as Hawaiian pink snapper fish, is a native Hawaiian fish with a firm texture and a delicate flavor. “It’s not something I think you’d find at a lot of restaurants like you would with loco moco or garlic chicken. Opakapaka isn’t that common,” says Im.

NEW EAGLE CAFE

1130 N. Nimitz Hwy., A-100 545-2233
Monday-Thursday,
8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
neweaglecafehawaii.com