Nobody Leaves Hungry

When Mike Hickey, along with his brother Jim, first entered the ever-expanding restaurant industry, deciding on a menu concept came easily. “Growing up, eating Korean cuisine was a huge part of our family dinners,” says Hickey, owner of Pearl’s Korean BBQ. “There was always so much to look forward to in terms of flavor and fresh ingredients.”

Throughout the years, Hickey has successfully launched several Pearl’s Korean BBQ locations throughout the island, most recently at Ward Centers. The family-run eatery, whose menu boasts everything from charred, marinated meats to light, fresh vegetable dishes, relies on high quality ingredients and a made-to-order cooking philosophy to keep customer satisfaction on the incline.

As with all Korean cuisine, Pearl’s menu is versatile and abundant. Popular plates include Garlic Chicken ($10.29) and Spicy Pork ($10.29), which come with a choice of four sides, made fresh each day. “Our side dishes alone are sometimes a meal in themselves,” says Hickey. “We change it up every day and feature a wide variety, including fresh bean sprouts, garlic potato salad, long rice, egg omelets and, of course, kimchi.”

Taking an inventive approach to the classic meat jun dish is Zucchini Jun ($9.29), made from freshly pan-seared zucchini slices in a savory, lightly seasoned egg batter. “Initially, we wanted to create something for our vegetarian diners, but it’s actually been a hit with everyone,” says Hickey.

For a taste of everything, Hickey recommends Pearl’s Special ($12.99), which comes with kalbi, barbecue chicken and barbecue beef, in addition to four side dishes. “Every component is uniquely us, from our sauces to how we marinate our meats,” says Hickey. “It’s definitely a meal for the serious eater.

“The economy has not always been steady, but thankfully we have been able to stay successful because of the commitment we have toward our customers,” he adds. “Above all else, using fresh ingredients and being generous with our portions and prices have always been our No. 1 priority.”

For a limited time only, Dining Out readers are invited to check out Hot Deals Hawaii (simply log on to HotDealsHawaii.com), where diners can purchase a $24 voucher for just $14. The sizzling deal, which is available at the Ward Centers location only, is available for purchase now through Thursday, March 13, and valid to March 15, 2015. As a reminder, the Hot Deals certificates are not valid on specified holidays and may not be combined with any other specials or discounts, cash or credit is not returned for any unused certificates, and tax and tip are not included when using the certificates for meal purchases.

Pearl’s Korean BBQ

Ward Centers (with additional locations at Pearlridge Center, Kahala Mall and Laulani Village Shopping Center)
1200 Ala Moana Blvd, Suite 135
593-1288
Monday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

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