Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at your favorite restaurant? Well, much credit goes to the many chefs, owners and managers who work diligently day in and day out to make sure Hawaii’s diners have a top-notch dining experience.
This week, Dining Out gets the inside scoops from Anytime Cafe’s owner and chef Ken Wong, who gives us a little taste of Anytime Cafe, and shares just what fuels his culinary drive.
NAME Ken Wong
TITLE Owner and chef of Anytime Cafe
YEARS AT ANYTIME CAFE 5 years
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- Wonton Noodle Soup
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- Anytime Cafe owner Ken Wong
Who or what inspires you as an owner and chef? My family owned a restaurant in Hong Kong that served amazing traditional noodles. Then, my wife and I moved to Honolulu, and I noticed that Hawaii didn’t have a place that served authentic Hong Kong-style noodles. We decided to open a Japanese ramen restaurant called Sumo Ramen, and after opening more than five Sumo Ramen locations, we decided to open an Italian restaurant called Banana Leaf. At Banana Leaf we served authentic Italian food along with the help of our head chef Sonny Laforteza. But I really wanted to go back to my roots and cook traditional Chinese noodles. Here at Anytime Cafe, we’re known for a fusion of Italian and Chinese cuisine.
What’s your most popular dish? Wonton Noodle Soup
Is there a dish that you create that’s not on your menu, but available upon request? Hainan Chicken on Noodles
What is the biggest compliment you’ve ever received as an owner and chef? Many customers say that our wonton noodles are the best in Hawaii. Local Chinese immigrants, like us, also say that our noodles remind them of the fresh noodles in Hong Kong.
If you could serve food to a celebrity, who would it be and why? What dish would you serve? I would want to serve China’s president, because I want to prove to him that our Wonton Noodle Soup is traditional and authentic. I want to show him my skills.
Anytime Cafe
2919 Kapiolani Blvd., #218
735-3888
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-midnight
Saturday, 8 a.m.-midnight
Sunday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Honolulu, HI 96826
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