X

Get your grill on

Chew On This Digest

July 27, 2014

Story By: Michelle Lee | Photos by: Nathalie Walker

Nothing says summer quite like the aromatic, smoky char of well-seasoned meat. Such an inviting scene is common at Asahi Grill on Ward Avenue, where locals have been feasting with friends and family for years.

“It’s all about cooking with love here,” says manager Victoria Sayno, who has been with the eatery for almost 25 years. “We take good ingredients, and treat them in a way that elevates the flavors with local flair.”

These days, Pig’s Feet Soup ($12.50) is a top seller. Currently available only on Mondays, the popular, Okinawan-style delicacy marries sumptuous portions of pig’s feet with a miso broth filled to the brim with squash, carrots, choy sum greens and daikon. “To prepare the pig’s feet just right, we first grill it to give it that nice crispy skin on the outside,” explains Sayno. “We then broil the meat, so the inside becomes tender.”

Those with a taste for fresh seafood will enjoy Salmon Plate ($13.95), which comes with salt-seasoned salmon grilled alongside your choice of macaroni or tossed salad, soup and two scoops of rice. “Simple, yet amazingly satisfying,” says Sayno regarding the dish. “We serve it with our homemade shoyu sauce.”

If you happen to be in the neighborhood early in the day, Sayno also recommends the classic Asahi Breakfast ($9.95), consisting of a choice of Saba, Mahimahi, Salmon, Opakapaka or Flank Steak, along with an egg served over-easy or scrambled. “Almost all of our meals come with rice, soup and a salad, so nobody ever leaves here hungry,” she says. “Success for us has always been achieved by listening to our customers; finding out what they like to eat, and doing our best to deliver it to them time and again.”

Asahi Grill

515 Ward Ave., Honolulu
593-2800
Sunday–Thursday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday–Saturday, 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

Honolulu, HI 96814

Ilima Awards
Hawaii's Best