Niku Nabe ($17.95, only available for happy hour). Nathalie Walker photo
Ichiriki is no stranger to the local community, as the eatery’s three locations are strategically spread out around the island, with a new location opening in the next two months in blooming Kaimuki.
The traditional Japanese tastes of bubbling hot pot selections and choice offerings of quality meat, vegetables and other ingredients, help make this string of restaurants an ultimate success.
Enjoy happy hour from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and again from 9 p.m. to closing. During this magical time, nabe sets and appetizers are delightfully cheaper.
On the horizon for Ichriki is its Japan promotion, which gives a single patron the chance to win two round-trip tickets to Japan. Starting Jan. 15, if you spend $50 or more, you will receive a sealed envelope. Manager Josh Sugimura explains that customers are to hold on to these unopened. Come Feb. 15, the eatery then will begin accepting envelopes, which must be opened by a manager (all opened envelopes before Jan. 15 will be voided). The contents of each either will be discounts and/or coupons for the restaurant — or the roundtrip tickets. Opening and redeeming your envelopes will continue until March 14.
Whether visiting your favorite Ichiriki location for authentic nabe or trying out its new Kaimuki location, the experience will be one well worth the venture, one slurp after the next.
SLURPING UP NABE
One set that only is available during happy hour is Ichirki’s Niku Nabe ($17.95). The meal features three different choices of meat, including 3 ounces of Berkshire pork and chicken, as well as 2 ounces of pork shoulder. Kitchen supervisor Edwin Fabro says, “It goes without saying, it’s your ultimate meat-lovers dream of a nabe set.”
With your taste buds at work over the delicious meat servings, also enjoy an assortment of vegetables, including hakusai (Napa cabbage), chives and choy sum. The set also comes with other goodies, but does not include the seafood selections that normally come with nabes — keeping the meal a carnivore’s fantasy.
In addition to the restaurant’s list of delicious appetizers, Wingdings ($6.95 regular, $4.95 happy hour) make the cut. A newer menu item, four pieces of chicken — two wings and two thighs — are deep-fried and then tossed in an original yakiniku-style glaze with added garlic powder. The appetizer is reminiscent of classic fried chicken wings, but with authentic Japanese flavors. The sweet, tangy bite of the soy-based sauce is the first of hopefully many other flavors to come.
Ichiriki Japanese Nabe Restaurant
510 Piikoi St., Honolulu (And Other Locations)
589-2299
Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight.;
Happy hour daily, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-closing
Honolulu, HI 96814
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