Chic, modern, cozy and fun are the first words that come to mind when describing Odori-ko. Owned by siblings Hiro Takei and Rie Akita, the family has roots in Hawaii’s restaurant business that extend all the way back to when their parents’ first restaurant opened in 1972. The siblings took over and opened Odori-ko at its latest location on Kapiolani Boulevard last October.
Oxtail Soup ($14 lunch and happy hour, $17.95 dinner)
According to Takei, an odori-ko is synonymous to a geisha. The literal translation of the word is “a dancer,” and following the theme of entertainment, Takei and the rest of the staff at Odori-ko strive to make every meal memorable — full of satisfying food and lots of live music.
The unique eatery offers lunch, two happy hours and dinner Monday-Saturday, and will also be open Sundays starting in February. Additionally, evenings are accompanied by a variety of live music such as acoustic guitar, jazz and piano stylings, as well as soft Hawaiian and contemporary pop.
CATERING TO LOCAL PALATES
In a concerted effort to focus more on Hawaii’s locals, Odori-ko now offers Oxtail Soup ($14 during happy hour and lunch, $17.95 during dinner). Made the old-fashioned way, Odori-ko’s Oxtail Soup is slow-cooked for four hours in a soy-based house broth, guaranteeing lots of flavor and big chunks of tasty meat. The savory dish is served with rice, or patrons may have ramen for an additional $2. Brought to the menu only three weeks ago, Oxtail Soup is just the first of many local favorites that will be added this year.
Odori-Ko
1680 Kapiolani Blvd., No. F8, Honolulu
955-6555
Monday-Saturday, lunch: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; dinner: 4:30 p.m.-midnight;
happy hour: 4:30-6 p.m.; late night happy hour: 10 p.m.-midnight.
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