A Bento Bonanza

Sushi Bento No. 2 ($12)

Having worked in fish wholesaling for many years, Sam Seo knows how to pick the freshest ahi. But Seo dreamed of having his own restaurant to share that fresh fish with even more people — a goal he achieved by opening Ahi & Vegetable.

Initially, he had one location downtown, but the eatery became so popular that he opened a second in Kalihi. (His customers who worked downtown often told him that they wished he’d expand so they could eat there on the weekends, too.)

And while you certainly can get your fill of ahi and vegetables, the menu extends beyond that to include sushi, sashimi, poke, bento, cooked fish, chicken as well as a variety of party platters.

One of the most popular options at Ahi & Vegetable is its bento offerings, which include variations of sushi, sashimi, chicken, beef, unagi, poke and more. All bentos are served with miso soup.

“The bentos are good to take to meetings, or on a picnic — any kind of occasion,” Seo says.

GIVE THESE A TRY

Sushi Bento No. 2 ($12) is filled with a variety of bitesized treasures: two pieces of ahi nigiri, two pieces of salmon nigiri, two pieces of spicy ahi sushi and two pieces of spicy salmon sushi.

Bento No. 7 ($12) is another winner filled with spicy ahi, spicy salmon and poke.

Plus, bentos are entirely customizable: “Sometimes customers want to design their own, which we can do,” says owner Sam Seo.

Ahi & Vegetable

Kapalama Shopping Center
1210 Dillingham Blvd., Kalihi
845-3500
Daily, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.