A Mix Of Old, New Flavors

Chanko Nabe ($59.95)

Building upon their parents’ legacy, Hiro Takei and sister Rie Takei Akita have found a way to keep Odori-Ko restaurant traditional yet contemporary for the next generation.

Originally located in King’s Village in Waikiki for more than 40 years, the siblings reopened the restaurant at 1680 Kapiolani Blvd. (across from Hawaii Convention Center) in the fall of 2015, offering traditional Japanese flavors in a classy, casual and inviting setting.

“Our menu is varied with a lot of different options,” notes Takei. “Though our taste is rooted in classic and traditional Japanese flavors, my sister and I were born and raised here in Hawaii so our menu also reflects local flavors, items, portion sizes and prices.”

One of the local-inspired dishes is Oxtail Soup ($17.95) featuring a hearty portion of ox-tail slow cooked the old-fashioned way for five hours.”The soup is super collagen-rich and tastes fantastic,”says Takei. “A lot of garlic and ginger are used, and star anise for added aroma. It tastes different from the normal local-style oxtail soup in that it is prepared in our homemade shoyu-based broth.”

At lunchtime, the restaurant has become popular with neighboring businesses for its high-quality food, and fast and friendly service. During dinner hours, the family-friendly restaurant also provides an ambiance perfect for socializing.

FEELING HOT, HOT, HOT!

A new item at Odori-Ko is Chanko Nabe ($59.95, serves two people), a cook-at-your-table Hot Pot with a house-made shoyu-based broth. Served on the side (for customers to add to the hot broth) are assorted vegetables along with tofu, Shirataki noodles, black cod, salmon, clams, scallops, shrimp, beef slices, arabiki sausages, dumplings and homemade chicken meatballs. The hot pot also includes your choice of rice or udon noodles, and two small salads and edamame.

“We started the hot pot as a holiday special item, but it has been a popular item so we are planning to continue it as an off-menu selection,” says owner Hiro Takei. “So far, all the customers who have ordered it have been pleased with the portion size and taste and have left full and happy.”

Odori-Ko
1680 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 9, Honolulu
955-6555
Daily, lunch: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., dinner: 4:30 p.m.-midnight
odori-ko.com
Valet service is available in the driveway fronting the restaurant (Sunday-Thursday complimentary; Friday and Saturday $5) or self-park in the parking structure shared with Hawaiian