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A tasty first-year anniversary celebration to remember

A La Carte

August 11, 2019

Story By: Kyle Galdeira | Photos by: ANTHONY CONSILLIO

Ahi Poke ($6.50 happy hour)

As the hard-working team at Akira Japanese Restaurant celebrates its first anniversary this week, diners are invited to enjoy an array of delicious dishes specially priced for the occasion. Chef and owner Taiki Kawai prepares traditional Japanese cuisine featuring local ingredients prepared meticulously to order. Kawai specializes in the “Kaiseki style” of Japanese cooking that incorporates small course meals infused with the freshest ingredients, which results in exquisite flavor, beautiful presentation and a memorable “spirit.”

“The reason why we continue on is because of the support of our customers — they’ve brought us to this point, and I want to do my best to keep guests coming back again and again through the love for my art and for the diners through each dish we prepare,” Kawai says.

The restaurant offers an array of great food and beverages.

Situated conveniently in the Eleven50 Building on King Street (parking entrance on Young Street), Akira Japanese Restaurant is the perfect destination for a pau hana get-together, or a delicious dinner with family and friends.

Be sure to enjoy the happy hour specials available at Akira Japanese Restaurant from 4 to 5:30 p.m., and again from 8:30 to 10 p.m. And, during the anniversary celebration this week Monday-Thursday, the happy hour deals are available from 4 to 10 p.m. continuously through dinner service. Additionally, as an anniversary special during the specified dates, diners can enjoy a Suntory Premium Malt Draft Beer for just $1 per glass, 8:30-10 p.m.; the refreshing beer is normally priced at $3.50 per glass during happy hour.

Steamed Abalone Tataki ($14 happy hour)

Start off happy hour with a beverage including a glass of Conundrum (California) red or Kung Fu Girl (Washington) white wine for just $6 each.

Eggplant with Grated Daikon Ponzu ($5.50) is a popular happy hour pupu as eggplant is flash-fried, skinned, rehydrated in a dashi marinade for 24 hours, then served with ponzu sauce, along with green onion and ginger and bonito flakes.

Beef Tataki Onion Salad ($7.50 happy hour)

The restaurant features its own designated sushi chef in sous chef Andy Hideaki Hirahara who prepares happy hour favorites like Salmon Avocado Roll ($5.50) and “Today’s 4 Kinds Sushi” ($10) with four pieces of freshly prepared sushi. The happy hour menu also includes local favorites such as Shrimp & Vegetable Tempura ($7.50), Steamed Ab-alone Tataki ($14) featuring Big Island abalone, Ahi Poke ($6.50) and “Today’s 3 Kinds Sashimi” ($12) with two pieces each of three of the day’s fresh fish selections.

Don’t forget to try the Deep-Fried Lobster Arare ($9.50), a unique take on the popular crustacean, as well as Unagi & Grated Yam Rice Bowl ($7.50, small size) and the uber-popular Beef Tataki Onion Salad ($7.50) featuring a unique flavor profile.

Deep Fried Lobster Arare ($9.50 happy hour)

Honolulu, HI 96814

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