Currying favor with the community

Chicken Katsu Sando ($9.50)

KOROMO katsu & curry bistro might be the new kid on the block — opening its doors at Pearlridge Center Makai in February — but already it’s garnered quite the following for high-quality ingredients, housemade panko and traditional Japanese curry.

“In Japanese, ‘koromo’ means coating or covering and refers to the care we take in preparing fresh house-made panko and frying our katsu to perfection,” explains president and co-owner Tom Jones.

Chicken Katsu ($17)

The winning combination of tender meat and crispy coating is what keeps locals, foodies and critics all coming back again and again, as is the chance to indulge in the variety of tasty sauces and side dishes.

“Our focus is on high-quality ingredients like Duroc pork, fresh chicken, oysters and colossal shrimp breaded to order with housemade panko served with super-fine sliced cabbage, scratch miso soup, premium rice and tsukemono in an fun bistro atmosphere, when the City & County permits,” Jones adds.

Ebi Fry ($24.50)

For now, KOROMO offers online ordering and payment with curbside pickup, as well as takeout phone orders. Check its website and Facebook page for the latest menu items, hours and specials.

This week, Jones and the rest of the crew — co-owners executive vice president Tony Sato and executive chef Willy Okimoto, as well as general manager Nelia Solano — share what’s good on the menu.

Pork Loin Katsu ($21)

The top-seller is the Ebi Fry & Pork Loin Combo ($24), and coming in at a close second is the soft and juicy Chicken Katsu Teishoku ($17). Fans of that sought-after crunch will enjoy the five-piece Ebi Fry ($24.50) that features colossal shrimp with a remoulade sauce. But, at its heart, KOROMO is a curry bistro, and Jones recommends having it with any one of the restaurant’s katsu items (prices range from $16.50 to $17.50).

“KOROMO’s curry sauce has just the right level of spiciness,” he adds.

The most recent addition to KOROMO’s menu are the Pork Loin, Chicken and Oyster Po’Boy Katsu Sandos, all of which are served on a grilled brioche bun with sauce, pickles, tomato and cabbage. Prices for these hefty sandwiches range from $9.50 to $11.50.