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Spicy food done the right way

A La Carte

August 15, 2021

Story By: Ginger Keller | Photos by: LAWRENCE TABUDLO

Shabu Salad Style Seiro ($16.80)

Authenticity and freshness are at the heart of Shingen Hawaii, a Moiliili-based eatery that specializes in traditional Japanese cuisine. In fact, its locally made soba noodles comprise buckwheat flour that’s imported straight from Hokkaido, Japan — which makes it hard to top that level of dedication.

President Shohichi Nakatani says that Shingen’s recently developed original noodles — Moringa Soba and Ube Udon — have also been the talk of the town.

Red Spicy ($15.80)

“We have been in business for about 20 years, including our predecessor, Matsugen, a Japanese soba restaurant in Hawaii, which was loved by many tourists, but now we have moved to the local area and have many local customers,” Nakatani says. “The new noodles we developed this year are very popular and many customers keep coming back. We would like to continue to spread the Japanese soba culture and food in Hawaii.”

With summer in full swing, catch seasonal specials, like Ebi Oroshi ($18.80), a new item inspired by Nagoya’s local menu, which features hot, crispy tempura and is served with cold soba noodles.

Ebi Oroshi ($18.80)

“The grated daikon refreshes the oiliness of the tempura,” notes Nakatani. “This new product is perfect for the hot summer season.”

Other specials include a cold, tomato-based Cappellini-style Seiro (call for cost); Red Spicy ($15.80); Niku Tsuke (call for cost), a sweet and spicy meat with soba noodles (pro tip: Nakatani recommends swapping for ube udon noodles); a cold Shabu Salad Style Seiro ($16.80) tossed with a special sesame sauce; Cold Chinese-style Seiro (call for cost), which encompasses flavors of vinegar; and lastly, The Hot Spicy Fair (call for cost).

“It is because of the hot summer that we want to eat very spicy food,” says Nakatani. “Which would you choose: the spiciness of the classic chile peppers or the spiciness of the curry spices? You can choose the level of spiciness from zero to five. Let’s sweat it out, eat some very spicy food and get through this hot summer!”

2334 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826

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