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Good health, fortune, food here

A La Carte

January 1, 2023

Story By: Averie Soto | Photos by: ANTHONY CONSILLIO

Kuromame (call for price)

The new year is here and Sekiya’s Restaurant & Delicatessen in Honolulu is ringing in 2023 with some original foods symbolizing future hope and prosperity. One of these delectable treats is the side dish kuromame (call for price, while supplies last). The sugary, sweet black beans are meant to represent good luck and health, according to general manager Faye Hara.

Combination Special: Nitsuke Butterfish and Vegetable Tempura (call for price)

“‘Kuro’ is black and ‘mame’ is bean, but ‘mame’ also means working hard like a bee, so Japanese people eat kuromame to hopefully be able to work in good health in the new year,” she notes.

The eatery will also feature a combination special of Nitsuke Butterfish and Vegetable Tempura (call for updated price). The butter-fish is simmered in soy sauce and paired with green beans, onion, carrots, zucchini, and green bell peppers — all cooked tempura style.

The meal also includes miso soup, rice and tsukemono, and although these dishes may be new, the restaurant will continue to keep the family-friendly atmosphere for which it’s known.

“What we want people to experience here at Sekiya’s is a feeling of comfort and nostalgia,” says chef Leonard “Trey” Paresa, who has been with Sekiya’s for nearly a decade. “We’ve been using the same recipes since the beginning, and people from all over have grown up with our taste and flavors. It’s no-frills, just good old-fashioned food.”

And, please note that Sekiya’s Restaurant & Delicatessen will be closed on New Year’s Day.

2746 Kaimuki Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

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