A Ravishing Refresh

Shoyu Ramen ($7.95)

After a two-month remodel, Genki Sushi’s Waikele location is now open — with a new mouthwatering menu and updated appearance.

Its Waikele menu includes all of the Japan-founded eatery’s staple dishes, like nigiri, sushi rolls, bowls and sashimi — all economically priced according to plate color.

Unique to the Waikele location, Ramen ($7.95) is on the menu. Four flavorful broth options — shoyu, miso, tonkotsu and tan tan — are combined with fresh ingredients for a new Genki go-to.

Other available alluring options include waygu beef and alcoholic beverages, like Sapporo beer and sake.

“Waikele’s new menu is different than other Hawai‘i locations, and we will be engaging the other stores next month,” explains purchasing director and site operations manager David Moon.

Diners at Genki Sushi’s Waikele location will delight in its fresh, customer-service-first feel. The remodel includes new paint, fresh ceiling tiles, a restaurant reconfiguration, two new TVs and two service robots.

Known for bringing the first conveyor-belt-served sushi to Hawaii more than three decades ago, Genki Sushi customers now receive food via the bullet express, a tray-topped train running from the kitchen to the table. At its Waikele and Ewa Beach locations, two service robots also help deliver the dishes. The Waikele restaurant will soon receive upgraded state-of-the-art robots that don friendly faces.

Speaking of faces, the Genki Sushi logo with its bushy eyebrows, rosy cheeks and stern expression actually isn’t angry.

“The logo is a caricature of founder Fumio Saito’s face and is showing determination to give restaurant patrons the best sushi,” Moon explains.

BLISSFUL BROTH

Shoyu Ramen ($7.95,) is available at Genki Sushi’s Waikele location. The soy sauce ramen base is meticulously crafted in the restaurant’s reconfigured and refurbished kitchen. Three other broth flavors — miso, tonkotsu and tan tan — are also available.

TASTY TOPPINGS

Made-in-Hawaii Sun Noodles, bamboo, garlic chips, green onions, toasted sesame seeds and juicy char siu pork fill the bowl along with a piece of nori, or seaweed. Genki always opts to use locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

STELLAR SERVICE

At Genki Sushi, customers place their order on their mobile phone, and the bullet express train delivers favorite dishes in a flash. The Waikele location also has two server robots — along with its dedicated staff.

Photos courtesy Genki Sushi