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08/06/2007: "Yamagen Restaurant"
Yamagen Restaurant is definitely a hole in the wall shop. It's located in a blink and you'll miss spot on the ever popular South King Street (so much so that I had to drive around at least 2 times, seriously!) Connie brought up a great point the other day, she said that anytime I point out a restaurant...I always have to say "it's supposed to be good, it's a mom and pop's shop." Well you know what? It's true! There are reasons why mom and pop's shops last so long, they are good. It's quite a pity to see so many close down though. Well, let's get right to it shall we?
Here's their menu...Full post and review...
Menu up-close...
Tempura appetizer ($4.75 USD)
Close-up of the shrimp and squid. Some of the best tempura I have ever tasted! Although fried, it still felt light and delicious!
I ordered the nabeyaki ($7.50 USD). It includes chicken, age, shrimp tempura and mochi with udon noodles.
Nabeyaki close-up. Okay, I can't say that I enjoyed this dish that much. I'm not a fan of oden neither so I'm not sure what prompted me to get this udon noodle dish with mochi in it. The noodles were great, the broth was clear and wonderful...but the mochi...not so much for me...
Kristian ordered the yakitori don ($6.50 USD).
Another view...
Now, this was a very generous serving! I noticed they place a boiled egg on top of their dishes. Any significance? Anyhoo, Kristian enjoyed it very much! He is very discriminating when it comes to teriyaki dishes. He also mentions that their teriyaki sauce had a hint of sweetness that he likes and the chicken was very moist (not dry at all). Unlike other places who might plop on some shoyu chicken, this seemed like the genuine real thing. 
So my review for this restaurant? A definite home-run! I would definitely return to this place. I must warn you, it was VERY busy when we arrived...they have a small sit-down area in the restaurant and out. They do not have a parking lot (well they do, but it fits two cars) so you will have to park on the street. But it is extremely worth it, the prices and food are top notch! Try it out as soon as you can.
Yamagen Restaurant
2210 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 947-2125
Monday - Saturday
11:00 am - 2:00 pm (Lunch)
Monday - Sunday
5:30 am - 9:30 pm (Dinner)
Price
Food
Service
Replies: 2 Comments
on Friday, August 10th, jenny said
Pikko! You found my food journal! Thank you for visiting it! Heehee, that's what we did too! What a big lot for Longs yeah? Thanks for the comment!
on Friday, August 10th, Pikko said
I love Yamagen. I don't remember how I first found it, but I know I go there for my nabeyaki udon fix now that I can't get it from Suehiro, which had hands down the best nabeyaki udon in town. 
Sometimes what we do for parking is we go do some shopping at Longs and then sneak over to Yamagen. ^_-
