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08/07/2007: "Minato Japanese Restaurant"
Everytime I go to Gyotaku, I look across the way and see Minato's sign and always tell myself to try that place out! Well it took me a while, but I finally got to check it out! I've been on a Japanese food kick lately, so expect a lot of those posts.
The ever faithful sign...Full post and review...
Here's a picture for you parkers out there. An empty lot with my lonely car. We did go pretty early, if I remember correctly...5:30? We were understandably surrounded by an older company of people...
Here's a picture for you parkers out there. An empty lot with my lonely car.
Condiments.
Typical miso soup, definitely not elaborate like Sushi King.
Shot of the salad and soup, together in harmony.
Better shot once again. Greatest thing about dining with Kristian? I get all his vegetables. This salad was quite good, I love the dressing. It is a sesame based dressing, and the greens taste great (I hate bitter greens!)
Crispy Gyoza ($3.45 USD).
The gyoza comes with a wedge of lemon and some gyoza dipping sauce.
I do not like mandoo/gyoza fried so I wasn't a big fan of this dish. We ordered it and didn't realize you could choose how you want it made, and it came fried as a default. The flavors were there and if fried is your style, then you'll love it!
Kristian had the Furikake Crusted Salmon ($13.95 USD).
Another view of the salmon. Kristian enjoyed it. Hopefully he will post a comment on what he remembers about his dish and what that sauce contains!
Furikake crust up-close.
I got the Chirashi/Udon special ($11.95 USD).
I was pretty disappointed when this arrived before me. I had seen someone else's picture of their chirashi and it looked much better than mine!
Sadly, since it was a special...it looks like they definitely skimped on the seafood portion. The thinly cheaper slices of fish...
The light pink shade of ahi.
Skimpy serving of salmon (at least it was fresh).
The udon. Nothing special, no real wow factor.I was very excited to try this restaurant out but felt a bit disappointed by the outcome. The wait staff is pretty efficient, they're not customer service based, but definitely get the work done and quick. Our food came pretty fast, especially the gyoza. Don't expect much in respect to the decor. I'm not itching to return to this place, but would give it another try. But this time, I would try something new and perhaps a bit more pleasing to the eye and palate?
Minato Japanese Restaurant
930 Hauoli Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 956-1322
Tuesday - Sunday
Dinner from 5:00 pm
Price
Food
Service
