Posts Tagged ‘Korean Food’

Luke 15:24 The Christian Testament of the Bible, “Bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate!” Not all Koreans are Christians but a majority of Koreans are religious about celebrating all aspects of their lives therefore they have a wonderful habit of eating dinner in a joyfully noisy fashion quite publicly in restaurants such as Choi’s Garden at 1303 Rycroft St, in the heart of Honolulu behind the mega Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club on Keaumoku Street.

A majority of the tables & booths insides Choi’s Garden are large enough to accommodate eight to twelve people with ease and on those occasions when this writer has dined at Choi’s all of them were filled with people celebrating life’s everyday joys; birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, or simply the fact that a friend was back on O’ahu after an absence of a few weeks. Choi’s is noisy in a joyful way; laughter, boisterous conversation amidst the sizzle of meat, the clicking of chopsticks on bowls & plates, the clatter of plates of delicious treats landing on tables. Choi’s is a delightful place, clean and comfortable with terrific painting adorning the walls amongst historic photographs chronicling the history of Koreans in Hawai’i.

Naturally a restaurant has to have more than ambience to be popular and so when it comes to food the folks at Choi’s Garden Restaurant come through with traditional Korean food well prepared and plentiful. Among the delights to be found on the Chef’s Special Menu: Sang Kal Bi (Garlic seasoned prime ‘short’ rib), Gha Dol Bae Ki (seasoned brisket of beef), Yang Goo-E (Seasoned Tripe), Gop Chang Goo-E (Seasoned Beef Small Intestine) and Hong Chang Goo-E (Seasoned Beef Big Intestine), along with variations of traditional Kal Bi and Spicy Marinated Chicken.

Choi’s Garden is famous for stews and soups such delights as Dobu Chi Ke (Tofu Pot Stew), Oh Jing-O Chi Ke (Squid Stew), Jo Ki Chi Ke (Yellow Corvina Stew),Kal Bi Tang (Short Rib Soup) and many more. There is much to be found on the menu, traditional favorites such as Yuk Hae Dol Sot Bap (rice mixed with vegetables and raw beef in hot stone pot) and Bi Bim Naeng Myon (cold noodles mixed with beef & vegetables and a spicy sauce) while those with an adventuresome tongue can enjoy delectables such as Nack Gop Jun Kol (Octopus with Small Beef Intestines) and Hae Naeng Myon (cold noodles with raw fish & vegetables & spicy sauce).

One can explore the menu via http://choisgarden.com/index_eng.html as for pricing, though not inexpensive, for the quality and quantity Choi’s Garden has a comfortable array ranging from $11 to $32 per entrée and most entrees easily serve two to four people plus every meal is served with a selection of cold vegetable plates; the ever welcome kim-chee, seaweed salad, spicy cucumbers, other delights.

Choi’s Garden is open from 10AM to 10PM and reservations are strongly suggested, one can call them via 808-596-7555. There is ample parking and a friendly valet, and once inside the staff if exceptionally courteous and mindful of their customers needs. And after a fantastic meal one gets an unexpected treat, a cup of chilled cinnamon tea that is quite simply fantastic!

Every now and then when one of us Aloha Update writers heads out to a restaurant or fun place to visit in the islands we write about it. We share the experience with you all so you can be open to new things.

We think reviews written by common folk (what we’d call ourselves) are great. You get an opinion from someone who isn’t getting paid to write it. So with that we’d like to share our favorite reviews of local restaurants on the Island of Oahu that we’ve done.

We have to start out with our latest review on the Olive Tree from Anthony. I’ve been told by many that it’s great, now read his review and see if it entices you to go.

The second review we have to send you to read is the review Dr. J did on his favorite Korean restaurant Sorabol. Again I’ve never been, but I’ve only heard good things.

Next is the review on the new Waikiki hot spot The Yardhouse. I have been to this place and with it’s wide selection of beers you can’t really go wrong anytime you go.

The last one I’m going to send you guys to is one that I wrote. It’s a review on Nico’s Pier 38. The fish there is excellent and the atmosphere is unlike most other lunch spots on the island of Oahu.

Hope you enjoy! Looking through these reviews made me realize that I have to follow some of them and try a new restaurant or two.