Yakiniku Hiroshi

A hidden gem in Hawaii, this restaurant offers delicious meat varieties from Japan and the US for a wonderful yakiniku experience. We were able to call 30 minutes ahead and book reservations. The restaurant was not packed or loud so you get to enjoy your meal in peace. A personal touch to the restaurant were the walls, which are signed by famous people and past customers.

You have the option to order each cut of meat individually or from a set course. They have two course options: gold ($60/person) or premium ($123/person). We ordered the gold option and had no regrets. 

The meal begins with kimchee (pickled cabbage), nori (seaweed), pickled sides (carrots, radishes, spinach, and bean sprouts), and salad. The house made salad was light and refreshing with the apples

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Next came the juicy USDA prime ribeye.

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The beef tongue was a thicker cut than I have had before but it was delicious.

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The blue shrimp is cooked in a garlic butter sauce in a copper pot. If you cook it wrong, the staff will come over and correct the cooking method.

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I LOVED their deep fried garlic. I even requested to box what I couldn’t finish to take home with me.

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On the left is the toro kalbi (short rib) and on the right is the skirt steak. The skirt steak was juicy, tender and full of umami.  Overall, all the meat just melted in your mouth. 

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The meal ended with frozen cream puffs, but at this point, I was too full to enjoy these. 

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This meal was definitely worth $60/ person. 

(339 Royal Hawaiian Ave #2, Honolulu, HI 96815)

Tsurugyu (蔓牛)

Kobe beef refers to the Tajima strain of wagyu beef, therefore, only wagyu from Kobe, Japan can be called kobe.

Tsurugyu is known for its grade A Kobe beef. This place is amazing melt in your mouth goodness. Be ready to drool over the following epic food. 

Placing the hot, fiery coals to grill the luscious meat. 

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The most delicious cow tongue, which is then dipped in lemon, salt and pepper dipping sauce.

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Two cuts of rib eye steak full of natural umami. 

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Close up natural beauty shot.

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Melt in your mouth kalbi (short rib).

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Marinated belly goodness.

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Cold handmade noodle soup.

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To end the meal, they provided an ume (plum) tea and matcha green tea.

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Overall, this was the best meal I had in Japan.

We were lucky and got to sit at the counter and watch the chef prepare the meat. He also kept an eye on us to ensure we didn’t overcook any of the precious meat, which was fine with me since I believe the chef knows all. All of the beef was rich and melted in your mouth. Each cut of meat had a special dipping sauce, so it was swapped out with every cut of meat. All of this cost about 60 USD per person, which is cheap for kobe wagyu. A must try when in Osaka.

(3 Chome-5-14 KawarayamachiChuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0066Japan)