Hungry for great tasting Okinawan food?

A nearly hidden gem of a restaurant offering traditional Okinawan (and Japanese) fare that is sure to satisfy anyone’s craving is Utage Restaurant + Lounge.  Open for lunch and dinner, Monday – Saturday, the restaurant is tucked away at City on Square on Kalani Street (off Dillingham Blvd),

I recently returned for lunch and, as usual, there was a nice crowd already seated.  The menu offers so much to choose from that it can make it difficult to decide what to order.  There is a variety of Okinawan dishes (like Goya Chamupru or bitter melon with tofu and eggs), Okinawan soups (including pig’s feet soup), local favorites (such as hamburger steak with onions), Japanese dishes (like pork tofu) and the Utage Special (more about this soon). There are also sandwiches, side order portions of favorites, a mixed plate option and daily specials.

Hungry and was, I ordered the Utage Special where you get choose either the Ahi Poke or Sashimi and any two items:  Shrimp or Vegetable Tempura, Teriyaki Beef, Teriyaki Kalbi, Kalbi, Tonkatsu, Fish Katsu, Chicken Katsu, Shoyu Pork.  This and all meals include a choice of soup or salad, beverage (Green River, Fruit Punch, Iced Tea, Japanese Tea, or Coffee) & dessert  I settled on the Ahi Poke, Vegetable Tempura and Shoyu Pork – yummers!

As usual, Utage did not disappoint. 

Give it a try and you’ll soon become a fan of this great restaurant.

For more information, menu and great photos of many of the dishes, visit utagehawaii.com