Where In the Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – November 14, 2012

Photo #1

Where In the Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – November 14, 2012

Had a fun time hanging out with some old & new friends last night. You may even reconotice _____ Chang and _____ Toth above from the ol’ blogging days on the Honolulu Advertiser. Awwww, the memories…

Fellow Ramen fanatic _____Suyeoka (middle) rounded up a bunch of us foodie types to experience ______ Ramen one more time before it closes. Can you guess where it is?

Points for Photo #1…
* Best Caption: 3 points
* Name each person: 2 points each
* Twitter name for each person: 3 points each!
* Location: 2 points
* General area: 1 point
* Closest street(s)?: 1 point each
* Google Street View link (if get)?: 2 points
* Month photo was taken? (duh!): 1 point
* Day of the month photo was taken? (duh!): 1 point
* Year photo was taken? (duh!): 1 point
* Exact time photo was taken?: 5 points

Photo #2

Where In the Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – November 14, 2012

Points for Photo #2…
* Best Caption: 3 points
* Location: 2 points
* General area: 1 point
* Closest street(s)?: 1 point each
* Google Street View link (if get)?: 2 points
* Month photo was taken?: 1 point
* Day of the month photo was taken?: 1 point
* Year photo was taken?: 1 point
* Exact time photo was taken?: 5 points

And… get your glasses ready for…

Photo #3

Where In the Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – November 14, 2012

Points for Photo #3…
* Best Caption: 3 points
* Why so blurry?: 2 points
* Location: 2 points
* General area: 1 point
* Closest street(s)?: 1 point each
* Google Street View link (if get)?: 2 points
* Month photo was taken?: 1 point
* Day of the month photo was taken?: 1 point
* Day of the week photo was taken?: 1 point
* Year photo was taken?: 1 point
* Exact time photo was taken?: 5 points

—

Last Week’s Results (11/07)
Points for Photo #1 * Best Caption (what is she thinking in her head?): 3 points (“I wish these nerds would stop tweeting pics of me working!” – Paco) * What is she making?: 2 points (Shrimp Linguini with white sauce and Garlic bread – Ynaku) * Fictional name for her: 2 points (SO FAR: Esmeralda – Ynaku) * Location: 2 points (Tsukiji’s – carokun) * Month photo was taken?: 1 point (May – DIO) * Day of the month photo was taken?: 1 point (22 – DIO) * Day of the month photo was taken?: 1 point (Tuesday – DIO) * Year photo was taken?: 1 point (2007 – DIO) Points for Photo #2 * Best Caption: 3 points (“weren’t you an extra on Finding Nemo?” – Coconut Willy) * What is the fish with the open mouth saying?: 2 points (TIE: “Eh, Joe you went fut?” – Paco, “Something smells fishy in here…” – DIO) * Location: 2 points (Hawaii Fishing and Seafood Festival – Otto) * General area: 1 point (United Fishing Agency – Pier 38 – Otto) * Closest street(s)?: 1 point each (Nimitz Highway – Otto) * Month photo was taken?: 1 point (October – Otto) * Day of the month photo was taken?: 1 point (10 – DIO) * Day of the week photo was taken?: 1 point (Sunday – Otto) * Year photo was taken?: 1 point (2010 – DIO) Points for Photo #3 * Location: 2 points (Ala Moana Shopping Center – carokun) * General area: 1 point (Ala Moana – carokun) * Closest street(s)?: 1 point each (Ala Moana Blvd., Kona St., Atkinson Drvie, Kapiolani Blvd. – carokun) * Month photo was taken? (duh!): 1 point (February – DIO) * Day of the month photo was taken?: 1 point (14 – DIO) * Day of the week photo was taken?: 1 point (Thursday – DIO) * Year photo was taken?: 1 point (2010 – DIO)	Totals This Week 5 points (Paco) 4 points (Ynaku) 9 points (carokun) 12 points (DIO) 3 points (Coconut Willy) 8 points (Otto)
	Round 7 Leadahz 106.5 – carokun 82.0 – Paco 51.0 – tweetpeep22 41.0 – Coconut Willy 34.0 – rayboyjr 29.0 – DIO 20.0 – Otto 14.0 – Ynaku 10.0 – Kage 09.0 – pink lady 08.0 – che 06.0 – soogs, Takeshi 05.0 – WahiawaWahine 04.0 – J-Dog 03.0 – Stickit 02.0 – snow, pink lady
[Da Leadahboard]

---

BIG NEWS!

As part of the “local media”, I have been invited on board Hawaiian Airlines’ inaugural flight to Brisbane Australia departing in a couple of weeks on the 27th. It will be the only nonstop flight there from Hawaii and the second to Australia (Sydney being the other city) through Hawaiian. My social media friends and counterparts got to enjoy some of the previous inaugural flights Hawaiian took (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Seoul, New York City and Sapporo), and I could only live vicariously through them, so getting the opportunity myself is pretty dang exciting and quite humbling. Look for some Australian pics & posts from me along the way mate. And if you have any suggestions on what to do or eat, let a brutha know!

---

My AroundHawaii Article for November

In the past, I’ve done ramen, poke, pho, shave ice, acai and more, but I’ve been asked to do this one on numerous occasions so I thought I’d finally put it together… Saimin Adventures – The Search for Hawaii’s Best Saimin – Part I. Check it out when you have some time and let me know if you have any suggestions for additional saimin joints to hit up!

Saimin Adventures – The Search for Hawaii’s Best Saimin – Part I

---

VH07V SPOTTED!

This week’s “Spotted” shot for VH07V features a super talented, local photographer and friend Marc Orbito. Marc, who is the man behind Hungry eYe Photo, took this shot of himself with the Blue/Green colorway because he kinda blended in with the Apple Store Geniuses. Funny with the timing as we just wrapped up a family photo sesh with Marc, and if the one photo he sent over is any indication (he also did my VH07V photo shoots at Kaka`ako Kool & Rainbow Drive In), I know the rest of the photos are gonna be off the hook… as expected! Contact Marc/Hungry eYe Photo for your photographic needs k?

Marc Orbito blends in as an Apple Store Genius with his Blue/Green colorway

—

Weekly VH07V Updates!

* Facebook Likes for VH07V is now at 967! Just 33 more to go until we hit 1K and then pick a winner for our $100 Shopping Spree! Wheeeee!

* Making some progress on the online shopping cart and should hopefully have something ready by Thanksgiving!

* Submitted my work order for a couple new styles for winter. A Navy/Teal hoodie and a White/Electric Blue long sleeve shirt. Let me know if you’re interested in picking up either one when they come out…

New Styles: Navy/Teal hoodie and a White/Electric Blue long sleeve shirt

—

Where/When you can find VH07V in the coming weeks:

• 09/15/12: University of Hawaii Football game – Will likely be tailgating near or along the main walkway leading up to Aloha Stadium prior to the 6pm game vs. Lamar. Stop by and say hi.
• 09/22/12: University of Hawaii Football game – Will likely be tailgating near or along the main walkway leading up to Aloha Stadium prior to the 4:30pm game vs. Nevada. Stop by and say hi.
• 09/29/12: 3rd Annual Rice Fest – As a sponsor of the event, VH07V will also have a booth at this year’s Rice Fest where we will sell all of our VH07V shirts in addition to the custom event shirt! Come on down to the Ward Warehouse complex to visit our booth any time from 11am-7pm.
• 10/07/12: 7th Annual Hawaii Fishing & Seafood Festival – VH07V will have a booth at this festival on Pier 38 from 9am-4pm.
• 10/13/12: University of Hawaii Football game – Will likely be tailgating near or along the main walkway leading up to Aloha Stadium prior to the 6pm game vs. New Mexico. Stop by and say hi.
• 10/19/12-10/21/12: 48th Annual Food & New Products Show – Get your Christmas shopping done at the Blaisdell all weekend! Come visit us at our booth for a free gift!
• 10/28/12: Craft Fair at Koko Head Elementary School – VH07V got invited to participate in this small craft fair taking place from 3pm-6pm at Koko Head Elementary School’s cafeteria. Stop by to pick up some VH07V merch if you’re in the area.
• 11/10/12: University of Hawaii Football game – May be tailgating near or along the main walkway leading up to Aloha Stadium prior to the 2pm game vs. Boise State.
• 11/24/12: University of Hawaii Football game – May be tailgating near or along the main walkway leading up to Aloha Stadium prior to the 6pm game vs. UNLV.
• 12/01/12: University of Hawaii Football game – Will likely be tailgating near or along the main walkway leading up to Aloha Stadium prior to the 6pm game vs. South Alabama. Have to go to a party now…
• Ongoing: Visit us at the “Shop” in Mililani – We can always coordinate schedules to meet at the “shop” after hours or on the weekends if you’d like to come up to Mililani to browse through my stock. Just message me through Facebook

As always, a big mahalos to everyone for your support and for helping to spread the VH07V! 8)

Have a happy VH07V Wednesday y’all! Shoooots!

=============================================================

VH07V FB (“Like” VH07V!)

Facebook (Add me! 😛 )

Twitter (Follow me!)

Blog (Random stuffs)

=============================================================

Scholarship Opportunities from Hawaii Self Storage!

Need $MONEY for College? Hawaii Self Storage annually awards ten, 4-year $1,000 scholarships to high school students in the community! If you are a senior at Moanalua, Radford, Farrington, Pearl City, Aiea, Waipahu, Campbell, Mililani, Leilehua, Kapolei, McKinley, Kalani or Kaimuki high school, ask your counselor for an application or go to their web site at www.hawaiiselfstorage.com to download today!

Scholarship Opportunities from Hawaii Self Storage!

Advertisement

Saimin Adventures – The Search for Hawaii’s Best Saimin – Part I

It wasn’t long after wrapping up the final part in my 5 part series on Hawaii’s best ramen, that people started harassing me. “You need to cover saimin now!” “What about Hawaii’s best saimin places!?”

As good as their suggestions were, prior to my interview with Sun Noodle president Hidehito Uki, I was a full-on ramen snob. I would normally only “stoop” to eating saimin out of desperation. At Zippy’s, in a drunken state, during the wee hours of night during our clubbin’ days. When driving to a ramen place in town was too far. Or when your whole group agrees on a saimin place and it’s too late to renege on your previous “up to you” comment.

I’m of course exaggerating (I love anything with noodles!), but Mr. Uki seriously slapped some saimin sense in me with his life changing, epiphanic quote:

“Each area in Japan has their own, unique style of ramen. Kyushu has Hakata style (tonkotsu), Hokkaido has Sapporo style (miso)… Saimin is Hawaii’s style of ramen.”

Sun Noodle’s Hidehito Uki during our “Hawaii Ramen Quest – Part V” interview back in February

Hellooooo!? The world now made perfect sense to me. And with that, I was no longer a ramen snob, ready to tackle the next noodle adventure around the state. “Saimin Adventures”, here we come!

We start with my favorite saimin place in the state: Shige’s Saimin Stand in Wahiawa.

Shige’s Saimin Stand sign

Living and working in the often chilly Central Oahu, it’s easy to pay this place a visit at least once a week to warm the ol’ soul. But it’s not because of convenience that Shige’s tops my list for local style saimin, it’s taste.

Large Wunton Mein

Although their menu boasts a fair amount of alternatives like Hamburger Steak, Loco Moco, Fried Saimin, Roast Beef Sandwiches, and udon, I *always* order their Wunton Mein. I just can’t bring myself to go to Shige’s and NOT order saimin. The soup base is “clean” & subtle, and not overbearing, while the homemade, signature, flat noodles is always soft and never clumpy (my pet peeve). The balance of noodles to Wunwon/garnishes (another pet peeve of mine) is also jussssst riiiight.

If I’m hungry (or I have someone to share it with), I like to order their BBQ Cheeseburger on the side to round out my meal. She go!

Large Wunton Mein and BBQ Cheeseburger

I did notice a sudden increase in their prices lately, but I think it’s only because I’ve been spoiled to their 80s style pricing up until now.

Shige’s Saimin Stand
70 Kukui Street
Wahiawa, HI 96786 (Street View)
(808) 621-3621
Mon-Thu: 10am-10pm
Fri & Sat: 10am-midnight
Closed Sundays

The next place has been somewhere I’ve been trying to get to for a long time: Nakai Saimin. There is a family association between Shige’s and Nakai (the noodles are based on the same recipe), and since Shige’s is up there on my list, I wanted to see how Nakai compared. So I enlisted the help of Twitter friends and Nakai regulars Russ Sumida (@ParkRat), Brandon Suyeoka (@WeHeartHawaii) and Rick Nakama (@RickNakama).

Russ Sumida, Brandon Suyeoka and Rick Nakama outside Nakai Saimin

The first thing you notice is the soup base. It’s clearer with a tad less flavor. And I’m hoping I caught them on a bad day, but remember how I said that my pet peeve was clumpy noodles? There were some elements of clumpiness going on there. It seemed that the noodles and the won ton may’ve been of the previously frozen variety.

Small Won Ton Mein ($5.95)

For good measure, I thought I’d give their popular BBQ Stick a try.

BBQ Stick ($2.75)

Although it wasn’t as hard/crisp as what I’m used to with BBQ sticks (which may actually be a good thing), this one had good flavor throughout.

I’m willing to go back again for sure, but if I had to pick a winner between Shige’s and Nakai (based on this visit), I would have to give it to Shige’s. The boys didn’t agree with me.

 

Russ Sumida, Brandon Suyeoka and Rick Nakama give their review of Nakai Saimin

Nakai is expanding both their hours (see below) and their footprint. Rumor has it that another Nakai Saimin recently opened up in Haleiwa, the town where it actually all started (their original location was in Haleiwa back in the ’50s).

Nakai Saimin
1329 Nuuanu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96813 (Street View)
(808) 531-9000
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 6am-2:30pm (Breakfast & Lunch)
Fri: 5:30pm-9pm (Dinner)
Sat: 7am-2:30pm (Breakfast & Lunch)
Sat: 5:30pm-9pm (Dinner)
Sun: 7am-3:30pm (Breakfast & Lunch)
Wed: Closed

Lastly, let’s pay a visit to everyone’s favorite late night eatery: Zippy’s! Like Shige’s, it’s difficult for me to go there and NOT get the saimin. In this case, it’s Zippy’s signature favorite: the Zip Min.

Zip Min (Saimin noodles, wun tun, breaded shrimp, choi sum, fishcake, dried seaweed, egg, sweet pork, and green onions.

In a recent visit there, the wun tun had a noticeably different (and stronger/”garlic-y”) taste. Over the years, the portions – as with many of the other menu items here – seem to be shrinking while the cost continues to rise. A sign of the economic times I suppose.

Zippy’s
Locations: Varied
Hours: Varied
808-973‑0880

Look for more during our “Saimin Adventures” where we explore the famous noodles from places like Hamura’s on Kauai, Sam Sato’s on Maui and Shiro’s right here on Oahu. If you have any other suggestions for places I should visit (yes, Palace is on my list! 🙂 ), leave a comment for me below.

VH07V Gear The latest in Hawaii lifestyle apparel. Check it out!

Hawaii Ramen Quest – Part II

Part I |  Part II  | Part III | Part IV | Part V

We continue the slurp fest this month with a variety of ramen from Ramen Nakamura, Gomaichi, Goma Tei, Menchanko Tei, and Shokudo. Hungry? We go!

The last time I went to Ramen Nakamura was the day after I got hitched (in 2008). Since we had the hotel room for an additional day, we thought we'd play tourist and walk around to grab a bite to eat.

Ramen Nakamura sign

Ramen Nakamura has been a popular ramen-ya in Waikiki for years. They are known mostly for their Hakata style ramen and their Oxtail Ramen. I got the Oxtail Ramen Combo.

Oxtail Ramen Combo (Shio flavor, small fried rice, 3 pcs gyoza) – $17.20

Not exactly cheap, but what the hey, we were on pseudo vacation. 😉

Wifey got the Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen.

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen はかたとんこつラーメン – $8.70

Ramen Nakamura ラーメンなかむら
2141 Kalakaua Ave, Suite 1
Honolulu, HI 96815 (map)
(808) 922-7960
Mon-Sun: 11am-11:30pm

For some reason, a lot of people I talk to seem to be crazy about these next two places: Gomaichi and Goma Tei. Don't get me wrong, I think they are both OK, but am not sure if the fanatical nature of their enthusiasm is quite justified IMO.

As the story goes for many of these restaurants with strikingly similar recipes (RE: Boulevard/Dillingham Saimin & Tanaka Saimin, Shige's Saimin & Nakai Saimin, and Genki Ramen & Ramen-Ya), there was a rift between the owners that caused one owner to spin off and create Goma Tei. We'll start with the original: Gomaichi.

One night before heading to the club (yes, it was THAT long ago! 😛 ), we decided that we'd grab a quick bite to eat at Gomaichi (on Keeaumoku). We got the popular Tan Tan Men (of course) as well as the Wakame Tan Tan Men.

Tan Tan Men from Gomaichi たんたんメン – $7.40

Close-up of the Tan Tan Men

Wakame Tan Tan Men (seaweed & half hard boiled egg) わかめたんたんメン – $7.40

Gomaichi Ramen ごまいちラーメン
631 Keeaumoku St
Honolulu, HI 96814 (map)
(808) 951-6666
Mon-Sat: 11am-2pm
Mon-Sat: 5:30pm-9pm

And because I'm such a thorough (and investigative) journalist, I ordered the exact same thing from their Goma Tei counterpart: the Tan Tan and the Wakame. That, or we just always crave the same thing! 😉

Tan Tan Ramen from Goma Tei たんたんラーメン (served with Japanese style char siu and vegetable garnishes) – $8.18

Wakame Tan Tan Ramen わかめたんたんラーメン (served with wakame, shoyu egg and vegetable garnishes) – $8.48

We also picked up their specialty side dish, the Ban Ban Ji Chicken (which you will also find at Gomaichi).

Ban Ban Ji Chicken (Slices of chicken breast, cooked in a sake scallion and ginger broth then chilled in ice. Served on a bed of thinly sliced cucumber, chilled with a slightly spicy and tangy sesame sauce) バンバンジチキン – $7.48

Goma Tei currently has two locations: one in Ward Center (1st floor near the old Borders), and the other at Ala Moana Center (1st floor in between GNC and ABC Store). These photos were taken at the Ward Center location.

Goma Tei Ramen (Ward Center)
1200 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96814 (map)
(808) 591-9188
Mon-Thu: 11am-9:30pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-10pm
Sun: 11am-9pm

Goma Tei Ramen (Ala Moana Center)
1450 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96814 (map)
(808) 947-9188
Mon-Thu: 11am-9:30pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-10pm
Sun: 11am-8:30pm

A friend recommended we check out this next place. It had all the makings of an authentic Japanese ramen experience:

• in Waikiki
• menu written in Japanese
• Hakata style ramen

Wifey outside Menchanko-Tei

Unfortunately, Menchanko-Tei in the Waikiki Trade Center did not deliver. I'm hoping that it was just an off night though and am willing to go back for another try. Here's what we had that night.

Hakata Pork Broth Ramen 本場博多とんこつらーめん – $8.95

Seafood Menchanko 海の幸めんちゃんこ – $15.95

Menchanko-Tei
Waikiki Trade Center
2255 Kuhio Ave, Suite S
Honolulu, HI 96815 (map)
(808) 924-8366
Daily 11am-11:30pm

And finally… we end with another Ramen "event" that recently occurred, this time from Shokudo Japanese Restaurant (See my review on Shokudo). Like the "Best of Japan: Ramen & Gyoza Festival" event I featured last month from Shirokiya's Yataimura, Shokudo held a similar event over a four day period, dubbed the "Ultimate Ramen Battle", where only 300 bowls of ramen were made available per day at $10 each. The days and hours were a bit strange (if you blinked, you missed it), but I was able to get to the one I wanted to: Day 2's Ultimate Ramen "Goku" from Japan's Chef Hide Kawahara (on 10/18/11).

The Ultimate Ramen "Goku" from Japan's Chef Hide Kawahara – $10

It was served with a spoonful of sizzling sesame seed oil that made the green onions on top snap, crackle and pop. +1 for style points. LOL! And although the local style noodles didn't match that well, the tonkotsu broth was off the chain! I would go as far as to say that it might even be the best base I've tasted in Hawaii so far. It's a shame they won't be serving it again. 😦

Rick Nakama (@RickNakama) tweeting his bowl

Side Note: Although the original invitation called this the Ultimate Ramen "Goku" from Japan's Chef Hide Kawahara, the voting ballot when we got there said it was the Sizzling Tonkotsu Ramen "Goku" from Japan's Chef Yusuke Kawahara FYI.

Day 1 (10/17/11) featured the Premium "Tsukemen" from Japan's Chef Hiroshi Shigematsu, which social media extraordinaire Melissa Chang (@Melissa808) was able to experience.

Premium "Tsukemen" from Japan's Chef Hiroshi Shigematsu [Photo Credit: Melissa Chang – NonstopHonolulu.com]

Day 3 (10/19/11) was the Okinawa So-Ki Soba from Izakaya Naru's Chef Hiro Akiyama. Here's Brandon Suyeoka's (@WeHeartHawaii) shot from that day.

Okinawa So-Ki Soba from Izakaya Naru's Chef Hiro Akiyama [Photo Credit: Brandon Suyeoka]

Shokudo closed out the battle on Day 4 (10/20/11) with the DaKine Curry Miso Ramen from Shokudo's own Chef Hiro Hosoda. Here's @StarletShay's photo from that day.

DaKine Curry Miso Ramen from Shokudo's own Chef Hiro Hosoda [Photo Credit: @StarletShay]

I didn't see any kind of announcement as to who the winner was, but a quick call in to Shokudo told me that Day 3's Okinawa So-Ki Soba from Izakaya Naru's Chef Hiro Akiyama was the ramen that came out on top. Lucky Brandon!

Incidentally, on normal days, Shokudo serves three different types of ramen for $9.95 each: The Spicy Miso Ramen (Ramen noodles served in spicy miso paste broth topped with seasoned pork and Chinese chives), the Tokyo Shoyu Ramen (Ramen noodles served in shoyu broth topped with charsiu, bamboo shoots, onions , and half a hard boiled egg) and the Ox Tail Ramen (Ox tail and assorted vegetables are braised more than 6 hours in house. Ramen noodles are added in for the ultimate comfort food).

Ox Tail Ramen オックステールラーメン (Ox tail and assorted vegetables are braised more than 6 hours in house. Ramen noodles are added in for the ultimate comfort food) – $9.95

Shokudo Japanese Restaurant & Bar
Ala Moana Pacific Center
1585 Kapiolani Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-3701
Mon-Thu & Sun 11:30am-1am
Fri-Sat: 11:30am-2am
Twitter: @Shokudo

Wow, two parts already in the books! This series seems to be flying by too quickly! Don't let it ennnnd! 😛

Nah, no worries, I've still got lots of ramen for y'all from Kanpai Bar & Grill, Mr. Ojisan, Yakitori Yoshi, Aiea Bowl, Chinpei, Taiyo, Sumo, Rai Rai, Ichiben, Genki, Ton Ton, Nishi Mon Cho, Ramen-Ya, Ezogiku and Kiwami Ramen!

If you have any other suggestions, post them in the comment area below or send them using the form on the right. Thanks a bunch!

Part I |  Part II  | Part III | Part IV | Part V