Known for its high-quality wagyu and washugyu yakiniku, Han No Daidokoro became a meat lover’s paradise when it opened its first Hawaii and U.S. restaurant in January 2021. The business just opened its second Hawaii (and U.S.) location in Waikiki on Dec. 13.
The business is known for its Miyazaki and washu beef courses (priced at $85, $120 or $150 per person). An a la carte menu is also available, with dishes like seared washu beef ($29), Miyazaki beef sashimi ($34) and seared washu beef sushi ($8).
The menus at both restaurant locations are the same with one exception. While the Ward location is open for lunch, the Waikiki location is open for happy hour and dinner. Happy hour is daily from 3 to 6 p.m. at the bar. The bar happy hour menu includes discounted drinks, along with 2-ounce samplers of various items like kalbi and beef tongue ($8 each), outside skirt and mixed spicy meats ($13 each) and premium kalbi, filet mignon or rib-eye ($18 each). If you’re feeling indulgent, go for the flight of three 4-ounce cuts of assorted A5 wagyu ($62).
The Waikiki location also offers a second happy hour menu for customers to enjoy tableside with dishes designed to share. This menu features dishes like bibimbap ($9), washu beef bowl or garlic rice hot stone bowl ($11), HANburger sliders ($14), washu carpaccio ($14), assorted kimchi ($6), seared washu beef ($15) and more.
At Han No Daidokoro, you can choose to grill the meats yourself or have one of the expert servers cook them for you.
While the eatery started out with course menus, its a la carte options have become increasingly popular. The chef’s cut (Miyazaki beef $128, washu beef $85) is a popular option, especially among couples. The eatery is committed to serving only A5 rank, BMS No. 10 wagyu black beef. According to the eatery’s menu, BMS stands for beef marbling standard (No. 12 is the top level, while No. 1 is the bottom). This standard is based on how much marbling is in the lean meat.
At a recent media event, we tried a combination chef’s cut that featured Miyazaki beef rib roll, washu beef rib roll, washu beef flank steak and Miyazaki beef sirloin. While all the cuts were juicy and flavorful, the Miyazaki beef sirloin was my favorite. The meat was so tender that minimal chewing was necessary.
“The Miyazaki Japanese wagyu has a lower melting temperature because of the fat; that’s why it melts on your tongue when you eat it,” says Afton Manalo, a server at Han No Daidokoro’s Waikiki location.
Besides meats, the a la carte menu offers a variety of rice and noodle dishes, along with soups. The original spicy soup ($12) is a customer favorite. It’s not as spicy as it looks, and boasts a savory beefy flavor.
No meaty meal is complete without a sweet treat at the end. Choose from housemade ice creams in flavors like matcha, mascarpone or yuzu sorbet.
CONTACT
Han No Daidokoro Waikiki
Lilia Waikiki
2380 Kuhio Ave., Honolulu
808-200-2729
hannodaidokoro.com
Instagram: @hannodaidokoro.waikiki
Hours: Open daily 3-6 p.m. happy hour, 5-10 p.m. dinner
Parking available in the building ($8 for two hours)
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
