That free trip to Japan caught your eye, didn’t it?
Both Kaimukī Shokudo and Waikīkī Shokudo are celebrating the brand’s 20th anniversary next month. From March 1 to 20, customers can enjoy a special anniversary honey toast flavor ($20). The toast can be ordered at both restaurants and features two layers of the eatery’s signature white toast topped with lemon sauce, whipped cream cheese, lemon zest, Roselani vanilla ice cream and edible gold flakes.
The restaurants are putting golden tickets inside every anniversary honey toast, so everyone who orders this dessert will be a winner. Smaller prizes include $5, $10, $20, $50 or $100 off the next purchase. Larger prizes range from Yeti coolers and Taylormade putters to an iPad air, Bose portable speakers and one year of free honey toast.
In addition, the brand is doing a social media contest on Instagram, with the grand prize being a weeklong trip to Japan for two. Participants must use the hashtag #20YearsofShokudo for a chance to win the free trip; a winner will be picked on March 21. Visit Kaimuki or Waikiki Shokudo’s Instagram accounts for details on how to enter.
To commemorate the brand’s milestone anniversary, vice president/chief operating officer of Westman Corporation Ryan Ko reflects on Shokudo’s top 20 highlights in the last two decades:
20. Celebrating 20 years this March!
19. In October 2024, Waikīkī Shokudo was voted “Best New Restaurant” by the Ilima Awards
18. In July 2024, we hosted the first Kubota Manju Sake pairing dinner at Kaimukī Shokudo for a one night special, featuring master sake brewer Motoyoshi Yamaga
17. We closed Shokudo on Kapiʻolani in April 2024
16. In February 2024, Waikīkī Shokudo opened on Royal Hawaiian Avenue
15. Kaimukī Shokudo was voted a best new restaurant by Honolulu Magazine in December 2023
14. In July 2023, we hosted Natto Day, which sold out in less than 48 hours
13. We added Kaimukī Shokudo (on 11th Avenue) to the family in April 2023, featuirng soba dishes during lunch and a modern izakaya menu at night
12. We reopened next door in the former Angelo Pietro space in November 2021
11. We closed Shokudo’s original Kapiʻolani location in October 2021 and ...
10. In May 2021, we launched our “Cereal Bowl Honey Toast” series, beginning with the Cinnamon Honey Toast Crunch flavor
9. We launched “Cocktails for a Cause” promotion, where proceeds went toward feeding local furloughed service industry staff during the Covid-19 pandemic
8. In October 2019, we partnered with HJJCC to do a hands-on temaki class with their members, where members go to learn about sushi making and also make their own sushi
7. In July 2019, we introduced “Shokudo After Dark,” an all-you-can-eat late-night happy hour
6. We launched a free honey toast report card program for students in May 2019
5. We introduced a sumo rolll challenge in Mardch 2019: contestants had to finish a sushi roll that was five times the normal size for a chance to win a trip to Japan or Las Vegas
4. In 2018, we were nominated for Best Overall Japanese Restaurant for the Hale ‘Aina awards
3. In 2014, we launched the #mission2mars Bruno Mars tickets promotion, where guests had to come in and sing/dance to their favorite Bruno song for their chance to win a pair of tickets
2. We started the Golden Ticket promotion in 2013
1. Shokudo opened in March 2005
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
