Mōʻiliʻili-based Tenkichi is a Japanese izakaya that’s known for its ultra-crispy tempura served in a cozy environment that makes you feel like you’re in Japan … without leaving Honolulu.
If you’re fans of its tempura, good news — starting tomorrow, you can get it for lunch.
The lunch menu comprises tempura sets, seafood bowls and meat bowls. The tempura selection can be ordered as a plate set or as a donburi. All dishes (except for the keiki menu items) come with the eatery’s housemade tonjiru, a hearty, comforting soup with daikon, tofu and pork.
The Matsu special ($27) is predicted to be a customer favorite, as it has a good sampling of meats and veggies. It includes a large shrimp, unagi, kisu, sweet potato, pumpkin, eggplant and shishito pepper tempura. The tempura is battered to a nice, golden crisp but it’s not oily or overly crunchy.
If you want a more luxe lunch, go for the Tokujo premium ($36), which includes two large shrimps, unagi, kisu, squid, pork eggplant, maitake and shishito tempura. Whichever set you order, we recommend adding the soft-boiled egg tempura ($1.90). The contrasting textures — jammy soft-boiled interior with the crispy tempura exterior — are divine.
The eatery has many options for lunch other than tempura. The chef’s choice chirashi bowl ($26.50) features a colorful assortment of fresh fish, including salmon, Hamachi and saba. Customers can also choose from a variety of seafood bowls, including uni and ikura ($39) — made with Hokkaido uni — ikura and salmon ($24), and rainbow trio ($35). The latter features a colorful medley of crab, salmon roe and scallops from Hokkaido.
If you want something meaty and unique, opt for the wagyu roast beef bowl ($29.50). The slow-cooked wagyu beef comes with an egg yolk that’s designed to mix with the beef and the rice to enhance the umami flavor.
Finish off your meal with mochi ice cream tempura ($4.90), which comes in ube and vanilla flavors. The ice cream melts quickly inside the delicate tempura shell, so don’t wait too long before you indulge.
CONTACT
Izakaya Tenkichi
2334 S. King St., second floor (above Tori Ton), Honolulu
tenkichihawaii.com
Instagram: @tenkichihawaii
Open for lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
