Smashburger sliders, tuna stack and okonomiyaki croquettes. These are just a few of the dishes you’ll find on Ki Club Hawaiʻi’s new happy hour menu.
Ki Club Hawaiʻi’s new happy hour is starting on Wednesday, April 23. The happy hour menu will be available daily from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
During our tasting, the menu prices weren’t finalized, but we were told all happy hour dishes will cost less than $20 each.
The tuna stack served with housemade shrimp chips is one of the most photogenic dishes, and it was one of my favorites from the new menu. Fresh, local ‘ahi is tossed in a house spicy sauce and topped with edamame hummus. The bottom layer of the “stack” features a base of Maui onions, cucumbers and tomatoes. The dish comes with housemade shrimp chips for dipping.
While the stack’s layers are delicious — we especially loved the creamy edamame hummus — those shrimp chips are a game changer. Each one is shockingly crispy and boasts a distinctive crunch.
Smashburger sliders include three in one order. King’s Hawaiian rolls are stuffed with local beef-and-bacon patties, caramelized onions and cheddar cheese. The bacon enhances the patties’ umami flavor, and the sliders are the perfect size — substantial without being too filling, so you can try other dishes.
This dish is so refreshing and flavorful you won’t miss the ‘ahi. Tofu cubes are served with Ho Farm cherry tomatoes, Japanese cucumbers, roasted mac nuts and local herbs. The dish is light yet packed with flavors, and the soft tofu contrasts nicely with the bright cucumbers and roasted mac nuts.
While chicken wings might seem like a standard happy hour offering, rest assured that these sauces are not. Choose from a variety of housemade sauces, like Korean Gochujang, sweet and spicy Asian buffalo, salt and vinegar and yuzu ranch.
We tried the yuzu ranch, which was so delightful — creamy with a slight citrus aftertaste — that we used it for dipping our fries in, too.
Togarashi French fries are shoestring-style and served with a Sriracha secret sauce for dipping. The secret sauce was a tad too spicy for me — hence, the yuzu ranch dip was multi-purpose — but my dining companions thoroughly enjoyed the sauce’s heat.
The eatery’s unique take on okonomiyaki features panko-battered croquettes with a potato-like filling of ‘Ewa sweet corn and house-braised tako. The croquettes are topped with bonito flakes, kabayaki glaze and spicy aioli.
This dish’s flavors are on point, and I enjoyed the creative take on okonomiyaki. One croquette can be filling, though, so I suggest cutting them in half to try before indulging in the full piece.
During happy hour, you can also take advantage of drink discounts like $2 off well drinks and $2 off draft beers.
Even if you go to Ki Club for happy hour, you can still order off the eatery’s dinner menu once happy hour ends. Its ‘ahi pizza ($21) is one of the most popular dishes. It might sound bizarre, but this isn’t your typical pizza with a thicker, doughy crust. Tenderized sashimi is served on a crispy flour tortilla, and topped with yuzu mayo, shaved sweet onions, fried capers and Nikiri soy. It’s a fun play on sashimi with a dash of spice from the capers.
If you’re set on ordering a dish from the dinner menu, I recommend the zosui rice balls ($19), which are the eatery’s version of arancini. Each rice ball comprises a creamy, risotto-like filling and is topped with grilled unagi, kabayaki glaze, kombu aioli, tobiko and shiso. Each bite is an explosion of umami flavors. Its presentation is similar to the okonomiyaki croquettes, but if you don’t love octopus, go for this dish instead.
CONTACT
Ki Club Hawaiʻi
1731 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu
808-727-1523
Instagram: @kiclubhawaii
Happy hour: Daily, 4:30-6 p.m.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
