DOMODOMO, the award-winning contemporary Japanese restaurant from New York, is celebrating its grand opening tonight at 360° ‘Ewa Beach Country Club. The restaurant rose to fame as the first hand roll bar in New York in 2015, and now offers everything from hand rolls and nigiri to a la carte dishes and its signature Domokase (DOMODOMO’s omakase).
The brand is celebrating its 10th anniversary on the East Coast, and has other locations in Jersey City and Dallas. The Hawaiʻi location is open to the public starting tonight for dinner.
“Our vision for DOMODOMO Hawaiʻi is to create a space that feels both familiar and fresh — one that connects our East Coast roots with the Pacific’s welcoming spirit,” states Brian Kim, co-founder and DOMODOMO executive chef. Kim is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America with more than 20 years of experience.
Inspired by minimalism, DOMODOMO Hawaiʻi’s design features natural light and warm wood textures. The 3,000-square-foot restaurant boasts panoramic views of the ocean and golf course.
The extensive menu goes beyond hand rolls. You’ll find izakaya-style appetizers, sushi, katsu sets, rice and noodle dishes and a la carte hot dishes. The menu is inspired by popular Japanese and Korean comfort foods.
No visit to DOMODOMO is complete without trying the brand’s popular hand rolls. The hand roll combo ($24 for four pieces) includes spicy tuna, salmon cream cheese, spicy crab and shrimp tempura.
Sushi and sashimi options are plentiful, ranging from yellowtail crudo ($26) and chef’s choice sashimi plate ($38) to a variety of rolls (shrimp tempura, salmon cream cheese, spicy crab and more). If you want a sampler, go for the chef’s choice sushi plate ($32), which features eight assorted nigiri.
During dinner, the eatery even offers a sushi and hand roll course ($42). It includes yellowtail crudo, chef’s choice of premium sushi, and choice of two hand rolls.
Appetizers range from shrimp yuzu salad ($16) and fried corn ribs ($14) to menchi katsu ($14), truffle salt French fries ($12) and fried kanikama ($14). The fried corn ribs are topped with corn cheese powder and shio kombu. We especially enjoyed the crispy fried kanikama (crab), which was topped with nori powder and served with smoked aioli.
Katsu sets include rice, cabbage salad and miso soup; choose from pork loin ($24), pork tenderloin ($24) or ebi katsu ($25).
Hot entrees are also served with rice, cabbage salad and miso soup (the NY-style smashburger with fries is an exception). Options include miso black cod with kabocha puree ($28), spicy pork bulgogi ($25) and tteokgalbi loco moco ($23). The latter features tender tteokgalbi (minced beef short rib patties) over rice with savory brown gravy and a sunny-side up egg.
The Korean-style chirashi bowl is a colorful medley of seasonal fish, tobiko, mixed vegetables, egg and yuzu chojang. The Korean fried chicken ($21) — complete with garlic soy glaze and pickled celery — is expected to be another customer favorite.
During dinner, customers can opt for the eatery’s signature Domokase ($79) experience, or its take on the chef’s choice omakase. The dining experience includes Kona kampachi, octopus, beef carpaccio, grilled seasonal fish, chef’s choice premium sushi, choice of one hand roll and choice of dessert.
Speaking of dessert, options include sweet potato crème brulee ($13) and kakigori ($12), or Japanese-style shave ice. Choose from three flavors — strawberry, matcha or grapefruit.
For Kim, this new Hawaiʻi location represents a return to the essence of DOMODOMO’s spirit.
“After 10 years, bringing DOMODOMO to the Islands feels like the most natural step in our journey,” Kim states. “Hawaiʻi embodies harmony — between nature, culture and people. That spirit aligns perfectly with who we are as a brand.”
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CONTACT
DOMODOMO Hawaiʻi
360° ‘Ewa Beach Country Club
91-050 Fort Weaver Road, ‘Ewa Beach
domodomorestaurant.com
Instagram: @domodomohawaii
Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 4-9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 4-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
