Tonkatsu Kuro opened earlier this year in Ward Village, and is known for its crispy katsu and soba combo sets.
The Kakaʻako eatery recently added new dishes to its menu. Customers can also now enjoy Suntory premium malts and Kirin Ichiban, which are poured using the restaurant’s new Hoshizaki draft beer machine.
Customers can’t see the beer machine in the kitchen, but it uses an automated process to dispense the beers into glasses.
Ordering is still easy and efficient, thanks to the eatery’s digital touch screen system. Customers’ orders are delivered on one of the eatery’s robot servers.
New menu items include perilla soba and half katsu set ($28) and the spicy tsuyu soba and half katsu set ($28). The former features chilled buckwheat noodles tossed in perilla oil and soy sauce; the latter includes chilled buckwheat noodles served in the eatery’s signature cold tsuyu broth, which is blended with Korean-inspired bibim sauce. Both sets come with tenderloin and shrimp katsu.
We’re told the two new dishes are inspired by popular Korean flavors. The restaurant uses perilla oil and seeds — both from Korea — to make the perilla soba and katsu combo.
The spicy soba features a Gochujang flavor, and the chilled noodles made it refreshing. It paired nicely with the savory, ultra-crispy katsu.
While the shrimp and tenderloin katsu are both tasty, we especially like the shrimp’s large size. The shrimp katsu comes with tartar sauce for dipping. Housemade tonkatsu sauce, sesame dressing and yuzu ponzu dressing are available at each table.
Customers can still enhance their orders with side dishes like miso soup and Japanese curry.
Tonkatsu Kuro is now open daily starting from 4 p.m.
CONTACT
Tonkatsu Kuro
Ward Village
1000 Auahi St. Ste. 134, Honolulu
Instagram: @tonkatsu.kuro.hi
Open daily, 4-10 p.m. (last call 9 p.m.)
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
