This Michelin-recognized Japanese ramen spot is opening its first Hawaiʻi location this week.
MENSHO is opening its first Hawaiʻi location in Kapolei’s Ka Makana Aliʻi on April 30 (soft opening); its grand opening is May 2 with a Hawaiian blessing at 5 p.m. The restaurant is located in the mall near Hampton Inn and Gen Korean BBQ.
On grand opening day, the first 100 customers ages 18 years and older will receive a free MENSHO tote bag with ramen purchase.
The business was founded in 2005 by Tomoharu Shono; MENSHO now has locations in Japan, California, China, Australia, Singapore and more. The brand has also been recognized by the Michelin Guide and received numerous awards, including first place in the Shinjuku Ramen Grand Prix.
MENSHO is known for its farm-to-bowl philosophy of bringing farmers and customers together. In Hawaiʻi, the business is partnering with farms like Mari’s Gardens.
The eatery features housemade noodles and broths. Some of the broths take more than 72 hours to make, according to chef Tomoharu Shono.
In addition to MENSHO’s grand menu, the Hawaiʻi location will feature several exclusive dishes that highlight locally sourced ingredients, including Kauaʻi shrimp.
The signature ramen is one of the eatery’s best-selling dishes. It features creamy chicken broth, A5 wagyu chashu, braised pork belly chashu, duck chashu, ajitama egg, roasted nori, blanched baby spinach, crispy burdock root, pea tendrils and fresh mochi noodles.
According to Shono, the noodles are made with a blend of local wheat and Japanese mochi flour, resulting in a distinctive chewy texture.
“We are making noodles every morning,” he says.
At the time of our preview, menu prices were not available. The eatery will open with its most popular dishes, and the full menu will be available in the upcoming months.
The wagyu truffle shoyu ramen is another dish that MENSHO is known for. It features bonito dashi broth with chicken, shellfish, shaved black truffles, A5 wagyu chashu, pea tendrils and fresh mochi noodles.
The eatery features wagyu from Japan’s Kagoshima prefecture. The shaved black truffles enhance the dish’s umami flavor.
Every MENSHO location features an exclusive dish, according to Shono. Hawaiʻi-exclusive ramens include the shrimp G.K.O. (garlic knockout) and clam butter shio ramen.
The shrimp G.K.O. consists of creamy chicken broth, garlic shrimp, baby spinach, red onions, garlic flakes, garlic chips, grilled garlic, chili powder, black garlic oil, chili oil and fresh mochi noodles. Garlic lovers will appreciate the robust garlic flavor, succulent shrimp and spice from the chili oil.
Meanwhile, the clam butter shio ramen features a bonito dashi broth, chicken, shellfish, Manila clams, braised pork belly chashu, red onions, whipped butter, black pepper, pea tendrils and fresh mochi noodles.
Other ramen options include duck matcha — creamy chicken broth, duck chashu, Tokyo negi, green onions, micro edible flowers, pea tendrils and fresh mochi noodles — and vegan-friendly dishes like yuzu garlic tomato and the V.G.K.O. (vegan garlic knockout). The latter includes porcini broth, shiitake, baby spinach, spicy burdock chips, red onions, garlic flakes, garlic chips, fresh and grilled garlic, black garlic oil, chili powder and fresh mochi noodles.
The eatery also offers sushi and appetizers. The A5 wagyu sushi with uni and ikura is a crowd favorite. The sushi rice is topped with A5 wagyu and Hokkaido uni and ikura; it’s served with pickled ginger and wasabi. The wagyu boasts a melt-in-your-mouth texture and is complemented nicely by the creamy uni and refreshing ikura.
Other sushi options include hotate (scallop) ikura, hotate caviar, unagi (eel) negi, A5 wagyu kani (crab) ikura and more. MENSHO also features a variety of donburi (rice bowls).
Appetizers range from corn wings and karaage fried chicken with garlic chili sauce to enoki chips and teppan grilled garlic shrimps. The enoki chips are ultra-crispy and served with green onions and lemon. The teppan grilled garlic shrimps feature Kauaʻi shrimp coated in garlic and butter, and served on a sizzling skillet with Japanese white rice, green onions and toasted sesame.
The eatery’s matcha pudding is a light option after a refreshing meal. It’s topped with strawberry slices, red bean and fresh cream. The matcha flavor is subtle and the pudding features a jiggly, custard-like texture.
MENSHO’s Kapolei store can seat around 66 people. After its grand opening, it will be open daily from 5 to 9 p.m. No reservations are currently accepted; the eatery will be open for walk-ins only.
CONTACT
MENSHO HAWAI‘I
Ka Makana Ali‘i
91-5431 Kapolei Pkwy. Ste. 1009, Kapolei
808-260-9300
mensho.com
Instagram: @mensho_hawaii
Open daily, 5 to 9 p.m.
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
