Hawaiʻi’s first solo dining katsu experience is opening in Honolulu.
Katsu Zen, located in the former space of Little G Café, is opening to the public in the 808 Center on Wednesday, July 29. The business will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Mondays.
The new eatery’s concept is focused on an individualized dining experience. It’s reminiscent of Ichiran, the popular Japanese ramen chain that’s known for its solo dining booths.
The business is still owned by Jared Brown — owner of Little G Café — who explains that the individual dining booths are inspired by the idea that food can be enjoyed and savored without distraction.
“Everybody here understands katsu,” he says. “We want customers to enjoy themselves and not feel rushed, not feel pressured.”
Little G Café’s interior has been transformed to offer solo dining booths; the counter can seat 12 individuals. No reservations will be accepted; seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
However, if you’re dining with another person, the partitions can be taken down so individuals can eat together.
Scan the QR code to look at the menu, order and pay. You can communicate with the staff by using the wooden tags (“more rice, please;” “more cabbage, please”) and ringing the bell at your booth for assistance.
The menu features a variety of katsu sets and bowls. Choose from pork loin tonkatsu (240-gram and 180-gram portions available), pork collar, chicken katsu and tiger shrimp katsu. At the time of our media preview, menu prices were not finalized.
Sets include rice and soup; customers and enjoy unlimited rice and cabbage. Everything is made to order, and the sauces are made in house.
Customers can also get sesame seeds with a grinder to mix with the business’s tonkatsu sauce, which features a sweet-yet-tangy flavor.
The pork loin katsu and pork collar are expected to be bestsellers. The shrimp katsu is also expected to be a customer favorite, due to its generous portion.
This experience is currently available for dine-in only; no takeout for now.
“We wanted to feature something that was interesting and familiar at the same time,” Brown says. “Plus, nobody does this concept here; we’ll give it a shot and see what happens.”
CONTACT
Katsu Zen
808 Center
808 Sheridan St., Honolulu
Instagram: @katsuzenhawaii
Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays (closed Mondays)
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
