GEN KOREAN BBQ HOUSE

GEN KOREAN BBQ HOUSE

ALA MOANA SHOPPING CENTER

HONOLULU, HI  96814

808-944-5227

HOURS:  Daily 10:00 AM - 12:AM

http://genkoreanbbq.com

www.yelp.com/biz/gen-korean-bbq-house-honolulu-4

The old Tsukiji Fish Market space in Ala Moana Shopping Center now has a new tenant called GEN Korean BBQ House.  GEN is one of the largest all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ chains in the United States and they have created a somewhat hip, vibrant yet comfortable space that is sure to be a big hit with Honolulu diners.  The all-you-can-eat format allows you to eat for up to two hours.  You can order as much as you want during this time allotment.  The only rule is that you can only order four meat or chicken dishes at one time.  Once they are finished you can order more.  The price for dinner is $26.99 which is a real bargain if you are a meat lover.  The meal includes salad and a variety of Korean vegetables and rice.  On weekends, only the dinner menu is served during lunch.  The service was pretty bad with the waiters not really explaining the concept or rules clearly.  Our waiter just walked up and said "are you ready to order".  I watched the couple next to us and learned that you can order a variety of sauces to go with your meats.  As the meats arrive, you simply take the large pair of tongs and place them on the burner.  Cook until done.  There is a pair of scissors on each table that allows you to cut the meats into smaller pieces.  We couldn't eat the meats fast enough and ended up taking them off the grill and placing them on a plate.  This was a lot of food and it was good.  Like the flavors of the dishes ordered with Spicy Sauce.  There is so much on the menu that we did not try because we got so full after just ordering one round of four meats.  Definitely need to go back here again when I am super hungry and craving meat.  

GEN KOREAN BBQ HOUSE

GEN KOREAN BBQ HOUSE 

COOL VIBES 

COMFORTABLE BOOTH SEATING WITH A GRILL AT EVERY TABLE

GEN KOREAN BBQ HOUSE MENU

CHOOSE YOUR DISHES AND EAT FOR UP TO TWO HOURS FOR SET PRICE

KOREAN VEGETABLES SET FOR EACH GUEST

SALAD HAS GREAT TASTING LIGHT DRESSING

SEVERAL TYPES OF WRAPS FOR YOUR MEATS

SPICY PORK

SPICY CHICKEN

PREMIUM STEAK

CAJUN SHRIMP

CALAMARI STEAK

ASSORTED VEGETABLES

THE STREET - A MICHAEL MINA SOCIAL HOUSE

THE STREET - A MICHAEL MINA SOCIAL HOUSE

INTERNATIONAL MARKET PLACE

2330 KALAKAUA AVENUE

HONOLULU, HI  96815

HOURS:  Daily 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

http://thestreetsocialhouse.com/explore/honolulu/

www.facebook.com/TheStreetSocialHouse/

Chef Michael Mina is making his claim to Waikiki with his second venture within the International Market Place.  The Street is a food hall featuring 13 different dining options.  From Greens to Burgers and Cocktails, The Street has something for everyone.  We ventured through the place on a Saturday evening and found a mix of locals and tourists enjoying food and beverages.  There are two bars in the hall and both were stocked with friendly bartenders eager to serve.  There were a lot of employees roaming the hall.  As soon as we were done with a plate it was picked up and taken away.  The concept is you order and pay at each counter, pick up your food and find a seat.  Most places had the vibrating things that alert you when your food is ready if you do not want to wait at the counter.  We found service at the various counters to be pretty poor.  This may be because they were just opened a few days.  We started our dinner adventure at Adam Nana Lu's Italian.  Ordered a slice of Grandma's Classic and Pepperoni Pizza ($5.99 per slice).  The pizza is thick crust which we do not like, but the flavor was ok.  My Daughter said it was light and pretty good.  Would I order this pizza again?  No.  We were also served a complimentary Polenta with Tomato Sauce.  It was a bit tough and I did not get past two bites.  Next up were Tacos from Khi Poke.  The Kai Taco Trio ($9.99) includes three mini tacos (Ahi, Salmon and Fish Taco).  I liked the Ahi Taco the best out of the three. Would I order these tacos again?  No.   Next was the Little Lafa.  We ordered the Chicken Lafa ($12.99).  The Lafa was ok but would I order it again?  No.  Next up was International Smoke which is owned by Ayesha Curry who is the better half to basketball player Stephen Curry.  I ordered the Pork Rib Plate ($15.99) which included three bbq ribs, two sides and a scoop of rice.  We picked the Mac n' Cheese and Cole Slaw for sides.  The ribs were ok but the Mac n' Cheese was the worst I have ever tasted.  Loaded with mayonnaise instead of cheese.  Terrible...yuck.  The Cole Slaw was also the worst I have ever tasted.  Terrible...yuck.  Would I eat here again?  No.  Last up was Maui Onion Burger.  Ordered the Large Burger ($15) and Fried Pickles ($7).  I think these prices are close but I forgot exactly how much these items were and did not keep the receipt.  Of all the things we ate at The Street, the Maui Onion Burger was my favorite.  The meat was moist, juicy and full of flavor and the onion toppings were delicious.  The Fried Pickles were perfectly cooked and delicious.  Yummy!

Would I eat at Maui Onion Burger again?  Yes!

THE STREET - A MICHAEL MINA SOCIAL HOUSE

THE STREET - A MICHAEL MINA SOCIAL HOUSE

A GOOD MIX OF LOCALS AND TOURISTS 

OPEN EATING HALL WITH TWO BARS

BARS WERE WELL STAFFED WITH FRIENDLY PEOPLE

NANA LU ITALIAN

PIZZA BY THE SLICE OR FULL PAN

SIDE SALADS

THICK STYLE PIZZA

PEPPERONI SLICE

CLASSIC GRANDMA SLICE WITH TOMATO SAUCE AND BASIL

THICK CRUST PIZZA

POLENTA WITH TOMATO SAUCE

KHI POKE

POKE BOWLS AND TACOS

KHI HAS FULL BAR AND SEATING 

KHI TACO TRIO (LEFT TO RIGHT: AHI, SALMON AND FISH)

THE AHI TACO WAS THE ONE I LIKED BEST

LITTLE LAFA

FOLD - CHOMP - CHEW 

CHICKEN LAFA

FOLD - CHOMP - CHEW

INTERNATIONAL SMOKE 

AYESHA CURRY'S RESTAURANT

CHOOSE YOUR SIDES

SIDE SELECTIONS

PORK BBQ PLATE

THREE RIBS AND TWO SIDES FOR $16

MAC N' CHEESE WITH BURNT ENDS - YUCK!

COLE SLAW - YUCK!

MAUI ONION BURGER

MAUI ONION BURGER

THIS WAS THE DOUBLE BURGER AND IT WAS DELICIOUS

FRIED PICKLES

CARNE ASADA TOSTADAS

CARNE ASADA TOSTADAS

DINNER AT HOME

I love Tostadas and there is no better place to eat them then at home.  I start with a fried corn tortilla than place a layer of refried beans and then a topping of Carne Asada.  Sometimes I go just plain bean and sometimes we use shredded or cubed chicken.  A little hot sauce, lettuce, cheese and Pico de Gallo.  I like to use the Spicy Jalapeño Rosarita Refried Beans and then add a little extra sautéed onion and jalapeño.  If you do not want to pull out oil and fry up the corn tortillas, I highly recommend using Guerrero Tostadas.  These are pre made tortillas that you just warm in the oven for around ten minutes.  Great tasting and crispy tortillas without frying them at home.

REFRIED BEANS AND CARNE ASADA TOSTADA