J2 ASIAN FUSION

We are huge fans of JJ's Bistro & Bakery on Waialae Avenue in Kaimuki.  We have been enjoying the food, service and great pastries there for many years. When Owner JJ Luangkhot took over the space right next door,  I was very interested to see what he had come up with to compliment the very popular JJ's.  JJ is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen in the restaurant business.  He seems to work 24/7 at JJ's.  Always there, always cooking, baking or running the show and even the cash register.  I really respect the entire Luangkhot family.  An immigrant family from Laos that worked their fingers to the bone to find success in America.  I never regret spending money at JJ's.  In fact it is one of the only spots in Hawaii that I like to spend money at because I want to support this hard working family.  Plus the food is always great and the pastries are the best in Hawaii.  With that said, how would J2 stand up against the original JJ's.  Well, this is tough.
First off our waitress at J2 had a beautiful smile and made us feel at home with great service and personal attention.  We started with a Crab and Corn appetizer.  This has all the makings of a real nice dish, but it really missed the mark.  We could not taste or see any crab in the dish.  The dish was mostly something like mayo topped with roasted corn.  The shell was good and the green apple wedge ads a tart finish.  Just too much mush here and no crab.  The Spring Rolls were a bit dry and really lacked any real flavor.  The Hot and Sour soup I thought was delicious.  Filled with chunks of shredded chicken.  The Chicken Pho was a pretty bland soup.  The Opaka Fish really disappointed.  The filet was so small that you could not tell it was on the plate.  Covered in diced vegetables.  The fish was about 1/4" thick and less than 3 inches long.  Almost nothing.  The Pork Chop with Noodles was equally disappointing.  a 1/4" thick super dry piece of pork that tasted like Korean Kal Bi.  Served with Egg Noodles with zero taste.  The Shrimp Dumplings on the plate were the best thing on the plate.  There was a bowl of broth on the plate that the waitress said was a soup or used to dunk the noodles into.  This blog really is hard for me to do but I must be honest.  I really want to return to J2 again and try some other dishes.  I sincerely hope that J2 succeeds.  UPDATE:  Unfortunately J2 did not make it.  The owner closed the restaurant are then re-opened with new menu and new name.   It is now called Le Cacao. 

J2 SPRING ROLLS

HOT & SOUR SOUP

CHICKEN PHO

OPAKA FISH ENTREE

PORK CHOP WITH NOODLES