GREAT EATS HAWAII: TANAKA OF TOKYO

TANAKA OF TOKYO
ALA MOANA CENTER
HONOLULU, HAWAII

TANAKA OF TOKYO

My daughter remembered me talking about having a business lunch at Tanaka of Tokyo. I told her about how the chefs cook the food at your table and do great tricks while cutting and preparing the meal. She asked me to take her there and I just could not say no. While this is an expensive lunch, it was well worth the price to spend this time with my daughter and watch her eyes light up as the chef prepared our meal. There is a Kids Meal Menu at Tanaka of Tokyo, but Keli chose to order off Dad's menu. We both went for a Combination Lunch. I had the Steak and Shrimp ($17.75) and Keli had the Chef's Special Steak and Teriyaki Chicken ($18.50). The meals include pickled vegetables, Miso Soup, Rice, Mixed Grilled Vegetables, Shrimp Appetizer and Hot Tea. You are given two dipping sauces. One is a Ginger/Soy dressing that is used for Seafood and Vegetables. The second sauce is a Mustard based sauce for the beef. Both are delicious. The meal starts with the chef juggling, spinning, tossing and hitting his knives while telling jokes. He then grills the shrimp with lemon juice, butter, salt and soy sauce. As he removes the shrimp tails he flips his spatula and they fly into a bowl that is hidden in his large chef's hat. Other tails end up in his front pocket and then still more go up top to his head. He then takes the bowl from his hat and flips it around his waist without dropping a single piece. The shrimp is served hot off the grill. After the shrimp comes a nice array of onions, bell pepper and mushrooms. After the vegetables are served, the chef prepares and onion in the form of a volcano. The onion erupts in a 3' flame and then the chef makes it steam and then finally erupt with bubbling lava. Pretty good show. We upgraded the standard white rice to Fried Rice. The chef pulls out and egg for the Fried Rice and flips it around like it is made of steel. The egg does not break. They when he is ready, the chef cracks the egg on the cooktop and then begins to add the other ingredients. During the cooking process the chefs tell dozens of one line jokes that are suited for kids and adults. The main courses are served ant then a large portion of sauteed bean sprouts is offered to everyone at the table. Love the sprouts and I loved the Steak and Shrimp lunch and Keli really liked the shrimp. The Miso Soup was also very delicious. This was an excellent meal with great service. The staff here is young well trained. They really try to make sure that your dining experience is good.