Up first: Updates on Atsushi, Bo’s Kitchen, Fat Cheeks, Little G Cafe, Mam’s Tuck Shop, ‘Ohana Poke House and Waffle & Berry. Up first: Updates on Atsushi, Bo’s Kitchen, Fat Cheeks, Little G Cafe, Mam’s Tuck Shop, ‘Ohana Poke House and Waffle & Berry.
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tep inside the gigantic, nondescript building near the corner of Auahi Street and Ward Avenue and you are greeted by a gold, life-size statue of Hawai‘i-born sumo wrestler Akebono in mid-grapple. Above, the Hawaiian Islands are airbrushed on the ceiling; below, the aquatic blue floor shines, giving the impression that you’re walking on water. A deep breath brings in a mix of smells coming from all directions: fried food, Vietnamese pho, pork (maybe it’s hot dogs, maybe it’s barbecue), milk tea and freshly brewed coffee. Vendor booths offering everything from hand-carved koa pendants to mass-produced heart-shaped sunglasses line aisles where teenagers, tourists, kids running ahead of parents, construction workers and police officers on lunch or off-duty, and small groups of assorted tūtū in mu‘umu‘u wander.
Mama Kim’s Fresh Sushi and Poke Bowls Spice Up Kāheka
Bowls of slimy neba neba, garlicky torched scallops and poke with freshly prepared kim chee bring life to this corner of King Street.
March 5, 2021
Hawai‘i loves poke bowls, right? I don’t know who was more excited to discover that a new poke shop opened in my neighborhood: me, or my building’s security guard. Located in the Kāheka Professional Building, Mama Kim’s does offer poke bowls more on that later but you really should start with their fresh sushi bowls for something different.
Most people will go for familiar flavors found in the Spicy Tuna Deluxe ($12) or Hamachi Jalapeno ($13), which are also quite affordable. In addition to wasabi, I like that you can add spice to your fish in different ways to make it a more contemporary experience. I also love the scallop bowl ($14), which is mixed with garlic aioli, torched, and then topped with their house-made garlic onion sauce, green onions, and unagi