In my most recent takeout post on EE Nami, "FOYs" Jason and Jessica mentioned that Okan's lunch specials were still priced right. Which made me wonder when I last did takeout from Okan. So I did a quick lookback...and geez, it had been over 2 years!
Since I needed to pick up some groceries from Nijiya, getting takeout from Okan would be perfect!
I drove on over; parking is not so bad before 11am, walked on over to Okan, did the QR code thingy, and waited a few minutes until they opened. I was impressed to see that the prices for most of the base lunch specials were only $11.50, a bargain these days. Taking into consideration the drive home, when my chance to order arrived I went with the Buta Kakuni lunch set, which is what I also ordered during my last takeout visit.
I then went into Nijiya and did some quick shopping. I'm used to doing shopping at Nijiya at 9 in the morning....so the check-out line was a bit longer than I had expected. The young lady at Okan told me my order would be ready in ten minutes; but I took twenty at Nijiya. So, I quickly walked back over to Okan.....but to my relief, my order took another ten minutes anyway.
I drove on home and then opened up my Buta Kakuni Lunch Special ($11.50). It really didn't look too promising.
Sadly, the best thing about this lunch set was the okara salad of which there was a scant tablespoon and the miso soup, which was pretty good, as it always has been.
The rice was on the hard side and the boiled egg was a bit overcooked but fine, with no off flavors.
As for the buta kakuni, well, it looked very, very dark....as in black in color.
I bit into a piece, which was really salty; it had been sitting in the marinade too long and it was super dry and tough. In fact, the first thought that came into my mind was; "I ordered buta kakuni....not pork jerky".
I do understand that food costs are high these days, but this was really bad quality control. I guess they weren't kidding when they said things are "tough all over". Just look at that pork!
This meal really made me a bit sad, since I have a long history with Wa Dining Okan and also some great memories of meals shared with friends. So, I just had to give them another shot to see if that meal is the norm these days; or perhaps takeout just won't cut it at Okan.
I was really craving the Tori Nanban here, but just knew it would not hold up....so, I decided to go with the Shogayaki. This was basically the same drill as the last time; told ten minutes, but actually took twenty-five.
Here's what I unpacked at home; the Shogayaki (Ginger Pork - $11.50). You can tell right away that this was a definite improvement from the buta kakuni.
The miso soup was as good as on my previous visit; the rice much better this go-around.
The pork, while being a tad on the salty and chewy side was decent. In fact, it went well with the sliced cabbage which helped to cut the saltiness down. Now if they just sliced that cabbage finer....like, ahem...EE Nami??? This is stuff my Mom used to make, so of course I'm used to that flavor profile; more ginger, a bit sweeter.....but this is not bad and I'll readily have it again.
I was somewhat relieved that my second meal was better than the first......though now the question arises; which is the norm here? I'm hoping it's more like my second meal. So perhaps soon, once I feel more comfortable dining al fresco here; I'll return for my Tori Nanban.
Wa Dining Okan
3860 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
Thanks to Jason and Jessica for reminding me about the lunch set menu at Okan!
Recent Comments