Honolulu - Ahi Assassins and Walking Around Shirokiya Japan Village Walk

**** Both this location of Ahi Assassins and the Shirokiya Japan Village Walk have closed

Our first full day back from Lana'i was spent doing a bit of shopping. And of course we wanted to get some grindz. Since we don't visit "Home" very often these days; it's quite easy to fall into the "I gotta get all my favorites" mode....just like the previous evening when we hit up the Alley.

On this day though; I wanted to try someplace new. I'd heard about a newish shop that opened up in Moiliili. One that serves fish from the waters around the islands; Ahi Assassins. Funny, when I read the address, I thought, where the heck in that small strip mall are they? Well; the shop is on the second floor. Just look for the Fish Flags!

There's something wonderfully "neighborly - old school" about this place. Like a small hole-in-the-wall that could have been in your neighborhood in the islands growing up.

There are several poke on offer....when it's gone, it's gone. Kind of reminds me of Ray's Café before they moved to Kalihi (btw, we miss you Reid! Hope all is well), when they were on the corner of Smith and Beretania. They had a hand written sign that said; "when the door is open we open, when its closed, we closed". But I digress.

Anyway, the really friendly guy behind the counter got us trying....well, just about everything.

We ended up spending like almost fifty bucks here on poke!

If you're keeping score; from the top left clockwise; The "Secret", basically a riff on Shoyu Poke, a bit sweet, perhaps a bit too salty, the ahi had a real good texture. The "Lunatic" a mayo-less (yay!) version of spicy poke, a bit too salty, with nice touches of garlic. It wasn't too spicy and the Missus didn't care for what She said was "too chewy and overly sauced". The Hawaiian, very traditional definitely my favorite, great balance with regards to salt - onions, though I really couldn't make out the inamona. Excellent texture with regards to the fish on this one. And, for the Missus, a very typical sriracha-mayo based spicy ahi.

Could not fault the quality of the fish; though some of the preparations seemed a bit over done for us. Still, I'd gladly return.

Ahi Assassins
2570 South Beretania St. #204
Honolulu, HI 96826
Hours:
Mon - Tues 10am - 5pm
Wed - Sat  10am - 6pm
Sunday     10am - 2pm

We actually took our fish down to Ala Moana Beach and just had a nice lunch.

Leaving Ala Moana Park I noticed these window washers working on I believe it's Waiea. Sheesh....talk about a spooky job! Definitely not for me!

One of the reasons we headed down to Ala Moana Beach was to do some shopping at Ala Moana Center. After buying some "stuffs"....well, we weren't through with shopping, but had pretty much done enough for the day, I wanted to check out another newish place that I had read about in the Star-Advertiser and then in post by Kat. Shirokiya, now how's that for a blast from the past, opened up it's own version of a Japanese Food Street called the "Shirokiya Japan Village Walk". So, we just wanted to check it out.

No, we didn't eat here on this trip, but it was fun exploring. We actually did return the next day to pick up some stuffs from Foodland Farms. But as always, so much food, so little time.

Thanks for stopping by!

Comments

[kat]

next to macy’s is another food court, gotta check it out next time I’m back.

[Cathy Greene]

We stumbled onto Shirokiya food court when we were there earlier this year. It was a fun discovery--felt like we had experienced a taste of Japan. We had some tasty tempura!

[Soo]

You picked a great spot to have lunch!

[Kirk]

I look forward to that post Kat!

Hi CathyG - It's a fun place with a really nice vibe. Glad you got to check it out.

Lots of great spots in HNL Soo!

[jack]

I need to get back "home"...it's been a long time.

[Alan]

Hi Kirk: Yes we normally get lunch at least one day during our annual vacation trip back home at the Shirokiya Food Court. Last time I got a special bento box with a side order of nishime. But my haole girl friend got a cheese burger with fries. I teased her about going all the way to HNL and then her getting a burger. Later in the week, we also stopped to have lunch at Zippy's and she got a choc donut for dessert. My son said why go all the way to HNL for a choc donut instead of at least a apple napple?

[Kirk]

Yes, you need to Jack!

Lol! That's really funny Alan! I had some acquaintances go to Kauai for a week and all they ate was haole food too. Never tried any local stuffs, no poke, plate lunch.... Different strokes I guess.

[Fred Woo]

Shirokiya! We ate there an embarrassing number of times last time we went to Hawaii.

[MrZ]

Oops that last comment is me. Wrong autofill selection.

[Junichi]

I normally don't do spam but Hawaiian and Okinawan food I make an exception! Those musubi's look tasty.

[Kirk]

I know MrZ! Sounds like I should have eaten there.... It's nice ti hear from you. Hope all is well.

They did look good Junichi. Don't forget Korean food (i.e. Kimchi Fried Rice and Budae Jigae) in your Spamiverse!

[Sandy]

I had no idea that there was a food court near Macys when I was in Honolulu earlier this year! The Shirokiya food court was great, but I had to walk around twice to narrow down my food choices. And this is in addition to the Makai food court!

[Kirk]

Lots of choices at Ala Moana these days Sandy! Here's a link to the Lanai at Ala Moana for your next trip.

http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/Biting-Commentary/October-2017/First-Look-Lanai-at-Ala-Moana-Center-Diamond-Head-Wing/#.XRt-jJNKiUk

[kobi]

Poke looks awesome. Remember watching Worthit on Eater and Ahi Assassins looked good. Have to try this place next time I go back. Foodland is another place I have to try for poke. Everyone raves about Foodland poke.

[Kirk]

It depends on which Foodland; not all fish departments are created equal. For example; the Foodland Fish department in Ewa Beach is not very good. Hope you are able to get your fill of Poke in Hawaii Kobi!