Utage Restaurant & Lounge
Location: 1286 Kalani St # B102, Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 843-8109
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 7:45 pm
Website: https://utagehawaii.com/
Social Media: IG @utagehawaii
Neighborhood: Kalihi
History
Utage or the “Gathering Place” has been open since 2001 in Kalihi’s City Square Shopping Center. It’s a family-run business with Jocelyn Kishimoto at the helm, daughter Edna overseeing front of house and son Ivan managing the kitchen. You really get a sense of ohana here.
Jocelyn prepares lighter fare for senior citizens and provides some healthier options. She makes sure the menu offers a range of choices for families struggling to find places that kids (or picky eaters) will also want to eat at.
My vegetarian friends have been asking if there are any dishes they can eat (they think Okinawans put pork in every dish). Jocelyn says to let the waitstaff know when you order and they can adjust certain dishes to make them vegetarian.
Utage is unique in that entrees come with your choice of miso soup or salad, drink and dessert. Drinks are coffee, hot or iced tea, fruit punch and Green River! Dessert choices include ice cream, coffee jelly and more, all in nostalgic diner-style dessert cups.
More than any other restaurant, Utage offers a plethora of choices. Example: Most places only give a choice of pork or Spam for their champuru but Utage gives the choice of pork, chicken, Spam, bacon, tuna or rafute!
What blows me away is Utage’s HANDWRITTEN call list for daily specials. Their daily specials are based on what’s available or in season, so there is no set schedule. An employee calls customers on the list to let them know when their favorite specials are coming up! The most popular items are the Konbu Maki that they only make twice a year and the Ahi Nori Tempura drizzled with mayo and kabayaki sauce. Get on the list! Utage is indisputably an old-school restaurant that really takes care of their customers.
Source: https://www.frolichawaii.com/stories/eating-okinawan-utage
