Lunch at Budnamujip

My coworker, JA, and I were looking for a place to have lunch as we walked along Kapiolani Boulevard after a business meeting. We decided to try Budnamujip Korean Restaurant, which occupies the former Flamingo's Restaurant, next to Jack-in-the-Box. As we approached the restaurant, we could smell a delicious aroma of barbecue and garlic, which you would expect from a Korean restaurant. I later found out from my Korea-born friend, KC, that this restaurant is very popular in Korea. The Honolulu restaurant was opened by the owner's daughter.

The valet parking attendant in the narrow lot wasn't busy and neither was the restaurant. I counted roughly 6 other tables of customers. This establishment is upscale as reflected in the prices on the menu. However, the food is authentic and delicious and the portions are generous. KC told me that she has lunch there on a regular basis because the dinner menu is substantially more expensive. Budnamujip is essentially a Korean barbecue restaurant. Each table is equipped with a grill and overhead vent. Priced at over $30 per person for a yakiniku-style lunch, we opted instead for a lighter meal.

JA ordered the Galbi Tang (beef rib soup) for which this restaurant is famous. KC later told me that this dish is only served during lunch and is what draws most people there for lunch. No wonder the waiter asked if we wanted two orders when JA placed her order! The Galbi Tang was delicious and tasted like prime rib, but in soup form. JA was very happy with her order, which was served in a metal bowl, designed to keep the soup hot. She was also pleasantly surprised when she unwrapped her chopsticks to find that they were made of metal instead of disposable wood.

I ordered the Bibimbap ($14.95) which was nicely presented with the vegetables and egg arranged in a metal bowl and the rice and kochujang sauce served on the side. My dish was served with 2 soups. The first was a hot and slightly spicy miso with bean sprouts and napa cabbage. The second was a clear, cold "water kim chee" soup, which was flavored with slices of white turnip. Although I can get a more generous serving of bibimbap at the take-out place across the street from my office, you can't beat Budnamujip for atmosphere and service. Also, the take-out place doesn't come with 2 soups, hot barley tea, and "banchan."

The complementary "banchan," or (shared) side dishes, consisted of napa cabbage kim chee, turnip kim chee, cold sautéed greens, and spicy pickled onions. As is always the case when I eat "real" Korean food (not the stuff from chain restaurants), the heat from the chili peppers is not immediately apparent. However, after a few minutes, I start to feel the heat creep up my face until my nose starts to run and my eyelids feel tingly. Good stuff! I recommend treating yourself to a delicious meal at Budnamujip the next time you're in the mood for authentic Korean cuisine.

Budnamujip Korean Restaurant 

871 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96813

Ph: (808) 593-8822

Galbi Tang

Complementary Side Dishes

Bibimbap

Miso Soup (upper left), Water Kim Chee Soup (upper right)

Street view

Interior view

Square Barrels Now Serves Breakfast

As many who work in Downtown Honolulu may know, Square Barrels finally opened recently in the long-empty spot at Bishop Square that was once occupied by Che Pasta. I've only been to Square Barrels twice; once for lunch and once for breakfast. Although my lunch (mushroom fettuccine) was delicious, I am writing today about the new "Brefix (breakfast) Service," offered Monday-Friday, 6:00-11:00 am.

My friend, MC, was their very first breakfast customer last week. She ordered the Benny with smoked salmon and was so impressed that she sent me a detailed message about it. We immediately made plans to meet at Square Barrels at 7:00 the next morning. 

I had to try their version of Eggs Benedict, the "Benny" ($14) after MC's favorable review. Given the choice between the daily charcuterie or smoked salmon, I chose the latter. My scrumptious breakfast consisted of 2 perfectly poached eggs and slices of smoked salmon on a split, toasted English muffin. A light hollandaise sauce coated both pieces. I especially enjoyed the side of sautéed kale and fresh crimini mushrooms. I ate half of my breakfast and took the rest back to the office. I couldn't wait to eat the rest of my breakfast and had it later that day for lunch.

MC ordered Pancakes and Bacon ($10). Although the bacon wasn't very crispy, the pancakes were deliciously light and buttery. I am not a pancake fan, but Square Barrels got it right. I was excited to see that this establishment offered Illy coffee, but was disappointed to find my cup of coffee to be just average.

You can find Square Barrels on Facebook, but they don't have a website yet. Although they are known for their hamburgers and lively happy hour, I recommend giving their Brefix a try. Their short menu bears dishes with intriguing names, such as "Malasada Burger," "Cranachan," and "Eggs Squared."

Square Barrels 

1001 Bishop Street, Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone: (808) 524-4727
https://www.facebook.com/squarebarrels

The Benny with Smoked Salmon

Pancakes and Bacon

Lunch at MW Restaurant

My thoughtful and generous boss took me out for lunch to celebrate Administrative Professional's Day a few weeks ago. We decided to wait until the week following the official event, but MW Restaurant was still slammed! This was the first visit to MW for both of us, although we both heard good things about the artistic and delicious cuisine. The restaurant is located on Kapiolani Boulevard, across the street from Nordstrom, where the old KGMB studio used to be (for us old-timers).

First of all, valet parking is available in the tiny parking lot, off Makaloa Street. Kudos to management for understanding that most people don't have time for a long lunch (much less look for parking!) during the work day. The decor is clean and modern with a lot of "hard surfaces" everywhere. The staff was very friendly, despite being so busy. The toasted house bread is served with an olive oil and garlic aioli, which was absolutely delicious! We both ordered the Mint Limeade ($5), which I found to be a bit tart for my taste. My boss loved it and ordered a refill.

I had the Unagi & Butterfish Arancini ($12) and Caesar Salad ($9). Arancini is rice or risotto balls that are deep fried. My portion of three golf ball-sized puffs was quite filling. The butterfish and unagi were minced and combined with the rice. That combination, along with the nori tsukudani (seaweed puree), gave my dish a fresh seafood flavor. I have found that composed dishes taste best if you eat all of the components together. In the photo below, my boss is taste testing the arancini, making sure to get some of the nori tsukudani on the bottom, greens, and kabayaki mustard sauce on the top. The Caesar salad was interesting with bits of pipikaula (smoked meat) and sweet grape tomatoes complementing an otherwise average salad. Perhaps I should have eaten the salad before I ate the arancini . . .

My boss ordered the Portuguese Bean Soup ($8) which was served in a Korean-style hot pot. This type of bowl keeps the soup boiling hot. After eating his soup for a few minutes, my boss said that the delicious and spicy soup was affecting him, but in a good way. He also had the Chinese Roast Duck & Pork Hash Quesadillia ($10) to go with the soup. The portions were generous and the prices were reasonable and we really enjoyed our lunch.

My foodie friend, "Chuggy Bear," highly recommended MW to me when they first opened. I'm glad I was finally able to go. CB also recommends MW's Afternoon Tea, served monthly every third Sunday. That will be my next visit to MW, if and when I can get a reservation for this popular special event.

MW Restaurant

1538 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 106, Honolulu, HI 96814

Ph: (808) 955-6505

Unagi & Butterfish Arancini

Chinese Roast Duck and Pork Hash Quesadillia

Caesar Salad

Mint Limeade