Forked Up

SPICY HAMACHI TARTARE
SUSHI IZAKAYA GAKU
1329 S. King St., Honolulu
Phone number (808) 589-1329

The comforting thing about a sushi bar is its familiarity: No matter where you go, you always can rely on stalwarts like salmon skin rolls and ahi nigiri. So next time you head to Sushi Izakaya Gaku for your seafood fix, branch out a little with its Spicy Hamachi Tartare — a hamachi, green onion and quail egg mix (served on a bed of ice) that you stir together and spread over pristine pieces of Japanese nori. A little unorthodox for sushi, sure, but it’ll taste divine.

OHAYOU EGGS
KOKO HEAD CAFE
1145-C 12th Ave., Kaimuki
Phone number (808) 732-8920
website kokoheadcafe.com

This is a glutton’s comfort dish — two baked eggs in a skillet, submerged in a rich, smoky Parmesan dashi cream sauce with heritage ham, mushrooms, bonito and nori. Delicate yet decadent, the ham and mushrooms provide the right amount of texture. Ohayou means “good morning” in Japanese — a promise delivered by this dish. Protip: Stuff yourself with Cornflake French Toast before you hit the eggs.