I've lived on Oahu for 57 years and I definitely know better than you.... they don't even use top quality rice at Food Pantry. It is unlikely that they even know what top quality rice is, and they don't have a handle on which nori to use.
I know the Sullivan family that owns Food Pantry (been to their home). I remember when Food Pantry was created as I was a participant in the build-out. There are no independent shops in food pantry, they are merely segmented operations and may even have a different name but they are all owned by the parent company which is Foodland. They only use ingredients that are sold in their stores. Nearly all the rice used are of the same specie with the exception of a long-grain and a jasmine rice they carry, but for the most part it is all California Medium Grain with a low polish. That is hardly top notch
You might be right. I dont know about the structure of the food pantry. the Japanese owner gave me his business card. It was a different company than foodland. but it does not matter, I tried around 7 onigris places in waikiki and that guy had the best Onigiri. (that might be subjective) .
It seems that you are much more of a gourmet than I am , so I would really love your opinion on the Onigiris. If you ever try it, let me know if you liked it. (I dont like Spam, but that spam onigri was really delcious)
First of all, in Hawaii we call it 'Spam Musubi' and we call the general classification Negiri instead of Onigiri (Negiri, Gunkan, Maki & Temaki - 4 general classifications) The best (but you can't get spam) right now is Yohei Sushi. Between the head & assitant sushi chef they have a hundred years of experience. I have never had the level of Omakase anywhere else that I have traveled including the sushi spots at the Tsukiji market in Tokyo, or any sushi bar from Namba to Kyoto to Wakayama, to any Ryokan along the coast. You can rule out anything in the continental US. I have also gone to omakase wanna-be's in Hong Kong and Korea so lets just say 'in my humble but traveled opinion' that Yohei is likely the best in the world at the moment. If you want spam on your Negiri then the best is served by a little snack shop at Mililani Golf Course, but if you want to stay central then Marukai Market (which is now owned by the Osaka-based Don Quijote) is your destination. When you open the wrapper (on even the lowly spam musubi) the rice glistens (and almost sparkles at you) and they make no bones about marking down the price of anything that was made more than what they believe is 'peak' consumption time frames. I've tried spam musubi from everybody here including food pantry. Even 7-11 (another Japan company) does a better job.
Thanks for the great recommendations. I will make sure to try all of your favorite places out the next time I am in Hawaii. You can't beat the knowledge of a local foodie! I will post a great restaurant from tokyo soon for you
Excellent. I'm in a unique position where vendors will take me to lunch or dinner wherever I want to go regardless of price at least twice a week (sometimes every day) for the last 30 years so I get to see it all. I should take pictures or video and blog this stuff myself
nope trust me. try it out. I didnt find a better spam onigri
I've lived on Oahu for 57 years and I definitely know better than you.... they don't even use top quality rice at Food Pantry. It is unlikely that they even know what top quality rice is, and they don't have a handle on which nori to use.
btw. it is nott the food pantry but the shop inside is run by a Japanese guy who cooks on gas. rice is relly awesome there.
I know the Sullivan family that owns Food Pantry (been to their home). I remember when Food Pantry was created as I was a participant in the build-out. There are no independent shops in food pantry, they are merely segmented operations and may even have a different name but they are all owned by the parent company which is Foodland. They only use ingredients that are sold in their stores. Nearly all the rice used are of the same specie with the exception of a long-grain and a jasmine rice they carry, but for the most part it is all California Medium Grain with a low polish. That is hardly top notch
You might be right. I dont know about the structure of the food pantry. the Japanese owner gave me his business card. It was a different company than foodland. but it does not matter, I tried around 7 onigris places in waikiki and that guy had the best Onigiri. (that might be subjective) .
It seems that you are much more of a gourmet than I am , so I would really love your opinion on the Onigiris. If you ever try it, let me know if you liked it. (I dont like Spam, but that spam onigri was really delcious)
First of all, in Hawaii we call it 'Spam Musubi' and we call the general classification Negiri instead of Onigiri (Negiri, Gunkan, Maki & Temaki - 4 general classifications) The best (but you can't get spam) right now is Yohei Sushi. Between the head & assitant sushi chef they have a hundred years of experience. I have never had the level of Omakase anywhere else that I have traveled including the sushi spots at the Tsukiji market in Tokyo, or any sushi bar from Namba to Kyoto to Wakayama, to any Ryokan along the coast. You can rule out anything in the continental US. I have also gone to omakase wanna-be's in Hong Kong and Korea so lets just say 'in my humble but traveled opinion' that Yohei is likely the best in the world at the moment. If you want spam on your Negiri then the best is served by a little snack shop at Mililani Golf Course, but if you want to stay central then Marukai Market (which is now owned by the Osaka-based Don Quijote) is your destination. When you open the wrapper (on even the lowly spam musubi) the rice glistens (and almost sparkles at you) and they make no bones about marking down the price of anything that was made more than what they believe is 'peak' consumption time frames. I've tried spam musubi from everybody here including food pantry. Even 7-11 (another Japan company) does a better job.
Thanks for the great recommendations. I will make sure to try all of your favorite places out the next time I am in Hawaii. You can't beat the knowledge of a local foodie! I will post a great restaurant from tokyo soon for you
Excellent. I'm in a unique position where vendors will take me to lunch or dinner wherever I want to go regardless of price at least twice a week (sometimes every day) for the last 30 years so I get to see it all. I should take pictures or video and blog this stuff myself