Minatoku Kitchen

Itadakimasu...Taking mom out for dinner to give us some relaxing moments I thought that Minatoku Kitchen would be the place as she craves for something specific and luckily we arrived just in time for their happy hour which is from 3pm to 5pm with lots of fun food items to choose from.Getting here though is rough as we wanted to arrive early enough before the rush though with that parking is the real issue as there basically none especially during rush hours where you're not allowed to use the metered parkings during that time and not knowing that you're able to park right along the restaurant as there was a "no parking" sign versus Minatoku only was quite frustrating as I later saw that you're able to park right in the driveway while the other car took two parking spots.Since it's all food that we both love and enjoy it was difficult to choose but it was the "Yakiniku-nasu" which is grilled eggplant which is then chilled and served with shoyu and garnished with ginger and shaved katsuo and the other "Pork Shabu Salad" a cute and vibrant salad with lots of veggies topped with pork shabu which is thin cuts of pork that's poached served with Japanese vinaigrette with grated radish and ginger was just so light and flavorful.Our entrees was Stewed Hamburger Steak for her and Teriyaki Chicken for me and bento style I love how it came with so many sides...green salad, potato salad, garlic edamame and tsukemono along with a huge scoop of rice which was cooked to perfection was so delicious as a not much of a rice person myself couldn't stop eating it says something.Teriyaki chicken was definitely different as it was coated in flour and fried and tossed in teriyaki sauce which wasn't too sweet not like the local flavors we all know but more a Japanese style which actually was very nice and refreshing.I wouldn't say it's classic but the type of cuisine that I'd find in Japan and how nice to find it right here in McCully at such affordable prices was nice along with lemon water and chopsticks that came with cute covers as my message translate to "relax and take it easy" the zen moment was found here and we left full and happy.Gochisousama deshita!

Okay, I have recommended this place to a few people and I'm a tad worried.We enjoyed this place twice and on the third visit, the food was different. The service and the menu were both great. The tan tan men and the wonton soup were.....meh. They had a different taste and the noodles were overcooked. The interesting thing is that the won ton soup and the tan tan men soup was exactly the same. Both were not that good :(. We wanted to ask if the recipe changed...but we decided to not mention.The other items were great!

This was recommend from a server and this has been one of the best recommendations so far that we haven't tried already.We tried the chicken karaage hands down the best on the island. It is lighter in batter and coming out piping hot and fresh. The rice helps since they use a good grade of rice.We also had the taco rice and it was good but something I kind of make at home. The cashier told me her favorite was the nan ban chicken with the tartar sauce she said was on top. It looks like egg salad. I will try that the next time and for sure get the chicken karaage. The food experience reminded me of Japan. I would recommend and come back for sure. The musubi looks so good too! They don't have soda fountain water only bottled water for sale. We went to the car and brought our own water in. The place is clean and didn't smell like fried food. Yummy yum yum!

We did lunch take out- Keema curry (spices were good, but it was still not something I'd order again), Fried shrimp and Mille Fuille tonkatsu. The tonkatsu was good. I think if we ate in and fried items came out fresh and hot instead of soggy it would have been much better. In fairness, next time we will try the dine in dinner.

The pork cutlet was cooked perfectly. Super crispy batter but tender and moist on the inside. Although maybe not the as important but the rice was also so perfectly cooked. Just wished the cutlet was served with some kind of dipping sauce or there was shoyu sauce on the tables. Friendly staff and clean interior. Would definitely eat here again.

Food is delicious and they have a nice variety they are very friendly and do not accept cash but have a nice menu I am anxious to try the new curry item that is stewed in beer !!!

Took out stewed hamburg steaks and karaage bento. Stewed Hamburg steaks are really good: although we made this order with salad instead of rice, these hamburg steaks certainly go well with rice. Karaages are juicy however not much spice so I would recommend you to prepare ponzu or kochujan when you order it from home. Gochiso sama deshita.

Having parking at a restaurant is a big plus for customers to come by. There's no parking at this location and you can't park in the back area. One time I didn't know and did anyways, but ran inside to grab a musubi. One time there was no nikumaki onigiri! I would stop by often for musubis if they have parking in front. lol. They have plate lunches and i was able to try when I found street parking across in the next block but it's rare. Stewed hamburger steak and Keema Curry were tasty but I want to try the chicken plates next. My favorite of them all is the nikumaki (pork wrapped) onigiri. I love bacon wrapped musubi! I wished more places would sell it or have a restaurant near downtown. :)

Minatoku Kitchen is serving their customers japanese style foods, and each dish is prepped to perfection. The chicken karaage was very moist and tender, Keeman curry has aeromatic flavors, and their chicken Nam ban is moist and flavorful. Service is good, and the interior is clean and organized.PaymentCash or credit ParkingStreet parkingRestroomsOn the side

The Tan Tan Men (on their seasonal menu) hit the spot and the edamame and french fries were nicely done. Must come back soon to try their lunch menu items -- gyuudon, tonkatsu, taco rice!