doraku sushi

This will be the first of my many food blogs. I’m just a food fanatic and hopefully this will become my outlet to tell everyone where to go and what to eat. While I work in PR, I’m going to devote this blog to honesty and truth…basically I’ll tell it like it is without the “spin”. You may find a few mentions of places in Waikiki in these food blogs. This is mainly due to the fact that it seems like the new hangout spot for my friends and I. With all the new renovations, fresh entertainment, buzzing restaurants, etc. all popping up in the last year or so, it just seems like the place to see and been seen. Stay tuned for more food-ventures in and around Honolulu, Hawaii, and the world.

On Friday night, I ventured to Doraku Sushi at the Royal Hawaiian Center. Yes, it’s the Royal Hawaiian Center now…they took out the word “shopping” since the destination is more than just shopping after all their renovations. Now…back to the restaurant…some of my friends have been raving about about their doraku roll, cuban roll, and the signature fruit-infused sakes. Since it’s recently opened and still new without all the crowds, I decided to give it a go; however, I may have went with too much expectations.

The first thing I noticed when we stepped in was the decor and music. It was a posh place to be…I’m really into the Asian accents all over. Onto the menu…my friends had suggested that I’d get the doraku roll and the mango sake. I was hoping to try their conch ceviche…sounds good. When we ordered, we found out that they were out of the conch ceviche and all of their fruit-infused sakes. Bummer!

In any case, we ended up eating the doraku roll, waikiki roll, and rainbow roll, which were all pretty good (good enough to go back and try their other creations). Instead of the ceviche, we ordered the doraku seafood salad (one of their signature dishes), which ended up as our least favorite dish…talk about sour!!! I saw the sushi chef prep two salad at once and it looked as we got the bottom of the bowl with all the extra dressing.

If you go, skip the salads and go straight to the sushi rolls. Parking is validated for the patrons if you park in the Royal Hawaiian Center ($2 for first two hours; $4 for first four hours). FYI, Doraku Sushi usually turns into “Supper Club” on the second and fourth Friday of the month; however, I haven’t seen much mention from the promoters (Flash and Matty Boy). Keep on the lookout for more information about nightlife in Waikiki.