Koi Koi Okonomiyaki

reviewing the food & entertainment pleasures of Honolulu

I’m always delighted to find new places in the food court at Ala Moana. A a few months ago I tried Koi Koi Okonomiyaki after it first opened. The menu was confus

ing, but promised “healthy style” Japanese food. When I returned today the menu had been simplified and the healthy claim gone.

Kansai (Osaka) style Okonomiyaki is what is served here. It is a pan fried batter cake with toppings. It’s a savory Japanese pancake. I ordered the one with pork($8.95). I believe there was cabbage and green onion in the batter. It’s laid out on the flat grill in a large circle and then the pork is put on top before turning. Pork in this instance is bacon, 5 whole strips. Once the bacon is cooked it’s turned back over and the sauces are put on. A sauce sort of like a Worcestershire sauce but thicker and sweeter is put on first. Then a design of mayonnaise is added after that. Next is a sprinkling of furikake (a Japanese seaweed spice). Then on top of it all is placed a pile of fish flakes.

It’s a strange mixture of textures and flavors, but I like it. It’s quite large and I couldn’t eat it all. An hour later, I knew I’d never go back. I started having a strong MSG reaction. I had forgotten that I got it the last time too. I get a lightheaded headache and upper jaw pain when I eat too much MSG. Why this horrible additive is still in use I haven’t a clue. Our favorite Dim Sum place uses it too and sometimes I’m fine and sometimes I get a reaction like today.