Wiki Wiki Hawaiian BBQ – What would be cut?
Speaking of unpopular authentic dishes taken off the serving tray, I’m reminded of the Hawaiian place on Shattuck. I overheard the owner say that he would have to remove some stuff from the now-three-page menu. There’s business, most are lone diners and take-outs, but naturally business is not the same for every item. Once a middle-aged man ordered 20 spam musubis to-go, and I imagine this is nothing unusual for a $2 nori-wrapped solid brick of rice with one slice of browned processed succulence. It’s just a good deal, it tops the chart in terms of convenience times filling factor divided by cost. If you’re a Berkeley student, I guarantee you can’t dig up a better combination of those quantities in this area. So the spam musubis are safe, but who are (not) on the chopping block?
The barbecued meat and fried seafood? I don’t think. BBQ is in the name. You can snob up your chin about meat quality, but don’t tell me that the smell of caramelized grilled short ribs doesn’t wet your tongue. Crunchy fried mahi mahi and fan-shaped split shrimp offer more texture than taste, so I might worry a tad for them. For $8.25, the seafood combo (pictured) doesn’t deliver as much as the $7.75 BBQ mixed plate (teriyaki steak, short ribs, and chicken).
Not all meat is popular, though. Take fresh pork lau lau for instance. You are presented with a leaf bundle next to the usual three scoops, one of cheesy cold macaroni salad and two of white rice. You unwrap the leaves like one unwinding a silkworm’s cocoon, only to find more greens inside that baffles you “is this edible? should I keep unwrapping?” You sample a bit of that green mash, and feel smoothness sliding down your throat. It’s like overcooked spinach coated with beef fat. The meat is similar, like a plainer sister of the Vietnamese meat kho minus the sugar and the sauce. Then something fishy creeps up to the base of your teeth. Fish that you can’t see but it is there, so well woven into the pork and the greens that the taste is but a wisp of its slippery skin. You may notice that the whole experience sounds like a butter pool, and indeed it is. Plain and fattily smooth. Perhaps it slides down too smoothly to grab hold of my interest. $7.25 is quite reasonable for a fistful load of “taro leaves, pork, butterfish, and salt, all wrapped in Ti leaves“, but if you didn’t grow up with the taste, you wouldn’t miss it. I suspect pork lau lau will say bye bye. :-/
Saimin is likely another go-er, though for a different reason. If pork lau lau is at the very least respectable for its interesting ingredients, the barebone saimin’s simplicity doesn’t justify its price. At $3.25 you get a wad of egg noodle in salted broth, four rosy fingers of spam and a sprinkle of green onion rings. But, to be fair, I’d like to try Wikiwiki saimin with egg and BBQ chicken before I finalize the sentence.
The one thing that Wiki Wiki should keep even till word’s end is in this last picture. When you hear that sizzling sound the patty makes on the grill, suddenly something’s awake in you. But the meat isn’t the best part. It’s the rice smothered in a thick peppery gravy, further thickened by two running yolks. Every spoon glosses your upper lip. It’s just yellow and brown and unpretentious like an old friend’s laugh.
The loco moco made me like Wiki wiki, just like the oksusu cha sprouted my love for Berkel Berkel. Something about it (most likely its $6.50 price :-P) connects generations of Cal bears. I was reading Zach Mann’s post at The Eaten Path and I saw “that Shattuck Blvd discount diner,” and suddenly I felt that Zach Mann wasn’t a stranger anymore. Well, I’m sure I’m still a stranger to him, but hey, we ate at the same place, perhaps sat at the same shiny metallic table, and independently felt the same way about a meal sold in transparent plastic box. You can trust us on our assessment of Wiki Wiki’s loco moco. It won’t go off the menu. It can’t.
Address: Wiki Wiki Hawaiian BBQ
2417 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704-2022
(510) 548-3936
I’m not certain the place you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend a while learning much more or understanding more. Thank you for magnificent information I was looking for this info for my mission.
1Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a risky decision great post! .
2I enjoy your piece of work, thankyou for all the great articles.
3I like this post, enjoyed this one thank you for putting up. “The universe is not hostile, nor yet is it unfriendly. It is simply indifferent.” by John Andrew Holmes.
4Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.
5Merely wanna admit that this is very useful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
6Very interesting topic, thanks for putting up.
7I’m usually to blogging and i really respect your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and hold checking for brand spanking new information.
8Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too wonderful. I really like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it sensible. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a great site.
9As I site possessor I believe the content material here is rattling great , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck.
10Thanks a lot for giving everyone a very wonderful chance to read from this web site. It’s usually very lovely and as well , jam-packed with a great time for me and my office co-workers to visit the blog more than 3 times a week to find out the newest tips you have. And lastly, I am actually happy with all the cool tips you give. Some 1 ideas on this page are surely the most effective I’ve ever had.
11You have brought up a very wonderful points, thankyou for the post.
12I have recently started a web site, the information you provide on this web site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
13Hey there! I’ve been following your web site for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Dallas Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the great job!
14I love the efforts you have put in this, thank you for all the great articles.
15Thankyou for this rattling post, I am glad I discovered this internet site on yahoo.
16I think other website proprietors should take this internet site as an example , very clean and wonderful user pleasant pattern.
17You made a few good points there. I did a search on the theme and found nearly all folks will agree with your blog.
18Hey there, You’ve done an excellent job. I will definitely digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this website.
19Thank you for every other informative blog. The place else may just I am getting that type of information written in such an ideal means? I have a project that I am just now running on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.
20I got what you mean ,bookmarked, very decent site.
21Hello.This post was really fascinating, especially since I was browsing for thoughts on this subject last Thursday.
22I got what you mean , thanks for posting.Woh I am thankful to find this website through google.
23This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
24This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
25Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I wish to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and on no account seem to get one thing done.
26Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog? My blog is in the very same area of interest as yours and my users would genuinely benefit from a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this alright with you. Cheers!
27Some truly nice stuff on this internet site, I enjoy it.
28I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thank you again
29I was studying some of your blog posts on this site and I believe this website is really instructive! Keep on putting up.
30Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
31I do agree with all of the concepts you have introduced in your post. They’re very convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are too short for novices. May you please prolong them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
32Pretty component to content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to say that I get actually loved account your weblog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you get admission to constantly quickly.
33Simply wanna input that you have a very nice internet site, I like the pattern it really stands out.
34