Flavors reflect cultural mix at Kahai Street Kitchen

The first time I sampled Kahai Street Kitchen’s catering was at my cousin’s wedding in Aina Haina. Among the specialties created by chef David Yamamoto are crisp kataifi-wrapped shrimp with wasabi aioli ($1.85 each), Okinawan sweet potato and kalua pig minicakes with lilikoi-scented slaw and hoisin aioli ($1.25), and pipikaula and watercress summer rolls with sweet Maui onion dipping sauce ($1.75). The flavor combinations dance in your mouth in a celebration of Hawaii’s mix of cultures and sweet, spicy and salty flavors. Kahai Street Kitchen, 237 Kalihi St., also offers plate lunches Tuesdays through Fridays. Call 845-0320 or visit kahaistreet-kitchen.com.

—Nina Wu

Nanding’s rolls deliver sweet satisfaction

Like anything worth having, you have to put some effort into buying Spanish rolls from Nanding’s Bakery in Kalihi, but you’ll be rewarded once you take a bite of the sweet, buttery Filipino pastry. There are only four parking stalls fronting the bakery at 918 Gulick Ave. Inside, there will be a line, but it moves quickly even as customers order several dozen at a time. The rolls resemble a slightly smaller hot dog bun that’s been rolled in sugar and breadcrumbs. At $4 a dozen, they’re a bargain. Eat them warm and you will fill your mouth with joy.

—Mike Gordon

Palama Market offers selection of beauty items

Those who want to avoid the traffic surrounding Palama Market on Makaloa Street will find easier access at the newer Kalihi branch, 1010 N. King St. It’s a great place to pick up fresh prepared food ranging from spicy chicken and fried ika to mung bean pancakes and kim chee jun. The market would not be complete without a health and beauty corner featuring red ginseng products and a Tony Moly cosmetics boutique featuring novel products from Korea, arguably the world leaders in beauty innovation.

Some products include Horseyu Cream with skin-nourishing horse oil, extracted from under the mane and other areas of the animal; Naturalth Aqua Whitening Cream, which uses a 50 percent New Zealand goat milk formula to moisturize and brighten skin; and Face Mix Oil Paper Powder, a sheer pressed powder that acts like oil-blotting paper. And, due to popular demand, the discontinued Fondante Strawberry Milk has returned because women love the scent and lightweight, moisturizing formula.

—Nadine Kam

Carnivorous craving? Ray’s Cafe serves prime plate

Meat lovers take note. Ray’s Cafe, 2033 N. King St., serves a 16-ounce prime rib for $16.95 (or $36.95 with king crab legs) on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Owner Felix Pintor keeps the plate simple: one scoop rice, one scoop macaroni salad, a little au jus and a slab of delicious, glorious red meat. The tiny restaurant seats about 18 and is usually filled, so expect to wait or order takeout. There’s only street parking, so if ordering to go, bring a friend to run in and pick up the order. And it’s cash only at this joint. Ray’s Cafe is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except Sundays when it closes at 4 p.m. Call 841-2771.

—Michelle Ramos

Bob’s continues to dish out affordable comfort food

Nearly 40 years after opening for business on the corner of Dillingham Boulevard and Waiakamilo Road, Bob’s Bar-B-Que remains a popular and affordable destination for local residents. Open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, the menu features comfort food for those heading to the shipyards along Nimitz Highway as well as aloha shirt-wearing businessmen and students. The fried rice omelet ($5.20) and fried Spam and egg sandwich ($3.75) are a great way to start the morning.

Later in the day, stop at Bob’s for hibachi chicken ($8.95) or beef ribs ($13.50) if you’re craving something smoky off the grill, or load up on grab-and-go items like a teri burger ($3.50), fried shrimp burger ($3.95) or kalua pig sandwich ($3.50).

—Jason Genegabus

This week we continue our recurring feature in 5 Things We Love spotlighting stuff you have got to do, see, hear, wear, use or eat in Oahu neighborhoods. Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. Today: Kalihi. Coming up: Kaneohe and the west side. Send your suggestions to features@staradvertiser.com.