Preview of Japan Village Walk reveals a range of food options

Shirokiya opened the doors to its long-awaited, $35 million Japan Village Walk on Monday for a preview at Ala Moana Center. The 44,860-square-foot space housing 56 shops and 900 seats will open next week.

Created in the image of Japan’s Monzen-towns — clusters of small shops in front of shrines and temples — Village Walk features six wagyu stations and eight seafood stations, plus a bakery, overseen by the Vintage Cave, Shirokiya’s exclusive fine-dining restaurant known for cuisine that utilizes only the finest of ingredients from across the globe.

The “Wagyu Plaza,” preparing everything from carpaccio to curry and shabu shabu, and “Seafood Plaza” with various cooked and raw seafood preparations, deliver “prime ingredients in a village-walk setting,” said Rowell Fronda, a chef at the Vintage Cave who served up clams and mussels at the preview. Prices for plaza menu items, to be artistically plated and served on ceramic dishware, range from about$15 to $30 a plate.

Customers will find more affordable options at the 32-kiosk yataimura, or food court, and a beer station that will offer $1 brews at five service counters.

Dining choices range from ramen and bento to sukiyaki and sushi, plus Japanese-style crepes and hot dogs, Hawaiian and Thai food, burgers and even pizza. Desserts include Japanese-style shave ice, complete with azuki beans and mochi, to crepes, Kyoto sweets and bubble juice.

Included in the space are a Guardian Spirits Sanctuary with charity donation boxes, prayer area and deity statues; the Zeppin Plaza selling trinkets, and ceramic and glass dishware; and KZOO radio station.

A preview for the public runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Wednesday. The Village Walk then will be closed until its grand-opening events at 10 a.m. June 25 and 26. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.