ETHIOPIAN LOVE VEGGIE SAMPLER
ETHIOPIAN LOVE RESTAURANT
1112 Smith St., Chinatown
Phone number (808) 725-7197 website ethiopianlovehi.com
Hawaii cuisine leans Asian — there’s really no disputing that. But those eager to try something outside the norm can visit Ethiopian Love in Chinatown. Maximize your adventure by getting the bigger of the two veggie sampler options, with six different dishes — featuring vegan-friendly lentils, cabbage, split peas, spinach and many other pleasant, spicy combinations. Here’s the catch, though: There are no utensils at this restaurant. You are instead given little rolls of sourdough-like bread, injera, which you use to scoop the food into your mouth. Messy, but fun.
SEXY SALMON BOWL
UP ROLL CAFÉ
665 Halekauwila St., Kakaako
Phone number (909) 475-0099 website uprollcafe.com
We’re still not entirely sure why they dub their salmon “sexy,” but we’re just going to roll with it (sorry). Up Roll Café serves a mix of sushi burritos and bowls, with fish and veggies that taste super fresh. The Sexy Salmon — which, like all options, also is available as a burrito — features fresh raw salmon, cucumber, takuwan, sprouts, lemon sauce and a cream cheese sauce. From there, you can choose to add white or brown rice, quinoa or salad, additional sauces, and various toppings and veggies. Pictured here, we like to load ours up with edamame, lettuce and fried garlic with a mayo aioli. Plus, the café itself is cozy and chic, and the staff is always super friendly.