#QuarantineTakeOut: Ichiriki Nabe

It’s a whole new world, forcing many to change the way they do business. In some cases, that’s a really good thing.

My company manages the social media for Ichiriki Nabe, so I’m well aware that people in Hawaii are crazy for hotpot. I also knew that customers have wanted them to offer takeout for a long time, but it was never something the restaurant wanted to push.

A full set of takeout from Ichiriki. Not pictured: Rice or udon.

Well, COVID-19 forced their hand on that. So last week, I tried a full set of Ichiriki’s nabe takeout for myself. Now, this photo is a little more fancy, as the raw tsukune (chicken meatballs) isn’t served in the bamboo sleeve — they put it into a container for you, already in balls.

When I saw the container of broth, I was dubious that it would be enough, since the servers often come around to refill our nabe pot in the restaurant. But it was actually more than enough! I guess it’s different when you do it in a regular pot at home.

There were definite advantages and disadvantages to takeout nabe, one of which is that I don’t have a nabe pot at home. Also I don’t get the fun of interactive cooking with others at the table. But that’s about it.

I was surprised to find that I liked eating nabe at home. The biggest advantage, for me, is that I’m always too full to eat the zosui at the end. Here at home, I could save the leftovers, and make the zosui the next day. In the meantime, I went to the store to get more shiitake and enoki mushrooms to customize it, and then I could use my own white pepper (instead of the restaurant’s black pepper).

As a singleton, I’d never be able to go to Ichiriki on my own and just eat by myself. But now, if I feel like it, I can just order in and not feel self-conscious. If you want to try it yourself, check out the Ichiriki takeout menu!

Do you have any favorite restaurants with surprising takeout benefits? Let me know!

Ichiriki restaurants:
510 Piikoi St.
(808) 589-2299

98-150 Kaonohi St #C-216
(808) 484-2222

46-047 Kamehameha Hwy.
(808) 236-2299

Melissa Chang

Melissa has been blogging regularly since 2007 and has more than 25 years’ experience in marketing and public relations. She is currently an independent marketing consultant, specializing in social media. Follow her @Melissa808 on Instagram and Twitter.

Melissa Chang has 194 posts and counting. See all posts by Melissa Chang

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