Ramen shop opens temporary store in Ala Moana Center

With aggressive expansion plans to open 21 locations in in Texas for 2017, AGU A Ramen Bistro put focus back on Hawaii by opening its first pop-up location on Oahu. Taking over the Iyo Udon space next to Victoria’s Secret on the Mauka side of Ala Moana Center, AGU A Ramen Bistro is testing a new format ramen shop which opened in late August—a self-service eatery where customers simply order and pay for their food at the counter before finding a seat in the dining room, where a server will deliver the food.

AGU Ramen – Shio Jidori. Courtesy: Sean M. Morris

 

AGU Ala Moana – exterior. Courtesy: Yumi Ozaki

The menu will be limited compared to the other five locations, featuring some of the most popular dishes, including shio (salt) tonkotsu (pork-based broth), shoyu tonkotsu, spicy tonkotsu, shio jidori (chicken-based broth), shoyu jidori, yuzu jidori, vegetarian tan tan, pork curry rice, and soboro don. Appetizers and sides, such as gyoza, AGUcini (deep fried cheese rice ball), chicken karaage (fried chicken), and agedashi tofu (deep fried tofu cubes in a light dashi) will also be served.

Those mourning the loss of Iyo Udon will be relieved to hear that a few of the most popular udon items will remain on the menu—the kake udon (hot noodles in soup), bukkake (both versions—hot and chilled noodles with soy-based broth), buta curry udon (noodles bathed in a rich pork curry) and zaru udon (cold dipping noodle) options—in addition to a variety of tempura selections served ala carte.

“We want to try something quick and easy for those who are on a tight schedule,” says Hisashi “Teddy” Uehara, owner and chef. “This format works well in Texas for ramen, and so we wanted to see how it works for a location such as Ala Moana that witnesses shoppers, retail employees, and businesspeople who need a quick bite.”

The pop-up is slated to be open for eight months, until March 31, 2018. AGU A Ramen Bistro operates five other locations throughout Oahu. For more information, visit www.aguramen.com or call (808) 797-2933.

Diane Ako

Peace of mind By Diane Ako I like to reflect on life. Sometimes it’s philosophically. Sometimes it’s humorously. For all its beauty, life is far too difficult a journey to take alone. You need the support and connection with others to help carry you along the way. Writing brings me that connection– within and without. It clarifies my thoughts and feelings. It helps me reach out to others for advice, wisdom, or feedback. Your thoughts become your actions. Your actions become you. A wise yogi- Patanjali- said, “Speak what is true. Speak what is pleasant.” Let’s speak of things pleasant to one another and seek some peace of mind along the way. ABOUT Diane Ako joined Hawaii: In Real Life in October 2016. She likes being part of a community of local bloggers – people who like writing and sharing, like she does. Ako is an anchor/ reporter at Island News (KITV4 – ABC) in Honolulu. She previously anchored and reported at KHON2 (FOX) and KHNL (NBC), and at stations in California, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. She freelance writes for NMG Network's magazines. In between news jobs, in 2017, she launched and ran her own p.r. company, Diane Ako PR. From 2010-2014, she headed the public relations department at Halekulani Corporation, which oversees luxury resort Halekulani and boutique hotel Waikiki Parc. She’s been blogging since 2009 – before Hawaii: IRL, she wrote for The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the state’s largest daily newspaper, where her stories garnered a dozen journalism awards and an Emmy nomination. Ako has a BA in Communications from Menlo College and an MA in Political Science from University of Hawaii at Manoa. She volunteers as a board member of the Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation, a Shinto shrine maiden at Daijingyu Temple, a citizen-scientist studying shrimp, and a yoga teacher at a senior center.

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