Other South-East Asian Restaurants

Da Big Boyz: All three are great - E&O for a great atmosphere suitable for cocktails; Spices for originality; Chez Sovan for fast-food.

Spices. 2671 S. King St. in McCully/Moiliili. 949-2679. Lunch Tuesday-Friday, dinner nightly except closed on Monday. Parking on street or in lot behind restaurant. Prices: $$. Map.

Lao Curry from the ecclectic hide-away, Spices.

You will find the exotic spices of several different countries here, including Burma, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. The brightly lit, contemporary dining room is filled with earthy, pastel colors and hanging pictures taken personally by one of the owners at different southeast Asian spots. It is popular with the university and professor-types, as are many eateries in this area, attracted by the exotic appeal of fresh herbs, spices, vegetarian meals, and an array of generally healthy dishes. They make their own pork sausage, with strong hints of chili, lemongrass, and dill, as well as several ice creams, infused with the natural flavors of fruits like lemon and durian and even herbs and plants like ginger and lemongrass, along with my favorite – pandan. Sounds wild, but give it a shot! They are fragrant, creamy, and rich, not to mention very creative.

E&O Trading Co. 1200 Ala Moana Blvd. at the Ward Center in Kakaako. 591-9555. Lunch and dinner daily. Parking in center lot. Prices: $$$. Map. E&O Trading Co. is the slightly more sophisticated choice of the big four nightspots at Ward Center (the others being Ryan’s, Compadres, and Brew Moon), with a vibe that is a bit quieter and tailored for a slightly more mature crowd than its higher-energy neighbors. E&O features artsy oriental décor, super-sized mixed drinks, and a menu inspired of East Indian and Southeast Asian flavors. The signature Indonesian corn fritters with soy/chili dipping sauce is a great, deep-fried way to start, and the Burmese ginger salad, tamarind-soy Portobello mushroom with ginger sauce, and lemongrass-skewered duck breast are all creative and enjoyable dishes. The calamari is a must-try and one of the best anywhere on the island! The mai-tai’s are served in giant-sized glasses for a nice effect and pack a real punch!

Chez Sovan Express. 500 Ala Moana at the Restaurant Row in Kakaako. 599-8812. Open only on Monday-Friday, from 10:30am-5pm. Parking in center lot. Prices: $. Map. This very casual, order-at-the-counter eatery offers dishes kicked up with the many strong herbs and spices typical of southeast Asia – Cambodia, to be exact. The signature amok mixes fish with egg, coconut, lemongrass, galanga, shallots, and greens and comes wrapped in a banana leaf for steam-cooking. The sach ang, or BBQ meat sticks, are decently-sized, marinated in spices and herbs, and grilled to produce a healthy smoke flavor. Both of these dishes are fantastic, and well worth the weekday excursion.

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