Nami Kaze Unveils New Okazuma Okazuya at Frolic Dinner on May 19
Readers can preview the award-winning restaurant’s new okazuya in an evening of live music, lucky numbers and take-home omiyage.
Assortment of dishes from the upcoming Nami Kaze okazuya. Photo: Martha Cheng
Nami Kaze started out as a modern okazuya pop-up. Now the 2023 Hale ‘Aina Best New Restaurant winner and James Beard Award nominee is coming full circle: The eatery is launching Okazuma, a new okazuya concept by chef-owner Jason Peel. Frolic readers can preview a generous assortment of dishes at an exclusive tasting at Frolic’s Okazuma Okazuya Dinner at Nami Kaze on Sunday, May 19.
At the heart of the evening will be a parade of old-school and updated comfort foods served family-style in a sit-down format. But okazuya aren’t only about food. In a nod to the throwback status of the plantation-era delis that are still popular today, the evening will recall old-time gatherings with live Hawaiian music, lucky number prizes and take-home bento boxes filled with Okazuma logo keychains, magnets, treats and other omiyage. Comfy aloha wear is suggested; palaka is even better.
“We’ll probably have too much food,” says Peel, who named the okazuya after his mother and grandmother—aka Mama and Grandma—and the food they made when he was growing up on Kaua‘i. “Like dim sum carts of mini musubis going around. People can pick and choose, so I think that’ll be kind of fun. We’ll be refilling vegetable dishes and the musubi carts will be going all night.”
SEE ALSO: First Look: Nami Kaze, Okazuya-style Now, Izakaya Later
Okazuma opens for large-group pre-orders the same day, May 19, with announcements going up on Nami Kaze’s Instagram. Afterward, Peel says, periodic pop-ups will open up at Okazuma’s new space at Dole Cannery; on these days, anyone can walk in and order.
Tickets for Frolic’s Okazuma Okazuya Dinner on May 19 are $97 and include all food and tip but not drinks. There are two seatings—an early one at 4:45 p.m. and a later one at 7:15 p.m. Pre-order tickets here. Parking next to Nami Kaze at Pier 38 is free.
Here’s the evening’s menu:
Banchan to Start:
- Mama’s Kim Chee
- Taegu Carrot
- Zucchini Namasu
- Marinated Eggplant
- Shiso Tsukemono
- Spicy House Takuan
- Grandma’s Potato Salad
First Course:
- Sashimi Platter
- Hapa Poke
Assorted Musubi Carts:
- Shio
- Shio Nori
- Yukari Ume
- Furikake
- Spam Furikake
- Goteburg Furikake
- Kamameshi
Second Course:
- Mama’s Curry Croquette
- Mama’s Spam Hash
- Mama’s Somen
Third Course:
- Ginger Chicken
- Stuffed Shrimp Katsu
Fourth Course:
- Char Siu Pork Belly
- Smoked Meat
- Kaua‘i Pepper Beef
Assorted Asato Sherbet Cups:
- Mama’s Favorite Mango Bango
- Green River
- Strawberry
Frolic’s Okazuma Okazuya Dinner at Nami Kaze
When: Sunday, May 19, at 4:45 and 7:15 p.m.
Where: 1135 N. Nimitz Hwy
Tickets: $97 online, includes all food and tip
