Izakaya Tairyo

Out of the blue, Maki-chan (not to be confused with Makizushi) called Umami to say "hi" and plans were quickly made to meet for a pau hana rendezvous at Izakaya Tairyo.  Tairyo is about a year or so old is the spot on the corner of Piikoi and Hopaka, just mauka of Ichiriki (is that helpful?) with the giant red koi painted on its blue roof and walls.  Really, it's hard to miss.

Hard to miss! (Photo by Dale Yasunaga on World Wide Ed).

Parking is miserable on Hopaka because of the presence of Sidestreet Inn a couple of storefronts away, so best bet is parking at Ala Moana Center and just walking over.

The interior is a riot of Japanese fishing village decor.  Umami sat on a milk crate that had a cushion strapped to the top.  It's a good time!

Seafood Bomb

The food is pretty good and fairly inexpensive as far as izakayas go.  The Seafood Bomb ($8) is small cubes of fish (ahi? uku? Umami wasn't paying attention), ikura, green onion, and natto.  You mix it all up (it makes a helluva mess) and spoon it out onto the nori (to the left in the pic) and roll it up like a mini sushi.    It's a lot of cold, squishy (some would say slimy . . . ) texture, dominated by the salt of the seafood and the nori.  Umami wouldn't order it again, but Maki-chan thought it was, well, the bomb.  Sorry.

Oden

The Oden ($7.75) was simple and tasty.  Egg, fishcakes, konnyaku, and other stuff Umami couldn't identify.  Maki-chan is a fan.

Salmon Belly

Salmon Belly ($6.50) is not a regular menu item, but Umami was tipped off by the waiter, a familiar face from Komokata (a late, lamented East Oahu restaurant).  Three pieces, seared, skin on, the fish was like buttah!  Would have been excellent with some hot white rice.

Pork Belly Simmered in Shoyu

The Pork Belly ($7.50) is similar to, but is not, Okinawan style, as it's a little less sweet.  The meat, is really tender with nice amounts of fat.  Fortunately, Umami only ate two pieces.  Dr. Lois would have a fit!

Creme Brulee

Who would have thought that Creme Brulee ($6) could be used to make an architectural dessert?  Yet here it was, in all of its Pyramids-Meets-Stonehenge glory.  It's a good solid creme brulee, but it's frozen to allow it stand up, so it's more of a creme brulee pop type taste.  Fun, but not essential.  Next time:  Umami tries the Honey Toast (supposed to better than Shokudo) . . .

All in all, a non-pretentious place, lots of fun, decent food, decent prices (especially at happy hour).  Would be good with a gang of friends.  Umami would do it again.  ;-)

Izakaya Tairyo
514 Piikoi Street (corner of Piikoi and Hopaka)
592-8500