Ala Moana has a new sushi bar. Guess where?

Have you been to Shirokiya lately? How many times have I been asking that? First they revamp the entire second floor into a Japanese food mecca and beer garden, then they convert half the first floor into a sweets plaza, then they bring in ramen shops from all over Japan for two-week pop-ups … and there’s more?

The Japanese department store at Ala Moana Center, locally owned now and the only one left in the statewide chain, may be 350 years old, but it’s moving pretty fast. Don’t come here if you’re easily overwhelmed or can’t handle change. The first floor has changed focus again. And don’t overlook the corner on the second floor between the crepes and the takoyaki: That’s only one month old.

That corner is the reason why the last time I went looking for ramen, I never got it. Just watch.

Maguro Zanmai
Ala Moana Center, Shirokiya 2F