Affordable Splurge: Suntory’s $26 Kama‘āina Lunch Special

Yes, Honolulu, delicious deals can still be found. Frolic’s Affordable Splurge series highlights current lunch or dinner specials that are ‘ono, filling and will make you feel a little bit spoiled.

Photo: Lynne Tsutsuki

What: Local Lunch Set
Where: Suntory in Royal Hawaiian Center
When: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. until April 15
Price: $26
Compare: I mean, it’s washugyu sankaku beef.
Fullness factor: 10 out of 10

Photo: Lynne Tsutsuki

Suntory has been known for its upscale Japanese cuisine for more than 40 years, from sushi to sizzling teppanyaki to sukiyaki-style hot pots. It’s part of a chain of restaurants owned by Suntory Holdings, which is why you can find the famous Hibiki and Yamazaki whiskies, Roku Gin, Haku Vodka and other Suntory drinks here. And until April 15, the restaurant is offering a sweet deal for kama‘āina: a $26 lunch special.

SEE ALSO: Shokudo Opens an Old-School Izakaya in Waikīkī

The Local Lunch Set’s centerpiece is 4 ounces of washu beef tomo sankaku, or tri tip. Tender and flavorful, this cut is popular in yakiniku. The recommended cook is rare to medium rare. Mine, pictured below, is a perfect medium rare, the way I like it. Served in a sizzling cast-iron pan, with crunchy bean sprouts underneath to protect the beef from overcooking, this is a match made in foodie heaven.

Photo: Lynne Tsutsuki

Two dipping sauces accompany the beef, plus four pieces of a daily sushi roll, fresh salad and miso soup. The sesame sauce has a hint of wasabi and is nice on the beef. I love the citrusy tang of the ponzu sauce, which contains a bit of daikon oroshi, or grated radish, on the thinly sliced onions, bell peppers, baby tomatoes, green lettuce and purple cabbage of the salad. The day’s sushi combines a filling of maguro, avocado and cucumber with a topping of ikura and is absolutely delicious.

While it’s enough to fill me up, you can add on garlic fried rice for an additional $5.

Photo: Lynne Tsutsuki

Keep in mind is that Suntory’s dining areas are divided into Teppan and Washoku (Japanese food) sections. Teppanyaki menu items cannot be ordered in the Washoku dining area, and vice versa. I recommend calling ahead and making a reservation for your seating preference.

SEE ALSO: Affordable Splurge: Basalt’s $50 3-Course Prix Fixe

Plus tip

Royal Hawaiian Center gives three hours of free validation to kama‘āina and military if you self-park in the center’s (NOT the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s) parking lot. Bring your same-day receipt for $10 or more from any Royal Hawaiian Center business and your Hawai‘i State ID, driver’s license or military ID to the Helumoa Hale Guest Services desk on the first floor next to Il Lupino between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week.

2233 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 922-5511, restaurantsuntory.com, @restaurantsuntoryhnl