Kan Zaman expands to Kaimuki

May 26, 2017

Melissa Chang,

Kan Zaman’s new spot is next to The Pill Box in Kaimuki.

Kan Zaman fans have been eagerly awaiting for chef-owners Kamal Jemmari and Youssef Dakroub to open their second outpost in Kaimuki. Let’s face it, you can’t always make it to Chinatown; this new location offers more options in East Honolulu, and there’s nothing like it in the area.

It’s in the complex between 11th and 12th Avenues, next to The Pill Box and up the stairs.

Youssef Dakroub (left) and Kamal Jemmarri, the talent behind Kan Zaman.

We got to try their new dishes, which will be exclusive to Kaimuki:

Mezza sampler, $16.95: A shared plate of hummus, baba ghanouge, wrack nab (stuffed grape leaves) and taktouka (a traditional Moroccan Arabian salad composed of tomatoes, onions, grilled paprika and olive oil).

Always, always get a glass of iced Moroccan mint tea ($5, includes a free refill). It’s super refreshing and imparts a lovely mint essence.

One of the new items exclusively at Kaimuki Kan Zaman, seafood bastilla: phyllo dough filled with spiced vermicelli, seafood and harissa.

Also new and exclusive to Kaimuki: Salmon charmoula, infused with saffron, lemon, garlic, and coriander. It’s served with grape tomatoes and asparagus, but the very unique thing is the bed of chickpea polenta underneath.

Shakshouka is a traditional Middle Eastern breakfast dish comprised of roasted tomatoes, bell peppers and spices, baked in a heavy skillet with poached eggs. You can get the vegetarian version or the one with Merguez lamb sausage. This one is exclusive to Kaimuki, and imparts an addicting flavor that is both exotic and familiar.

Most of the deserts are the same at both restaurants but they did develop an orange blossom tiramisu and a spiced chocolate cake (not shown). Our classic favorites are, of course, the orange blossom cheesecake and the Turkish chocolate coffee cheesecake.

Other than those exclusive dishes, the menu at Kan Zaman Kaimuki will be the same as Chinatown. This new restaurant will also have a liquor license, so if you prefer to BYOB, head to Chinatown.