The Pig and the Lady

It just makes my day that Andrew Le has brought The Pig and the Lady to the Kailua Farmers Market. He's bringing Vietnamese street food to the masses in Kailua as well as the Blaisdell and Kapiolani Community College markets. Here's the Com Ga Hoi An style chicken salad (pictured above). A simple looking dish yet packed with complex flavors. I'll be back next week to see what kind of soup he has. Last week it was Momma Le's Bun Bo Hue. This beef soup made me wish I could be adopted into the Le family just for the home cooking.

Akaton vs. miso ramen

Like Godzilla vs. Mothra, akaton vs. miso ramen are two monster bowls of flavor contending for your taste buds now at Yataimura Shirokiya. Akaton (above photo) comes from Menya Ifu Do Do, making a return appearance from last year as the crowd favorite in the ramen fest. Yama Arashi Ramen Sapporo is here until January 15. It's close but I have to bow to Yama Arashi as the winner in this iron ramen competition. The ginger and butter in the miso broth in the Yama Arashi bowl is a slurp above the spicy chili oil Menya Ifu Do Do. If you go for the akaton, be sure to get the mustard cabbage topping which adds another layer of flavor. (Photo by Honolulu Mark)

Yama-Arashi miso ramen

Yama-Arashi is the latest shop from Japan to pop up in Yataimura. The bite of ginger in this miso ramen elavates this bowl (pictured above) to one of my favorites. The ginger, miso and sweet butter corn play well together with the roast pork. Next step is to slurp down a bowl of Yataimura ramen champion Menya Ifu Do Do located two stalls away. Whose ramen is oodles above the other bowl of noodles? (photo by Honolulu Mark)

Stick out your tongue

Here's the gyu-tan (above) from Da Ala Cart. It's shoyu-seasoned beef tongue on a stick from Chris Quisote who brings his own spin on kushiyaki to the streets of Honolulu. Follow him at @daalacart to see where you can find his ono bites of beef, pork, including loin and belly, and fish like the shishamo (below) wrapped in bacon.

Taiyaki at Shirokiya

Get your fresh, hot off the griddle taiyaki here at Shirokiya. Choose from variety of fillings to stuff into the fish-shaped pancakes including azuki beans, custard cream, sweet potato, taiyaki dog, or okonomi taiyaki.

Momo Burger

Momo Burger is a new truck that hit the streets of Honolulu about a month ago. Colin Sato is the man behind the spatula slinging burgers. The menu features the classic cheese burger and bacon cheese burger, as well as a kim chee burger, veggie burger, teri burger, and mushroom burger. There's also an interesting lamb burger.

I tried the kim chee burger when I spied Momo Burger parked on Ward Ave. near the Patagonia store at Ward Gateway on a recent Saturday afternoon. The kim chee burger is kalbi glazed beef with kim chee slaw and ko chu jang aioli in a toasted sesame bun. Pair that with some seasoned garlic fries for a om nom nom worthy lunch.

Find the Momo Burger at Taco'ako Tuesday and on Saturdays for lunch at the Ward Ave. spot.

Nonstop Kakaako

Nonstop Kakaako is a vision what a revitalized downtown would look like in Honolulu. I am reminded of SOMA in The City or SoDo in Seattle. For one night, citizens could see it. If you can see it, you can be it.