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| - I expected a really mindblowing experience after all the hype around the original location and the positive comparisons drawn between the two, but the Eastern outpost of this restaurant lands merely in the "really good" category.
Island Flavor Express is in the Regal Colonnade plaza on Eastern and Pebble, and it's very clearly a Hawaiian restaurant given all the depictions of the islands, reggae/ska music, and typical plate lunch menu options. They also offer varying specials and some desserts, although the desserts seemed to have run out in the waning evening hours. The decor is very simple but doesn't detract from the experience. Make sure to walk to the far end of the counter to place an order, but feel free to sit down if you're not taking it to-go. They'll bring the food out to your counter (or table, if you've picked the one table).
I ordered the mixed plate ($11.25) with Furikake Chicken and Kalbi Short Ribs (+$1.00 for this particular meat). It's presented in a foam to-go box even if you're dining in. My favorite part was actually the macaroni salad, which was salted in a good way, and as creamy as you'd expect. The chicken was kinda like the "KFC" at Gen Korean BBQ in a not-so-good way. It has more of a dry, stringy texture than a moist, natural chicken texture, and the furikake didn't stand out as much as the sweet glaze did. Sriracha saved the day though, bestowing a little extra sweetness along with much-needed acidity and heat. I don't like having to add a condiment to make something stand out, but I'm very glad that I had the option.
As for the other parts of the dish, the white rice is cooked perfectly, and the kalbi is a great rendition with tender beef, a nice touch of ginger, and some charring. It's a little on the fatty side, but let's remember that fat = flavor, which was proven in this case. Actually, it has muted sweetness when you eat it after something as sweet as the Furikake Chicken, but I was able to taste the full flavor when I dove into my my leftovers. If I get a mixed plate again with kalbi, I'll probably have to go for something like a pork dish that's not so sweet.
My friend shared a spam musubi ($2) with me. It was a nice-sized portion, but the rice ratio was a bit high for me. Also, the seaweed was a little too mushy, which my friend pointed out may be a side-effect of the heat lamp. Although there are interesting seasonings and herbs in Island Flavor's version, I prefer the Ross J's rendition, which I'm sure is prepped to order.
I also tried my friend's oxtail soup ($10), which actually comes in a real bowl if you're dining in. Unfortunately, I can't compare it to the renowned Hawaiian oxtail soup at that one hotel downtown (because I've yet to try it), but this version tasted well-seasoned and meaty. The vegetables are a welcome sight, but watch out for the not-so-edible ginger and the inedible bay leaf. I'd consider ordering it again, especially now that we're getting soup weather daily, although I might have to make it a to-go order or otherwise bring my own soup spoon to avoid dealing with the inadequate plastic spoons.
Given that the food here is reportedly much the same as OG Island Flavor, I wasn't quite as impressed as I'd hoped. I certainly enjoyed having plenty of leftovers with the huge portions, and I'll definitely come back to try their other proteins and specials (pork chops w/ mushrooms and onions, anyone?), but I expected to experience something "sublime" other than the music. Maybe I'll find it in the future.
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