Kirk is my patron saint of lunch-plate food blogging.
He welcomed me into the wonderfully complex web that is this community of food bloggers. And has been a great person to know over the last year. Based in San Diego, this Japanese American hails from Hawai'i and has been a business consultant in a previous life. All of which connect me to him.
We instantly could talk story about not having enryo, our families, and MS' new job this year - in addition to the usual and obvious conversations that surround food and food blogging.
So when I was in San Diego and craving some good Hawaiian eats, Kirk knew of the perfect lunch-plate place.
And with any patron saint, you have faith that they'll guide you right and I knew I was in good hands. MS and I followed the directions to this small, family-owned and casual dining spot. MS ordered the Kalbi lunch plate that came with some standard white rice and generic mac salad. Generous portions of pretty good meat at a great price! MS licked his fingers clean after eating all his shortribs.
I, on the other hand, knew exactly what I was craving - the Korean Chicken lunch plate. (Also, a favorite of Kirk's Missus.) When Kirk met us for lunch our first trip to Da Kitchen, he raved of this restaurant special.
And it IS THAT GOOD.
The sweet marinated fried chicken reminded me of some delicious sesame chicken wings my sorority sister used to make called "J.Ito's Chicken" - the kind that gets you going back for seconds. At Da Kitchen, it's all in the sauce. Not sure what's in their secret recipe, but would LOVE to get my hands on it!
I'm due back in San Diego in another week to visit MS during my winter break, and I'm already smacking my lips for that mmm-yoso tasty fried chicken!
Da Kitchen in San Diego
street: 9823 carroll canyon road | san diego, ca 92131
tel: 858.271.8268
hours: m-sa / 10a - 8p
5 comments:
Hi BoLA - Thanks so much for the link and your warm and much too kind words which both humbles and kinda embarasses me..... But I've always enjoyed chatting(and eating), and think the world of you. I'm glad you both enjoy Da' Kitchen, it's a bit different than all those Hawaiian BBQ's out there.
Kirk
Seems that I'm only able to post comments as Anonymous - but I wanted to make sure to comment!
Mmmm... Hawaiian fried chicken is derived from Korean fried chicken? I was not aware of this. No wonder it always seemed so similar to Japanese tori kara-age, yet so delightfully different.
- Chubbypanda
Isn't Kirk the bestest???
Hi Kirk! Guess who's in San Diego again??? :D
Hi Chubbypanda! Not sure if Hawaiian fried chicken is derived from Korean fried chicken, but this HFC is Mmmm.... Mmmm... ONO!!! ;)
Hi Jeni! Kirk is the bestest! Have fun this holiday break! Will miss you!
Kirk's site is sweet because it has locations of all the casual everyday places, and not just places with lots of $$$'s next to it on the Zaggot Book. I loved Da Kitchen.
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