King's Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant

4 June 2007

Torrance, CA - You've most likely had, at one time or another, King's Hawaiian Sweet Bread or their delicious rolls. If you have, you know what a treat they are. At family gatherings and other special occasions these rolls go faster than any other kind of roll. Like French toast? Try making it with King's Hawaiian Sweet Bread. You won't want to go back to whatever it was you were using before.

I found out they had a restaurant several years ago but had never gone to try it out. Then a funny thing happened; in an office building the other day I was ‘attacked’ by a bag which proclaimed it that had come from King's Hawaiian Bakery and Restaurant. Well, that was all I needed to see. My jones for ono kaukau (delicious food for you malihinis) kicked in. I HAD to go there for lunch. I googled King's Hawaiian and found they have two locations in Torrance, California.

An easy drive to the restaurant was a good sign. I arrived in the parking lot in back and walked towards the front entrance. In the windows were posters teasing me with the unique King's Hawaiian fare to be had inside. I hadn't even reached the front door yet and I was already drooling.

The architecture instantly reminded me of Oahu. Upon walking in, the first things you see are the fresh baked goods for sale. Cakes, pastries, sweets. And, of course, chocolate covered macadamia nuts! Had I died and gone to Heaven? Memories of a city tour of Honolulu came flooding back. No question, I must return to Hawaii.

For lunch I ordered two meals. When trying out new places that serve Hawaiian plate lunches, I always get Loco Moco as a basis for comparison. Loco Moco, for the uninitiated, is constructed with a serving of rice, topped by a hamburger patty – preferably the hand-formed, homemade kind, and topped by eggs - usually sunny-side up. You then generously pour (or drown depending on the establishment) gravy over top of the whole concoction. Stories of how this creation came to be are as varied as the way each different restaurant prepares it. If you are a health-conscious eater, don't go anywhere near this dish. Counting calories or watching your cholesterol numbers? Fuhgeddabouddit. A healthy meal this ain’t. We’re talking strictly comfort food here.

Here at King's Hawaiian, the Loco Moco is good. Their gravy is slightly thinner than in some other drive-ins (or cafés for those back on the continent). (Personally, I prefer the thicker dark brown gravy that a brick mason could ply his trade with). Their patty is charbroiled, which is the best way to prepare a hamburger, but it slightly overpowers the taste of the other ingredients in this dish. Still, I was pleased with it.

The other meal was Kalua pork. If you have ever been to a luau in Hawaii and seen the Imu ceremony, this is what you will be served. The Kalua pork was very juicy, very savory. It tasted as if it had been roasted slowly with the juices sealed in. Broke da mout’! I have to admit this was the second-best Kalua pork I have ever eaten, second only to a restaurant in Maui whose name I have since forgotten. With this meal came a container of lomi salmon. I had never had lomi salmon before nor did I have any idea how to eat it. The best way to describe it is Hawaiian-style salsa with bits of fish instead of cilantro. Instinctively my chopsticks headed for the rice to mix with the salmon. Turns out that was a good move. All these years of eating sushi came in handy. It was served cold so it provided a nice contrast to the pork, both in flavor and in temperature.

Next on the list of must-try dishes from King’s are the pupus (appetizers for you mainlanders). Kalua Nachos and King's Colossal Mac Nut Onion Rings will head the list. Torrance is not on my daily commute route so I have to make an excuse to return. ‘Kay den. We talk story later.

Looking for more places in Kaliponi dat get plate lunch? Visit Cousin April’s Plate Lunch Page

King’s Hawaiian Bakery and Restaurant – Highly recommended.