For our finest dinner in Maui we headed to Japengo, voted Best Asian and Pacific Rim Cuisine on the island. This is one of the main restaurants at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, which sits on 40 acres along Ka’anapali Beach, the western side of the island. Where to start with this place? The gorgeous ocean-front views, the open-air ambience, the freshest fish and finest beef, the sunset and whale-sightings, the sounds of waterfalls, and hopefully the company you decide to enjoy this restaurant with.
Like most nights out, we started with drinks.
Cocktails shouldn’t be skipped and feature fresh fruits popular on the island, like passionfruit and pineapple. They offer a couple takes on the Hawaiian Mai Tai, both are boozy forward and taste higher-quality than the sugary Mai Tais you’ll find at your average happy hour bar in Maui. If you’re looking for a worthy drink pairing to their exceptional sushi, we’d suggest going for some sake, too, which can be purchased by bottle or a carafe. We chose the Dassai 45 Daiginjo, which is slightly dry with a very smooth finish. This offered a perfect balance to the fresh fish.
To start we had to try a sushi roll. Each day there is a signature roll of chef Masamichi Hattori’s creation. Ours featured fresh yellowtail, tuna, cucumbers and more. The roll was made completely of local ingredients with fish that were in the water that morning, our waiter noted. This roll was easily the best sushi we’ve ever tried. It beats any high-dollar restaurant even in New York or LA. The fish was melt-in-your-mouth quality and the other ingredients made for a robust but so smooth overall combination. This was the night we learned that sushi is truly a work of art.
For our other appetizer we tried the Hamachi Kama, which is broiled yellowtail collar. This is served on the bone with ponzu on the side for dipping. The hamachi was a fine golden crisp on the outside with a wonderful light texture on the inside. There were so many delicious looking options for starters on the menu it was hard to just pick a couple. Others that sounded mouth-watering were the Blackened Ahi Roll, Japengo Poke, and Crispy Pork Belly Bao Buns. Next time!
On to entrees – we opted for more local options and another chef special. The night’s special was a Japanese A5 Waygu 12 oz. steak with asparagus and mashed potatoes. Arguably the best style of steak in the world, this cut was perfectly marbled and we chose to have it served rare. If this sounds good to you, it will probably be the best steak of your life. It was simply unbeatable quality meat in the hands of highly skilled chefs. On the other hand, if you’re dreaming of something light, the Grilled Local Mahi Mahi is an excellent choice. It’s served in a lemongrass beurre blanc sauce and it was a buttery dream come true.
As for the restaurant’s other features, it’s nothing short of an island oasis. The resort’s property is beautiful with water features, palm trees, and even some animals (like African Black-Footed Penguins) to wander by while you walk through the grounds. The service we experienced was top-notch with a very knowledgeable and friendly head waiter. This is the kind of place to have a couple drinks, enjoy amazing food, and watch the sunset without the rush of fine-dining in the city. After all, you’re always on island time in Maui.
Pricing for appetizers can run from $10 to $30, and most entrees are in the $40 to $60 range. You do not have to be a guest of the resort to dine at Japengo, but once you see the property you’ll likely want to stay. Dinner reservations can be made at https://www.opentable.com/japengo-maui. Book early in your trip-planning to ensure a chance to dine here. It will feel like a once in a lifetime meal.