When you get a visit from Guy Fieri, host of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, you had better bring your A-game. Kenji Burger did just that and then some!
Kenji Burger has two locations on Kauai. The Lihue restaurant is in a strip mall, while the one in Kappa is a standalone store. For the sake of this review, we will focus on the Kappa location. The restaurant is small, and like many businesses on Kauai, it has a laid-back vibe. There is limited seating indoors, but there is outdoor seating.
The best way to sum up Kenji Burger is that it is fusion Asian fast food. But don’t associate fast with junk food. Kenji Burger offers fresh, delicious meals that are reasonably priced.
If you visit their website, you’ll notice that they proudly promote the fact that they only use 100% Kauai grass-fed beef. You can’t get any fresher than that. They offer three types of burgers, and each comes with unique Japanese spices and vegetables. There is also a chicken katsu sandwich and a miso-marinated black cod sandwich. Vegans and vegetarians will be pleased to learn that there is a 100% plant-based burger, too.
Kenji Burger is much more than a burger joint. They offer three salads, four bowls with an assortment of protein and vegetables, and their famous Sushi Burritos. Even the drinks at Kenji Burger reflect their Asian roots. Let your kids try a green tea or lychee milkshake while you savor a Japanese beer or a glass of wine. For those who dare, try the Kirin Ichiban that has a frozen foam topping.
Japanese Burrito
Guy Fieri featured this burrito on his hit show. Kenji Burger uses fresh Kauai ahi tuna that is seasoned to give it a kick. Mixed with the spicy tuna are shrimp tempura and crab meat. Cucumber, avocado, spicy aioli, and unagi sauce are added to the seafood. All of these ingredients sit on a bed of sushi rice. Instead of a flour or corn tortilla, the outer shell is seaweed. Everything is rolled up and sliced in half to make eating this massive burrito easier.
Hapa Burger
This grass-fed burger is set on a toasted bun and crowned with an assortment of spices. Japanese BBQ sauce and sriracha pineapple slaw create the perfect combination of heat and sweetness. Bacon, cheddar cheese, and caramelized onions top off this juicy burger.
Truffle Burger
You start with a mouth-watering burger that has truffle aioli, swiss cheese, and organic Japanese mushrooms. This burger was a favorite among many customers.
Furikake Fries
Kenji Burger takes the American classic, the french fry, to another level. They swirl Teriyaki sauce over the golden fries and sprinkle furikake on top. Furikake is a Japanese seasoning with toasted sesame seeds, nori (dried seaweed), salt, and sugar.
Whether you want a moist, great-tasting burger with some Asian flare or a Sushi Burrito, Kenji Burger will not disappoint.
Insider Tip:
Picnic tables are out back of the Kenji Burger in Kappa. But keep an eye on the roaming chickens. They are known to snatch food from diner’s hands!