For years, Cyn and I have passed by Budnamujip but never tried it —the windows are completely covered, so you can’t peek inside to see what it’s like, or what people are eating. A Korean barbeque restaurant with a reputation for being expensive, Budnamujip hails from Seoul, and the only location outside of Korea is in Honolulu. This is lucky for us, because on this trip, Budnamujip became our favorite neighborhood restaurant — I’m not Korean, but the food here feels like home to me. It is slightly pricey, but it’s not any more expensive than Korean barbeque in New York City, and the quality of the food is higher. The seafood pancake is the best I’ve ever tasted, with a base that is more egg than flour, replete with jalapenos, scallions, squid, shrimp and scallops. The kalbi and other cuts of meat are delicious, as are the fish dishes — but what is really spectacular are the appetizers, like the pan-fried seasoned burdock, steamed eggplant, and squash salad. The banchan, like the white kimchi, are also standouts. The flavors are so pure here, and though the focus is barbeque, it never feels heavy or greasy. The same dishes are significantly less expensive at lunch, so keep that in mind. Regardless of lunch or dinner, Budnamujip is a must-visit!