Nachos in Paradise: Tsukiji's Fish Market Lounge

There was a Groupon for Tsukiji’s Fish Market ($33 for $70 worth of food and drinks) so we bought one and headed there for some Spicy Asian Nachos. We thought initially that we could just use the Groupon to purchase a bunch of nachos, but then after reading it we realized it was a set menu of food: Nachos, Ahi Roll, Garlic Chicken, Chinese Chicken Salad and a pitcher of beer. So instead we got to try a variety of dishes. We were pleasantly surprised, not just at the huge portions, but the quality of food and flavors. Everyone liked everything that came out. Except for one person (not saying any names) who was disappointed when she received her beer and it was not green. She said, “Didn’t we order Heineken? Why is it not green?” Doh! We all had a good chuckle about that. Apparently she had only drank Heineken out of the bottle all of these year. Love you girl! Thanks for the laugh and you learn something new every day eh? The Spicy Asian nachos run $13.90 on the menu in the lounge, but during happy hour (4pm to 8pm) all food is 50% off. Amazing deal for the quality and quantity. The nachos were described as: fried wontons topped with pico de gallo and spy Ahi topped with sweet chili aioli. Definitely not your average nachos. The innovation and creativity was applauded by all and it was refreshing to try something out of the norm with all the nacho devouring we do. Definitely check out the lounge at Tsukiji’s if you have a chance, and make sure it is during happy hour. What a deal! There is plenty of seating for groups for pau hana and the staff is super friendly (not to mention adorable).

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Getting the tables together to accommodate the nacho friends!

Zulma : (4) Very good size/great presentation. RAD : The waiter is gorgeous! Deep fried is always good. Asian fusion was totally rad. I loved the garlic chicken better than Aiea Bowl, yes I said it. LAME : Parking was hard at happy hour/dinner time. Topping to Chip Ratio : 4. Great atmosphere, hot waiter, super great happy hour prices. Great find! The toilet door is for midgets. I am a tall woman and I felt like the door wanted me to fall into the toiled upon closing. Taylor, the waiter, was so nice, humble and you really have to see how fabulous he is.

Steve : (3.5) Triangle plates, rounded…I dig it. Nice color combo. RAD : High quality fish! The sauce was a great balance of spicy and creamy. LAME : Found the chips kinda thick and heavy. Wish they hadn't run out of salmon. Topping to Chip Ratio : 2.5. Oh such a modern looking space.

The aftermath

Nacho Libra : (4) Looks like nachos! Good mound o' chips and toppings. RAD : Ahi is yummy! Ahi has a touch of spiciness. It perfectly melts in your mouth. Little pops of roe are lost unless you use your chopsticks to pick up the Ahi. Aioli is tangy and sweet. Chips have excellent crunch. LAME : Empty chips. But can scoop up fallen toppings. Topping to Chip Ratio : 4, Fresh tomatoes and onions add much needed texture to the toppings. Groupon was an amazing deal! All the food was tasty@ especially the garlic chicken and the salad. Happy hour is 50% off all food! Totally worth it!

Shananigans : (3.5, creative and tasty) Huge plate piled high, flavors mesh well together, fresh onions, tomatoes. RAD : Fresh onions, crispy and flavorful wonton chips, tangy aioli. LAME : No cheese! It was not spicy enough for me. There were not a lot of toppings, it was really mostly just a bunch of wontons. Avocado would have been amazeballs on them. Topping to Chip Ratio : 2.5. Our waiter, Taylor, was adorable, friendly and quick. They even let us use two Groupons since two of us had purchased them. The portions are huge so good deal even at full price. During happy hour when everything is half off, the value is even more. The chicken salad had a most delicious dressing that had a nice kick to it. The garlic chicken was one of the best I have had on the island.

Sharon : (4) Yumminess…like the sauce. RAD : The chicken salad. LAME : Bud beer. Topping to Chip Ratio : <3. I really like the ginger on the salad, garlic chicken good.

Adam : (3) Goodly average. The low topping ratio and overly greasy/heavy wontons brought down a good poke. Dynamite sushi roll look. Appetizing. Lots of vegetables that I immediately resolved not to eat.. RAD : Poke and fried wontons always a good decision. LAME : We also got a spicy tuna roll, which is "spicy" in the sense that the chef was imagining spicy food while he made the bland roll. The nachos were less spicy than that. Topping to Chip Ratio : 2, Ran out of toppings real early. Wontons were way too greasy to eat alone. Blocky Asian décor with a dive bar slant. Service was wonderfully fast.

Tom : (3.75) Large platter! Overflowing golden brown wontons around. RAD : CRISPY!!!! I spy poke. LAME : Grease shine = limited amount consumed. Heavy on the onions. Topping to Chip Ratio : 2.5, definitely needs more toppings. I demand more poke. Extra table brought over for immense quantities of deliciousness.

Amy : (3.5) Huge pile of wontons! Could use more color - only scallions add contrast. I definitely want to put them in my mouth though. RAD : Buttery, crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth wontons. Perfect amount of fish to spice ratio in topping. LAME : Not enough topping. If you stop to talk, your friends will eat them all! Kind of heavy - could be less fried. Topping to Chip Ratio : 3, I really wanted more topping, it was so great, I wanted it to be piled on each bite. It was like 1/4 topping. Extra table just for the food! Friendly service, would do it again.