Saturday, March 11, 2006

Taste test: Uncle Moki's Original Hawaiian Shrimp

shell-on shrimp smothered in garlic
We're planning a trip to the North Shore of Oahu this summer, but it's a long five months away. All my research into which is the best shrimp truck -- Giovanni's, Romy's, the Shrimp Shack? -- has been getting me awfully hungry for Hawaiian garlic shrimp scampi. So imagine my surprise when I was shopping at the Target on La Cienega and Rodeo Road and noticed World's Greatest Shrimp -- Uncle Moki's in the mini-mall across the street. Even more surprisingly, owner Uncle Bob told me he used to be a part owner of Giovanni's, one of the original North Shore shrimp trucks. Uncle Moki's is a sparkling clean little place with copies of Hawaii magazine on the tables and a tiny menu -- garlic shrimp with rice, Volcano hot shrimp with rice...that's about it. I tried the wiki wiki size, which is five shrimp and a scoop of rice for $6.50. Uncle Bob generously threw in some volcano shrimp for me to taste, and they were pretty spicy indeed. He says they use olive oil instead of the saturated fat used in Hawaii, resulting in a healthier product. Garlic, olive oil, shrimp...how can you really go wrong? This place is the real deal -- not quite the same as eating in a field on Oahu, but as close as you're going to get in L.A. The only thing it lacked was a fresh coconut pineapple smoothie like you can get next to Giovanni's.
Mahalo, Uncle Bob, for a little preview of my vacation.
World's Greatest Shrimp -
Uncle Moki's Original Hawaiian Shrimp Scampi

3560 S. La Cienega Blvd.
(323) 954-7051

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was in Oahu this December. Kahuki Shrimp Truck was by far the best. It was just west of Turtle Bay Resorts. I stopped there nearly everyday. While you are on the island you must also eat at Sunshine Restaurant in Waikiki. It's a hole in the wall, but order the Poke and the Soba Noodle Soup and a Sashimi platter. Dead cheap, but the best fish I've ever had in my life. Also Yakinku Hiroshi has amazing kobe beef.

Anonymous said...

Sunshine is right around the corner from Waioli Shave Ice.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting this! I've been waiting for him to re-open his restaurant since it used to be a shrimp truck in van nuys. i did a search on Yahoo and found your blog. Finally he's open!! MAHALO!!

dvc said...

You want Giovanni's. Hands down the best. For the original, go all the way to Kahuku. They have a new location in Haleiwa, just down the road from Matsumoto's Shaved Ice. I have family in Hawaii, and they will only go to Giovanni's and Matsumoto's. I've been to both, and I can't imagine them being better.

Anonymous said...

We just returned from Oahu and I can't stop thinking about Giovanni's shrimp, does anyone know the recipe?

Carole said...

You don't have to travel all the way to Hawaii to get the world's greatest shrimp; it's right here in L.A. Stop by say hello to Uncle Bob and the group, and savor the most amazing shrimp you've ever tasted--it's shrimply delicious. Uncle Moki's Original Hawaiian Shrimp Scampi, 3560 La Cienega Blvd., (right across from Target).

Anonymous said...

Just like Hawaii. A little restaurant in L.A. called Uncle Moki's Original Hawaiian Shrimp Scampi or maybe the name is World's Greatest Shrimp. This is one that you want to check out if you really like shrimp. Small place on La Cienega across from Target in Culver city. Robert Keawe

Anonymous said...

I stumbled across this restaurant the other afternoon after a trip from Targe. I was very impressed with this little restaurant. The shrimp was loaded with yummy garlic along with the rice. They top it all off with a couple wedges of fruit and boy was it fresh. I highly recommend this place.

Anonymous said...

wow wow wow, love this little place, it reminds me of a restaurant in Hawaii, I will be back there