LIHU‘E — “You like Thai sushi?” asked Belle Meephol.
Meephol and her family recently opened the doors to Big Monster Sushi and Thai following the absence of Little Thai Kitchen that was a regular at the Kaua‘i Community Market, a partnership between the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau and Kaua‘i Community College.
The Saturday market was a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down KCC and the Little Thai Kitchen where Meephol and her family would prepare Thai dishes utilizing products grown by her parents on their farm.
Thai Sushi is described online as “a casual eatery with a buzzy vibe serving Thai and sushi food.” That description fits Big Monster, which is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m. Big Monster is closed on Mondays.
The Meephol family continue to grow on their farm and flourish at the Grove Farm Market that meets Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. at the park near Grove Farm headquarters and other farmers’ markets around the island.
Meephol and her ‘ohana opened the doors to Big Monster, next door to the Lihu‘e Theater senior apartments.
The restaurant takes its name from the monster donburi and monster poke that are part of Big Monster’s offerings, along with big monster omelet and the big monster roll among the signature sushi roll offerings.
The big monster omelet includes shrimp, green onions, tomatoes and eggs served with jasmine rice with sriracha sauce on the side.
Big Monster’s offerings also include crab fried rice, crispy pad Thai, crispy garlic chicken and chicken katsu. There are appetizers, soup, salad, a variety of entrees, Thai curry and dessert offerings.
The sushi offerings are anchored by a list of signature rolls, including Holly Crab Roll, J on Fire Roll, I’m Hungry Roll, My Hero Roll, a Big Monster Roll, and more.
These join the classic roll and vegetarian options. Side orders and drinks, including Thai ice tea and Thai ice coffee, are available.
Orders can be made online at bigmonstersushithai.com, or by calling 808-431-4179.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
