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    Alan Wongs Kahala

    4.8 (45 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndHawaiian
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Alan Wongs Kahala Photos

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    ALAN WONGS KAHALA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Ginger crusted Onaga, rib steak, Parmesan mash
    Joni F.

    Parking --Valet with validation Ambiance--Clean lines, sophisticated, warm. Can easily hear your companion talk. Clean. Before sun sets--an ocean view. Overcast this day. The crowd seemed like they may have enjoyed the original location dressed in Hawaiian casual to dressy; with a smattering of hotel guests, dressed in Tshirts. Service--Welcoming. Warm. With a smile. Attentive. Food--My companion went several times to the original on King Street. I went once probably pre 2000's. So it was like trying it for the first time for me. Comfort food. Warms the tummy and soul. From the first bite of the warm roll--served one at a time with chili aioli. I usually try to skip the bread--but once I spread the aioli on the roll--crispy on the outside and soft and warm in the inside--I was hooked. The Panna Cotta--I liked the true flavors of the seafood shining through the subtlety of the soy milk. "Da Bag" --this dish was my favorite of the evening. I wanted to skip the second roll, but it tasted delicious sopping up the broth. By the time the Ginger Crusted Onaga and Steak came--I will admit I was getting full. Both dishes were done just right. I'm a dessert lover so I saved room for dessert (they boxed our leftovers). "The Coconut" haupia sorbet--I like coconut--I enjoyed the visual as well as the flavors. The structural integrity of the chocolate coconut shell--amazing. My companion helped crack it into pieces and this coconut is it moving from the plate. It's a half dome--that stays put. We already talked about returning to enjoy the good feel of the service and the good food! Happy to enjoy leftovers.

    8/1/26 Menu
    Mark Y.

    I was super excited when I found out Alan Wong's had reopened. It had always been a favorite of mine and was so bummed when he announced he was retiring. I didn't blame him of course since it was during the pandemic when the world was ending. Joe k was going to be town for his birthday so promptly made a reservation for it. From start to finish the experience was top notch. We both started out with a cocktail, I had the Geisha, a lychee martini made with sake and shochu, and Joe had the Bully's Drink which is a pineapple martini. Both were good but we agreed the Geisha won the favorite. To start we ordered 3 appetizers, the Soup and sandwich, the Ahi poke stack, and the Whole tomato salad. The winner by far was the Whole tomato salad. Not only was it beautifully presented but that Li hing dressing was out of this world good. We ordered our entrees along with a second set of cocktails. I got the Passionfruit mojito and Joe got the Muddled old fashioned. Hard to say which we liked better, the mojito was a nice refreshing drink while the old fashioned was the perfect sipper. For entrees I ordered the Ribeye and Joe got the Ginger crusted onaga. Once again both were perfectly cooked and phenomenal but I really think the onaga was a cut above., absolutely perfect. We ended up boxing up a portion of both entrees so we could try some dessert. We ordered the Coconut haupia sorbet and the birthday boy got a complimentary Neapolitan semifredo layered in chocolate cake. Perfect end to the meal for sure. Really looking forward to the time we're back and so happy that Chef Wong decided to come out of retirement. He truly hasn't missed a step.

    Staff-signed menu
    Maya F.

    I was so excited to try Alan Wong's at The Kahala, given the legacy of this culinary institution. It definitely did not disappoint! We ordered: "Da Bag" Steamed clams with Kalua pork Twice Cooked Kalbi Style Short Ribs Ginger Crusted Onaga Everything was DELICIOUS. The pairing of the clams and pork was incredible. The broth was nice and light, yet full of flavor. The fresh baked French rolls were perfect for dipping into it. The short ribs melted in your mouth, so tender and savory. I can see why the ginger crusted onaga is their signature dish. The fish was perfectly cooked, and the fresh corn and light cream sauce really complimented it. Our server Chelsea brought a complimentary Neapolitan dessert and a menu signed by the staff for my birthday. It was a lovely surprise and a nice touch! I look forward to coming back!

    Bully cocktail - pineapple over the top
    Joe K.

    Mark Y. chose Alan Wong's for my 62nd birthday celebration. He was super excited that Alan Wong's was back in business as he had dined at the previous incarnation many times. I had no expectations - but I know Mark Y. has high standards. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation. As we were waiting to be seated Mark recognized Alan Wong in the kitchen. Mark snapped a photo and chef Wong noticed and lit up with a big smile. A great omen of things to come. The dining room is pretty, if understated. Tables are relatively spread out so conversation is not difficult. Our server came and took drink and appetizer orders. I went for the Bully (pineapple martini) and Mark chose the Geisha. The first sip of the Bully was almost bracing it is so pineapple forward...while the Geisha was much more balanced and complex. Be like Mark - opt for the geisha! We got 2 appetizers...the soup and sandwich, the whole tomato salad, and the ahi poke stack. The soup/sandwich is a signature dish for good reason - but the show stopper was the tomato- Or rather the dressing the tomato is served with. It is indescribable and MAGIC! Sweet and complex and makes you remember that tomatoes are fruit. The poke was delicious but it was what I anticipated. Not a bad thing. Special mention: the chili aioli that is served with the rolls is next level! We ordered the rib eye and the ginger crusted onaga. Both great but the fish eclipsed the steak. Second cocktails ordered were the muddled old fashioned (me) and the passion fruit mojito (Mark). Both great but the old fashioned edged out the mojito. We ordered the nearly obligatory coconut sorbet. The presentation itself is worth it... but it also is yummy. They also brought me a birthday dessert - a Neapolitan semifreddo that I don't think is on the menu. It should be. The service was attentive and friendly and just about perfect....there when you needed them...but no hovering. I can't wait to return. You can bet I will have the tomato salad again, if available...and next time I won't share!

    Panna Cotta
    Ariel M.

    100% a must-go-to restaurant! Love it!!!! When Alan Wong's was on King street, it was my absolute favorite restaurant. Alan and The Kahala Hotel did not disappoint with this new location! Ambiance: Elevated! - The new location has a beautiful view of the ocean. The overall improved space, compared to the king street location, really elevates the dishes and dining experience. Service: Superb! - Our server Daniel was so attentive, kind, and fun! He definitely represented the quality of what Alan Wong's stands for. Price: Very Reasonable - I would consider Alan Wong's a fine dining restaurant. However, the quality and presentation of the dishes for the price point is great. Food - Spectacular! - I'll admit I'm a bit biased bc Alan Wong's has always been my favorite restaurant. But, all the dishes we ordered tasted just as good or better than before! Food Recommendations: - Soup and Sandwich - Tomato salad with a li hing mui vinaigrette - Ahi, Avocado, salsa stack - (sushi-inspired, savory) panna cotta - "The Bag" - Special - Seafood Pot (like a pan roast) - Dessert - "The Coconut" - a must try especially if you love haupia flavors Tips: reservations are a must! Make a reservation for around 530-6p and ask for a table by the window for the best view and quieter dining. Come early to take a nice stroll on the property to see hotel's dolphins and the awesome ocean scenery.

    Mark E.

    I was really looking forward to eating here since we ate at the original Alan Wong's restaurant a few times and were never disappointed. Now that it's in a hotel, the vibe seemed different. It was busy out front with cars and hotel guests. The restaurant was not as warm and bright as the original but they do have a nice view. Of course, the service was excellent from beginning to end with the servers being very attentive. The food was delicious but not as creative as the menu at the original restaurant. I think my expectations were too high but I totally respect Chef Wong and the restaurant is relatively new so I'm sure he'll figure things out.

    Entrance
    Michael C.

    Dinner is served. I ventured to Alan Wong's new location last month at the Kahala Resort for dinner with my mom, brother and SIL. NOTES 1. Reservation made via OpenTable. 2. Parking available at the resort: self-park or valet. We chose to valet for the convenience. Remember to get validation at the restaurant; parking is complimentary for 4 hours with validation. Thankfully, the hostess did ask if we needed parking validation when we checked in for our res. 3. There's a 15 minute grace period. If you're running late, please call the restaurant to notify them. 4. As stated on the res on the OpenTable app, our table would be reserved for 2 hours. 5. Automatic gratuity is added for parties of five or greater. 6. I made my reservation 2 months in advance to secure the date and time I wanted (my mother's birthday). 7. The restaurant is located near the primary drop off area; just look for the double doors and the golden/yellow pineapple carpeted design. We walked into the restaurant slightly after 5pm (opening), and were greeted by the friendly hostess. I appreciated that she did ask if we needed parking validation, which she readily provided. A polite young man showed us to our table, which overlooked the hotel grounds and ocean. The restaurant decor is simple and elegant (IMHO): Wooden/dark tones on the ceiling and floor blend the light coloured walls and seating. Suspended from ceiling in the center of the room are four lit orbs that would later provide modest/moderate lighting as the evening progressed. Our server, Shirley, greeted us shortly after we were seated and proceeded to take our drink orders. After looking over the menu, we ordered individual appetisers, consisting of the crab cake, tomato salad, ahi poke, ceasar salad, as well as ordering "Da Bag" for the table to share. Dinner entrees ordered included the seared ahi, ginger crusted onaga, braised duck, and the lamb chops. A round of drinks completed the meal. We all enjoyed the entire meal very much. My SIL kept raving about the tomato salad, while my complemented the portion size of the ahi poke dish. I enjoyed the crab cake, and my brother had only good things to say about his salad. "Da Bag" was a decent "second course" before the main entrees. I thought my entree was a small portion....until I started to get full. All delighted in their entrees, and my mom commented time and time again that she really liked her food: it was prepared well, decent portion, and the sauce was just exquisite. The desserts were a veritable sweet treat to end the meal. We all shared: "The Coconut"...which is hauling sorbet in a chocolate shell served with fruits and berries, as well as the Five spoons of Brûlée, consisting of the flavors of Ka'u Orange, Kona Coffee, Lilikoi, Kalo,and Black Sesame Chocolate. The restaurant/server kindly provided a complimentary birthday dessert for mom (which were the Waialua Chocolate crunch bars). SERVICE All of the staff we encountered at the restaurant provided exceptional customer service. I want to especially THANK and recognize our server, Shirley, for being so kind, patient, friendly, and thoughtful.....especially to my mom. I appreciated the attention to the detail, knowledge of the menu, and checking on us periodically throughout the meal. Such outstanding service. side NOTES 1. Bathrooms are located outside the restaurant. After exiting, hang an immediate left. 2. Chef Wong was actually present in the kitchen that night. Yes, we WERE fan-girling as we walked out of the restaurant. BOTTOM LINE Thank you, Chef! Thanks to you and your staff for providing a memorial meal and evening for our family as we celebrated my mom's birthday. Great food and exceptional service. Recommended.

    Braised Duck
    Gerry L.

    The world food tour duo waited with bated breath to try the resurrected Alan Wong's ... at The Kahala Resort, replacing Hoku's (one of my favorite restaurants). The décor is unchanged, as is, I believe the staff. A couple of my favorite employees retired ... I will miss them. Our servers were Micheline and Chelsea. None of the cocktails interested us so I ordered a 2016 Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru 'Aux Charmes' from Lignier-Michelot ($345); overpriced, IMO. (I thought many of the bottles in the wine list were overpriced.) This was a rich Burgundy, with notes of cherries, mushrooms, and a little spice. We opted for Asian Slaw with spicy ahi poke and a yuzu soy dressing ($24) and the Sumida Farms Leko Kalua Pig Caesar ($20). Our entrees were the Braised Duck ($52) and the Macadamia Nut Coconut Marrunga Lamb Chops ($70). I didn't want rice, so I ordered a bowl of Ho'okua'aina Poi ($8). The Asian slaw was tasty, but there wasn't much ahi and there was too much of the crispy wonton pi. The flavor was very good, but this dish wasn't what I was expecting. The Caesar salad was okay, but we didn't sense much of the poi vinaigrette. The braised duck reminded us of taro stuffed duck found in Chinese restaurants. I really liked this dish. The lamb dish featured three chops, coated with macadamia nuts, and came with a quenelle of eggplant, some string beans, and tomato halves. The lamb was tasty, as was the eggplant mixture. Being that it was the better half's birthday, the restaurant provided her with a signed copy of the menu and a dessert consisting of a slice of ice cream cake, featuring three flavors of ice cream. We ordered the Five Spoons ($18) dessert and a French Press of Waialua coffee ($28). The spoons contained different flavors of crème brûlée: sesame, lemon, lilikoi, kulolo, and coffee. The only one I didn't like was the lemon spoon. The coffee was a bit light for my taste, I'd expected something richer. One might think we didn't enjoy our meal ... We did, but it could have been better. Service didn't start off smoothly but righted itself as the evening wore on. We were a little disappointed with the menu; it wasn't as adventurous as we expected from Alan Wong. My friend dined here a few days prior, and she raved about the dishes they ordered. Did we not choose wisely? This was an expensive meal, as such, we gave this experience a 4.5 rating.

    Ahi Tuna crispy rice musubi, grilled lobster tails both included in the brunch
    Winnie L.

    Where do I even begin? On a whim, I searched AW hoping that they reopened somewhere on the island. It's been years since they closed their King St location and every time I'm back in town, a little bit of hope resurfaces. Thank goodness I did bc "WHAT?! Alan Wong's reopened?!" Tried to get a dinner reservation for our anniversary but there only ONE spot available for our entire trip. ONE. I never booked a brunch appt so fast. Sunday came before we knew it. A nice drive past Kahala Mall, a residential neighborhood and Wailae CC and we arrived to the Kahala Hotel. Beautiful ocean front views. We were the last seating so it was nice and peaceful in the dining area, with only a hand full of tables still enjoying their meals. Taryn immediately greeted us and offered lobster tails (grilled) and ahi tuna crispy rice musubi. I am generally not a huge buffet person unless you can wow me with top notch flavors. Even though I knew Alan was behind this, the expectation was low. Boy oh boy. I was in love at first bite. There was a variety of fresh fish (sashimi, poke, tako, rolls), shrimp cocktail, snow crab legs, halved oysters, and chilled salads and cheeses. The dessert section looked absolutely fabulous as I walked the line to plan my meal, wanting to leave room for my sweet tooth. The counter top near the kitchen it wear my mouth watered. This steam jammy egg with puree potato, truffle oil and kahlua pork was the first thing I got since it was so unique. The nice gentleman offered me sliced rib eye behind the counter, prime tender pieces. Korean fried chicken with sauces, this Chilean seabass (or was it misobutterfish) was a favorite as I went back for 2 servings. By the time I went back to the table, the grilled lobster tails and ahi tuna crispy rice musubis had arrived. I thoroughly savored every bite, enjoying the beautiful view of the ocean and swaying palm trees outside. Despite being the last seating, we never felt rushed. Taryn always came by just enough to check in on us. I was so excited for the dessert station as was my DD we couldn't contain ourselves. We pretty much tried everything and shared with the table. Bread pudding with the vanilla sauce was a huge fav next to the sweet potato cake. The chocolate fondue station for dipping strawberries, marshallows, and pretzels was another hit. Such a relaxing way to celebrate our anniversary week at Alan Wong's, how we used to celebrate in the past. Looking forward to trying out their dinner on our next trip. Excellent food. Quality was spot on Alan Wong's. Great service all around from the valet to the hosts to the kitchen staff and of course, Taryn, our server.

    Menu 1
    Mike K.

    Went to Alan Wong's since the whole family was together for the week. We had an incredible dinner. Full disclosure, I met Chef in person and ran into him a few times over the past couple years. He is very personable and brings everything dining down to a layman's level when asked any questions. Very comfortable. First question always asked was when are you going to open a new place? Well, the opportunity happened and he took on the challenge. As you should be able to tell from my label, I'm not a foodie type. In fact when my pops used to take us out to "ya gotta wear pants" places, 99% of the time I would have been just as satisfied with a Rainbows plate. But after we went to AW's on King St., a while ago, that was the first time I told him that THAT was a experience. Blown away by the Giant Scallops over risoto. Well, last night Scallops weren't on the menu. In fact, the Onaga, which I had spied on the menu in Yelp prior to going, was out too, as was the Opakapaka. They did have a Kampachi replacement for the fish dishes, as well as a seafood stew, and a steak. If there was any disappointment at all when ordering, it all went poof when the first appetizers appeared. Oh geez. There is no way to describe the euphoria we experienced when the Poke/Guac/Wonton, Tomato "salad" w/li hing, Crab/shrimp cake, and Da Bag showed up. There were 6 of us and we were each treated to a portion of all four. All I can say is wow. To top it off we were treated to the Kalua Fois Gras "sandwich" on a parmesan wafer served over a serving of cold tomato soup. One of the best things we agreed that any of us had even eaten. Should you go, do not skip one of those. After a break to catch our breath and compare notes and how good things were, little french rolls came out and they are perfect to sop up the sauces and juice from the bag and other dishes. Now came the Entrees. Oh geez, said that a lot, I was served up a 1lb rib steak with what seemed like a couple handfuls of mushrooms and veal reduction "gravy" all over. 2 of us had the seafood stew, a kin to a Bouillabaisse served over mashed potatoes, which melted into the stew and made the broth that much better. A trio of the fish completes the table. They were all terrific. Even after sharing a bunch of the steak, with everyone, I still managed to drag some home. Sorry no room for dessert... Service? Great. Parking validated... Had a late res (8:30), but checked when we arrived and got called a half hour early. Pretty easy to pass time at Kahala watching the dolphins and walking the paths. A great value if going out for a special occasion. I think a decent sized party is the way to go so you can sample a little of each appetizer. You know I hardly ever give 5 stars... I'd do 6 if could.

    Margaret T.

    SO, SO, SO glad Alan Wong re-opened his glorious restaurant. I remember the first time I went...it was located in a random building in a not-so-glam part of town, but I was blown away by the food (esp that coconut dessert!). When I heard that he was back in business, we immediately booked reservations even prior to booking a flight and hotel. We came here to celebrate our minimoon and our server, Tony, was an absolute gem. I mentioned I was a bit chilly, and he brought over a shawl to keep me comfortable. My husband ordered the soup and sandwich app ($19) and ate it on his own as I don't eat meat or foie gras. It was an elevated play on a grilled cheese and tomato soup. I ordered the whole tomato salad ($18) and was obsessed with the li hing mui ume dressing. We then opted for the onaga ($44) and opaka ($46) - both fish entrees for our mains, as well as a side of poi and the potatoes ($8 each). My only regret was ordering too much as I really wanted the coconut dessert! Fortunately, Tony sent us home with a complimentary dessert to celebrate this special occasion. I believe it was the chocolate crunch bars, which we enjoyed the next day since we were both so incredibly stuffed. Service was stellar! Kitchen was a bit slow at times, but Tony was so apologetic when it wasn't even his doing. Tony is definitely on top of his game and I hope we'll be able to run into him on future visits.

    Da bag
    Dan T.

    We celebrated my lady's birthday at the highly anticipated new Alan Wong restaurant at the Kahala Resort, and it exceeded our expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by a friendly hostess and promptly seated at a beautiful window table. Service throughout the evening was attentive, professional, and genuinely welcoming. We started with cocktails, sparkling water, and warm dinner rolls served with an incredible aioli. For appetizers, we enjoyed Da Bag and the crab-shrimp cake. The presentation of Da Bag was impressive, and the flavors were even better. The crab-shrimp cake was delicate, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. For our entrées, we chose the Kalbi short ribs, which were incredibly tender, and the ginger-crusted kampachi, which was simply outstanding. The light, creamy sauce complemented the fish beautifully. Dessert was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. The coconut sorbet served in a chocolate shell with tart fruit was heavenly, while the Waialua chocolate cake was rich, moist, and absolutely delicious. The ambiance was elegant yet comfortable, and every member of the staff was accommodating and gracious. Best of all, the pricing felt very reasonable for such a memorable dining experience.

    Fresh local beet salad
    Holly B.

    I've been anxiously awaiting our reservation at Alan Wong's. Missed this restaurant since they closed! We arrived a 1/2 hour early for our dinner reservation, but were promptly seated! Nice! Unfortunately, our experience was unusual. Our server, Jared, was more than friendly, but he started by explaining all the things they were out of: Lilikoi Mojito Opakapaka, could be served with a substitute fish Onaga, could be served with a substitute fish Those fish dishes are signature Alan Wong dishes that my significant other was looking forward yo enjoying OK, so we pivot and order what IS available on the menu... Oh no! They only have one beet salad! OK, pivot again, we'll share the salad. The ahi poke appetizer was melt-in-the mouth delicious! My significant other thought it was great, and he doesn't like avocado! The locally sourced (yay! support local!) beet salad was also delicious and generous, so we didn't really need two salads as originally thought...The tarragon dressing on the side was light and clean on the palate, not overly vinegary. I enjoyed the duck, while my significant other enjoyed the twice cooked braised short ribs. Both entrees were amazing l, though my duck was a little salty. The chili pepper water at the table was "broke da mouth" ono! Yum! Yum! Complimented the meal perfectly! And no dinner is complete without DESSERT!!! Of course, we had to have Alan Wong's signature Coconut ice cream dessert. No sharing, thank you! The presentation and taste is as I remembered, beautiful and colorful and spot on delicious! Everything we ordered was ono, enjoyable, and pleasing! The disappointment of not having the lilikoi mojito or the fresh fish entrees paled. We'll just have to return to enjoy what we missed this time! Woo hoo!

    Duck Salad

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    Great return with all of our old favorites. Wonderful food. Excellent service and reasonable value. Strongly recommend

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    Ask the Community - Alan Wongs Kahala

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    $$

    @fortunefoodfinds: "This deserves a ROUND of applause! Whether you're visiting or simply wanting…read morelocal grindz, HELENA'S HAWAIIAN FOOD is sure to make your trip and/or meal feel complete. Ordered our must-haves: Short Ribs Pipikaula Style, Fried Butterfish Collar, Luau Squid, Long Rice Chicken, Lomi Salmon, Lau Lau, Poi, Mac Salad, Rice, n' their complimentary Haupia, Onions, n' Salt. Food so Ono I highly recommend, this very well-known local Hawaiian eatery again n' again!" SERVICE: fast n' fully staffed INTERIOR: spacious with limited seating EXTERIOR: gets hot, have water n' benches available WAIT TIME: came on a Thursday afternoon n' surprisingly wasn't too busy. After joining the waitlist that you sign in through the provided iPad, I would say 30 mins before getting seated. PARKING: very small free lot in front, limited spaces OVERALL COMMENTS: haven't had Helena's in a while so I've been craving it. Each visit is satisfying n' the food is always so good. I can't remember the amount of pieces they used to give for a large order of Short Ribs Pipikaula Style, it seemed smaller this time, but either way you gotta order it along with the Fried Butterfish Collar. Their Luau Squid is so creamy n' delicious just like everything else, all Ono. You can't go wrong bc this is truly local Hawaiian food at its finest!

    I visited Helena's Hawaiian Food while vacationing in Oahu. I haven't been to Hawaii in years and…read moreall my friends raved about Helena's. I had to try it for myself. I expected the restaurant to have a long wait time, but we got lucky. There was no wait and my family and I were seated right away. As soon as we sat down, we were served with cups of ice cold water perfect for the hot humid day. We ordered Menu B which came with Kalua Pig and Pipikaula Short ribs with your choice of sides which we chose rice. We also ordered another plate of the short ribs and added haupia and mac salad. I wish I got the server's name, she was so cool but she explained all the food and how to eat the side dishes. They served sliced onions with pink salt and that was delicious. The short ribs were thick, tender, savory and had the perfect amount of fat. The flavor was addicting. The kalua pig was really good, perfect amount of salt and smoke flavor. The mac salad really well with all the food we ordered and that alone was already good. The haupia for dessert was the best way to end the meal. Everything was just heaven. Parking was easy since it was during the week and early in the afternoon, but there is street parking. The restaurant was clean, all the workers were really nice, and very attentive from start to finish. My sister and I split the bill, so I paid my portion and added a tip. The person processing my payment told me they had refunded my tip because gratuity was already included. How awesome is that?! I'm sure many other restaurants wouldn't have mentioned it and would have just accepted the extra tip. That level of honesty and service is what keeps people coming back, and it's one of the many reasons I would highly recommend Helena's to my friends and family who haven't been there yet. I plan to visit Hawaii again before the holidays and I'm definitely going to be eating here again. Mahalo to everyone at Helena's!

    Photos
    Helena's Hawaiian Food - New larger inside dining area

    New larger inside dining area

    Helena's Hawaiian Food - Menu B: Kalua Pig And Pipikaula Short Ribs

    Menu B: Kalua Pig And Pipikaula Short Ribs

    Helena's Hawaiian Food - Inside

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    Inside

    Highway Inn Kaka'ako - Mochiko Chicken

    Highway Inn Kaka'ako

    4.1(2k reviews)
    5.9 mi
    $$

    So much aloha in this place. The hostess was friendly and cleared a table as our friends waited for…read moreus to arrive. Our server was informative and helpful. The restaurant is quite busy during weekday lunch, but the tables cleared pretty quickly. Two of us shared the sampler ($33.99 for pork lau lau, compared to $31.99 for chicken lau lau), although our server said that some individuals order it for themselves. The sampler came with lomi lomi salmon, squid lu'au, chicken long rice, poi, lau lau (pork or chicken), sweet potato and poi. It was filling for the two of us. We thought we might add something else à la cart, but we didn't need anything more. So good. We were surprised by the sweetness of the coconut milk in the squid lu'au. Everything was yummy! We were happy to have had such tasty Hawaiian food. Yay! There's a smaller paid parking lot in front of the restaurant. It was full, so we went to the parking structure behind. The restaurant validated for 90 minutes. Remember to scan the QR code in the parking lot after you park and to ask the hostess at the restaurant to validate online before you leave the restaurant.

    Highway Inn is a family-owned, third-generation Hawaiian restaurant featured on Food Network's…read moreDiners, Drive-Ins and Dives, serving traditional island comfort food since 1947. What better way for the first dinner on Oahu to be with some friends at Highway Inn. Two of us shared a pork laulau combo and a regular side of beef stew at the insistence of our friend. I also tried the kalua pork nachos and lau lau lumpia. Every bite was flavorful and delicious and had I not been eating throughout the whole entire day, I would have finished off the plate. It was that good. Comfort food since 1947? I can see it. Great eats.

    Photos
    Highway Inn Kaka'ako
    Highway Inn Kaka'ako - KALUA PIG NACHOS,FRIED RICE & SOUR CREAM

    KALUA PIG NACHOS,FRIED RICE & SOUR CREAM

    Highway Inn Kaka'ako - Fried Rice

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    Fried Rice

    Rainbow Drive-In - Solid little place for some local food

    Rainbow Drive-In

    3.8(6.1k reviews)
    2.6 miKaimuki
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    62 years in business

    Son wanted to go here. He saw it on TikTok. I got the. BBq pork meal. The pork was great. A…read moregazillion pounds of rice. I only at about 1/4 of it. The macaroni salad was macaroni with what seemed like just mayo. (Not my jam). He had the loco moco. He loved it. Again a billion pounds of rice. Kid had a hot dog. Didn't finish it. Quality was really low. Maybe we are used to dodger dog snap style flavorful ones. Anyway was a nice little meal and took a walk at the park a couple blocks away to walk off the massive amounts of rice.

    My family, across multiple generations, has been going here for decades, close to back when they…read morefirst opened. We have homes in the neighborhood. And we just can't go here anymore unless changes are made! We used to prefer them over Zippy's, but now they are less than 7-Eleven quality, while charging higher-end prices for the neighborhood. We have given them many chances, hoping it was just a fluke, but we have repeatedly been disappointed. Their chicken has become chewy and fatty, their rice is mediocre, and condiments such as mayonnaise are stripped down to the bare minimum quantity. Chile is poured so lightly that it is practically a minuscule amount. And their prices have continued to rise. I don't know if greedy people took over the restaurant who just don't care anymore, or what is going on. I remember when I used to take people here, and they would be impressed with the quality and quantity--plates just heaping with good cuts of meat, noodles, and rice. Those days are no more. As they say in Japan, the price performance is poor. Furthermore, their staff is rude. I can only imagine it was an owner working this day because it was a face I haven't seen that often. An older gentleman who appeared to be of Okinawan descent, working the cashier register, accosted us because I was privately discussing with my family about splitting different items with them. We were all ordering something, so he wasn't losing any money, but he told us about how prices are double in Waikīkī. First of all, it is rude to interrupt your customers that way. Secondly, we don't go to Waikīkī or care about Waikīkī. What happened to serving the locals? Third, Waikīkī has an assortment of restaurants, prices, and qualities, and they shouldn't be how you base your services. Lastly, I guarantee I could find a better deal in Waikīkī if I wanted to. Next time you're in the area, just go get a $6 bento or a $5 burrito from 7-Eleven next door. I assure you, the price performance and experience will be better. If Rainbow Drive-In is in the business of comparing themselves to other things, let's compare them to 7-Eleven and at least try to be better than them, right? I can get mochiko chicken from 7-Eleven for $6.99 that is similar in portion size and better quality. Meanwhile, they are serving their fatty, dry chicken for $16.75. Highway robbery! And they are not fancy, with their dirty picnic tables and plastic cutlery. They are just a step above a food truck, if that. Save yourself from the hype. They have gone downhill like a landslide. Go elsewhere.

    Photos
    Rainbow Drive-In - Rainbows mixed plate

    Rainbows mixed plate

    Rainbow Drive-In - Loco Moco Plate

    Loco Moco Plate

    Rainbow Drive-In - Turns out I was wearing my GRAVY ALL OVER shirt so I had to get a pic with my loco moco!

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    Turns out I was wearing my GRAVY ALL OVER shirt so I had to get a pic with my loco moco!

    Waiahole Poi Factory - Fresh, hand pounded poi, traditional staple of the Hawaiian people

    Waiahole Poi Factory

    4.5(1.6k reviews)
    15.2 mi
    $$

    A legit 5 star hole in the wall along the highway. Absolutely worth the stop…read more The food is authentic and flavorful. Try the beef lau lau. I was so pleasantly surprised by it. Although everything was so good. Service was insanely fast and super friendly. Lots of outdoor tables with umbrellas, the place was pretty busy but we were able to get seating and we got our food in seconds.

    I can't even count how many times we've driven by this place en route to the North Shore. Finally…read moredecided to stop by for lunch. While they do have a parking, I suggest just parking on the street and walking up to the place. Signs clearly direct you to which window you can order food from and another for food pickup/dessert only ordering. We opted for combo plate (kalua pork and chicken long rice) w/ a side of poi. Both the kalua pork and chicken long rice were tasty but wished we had ordered rice instead so that i could mop up the delicious fat from the kalua pork! Loved the haupia pudding but wished they would give you a bit more. For dessert we ordered the tahitian sweet lady which was delicious! Wasn't a fan of the salmon lomi as it was pretty fishy for me. As we waited for our food, we noticed a dessert chilling on the ledge and joked with my wife that it was likely ours. Sure enough after 10 mins, the ice cream guy asked the cashier whose it was and at that time was our number called. Sadly, the ice cream had already started to melt. Wished they wouldn't have prepared the dessert until after our food was ready. Would definitely head back for their plate lunches and to try the sweet lady of waiahole dessert.

    Photos
    Waiahole Poi Factory
    Waiahole Poi Factory - Amazing food. Ho'io salad is a must. Fresh poi is tops. You can't go wrong at Waiahole Poi Factory.

    Amazing food. Ho'io salad is a must. Fresh poi is tops. You can't go wrong at Waiahole Poi Factory.

    Waiahole Poi Factory - The Ohana at Waiahole Poi Factory with members of One Groove.

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    The Ohana at Waiahole Poi Factory with members of One Groove.

    Musubi Cafe Iyasume - Teriyaki spam musubi, egg + eel + avocado musubi, spam + egg + bacon + avocado musubi

    Musubi Cafe Iyasume

    4.5(5.5k reviews)
    3.2 miWaikiki
    $

    This Musubi Cafe is one of my favorite spots to grab a quick bite. They're open around 6:30 AM in…read morethe morning, and surprisingly you'll find a long line inside this cafe. There are 2-4 seats in this space, but you won't find anyone sitting at this cafe. Usually, it is grab and go. I was impressed with their various options. They have salmon musubi, tuna mayo musubi, and many more. My personal favorite is the chicken musubi, and I would usually buy it before I go off on a big adventure on the island or after my swim at Waikiki Beach. The staff here are kind, patient, and friendly. I wish I knew they had a stamp card because they actually do. I buy from them a lot. Along with musubi and sushi, you'll find that they sell trinkets, bags, and other souvenirs. Be sure to come by. They are handmade and fantastic!

    I probably came here like 3 times during my trip just to try different types of musubi lol. They…read morehave so many options and it was fun grabbing something different each time. The most memorable ones for me were the Spam with pickled daikon and the curry musubi. Both were so good and definitely stood out from the other flavors I tried. It's also just a short walk from the beach, so you can easily order some musubi and take it over to the beach to eat. They do have a few tables inside too if you want to eat there.

    Photos
    Musubi Cafe Iyasume - Inside the shop

    Inside the shop

    Musubi Cafe Iyasume - Teriyaki Spam & Rice with Hawaiian drink

    Teriyaki Spam & Rice with Hawaiian drink

    Musubi Cafe Iyasume - Black pepper spam musubi and inari-egg spam musubi

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    Black pepper spam musubi and inari-egg spam musubi

    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods

    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods

    3.9(297 reviews)
    2.7 miKaimuki
    $$

    3.5 stars We wanted…read moreto try authentic Hawaiian food and came across this spot. The owner was very friendly and took the time to recommend dishes for us, including the laulau and lechon kawali. We also ordered the BBQ short ribs. Overall, it was a good experience trying Hawaiian food, but it's just not really our type of cuisine. The laulau was quite dry, and the preparation felt more like meat that had been boiled or cooked in liquid, which isn't something I usually enjoy. The lechon kawali had a crispy pork belly texture, topped with something similar to a salsa, but it didn't suit our taste either. Unfortunately, the cabbage served with it also had some black spots, which was off-putting. The BBQ short ribs were the highlight of the meal and the dish we enjoyed the most. We appreciate the experience and the hospitality, but the flavors just didn't quite match our personal preferences.

    Good local Hawaiian food restaurant. Street parking only. Small restaurant I believe it was Ono…read moreHawaii on Kapahulu before. Now it is named the Da Ono Hawaiian Foods. Either the owner or the manager seemed like a one man show. He was the server, bus boy, and chef. Husband got the pipikalua short ribs/he enjoyed. Sisters got the pork lau lau which came with sweet potato, rice or poi, lomi lomi salmon (more onion and tomato than salmon). i got the chicken lau lau, again stuffed with chicken, not enough taro leaves. The Haupia was smoky, so either burnt or something- inedible! Only six tables in the entire restaurant. The gentleman that was serving us I believe was also the bus boy, cook, server and cashier! Place is a hole in the wall with missing ceiling tiles and exposed panels above our table (gross!!). Sis loves this dive so we keep coming back!

    Photos
    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods - Menu

    Menu

    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods - Short Ribs Plate

    Short Ribs Plate

    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods - Menu

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    Menu

    Alan Wongs Kahala - hawaiian - Updated September 2026

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