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    Chicken University

    3.9 (70 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:30 pm

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    Bles D.

    The kids wanted ramen but the place we went to was busy so we ended up at Chicken University. The kids loved it because they got to make their own ramen bowls with their own toppings. We also ordered a couple of bbq plates and sides. They are very generous with their portions. It is not fast food because we had to wait awhile for our food but we did order a lot. Deep fried gyoza, cheese tonkatsu, beef bulgogi, spicy pork bulgogi, honey chicken, deep fried calamari, lemon pepper and soy garlic chicken tenders. The place is very spacious and they keep it clean. Good customer service as everyone was so personable. This place is semi hidden as it's underneath another restaurant.

    Myra G.

    Ambiance is clean. We did come in the late morning before the lunch crowd. This place is great the chicken is really crispy and not greasy. There is another fried chicken place that I've tried and it made me sick because of the grease. It wasn't like that with ChickenU. They also have ramen stations and you can add different toppings to add to your ramen. There are so many choices and we only had room for fried chicken. We opted for just fried and added sauces in the side to try different flavors. They dessert they have is Hotek so if you like you can try it here. I still need to come back and try it. Parking is validated and when you purchase they give a 10% coupon for the gelato place around the corner in the same building. That was good too!!

    Joyce A.

    My partner wanted to try this place and I'm so glad we did! They had hella different options, but we decided to go with the college sampler (fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks), the 5-piece combo, and something from the DIY ramen bar. My boyfriend loved making his own ramen and adding a bunch of toppings. He also loved the chicken! I wasn't too hungry so I only ate the fries, but they were so yummy, thin, and crispy. The employees were also very nice! Highly recommend y'all try it out!

    sign
    Heidi H.

    It was the last day for the $5 special for just the noodles. Two dollars more for the topping bar - limited amount to put on not amount of choices. I asked many questions on how to make the ramen. I asked for a take out and took it after separating noodles and broth. Used coupon for 10% off at Gelato Chill to the left of Chicken University. I did not try the chicken. Staff was friendly.

    Taylor T.

    Ordered to go and close to closing time so a lot of the menu was out of stock. Just got the chicken and fries so pretty much what you expect, but a bit oily for our liking. The "salad" also just seemed to be veggies thrown together but no dressing.

    Chicken Tenders Combo and Wing Therapy Combo. Huge portions.
    Sylvia W.

    The food is your standard Korean chicken place, but with some added extras like an instant ramyun station and some protein dishes like cheese katsu. I got the Tenders Combo Basket, which was decent--the chicken was nicely fried and juicy, and there was a generous portion of fries, a salad, pickles, and a drink. My friend got the Wing Therapy Combo, which has 5 giant chicken wings, a salad, pickles, and a drink. Both came with Thousand Island and Ranch dressing. It was a lot of food and we probably could've shared. I'd say the food was average, but the staff were really, really nice, and they were super friendly and patient with us when we didn't know what to order. I don't know the names of the young man in the kitchen and young lady in the front who were working today, but they were great!

    Dead bugs in just one of the window sills.  They were everywhere!

    The restaurant has dead bugs on the window sills. One of those bugs was in my husband's water. The water had a top on it so apparently the kitchen is full of bugs too. The chicken had so much garlic that it caused my husband to have severe stomach issues for 24 hours. My husband was the only one who ate his food, the rest of us were too grossed out by all the flies and nats.

    Dianna R.

    The food was excellent here. I think as of now, I like this place most for Korean fried chicken. Good sizes, taste, and clean oil (so important for onion rings). The meat was juicy and tender! The drink is small, but if you eat in, you can refill it. The only problem was that they were too busy to refill it for me as much as I wanted. I got 1 refill, but not a 2nd due to the staff being busy. It was clean and not noisy. Very nice little area. Also, if you eat here, you can get a discount at the ice cream place in the same building.

    Alex O.

    I just heard about this place 3 days ago. On a whim. My group decided to try them out. We ordered quite a bit that our cashier even commented, "Wow." I have to say that their quality, service, and atmosphere are great. We stuck to the chicken side of the business as covered below: College Spread: 7/10. The Sweet Potato fries and Onion rings were pretty good. The Mozzarella stick was ok, but this is still a great deal for what you get. You can choose between Regular fries, Sweet Potato fries, Mozzarella sticks (3), or Onion Rings (4). Chicken Tenders Meal: 8/10. We opted for original flavor on these while we did several flavors for the wings just to note the difference. Tenders are not what I would call these massive pieces. They are large, freshly fried, and entirely boneless. Comes with fries and a drink. While the original is pretty good, the flavors are hard to pass. Garlic Parmesan: 9/10. Among my group, this was my favorite flavor of the set. The garlic and parmesan flavors were just at the right combination where neither were overpowering the other. I ended up finishing 8/10 wings instead of taking leftovers home. Garlic & Soy: 8/10. Another good choice in our group. The Garlic in this one felt a bit more like the raw flavor (in a good way) and the shoyu wasn't too strong. It was the favorite of one of my companions who ended up taking home 4 wings. Sweet & Spicy: 8/10. Another great flavor, it was slightly sweet but I wouldn't necessarily call it spicy. I think we ended up enjoying them more since they were not spicy. My 3rd companion declared this as his favorite and ended up taking home 3 wings. Overall, this was a great experience. The receipt also gave a 10% discount for the dessert spot, "Gelato & Chill" nearby on the same level as Chicken Uni. We are planning to make another return soon to try more flavors and possibly the plate lunch and Ramyun side. Even though they are in Waikiki, please give them a try. They are also on Doordash.

    Matt S.

    I'm not going to lie, I've been waiting a year and a half for this place to open! I walked by one day, saw the construction, and got super excited, hoping the doors would open within a month or two. But month after month went by, and every time I was in the area, I'd check to see if it was finally open. Then, out of nowhere, I walked by and saw the lights on, workers inside, and the screens ready for orders. I couldn't believe it, it was finally here! Let me tell you, it does *not* disappoint. This is exactly what I've been waiting for, and it's everything Waikiki needed. The anticipation was worth it!

    CAJUN and SPICY THAI BASIL WINGS
    S S.

    Representing in truth what they offer Reasonable prices budget friendly Fun food excellent service For single patron to a table, next to me, with three grown-ups and three or four happy well behaved little kids Outdoor seating option with our well behaved little dog Ordered Wings, 10 pc (2 flavor sauce choices) Spicy Thai Basil and Cajun Really addictive delicious fries (skinny with coating like crispy bits on them) The side of Truffle sauce smelled delicious truffles Young adults with me each got separate Ramyun bowls where is the fries are gone do you want one? I'm gonna finish them. The young adults with me enjoyed Create Your Own Noodle Bowl, toppings of many choices, soft boiled or poached egg (in the shell) and many topping choices, green onion, Bonito flakes, dried seaweed, kimchi, shredded cheese, grilled fish cake... Fun for everyone! Customer service was excellent very attentive, though it was busy, they managed the line well, friendly and cashier was fluent in ASL with a customer in front of me. We each enjoyed our dinner as many customers seemed to enjoy the experience. I noticed someone else's order of garlic, pork belly, and spicy chicken. looked delicious. Next time I may try the Bulgogi and garlic chicken bowl with two choices ... maybe bean sprouts and kimchi. I wanted something light so I munched fries this time. Very accommodating, one of the friendly cashier said they could make a veggie dinner option with the sides and rice or fries. They were very flexible. Good happy ambience Warm atmosphere with smiling customers Indoor/outdoor seating Validated parking in Waikiki wow! Lemon pepper fries that's what they were delicious! *Tip: STIR your Noodles while they are cooking keep from scorching the bottom.

    Menu
    Valery L.

    A friend and I decided to try this place out and got take out: fried chicken, the street toast and a side of japchae cause she was craving it. The fried chicken had good flavor but the soy garlic one was too saturated in sauce. The street toast did not look the same as in the photos and did not taste all that special. We did takeout so didn't have to wait too long for our order. There is an instant ramen station in the restaurant that looked super innovative and looking to try it out sometime as they have a huge variety of ramen.

    Jennifer F.

    Loved this chicken! Fried up while you waited, and flavored at your request! We liked it so much we bought a shirt!

    Menu 01/2025

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    Chicken doesn't taste good ‍. We could hardly eat it today. Too greasy and hard to eat.

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    The food was delicious. Loved the different flavors chicken they had the garlic parmesan on my strips.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Chicken University Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Chicken University

    Carte Blanche

    Carte Blanche

    4.5(80 reviews)
    2.3 miKaimuki
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Luxury

    Took our friend here for her birthday and what a hidden gem this place was. Tucked away in the…read moreheart of Kaimuki, Carte Blanche was definitely a delightful surprise! When our party first walked in, we were a tiny bit skeptical because of the empty room (which was beautifully decorated). However as each course came out, we were blown away and didn't know how the restaurant was not way busier for a Saturday night! Each dish/course was well thought out and prepared to perfection. We were all taken by surprise in a great way. The head chef Anthony was very passionate and excited about his work and that was very refreshing! Overall a wonderful experience and we will be back!

    If you're looking for Kaimuki's most romantic date night spot, look no further than Carte Blanche…read more We recently experienced their summer prix fixe menu (which changes twice a year), and it was one of those meals you remember long after the plates are cleared. The progression of dishes felt thoughtful and creative-- * Crispy Salt & Vinegar Chicken Skin (the perfect starter crunch) * Soupe de Poisson (deep, comforting flavors) * Pina Colada Granita (a refreshing palate cleanser) * Pan Seared Scallops (my personal favorite--perfectly caramelized and tender) * Double Cut Rack of Lamb (succulent and cooked to perfection) * Lemon Crème Brûlée Tart (a sweet, bright finish) Every plate was elegant, well-executed, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere strikes a balance between sophisticated and welcoming. Dim lighting, intimate tables, and quiet elegance make you feel like you've stepped into a hidden gem in the middle of Kaimuki. Honestly, I felt like a celebrity dining here. Service was polished but never pretentious--our server was attentive, knowledgeable about the courses, and kept the pacing of the meal just right. For the level of creativity and execution, Carte Blanche feels like an affordable luxury in Honolulu's dining scene. Perfect for anniversaries, date nights, or anytime you want an elevated experience without flying to the mainland. Highly recommend booking a reservation--you'll want to savor every moment here.

    Photos
    Carte Blanche
    Carte Blanche
    Carte Blanche

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    Miro Kaimuki - MIRO Sourdough. Furikake butter.

    Miro Kaimuki

    4.5(415 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$$$

    The sourdough alone is worth the trip--easily one of the best I've had, and the brioche bites with…read moretuna, uni, and caviar were a standout across the board. Service was really good, the wine pairing was a nice touch, and the location is easy to get to with parking. We'll definitely be back. Not a pretentious spot, the inside of the restaurant was nice and chill - easy to have a conversation.

    Being a fan of this restaurants prix fixe, we were excited to try the à la carte menu. That way you…read moreget exactly what you want. We were seated right away, but it was kind of loud. I think it's where we were sitting, but still a surprise given the cozy vibe. Food was solid, but we were slightly disappointed with the caviar as it was explained that it was going to be like an egg salad Sammie. But it was just the caviar on a toast. Perhaps the server wasn't really sure how to explain it, but since caviar are essentially eggs, I guess it was a non traditional egg salad. We had finished almost finished our starters by the time I got my wine so that was disappointing. It was packed and it didn't seem like there was enough servers, but certain tables got extra attention. Like they didn't wait long for food or drinks. We ordered everything all at once but had to reorder the dessert because the server forgot to put in it. I wanted to end with some tea, but the server forgot. Overall, the food is solid, but the service leaves something to be desired.

    Photos
    Miro Kaimuki
    Miro Kaimuki - WESTHOLME RIBEYE (16 oz).

    WESTHOLME RIBEYE (16 oz).

    Miro Kaimuki - Hamachi. Sun-Dried Tomato. Cucumber.

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    Hamachi. Sun-Dried Tomato. Cucumber.

    Morimoto Asia Waikiki - grilled miso black cod

    Morimoto Asia Waikiki

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    1.1 miWaikiki
    $$$

    I WISH I COULD GIVE MORE STARS!!!! WORTH THE PRICE! FOOD AND SERVICE IS OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!…read more Okay seriously, I've been to a ton of expensive high end restaurants and none have impressed me like this Morimoto's. When I tell you everything that came out was amazing.... Holy moly it was SO TASTY. EVERYTHING! I was even impressed with the fried rice with how much they served and how much was in it. I personally loved the fish carpaccio, rib eye, hamachi kama, wok vegetables and malasadas for dessert. The orange chicken was my least favorite but it was still good. Oh and the STICKY RIBS...... you HAVE to get them. So crispy yet tender.... I loved how everything we had bursted in my mouth with flavor and was something I couldn't make to that level at home. Service was amazing like any other fine dining restaurant, but for the first time, I felt like this one was worth the money for how good the food was. I will definitely be back!

    My bad review is entirely based on how terrible the food was. For context, we ordered Tonkatsu…read moreramen and Tsukemen dipping ramen. Ramen, according to the server, was the most popular thing on the menu, so how likely could it get messed up? Tonkatsu: Rich, but lacked any salt or had very little. We requested some salt and that instantly made the ramen better. The noodles had enough salt to carry it, but the broth was not great. It tasted like the broth was watered down or reconstituted, however no seasoning was added to re-adjust the broth. Broth: Had little salt and lacked punch, umami, and was brown instead of white. Noodles: Had enough salt to taste good, but was slightly overcooked Pork: Extremely bland. Tasted like zero salt was added during cooking. Toppings: Greatly lacking in toppings Tsukemen: The Tsukemen had a lot of the same issues. Now being a dipping ramen, the broth should be even richer and more flavorful than any normal ramen. Tsukemen -- no matter where you have it in Japan, should be richer and saltier than most broths, but the broth here was severely lacking. For $26 a bowl this was worse than your DIY frozen ramen packs. Now I'm not asking for Japan-level of ramen mastery here, this is after all, just a tourist spot -- but if your Tonkatsu is the best selling item, you have to step it up. Our server did mention that some people complained about the amount of salt in ramen, so they adjusted it. But dare I say, instead of diluting the normal salt/seasoning amount for everyone, couldn't you just add a separate, flavor-light version for people inexperienced with ramen, instead of diluting the original for everyone else? If you're reading this Mr. Morimoto, I would highly encourage you to fly here and order the ramen. I think you and I would share the same opinions. P.S. I've also been to your other Morimoto spots and it was not this bad.

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    Morimoto Asia Waikiki - Interior

    Interior

    Morimoto Asia Waikiki - Black pepper beef

    Black pepper beef

    Morimoto Asia Waikiki - Morimoto Asia Waikiki Ocean Front Lanai Dining

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    Morimoto Asia Waikiki Ocean Front Lanai Dining

    Lucky Belly - Shrimp Kim Chee Bowl

    Lucky Belly

    4.2(2.2k reviews)
    2.5 miDowntown
    $$

    Chinatown is know for its great food and nightlife. Lucky Belly definitely earns its keep and holds…read moreits own amongst the best of them. On this particular visit, it was a Wednesday night, 9:35 when we walked in just before their closing time. We had just come from enjoying a night of good vibes, good drinks and good vinyl tunes at EP Bar. Upon entering we were greeted kindly and offered any seat in the dining room. Place was extremely clean and comfortable. Service came around with water and gave us a minute to look over the menus. He returned shortly and orders were placed. 15 to 20 minutes tops, the food came out. What we Order? - Crispy Duck Taco. 5/5 stars. Outstanding. For context I knowing that he's not much of a duck fan, had my son try them, but he LOVED them. "I'd totally order that again..." - Oxtail Dumpling. 5/5 stars. Savory - Lumpia 5/5 stars. Perfect fry. Wrap is crisp and light, fill is flavorful and delicious. - Bi Bim Bap 5/5. Overall, service is tops, prices are fair, every bit and bite of each plate was excellent. Such a gem in Chinatown. I always wonder why about the name of a restaurant. After dining at Lucky Belly, what a lucky belly indeed.

    Look, I know I'm probably a spoiled white Bay Area weirdo. But I seriously do not see the appeal of…read morethis place or why it has the reviews that it had. We paid $12 for two gyozas which I'm fairly certain are sending us on our way to food poisoning. I cannot even describe the taste, but it was fishy and extremely bad way. Again, maybe it's not my taste. I can totally understand that but seriously we ordered a brisket sandwich as well as a Bento box on top of the appetizers none of which were particularly satisfying flavor bowl or tasty in anyway in fact quite a bit of it tasted by old. That's just the food. The service was just fine. Now we were waited on in a timely manner, and the waitress was quite friendly. The place seemed funky in a cool way but its aesthetic was sorted rounded out by a certain level of dust and filth that was across the entire restaurant on our visit. Don't even bother using the restroom which was coated and I am not even sure what. Seriously, I've not been moved to make a review of many places in my travels. This was one I felt I should give a heads up on because my experience differed so greatly from the popular opinion on yelp.

    Photos
    Lucky Belly - Inside

    Inside

    Lucky Belly - Lobster Moco (Dec 2025 update)

    Lobster Moco (Dec 2025 update)

    Lucky Belly - Crispy Duck Taco (Dec 2025 update)

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    Crispy Duck Taco (Dec 2025 update)

    Chicken University - chicken_wings - Updated June 2026

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