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    Chicken University

    3.8 (73 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:30 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!

    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!

    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.

    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.

    Nice and clean
    Lisa R.

    We had a great experience here we stopped in to order dinner while walking our dog. It's the new restaurant on the block and we were pleasantly delighted. The service we received was very good the counter gal was patient and explained in detail how we could order and how we could do half half . We ordered a 10 piece wings and it was the thai basil spicy sauce and the other was Parmesan garlic. The side order of fries were lemon pepper.. all so good we also ordered 2 plain pieces of chicken . They were so crunchy if you like skin like I do this is your place. The sauces were all delicious and chicken was hot and perfect. The fries were also really tasty. I will definitely be returning and will pick up our chicken from here. Only issue might be is the parking . But if you can get in there I would definitely do it.

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    1 year ago

    I ordered the BBQ plate, but food was burnt. The sides were not fresh (the japchae was overnight/hard)

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    1 year ago

    Oily and gross chicken. We had the garlic parmesan. Worst I've ever had. Cashier was pleasant. That's why it got 1 star.

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    1 year ago

    Omg this was the best!! So many flavors so many great choices such incredible service definitely coming back

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    Page 2 of 2

    Chicken University Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Chicken University

    Ki Club

    Ki Club

    4.5
    (136 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Women-owned & operated

    Went here for my birthday dinner. Thoroughly surprised at how good the food was and the service…read more Beautiful, modern interior and the atmosphere was chic. The menu has changed to a more tapa style. We went with our two young children & they were very accommodating. We ordered a bunch of stuff but most notable was the Ensalada Salad, Croquette Cordero, Taco Raisu, Karaage Pollo, and for dessert, the Piña Borracha. We ordered some pork and steak skewers. These were ok, I would skip these next time. A little burnt. My favorite was the Ensalada Salad. The crab was sweet and the salsa opaca was so refreshing with the apple foam. Was told to smash the crisp on top and combine it with everything and that took it to another level! So good that we ordered another one. The price of this was so affordable too! The Croquette Cordero was like a mini curry ball with chimuchirri sauce. A little heavy but if you love curry, this is for you! The Taco Raisu surprised us. The taco meat was so flavorful!! Even though we were stuffed, we kept going back for more. It's like a deconstructed taco & you use the lettuce as a wrap. The Karaage Pollo came with a Cucumber Escabeche. It was so tangy and refreshing, which perfectly cuts through the rich, savory oiliness of the fried chicken. We got the Piña Borracha for dessert and that had a coconut cake, coconut lime mousse, banana lilikoi curd, and pasted pineapple on top. Amazing!! Great way to end the night. Everything was top notch. You can tell they put a lot of effort into each dish. Can't wait to go back!

    I go here on occasions. I've made to brunch a couple times but typically I make it to the…read moreevenings. The restaurant hours are relatively calm, but switches gears when it becomes a nightclub. Restaurant-wise, I believe the menu had a recent change-up to further explore fusion possibilities. I've been going down the list and the dishes have been pretty good so far; I haven't made it to the taco raisu yet, but I do need me some desserts. The picarones is like a peruvian andagi, which was pretty cool. The miso cream brûlée was from the prior menu, but also a Yes. The bar is knowledgeable and innovative their mixology- I've had the shizuku garden and that was amazing.

    Photos
    Lomo Saltado with Wagyu
    Lomo Saltado with Wagyu
    Feature Cocktails
    Feature Cocktails
    Kakuni Croquettes

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    Kakuni Croquettes
    Carte Blanche

    Carte Blanche

    4.5
    (80 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$
    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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    Morimoto Asia Waikiki

    Morimoto Asia Waikiki

    4.1
    (1.1k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    This ramen place was delicious! My boyfriend and I are visiting from the mainland and this was the…read morefirst dinner spot. We got the vegan ramen and the tonkatsu. Both were delicious. The service was great. The environment was calm since we went during happy hour (3pm). There are birds flying around so I would be aware of that, but other than that, awesome place. I will say the menu is a little expensive ($24 per ramen), but they are delicious

    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.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Black pepper beef
    Black pepper beef
    Morimoto Asia Waikiki Ocean Front Lanai Dining

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    Morimoto Asia Waikiki Ocean Front Lanai Dining
    Lucky Belly

    Lucky Belly

    4.2
    (2.2k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    So glad we ate here! Looks like there are lots of hip options in Chinatown, and we would have…read morewalked around and tried even more if we had had more time. We had a 4 hour layover in Honolulu and it was a quick 15 minute Lyft ride here to Lucky Belly. We were the only party here right at 5:30 pm. Loved the art and clean simple elegance of the exposed brick wall and wood tables. We were greeted and served by a very friendly host. We had the duck tacos, plus the special dim sum appetizer combo of pork belly bao, lobster dumplings and oxtail dumplings. We could not pick a favorite. The variety of textures was fantastic and each of the meat fillings were perfectly seasoned and tender, delicious! Each had a different sauce- just enough, not too much. Nothing was spicy but there was chili oil on the table if you wanted to add more heat. We got 2 nonalcoholic spritzers, one lilikoi and one hibiscus, which were each refreshing and complimented the meal. Since the service was so efficient, after eating, we still had time to zip over to Magic Island to stroll around, take in the scene and enjoy the sunset before heading back to the airport. Our last evening in Hawaii was really special thanks to this delightful restaurant!

    Service is always top notch with helpful and friendly people always on hand. The ambiance is pretty…read morenice, with paneled walls and nice spacious seating. The A/C was blowing on our table intermittently, but it was okay because the heat from the sun through the glass front windows at 5:30 PM was intense. I think the shades could be drawn down a bit more. The bi bim bap bowl was very substantial and the meat was nicely flavored, albeit a bit on the spicy side. Chicken and beet salads were also cool and refreshing, with the layered goat cheese and beet terrines being a nice touch. Karaage chicken on the salads was also nicely cooked and moist. The wafu stake was tasty and tender and with a side of rice it made a complete meal (well, no veggies, but...). Parking is available nearby at the lot on the corner of Smith and Pauahi or the underground lot with an entrance on Beretania near Nu'uanu.

    Photos
    Interior bar and dining room.
    Interior bar and dining room.
    Lobster Moco (Dec 2025 update)
    Lobster Moco (Dec 2025 update)
    Exterior front.

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    Exterior front.

    Chicken University - chicken_wings - Updated August 2026

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