Little Plum, located in Manoa Marketplace, has transformed the former Bank of Hawaii space into a warm and welcoming dining spot. The open floor plan and cozy minimalistic decor create an enjoyable atmosphere perfect for any meal. Little Plum's menu includes teishoku (set meal) options, complemented by smaller plates and bowls. Each teishoku includes a main dish, miso soup, tsukemono, namul, and rice, offering a well-rounded and satisfying meal. For smaller appetites, the keiki teishoku features a smaller main dish, miso soup, and a choice of rice or fries. Following our server's recommendation, we started with the ume tomato from the plates & bowls section. This dish featured whipped tofu, shiso, and a tangy ume vinaigrette that was a perfect blend of light and refreshing flavors. The shortrib bao buns were another highlight, with tender shortrib nestled in soft, fluffy buns. From the teishoku section, we savored the beef cheek stew, which was a hearty and comforting dish. The stew included succulent beef cheek, blistered tomatoes, potatoes, and fresh vegetables, all melding together in a rich, flavorful broth. The keiki teishoku's kalbi was equally delightful, providing a smaller portion of perfectly marinated and grilled short ribs that were tender and delicious. For dessert, we indulged in the mochi churro with anglaise and kinako. The mochi churro was a delightful twist on the classic treat, with a chewy interior and a crisp exterior, complemented by the creamy anglaise and nutty kinako. The service at Little Plum was excellent--attentive, friendly, and efficient. Despite the increasing noise level as the restaurant filled up, the overall experience was excellent. We can't wait to return to Little Plum to explore more of their delicious menu. If you find yourself in Manoa, don't miss out on visiting this new restaurant. read more

Nestled in the back of Manoa Marketplace, Little Plum is a delightful find offering a curated menu of Japanese-inspired specialties. The restaurant was lively on a busy Friday night, perfect for unwinding after a long week--though it did get a bit loud at times. We were fortunate to get seats at the bar since we did not have reservations. We started with the Kalbi Shortrib Bao, and it did was so good. The meat was exceptionally tender and flavorful, perfectly wrapped in a pillowy bao bun. For our main dish, we ordered the Ribeye Skewer Teishoku, a generous meal complete with three succulent skewers, miso soup, rice, and tangy pickled vegetables--a well-rounded and satisfying choice. Their drink menu is extensive, featuring wines, beers, spirits, and a creative selection of cocktails. We chose the sake flight, and each pour complemented our meal, enhancing the flavors and bringing out the best of both food and drink. Ending on a sweet note, we opted for the Mochi Churro dessert. It was delightful: crispy and golden on the outside, yet soft and fluffy within--a perfect balance of textures. Bonus was 100% of dessert proceeds went to the culinary staff. Service was attentive and friendly throughout our visit. Little Plum is certainly a charming addition to the neighborhood dining scene--I'll definitely be returning to explore more of their thoughtfully crafted dishes. read more

Little Plum is by far our favorite restaurant in the Manoa area. Anyone growing up in Hawaii harbors sweet memories of loco moco, bao, and braised ribs. This genius establishment's menu leans on timeless traditional favorites and fuses them into modern culinary delights. It's incredible how much thought goes into the food and the service. The utensils and serving dishes alone are worth pausing to admire; nothing in this restaurant hasn't been meticulously considered. It seems destined to remain the town's favorite for a long time. The crew operates like a close-knit, family-oriented team, and the chemistry among them is truly something to behold. Our favorites are the beef cheek stew and the Kimchee rib-eye, both prepared to perfection and offered at such a friendly price. The bar is stocked with the best cocktails you can imagine and boasts an impressive selection of high-end liquor. If you are a rum or whisky drinker, this place will leave you scratching your head in amazement. The drink mixes, crafted by some of Hawaii's leading mixologists, are nothing short of exceptional. Little Plum, located in the newly renovated Manoa Shopping Center, is exactly what this town needed in its revitalization process. read more

Came to Little Plum to celebrate my dear friend's birthday, and wow--what an incredible experience! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm hospitality, and our server Sarah was absolutely stellar. She was attentive, knowledgeable, and made our night even more special. Now, let's talk about the food--spectacular is an understatement! We ordered:    *   Cheek beef stew - melt-in-your-mouth tender, rich, and deeply flavorful.    *   Spicy miso eggplant - perfect balance of heat, little crispy, silky and delicious.    *   Rayu cucumber - refreshing and crisp, a great contrast to the heartier dishes.    *   Ume tomato - vibrant, sweet, and full of flavor.    *   Kalbi bao - soft, fluffy bao with perfectly marinated tender kalbi, an absolute must try! Everything was beautifully plated, thoughtfully prepared, and bursting with flavor. I can't emphasize enough how great this place is, Little Plum is a true gem. If you haven't been here yet, do yourself a favor and make a reservation. Can't wait to come back! read more

Little Plum is a gem of a dining experience in Manoa. From the moment we walked in, we were treated to an outstanding array of cocktails and food. Each dish was a testament to culinary excellence, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. However, it was the service that truly set Little Plum apart. The servers were exceptionally attentive and helpful, striking the perfect balance between being available and allowing us to enjoy our meal without feeling rushed. It's rare to find such attentive service, especially in the post-pandemic era. A delightful surprise was the visit from the bartender, who checked in on our specialty cocktails, adding a personal touch to our evening. Located right next to Manoa Valley Theater, Little Plum is the perfect spot for a date night. Whether you're starting your evening with a fabulous dinner before a show or unwinding with drinks after, this restaurant is a fantastic addition to Manoa. I will definitely be back to enjoy more of what Little Plum has to offer. read more

I stopped by Little Plum in Mānoa after hearing some buzz, and overall, it was just okay. I tried the menchi katsu, which had a nice crunch on the outside, but the patty itself was a little dry... the mushroom gravy helped add some moisture and flavor. The spicy eggplant teishoku was good--the eggplant was cooked well! The mochi churros were probably the highlight of the meal!! They had a fun, chewy texture and the kinako dusting added a nice twist. That said, the portion felt a bit small for the price. The space itself is cute and minimal, tucked away in Mānoa Marketplace. The staff was friendly! All in all, Little Plum was fine. I didn't hate anything, but I didn't love anything either. Maybe I caught an off day, but with the current hype and pricing, I was hoping for more. I might give it another shot eventually. read more

At a friend's suggestion, we decided to check out this new spot. The interior is quite unique, blending industrial and oriental elements, with kimonos adorning the walls. However, we experienced a bit of sticker shock when we saw the menu prices and were surprised by the limited food options. Interestingly, about two-thirds of the menu is dedicated to drinks, despite the presence of an impressive open kitchen. The Teishoku (set meal) prices are on the higher side, with ribeye skewers (three pieces) costing over $30. While the food was tasty, the portions were small and somewhat left unfulfilling. It's hard to categorize this place--whether it's an after-work drinking spot with a large liquor menu or a restaurant with set meals. Unfortunately, Little Plum won't be making it to my list of favorites. read more

A Hidden Gem in Manoa! Having dinner at Little Plum in the Manoa Marketplace was a real treat! From start to finish, everything exceeded my expectations. The food was absolutely fantastic... thoughtfully prepared, full of flavor, and beautifully presented. Each dish showcased quality ingredients and attention to detail. The service was just as impressive. The staff was warm, attentive, and knowledgeable, making sure we had everything we needed without being intrusive. It's clear that they genuinely care about creating a great dining experience. Special thanks to our server Maddy. She was amazing! If you're looking for a place that delivers on both incredible food and top-notch service, this is it! read more

Had a great dinner Sat. Took my wife and a couple friends. Got great recommendations from our service. Food was delicious; we started with the ume tomatoes and had the spicy miso eggplant, the fried abodo chicken, the catch of the day (marlin) and mixed tempura, shared family style. Service was excellent. The dining room feels upscale without feeling snobby. Finished off by sharing the mochi churros which had an interesting (in a good way) texture served with a nice creme anglaise, and the lilikoi orange pudding both were very tasty. Overall a great experience. read more

Food was delicious & the mochi churro dessert was melt in the mouth ono! Servers were super friendly and attentive, even offering one of the elderly in my group a chair with a little bit of cushion on it. Making the rsvp over the phone was interesting as we needed to take a later seating assuming the place was booked, but when we arrived there were many open tables, so that was unfortunate, but not a deal breaker. read more

After much anticipation, I decided to give this place a try, but unfortunately, it was a major letdown. The service left a lot to be desired, and the food fell far short of expectations. The menu was surprisingly limited, and to make matters worse, the prices were exorbitant for the amount of food served. This is not a spot I'd recommend adding to your list when visiting Oahu. read more

Stopped by Little Plum and had such a great experience. The drinks were super delicious, creative, and beautifully made, and the service was just as impressive. Everyone was warm, attentive, and made the whole experience feel welcoming from start to finish. Definitely a spot I'd come back to and recommend if you're looking for good drinks and great service in Honolulu. read more

The service was as remarkable as the food--friendly and flawless, ensuring our dining experience was entirely pleasurable. This eatery offers more than just a meal; it's a culinary adventure where each detail is carefully designed, making every dish a work of art. read more