Great unique food with lots of vegetarian foods with local ingredients. The tofu was the size of a flan desert and tasted great. The Taro roots were also good read more

Feeling absolutely awful about my visit knowing that these guys close at 9pm. The staff was accommodating to a late night drop in for a full meal with drinks. Great service from the hostess, waitress and bartender even at the late hour. Hands down best dish was the clams and sausage. Butter, rich flavorful sauce served with buttery toast. I'll definitely enjoy my next visit with an order. Lau Lau, moist flavorful and sooooo happy that they kept to the traditional flavor. The poi accompanied was equally the opposite and sour in flavor. Nothing like the taste in traditional poi. Fish Sandwich lastly was with Hebi. Not my favorite fish , so honestly might be good to ask what the fish for the day is before ordering. I think a different fish would've made a difference. Overall 4 glasses of wine and 3 dishes, walked out feeling satisfied in quality and quantity. read more

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Loved this cute restaurant. Went with my family recently and the staff were so sweet and were very knowledgeable about the menu. We got their special at the time which I believe was a fried snapper? And the lechon (always on the menu) which was savory and spicy once adding the chili peppers (be careful they are small but they are mighty). Great experience! read more

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Drove past this place and it looked so cool with its outside patio and lights so we had to try it. The insides has a clean relaxed vibe while the outside (pic) has a more laidback casual chill. The inside part has wooden tables and chairs...Its airconditioned and comfortable. The outside has wooden picnic tables and umbrellas. The bar (cool made out of cinderblocks) is inside and is also part of the outside patio. There are 4 unlabled doors (most were confused lol) and they are all any gender bathrooms with community wash basin in the bathroom lobby area. The menu (pic) was very limited (maybe 14 items) and was a mix of all unconventional rather interesting items. We went with the buttered Ulu (breadfruit) $12 vegan style with no butter but it was actually pretty tasty but more of a pupu portion than a meal....We also tried the smoked meat carbonara (on the smaller side but decent portion) $15...basically pasta with small bits of smoked meat and cheese....I am sure this is a great dish but we are all humans and maybe the cook got distracted or something because it was extremely salty...our waitress was very patient appologized and had no prob taking it back and replacing it with something else. I decided to go with their fish tempura sandwich....They made it a priority and I got it to us in a short while...it came with 2 half thick slices tomato a piece of this green vegetable ( dont know the name) on a soft roll and some very dark green lettuce (reminds me of the fake grass in easter baskets lol) and several pieces of very tasty fish . The manager personally came by to apologize and even told us they wont be charging us for the smoked meat salty dish or the fish sandwich and they valued our satisfaction over everything else...and encouraged us to return if happy..Wow that is some epic customer service!! and I dont think it had anything to do with me taking pics of the entire restaurant..food and menu like a yelper should In any case MWH is a cool restaurant with friendly professional staff that will go out of their way to make a great sincere lasting impression. read more

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Amazing food! Recommended by a local and can confirm, it's amazing! Delicious modern, Asian fusion paired with creative cocktails. Jill, our server, also provided excellent service! Would recommend! read more

Groups will enjoy coming to this place for dinner. We came on a Thursday night to celebrate some of our friends visiting Hawaii. So glad we did! As we waited for our team to arrive, we went to the bar located near the entrance on the right. The bartender told us about the night's dinner special. We ordered our drinks there. As our team came in we moved to our table. The server told us that the food will come together as we ordered. The food tastes fabulous! Along with the meat options, the menu features vegetarian options. Being a vegetarian, I ordered the hummus, the beet salad, and the fried rice. I asked the server what sort of broth does the kitchen use to prepare the rice. She said she can find out and get back to me. In a couple of minutes she said that the chefs prepare the fried rice with oyster sauce. That sounds fine. It tasted amazing! It comes with an egg sunnyside up. The food has been prepared to share with others. A small plate works for 2 people. A large plate works for 4 -5 people. The team decided on the rosé wine. During the dinner, the servers came to refill the wine glasses with the rosé. I aptly decided on ice water with lemon (my favorite). This place works well for groups, dates, friends, and families. Thank you Mud Hen Water for being a part of our night! Come and discover this gem! read more

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Ot was a bit underwhelming to me. 1. The drunk was a little too weak for me. I couldn't taste the vodka. 2. The pasta was over cooked (not el dente). The smoked meat on the pasta was either cut too thick or they did not cook it well enough, because I had to use my napkin to spit out the fat. ‍ The waiter said that the pasta is enough for two people, I ate mine all myself. 3. The the dessert was my favorite, but who really doesn't like dessert. read more

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Today was a great day! I love eating out in different restaurants. My friend and I had the opportunity to dine at Mud Hen Water for lunch. Initially we were a little worried when we realized that the lunch menu was not as extensive as the dinner menu; however, I believe that we got lucky in that respect. I would never have tried their octopus (he'e) sandwich if there were many other options. My friend commented on it first, but he opted out saying that he didn't care for celery or tarragon. So, I picked up where he left off. Initially, we were both like, "Hmmmm... how can anyone put the two together? A very chewy sandwich?" We are used to octopus with rice in poke form or with miso sugar. But I can say this! We were not disappointed. The toasted bread with butter and the seasoned he'e with special sauce just melted in my mouth. Wow! It was perfection, I didn't taste the tarragon nor the celery, it was well done. So flavorful and I know that I will eat it again. We also had a cup of the tomato parmigiano soup, I just love tomato soup. I am not lying when I say that hands down this has got to be the best tomato soup on this island. Oh, and for starters he had the plain lemonade and I opted for the fancier version, with some ground up parsley, it sounded like an interesting combination. I love ginger tea so I thought, "Heck, let's give it a try." I don't recommend it to those who are palate sensitive but to those who are game to try something different, you should try it. Initially, there was so much parsley floating at the top that it was too strong; however, on the second try it was smooth with just a hint of parsley. I love the unusual combination. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the food but I can tell you that presentation-wise and ambience-wise, this restaurant is just amazing. I am so happy to have stumbled upon it. I love the name too. The ambience is very eclectic to say the least. We sat in the more inner air-conditioned area, then there is the half in half out portion of the restaurant and also further out, you can dine outside. I can imagine how beautiful it must be to dine outdoors on a moonlit night with some fairy lights for decoration. The restaurant was carefully decorated with that minimalist style. There were larger wall mirrors of different styles around the restaurant. A bottle with some herbs and vinegar and oil? were set up at each table as the centerpiece. I don't know how to explain the decor but it was very peaceful. The waiters and waitresses were all very astute and knowledgeable about the menu. It was almost as if they had been trained in a fine dining restaurant but their outfits were very individualistic and classy and fit the ambience of the restaurant. I would love to try other entrees and dessert next time and definitely go there for dinner. I know that the lunch is limited in their choices but I have no regrets. Excellent through and through. read more

Food A- Service A Ambiance A- 4.5 Parking can be a pain but the neighborhood usually has street parking within short walking distance. I have to admit that it took me a while to try Mud Hen Water because the name and menu felt pretentious as heck. WRONG. Local ingredients are used in creative fusion dishes that deliver freshness and flavor. The menu rotates frequently but the quality doesn't falter. The beet poke was delectable. I had reservations about the dish as I love traditional poke, but the beets are deliciously marinated. The cured Kahala (a fish crudo type dish) was also spectacular. I know they often change this dish with fresh fish of the day with tweaks to the crudo preparation but the few different times I've had it everything has been amazing. The fried Ludovico chicken initially disappointed me greatly. The very first time I had it, the chicken was over cooked and dry as heck. After a few visits, months apart I gave the chicken another try and it was AMAZING. Juicy, tender, perfectly seasoned, I was so glad I tried it again. Their desserts are also tasty. One of the last desserts I had was a miso butterscotch rice pudding with a ginger lace (thin ginger cookie) and it was drool worthy. You can tell a lot of thought goes into this menu and honestly for the price and portions. Mud Hen Water is a unique and special dining experience that doesn't sacrifice food quality for ambiance and vibe. A huge perk is that they have a nice outdoor space that allows dogs (well behaved ones please, let's not ruin a good thing for every one by bringing untrained, unruly dogs) . read more

STAY FAR AWAY.... Pretentious hipster wannabe place, food is mediocre at best, customer service is just plain rude, I live in the hood and would go all the time if it was good but its not and its expensive......so no go Overrated they think they are Excellent but dont have a clue.... Im a classically trained chef and local haole read more

Have not been here in a few years. The menu is still imaginative. The he'e roll was wonderful! It beats all the lobster rolls in town. I sat at the bar but was never ignored. The vibes are great here. Continue your good presence here!! read more

We had a great time having brunch here at Mud Hen Water. It is an absolute gem here, the food is so good and the staff are super nice. Definitely would recommend checking Mud Hen Water when in Honolulu! read more

Mud Hen Water - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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We have only been here for lunch and weekend brunch. I do prefer their lunch menu as my favorite dish was a salad plate that featured all local farm to table items. ulu here is a must!!! We prefer savory over sweet hence quite limited as to what we enjoy during weekend brunch. We enjoy sitting outside in their patio, great vibes, fun drinks and a fun way to experience Kaimuki. Decent service. read more

Wai'alae means Mud hen water. No really. that is what it means. Mud Hen Water totally defines Kaimuki. If you want to try a restaurant that celebrates the Hawaiian culture through food, this is the place. In the beginning of my dinner, I assumed this was a tapas bar. With each new dish, I started to notice how they artistically crafted their dishes to celebrate the "Now and Then" of Hawaii cuisine. What to know: Parking sucks. Wear comfortable shoes and keep circling for street side parking. They have a tiny lot in the back, but it gets filled quick. Reservations: I highly recommend reservations. They are on Opentable and you can also call. Customer Service: Our server was pretty attentive. We actually had 3 people come to check on us throughout our dinner. We had a BUNCH of questions on what to order and our server helped us. It was awesome. Price: I'm not gonna lie, it was pricey. BUT when you support local, it is expected that you'll have to pay just a tad more. The quality and unique tapas are worth it. Food: This was supposed to be a date night, until we found out my little one would be home alone, so it turned out to be a mini family dinner. That being said, my kiddo LOVED everything. I was scared she would frown for not getting mac and cheese. Anyhow, here is what we got: Yaki o Pa'i 'ai : It had a mochi texture with a savory taste. Think of it as a vegetarian musubi. If you are thinking sweet mochi, don't get it. We loved the artistic way they made the Hawaiian mashed poi to taste like mochi, but had a Japanese twist to it with the seaweed and shoyu. Beet Poke: That was LEGIT. I never thought I liked beets, but dang they made it taste like poke. I had to look down and make sure I wasn't eating ahi. Pretty great flavor and if you are adventurous, this is a must try. Buttered Ulu: I know ulu. I know it by a different name; lemai. It was the first time I saw it being served and had to have it. the butter made it crisp on the outside but still mushy on the inside. It is a great substitute for potatoes. It was very farm to table. Nothing too much added, but it made the breadfruit flavor come out. Smoke Meat Carbonara: Holy Bucatini. That was delish! thick bucatini noodles with a light lemon parmigiana sauce and smoke pork belly. It was Hawaii meets Italy. Loved it! Fried Chicken: WHOA. It was a half chicken fried to a crisp and still juicy on the inside. It came lettuce, pickled cucumber, marinated mushrooms and sliced radishes. My tip: make it into a lettuce wrap. Chocolate Kiawe Bean Brownie: Well there goes the diet. Throw it out when you see this. You will want to dig in the the black sesame ice cream, the brownie and the macadamia nut toffee. This was delish! I didn't know if it would have went well, but it did. Overall, this was a GREAT dinner. I love the farm to table concept. I love that they used local ingredients like breadfruit, kiawe and other things. I LOVE how they blend the different local favorites into a unique dish that you wouldn't think of pairing. I'd recommend as a date night spot or brunch! read more

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Mud Hen Water has been at the top of my list of restaurants to try and I'm so glad I finally got to eat here! I really loved the service and ambiance and of course, the food. The menu is super unique with a lot of Hawaiian influenced dishes. I was expecting tapas style dishes (aka tiny portions) but to my surprise the portions were actually pretty big! The beet poke and buttered ulu were two of my favorite dishes. I also tried the Szechuan lotus root, preserved akulu, and Lau Lau, all of which were tasty and flavorful (although I found the Lau Lau to be extremely salty). For dessert, we had the chocolate Kiawe brownie, which I HIGHLY recommend ordering. Overall, Mud Hen Water is a great spot with unique food, yummy cocktails and a nice atmosphere. read more

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First time here and definitely will come back for more. Very friendly staffs. Great food and atmosphere. Parking is around the back on 9th Ave. with about 4-5 stalls, otherwise you'll have to look for street parking. read more

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By far, the best food I've had on Oahu is this humble but delicious spot. The alcoholic beverages were blended nicely and very smooth but not too strong. I had a selection of dishes and Rhonda was helpful in the selection. She knew just how much to order and she was not wrong. All the different flavors worked together well and even Chef Kenny came out to talk about history behind some of the dishes. It felt welcoming and friendly, and the location was easy to find and not cluttered with decor. I felt comfortable and could have stayed there all night. read more

We had a great, delicious and uniquely great dining experience. The food was excellent as was the service.

We had a great brunch. Service was meticulous. Ambiance was nice with a Retro vibe. Would definitely recommend.

It was fine, but I don't think I would go again. It's kind of pricey for the amount and quality, and they didn't refill our waters even though it was hot and they gave us the only table with no shade in the patio (all the other tables were empty during the whole time) read more

Continue to absolutely love this place! Very original take on local cuisine, combining real Hawaiian foods like ulu (breadfruit), fish, fern shoots, venison with a modern flavor set. The $45/ person family sharing meal for minimum 4 people is an incredible deal. We feasted on beet poke, salad, fish, chicken, chicken long rice croquettes and more. The desserts were outstanding. I loved the miso pudding and the brownie with matcha gelato. As a Kama'aina I would love to see this place packed. I hope more foodie tourists will also give it a try. It is outstanding. read more

recommended by locals, and so worth it. A reservation is highly encouraged. Delicious and fresh food graciously served. A good variety of cocktails and beverages. Friendly and welcoming staff. read more

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I had a cup of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. While the food was good, the cup of soup was probably less than a measuring cup. The cup wasn't even half full. I was actually embarrassed for the restaurant. Don't come hungry. read more

This restaurant was on my must do when visiting Waikiki. We came here around 8pm on a Friday, I made the reservation an hour before which surprised me as I thought it would be packed. My reason for the 3 stars was due to the fact that they were out of the mussels which we wanted to try and some of the flavor profile was a bit bland for me. We had the following: 1. Roasted beets poke style: really an interesting idea as the beets did have that poke taste, if you are a vegetarian and wanted to know what poke is like this would be something you should try. I personally didn't think a combination of seaweed and beets was my thing, a bit slimier than I had expected. 2. Chicken longrice croquettes: This dish had a strong flavor due to the curry, it was cooked perfectly and had a nice crunch to the outer layer. 3. Smoked meat carbonara: I was really excited to try this but it wasn't too special, the noodles were al dente which I enjoyed but the dish was on the more drier side for a carbonara. The meat was flavorful and did have a smokey flavor. 4. Chocolate Kiawe bean brownie: My favorite dish of the evening! The texture and flavor of the brownie was on point, I was surprised at how firm yet very moist the entire dessert was. Not too sweet with a deep chocolate flavor, the black sesame ice cream accompanied the brownie beautifully. I would go back to get this again and again. While I didn't have the 4 or 5 star experience it's a wonderful restaurant with an amazing ambiance. Laid back chic, slightly upscale vibe. The waitress was very nice and attentive as well. read more

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By far the best brunch in East Honolulu. Incredible and creative farm-to-table food, friendly and efficient service, groovy old-school ambiance. read more

The parking lot is very small, so we had to find street parking about 5 blocks away. But we went around 11am on a Saturday, and there are lots of tables so we were seated right away. Also their service is fast and friendly! Sourdough Banana Pancakes: Served with whipped brown butter and pure maple syrup. These pancakes are enormous! They are very thin with crispy edges, and the tartness of the apple banana was the perfect contrast with the sweet maple syrup. So good! read more

Mud Hen Water - Sourdough Banana Pancakes: Served with whipped brown butter and pure maple syrup - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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A great spot to grab lunch with a friend or dinner and a cocktail with a larger group to share all of the delicious options. Love the Big 5 salad and the Family Style Menu to share a bit of everything. read more

Best food and drinks in Honolulu and now that they are open for breakfast and lunch we get to enjoy this place even more! Also the staff is the best! read more

Mud Hen Water - Above and Beyond service...free child care haha - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

*save room for dessert* Delicious stuff. Everything we had was either very good or VERY VERY VERY GOOD. In the very good category: the Golden Sour & the breadfruit. In the VERY VERY VERY GOOD category: the hummus, the ulu, the carbonara, the gelato brownie, the miso butterscotch pudding, the pothole (looked fine, was actually amazing), the mezcal penicillin. And the server threw in Prosecco on the house because they sat us 15 min after our rezzo. And threw in some whipped beet purée drink just because? It was a really great dinner. read more

Mud Hen Water - Miso Miso-Butterscotch Rice Pudding - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

The day my friends and I decided to go, they were hosting a private event. They still had the bar area open for regular customers, but only offered bar menu which was significantly smaller and limited compared to the regular selections. We ordered almost everything on the bar menu so we could sample each one and share among ourselves. I think my favorite items on the menu were the chicken long rice croquettes and the clams. Although the seasonings in the clams were really good and harmonized really well, it would have been even better if there was less salt. Especially when we got to the bottom of the bowl, the broth was extremely salty and we couldn't eat the rest of it. They also have interesting drinks which are very strong and will kick you in the tush. read more

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We're able to easily get seating, which was well distanced. Called ahead for reservations, however, they were fairly empty & we we're able to to go right & no wait. Our temperatures were taken as we entered, and were able to seat outside which was perfect on a beautiful night. Their dishes support local ingredients & farms, which made it extra special w/ great flavors & ideas! We were able to share plates (just the 2 of us) which was good to get to try more. Gonna have to go back soon to try it all! read more

Mud Hen Water - Hummus w/ naan & Beet Poke - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Dead air, no vibe. Easy to get drinks and food but personality of the staff lacks any substance. Left after getting cocktails to find a place with some hospitality. read more

Everything was incredible. Mapo tofu with tteokbokki was my favorite. Need to go back to try the rest of the menu. read more

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Fantastic food and cocktails. I am a Chinese food purist so I frequently dislike "Chinese fusion," but Mud Hen Water does it exceptionally well, and it felt like my mom's cooking but with something new (imagine the scene in ratatouille where the mean food critic is transported back to his childhood) 4 stars because the service was quite slow - everyone is working hard but they seem under-staffed read more

Try this place. Keen twist on island local food with upscale international hints. Try the intriguing family style menu. At $45 a person, the patrons are delighted with a taste of 11 pre selected menu items. read more

Mud Hen Water - Todays menu. - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

First time guest. Great ambiance. Excellent service. 4 stars because food menu is limited and parking is junk (handful of spots behind and surrounding street/neighborhood). There is a beauty in a limited menu making choices and decisions simple. I'm sure their menu will shift as Kaimuki superette is closing. Enjoyed the meal. Sophisticated environment and attracts great quality guests. read more

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Food was all good but not coffee. Lunch menu is not so much choice. I wish they have more variety. read more

Mud Hen Water - Tomato Soup and grilled cheese sandwich - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

If you've driven past Mud Hen Water, you must give it a try. While I've been there for drinks and pupus with girlfriends, I've been wanting to have dinner there for a while! So finally came by chance, booked a party of 5 and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Parking is definitely tight. There are 5 stalls in the back of the building so be creative and look for street parking. They kindly welcomed us to sit in front of the kitchen so we were able to enjoy viewing our meals being made and savoring them as they were quickly brought to our table. We ordered the beet poke which was one of my favs! Definitely was covered in the poke flavoring and the beets were cooked perfectly! Next was the chicken long rice croquettes which were two croquettes. Interesting and tasty. Not sure I would order that again. Also came fried pastele and that was very delish! Last of the small plates was the smoked eat carbonara and wow....it was so good we ordered a 2nd serving!! We also enjoyed the main fish dish- steamed local I'a and the coconut grilled chicken. Must say the coconut grilled chicken with the sauce was a hit!!! Everything was very tasty and I'm glad we finally tried the dinner menu! Everything was absolutely delicious! read more

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This restaurant has a talented chef and staff with some unique and delicious dishes. The menu is designed to allow tasting and sharing a number of their creations. Everything I ordered was wonderful and surprising. I found myself Googling 'Ulu later to find a way to make this dish myself! There was only one flaw in the evening and that was a young woman at the bar near our table who decided it was a good idea to bring a very obnoxious pug dog that randomly let out a piercing shriek throughout our meal, startling us every time and truly making it hard to ignore. The dog was miserable and nervous, the owner spoiled and clueless. Too bad the staff didn't choose to put other customers enjoyment over this neurotic dog and owner. read more

Honestly, not sure how this place doesn't have consistent 5 stars. We visit Hawaii a few times a year and we never ever miss an opportunity to eat here. We go with a crowd of 6-8 and literally order the entire menu each time. They even make a delicious bowl of noodles for the keikis ( kids) that want something simple. It is off menu but be sure to ask about it. We always dine al fresco and love the peekaboo mountain views between the buildings but the interior is quaint and clean and staff is incredibly friendly. Can't wait to visit again soon! read more