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    ShinshoTei

    4.2 (88 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    ShinshoTei Photos

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    SHINSHOTEI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual
    Karaoke

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    Recommended Reviews - ShinshoTei

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    Before shots
    Mikey H.

    The place we wanted to go to was closed, so I suggested here since it's one of the last old school, local bar, where everyone knows your name...or will at some point. First off, great parking lot! Plenty of spaces! I kinda don't want to say how great this place is or how much fun we had because I don't want it to be spoiled by tourists or hipsters. When I walked in, I did get the side glance from the locals, "eh, who dat?" Cat got the same thing too...LOL! I had read about them in the Honolulu magazine, so I wanted to check them out, and I'm so glad we did! via text Cat: order chicken wings Me: no can...but they have chicken gizzards... Cat: pork belly? Me: no...but fried pork chops... Full bar and bottle beers...no drafts. Pupu menu is very local, I mean, they serve vienna sausages...which we ordered and were so good!!! We did order the pork chops, fried perfectly and sliced with bone on plate, the chicken gizzards which was my first time, and were nice and crispy, although for myself, a little chewy. Loved the lumpia and the fried saimin! But my favorite was the spam and egg sandwich...two soft hamburger buns with nice crispy spam and lots of mayo....sooooooo good!!! Cat: Let's do shots! We asked the bartender, Patty, and she made us the Phil and Val shots....butterscotch Jameson! These were amazing! Smooth...a little sweet... cuts that Jameson bite! Come to find out, Phil and Val were there, so we did another round for the bar in their honor because they met here 14 years ago! There was a group of aunties there who must have been in choir together because they all were really good singers, either solo or as a group. Lots of guys coming in who jus pau work. We also did shots because it was my last night and what a way to end my trip! Mahalo Shinso Tei! Until next time!

    Steak
    Mari T.

    My friends wanted to come here so I tagged along and found out they have karaoke. It's $2 per song so kinda pricey and the microphones weren't the best. The booth seats had large cracks in them so my legs were a bit raw once we stood up. The food menu had some interesting things like vienna sausage, and they were out of fries. We tried the fried somen with green beans deluxe at the recommendation of the server. It was a bit spicy and tasty, but not worth the price. They charge separately for the noodles and the beans/meat topping, so every portion is close to $30. The best thing we got were cheeseburgers. Simple, cheese and mayo, but the burgers were juicy (2 for $8). We also got steak with onions, fried pork chops, and some had drinks (full bar). Not dying to go back, but the food was ok, service was very slow, ambience was very dive bar-y.

    Lumpia
    Margo M.

    Yes, it's a hole in the wall, or rather shopping center, but you cannot beat the atmosphere! As soon as we walked in we were greeted by regulars who said "come, sit at the bar, seats open"! The amazing bartender/ (owner I think) took our order and served up drinks and "talk story" about the games on TV & some other local people and things. Food came out and as the reviews said, it was spectacular! We had the famous Green Beans with crispy shrimps, lumpia & spicy fries. Now, I don't know what's in the green beans but man! I gobbled them down faster than Jon could. As for the photo of the spicy fries, sorry ate em' too fast. Definitely might become a regular... thank you Shinsho!

    String bean deluxe
    Jennifer T.

    I come here for the Somen noodle & string bean deluxe! It's always busy with regulars but if you can manage to get in at the right time it's so worth it. The vibe is chill, laid back and the staff is super friendly.

    Part of the menu
    Chez T.

    This is a cute little bar! Really small ...maybe 8 or 9 tables and like 10 bar stools?? It's amazing how many people they fit in this place and everyone is very friendly. Food menu is super basic ....my friend ordered bacon! Like just a plate bacon!! I had to order a side of rice. I saw other things on the menu like 2 can of Vienna sausage, or green beans. Prices are reasonable and they have some real good singers in the crowd. It's a fun place as long as you keep your expectations in check.

    Porkchops
    Leah E.

    It's Friday which means the Shinsho peer pressure is going to be real. . . Shinsho is my colleagues favorite watering hole for a number of reasons . . . 1. Reasonably priced STRONG drinks (I always order Titos soda but my counterparts get beers and shots by ROUNDS) 2. Pupu (porkchops, green beans, FRIES (spicy), veg platter) 3. $1/song karaoke (entertainment for daysss) 4. Plenty parking (until Starbucks moved next door) 5. Excellent vibe (so many regulars and just nice people in general) 6. The service (you will never have an empty glass) 7. Clean bathrooms (um, this is important!) Come early because there are only a few booths and stools at the bar.

    Pupu menu
    leimomi k.

    Came here because we didn't want to drive into downtown and deal with parking. Great clean bar with very nice people. And here's the plus...the ladies room is c-l-e-a-n! Neat and tidy. A plus on this size of a bar. Local neighborhood bar is worth to check out for karaoke and fun. No private rooms. Old school feel. Tuesdays are the most quiet and leisure. Weekends I'm told is packed!

    John F.

    Shinsho Tei is conveniently located in the Nuuanu Shopping Plaza just mountain of Downtown. There is ample parking and the restaurant is relatively easy to find on the Diamond Head side of the shopping plaza. We popped in because a friend of a friend works there and she wanted to say hi. Unfortunately she wasn't going to be there for another 2 hours so we just had one drink and left during this time I was able to look around the restaurant and see that many of the local regulars sing karaoke from their seat or table looking up and one of many screens that are playing well showing the words. At first glance I thought this place was from Jodie Foster's movie THE ACCUSSED but as soon as the friendly waitress came by to take our order my crazy thoughts had been dispelled. Like for a couple of minutes it sure looked like it though. If you're looking to eat really local food, see the pictures I took of their menu, I think most can be prepared with a can opener & water, then look no further! This could be your bar!

    My old hang out from back in the day

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    15 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    13 years ago

    I was just there, it's an cool place to relax and hang out. Everyone was friendly.

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    12 years ago

    Such a FUN place everyone makes us feel very comfy and welcome all the time. Love their teriburgers very ONO.

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    8 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    Page 3 of 3

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    Chao

    Chao

    4.4
    (404 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    Went here on a Thursday night which was more like a Friday because Friday is an observed holiday…read morefor us, around 7:45pm and was expecting it to be super busy but luckily for us, it wasn't. We walked in and the hostess was super sweet. She informed us that they were wiping down a table and we got seated within 10 minutes. It was our first time here and we've both heard and saw good things but we asked for extra time to look over the menu and our server was patient and gave us more time and offered some recommendations as well. We chose a handful of small plates and the softshell crab pasta with all the extra stuff and it was the perfect amount of food for us. We were more wanting drinks and pupus so our selections fit that but I'm sure if we wanted an actual dinner, we would have also be satisfied with the offerings they have. My only complaint about our overall meal is that the cocktails didn't complement the food. The drinks on its own were good and the food on its own was good, very good but together, bleh. The bone marrow had a slight sweetness to it that I didn't care for too much but it wasn't horrible and it was cooked perfectly, not over done including the crostini's. The octopus was cooked good (I would prefer it be a little softer) but still very enjoyable and the flavors were really good. The pasta and soft shell, cooked perfectly and flavors on point. So much so that I need the recipe so I can add this dish into my dinner rotation! The decor is nice.. when we first walked in, I thought we were gonna get a table right by the door, along the window, and I didn't want that, but we ended up getting a table closer to the bathroom (I think it was the bathroom?) and I liked that area. The area by the bathroom gives off chill, classy vibes, but the other area was giving me, fast food, sit down area vibes.

    I've been dying to go here & we finally made it for date night!…read more My Ranking so far: #1 - The beef carpaccio was a highlight of my visit, this is a must! #2/3 - My bf got the Whole Moi + chicken fat rice & he was a big fan! #2/3 - I personally preferred the Chicken wings w/ caramalized fish sauce. It was good but also on the smaller side in terms of portions. #4 - The Soft Shell Crab Pasta was very buttery & garlicky, nothing super crazy. I highly recommend adding spicy sauce (on the table) in there, it was much better after! Next time I really want to try the duck breast salad!!

    Photos
    Interior dining room with bamboo-like lighting
    Interior dining room with bamboo-like lighting
    Fried Spring Rolls - Ch Gi
    Fried Spring Rolls - Ch Gi
    Ube Dream

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    Ube Dream
    Lucky Belly

    Lucky Belly

    4.2
    (2.2k reviews)
    0.6 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.
    Giovedi

    Giovedi

    4.3
    (196 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Think I may have just found a new favorite restaurant! It's hard to do fusion in my opinion, but…read moreGiovedi gets it right. - Onion dip: AMAZINGGGG NO NOTES HOLY get this!! - Capellini: 10/10 amazing. The noodles are like vermicelli-style egg noodles which surprised me at first but was very interesting and I grew to really like it. The Dungeness crab sauce was very light and delicious - Kampachi: 7/10, the fish was nice but sauce was too rich and a bit salty. Another downside is that it is the portion size is pretty small. With one shared appetizer and the main, I was still a bit hungry at the end of the night. For the price, I did expect there to be bigger portions.

    Interesting concept and glad we tried. Food was good but perhaps not something I need to try again…read more Service and food pacing terrific. Lotsa cheese shavings on dishes - love it! Had the lilikoi mocktail - sweet and my husband liked it. The salad - liked the endive, watercress less so. Appreciated that not too heavily dressed. . Ono crudo new on menu - unusual bc on white bean puree and topped with olives. Tasted fine. Prosciutto - our favorite. Unusual with the sesame pocket, prosciutto thinly sliced and not too salty, the perfect pickles, plenty of shaved cheese. You make little pocket sandwiches and this made for a delish bite. Fois gras torchon - rich, nice sweet sauce, onion confit, on sourdough grilled bread. This can't not be good. Dan mien - liked the consistency of noodles silky and chewy. But sauce was overwhelmingly salty w lup cheong. I couldn't eat more than two bites. Our server was so solicitous and friendly and our water was never empty. The food pacing came out one at a time in perfect order and kept us from inhaling our food. Overall I'm glad we tried it and it's worth going to. Just not sure I'd be a regular here. For all of the above with tip was about $180.

    Photos
    Outside
    Outside
    Capellini granchio.
    Capellini granchio.
    Dan mien vietnam amatriciana

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    Dan mien vietnam amatriciana
    Kapa Hale

    Kapa Hale

    4.3
    (657 reviews)
    5.3 mi
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Locally sourced ingredients

    Kapa Hale is a local gem, offering creative dishes in the HRC (Hawaiian Regional Cuisine)…read moretradition. Every single dish we recently sampled turned out to be exceptional. We ordered: Appetizers: Naan Ya Business (A) - very soft and pillowy, accompanied by a superb tikka masala curry Vegetables: Eggplant (A) - very creative eggplant tempura Happy Hour Specials: Garlic Noodle (A) - great flavor Dumplings (A+) - incredibly flavorful and creative Soy Short Rib (A+) - exquisitely tender and juicy. Our favorite dish! Mains: Pork Chop (A) - loved these tamarind pork chops served on a bed of orzo Our server, Ethan, provided us with top-notch service. Before tipping, we paid $130 for a two-person meal (no alcohol, no dessert, only water, 6 dishes). Kapa Hale dazzled us with their culinary inventiveness and bold flavors. We can't wait to try some of their other delicacies!

    We were really excited to try this given the really great reviews but I'm starting to lose some…read moreconfidence on yelp Naan was too salty Chips were too oily Grass fed beef is good. Nice and tender But overall burger was nothing great. Lacked some sauce Kfc chicken and waffles were okay Chicken wasn't crispy fried. Soggy. Service is good tho

    Photos
    You Make My Heart Beet
    You Make My Heart Beet
    This exquisite dish is titled Let's Tako 'Bout It. It's grilled Spanish octopus, black garlic Char Siu, Lomilomi, and pickled turnip
    This exquisite dish is titled Let's Tako 'Bout It. It's grilled Spanish octopus, black garlic Char Siu, Lomilomi, and pickled turnip
    Carpaccio

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    Carpaccio
    Carte Blanche

    Carte Blanche

    4.5
    (80 reviews)
    4.2 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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    ShinshoTei - bars - Updated July 2026

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