Takeout lunch from Waipahu, O'ahu, Hawaii... I was shopping at Waikele Premium Outlets when I realized that I hadn't had lunch yet. I had driven past Y'kele Korean BBQ and thought that I should give them a try... Located across the street from the outlets, the Waikele Center has many restaurants such as Restaurant Kunio, Panda Express, Subway, Chili's, and McDonald's. There's a lot of free shared parking, but it can get crowded at times. The interior is clean, bright, and air-conditioned. There are many tables and chairs for dining in. Service was pleasant and efficient. I ordered and paid at the counter, then took a seat. In no time my meal was ready. I was so hungry that I took a picture quickly and then started eating. There was so much food that I took the rest home. I got the Y'kele special: BBQ chicken, kalbi, and BBQ beef. It came with four sides. I chose tofu, corn, choi sum and seaweed. Everything was delicious! I'd return because it's convenient, tasty, and satisfying! read more

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When we arrived the place was completely empty so we decided to eat inside. The front staff was really nice and immediately greeted us and took our order. After picking his sides, my husband went to sit down at a table while I took care of the payment. Unfortunately, they swiped my bank card multiple times saying it's reading error. They asked if I had cash, which I did, and I was able to pay for our food. Something didn't right with me after I paid so I told my husband to check our bank account and make sure multiple payments wasn't withdrawn from our account. Just as I thought, the payments went through and was deducted from my account. I immediately took my husband's phone up to the counter and showed them my account, verifying that the payments were withdrawn. There was also another customer standing at the counter with the same issue. The cashier was really nice about the whole situation and immediate issued a refund to both myself and the other customer. I ordered the Bi Bim Kook Soo and my husband ordered the Kalbi and BBQ chicken combo plate. The Bi Bim Kook Soo was huge and I couldn't even eat half of it. The BBQ beef was a little tough and not as flavorful as the vegetables. The noodles, sauce and vegetables mixed together were really delicious though. It had a nice sesame flavor to it. My husband had the BBQ chicken and Kalbi mixed plate, and thought it was okay. He said it wasn't as flavorful as it was before. If you eat at this restaurant, please make sure you check your credit card or bank card if you're told there was an error with your payment method. read more

Y'Kele Korean BBQ - Bi Bim Kook Soo - Korean Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

Located right next to Baskin Robbins at Waikele center, Y'kele Korean BBQ is spacious, clean and offers dine in tables. The cashier in this day was not friendly. But side vegetables choices are good and the servings are big. I ordered the Kalbi/meat juhn mix. The Kalbi, thin sliced was tasty, but I did not care for the meat juhn, the meat did not have flavor and overall texture did not hit the spot for me. Prices for Korean food these days are what they are here as food prices are not cheap anymore. Just support local. read more

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Their kalbi is delicious. Has plenty of meat on the bones. We order the platter. I will say that the small is a little bit more on the pricier side but surprisingly it fed 8 of us (as long as you have sides and rice) The sides are nice a fresh too. They give a good amount for this too. Wish they had mayo potatoes though... read more

Not shua why such low reviews for this restaurant-I've been coming here for decades, since the beginning of time! Perhaps you just need to know what to order. My staples are Yook Gae Jang meal (comes with spicy beef and rice noodle soup + banchan; there is an option for soup only), medium spicy, and BBQ Chicken plate (savory, not so sweet-just the way I like it!). Go for the full-size options because it's enough to be 2-3 meals vs. just one. They offer the option to sub out a scoop of rice for an extra side at no extra charge. The prices have increased dramatically over the years, but their servings are generous, and the food is yummy. They also have party-sized trays that come in handy when you don't have time to cook for the masses. read more

Not my first choice for fast food Korean bbq but was ok! The bbq chicken and fish jun was full of flavor and sides were just as good. The only thing is the Mac salad was overwhelming, too much Mayo in my opinion. Other than that this place it alright if you are craving for some fast food kbbq. read more

Y'Kele Korean BBQ - Korean Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

I give it a 3 stars because the food is Ono here but the sides is what really makes the plates. Very inconsistent with the portions...when the lady's are working they give a lot of sides and makes it worth the $21 a plate. But I've noticed that when the guys are working they really hold back on the sides. But all and all Y'kele bbq is a good spot to go and get your Korean Bbq fix.... After opening my plate and eating my fish Jun...I was 3/4 done and found this piece of hair in my noodles.. I was already grossed out because one of the boys working had longer hair and kept touching it and didn't wash his hands before making plates. Then to find this piece of hair ewwww now I feel sick! read more

Y'Kele Korean BBQ - Korean Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

Y'kele BBQ has been my go to place for Korean food lately. I've been disappointed with other places lately. They're priced reasonable and the food quality is great. They also give plenty. I can get 2 meals out of one plate. Nice dining area to eat. Clean and well lighted read more

I went to pearls Korean bbq before coming here, pearls Korean bbq ran out of meat Jun so I decided to drive all the way to Waikele for this place. I ordered 2 meat Jun plates and a bi bim bap. The bi bim bap was really good they put plenty sauce but the meat was hard. The meat Jun was regular. The side noodles was watered down. The sauce for meat Jun had no taste. It was all so weird, but the kimchee was good. The lady who took my order kept trying to look at her other coworker and smirk at me. It made me feel so uncomfortable. read more

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Signed in at Kunio but the wait was extremely long so we decided to try here instead. Had high hopes since there were people waiting for their orders and the phone was constantly ringing for phone orders. Ordered 3 plates. Fish jun, combo meat jun/chicken and chicken katsu. I was impressed with just the weight of the bag unfortunately not the food. The fish jun smelled really "stanky", the barbecue chicken was extremely over cooked and the meat jun was mostly too gristly to chew. Also the meat jun was so heavily battered. I've never had battered meat jun before. Usually it's just lightly dipped in an egg batter but it was like battered in pancake batter. The chicken katsu was mediocre at best and overcooked too. In any case, we tried there but will never return. read more

Pictures doesn't say a thousand words so you must go down & give spicy bbq chicken a try! There's many Korean plate lunches out there but we likes this place the best! read more

Y'Kele Korean BBQ - Ali - Korean Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

I've been going here for years and love it in a pinch when my normal haunts are packed or closing aunties make it super fast and the portions are solid. The one thing I'd say I always notice is that the veggies tend to condensate and slightly pool depending on what you get especially the shoyu potato. I guess another is sometimes post Covid I noticed they kinda slow down on the rice depending on when I go. I love heaping rice so I'd definitely want more consistency between visits but none of these are enough to stop me coming back again and again. I'd definitely say it makes my honorable mention for meat jun easy. read more

This place has terrible reviews, but my coworker picked it out to eat here on our first day of school. So we walked in and there was only one other person in line ahead of us. We ordered quickly and our food was made quickly. Taste was ok but after we left I realized they had forgotten to give me my side of mandoo. So I called back and the cashier was apologetic but couldn't do anything about it :( Oh well, it was only like $5. So I ordered a mini meat Jun plate. It came with two sides and I chose the choy sum and the chapchae. The food came out quickly and I liked that the meat Jun plate comes with a soy based sauce and a chili sauce. The food tastes pretty good, but it was a lot for a mini. Idk what a large looks like, but a mini was more than enough food. The prices are on the higher side so I guess you get what you pay for. They had other sides like cabbage kimchee, radish Kim chee, seaweed and soy sauce potato. I kind of wish they allowed for more side options, but gave half the size of each. Just don't forget to get all of your order and I think this place is alright. Plenty of free parking and lots of tables to eat at. read more

Since my original post, we've eaten at Waikele barbecue a few times and it wasn't over sweetened or too salty. However, today the Bulgogi was way too sweet and salty. The other meats didn't seem to absorb as much of the marinade, so weren't as affected. I never know how much meat to expect in the Waikele special, but there are usually two pieces of chicken, today only one. The portions however, are very good overall. The restaurant is well laid out with easy to read menu displays and the employees were courteous and easy to talk to. I'm guessing there must be different recipes being used maybe by different cooks, but I hope they figure this out, Waikele barbecue is convenient and we would like to continue but can't handle all the sugar and salt. read more

They are very friendly and accommodate substitutions. Will continue to go there for the Customer service, taste, price for portion of food

Worst Korean food in a long time. Meat jun was paper thin, tough n dry. Bbq meat was so tough I threw half away. Food quality has gotten worse n worse. Will never go back. read more

First time trying Y'Kele. I ordered my go-to at Korean BBQ, BBQ chicken. My favorite sides are unchoy, sprouts, noodles and potatoes but they were out of potatoes so I got the old faithful, Kim chee. Can't go wrong with that!! Looked like they were running low on few sides... not sure if it's like that all the time though. Chicken was skinless. I loved that! Very flavorful and big serving. I didn't need that much rice but they gave a huge serving of rice too. It surely hit the spot!! Thank you! I'll be back read more

Y'Kele Korean BBQ - Korean Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

This place has been a staple in my family's life for a long time. I hope to always come back to the ono plate lunch served here. Long live Y'kele KBBQ! Cheeeeee read more

Y'Kele Korean BBQ - Kalbi Plate - Korean Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

I've been craving this for so long .. finally went to get it ... TERRIBLE . First off I called .. no answer it rang and went to answering machine or whatever .. ok.. double checked on their hours They were opened so I called again no answer Now I'm thinking they might have just closed the store I didn't want to drive down for no reason .. so a total of 5 calls and they finally answered lady took down my order I ask for well done I say meat jun well done and tell her my sides she took down my name and number .. I finally get there .. SO NOT BUSY . Mind you she told me 10 minutes i went next door in case it wasn't ready yet so when i popped in the lady worker and a guy worker are up front I walked up to the cash register she's facing me but she's by the veggies she doesn't acknowledge me at all .. ok fine .. I wait and she's talking with the guy and his back still turned to me .. finally he turns around and sees me and smiles and was pretty friendly .. SHE WAS NOT . Like really lady you going just make me stand here . I let him know I have a pick up order he confirms the number . Ok besides that lady .. that would've been the end of it I wouldn't feel the need to come up on here and comment ... NAH... MY MEAT JUN WAS NOT WD ... I use to not get well done but after having it once I only like it well done .. you can see it was cooked normal.. fine not a big deal I guess .. But the cucumber kimchi.. was gross .. it was not even good .. crunchy flavorless.. the shoyu potato firmer than usual and had some taste but not really how they make it NORMALLY .. the corn wasn't even that good but I'm sure they just usually pop it out the can so whatever but ALL TO SAY .. YALL WAS A BIG LET DOWN YESTERDAY . Lady also maybe a smile would help the attitude .. if not at least acknowledge someone so someone else can at least help if you're too busy poking the veggies or just standing there . read more

1st time coming here after years of smelling that bbq smokey invitation. Haven't stopped due to the previous reviews, but my intrigue finally got the best of me. Ordered the Ykele Special, Bi Bim Bap and side orders of shrimp tempura and Mandoo. Out side vegetables were bean sprouts, corn, long rice and choisum. Mandoo went quick. Nice and crunchy. I didn't get to try the shrimp tempura as my daughter finished them all quickly. Could've done without the choisum but ate anyway with rice and soy. Long rice and bean sprouts were pretty good. Wish I tried the shoyu potatoes. Chicken, beef and kalbi were good. Not dry or over cooked. Of course we over did our order to try several things and overall I would go back, but would stick with splitting Ykele special and side Mandoo. read more

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Ordered delivery. Veggies as cold as fresh out of the refrigerator. Kalbi room temperature. Kalbi meat dry & does not taste freshly cooked.

Initially tried to make a phone order, but the line just kept ringing. Due to C19, it's takeout only. Ordered 2 Y'Kele specials. Good portions, tasty food. Nothing fancy or out of the ordinary but solid Korean food. Was so hungry, I forgot to take pics!! read more

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I haven't been to Y'Kele in a long time but I didn't want to drive far for Koran food. The young man who took my order on the phone was helpful and our order was ready in 15 minutes. Much better than I expected from past experiences. Decent fast Korean kalbi/meat juhn combo. read more

The positives: huge portions (its enough to feed 2 people), delicious food. The negatives: pretty expensive ($20 per plate). The portions are so big that 2 people can share 1 plate. The food is surprisingly really tasty and I will be back for that reason. Pricing makes sense if you share, about $10 a person. read more

Had reg Kalbi/BBQ Chix combo w/seaweed, cabbage, long rice & potato. All were excellent. Quantity on par for price. Hubby had reg Mandoo/Meat Jhun combo. Mandoo was so so. Meat jhun okay. read more

2-15-2021 A good place to pick up food if you happen to be in the area. C'est la vie Sears is going out of business with limited merchandise just when our One year old Kenmore fridge flashed REPLACE FILTER in red on the ice/water panel. The Salesman referred hubs to Lowe's which was helpful and good for us. Since it was lunch time this eatery was a good option. The generous quantity of their Special was enough for 2 people to share or makes yummy leftovers for part of another meal. I enjoyed the bulgogi meat, mandoo and crunchy mild cucumber kim chee but my favorite was their kalbi. Perfectly marinated and seasoned just right, grilled well without being burnt, so delicious. Not too sweet and soft enough to be falling off in the middle. I like to nibble the morsels around and interconnecting the bones and for those who do it too, the taste is fabulous. I might be bold enough to say their kalbi might be tastier than the two places in the Town Center closer to home. My 2% Korean according to 23&Me sure appreciates this Y'Kele Special meal. read more

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This is STILL my favorite spot to grab a Meat Jun Plate. Albeit, it's been a minute since I've been here, it was so good to grab a Meat Jun plate from here. They still have the best platter (everything included) on the island. I absolutely love their Meat Jun and especially love their Mac salad and Potatoes! Location: They're located in the Waikele Shopping Center, behind Chili's and right next to Panda Express and Baskin Robbins. As you can see from their picture, there's not a lot of seating but people would normally eat rather quickly so you should find seating. There's also some outdoor seating you can find. Food: As mentioned, their platter is legit. The second best part? They load the plate! I mean, they load that baby really good. When you pick up your food, I guarantee you'll carry it from the bottom rather than by the side in your hand - it's that heavy. This plate alone fed my wife, toddler, and myself, and then, we still took leftovers home (about a serving and a half). Amazing! If you're a tourist, I highly recommend you try Meat Jun. You won't be disappointed! read more

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Food still good, but now the prices have increased for a plate at $20. Also, they have decreased the portions and thickness of the meat. I used to be able to have 2 full servings of meat Jun, now only 1 serving. And the meat now is way more thinner than they used to. Over priced, smaller portions. Taste good read more

Generous portions and good quality food. The sides are also on point. I've had the spicy bbq pork. The bbq chicken, Kalbi and man doo. All were delicious. read more

Love the food and sides. Always crispy veggies and always fresh. Mahalo for always having amazing food. I wish the tables were more available for bigger people and families. But other than that, food is amazing. read more

FIRST TIMER AT YKELE BBQ Pricing: I ordered a regular spicy pork plate with two extra scoops of rice and my total with taxes came out to $22.89 / Breakdown is $16.99 for the plate and $1.75 each additional side rice. Food: Overall it was okay and not my absolute favorite. The spicy pork reminds me more of the teriyaki style meat they usually serve in the combination plates which I'm never a fan of no matter where it's from. The spice to it was good the sauce itself was good too. The kimchi cucumbers could've been more spicy but it had more of a bland flavor to it. The tofu was good for what it is. The shoyu potatoes were good. The sweet long rice noodles were my favorite out of all my sides for sure and maybe even my main food of choice. Service: I ordered online and within the next 10 minutes my order was ready to be picked up. Ordering was easy and simple plus they got everything correct which was a huge deal since a lot of places normally don't. We were in and out in 5 minutes with our order in hand. read more

Y'Kele Korean BBQ - Regular spicy pork plate with Kimchi cucumbers, Tofu, Shoyu potatoes and Sweet long rice noodles. - Korean Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

Great catering service, our guests loved all the items we ordered especially the Kalbi. They open 10am and our catering order was ready by 1030am. read more

Hands down... THE WORST KOREAN PLATE EVER! Please read this...I am very honest about my reviews. I'm writing this as my stomach is churning. Let me dissect this for you. I open my plate and there is 6 slices of paper thin meat Jun! One word... where's the beef? Oh, was that the brown thing inside the egg? Ugh. No taste, good thing they had sauce! The rice. I think they put an extra cup or 2 of water because it was like eating mush. Come on, we live on rice in Hawaii, it's a staple food here!Tell me a plate lunch restaurant doesn't know how to cook rice? The Mac salad. Again an extra cup or 2 of mayonnaise. I took one bite and decided to forego the heat attack. Also, no taste whatsoever... just overcooked macaroni with globs of cheap mayo (definitely NOT best foods!). The cucumber Kim chee. I think the cook must be lacking taste buds. It was literally cucumber chunks with red pepper flakes. No salt, no seasoning... just bland. Overall, is give this place 2 BIG thumbs down. Oh, I forgot to mention that I paid $13.60 for this. I ate the 6 pieces of meat Jun and threw everything else away. Then I went to Panda Express next door and got a bowl. Please don't waste your money... you'll thank me for this review. read more

Y'Kele Korean BBQ - Mini Meat Jun for $13.60!!!! - Korean Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

We called in an order and food was ready for pickup in 15 minutes. Food was tasty and portions were good. Will be ordering again.

Since we were shopping in the Waikele Shopping Center, we circled around the food area and decided to try Y'Kele Korean BBQ. Because prices have gone up, we were looking for the most economical and tastiest meal for our hard earned bucks. Y'Kele Korean BBQ didn't disappoint, although we paid close to $40 for 2 plates, the plates were huge and packed with food. Our party of three could have easily shared one plate instead of ordering two plates. My wife and son shared a meat juhn and bbq chicken plate and I ordered a meat juhn and fish juhn plate. All the sides were good and plentiful; chop chae, mac salad, seaweed, potato, cucumber, etc,. all the standard Korean sides. Everything is made to order and the ladies at the counter were very nice. Next time we will probably share one plate, lol! read more

Y'Kele Korean BBQ - BBQ Chicken & Meat Jim Mixed Plate - Korean Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

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Some of the reviews on here are trippin. I've been going here for almost two decades, quality has been consistent for the most part. Although prices have gone up as with most places, but portions are still generous. Service is obviously not fine-dining level but you get what you get. Never gotten a rude vibe. read more

Y'Kele Korean BBQ - Meat Jun + BBQ chicken combo and Y-Kele Special - Korean Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

I think the workers is either closing the store early or the yelp hours is wrong!!!! Very rude worker service to inform about the hours and they don't even answer the phone call around 8pm? They close already? I think you need to update the hours or yelp hour is a liar! This been happening occasionally closing early! At least update the hours if they close early everyday! read more

The food is good! The Yuk Gae Jang is my go to. But lately they've been skimping on the sides. They used to load your plate like other places. Sad. read more

Huge portions, and the food is delicious. I highly recommend combo plate, Kalbi with meat jun and five vegetable no rice for only $21.99. I definitely be back soon,mahalo to the server they all are so nice. Don't forget to tip them. read more

Y'Kele Korean BBQ - Highly recommend,Combo plate kalbi and meat Jun for only $21.99 with 5 choices of vegetables no rice. - Korean Near Me - Waipahu, Hawaii

Food poisoning. We got sick from the chicken the last time we ate here. Food taste was decent but not going back because of their lack of sanitation or possibly improper food handling of chicken. read more