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planning
The Aku loves sharing restaurant info with people!
Of course, food is always a subjective matter, so whatever I share is simply a matter of opinion, is all!
Nevertheless, if you want my little 'ol opinion and have any questions regarding where to eat, just contact me through the message box, and I'll do what I can with what I know. Otherwise, just check out the site, where I list my favorites in the "Big Boyz" section of each category of food.
Take care, and best of luck in your search for the very best eats on the island and beyond!
Easy,
Aku
Past Inquiries:
Randi S: (6/25/10) Hi there: My name is Randi and I"m from Fresno, CA. I am SO excited I found your site...my boyfriend & I will be in Hawaii 7/15-7/26 and we are lovers of food! While we're in Hawaii, we will be celebrating our 5 year anniversary and we want to go somewhere that has great food and is a GREAT time! Live music, good people, fun drinks, etc. to celebrate. Do you have any suggestions for our special night/day? And, if you feel there are some placed we definitely need to eat at, please feel free to include that as well! Thanks in advance for your time!
Aku: (6/26/10) Hey Randi,
Congrat's on your 5 year anniversary! Ko-ing-kee-dink, our 5 year anniversary is coming this year, too!
Sounds like you're looking for a party-like atmosphere as much as food? The top pure food plays may or may not have live entertainment, and they are a little more subdued as far as the fun aspect. I think your best bets if food is the bigger consideration are Alan Wong's and Chef Mavro's, both found in the Hawaii Regional Cuisine section, and both literally a 1-minute drive away from Waikiki. La Mer, from the French section, is also outstanding, but very, uh, stuffy? Needless to say, all three are expensive!
Congrat's on your 5 year anniversary! Ko-ing-kee-dink, our 5 year anniversary is coming this year, too!
Sounds like you're looking for a party-like atmosphere as much as food? The top pure food plays may or may not have live entertainment, and they are a little more subdued as far as the fun aspect. I think your best bets if food is the bigger consideration are Alan Wong's and Chef Mavro's, both found in the Hawaii Regional Cuisine section, and both literally a 1-minute drive away from Waikiki. La Mer, from the French section, is also outstanding, but very, uh, stuffy? Needless to say, all three are expensive!
When you're talking about food plus fun-entertainment atmosphere, I'd say Stage is the place to be - /stage-a-closer-look.asp. You can find specific info on it from the Closer Look link and from the Hawaii Regional Cuisine section, or just check out their site - http://www.stagerestauranthawaii.com/. It is also close to Waikiki, across kiddie corner from the Ala Moana Shopping Center. I suggest you start in the bar/lounge area between 5 and 7pm, when Happy Hour drink specials are found and appetizers are great (app's full price). After that, if you want quieter (but still fun, with some whimsical-modern furnishings), go to the main dining room, but myself, I'd rather hit the Amuse self-serve wine bar right outside the Stage Restaurant bar area. There's live entertainment, it gets reasonably lively, and the 1 oz. pours of different wines are definitely fun! Check out their website here http://www.amusewinebar.com/. Click on events and see their specials, including a $50 Wine card for $30 on Monday and Wednesday evenings! Definitely my top spots for your specs.
On other nights, for spots inside Waikiki itself, you may wanna keep Duke's (Dinner w/drinks section) in mind - veeery lively, veeery Waikiki cheesy, and great fish! Yard House (from the Watering Holes section) is also a whole lotta fun, although not Hawaii-centric at all. Rum Fire (Watering Holes section) at the Sheraton has the most rum varieties in the entire US! Yard House is the only one of the three that don't have live entertainment, but they really don't need it - the place is so lively, it's one big party anyway!
As for the hangover the next day, check out the Vietnamese section for a hot bowl of pho! Also, if there's no hangover, check out the Kicked-up Plate Lunch section of Plate Lunch, under the Local Grindz tab. I always tell people about Kakaako Kitchen for the best fish choices for under $10 on the island. You can go there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Hope it helps! Be sure to have a great time!
On other nights, for spots inside Waikiki itself, you may wanna keep Duke's (Dinner w/drinks section) in mind - veeery lively, veeery Waikiki cheesy, and great fish! Yard House (from the Watering Holes section) is also a whole lotta fun, although not Hawaii-centric at all. Rum Fire (Watering Holes section) at the Sheraton has the most rum varieties in the entire US! Yard House is the only one of the three that don't have live entertainment, but they really don't need it - the place is so lively, it's one big party anyway!
As for the hangover the next day, check out the Vietnamese section for a hot bowl of pho! Also, if there's no hangover, check out the Kicked-up Plate Lunch section of Plate Lunch, under the Local Grindz tab. I always tell people about Kakaako Kitchen for the best fish choices for under $10 on the island. You can go there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Hope it helps! Be sure to have a great time!
Randi S: 6/27/10) Thank you so much for taking the time to send us recommendations! This is our first trip to Oahu and we don't even know where to start so this is very helpful. All of these places look great, I've already explored them online and very excited.
Thank you again for your kindness!
Have a great night, Randi
Have a great night, Randi
Aku: (6/28/10) Glad to help! Have a great time here, and feel free to ask again for other food choices!
Janna L (6/17/10) coming to the waikiki area later this summer for our anniversary. Would LOVE 3 dinner recommendations for us. We love to try new foods, and are hoping for a very "hawaiian" experience. We will be staying near diamond head. W will not have a car, but will be using he trolley, and renting mopeds, so the restaurants need to be close. We will nlike three dinners. We are not looking for expensive (probably not packing proper attire for such an occasion)- we prefer the restaurants that locals would eat at, not tourists like us. Lunches and breakfasts not that important to us, unless there is a "you must try this" you can recommend. Just looking for your opinion. Thanks for all your help making our first trip without kids in 10 years that much more delicious!
Aku (6/18/10) Aaaah, truly warms my heart when you say it's your first trip without the kids in ten years! You guys are gonna have a blast!!! I know you love your kids and all, and that's top priority, but still.... No kids myself, but lots of nieces and nephew around!
Near Diamond Head/Waikiki, ey? First of all, jump on Google maps or something and check out the roads nearby. Kapahulu Avenue, the 3 streets of Waikiki - Kalakaua (main strip in Waikiki, one way going Diamond Head), Ala Wai (one-way parallel going opposite direction), and Kuhio (splits the two, going both directions) - and Ala Moana Blvd. are gonna be important streets for ya. Lots of restaurants on these streets. You probably know that Waikiki is a bit expensive, so your options there are kinda limited. I'm gonna ramble a whole bunch of spots, so try to concentrate! Ha ha! With all spots, I've included references to the particular section of my site where specific info, including map links, are provided.
Waikiki
You gotta check out the sunset views from either Top of Waikiki or Twist at Halekulani, which both sit high atop their respective hotels. You don't have to order a full meal - just sit in the bar area and get a couple of drinks, maybe an appetizer or two, and move on! Both are listed in the Hawaii Regional Cuisine section.
For cheap eats in Waikiki, consider the several ramen shops close-by. Check out the first four listed in the Ramen section of Japanese Foods on my site - Nakamura, Kiwami, Menchanko-tei (try Hakata ramen and combo meals), and Gyoza no Ohsho (try mapo tofu ramen), and also Ezogiku (try miso ramen and gyoza!). A bowl of good quality ramen for about $7 - $8, and maybe a side of gyoza or chicken karaage are great for cheap Waikiki eats. And then there's ready-made sandwiches at ABC store, of course! Oh, and Teddy's Bigger Burger, located right at the bottom of Kapahulu Avenue, across the street and a little down from the Honolulu Zoo, is another good ticket, and probably the most popular burger to locals here. Smaller side streets in Waikiki also have many cheap hole in the walls of all kinds, as well.
Elsewhere:
Close by at the hulking Ala Moana Shopping Center, sit down at the Mai Tai Bar (found in the Watering Holes section) for some drinks and live local entertainment. Check out the top floor of the Shirokiya Department Store (Bento section of Japanese foods) - lots of cheap, take-out Japanese/Korean eats, bento-style, perfect for lunch there or at the beach later! Also all kinds of restaurants there, from a large food court to medium-priced, American-style chain restaurants like Ruby Tuesday's, Macaroni Grill, Bubba Gump, and California Pizza Kitchen.
Just past Ala Moana, on Ala Moana Blvd., sits the Ward buildings - Ward Center, Ward Warehouse, Ward Entertainment Complex, another place you'll wanna check out. Can't miss 'em. The giant D&B is there, and on Tuesday's it's Taco Tuesday night there on the top floor - $1 tacos and 50% off all drinks! Plus the biggest game room (c'mon, be a kid again!) and the best (and most expensive!) theatres on the island. I kinda like Z Pizza at the Ward Center, too - healthier, Cali-style pizza in a casual and inexpensive, but clean environment. Kua Aina Burger is right there, also, which used to be the king of burgers here before Teddy's came along!
Kakaako Kitchen, at the Ward Warehouse, is an absolute must. I can see you folks eating there several times, from breakfast to lunch to dinner! Chef Russel Siu runs the place, and he's owner of 3660 on the Rise, one of the top restaurants on the island. For economy and quality, especially on fish items, he can't be beat. Try the tempura catfish, snapper, or salmon. In fact, try any fish! Nico's at Pier 38 is a wee bit further down on Ala Moana Blvd, but still on the same road - heading west on Ala Moana Blvd., which turns into Nimitz hwy. Nico's has recently been featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive inn's, and Dives, and is famous for fish, since it sits steps away from the Honolulu Fish auction, where he gets his stuff fresh every day except Sunday. Both Nico's and Kakaako Kitchen are listed in the Kicked Up Plate Lunch section of Plate Lunch, under Local Grindz. Might be informative for you to check out the Must-try Fish in Hawaii page I recently put out - /fish-fish-fish-a-closer-look.asp.
Kakaako (besides Teddy's Bigger Burger!)
If you want really local-style, check out Rainbow's Drive-in (Plate Lunch section), located on Kapahulu Ave. and in the Plate Lunch section. Real close-by. You may or may not like the super-casualness and dirty tables, but locals love it, including me! My favorites are the boneless chicken w/gravy, teri beef, and mahi - all of which come together on a mixed special. Super cheap eats, at least for Hawaii!
I know Hawaii is not known for Mexican, but it is getting better here. Half-way up Kapahulu, on the right going up, sits Tacos Ricos (Mexican section), a place you may wanna know about for their simple, street-style Mexican foods and their late hours - 2am most nights! For sit-down Mexican w/drinks, try Torito's at the Market City Shopping Center, a side-street off of Kapahulu. At the same shopping Center, Formaggio's (Watering Holes section) is one of the best wine bars on the island!
For genuine Hawaiian food, most tourists and locals alike go to Ono's Hawaiian Food. Good, but I also like the much more laid-back and inexpensive Kapahulu Poi Shop, just a stone's throw up (mountainside) on the right side going up, tucked just off the main road on the intersect of Kapahulu and Winam. Veeery hole in the wall. Another relatively cheap option for real Hawaiian Food is Haili's, which runs a Lunch Wagon located in the open-side parking lot of Ward Warehouse, right across D&B and the theatres. Check out the Hawaiian Restaurants section of Hawaiian Foods.
Have you tried poke yet? On Kapahulu, very close to Ono Hawaiian Food and across the street, is Ono Seafood (no affiliation). It's the best poke on the island. Depending on where in Diamond Head you're staying, you may or may not be closer to Ft. Ruger Market, another great poke spot and super-local mini-market tucked in a completely residential area.Check out the Poke section for info on these and more.
Are you dizzy yet?
Sorry, here's three last pure dinner play's for ya, all located within a stone's throw or two of eachother. All are great because you can order just a few small dishes and keep it cheap, or splurge and keep going! On the front side of Ala Moana Shopping Center, on Kapiolani Blvd., ringing the intersection of Kapiolani and Piikoi St.'s, sits the excellent Italian spot Sapori Enoteca (Upscale Italian section), Gyu-Kaku (Yakiniku section of Japanese foods), and Stage (Hawaii Regional Cuisine section). They may seem expensive, and you may not wanna walk in with your surf shorts or bikini top, but it's not priced high if you don't get get carried away ordering. Get there early for Gyu Kaku (grill yourself at your own table meats!) and stage, as they do have great happy hour specials. All have great and interesting atmosphere's in their own way's.
I guess that's it. Lemme know if you have any further questions.
Near Diamond Head/Waikiki, ey? First of all, jump on Google maps or something and check out the roads nearby. Kapahulu Avenue, the 3 streets of Waikiki - Kalakaua (main strip in Waikiki, one way going Diamond Head), Ala Wai (one-way parallel going opposite direction), and Kuhio (splits the two, going both directions) - and Ala Moana Blvd. are gonna be important streets for ya. Lots of restaurants on these streets. You probably know that Waikiki is a bit expensive, so your options there are kinda limited. I'm gonna ramble a whole bunch of spots, so try to concentrate! Ha ha! With all spots, I've included references to the particular section of my site where specific info, including map links, are provided.
Waikiki
You gotta check out the sunset views from either Top of Waikiki or Twist at Halekulani, which both sit high atop their respective hotels. You don't have to order a full meal - just sit in the bar area and get a couple of drinks, maybe an appetizer or two, and move on! Both are listed in the Hawaii Regional Cuisine section.
For cheap eats in Waikiki, consider the several ramen shops close-by. Check out the first four listed in the Ramen section of Japanese Foods on my site - Nakamura, Kiwami, Menchanko-tei (try Hakata ramen and combo meals), and Gyoza no Ohsho (try mapo tofu ramen), and also Ezogiku (try miso ramen and gyoza!). A bowl of good quality ramen for about $7 - $8, and maybe a side of gyoza or chicken karaage are great for cheap Waikiki eats. And then there's ready-made sandwiches at ABC store, of course! Oh, and Teddy's Bigger Burger, located right at the bottom of Kapahulu Avenue, across the street and a little down from the Honolulu Zoo, is another good ticket, and probably the most popular burger to locals here. Smaller side streets in Waikiki also have many cheap hole in the walls of all kinds, as well.
Elsewhere:
Close by at the hulking Ala Moana Shopping Center, sit down at the Mai Tai Bar (found in the Watering Holes section) for some drinks and live local entertainment. Check out the top floor of the Shirokiya Department Store (Bento section of Japanese foods) - lots of cheap, take-out Japanese/Korean eats, bento-style, perfect for lunch there or at the beach later! Also all kinds of restaurants there, from a large food court to medium-priced, American-style chain restaurants like Ruby Tuesday's, Macaroni Grill, Bubba Gump, and California Pizza Kitchen.
Just past Ala Moana, on Ala Moana Blvd., sits the Ward buildings - Ward Center, Ward Warehouse, Ward Entertainment Complex, another place you'll wanna check out. Can't miss 'em. The giant D&B is there, and on Tuesday's it's Taco Tuesday night there on the top floor - $1 tacos and 50% off all drinks! Plus the biggest game room (c'mon, be a kid again!) and the best (and most expensive!) theatres on the island. I kinda like Z Pizza at the Ward Center, too - healthier, Cali-style pizza in a casual and inexpensive, but clean environment. Kua Aina Burger is right there, also, which used to be the king of burgers here before Teddy's came along!
Kakaako Kitchen, at the Ward Warehouse, is an absolute must. I can see you folks eating there several times, from breakfast to lunch to dinner! Chef Russel Siu runs the place, and he's owner of 3660 on the Rise, one of the top restaurants on the island. For economy and quality, especially on fish items, he can't be beat. Try the tempura catfish, snapper, or salmon. In fact, try any fish! Nico's at Pier 38 is a wee bit further down on Ala Moana Blvd, but still on the same road - heading west on Ala Moana Blvd., which turns into Nimitz hwy. Nico's has recently been featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive inn's, and Dives, and is famous for fish, since it sits steps away from the Honolulu Fish auction, where he gets his stuff fresh every day except Sunday. Both Nico's and Kakaako Kitchen are listed in the Kicked Up Plate Lunch section of Plate Lunch, under Local Grindz. Might be informative for you to check out the Must-try Fish in Hawaii page I recently put out - /fish-fish-fish-a-closer-look.asp.
Kakaako (besides Teddy's Bigger Burger!)
If you want really local-style, check out Rainbow's Drive-in (Plate Lunch section), located on Kapahulu Ave. and in the Plate Lunch section. Real close-by. You may or may not like the super-casualness and dirty tables, but locals love it, including me! My favorites are the boneless chicken w/gravy, teri beef, and mahi - all of which come together on a mixed special. Super cheap eats, at least for Hawaii!
I know Hawaii is not known for Mexican, but it is getting better here. Half-way up Kapahulu, on the right going up, sits Tacos Ricos (Mexican section), a place you may wanna know about for their simple, street-style Mexican foods and their late hours - 2am most nights! For sit-down Mexican w/drinks, try Torito's at the Market City Shopping Center, a side-street off of Kapahulu. At the same shopping Center, Formaggio's (Watering Holes section) is one of the best wine bars on the island!
For genuine Hawaiian food, most tourists and locals alike go to Ono's Hawaiian Food. Good, but I also like the much more laid-back and inexpensive Kapahulu Poi Shop, just a stone's throw up (mountainside) on the right side going up, tucked just off the main road on the intersect of Kapahulu and Winam. Veeery hole in the wall. Another relatively cheap option for real Hawaiian Food is Haili's, which runs a Lunch Wagon located in the open-side parking lot of Ward Warehouse, right across D&B and the theatres. Check out the Hawaiian Restaurants section of Hawaiian Foods.
Have you tried poke yet? On Kapahulu, very close to Ono Hawaiian Food and across the street, is Ono Seafood (no affiliation). It's the best poke on the island. Depending on where in Diamond Head you're staying, you may or may not be closer to Ft. Ruger Market, another great poke spot and super-local mini-market tucked in a completely residential area.Check out the Poke section for info on these and more.
Are you dizzy yet?
Sorry, here's three last pure dinner play's for ya, all located within a stone's throw or two of eachother. All are great because you can order just a few small dishes and keep it cheap, or splurge and keep going! On the front side of Ala Moana Shopping Center, on Kapiolani Blvd., ringing the intersection of Kapiolani and Piikoi St.'s, sits the excellent Italian spot Sapori Enoteca (Upscale Italian section), Gyu-Kaku (Yakiniku section of Japanese foods), and Stage (Hawaii Regional Cuisine section). They may seem expensive, and you may not wanna walk in with your surf shorts or bikini top, but it's not priced high if you don't get get carried away ordering. Get there early for Gyu Kaku (grill yourself at your own table meats!) and stage, as they do have great happy hour specials. All have great and interesting atmosphere's in their own way's.
I guess that's it. Lemme know if you have any further questions.
Oops, one more spot that's cheap and good - next to the Ward Center, at the new Hokua building, can't miss it, it's cheap and very good. Check this page out - /tango-a-closer-look.asp.
Janna L (6/19/10) Thank you for your suggestions! Sounds great and very diverse! Really appreciate your willingness to take time out of your day to make sure my husband and I eat well on our vacation!
Leslie T (4/28/10) Who doesn't love to eat here in Hawaii. Breakfast is my favorite tho. Any suggestions for great cornbeef hash breakfast? We've tried Jacks in Aina Haina (Metro Mix higly rated) and thought it was possibly made with canned cornbeef, which was a disappointment.
Aku (4/28/10) Oooooh, you know..... Sorry Leslie, but I'm not a big fan of corned beef hash at all! Just don't like the stuff! I mean, I can eat it, but quite honestly, I've never ordered a corned beef hash in my life, and never ate more than a few bites when my mom used to make it small-kid time! Of course, I could go ahead and do an exhaustive search on the internet, but then I'd be less than sincere in giving any kind of advice. That being said, the only info I can give is second-hand knowledge, of the "I heard..."-kind! A good friend said he loved the corned beef hash at Koa Pancake House, and I know that Sekiya's in Kaimuki has a large, tempura-fried corned beef hash that seems interesting. I've also heard Boots 'n Kimo's version is good, too. You probably already know that all the okazuya's carry old-school corned beef hash, probably not of the fresh variety, though. Other than that, so sorry, I guess you can call me stumped this time! Oh, and one last word - Pomai over at Tasty Island should know the subject better, as I know he loves corned beef hash and seems to specializes more in local grindz. Maybe write him about it - he's super-cool and will respond back quickly.
Once again, so sorry! I'll put-out a shout to see if anyone knows more about the subject! If anyone writes back, I'll let you know.
Once again, so sorry! I'll put-out a shout to see if anyone knows more about the subject! If anyone writes back, I'll let you know.
Leslie T (4/28/10) you so funny, thanks anyhow- u da bestest!
Evelyn C (3/20/10) We are coming to Oahu and my dad from Waimanalo wants me to bring him back some good seeds, where can I go to buy some, like Crack seed, li hi mui etc......
Aku (3/20/10) Hi Evelyn, by far, the best place to go for Hawaiian snack products is Wholesale Unlimited. Check out this page: http://cybersnacks.net/contact.html This is the locations page of their website. I've never been to their warehouse and store in Waipahu, but I always go to their main retail outlet on Ahua St. in Mapunapuna. The directions for both of these locales and also their many express stores are specified there.
Other than that, there's at least one crack seed store in every major shopping center on the island - Ala Moana, Pearl Ridge, Windward Mall, Kahala Mall, and more. Did you check out this page of my site - /crack-seed.asp? There are a few more crack seed stores listed there. And if you're really in a bind and have somehow forgotten crack seeds until the near end of your trip, there's lots of crack seed products at Longs, WalMart, and all the grocery stores on the island, as well! Just like Spam musubi, the stuff is everywhere! Hope it helps!
Other than that, there's at least one crack seed store in every major shopping center on the island - Ala Moana, Pearl Ridge, Windward Mall, Kahala Mall, and more. Did you check out this page of my site - /crack-seed.asp? There are a few more crack seed stores listed there. And if you're really in a bind and have somehow forgotten crack seeds until the near end of your trip, there's lots of crack seed products at Longs, WalMart, and all the grocery stores on the island, as well! Just like Spam musubi, the stuff is everywhere! Hope it helps!
John O. (Oklahoma, 12/22/09) - Greetings Mr. Aku-san!
I have urgent need for your very best reco for Japanese dinner this coming weekend - especially Saturday 12/26.
After studying your excellent website for a long time, I am incilined toward Izakaya Nonbei.
But your descriptions (fantastic!) seem to be from a visit back in May of this year. Please advise: is Izakaya Nonbei still up and going? And would you still recommend it?
Other locals in Honolulu have suggested Nobu.
Frankly, it seems very much gaijin-muke and frankly not my (our) style.)
Frankly, it seems very much gaijin-muke and frankly not my (our) style.)
Any comments or suggestions you might be willing to share would be very much appreciated.
Thanks for your time on this!
Aku (12/23/09) Hey John, Have you read my interaction with Jeff H., found at the bottom of the Nobu's Closer Look page? He had also asked about sushi spots, and there's some good info there. You know, if I were to take a guess (before hearing your further preferences), I'd say Gaku might be a good place to go. My wife tells me that gaijin-muke means "something a gaijin would like", yes? Gaku is definitely Japanese-style, but not in the sense of totally traditional, but with a more modern, drink-friendly vibe, like a place you'd see on the streets of Tokyo today. The Chef/Owner, Manabu Kikuchi, is always there, and he's a 10 year veteran that built-up Imanas tei, one of the most respected Izakaya's on the island. The dining area is on the smaller side, but the place is lively and fun, and they also have a separate zashiki room, too (with dropped floor under the table so you don't have to cross your legs!). If it's a Saturday, you gotta make reservations, especially with a big party, and it also can get pricey (that goes for all of 'em!).
But Gaku's just a guess. Nonbei is also good, but cuisine-wise and for the whole experience, I prefer Gaku. Nobu's will definitely wow you like a ritzy LA or New York hotspot, if that's the type of atmosphere you wanna build. If you choose Nobu's, I actually prefer the hot items or new-wave sashimi choices over the sushi, just because you can get good sushi at so many other spots for cheaper. Reservations are a must.
There's so many good spots out there, it's hard to say what will suit you just right. Besides the spots on my commentary with Jeff H., if you have a lunch open (don't do it for your night-time party), you may wanna check out the place that serves the biggest slices of fish on the island - surprise, surprise - Zippy's Kahala or Aiea! They're not fancy, and they don't have the wide selection of fish, but you can pretty much depend on the biggest slices of fresh ahi, hamachi, and salmon anywhere! Plus, they are one of the few genuine sushi places open during the day. Mitch's is also open day-time, and if you want fresh, don't worry - they supply a lot of the sushi restaurants in town, since they are a wholesaler, as well. Being the case, though, they do smell a little like a fishmonger! Who knows, you may even like one of these spots and choose to return to either one for your party!
Sometimes I think I confuse people even more - it's just that there's so many great spots out there, all with different personalities, and matching them up with our different personalities can never be a science!
Feel free to go a few more rounds before your special dinner!
Sometimes I think I confuse people even more - it's just that there's so many great spots out there, all with different personalities, and matching them up with our different personalities can never be a science!
Feel free to go a few more rounds before your special dinner!
John O. (12/23/09) Hola Aku! Gaku DOES sound pretty good and we may do that also, but I have already asked our invitee to make reservation at Nonbei.FYI: It's not just because I like the name ... ;-)
Yeah we can be pretty traditional Nihon ryori guys, but not-so-traditional can sometimes also be okay. But Nobu? No thanks. (I am grateful that you have saved us from such a fate!)
We won't be in town long enough to do a lot, but will definitely also give Gaku a good earnest try.
Although I haven't yet consulted your terrific website, I expect that we will make a run at Thai also.
(We have lived many years in both Japan and Thailand ... and a lot of other places ... so we can be really disappointed with what know-nothing gringoes seem to think is 'great Thai' or 'great Japanese' food.
Your site does us all a great service by capturing and clearly expressing what these places are like (the Japanese ones particularly; I have not yet had time to look at some of the other parts of your site).
About gaijin-muke
Of course your wife is absolutely correct (and polite) in her explanation of gaijin-muke.
When we use the term is also has the connotation of being someplace that we Japanese would definitely NOT like! (As in 'really can't stand' ...)
Yeah we can be pretty traditional Nihon ryori guys, but not-so-traditional can sometimes also be okay. But Nobu? No thanks. (I am grateful that you have saved us from such a fate!)
We won't be in town long enough to do a lot, but will definitely also give Gaku a good earnest try.
Although I haven't yet consulted your terrific website, I expect that we will make a run at Thai also.
(We have lived many years in both Japan and Thailand ... and a lot of other places ... so we can be really disappointed with what know-nothing gringoes seem to think is 'great Thai' or 'great Japanese' food.
Your site does us all a great service by capturing and clearly expressing what these places are like (the Japanese ones particularly; I have not yet had time to look at some of the other parts of your site).
About gaijin-muke
Of course your wife is absolutely correct (and polite) in her explanation of gaijin-muke.
When we use the term is also has the connotation of being someplace that we Japanese would definitely NOT like! (As in 'really can't stand' ...)
Aku (12/23/09) Hey no worries John,
Nonbei is still a fun place to hang-out, and there's lots of drink specials, too. It's the kind of place where you can buy a bottle of Ichiko Shochu, write your name on the bottle, and return the next day to finish it off. As far as Thai, I've never been to Thailand, so I have no idea how it compares to the real stuff, but strictly taste-wise, I like the Mekong's and Siam Garden best. Phuket Thai and Maile's Bistro, I also love, but they have a lot of fusion elements, as well. The Thai fried chicken at both places are killer! Maile's and the Phuket Thai on Kamakee St., near the Ward Centers, contain the most modern, stylish dining rooms of the bunch, making them lots more drink-friendly than any other Thai places on the island. I did Closer Look's on all the above if you have time to check 'em out.
Lemme know how your party went, and what you think of Thai food in Hawaii, if you get the chance to find a place!
Nonbei is still a fun place to hang-out, and there's lots of drink specials, too. It's the kind of place where you can buy a bottle of Ichiko Shochu, write your name on the bottle, and return the next day to finish it off. As far as Thai, I've never been to Thailand, so I have no idea how it compares to the real stuff, but strictly taste-wise, I like the Mekong's and Siam Garden best. Phuket Thai and Maile's Bistro, I also love, but they have a lot of fusion elements, as well. The Thai fried chicken at both places are killer! Maile's and the Phuket Thai on Kamakee St., near the Ward Centers, contain the most modern, stylish dining rooms of the bunch, making them lots more drink-friendly than any other Thai places on the island. I did Closer Look's on all the above if you have time to check 'em out.
Lemme know how your party went, and what you think of Thai food in Hawaii, if you get the chance to find a place!
John O (1/3/10)
Greetings Mr. Aku!
Did not make it ot your fair city.
Why?
Please see attached.
(Airport closed 2 days. Could not get out due to snow blizzard....)
Aku (1/3/10)
Oh my gosh! I feel for you guys, man! Yeah, it's been a typical winter here on the island. 80+ degrees. Just took the niece and nephew to Bellows, a two or three mile stretch of powder-white sand beach 20 minutes away from my house, under clear blue sky's! Absolutely gorgeous! I guess you folks had a good time playing chess and checkers, ey? I'll bet the hot chocolate was great, though!
Boy, I just love telling my friends about Hawaii when they're living on the Mainland, especially come winter!
No, in all seriousness, sorry for the cancelled trip. Hopefully, you folks can make it out soon. Lemme know, and I'll let you know if there's any new sushi spot making news here in the islands!
Thanks for the personalized vid! Take care both of you!
Boy, I just love telling my friends about Hawaii when they're living on the Mainland, especially come winter!
No, in all seriousness, sorry for the cancelled trip. Hopefully, you folks can make it out soon. Lemme know, and I'll let you know if there's any new sushi spot making news here in the islands!
Thanks for the personalized vid! Take care both of you!
Alissa (10/24/09) - aloha! we are in oahu. just got married on the north shore and are now staying in kailua.
wondering what you suggest for great seafood places with drinks.
looking for fresh oysters, obviously ahi, maybe lobster....
what do you suggest?
we love nico's pier 38 but looking for something a bit more casual dinnertime and drinks.
mahalo!
alissa
Aku (10/24/09) - Hey Alissa,
Just wondering... You have been to Boots n Kimo's (banana mac nut pancakes - very crowded and not the best quality, but the syrup makes it different, super sweet, though, and lots and lots of people swear by it, especially the women!), Brent's (killer omelets and a NY style Jewish deli counter), or Cinnamon's (just a nice atmosphere, great service, try the Hawaiian omelet or guava pancakes), all for breakfast and located in Kailua, yes? Kailua seems to have a lot of great breakfast spots, but not many dinner spots.
As far as seafood goes, did you say more casual than Nico's at Pier 38? Funny, because that's about as casual as it gets! I prefer Uncle's, right next to Nico's, but it's more expensive. I notice that a lot of folks from the Mainland are looking for seafood restaurants, but you know what? There's not a whole lotta restaurants here that specialize in seafood, like crab pots and chowder houses on the Mainland (there's Red Lobster in Waikiki and Bubba Gump at the Ala Moana shopping Center, but you're probably looking for something else, right?). Rather, just about all restaurants here have a seafood selection in addition to their menu, instead. Maybe everyone just takes seafood for granted in Hawaii? In Waikiki, Chart House (Watering Holes section) is a great place for fresh fish and seafood, as is Duke's (Dinner w/drinks section), especially fish. Both are fun, very lively, drink-friendly atmosphere's, and have live entertainment, too. All the Hawaii Regional cuisine restaurants have great fish, though it's a high-priced section. Did you try Kakaako Kitchen at the Ward Center (Local Grindz>Plate Lunch section)? The owner/Chef there is Russel Siu, who is the creator of 3660 on the Rise (HI regional section), one of the best restaurants on the island. He brings a lot of quality in a casual plate lunch setting. Try the tempura furikake catfish.
Before you leave, if you haven't already, you gotta try opakapaka at least once, and also moi. Everyone here knows what they are, and they can be found at many different places, especially the mid to upper range restaurants. Moi is the fish of kings, and commoners of old Hawaii found to be eating moi would have their heads chopped off because it was reserved only for Alii (royalty). Both are great any way, but Hawaii's most famous style is Chinese-style, which is steamed and then drenched with hot oil. Moi will be served whole, head, tail, and all - always more fun!
Hey, are you familiar with poke? Be sure to check the poke section (Local Grindz>Other Specialty Local Products>Poke) for some of the freshest ahi on the island, though completely in the raw.
Other than that, without going the route of sushi (unless you want to!), it's surprising how many Chinese restaurants have some really great seafood. Fook Yuen (Chinese section) is easily accessible and has a $9.95 whole lobster (though a bit small, still one of the cheapest you'll find!) cooked in several different styles. You know what else I've found surprising? I don't know how it is on the Mainland, but the whole steamed lobster at Outback in Hawaii Kai is consistently the best lobster I've found anywhere, and that's including from places like Ruth's Chris or other super-expensive, high-class places! Don't know why it is.
Lemme know if you need more follow-up.
Hope it helps.
Aku
wondering what you suggest for great seafood places with drinks.
looking for fresh oysters, obviously ahi, maybe lobster....
what do you suggest?
we love nico's pier 38 but looking for something a bit more casual dinnertime and drinks.
mahalo!
alissa
Aku (10/24/09) - Hey Alissa,
Just wondering... You have been to Boots n Kimo's (banana mac nut pancakes - very crowded and not the best quality, but the syrup makes it different, super sweet, though, and lots and lots of people swear by it, especially the women!), Brent's (killer omelets and a NY style Jewish deli counter), or Cinnamon's (just a nice atmosphere, great service, try the Hawaiian omelet or guava pancakes), all for breakfast and located in Kailua, yes? Kailua seems to have a lot of great breakfast spots, but not many dinner spots.
As far as seafood goes, did you say more casual than Nico's at Pier 38? Funny, because that's about as casual as it gets! I prefer Uncle's, right next to Nico's, but it's more expensive. I notice that a lot of folks from the Mainland are looking for seafood restaurants, but you know what? There's not a whole lotta restaurants here that specialize in seafood, like crab pots and chowder houses on the Mainland (there's Red Lobster in Waikiki and Bubba Gump at the Ala Moana shopping Center, but you're probably looking for something else, right?). Rather, just about all restaurants here have a seafood selection in addition to their menu, instead. Maybe everyone just takes seafood for granted in Hawaii? In Waikiki, Chart House (Watering Holes section) is a great place for fresh fish and seafood, as is Duke's (Dinner w/drinks section), especially fish. Both are fun, very lively, drink-friendly atmosphere's, and have live entertainment, too. All the Hawaii Regional cuisine restaurants have great fish, though it's a high-priced section. Did you try Kakaako Kitchen at the Ward Center (Local Grindz>Plate Lunch section)? The owner/Chef there is Russel Siu, who is the creator of 3660 on the Rise (HI regional section), one of the best restaurants on the island. He brings a lot of quality in a casual plate lunch setting. Try the tempura furikake catfish.
Before you leave, if you haven't already, you gotta try opakapaka at least once, and also moi. Everyone here knows what they are, and they can be found at many different places, especially the mid to upper range restaurants. Moi is the fish of kings, and commoners of old Hawaii found to be eating moi would have their heads chopped off because it was reserved only for Alii (royalty). Both are great any way, but Hawaii's most famous style is Chinese-style, which is steamed and then drenched with hot oil. Moi will be served whole, head, tail, and all - always more fun!
Hey, are you familiar with poke? Be sure to check the poke section (Local Grindz>Other Specialty Local Products>Poke) for some of the freshest ahi on the island, though completely in the raw.
Other than that, without going the route of sushi (unless you want to!), it's surprising how many Chinese restaurants have some really great seafood. Fook Yuen (Chinese section) is easily accessible and has a $9.95 whole lobster (though a bit small, still one of the cheapest you'll find!) cooked in several different styles. You know what else I've found surprising? I don't know how it is on the Mainland, but the whole steamed lobster at Outback in Hawaii Kai is consistently the best lobster I've found anywhere, and that's including from places like Ruth's Chris or other super-expensive, high-class places! Don't know why it is.
Lemme know if you need more follow-up.
Hope it helps.
Aku
Desiree (10/22/09) - Aloha Aku, Your site is so informative, I was wondering if you would have any suggestions of restaurants with private rooms. I’m looking to plan a small company dinner party. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
Congrats on the new book! Mahalo, Desiree,
Aku (10/22/09) - Hmmm....
That's a really great question... It's funny you ask that, as I'm in Japan right now, and just about everywhere we've been so far, they have private tatami rooms that are perfect for small parties! As for Hawaii, I'm not exactly sure what kind of food you're looking for, how large, or what kind of general experience you are looking for, but there aren't too many private rooms out there anyway, so I'll just give you a few general suggestions:
One place I'd recommend is 3660 on the Rise, as many people don't really know that they also have full-scale banquet rooms right there next to the restaurant, as well. And the prices really aren't too bad.
By the way, have you considered any hotel banquet meeting rooms? There's a whole lotta options, even for the smallest of parties, and for as little as $40 or so per head, you can have lots and lots of privacy in a hotel setting. After the function, if you stay at places like the Hilton, Sheraton, Hyatt, or others, you can still enjoy a few more drinks and pupus at the hotel bars and restaurants. www.savvycoordination.com. That's my friends new company, and she does a great job with party planning. Jennifer is a former banquet coordinator at the Hilton, and she has all the connections working with all the different hotels and more. It's an extra cost, but I just gave her site to you as an extra option.
I know several of the Japanese restaurants have small, semi-private rooms, like Hanamaru, Yoshiya, Jinroku, Kaiwa, and so do a lot of Chinese restaurants. But maybe not enough privacy?
And heck, maybe you really don't need all that much privacy in the first place! Places like Ryan's, Kincaid's, and so many restaurants in both the Dinner w/drinks section and Watering holes sections are used to hosting large or small parties, even though you won't have a private room, but only a reserved table. Sometimes that's even more fun, as the energy of the entire room kinda has a way of livening up your own party! But then again, that's all up to you!
Hope that helps a little. That's about all I can disseminate right now, though it's not much info, I know. Lemme know if I'm off the mark.
Congrats on the new book! Mahalo, Desiree,
Aku (10/22/09) - Hmmm....
That's a really great question... It's funny you ask that, as I'm in Japan right now, and just about everywhere we've been so far, they have private tatami rooms that are perfect for small parties! As for Hawaii, I'm not exactly sure what kind of food you're looking for, how large, or what kind of general experience you are looking for, but there aren't too many private rooms out there anyway, so I'll just give you a few general suggestions:
One place I'd recommend is 3660 on the Rise, as many people don't really know that they also have full-scale banquet rooms right there next to the restaurant, as well. And the prices really aren't too bad.
By the way, have you considered any hotel banquet meeting rooms? There's a whole lotta options, even for the smallest of parties, and for as little as $40 or so per head, you can have lots and lots of privacy in a hotel setting. After the function, if you stay at places like the Hilton, Sheraton, Hyatt, or others, you can still enjoy a few more drinks and pupus at the hotel bars and restaurants. www.savvycoordination.com. That's my friends new company, and she does a great job with party planning. Jennifer is a former banquet coordinator at the Hilton, and she has all the connections working with all the different hotels and more. It's an extra cost, but I just gave her site to you as an extra option.
I know several of the Japanese restaurants have small, semi-private rooms, like Hanamaru, Yoshiya, Jinroku, Kaiwa, and so do a lot of Chinese restaurants. But maybe not enough privacy?
And heck, maybe you really don't need all that much privacy in the first place! Places like Ryan's, Kincaid's, and so many restaurants in both the Dinner w/drinks section and Watering holes sections are used to hosting large or small parties, even though you won't have a private room, but only a reserved table. Sometimes that's even more fun, as the energy of the entire room kinda has a way of livening up your own party! But then again, that's all up to you!
Hope that helps a little. That's about all I can disseminate right now, though it's not much info, I know. Lemme know if I'm off the mark.
Desiree (10/24/09) - Thank you for replying though you are all the way in Japan! Your suggestions are greatly appreciated. Coincidently our company holiday party was held at 3660 last year and it was perfect. This year I think we want a change, hence my email to you. I will definitely look into the hotel options. Thank you for the suggestion!
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Anuhea (10/12/09) - Hi, my friends are throwing a baby luau this month on Molokai. They're looking for good quality poke that's affordable and are having a hard time finding that on Molokai. Where would you recommend I look here on Oahu? Is it cheaper to buy the ingredients and prepare it ourselves, or is it cheaper to buy ready to eat from a specific location?
Aku (10/12/09) - Aaaah, Anuhea, what a loaded question!
Here's a quick run-down of options:
1) $5.99-$6.99 per pound - You know the old adage - you get what you pay for! If the main concern is price, and you want cheap, the bottom of the barrel is Foodland or Don Quijote, with their $5.99-$6.99 ahi poke varieties, but they are always pre-frozen and often gas-treated to maintain color. Call them before-hand and request that they make a separate batch the very day you pick it up. It won't be terrible poke (I myself got this variety for our wedding!), but if you want better or best, read on...
2) $8.99-$12.99 per pound. That's what you'll pay for non-frozen, fresh ahi of a good quality, the kind at stores that specialize in poke like Poke Stop, Fresh Catch, Ono Seafood, Ft. Ruger, Tamashiro Market, and places like these (see the poke section of the site if you haven't already). The big downside is, depending on how big your party is, the prices could really add-up!
3) Almost free... maybe!!! Make 'em yourself! This is by far the best way to go, but only if you have the extra time and know someone who knows a fisherman willing to donate a fresh fish or two for you - Doesn't everyone fish on Molokai? Just kidding. But if you can find a fisherman, of course, that would be a slam-dunk choice, as the seasonings are all common stuff you probably already have (except maybe inamona and ogo, if you want), so it shouldn't cost hardly anything, not to mention the benefits of a freshly caught fish. Hawaiian salt, sesame oil, shoyu, sweet onions, green onions, chili or chil flakes, all cheap and readily available stuff! You can even kick it up a knotch and cube the fish and prepare the sauce separately, store, and then mix last-minute, as the longer it sits in the sauce, the more it will distort the true taste of the fish. If the fish is really fresh, it's always better to toss it at the last possible minute to really showcase the freshness, but only if you're willing to take the extra time and effort. If you can't pull-off a coup with donated ahi, and have to purchase filets at the store to prepare yourselves, you have to consider what kind of quality you want to pay for, as you already know it can vary greatly. With so much to buy, however, I wouldn't be messing with a super high-quality, sashimi-grade cut - the cheaper stuff will be just fine for a large party, and noone will skip a beat!
In the end, I'll say that the $5.99-$6.99 varieties are probably just fine for large gatherings, and probably even cheaper than making store-bought cuts from scratch on your own, as long as they can be picked-up and served on the same day. The next day? Hmmm... Big difference sitting in the sauce for that long, and not something I'd personally do. If same-day arrangements can't be made, maybe ask if they can provide the fish and sauce separately, and make sure the fish stays real cold at all times before the actual preparation, and I wouldn't go further than the next day-out. That might work. Any further out, and well, I'm not so sure.
And so, that's the skinny on the options, for the most part. Hope it helps, and hope I haven't confused you even more! Lemme know if I missed the mark!
Anuhea (10/13/09) - Thanks so much for your quick and very helpful reply! It's much appreciated :)
Aku (10/12/09) - Aaaah, Anuhea, what a loaded question!
Here's a quick run-down of options:
1) $5.99-$6.99 per pound - You know the old adage - you get what you pay for! If the main concern is price, and you want cheap, the bottom of the barrel is Foodland or Don Quijote, with their $5.99-$6.99 ahi poke varieties, but they are always pre-frozen and often gas-treated to maintain color. Call them before-hand and request that they make a separate batch the very day you pick it up. It won't be terrible poke (I myself got this variety for our wedding!), but if you want better or best, read on...
2) $8.99-$12.99 per pound. That's what you'll pay for non-frozen, fresh ahi of a good quality, the kind at stores that specialize in poke like Poke Stop, Fresh Catch, Ono Seafood, Ft. Ruger, Tamashiro Market, and places like these (see the poke section of the site if you haven't already). The big downside is, depending on how big your party is, the prices could really add-up!
3) Almost free... maybe!!! Make 'em yourself! This is by far the best way to go, but only if you have the extra time and know someone who knows a fisherman willing to donate a fresh fish or two for you - Doesn't everyone fish on Molokai? Just kidding. But if you can find a fisherman, of course, that would be a slam-dunk choice, as the seasonings are all common stuff you probably already have (except maybe inamona and ogo, if you want), so it shouldn't cost hardly anything, not to mention the benefits of a freshly caught fish. Hawaiian salt, sesame oil, shoyu, sweet onions, green onions, chili or chil flakes, all cheap and readily available stuff! You can even kick it up a knotch and cube the fish and prepare the sauce separately, store, and then mix last-minute, as the longer it sits in the sauce, the more it will distort the true taste of the fish. If the fish is really fresh, it's always better to toss it at the last possible minute to really showcase the freshness, but only if you're willing to take the extra time and effort. If you can't pull-off a coup with donated ahi, and have to purchase filets at the store to prepare yourselves, you have to consider what kind of quality you want to pay for, as you already know it can vary greatly. With so much to buy, however, I wouldn't be messing with a super high-quality, sashimi-grade cut - the cheaper stuff will be just fine for a large party, and noone will skip a beat!
In the end, I'll say that the $5.99-$6.99 varieties are probably just fine for large gatherings, and probably even cheaper than making store-bought cuts from scratch on your own, as long as they can be picked-up and served on the same day. The next day? Hmmm... Big difference sitting in the sauce for that long, and not something I'd personally do. If same-day arrangements can't be made, maybe ask if they can provide the fish and sauce separately, and make sure the fish stays real cold at all times before the actual preparation, and I wouldn't go further than the next day-out. That might work. Any further out, and well, I'm not so sure.
And so, that's the skinny on the options, for the most part. Hope it helps, and hope I haven't confused you even more! Lemme know if I missed the mark!
Anuhea (10/13/09) - Thanks so much for your quick and very helpful reply! It's much appreciated :)
Aku (10/13/09) - Always fun! Have a great party!!!
