And then there were 3
We’ve managed–and not without difficulty–to compile what we think are the top three choices in various food and drink categories. Some of our picks are well known (how could we leave out Liliha Bakery?), others are not as popular (Rada’s Piroscki is a must try) and others aren’t even in Honolulu (good poi and poke are never too far away). All of them are worth the drive, the wait in line or the money.
Poke
Fort Ruger market
(3585 Alohea Ave., 737-4531)
When you don’t like your fish fishy (and who does?) and you like the ruggedness of a mom-and-pop neighborhood store with no windows, Fort Ruger Market in Kapahulu is tops for poke. Its fresh chunks of well-seasoned fish are its best asset–though the kulolo runs a close second.
Foodland
(any of them, but we particularly like Beretania, Kane’ohe and Kailua)
Sure it’s a big chain, but there’s no denying the fact that the grocery store’s deli serves up one heck of a poke feast. There are always a ton of varieties, and it’s always fresh. Buy a pound, transfer it to a bowl, take it to the pa’ina, pass it off as your own and be a big hit. Guarantee.
The Poke Stop
(Waipahu Town Center, 94-050 Farrington Hwy., next to Sizzler, 676-8100)
Owner Elmer Guzman, former chef at Sam Choy’s Diamond Head Restaurant, makes poke that’s to die for thanks to his ultra-fresh fish. So what if it’s in Waipahu? You’ll be glad you made the trip.
Plate lunch
Monarch Seafoods
(515 Kalihi St., 841-7877)
This fish market doubles as a take-out place, and the food is fresh and ono. The seafood bento, with furikake salmon and mochiko chicken, is the perfect meal. Not your typical two scoops rice and mac salad, but you won’t miss it.
Kiawe Grill BBQ & Burgers
(1311 N. King St., Suite 6, 841-5577; 2334 S. King St., Suite 104, 955-5500)
Lots of meat. Lots of vegetables. Lots of rice. Low price. And the food’s good, too. Probably the only place in town that you can get Kobe beef for under $10.
Yummy’s Korean BBQ
(Kamehameha Shopping Center, 841-5788)
Yummy’s is Yummy’s, right? Wrong. The restaurant in Kam Shopping Center is superior to most take-out Korean BBQ joints. The kalbi is tender, the daikon is crunchy, the rice is firm and the mandoo is fried to perfection. If you need to eat at Yummy’s, eat here.
High-end restaurants
(Note: By high-end, we mean places where the average cost of an entrÈe is more than $20.)
Alan Wong’s Restaurant
(1857 S. King St., 3rd floor, 945-6573)
Of course, you say. No surprise here. But if it’s not brokeÖIt’s been years and Alan Wong still serves up some of the best food in the city.
Town
(3435 Wai’alae Ave. at 9th Ave., 735-5900)
Chef owner Ed Kenney and chef de cuisine David Caldiero make the best gnocchi and the best ahi carpaccio in town. They’re culinary innovation masters. They do flavors like Henri Matisse did color. And they make it a point to use locally grown ingredients. Great food and good behavior–what else is there?
Hiroshi Eurasian Tapas
(Restaurant Row, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., 533-4476)
Chef Hiroshi’s fusion cuisine is flawless. From Portuguese sausage potstickers to salmon chazuke to brie-stuffed tonkatsu–it’s all good. Don’t even get us started on the Prosecco sangria.
Cheap eats
Costco
(all of them)
It doesn’t get any cheaper than this. A hot dog, a soda, a slice of pizza and a churro for $4.68? We’re there.
Mitsu-ken Catering
(1223 N. School St., 848-5573)
Here it’s all about the garlic chicken: three pieces for $1.25. Or get fried rice, two eggs and bacon for $2. But you’ll have to battle the crowds of Damian and Kamehameha students and HECO employees. The lines are always long, but that’s a good sign.
Rada’s Piroscki
(1146 Fort Street Mall, 533-2388)
It’s safe to say that Rada’s is the only piroscki place in the city. Piroscki, the Russian dumpling that’s filled with meat, cheese and veggies and deep fried to a golden brown, isn’t the first thing you think of when it’s time for lunch, but maybe it should be. One doughy, palm-sized fritter goes for a $1.25. Not bad for street food. The little kiosk on Fort Street has been around forever, only now ‘Rada’ is Filipino not Russian.
24-hour
Liliha Bakery
(515 N. Kuakini St., 531-1651)
When a diner counter is at capacity at 3am, it’s either because there’s no other alternative or because the food is awesome. At Liliha, the food is awesome. And cheap. Eat pancakes, corned beef hash and eggs for about $5. At any time of day. But be prepared to wait for a seat–even if you go at 3am.
Sorabol Korean Restaurant
(805 Ke’eaumoku St., 947-3113)
Kalbi, tofu stew and kimchee pancake at midnight? You bet. While most 24-hour joints specialize in greasy diner food, Sorabol’s entire menu–with everything from chap jae to unagi sushi–is available ’round the clock. Have a hankering for yakiniku in the morning? You got it. But beware the post-club scene. The faded youths ascend on the place circa 4am. Consider yourself warned.
Wailana Coffee House
(1860 Ala Moana Blvd., 955-1764)
How can we not mention Wailana? It’s as iconic as the Duke statue–an old school local hangout that’s more Hilo than Honolulu, and that’s why we like it. And because they make the best eggs benedict ever. There’s something about a good hollandaise in the middle of the night.
Boba, bubble tea or pearl drinks
Boba Loca Hawaii
(2615 S. King St. #104, 942-1770)
According to the takeout menu, ‘Boba Loca is also dedicated to spread and cultivate the Boba culture to the world by serving the highest standards of excellence.’ WellÖwho knew those round little balls of tapioca gummy goodness constituted an actual ‘culture?’ The socio-political aspects of boba notwithstanding, with a huge variety of flavors and a comfortable location, Boba Loca Hawaii not only puts out the most consistently excellent drinks (the Chai Frapp rocks!) with the right amounts of freshness, moisture and consistency of chew in their balls, it also has the potential to be an excellent cafÈ. With art on its walls, an intimate sit-down space and its University Square setting, it’s the perfect college town hang out.
Coffee or Tea?
(1960 Kapi’olani Blvd., Suite 106, 942-4357)
This McCully Shopping Center coffee shop gives off a One Night in Bangkok/mahjong parlor type of vibe with the dozens of Chinese nationals crowding the tables and the various Asian art pieces and sculptures in glass cabinets. But with strict no-card-games policy on the door (we’re not making this up), the Pai-Gow-ish riff-raff is kept in check. The specialization in teas and coffees at this establishment (try the jasmine or peppermint milk) make for an interesting complement to the momi, boba, bubbles, pearls or whatever you call your little piece of chewy wonder.
Zagu Crystal and Pearl Shakes
(1450 Ala Moana Blvd., 951-7722)
Here’s the one you’ve probably walked past billions of times in Ala Moana Shopping Center’s Makai Market but didn’t pay any attention to. Here it’s all about the watermelon flavor. Even if you’re not into fruity, you’re gonna love this one. Although the icy blending can be hit or miss (sometimes too chunky, other times too watery), the taste sensation with the boba is just too unique to turn your nose up at simply because the place is in a mall. For a bit of variety, or if you’re not in the mood to chew, try getting your drink with the gelatin-ish crystals. It’s a whole other ballgame.
Beer
Bar 35
(35 Hotel Street, 537-3535)
More than 100 varieties of beer (we think we counted 118, but we can’t be sure) and $3 Chimay during happy hour. Ignore the crowds and drink good beer until you fall down. Did we say they have $3 Chimay?
Chevron
(1201 S. King St. at the corner of Pi’ikoi and King Streets)
Resist the urge to call us ghetto. Any gas station that carries bottles of Rogue and organic Sam Smith is better than the hippest bar. Gone are the days of settling for gas station MGD. Shop at Chevron and drink like a snob.
Tamura’s Market
(54-316 Kamehameha Hwy., 232-2332)
Beer and poke and the chance to support local business? We can’t think of anything we’d like better. Except maybe more beer. Tamura’s has it all–and at good prices.
