Tokkuri-Tei

This is the perfect place to come if you have a big group of people. The restaurant is on the 2nd floor above Hee Hing. The dishes are great for sharing and their prices are very reasonable. Besides having good food they also have a lot of drinks. If you have more than 6 people in your party, I recommend trying the Mauna Loa roll. It's 2 deluxe sushi rolls plated to look like one. The presentation for it for amazing and it taste delicious.

Depending on what time you go, you might be able to get street parking. If you're not lucky then you can park in the lot under Hee Hing. It's $3.00 for valet.

For more information about Tokkuri-Tei, visit http://tokkuri-tei.com.

449 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 732-6480

Miso Eggplant

Salmon Skin Salad

Mauna Loa Roll

Spider Roll

Negitoro Roll

Nori-chos

The Mandalay - CLOSED

They have real Chinese food here but it's a bit overpriced. Your extra money is going to the "service" and the "interior design." This used to be Yong Sing Restaurant but it looks nothing like it. I came here for dinner on a weekend and the restaurant was 3/4 empty so the food came out really fast. My favorite item was the honey garlic spareribs. It's almost like the capital pork chops but better.

During the week, this is a popular place for dim sum lunch. I've been here a few times with my co-workers and the restaurant gets packed. They don't push carts here though. They give you the paper and you choose how many steamers of each you want. The dim sum is not bad but I could find something that tasted just as good for cheaper outside of downtown.

If you work in downtown and you haven't checked out this place yet, I'd say give it a shot. I recommend making reservations before you go for lunch on the weekdays.

For more information about The Mandalay, visit http://www.themandalayhawaii.com.

1055 Alakea St
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 525-8585

Imperial Scallop Soup

Minute Chicken

Cold Jelly Fish

Sauteed Eggplant

Fish Fillet w/ Chinese Greens

Honey Garlic Spareribs

Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar

I'm not going to lie, I love Sansei! The first time I came here was for their late night happy hour and ever since, I come back at least once a month. The late night happy hour is on Fridays and Saturdays and everything on the menu is 1/2 off (it includes alcohol too). If you're not a night owl, they offer an early bird dinner special on weekdays and that's 25% off. As long as you get your bill by 6PM, you'll get the 25% (not sure if it includes alcohol).

I haven't stumbled on any dishes that I hate here yet so that's a good thing. I recommend sitting at the sushi bar if you have less than 3 people because the wait time is a little longer for a table in the dining area. I know it feels weird sitting in front of a sushi chef but the chefs at Sansei are very friendly. They usually start you off with some complimentary edamame.

You can park on the street or inside the Wakiki Beach Marriott parking structure. They will validate your ticket. If you forget to validate, you'll get charged $20 so remember to ask for validation when you leave.  

For more information about Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, visit http://www.sanseihawaii.com.

Waikiki Beach Marriot Resort & Spa
 2552 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 931-6286

Hamachi Carpaccio

Ahi Poke

Spicy Tuna Roll

Panko Crusted Ahi Sashimi Sushi Roll

Mango Crab Salad Roll

Shrimp Dynamite

Granny Smith Apple Tart

Macky's Sweet Shrimp Truck - CLOSED

There are a lot of shrimp trucks on the North Shore but this is one of my new favorites. The way they prepare their garlic shrimp leans more to the Chinese style of cooking and it's seasoned better. Giovanni's uses too much garlic and a lot of oil. It turns me off when I see my rice soaking in oil.

The good thing about Macky's is that they're located in Haleiwa. I come in from downtown Honolulu so it's a much shorter drive. I've eaten here a couple of times and the line to order is very short. It's manageable even when you come during the lunch hour. The longest I've waited for food is about 15 minutes. If I were to go to Giovanni's, I have to wait at least 20 minutes to put in my order and another 15-20 minutes for them to cook my food. I'd recommend coming here for lunch before taking a swim at the beach.

66-632 Kamehameha Hwy
Haleiwa, HI 96712
(808) 780-1071

Original

Lemon Pepper

Butter Garlic