Mini Garden Orient Cuisine

I always used to drive by this place but never went to eat there because I thought it was street parking only. I wasn't until I went with someone who was a regular and they told me there was a parking lot next to the bakery. The interior of the restaurant is big and it's good for groups and or family lunches/dinners. Most of the items on the menu are similar to what you find in the other Chinese restaurant except for the crispy shrimp balls. It's chopped shrimp rolled into a ball with egg noodles around it and deep fried. When I went back a second time to order it, they were sold out.

If you want to get away from the noisy restaurants in the Chinatown area, I would recommend this one. Their prices are reasonable and the portions are big. They don't get overcrowded but if you are coming with a big group you may want to make reservations.

2065 S Beretania St
Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 946-3828

Salt & Pepper Pork Chops

Honey Walnut Shrimp

Stir Fry Garlic Vegetables

Cold Ginger Chicken

Beef & Choy Sum Chow Funn

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

There has been a lot of new ramen shops opening up lately. This one is located in the Kaheka area by Don Quijote. Their specialty is the toroniku ramen. It's a bowl of ramen that comes with pork cheek, jelly ear, bamboo shoots, and ume on the side. You can pour all your toppings into the bowl or you can eat off the plate after every bite of ramen like me. They don't teach you how to eat it and this place isn't like a sushi restaurant where the chef will yell at you for dipping sushi in shoyu.

The interior of the shop is small and their biggest table will only seat 4. They have counter seats that let you see into the kitchen. The prices are a bit high but I loved the taste of the broth and the pork cheek that melted in my mouth. They get really busy during the normal lunch and dinner hours. Your wait could be anywhere from 30-45 minutes and they don't take reservations. When you arrive, just get your name on the clipboard and sit on the benches outside to wait.

For more information about Hokkaido Ramen Santouka, visit santouka.co.jp/en/index.html

801 Kaheka St #A-8
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-1101

Toroniku Shio Ramen

Shoyu Ramen

Gyoza