Tonkatsu Atmark

Tonkatsu Atmark is a new tonkatsu restaurant near Ala Moana Center. Their specialties are the pork loin and pork tenderloin katsu but they also have beef, chicken, shrimp, and oyster. I highly recommend the A5 miyazaki-gyu tenderloin katsu because the beef melts in your mouth. The pork tenderloin katsu was very good as well but it was not as tender as the beef. Their prices are high. The beef katsu set was $135 and pork tenderloin katsu set was $33. The set comes with rice, miso soup, cabbage, tsukemono, and 3 side dishes. They give free refills for rice and cabbage. They also have 3 dipping sauces for the katsu but my favorite was the mild sauce. The flavor was light and it complimented the katsu. The other 2 sauces had too much flavor. 

The restaurant is located across Hawaiki Tower between Hangang and Bernini. You should make a reservation in advance because they will turn away people who walk in. The staff are nice and they're really appreciative of the customers. The wait time for food was reasonable and I would come back again for the A5 miyazaki-gyu tenderloin katsu. For parking, there is a small parking lot next to the restaurant which is shared with other businesses and metered parking on Waimanu Street.

1232 Waimanu St Suite 101
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 200-2110

A5 Miyazaki-gyu Tenderloin Katsu (180g)

Dry Aged Pork Tenderloin Katsu (200g)

Sesame Seeds, Tsukemono,
3 side dishes

Dipping sauces

 

Smashed Hawaii - CLOSED

Smashed Hawaii is a food truck/trailer known for their smash burger. Their burger consists of a 100% beef patty, American cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and smash sauce served between a potato bun. You can add on items like lettuce, tomatoes, or jalapeno but it will cost an extra $0.25 or $0.50. The classic smash burger is priced at $9. I loved the crispy edges on the beef patty and the potato bun holds it's burger shape so you get a very nice photo. Their classic fries were golden brown, perfectly salted, and crispy. It was priced at $4.50 and the portion was enough to share for 2 people. For the classic burger, I wish there was more smash sauce because it was dry for me.

They are located on Sheridan and Elm Street in the parking lot where Meadow Gold used to park to their delivery trucks. The entrance is on Elm Street and you'll see the pink trailer in the corner. This place is takeout only and there is no seating available. You could eat in your car but there's no shade around so it gets very hot. I went on the weekend for lunch and the wait time for food was 30 minutes. Prior to ordering, the staff will let you know how long the estimated wait time is and I appreciate that. They give you a buzzer and you can wait in your car.

For more information about Smashed Hawaii, visit or follow @smashedhawaii on Instagram. 

824 Sheridan St
Honolulu, HI 96814

Classic Smash

Classic Smash w/ Lettuce

Straits Hawaii

Straits Hawaii serves Singaporean dishes with bold flavors. If you like spicy food, you'll enjoy this place since a lot of their signature dishes have chili peppers in it. I ordered dishes that were mild and they were delicious. My favorites were the garlic noodles, Yeo's chicken salad, and the bone marrow. The drinks are interesting and worth trying. The service was good and our food time came out in a timely manner even with a full restaurant. The prices are high with entrees ranging from $25 - $30 and the seafood items for double that price.

I recommend making reservations in advanced if you want to sit at a table. If you plan to do a walk in, the bar is available. They are located at Ward Village in the former space of Big City Diner next to the movie theater. The interior of the restaurant had dim lighting and loud music during my dinner. As far as space, it is tight. I tried to find the big gaps between 2 chairs so I wouldn't hit anyone getting to the table and leaving after dinner.

For more information about Straits Hawaii, visit straitshawaii.com.

Ward Village
1060 Auahi St #4
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 888-0683

Singapore Satay Sticks

Straits Frites

Yeo's Chicken Salad

Garlic Noodle

Roasted Bone Marrow

Pandan Soda

Saigon Grill

Saigon Grill is a food truck that serves Vietnamese food. They have a large menu and half of it consist of seafood like sea snails, sea scallops, oysters, shrimp, dungeness crab, and lobster. This is one of the few places on Oahu that serves sea snails. The flavor of their food is good, and the prices are reasonable. My favorites were the sea scallops and the pork chops. Once you're done ordering, you seat yourself and the staff will bring the food and drinks to you. You can BYOB.

The seating area is outdoors under a large tent; it's very casual and is great for groups. Each booth under the tent can seat about 4 people and they have the longer tables in the middle for big groups. They only open for dinner, and they stay open till 12am on weekdays and 2am on the weekends. They accept cash and credit. Parking is free and a few steps away from the seating area. They are located across the Hawaii Convention Center. When it gets dark, you'll see the lanterns lit up in the area as you drive down Kapiolani Blvd.

1700 Kapiolani Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96814

Garlic Butter Sea Snails

Sea Scallops

Grilled Pork Chops

Shrimp Fried Rice

Sugarcane Juice

ELEVEN

ELEVEN is a cocktail bar located inside of Foodland Farms at Ala Moana Center. They offer a large selection of liquor, with some specialty cocktails and a few items on their food menu. I recommend the popcorn with sage and the prosciutto asparagus toast.

The entrance to ELEVEN is towards the back of the store. You will see some wood panel walls and behind that is ELEVEN. The interior space is nice and it feels very comfortable to hang out in. This would be a great place to come with your co-workers or friends after work.

Foodland Farms Ala Moana
1450 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96814

Popcorn w/ Sage

Prosciutto Asparagus

Ahi Tartare

Sake Cured Salmon

Lacinato Kale

Sweet Symphony

Cosmpolita (mocktail)

Pandanimal

 

 

Yung Yee Kee Dim Sum - CLOSED

Yung Yee Kee serves dim sum all day. If you want dim sum for dinner, this is where you should be. They are known for their steamed salted egg custard buns which has filling that oozes out. I highly recommend ordering this and you will want to eat it while it is still hot. My other favorites where the shrimp dumplings, pan fried seafood bean curd rolls, and the custard tart with flaky crust. The dine in experience is better than takeout because of the food temperature. The steamed items taste the best when they are still steaming. When I did takeout, all the items were cold by the time I got home.

The inside of the restaurant is well lit and clean. They have photos of the food on the menu so this is helpful if you don't want to read the English or Chinese. You mark off the items on the sheet of paper and just sit back and wait for the food; no dim sum carts here. Their dim sum is pricey, starting at $5 per steamer. The atmosphere is good and the staff were alert. I made reservations 48 hours in advanced and went on a weekday for an early dinner to avoid the crowds. They are located next to the Ala Moana Building. The entrance faces Kapiolani Blvd. They have free parking available in the back of the building by Sweet Creams and Manichi Ramen, you can drive in from Kapiolani Blvd or Kona St.

1411 Kapiolani Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 955-7478

Steamed Salted Egg Custard Bun

Shanghai Pork Dumplings

Shrimp Dumplings

Pan Fried Seafood Bean Curd Rolls

Look Funn w/ Beef

Mochi Puffs w/ Pork

Custard Tart

Sesame Ball w/ Red Bean

SXY Szechuan

SXY Szechuan offers Sichuan cuisine. The interior of the restaurant is spacious and has a modern design. The tables are spaced out with social distance in mind. The spice level for each dish is very different. I don't eat spicy so all the items I ordered were mild. I recommend the fried lamb on toothpicks because the lamb was tender and there was a good amount of seasoning on every piece. The fried frog was spicy. I picked out the chilies and there was still quite a bit of heat on every piece. The dan dan mian was mild and it helped balance the heat from the fried frog. Their prices are high but the entree portions are big. This place is good for groups or a family meal. 

They are located in the ewa wing of Ala Moana Center on level 2, next to Jamba. They face the parking lot. I did a walk-in for 2 people on the weekend at 12pm and we were seated right away. If you're coming with 4 or more people, I suggest making a reservation. 

For more information about SXY Szechuan, visit sxyszechuan.com.

Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #2870
Honolulu, HI 96814

Fried Lamb on Toothpicks

Fried Frog w/ Vegetable Mix

Dan Dan Mian

Farmhouse Cafe

Farmhouse Cafe is a brunch spot in the 808 Center. Their specialty is the potato mille feuille and I highly recommend ordering it. The food portions were good and everything tasted delicious but the prices are high. The breakfast and brunch items ranged from $10 to $18.

They have a limited menu; this might be due to the pandemic. The wait for food was longer than most brunch places and it seemed like the staff was still in training. The interior decor is rustic but the dine in space is tight. They have 3 table outside by the entrance but it can get busy with people waiting for table. If you are concerned with social distancing, take out would be you best option for you. You can also get pastries and coffee to go. For parking, I suggest parking on the street in the residential area or at a metered space on the street. If nothing is available on the street, you can drop off your vehicle at the 808 Center vertical garage and let the staff park it for you. I'm not sure what their parking rates are.

808 Center
808 Sheridan St., #107
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 888-2055

Potato Mille Feuille

Soft Scramble Omelette Parmesan & Herbs

Papa Kurt's - CLOSED

Papa Kurts has delicious local favorites like saimin and burgers. These foods bring back the memories of growing up on the islands. They are open for lunch and it is takeout only. I suggest ordering online 1-2 days in advance because some items will sell out. It is easier to customize your order online instead of over the phone; just check off the boxes for your add-ons. My favorites were the burger and fries and I would go back again to try different add-ons to both. 

They were located in the former space of Agu Ramen across from Old Stadium Park. There are a few parking spaces in the front and more parking spaces in the back of building. As of 2022, they relocated to 808 Center near Ala Moana.

For more information about Papa Kurt's, visit https://www.papakurts.com.

808 Sheridan St., Suite #110B,
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 348-4613

Saimin w/ wontons

Cheese Burger, Fries

Malu Honolulu

Malu Honolulu makes Japanese style desserts, kimbap, and bentos. The chef changes the desserts every week so there is always something new to try. My favorites so far are the double cookie cream puff and nama chocolate slice. For the cream puff, the chef pipes the cream after you order it so the puff remains crisp. The nama chocolate slice reminds me of Royce chocolates; the chocolate is extra smooth and not overly sweet. The desserts are priced between $4 - $6. To see the latest dessert creations or special, check their instagram, @malu.honolulu.

They are located in the Samsung Plaza and only open for takeout. Prior to the pandemic, they had a seating area but it's been blocked off. The parking in Samsung Plaza is free if you exit in 20 minutes or less. When you enter the plaza, let the attendant know you're going to "Malu."

For more information about Malu Honolulu, visit maluhonolulu.com.

Samsung Plaza
661 Keeaumoku St., #106-E
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 600-7104

Double Cookie Cream Puff

News Years Good Luck Tart

Moo Moo Milky Roll Cake

King of Thai Boat Noodles

King of Thai Boat Noodles reminded me of the Thai food I ate when I live in San Francisco. My favorites were the roasted duck noodle soup, pad Thai and sticky rice with mango. They put a generous amount of sauce over the sticky rice so there was flavor till the very last bite. Their prices were reasonable and the portion size are good.

They are located at Samsung Plaza and are open for lunch and dinner. They reopened for dine in but you can still order takeout by phone or in person. Parking is available inside the Samsung Plaza, just check in with the attendant when you enter.

For more information about King of Thai Boat Noodles, visit kingofthaiboatnoodles.com.

661 Keeaumoku St., Ste 103
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 949-3800

Roasted Duck Noodle Soup

Seafood Noodle Soup

Pad Thai

Sticky Rice w/ Mango

MW - Restaurant Week 2019

MW Restaurant is offering a 3-course dinner menu at $55; they also have a lunch menu priced at $25. They put out a good menu every year and sometimes, they'll even have new items on it. This is one of the few restaurants that let's you choose your starter, entree, and dessert. This one is worth checking out.

For more information, visit www.restaurantweekhawaii.com/restaurant/mw-restaurant.

Roasted Vegetable Salad

Hokkaido Scallop

Hawaiian Crown "Banana Cream Pie"