Origin Hawaii - CLOSED

Origin Hawaii is a tiny bake shop that sells fresh baked goods in small batches. Their shop is a pink shipping container that is located at the corner of Kamehameha Highway and Haupoa Street. I spotted them on my way to Kualoa Ranch and pulled over so I could try their delicious baked goods.

They have cookies, croissants, and scones that are priced between $3 - $4. Everything is in a paper bag so you just grab the items you want and pay. There is small sitting area outside with a green wall and picnic table if you want to eat there. I enjoyed the speculoos guava cookie but I also recommend the croissants. You should go in the morning when they first open for the best selection. They accept cash and credit card.

48-449 Haupoa St.
Kaneohe, HI 96744
(808) 239-8535

Pain Suisse

Speculoos Guava Cookie

Chocolate Cardamom Rose Cookie

Soffritto - CLOSED

Soffritto is Cafe 8 1/2. The chef still has his usual dishes on the menu along with some new rice dishes and ready to eat items. What's good about this location is that the interior is new and you can order take out on certain items. If you plan to dine in, the seating is tight and if you get a big table, you'll be sharing your table with others. They are busy from 11:45am - 1pm so I recommend an early lunch if you don't want to wait long for your food. If you can't make their lunch service, they open on Saturday evenings for dinner only. My top favorites are the carbonara and the radiatore verde. The portions are reasonable and the entrees are priced between $15 to $18. The specials can cost over $20.

They are located in downtown Honolulu on Fort Street Mall next to Doner Shack along the same row of shops as Subway. The closest parking would be Mark's Garage or metered street parking. 

73 S Pauahi St
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 524-4064

Focaccia

Radiatore Verde

Carbonara

Cheese Tea

Cheese Tea is a boba tea shop by Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ that offers cheese cap as a topping in your drink. I know the sound of cheese in a drink sounds odd but once you've tried it, you may find yourself wanting more. It's a thick foam made with milk, cream cheese, and salt. It stays at the top of your drink until you mix it in. I recommend the cheese cap with the brown sugar milk tea. If the cheese cap is too adventurous, you can get a milk tea, fruit tea or a smoothie instead.

The inside of the store is spacious and is themed with cat decor. It's a nice spot to hang out in because they provide parking validation when you park in the building. They don't have a line to order but it does take them a while to prepare the drink(s) so be patient. The drink prices range from $3 - $7 and they accept cash and credit.

1221 Kapiolani Blvd.
Ste 112A
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 591-2888

Relocated to:
94-300 Farrington Hwy Ste G-15
Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 671-3288

Milk Tea w/ Cheese Cap

Messy Mango (seasonal)

Messy Strawberry w/ Boba

Brown Sugar Milk Tea w/ Cheese Cap

TsuruTonTan Udon Noodle Brasserie

TsuruTonTan serves their homemade udon in giant bowl. Along with the giant bowl, you get a giant metal spoon. They are open for lunch, dinner and they also have a good selection of items during their happy hour. The prices are expensive if you compare it to Marukame Udon but you get more food and the service is great. Some items I recommend are the spicy tuna tartare cones, seared salmon sashimi, beef udon and sizzling sukiyaki udon. Their broths are lighter in flavor and you have the option to do a noodle upgrade for free. They offer a kamaaina discount so show your state ID to the server before you order.

They are located inside the Royal Hawaiian Center on the 3rd level across from Tim Ho Wan. If you're coming with more than 2 people, you should make a reservation. They do get busy during the peak lunch and dinner hours. You can get a 1-hour parking validation if you park inside the Royal Hawaiian Center garage. After your first hour, I believe parking is $2 per hour.

For more information about TsuruTonTan, visit www.tsurutontan.com.

Royal Hawaiian Center
2233 Kalakaua Ave, Level 3
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 888-8559

Spicy Tuna Tartare Cone

Seared Salmon Sashimi

Seared US Wagyu Sushi

Shrimp Dumplings

Beef Udon

Duck Udon

Sukiyaki Udon

Sizzling Sukiyaki Udon

Myungrang Hot Dog - CLOSED

Myungrang Hot Dog reminds me of a corn dog but better because you can choose different fillings for the inside. All the items on their menu are deep fried and on a stick. The sauces make the hot dog taste better so make sure you get a few to try. The hot dog is coated with sugar after it comes out of the fryer but it doesn't have much taste on its own.

The Myungrang Hot Dog stand is located between Paradise Cafe and Jamba Juice inside the Makai Market. The line to order moves quick but the wait for your food can be a bit long depending on what time of day you go. The hot dogs are worth trying if you happen to be in Ala Moana Center but it's not something you have to go out of your way to get.

For more information about Myungrang Hot Dog, visit myungranghotdogus.com.

Ala Moana Center Makai Market
1450 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 785-1775

Mozzarella & Sausage Hot Dog

Potato Hot Dog