Ahi & Vegetable

This is one of the best downtown spots to get "ahi poke." I usually stick to the poke and not the spicy ahi poke because the way they prepare spicy ahi is different from Foodland. The ahi in the spicy ahi is not cubed, it's a smooth/creamy texture. The prices here aren't too bad considered the quality of the fish is very fresh. There were a few times where I was unlucky and the ahi didn't have the nice red color but most of the time, I'm pretty satisfied.

The lunch line moves very quickly at the Fort Street location. You just need to make sure you know what you want when the Korean lady yells "next." If you make her wait, you break her rhythm and she's not very happy about that. They have an alternate location at 841 Bishop Street which is near Cake Couture.

1126 Fort St Mall
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 599-3500

Sashimi Vegetable

Bento #3

Bento #6

Poke Bowl

Monkeypod Kitchen

They just opened in Ko Olina. If you enjoy eating at restaurants like Roy's and Alan Wong's you're going to love Monkeypod Kitchen. The prices here are more within the normal person's budget and the food taste excellent. I came with a group and so I was able to try a bunch of items. I highly recommend ordering some appetizers and dessert. You must order the strawberry cream pie because it's very good and you won't find anything on the island that makes it like them.

Since the restaurant is still new, they are busy. The guests who stay at Aulani and Ihilani also come here since it's walking distance. I recommend making reservations before coming. The parking lot is small so if you can't find a space, go with valet parking. I think valet is free, just remember to tip nicely.

For more information about Monkeypod Kitchen, visit www.monkeypodkitchen.com.

92-1048 Olani St
Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 380-4086

Poke Tacos

Garlic Truffle Oil Fries

Pumpkin Patch Ravioli

Dry Mein

Hamakua Wild Mushroom Pizza

Proletariat Pizza

Banana Cream Pie

Strawberry Cream Pie

Siam Garden Cafe

Trying to find good Thai food on the island is hard. I think this place comes close to what I've had when I was in San Francisco. They don't do the fusion thing like some of the other restaurant out there.

The restaurant is a bit hard to spot because it's located on Nimitz and when you're driving you don't pay attention to the shops on the side of you unless there's a red light. They're tucked in the middle of a shopping area that is pretty quiet. There is parking in the front of the restaurant and more spaces around the back.

They get very busy during dinner and they don't take reservations. The wait is totally worth it because the food is very good. I recommend getting the sweet & sour fish (it's a whole deep fried fish) and the basil chicken.

For more information about Siam Garden Cafe, visit http://www.siamgardencafe.com.

1130 N Nimitz Hwy
Ste A-130
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 523-9338

Deep Fried Calamari

Tom Yum

Pad Thai

Basil Chicken

Sweet & Sour Fish

Paalaa Kai Bakery

In my opinion, this bakery is in the middle of nowhere. The only reason why I drove down to Waialua was because everyone was telling me how good the snow puffies are. So I had to try these for myself and I agree that this pastry is awesome. The bakery was a bit hard to find and on the opposite side, I think it's a plantation. The whole area is residential and all of a sudden you'll see a store and the bakery and you just turn into the parking lot. Depending on what time of day you go, you may or may not have to stand in line.

For more information about Paalaa Kai Bakery, visit http://www.pkbsweets.com.

66-945 Kaukonahua Rd
Waialua, HI 96791
(808) 637-9795

Snow Puffies

Fumi's Kahuku Shrimp

I heard people saying good things about Fumi's so I gave them a chance. They park by a bunch of other food trucks but what makes them stand out is that they have a giant shrimp painted over the truck. They have a lot on their menu compared to Giovanni's. They also serve chicken, pork, and fish. The people working in the truck spoke Mandarin so that immediately told me my food is going to come out fast (Chinese people are super efficient).

The shrimps here are suppose to be better quality because it's caught daily from the farm. They have lots of parking, a sink with paper towels to wash your hands before and after and if you sit further in, there's no windy blowing your shrimp shells around. I've always had to hold down the things around me at the other places while I eat. Their most popular is the butter garlic and spicy butter garlic. You can also ask for extra spicy butter garlic sauce on the side. It goes great with the rice.

56-777 Kamehameha Hwy
Kahuku, HI 96731
(808) 232-8881

Spicy Garlic Butter Shrimp

Ginger Shrimp