Helena's

Helena's

Honolulu, HI

Chef: Helen Kwock Chock

James Beard Award Recipient 2000

A local friend brought us here for some authentic Hawaiian food.  Helena's is a small hole in the wall restaurant with only a handful of tables and limited parking in front.  It is rated as one of the greatest Hawaiian food on Oahu.  Good food and good price. 

Kalua Pig & Cabbage

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Pipikaula Short ribs

Opihi with Poke

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Kalua Pig (cooked in imu)

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The rock salt!

The traditional way of smoking pipikaula-style spareribs above the cooktop.

Food: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★★☆

Ambiance: ★★☆☆☆

Presentation: ★★☆☆☆

Izakaya Tako-No-Ki

Izakaya Tako-No-Ki

Honolulu, HI

Cabbage salad.

Filled with little crispy anchovies, garlic, chilis and bonito flakes, this cabbage salad dish was scrumptious.  We saw another table eating it.  This bowl was simple and yet it executed well. 

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Okonomiyaki

This gigantic savory pancake filled with beef, cabbage onions and other goodies are cooked to golden brown on the teppanyaki grill. Then it is topped with anything you like including mayo, terriyaki sauce.

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Gizzards yakitori

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A hidden gem perfect for snack and beers.  

Food: ★★★☆☆

Service: ★★★☆☆

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

Presentation: ★★★☆☆

M. Matsumoto

M. Matsumoto

Honolulu, HI

No trip to Oahu is complete without a trip to Matsumoto's!

The line is insane. 

Green Tea and Guava flavor. Divine!

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The view as you sit outside to enjoy the shaved ice. 

They recycle these cute yellow plastic cones. 

Food: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★☆☆

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

Presentation: ★★★☆☆

Curry House Coco Ichibanya

Curry House CoCo Ichibanya

Honolulu, HI

Our friends brought us to one of the their favorite curry house on the island. 

Even though it's a worldwide chain but it has customized menu to cater different cities.  From the menu you can make your own curry by selecting any ingredients you want, the rice and the level of spiciness.  Genius!

Beef Curry

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Chicken Karage Curry

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Takoyaki Balls

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Cheap, fun and tasty!

Food: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★☆☆

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

Presentation: ★★★☆☆