The Tastiest Asian Fusion in Honolulu

MW Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$$

"I have a sweet tooth, so I have always loved the M-side of MW. Artizen cookie bar? Already added to the calendar. All you can eat MW candy bars at Food & Wine? How many times is too many times to get in line? Asking for a friend.I don't always think of the W-side of MW, but I should. We recently went back for dinner with friends and here are the notes. Do try the arancini. Light, crispy, with the scent of truffles. This is a nice appetizer. The corn chowder was less exciting and served just barely warm.The entrees are classic bistro favorites, the King Salmon had a soft, melt in your mouth texture and was served with a generous amount of beurre blanc. The braised short ribs are fork tender with a rich truffle sauce and foie gras. And the Steak Au Poivre was better than some steakhouses. The steak had a deep beef flavor, had a nice sear, and the sauce was heavily seasoned--I would suggest getting the sauce on the side.We finally made it to dessert and coffee--French press of course--and why stop at just one? Michelle's signature dessert, the brûlée is a fun mix of textures, the crispy burnt sugar balancing out the tangy lilikoi. The tiramisu is the coffee version of the brûlée with the same brûléed top and the same textures of pearls, cream, and jellies. The MW candy bar is perfect if you like chocolate and peanut butter. Lightly crisp and so indulgent. Strawberry Napoleon is puff pastry, strawberries, ume and shiso sorbet, it's crunchy and refreshing. We enjoyed ourselves and it reminded me MW is still a lovely way to wile away an evening."

Alaia

★★★★☆ 3.5 (99) • $$$

"How does a restaurant run out of pasta?? This tells me that the tagliatelle is not made in-house, fair enough. But again, HOW does a restaurant run out of PASTA?? At the start of dinner service at 6:00 pm, no less! Especially when it is the one and only pasta dish on their menu of all (9) entrees total??Our party of 7 were staying at Turtle Bay Resort and this was where we planned (a birthday) dinner on our last night. While the ambiance and company were great, the food left SO MUCH to be desired. As mentioned above, at least 2-3 adults and 1 child in our group were set on ordering the tagliatelle so when our server informed us they were out, it was very disappointing. So as far as vegetarian options, it would've just left the cauliflower entree, which wasn't a desirable option for anyone in our party.My entree was the catch of the day special (mahi mahi) and this was... bland and mediocre. At $55, I expected more.The keiki menu only had the tagliatelle as a pasta option and AGAIN, when we were informed that they were out, there were no other non-meat options for children. The kid's steak frites was something you'd give your dog under the table - a few slices of (gristly) steak w/ a handful of fries - but with a $34 price tag.Additionally, the kids' meals were supposed to come with a starter of crudités and a scoop of ice cream for dessert - both which our two kids did not receive and we didn't realize it until after the meal ended. We pre-arranged for a birthday cake to come out at the end of the meal so it was nice that that that was executed just fine. Candles wouldn't stay lit due to the lovely North Shore winds, just an FYI.Two stars for our friendly server (even though he did forget the kids' stuff) and nice setting. I would NEVER come back here for the food. Even the focaccia bread served at the start was forgetful. The two restaurants at Turtle Bay Resort that I've dined at (other one being The Beach House) have been awful, I'm sorry to say. I'd suggest to resort guests that driving 20 minutes down Kamehameha Hwy to Foodland and hitting up their ready made foods or any of the local food trucks off the hwy are much better alternatives instead."

DB Grill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (947) • $$

"Outstanding! Right off the plane we find this gem hidden next to the movies. Duck fat fried rice got me in the door and the shrimp made me eat till it hurt. Great service staff and the food was delivered quick. Loved the sports bar look while we watched the NFL games. Overall a great find and we'd definitely come back!"

Roy's Waikiki

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$$

"Located in Waikiki, it's been a while since Lunch was served. On the corner across from the Halekulani, parking is available at the Embassy Suites. Came here for a media preview of the lunch menu. I will hands down tell you that my favorite will always be miso butterfish. I did like the crab cake that was available and the burger. Pricing isn't bad at all and reasonable considering where you are. There is live music and a full bar to enjoy. So anyone want to meet for lunch?"

Seoul Jung Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (94) • $$

"Came here for our New Year's Eve dinner. LOVED IT!! The experience is priceless. The staff are attentive enough, if you need something just get their attention. Our waitress showed us how to use the skillet, gave us more than we can eat. The rice tasted good with the bbq. The Kalbi has a good taste the brisket is okay the best one was the New York cut. Will comeBack again for sure and will stay in the same hotel."

The Pig & The Lady

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"Hi all, two words for this restaurant are that MOST TRY .In the island of Hawaii it is difficult to find a nice restaurant to eat out and enjoy it. So this place has it.The place has a cool dining area, cozy with dim lights .It is a busy place even on weekdays so you must have a reservation all the time to get in fast .The service is professional and the food comes on time for all the dishes you order.Finally, the food is Amazzing. Full of flavors and fresh ingredients that's you don't find in other restaurants on the island .The menu is more than just an Asian food because in the menu they have American cuisine and middle eastern cuisine which it was made with love that's made me feel happy . They have a Middle East dish called lamb with hummus and side of pita bread on Arabic we call it ( hummus with lahma) you must try it.Enjoy and have a great experience with the real food ."

Daiichi Ramen - Kailua

★★★★☆ 3.8 (318) • $$

"oh my goodness can't wait to come back. I got the Combo of a mini ramen and mini curry! It was a great portion and definitely not too small. My boyfriend got the regular size chicken curry So tasty"

Chicken University

★★★★☆ 4 (25)

"I'm not going to lie, I've been waiting a year and a half for this place to open! I walked by one day, saw the construction, and got super excited, hoping the doors would open within a month or two. But month after month went by, and every time I was in the area, I'd check to see if it was finally open. Then, out of nowhere, I walked by and saw the lights on, workers inside, and the screens ready for orders. I couldn't believe it, it was finally here! Let me tell you, it does *not* disappoint. This is exactly what I've been waiting for, and it's everything Waikiki needed. The anticipation was worth it!"

EbiNomi

★★★★★ 4.5 (482) • $$

"Food was soo ONO!! We had Garlic Shrimp and Chicken Curry and we would rate them 10/10. Ive had garlic shrimp from 4 places in Hawaii, including Giovanni's and EbiNomi is my Top 1 BEST Garlic Shrimp!! We also met TETSU from EbiNomi and he made us feel so welcome! He was very friendly and accommodating. EbiNomi is lucky to have him. The ambiance was also nice, it's an outdoor seating. Thank you, EbiNomi and Tetsu! We will definitely come back and recommend this place"

Morimoto Asia Waikiki

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$$

"Growing up I loved Morimoto! So when we visited Oahu, I knew I had to check out his restaurant! But overall decently let down. We made reservations and it was early. We were seated all the way in the back. Not a lot of people were dining so I was annoyed we were no where near the beach views. Staff were ok, no one really went above and beyond. Our waitress didn't engage with us that much. Inside is comfortable and pretty. Menu wise, wow, you pay a lot for a little. We tried a good amount of everything and it was all delicious but left us wanting to go somewhere else for actual dinner. Ordered the orange chicken, dim sum platter, fried rice, and donuts for dessert. Everything is a la carte as well."

Sam's Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"Conveniently located at our hotel! Perfect spot after a long day out. We lost track of time and ended up strolling back to our hotel late after exploring. So glad we were able to have a meal right by the pool. It's a really beautiful scene with the string lights, and some relaxing loungers. At the time they seemed a bit understaffed so things were a bit slower. There were lots of guests for the marathon so I appreciated the server checking in every now and then to make sure we were okay. Not a bad meal for a convenient and chill spot."

Thai Pho Ewa

★★★★☆ 4.1 (147) • $$

"With all the holiday rush shopping, we were famished! This restaurant was close to where we were shopping, so was only right to come this way. My friend highly recommended this place. Been to this same restaurant, when it was a different establishment. Interior is very modern, Asian, chic. Bright, lively, and clean. Staff greeted me a friend and I, as soon as we stepped in. Service was 5 stars. I ordered the combination pho, it was very aromatic, deeply flavorful beef soup. Was so rich in flavorful, it's making me salivate as I think of it now. Was accompanied by fresh herbs, and bean sprouts. So hearty and good. With the thin slices of meat and noodles, it was a very balanced meal that hit the spot! Chicken wings were cooked to perfection, crispy, hot, and oh so flavorful. Thai dumpling shrimp, was also a hit! The shrimp was so good, I could've just ordered that with side rice, and call it a night. They serve alcohol, oh yhea! I don't order, but definitely will next time. Their menu has a lot of variety, I'm sure somuch so for anyone to find a dish they willlove. If ever in Ewa Beach, show them some love, cuz they sure show their love with their dishes! See you there, was winnahazzz!"

O'Kims

★★★★★ 4.6 (812) • $$

"We couldn't decide on where to have dinner last night and ended up here. I've always wanted to try O'Kims and luckily we found street parking. The restaurant is small. There were maybe five tables in the front. They also have a back patio section that also accommodates around five tables. We decided to dine in the back. It was nice and tranquil. We shared the Korean Chicken $17.95 and Kalbi $27.95. Both entrees came with a green salad. The Korean Chicken greens came with a lemon mayo dressing and the Kalbi greens came with a black sesame dressing. Both dressings were outstanding and made in house. The black sesame dressing Is one of the best dressings that I've ever tasted. They also sell their dressings in bottles for $10.95. It also came with complimentary pickled daikon and Kim chee, which were refillable. We liked it so much that we did get a refill. Both entrees were great, but the Kalbi was my fave. They give you one of the big bone varieties. It also came with homemade fries and kabocha. Both entrees also came with purple rice. My hubby and I shared the Yuzu Lemonade $3.95. I thought that it would be too tart and that I wouldn't like it. However, it wasn't tart and had just the right amount of sweetness. I wanted to get the Elote Ice Cream, but the hubby was full. I knew I couldn't finish it by myself. We will try it the next time around."

Asahi Grill Ward

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (527) • $$

"I would put this between 3 and 4, possibly because I had the wrong expectation so rounding up to a 4.I had eggplant tempura curry which was fine with a fairly crispy batter, but I would have preferred the eggplant plain or grilled without the fried coating. I also ordered a side of gyoza for protein that was OK although I really wanted a small protein that was not fried. The entree came with 2 scoops of rice and 1 scoop of mac salad. Seems carb-heavy but that is standard for a lot of local places. I wished the menu could have offered a small side of steamed or braised vegetable of some sort.Service was friendly and prompt enough, the place was clean and the atmosphere was comfortable "like home." Weekday dinnertime on a Tuesday was calm, no waiting for a table. The small parking lot had only one open spot, lucky for me.I was really in the mood for tinola (chicken papaya soup), which I had at a previous location of Asahi Grill that closed and I thought it had moved here to Ward. But it turns out that this Ward one is a franchise with a slightly different menu. Both restaurants have dishes like donburi, ramen, tonkatsu, etc. but this Ward location does not have tinola -- it was explained that I need to go to the Kaimuki location for that."

Uahi Island Grill

★★★★☆ 4.2 (843) • $$

"After our excursion to Kailua, we were on the hunt for lunch. Per Li Y's suggestion, we came to Uahi Island Grill! It was a great option to kick back, eat, and talk story.The restaurant embodies a local spot with a spacious inside area, beach decor, and a relaxed vibe to it. There's also outdoor seating. Plenty of seating for both spots for all party sizes. Service was slammed but we were helped throughout our meal and our food came out fast.We shared Furikake Calamari as our appetizer which came with a sweet spicy sriracha sauce. It was good but I couldn't taste any furikake which I was excited about. To order, I had the Kalua Pork and Kale while she got the Orange Duck Confit. The portions were quite large and I had half of mine. The kalua pig was super tender and juicy. The kale was great and honestly tops the typical cabbage. My only wish was that there was more kale! You could choose two sides, I went with White Rice and Mac Salad. I'd pass on the mac salad as it was too creamy while the white rice was just too much. There are plenty of eateries in Kailua but if you're looking for a laid-back spot for any meal, Uahi Island Grill is a good option. They're situated off Aulike Street with parking in the neighborhood, we parked in the public lot across the street."

Chef Chai

★★★★☆ 4.2 (952) • $$$

"What an amazing restaurant! I got to try an array of appetizers: macadamia nut-crusted jumbo black tiger prawns, Fresh Ahi Tartar w/ avocado mousse in mini waffle cones. ChiI was elated to find the chef is the same one who used to own my favorite restaurant, Singha. Every dish is carefully prepared and beautifully presented... eating here is not just for eating but for the whole dining experience. Highly recommended!!"

Nami Kaze

★★★★★ 4.5 (726) • $$

"Definitely our new favorite restaurant across the Islands (Kenichi Pacific was until now). I can't tell you how much this broke da mouth other than that. We're meat eaters, but fave for sure was the Ulu Tots and the Cabbage Salad. The Miso Butterfish was so flaky and tender, the Tsu'nami roll and Kanpachi Crudo were also excellent. We sat by the sushi bar, which was great, seeing that they have an open kitchen, nothing to hide, and totally profesh. Service was quick, attentive and kind, it didn't seem like they were only working for tips; it didn't seem fake Can't wait to go back!"

ShinshoTei

★★★★☆ 4.2 (86) • $$

"Located by in the same shopping center as Starbucks and Walgreens Nu'uanu, ShinshoTei is a hole-in-the-wall karaoke bar with affordable drinks and good food!!It's a small bar with a few bar seats and a couple of tables. Best to go on weekdays if you can or go early on weekends for the least crowded times. The one food item I always have to get is the String Green Beans. If you like spicy, get the String Bean Deluxe! Tossed with a garlicky spicy sauce, it also has opae and spam. So yummy. Honestly, any of the string bean dishes they have are delish. We also like the yakisoba, pork chops and crinkle cut fries! All are flavored and cooked well. Cheers to ShinshoTei in Nu'uanu! I'm so glad they are still doing well during this pandemic. Go support local! They offer food takeout as well if you are not able to dine in."

Tanto Gyoza and Ramen Bar

★★★★☆ 4.4 (232) • $$

"Great find in Pucks Alley! Gyoza is on point. Nice crispy bottom, tasty stuffing. Comes with a small dish of salt, chili oil, and ponzu but you really don't need it because the gyoza has tons of flavor. I ordered the 3G Ramen. Garlic 3 different ways...roasted, fried, and garlic powder. This dish had tons of flavor! Wow! The noodles were perfectly cooked and chewy. My wife and son loved their ramen dishes also. Would definitely go back and try their different ramens dishes."

Miro Kaimuki

★★★★★ 4.6 (392) • $$$$

"Delightful meal, this place is Michelin star worthy! Everything was beautifully presented with such care and innovation. And all delicious flavors, to say the least. We also really enjoyed the cocktail pairing, which you rarely see offered. Each cocktail was well balanced and crafted to complement the flavors of each dish served."

Choi’s Family Restaurant

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"Mrs. Choi is the real thing when it comes to Korean fare!Her restaurant moved from South King St to McCully St. it's located in the Hana Market, a little mom and pop store on ewa side of McCully. There's a small parking lot a few yards away that she shares with a couple restaurants.Free parking and walk half a block to the Hana Market. When you step inside a bell rings letting her know someone is there. Sometimes she helps you and sometimes she has a girl who is there. You can give her your order and she always has good suggestions. It's take out only, no tables to sit and eat like before. Her Kal-Bi is off the charts amazing!!!! Succulent, tender, flavorful and the best on the island hands down! She also has a spinach salad and chop chae which are ono.I ordered many times from her and she never messes up. Always punctual and it's ready when I get there packed neatly and taped down for easy travel. Also her prices are more than reasonable imo. All food costs have increased but she does all the shopping, cooking, packing etc so she doesn't have to pay someone else to do it keeping her costs down."

Daiichi Ramen

★★★★☆ 3.9 (156) • $$

"Ample parking but it can get busy. Same shopping center as Foodland Farms. Service is about average. Food wise, the Chicken Katsu plate is huge. One of the best plates on the island in my book."

Giovedi

★★★★☆ 4.4 (101)

"Note: Sorry no pics. Device free dining with friends.Every now and then a fusion eatery makes a splash with bold new creation. They shine for a while and just as quickly as they appeared, poof, gone. Chinese pizza, Japanese hotdogs, Korean burritos. Now Vietnamese / Italian.Intro aside, this is a fun fusion. Strong flavors, umami supercharging and the unique effect when you'd say "that taste strange" is dismissed as "experimentation".For starters, the scallop Carpaccio shines. Earthiness of the crushed pistachio nuts plays up the nuttiness of the browned butter that in turn make the sweet oceanic taste of the scallop shine all tempered with a burst of citrus.Do not pass on the Hokkaido milk rolls. Pillowy soft with a good balance of sweet and savory. The black garlic (not to be confused with burnt garlic) butter, adding another dimension.For pasta, the "Dan Mien Vietnam-Atriciana", their take on the classic Roman amatriciana, replaces the guanciale with lap xuong sausage and Italian pasta with egg noodles packs a flavor punch. Sweet, rich, cheesy, who doesn't like that?All is not perfect. The grilled kampachi is presented beautifully with perfectly crisped skin but the fish itself, overcooked and slightly dry. The "Char Siu Pork" featuring a kurobuta rib chop, while perfectly cooked, lacked the expected roasted meat, burnt maltose and umami notes of fermented tofu that you crave from freshly made char siu.Small but well chosen Italian focused wine list. Good selection of spirits including a nice selection of amaro to close the meal.Bohemian chic decor.Friendly, competent service.A fun dining experience that is best suited for good spirited foodies who love to make comments at the table as they sample this and that. LOL!Enjoy Gioivedi while you can because fusion eateries come and go like the blink of an eye and none has stood the test of time."

Ford Island Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (6)

"I was on Ford Island on Friday and saw the sign for Ford Island Bistro, had no idea they were back up. Located in the amazing looking NOAA HQ building is a great little cafe that serves amazing food and they service is absolutely awesome. It is either grab and go or you can sit and eat in the dinning area. The dinning area if very big with lots of table and amazing views of the harbor and Ford Island.Of course you need to have government ID to get on Ford Island and as well as enter the NOAA HQ building but if you can get in, definitely check it out. I had the grass-fed burgers from Big Island and I was not disappointed. I passed on the fries as I wasn't very hunger and only came for the burger. I'll be back on another Friday for Filipino Friday, the menu looked really good and I hardly ever pass on Filipino food. The have lots healthy options and salads as well.Great place and I will be back with my friends. Go check it out!"

Aloha Sushi

★★★★☆ 4.3 (157) • $

"This place is awesome! The food is super fresh and tastes good. My favorite thing to eat here is the Love bento. It comes with a variety of sushi at a great price. The service here is super friendly and super fast as well. I work nearby so I come here often and I haven't been disappointed once. I recommend checking it out"

The Social Honolulu

★★★★☆ 4 (390) • $$

"Always a chill, but fun night at the social! I love the atmosphere & happy hour. The food is okay, we thought the Brussels sprouts were a little salty for our taste, but overall enjoyed the meal! Our waitress was so sweet & we had a great night. Also that mai tai is huge haha."

Pioneer Saloon

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"Pioneer Saloon 2024 updateThe name evokes thoughts of "Gunsmoke" or "Rawhide" . Their name reminds me of memories of Miss Kitty's saloon in Dodge City in the old west but nothing could be farther from the truth. It is, in fact, a great place for plate lunches with a Japanese accent. Their meat, poultry and seafood plates are prepared different ways- our go to plate is the garlic salmon with rice and toss. Always prepared just right, usually never overcooked. There is no parking for Pioneer Saloon but it's usually not hard to find street parking in the area. There are a couple of tables to sit down to eat inside after getting your plate. Of course, if the weather is nice, Kapiolani Park is just down the street to polish off a delicious plate lunch."

Bao Tao'n

★★★★★ 4.6 (16) • $

"I came for two things at the Best of Honolulu festival and one of them was this place. OMG! I had their Ocean Edge which was a mothership of all deliciousness! It had shrimp, snow crabs , lobster, Mac and tater tots. I really wanted to try their steamed bao buns, but I couldn't resist the seafood temptation. It was a serious explosion of flavors in my mouth. I am definitely looking forward to their other items."

New Genki Ramen I

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (222) • $$

"This used to be our go to place for ramen especially when the weather was rainy or chilly. Last nite I chose something I haven't eaten before: gomoku udon.I liked the one piece of kamaboko(pink fish cake slice) and half an egg. There was very little udon on the bottom but it was good. Sadly the broth had absolutely no taste. I had to add several tablespoons of sauce we brought back from Osaka for a decent flavor.If you like veggies, there was more veggies then udon in the bowl.Perhaps I need to stick with what I'm familiar with: miso or curry ramen or Mabo tofu and gyoza or their combination with ramen, Fred rice and gyoza.Mililani has two other ramen places to date and that could be an alternative too."

Pho Minh Thu

★★★★☆ 3.9 (458) • $$

"I was very satisfied after eating here. Service was friendly and attentive. Atmosphere was comforting and the food was 10/10 I got #33 vermicelli bowl becusee I was craving something refreshing would go here again!"

Eating House 1849 - Waikiki

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$$

"From start to finish, the service was outstanding, with Jasmine and the manager on duty providing attentive and welcoming care. The drinks and food were equally impressive. The Paniolo Mule cocktail and Omakase beer were refreshing, and paired perfectly with the complimentary edamame. We enjoyed a variety of small plates, including the Pansit (which was a delightful twist on the traditional dish, just as we'd been warned), Brussels sprouts, spring roll, manila clams (definitely a must have), ribs, and spicy roll. All were fantastic. I also appreciated the pacing of the meal; the dishes were spaced out perfectly. To top it all off, the complimentary birthday dessert was a thoughtful and unexpected touch."

Kahala Sushi

★★★★☆ 3.5 (80) • $$

"Delicious food and very attentive service. Love the fact that the Kahala sushi section is quiet and set aside from the main dining room - very good place for the older aunties and hard of hearing to enjoy a peaceful night out."

Tangö Contemporary Café

★★★★☆ 4 (993) • $$

"We've enjoyed Tango for years now; they've been a fixture on the Honolulu dining scene, and even after the original chef retired, they've kept their standards and quality just as high as before.They offer monthly prixe fix menus and happy hour specials.They also have a great brunch menu. We were lucky enough to catch this option on New Year's Eve. Ms. K had the lobster benedict ($29), which was simply amazing - a generous portion of lobster on toast with a large serving of potatoes on the side. She said it was probably the best lobster benedict she's ever had.I opted for the Braised Beef Loco Moco hearty chunks of braised shortribs over fried rice, topped with tasty brown gravy and two eggs any style. This was also excellent, although not quite as good as the lobster bene."

Leilani's Island Tacos

★★★★☆ 4.4 (84) • $$

"Love this spot! You get a lot of taco for your money here, and when the menu says spicy it means SPICY! My go to order are the shrimp tacos which are very mild and the spicy Thai chicken. You can usually find the truck parked in the far side of the Pali Lanes parking lot."

Mama Kim’s

★★★★★ 4.6 (205) • $$

"The best poke bowls!! Don't look elsewhere. Our doc always orders from them and it's never a miss the food is always ono!!!"