Gina's Kapolei

I went here twice to get some food for my family in the area. The place is somewhat small, and there are a few tables to eat at, but most people, myself included, seemed to be ordering to-go. I ordered my entree, then got to choose from a selection of sides depending on what size.The staff were very friendly, and we got our food within about 5 minutes. We ordered the spicy pork, the mandu soup and some wings. We ordered the spicy chicken as well the second time. The spicy pork was delicious, and had a nice grilled flavor. It was pretty greasy, but thats how it should be since it's usually grilled pork shoulder or pork belly, which is a fattier cut of meat. The spicy chicken was also really good. The portions here are very generous, so ordering a smaller size is usually what we now go with to minimize leftovers.

So this place, located in a strip mall in Kapolei, has the Grindz (Hawaiian for amazing food)! My colleague took me here and wasn't sure what to expect. It's Korean-Hawaiian and is very similar to how Panda Express operates, but with gigantic portions. The owner and staff are super friendly and efficient and the menu has a ton to choose from. The Bonchon selection is huge, leaving you with a dilemma of what to pick. Food is solid! I went with the Kalbi with a side of Mac Salad and greens. Simply delicious, all of it! If you find yourself in Kapolei and want some authentic Hawaiian fare, visit this low key joint! It's super casual and it's a quick meal, but it's the Grindz!!!

We visited this spot for the first time during our trip to Oahu and really enjoyed it! My husband and I shared the combo plate with BBQ chicken and Korean chicken, along with sides of japchae, daikon, mac salad, and a green broccoli dish (not sure of the name). The portions were very generous. The box was packed and easily enough for both of us to share, even as big eaters. They were also generous with the sides, which we appreciated.The BBQ chicken had a nice char but was slightly overcooked and could have been better marinated. The Korean chicken wasn't our favorite, so we'd probably try a different option next time.What really stood out were the sides--they were fresh, flavorful, and plentiful. My favorites were the japchae and daikon, and I'd love to try the cabbage and seaweed on our next visit. The friendly service and ample seating, both indoors and outdoors, made for a welcoming experience. Overall, it's a solid 4 stars for the great sides and generous portions!

Good stuff. I don't live on the islands anymore, but when we did, Gina's in Kapahulu was our regular spot. Always great Korean take-out, and you could count on your plate always being full enough for two people. When we saw this new spot in Kapolei, we had to try it. Us peeps on the mainland don't get meat jun for some reason. Wish I had the patience and money to open up a take out joint like this. But I don't. Meat jun is almost as good as I remember it. It's slightly off here, I don't know what it is. But still very good. We also had the Korean style mandoo, and with the sauce I'll eat that entire plate.Lots of sides to go with it too. Come on open one out in the Bay!

We got the mini family meal for $45. Absolutely outstanding food. The service was top notch as well. We will definitely be coming back for more.

=== 1. VERDICT/VALUE Whether you're in town or in Kapolei - Gina's is a name you need to remember for good eats and big portions! Better than L&L and Pearl's? Absolutely!=== 2. FOOD Spicy Pork Plate ($17.99)I don't find "spicy food" in western restaurants very spicy at all, so if you're the same, you won't find the pork spicy either. It may not be for reiki but it's good and this plate lunch comes with 4 sides!Make Your Own Combo ($24.99)There are a few options to make a combo your way, depending on what proteins you want. Mine was a little more expensive because I chose kale, chicken, and pork cutlet - and you get two pieces of each! Then you also get plenty of rice and a couple of mandoo (dumplings) to top it off with your 4 sides!=== 3. SERVICE It's always friendly and good - but the wait time can be there because they are so busy. Clearly the team is working and working hard, but the popularity of the place just bogs them down.=== 4. ENVIRONMENT There are a few four-seat tables you can eat at in here; for the most part everyone is taking their plates to go. Wheelchairs and baby strollers have plenty of space to move around in here. Parking is as available as your luck is in the busy shopping complex lot outside!

Wow! Once you get over the shock of pricing of plate lunches in Hawaii, head over here! We ordered the mini Korean Garlic Chicken and it was big enough for us to share. I should have taken the photo before we split it and started eating but it was so good I forgot!

We've passed by here many times but never eaten. A few days ago was that day.I was really in a must destroy bulgogi now kind of mood. The servers was friendly and not too many people in store. He helped me out with the menu trying to get the best deal for me and taught me the make your own combo meals. I settled with two make your own combo meal. The first was korean garlic chicken and kalbi, the second was fish jun and bulgogi.The portion and sizes are very generous. We were able to break this up into 3 smaller meals in a couple days.The flavors of the chicken and the bulgogi were great that I had to stop myself from inhaling it all in one sitting. We'll definitely come back as we enjoyed their portions compared to their price.

Appeared clean & neat. Service was good; they have a lot of take- out orders. I had the mini and the bulgogi and the chicken tasted like they used the same sauce which was pretty average. The kimchee & choy sum were good.

Found Gina's on yelp even though I work nearby. Three of my coworkers and I went for lunch and each of us thoroughly enjoyed our individual plates. I had the spicy bbq chicken and it was delicious. I will return next time I want Korean food.