A flurry of new casual spots have surfaced on Oahu in September 2024. Here is a guide to many of them.
Go Go Curry
Go Go Curry, a popular curry rice chain restaurant from Japan, is now open in Waikiki’s International Market Place. At the back of Mitsuwa Marketplace, a Japanese supermarket on the second floor, is a small food court with an ordering counter and open table seating.
The rich, dark Kanazawa curry is recommended to be eaten with a fork versus a spoon. Served on a stainless steel plate, the curry and rice is topped with a deep-fried pork cutlet featuring a drizzle of tonkatsu sauce, and a mound of shredded cabbage on the side. Go Go Curry’s classic Kanazawa-style curry is reasonably priced at $9.95 and up.
Larger eaters may wish to challenge themselves to see if they can polish off the “World Champion,” which features a staggeringly generous portion of curry and rice topped with two pork katsu, two chicken katsu, four sausages, two fried shrimp, and two boiled eggs for $46.95 plus tax. Or maybe just share it with three other friends.
Go Go Curry
2330 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu HI
10:55am – 8:55pm
https://gogocurryamerica.com
Menehune Grille
Menehune Grill is a newly opened restaurant in the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites at the entrance to Waikiki. Occupying the former location of Cinnamon’s, the restaurant features pancakes, omelets, avocado toast, and other breakfast dishes. For dinner, knock back a few cocktails with some edamame, chicken wings, and other pupus, steaks, as well as a selection of burgers, tacos, and more.
Menehune Grill
1777 Ala Moana Blvd. Honolulu HI
7am – 5pm
https://www.instagram.com/menehunegrille/
Ramen Go
Miso Ramen
A new tenant in a new new food court, Ramen Go opened in the Pineapple County Market along Lewers Street. Boasting 25 years of experience at a famous restaurant in Hokkaido, Japan, the owner meticulously prepares a ramen broth made from simmering down pork bone broth for more than 10 hours.
His Miso Tonkotsu Ramen is the most recommended, but all ramen feature balancing flavors. Consider a side rice bowl to complement the ramen, with innovative approaches to the popular Japanese dish. Sweet chili mayo karaage (deep fried chicken) bowl, thin sliced beef bowl, and the okonomi soboro (ground meat) bowl are great considerations.
Spicy Chilli Mayo Deep Fried Chicken Rice Bowl
The name “Ramen Go” was given to the restaurant with the intention of “moving forward.”
Ramen Go
342 Lewers st. Honolulu HI
11am – 2pm, 5pm – 10pm
(808) 744-0068
https://www.instagram.com/ramengo.96815/
Harumi Izakaya
Harumi Izakaya is now open in Waikiki, right next to the DFS Waikiki. Here, patrons may enjoy everything from Japanese izakaya-style snacks such as edamame, takoyaki, and karaage, to local flavors such as Hawaiian-style oxtail soup, with some pasta dishes for good measure.
A wide variety of rice dishes include hashed rice, beef bowls, and eel bowls. Located in the heart of Waikiki, this is a perfect spot to satisfy any craving for Japanese food!
Harumi Izakaya
339 Royal Hawaiian Ave. Honolulu HI
11am – 9:30pm
(808) 691-9031
https://www.alohaharumi.com/
Chong Qing Hot Pot
One of the Biggest
Chinese Hot Pot Restaurants in Honolulu!
Chong Qing Hot Pot, a popular hot pot restaurant which opened its first location at Ward Village, inaugurated a second location inside the Discovery Bay, a condominium complex located at the edge of Waikiki, across from the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites.
At this AYCE (all-you-can-eat) restaurant allows customers to select a desired soup and then order among the 50 plus choices of proteins and vegetables to boil in the soup before dipping in a custom-blend sauce crafted at the self-serve sauce bar.
Chong Qing Hot Pot,
1778 Ala Moana Blvd Honolulu, HI
11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
808-501-0606
https://www.instagram.com/chongqinghotpot8818/
Thai Issan II
The Thai restaurant Thai Issan, which has its original location at Market City Shopping Center, closed its Waikiki location and moved it to South King Street. The new location popular among Hawaii locals is known for its delicious fare at reasonable prices, with everything on the menu priced at around $20.
Thai Issan II
2334 S King St. Honolulu HI
10am – 9pm
(808)944-8060
https://thaiissancuisine.com/
ChoGaJip
Morning & Lunch Special
The popular Korean restaurant “ChoGaJip” had a grand opening celebration across the street from the Hawaii Convention Center. The transportive experience takes you to Korea and fulfills the promise with its authentic food. The menu includes everything from classic Korean dishes such as soondubu (tofu soup), pajeon (savory pancakes), ribs, and hot pot dishes. A free norebang (karaoke room) is also available for groups who want to sing their hearts out. And the best part is that the restaurant is open from 8:00 a.m. in the morning until 4:00 the next morning, so you can feel like you just traveled to Korea for the day.
ChoGaJip
1718 Kapiolani Blvd Honolulu, HI
8am – 4am
(808)744-3440
https://chogajip.com/
La Birria
La Birria Taco Specialty Restaurant “La Birria” which operates a food truck in the parking lot of Pearlridge Center, recently opened a brick-and-mortar location in Downtown. Crispy beef tacos are dipped in “consommé,” an extracted beef broth used to cook the beef ingredients, for a Mexican version of a French-dip sandwich. Noodle lovers will appreciate the Birria Ramen, which adds ramen noodles to the birria broth. Those who have high tolerance for pain may enjoy the Hellfire taco, featuring meat prepared with a proprietary chili sauce made with ghost peppers. One bite will have most people exploding into flames, so those who wish to test their resistance to heat are invited to try this.
La Birria
1148 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, HI
Monday – Thursday 11:00 – 18:00, Friday and Saturday 11am – 6pm, 8:30pm – 2:30am
(808) 888-0900
https://la-birria.com/
Oh My Grill Kailua
Local food plate lunch restaurant Oh My Grill opened in Kailua. The popular Oh My Grill known for its generous portions also has locations in Waipahu and Aiea. Serving a roster of local flavors, the eatery offers dishes including barbecue mixed plates, saimin, burgers, and more. Mini sized plates are available, with some priced as low as around $10, making it a reasonable spot to dine.
Oh My Grill Kailua
16 Kainehe St Kailua, HI
10am – 0am
(808) 261-2121
https://ohmygrillhawaii.com/
Aloha Bites
Aloha Bites, known for its delicious jams and sweets, opened a new shop in Kailua! The store boasts a kawaii (cute in Japanese) appeal with its pink-colored exterior and benches.
Enjoy cupcakes, cookies, and banana breads, as well as baguettes and bagels on the savory side.
Aloha Bites
30A Malaniu Ave Kailua, HI
Thursday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-3 pm
(808)744-8802
https://alohabites.com/
These affordable options make it easier for diners to appreciate local flavors without worry. Find your next favorite eating spot by trying something or someplace new.
