Oahu Eats, Hawaii
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
5th September 2016
After a quick bite, so you can head back into the water? Food trucks ($) in America churn out some pretty tasty food. There’s a hub of food trucks permanently nestled in a parking lot on ‘Beach Walk’ just off the main street of Kalakaua Avenue. With varying choices to choose from, you’ll be sure to find something here.
Hot soup might be far from your mind in the sweltering climate, but a very popular place from morning to night is a Japanese udon restaurant called Marukame Udon ($). Specialising in only udon bowls, their noodles are made fresh on-site. There is a line up at every hour of the day, especially in the evening, but don’t let that freak you out. They have a much organised system like a factory processing line that churns out these udon’s like nobody’s business. So the line isn’t as bad as it looks.
Looking to brunch? Who doesn’t love brunch! Located a short drive from Waikiki Beach is an Asian fusion café called KoKo Head Café ($$). For something savoury or something sweet, the only dilemma you’ll have here is making a decision.
Take it to a different height and dine on the rooftops. Buho Cantina y Cantina ($$) is an open-air fusion Mexican restaurant located on the rooftops of the main street (Kalakaua Avenue). The fish tacos are scrumptious, made with crispy battered fish served with red cabbage slaw, ancho powder, mango pico, lime and chipotle aioli – sounds and tastes good!
Japanese influence is evident here in Hawaii, so if you’re feeling like Japanese cuisine it’s easy to find a place to dine. Doraku ($$) is located inside the Royal Hawaiian Center. Their menu is endless, with pages after pages of dishes to choose from. You’ll definitely find something here that tickles the cravings.
If a feast affair is what it calls for, head to Sura Hawaii ($$). Pick your choice of meats and the staff will cook them right in front of you on a grill in the center of your table. Served with condiments such as rice, kim chi (of course) and other small side dishes. Smells good, tastes even better! Book ahead or be prepared to wait.
Calling all newly-weds, honeymooners or those who just want to delve into deliciously divine food. Morimoto Waikiki ($$$) owned by iron chef Masaharu Morimoto is a lavish restaurant located within The Modern Honolulu hotel. If you’re a seafood buff, the ‘Seafood Toban Yaki’ will send your tastes buds into a heavenly whirl!
For something sweet for the soul, a short drive from Waikiki Beach you’ll find Leonard’s Bakery ($). An ordinary looking bakery that sells extraordinary malasadas! Although Leonard’s sells a variety of cakes and sweets, everyone comes here for one thing – the malasadas. What are malasadas you ask, simply put they are a Portuguese donut. A delightfully fluffy dough, deep fried and coated in your choice of sugar or cinnamon. Take it over the top and have it injected with custard! So good!
On blistering hot days, there’s a lust for icy cold bites. That’s where shaved ice from Island Village Shave Ice ($$) comes into play (located in a small roadside hut just outside the Royal Hawaiian Center). It’s not like any other shaved ice, where they douse the icy crystals in artificial syrup. The shaved ice made here is drizzled with fresh fruit concentrate, accompanied by popping boba and mochi that makes it extra special!
Walking around Waikiki, at some point you’ll come by these pineapple shaped cookies. That’s the Honolulu Cookie Company ($). All their cookies are shaped as a pineapple (homage to the most delicious pineapples), but come in a variety of flavours. Maybe the reason they’re shaped as a pineapple is because the ‘pineapple macadamia’ flavoured cookie is the best one!
Photo Credit: Si Creative Photography
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