Build Your Own Ramen

We wanted to treat the grandparents to dinner, and since Build Your Own Ramen is close to their house, we thought it would be the perfect place to take them. I had a hunch they would love it, and they did.

At Build Your Own Ramen, you do just that - build your own bowl of ramen, starting with the veggies, dumplings, tofu, sausages, etc. 

The twins as well as the grandparents got a kick out of being able to pick your own ingredients. 

You can also add meats such as pork belly, beef or chicken for an extra charge - you really don't need to add these, because you can make a decent bowl of ramen with what's available in the display cases.

You then take your basket to the cashier and select your broth and noodles/rice. The cashier will weigh your basket and charge you by the 1/2 pound. Your basket must weight a minimum of 1/2 a pound (as of the date of this post, each half pound costs $11, therefore you will be spending a minimum of $11 on your bowl of ramen).

Here's what my bowl of ramen looked like. It was a lot bigger than it looks - definitely enough for two people to share - and I did ... with one of my sons (he likes fishcake and noodles).

The other son was not in the mood for noodles or soup. Luckily this restaurant has a side order menu, so we ordered a plate of chicken katsu for him. 

And here is the REAL reason I wanted to come here ....

every meal comes with free shave ice with all the fixins' - boba, almond tofu, fruit jellies, etc! I was in heaven. The grandparents couldn't believe how big the bowl was (it's one bowl per party)! We didn't tell the boys about the shave ice until after they had finished their dinners, otherwise they would not have eaten their dinner!

Build Your Own Ramen

Pearl Kai Shopping Center

98-199 Kamehameha Highway

(808) 379-2088

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$16.99 AYCE Lunch Buffet at Hawaii Pot ShabuShabu House

Nadia first told you about Hawaii Pot ShabuShabu House's second location on Sheridan Street back in November of last year (click here to read her post).

Although I prefer ramen or nabes to hot pots/shabu shabu, I wanted to check this place out, so I cajoled @WeHeartHawaii to meet me here for a weekday lunch.

I've been to many hot pot/shabu shabu type places before, and none have these built-in flat burners for every individual diner. They're very attractive and are great for people who do not like to share their hot pot with others.

There are 8 broths to choose from - I chose the Hawaii Original Pot....

@WeHeartHawaii likes spice in his life, so he chose the Tom Yum. He said it has a citrus and savory flavor, like a Thai version of hot and sour soup. 

While we waited for our soups to arrive at our table, we headed to the sauce bar to assemble our dipping sauces. So much to choose from.  

Since we are both carnivores, we purchased a 12 ounce platter of rib-eye beef for an additional $17. It was more than enough for two people.

AYCE means you have free reign of whatever is offered on the conveyor belt. Here's a sample of their Chinese cabbage and bunapi mushrooms.

We ate a lot more than that but we were too busy eating to take pictures of each plate.  Towards the end of our meal, we added egg noodles to our soups.

The $16.99 AYCE buffet is available from 11 AM - 4 PM.  It's a great deal if you love your veggies and don't add on the meat.  

Hawaii Pot ShabuShabu

808 Sheridan Street

(808) 589-1999

Hours: 11 AM - 2 AM Daily

Parking: Valet ($2) or Street

Reservations Accepted

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Sweet Home Aunty

If you are familiar with Oahu's "hot pot" scene, you have probably heard of "Sweet Home Cafe", a uber popular Taiwanese-style hot pot restaurant that is most notable for their complimentary bowl of shave ice with all the fixins that is served at the conclusion of your meal.

 The owner sold the business in 2015 and recently opened up another restaurant five minutes away in a large space formerly occupied by On On Restaurant on McCully Street (between Young and South Beretania Streets).  Her new restaurant is called "Sweet Home Aunty" and while it's not technically hot pot style dining anymore, you still get to experience many of the same great flavors and ingredients.  

At Sweet Home Aunty, you are charged for your ingredients, which you pick by hand, by the pound (currently $7.50 per 1/2 pound). Included with your meal is your choice of broth/soup and noodles.  You also have the option of doing it stir-fry style if you're not in the mood for soup.  Unlike Sweet Home Cafe, at Sweet Home Aunty you do not do the cooking - your meal is prepared by the restaurant in the back, and delivered to your table.  

While you're soup/stir fry is being prepared in the kitchen, you can quench your hunger with their appetizers such as the fried chicken wings or rib eye/cheese won tons:

Fried Chicken Wings

Rib Eye and Cheese Won Tons

Homemade Beef Broth with Egg Noodles (requested on the side)

Egg Noodles

They give you a generous amount of soup, so feel free to take the leftover soup home - you can heat it up later and get another whole meal out of it!

Save room for dessert - while the shave ice is no longer free, it's still quite reasonable in price.  The cost depends on the weight of your toppings (which you hand pick).

Shave ice with assorted kanten, jellies, and almond custard

If you like to avoid crowds and lines like I do, plan your visit during lunch or in the afternoon.

Sweet Home Aunty

1110 McCully Street

(808) 946-8686

Hours: 11 AM - 10 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)

Parking: private lot in front of the restaurant

BYOB (2 hour time limit for patrons who BYOB)

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