Hamada General Store

One place I've been wanting to check out for a very long time is Hamada General Store, and I finally found myself in the area during their business hours recently.

Mix

I had the Mix - beef stew & fried chicken.  What a great combo - I just couldn't resist!  The stew was hearty and comforting, and the chicken was crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside.  It was so much food and lasted me multiple meals. 

Bleu Cheese Steak

Maxi's Cajun Smash Burger

We all loved our meals.  Definitely looking forward to getting food from Hamada General Store again!

Hamada General Store
885 Queen St Unit c

Honolulu, HI 96813

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Artizen Halloween Afternoon Tea

Artizen's Halloween Afternoon Tea took place this past Saturday, and there are two Saturdays left for you to join in on the fun!  

Strawberry Hibiscus Shiso Iced Tea

Black Garlic Roast Beef Sandwich, OK Farms Egg Salad, Ludovico Farms Morgina Pesto Chicken Salad Sandwich

Of the savories, I loved the Egg Salad Sandwich!

Pei's Ghost-Tea, Mai's Jack O' Puff, Mel's Matcha Eye-Lien, Mummy Nutter Butter

I loved the Mummy Nutter Butter!  It was so reminiscent of the cookie.  

Blueberry Scones with Yuzu Curd

Artizen Halloween Afternoon Tea continues October 24 and 31!

Artizen by MW
888 Kapiolani Blvd, Commercial Unit, Suite 102
Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone: (808) 524-0499 

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‘Ōlena by Chef Ron Simon

The last time we went to ‘Ōlena by Chef Ron Simon, they were in Kalihi. Although they since moved to Dole Cannery Food Court, the great food and super friendly service hasn't changed.

I don't eat a lot of beef, but the beef stew at ‘Ōlena by Chef Ron Simon is my favorite thing to eat there.

‘Ōlena Burger

Adobo Pork Belly Bowl

Loco Moco

Red Wine Beef Stew (with ‘Ōlena Rice)

The beef and the veggies were all so perfectly tender.  Definitely would order it again and again!

‘Ōlena by Chef Ron Simon

Dole Cannery Food Court

650 Iwilei Rd #135

Honolulu, HI 96819

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Nori Bar - Ward Village

I met up with some friends at Nori Bar at Ward Village.  Even though I don't eat a lot of raw fish, I was fine meeting up with them there since I knew there were non-raw fish items on the menu.  

I ended up getting the Tonkotsu Ramen. It was so delicious — one of the best ramens I've had in a while! My friend ended up getting one too even though she was nearly full from eating a few hand rolls.

Tonkotsu Ramen

Maguro Avocado Roll

Blue Crab - Truffle Kanimiso

A5 Miyazaki Wagyu

It's a small eatery with just a few counter seats, and there really is no service staff - at least there wasn't when we were there, because no one ever refilled our waters.  

The food was good though (one of my friends said the nori was excellent), and I was pleasantly surprised by just how delicious the ramen was!

Nori Bar

1000 Auahi St

Honolulu, HI 96814



 

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Asahi Grill - Ward

The last time I went to Asahi Grill at Ward was 14 years ago for pre-concert eats.

Chicken Cutlet

I ordered the same thing I did on that visit - Chicken Cutlet, but I failed to upgrade to Fried Rice like I did last time.

Adobo Fried Rice

Mahi + Chicken Katsu Combo

Mochiko Chicken

The food was as good as I remember it to be, and the prices are still pretty reasonable.

Asahi Grill
515 Ward Ave # A

Honolulu, HI 96814

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Donut King - Market City Shopping Center

We made an impromptu stop at Donut King in the Market City Shopping Center.   

It was my first time at any Donut King (locations also at @kailuatownhi, @kaneohebaycenter, and Waikiki), so not sure if this is typical, but when opened the box, I saw there were a couple of donut holes thrown in.

If you know me, you know I'm not a huge donut fan, but I tried the Croissant Donut, and really liked it! I would definitely order that again.

Chocolate Sprinkle Cake Donut

Toasted Coconut Ube Donut

Croissant Donut

Maple Bacon Donut

Donut King
2919 Kapiolani Blvd

Ste 201A, Honolulu, HI 96826

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Koko Head Cafe

Brunch Koko Head Cafe is always a great idea.

 
I have so many faves there, and one of them is the Chicky & Eggs. The tempura-fried chicken is complemented by silky French-style scrambled eggs, and the maple Tabasco gives a nice sweet, spicy, and acidic kick that pulls everything together.

Of course we had to get dumplings, and the Garlic Butter Shrimp Dumplings did not disappoint.

The Local Breakfast Plate allows you to choose from a number of options, like Egg Whites, Bacon, a Side Salad, and The Best Hash Brown Ever, which I got to try (I've had my share of hash browns, and it really was the best I've ever tried).

We had a nice brunch, and service was great!

Koko Head Cafe

1120 12th Ave #100

Honolulu, HI 96816

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Sushi Izakaya Gaku

It was my first time at Sushi Izakaya Gaku, and we had a feast! I didn't realize we ordered so much — the food kept coming! I had so many faves — the croquettes, karaage, kakuni, shumai, tofu . . . and the cheesecake was amazing!

Two of the three of us don't eat a lot of raw fish, but we all enjoyed the Torotaku.

Yudetate Irodori Onyasai

Tofu & Mochi Agedashi

Homemade Shumai

Chawanmushi

Yuzu Daikon Hakusai

New Zealand Spinach & Shimeji Mushroom Ohitashi

Dashimaki Tamago

Torotaku

Tori Karaage

Jaga Butter Mentaiko

Gaku's T.N.T.

Seared Braised Pork Belly Kakuni

Creamy Crab & Pumpkin Croquettes

Yuzu Cheesecake & Vanilla Ice Cream

Warabi Mochi & Matcha Ice Cream

Sushi Izakaya Gaku
1329 S King St

Honolulu, HI 96814

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Fun Station

We were near Market City Shopping Center, so we decided to get take-out at Fun Station (known for their Flying Noodles).

We get didn't Flying Noodles, but everything we did get was delish — my fave was the Mapo Tofu Chow Fun!

Mapo Tofu Chow Fun

It was just loaded with tofu. 

Fried Gyoza*

The Gyoza was perfectly crispy!

Broccoli Beef*

The beef was really tender, and everything was seasoned well. 

Beef Brisket Tendon Mixed Noodle

In fact, all the dishes were seasoned well.  We all kept going for seconds. 

Signature Fried Rice

Fun Station turned out to be a great impromptu spot for take-out!

Pork Belly & Minced Pork Rice

Fun Station
2919 Kapiolani Blvd

Honolulu, HI 96826

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