Palace Saimin

There’s something special about walking into Palace Saimin—like stepping into a piece of Hawaiʻi’s history that’s still very much alive. This year, they’re celebrating 80 years, which is no small feat in the restaurant industry that’s constantly changing.

Palace Saimin is one of the few old-school saimin houses still around, and you can feel the old school-ness—from the no-frills setting to the comforting, familiar flavors that haven’t tried to chase trends. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why simple food, done right, never goes out of style.

The saimin still hits the spot—warm, savory, and exactly what you want when you’re craving something nostalgic and comforting. It’s not trying to reinvent anything, and that’s exactly the point.

More than just a meal, a visit here feels like supporting a piece of local culture. 

Places like this are becoming rarer, and it really makes you appreciate the people who’ve kept it going.

 PALACE SAIMIN

1256 N. KING STREET

808-841-9983

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Ahi & Vegetable - Kapalama

 Some nights call for something quick, healthy-ish, and satisfying--and that's exactly how we ended up at Ahi & Vegetable. We were in Kalihi and I suggested it to my hubby as an easy dinner option. I ordered the ahi, salmon, cali, poke bento, while my hubby went with the chirashi. Both meals came with a bowl of miso soup. Is it the greatest sushi you'll ever have? No--but it's a great option when you're in the mood for sushi but don't want to break the bank. The portions are solid, the fish is fresh, and best of all, the food comes out fast. Simple, affordable.

AHI & VEGETABLE - KAPALAMA 

1210 DILLINGHAM BLVD.

808-458-4935

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SERA Restaurant & Bar

 With the boys away at camp, we took advantage of the quiet house and went on a double date with one of my BFFs for dinner at SERA on Oʻahu. This was our first time dining at SERA, though we had previously eaten here when it was Mara. The ambiance felt familiar, but the experience was entirely new—same beautiful space, but a fresh concept and new chefs at the helm.

We kicked things off with the Tasting Trio, which was super yummy and a great way to sample a few flavors right away. 

The naan that came with it was especially good—warm, soft, and hard to stop eating (we actually asked for an extra piece). We also started with the grilled Spanish octopus and the beet and citrus salad, both beautifully prepared and full of balanced flavors.

For our entrées, my husband and I shared the crispy calamari fritto and the linguine frutti di mare, while our dining mates ordered the Kona kampachi and the spaghetti bolognese. Every dish at the table was a hit—bold, flavorful, and expertly cooked. There were no regrets with any of the choices.

Kona Kanpachi

Spaghetti Bolognese

Linguine Fruitti Di Mare

We ended the meal with two desserts: Greek yogurt soft serve with olive oil and sea salt and strawberry sorbet. Both were light, refreshing, and the perfect way to wrap up such a rich and satisfying dinner.

Strawberry Sorbet

Greek Yogurt Soft Serve

SERA is definitely on the pricier side, but the food, atmosphere, and overall experience made it well worth it. Highly recommend for a date night or special occasion.

Valet parking is complimentary for 3 hours for SERA guests.

SERA

1390 KAPIOLANI BLVD.

808-450-3036

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Monkeypod Kitchen - Waikiki

Monkeypod Kitchen Waikīkī is one of those places that feels just as welcoming to visitors as it does to locals. Located beachside with an open-air layout, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy the island breeze, fresh air, and a laid-back Waikīkī vibe.

We arrived hungry and didn’t want to wait for a regular table, so we grabbed seats at the bar—which turned out to be a great choice. The service was friendly and attentive, and the food came out quickly.

I went with the cheeseburger and truffle fries, while my dining mates ordered a salad and the fish and chips. Everything was delicious and very satisfying—comfort food done well, with generous portions and great flavors across the board.

Of course, we couldn’t leave without dessert. We shared a slice of strawberry pie made with strawberries from Kula, and it was the perfect way to end the meal!

 Monkeypod Kitchen

2169 Kalia Rd. (Outrigger Reef Waikiki)

808-900-4226

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Yohei Sushi Kahala

After celebrating our anniversary at Yohei Sushi Kahala, we quickly decided this would be our go-to spot for special occasions. So when it came time to celebrate a birthday, there was no question about where we wanted to go.

As expected, everything we ordered was excellent. Our table was filled with a salmon roll, salmon nigiri, chicken karaage, tempura, ten don, mini udon, and chirashi—each dish beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious. The standout, as always, was the salmon. Yohei’s salmon sashimi is hands-down the best I’ve had. It’s soaked in beets, which gives it that vibrant color and a subtle hint of beet flavor. I honestly don’t think there’s anywhere else that prepares salmon quite like this.

Because we were celebrating a birthday, the staff surprised my husband with a scoop of peach sorbet topped with a candle. They even took our photo, printed it on the spot, and presented it to us in a lovely card with a handwritten note. Such a thoughtful and personal touch—and exactly the kind of service that makes a celebration feel extra special.

Yes, Yohei Sushi Kahala is on the pricier side, but experiences like this make it completely worth it. Now you can see why we keep coming back here for special occasions!

YOHEI SUSHI KAHALA

4210 WAIALAE AVENUE (KUONO MARKETPLACE)

808-425-4143

 

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Udon Yonpachi

My friend and I had tried to have lunch at Udon Yonpachi last month, but after circling the area and failing to find parking, we gave up and ate elsewhere. When we made plans for our next lunch, we decided to try again—and this time, luck was on our side. I snagged a spot right out front, and my friend found street parking just around the corner.

Inside, the restaurant was only about half full, which we suspect has everything to do with the limited parking situation. We both ordered the set featuring their signature dish: dip-style udon noodles served with a hot, mushroom-filled broth and a choice of pork or chicken, along with a mini salad, kinpira gobo, and mixed rice made with hijiki seaweed.

The star of the meal was definitely the noodles. Long, firm, and wonderfully slippery, they had that unmistakable homemade texture that’s hard to beat. 

Everything was flavorful and thoughtfully prepared, and the service was warm and friendly throughout our visit.

If there’s one downside, it’s the parking. Be sure to read the signs carefully—about half of the stalls are reserved for Territorial Savings Bank customers during the day. Still, if you can manage to find a spot, Udon Yonpachi is absolutely worth the effort.

Open Monday through Saturday

Lunch: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Dinner: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

UDON YONPACHI

1111 MCCULLY STREET

808-949-5959

 

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Artizen by MW

Although I've done pick-up from Artizen by MW a number of times, for the first time recently, I dined in!

Caesar

We got the Caesar salad, which had a very delicious Caesar dressing (you could taste the anchovies!)  After the fact, we discovered that there should've been croutons, which really would've completed the salad, but it was still a good salad.

Bubu Arare Garlic Chicken Sandwich

The Bubu Arare Garlic Chicken Sandwich was so moist and flavorful.  I loved the namasu, and I especially loved the accompanying fries!  The piece of chicken was huge as well - extending way over the bun!

Oxtail Soup

My friend has the Oxtail Soup, which also consisted of corned beef and pork belly.  He really loved how the soup had all the elements of a traditional oxtail, but it was elevated.  It was one of the best Oxtail Soups he ever had!

Pumpkin Crunch Cheesecake

Of course we had to get dessert!  The Pumpkin Crunch Cheesecake was heavenly.  It had a nice firmness and such a delightful pumpkin flavor that is so perfect for the season!

Chocolate Cake

Their signature Chocolate Cake was divine as well.

We had a great meal at Artizen!

Artizen by MW
888 Kapiolani Blvd, Commercial Unit, Suite 102
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 524-0499

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Hong Yeon

We recently stopped by Hong Yeon, one of Moʻiliʻili’s newest Korean-Chinese restaurants, and it definitely lived up to the hype. Since we visited on a weekend, we didn’t get to try their weekday lunch specials — but after this first visit, I’m already planning a weekday return just for those deals.

We ordered a good mix of dishes to share: yaki mandu, shrimp fried rice, Mongolian beef, sweet and sour pork, and their signature jajang myeon. Portions here are no joke — the three of us ended up with plenty of leftovers to take home.

The yaki mandu wasn’t my favorite; the pi (wrapper) was a bit thicker than I prefer. 

But the sweet and sour pork hit the spot, especially when you dip it generously into the sauce. 

The Mongolian beef was another fave — flavorful, tender, and something we’d all order again. 

My son loved the shrimp fried rice, which came packed with shrimp and had that perfect wok-char flavor.

The standout for me, though, was the jajang myeon. Rich, savory, and comforting — and for some reason, I loved it even more with a splash of vinegar. Highly recommend trying it that way.

Service was genuinely friendly, and even with the weekend crowd, we felt relaxed and not rushed.

All in all, Hong Yeon is absolutely worth a visit — and I’ll definitely be back on a weekday to try those lunch specials!

HONG YEON

909 ISENGERG STREET

HONOLULU, HI 96826

808-367-1909

 

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