Chun Wah Kam - Aiea

Since I was in the area, I decided to make an online order for dinner from Chun Wah Kam in Aiea.

In my haste I accidentally ordered baked Char Siu Manapua.  I like the baked manapua, but I much rather have the Steamed Char Siu Manapua.

I also ordered a couple of plate lunches.

Beef Broccoli, Chicken with Zucchini and Mushroom, Ginger Chicken Fried Rice

Garlic Chicken, Orange Chicken, Fried Saimin

I don't eat from Chun Wah Kam too often, but when I do, I always get the Ginger Chicken Fried Rice as a starch.  It's just so delicious!

The servings are generous, so it was easy for the family to share, and all the food lasted for two meals!  What a great way to stretch your dollar!

Chun Wah Kam

98-040 Kamehameha Highway

Aiea, HI 96701

(808) 485-1107

Read More

Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery

 While running last minute errands for New Year's Day, the hunger pains struck, and since I was near Chinatown, I decided to drive to Mauna Kea street to pick up some dim sum from Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery. I pulled into the first available metered stall along Mauna Kea street, and walked a couple of blocks to the bakery, which had a small line of customers outside the door. It took about 10 minutes for me to get into the bakery, where they only allowed two customers in at a time. I ordered two manapuas - one steamed, one baked, because I couldn't decide which one I wanted, so I got one of each, two mochi rice siu mai, black sugar gin dui, and an egg custard tart. 

So there is a story behind the mochi rice siu mai - I originally wanted their regular pork hash, but they were out, so I opted for the mochi rice siu mai, which I had never tried before.  I'm so glad I did, because it was really good, and I am now hooked on it! In fact I liked it so much that I went back again a few days later to get more!  

Aside from the mochi rice siu mai, I am also a big fan of their char siu manapuas. The bread is soft, pillowy, sweet, and their ratio of bread to filling is spot-on.  

With Chinese New Year just around the corner, be sure to follow @singcheongyuanbakery on Instagram for updates, menus, and ordering information! Open 7 am - 5 pm daily.  Pre-order by phone at 808-531-6688.

________________

SING CHEONG YUAN BAKERY
1027 MAUNAKEA STREET
(808) 531-6688

mochi rice siu mai

steamed char siu bao

baked char siu bao, mochi rice siu mai, shrimp dumpling

Read More

Visit Hilo: Lee's Chop Suey

In the most inconspicuous spot in Hilo you'll find Lee's Chop Suey.  This is one of the few places in Hilo that offers Manapua and Pork Hash.

Manapua is $2 a piece, Pork Hash is $1 a piece, and you can also get Roast Pork, LauLau, and Rice Cake (specific days only).  They only accept cash.

We went in the late afternoon, so the items had to be warmed up, but it was still good.

The Pork Hash was some of the best I've had. The Manapua was good too - the bun was not as soft as others I've tried, but the filling was delicious.

I imagine if we got them hot and fresh they would be even better, so next time I'll try and go earlier!

Lee's Chop Suey
53 W Lanikaula St
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-6742

Read More

Pastries from Nagoya Ramen & Bakery

My boss came back from a meeting and presented me with a white box with "Nagoya Ramen & Bakery" stamped on it.  The first thing that came to mind was "a ramen-ya that sells pastries?"  Of course I had to google it, and I found Nagoya Ramen & Bakery's website.  

This locally-owned small business has three locations - Mililani, Kapolei, and Aiea (bakery only).  I found out from my boss that this box of goodies was purchased from their Mililani location. 

Each pastry comes individually wrapped (a-MUST during a pandemic!).  Unfortunately though, the pastries were not marked, leaving me to guess what each one was filled with or flavored with.  But, I could figure out some of them based on the exterior.

This one was a tough one to figure out without actually taking a bite, since there are no markings or hints on the exterior, but once I took a bite I discovered it was their char siu manapua. 

char siu

I like that they don't add red food coloring to their char siu, and the bread was very soft and sweet. 

custard

azuki bean

I really enjoyed all of the pastries and will definitely pay them a visit the next time I'm near one of their locations!

__________

Nagoya Ramen & Bakery
95-221 Kipapa Dr Ste C-15
Mililani, HI 96789
(808) 625-9999

 

Read More

Char Hung Sut

I've eaten Char Hung Sut's Manapua's many times before, but for the first time I actually went into the shop to order some!

Manapua

Half Moon; Pork Hash

As soon as I stepped in a man proceeded to ask what I wanted to order.  I was a little taken aback, because at first I didn't see a menu.  All I saw were a couple of people waiting for their orders, and employees making half moon and pork hash.

I quickly scanned the unassuming room to find a menu, way up high on a wall.  

I ordered ten each of manapua, half moon, and pork hash.  The man said it would take about 7 minutes because of a wait for the pork hash.  

As I waited, the line grew exponentially longer behind me.  

Fortunately, the wait was indeed very short, and before I knew it, I left with two boxes of food.

The prices are very reasonable, and the manapuas are huge - one is enough for a meal!  

Next time I'll know to call my order in ahead of time, just in case.


Char Hung Sut
64 N Pauahi St, Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 538-3335

Read More

Honolulu Kitchen

It's been a couple of years since I first visited Honolulu Kitchen, and this time I returned with the family so the kids could pick out exactly what kinds of manapua they wanted.

So many choices!

Ube Lemon Custard

Spicy Pork

Chocolate

Spicy Crab Cream Cheese

OREO PB

Hot Dog Manapua

Garlic Chicken, Orange Chicken, Fried Rice, Fried Shoyu Udon

Mongolian Beef, Minute Chicken, Hot Dog Fried Rice, Fried Noodles

The kids ended up choosing ready-made Hot Dog Manapuas, and sweet deep fried manapuas from the available selections.  The different flavors on the manapua board can be steamed or deep fried, and since Honolulu Kitchen is known for the deep fried manapuas, we opted for deep fried.  They are fried to order, so they are not soggy, and we were told they would take about 7 minutes.  My husband opted for the spicy deep fried manapuas.  He enjoyed the fried outer bun, but said the fillings were not that spicy.

While we waited for the manapuas, we ordered a couple of regular lunch plates.  The plates come with a starch (you can do "half and half" for your starch), plus two entrees.  They sure don't skimp on the servings!  

I thought the garlic chicken needed more garlic flavor, and the minute chicken was a bit underseasoned, however, I really enjoyed the orange chicken and the shoyu udon from the lunch plates.

Prices are reasonable, and service was very friendly and helpful!


Honolulu Kitchen
94-861 Farrington Hwy STE A
Waipahu, Hawaii, 96789
(808) 671-5241

Read More

Chun Wah Kam - Kapolei

After a movie matinee in Kapolei, we found ourselves hungry and headed to Chun Wah Kam to pick up some food to eat at home.

Curry Chicken Manapua

Honey Garlic Chicken

White Rice Cake

Large Plate - 1 or 2 starch; 2 or 4 entrees

It was pretty busy that day - when we pulled a number, we were number 19, and they were only serving number 2.  Fortunately, the wait was short.  Unfortunately, they were out of a lot of manapuas.  We wanted Char Siu and Pizza manapuas, but they were out, so we got the Honey Garlic Chicken and Curry Chicken manapuas, along with rice cake.

We also decided to get a Large Plate lunch for the family to share.  For just under $12, it was sure a lot of food!  We got Furikake Fried Rice, Chow Funn, Garlic Chicken, Lemon Chicken, Orange Chicken, and Teriyaki Chicken.

Everything was tasty, and we had lots of leftovers.

Chun Wah Kam - Kapolei
885 Kamokila Blvd

Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 693-8838

Read More

Chun Wah Kam - Aiea

I love the manapuas from Chun Wah Kam, but they have so much more than just great manapuas!

Clockwise from left to right: Char Siu Steamed Manapua and Honey Garlic Chicken Steamed Manapua (an orange one was given because of Halloween); Fried Rice with Minute Chicken and Sweet & Sour Pork ; Half Moon and Pork Hash; Chow Funn with Lemon Chicken and Garlic Eggplant with Tofu

Whether you want a plate lunch, food for a potluck, or a catered meal, Chun Wah Kam is a great option, as they offer a variety of different manapuas and entrees.


Chun Wah Kam - Aiea
98-040 Kamehameha Hwy
Aiea, HI 96701
(808) 485-1107

Read More

Chun Wah Kam - Aiea

There are lots of great places to get manapua, and one of my faves is Chun Wah Kam.

They have a large selection of manapuas - baked or steamed, with assorted fillings, and even mini ones!

On a recent visit I picked up some Kalua Pig and Original Char Siu Manapuas.

They were delicious!

Chun Wah Kam has so many other varieties of manapuas - even "dessert" manapuas!

I can't wait to try them out!

Chun Wah Kam
98-040 Kamehameha Highway
Aiea, HI 96701
(808) 485-1107

Read More

Chun Wah Kam - Aiea

For some reason I've been craving manapua, so the other weekend I finally satisfied that craving with a trip to Chun Wah Kam in Aiea.

I ordered an Original Steamed Char Siu Manapua for myself, and for the family I ordered Honey Garlic Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Pizza.

I also ordered a mini plate of Minute Chicken and Fried Saimin for the family to share.

The char siu manapua was delicious.  DH thought the other manapua varieties were pretty good too.

The chicken was pretty tasty, and so was the fried saimin, although it did seem a little bit too peppery.

Next time I'll have to try the Kalua Pig Manapua, since Nat said it's one of her faves!

 Chun Wah Kam: 98-040 Kamehameha Highway, Aiea, HI 96701, (808) 485-1107

Read More

Chun Wah Kam

Established in 1942, Chun Wah Kam started out as just a noodle and wrapper wholesaler. The company eventually branched out to dim sum, manapua, and a wide variety of entrees, making them a one stop shop for Chinese cuisine.

Their latest location recently debuted on the corner of Pensacola and Queen streets. It has plenty of free parking, a big dining room, and endless trays of delicious Chinese fare that will please your palate.

Order ala carte

Clean and spacious dining room

Different varieties of fried rice

Current hours

Entrees

This is the two item plate, served with four mini-entrees (although the server gave me five entrees!) - 1/2 udon, 1/2 chow fun, spicy chicken wing, fried pork hash, fried calamari, and garlic chicken)

More entrees!

And more!

Oodles of Noodles

Char Siu, etc.

Chun Wah Kam
537 Pensacola

Read More