Sushi Que

 One of my husband's friends invited us to dinner at Sushi Que, and we happily accepted. The reservation was for 6:30 p.m., and when we asked if the time could be adjusted, he explained why it couldn't. Sushi Que is a cozy, intimate restaurant with just a sushi counter and a handful of tables. The tables have only one seating each night at 6:30 p.m., while the sushi counter turns over twice.

As it turned out, the single seating was one of the best parts of the evening. There was no pressure to rush through the meal or make way for the next guests. We were able to relax, enjoy good company, and savor each course at a leisurely pace.

The sushi itself was outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and expertly prepared. 

The intimate setting, unhurried atmosphere, and exceptional sushi made for a memorable evening. We're grateful for the invitation and left with full stomachs and an evening to remember!

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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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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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Dell's Kitchen and Bakery

Thanks to our sponsor for the complimentary meal. All opinions are my own.

We recently had the pleasure of visiting Dell’s Kitchen & Bakery in McCully for a cozy lunch stop, and it did not disappoint! From their comforting savory plates to the perfectly chilled drinks, everything hit the spot—especially on a warm Honolulu afternoon.

What We Tried

• Ahi Katsu
  Crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside. This lightly fried ahi filet was golden perfection—satisfying without being too heavy. A must-try for seafood lovers!

  
  

  

• Tonkatsu Curry
  Classic comfort food. The pork cutlet was juicy and crispy, served with rich, flavorful curry and rice. Simple, hearty, and exactly what you'd want from a katsu plate.

  
  

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• Each plate comes with a cabbage salad and a scoop of potato salad. Not bad at all, but the real stars of the show are definitely the entrees themselves—so well-executed and satisfying.

• Lava Float (Last Month’s Drink of the Month)
  This colorful treat was a tropical dream—sweet, fizzy, and fun. While it’s no longer on the menu, it gave us serious summer vibes.

  
  

  

• Strawberry Matcha Yuzunade (Signature Drink)
  Bright, citrusy—this drink was incredibly refreshing. We can see why it’s a signature!

  
  

  

And speaking of refreshing, this month’s drink special is a Melon Cream Soda, and it sounds just as exciting and thirst-quenching. Can’t wait to go back and give it a try!

Of course, I couldn’t leave without checking out their bakery. To my delight, they had their Salt & Butter Rolls in stock—something I rarely catch since they often sell out before I arrive. Soft, buttery, and just the right touch of saltiness—they're worth making a special trip for on their own.

Dell’s Kitchen & Bakery is the perfect spot for a casual lunch. And if you’re into unique, seasonal drinks, their rotating specials are worth checking out. Whether you're a local or just visiting, this spot is definitely worth adding to your lunch rotation!

DELL'S KITCHEN & BAKERY

1110 MCCULLY STREET

808-840-0496

 

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Fujiyama Texas

Fujiyama Texas - an interesting name for a Japanese restaurant. We asked our server what's the story behind the name, and our server said the owner liked the sound of it, even though he's never actually been to Texas!

The restaurant is known for "kushikatsu", or fried food on sticks, so my friend orders ....

Pork Belly udon! It sure did look good though, and it's a good option for those who want something non-fried.

I felt like I needed to try what they were known for, so I ordered the seafood mix Katsu set.

It came with shrimp, salmon, soft shell crab (my fave!), scallop and oyster. It was deeeelicious! They really know how to fry things. 

My other friend ordered the beef katsu - she gave me a piece to try and I can see why she likes it so much. The meat is super tender and moist! 

She asked for the Tojiru soup instead of miso soup - I had no idea she as doing, but she knows her stuff. The soup smelled really good and I wish I had swapped it too.  Next time I will!

 Fujiyama Texas is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even "midnight diner" (except Tuesdays), 7 days a week! 

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FUJIYAMA TEXAS
2065 SOUTH KING STREET
808-955-0738

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