Mililani Restaurant

Mililani Restaurant is another neighborhood restaurant that has been around for decades (since 1979).

Fried Saimin

Portuguese Sausage Fried Rice

Their Fried Saimin and Portuguese Sausage Fried Rice are my go-tos, and I noticed they had something new - Ginger Chicken Fried Rice, with their staple ginger chicken sauce, so we ordered that too.

The plates were heaping with food!

Ginger Chicken Fried Rice

I've tried other dishes before, but the Fried Saimin and the Fried Rice are the classics that never disappoints.

Mililani Restaurant
95-221 Kipapa Dr
Mililani, HI 96789
(808) 625-2000

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Shiro's Saimin Haven

I love Shiro's Saimin Haven.  I’ve been going to Shiro's in Waimalu ever since I was a little kid . . . it was a spot where my friends and I would go to for dinner during high school, and it’s still a go-to spot for whenever I’m craving comfort food.

I’ve always ordered either a Saimin or Wun Tun Min, and only in my adult life did I start ordering French Fries + Gravy on the side.

Wun Tun Min

French Fries with Gravy

Talk about comfort food!

Double Hula Bacon Burga

Orange Bang Float

It was nice to see so many local families dining, spanning generations, and loved how there were so many people running into others they know.

Shiro’s is a true community fixture . .

Shiro's Saimin Haven

98-020 Kamehameha Highway

Aiea, HI  96701

(808) 488-8824

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Forty Niner Restaurant Takeout

Forty Niner makes it easy to get plate lunches to satisfy your hunger.

Egg Burger

Ribeye Steak

Hapa Pancakes

The Hapa Pancakes consisted of pancakes covered with coconut sauce and drizzled with Nutella.

Fried Rice Omelette

Housemade Chorizo Hash & Egg

I had the Housemade Chorizo Hash & Egg.  The chorizo hash was very smokey, with a bit of heat.  It was a lot of food.

I thought prices were reasonable, and we all enjoyed our food.

Online ordering made take-out quick and easy.

Forty Niner Restaurant

98-110 Honomanu Street

Aiea, HI 96701
808-484-1940

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Bento & Curry

We recently ordered take-out from Bento & Curry at the Pearl Highlands Center.

BBQ Chicken Salad

Spicy Ahi Don

Curry Loco Moco

Chicken Karaage Curry with Rice

I had the Chicken Karaage, which I thought was good overall.  They gave a nice amount of chicken which was not quite like typical karaage, and it was more like basic, breaded and fried morsels of chicken that were a bit underseasoned.  They did also give a nice amount of curry sauce on the side.

For the prices we paid for the dishes, I thought the portion sizes were generous, especially for the Curry Loco Moco.

Bento & Curry
Pearl Highlands Center
1000 Kamehameha Hwy #213

Pearl City, HI 96782

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Visit Hilo: Nori's Saimin and Snacks

Ever since the pandemic, Nori's Saimin and Snacks has been take-out only, and we recently picked up lunch there.

Fried Saimin

The Fried Saimin has kamaboko, luncheon meat, and green onions incorporated, and comes with a yakitori stick.

I thought the Fried Saimin was pretty good, but I have had tastier elsewhere.  I did appreciate how it came with a yakitori stick, although the chicken was pretty dry.  

Hamburger Steak

My friend had the Hamburger Steak, which he liked, and I thought it was great how they put "gravy all over."

Prices are on the higher side compared to similar places.

I do hope they re-open for dine-in, because take-out saimin is just not the same . . . 

Nori's Saimin and Snacks
688 Kinoole St

Hilo, HI 96720

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Oli's Kitchen

Thank you to our sponsor for providing this dining complimentary experience! 

Local comfort food and all-day breakfast comes to Puck's Alley! Oli's Kitchen recently opened in the space many locals will refer to it as "the old Curry House". For those who still aren't sure where we're referring to, it's in Puck's Alley facing University Avenue, next to Nijiya. Parking is free for the first hour (just exit the parking lot within an hour - no validation is required).  

Being that I work minutes away from Oli's, I jumped at the invitation from the restaurant to come check out their offerings. I'm always looking out for great eats near work.

Since the Philly Cheese Egg Rolls are their #1 seller, we had to try them. These were crispy, fluffy, with a nice amount of Philly style steak and cheese in each roll. The house-made spicy cilantro sauce really completes it - highly recommend!

Being a fan of fried chicken, I had to try the Garlic Chicken and Salt n Pepper Fried Chicken, with the Fried Rice upgrade (+$2.60). 

Both styles of chicken were crisp, moist, and delicious! I can't decide which one I liked more, because honestly I liked BOTH! The garlic chicken was sweet and perfectly glazed (read: not soggy!). Those who prefer lightly seasoned minimalist-style fried chicken will appreciate the salt n pepper chicken.   If you want to try both, just ask half garlic half salt n pepper. And don't forget to upgrade the fried rice!  It's worth it.

To balance the savoriness of the fried chicken and Philly Cheese Egg Rolls, we finished our meal with the Peanut Butter Banana Stuffed French Toast, which is another top seller.  

It's very Instagrammable, and very sweet! 

Picture ultra soft sweet bread, stuffed with banana filling, topped with a peanut butter drizzle.  An order comes with three slices - you'll definitely want to share this because it's so sweet. Consider ordering it as a dessert like how I did!

Just a side note on the atmosphere - it's casual and loud. Not the ideal place for a romantic dinner, but it's perfect for those who want to lean back and take their time catching up on life while enjoying some awesome local kine grinds! And don't forget, breakfast is served ALL DAY LONG! They also offering catering!

Oli's Kitchen is open daily from 8 am - 8 pm. 

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OLI'S KITCHEN

1009 UNIVERSITY AVENUE (PUCK'S ALLEY)

808-387-0457

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Mililani Restaurant

I can always count on Mililani Restaurant for great Fried Saimin and Fried Rice.  They are two of the menu items I can count on to be consistently delicious.

Fried Saimin

Portuguese Sausage Fried Rice

Both plates are always heaping with food, and so flavorful!  The Fried Rice is really some of the tastiest on the island, and the Fried Saimin never disappoints.  

Tofu Eggplant

For the first time, I tried the Tofu Eggplant, and I thought it was pretty good!  There were big chunks of tofu and eggplant in a sweet / savory sauce.  

The Korean Chicken was okay.  The pieces were small and overcooked, but they did have nice flavor.

Mililani Restaurant has a very extensive menu, so I'll definitely be trying other things next time - along with the Fried Saimin and Portuguese Sausage Fried Rice!

Mililani Restaurant
95-221 Kipapa Dr
Mililani, HI 96789
(808) 625-2000

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Visit Hilo: 5-Spice

I've passed by 5-Spice in Hilo many times, and I've always known it to be a crack seed store.  I had no idea they served food too!

Pastrami Sandwich

Katsu Moco

5-Spice Bento

Gravy Burger

Chicken Katsu Curry

I was pleasantly surprised with just how tasty everything was.  The Chicken Katsu was nicely seasoned and cooked, and my friend enjoyed the Gravy Burger and Pastrami Sandwich.

The bento came with BBQ Chicken, BBQ Meat, Kimchi Patty, SPAM, Hot Dog, Hash, Zucchini, Egg, and Koko (I never heard of Koko until I got this bento!).  

Prices are very reasonable, and I'd definitely order from 5-Spice again!

5-Spice
2064 Kilauea Ave

Hilo, HI 96720

 

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Kalama's Kuisine

Tots are one of my many weaknesses, so when I went to the Taste of Mililani and saw Cajun Tots on Kalama's Kuisine's menu board, I was sold!

The tots were extra crispy with Cajun spice, and topped with huge pieces of smoked meat and melted cheese.  It was such a generous serving, and perfect for anyone who loves tots!

I also got the Korean Chicken - bite-size pieces of tender chicken were tossed in a tasty Korean sauce.  This was a very generous portion as well, and the chicken was really good.

I thought everything was reasonably-priced, and I can't wait to find them again!

Follow Kalama's Kuisine on Instagram to find out where they'll be popping up next!

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Highway Inn - Waipahu

I recently picked-up some local faves from Highway Inn in Waipahu.  

Smoked Meat Omelette with Fried Rice

Loco Moco

Smoked Moco

I ordered the Smoked Moco.  Unlike a typical Loco Moco with a beef patty and brown gravy, the Smoked Moco had Kiawe-smoked meat and an aioli.  I subbed Fried Rice, and everything was so delish!  I really liked the smokiness of the pork, and the aioli was a nice alternative (although I wouldn't have said no to regular brown gravy!).

Bread Pudding with Haupia Sauce

Chocolate Haupia Shortbread

Sweet Potato Haupia Shortbread

I ordered a trio of desserts.  The Bread Pudding was just the way I like it - dense and sweet.  The Chocolate Haupia was so silky smooth, and the kids loved the Sweet Potato Haupia Shortbread.  

Highway Inn is a great spot for local, comfort food faves!

Highway Inn - Waipahu
94-830 Moloalo St #101

Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 677-4345

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Da Bald Guy Food Truck

After a morning at the beach in Kahuku, we stopped for lunch at the Kahuku Sugar Mill, because I really wanted to try Da Bald Guy - a food truck parked right in the parking lot of the Sugar Mill.  There are a bunch of food trucks in the area - he's located closest to the Mill in the parking lot. Just look for the turquoise food truck .. it's hard to miss!

I ordered a combo of the furikake crusted fish of the day (today's fish was ono) and peeled garlic butter shrimp. I really wanted to get it on a bed of fried rice, but unfortunately they did not have fried rice today.

For $20,I thought this was reasonably priced. It came with 7 pieces of juicy garlic butter shrimp, and the best part was not having to peel the shrimp. 

The furikake crusted ono was crispy on the outside, and flakey and moist on the inside. 

I regret not getting the strawberry soda cake dessert to-go ... according to Gem's review, the desserts are amazing.  There's always next time!

Follow @dabaldguy_foodtruck on Instagram for updates! There is a link in the bio to order online - I highly recommend ordering ahead to minimize your wait time.

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DA BALD GUY FOOD TRUCK at Kakuku Sugar Mill

56-565 Kamehameha Hwy

Kahuku, HI

 

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