The 10 Best Restaurants In Chinatown Honolulu

More than 140 years old, Honolulu’s Chinatown is one of the oldest Chinatown neighborhoods in the United States. In recent years, the area has undergone a renaissance, and has continued to grow into one of the city’s most popular urban spots. It is also one of Honolulu’s top culinary destinations, where visitors can enjoy traditional Chinese cuisine, as well as food from a variety of cultures.

Maguro Brothers

Food Stand, American, Seafood

Run by brothers Junichiro and Ryojiro Tsuchiya of Japan, Maguro Brothers is located inside Chinatown’s Kekaulike Marketplace. This small, laid-back seafood stand is a Honolulu hidden gem, and is without a doubt the place to go for some of the freshest fish on the island. Maguro Brothers has earned a reputation for serving up an amazing poke bowl, which consists of raw or cooked fish (typically tuna) and rice.

Lucky Belly

Restaurant, American, Asian

Head to Lucky Belly for your fix of ramen and pork belly soup, the steaming broth is both comforting and packed with flavor. The menu also includes options for those not in the mood for soup, such as the barbecue pork sandwich or the tempura shrimp tacos. Don’t leave without ordering a cocktail, as well, Lucky Belly’s bartenders know how to sling a drink or two. The restaurant even has a late-night window for takeout.

Little Village Noodle House

Restaurant, Chinese

The story of Little Village Noodle House began in 1974, when Kenneth and Jennifer Chan first arrived in Honolulu from China. The young couple worked in the restaurant business for nearly 10 years before saving enough money to open a restaurant of their own. Following several other ventures, the Chans opened Little Village in 2001, dedicated to serving unique, Chinese cuisine in an intimate atmosphere. The classics, such as the roast duck or the orange chicken, are sure to hit the spot.

Royal Kitchen

Restaurant, Chinese

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Royal Kitchen opened in 1974 and specializes in baked buns filled with deliciousness: called manapua in Hawaiian and bao in Chinese. The filling options are tasty as can be and range from chicken curry to Portuguese sausage to sweet potato. While the buns are baked instead of steamed (it’s more common to find them prepared that way), the dough is super soft and cooked to perfection.

Kan Zaman

Restaurant, Middle Eastern

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Who would expect to find authentic Moroccan and Lebanese cuisine in the middle of Honolulu’s Chinatown? At Kan Zaman (“once upon a time” in Arabic) customers can expect to experience the traditional Arab food culture. From the tiled floors and jewel-toned color scheme to the aromatically spiced food, this restaurant spares no detail. There is a wide selection of hot and cold mezze, as well as larger plates such as chicken or lamb tajine.

The Pig & The Lady

Restaurant, Vietnamese

At The Pig & The Lady, Chef Andrew Le’s creations are inspired by his mother’s home cooking, as well as the rich culinary traditions of Vietnam, Asia and the Pacific. Le, who has been named Hawaii Rising Star Chef, was born and raised in Honolulu to Vietnamese parents. The fare at The Pig & The Lady is creative, with dishes such as crab fat curry and pappardelle pasta with braised beef, pickled chili and thai basil.

Duc's Bistro

Bistro, Restaurant, French, Vietnamese

Serving Honolulu’s Chinatown since 1992, Duc’s Bistro is an upscale restaurant where both traditional Vietnamese and French cuisines intermingle on the menu. The plates are meant to be shared family-style and offer a little something for everyone. For an appetizer, try Vietnamese classics such as the spring rolls or the papaya salad. Entrée highlights include the lemongrass chicken and the duck Grand Marnier, served with a brandied orange sauce.

Cuu Long II

Restaurant, Vietnamese

A Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown well worth checking out is Cuu Long II, which specializes in pho. Customers can expect to be greeted with a smile as they enter this spacious, friendly joint. At Cuu Long, the pho comes with broth that’s expertly prepared, the veggies are fresh and the meat is plentiful. And pho isn’t the only star on the menu, the grilled pork sandwich is top notch too.

Lee Ho Fook Restaurant

Restaurant, Chinese

Lee Ho Fook is an authentic Chinese noodle house. This tiny hole-in-the-wall is packed during the lunch hour, so you know that it’s legit! The restaurant is known for a few things, among which is the house speciality: the fish ball rice noodle soup. Other popular items include the minute chicken cake noodles and won tons. The dishes here are all exceptionally flavorful and sure to please.

Grondin

Restaurant, French, South American

Grondin is a fairly new addition to the Chinatown scene, adding yet another cuisine option to the neighborhood’s growing portfolio. The restaurant, serving a combination of classic French and South American cuisines, is the brainchild of Jenny Grondin and David Segarra. The space features interesting details, such as the exposed-brick wall and tall ceilings, that give it a distinct East Coast vibe. As for the food, you can’t go wrong with the duck breast or the crepes mole negro.

About the author

Jonathan Stern

A native of Washington, DC, Jonathan has lived in Capitol Hill going on eight years. After studying psychology and Italian as an undergraduate at the University of Richmond, he spent several years working at an ophthalmology practice in DC. An interest in all things Italian led him to return to school to pursue an MA in Italian Studies at Georgetown University. Jonathan has had the opportunity to study in the beautiful towns of Perugia and Ferrara and travel extensively throughout Italy, from the Dolomites to Sicily. He hopes to return again very soon.