Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.da-kitchen.com
;
925 Isenberg St; meals $9-18; 11am-9pm Mon-Sat)
This crowded
neighborhood storefront is where you'll find Hawaiian and local food just so dang
ʻono
(delicious) that it has even been served at the White House for Oʻahu-born President
Obama. Deep-fried Spam
musubi
(rice balls) and tempura-battered fish and chips are
massive hits.
Imanas Tei
JAPANESE $$$
$$$
(
941-2626; 2626 S King St; most shared dishes $5-30; 5-11:30pm Mon-Sat)
A chorus
shouts
'Irrashaimase!'
as you walk through the door of this
izakaya
with polished dark
wooden tables. Booze it up with sake as you graze a seemingly endless menu of sushi
and epicurean and country Japanese cooking, including crowd-pleasing
nabemono
meat
and vegetable stews. Reserve a few days in advance or stand in line for open seating after
7pm.
TOP OF CHAPTER
5
Greater Honolulu
Tasty off-the-beaten-track spots are scattered around the metro area, especially in the
low-key Kaimuki neighborhood along Waiʻalae Ave, east of UH Manoa.
Liliha Bakery
BAKERY $
(
www.lilihabakeryhawaii.com
;
515 N Kuakini, cnr Liliha St; items from $2, mains $6-10; 24hr, ex-
cept closed 8pm Sun-6am Tue)
This retro bakery has been causing neighborhood traffic jams
for its coco puffs (cream-filled pastries) since the 1950s. Still hungry? Grab a counter
seat in Liliha's all-night coffee shop for a hearty plate of
loco moco
or mahimahi with
eggs.
Kaimuki Crack Seed
SWEETS $
(1156 Koko Head Ave; snacks from $2; usually 9am-6:30pm Mon-Sat;
) Mom-and-pop
candy store scoops homemade crack seed from overflowing glass jars and dispenses
frozen slushies spiked with
li hing mui
(salty dried plums).
Helena's Hawaiian Food
HAWAII REGIONAL CUISINE $$$
(
http://helenashawaiianfood.com
;
1240 N School St; meals $9-20; 10:30am-7:30pm Tue-Fri)
Walking through the door is like stepping into another era at this humble Honolulu insti-
tution. The menu is mostly à la carte dishes, some smoky and salty, others sweet or spicy.
