The Weekly Eater: New Vietnamese-inspired restaurants offer different takes

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on February 19, 2019
• Updated on February 20, 2019 at 10:25 am

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on February 19, 2019
• Updated on February 20, 2019 at 10:25 am

The opening of two Vietnamese-inspired restaurants — one contemporary in style, one more traditional — suggests a split personality on my part, as I equally prize comfort, history and respect for the roots of cuisines. Read More

The Weekly Eater: Dana’s in Waipahu offers Filipino ‘kamayan’ feast

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on February 12, 2019
• Updated on February 13, 2019 at 12:21 am

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on February 12, 2019
• Updated on February 13, 2019 at 12:21 am

The Filipino-style “kamayan” meal offered by Dana’s Restaurant and Catering in Waipahu is a bountiful spread of food laid out over foil and banana leaves, with diners invited to grab and devour all that catches their eye. Read More

The Weekly Eater: King Restaurant offers clay-pot delicacies

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on January 29, 2019
• Updated on January 29, 2019 at 5:15 pm

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on January 29, 2019
• Updated on January 29, 2019 at 5:15 pm

A rare wave of nostalgia hit me while dining at King Restaurant & Bar, where King Kan is at the helm. Fans have followed him over 30 years from such restaurants as Legend Seafood, Kirin in Waikoloa and Jade Dynasty. Read More

The Weekly Eater: Maui Brewing arrives at Lau Hala Shops in Kailua

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on January 22, 2019
• Updated on January 22, 2019 at 5:36 pm

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on January 22, 2019
• Updated on January 22, 2019 at 5:36 pm

The new Maui Brewing Co. is in the Lau Hala Shops complex in Kailua, formerly home to Macy’s. The gastropub brings a lively, fun vibe that includes live music daily. Read More

Bite Size: Korean street dogs make debut at MyungRang Hotdog

By Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on January 22, 2019
• Updated on January 22, 2019 at 5:37 pm

By Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on January 22, 2019
• Updated on January 22, 2019 at 5:37 pm

The little booth capturing a lot of attention at Ala Moana Center’s Makai Market Food Court belongs to MyungRang Hotdog Hawaii, which brings the popular South Korean street dog to the islands. Read More

The Weekly Eater: O’Kims finds showcase for unique Korean fusion

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on January 15, 2019
• Updated on January 15, 2019 at 6:10 pm

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on January 15, 2019
• Updated on January 15, 2019 at 6:10 pm

Hyun Kim’s unique style of Korean fusion gets more than box-lunch treatment in the former Kan Zaman space on Nuuanu Avenue. Read More

Bite Size: Raising Cane’s, ChiChop bring chicken fight to Oahu

By Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on January 8, 2019
• Updated on January 9, 2019 at 1:23 pm

By Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on January 8, 2019
• Updated on January 9, 2019 at 1:23 pm

If you’re outside of Honolulu, you may be unaware of the chicken fight soon to arrive at a neighborhood near you. Read More

The Weekly Eater: Good food, friendly service abound at Ripple of Smiles

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on January 8, 2019
• Updated on January 9, 2019 at 1:22 pm

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on January 8, 2019
• Updated on January 9, 2019 at 1:22 pm

In an age when customer service is in short supply, owners Hung “Frank” Nguyen and Huyen Le are charming, gracious and humble hosts at The Ripple of Smiles in Kaimuki. Read More

The Weekly Eater: Joy Cup Noodles Mean

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on January 1, 2019
• Updated on January 2, 2019 at 12:42 am

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on January 1, 2019
• Updated on January 2, 2019 at 12:42 am

In many Asian families, noodles are a must for the holiday table as a symbol of one of the great blessings for a new year, a promise of longevity. Joy Cup Noodles Mean fits the bill of offering bowls of long Chongqing-style noodles in mild to Sichuan hot versions. Read More

The Weekly Eater: 2018 a year of dining ups, downs

By Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on December 26, 2018
• Updated on December 26, 2018 at 10:46 am

By Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on December 26, 2018
• Updated on December 26, 2018 at 10:46 am

The year in restaurants got off to a tepid start in 2018. Read More

The Weekly Eater: 2 new choices for Moiliili dining

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on December 18, 2018
• Updated on December 18, 2018 at 7:41 pm

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on December 18, 2018
• Updated on December 18, 2018 at 7:41 pm

A spate of newcomers has entered the dining scene in the Moiliili area. Read More

The Weekly Eater: Honolulu Skewer House offers Beijing-style fare

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on December 11, 2018
• Updated on December 13, 2018 at 11:09 am

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on December 11, 2018
• Updated on December 13, 2018 at 11:09 am

With the abundance of Japanese and Thai restaurants here, we’re most familiar with yakitori and satays. Honolulu Skewer House introduces something new to the scene with its Chinese-style feast of skewered foods, called lu chuan. Read More

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The Weekly Eater: Cafe Asia pulls off fine fusion cuisine

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on December 4, 2018 •
• Updated on December 5, 2018 at 10:48 am

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Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on December 4, 2018 •
• Updated on December 5, 2018 at 10:48 am

Many people would trade places with us to live in Hawaii, so we’re familiar with the story of vacationers eventually setting down roots here. But few have made the decision as quickly as Chen Pan and Kylee Lin. Read More

The Weekly Eater: Shabu shabu comes to Ala Moana

By Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on December 4, 2018
• Updated on December 4, 2018 at 5:08 pm

By Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on December 4, 2018
• Updated on December 4, 2018 at 5:08 pm

Those in need of a break from holiday shopping at Ala Moana Center will find Shabuya open in the mall’s Ewa end, in the spot that formerly housed Magnolia Bakery and Cafe. Read More

Stripsteak introduces new holiday menu

By Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on November 27, 2018
• Updated on December 4, 2018 at 11:47 am

By Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on November 27, 2018
• Updated on December 4, 2018 at 11:47 am

Entering the holiday season, Stripsteak in the International Market Place has launched a sunset supper menu for diners who need a break from the season’s stresses. Read More

The Weekly Eater: Yakitori Ando celebrates all things chicken

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on November 27, 2018
• Updated on November 29, 2018 at 2:09 pm

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on November 27, 2018
• Updated on November 29, 2018 at 2:09 pm

Nobody likes to experience sticker shock at a restaurant, that feeling of being gouged for no apparent reason. You’ll have the opposite experience at Yakitori Ando. Read More

The Weekly Eater: Garden Island Cafe offers big taste at a small price

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on November 13, 2018
• Updated on November 13, 2018 at 4:14 pm

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on November 13, 2018
• Updated on November 13, 2018 at 4:14 pm

Longtime fans of Garden Island Cafe make the long drive to Waipahu to feed their cravings, now that the restaurant has moved from Manoa. Read More

The Weekly Eater: Oahu poke shops deliver tradition, innovation

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on October 30, 2018
• Updated on October 31, 2018 at 12:33 pm

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on October 30, 2018
• Updated on October 31, 2018 at 12:33 pm

Poke has made international headlines for about five years, though news of how this quintessential Hawaiian dish is presented beyond our shores is often greeted with dismay. Read More

The Weekly Eater: K-pop stars draw focus to Seoul Jung

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on October 23, 2018
• Updated on October 23, 2018 at 6:44 pm

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on October 23, 2018
• Updated on October 23, 2018 at 6:44 pm

It all started with a “When Harry Met Sally”-style, “I’ll have what he’s having moment.” That’s how I ended up at Seoul Jung, not exactly a top-of-mind Korean restaurant for locals. Read More

Bite Size: Mediterraneo’s new pizzas

By Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on October 23, 2018
• Updated on October 23, 2018 at 6:43 pm

By Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on October 23, 2018
• Updated on October 23, 2018 at 6:43 pm

Pizza is new at Il Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano, where chef Fabrizio Favale has installed a pizza oven in his outdoor patio, with former Maui Four Seasons chef Mauro Gramuglia on board creating Napoli-style pizzas. Read More

The Weekly Eater: Akira’s kaiseki fascinates from start to finish

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser on October 16, 2018
• Updated on October 16, 2018 at 5:07 pm

Review by Nadine Kam, Special to the Star-Advertiser Posted on October 16, 2018
• Updated on October 16, 2018 at 5:07 pm

Several great Japanese restaurants opened this year, but Akira is proving to be the best of the bunch. Read More

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