Posts Tagged ‘Restaunts’

Living in Kaneohe for over 7 years, I have had the chance to comb through all the dining options this sleepy town has to offer. Kaneohe town has recently had some upgrades including renovations in Windward Mall and even a few new restaurants. Unlike other areas of the island, Kaneohe residents like their no fuss restaurants, large portions sizes, and want affordablity.  For the most part, the restaurants in Kaneohe have been around for a while, things are kept simple, most restaurants close by 9 pm, and the customers leave satisfied.

Here are a few of my favorite eateries in Kaneohe:

Koa Pancake House, 46-126 Kahuhipa Street, (808) 235-5772.  Packed on the weekends, this place gives large portions of breakfast and local favorites.  Ono grindz, affordable prices, fast and friendly service keeps local residents coming back.  Hours are 6:30 am to 2 pm daily.

Kikuya Restaurant, 46-148 Kahuhipa Street, (808) 235-2613.  A small hole in the wall, this place serves simple authentic style Japanese food like fresh sashimi, shrimp tempura, and aku belly.  I heard this place has been around for years and years.  If your looking for good Japanese food, large portions, and don’t mind running into someone you know this is the place to go.  This place can get crowded during peak dining hours, so go early to avoid the lines out the door.

Saigon Noodle House Kaneohe, 45-1151 Kamehameha Highway, (808) 235-6107.  For a huge steaming bowl of pho or practically any type of noodle dish you desire this is the place to go.  The spring rolls are especially tasty and crunchy.  The prices are very reasonable and the service is speedy.

Haleiwa Joe’s Seafood Grill, 46-336 Haiku Road, (808) 247-6671.  I recommend Haleiwa Joe’s for that special occasion or nice place to take a date for a mai tai and their ‘Black and Blue Ahi.’  They specialize in their prime rib and fresh island fish with a view.  The beautiful island ambiance is what makes this place worth visiting.  The prices are high and this place doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared to wait on the weekends.  Get married at Haiku Gardens wedding site or join them for Sunday brunch.

El Mariachi, 45-1151 Kamehameha Highway, (808) 234-5893.  Located right next to Saigon Noodle House, this restaurant surprised me with great authentic Mexican food.  Try their chicken chimichanga or their beef fajita burrito that comes with beans and Spanish rice.  This restaurant is smaller than a hole in the wall, so I recommend take-out.  If you do take-out don’t forget to get chips and salsa to-go, their salsa is excellent.

Deep in the heart of Honolulu’s Chinatown is a restaurant that is a true gem. Unpretentious, some might even fault it for having a few well-worn pieces of furniture, faded menus, obvious age, and wear & tear, but you cannot fault the food or the friendly service. Ruby Bakery & Restaurant at 119 N. Hotel Street is a true gem with an expansive menu and a cook with a knack for creating satisfying dishes.

I am such a regular that the moment I plop down at a table the staff shouts, “Crispy Gau Gee” to which I reply, “Yes,” and within minutes eight evenly fried pieces of Gau Gee arrive at my table along with a dish for whatever sauce I choose — usually a blend of hot mustard & soy sauce. For $5.50 I am well-satisfied and could call it a meal, but there are so many temptations on the menu that I order enough for my immediate needs and a day or two worth of snacking.

Ruby offers a variety of soups, such delights as Scallop Soup, a traditional Egg Flower Soup, Hot & Sour Soup, a local favorite Rainbow Tofu Soup, and others ranging in price from $5.50 to $8.95.

Aside from my favorite Crispy Gau Gee, there are a variety of appetizers ranging in price from $5.50 to $8.95, including but not limited to Deep Fried Tofu, Spicy Chicken Wing, Jelly Fish, Deep Fried Intestine, and Pot Stickers.

The main entrees are divided into Seafood, Pork, Beef, Chicken & Duck, Vegetable, Casseroles, Rice Soups, Noodles in Soup, Fried Rice, Fried Noodles, and Rice on Plate. Among my favorites, Prawns w/ Cashew Nut for $8.95, Scallop w/ black bean sauce for $9.50, Chinese Pork Chop (sizzling platter) $8.95, Sparerib w/ black bean sauce $7.95, Beef w/ Choy Sum $7.95, Mongolian Beef $8.25, Crispy Skin half Roast Chicken $8.95, Chicken w/ straw mushrooms, $7.95, Malaysia Chow Funn (curry) $6.95, Beef Chow Funn w/ Black Bean Sauce $6.95, Shrimp Fried Rice $6.95, and Chinese Sausage & Chicken Fried Rice $7.95.

As any reader might divine, my palate is rather traditional Western and not as adventuresome as some, so I am obliged to note that Ruby is locally famous for dishes such as Squid w/ Ong Choy $7.95, Pork Intestine w/ Sour Cabbage $7.95, Cooked Pig Blood $7.95, Pig Skin & Fish Ball & Turnip in Casserole $7.95, Pig Blood Rice Soup $4.75, and other such items.

And it ought to be noted that the wonderful waitresses at Ruby are quick to alert the more adventuresome sorts to the ingredients of many of their dishes for which I am always thankful.

Oh, a special note: their cook does something incredibly terrific to the black bean sauce that makes it a wow with whatever dish it accompanies, hence my addiction to the Beef Chow Funn in Black Bean Sauce and most every other item in Black Bean Sauce.

Ruby has generous portions. Two to four people can easily split a dish, and a meal for two to four rarely breaks the fifty dollar mark — though you should order enough for leftovers because you’ll get the craving for their food late in the night and want a comfort package waiting for you in the fridge.

Ruby is open early, around 8 AM, serving a variety of traditional (Western) breakfasts for $4.75.  They stay open to 6 PM or as late as 8 PM depending upon how busy the day.  Late in the day it is best to call to see how late they intend to stay open. You can call them via 808-523-0801.

A final note on the Bakery! Ruby makes cakes for special occasions. Their glass display case is often filled with black bean cakes, ham & cheese rolls, custards, and other wondrous treats. When you need a cake for a banquet or party give them a call for an estimate. Lucky for me I have some of their Crispy Gau Gee stashed in the fridge.