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    Chef Chai

    4.2 (975 reviews)
    PriceyAsian Fusion
    Open 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Chef Chai Photos

    Business Info

    CHEF CHAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Chef Chai

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    This is the shrimp on a stick (Delicious)

    My wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary tonight at Chef Chai's. My wife and I both ordered the Grilled Beef Tenderloin, with mashed potatoes and vegetables. OMG! The food was exceptional, prepared exactly the way we ordered. It gets better! Before our entree arrived we were given a series of appetizers that were part of the meal (Shrimp, duck tacos, this amazing peanut sauce with pita bread and for dessert we were served the best Tiramisu) Absolutely the best Tiramisu ever! The service was Five Star You never had to wait for anything and the owner Maikai and manager Dustin walked around all night making sure everyone and everything was okay. Best service ever. Worth mentioning! We ordered whiskey highballs and they were made perfectly as well. Thank you Chef Chai's for a memorable anniversary. Dan and Dar Sparks

    Chicken Tenderloin Sate' with Sweet Chili Sauce (sub sauce, allergic to peanuts)
    Keola K.

    Wow what a pleasant surprise. We have lived right upstairs for 4 years and never stopped by. Maayynnn were we missing out. Service was top notch, friendly, pleasant, and attentive. The ambiance is cool/urban with a nice hint of Hawaiian music in the background. We came early so mommy couldn't try the early bird special. Appetizer sampler, Kabayaki King Salmon, and Heart Shaped White Chocolate Gelato with Fresh Raspberry Guava Puree. Mommy said it was all delicious but the cream of the crop were the mac nut crusted tiger prawn, butternut squash and lobster bisque, the salmon but more so the pineapple relish, and of course that dessert. Happy momma. My high of the night the Sautéed Escargot & Prawns with Chili Garlic Cream & Fresh Shiitake Mushroom, Served with Crostinis. OMG flavor BOMB'ski. Give me more of that over an angel hair pasta and take me to heaven :-). I also enjoyed the Hokkaido Scallops and Risotto. Scallops cooked to perfection and the first place I have eaten risotto in my life and absolutely loved it. Thought I would never order a risotto prior to giving theirs one last try. A convert I am. Thank you Chef Chai, chefs who cooked, and staff! What a wonderful dinner.

    Organically Grown Rainbow Salad
    Rebecca L.

    Came here for date night during the prime rib special and it was definitely a good deal! Service was good and food came out in a timely manner. We even saw chef Chai himself out several time which was nice! Food wise I ordered the prime rib dinner which was super flavorful and tasty. The meat came out slightly more rare than I ordered but it was still good! Boyfriend ordered the whole fish Thai style and that was cooked to perfection. Sauce was pretty spicy but if you don't drench the fish in the sauce it was perfect. Dessert we had the tiramisu and crème brulee and both were yummy! Decent amount of parking in the garage but it is shared with other businesses so street parking might be necessary depending on the time.

    pre fixe dessert
    Shay Y.

    This was my first time to Chef Chai's right across Kapi'olani Blvd from the Blaisdell Arena. But Chai's has been around forever! I don't post a 5 star review often at all. But the overall experience here deserved it. Our server Brian was wonderful! His service was top notch and he was polite, friendly, and personable. He also made great suggestions on the menu. I ordered the scallops and it was so yummy! They were seared, good color, but soooo tender and definitely not a one overcooked. The risotto was good too, although couldn't really taste any lobster in it. I assume they used the lobster stock from the bisque. I shared the coffee creme brulee with my mom and it was delicious. So smooth and creamy and delicate. I don't even like coffee, but the flavor was just on point. I'd love to come back another time! Also the early pre fixe dinner special at $58 for the starter, choice of entree, and dessert is a great value!

    Chef Chais Signature Combination Appetizer Platter
    Michael M.

    12/12/2025- We decided to come here before the HI Finest concert to eat some dinner before the show. We had reservations at 5:30PM and were promptly seated. Upon getting seated, there was lots of smoke inside the building, not too sure why but there were some workers trying to open the all the doors to let out the smoke. It lasted about 15 minutes or so. We ordered the prime rib special that was offered. It came with some appetizer and a desert. I don't remember exactly off hand what it was, I forgot to take a picture of the menu but did get pictures of the food. Everything up to getting the appetizer was fine, including the side of ahi katsu. After that is where everything went down hill. After we finished the appetizers, we waited and waited for the prime rib to come out. It took about 15 minutes for it to initially come out. We requested the prime rib to be medium rare, but it seems like it was more medium. We didn't want to wait any longer so we just decided to eat it. During the course of the meal, we had to wait for our waters to be refilled. It seems like our waitress was changed shift of tables as she never came around after that. Never asked to refill the waters or ask how everything was. We had to ask another server for water. After we finally finished our main course, we waited an additional 15 minutes or so for the desert. It took so long for it come out, we asked "another" server to just box it up so we could take it home. For the most part, the food was great except for the prime rib, which was a little over cooked. Service on the other hand, wasn't great at all. We have been here before and service was on par but it seems like everything that night was not. I am disappointed, especially spending that much $$$ here.

    Rob B.

    Aloha, we enjoy MS Patrick Okubo's wine dinners at Chef Chai. Another wonderful evening. It's become our monthly go-to to meet up with friends. Delicious food by chef Chai. Generous portions and best duck I've had in a long time. And yes the lamb was fabulous as well as the refreshing melon with Prosciutto and walnuts. Enjoy!

    Grilled Fresh Kabayaki King Salmon and Pineapple Relish
    Allen N.

    I've been to Chef Chai's a couple of times now, each time on the recommendation of friends, and it's consistently been a great experience. My most recent visit was no exception. The food was delicious, and our waitress Kristi went above and beyond, making the evening even more enjoyable. Chef Chai's remains a solid choice for a special dinner in Honolulu!

    Doug T.

    Great place! We went to a catered lunch and liked it so much we went to dinner. Ordered a bunch of items. Everything was excellent in terms of taste and presentation. Great full bar with some of the best whiskys and tequilas

    Chef Chais Signature Combination Appetizer Platter
    Suri S.

    Honolulu Restaurant Week Meal #5 Glad I saved this one for last because it ended up being my favorite meal of all 5 I tried this week! Upscale modern elegance. White tablecloths, beautiful Thai decorations. Chef Chai is half Thai, half Chinese. Naturally, Asian fusion is his speciality. I genuinely enjoyed every single course Chef Chai presented us. I was impressed by his creativity, beauty in presentation, and skillset in making each dish memorable. Restaurant Week Special $69 per person, $20 wine supplement Starter: Chicken Tenderloin Sate' with Thai Peanut Sauce, Asian Flat Bread and Cucumber Salad Appetizer Sampler: -Fresh Ahi Tartar with Avocado Mousse in Mini Waffle Cones -Kataifi and Macnut Crusted Jumbo Black Tiger Prawns -Gravlax Salmon Roulade with Cream Cheese & Crab Meat -Smoked Duck Taco with Spicy Mango Salsa Entrée Mongolian Style Lamb Chops with Brandy Demi Mashed Potato & Stir-fried Sugar Snap peas Desserts: -Waialua Chocolate Lava Cake with Fresh Berries -Heart Shaped White Chocolate Amore Truffle with Fresh Raspberry Guava Puree Unlike most tasting menus, I left really full here since they were so generous with the lamb chops entree! The dessert was the perfect ending for people with sweet tooths. Service was exceptional! Tim took great care of us, providing good company and attentiveness throughout the meal. All staff were welcoming. Easy to make reservations via OpenTable. Street parking free after 6pm or Valet parking inside building for $7 flat rate. Highly recommend!

    Gwen C.

    Chef Chai's is located directly in the back of the Blaisdell parking structure on Kapiolani Blvd. Parking is easy as there is a garage with valet literally next door to the restaurant. We went for a company holiday party so we had a set menu with appetizers and we could choose our entrée from several different items. let me tell you, I know I should've memorize what was what, but honestly things were coming to our table to fast and I was trying to take pictures and next thing u know it another round of appetizers would come out, LOL. I tried my best, LOL... For my main dish, I ordered the filet mignon, with some kind of stuff mushroom, mashed potatoes and some green beans and carrots. the filet mignon was cooked to perfection and I devoured it. My husband got the rack of lambs and it was cooked and flavored great. Service was on point and out standing for as much as we had in our party. Chef Chai came out to great us and that was nice. This isnt your every weekend dining, but definitely a place to go :))

    C4: Mongolian style lamb chops
    Gerry L.

    The world food tour duo joined the 35th anniversary dinner at Chef Chai. The menu featured a five-course menu with four wines from the Wagner family, two from Caymus, one from Emmelo and a Caymus-Suisun, all for $135pp. The starter was a baby green salad and Chai's signature Kataifi Prawn with a tangerine vinaigrette. The better half of the food duo was served just the greens due to her shellfish allergy. The wine was a Emmelo #5 sparkling wine ($40btl), very fruity and crisp. Hmmm, I might have to purchase a few bottles. The second course was braised pork belly and Thai sticky rice with shrimp and chestnuts. It was served wrapped in a ti leaf. The pork was tender and the rice very tasty. The alternative dish were three lamb tacos ... I tried one, wow, so flavorful! The wine was a 2022 Caymus-Suisun The Walking Fool, red blend ($38btl). Course three was pistachio crusted beef tenderloin with a medley of vegetables. The wine was a 2022 Caymus California cabernet sauvignon ($55btl). The beef was tender and the roasted vegetables provided a good counterpoint. The main course was Mongolian style lamb chops with a brandy demi sauce. It was served with a 2022 Caymus 50th anniversary cab ($72btl). This was a great wine, by far the best of the three reds. I liked this wine more than the "standard" Caymus cab, at a slight price premium. Dessert was a 35-layer chocolate crepe cake with raspberry guava puree. I'm not a dessert person so I took a single spoonful ... It reminded me of tiramisu. I had a wonderful cup of coffee instead. What did we think? It was a great meal at a reasonable price. Service was fine, even with the restaurant being at capacity. We're happy to see these wine-focused dinners ... the next one is on January 8th, featuring wines from Freemark Abbey. Thanks, Chef Chai!

    diana h.

    I was really hoping this was going to be an amazing dining experience but it was not. The food here was beautifully presented and genuinely delicious, each dish was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. That said, the portions were a little small for the price, so just be aware if you come hungry. The ambiance was nice, but the overall experience was impacted by the service. Our server wasn't super attentive. But what really stood out (in a bad way) was the hostess. She was surprisingly rude and dismissive, which set a sour tone from the start. This place has a lot of potential and clearly puts care into the food, but for the price point, I expected a higher level of hospitality and warmth from the staff. Though I'm leaving 4 stars, it was a 3 star experience for us.

    Skye F.

    I didn't write a review when I came here a while ago! Really wish I had, but thats a good reason to go back, right? We came during restaurant week for an early bday, and though it has been half a year I still think about it. Its pretty upscale but isn't too pretentious or overpriced, and most importantly the food was soooo good, and we were full by the end of it. The appetizers were both pretty and tasty, but the mains were the most memorable parts. I absolutely loved the lemongrass oxtail soup. The bright, fresh taste of lemongrass and cilantro paired with the rich, savory oxtail perfectly. And though the lamb didn't have any particularly unique flavorings, it was probably the best cook I've tasted on a lamb chop. Looking forward to eating here again.

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    Page 1 of 25

    Chef Chai Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Chef Chai

    Since it's now new ownership, have the menu changed in items & prices ? Thanks

    It seems like the menu and prices have stayed the same. A few different items depending on availability and season.

    What days are the early bird specials every day?

    I usually watch the newspaper ads or best to call the restaurant.

    What is the set menu for valentines day?

    Hi Rick, Thank you for your message, please see the link for our valentine's menu.… Read more

    I have an old expired Groupon deal for Chef Chai that I never redeemed, but it should still be good for the amount I paid for it. Are there restrictions on when I can use it? For example, can I use it for the Wiki Wiki Box, Early Bird Special, etc.?

    Thank you for your message, once the certificate expired you still can use them as the face value of $99 gift certificate for dine in. Please let me know if you have other question.… Read more

    Is there outdoor dining here?

    Yes, they have just a few tables outside.

    Where is curbside pickup? Is it on Kapiolani Blvd.?

    Yes it is. Call them and ask if they want you to pull into their driveway.

    The restaurant have parking?

    We offer valet parking only with $6 fee, street parking available on both side of Kapiolani after 6:30 PM

    Where to park?

    HI Deborah, We offer valet parking next to our entrance (in the building call Pacifica) $6 fee… Read more

    Is there much difference b/n Early Bird ($42 per person) and Groupon (comes out to $52 per person) besides price?

    Yes there's more food options with the Groupon. You get an extra entree to choose from and also extra appetizer. And you get 3 desserts to choose from, instead of only having 1 option.

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    Roy's Waikiki - Crab cakes

    Roy's Waikiki

    4.3(3.6k reviews)
    1.8 miWaikiki
    $$$$

    Roy was a solid choice for celebrating a wedding anniversary. Dimmed lights in a warm colored room…read moremade it romantic but there was an array of people here, from families with kids and couples from varying ages. We had Erik S as our server and he was stellar. We took his recommendations on the specials with fish and tried both the codfish with butter and swordfish with macaroni. Both great. We also really enjoyed the ribs and bao bun. Thanks Erik for being so mindful of my allergies and also sending a cake for us to celebrate the occasion.

    Brought a friend from out of town to Roy's for her birthday. And it's a great place for that kind…read moreof celebration. I always say Roy's isn't going to blow you away with their food but it's always solid and never disappoints. I prefer the Hawaii Kai location but this one isn't bad at all. Very easy to get a reservation on open table. Protip: use your sapphire reserve card if you have one to make the reservation in open table (as of 2026) & pay for the meal. Iykyk It's located on the first floor of the embassy suites in Waikiki--right across from Dennys. Protip: if you're driving, just do valet. It's $8 with validation. I got the tasting menu with some sort of Zucchini Bao Bun with a bit of a salad & Brussels sprouts. It was tasty but they served this fried thing -- maybe zucchini? with sauce on top of a half of a bao bun. So the bun itself was dry and lacked flavor but the thing on top was great. The dish seemed disjointed and not well integrated in that regard. Why even give me a bao bun? For the main I had the salmon which was delicious. It came with a wonderful shoyu sauce and a cool rice croquette thing. Fish was cooked perfectly and the sauce brought everything together. There was also a refreshing salad on the side with a really sweet tasting dressing that was great. And the 3rd course was the Roy's chocolate soufflé which was awesome as always. If you get nothing else at Roy's, try the soufflé. The acid in the raspberry sauce cuts through the decadent chocolate beautifully. My friend had the macadamia nut crusted fish with asparagus and she said it was wonderful. Since it was her birthday, they brought out a little something for her as well. Very nice touch. Great service as always at Roy's. If you're in Waikiki and want a fancy meal, give Roy's a go. It's a hair on the pricey side for what you actually get in terms of food quality but the service and the soufflé are worth it.

    Photos
    Roy's Waikiki - Bar area happy hour

    Bar area happy hour

    Roy's Waikiki - The all time classic here and still one of the best

    The all time classic here and still one of the best

    Roy's Waikiki - Pineapple martini

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    Pineapple martini

    Carte Blanche

    Carte Blanche

    4.5(80 reviews)
    3.4 miKaimuki
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Luxury

    Took our friend here for her birthday and what a hidden gem this place was. Tucked away in the…read moreheart of Kaimuki, Carte Blanche was definitely a delightful surprise! When our party first walked in, we were a tiny bit skeptical because of the empty room (which was beautifully decorated). However as each course came out, we were blown away and didn't know how the restaurant was not way busier for a Saturday night! Each dish/course was well thought out and prepared to perfection. We were all taken by surprise in a great way. The head chef Anthony was very passionate and excited about his work and that was very refreshing! Overall a wonderful experience and we will be back!

    If you're looking for Kaimuki's most romantic date night spot, look no further than Carte Blanche…read more We recently experienced their summer prix fixe menu (which changes twice a year), and it was one of those meals you remember long after the plates are cleared. The progression of dishes felt thoughtful and creative-- * Crispy Salt & Vinegar Chicken Skin (the perfect starter crunch) * Soupe de Poisson (deep, comforting flavors) * Pina Colada Granita (a refreshing palate cleanser) * Pan Seared Scallops (my personal favorite--perfectly caramelized and tender) * Double Cut Rack of Lamb (succulent and cooked to perfection) * Lemon Crème Brûlée Tart (a sweet, bright finish) Every plate was elegant, well-executed, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere strikes a balance between sophisticated and welcoming. Dim lighting, intimate tables, and quiet elegance make you feel like you've stepped into a hidden gem in the middle of Kaimuki. Honestly, I felt like a celebrity dining here. Service was polished but never pretentious--our server was attentive, knowledgeable about the courses, and kept the pacing of the meal just right. For the level of creativity and execution, Carte Blanche feels like an affordable luxury in Honolulu's dining scene. Perfect for anniversaries, date nights, or anytime you want an elevated experience without flying to the mainland. Highly recommend booking a reservation--you'll want to savor every moment here.

    Photos
    Carte Blanche
    Carte Blanche
    Carte Blanche

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    Miro Kaimuki - MIRO Sourdough. Furikake butter.

    Miro Kaimuki

    4.5(415 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$$$

    Visited Miro Kaimuki on my last trip to Honolulu with hopes of having a memorable dinner to finish…read moreoff my trip and it delivered! Went for the normal tasting menu and thought that the dishes were very unique and comparable to cuisine at a one Michelin star level. Service was excellent and the staff did a good job of keeping us excited for the next dish coming. Would recommend for anyone visiting Honolulu! Parking was a little difficult and you are permitted to park behind the building but it is limited. Would recommend coming a little bit early to find street parking to make it stress free.

    Being a fan of this restaurants prix fixe, we were excited to try the à la carte menu. That way you…read moreget exactly what you want. We were seated right away, but it was kind of loud. I think it's where we were sitting, but still a surprise given the cozy vibe. Food was solid, but we were slightly disappointed with the caviar as it was explained that it was going to be like an egg salad Sammie. But it was just the caviar on a toast. Perhaps the server wasn't really sure how to explain it, but since caviar are essentially eggs, I guess it was a non traditional egg salad. We had finished almost finished our starters by the time I got my wine so that was disappointing. It was packed and it didn't seem like there was enough servers, but certain tables got extra attention. Like they didn't wait long for food or drinks. We ordered everything all at once but had to reorder the dessert because the server forgot to put in it. I wanted to end with some tea, but the server forgot. Overall, the food is solid, but the service leaves something to be desired.

    Photos
    Miro Kaimuki
    Miro Kaimuki - WESTHOLME RIBEYE (16 oz).

    WESTHOLME RIBEYE (16 oz).

    Miro Kaimuki - Hamachi. Sun-Dried Tomato. Cucumber.

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    Hamachi. Sun-Dried Tomato. Cucumber.

    Morimoto Asia Waikiki - grilled miso black cod

    Morimoto Asia Waikiki

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    2.4 miWaikiki
    $$$

    I WISH I COULD GIVE MORE STARS!!!! WORTH THE PRICE! FOOD AND SERVICE IS OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!…read more Okay seriously, I've been to a ton of expensive high end restaurants and none have impressed me like this Morimoto's. When I tell you everything that came out was amazing.... Holy moly it was SO TASTY. EVERYTHING! I was even impressed with the fried rice with how much they served and how much was in it. I personally loved the fish carpaccio, rib eye, hamachi kama, wok vegetables and malasadas for dessert. The orange chicken was my least favorite but it was still good. Oh and the STICKY RIBS...... you HAVE to get them. So crispy yet tender.... I loved how everything we had bursted in my mouth with flavor and was something I couldn't make to that level at home. Service was amazing like any other fine dining restaurant, but for the first time, I felt like this one was worth the money for how good the food was. I will definitely be back!

    My bad review is entirely based on how terrible the food was. For context, we ordered Tonkatsu…read moreramen and Tsukemen dipping ramen. Ramen, according to the server, was the most popular thing on the menu, so how likely could it get messed up? Tonkatsu: Rich, but lacked any salt or had very little. We requested some salt and that instantly made the ramen better. The noodles had enough salt to carry it, but the broth was not great. It tasted like the broth was watered down or reconstituted, however no seasoning was added to re-adjust the broth. Broth: Had little salt and lacked punch, umami, and was brown instead of white. Noodles: Had enough salt to taste good, but was slightly overcooked Pork: Extremely bland. Tasted like zero salt was added during cooking. Toppings: Greatly lacking in toppings Tsukemen: The Tsukemen had a lot of the same issues. Now being a dipping ramen, the broth should be even richer and more flavorful than any normal ramen. Tsukemen -- no matter where you have it in Japan, should be richer and saltier than most broths, but the broth here was severely lacking. For $26 a bowl this was worse than your DIY frozen ramen packs. Now I'm not asking for Japan-level of ramen mastery here, this is after all, just a tourist spot -- but if your Tonkatsu is the best selling item, you have to step it up. Our server did mention that some people complained about the amount of salt in ramen, so they adjusted it. But dare I say, instead of diluting the normal salt/seasoning amount for everyone, couldn't you just add a separate, flavor-light version for people inexperienced with ramen, instead of diluting the original for everyone else? If you're reading this Mr. Morimoto, I would highly encourage you to fly here and order the ramen. I think you and I would share the same opinions. P.S. I've also been to your other Morimoto spots and it was not this bad.

    Photos
    Morimoto Asia Waikiki - Interior

    Interior

    Morimoto Asia Waikiki - Black pepper beef

    Black pepper beef

    Morimoto Asia Waikiki - Morimoto Asia Waikiki Ocean Front Lanai Dining

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    Morimoto Asia Waikiki Ocean Front Lanai Dining

    Chef Chai - asianfusion - Updated May 2026

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