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lilikoi meringue tart ($10) - perfect tart to me actually - usually sour flavors like these tend to be too sweet as the baker attempts to compensate the sourness, but that highkey backfires because when the dessert is too sweet and sour i end up hating it - this one however was just right; not too sweet and it's got just enough crust to pair with the lilikoi braised beef loco moco - an elevated take on loco moco that made me realize a simple dish can actually be impressive - the immaculate presentation was one thing but the flavor and texture exceeded my expectations for how a loco moco can taste - the crispy rice was nicely charred; not too burnt; usually charred items taste overdone and burnt but this had a nice note to it; wish it was crispier though but it might be because we were waiting for ages for the rest of the dish - braised beef was extremely tender - sauce was great but i wish it was a bit thicker and less liquidy - the pickled veggies were pretty well made too; they were lacking some kick and brightening flavor but the quality is there shrimp kauai - the shrimp was so juicy and the sauce well done; so fresh it was naturally sweet - the head was golden too, filled with natural sweetness -flavor on point; i had nothing else to say about this dish other than it was near perfect - same comment on the pickled veggies here as above rating: 4.5/5 - every dish was well done; not perfect and can improve but i was already well satisfied - the flavor, texture, and portion made the meal so worth... probably the most affordable food we've had on this island given the quality and care they put into each dish - it operates as a food truck within this zen buddha looking garden - very cute at night with fairy lights, plants, and other decor - highly recommend - service was kind and friendly but it took a long while for the food to be ready; makes sense though given how elaborate their dishes looked! IG: @nom.noms.only
Incredible meal! What looks like an unassuming food truck setup turned out to be a five star culinary meal! Both dishes were amazing. My wife and I agree it was our best meal in Maui!
This was by far the best meal we had in Maui! We had read some ratings online and tried to find this place but had a hard time because Google Maps was not very helpful. I called and asked them for directions and they actually guided us. They were also really patient in explaining the menu to us and explaining the different types of fish and what not. Really glad we were patient and actually came here! Such a lovely aesthetic to the whole area and the food. Oh my goodness!!! The burst of flavor in everything was phenomenal! Such unique combinations and everything was so fresh and cooked so well and just mind blowing! Husband and I kept saying how we should have just gone there multiple times for food! Mahi Mahi Bento bowl with Ono instead. (It has Crispy Sushi Rice / Black Garlic / Market Vegetables) I really have no words to see how good this combination was! I was actually a little full going into dinner but ended up actually wiping this whole plate clean! The food was that good! Husband got the Roasted Organic Chicken With Coconut with Coconut Carrot Curry and Roasted Vegetables. Very different vibe from my item but also really delicious. Heat thoroughly enjoyed this one! The chicken was perfectly cooked and the carrot coconut curry combination with the vegetables and the chicken was lovely. He kept some leftovers for the next day because the chicken portion size was quite huge and we enjoyed it even the next day! Seaweed salad was also delicious! Super fresh and tasty!
Such a beautiful lush spot for a good and wholesome lunch! I've been here and it never disappoints. The Steamed Mahi Bento is so good, simple yet so healthy. It's crispy sushi rice, steamed vegetables, miso, black garlic all in a nice bento set. Service is very nice all the time. Will definitely come back as always!
It's hard to describe just how 5-star Kitoko Maui is -- and the fact that chef is creating food at this level out of a food truck makes it even more impressive. I'm not sure I've had, or will have, a better meal on Maui. It was named one of the top local spots last year, and that recognition feels completely deserved. Set at the far end of South Maui Gardens, the outdoor seating gives it a relaxed but special ambiance. For our 30th anniversary, my wife and I shared the smoked tomahawk steak family-style, along with black garlic roasted rice, pickled carrots and onions, and a roasted vegetable medley with a beautiful spice mix. Every bite was outstanding -- perfectly cooked, deeply flavorful, and clearly crafted with intention. We finished with the lilikoi meringue pie, which was just as impressive and a perfect way to end the meal. Maui has some incredible dining experiences, and Kitoko stands comfortably among the very best -- food truck or not. If you're looking for a truly memorable dinner on the island, don't miss this one.
Super cool food truck spot- food trucks, gardens, birds, butterflies, chickens, shops- nice place to have dinner. We tried Kitoko- had the half lobster and Mahi Mahi- the lobster was okay- very sauced with a thick sweet sauce that was over the lobster, slaw and rice. It was a little overkill. Mahi was good. Staff were nice.
We've been coming here for 4 years and we owe Cole, the chef/owner, a review. The man has been feeding us fantastic delicious food using best of the local ingredients every time we visit the island. It's one of our absolute favorite places to eat in Maui. It's truly fine dining quality food at down to earth prices. There's a standard menu and always 3-4 specials. The Blue Door Bread and Pizza next door (same ownership) also turns out awesome pizzas made from 100% organic sourdough, and also has some awesome desserts. We usually order from both places for dinner. Chef Cole - if you're reading this, we love to see you bring back the tomato mango gazpacho with Kauai shrimp and the shrimp bao specials. Both are out of this world good and we miss them!! Thank you for always putting out such quality food clearly made with love, and for being so kind to your customers!
This place has a yummy food truck and they sell fresh baked sourdough bread. We got the olive one and OMG it was so yummy. You pick and they slice it for you there. I recommend pairing with the Bellwether Farms Carnot cheese from Sonoma.
I had the mahi mahi bento - it was excellent! Perfect combo of lots of fresh veggies, crispy rice and mahi mahi with a wonderfully flavorful sauce. I do wish they would give just a smidge more mahi mahi, but honestly this was one of the best food truck meals I've had on the island. Highly recommend!
Hear me out- this $125 tomahawk steak and $80 chicken is the most affordable dinner in Maui. When you are trying to feed your entire group and eat well, this is the way two go. These two platters with their generous sides fed a group of 8 who know how to eat! The steak was perfectly cooked and carved table side by the chef who handed out cuts that were cooked to each persons preference. The sides are not to be ignored either. These vegetables have main character energy. Not a second over or under cooked, sauced nicely and all the textures. The chicken was the surprise. I'm not a huge fan of chicken but when I smelled some cooking I knew we had to order it. It was completely deboned (again the chef is an artist) and lightly smoked. It was a Peruvian style not normally on the menu. That means it had a bright lime flavor with lots of aromatics. Lastly, why eat in a stuffy restaurant when you can dine in the middle of a tropical garden surrounded by butterflies and art. No notes.
The owner was super attentive to his customers. We were there at about 4 oclock (we came from CA and we didn't adapt to the Hawaiian time, which is 3 hours later than Pacific time). I saw somewhere that this restaurant has crispy pork belly but I didn't see on the menu, so I asked the cashier. The owner heard me asking and removed the sign that was covering the crispy pork belly sign. Turns out the crispy pork belly is a special item for dinner. He let us order since we asked. Not gonna lie, it did not disappoint!!! Especially the sweet potato gnocchi - I am very impressed! However, the bao is not as impressive as expected. But if anyone saw this review, highly recommend the crispy pork belly, but not so much on the shrimp bao... Just a heads up yall, there are A LOT OF flies in the area!!!! Thank goodness the owner gave us the flies repellent(??) fan - it helped our eating experience slightly better.... The owner also told me about his little brother's restaurant in the Marina area in SF, which is called "Roaming Goat". If you're from the bay area, just a little shout out to his little brother's restaurant :)
Food: I was so disappointed about the flavors in my dish. I don't think they went well together or tasted good. The veggies were on the harder side although their fish was tender and their crispy rice had a good crunch. Their presentation was beautiful though! Service: Friendly staff although they take a while to get your order out. Atmosphere: Place is in a food truck location so there's plenty of outdoor seating. However, we had to move multiple times because there were so many flies and ants at our tables. Great for large parties and kid-friendly.
This place was amazing!!! Everything was so good! The pizza, the pork belly, the meatballs, the pastries - all of it! It's located in a food truck village, but don't let that fool you! It's really awesome! The service is very friendly and the ambiance is fun with old timey wooden mail boxes outside the restaurant. Probably the best food we had on the island
29 days ago
One of the best food trucks on Maui ! Beautiful setting in the gardens, excellent and welcoming service, and the best food not served in a restaurant I've ever eaten! I really wanted to try Maui venison and was so happy to see it on the menu. I was ecstatic to taste it and the entire plate was a beautiful masterpiece of culinary art! The grilled Kauai shrimp were equally spectacular and worthy of celebration! I love that they use Hawaiian produce, meat, and seafood, but even more importantly, they are skilled experts who create wonderful melodic flavors with their local ingredients! I also got a delicious refreshing smoothie but drank it all before taking a picture. read more
lilikoi meringue tart ($10) - perfect tart to me actually - usually sour flavors like these tend to be too sweet as the baker attempts to compensate the sourness, but that highkey backfires because when the dessert is too sweet and sour i end up hating it - this one however was just right; not too sweet and it's got just enough crust to pair with the lilikoi braised beef loco moco - an elevated take on loco moco that made me realize a simple dish can actually be impressive - the immaculate presentation was one thing but the flavor and texture exceeded my expectations for how a loco moco can taste - the crispy rice was nicely charred; not too burnt; usually charred items taste overdone and burnt but this had a nice note to it; wish it was crispier though but it might be because we were waiting for ages for the rest of the dish - braised beef was extremely tender - sauce was great but i wish it was a bit thicker and less liquidy - the pickled veggies were pretty well made too; they were lacking some kick and brightening flavor but the quality is there shrimp kauai - the shrimp was so juicy and the sauce well done; so fresh it was naturally sweet - the head was golden too, filled with natural sweetness -flavor on point; i had nothing else to say about this dish other than it was near perfect - same comment on the pickled veggies here as above rating: 4.5/5 - every dish was well done; not perfect and can improve but i was already well satisfied - the flavor, texture, and portion made the meal so worth... probably the most affordable food we've had on this island given the quality and care they put into each dish - it operates as a food truck within this zen buddha looking garden - very cute at night with fairy lights, plants, and other decor - highly recommend - service was kind and friendly but it took a long while for the food to be ready; makes sense though given how elaborate their dishes looked! IG: @nom.noms.only read more
10 hours ago
Incredible meal! What looks like an unassuming food truck setup turned out to be a five star culinary meal! Both dishes were amazing. My wife and I agree it was our best meal in Maui! read more
This was by far the best meal we had in Maui! We had read some ratings online and tried to find this place but had a hard time because Google Maps was not very helpful. I called and asked them for directions and they actually guided us. They were also really patient in explaining the menu to us and explaining the different types of fish and what not. Really glad we were patient and actually came here! Such a lovely aesthetic to the whole area and the food. Oh my goodness!!! The burst of flavor in everything was phenomenal! Such unique combinations and everything was so fresh and cooked so well and just mind blowing! Husband and I kept saying how we should have just gone there multiple times for food! Mahi Mahi Bento bowl with Ono instead. (It has Crispy Sushi Rice / Black Garlic / Market Vegetables) I really have no words to see how good this combination was! I was actually a little full going into dinner but ended up actually wiping this whole plate clean! The food was that good! Husband got the Roasted Organic Chicken With Coconut with Coconut Carrot Curry and Roasted Vegetables. Very different vibe from my item but also really delicious. Heat thoroughly enjoyed this one! The chicken was perfectly cooked and the carrot coconut curry combination with the vegetables and the chicken was lovely. He kept some leftovers for the next day because the chicken portion size was quite huge and we enjoyed it even the next day! Seaweed salad was also delicious! Super fresh and tasty! read more
4 months ago
Such a beautiful lush spot for a good and wholesome lunch! I've been here and it never disappoints. The Steamed Mahi Bento is so good, simple yet so healthy. It's crispy sushi rice, steamed vegetables, miso, black garlic all in a nice bento set. Service is very nice all the time. Will definitely come back as always! read more
It's hard to describe just how 5-star Kitoko Maui is -- and the fact that chef is creating food at this level out of a food truck makes it even more impressive. I'm not sure I've had, or will have, a better meal on Maui. It was named one of the top local spots last year, and that recognition feels completely deserved. Set at the far end of South Maui Gardens, the outdoor seating gives it a relaxed but special ambiance. For our 30th anniversary, my wife and I shared the smoked tomahawk steak family-style, along with black garlic roasted rice, pickled carrots and onions, and a roasted vegetable medley with a beautiful spice mix. Every bite was outstanding -- perfectly cooked, deeply flavorful, and clearly crafted with intention. We finished with the lilikoi meringue pie, which was just as impressive and a perfect way to end the meal. Maui has some incredible dining experiences, and Kitoko stands comfortably among the very best -- food truck or not. If you're looking for a truly memorable dinner on the island, don't miss this one. read more
Super cool food truck spot- food trucks, gardens, birds, butterflies, chickens, shops- nice place to have dinner. We tried Kitoko- had the half lobster and Mahi Mahi- the lobster was okay- very sauced with a thick sweet sauce that was over the lobster, slaw and rice. It was a little overkill. Mahi was good. Staff were nice. read more
18 days ago
2 months ago
We've been coming here for 4 years and we owe Cole, the chef/owner, a review. The man has been feeding us fantastic delicious food using best of the local ingredients every time we visit the island. It's one of our absolute favorite places to eat in Maui. It's truly fine dining quality food at down to earth prices. There's a standard menu and always 3-4 specials. The Blue Door Bread and Pizza next door (same ownership) also turns out awesome pizzas made from 100% organic sourdough, and also has some awesome desserts. We usually order from both places for dinner. Chef Cole - if you're reading this, we love to see you bring back the tomato mango gazpacho with Kauai shrimp and the shrimp bao specials. Both are out of this world good and we miss them!! Thank you for always putting out such quality food clearly made with love, and for being so kind to your customers! read more
2 months ago
This place has a yummy food truck and they sell fresh baked sourdough bread. We got the olive one and OMG it was so yummy. You pick and they slice it for you there. I recommend pairing with the Bellwether Farms Carnot cheese from Sonoma. read more
I had the mahi mahi bento - it was excellent! Perfect combo of lots of fresh veggies, crispy rice and mahi mahi with a wonderfully flavorful sauce. I do wish they would give just a smidge more mahi mahi, but honestly this was one of the best food truck meals I've had on the island. Highly recommend! read more
Hear me out- this $125 tomahawk steak and $80 chicken is the most affordable dinner in Maui. When you are trying to feed your entire group and eat well, this is the way two go. These two platters with their generous sides fed a group of 8 who know how to eat! The steak was perfectly cooked and carved table side by the chef who handed out cuts that were cooked to each persons preference. The sides are not to be ignored either. These vegetables have main character energy. Not a second over or under cooked, sauced nicely and all the textures. The chicken was the surprise. I'm not a huge fan of chicken but when I smelled some cooking I knew we had to order it. It was completely deboned (again the chef is an artist) and lightly smoked. It was a Peruvian style not normally on the menu. That means it had a bright lime flavor with lots of aromatics. Lastly, why eat in a stuffy restaurant when you can dine in the middle of a tropical garden surrounded by butterflies and art. No notes. read more
30 days ago
The owner was super attentive to his customers. We were there at about 4 oclock (we came from CA and we didn't adapt to the Hawaiian time, which is 3 hours later than Pacific time). I saw somewhere that this restaurant has crispy pork belly but I didn't see on the menu, so I asked the cashier. The owner heard me asking and removed the sign that was covering the crispy pork belly sign. Turns out the crispy pork belly is a special item for dinner. He let us order since we asked. Not gonna lie, it did not disappoint!!! Especially the sweet potato gnocchi - I am very impressed! However, the bao is not as impressive as expected. But if anyone saw this review, highly recommend the crispy pork belly, but not so much on the shrimp bao... Just a heads up yall, there are A LOT OF flies in the area!!!! Thank goodness the owner gave us the flies repellent(??) fan - it helped our eating experience slightly better.... The owner also told me about his little brother's restaurant in the Marina area in SF, which is called "Roaming Goat". If you're from the bay area, just a little shout out to his little brother's restaurant :) read more
1 year ago
Food: I was so disappointed about the flavors in my dish. I don't think they went well together or tasted good. The veggies were on the harder side although their fish was tender and their crispy rice had a good crunch. Their presentation was beautiful though! Service: Friendly staff although they take a while to get your order out. Atmosphere: Place is in a food truck location so there's plenty of outdoor seating. However, we had to move multiple times because there were so many flies and ants at our tables. Great for large parties and kid-friendly. read more
2 months ago
This place was amazing!!! Everything was so good! The pizza, the pork belly, the meatballs, the pastries - all of it! It's located in a food truck village, but don't let that fool you! It's really awesome! The service is very friendly and the ambiance is fun with old timey wooden mail boxes outside the restaurant. Probably the best food we had on the island read more
5 months ago
I ordered an Ono poke, and whatever idea you have of poke in Hawaii, if you are going to order this meal just get rid of it. To me this was more like a ceviche, the ginger was too overpowering, the garnish was good, but the peppers are not my jam. The best part of this dish was the taro chips and the fish cooked in citrus aka not poke. read more
On my recent trip to Maui, Kitoko Maui was a recommended spot. A fantastic place nestled in an outdoor food truck hangout. This mini food hub has a laid-back, welcoming vibe where you can grab delicious food, explore different vendors, and even treat yourself to dessert--all while soaking in the natural surroundings. I didn't really know what to order, but the chef was really nice and recommended some dishes and you can really tell that he is passionate about food. I ordered three dishes: the Braised Beef Loco Moco, Lobster with Bao, and Fried Rice. The loco moco was good, tender braised beef with a rich, savory gravy, crispy rice, and a perfectly runny egg. The fried rice was flavorful, but had a tad sourness to it (it had a zesty dressing to it). But the real star of the meal was the Lobster with Bao--garlicky, buttery, perfectly cooked meat with a charcoal essence to it and bursting with flavor. It reminding me of Chinese stir fry lobster but more garlicky and buttery. The lobster paired beautifully with the soft bao and fresh salad, creating the perfect bite. It was so good that I had to come back a second time just to enjoy it again! With its incredible food, relaxed atmosphere, and beautiful natural setting, Kitoko Maui is a must-visit. Whether you're looking for a satisfying meal or just want to stroll around and enjoy the food truck scene, this spot is a true hidden gem. I can't wait to go back! read more
I love that they have a separate vegan menu. I don't know if they had a dedicated area for preparing the vegan items, but I did confirm that the plant-based menu was also vegan (everyone on this island really loves their honey, so you gotta ask everywhere). The person I ordered from was very nice and yelled out my name loudly when my order was ready so I could hear him all the way over at the coffee shop where I was sitting. Lovely spot to relax with a friend or alone with a good book. There's lots of shade, a koi pond, and dogs (and water for your dog if you bring them). They have wifi too, so you can scroll through social media or bring your laptop and catch up on emails. If you're with a group, I did see some bigger tables that could fit up to 8 people. My only qualm if I had to find something to complain about is that the bathrooms are not gender neutral, and there are flies flying around in the restrooms. read more
Wow! Probably one of my favorite food trucks! Kitoko is located in South Maui Gardens - a mini food truck paradise. Options for everyone, and it's BYOB! While there are many other options our fav food came from Kitoko. We liked it so much we came back twice! We ordered the lobster bento and the crispy pork with ube gnocchi. Extremely delicious! We also got their lilikoi meringue tart, a great sweet but not too sweet way to end the meal! read more
4 months ago
First off I am obsessed with their fresh squeezed juices they are so good! Also the Peruvian chicken so juicy and tender and full of great flavor. Also, (for 79% of people reading this), the cilantro sauce they whipped up was just fantastic over the top. And the tomatoes and potatoes on the side were absolutely perfectly paired. Also that lilikoi shortbread the crust is moist and compliments the lilikoi perfectly. read more
1 month ago
9 months ago
Kitoko continues to serve truly creative food using fresh and local ingredients. It's one of the first food trucks as you enter South Maui Gardens. Had their Ono Poke with Taro chips and the Mahi Mahi bento box. Both entrees had such interesting flavors and crunch with generous veggies included. A must-stop place to grab a meal in Kihei! read more
Amazing! I got the chicken curry with veggies and hubby got the lobster dish. It was all so delicious and plated beautifully too. One of the best meals we've had on the island so far. The chef/owner was so friendly and helpful, it's clear he takes pride in the food he makes and serves. The whole gardens area is beautiful and provides a nice atmosphere to enjoy while eating your food. read more
1 year ago
Did I just get an amazing half of lobster from a food truck?! YEP!! I didn't even need butter!! Service was fast friendly and the wait was short and beyond worth it. The gardens are beautiful and peaceful as well. read more
I didn't realize Kitoko was on the other side of the crowded food truck area in Kihei (South Maui Gardens), you just have to walk south into the zen garden. Hubby & I came and tried their Braised Loco Moco and were both very impressed! Something different from the normal loco moco, and we both really enjoyed it. The papaya salad was light and refreshing, the braised beef wasn't overly flavorful, more of a natural flavor of the beef and it was served with a crispy rice cube and fried egg. Hubby also got a Kombucha to drink, that was good and refreshing as well. Service was fairly quick & this side of the South Maui Gardens was quiet when we went. They have a bakery and pizza shop right next to the food truck and ample seating available & restrooms right by it. We parked right in front of the entrance, though it might fill up during meal-time rushes, then you might have to drive around. read more
5 months ago
Had one of their specials of the day, smoked trip tip with Okinawa sweet potatoes, grilled onion and vegetables. Each component was perfectly seasoned, the vegetables were the best part of the plate with an al dante cook on the broccoli, savory roasted onions and incredible smoothe sweet potato puree. The trip tip had great flavor but was a bit on the tough and dry side, I wish it had been as delicious as the vegetables. read more
Had dinner here during our visit in Maui. My wife and I ordered the seafood platter. You can see the chef preparing your food. The food was delicious and the seafood platter was worth the $125 price. The lobster tasted delicious. Come check out this place. read more
3 months ago
WOW! What a wonderful way to spend our last few days in Maui. Out of all the places we have gone to, this place had the BEST loco moco and pastries. If you are visiting Maui, this is a must go to place. Food and service are excellent. You must try the pastries. This place is located in a very cute plaza with esthetic outdoor seating. read more
This is a review for the dessert only. Had the likikoi meringue pie which was so delicious. The crust had a nice sandy texture and the lilikoi curd was perfectly tart and sweet. The light Swiss meringue that surrounded the edge of the pie was the perfect touch...ordered this from the display case in front of blue door bakery--just wish there were names and descriptions by each dessert type. May have to go back and try the other sweets too! read more
7 months ago
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Ask the Community - Kitoko Maui
Do they serve alcohol? If not, is it ok to BYOB?
I am fairly certain you can't BYOB. This is an outside venue in the South Maui Garden nursery. They are a food truck located next to Blue Door. Great place for lunch but you will need to go elsewhere for an adult beverage. I think Paia Fish…
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