The food was very flavorful and enjoyed every bite. Our drink selections were amazing also. To top it off Riley our server who was very personable, knew the menu and answered all our questions with ease was a plus. She mentioned it was her first server job but she took care of us like she's been doing it for years. great service with amazing food and drinks made me and my families experien unforgettable and will be returning! read more

I actually really liked Lady Elaine and wanted to give this place a shot after the waitress who helped me there was raving about it. And honestly, I can see why! The food here is actually really good, dude. it's an Asian fusion kind of joint, and everyone was so welcoming. My favorite dish of the night was definitely the Menchi Katsu. The onsen egg on top of the katsu was chef's kiss! I feel like it was kind of a remake of loco moco but better meat. I loved the flavor, and the portion size for the entree was perfect. Also, shoutout to the waitress who helped us! She was super sweet, welcoming, and very informative about the menu, which I really appreciated. I'd definitely come back again to try some of the other menu items! read more

See all

Food: good. Service: not attentive. Interior environment: dark light and loud Found roaches during the dining experience. Manager did not adjust the issue until second one was found. They only offer to move us after we identified two roaches. Manager comp the bill, although I said I will pay the bill. Left tips on the table. Even without the roaches, I probably won't be back or just do takeout. When the waitress serve the drinks, the way she does it is awkward. She puts down drinks that is closest to herself and for the furthest she has to reach over or need assistances. read more

Early lunch with the girls on a Saturday, my friend made the booking. Definitely fills up quickly so make sure you book. Nice space, clean and brightly lit. Feels a casual but upmarket with the decor and open kitchen layout. Menu had a lot of good choices and cocktails, it was hard to choose. My friends opted for the spicy miso eggplant while I went with the pork belly. Eggplant was served hot (temperature - be careful!) but they said it wasn't too spicy at all. My pork belly was flavorful but the dish was a little too salty for my liking. I liked the fresh greens for contrast to the fatty pork. We also had the Ahi Tatake and Ume Tomato (recommended by server) for starters. Ahi was really good, I wish the tomatoes had more flavor in the Ume Tomato dish. I would go back because there was more on the menu I would like to try. Large parking lot but fills up quickly too. A decent choice for a girls lunch. read more

See all

Ambience nice liked the vibe. Service good. I had high expectations from everything I've heard and read. Ordered the Menchie Katsu. It was served loco moco style. Which was fine. Unfortunately the patty was hard. Menchie Katsu is known to be soft and moist. This was not either. I literally needed a knife to cut into it. It lacked true Menchie katsu taste. read more

See all

This place has pretty small portions for the price, but the food itself is good! Just be prepared for it to be a little pricier than you might expect. We got the menchi katsu, shrimp toast, ribeye skewers, crispy wontons, and mochi churros. Everything was tasty, but I think the mochi churros were the biggest hit with my family because they were different and fun to try. Overall, I'd come back again when I'm in the mood to splurge a little! read more

See all

Little Plum is always an enjoyable experience. First of all, the restaurant is quaint and comfortable. The dining area is one open area, the table setting is cozy with its crochet coaster and wooden chopsticks rest. There's an open kitchen so you can watch the chefs put love into each dish. My server even pointed out who will be making my crispy pork belly. The wait staff is so helpful and welcoming. They made sure our vegan friend was well-taken care of. She suggested the mushroom jook where they would put the chicken on the side. They even added more mushroom to elevate his dining experience! Today we ordered family style, which they happily accommodated for us. They served the rice on the side. Our menu included short rib bao and shiitake bao (vegan), ume tomato, namul, spicy miso eggplant, crispy pork belly, menchi katsu, and mushroom jook. The standouts were the crispy pork belly with its watercress tomato onion salad, the ume tomato on whipped tofu, and spicy miso eggplant. The mushroom jook is so comforting, hearty and full of flavor served with chicken confit and a soy egg. The two desserts offered are both winners. The mochi churro with kinako and anglaise is crispy, light and creamy. The pineapple orange pudding is so cool and refreshing. And, 100% of dessert sales go to the culinary team! What?! Love this place. Plus, with you check are some fun asian candies -white rabbit and haw flakes! I haven't been there for dinner yet. That'll be next. read more

See all

Little Plum offers a lively yet elegant ambiance over deliciously unique local Asian comfort food. Their Spicy Miso Eggplant was full of umami and flavor, and their Mushroom Jook was like nothing I've ever had before (and the shoyu egg on top was AMAZING). The Kalbi Shortrib Bao had melt-in-your-mouth shortrib with tangy kimchee inside, which made for the perfect little bite. My favorite was the Crispy Pork Belly, which was probably the best pork belly I've ever had in a long time. Vibe: The restaurant has many tables, perfect for get-togethers with family and friends or other celebrations. You can see the chefs cooking from most seating in the restaurant, which added a nice touch to the dining experience. The servers are all very attentive and friendly. Parking: Mānoa Marketplace offers lots of free parking in their large parking lot, although it does tend to get crowded during lunch. read more

See all

Returned this time for a brunch and it did not disappoint! We ordered the Kalbi Bao, Miso Eggplant, Pork Belly, Catch of the Day (Opah), Mushroom Jook, and the Menchi Katsu. Everything was delicious but my favorites were the Kalbi Bao and the Pork Belly dish, which is more like a watercress salad with crispy pork belly. The service was top-notch. We ordered family style and each of the main courses we ordered came with rice and they brought out all of these out at the same time so that we could have it with all of the other dishes - great attention to detail. We were also celebrating a birthday so they brought out complimentary matcha lemonades with a candle for a birthday cheers. read more

See all

Love that the menu is small and a lot of Asian fusion catered to all the dishes. The ambiance is nice and gives a bar vibe at night. The churro was one of the best desserts I've ever had and I highly recommend ordering it at the very end! read more

See all

This was my first time visiting this restaurant and I want to start with the customer service , it was A++. We went there for dinner and it was busy, but the customer service was A1. The decor was simple yet cute, down to the tables Ave chair arrangement. Let's get to the food, the bao buns were every dish was full of flavor and the combinations were crazy. The churros were soooo good. I highly recommend read more

See all

Nice place for a quick lunch. Convenient location in the back. Service was great. We got seated quickly. read more

Little Plum - Pineapple Orange Pudding - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Little plum is a discrete restaurant located in Manoa and is tucked behind a playground set in the Manoa Marketplace. We were all eagerly anticipating this restaurant since it was on all our lists of must try places in Honolulu. The restaurant is decent sized and looks very modern. It seemed like more of a local spot with a few tourists. We had the following: Tomato salad with whipped soft tofu (3/5) the tomatoes were sweet and a nice balance with soft tofu Eggplant (4.5/5) was the best dish and we polished it off quickly. The flavors were on point and eggplant cooked perfectly Tempura (2/5) epic fail. Overcooked, hard, and dense. I'd avoid this dish. Duck fat fried rice (4/5) the duck was cooked well. Rice was garlicky and flavorful. Recommend! Pork belly & watercress (4/5) a solid pork belly dish! The pickled veg were needed to cut the fatty pork. Definitely recommend ordering. Mochi churros (3/5) were unexpected and pretty good. Orange cream dessert (3/5) was refreshing and a good end to the meal Service was attentive and friendly! Prices are a bit high but because of the service and overall quality we were ok with it overall. Parking is excellent as it is ample, free, and safe. I'd definitely return to try other dishes. A nice little treat in the heart of Manoa Valley. LOCATION: 4/5 FOOD: 3.5/5 SERVICE: 4/5 VALUE: 3.5/5 AMBIANCE: 4/5 PET FRIENDLY: not sure CLEANLINESS: 4/5 PARKING: 5/5 read more

See all

Honestly pretty bummed to give this place 3 stars because I was really excited to try it and the staff was super nice and helpful! The food unfortunately was underwhelming for me and pretty pricey. The stars of my meal were my ume/guava drink and the mochi churros (tasted like the delicious ones I've had in Mexico city). The jook was too peppery for me. The duck in the fried rice was great but didn't love the other ingredients in the fried rice itself. Wasn't impressed with the kalbi bao or the ume tomato. read more

Little Plum - Ume tomato and kalbi bao - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

First timer tonight and really enjoyed the food, drinks and ambience. Pretty chill, relaxing eatery/bar. We had the Crispy Pork Belly, Fresh Catch and kalbi. Delish! Ume tomato and onsen egg was a nice touch too. Had a non alcoholic drink called Haku...oohhh so good. Will need to return to try the other dishes. Dishes are on the smaller side but we ate family style to taste each other's dish choice and filled our tummys. read more

Little Plum - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I really wanted to like this place but I was pretty disappointed. I didn't like the vibe of the super loud open kitchen and everything was overpriced for the quality. We found the food utterly undersalted - I had to ask for salt! We had: Spicy miso eggplant - Fine, not spicy Adobo fried chicken - Fine, regular fried chicken, nothing special Short rib Kim chi bao - Fine, nothing special Cocktails - Manhattan and Lucky you - Tasty read more

I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with Little Plum in Manoa. For one, the interior of the place is beautiful. The restaurant was decorated tastefully, yet minimally--resulting in a refined, elevated space. Tons of seating. Staff provide little baskets for your bags. A nice touch. The small details truly make a world of a difference. The knit coasters for water glasses, wet wipes following dinner/dessert, lucky candies with the bill. My table enjoyed the open kitchen. We could smell the delicious aromas of meal-prep and watch the chefs showcase their expertise. The staff were very welcoming, upbeat and helpful. All good humans providing excellent service. The food was lovely. I really liked my mushroom jook. The flavors of ginger and chicken paired beautifully with the ramen-style egg and crunchy pieces of chicken. My table loved the fried chicken adobo--somewhat of a hybrid between mochiko chicken in its texture and adobo with its vinegary appeal. Everything was presented nicely, portions were just right--not too filling, nor meager. Prices fair for quality food. The pudding dessert was a hit despite our table having those who generally dislike coconut. Overall, a pleasant experience. Will be back to check out lunch! read more

Little Plum - Adobo - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Went to their special event menu by Chef Jason , 4 courses and Sake pairing with sommelier Mikey. It was a fabulous dinner and so reasonably priced 1st course Burrata with sesame peanut vinaigrette and ginger scallion topping on garlic toast .2nd course braised pork belly with kalo pave and mustard jus, 3rd course poached lobster with scallop gyoza in XO butter sauce .4th course duck confit with pan seared sticky rice with shiitake mushrooms in lotus leaf jus All the sake pairing were excellent read more

See all

Little Plum Serves Big Flavor in Manoa Nestled in the back of Manoa Marketplace, Little Plum is a great culinary find. The menu is built around small, shared plates so you can sample more of what they offer. Spicy Miso Eggplant: A chilled dish with great umami depth. Ume Tomato and Whipped Tofu: Refreshing, smooth, and balanced. Corn Ribs: Always a hit, especially if you love corn like I do. Duck Breast: Cooked perfectly, and the rice it came with was just as memorable. Lamb Chop: Flavorful and well executed. This was our favorite bite of the night. Our server made the experience even better. I wish I had remembered her name. Final bite: Thoughtful flavors, a cozy setting, and standout service make Little Plum a hidden gem worth seeking out. read more

See all

This was our first time at little plum. We were impressed saved plan to go to their sister restaurant, lady Elaine. We saw online that it was a more upscale dish restaurant Parking is sometimes difficult in manoa marketplace and sometimes you have to park a bit far away but it's worth it and after you finish dinner, you'll appreciate that walk under the cool manoa breeze. I had the yudaba a non alcoholic drink since I don't roll that way and hubby had a cha-zuke rich he enjoyed as well. We had the fried adobo which was a surprisingly delicious dish and a good call, crispy roast pork, ho'io salad which had spiralized daikon and katsuoboshi. And DO NOT skip out on the mochi churros! They gave us about 9 or 10 pieces and e we would have ordered more but sadly we were too full. We should have ordered ice cream with it though. They even give you old school candy (white rabbit/strawberry/haw flakes) with your check instead of chocolate. Now I'm craving it again! See ya! read more

See all

This place has been on my list to try for a while, and I finally came here last week with my friend to celebrate my belated birthday. We sat towards the back near the bar and bathroom, which was nice because it was very cozy and private. The restaurant space isn't too large, but just cozy enough that it isn't overwhelming. Since it was my first time, our server took the time to explain the menu to us. They are also celebrating their upcoming second anniversary, so they have a special menu for the occasion. After hearing some recommendations, we decided to order: Enoki Beef Rolls, Crispy Wonton, Garlic Shrimp, Mushroom Jook, and Crispy Pork Belly. For drinks, I ordered the Haku (non-alcoholic), and my friend ordered the "little cocktail" Tiny Victories. I loved my drink! I tried my friend's cocktail, which I would describe as tiny but mighty! All of the food was very tasty, but my favorites include the crispy wonton and mushroom jook. The wonton tasted like oxtail soup wrapped in a fried wonton, just as the server described. The mushroom jook was the most flavorful jook I've ever tasted. It was jam-packed with umami flavors, and the ginger flavor was heavily present. I found the dishes to be on the smaller portion size, which is why we ordered many items. They were all shareable, so you can taste a little of everything. For dessert, we decided to share the mochi churros. These were so good! Perfectly fried churros with mochi flour that added a chewy middle, then dipped in the kinako dipping sauce. They added a candle in a beautiful dish for my birthday. Very thoughtful! Throughout our evening, we had several different servers help us - either pour more water in our glasses, take our dishes away, or serve our dishes with a detailed description. All of the staff were very knowledgeable about EVERY dish on the menu. It felt like a family in how everyone took care of us and stepped in when they saw we needed something. I haven't had this type of service at a restaurant in a while, so I was pleasantly surprised. Overall, it was excellent service and delicious food! All the staff were very friendly from the minute we sat down until the very end of the night (three hours later!), when one of the chefs waved goodbye to us. What started as a good meal became an exceptional experience thanks to the incredible staff! I will definitely return with my family! Happy Eating! read more

See all

This is definitely a humble but very aesthetic culinary gem tucked into the corner of Manoa Marketplace with tons of parking. I know this place had killer food because I happily sat through an entire meal while listening to Christmas music (after Christmas was over 2 days prior!) and wasn't losing my mind with annoyance. Their cocktail menu has some delightful flavors with something unique or simple for everyone. I opted for a mezcal and scotch drink with mango juice and it was amazing (the recipe is from Wild Orange speakeasy who really know their elixirs). Wine menu is simple but has a few options for each type of wine and the bottles are fairly priced. For food, we opted to share everything family style so we could try as much as possible and everything was a hit for me besides the churro dessert. The roasted tomato salad with thin strips of shiso and a tasty soft tofu sauce was a small portion but very flavorful and a light way to start the meal. The corn on the cob riblets were perfectly cooked, sweet and savory. Like a local twist on elote because instead of Mexican seasoning flavors it had furikake but was still served with lime and mayo. Tasty! The kalbi bao were the best bao I've ever had in my life. Period. The seasoning was slightly sweet and oh so savory with a pungent crunch of kim chee. The kalbi was perfectly cooked for tender juiciness almost like a pulled brisket style. The bun was pillowy soft and fresh. I could have eaten 10 of these! The duck fat fried rice was a good dish to share. It had several pieces of duck breast served atop rice with shiitake mushrooms, lots of ginger and scallions. Very flavorful and well executed in terms of playing and cooking technique. The crispy pork belly was tender inside and lightly crisped around the outside. It was served a top a delightful sauce with some veggies. This was a hit for me and one of the more generous sized portions for sharing. The fried chicken adobo was perfectly crispy and fried with a dusting of adobo for some savory acidic flavor. It reminded me of chicken Karaage with a twist. I think it needed some sauce tho. It's served with arugula. The lamb chops were perfectly cooked and seasoned. They're a small portion for almost $40 so I don't think this stands alone as a main. They're served with pickled onions, peppers. The size of the dishes is on the smaller side so I recommend ordering a few things and sharing. Each dish on its own wouldn't satisfy my appetite as a main. The dessert was my least favorite. The mochi churros were dry and fell apart like a powdery cookie as soon as I put it in my mouth. There was no chewiness to the mochi like I was expecting. Its texture is more like solid cinnamon sugar dust sticks. It's served with a creamy vanilla sauce to dip it in. I'm shocked it did it dissolve in the sauce like a piece of cotton candy in water. We got one of each dessert (100% of those proceeds go to the kitchen staff which is cool) and the pineapple haupia pudding was way better. The little toasted coconut shreds gave the creaminess of the pudding some texture. We dipped the churros in this and it made the churros edible. The service was impeccable. Attentive, kind, knowledgeable and very timely. Small touches like a basket to hold my purse, a shawl if you're cold (their air conditioner pumps!) a wet hand towel at the end of your meal, water constantly refilled, descriptions of what's being served. All the things that restaurants in Honolulu at way higher price points fail to do. Little Plum has got you! I'd confidently take someone here for a special occasion or a date night because this place is doing it right. The acoustics are loud in here so maybe not good for large groups or senior citizens but bonus for no screaming babies. read more

See all

Came here because my friend has wanted me to visit her nephew's restaurant for years. Am so glad I finally could make it work! Cute place in Manoa marketplace. Reservations were a little tricky to get so plan ahead. Asian fusion where everything was just delicious. My favorite was the spicy eggplant and both desserts (server said to order the pudding and dip the churros in it-that was very good advice!). We followed almost all the recs of our friendly server and were steered the right way. Highly recommend! read more

See all

Food was excellent Service was first class A little noisy but not ridiculous Serving sizes were a little small but overall very good read more

I had lunch with one of my friends during a recent visit. Although reservations weren't available when I tried to make them via website, I called & left a message & was so happy when they returned my call to make a lunch reservation (I was actually at the airport getting ready to queue up to board when they called). The restaurant is pretty easy to find, located in Mānoa shopping center where I think the previous Bank of Hawai'i Manoa branch was located. I had the Haku beverage to start which was nice & refreshing. I had the chicken adobo set where the chicken was super tender & perfectly seasoned. My friend had the ahi tataki set & the ahi was pretty good too. We had room left in our stomachs so we shared the churros & mango pudding desserts. I love churros & these were petite & very good. The pudding was light in texture & was the perfect ending to our meal. Service is friendly & helpful. read more

See all

A nice spot in Manoa Marketplace, Little Plum is an Asian Fusion restaurant located on the bottom floor. There is parking for the marketplace. With clear windows, you can see inside as you walk by. The restaurant looks refined, clean, and simple with wooden furniture. We did not have a reservation but were able to get a table at the bar. The people working were really nice and accommodating. They were definitely a highlight of Little Plum! We decided to order the mushroom jook and menchi katsu. The jook was good -- the flavor was not overpowering, but it was tasty. The menchi katsu was good as well, and filling. The portion sizes were decent. The prices felt a bit high as the jook was about $25 and the katsu was about $27. However, it was overall a positive experience and a nice place to try. read more

Little Plum - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

After dining here at least a half a dozen times, I'd say Little Plum has become my go-to restaurant in Mānoa! My go-to menu item is the veggie tofu bowl over rice (turns out the noodles aren't vegan), which I happily enjoy every visit though I wish there were more options. My dining companions have enjoyed the eggplant, beef stew, and other main entrees while also raving about the churros at dessert. Service is always friendly and I do think the added touches such as a basket to put your handbag in just elevates the customer experience. Prices are reasonable considering it's all fresh made and not fast food, again, gives Little Plum an edge over other dining places in town. Definitely appreciate the free parking and ease of making reservations. I know I'll be back! read more

Little Plum - Side dishes - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Food was excellent, very tasty!!! Portion sizes were small but definitely worth going back to try more dishes! Corn, rib eye sticks, Kalbi bao buns!!!! read more

Fabulous service and attentive staff! Love the mushroom Jook and the crispy wontons for dinner! read more

Little Plum - Mushroom Jook with soy egg! Yum! - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Amazing from start to finish! Every single thing we ordered was excellent. We started with the Ume Tomato which was simple but so fresh and bright with a smooth and delicate whipped tofu base. The Shortrib Bao with it's tender meat and perfectly balanced flavor. The Chicken Adobo Set and Beef Cheek Stew Set were both rich, comforting, and beautifully done. The Mushroom Jook was pure comfort in a bowl, especially on a nice Mānoa evening. We could not stop raving about this throughout dinner. For drinks, we had the Jolly Rajah and Like Cracks, both fun, well-balanced cocktails that paired perfectly with the food. And we couldn't leave without dessert, of course! The Mochi Churro was crisp, chewy, and just the right amount of sweet. Service was warm, vibe cozy, and the food so good we joked about coming back the next day. Definitely one of our new favorite spots. Oh, and please don't stop giving out the beloved Asian candies like white rabbit, plum candy and haw flakes. What an ever sweeter way to end such a lovely meal. read more

See all

Cute place with good service and Teishoku sets as well as other bites - Had the tempura which came with 2 large shrimp and some veges - batter was light - tasted the fried chicken adobo and egg plant - all were tasty - all served warm - rice was lukewarm - and lacking the quality of aromatic Japanese rice - I like food served hot ... co diners loved the churros - but was too greasy for me- read more

Little Plum - Tempura - adobo- by the chopsticks- eggplant - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Food, Service and Ambiance all excellent. For Lunch, Little Plum gets high marks for great drinks and wonderful small dishes. You can order a bunch as they are not overpriced. I tried the yubaba (nonalcoholic soda) with ume undertones. Would definitely recommend one of these sodas with the meal! We ordered the Chicken Adobo with arugula, the miso eggplant, some namul and the ume/tofu tomato appetizer. The tomato has a whipped tofu sauce with a touch of ume flavor. The miso eggplant wins for having a tangy miso glaze! The chicken adobo surprised us by being fried as well as tasty. For dessert, we had the mochi churros with kinako. It's a must if you come here. Have to go here at least once because you'll be back. Lunch on weekdays is quiet and the service is excellent. read more

See all

First time here and I really enjoyed it! The vibe is cozy, intimate, and perfect for date night or catching up with friends. I wish I caught my server's name because she was amazing; super kind, patient, and so careful with my long list of food intolerances. She went above and beyond to make sure everything I ordered was safe and still delicious. I got the tempura (made with mochiko flour - gluten free? yes please!) and it came with soup, rice, and pickled veggies. I also tried the ahi tuna, and chicken jook which was fresh and perfectly cooked and so delicious! My wish the food was seasoned just a tiny bit more, but everything was still so good! My friend got the menchi katsu and bao buns and loved them! If you go, please try the Wild Orange purple dragon cocktail AND their specialty old fashion. I'm not exaggerating when I say it will change your life. Can't wait to go back to try more of the menu! read more

See all

Loved Lady Elaine so had to try the sister restaurant Little Plum. Greeted by a friendly hostess whom sat us a nice table in front of the kitchen. Server greeted us with drinks and explained the menu. We both decided on the same item, Ribeye Skewers. It came with miso soup + tsukemono + namul + rice. The meat was soft and tender complimented with kimchee underneath. Rice was cooked perfectly, everything was Devine. Service was quick, friendly and attentive. Ambiance was inviting, relaxing and most importantly clean which makes it so comfortable. Definitely my go to spot in Manoa! read more

See all

Reading reviews from a number of Oahu Yelp Elite friends, I searched and made a Friday night reservation for dinner with a group of local friends. Due to a series of conversations about work schedules and availability, I had difficulties with changing the party number and left a phone message asking for their assistance. They answered my two calls in changing our party size twice. Being my 1st visit, I asked my friend to use his GPS in guiding us here. The signage was blocked by the tree brush so it took us a while to find our way here. The landmark is the Brug Bakery and Subway Sandwich shops. Arriving at 5 :30 pm, we were seated at a long table near the entrance by the window. We were given menus immediately and discussed the items as we read them. As we studied the menu, it wasn't a matter of what we wanted to try but how much stomach room we had. I explained our dilemma to our waitress and she suggested that we craft a family style meal. As I listed items from the various sections, she guided me in determining whether one, two, or three orders were needed for everyone to try them. From here, our dining journey began. Instead of commenting on every dish (there were 12 items besides a dessert). My favorites were the Daikon & pohole (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=N-LdkMxe03_ugSaYot0IUA) and the Kalbi short rib bao (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=EBYqqdhTd7jXG4ESK7FInQ) from the starters section. For the proteins, they were the spicy eggplant (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=192&select=1x6lpsIVmF8WT0vxdOBlOA) and the fresh catch which was a grilled Mahi Mahi (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=CZqHpOykWCdlG_5WjHRbLA). We also enjoyed the Menchi katsu (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=NMCmshJGdh9PY5MfjogvwQ) from the bowls section. We finished with the mochi churro (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=o8e49h5DP0xK5QQMAQGMTg) which were served temperature hot with a dipping sauce; this was delicious. Kudos to Maddy for her patience in hosting our big party and especially guiding me in our menu choices. Shout out also to our greeter Hang for checking on us and helping to clear our empty plates, bowls, and utensils when needed. The guys before the counter in the kitchen were cool too as they waved as I took photos of the interior. Looking forward to returning and having some of those favorites and trying other items. read more

See all

Foodie connections. Part 2. My CPA also recently suggested we have dinner at Little Plum (LP), another new restaurant in Manoa Marketplace. They opened in June 2024 and is the sister restaurant to nearby Little Elaine that opened several months later. LP focuses on Asian fusion cuisine to mirror current trends in an updated vibe. Arrived at 7pm on a Saturday evening and was impressed on how packed the restaurant was. LP also has open kitchen that you see as you walk in. I also noticed the bar on the left and the three kimonos displayed on the right wall. This was a surprise party for me as there were 6 table settings on our table where my family showed up shortly after I arrived. We dined family style and ordered a fairly extensive selection of their offerings. Overall, my family and I agreed that the beef dishes were executed well. The best entree of the evening was the lemongrass short ribs, the daily special. The beef clearly was marinated for such a flavorful, tender beef while maintaining the beefy flavor. The beef tenderloin and short rib bao were also delicious. The beef tenderloin was so hearty, tender and satisfying. Complimented well with in the kochujang marinade served with kimchi. Great flavor and texture contrast. The Bao seemed homemade as the shape was unique and not the consistency that I'm accustomed to when usually served with Peking duck or kau yuk pork belly. The bun was firm and held its shape when paired with a thick slab of braised short rib with kimchi. Other favorites of the meal include the menchikatsu, ahi tataki, adobo chicken and mushroom jook. When it came to dessert, my CPA surprised me with a customized matcha cake with azuki and fresh strawberries. This cake was made in house by their pastry chef. The buttercream frosting had the matcha flavor that I enjoy and complimented perfectly with azuki paste and fresh strawberries. The cake also had strategically inserted assorted Japanese Pocky sticks . Service was also top notch here. Staff are clearly trained well and attentive of patron's needs. I also noticed some of the staff who I saw at Lady Elaine. They remembered me from my previous visits to Lady Elaine. Overall, an above average experience where I'd be game for a return visit. I'd like to come back with my foodie friends to experience another meal at LP. read more

See all

I took my friend to Little Plum for her birthday, she has been talking about wanting to try this spot out for a while so it was the perfect opportunity to do so. The establishment is a bit tucked away in the Manoa Marketplace Mall area, in between the subway and the laundromat. Upon arrival, the hostess guided us to our table and at first it was going to be (in my opinion) one of the worst tables there, tucked away, dim corner, next to the bathroom... We asked if we can sit at the bar instead and the hostess said sure. A bit of a questionable start especially as I put in a reservation (noting the birthday), I thought we would be seated in a nicer area. The bartender was basically also our waitress that took our orders. She was helpful in guiding us in our ordering but was also busy with the drink orders. She explained to us that we could order the teishokus as the premade sets or as ala carte (without the sides, rice, and miso soup). We ordered the ribeye skewers, tuna tataki, miso eggplant, and adobo fried chicken. One of them as the set and the rest as ala carte. The food took a while to be made and come out, but they did all come out at once. * Miso Eggplant: 11/10, so delicious and flavorful, slightly crispy and soft on the inside, cooked perfectly. * Ribeye Skewers: 9/10. Good, nothing crazy but solid. Not tough but also not super tender. * Tuna Tataki: 8/10. It was ok to me, I don't usually care for tuna tatakis though, my friend did like it though. It was light and fresh. * Adobo Fried Chicken: 7/10. It was also just okay, it wasn't super flavorful nor did it really taste like adobo at all, it just tasted like normal fried chicken to me. My friend also got the plum crackseed cocktail for her drink. The bartender was super accommodating with her, adding a bit more lemon juice to her drink to ease the taste of the alcohol (after my friend voiced that she wasn't LOVING it per se). I strongly recommend ordering one or two dishes as sets and rest as ala carte if you were thinking about trying some of the teishoku dishes. I would note that the ala carte option didn't have a significant price reduction compared to the set, maybe like ~$5. I do wish that was listed out on the menu (the option for ala carte and the $). Overall, I would also recommend specifically the miso eggplant, and I would come back just to eat that again along with trying some of their other dishes. We were stuffed so we didn't even get to try the mochi churro that I was eyeing before we even got there. read more

See all

We came for dinner for the first time tonight. Bud's game finished at 4:45 pm at Manoa Park so I checked Yelp for suggestions. I was in the mood for traditional lacy battered shrimp tempura. Unfortunately that's not the method used to prepare theirs here. However Kudos for selecting different items in the tempura mixture- not the regular green beans, sweet potato, etc. The 2 pieces of shrimp were plump and good. The ice tea was much better with the liquid sugar that was brought to our table. The four stars were for: *Friendly staff who opened the door before 5 pm to let us and another party of 2 in. Young, courteous, good looking staff on the floor. *One of the owners was surveying the room and helping bring items to the tables ie rice, miso soup, etc. ñHe also took our bill up to the bartender cashier when we were ready to pay. *Enjoyable local style music that I could recognize from the 90s. *Excellent prompt delivery of hot food and removal of varied used dishes off the table which I appreciated. Consistent use of black paper and cloth napkins. What could be tweaked a bit: tempura dashi was a tad sweet even with the grated daikon. The tsukemoko was not typical of a namasu flavor even though it looked nice. read more

See all

Came here for a special dinner and it did not disappoint. The staff are all so friendly and helpful and very knowledgeable about the menu. We got a bunch of dishes to share here's the rundown. Menchi katsu was so crispy and delicious the umami flavor was incredible. The Ume Tomato was refreshing and theres a tofu sauce on the bottom that when I got home I had to try to recreate (no luck). The fried chicken adobo also very delicious i feel like this probably is right up with some of my favorite chicken dishes ive ever had. Curry min was good I waited to long and didnt get to much sauce because my friends had most it but the winner of the dish was the beef skewer took me right back to hanabada days going to Jane's fountain when my dad would get one Teri skewer for the sailing. The cucumbers are deceptively good I personally love cucumber but my friend who does not like them at all could not stop eating them. The bao was so soft and it complimented the kalbi really nicely. The pohole salad was also a nice addition to the meal because it kinda worked for us as a palate cleanser. The drinks were all phenomenal to be honest we tried all of them and cant go wrong. The restaurant is top notch in my opinion and cant wait to go back this time ill take my family its such a nice modern space with delicious asian inspired food. read more

See all

Recently I seen Bradah Fran .C post at Little plum . Located in the Manoa Market place lots of parking available nice atmosphere restaurant with an open kitchen . The food was not bad my favorite was the appetizer Kalbi Kim Chee Bao and the dessert mochi Churro w/vsnilla dipping sauce . Service was on point probably we got there once they opened @ 11am lol . Very clean bathrooms as well . Nice kimonos decor on their walls . Support local read more

See all