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    Mama Merces Kitchen

    3.7 (21 reviews)

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    Lechon Kawali and Bicol Express
    Anika Shanelle M.

    I grew up on Filipino food being cooked by my grandmas, and needless to say, the Filipino food served here reminded me of home. I ordered the plate with two choices (Bicol express and lechon kawali). I had the choice of pancit and/or rice, but I ended up staying with the rice. We didn't have to wait for the food since it was pre-cooked and kept warm. The lechon kawali had tomato and onion on top, and wow the skin was crispy! The Bicol express was also very tasty as it had a mild coconut flavor. We visited them as a stand at the bi-monthly What the Truck event! I know they normally have a food truck parked at Waikele though. I'd definitely come by again! Great food and great service :)

    Jeanette S.

    First review of 2021! Filipino food craving satisfied. I heard about this place from my coworkers and we decided to go there today. Food was good. I like that you can sub the rice for pancit. And price is pretty good for the amount of food. We all ordered different thing so that we could try it all. I personally like the pork gisantes, Bicol express and pork belly. The pork belly is lechon pork belly and the flavor is so good! It's straight up Filipino food. Love it!

    Aimee L.

    I'm gonna be completely honest. Not tryna complain, but I need to complain because I wanted to support the business... I paid $16 and this is all I got. Is this right?! I wanted to ask for a refund after I opened the plate but the line was way too long at What da Truck in Waikele.

    a menu on the side of a food truck
    Crystal A.

    When I got there, there was one person in line and maybe 5 people waiting for their food. The staff was friendly. I ordered the two choice plate- with lechon pork belly and bicol express, one order of shanghai and one bbq stick. Wait for food was about 10-15 mins. The lechon was a bit bland and it seems like I had junk cuts with lots of fat and no crispy skin. AND when I looked at my receipt there was a $1 extra charge for the lechon, which didn't say on the menu. The bicol express was tasty and not too spicy but lots of fat. Pancit was ok, not much flavor. The bbq stick was tasty but could have been bbq'ed a little more. The shanghai lumpia was ok, nothing stood out that made it so yummy- I would rather buy the frozen shanghai from Costco and fry it myself. I was hoping to try their dinaguan but it wasn't on today's menu. I miss my parents Filipino cooking and since we can't travel, I can't get their yummy Filipino food. They always cooked for Filipino parties and for gatherings, so it's hard to beat! I'll give this business 3 stars for their efforts and since they're just starting. I'll give this place another try later on- hopefully they improve some of their dishes.

    We had a great time this morning!
    Cam G.

    What's not to love! We came to the grand opening of Mama Merce's Kitchen and we were absolutely impressed. After the few kinks were worked out after the first 30 mins to an hour the opening day line began to move smoothly! We ordered the Princess Special and got belly and fried chicken with rice as well as two bbq sticks and a side of lumpia! It was all very delicious and we couldn't be more happy for the wait! And we got to take some pics with Bret and the crew! We see them all the time around town but to celebrate the opening of the truck with them was pretty special!

    Beef steak and dinugan
    Stephanie B.

    Came exactly when they opened at 11am to beat the crowd. There were 3 people ahead of me and in total it took 10 min of waiting in line and another 5 min for our order. The line would move a lot faster if they had a menu posted up however they refer to Instagram for their menu. But if you don't have IG, they can tell you what is on the menu for the day since it seems to change every time. 3 stars are for service but had to take off 2 points for the food (sorry!!). The rice was mushy and the cuts of meat had too much fat or were tough. The dishes could also use more veggies. The chicken adobo was the only thing I really enjoyed.

    Letchon, bicol express

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    5 years ago

    Drove 30 mins for this food truck. The staff was friendly, truck was clean, food was okey!

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    6 years ago

    Best authentic Filipino food here in Hawaii! Excellent customer service! Favorites: Dinuguan, bbq, Bicol express, Beef steak.

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    Elena's Home of Finest Filipino Foods

    Elena's Home of Finest Filipino Foods

    3.9
    (953 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I used to go here all the time to get my filipino food fix. Unfortunately they closed the Kalihi…read morerestaurant and now have to make the drive out to Waipahu. If you have never been here I highly recommend you trying their filipino food. Portion size is good and worth the money but the main reason you're buying their food is cause it's winnahs. I did take out a few of their menu items. Their special for July is lechon Kawali, pancit, pork gisantes and pork adobo fried rice. It's good to get this or mixed plate with 3 choices. It allows to try more of their menu selections. While one is good 3 or 4 is much better especially if coming here for the very first time. You won't be disappointed. I called in to place my order and it would be twenty minutes which is fine cause that's how long it took me to get there. The food was hot and ready to go. I made sure my ac was off so I can enjoy a nice hot lunch. The place was crowded even at 1pm. People know good food when they eat it. Lots of parking. The lechon Kawali was good. It's nice and meaty with some nice soft fat pieces. Oh so good. Yeah if you are worried about cholesterol then this might not be for you. If not you gonna enjoy it. The pancit is good. The pork gisantes which is more commonly known as pork and peas is really good. It's like stew and you wanna mix your rice with it. If you like eggs over easy then you should have that over your gisantes. It's sooooooo good. Kinda like Loco moco except it's stew. When that yolk breaks and blends in with the gisantes hoo boy. Just really good stuff there. Then the main attraction is their pork adobo fried rice omelet. I believe they were the original restaurant that brought it out. I might be wrong but they make it just right. Every bite is so good especially when you bite into one that has fat in it. Yummy. Yeah not a good choice if you're staying away from cholesterol but if not you're gonna enjoy it. The pork adobo fried rice is not dry like some other places I've tried. Ok I admit i love filipino food. I had to get dinuguan. Chocolate meat. Another winner with rice and really good with over eggs on top of it. Nice tender succulent pieces of pork. Oh my God, it's so good. I also got Shanghai lumpia. This is da bomb. You gotta eat this one hot and fresh. If not it gets stale and soggy so I ate this first. You dip it into vinegar. I like a little heat so I add Tabasco to it. Great with beer. It's so good. I'm missing it already. Then the final dish i got was their sari sari. It's soup with mixed veggies, baby shrimp and lechon. The soup is delicious and comforting. It's great on a cold night or maybe when you're feeling sick. Better than your chicken noodle soup for sure. It's also great remedy for that hangover you got last night. Lol All in all you just gotta try it. Let me know what you got and how good it tasted. Enjoy and thank me later.

    Everybody please check your food carefully!! Today 7/16/26 I ordered lechon and was shock ,…read moredisappointed and furious to find pieces of GLASS in our dish!!! I called and made a complaint and all the lady said was , sorry! I asked to speak to the manager or supervisor and she said that they don't have one. WTF! I'm calling the owners tomorrow! My daughter took a bite and started chewing and felt something hard . I'm soo upset!! Update: 7/16/26 Called Melissa the owner to address this issue. She seemed very concerned and worried about my daughter who found it in her mouth. Thank God my 1-1/2 year old grandson didn't swallow it because he was eating it with my daughter!! Sooo dangerous ! Melissa will investigate this. Thanks Melissa. This taught me a lesson , as well as having a phobia . ALWAYS check your food when buying from restaurants or fast food. I Love eating and ordering pans of food at Elena's but I'll be very careful from now on.

    Photos
    Pork gisantes
    Pork gisantes
    What's inside the lumpia Shanghai. Nice juicy pork just goes so well with the crispy lumpia wrapper.
    What's inside the lumpia Shanghai. Nice juicy pork just goes so well with the crispy lumpia wrapper.
    Always have to stop at Elena's to have the triple D special. Thank you for a great breakfast

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    Always have to stop at Elena's to have the triple D special. Thank you for a great breakfast
    Sw8 Dada's Sizzling Sisig

    Sw8 Dada's Sizzling Sisig

    4.8
    (157 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Ordered the lechon kawali and pork sisig combo plate, and I must admit... this was SO good! The…read morelechon kawali was crispy and packed with flavor, and I loved that they topped the rice with a garlic topping--it really gave it that extra Filipino touch! They gave two dipping sauces, one spicy and their regular. The spicy gives an extra kick. One combo plate can definitely feed two short older Filipino women so the portions are generous! I'd recommend bringing cash to avoid the 3% credit card fees. I'd also call my order in next time. It took about 10 minutes, which isn't bad, but if you're on a lunch break and in a rush, calling ahead would be best. Other than that, I'd definitely come back again and try the other things on the menu!

    Wow! We love the upgrade! It's amazing to see how far Sw8 Dada's Sisig has come - from a little…read morefood truck to their new spot at The Shop at West Loch Station. We stopped by right at closing tonight, and the friendly staff were kind enough to let us place one last order. My son was craving sisig, and honestly, only Sw8's would do. But we didn't know they closed at 6! Lol - Thanks Aunties! The food is just as delicious as ever - crispy, flavorful, and now they offer it topped with a fried egg and chili oil on the side... he was in heaven! We also spotted fresh lumpia in the warmer last time, so we'll definitely be back to try that next. If you're a sisig fan (or looking to become one), I highly recommend Sw8 Dada's Sisig! They are #1 in our book.

    Photos
    This used to be Pampanga's Kitchen before Sw8 Dada's took over the lease. Pampanga's Kitchen is now at the other Waipahu shopping center
    This used to be Pampanga's Kitchen before Sw8 Dada's took over the lease. Pampanga's Kitchen is now at the other Waipahu shopping center
    Fried goodies in the warmer... new stuff!
    Fried goodies in the warmer... new stuff!
    Pork Sisig

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    Pork Sisig
    Thelma's Restaurant

    Thelma's Restaurant

    3.7
    (663 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Brought a friend here for dinner on Friday night. No wait. Not super busy. Perfect…read more Because I'm basic, I ordered my usual chicken adobo while my friend had the lechon special. My adobo was *almost* as good as my mom's. If they had more sauce to put on the rice, it would have been perfect. My friend's lechon was tasty and most importantly the pork belly was cooked well with a crispy top. The lumpia was delicious too although I wasn't a fan of the vinegar dipping sauce. My mom adds ketchup to cut the acidity. Would 100% recommend Thelma's to anyone far away from mom/home and is in need of a solid Filipino food fix.

    Picked up lunch for my Co workers on a Friday around 11:30. It wasn't busy & had others picking up…read moreorders. They have disclaimers posted about consuming raw food, refund policy, and take out being your responsibility after it leaves the restaurant (must've explained that too many times - but hey they covered themselves)! Also a notice of 3% surcharge if paying with a credit card. Payment was easy (used debit) & staff was friendly. It looks like a comfy place to relax & get down on Filipino grindz. We got pork adobo (tender & flavorful), pancit mix (too lemony & lil mushy that day), Thelma's special (too salty, they wished I got regular lechon), Shanghai lumpia (ok) & adobo fried rice (good but small portion). The prices are reasonable but not as big portions as I thought would be.

    Photos
    Counter seating
    Counter seating
    Three choice mix, best deal on town for under 14 bucks!
    Three choice mix, best deal on town for under 14 bucks!
    Menu | December 2025

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    Menu | December 2025
    Shay's Filipino Cafe

    Shay's Filipino Cafe

    3.8
    (750 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Craving authentic Filipino comfort food in Honolulu? Hit up Shay's for a mix plate featuring…read morepancit, dinuguan, monggo, and veggie lumpia - spot-on flavors that hit all the right nostalgic notes. The pancit was a standout: bihon noodles perfectly stir-fried with green onions and subtle seasoning, light yet satisfying as a side that balanced the richer dishes without overwhelming. Dinuguan brought that deep, savory pork blood stew richness - tender meat in a chocolatey gravy with a vinegar kick, way better than average and not overly gamey Monggo (mung beans) was hearty and comforting, simmered smooth with malunggay or bittermelon options for that homey veggie depth - grows on you with each bite. Veggie lumpia delivered crispy perfection: fresh fillings, not greasy, and a great crunchy contrast to the stews. Generous portions at fair prices, quick service, and that lechon nearby if you want to level up next time. Solid Waipahu/Honolulu Filipino spot - will return!

    The older auntie seemed to have a lot of attitude toward customers. I ordered kare-kare and only…read moreafterward noticed that they offer free lumpia if you spend more than $25. When I mentioned that I didn't know about the deal, she responded, "That's only if you spend over $25." I was going to add halo-halo, but her demeanor made me change my mind. Food was good but bot going back! I understand that working all day can be tiring, but there's no reason to be rude to customers. She even had me wait outside instead of letting me sit inside. Honestly, she really needs to work on her attitude toward customers. She needs to retire!

    Photos
    Shay's Filipino Cafe
    Pancit Bihon
    Pancit Bihon
    Special #1

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    Special #1
    Da Bolalohan

    Da Bolalohan

    3.7
    (23 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $

    For our dinner we were served with the following dishes: Snails simmered in coconut milk, green…read moremango slices, pinakbet, garlic butter prawns, Insalada with bagoong na isda, Lechon kawali, grilled Hito, Bulalo soup, pork barbecue on a stick, freshly fried Turon, Biko and Karioka. We were spoiled to the max! The owners and their family run the place and in true Filipino hospitality, they served us buffet/family style and entertained us with their stories from their humble beginnings to what they are today. The food was the best I've had in the Island. Hands down. Everything tasted nostalgic because the technique used in cooking each dish tasted like a handed down recipe from a grandma's kitchen from back home in the motherland. If you're ever in the island of Oahu please make your way to Waipahu and sample as much of their offerings as you can and I can guarantee you will not be disappointed! 10/10 recommended coming from a humble cook who rarely raves about Filipino food because I myself learned from my paternal grandmother.

    Stumbled upon this place because had to go get a haircut for my nephew at the Waipahu plantation…read moremarketplace. They're located on the corner and once you see a tent & smell bbq, you're at the right spot. This restaurant gave karinderia vibe to it! Karinderia is basically like those food stalls they have in the Philippines, where they have a bunch of dishes and you sit out to enjoy the food. Home cooked & affordable eats. They have everything from bbq sticks, adobo, lechon, kilawan, lumpia and more. I got the bbq stick & chicken inasal plate. The bbq stick was packed with so much flavor! The chicken inasal was more on the huli huli side & was served with Filipino dipping sauce. They also offer free sabaw with your meal. Ordering was a little complicating, they have a menu outside with food and also more food inside. The bbq items were cooked by order and the inside food had more of the Filipino dishes like (adobo). But next to the cashier, you could also find other fried dishes as well. So a little complicated. You also have the option to sit outside under the tent or inside the restaurant with AC. For this type of place, if you're dining in, you order & eat first then pay. Like any karindera. Overall, this place was VERY good & SUPER AFFORDABLE. If you want to experience a true Filipino experience with great food, this place is for you.

    Photos
    Extended Menu for 2026
    Extended Menu for 2026
    Pancit
    Pancit
    Outside

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    Outside
    Filipino Express Restaurant

    Filipino Express Restaurant

    3.2
    (61 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $

    Came here for the first time in a long time. Ordered the pork adobo and pinakbet plate and a side…read moreof pork guisantes. For dessert, we ordered halohalo, casscaron, banana lumpia, and bico. Everything was pretty delicious. The pork adobo was super fatty, but delicious and tender. The pinakbet was flavorful, but I wish there were more squash and meat. The pork guisantes meat was pretty tough. The halohalo was huge, but I wish it was a bit sweeter. The casscaron and banana lumpia were amazing. Staff are super friendly. Lots of table to dine at and a decent sized parking lot. They don't have a menu and they only serve 1-2 choice plates, no more, but you can order side dishes as well. They said the 2 choice plates are under $20.

    I was craving breakfast longanisa with egg and rice. I was reluctant to order because of how some…read moreof the food was displayed. Some were in the steam table and some were simply placed on the counter on a plate with no heating underneath. There was a full spread of Filipino food straight from my childhood but what I was looking for was biko and bud bud and that I found! Those two items were only about $10. It was exactly like I expected. The bud bud was colored purple. It was perfect dipped in sugar! The biko was also very good. I always get transported back in my mind to days when my mom would bring me to Filipino potluck parties where I got to enjoy food from my culture. I'm glad this place exists and I'll be back to give them another try.

    Photos
    Filipino Express Restaurant
    Filipino Express Restaurant
    Filipino Express Restaurant

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    Mama Merces Kitchen - foodtrucks - Updated August 2026

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