It's a nice alternative to Panda Express in Kahala Mall. It's likely now the 2 Chinese restaurants in the Kahala Mall area. I didn't notice they had a soft opening in late May 2020.
If you fancy yourself a nice and generous portion of Chinese fare, you're in luck if you are in east Oahu or passing through. Mandarin Kitchen reminds me of Patty's Chinese Kitchen in Ala Moana's Makai Market food court back in the day, where they had a roasting area for their chicken and ducks being on display. I discovered Mandarin Kitchen open on a random weekday afternoon after Memorial Day weekend. There were people looking in and some people already ordering inside. They have the menu posted next to the entrance. This restaurant's space seems like a take out place, but it has enough room for a few tables and chairs for people to sit down and eat (although not currently in the current pandemic). I'm sure we can eventually do such a thing, but for now, it's mainly a take out affair. For the most part though, Mandarin Kitchen is a pleasant and refreshing addition to Kahala Mall. The prices here are on par with other Chinese restaurants in the Honolulu area. They average $11 for many dishes, depending on what you are ordering. I gotta say, I'll likely be back depending on if I have a craving for Chinese cuisine but don't want to go far.
I ultimately ordered beef chao fun, which is simple and generally not overpriced. The taste was on point and delicious, while not being overly saturated with oil when they cook. Other items on the menu looked good, but will save for another visit. The overall experience here at Mandarin Kitchen - Kahala Mall was nice, casual, and a breath of fresh air. It's been a while since we had an alternative to Panda Express at the Kahala Mall. While there are Chinese restaurants in Kaimuki town, there was only Panda Express for a while - at least to my knowledge anyway. Since they had a soft opening in May 2020, the space here is very immaculate and clean. Very inviting for sure. The service here is friendly and fast, while serving up customers like how you would at Panda Express. They offer plate lunches too, as well with 2 choices under $10, which is pretty awesome really. They offer catering services as well, which is apart of their menu as you walk in. If you are in the area and want to check out this brand new Chinese eatery, come on by. No dine in services yet, although that would be available eventually. Might be the hidden gem in Kahala that everyone is craving.
Mandarin Kitchen - Kahala is located within the Kahala Mall complex, although it's next to Kahala McDonald's. It's address is 4618 Kilauea Avenue, Honolulu 96816. I had cash on me at the time, so I blindly paid for my food with that. I'll need to double check on whether or not they accept major credit cards for my next visit here. Kahala Mall has generous parking options, along with the spaces right up at the restaurant itself, along with McDonalds and other merchants in that space that's kinda separated from the main mall building. If you are like me, TheBus routes 1, 1L, 14, 22, 23, 24 come through the area and stop off at various points along the shopping center. Best bet would be to come here before or after the lunch or dinner rush to secure the best parking spot and get your food without having to wait in line. My experience here at Mandarin Kitchen took about 10 minutes from start to finish. Next time, I shall order the plate lunch. With 2 choices and under $10, it's sure to be a winner.
4.0 stars for the overall experience. 4.0 stars for the friendly service. 4.0 stars for the food, but 3.0 stars for the prices, although 4.0 stars for the plate lunch prices.
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