Lunch at O'Kims was a wonderful and flavorful experience. We were the first in the restaurant (our reservation was for 11am when they opened. We were seated immediately once we chose which room and table we wanted. Note: go early is you some have reservations, the restaurant was full except doors one table when we left at 1pm. Menu is via a QR code on the table. There's a second with photos of the food on IG, but the photos on the menu were sufficient for us. Atmosphere is a little noisy in fun sort of way, but not too much - and service was good. Our server asked if it was our first time and proceeded to explain the QR menu and said not to hesitate to ask questions. We did ask about the multiple bibimbap options and our server suggested the stone pot (with wagyu) and the bulgogi. Food is an amazing twist in traditional Korean foods We ordered the truffle mandoo and fish jun for appetizers. Truffle mandoo can with little daikon (more like takuan) dice and soy flavor sauce jelly sauce. They have awesome flavor bursts to the delicious truffle mandoo with several different types of mushrooms. They fish jun was wrapped in some kind of dry seaweed and had dipping sauce. This was also very good, but a little more basic except for the yummy and fun seaweed. For entrees we had the bulgogi bibimbap and confit pork belly brulee. The bibimbap was made with barley rice and very flavorful, especially when you added the kimchee (that was refilled on request). Kimchee was flavorful and not spicy. Along with the kimchee pickled veggies were served (also refilled on request), with cauliflower, cucumber (English cucumber?), a jalapeño slice, cabbage, and bell pepper. Really refreshing and delicious. The confit pork belly brulee was almost melt in your mouth, topped with little tasty pearls (apple ginger jam?), sesame leaves, miso sauce, a side of pickled onions, and accompanied by a green salad with a seaweed dressing, and purple rice. The apple ginger jam was Yum! We were full but decided to try the black sesame cake either Sikhye sorbet. Cake was not too sweet, sorbet was creamy, had some puffed corn and both were delicious. Will try to go back soon to try other offerings since our meal was fantastic. We parked in the Smith Beretania municipal lot (credit card only!), which has nice sized parking spaces and $6+ for somewhere between two hour and two and a half hours. read more

See all

I'm not sure exactly what I can say that others haven't said already, I cannot believe it's taken me this long to try O'Kims and its right before I'm moving off island too! Their bruleed pork belly is genuinely one of the best bites I've had on island in recent memory, and I remember a lot of places I eat out at. The skin was so crispy and the pork juicy and flavorful with perfectly pickled onions to balance the fattiness of it, plus the dish came with a side of purple rice and kimchi cabbage and kimchi daikon. the food also came out surprisingly fast during lunch time despite it being a full house! We walked in for 2, though I'm sure reservations would be appreciated for larger parties than that. The interior was super cute and we had a corner table for 2 that was perfect for us. The service was quick and friendly despite the floor being filled, and I will definitely recommend this place to others. It deserves all the hype! read more

O'Kims - CONFIT PORK BELLY BRULEE - Korean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Downtown on ewa side of Nuuanu Avenue, just past Hank's Bar and before you hit South King Street intersection. Little place with a few tables inside but a small raised covered patio in back. Welcomed in the nicest manner when we entered and we had made a rez so were all set. This place is popular so fills up quickly at lunchtime. We had Moon and Nimai as our servers and they were awesome! Kept our waters filled, checking back on napkins, drinks, dessert. Started off with the fish jun which we all shared and was a delicious little roll of goodness and a dipping sauce not too spicy. Also loved the Lilikoi lemonade which was so refreshing and not overly sweet. Little seeds floated about in the large glass and all four of us lunching ladies enjoyed it! The seaweed salmon is a nice size lightly poached with panko and some type of delicate sauce. The kalbi was excellent with just the right amount and I loved the kabocha puree. The Korean chicken comes in a basket with lots of bite sized pieces. The gobo hot pot rice was a large-ish serving and plenty of minced meat. We thoroughly enjoyed the Elote ice cream which looks like a corn cob but delightfully is not - just the smoothest sweetest ice cream with dried strawberry and cream topping yum! Moon and Nimai surprised our guest of honor with a complimentary piece of cheese cake so that was a nice touch. The bill was very reasonable for a party of four - appetizer, main, dessert and lemonades. Service was wonderful and just be aware if you sit on lanai there are a couple of wandering chickens and pigeons but the servers are good about chasing them away. There isn't a view here either, just the back of the restaurant with some grass open space which is pleasant. There are also fans above you to keep flies away making it much cooler. Not sure if a restroom is available. If no street parking, then closest is open lot across of Murphy's on Nuuanu further south, or the former Walmart on Bethel, one block east. All in all we enjoyed our lunch and will return to try more specials that come out every month! read more

See all

Always great food & service. The owner Hyun Kim creates monthly specials! June Specials include Cold Duck Ramen, Dusk Salad, Fish Jun, and Brisket Donburi! The ramen is perfect for summer now!!! read more

See all

I can't believe it took me this long to go to O'Kim's. I had a sample of their food at the Korean Festival a couple years ago - there's nothing like going to the actual restaurant for a wonderful meal. I stopped by last Friday for lunch. It was early so I was able to walk in a snag a table in the front. I like to eat spicy food at home where I can sweat all I want haha - in a restaurant, I prefer non-spicy food. I picked the Kalbi, and I couldn't be happier! First, they brought a lovely salad with a seaweed tasty dressing - I think they should bottle the dressing if they already haven't! So good! Plus, they brought me some pickled vegetables and kimchi - yum! Such a great way to start my meal, and also partly as a palate cleanser. The Kalbi were strips of beef over a bed of squash purée with slow-cooked onions and root vegetables - so Ono and comforting! I didn't think I would finish it, and I sopped up every bit of that puree along with that oh so tasty Kalbi! I was full to complete satisfaction! I will be back for sure as soon as I can! Service was lovely and Aloha! Mahalo, O'Kim's for such a delectable meal! read more

O'Kims - Before your lunch meal, salad, pickled vegetables and kimchi - Korean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Located downtown on Nuuanu St. Made reservations before going for dinner but there were a lots of tables available since it was a week night. There's indoor and outdoor seating. Indoor is very cool and clean feeling. Outside was warmer. Didn't see bugs or anything- I did sit outside. Service was excellent. Our waiter was attentive. Food came out quickly. The yuzu lemonade was yummy. Not too sweet or tart. The kimchi mandoo was good. Great flavor and just a hint of spice. The pork belly was really tender. Portion size looks smaller but it's definitely filling. The Bibimbap is packed with with flavor. It's a shareable dish. The portion sizes are deceiving. Looks like there may not be enough food but it ends up being too much. The free kimchi and kimchi refills was the best part! read more

See all

Not all things get better with time. Some things wane and loses its luster... here is my summary - 1 star for the front of the house poor service and attitude - 1 star for the escalated pricing and smaller portions It saddens me to reduce points /stars against an establishment that once impressed me and the rest of the city and its periodic visitors. The owner of this establishment is a great person and works extremely hard. He should read what some of us have to say and correct the obvious. Not necessarily the pricing as that goes with the strength, or the lack of it within our nation. That said should look at the front of the house And it's employees. The host, the gal who takes in all of the patrons, has a horrible attitude. I was told, though by others that is a cultural thing and I should get used to it. Question that becomes is it worth the simple fact that it is a BYOB establishment? Located on Nuuanu Avenue street parking or municipal parking available read more

See all

Have been here for lunch a couple of times now, once with my sister and more recently with Kauaian Joe K. Both times I thought were fantastic. Most of the menu items make me drool but I've always given in to the Stone pot Bibimbap with Washugyu beef. I just can't get enough of that nurungji (crispy browned rice) on the bottom of the stone pot. Aside from the beef on rice action, there are some seasoned vegetables and mushrooms to happily mix in. And of course can't forget to mention the sunny side up egg on top, the rich yolk mixed into it all just tops it all off. Besides having the stone pot meal I've also got a sampling of my sister's Kalbi steak short ribs on root vegetables. This was really tasty as well and the purple rice it came with was nice. Some sides we've had were the vegan Jabchae lumpia with truffle aioli dipping sauce and also the Truffle mandoo... these were also great. The meal also comes with banchan, A nice seaweed soup the first visit and a tasty beef broth with pieces of beef and vegetable the second. You also get some kimchi and various pickled vegetables (banchan you can also get more if you wanted.) The other great part is their gochujang that I liberally mixed into my bibimbap, a no brainer for me. Im fortunate to live downtown so can walk over but there's ample street parking and various municipal lots in the area. read more

See all

I suggested this spot to go with me and my coworkers. A couple of them have already tried take out food from O'kims before, stating that they enjoy their fried chicken quite a bit. The establishment has two areas, the main area of what you see when you walk in, and a connected area. I would say that it doesn't seem to be fully furnished. Another note is that there is no AC (just fans) and all of my coworkers said (when leaving) that they were sweating, I was fine on the other hand though, but I do agree that it wasn't the most comfortable with the heat. We asked to be seated inside and sat in the connected area (which just has 2-3 tables). After being seated, we were told to scan their QR code for the menu. My coworkers got the hot stone bibimbap, I had to teach them how to eat it to get the best experience, by mixing it all up! They both said they really enjoyed it and was decently surprised. I got the kalbi, the black sesame salad that it came with was SOOO good, I NEED that dressing. I also really like the kimchi that was provided. My coworkers didn't touch it so I ended up eating it all. The pot that the kimchi came in was also adorable. The purple rice was also perfect pairing to everything. To the star of the show for me, the Kalbi, it was SOOO tender and flavorful. I do want to note that the portion is a bit small, it got me full but might not do it for everyone. Overall, I enjoyed my experience but I'm not 100% sure if I would go back, at least over other Korean spots I have tried, but I might end up going back to try the other things I haven't tried (or to have that salad again). read more

See all

Tucked away on Nuuanu Ave is this gem of a restaurant. Parking is metered on the street or public parking lots in the area. You cant tell from the outside but they have both indoor and outdoor tables. The outdoor tables are scenic and tranquil very nice for a date or get together with friends and family. Food: Always amazing, creative and fresh. There are daily specials mixed in with their daily dishes. I recently had their confit pork belly and beef bibimbap both delicious! Paired with kim chee, salad with house made sesame dressing and pickled cucumbers and cauliflower. Absolute delight for both the visuals and taste buds! Service was so efficient and friendly. Love this place always something new to try or stick with my favorites! Delicious food all the time. read more

See all

Check in: What combines with great Korean food at O'Kim's? Soju, beer and good friends on a Thursday evening. BYOB! Our waiter provided some flashy soju serving as well. We ordered mushroom filled mandoo, some excellent chicken bibimbap in stone pot, fried chicken with gnocchi and the special salmon (as always). Good vibes and great food are a wonderful combination. Make reservations for outside seating-very pleasant! read more

My friends took me to Okims today for a late birthday celebration. One of them made a reservation this morning, and luckily we were able to get in by the afternoon. We were originally going to be seated outside, but thankfully we ended up in the AC section--something I didn't even know existed! Last time I was here, we sat outside, so I was pleasantly surprised. The AC area is super comfortable, and I've gotta give them an A+ for creativity with the ceiling-mounted tower fans--such a fascinating touch. I always order the monthly special, and it never disappoints. This time, I had the somen noodle dish, which was light, flavorful, and perfect for summer. My friends ordered the salmon and the pork belly, and we all shared the truffle mandoo appetizer. The mandoo were delicious--the jello shoyu with daikon was a fun twist. We were trying to figure out how to eat it and ended up just putting the jello inside the mandoo for a perfect bite. The real standout of the meal was definitely the salmon. I only had a small bite, but it literally melted in my mouth--so buttery and perfectly cooked. The pork belly had a nice char but was still really tender. One of my friends even tried the elote ice cream, which was definitely... interesting! We got a slice of the basque cheesecake and it was the perfect dessert :)! Overall, Okims never disappoints. They keep the menu fun and creative, and there's always something new to try. Already looking forward to the next visit! read more

See all

I've been to Okims for dine in before, but this was my first time doing take out for lunch. Our office placed an order online for pickup, and it was ready for us when we got there. I got the kalbi. It came with kalbi, salad with sesame dressing, purple rice, kimchee. Everything in this hit the spot and was the perfect lunch. The kalbi was super soft and flavorful, so I would definitely recommend! All the takeout orders came in these huge cardboard boxes, and inside the cardboard box, everything was packaged in separate containers. It was a very aesthetic lunch, and I was definitely not expecting it to be prepared in such a fancy way. Okims is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the downtown/chinatown area, and I would definitely recommend it to people looking for good Korean fusion food. read more

See all

All of the food was delicious - the confit pork belly brulee was my favorite, and the basque cheesecake was the perfect dessert. We ate outside to get more fresh air and it was nice and cozy. Staff were super attentive and we had a great time - Miguel Morales Photography read more

O'Kims - Confit pork belly brulee (@miguelmoralesphotography on Instagram) - Korean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Stone pot bibimbap with wagyu beef was so good! I didn't want it to end. We also loved the kimchi that came on the side. Quick and efficient service. We sat on the back patio which was nice in the evening. Definitely will be back! read more

O'Kims - Bibimbap stone pot - Korean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Finally made it to O'Kims! Service was friendly, attentive and just awesome! The place was clean and thankfully we could sit inside in this rather steamy weather. The food. Oh my. It was delicious! Everything was so flavorful and balanced. Very attractively plated and most importantly, the kimchi was the closest to my mother's that I have ever had! Everything we had was delicious. When I made the reservation, I noted that we were celebrating a birthday and we were gifted a piece of basque cheesecake to celebrate. It was fantastic! Perfectly baked, great texture and not toooooo sweet. We will happily be back! read more

See all

Broke a fast with a most delicious meal! Sat outside in the back garden. Nice. Food was great...had the bibimbap. Service was attentive if a little odd. Quirky waitress. All good. read more

First time trying O'Kims! Staff were extremely friendly right when we walked in. We ordered the kalbi and fried chicken! Both were great, I really loved the kalbi w purple rice! It is pricey, but it tasted amazing!! I also loved the salad w a black dressing that came w it! read more

See all

Still one of my favorite "I feel like spoiling myself today..." restaurants in Downtown. I just again, visited recently, I do feel like the portions of the kimchee and pickles have been scaled back. But I can't really blame them... things are getting way more expensive, and running a restaurant business is already hard. The Good: * This time I ordered the Kalbi, which was delicious of course! * The purple rice gets me every time. I would so get fat if I had easy access to this damn rice The Bad: * Parking is not ideal. It's almost like it's a sign for me to eat here if a spot opens up. Cuz honestly, it's not cheap to eat here. But it's worth it. If a parking spot opens up, I'm like... the UNIVERSE wants me to eat here.. SO I MUST. The Weird: * I read that one of the specials was a Wagyu hot dog and gosh... curiousity will kill me one day I swear. If it wasn't for my mom saying hell no to the hot dog, I would have so ordered it hahahah. read more

O'Kims - Kalbi - Korean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Very delicious, very friendly, very nice! Reminds me of my auntie's food back in Korea. read more

O'Kims - Pork belly, rice, kimchi - Korean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

As soon as we entered we were greeted warmly by the lady in the kitchen. The atmosphere felt like walking into a friend's house for lunch. Me and my gf ordered and started with some drinks: "Korean old lady's coffee and the strawberry mojito which were both very refreshing and sweet and came out very quickly. We ordered the truffle mandoo, bulgogi bibimbap, and the Confit pork belly brûlée. The truffle mandoo was so bomb and our sides that came with the meal were very nice and complimented our meals very well! The bibimbap was packed with vegetables and I left feeling full. The pork belly was melt in your mouth and overall eating at O'kims was an amazing experience 5/5 would come back again! read more

See all

I highly recommend this restaurant. I had the hot stone pot bibimbop and it was delicious, amazing. House made Kimchee was really great too. Service was outstanding as well. Try this place. read more

O'Kims - Bibimbop - Korean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We were seated in the back dining patio and it was a cute little area. The service was good and we were checked on multiple times. The food was worth it and we ordered mostly December menu items. read more

See all

Came here on a Thursday night and glad we made a booking in advance because it was busy and there are only a few tables inside and a few outside. We could only get a table indoors when I booked but outside seemed to be the popular choice. Service was great, the Korean lady and young man that served us were very attentive and checked on us multiple times. Very friendly, casual atmosphere and they had a lot of regulars. Food was good, interesting choices and a more refined approach to Korean cuisine. I got the Kalbi and husband got the spicy chicken bibimbap which he said was very filling. Kalbi was good, but I prefer it more grilled style. Also, there did not seem to be a lot of seasoning on it. The white kimchi and kimchi was really fresh and I loved the black sesame dressing that came on the side salad. I would have bought a bottle to take home but forgot. We got the fish jun to start which was really cute in fish shapes and delicious but the positions were small for jun. Finished with the corn ice cream which I would not recommend if you like a sweet dessert, although the white sugar frosting was very sweet, the ice cream was too savory for my liking. Price wise was pretty good, it was around $100 for the both us. Also note that it's BYOB, we didn't realize which was a shame as they had only non alcoholic beverages available. read more

See all

We made an online reservation for 11:30 AM on a Wednesday and would definitely recommend because they get busy during peak hours. Limited metered street parking near the restaurant, so we suggest parking at a nearby paid lot for less stress. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor space is small but welcoming. It kinda feels like you're eating at a family gathering because people are coming in and out. We were seated inside, and the tables have QR codes to access the menu. Restrooms are located outside in a shared lanai area. To start, we ordered the mushroom terrine. It's served chilled, has a jelly-like texture reminiscent of Korean acorn jelly, and comes with frisée. It's savory, unique, and good to share between two people. They also brought us side salads with one of each house-made dressings (black sesame and lemon mayo), traditional kimchi, and a mild white kimchi. Both dressings are delicious and you can actually purchase bottles. We also ordered the wagyu meat jun which had a light and crispy outside with a juicy medium-rare center. It comes with purple rice and meat Jun sauce that had pickled onion in it. We also had the Korean chicken, which was coated in a sweet gochujang glaze. The chicken was boneless with a light crisp. It came in a dumpling basket with a few roasted Brussels sprouts and the house-made gnocchi which was super pillowy and soft. If you liked those smiley face fries from school lunch those gnocchi will bring you back. To finish, we had the elote ice cream, and it honestly looked like it came straight out of the show "Is It Cake?". It was shaped like a corn on the cob and had a sweet corn ice cream topped with marshmallow cream, corn flakes, and a dusting of dried strawberry. There were also bits of white chocolate incorporated, adding extra texture and sweetness. Service was friendly, but a bit slow which was understandable given how busy they get during peak hours. The staff was kind and attentive once available, but just be prepared to wait a bit between courses. Overall, Okims provides a modern twist on Korean flavors with thoughtful presentation and excellent execution. read more

See all

We couldn't decide on where to have dinner last night and ended up here. I've always wanted to try O'Kims and luckily we found street parking. The restaurant is small. There were maybe five tables in the front. They also have a back patio section that also accommodates around five tables. We decided to dine in the back. It was nice and tranquil. We shared the Korean Chicken $17.95 and Kalbi $27.95. Both entrees came with a green salad. The Korean Chicken greens came with a lemon mayo dressing and the Kalbi greens came with a black sesame dressing. Both dressings were outstanding and made in house. The black sesame dressing Is one of the best dressings that I've ever tasted. They also sell their dressings in bottles for $10.95. It also came with complimentary pickled daikon and Kim chee, which were refillable. We liked it so much that we did get a refill. Both entrees were great, but the Kalbi was my fave. They give you one of the big bone varieties. It also came with homemade fries and kabocha. Both entrees also came with purple rice. My hubby and I shared the Yuzu Lemonade $3.95. I thought that it would be too tart and that I wouldn't like it. However, it wasn't tart and had just the right amount of sweetness. I wanted to get the Elote Ice Cream, but the hubby was full. I knew I couldn't finish it by myself. We will try it the next time around. read more

See all

Wonderful service crew warmly greeted us and allow us to select any open seats inside or outside since we arrived before the normal noon lunch hour. Drinks (yuzu lemonade) and all the food was refreshing and delicious. If odom (white fish) is on the specials , it is a must try. Definitely OKim's has elevated the Korean cuisine in Hawaii. read more

See all

Came in for a late afternoon lunch while wandering around Chinatown. Small and clean restaurant with a nice little covered patio out back. We opted for outdoors with the chickens and the light breeze. Service was really friendly and welcoming, and they pointed out a handful of vegetarian options for us. We had the bibimbap and the garbanzo curry, and both were so delicious. I love kimchi, and this was one of the best I've had in terms of spice, flavor, and texture. Portions are large, and we could have easily shared either of these dishes, but the leftovers made for a great snack later. Really happy with this one! read more

Small seating in the front extra patio seating in the back of restaurant. Quite nice and chill in the back. Fans on the top to keep a breeze going. No Mosquitos Had the Bibimbap classic - huge portion size for HW Had to take some leftover for home. juicy chicken. Just a typical done right bibimbap -loved the picked cauliflower and cabbage side dish and homemade I assume kimchi. Both delicious Pricing not too bad, typical for HW Would come back read more

O'Kims - Spicy chicken bimbimbap - Korean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I've always wanted to try this place so when we went here I was so excited! Everything we ordered was fantastic. We started off with the truffle mandoo and I was so impressed with this! The filling was so savory and soft while the outside had a nice crisp to it. The shoyu jelly and daikon on top made it so unique. For the entrees, we ordered the bibimbap stone pot and the Korean chicken and both were so delicious! The bibimbap had a lot of vegetables and the meat was tender and flavorful. The Korean chicken was so good and crispy and the little fried gnocchi that came with it was a nice addition! Service was good and I'm glad they were able to take us in right away for a Friday night. The inside of the restaurant looks really casual but the food and presentation is what really makes this place! I would definitely come here again for a different spin on Korean food. read more

O'Kims - Truffle mandoo - Korean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Ive been wanting to go to O'Kims but I've only received take out. I tried the kal bi, Korean chicken and seaweed salmon. All are so so good but my go to dish is the seaweed salmon with a side of truffle mandoo. Food portions fill me up and the take out boxes are so cute. I will make it to the restaurant one day to try other dishes and desserts. read more

O'Kims - Take out boxes - Korean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Finally got to try this place! There's either street parking or municipal garage parking around the area. I recommend making reservations on OpenTable just in case as they can get quite busy. We had the kalbi and the pork belly. Both were very good! Very fancy Korean food! Purple rice comes with the meals. Super authentic and yummy. We ended with the elote ice cream which was so interesting and yummy! It's quite big, so definitely shareable. We couldn't finish it all! Takeout also looks awesome. Their takeout boxes are fancy! There's inside and outside dining areas. We are inside, but outside looks super cute. read more

See all

I had eaten dine-in at O'Kims several years ago when they first opened, but never had the chance to go back until today. First of all, the take out the containers are substantial. I had to visit a store ofter getting my takeout and someone asked where I got meal. It's a beautiful box! Bit what's inside is even better! They have my FAVORITE salmon dish on the island. It's got this incredible gelee smoked vinegar (you have to try it to understand)! The salmon is cooked to perfection and it tastes great even for take-out. The price before tip was $23.00, but so worth it! It's also about a 15 minute wait if you don't order ahead (you should order ahead). They have other great dishes, I'm sure, but the salmon will be my go-to for a fancy takeout for now. read more

Food is amazing. Service great! If you plan to sit outside, know there are mosquitoes. You might want to make reservations because it can get busy. read more

Amazing! Came here before the larger dinner rush, come earlier this place gets packed! Sat in the back was a good beautiful lush choice. Ate some appetizers of the 4 type Mushroom dumplings, savory and delectable. The kimchi pancakes, perfectly crisp. Our entrees the kalbi, ooo chefs kiss, and the Korean fried chicken. The Korean coffee was the perfect off set to the macadamia nut pie, don't forget to add Icecream! Thanks for the best birthday treat aunty Cindy! read more

See all

Let me just say that it's an interesting spot. It's a very simple interior with an eclectic outdoor area in the back... Supa local. We met some friends here and they were running late, after a while acknowledged they weren't sure if it was the right place, lol. The food and service are however worth it. It's a nice treat to bring non-locals here as they are surprised between the entrance look, the back seating area, and quality of food read more

O'Kims - Outdoor area - Korean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Korean food is not always my favorite so I was skeptical but left super full and happy. As a vegetarian there are not always many options at Korean restaurants but I appreciate how much variety OKims offers. We got all the vegetarian mains and appetizers and liked all of it. The Service was attentive and loved the outdoor seating. Dessert was definitely unique with the black sesame cake. Will return for sure. read more

O'Kims - Garbanzo Curry, Bibimbap, Miso Eggplant - Korean Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

My proudest moment as a food reviewer is to say that I was one of the earliest supporters of O'Kims. Before it was even a restaurant with dine-in possibilities, and hardly a kitchen (I remember one plug-in stovetop cooker and a frying pan), we found O'Kims through an online discounted giftcard deal. It was such a nondescript whole in the wall back then that we had trouble finding the location in Chinatown. And now, it's #58 in the 2024 Yelp best restaurants in the US. I'm truly amazed at how far they've come as they continue bringing some of the most amazing Korean dishes to the island. My first love was and still is the seaweed salmon, a perfectly tender salmon with amazingly crispy and umami filled seaweed topping, as well as a Korean remoulade and tosazu gelee. I've never had anything like it before, the seemingly crude mix of flavors becoming a delicate balance together. A few years ago, I immediately got off my airplane and demanded to head straight to O'kims to pick up a salmon takeout for my first meal in Hawaii, having dreamed about it for months while away at college. I've been here many times for takeout now, but I've finally dined in. We celebrated my grandpa's birthday here. My family ordered the spicy chicken bibimbap, the bulgogi bibimbap (I recommend this over the chicken), and the monthly special yellow fish. Everything was lovely. My favorite details are the peeled tomato, the pickled vegetables, kimchi in a traditional vessel, and purple multigrain rice. I also ordered the Korean old lady iced coffee, which was deliciously lightly sweetened with cream. It was a big glass and extremely refreshing. The waitstaff was very friendly and knowledgeable. We sat outdoors which has a personal fan for each table, so no matter the weather in Hawaii, it's always comfortable. There is a shared restroom with tea 1024 next door. We easily made a reservation online on OpenTable. You can also call or just walk in. Parking can be tough to find in Chinatown, but there are a few paid parking lots nearby. read more

See all

Been a hot minute since I've been back. The dining area is now bigger but still full! We had no lunch reservations but they were kind enough to seat us. There's now a side room for over flow-they need it because by the time we left, there was lots of people waiting . Lunch prices ran averaged $20- $29. There's also appetizers for around $10 No regular Korean food but really creative Korean fusion. I had the confit pork belly brulee ($19.95). It came with salad, pickles and Kim chee. The Kim chee was tasty, not super spicy and the pickles were crisp. I was pleasantly surprised that the salad dressing complemented the entree- I had black sesame dressing. My friend had the Korean chicken and she had some kind of citrus aioli dressing. Only a chef would think of that! My pork belly was sooo tender and moist, marinated perfectly. It's not a large portion but it was very rich and it was just right. My friend had the Korean ($18.95) chicken with the sauce on the side. They were nugget sized -very crisp and light. The chicken was very moist. Along with chicken was some potato croquette- like bites. Addicting!! As always the staff was very friendly and welcoming even though it was super busy. Great place for lunch - I'm not going to wait this long the next time ! read more

See all

Honestly, I have no idea why it took me this long to write a review for this place. I've been here more times than I can count, raved about it to friends and yet somehow never got around to actually posting anything. So here it is, long overdue but very well deserved. Located in the heart of downtown and as all places there finding street parking is key. When you walk in it's a little dark with 4-5 tables indoor. But the outside is an urban oasis with fresh air and around 5 tables. I have made reservations and done walk ins as well. Always check the monthly specials!! They are amazing and seasonal. Ok here are my faves...you must try the truffle mandoo that is cooked with that cornstarch slurry to get crispy edges and topped with cubed daikon and soy sauce gelee. The first time I dined here a fellow foodie recommended O'Kims. This did not disappoint I got the monthly special. It was an Asian fusion rice dish with uni! Yes I said uni. You can't go wrong with any of the bi bim bap's. Worth mentioning is the bottomless kim chee and pickled veggies. They also have fun desserts to try like the elote ice cream. Oh and the staff is warm and funny. Check out my pics and definitely try O' Kim's read more

See all