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    Onkee Korean Grill House

    4.3 (240 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Onkee Korean Grill House Photos

    Business Info

    ONKEE KOREAN GRILL HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Onkee Korean Grill House

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    Elevator area
    Leang S.

    This new Korean BBQ spot has some great happy hours drinks on 2nd floor with Instagram worthy decors and ambiance. The foods well worth it. Great flavors of Korean BBQ with a modern fusion twist. Hats off to the chef or owners that came up with the menu. The flavors was there in every items we tried.

    Menu 3/25/25 (1 of 8)
    Jo Y.

    On Kee Korean Grill House opened in Aug 2024 in Ward Village by Grace Park, retired professional golfer married to Skye Kim, who has many years of experience iny's iconic Samwon Garden Restaurant in Seoul. "On Kee" translates to the warmth of food from a traditional stove or hearth. It commonly refers to earthenware pots used for storing ingredients like kimchi or soy sauce, and means the warmth of food from the stove, fueled by the fire from the hearth. It evokes feeling of home-worked Korean food, specifically of aromas of rice and smoking grills. As such, the restaurant was aptly named On Kee Korean Grill House, an upscale restaurant known for premium meats, tableside grilling, and refined side dishes, bringing a taste of contemporary South Korean cuisine to HI. The menu has been prepared by Michelin-trained Executive Chef Jwi Ho Jang and Sous Chef Won-Deuk So for a selection of appetizers, entrees, grilled meats, soups, noodles, and stews. The restaurant prides itself that its servers will grill their meats for you. On Kee offers lunch, happy hour, and dinner. This review is for our lunch experience. The lunch menu offers a noodle hot pot, various meat sets, and combo menus for various meats/fish and stews. We chose the following lunch sets: * LA marinated short ribs meal with soybean paste stew. The kalbi was excellent, so tender, juicy, and flavorful! The soybean paste stew was pleasantly mild and had tofu, zucchini, cucumber, green onion * Stir-fried pork meal with kimchi stew. Although very tasty, the pork was very spicy, but the menu description did not specify it as spicy. It's a good thing that we could handle spicy. The kichi stew was also spicy and flavorful, and it included tofu, pork belly, kimchi, sliced onions; the menu description also did not note that this was spicy. As with the kalbi, I would not be surprised if the flavor of the meat marinades were adapted to local tastes. Loved that both the kalbi and pork were served with a bed on sliced onions on a sizzling cast iron platter! Both sets each came with 4 delicious banchans that are freshly made in-house: choy sum with bits of tofu, seasoned dried daikon strips with sesame seeds, mac salad with imitation crab, and marinated won bok with green onion and chili pepper. Note that the marinated won bok was not kimchi, but was sweeter. Instead of having the same 4 bachans, it would have been better for a set of different banchans to try. In addition to the banchans, a larger dish of marinated crunchy won bok kimchi was served to be shared by both of us, but it was not spicy and not marinated long enough. Rice accompanied both sets (extra cost at dinner). There has been a lot of hype about staff cooking your meats for you while dining. It was a disappointment when we were told that our lunch sets are cooked in the back kitchen and then served to us. Apparently, the tableside grilling only applies to the higher-priced sets, as we noticed a group of Korean tourists on the next table with staff grilling for them. Nevertheless, our kalbi and spicy pork were excellently prepared; however, wished that there was clarification as to what is to be grilled at tableside. Chloe, our server, was very friendly to engage us in small talk, attentive, and efficient! She left us alone and appeared periodically to refill our tea/water glasses and to inquire if we needed a refill of our banchans or other assistance. We saw the plain and seasoned salt containers on the table. When we asked Chloe about them, we were told that they are mainly used for the grilling of meats; however, it was not necessary to use them for our lunch sets. Wished this was explained to us beforehand, as we weren't sure how to use them. On Kee shines in its ambiance! With its high ceilings, huge windows, and warm tones of stone, copper, and iron fixtures, as well as ceramics used for tableware, make this restaurant upscale, trendy, and modern. The spacious layout of the dining room makes it noisy, as sounds bounce of the concrete walls; however, the engineered smokeless grills will make up for it, as diners will see the excellent ventilation of not smelling like smoke when they leave. Lunch hours are daily from 11:00a to 2:30p. Lunch is not as busy as the dinner hours, so walk-ins are welcomed. (For reference, happy hour is daily from 4:30p to 6:30p in the bar area; and dinner Sun to Thurs 5p to 9p, Fri/Sat 5p to 10p.) Located on the 2nd floor of Kaka'ako's Koula condo, there is free self-parking in the Ward Theater parking garage; exit the garage by walking to the porte cochere of the Koula condo and look for the direct elevator to On Kee, which is located next to Dean & Deluca. Lunch at the upscale On Kee with generous portions and good price point, combined with superb customer service, makes this a great dining experience!

    Se C.

    I came here with friends for Saturday lunch with a reservation. They put us in a private room and we had an excellent time here. The service and food were both top notch. I ordered the marinated LA galbi meal combo with spicy naengmyun ($3 extra). The meat was very good quality and super tender. The naengmyun was refreshing and not too spicy. The noodles were bouncy and not overcooked. Everything including banchan and fresh kimchi was very simple and delivered a traditional, but modern take on Korean homestyle food. The restaurant is very spacious and has a lot of windows providing natural light. They are located on the second level of the mall. Everything is new here in the Ward village since Kaka'ako is still rapidly developing. There is free parking nearby in the garage. Recommend without hesitation.

    Linda T.

    Onkee Korean Grill House in Ward Village, been here a few times and this place definitely feels like a more upscale Korean BBQ experience compared to most spots in Honolulu. The interior is modern and stylish, like a Seoul-style restaurant rather than the typical casual KBBQ vibe. The meat quality was excellent very tender and flavorful. What I liked is that they keep it simple with just sea salt instead of heavy sauces, so you really taste the quality of the beef. The galbi and ribeye were definitely highlights. Banchan was clean and nicely presented, and the overall dishes felt more refined than your usual Korean BBQ. Service was attentive and the staff helped with grilling which made the experience smoother. Only thing to note is that it's a bit on the pricier side, but you're paying for the quality and the elevated dining experience. Overall: 8.5/10. Great spot for a date night or when you want Korean BBQ that feels a little more upscale.

    Grilled Lunch Set
    Daniel C.

    Onkee Korean Grill House has been on my radar and I finally got to dine here to cross it off my bookmark list. They are located in the Kakaako area and there's ample parking in the Ward Theaters parking garage. You just walk over and either take the elevator up or walk up their fancy stairs. There is a sign that asks diners to wait to be seated. When you walk in, there is a bar area and open dining room. We came during lunch on a weekday and the restaurant was half full but the place was COLD! Their AC was on full blast so maybe bring a light jacket if you get cold easily. We received menus right away but it took awhile to get our orders taken. Apparently they only had two people working and one person was brand new who just finished training. The other server worked there a year and was carrying him on their shift. We each ordered their Grilled Lunch Set + 1 Meal and their Beef Tartare to start. The kitchen didn't take too long to get our appetizer out with the Kimchee Stew and Bibim-naengmyeon. It was good and we enjoyed it, especially the Beef Tartare. Our male server did mix up who got what for our + 1 Meal but we just swapped the bowls. We also ordered hot tea because it was so cold but he forgot about it. The male server put in our order wrong so we received the wrong meat and it took them time to get our actual order out. The female server was great though. Wish I got her name but she's from China and lived in the Bay Area. 5 stars for her and for carrying her coworker. She did start grilling our meats but we told her we got it since they are short staffed. Their two salts were nice to add on top of the meat. Glad we added a bow of rice each. Overall, it was a good experience thanks to the female server.

    Kalbi soup
    Art C.

    Since I was craving for Korean food, it was an easy choice for me to come here for an early lunch, especially I lived right by Onkee. I think their lunch offerings were pretty solid. The bachan was great and enjoyed the non-fermented fresh kimchee. I ordered the Kalbi soup. It was decent but it didn't have the depth of Kalbi soup that I had from the other Korean restaurants. Since it was still early, there was just another table with other guests. From the service standpoint, it could be improved. They didn't stop by to refill the water. It is not my first time here so I knew what to expect in terms of ambiance. I enjoy eating there without smelling like Korea bbq after on my clothes. I probably will come back for quick lunch when I crave for some Korean food. I think it was decent for the value.

    Mari D.

    Whenever I'm at Dean & Deluca, I always see people coming in and out of Onkee and I finally know why. Finally decided to check this place out while a girlfriend was in town and I'd say we were both impressed. Came in on a Sunday just before the lunch rush and were quickly seated--I'd suggest making reservations just in case though. We opted for the sets but their menu boasts a good amount of meats that you can order Ala carte. I went with the kalbi and soybean paste stew, which also comes with rice. The portion size was just right because I managed to finish everything and felt full till dinner! Friend got the fish and soybean paste stew set and let me try some of the fish--very soft and flavorful! Service was quick and they came around to refill the banchan and our waters/tea when we were running low. I hear they have a pretty good happy hour, so I'd definitely gotta go back for that soon.

    Brian H.

    Nice and clean restaurant. Food is very clean super tasty. We went for lunch and ordered lunch special. I got #2 grilled fish(mekeral) with mulnaengmyun(noodle). Noodle was okay tbh, 3 out orlf 5. But the rest were great. My wife got LA style galbi w soup. Lunch special is a great deal. I will visit if im in the area. They also have 2 private rooms, family restroom and fancy bar. Bar is small.

    Marlene Y.

    Always Yum! Excellent food and service! Come here for good cuts of meat and great banchan. The ambiance, even with inclement weather outside, was pleasant and welcoming. Ordered the lunch specials of kalbi and pork. Love the portion size, even at lunch! Need not choose another Korean food place in Ward Village.

    Chantal C.

    *on 2nd floor above Dean & Deluca* Deal, No Deal . Thought I'd try this place out for their Restaurant Week lunch specials as advertised online....however, after being seated our waiter informed us those specials were only offered at dinner. How tuna uni poke would be served for dinner at kbbq is beyond me but c'est la vie... -- at this point in the day, I was 0-2 for any holiday deals or specials ): so not fun....-- . The soondubu jjigae wasn't oily at all and its comforting heat permeated throughout me with each warm bite as I watched the cold rain shower outside. Also, being sheltered in an open/minimalist zen space while surrounded by simple stone & earthenware somehow eased my former discontentment. The japchae was also not overly oily n had fresh crunchy veggies. . Happily walked out full with leftovers. Will return to try their kbbq!

    Truffle potato pancake
    Hailley O.

    My boyfriend and I went here for dinner and it's a pretty nice and almost a high end Korean bbq spot. We ordered the truffle potato pancake as a starter and decided to go all out and got the most expensive set from the dinner menu. The truffle potato pancake was delicious! I loved how crispy it was with the creamy truffle sauce on top. I forgot which were the exact cuts of meat we had for dinner but I do remember it all being pretty good! I think one of the cuts was the Miyazaki Wagyu and it was so buttery and melted in my mouth! Probably one of the most buttery pieces of meat I've had. The meats were so tasty that you didn't need a sauce with it just the salt. Overall, the truffle potato pancake and the meats were delicious but not sure if we'll come back here. It was quite expensive and they don't give you a lot of meat. You have to order rice separately and we didn't care for the banchan either. I do like how they cook the meat for you since they are expensive cuts. Our server was great and the restaurant is nice and spacious. I'm glad we got to try this spot out though!

    Aron N.

    My wife has been talking up Onkee ever since she went to lunch there. According to her, the meat quality was superior to the places we go to. After a while, I knew I had to go to check it out. It's right across the Ward Theater so it was easy to find. They have their own private elevator and when we went for lunch around a 2p, there were just a few people in there. The service was just right - they came at all the right times and were efficient! I have to say this place is really nice and airy. There's a full bar as you walk in and it was really clean. Everything looked spotless and brand new. If I had to compare it to any other Korean restaurant it would be Korea Garden since that one is fairly new as well. But Onkee is more stylish. They have two types of salt on the side on the table and a dipping sauce which was slightly sweet. The usual side dishes came out and they all looked great. If I had to say anything about them, I would say that some were on the sweeter side - which is kind of like Korea garden is as well. Perhaps a small nod toward the local clientele? But everything was top notch and delicious. We had a choice of soups so we got kimchi jjigae and another order of miso soup (doenjang jjigae). I have to tell you BOTH were some of the best tasting bowls of soup I have had at a restaurant. Both were DELICIOUS!!!! That was my first impression . Just GREAT. The grills look beautiful and CLEAN and the rock-like bottom that goes over the flame must have added more to the flavor of the grill. The meat selection was just great. I have to admit the quality of the meat was a step above the other Korean restaurants and the taste of the grill was evident. Just delicious and the meat was so tender. OK, yes, I admit.... this place rocks!!!!! My wife was right. There's a new king of Korean restaurants. Onkee reigns supreme.

    Gregg R.

    I'm really upset that we finally had a meal here. We didn't go for the longest time, just because the price point was a little on the high side. Well, we finally tried it out, and it was awesome! So now we HAVE to go back for more. The service was on point, and the servers were well trained and attentive. They actually do ALL of the cooling for you at the table and are super friendly and not pretentious. The cuts of meat are first class and oh so flavorful. Excellent banchan. Everything was so fresh and the ambiance was contemporary and first class. Vents pulled the smoke down nut up, so the place was very clean and the air not greasy like at some of the other K BBQ spots. Great food, clean ambiance and excellent service. We will be back soon!

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    Onkee Korean Grill House Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Onkee Korean Grill House

    Is there an additional fee for using the private room, or is it just based on a minimum food and beverage spend?

    We had four people in our party. We didn't request a private room, we weren't charged an extra fee and we weren't asked to spend a certain amount. But, we bought two combos, one appetizer, two Korean beers and two sojus. Not sure what would have… Read more

    Any dress code? Or suggestions as to attire.

    Aloha! We do not have dress code. Thank you

    Vintage Books - Flight of tacos (@miguelmoralesphotography on Instagram)

    Vintage Books

    4.4(177 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$$
    Gluten-free friendly
    Romantic vibe

    Vintage Books at in Kaimukī was such a beautiful experience. Listening to live blues music while…read moreenjoying fabulous small dishes made the evening feel very special and unique. The atmosphere is cozy, warm, and inviting -- I felt like I was relaxing in someone's living room at home. The service was fast, and all of the waiters were very friendly and attentive. I highly recommend going there if you want to experience something special in Honolulu. Don't forget to make a reservation ahead of time because it can get busy. The live music is usually on Wednesdays, and it truly adds to the magic of the place.

    What a great little place...and very tricky. The entrance was interesting and I thought it was so…read moresmall when we entered, but behind the closed door a very different space! The hostess was so sweet! This was my first time. My Hawaii posse was already there. We had a great table for all of us. Our server was very good! She checked on us without being intrusive which is perfect for a "speakeasy." Loved my old fashion! The food was delicious too! I know we got the karaage chicken which was nice and crispy. The lamb ribs were very good. But I was not ordering the food, it just came out...LOL! There were a number of people there on a Sunday evening. We spoke to the manager and he explained the concept and what they were doing which is really good for the area. Kaimuki is really becoming a cool destination for food and drinks. Looking forward to coming back. Reservations are highly recommended. Mahalo Vintage!

    Photos
    Vintage Books - Bar & lounge

    Bar & lounge

    Vintage Books - Flight of three tacos: kalua pig, suadero, and tako

    Flight of three tacos: kalua pig, suadero, and tako

    Vintage Books - Crispy Lamb Ribs

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    Crispy Lamb Ribs

    Bar Leather Apron - Japan old fashioned

    Bar Leather Apron

    4.5(474 reviews)
    1.1 miDowntown
    $$

    Legendary cocktail experience. My partner and I frequent a lot of top 50 bars across the world and…read moreBar Leather Apron operates at that level. The drinks are well balanced and have a lot of Japanese flavor influence (i.e shisho, matcha, yuzu). Presentation and breakdown of each drink component was exceptional; it is clear that the mixologists understand the nuances of their ingredients and the techniques they employ. Special shout out to Scotty for taking care of us tonight. Excited to come back again :)

    Months before my trip to Oahu, I tried to book a reservation to Bar Leather Apron but was unable to…read moredo so because the reservations were immediately scooped up right as they were released. To my surprise, on a Sunday evening after having dinner nearby at Maze, my wife and I walked over to Bar Leather Apron and we were able to get seated right away! In fact, around 7:30 p.m. when we stopped by, there was actually a ton of seating available in the bar. Who would've guessed. If you're in the same boat as me and are unable to find a reservation for your upcoming visit, I would encourage you to stop by and try a walk-in. The first page of the menu lists a wide variety of whiskey based cocktails. Most -- if not all, of the cocktails are pre-fixed with BLA (Bar Leather Apron), and represent a collaboration with the named distillery. If you're fan of whiskey, you'll definitely have a difficult time picking only one. I ultimately ordered their "Take Warning" -- 2021 BLA Knob Creek BLA Single Barrel, Cynar, Carpano Antica, Mezcal, Bergamot Salt. Drinks here are not cheap -- averaging $20 to $25 per drink. Although my drink was very spirit forward, it still felt very well balanced. I appreciated the hint of smokiness from the mezcal that rounded out the end of a sip. Service here quick and friendly. When we received the check, a cute small chocolate snack was brought over as well, borrowed from the menu at Maze. Overall, I can see why Bar Leather Apron has earned so many accolades in its field. Definitely worth a stop by if you enjoy the art of mixology.

    Photos
    Bar Leather Apron - View from our seat

    View from our seat

    Bar Leather Apron - Matcha old fashioned

    Matcha old fashioned

    Bar Leather Apron - Japan

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    Japan

    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge

    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge

    4.5(48 reviews)
    0.5 miAla Moana

    I went here for my birthday and didn't realize I should've made a reservation for a larger group,…read moreespecially since it was my first time. Thankfully, Michael and his team were able to accommodate us, which I really appreciated. From the moment we walked in, the place had a great vibe, the interior is beautiful. Throughout the night, the staff and Michael (the owner) were incredibly welcoming, funny and attentive. The cocktails were amazing. I had the expressing my love all night and even though the place was busy and there was a bit of a wait for food, it was honestly worth it. We had the crab dynamite, the ahi brioche, and the prosciutto and burrata. SO GOOD! My friends and I had such a great time and will definitely be back.

    Some places you find, others you have to earn, and 430 Parkway is one you'd miss if you weren't…read morelooking for it. Tucked on the second floor of a Piikoi Parkway building, it feels like stepping back in time, a true bespoke bar with vintage art, moody lighting, and comfy couches that make it perfect for couples or a night out with friends. We sat at the bar, which was a highlight, Michael and Tony were welcoming, easy to talk story with, and clearly know their craft. I went with the Barreled Old Man, a smooth, layered mix of bourbon, rye, and brandy that just worked, while my wife's Sesame Veil brought a nutty, balanced flavor that stood out. For round two, the Espressing My Love was a great take on an espresso martini, and Michael built my wife a custom drink off her favorite flavors and nailed it again. We paired it with the smoked mozzarella and salami grilled cheese and Ho Farms tomato soup, and this is where it really hit. The sandwich came out hot and crisp, and when you took a bite the cheese pulled away just right, that perfect melt, with the salami adding a savory kick. The tomato soup was fresh, bright, and made for dipping you didn't want to stop. We were welcomed with a table that had our name on it, a small touch that goes a long way. Prices are on point for the quality and experience you're getting. It's a bit of a hidden, hip spot, not for a quick drink but for when you want to sit, relax, and enjoy it. Parking is tight, but you can park at Ala Moana and walk over, and it's worth it. Next time we're coming back for Grandma's Old Fashioned and the pork belly bao buns. This isn't a bar you stumble into, it's one you come back to.

    Photos
    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge - SPRING COCKTAIL MENU

    SPRING COCKTAIL MENU

    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge - Crab Dynamite - Our Fave!

    Crab Dynamite - Our Fave!

    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge - Bird on a Wire

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    Bird on a Wire

    RM 38 - Snack

    RM 38

    4.8(72 reviews)
    1.9 miWaikiki
    $$

    This spot is the place to be in Waikiki! Definitely make a reservation because this place fills up…read morefast, especially later into the night. What surprised me most was how good the food was for the price. Usually spots with this kind of atmosphere rely on the drinks to carry the experience, but every dish actually delivered. The chicken karaage was crispy and packed with flavor, the beef takoyaki disappeared almost instantly, and the taro chips with mascarpone were such a unique combination. Between the cocktails, food, service, and atmosphere, everything just worked.

    We dropped by speakeasy RM 38 (Room 38) inside the Imperial Hotel on Lewers in Waikīkī. We were…read morevery glad we did. The owner is Steve Aoki, of Aoki Group, and son of daredevil and entrepreneur, Rocky Aoki. The staff were super nice. The brunette (Ellie?) working Sat, 4/25 was super friendly, and worked her ass off. The Azn fellow who also took care of us let us look at the bottles of special bourbon we drank: Four Roses & Blantons both tr the Aoki Collection. Regarding the ambiance its whimsical inside. I didn't look on the lanai, but I understand you can smoke cigars out there. The background music was jazz and the occasional Motown hit (Stylistics). My cuz who lives in Kaimukī has neva been to RM 38. I promised to add him to the res next time. Its a lot easier to get in vs another speakeasy in Chinatown, and its walking distance from where I always stay at the Moana.

    Photos
    RM 38 - Lounge area

    Lounge area

    RM 38 - Ahi

    Ahi

    RM 38 - Dragon Lady and 38 Old Fashioned

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    Dragon Lady and 38 Old Fashioned

    Onkee Korean Grill House - korean - Updated May 2026

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