Char siu. Roast pork. Siu mai. These are the magic words for Po Sing Kitchen! And these three signature items are even magical!
Family-owned and operated, Po Sing Kitchen opened in Mililani in the mid-1980s; it changed ownership in 2015, but continues to be a family-run operation. While they offer various Chinese dishes, it appears that everyone gets their char siu, roast pork and siu mai, and now I know why.
We hardly venture out to Mililani, as we live in East Honolulu. While having to go to Wahiawa on our annual shopping visit to Duke's Clothing, we made it a point to stop at Po Sing Kitchen for the first time. I have recently had cravings for their char siu, roast pork, and siu mai due to the stunning photos of these items posted by Yelpers Judy C., Gail U., Arynn I., Ramfis B. and Kevin C. Their photos showed delicious-looking char siu slices with charred ends with a luscious light sauce poured over them, roast pork with a crispy skin and a perfect meat-to-fat ration, and pretty good sized siu mai "balls" wrapped with translucent pi. They rank up there with the best and even better than some of the places in Chinatown!
Yup, their photos are legit and are as good as they taste! We loved all three items: the char siu was so tender, soft, and flavorful, and the charred ends enhanced its flavor! We couldn't believe the roast pork skin stayed crispy even overnight in the refrigerator, and it was so tasty, juicy, and tender! The siu mai is made a little differently from other dim sum places, as it is completely wrapped and sealed in pi (no pork exposed); it was delicious, tender, and freshly made. We scored on these three items and wished we could have tried their other dishes, which will have to wait for another visit.
Po Sing also has steamed char siu bao, crispy gau gee, fried spring rolls, roast duck, and Icee. They also have plate lunches of one choice or two choices of entrée + starch (fried rice, chow fun, or chow mein). They have various ready-made entrees to choose from: mapo tofu, pork bitter melon, beef broccoli, sweet sour pork, orange chicken, pork eggplant, pot roast pork, etc. You can also order from their menu: minute chicken, beef or pork with sweet sour cabbage, Mongolian beef, egg fu young, honey walnut shrimp, salt pepper shrimp, Canton shrimp, egg flower soup, won ton soup, etc. They also have party trays available.
Po Sing is a tiny place between Subway and Supercuts in the Mililani Marketplace, which is anchored by Longs Drugs and Safeway. Po Sing is take-out only, and with COVID, only one person (mandatory face mask) is allowed inside due to social distancing. As a result, a line forms outside the store; however, it moves quickly, as most people know exactly what they want.
As tiny as this place is, it has a large clear window with slabs of fresh roast pork and roast duck (duck was sold out when we were there at mid-morning) hanging from large metal hooks, and bright red chunks of juicy char siu with charred ends in pans on the counter. If you're just passing by and seeing this, it stops you in your tracks, as you want to savor these delicacies! Great marketing on their part!
The interior rectangular space allows for the display of ready-made entrees and the roasted meats. With COVID, there are clear plastic sheeting from ceiling to the counters that acts as a barrier to the food. At least you can see through the clear plastic. There are only two family staff employees: the expert meat cutter and the nice lady who takes your order and takes your payment. Both were friendly and efficient, as they are aware that the sooner you leave, they can tend to the next person in the long line.
As it is a popular place and the only place for roasted Chinese meats in the area, they do sell out quickly. If you know what you want, order ahead, and they will hold it for you for pick-up later.
Open Wed. to Mon. form 9:30a to 6:30p; they may close earlier if they sell out. Cash only. Lots of free available parking in this shopping complex.
Po Sing provides a great service to the Mililani community, as there is no need to drive to Chinatown to get these roasted delicacies. Too far for us to drive to Mililani on a regular basis to get these, so these will be a special treat when we happen to be in the area (wish there was something similar in East Honolulu). Can't wait to return to Po Sing in Mililani for char siu, roast pork and siu mai! read more