Cancel

Open app

Search

Pongo's Kitchen

4.4 (258 reviews)
InexpensiveHawaiian, Seafood
Closed 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Pongo's Kitchen Photos

Business Info

PONGO'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Dogs allowed

You might also consider

More like Pongo's Kitchen

Recommended Reviews - Pongo's Kitchen

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Roast Turkey with Homemade Stuffing & Gravy
Kevin W.

Heard from our fellow Yelper's about Pongo's Kitchen. We finally had the opportunity to get over there. Oh my their food is awesome . Ordered their famous Baked Ahi a wonderful casserole type dish with Ahi, imitation crab, onions, mayonnaise, paprika, and some green onions. We also ordered the Roasted Turkey with homemade stuffing and gravy. Simply delicious . We definitely have to stop by again for their equally famous Guava Chicken. Locally owned and operated. Service is World Class friendly and efficient. Take out only. Recommend you order online and pickup. Parking is limited, best bring a pal to run in and grab your order.

Menu
Russ L.

They have a good selection of dishes that are on the menu along with daily specials average cost. Also have a few dessert items including butter mochi, banana bread. Everything was prepared perfectly, everything is solid at a reasonable prices. Staff are nice. 4 STARS for the bad parking and there is NONE! Calling ahead to place orders is the way to go. I parked in the business next door ran in paid, and grabbed food and was out of there.

Mariecon P.

This is the first time I got introduced to this place. They have a good selection of plate lunches with reasonable prices. I got the baked ahi and spicy guava chicken combo plate. Great food, although the chicken wasn't spicy at all, it was sweet and tangy. You can also order online and choose your side/add ons.

Hamburger Steak - full plate ($12.95 + 4% CC fee).
Eric R.

"Cause you're amazing just the way you are" - Bruno I am crushing on Pongo, but not for her beauty or elegance. I'm in love with her Kitchen! I've been here three times while doing work near the airport. Located in the heart of the industrial side of Kalihi you can find this hole-in-the-wall that has been serving islanders since the early 1990's. Just read *Jo Y.'s review on the history of Pongo's Kitchen. Oh! And amazing Pongo was fondly named after their Dad! I've ordered full plates of Hamburger Steak ($12.95), Baked Ahi ($13.20), and Sesame Chicken ($12.55). All were incredible! Each came with a large scoop of rice, and side (corn, toss greens, or mac salad). There's a new chicken entree that was just added to the menu - I was told by regulars in line that it's the latest craze, and yes, the plate is called "new chicken" lol. Next time!! In the end, I can't endorse this gem any more than saying awesome sauce! The food and value are tops! While waiting for my take-out lots of working locals were ordering, and a handful of military too - I guess word is out on base too! Pongo's Kitchen is strictly take-out in today's world and parking is rough here, but if you want Kanak attack and bang for your buck... Come! Pls follow my IG travels: @eric_travel_guru

Desserts yummm !
Li Y.

Casual vibes, good service, reasonable prices, tasty great comfort local plate lunches. What's not to love? OK, maybe the lack of parking may work against this local institution but since it's strictly a takeout place, all the double parked cars are constantly coming and going so you are sure to get an illegal space quickly. Hahah. Pongo's, located in the heart of Kalihi has "broke da mout" food which on many days sells out by 11/11:30am... at least the more popular dishes. And the most popular and most delicious choices IMHO are the mochiko (fried) chicken, sesame (fried) chicken, guava (fried) chicken, and the baked ahi casserole THO whenever I visit Pongo's I see other "regulars" ordering all kinds of dishes I never thought of ordering so... will have to return to try their beef stew or curry one day! Always be sure to save room for their onolicious butter mochi!

Gavin N.

It has been roughly 5 years since I had first visited Pongo's Kitchen I'm glad I was able to return and try the wonderful food on the menu. I opted to try for something different (as the guava chicken has been my favorite), and went for the kalua pork! It was just right, and melted into the taste buds of my tongue. The lunch was well balanced with a salad and the rice helped to soak up the sauce, which enhanced the overall flavor of the meal! The Brookie brownies were also very flavorful, that I ended up sharing them with my parents so they could also taste how amazing they were. As always, the service and ambiance are top notch. 10/10 recommend Pongo's Kitchen!

Guava chicken and baked ahi combo!
Marissa K.

I went here to grab lunch today and got ahi katsu for a co-worker and baked ahi with garlic cream sauce for me. Prices are reasonable here. Parking can be a bit tricky to find but I always seem to find something right in front! Food here is yummy! Love everything here!

guava chicken and fish combo
Henry P.

Food is awesome as always. Got my go to order ... baked ahi and chicken combo They also have military discount Will definitely be back

Crystal R.

The best food. I was craving this kind of chicken for the longest and it became our comfort food for the trip!

Menu 6/28/23 (1 of 4)
Jo Y.

Opened in 1991 by sisters Tracy and Cindy Sakuma, Pongo's Kitchen was a hot pink lunch wagon on Moowaa Street in the Kalihi industrial area and aptly named as "Pongo," as it was the nickname of Tracy's and Cindy's dad. I remember working in downtown way back then, and we would occasionally cater certain dishes, including the still popular baked ahi, for office parties, knowing how delicious their offerings were. In 1996, Candace and another sister joined the team, with Mom Barbara a year after that. They were able to launch a 2nd lunch wagon, silver in color, near the Young Brothers shipping company location on Nimitz Hwy. In 2001, the Sakuma family sold the two lunch wagons and opened a brick and mortar building on Mokauea St., where it is now. In 2006, significant menu changes were made to include healthier options and to offer different kinds of drizzles, sauces, and butters to complement the main dishes. Cindy and Tracy subsequently left to pursue other ventures, and Mom passed away in 2008, with Candace overseeing the business and coming up with a new team. Pongo's Kitchen is literally a hole-in-a-wall restaurant that offers take-out lunches. They include: * Plate lunches: ahi (katsu, baked, grilled); grilled salmon; beef stew; hamburger curry/steak; roast turkey; chicken (fried, sesame, spicy guava, roasted). All plates come with white or brown rice and mac salad, tossed salad or corn; and either regular or mini plates. * Combos. Variations of the above. * Bowls: grilled ahi, hamburger curry and egg, loco moco. * Drizzles: creamy garlic, lemon caper, ranch, sriracha, wasabi. * Sauces: spicy shoyu vinegar & onion, garlic shoyu sauce. * Butters: garlic butter, spicy house. * Desserts: cookies, energy bars, mochi. * Specials: Varies, which may include Korean fried chicken bowl, chicken & natto, tuna roll w/ cucumber, spam musubi, grilled short ribs, rib eye steak, spam & eggs, sushi bake, pickled onions. * Drinks: canned soda, bottled water. Popular dishes are their ahi bake and guava chicken, although many enjoy their various kinds of fried chicken, fish, and other menu offerings, complemented with various house made drizzles, sauces and butters. You can also purchase chicken by the piece. They also provide catering orders, which must be placed five days in advance. Catered dishes include the regular offerings, plus grilled pork, kalua pig, grilled salmon. I've always enjoyed the baked ahi, as I go back a long time with it, when our office used to include this as one of the catered dishes for office parties. This delicious ahi itself is so moist, as it is topped with a mixture of imitation crab, round onions, and mayo mixture while baking, and served on a bed of fresh spinach leaves. The baked ahi is always a favorite! I also chose the tossed salad, which is a fresh spring mix with homemade ranch dressing. The guava chicken is also good with it tasting like sriracha, sweet chili sauce, and guava sauce on a fried chicken; however, it's a little too sweet for me. Hours of operation are Mon to Fri 10a to 2p, Sat & Sun closed. Due to the short opening hours and its popularity with construction workers, items are limited, so it's best to go early, as Pongo's does sell out of their popular items. Prior to Covid, you could go inside the store to order; however, during Covid, you would have had to order at the front door and pick up your order there. This has not changed as of today. Friendly and efficient staff will accommodate your orders and questions. In addition, two outdoor tables with benches were permanently removed, so it is strictly take-out. Credit cards are accepted. Finding a parking space is an issue, as Pongo's is in the heart of Kalihi's industrial area, next to Puuhale Elementary School and across the street from Ross Appliance & Mattress. It only has a couple of parking spaces fronting the restaurant, but there is a bus stop at that same spot. You can also park next door at Ted's Automotive Machine Shop based on prior agreement with Pongo's. Both the bus and Ted's are forgiving, as they know that you'll be in and out within a few minutes. Best to come with a driver so that one of you can quickly pick up the order while the other waits in the car. I just love these old-school local places and hope that Pongo's continues their legacy for future generations. With reasonable prices and delicious food, Pongo's Kitchen will always remain a favorite for take-out local food!

Storefront
Nadine C.

Takeout lunch in Kalihi, Honolulu, Hawaii... My friends (Bruddah Fran, Dear Daniel, Gary, Kelli, Jozlyn, Lori, Mei-Lan, and Travis) wrote glowing reviews for this plate lunch establishment. Darrell even got ROTD (Review of the Day) for Pongo's Kitchen in 2017! What took me so long to visit? PARKING Luckily, on the day of my visit, I was "early" (around 10:30am) and easily found free street parking right in front of the shop. There was a nice lady at the window. She was so efficient and organized: taking orders, giving change, and calling out names when orders were ready! I decided to get the Hamburger Steak Plate and Baked Ahi Plate. I was starving! As soon as I got my package, I started eating the hamburger steak in the car. It was so delicious that I almost finished it all! I stopped and thought: someone else probably needs this parking space... So, I moved my car and finished that plate at home! I think the savory gravy really enhanced the patties. I left part of the brown rice "for Mr. Manners", but devoured the corn. I had a taste of the Baked Ahi - yummy - and finished off the green salad that came with it. Gosh - that was a surprisingly good lunch! I think I will return soon! The presentation was beautiful... The entrees were on beds of spinach! So healthy and colorful!

Guava Chicken - as good as it looks!
Peter N.

You should've seen the look on my face when I put the first bite of Guava Chicken in my mouth...WOW!!! I can see why it sells out before noon. The baked Ahi was perfect! Fried Chicken was really good! Service is awesome and very quick. The closer you get to 12pm, the more difficult parking will be. Call ahead when you're nearby. Be sure to ask what the daily specials are. A literal hole in the wall with just an order window. It's an efficient and very affordable place to get an amazingly delicious plate lunch!

Just right. Next time I'm getting a side of mac
Marcus D.

Had to kill some time in the area, so I drove around looking for a place to eat. I saw this hole in the wall with several people standing outside in a line, which usually means it's a good thing, so I decided to give it a try. I got very lucky and got a curbside parking spot right in front of them, otherwise you'll need to drive around to look for street parking. When I try new places, I usually tend to try their loco moco, as I may have mentioned in my reviews of other places. Because, as simple as that dish is to make, if the place can't get that right, I am not going to bother ordering anything else off your menu. So, here I am at Pongo's, and I ordered their loco moco. It came in a decent sized bowl, just the right amount to hit the spot without filling you up too much. It comes with one egg (I order over easy) and one patty, with gravy and rice. The patty was probably one of the best patties I've tasted in a LM: it was large and tender, very tasty and not gamey. The gravy was what you would want from a gravy: dark brown and thick, not overpowering or salty. It was the perfect size meal and hit the spot. I failed to buy a side of their mac salad, which always goes great with LM, but I won't make that mistake next time. And yes, there will be a next time. Very friendly staff, food took minutes to come out. Support local!!

Baked ahi/ kickin chicken

See all

15 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jus D.
124
11
9

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of M C.
85
10
57

11 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Reyna M.
114
24
33

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

This is my go to spot after a morning surf session. Food is great and selections are good.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Best plate lunch on the island , I had an opakapaka plate before with brown rice and garden salad, amazing

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Kelli S.
1944
1210
15751

10 years ago

Helpful 8
Thanks 0
Love this 8
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 46
Thanks 0
Love this 49
Oh no 0
Photo of Jason M.
177
60
36

13 years ago

Helpful 13
Thanks 0
Love this 11
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Helpful 8
Thanks 0
Love this 6
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

16 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0
Photo of Love S.
410
316
55

18 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 5
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

16 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

14 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Sir S.
2
34
3

9 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Lisa K.
23
95
1

18 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

14 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

14 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Mak L.
19
49
11

12 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

14 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

Page 4 of 7

Pongo's Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Pongo's Kitchen

How spicy is guava chicken?

To me not spicy at all but has a nice undertone of heat. Everyone is different so you gotta try and see..!

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

You might also consider

Helena's Hawaiian Food

Helena's Hawaiian Food

4.4(4.5k reviews)
1.2 miKalihi
$$

As part of our recent vacation to Hawai'i, we stopped by Helena's Hawaiian Food to get a taste of…read moretraditional, authentic Hawaiian cuisine. Parking was scarce, but we managed to find a spot nearby in the neighborhood. It was a Saturday around lunchtime, and we were able to be seated immediately. We didn't really know what we were doing with the menu, so our server ordered whatever she thought we would like. She did a great job. We got the Pipikaula short ribs, kalua pig, lomi lomi salmon, poi, mac salad, and fried butterfish collar.  Everything was so good! My favorite two items were the short ribs and the butterfish collar. The short ribs were so meaty with a nice firm texture and had a yummy sweet marinade. The fried butterfish collar was crispy and dripping with buttery goodness.  Trying poi for the first time was such an interesting experience as well. I had always wondered what it tasted like. I had always thought it was going to be like a sweet taro paste dessert, but it's actually more like a starch and serves the same role as rice! Its neutral flavor allows you to pair it with your proteins. It adds a bit of texture and helps you feel full. I was really grateful for finally getting to try it and loved learning something new! I had a great time at Helena's. The food was delicious, and I got to learn more about traditional Hawaiian cuisine. I totally recommend it. Great vibes.

Best place for authentic Hawaiian food for sure. Great service, even if they get tired of repeating…read morethemselves and could write it out, I really appreciate them explaining to newcomers every time what to eat and how to eat it to get that authentic experience. We went with what's recommended for first timers - laulau pork, you eat the leaves everything and it's filling and delicious - short ribs, some might say it's overcooked but I think it's just a different way of cooking and eating it, the pieces were thick and high quality, comes with 4 - Loki salmon, it's cured and this reminds me of ceviche or pico de gallo and salmon, it was flavorful, juicy and refreshing - comes with onions and salt to add to the complexity of the flavors - we ate it with poi, which they use as the starch to replace the rice. It's made of taro, I say give it a try for that unique and authentic experience - coconut jelly was yummy They accept cash and card Limited parking in the front, come in right before 5:30 on a weekday to beat the crowd Small family business vibes The experience lives up to the hype!

Photos
Helena's Hawaiian Food - New larger inside dining area

New larger inside dining area

Helena's Hawaiian Food - Menu B: Kalua Pig And Pipikaula Short Ribs

Menu B: Kalua Pig And Pipikaula Short Ribs

Helena's Hawaiian Food - A walk back into those days gone by.....

See all

A walk back into those days gone by.....

Side Street Inn - Our Poke Combo (Fresh Ahi Poke & Spicy Kajiki Poke) paired with Side Street's Rogue Beer!

Side Street Inn

4.1(2.5k reviews)
5.5 miKaimuki
$$

OMG! This was a dining experience! So, the restaurant was closing so my friend said we should eat…read morethere! I didn't know that the servings were group sized!! I found so many things that looked great on the menu, to include fried gizzards, boneless Kal Bi ribs, fully loaded fried rice, Mac salad and other stuff I can't recall! So the TWO of us ordered way too much! We tried to eat as much as we could and ended up taking the rest home! Everything we ordered was delicious, so we knew we were going to eat good leftovers! The restaurant was a great place to go with a group to eat and watch sports! Our Waitress (I have to remember to get names) was a track star, she was running to and from several tables of groups to deliver food! I will go again if they reopen!

If you're visiting Hawaii with a big group, 100% recommend taking them here…read more We initially were a party of 16, and showed up without a reservation at 6pm on a Saturday. The staff was super nice about it and was able to accommodate us, with only a small request that we be out by 8pm since there was another big party with a reservation coming in. Absolutely reasonable. They sat us right away at three large tables, which gave us plenty of space for food and didn't force us to sit super close together. Menus, waters, plates, napkins, and forks were all brought out immediately, and our waiter was quick to take our order. We started with the prix fixe menu for 8-10 guests and were going to add other items à la carte, but a handful of our group accidentally went to the other Side Street location (make sure your group is all on the same page), so what we ordered ended up being more than enough. We left stuffed and with 5 boxes of food still. Edamame was nice and steamy, and large enough to easily pop the beans out with your mouth. Wish there was a bit more salt though. The farmer's salad had everything going on from citrusy to salty to crispy. Avocado had a little bit of oxidation but the capers, dressing and potato curls provided plenty of reasons to overlook it. The fried rice came in a hefty portion, with sizable pieces of bacon and sausage. The chicken I didn't realize was boneless based on the shape of the deep fry, but it was nice to freely bite into it without worrying about hitting anything with my teeth. Probably a bit too much on fried bits but still good. Pork chops had a better meat to crisp ratio in my opinion, as well as juiciness. They even came with ketchup on the side, which I love as a pairing but don't see much of at restaurants. My favorite meat item was definitely the sizzling boneless kalbi. The presentation on the sizzling plate with a side of kimchi was spectacular, and the meat was full of flavor. We also ordered yakisoba, which wasn't part of the prix fixe. Tasted good but nothing past standard expectations. We let the waiter know we had a 30th birthday at the table, and they brought a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream with a candle, and did a decent job getting the whole room to participate in the singing. It could also be the type of crowd this place attracts, since it seemed that everyone was so friendly and approachable. Thanks to the quick and consistent service, we were out in a little over an hour with no complaints.

Photos
Side Street Inn - Our Chef Colin's Classics Menu feeds 3-4 guests for $105.00!

Our Chef Colin's Classics Menu feeds 3-4 guests for $105.00!

Side Street Inn - Oodles of Noodles! Try our Yakisoba! You can also add Kim Chee for extra flavor.

Oodles of Noodles! Try our Yakisoba! You can also add Kim Chee for extra flavor.

Side Street Inn - Popcorn Chicken & French Fries

See all

Popcorn Chicken & French Fries

Waiahole Poi Factory - Fresh, hand pounded poi, traditional staple of the Hawaiian people

Waiahole Poi Factory

4.5(1.6k reviews)
11.0 mi
$$

No idea why but my wife was absolutely set on trying out Poi while we are here visiting. Everyone…read morewe asked Reccommended the Waiahole Poi Factory and I would certainly agree with them! We pulled up and were greeted by the cashier who was friendly and answered lol of our questions. We decided on a combo of Kalua Pig and Laulau along with Poi. First off, turns out that I do not care for Poi! This restaurant cooks it well and it is absolutely not their fault but what a boring food! The Pork was outstanding and the Taro Leaves on the Laulau were outstanding. We also had the Ho'io Salad which was a great addition with outstanding flavor. We finished with the dessert Sweet Lady of Waiahole which was super tasty and not to be missed. There is decent parking and several picnic tables outside. I thought the entire experience was super fun, you just may want to swap your Poi for Rice. :)

Finally got to try this place after visiting the island so many times! My husband and I shared a…read morelunch plate with the beef stew and kalua pork, and everything was so flavorful and satisfying. We also tried their famous "Sweet Lady of Waiahole," which definitely lived up to the hype--so delicious. There's convenient parking available, plus seating if you want to stay and enjoy your meal. Really glad we stopped by!

Photos
Waiahole Poi Factory
Waiahole Poi Factory - Amazing food. Ho'io salad is a must. Fresh poi is tops. You can't go wrong at Waiahole Poi Factory.

Amazing food. Ho'io salad is a must. Fresh poi is tops. You can't go wrong at Waiahole Poi Factory.

Waiahole Poi Factory - The Ohana at Waiahole Poi Factory with members of One Groove.

See all

The Ohana at Waiahole Poi Factory with members of One Groove.

Guava Smoked - Smoked Butterfish Collars grilled to perfection...you can't get this anywhere else!!

Guava Smoked

4.5(600 reviews)
5.6 miKaimuki
$$

I loved it here. Truly a hole in the wall. Parking is really tough so street parking is usually…read moregonna be the norm unless you get lucky in their tiny shared parking lot. The guava bar was delicious and flavorful and just crumbles in your mouth! Definitely one of the better guava bars I've tried. Love how crumbly it is. The salmon belly was delicious OMFG. It looks so simple and straightforward but that sht is so flavorful. It is crispy and yet soft on the inside. The salmon belly is cut into bite-sized pieces so I didn't have to worry about using a knife to cut it. I usually try salmon belly where it is usually seasoned lightly to bring out the natural flavor of the salmon, but Guava Smoked's salmon belly is just grilled in a way that makes the salmon sweet/crispy and still get traces of the salmon taste as well. It's definitely not your traditional Japanese-style way of cooking salmon belly but really just their own. I'd go back and get this again. Another thing too. I'd get this with beer. This would hit very hard with alcohol but because I don't drink I need a kombucha. The grilled salmon belly would go perfect with it. Cheers! Uncle was very helpful and kind when serving and if you dine-in he brings it to your table.

TL;DR The spicy pork…read moreis good. ----- I had Guava Smoked on my radar for quite a while, so when I found myself nearby and craving a protein-packed plate lunch, I decided to drop in. There is a dedicated parking lot behind the restaurant that is shared with the other businesses in the same building. When I walked into the restaurant at about 1pm on a Wednesday, I was surprised to find it almost empty. It's a pretty large space, so the lack of patrons was rather glaring. There was one person sitting at the counter facing the kitchen and one employee working. This was my very first visit to Guava Smoked so I asked the person at the counter what he recommends. He said the two most popular meats are the kalbi and the spicy pork. "Perfect!" I thought, because those were the two options I was eyeing. Unfortunately, they were out of kalbi that day. Bummer... Nothing else on the menu caught my eye, so I ordered a smoked spicy pork plate to go. The spicy pork was good. Did it blow my mind? I wouldn't say it did. But it was satisfying enough. Honestly, I really wish they had kalbi available when I went. Hopefully next time I stop in they will.

Photos
Guava Smoked
Guava Smoked - Smoked Pork Smoked Loco Moco

Smoked Pork Smoked Loco Moco

Guava Smoked - Kalbi and Spicy Pork Combo

See all

Kalbi and Spicy Pork Combo

Da Ono Hawaiian Foods

Da Ono Hawaiian Foods

3.9(294 reviews)
5.5 miKaimuki
$$

3.5 stars We wanted…read moreto try authentic Hawaiian food and came across this spot. The owner was very friendly and took the time to recommend dishes for us, including the laulau and lechon kawali. We also ordered the BBQ short ribs. Overall, it was a good experience trying Hawaiian food, but it's just not really our type of cuisine. The laulau was quite dry, and the preparation felt more like meat that had been boiled or cooked in liquid, which isn't something I usually enjoy. The lechon kawali had a crispy pork belly texture, topped with something similar to a salsa, but it didn't suit our taste either. Unfortunately, the cabbage served with it also had some black spots, which was off-putting. The BBQ short ribs were the highlight of the meal and the dish we enjoyed the most. We appreciate the experience and the hospitality, but the flavors just didn't quite match our personal preferences.

1. The hours posted on Yelp was incorrect. They open from 12:00 pm…read more A group of us ordered food the night before for pickup at 12:30pm, on Thursday. Then someone wanted to change from rice to poi. I tried many times and no one answered. Their voice mailbox was full. We e ended going there to make the change. He gentleman looked like he was working be himself. We bads to wait almost a half hour for him to finish the order. 2. Price - the prices were higher than expected. All the plates were $26.00 and up. 3. Food - The poi was very tasty and fresh, although a bit watery. The lau lau had a lot of lean pork filling, not a lot of leaves. The long rice didn't have much chicken and was a bit watery too. We enjoyed the sweet potato. There was also lomi salmon, haupia onion and chili pepper water. 4. As mentioned before there isn't much parking. The restaurant wasn't busy when we got there. Overall the food and service was OK. The price was a bit high.

Photos
Da Ono Hawaiian Foods - Menu

Menu

Da Ono Hawaiian Foods - Short Ribs Plate

Short Ribs Plate

Da Ono Hawaiian Foods - Menu

See all

Menu

Pongo's Kitchen - hawaiian - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...