Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Royal Kitchen

    4.1 (588 reviews)
    Closed 6:30 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Royal Kitchen Photos

    Business Info

    ROYAL KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Royal 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

    QR Code Menu 2025
    Jeremiah U.

    Royal Kitchen has been in business for a half-century making bao buns, and eventually innovating their menu with different flavors. They open their doors at 5:30am on the weekdays and 6:30am on the weekends, so you better hurry and get your fresh manapua (baked or steamed) gau gee, pork hash, roast duck, and roast pork. They open until 2pm or while supplies last. Their service is good in person, and it can sometimes be challenging to get in contact by phone. Phone orders may take long to pickup due to the high volume of customers waiting in line. NOTE: Going to Royal Kitchen alone can be questionable with the surrounding people in and around the lot. Please pay attention to your surroundings. Parking is available and its free for the first 30 minutes. You must enter on North Kukui St. There is a signage that says royal kitchen parking

    Chinese chicken salad $15
    Kanani C.

    Royal Kitchen remains my go-to for my favorite chicken salad and pigs feet. I know it's weird because they are known for manapua, but I actually go there for chicken salad, pigs feet, and cake noodles. I call in my order though, because it takes about 20 minutes to make. They recently raised their prices, as the friendly long time worker let me know. But Ill continue to buy my simple salad here. Chinese chicken salad is pricey for $15. You can easily make it at home. It's a simple lettuce, chicken, canned mandarin oranges, and carrots mix topped with won ton strips and peanuts. But it has a yummy creamy thousand island-like dressing that's a perfect match. I order 2 of these just so my family gets one and I get my own. The sweet sour pigs feet is always tender ($16 small ala carte). The nice worker taught me something new--she said that to keep it tender, dont heat on the stove top! Instead, microwave or steam. The minute chicken cake noodles ($16) were different this time -- seems like a smaller portion than before. Flavors were the same: small pieces of chicken thighs seasoned with garlic and green onions. It's on the sweeter side vs the usual saltier, bone-in minute chicken that others make. As usual, the fresh manapuas are yummy too.

    Gau for Chinese New Year - $8.50 a lb - this is a small - over 1 lb
    Heidi H.

    The staff is usually friendly. I preordered a small gau for Chinese New Year. It is over a pound. They charge $8.50 a pound. Texture and taste is closer to the old fashion gau. The ma tai soo is so flakey and tasty. I order this when they still have some available. The baked baos are all good. We have catered for lunch and everyone liked the food. The roast pork with crunchy skin was gone very fast. The fly fans that were suggested we purchase prior to the event kept out the flys. I have been coming here for years.

    Types of baked manapua
    Irene M.

    Always loved never been... Yes don't judge me but I've been blessed with the endless boxes of their lucious manapua and the box that it comes in lists the type you're getting with the different symbols stamped on each one...what you don't know...shame on you! All manapuas are baked fresh...yes their baked but all you need to do is make up your mind, when you arrive you need to enter on the left side door as that's where the line starts and where you're able to see the various each type it's stuffed with from the classic cha siu pork, chicken, curry chicken, portguese sausage, yup Chong, hotdog, vegetarian, black sugar coconut and sweet potato. If that's not enough to choose from you're also able to take home a plate and with the various comfort dishes they have as well had me at yum though it was already late in the day just moments to closing they didn't have much choices but did noticed that they had some half moon as well and since it was mom's favorite decided to take a couple as well. The staff there are just a delight who treat you like their own as she cautioned me of the fresh manapua can get crushed which it kinda did but still enjoyed it as it was just done perfectly. This tiny spot does give the comfort vibe and is the best spot to get your cravings checked with care. Thank you!

    Baked Char Siu Bun, look at all that filling!
    Jenna S.

    Food: 2.5 Service: 10! I've been a loyal customer to Royal Kitchen for as long time, but I recently noticed the flavor has changed and it's not as tasty. The char siu is directly not as red or glazed as I remember, and it was very dry and not as flavorful. The same for the manapua, the flavor was just not there. I also grabbed some chow mein and it was dry. I usually grab noodles from Kent's next door but they were closed. On the good side, the ladies and customer service was on point! They were so nice and super helpful and accepting of my requests. I would rate them 10 stars on customer service alone.

    Baked Manapua selections
    Nelson Q.

    Went here after Felix and Amanda raved about it. Got three Manapua(Baked only, no steamed available here)-Kalua Pig, Lup Cheong, and Char Siu. We also got some fried noodles and Pork Hash. Service was quick and efficient. Most important thing? TASTE. NOODLES-3/5 RICE CAKE-5/5 PORK HASH-4/5 good, but TINY LUP CHEONG-3/5 KALUA PIG-3/5 CHAR SIU-4/5 Best of the three, and glad the Char siu isn't loaded with red food dye Overall, so-so with a little buyer's remorse knowing that SING CHEONG YUAN is our usual go-to when we come home, and is a couple blocks away. Goes to show that it's cool that local foodies and content creators like to support local, BUT their bottom line is to increase their followers/YouTube subscribers. Sometimes, its even a paid promotion/collaboration. Everything is ono to them which is a red flag. Take their recommendations with a grain of salt and make your own judgment according to YOUR tastebuds.

    Pork hash , rice cake, and char su mansapua
    Joe K.

    I had heard I needed to try Royal Kitchen's baked manapua for years. Today was the day. Absolutely regret waiting so long!! Super delicious. Interesting that the sweetness of the manapua was more in the excellent shredded filling rather than the bun. And plenty of that filling while the bun was so soft and thin. I already want another.

    Hours as of July 2025
    Klemens T.

    Still my favorite baked manapua and pork hash shop. Pork hash is pretty huge and flavorful. Something about the baked char siu manapua is better than the steamed manapuas. They have several other choices as well, but these are the only 2 things that I always buy. Staff is friendly and fast. All business at this place so no be talking stories and holding up the line lol. Parking is either in the paid parking garage located on Maunakea Street or you can park on the nearby meter street parking. Be mindful of the area and your surroundings because there are some crazies or homeless people around.

    Baked Manapua
    Russ L.

    Royal Kitchen has been around for a very long time. The food here is as good and authentic as it comes. High quality ingredients. The workers worked hard to put out products that they are so proud of all made out of love.

    Outside restaurant
    Marti H.

    I was introduced to this fabulous food experience on a food tour. I can't wait to go back. Get one of each.

    different varieties of manapua
    Angel H.

    I haven't been here in awhile, but the food is still on point. I love their plate lunches. That's what I mostly come here for. I know everyone else loves their manapua and pork hash. They have a good variety of manapua to choose from. I prefer the standard char siu manapua. I was lucky that someone showed up at my job with a box of manapua and pork hash for us. It was the baked original char siu one and it was yummy. The breading wasn't too thick and it was stuffed with a lot of meat. I love pork hash and it went well with the hot mustard shoyu mix that they had. If you get a chance to try this place out. Make sure to try a plate lunch, manapua and a pork hash.

    Leeza D.

    I love going to places with lines and this one had quite a long one. The manapua buns at this location have been on my list to try for a long time now. We were full from our food tour but we grabbed a BBQ pork and a Kalua pork bun to try along with a sweet rice cake. All tasted amazing. We reheated the buns so they were crispy. There is so much filling! It was absolutely delectable. Well worth the wait to try these buns. Parking is from various paid lots around Chinatown. No seating. Casual. I will have to try the dim sum next time. The shrimp dumplings in particular look massive. Please come and create your own experience.

    See all

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matthew N.
    67
    181
    498

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 20
    Thanks 6
    Love this 17
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 32
    Thanks 15
    Love this 29
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Nelson Q.
    2981
    1635
    38381

    11 months ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 2

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S L.
    94
    26
    3

    1 day ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 28
    Thanks 5
    Love this 16
    Oh no 3
    Photo of Russ L.
    362
    892
    3451

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Vina P.
    476
    271
    1853

    9 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 4
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 19
    Thanks 9
    Love this 21
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    The best baked manapua anywhere, even after all these years. Sketchy area of Chinatown, but worth the danger. LOL

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 3

    7 months ago

    Fast service. My favorite place to pick up takeout char siu bao and siu mai for work meetings!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S M.
    5
    300
    3184

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ric C.
    322
    582
    8154

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 2
    Love this 8
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of T K.
    36
    225
    691

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 15

    Royal Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Royal Kitchen

    Are there currently any tables outside at which to eat?

    Yes, but it is not specifically for royal kitchen. It is public concrete style tables. Not sure if they get cleaned regularly.

    Do they sell frozen items to take off island?

    No, they do not.

    How is their jung? Is it prepared daily?

    I don't know if it is done daily. But it is warm when I buy. It is moist in the morning, but is noticeably drier if purchased in the afternoon. Sing Cheong Yuan has been more consistently moist.… Read more

    View All 4 Questions

    You might also consider

    Yi Xin Cafe - Teddy bear iced milk tea

    Yi Xin Cafe

    4.4(438 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$
    Takes reservations
    Catering service

    I saw local UTuber Sean Kaleponi (The Hawaiian Traveler) eat at YXC, and I said I gotta hit this…read moreplace. Its located in the Foodland Mall in Kaimukī. We had to order one of their sig crab dishes, and we rounded out the meal w/ beef and long beans, sweet & sour pork belly, eggplant and fried rice. The crab was amazing! The curry sauce was so deep & complex. In addition, the crab was fresh bc they have tanks in the restaurant. Of course I called dibs on the head, and it was packed with goodies. I added rice to the head (in Ilocano this is called "labay", adding rice to soup or broth to extend the meal). I was in heaven. The other dishes were all big portions and very good. The meat was tender, and the veggies were fresh and crunchy. I believe all the other dishes were ~ $20/each. The staff was super nice. We didn't have a res, but luckily we were seated in 20 min on a busy Sun night. Regarding the dining area, its tight but comfy. You have to wash your hands after, and the bathrooms are clean. I will def return the next time I come home. I want to try another crab dish (about 8 versions), and build a meal around the crab.

    Visited at 3pm to avoid the crowd. Ambiance was nice and less noisy at this time. Friendly server…read moretook our order and the food arrived promptly. Bitter melon and egg was soft and tender. Pork chop was salty and crispy. Honey walnut shrimp was big, juicy and the candied walnuts was plentiful. Malaysian fried rice tasty, and the Singapore rice noodle flavorful. The meal was scrumptious and delicious like a well prepared home cooked meal! Will definitely be back to try new items on the menu.

    Photos
    Yi Xin Cafe - 3/19/23 inside

    3/19/23 inside

    Yi Xin Cafe - Szechun spicy JJ chicken pot

    Szechun spicy JJ chicken pot

    Yi Xin Cafe - Impressive presentation that served with sizzling sound, but the beef was too well done & on the tough side.

    See all

    Impressive presentation that served with sizzling sound, but the beef was too well done & on the tough side.

    Lee Ho Fook Restaurant - Tossed noodles! Yumm

    Lee Ho Fook Restaurant

    4.5(274 reviews)
    0.0 miChinatown
    $$

    We were so hungry that six of us scuffed up our minute chicken over cake noodles. The sauce was so…read moretasty and savory that it softened the cake noodles. The minute chicken was fried well done and Choy Sum was crunchy (1/2 cooked). I dipped my chicken in mustard and shoyu. It really didn't need it but I love the flavor of mustard. Someone order side of soup, but looked like chicken broth. Of course, we have to have our hot tea. One of the ladies had the fried fish balls over loose noodles...no complaints from that side...just quiet eating. The service was great very attentive. And ambiance was average... Come check this place out! Ciao!

    Cake Noodle Fact: Cake noodles aren't "cake" in the dessert sense (tragic, I know). "Cake" refers…read moreto the noodle being pressed into a round, compact disk before it's pan-fried, which is exactly how you get that crispy-meets-soft texture moment. And yes, now I will absolutely be thinking about them often. If you think you know cake noodles because you've had Cantonese noodles before, Lee Ho Fook in Honolulu's Chinatown is here to humble you. I was definitely humbled. Tucked along the canal in Chinatown, Lee Ho Fook Restaurant is one of those cozy little neighborhood spots where the tables are close, the room is snug, and the noodles do all the talking. My Honolulu homies, twinsie "Auntie" Nadine C. and Cycle Buddy Randy S., brought me here for noodles and I'm eternally grateful they did. We ordered the Minute Chicken Cake Noodles, tossed noodles with choi sum and won ton, plus a side of ong choy. Every plate understood the assignment. As an Arizona girl, I had never had minute chicken or cake noodles before and fully assumed they'd be in the same lane as Cantonese noodles. Yelpers, I was wrong. Delightfully wrong. Cake noodles are a Cantonese classic but the magic is all in the texture: pan-fried until golden and crisp on the outside, while the center stays soft enough to soak up all that glossy savory sauce. It's the best of both noodle worlds - crispy and chewy. A true textural delight. The Minute Chicken Cake Noodles were the star for me. That contrast between the crispy edges and soft middle was wildly satisfying, and the chicken was silky, savory, and exactly the kind of comfort food that makes you stop mid-bite just to appreciate what's happening. The tossed noodles with choi sum and won ton were equally comforting in a more classic, no-fuss way, and the ong choy was the perfect green side dish that was garlicky, fresh, and necessary. Lee Ho Fook is small, comforting, and exactly the kind of place you want when what you really need is a bowl of something delicious and humble. Come hungry, bring a few friends, and order the cake noodles.

    Photos
    Lee Ho Fook Restaurant - Small simple work area facing the front where seats are for only about 10 couples. A friendly atmosphere, relaxing for us.

    Small simple work area facing the front where seats are for only about 10 couples. A friendly atmosphere, relaxing for us.

    Lee Ho Fook Restaurant - Lunch @Lee Ho Fook Restaurant-; 3/30/2025. I Ordered one of my Fave,"Minute Chicken Cake Noodles!".Gravy separated also.So yummy their Food.

    Lunch @Lee Ho Fook Restaurant-; 3/30/2025. I Ordered one of my Fave,"Minute Chicken Cake Noodles!".Gravy separated also.So yummy their Food.

    Lee Ho Fook Restaurant - Lunch from @Lee Ho Fook Restaurant; 3/27/2024. I ordered my Fave Minute Chicken Cake Noodle, w/the Gravy on the side.

    See all

    Lunch from @Lee Ho Fook Restaurant; 3/27/2024. I ordered my Fave Minute Chicken Cake Noodle, w/the Gravy on the side.

    Lam's Kitchen - Beef Chow Fun

    Lam's Kitchen

    4.4(645 reviews)
    0.2 miChinatown
    $$

    Couldn't wait to get back to Lam's kitchen after 3 long months away. No matter where you may go…read moreyou won't find a perfect simple bowl of one ton mein on the planet! Their beef tendon on rice noodles or egg noodles or rice is excellent! Always tender and perfectly flavored! Got a beef and green beans over rice as a take out and that was great too! Went after the lunch rush as located in the heart of Chinatown and only street parking! Got parking near the restaurant and not too busy so got seated immediately- got water served and they took our order! These guys know how to run a restaurant! You can always count on Lam's for a great meal !

    We have wanted to try this place for so long but the hours and potential lines were a factor in…read moreholding us back. But finally we were able to try this place on a Saturday afternoon at 2pm after the lunch crush. From the outside it's hard to miss as it blends in with the older buildings. But...the interior is something else. Super clean, bright, inviting and bustling with activity. We waited only a few minutes before being seated. We were given a menu and ordered quickly. We ordered beef chow fun and the stewed meat dish. The food came out hot and quickly. The first bite proved the hype is to be believed. Soup dish had lotsa of meat and noodles. Soup was flavorful and very thinner but great with the meat and noodles. The beef chow fun...definitely had the essence of the wok. Absolutely worth coming. Prices are higher but cost is going up every where. Will return to try more dishes. Wish they would stay open later with a late dinner menu.

    Photos
    Lam's Kitchen - So clean and spacious

    So clean and spacious

    Lam's Kitchen - Beef Chow Fun

    Beef Chow Fun

    Lam's Kitchen

    See all

    Kapiolani Seafood Restaurant - Menu (01/2025)

    Kapiolani Seafood Restaurant

    4.1(519 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    They moved across the street 3 weeks ago. Free Parking is underneath so covered. The dim sum was…read moredelicious as expected! The service is amazing! They didn't rush us like most restaurants with their 90 minutes time limit. They brought out the food quickly and efficiently. Refilled our water and tea without us asking. Very accommodating when we had special requests. Some of my favorites are the green beans, egg tarts, onion pancakes, and beef chow fun. Highly recommended especially for delicious, authentic Chinese Food!

    KSR moved fr its long time location on Kapiolani to Amanu. It was time to hit up this old skool…read morespot for dim sum. We ordered pork hash, manapua, har gow, spring rolls, pickled cucumbers ($12.95) and a platter of char siu & duck. The dim sum was about $8/each, which I thought was very reasonable. My buddy really likes siao mai, and he said KSR has the best ones out of the places I have brought him to in HNL. On the other hand, the manapua was just okay: The ratio of meat to bao was low. I took char siu fr the platter and added it to the bao. We might have been better off skipping the baos and ordering a rice or noodle plate. The har gow and spring rolls were pretty good. The rolls arrived piping hot, and the har gow had a nice texture in the wrapper. Fourthly, the cucumber was fresh & crunchy, and had lots of garlic. I ate some with the char siu to cut thru the fat. Lastly, the char siu & duck platter was very good. They do a good job of putting some char on the bbq pork. The duck was tasty, but there were a couple of bony pieces. Regarding the ambiance, its big in here. Although they don't use carts, the aisles are wide. The servers were friendly & warm. I would def return for dim sum, but I also want to come for dinner. The food is very good, and the prices are reasonable.

    Photos
    Kapiolani Seafood Restaurant - Dining room

    Dining room

    Kapiolani Seafood Restaurant - Deep fry shrimp

    Deep fry shrimp

    Kapiolani Seafood Restaurant - Seafood bean curd roll

    See all

    Seafood bean curd roll

    Royal Kitchen - dimsum - Updated May 2026

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