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Honolulu, HI

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Yi Xin Cafe

4.4 (478 reviews)
Closed • 10:30 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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Yi Xin Cafe Photos

Business Info

YI XIN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

Recommended Reviews - Yi Xin Cafe

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Reviews With Photos

Salted egg yolk chicken wings and Pork cheeks
Lori F.

My friend and I decided to try out a new Chinese restaurant and came across this place. I have anxiously awaited to eat here but was always crowded. Although they prefer reservations, they do take walk ins, if seats available. Food was different than what I'm use to, but delicious. As soon as we ordered food came 10 minutes later. Although it took awhile for waitress to initially take our order. There are many crab dishes, but decided to try Singapore noodles, egg salted fried chicken wings and pork cheeks with a sauce that was the game changer. Eat here if u have time, as the service is slow at the beginning, but I would come back to try the other dishes Ambiance wasn't quiet, but not extremely loud either.

Green Beans
Jolene L.

We dined in for a family dinner. Not sure if it is required but we called to make a reservation in advance. As it turns out, the restaurant was full on a week day for dinner so it was good to have a reservation. We ordered six items and started with the salted egg yolk chicken wings. Incredible flavor, crispy outside and juicy inside. This appetizer was so delicious! Next came the green beans and the sweet sour pork. My goodness, talk about perfect green beans, this was still crisp and not over cooked. Nicely seasoned and not too oily...I could eat that everyday! If you enjoy Honey Walnut Shrimp, they do an excellent job here. I like that it didn't have an abundance of mayonnaise. In fact, our batch had an added bonus for a nice crunch effect....kettle potato chips, whole and not crumbs. Might even have been the Maui Onion flavor, not sure but it was good! Last but not least, our family dinner enjoyed the House rice noodles and steamed fish. The thin rice noodles had generous portion of shrimp, beef, and vegetables. Quite hearty, here's to long life :) Easy to find, lots of free parking, not in Chinatown, and BYOB. What's not to like?

3/19/23 Singapore rice noodle with shrimp
Liane U.

Still one of our favorite restaurants! Located in market city next to Cafe Kaila and Earls Sanwiches. They've gotten busier too so if you want to guarantee a spot call ahead to make reservations! Some of our favorite dishes.. beef chow fun, eggplant long beans, shrimp crackers appetizer, pork cheeks appetizer, sizzling beef black bean platter, all of the curries and rice, shrimp dishes.... So many favorites! We have so many favorites it's hard to try new things here. We recently tried the honey walnut shrimp and it was good big shrimps fried perfectly with honey sauce and it's on top of potato chips so you get a little bonus of honey chips too! That was definitely a nice surprise and something different from any other restaurant. Service here is always great! We ordered and not even 5 minutes later our food was already coming out. They always come by to fill your water and check on you, They have their own men and women's bathroom located in the back which is clean. Their ac is nice and strong so nice on a hot day to enjoy good food and escape from the heat.

Curry crab
Tracy D.

5 stars for the CRAB CURRY!!! It's so creamy & good. The Dungeness crab was meaty and delish. The cute little milk tea was just so-so. I suggest you order the cute little iced bears with iced tea instead. The salted egg chicken is also a must!!! Servers were great! I'll be back.

HK Style Milk Tea (COLD) (冻)奶茶
Glenn N.

What rock have I been living under? My first time here to celebrate my birthday with someone dear friends. Yi Xin Cafe does not disappoint! True Hong Kong style Chinese food! The food took me back to my days of travel to Hong Kong in the 90s. The stand were the salt, egg, fried chicken wings, as well as the curry crab, and the fried green beans with minced meat with sambal! Definitely I must try. Also, the Hong Kong MilkTea was excellent with a cute little frozen tea, teddy bear on it. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves celebrating the service was excellent! Our server made great recommendations. I will definitely be back. Lots of parking available this place can get quite crowded so my recommendation would be to go in between lunch and dinner.

Alexander G.

I do a lot of my shopping at Market City and always notice when new signs pop up. This one got great reviews right away, so I was thankful when I received a gift card to come in and try it. It's located in the corner next to Earl Sandwich and where Long's used to be. There's free parking in either lot. It was busy! Lots of happy customers were eating inside with more waiting for takeout. They have a waiting area outside for tables, put your name in inside. They ask people limit their time to 90 min during busy times, we ended up staying until closure. We ordered a nice variety of items: beef spicy fried rice, shrimp wonton soup, broccoli with oyster sauce, and chicken curry. We loved everything, different backgrounds of the dishes led for a fun combination. The big draw seemed to be the various crab dishes, as well as the sizzling steak. I'd definitely like to try those on a return visit. It's BYOB for alcohol. We tired a lemon iced tea, and a lemon fruit drink and enjoyed both with the spicy and salty foods. Our servers were so friendly and fast to attend. Prices are reasonable for large portions and great quality. I'll definitely be back!

The star of the show: curry crab
Stephanie T.

Normally long waits if you don't book a reservation so make sure you book in advance. There a smaller restaurant and kind of tight in space. We were lucky to get in on a Wednesday evening. I hope they expand soon! We ordered so much food they had to move us to a bigger table. We tried the Curry Crab (of course), Thai style pork jowl, beef fried rice, salted egg chicken wings, and their milk tea and lemon iced tea with the cute bear ice. This place is so good, a little expensive, but worth every penny. My favorite was the curry crab and the salted egg chicken wings! I love their curry sauce and the naan bread. I typically dislike chicken wings at Asian restaurants like this but they really did their thing with the batter and sauce. The fried rice was a little plain but overall a nice balance to every meal. The sauce with their pork jowl was too good! I need the recipe.

Crab Curry, Ong Choy with Sambal Shrimp Paste, Salt Pepper Fish
Thy V.

Would come back over and over again! 4 stars for some dishes being a bit expensive for what it is, and don't expect the cuisine to be authentic in any way, it's a fuse between Chinese/HK/Thai/Hawaii. However, every dish I've had was always delicious. + Food: Crab Curry is their most popular. Love their curry sauce (tastes similar to Thai yellow curry), but the crab doesn't have a lot of meat for a $80 dish. They didn't have a shell cracker so eating was tricky. Sambal veggies, Salt pepper fish, fried rice, curry fries were all delicious and well-flavored. + Ambience: Medium sized restaurant with good amount of tables. Usually no wait but can't say for peak dinner time. Good service + Location: in the Foodland plaza with plenty of parking spots

Ginger onion crab
Mia M.

Yi xin is known for their crab, but really, everything here was excellent. The restaurant is small and in the space that used to be Anytime Cafe - I'd recommend making reservations because a lot of people were waiting outside when we left. We ordered 8 dishes for 6 people which was the perfect amount. Our standouts were the garlic onion crab, capital pork chops (so so tender!), salted fish chicken eggplant pot, and salted egg stir fried chicken wings. The salted fish fried rice was just okay, but other than that, everything was excellent. Great new addition to market city. We will absolutely be back!

Shrimp paste chicken wings

Haven't been back in awhile. Food is still excellent in flavor and quality. The black bean sauce clams were outstanding, large plump juicy meaty clams. The spaghetti covered in cheese yummy. The server was very attentive. Checking on how we were doing. The restaurant is small but cozy and not noisy at all. It accommodates seats from 2 to large groups. The fresh crab tank was full of lively crabs. A tiny restaurant in the heart of Kaimuki. Eat local as Yi Xin is locally owned.

Ramon T.

Finding that perfect spot for a family-style feast in Honolulu? Yi Xin Cafe in Market City is an absolute must-visit. Their fusion approach to Cantonese, Malaysian, and Singaporean flavors is honestly next level. You cannot leave without trying the Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Wings-the crunch and flavor are unreal. Other standouts that hit the spot for me are the Thai Style Pork Cheeks and the Beef Omelette on Rice. Refresh your palate with the Instagram-able HK ice lemon tea with an iced teddy bear. Staff was attentive. Vibes gave me a Chinese resturant feel. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZOBd1dyCJH/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Cindy C.

09.04.2026 @4:52pm Came for take out. A lots of options with Honk Kong, Singaporean and Malaysian style foods in one place. Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings: good & crispy. Ong Choy w/Sambal Shrimp Paste: not flavorful and more stems over leaves. (I like leave with this type of vegetable). Spicy Eggplant: not spicy at all and overly salty. Black Bean Sauce Clams: it ws huge and fresh. Baked Meat Sauce w/ Spaghetti: ordinary HK style.

Beef & long beans (fresh veggies)
Joe P.

I saw local UTuber Sean Kaleponi (The Hawaiian Traveler) eat at YXC, and I said I gotta hit this place. 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.

String Fried Green Beans with Minced Meat & Sambal Paste 马拉盏肉碎炒四季豆

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Reviews are largely positive. People praise the crab curry, varied seafood dishes, and signature bear drinks. Most find the friendly staff and a lively, cozy setting.

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Yi Xin Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Yi Xin Cafe

Do they allow 'free' BYOB as of today (August 30,2025)?

There is no corkage fee as this restaurant does not serve alcoholic beverages.

Do they take reservations for dinner?

Yes they do, call them +1 (808) 738-0818

Do we get to keep the cup with the teddy bear ice tea?

Hello Lee I m so sorry the cup is use at the restaurant only But for left over milk tea or iced tea… 

Any crab or lobster dishes?

They have live crabs in tanks, so I assume you can get something with crab in it

Is MSG added to dishes?

From what the kitchen says, most dishes do have MSG added.

Do they have liquor license & serve beer & wine?

No, no beer or wine served. You can bring your own!

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Chao - Crab Pasta

Chao

4.4(464 reviews)
3.3 mi•Punchbowl
•$$

A Culinary Triumph in Honolulu: Modern Vietnamese Elegance at Chao…read more Honolulu's dining scene has welcomed a sparkling gem with Chao, a modern Vietnamese concept that brilliantly balances tradition, technique, and local soul. From meticulously crafted cocktails to an unforgettable sequence of small plates and mains, our experience here was nothing short of remarkable. The Aperitif Hour We kicked off the evening at the bar. I opted for the Dirty Martini. While initially leaning a bit too dry, a quick request for an extra splash of olive brine elevated it into a wonderfully savory, crisp starter drink. My husband selected the Chao Old Fashioned--a standout cocktail where complex, aromatic bitters took center stage, lending a warm depth to the classic spirit base. Starters & Shared Plates Chicken Wings (Cánh Gà Chiên Nước Mắm) The moment the plate arrived, we were met with the bold, funky perfume of caramelised fish sauce. But the magic happened on the very first bite: the fish sauce yielded a nuanced, perfectly balanced glaze rather than an overwhelming pungency. Intensely crispy on the outside, succulent within, and beautifully accented with fresh garlic, chives, and bright chili heat. Beef Carpaccio (Bò Tái Chanh) An absolute Masterclass in flavor harmony. Paper-thin slice of ultra-fresh beef layered beneath an aromatic herb mix, crisp onions, Thai chili, and a satisfying shallot crunch. The transition of flavors across the palate is seamless--starting with the silky, savory beef, moving through a light yet rich lime vinaigrette, and finishing with a vibrant pop of fresh mint that cleanses the palate and leaves a cool, refreshing aftertaste. The Entrées Soft Shell Crab Pasta (Mì Cua Lột) Pure decadence. Golden, shatteringly crisp soft-shell crab overflowing with sweet meat paired with perfectly al dente noodles. The pasta comes thoroughly enrobed in a velvety garlic beurre monte infused with delicate lemongrass, delivering incredible richness without feeling heavy. Whole Fried Moi (Cá Chiên) -- The Star of the Night If you know, you know. Moi holds a legendary place in Hawaiian culinary history as the coveted "Fish of Kings," and seeing it featured here was an instant highlight. Chao's execution is flawless. Filleted and fried to golden perfection, it offers a dramatic textural contrast: a crackling, crispy outer skin giving way to buttery, melt-in-your-mouth tender white meat. Accompanied by a sweet and spicy nước chấm dipping sauce, every bite seamlessly ties together crunch, salinity, and bright citrus-chili notes. The Sweet Finale Pumpkin Flan To wrap up the evening, we shared their seasonal Pumpkin Flan. Conceptually, it drinks more like a sophisticated, deconstructed pumpkin pie--featuring a velvety custard paired with buttery, spiced crumble on the side and a scoop of rich ice cream. The warmth of the spices against the silky texture of the flan made for an exceptional finale to an already stellar meal. Final Thoughts Chao is executing modern Vietnamese fare with immense care, precision, and flair. Between the vibrant atmosphere, thoughtful beverage offerings, and standout seafood execution, this establishment has earned a permanent spot in our regular dining rotation.

Chao- a Vietnamese fusion restaurant. Sounded interesting so we went for a date night…read more RESERVATIONS-They were easy to make on open table but you should make them way ahead of time if you're looking for a particular time slot. PARKING- the lot was absolute madness. I guess between Chao and Shinso tei(the bar next door), it gets busy. But I'm sure residents in the stress must use the lot too because I can't imagine that huge lot being full from 2 establishments. The lot was still full when we left at 9, after Starbucks was closed and I doubt oreillys has that big of a customer base that late at night. RESTAURANT-the interior has beautiful lamps and wallpaper. SERVICE-we arrived about half an hour early and the host tried his best to try to seat us right away but after we saw the panic in his face, we assured him that we know we are early and can wait outside. He was very apologetic and grateful. Our waitress was great and our water was always getting filled (a sign of great service) DRINKS- husband got a Pinot Noir and I got the coconut matcha cloud. Both yummy! MENU- the menu isn't huge but it was still difficult to choose. But, we ordered the seafood ceviche and Spanish octopus for pupus. The ceviche was great, it had coconut milk in it which was different and lovely. The Spanish octopus was a whole tako leg. They gave us a knife to cut it, but no fork. I think it looks nice plated whole but also think the restaurant should consider slicing it instead because the tako was harder than I expected. For entrees- we wanted the pork belly but they were out so we ordered the crab pasta and brisket beef stew with noodles added. The pasta came with 2 fried soft shell crab and the pasta itself was cooked perfectly al dente and the sauce was creamy. My husband enjoyed his stew which also came with a crispy baguette. For dessert, we ordered the butter mochi with nice to net you corn ice cream. The mochi was grilled and had a firmer texture than most butter mochi but you could taste the char which I really enjoyed. It was just a little hard to cut while trying to keep the ice cream balanced on top. The next time we go, we'll try the pork belly and lobster dinner roll, which our friend says is the best.

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Chao - Interior dining room with bamboo-like lighting

Interior dining room with bamboo-like lighting

Chao - Fried Spring Rolls - Ch Gi

Fried Spring Rolls - Ch Gi

Chao - Ube Dream

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Ube Dream

Ki Club - NastyNate Djing our RnB night

Ki Club

4.5(137 reviews)
1.4 mi
•$$$
Locally owned & operated
Women-owned & operated

Went here for my birthday dinner. Thoroughly surprised at how good the food was and the service…read more Beautiful, modern interior and the atmosphere was chic. The menu has changed to a more tapa style. We went with our two young children & they were very accommodating. We ordered a bunch of stuff but most notable was the Ensalada Salad, Croquette Cordero, Taco Raisu, Karaage Pollo, and for dessert, the Piña Borracha. We ordered some pork and steak skewers. These were ok, I would skip these next time. A little burnt. My favorite was the Ensalada Salad. The crab was sweet and the salsa opaca was so refreshing with the apple foam. Was told to smash the crisp on top and combine it with everything and that took it to another level! So good that we ordered another one. The price of this was so affordable too! The Croquette Cordero was like a mini curry ball with chimuchirri sauce. A little heavy but if you love curry, this is for you! The Taco Raisu surprised us. The taco meat was so flavorful!! Even though we were stuffed, we kept going back for more. It's like a deconstructed taco & you use the lettuce as a wrap. The Karaage Pollo came with a Cucumber Escabeche. It was so tangy and refreshing, which perfectly cuts through the rich, savory oiliness of the fried chicken. We got the Piña Borracha for dessert and that had a coconut cake, coconut lime mousse, banana lilikoi curd, and pasted pineapple on top. Amazing!! Great way to end the night. Everything was top notch. You can tell they put a lot of effort into each dish. Can't wait to go back!

I go here on occasions. I've made to brunch a couple times but typically I make it to the…read moreevenings. The restaurant hours are relatively calm, but switches gears when it becomes a nightclub. Restaurant-wise, I believe the menu had a recent change-up to further explore fusion possibilities. I've been going down the list and the dishes have been pretty good so far; I haven't made it to the taco raisu yet, but I do need me some desserts. The picarones is like a peruvian andagi, which was pretty cool. The miso cream brûlée was from the prior menu, but also a Yes. The bar is knowledgeable and innovative their mixology- I've had the shizuku garden and that was amazing.

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Ki Club - Gogo dancers

Gogo dancers

Ki Club
Ki Club - Frankie J hosting at Ki Club

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Frankie J hosting at Ki Club

Eating House 1849 - Waikiki - Seafood paella stew

Eating House 1849 - Waikiki

4.1(1.6k reviews)
1.1 mi•Waikiki
•$$$

Located on the 3rd floor at the International Market Center, this restaurant is a must visit. The…read morebar staff was excellent, not sure which tap beer you want, sample away. They are friendly and will help make your life easier if you transition from the bar to a table. I was there with a small party, staff were friendly and informative. Unsure what to get, asked the waitress to surprise me based off a couple of items I could not decide on. She did not disappoint and after talking with kitchen, she brought out the Braised Beef Noodles. The meat was tender and noodles good perfectly. My understanding is that this is a newer dish and hope it stays. The tomatoes were cold, which was a initial surprise but nice compared to the hot dish. I will be returning and highly recommend. Be ready to spend $40-$60 per plate. Ordered a Caesar salad that is big enough for 2 ppl to share. Couple of appetizers included sushi rolls & grilled brussels sprouts that were also excellent.

#waikikidining Open patio dining at its best! Here is my…read morestory: In celebration of my friend's birthday, we chose dining at eating house 1849. A change for me because I rarely head to Waikiki for a variety of obvious reasons. This meal, we tried their prefix menu which comprise of three courses and appetizer, entrée and a dessert. The appetizer was straightforward no choices. It was a chicken filled spring roll and pretty darn good. The entrées, we had a choice of either of two which was a chicken and a miso butter fish. Both were good. And the dessert we had a choice of Panna cotta or some sort of sorbet. And an option to upgrade to Roy's infamous chocolate soufflé. We also had the option to pair our meal with some neat and tasty wines, which, of course, we did The cost of the prefix meal was $55 added on a $30 additional cost for wine pairing so we got a wonderful meal and wine for less than $100 Footnote, we sat at the bar, which was actually pretty nice ceiling fans were close by which kept us cool. Our server, coupled as our bartender, was one of the best at this location. Eating House is located in the international marketplace. Parking is validated for the first two hours. With the many eateries, you can find in Waikiki and with the mini establishments open and owned by Roy Yamaguchi, I put eating house as one of my top six eating places in Waikiki for quality, ambience, and price

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Eating House 1849 - Waikiki
Eating House 1849 - Waikiki - Soufflé lava cake

Soufflé lava cake

Eating House 1849 - Waikiki - Kale salad

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Kale salad

Carte Blanche

Carte Blanche

4.5(81 reviews)
1.0 mi•Kaimuki
•$$
Locally owned & operated
Luxury

Wow!! I really loved this restaurant. We had a big group in our reservation. My boyfriend and I…read morehave many dietary restrictions and the chef accommodated even though we told the chef about our dietary restrictions only when we got to the restaurant. Service is amazing and everyone was very nice. The restaurant is so cute and I really liked the decor. The food was INCREDIBLE! I would come back to Hawaii just to eat here again. Thank you so much!

An evening to remember. Tonight's Prix Fixe Menu at Carte Blanche was nothing short of excellence…read more Each course was crafted with such creativity and balance: * Crispy Salt & Vinegar Chicken Skin with Smoked Trout Roe & Herbs: Each little section had its own unique flavors. * Soupe de Poisson with grilled City Bread from The Breadshop & Rouille: Sean said this was his favorite. He literally was wiping up the soup with his fingers. Haha! * Pina Colada Granita - the perfect palate cleanser! * Pan-Seared Scallops with Corn Béchamel, Polenta & Fresh Relish: Amazing texture and flavors. Scallops were super fresh and cooked to perfection. * Double Cut Rack of Lamb with Charred Savoy Cabbage & Miso Red Wine Sauce: I was thiiiis close to licking my plate. Super YUM! * Lemon Crème Brûlée Tart with Summer Berry Jam: There's nothing like pairing lemon and berries... but to brûlée the top, oh man!! And as a special treat, we even got to pre-sample the dessert for the upcoming November menu - such a sweet sneak peek of what's to come! + Hint: Favorite Local Snack. Grateful for this beautiful dining experience where every bite told a story in this beautiful atmosphere. 10/10 Highly recommended. 5 Stars!

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Carte Blanche
Carte Blanche
Carte Blanche

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Miro Kaimuki - The Counter - WESTHOLME RIBEYE (16 oz).

Miro Kaimuki - The Counter

4.5(422 reviews)
1.1 mi•Kaimuki
•$$$$

Became a fan of Chef Kajioka after dining at Cafe Miro in January. As we were planning a trip back…read morein August for the wifey's bday, I definitely wanted to head back and made reservations for The Counter as I saw pics on IG of their meal here. We lucked out and found street parking nearby. As we walked into the restaurant, we were quickly greeted by the host/server who showed us to our seats along the U shaped counter. Loved the clean and modern decor inside the restaurant. As we sat down, our water cups were quickly filled and the only few questions they had for us was whether we wanted the wine pairing and we wanted to add the caviar toast and shaved truffles. We opted for the wine pairing, caviar toast and truffles. The meal was fantastic from start to finish. The most notable dishes for me were the ahi and caviar toast, cold corn soup, the lobster and the dessert. Sadly the portion of the toast here was about 1/2 the size of what we had at the cafe and unfortunately they didn't have uni for the night (maybe don't go on a Tuesday). Service was fantastic but they did have a few hiccups which were tolerable as the food was amazing. The wine pairing was also good and paired well with the dishes. As we are currently planning our trip back later this year, we will definitely head back to either the cafe (if the remodel is completed) or back to the counter for another meal. This is likely the best meal we've had in HNL in quite some time and highly recommend it.

Miro Kaimuki - The Counter: An elegant, intimate experience that, sadly, left a lot to be desired…read more The service was great but I had a few qualms which influenced my decision of probably not returning. A couple things about Miro: - You have to pre-pay via OpenTable (unsure how it works if you call ahead), but just be aware you will be fronting the cost. Also, there are two seatings, one at 5pm, and one at 7:30pm. The 5pm seating is $165 per person and the 7:30pm seating is $195. I'm not sure if there is a menu difference but just know there is a difference in price depending on the time you choose. - Upon arrival you have to wait outside before being let inside. The restaurant locks the doors while they are in service, so if you are the 2nd seating (which is what we were) at 7:30pm, you will have to wait outside. Honestly my girlfriend and I were pretty confused as we've never had this experience before. We even tried to message/call the restaurant but didn't hear from them so we were close to leaving, but luckily some people were leaving from the earlier seating and let us know to wait outside and that the servers would let us in when the time comes. Now onto the most important part- the food. The menu was 6 courses (not including the bread). We got all of the add-ons and I also did the wine pairing. There wasn't any menu available but here's what I got based on photos: - First Course: 4 starters which reminded me of Bar Maze. This was probably the best course for me. I really wish I knew the names of each dish but it was an oyster, salmon tart, another tart (I think this was tomato or something), and ikura toast. All of it was super tasty. - Second Course: Ahi, Caviar, and Uni all on top of their special toasted bread. Now I am a big proponent of all three toppings, but the bread was so rich and dense, it overpowered all of the toppings. I felt the uni went best with the toast, but definitely not my favorite to start a meal so heavy. - Third Course: Almost like a bacon carbonara but without any pasta? It was kind of like a custard texture. It was good but felt a little out of place in the whole grand scheme of the tasting menu. - Bread: I don't count this as a course but we were served this beautiful baked bread with honey butter. Super yummy. - Fourth Course: Lobster - which, of course was tasty but not memorable for me. - Fifth Course: I can't remember if this was wagyu but this was also pretty good. Pretty small for an entree but the meat was cooked well and the presentation was very nice. - 6th Course: There were two desserts and one complimentary dessert for my birthday. The orange creamsicle dessert was the best one. My girlfriend and I didn't like the gummies as they were a bit too sour/savory for our taste (it was li hing flavored which isn't my favorite so I could be biased). The birthday dessert which was a dark chocolate cake thing- it was OK. The cocoa was a bit bitter and was a little too unsweet for our taste. Overall, I think Miro was just okay. For the cost of $195 per person + the wine pairing (which I believe was another $95), and the add-on's for both of us (~$60-70?) plus my girlfriends mocktail, this came out to a very steep $550+ dinner. I feel for 6 courses this is pretty overpriced, especially because the portions are super small and I don't feel the tasting menu was very cohesive. I would definitely rather go to NatuRe, Mugen, or Senia as they are relatively close (or at times cheaper) in price to Miro. Don't get me wrong, the ambiance was beautiful and intimate, and I think it's worth trying at least once if you want to splurge, but sadly this won't be a restaurant I return to regularly, if at all in the future.

Photos
Miro Kaimuki - The Counter
Miro Kaimuki - The Counter - MIRO Sourdough. Furikake butter.

MIRO Sourdough. Furikake butter.

Miro Kaimuki - The Counter - Hamachi. Sun-Dried Tomato. Cucumber.

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Hamachi. Sun-Dried Tomato. Cucumber.

Lucky Belly - Shrimp Kim Chee Bowl

Lucky Belly

4.2(2.2k reviews)
3.5 mi•Downtown
•$$

So glad we ate here! Looks like there are lots of hip options in Chinatown, and we would have…read morewalked around and tried even more if we had had more time. We had a 4 hour layover in Honolulu and it was a quick 15 minute Lyft ride here to Lucky Belly. We were the only party here right at 5:30 pm. Loved the art and clean simple elegance of the exposed brick wall and wood tables. We were greeted and served by a very friendly host. We had the duck tacos, plus the special dim sum appetizer combo of pork belly bao, lobster dumplings and oxtail dumplings. We could not pick a favorite. The variety of textures was fantastic and each of the meat fillings were perfectly seasoned and tender, delicious! Each had a different sauce- just enough, not too much. Nothing was spicy but there was chili oil on the table if you wanted to add more heat. We got 2 nonalcoholic spritzers, one lilikoi and one hibiscus, which were each refreshing and complimented the meal. Since the service was so efficient, after eating, we still had time to zip over to Magic Island to stroll around, take in the scene and enjoy the sunset before heading back to the airport. Our last evening in Hawaii was really special thanks to this delightful restaurant!

Horrifying experience. We arrived to a nearly empty restaurant. The hostess asked if we had a…read morereservation. We arrived an hour or so before they were about to close. All of the window seats were empty. In fact the restaurant was nearly empty. We were told the only option for us was the inconspicuous booth at the back of the restaurant. Not a good start. The food was okay. There was more than we were expecting, however the short ribs were a little tough. The ambiance, it was nice and empty by the time we left. Overall, what had been something we'd been looking forward to for years turned out to be a dismal disappointment. The experience left us feeling unwelcome, particularly because it seemed the staff were uncomfortable with two men simply going out for lunch. Being a Black and Asian couple shouldn't have any bearing on how paying customers are treated, but unfortunately, that's how the experience felt to us. We can overlook mediocre food or service, but feeling judged or unwelcome is something we won't overlook. We were there as paying customers and deserved to be treated with the same courtesy and respect as anyone else. Unfortunately, this is a place we won't be returning to, and based on our experience, we would not recommend it to others.

Photos
Lucky Belly - Interior bar and dining room.

Interior bar and dining room.

Lucky Belly - Lobster Moco (Dec 2025 update)

Lobster Moco (Dec 2025 update)

Lucky Belly - Exterior front.

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Exterior front.

Yi Xin Cafe - hkcafe - Updated October 2026

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