$40 Pau Hana for 2: Moku Kitchen in Kaka‘ako

Not just edamame and fries: Frolic’s new series shows you where two can eat well at happy hour for a pair of Andrew Jacksons.

April 19, 2023

Maddy Chow,

We’re always looking for good deals—especially now with prices rising everywhere. Frolic’s $40 Pau Hana series scopes out the best happy hour deals where two people can fill up on every craving—from pizza to sushi.

Photo: Maddy Chow

My friends have often told me that Moku Kitchen has the best happy hour deals on food, but I hadn’t had a chance to check it out until recently. I was missing out. Pau hana at Moku Kitchen means 50% off small-plate appetizers and $12 pizzas—delicious American and local favorites with a twist. It’s one of the more casual restaurants by Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine chef Peter Merriman.

Aside from the $12 pizzas (which are usually $16 to $19), happy hour dishes are less than $10 and cocktails, wine and beer are $2 off. Our pau hana/early dinner came out to less than $40 before tip and left two of us extremely full, with leftovers for the next day.

Bulgogi Pork Sliders, $8

Photo: Maddy Chow

A twist on the American pulled pork slider classic, with sweet and salty pulled pork, this appetizer comes with three very large sliders. The pork is marinated, rich in flavor and charred with crisp pieces that add to the texture. All of this is topped off with house-made kimchee slaw that’s not too tangy, plus watermelon radish and crispy Maui onions between toasted buns.

Taro Ravioli, $8.50

Photo: Maddy Chow

An update on an old Moku favorite, the Pumpkin Patch Ravioli with kabocha was a great recommendation from the servers that I would not have thought to order. It ended up being an unexpected favorite. The filling is made with mashed taro and cheese, creating the perfect thick yet creamy inside, with a touch of saltiness. The ravioli is topped with chèvre, sautéed watercress and chile garlic oil. I love eating the watercress alone because of its deep flavors and the balance it adds. It still has a light crunch, which adds great texture.

Pork Pot Stickers, $8

Photo: Maddy Chow

Pot stickers are something that I always like to order when I see them on a menu because each restaurant makes them a little differently. The dipping sauce here is sweet and a little spicy with habanero and pineapple creating a jam-like texture. While the five pot stickers are filling, I probably would try something else next time I come for pau hana at Moku Kitchen.

Hāmākua Wild Mushroom Pizza, $12

Photo: Maddy Chow

The pizzas at Moku are unmatched. The dough is prepared three days in advance, producing deep flavors and a light and airy crust. The mushrooms are grown on Hawai‘i Island, cooked on the pizza with garlic, mozzarella and provolone cheeses, and the pizza is finished with a drizzle of truffle oil and fresh thyme. This is one of Moku’s richer pizzas. I’ve heard rave reviews about the kalua pork and pineapple pizza, so I’ll be back to try it soon.

Happy hour from 2 to 5:30 p.m. daily. Open Sunday to Wednesday from 11 a.m to 9 p.m., Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., 660 Ala Moana Blvd. No. 145, mokukitchen.com, @mokukitchen