Thomas Obungen

Contributing Dining Editor

Thomas Obungen joined the Frolic Hawai‘i team in 2015 as a contributor after a two-year stint in Los Angeles where his passion for seeking out unique and delicious finds was set ablaze. In the years that followed, he rose the ranks to become its associate editor and is now the assistant editor. Prior to Frolic, he worked for an Apple reseller that outfitted Hollywood’s top studios with custom computers, planned obscure costume parties and wrote press releases for the U.S. Navy. He is a graduate of Mililani High School and Hawai‘i Pacific University.

In addition to writing for Frolic Hawai‘i and HONOLULU, Thomas co-owns a boutique marketing agency called Slug Media and works in retail for therapeutic reasons. You can find him power walking through Makiki and Mānoa on most mornings and most likely with an iced coffee in hand.

Articles

Wagaya Garlic Ramen Katrina

HONOLULU Staff Favorites: The 8 Best Noodle Soups on O‘ahu for Rainy Days

Some of our top picks for comforting slurps when a cold snap is coming.

Mad Bene Papardelle Bolognese

7 Mad Good Reasons to Eat at Mad Bene in Kapolei

Dreamy pizza pies, Crispy Garlic Guys and crushable cocktails are just some of the ways to my heart.

808 Island Katsu Burgers Thomas Obungen 2

Towering Tonkatsu Burgers Have Arrived at Sheridan Street’s 808 Center

808 Island Katsu Burgers serves up Canadian Mugifuji pork katsu on purple buns and in bentos.

Postcards From Japan pan-fried scallops Thomas Obungen 7

Neiman Marcus’ New Postcards from Japan Menu Brings a Taste of Upscale Oishii

Dishes at Mariposa restaurant and an in-store trunk show of epicurean goods highlight flavors and traditions of southern Japan’s Saga Prefecture.

Halloween Candies Thomas Obungen

We Tried 11 Hawai‘i Kine Halloween Candies

From li hing freeze-dried Skittles to lemon peel Creepy Crawlahs, these treats support local this spooky season.

wagaya-garlic-ramen-Katrina

You Voted: Here’s Your Top 5 Ramen Shops on O‘ahu

A longtime Kapahulu staple takes the top spot by a landslide. Did your favorite shop make the cut?

Upstairs Waikiki Tsumami Credit Thomas Obungen 1

Upstairs Hawai‘i Pairs Two of Japan’s Best Under One Roof

It’s the only spot to get Sushi Sho’s glistening bara chirashi bowl and back it up with Hachibei’s jidori chicken and a hefty sake list.

Mams Bread Butter Meat Pies Credit Thomas Obungen 1

New Zealand-Style Meat Pies in Kaka‘ako Are the Buttery Hug Your Soul Needs

Mam’s Bread and Butter turns out classic pot pies—but can you get your hands on one?

Heyday Spread Credit Thomas Obungen

Heyday Throws It Back with Groovy Cocktails and Bites in Waikīkī

Schnitzel, shrimp toast and boozy cocktails headline a menu that’ll have you swinging your feet at the bar.

Halo Halo Magnolia

Shades of Shave Ice: Holo Holo for Halo Halo in Waipahu

From the O.G. Mahalo Halo to mais con yelo and beyond—Magnolia Ice Cream and Treats brings us home with soulful shave ice vibes.

Shades Of Shave Ice Coffee Or Tea Credit Thomas Obungen 1

Shades of Shave Ice: Waikīkī Has Taiwanese Shave Ice Cornered on Kūhiō and Seaside

From boba pearls to tropical ribbons, we’re bowled over by generous portions and distinct styles.

Smashed Hawaii Burger Pile Credit Thomas Obungen 3

Smashed Hawai‘i Is the Newest Smash Burger to Hit Honolulu

Ten out of 10, would smash these smash burgers again—if you can catch them when they’re open.

Kailua General Store Shave Ice Credit Thomas Obungen

Shades of Shave Ice: Kailua’s Neighborhood Shops With Shave Ice Counters

Lemon peel ice shave and spicy ginger syrup surprise us at two local hangouts.

Sunset Tx Bbq James Kim Bbq Credit Thomas Obungen

At Last, Sunset Texas Barbecue Is Opening in Kaka‘ako Sept. 1

Central O‘ahu’s venerable smokehouse will also have a limited run of barbecue at its new smokehouse this weekend.

Shades Of Shave Ice Bingsu Credit Thomas Obungen

Shades of Shave Ice: Get Your Bingsu Two Ways in Ke‘eaumoku

Freshly pulled espresso lends a twist to traditional Korean shave ice while seasonal fruit is the way to go at Ala Moana Center.

Waiola Shave Ice Credit Thomas Obungen

Shades of Shave Ice: Kapahulu is Home to Two Old-School Shave Ice Institutions

True-to-form flavors and the finest shave supersede bombucha mounds of ice.

Shades Of Shave Ice Banan 1

Shades of Shave Ice: Local Fruit Shines at Waikīkī’s New Shave Ice Shop

Local Honey Cream pineapple, liliko‘i and mango pair up with Banán’s banana soft-serve on the boardwalk.

Picnic Good Chicken Credit Thomas Obungen

What the Cluck? 3 New Korean Fried Chicken Shops to Try on O‘ahu

This kind of KFC is surging and we’re so here for it.

Bing Bros Regualr Credit Thomas Obungen

Captivating and Crunchy: Chinese Breakfast Crepes Pop Up in Salt Lake

Bing Bros brings northeastern China to Hawai‘i with savory jian bing crepes.

Greek Aloha Kitchen Gyros Credit Thomas Obungen 2

From Greece to Papakōlea: Get Your Greek Fix in the Hills of Tantalus

Greek Aloha Kitchen’s pork belly gyros, feta fries and baklava ice cream are worth seeking out just past Punchbowl.

Poai Pauahi Latte Credit Thomas Obungen

Pono Potions Opens a Chic Coffee Shop and Boutique in Honolulu Chinatown

Coffees and lemonades flavored with Pono Potions’ local syrups are in their own cafe on Smith Street.

Hauoli Sandwich Haleiwa Sandwich Credit Thomas Obungen

Roll With It: Bombucha Focaccia Sandwiches from a Cute Blue Food Truck

Hau‘oli Sandwich Co. makes beach-ready, hunger-busting sammies.

Liliha Bakery Cheeseburger Credit Thomas Obungen

HONOLULU Staff Favorites: The 12 Best Meaty and Meatless Burgers on O‘ahu

From Punahou Carnival to Hale ‘Aina-winning restaurants, here are our team’s top spots to pile on the patties.

En Hakkore Bingsu Credit Thomas Obungen

Hawai‘i’s Best Korean Shave Ice Is Hidden in a Supermarket

Just past the produce and the latest in Korean aunty fashion, Ke‘eaumoku’s En Hakkore Café serves up a loaded mountain of shave ice with an espresso shot.

Kapa Hale Interior

Local Ingredients, Hawaiian Roots and Big-City Flair Make Kapa Hale One of Hawai‘i’s Most Exciting New Restaurants

The house that Keaka built.

Mahiai Table Tablescape Courtesy Mahiai Table

Local-Style Eats

I Ended Up at Mahi‘ai Table in Kapolei Three Times in One Week … and Loved It

The restaurant’s first menu update since opening transitions superbly from pau hana snacking to family-style dining.

Slice By Hbbaking 13

Ice Cream Pies by the Slice Are a New Thing in Chinatown

For pastry chef Heather Lukela, a one-time side hustle has turned into her very own pie shop.

Empty Elle Bagels Tobungen 02

Montreal-style Bagels with Super Local Toppings Roll Up in Kailua

Inspired by a lifelong passion, Empty Elle is Hawai‘i's first Montreal-style bagel shop.

BLA-C4Table-April2021 Smoked Hamachi

Guess Who’s Behind the New Pūpū Menu at Downtown’s Bar Leather Apron

Haute cuisine chef Colin Hazama of C4 Table serves up playful, sophisticated bites to go with a revamped drink menu.

The Corner Rolls sampler box

Local-Style Eats

Farmers Market Finds: Funky Fresh Spins on Spring Rolls at Kaka‘ako

The Corner Rolls wraps up cheeseburgers, shrimp and avocado into crispy fried spring rolls.

Han no daidokoro Yakiniku Wagyu Beef tray

Luxe Japanese Beef Elevates Yakiniku Grilling at Kaka‘ako’s Han no Daidokoro

The Korean-Japanese restaurant from Shibuya flies in fresh Japanese wagyu and Oregon washu beef.

Kim chee paella Okims

Favorite Dishes

What If Kim Chee Fried Rice and Paella Had a Baby?

The Korean-Spanish mashup is a March special at O’Kim’s Korean Kitchen in Chinatown.

Iliili Italian Hoagie Tobungen

HONOLULU Staff Favorites: The 9 Best Sandwiches on O‘ahu

Paper-thin salami, juicy roast beef, tasty tonkatsu, sumptuous smoked brisket, hefty lumps of crab, fresh fish and everything else that’s best between bread.

Foodland Farms Chicken Tenders 3

Foodland Farms’ New Fried Chicken Tenders Are Finger-Licking Good

Make no bones about it—these tenders pack well for beach days, lunch on the go and all-around snacking.

North Star Arroz Caldo

Frolic’s Picks

When Rice = Comfort Food: 6 Steaming Bowls from Around the World

Where to find warm, comforting rice porridge from China, Japan, the Philippines, Spain and more, all in Honolulu.

Yoshoku Ginza Bairin Tobungen 4

Luxe Japanese-Style Omurice, Beef Stew and Curry Rice Debut at Waikīkī’s New Yoshoku Ginza Bairin

Western-style dishes viewed through a Japanese lens are quirky, comforting and oishii.

Tenten Tempura Tobungen 1

Tenten Japanese Tempura Is Your New Must-Try Pop-Up—But Only for a Month

The new pop-up serves delicate seafood and veg tempura in the style of Waikīkī Yokocho’s shuttered Kaneko Hannosuke.

Guruguru Kitchen Tobungen 1

Guru Guru Kitchen’s Fruity Japanese Sandwiches Pop Up in Mō‘ili‘ili and Kaka‘ako

Did you even know these pillowy fruit-and-cream sandos were missing from your life?

Iliili Rip City Pizza Slice

Mō‘ili‘ili’s New Pizza and Hoagie Shop Opens on Beretania

The team behind V-Lounge and Prima return with ‘Ili‘ili Cash and Carry, a hipster bodega with killer pizzas.

Hm Hnlskewerhouse Jan2021 2

Frolic Hawai‘i

Honolulu Skewer House’s New Locale Has a New Twist: DIY Tabletop Grilling

After a long closure, the Chinese barbecue restaurant has reopened in a new spot on Kapahulu.