I Tried Chinatown’s Newest Bakery—Here’s What I Loved at Green Island Cheesecake
Japanese, Chinese and Portuguese pastries have appeared on Hotel Street.
Photo: Annabelle Ink
My twin sister and I bake each other’s birthday cakes every year, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve requested cheesecake. I truly believe that a slice of cheesecake will top a slice of traditional cake any day, and I know I’m not the only one.
So when I heard about Green Island Cheesecake in Chinatown, I knew I had to try it. The bakery specializes not in the New York-style cheesecake that I’m used to, but the lighter, fluffier, less sweet Japanese variation made with whipped egg whites. Opened in May, Green Island also sells roll cakes, Portuguese custard tarts and traditional Chinese pastries, all of which I was determined to try. On a mission, I stopped by a couple of times last week to see what it’s all about.
Walking along Hotel Street, I’m drawn inside before realizing I’m at Green Island Cheesecake. The bakery is next to Sun Chong Grocery, right across from Maunakea Marketplace. With its fresh white paint, tall windows and big double doors, it’s a bright, quiet haven amid the bustle of Chinatown.
SEE ALSO: My 6 Favorite Bakeries on O‘ahu
Inside, four round tables are adorned with menus and potted flowers. I eat in on my second visit, sitting with my sister at one of the tables while other customers check out desserts and chat with the owner.
What would I go back for? Here’s my verdict.
Photo: Annabelle Ink
Honeymoon Cake, $2.89
While not a signature item, this is easily my favorite dessert. The crust on this traditional Chinese pastry is buttery and flaky in the best way possible, and the filling—sweet mochi with coconut—complements it perfectly. My sister loves it just as much; we split the pastry and finish it in a matter of seconds.
Photo: Annabelle Ink
Berlin Cheesecake, $5.99
After the Honeymoon Cake, this absolutely takes the (cheese)cake. While lighter than a typical New York-style cheesecake, the Berlin has a slightly denser, creamier base than its Japanese counterpart. It’s also sweeter than the bakery’s other cheesecakes, which is wonderful news for my massive sweet tooth.
Photo: Annabelle Ink
Ube Cheesecake, $6.59
The rich, nutty flavor is almost addictive. It’s much denser than the other cheesecakes, a testament to its ube base. The dessert is topped with a layer of white chocolate, elevating it with an additional level of flavor and sweetness. If you aren’t a fan of ube, there are also pumpkin, chestnut and matcha cheesecakes.
Photo: Annabelle Ink
Signature Cheesecake, $4.99
With an impossibly light, fluffy texture, this is another top contender. It’s not too sweet, with a subtle tartness characteristic of the popular dessert. If you prefer your desserts on the sweeter side, like I do, the Berlin or ube might be a safer bet.
Photo: Annabelle Ink
Signature Portuguese Custard Tart, $3.39
The custard filling is wonderfully silky, but the first time I try a Portuguese tart, it’s barely sweet or eggy. It’s much better on my second visit—sweeter, eggier and more flavorful overall. Even with the sweeter filling, it’s the crust that really makes the whole thing. Similar to that on the Honeymoon Cake, the crust on the custard tart is remarkably buttery and flaky, with a sweetness that pairs well with the filling.
Open daily 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 119 N. Hotel St., Chinatown, @greenislandcheesecake
Annabelle Ink is HONOLULU Magazine’s Society of Professional Journalists intern for the summer of 2025. She majors in English at Pomona College.
