All Our Favorite Curries in Honolulu

Photo: Courtesy of Kaimukī Shokudo

Kaimukī Shokudo

I can’t name a favorite Thai, Indian or other curry, so in a group, I’ll always leave the choice to others. Except at Kaimukī Shokudo. The washugyu beef curry, an outlier on the dinnertime izakaya menu, is my go-to on every visit, a glossy luxuriance of tender beef strips that lend their unctuous umami to the sauce. That’s all there is—save for a raft of pickled onions and well-cooked rice, there’s nothing else in the bowl. This curry shares a pedigree with the one famously served at Japan Airlines lounges, I’m told, and it doesn’t surprise me. —Mari Taketa, Frolic editor

1127 11th Ave., Kaimukī, @kaimukishokudo

SEE ALSO: A Shokudo for Grownups

Photo: Alexander Pang

Kamana Kitchen

On slow weekday mornings, my eyes haze over as I daydream about the lunch platter at Kamana Kitchen on Bishop Street. The curries call out to me. Suddenly, I’m texting a friend for lunch, and I don’t even offer an alternative place to eat because to offer an alternative would be a lie. For who among us could resist the aroma of spiced spinach lifting from a spoonful of palak paneer? Why do we exist, if not to drag a wedge of naan through a buttery red dollop of lamb tikka masala? I just try to grab a coffee afterwards so my boss doesn’t find me underneath my desk in deep and spicy slumber. —Alexander Pang, Frolic

What is there to say about the curries at Kamana Kitchen beyond perfect comfort? The deep flavors tenderly envelop basmati rice, warm naan and my tongue. My number one is the palak paneer with creamy spinach and delightfully chewy cubes of cheese; other favorites include chicken tikka masala, mushroom matar and lamb curry. Medium is my preferred spice level at Kamana, enough for sensation without being distracting. If you work Downtown, don’t sleep on the Bishop Street location’s amazing lunch specials. —Andrea Lee, HONOLULU digital editor

Multiple locations, newkamanakitchen.com, @newkamanakitchen

SEE ALSO: Best of HONOLULU 2025: Food and Drinks on O‘ahu

Photo: Katrina Valcourt

Kapa Hale

Literally any curry dish here. Malaysian-style curry in the laksa risotto, khao soi chicken noodles, curried potato samosas, the special J. Ludovico chicken with tamarind curry I had for lunch the other day—it’s all delicious. What I love is these dishes are more flavorful than spicy, with so much depth and nuance. They can also be pretty rich, but not in a kanak attack kind of way at the skilled hands of chef Keaka Lee and his team. —Katrina Valcourt, HONOLULU executive editor

4614 Kīlauea Ave., Suite #102, Kāhala, (808) 888-2060, kapahale.com, @4614kapahale

Tadka Indian Cuisine

Malai Kofta is a combination of minced vegetable and cheese balls served in a creamy almond and onion sauce. The veggie cheese balls are cooked to perfection and stay firm and flavorful while you enjoy the umami and lightly sweet curry sauce with each bite. Like all their curries, it’s served with basmati rice and can be ordered mild to spicy depending on how adventurous you’re feeling. I also recommend sharing multiple items: honorable mentions for Kadai Paneer, Aloo Matar, and Lamb Vindaloo (the last one only if you want to truly test your heat tolerance). —Alexander Gates, Frolic

McCully Shopping Center, 1960 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 109, McCully, tadkaindian.com, @tadkaindiancuisine808

SEE ALSO: Tadka: Where Indian Food Comes Alive

Photo: Melissa Chang

Tonkatsu @Honolulu

I know they are known for their katsu, but I literally go there and will buy a container (or two) of curry to go so I can eat it later. It’s very tasty and complex and has little chunks of meat in it. —Melissa Chang, Frolic

1232 Waimanu St., Ste. 101, Ala Moana, @tonkatsu_atmark_honolulu

SEE ALSO: Tonkatsu @Honolulu Is Hawai‘i’s Newest Katsu Hotspot

Tonkatsu Sangi

I also love Tonkatsu Sangi’s curry. It’s a little soupier, but also very tasty and comforting. Weirdly enough, both places are my top choices for katsu, so maybe there is a connection to the quality of their curry. —MC

900 Fort Street Mall, Downtown, tonkatsusangi.com, @tonkatsu_sangi

SEE ALSO: All Our Favorite Tonkatsu in Honolulu

Thai Bistro Suksabay

Pressing the back of my spoon into a bed of sticky rice, then overfilling it with Thai yellow curry and tender chunks of potatoes, carrots and onions, and taking that first bite, I melt the miles and find the comfort of friendship. My half-Thai bestie would insist on a high spice level, but I keep it mild and add shrimp. “Sawadee ka!” —Christine Labrador, HONOLULU art director

Pearl Kai, 98-199 Kamehameha Highway, Ste. C2, ‘Aiea, (808) 488-2881, thaibistrosuksabay.com

Read the rest of the series: Our Favorites