downtown Archives - Honolulu Magazine

Islander Sake Hanale Tetsuzo Yao Credit Thomas Obungen 03

What’s New

Islander Sake’s Omakase Sushi Restaurant Opens This Week in Chinatown

Thomas Obungen,

Plus, more news from the state’s only sake brewery: It’s moving to Hawai‘i Island.

Local-Style Eats

Two-Minute Takeout: Nu‘uanu Okazuya at the Edge of Downtown Honolulu

Lauren Kaneshiro,

Part 2 of our look at eateries in the Miyamoto Building revisits a popular okazuya known for its fish cakes, chicken and andagi.

Mexican

Two-Minute Takeout in Downtown Honolulu/Chinatown: Tio’s Tamales

Maria Burke,

The rustic Miyamoto Building houses an eclectic mix of destination eateries. Up first: New Mexico-style tamales, carne asada fries and a unique take on chile relleno.

Proof Social Brunch Avo Toast Tracy Chan

Breakfast/Brunch

Downtown Honolulu’s Best New Sunday Brunch Is a Hidden Surprise

Tracy Chan,

Proof Social Club's Sunday brunch delivers rustic twists on French, Spanish and modern American favorites.

Bars

Coming Soon: Podmore in Downtown

Martha Cheng,

Three years in the making, Anthony Rush and Katherine Nomura plan on opening Podmore, a cocktail bar and brunch spot, in mid-August.

Family Activities

See the Best Children’s Art in the State in “My Culture, My Family, and Me” at HiSAM

Lisa Shiroma,

The Hawai‘i State Art Museum’s latest exhibit showcases the Young Artists of Hawai‘i.

Asato Family Sherbets li hing float series

Local-Style Eats

It’s Li Hing Float Sherbet Month at Asato Family Shop

Mari Taketa,

Since the Downtown store only opens twice a week, that means four more days to get Li Hing Melon Float, Li Hing Cola Float, Li Hing Vanilla Float and Li Hing Float.

Arts & Culture

See Powerful, Award-Winning Student Artwork in the Hawai‘i State Art Museum’s Latest Exhibit

Lisa Shiroma,

This year’s Hawai‘i Regional Scholastic Art Awards exhibit is “one of the most crucial exhibitions in HiSAM’s history.”

What’s New

Honolulu’s Newest Craft Beer Spot Is in a Bank

Alexander B. Gates,

On tap at the new Aloha Beer Downtown: Aloha Blonde, Queen St. Pils, Hefe Weizen, Froot Lupes, Hop Lei IPA and Waimānalo Farmhouse.

Local-Style Eats

Asato Family Shop Has Opened a Sherbet Store in Town

Melissa Chang,

Now you can grab a pint from Neale Asato's brick-and-mortar.

Korean

Seoul delicious: Korean sushi shop rolls up in downtown

Thomas Obungen,

Seoul Kimbap's handmade rolls have spicy pork, beef, tuna and a rainbow of good stuff

Awesome eats this Thursday: La Tour Cafe meatball bento + macarons

Grant Shindo,

We never knew we needed meatball bentos in our life, or that life even has meatball bentos. Thank goodness for La Tour Cafe. Since Friday is Good Friday, Awesome eats is debuting its first-ever chicken meatball bentos and La Tour’s…

Awesome eats: Hawaiian Pie Company sweets bento

Frolic Hawai‘i,

They’re back! The Hawaiian Pie Company, home of buttery, juicy, flavor-packed pies in Kalihi, last popped up at Awesome eats at Thanksgiving. Since it’s been a while and Awesome eats regulars have been asking for their pastries, we’re bringing them…

Awesome eats this Friday: Young’s Fish Market Hawaiian plate

Grant Shindo,

Once we saw Young’s Fish Market‘s Aloha Friday Hawaiian bento on Instagram, that was it. We realized there aren’t many Hawaiian food options in downtown, so we called the longtime Kalihi favorite and persuaded them to bring the heaping plate…

Awesome eats this Friday: Tamales by Wang Chung’s

Grant Shindo,

We’re ringing in the Year of the Rooster with a special treat from our favorite neighborhood karaoke bar, Waikiki’s Wang Chung’s. Chef Randy Sanchez, aka @mexicanrandyhi on Instagram, is making his famous chicken tamales for a special Awesome eats downtown…

Enter to win tickets to Square Barrels’ Locals Only beer dinner

Thomas Obungen,

Sponsored Congratulations goes to Kendrick Chun and Denise Tanaka for winning tickets to Square Barrels’ Locals Only beer dinner! Do you love beer, food and supporting local? You could win tickets to a dinner at Square Barrels this Saturday, Jan.…

First taste: Bethel Union

Thomas Obungen,

I first heard rumblings of a new JJ Dolan’s sister restaurant in the works at the former Brasserie du Vin spot back in November 2015. With JJ Dolan’s pedigree for delicious pizza and wings, I couldn’t wait for this new…

Hidden gem: Sistah Truck

Grant Shindo,

Kimchee fried rice burritos, bibimbap bowls and wagyu mushroom cheeseburgers? Taxpayers of Hawaii, take heart: All this is parked just outside the state Department of Taxation on Punchbowl Street, courtesy of Eunju Jo and Mila Bang. Friends since middle school…

Awesome eats this Friday: Watanabe Bakery treats

Grant Shindo,

When we saw Watanabe Bakery’s poi and matcha mochi cakes on Instagram we drove straight over to McCully to give them a try. At first bite, we knew the satisfyingly chewy cakes would be perfect for Awesome eats. So heads…

Awesome eats this Friday: Tanioka’s bento and spicy ahi

Grant Shindo,

Waipahu’s iconic Tanioka’s always sells out when we feature their bentos at our Awesome eats pop-ups, so to sate appetites we’re bringing them in monthly. This Friday, Tanioka’s is bringing something new for the downtown lunch crowd: teri miso chicken…