The Most-Read Dining Stories of 2019 From HONOLULU Magazine’s Food Blog
First looks at O‘ahu’s newly opened restaurants, festive holiday brunches and pop-ups, Hawai‘i-specific dining tips, staff picks and an article about McDonald’s fried apple pies that went viral: Here are your favorite Biting Commentary blog posts of 2019.
Three times a week, for 52 weeks a year, HONOLULU Magazine talks to you about food. Who’s new to the scene, what’s trending, where to go right now, why we love a local dish and when a certain ingredient is in season. In truth, the hungry, hungry team at your friendly neighborhood magazine discusses and eats food a bit of a worrying amount—but you love it.
As the resident digital watch dog, I have noticed a handful of trends among our Biting Commentary followers (new and those who return every week). Here is a five-by-five of your favorite topics along with the most-read blog posts in 2019. Then check out our food and dining editor’s 10 favorite posts.
Local dishes and eateries ruled the year
Fat Tuesday was March 5, which meant malassadas!
PHOTO: TERRI INEFUKU
Why McDonald’s Hawai‘i Has the Only Fried Apple Pies in the Country
Everywhere else in the U.S., they’re baked.
The Best Honolulu Shave Ice You’ve Probably Never Tried
Island Vintage Coffee’s açaí bowl and shave ice may be one of the best-kept secrets for locals.
Things That Made Us Go Mmmmm At The New Foodland Farms In Pearl City
Foodland Farms puts the SUPER in supermarket with the addition of a sports bar, okazuya and burrito station in its new 45,000-square-foot location.
10 Things You Can Only Get in Waikīkī
From $3 whisky sodas to $300 omakase.
5 Places to Satisfy Your Malassada Craving on Fat Tuesday
Fat Tuesday is March 5, which usually means malassadas! Here are hits and misses we found in our pursuit of this popular Portuguese pastry.
You liked it when we took the first bite at a new restaurant with our regular “First Look” posts
When searching for trending food terms in Hawai‘i, “fried chicken sandwich” was a biggie.
Photo: Terri Inefuku
Liliha Bakery Opens at Ala Moana Center
The third, and biggest, outpost of the beloved Liliha Bakery offers a bar and more central location.
Try to Grab One of the Six Seats at This Sushi Speakeasy in Kailua
22, a secret sushi bar, by the owner of shuttered Kohnotori, comes to Kailua disguised as a coffee shop.
10 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About Raising Cane’s
Get the scoop on the secret menu, how to avoid the line and more about Honolulu’s newest fast-food joint.
Chef Jon Matsubara Opens His First Restaurant, Feast in Mānoa
Chef Matsubara opened his own place with his fresh take on comfort food: Island roots with a twist of the culinary big city.
Hamada General Store: A New Plate Lunch Spot by the Chefs of Home Bar & Grill
Find a kim chee Reuben and a Spam-and-egg sandwich with tonkatsu in it.
And our personal tastes were important to you, too
Mud Hen Water is an introvert’s dining dream.
PHOTO: STEVE CZERNIAK
Going Solo: An Introvert’s Guide to Dining in Honolulu
Sometimes one is the best number.
HONOLULU Staff Favorites: The 6 Best Hot Dogs on O‘ahu
We celebrated National Hot Dog Day (July 17) with our team’s top dogs, from a super cheap combo to extravagant toppings and fillings.
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.
We Tried Every Sandwich on the Menu at Earl Kaka‘ako and Ranked Them
We ate 10 hearty sandwiches in one sitting and played favorites.
How to Eat Xiao Long Bao and Other Tips for Enjoying Soup Dumplings in Honolulu
It’s loved by many but a daunting task for dumpling freshmen. We shared three methods for eating xiao long bao for National Dumpling Day, Sept. 26.
You enjoy (reading about) change
Moloka‘i Hot Bread is baked fresh in the morning at a production bakery in Kalihi.
Photos: Brittany Lyte
11 Restaurant Openings and 3 Closures on O‘ahu
A monthly update on new arrivals (including Texas barbecue and Spanish-Italian by way of Japan) and what’s gone (Watanabe Bakery).
19 New Restaurants That Opened on O‘ahu in 2018
Peruvian chicken, Michelin-starred dim sum, Burmese salads to stop for and an adobo fried chicken we’re still talking about all arrived in 2018.
August Food News Update: Here Are 9 Restaurants That Opened on O‘ahu
A monthly update on new arrivals, including a food court with lobster rolls, and a burger, beer and shakes spot by the people behind Encore.
October Food News Update: 5 Restaurant Openings and 4 That Closed on O‘ahu
A monthly update of new arrivals, including a street taco spot and a way to get those fish patty musubi in town.
Moloka‘i Hot Bread Now Available on O‘ahu
An O‘ahu food truck peddles Kanemitsu Bakery’s most popular bread, and you don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to get it.
Our efforts in making the holidays a little easier for you went a long way
Photo: Lianne Rozelle / The Pig & the lady
Get into the Holiday Cheer at These 3 Pop-Up Christmas Bars
Where to go to find us sitting rosy by the fire.
Treat Your Mom With These 16 Special Mother’s Day Menus
Here are the special restaurant menus on O‘ahu being planned to treat the moms in your life for Mother’s Day 2019.
Where to Order Takeout or Dine In for Thanksgiving 2018 in Hawai‘i
Why cook? Here are more than 35 places where you can order your Thanksgiving dinner to-go or dine out on the big day.
Your Guide to Lunar New Year Dining on Oʻahu
Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean: Here are the best places to start your Lunar New Year feast. (This will be updated on January 10 for the Year of the Rat.)
The 11 Best Pumpkin Desserts, Beer and Bread on O‘ahu
Move over pumpkin spice latte, seasonal pumpkin treats have arrived in Honolulu. We tracked down some worth discovering on your own, from sweets and a smoothie to a savory salad.
Read more stories by Katie Kenny
