Asian Restaurants in Hawaii

Hawaii’s Asian food scene is way more than just plate lunches with teriyaki and rice. If you’re hungry for authentic flavors, the islands have it all , Japanese noodle shops, Filipino comfort food, Korean BBQ, Chinese dim sum, Vietnamese pho, and much more.

Oahu is obviously the mecca, especially spots like Honolulu’s Chinatown where you can snag steaming hot pork buns or slurp on some handmade ramen. But don’t sleep on Maui’s hidden Filipino eateries around Wailuku or the casual Korean places tucked away in Waikiki. It’s easy to spot locals hanging around these joints,that’s usually a good sign.

Pro tip: Try a saimin spot early in the morning on Oahu. It’s a true local ritual. Also, if you’re visiting during the cooler months, a hot bowl of pho from one of the trucks on the windward side feels downright heavenly. And heads up, some of the best Asian food here comes not from fancy restaurants but humble hole-in-the-wall diners or food trucks, especially on the neighbor islands. So keep an eye out and don’t be shy to ask locals where they get their favorite bowl or plate.