- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Hanamaulu Cafe
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
3-4291 Kuhio HighwayHanamaulu, HI 96715
(808) 245-2511
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
29 reviews for Hanamaulu Cafe
Review Highlights
"you can't go wrong with their fried chicken."
(in 11 reviews)
"brings back childhood memories on Kauai."
(in 11 reviews)
"hanamalu chicken is awesome, but don't forget about the..."
(in 4 reviews)
Loading...
29 reviews in English
-
Review from a a.
Emeryville, CA
1/21/2012
Great place for a wedding rehearsal dinner
-
Review from SteffAnie O.
Kapaa, HI
10/12/2011
Hanamaulu Cafe has been around for years, and they are known for they famous fried ginger chicken and soft fried noodles, ...also their Sunday night buffets & tea room.
My daughters & I came here one night for the chicken, shrimp canton, & fried noodles....of course when you get the food you crave for, it definately hits the spot...I gotta say it was great.
*SERVICE wise: they could use some improvement, the energy was stale, like wierd....
They usually give you tea when you arrive, I didn't get any and every occupied table after me got some. I had asked the server, she was skeptical about giving it to me (her look was apparent), maybe because I had my toddler daughter sitting beside me. Then I asked for to-go containers, she looked at me....and just walked away. I asked for my check, and I had been over-charged.
Overall, I guess the food makes up for the service.....sometimes! -
Review from Tlisa A.
Lihue, HI
1/4/2012 2 photos
as ALWAYS fast service, reasonable prices & service with a smile.
-
Review from tiffany b.
Princeville, HI
9/18/2011
I love Hanamaulu cafe- known for secret recipe fried chicken and shrimps! Groaning up, I would always be delighted to go to a party there or when my mom would order take out for dinner. They are a Japanese restaurant serving other local japanese cuisine (sweet and sour ribs, stir fry, fried noodles, sushi, etc). Sunday nights is there dinner buffet including their specialty dishes, crab legs, a wide array of old school homemade desserts, and more, I think it's still under $20 or around there, but totally worth it. The restaurant also has a few tea rooms for you to reserve and enjoy with company surrounded by beautiful koi ponds and Japanese gardens.
-
Review from Wendy M.
3/14/2011 1 photo
It's been years since I've actually ate at Hanamalu Cafe but that doesn't mean I stopped eating the famous Hanamalu Chicken and Shrimp.
Much have tried and failed in attempts to copy their recipe.
It's just impossible!
I am originally from Oahu but have family in Kapa'a which I visit frequently or vise versa. Compared to Oahu, Kauai doesn't have much but what they do have, that Oahu doesn't, is Hanamalu Cafe's Chicken and Shrimp!
Every trip to Kauai includes a trip to Hanamalu Cafe and The Deli and Bread Connection (which I have yelped in the past). It is both devoured while visiting Kauai and taken on the plane ride home. I also get a special delivery when family and friends visit from Kauai.
Just blogging about it is making my mouth water!
So if you are ever on Kauai, make Hanamalu Cafe (and The Deli and Bread Connection; "Lobster Roll") a must stop on your places to eat.
They're open from 11am - 9pm; Monday - Saturday and closed on Sundays. Call ahead, the times may vary.
I can't review "Hanamalu Cafe" itself but I highly recommend the fried chicken, fried shrimp and Chinese chicken salad. Portions are generous and finger lickin' good! -
Review from Letie W.
3/10/2011
I was hesitant upon reviewing the menu because it looked like every other Chinese/Japanese restaurant menu that I've seen back at home. (appearances are deceiving) Because it was recommended to try the Fried Ginger Chicken and Fried Shrimp, I couldn't back down and had to give it a shot. I wasn't really sure what could be so great about it. I kept thinking it's just Fried Chicken and Fried Shrimp, but once you have a bite, you'll understand why. Although both are lightly fried, they have a nice sweet taste to them (marinade very good!). The chicken and shrimp are not greasy which makes them a PLUS in my book. I'm wishing we ordered entrees of each instead of the lunch box special, but I guess that'll be for another day.
It's next door to Ara's-go there for some fresh poke, tako, abalone, imu, mussels, etc...you get the picture. Very good & lots of variety!
Check out my pics.
http://what2eatz.blogs... -
Review from Michael F.
Chicago, IL
6/8/2011
My wife and I are on our honeymoon, and we found this place via google maps and yelp. Neither of us could be happier with this find.
We called ahead using advice of others to get a table in the Tea Garden (which is absolutely amazing, while small, it is a beautiful site), and in this area it is more traditional seating. Shoes off before you enter, you sit on the floor (there is room for your legs under the table).
Immediately we were brought hot tea and water was waiting. The waitress was extremely helpful, kind and was refilling our water every time it got less then half-way full.
She allowed us to order from the lunch menu, even though we arrived at 7:30pm, and helped us to pick excellent entrees and desserts. This is not a touristy spot, we only saw local's and we were happy for this.
Whether you are a local and are not aware of it, or just visiting like us, I highly recommend you take the time to visit this restaurant and enjoy the excellent food and service. -
Review from S K.
Encino, CA
9/24/2011
Horrible service. Horrible food. Felt sick after eating here.
-
Review from Jana M.
Lawai, HI
7/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Hanamaulu Cafe is a standard for Kauai locals. Many parties and family dinners happen here. They are known for their fried chicken, fried shrimp and chinese chicken salad. This is my family's go to restaurant. On Sundays they have an all you can eat buffet for a pretty good price of $25.95. The buffet doesn't have their famous shrimp or chinese chicken salad, but does have their fried chicken, sushi, snow crab legs, and tempura among other things. Hanamaulu Cafe feels like home.
-
Review from Julie H.
Irvine, CA
7/20/2008
Hanamaulu Cafe was the site for a rather large family reunion - the Cafe being near my great-grandfather's old barber shop and the tiny town of Hanamaulu being home to my grandmother and her siblings way back when.
As there were over sixty guests we had a whole section of the restaurant to ourselves - a large, Japanese-style room with tatami mats and low tables (though the floor was cut-away so you could sit comfortably). The tatami room was adjacent to a koi pond, providing comfortable ambiance away from the regular hustle and bustle of the restaurant.
In true Hawaii fashion we brought our own pupus (appetizers) and coolers, but dinner was provided buffet-style. We dined on fried shrimp, the famous fried chicken, pasta salad, rice, salad, and a few other dishes I lost track of in the eating frenzy. The fried shrimp breading was particularly ono (delicious) and I was not disappointed by the fried chicken - a sweeter, crisper and less-flaky version of the Southern styles one may be used to.
Since we were in our own section of the restaurant with a fixed-meal we weren't bothered by any of the staff, except when they came by to refill water pitchers and clear food away. Overall, Hanamaulu Cafe offers a worthwhile family-style meal in a laid-back atmosphere.Listed in: Kaua'i
-
Review from Michelle L.
Arlington, VA
6/8/2009
I'm so biased towards this place because my grandmother grew up right down the street so we'd frequent this establishment on the regular.
Perhaps Hawaiian food is an acquired taste, specifically food on Kauai. Local food as it's called. But I do love all of their food, especially the fried chicken. I mean, there's no where in the world where you can find something like it.
Not the most glamorous eatery but it's a nice spot to relax and dine, especially in Hanamaulu. Give it a try... I'm sure you'll like it. -
Review from Tricia M.
Honolulu, HI
12/4/2010 1 Check-in Here
if i could describe kauai in three words i'd say: country, family and hanamaulu cafe. we've celebrated countless occasions here, from milestone birthdays to grad parties, and even if there's no occasion (besides us being on kauai) we dine here or get take out.
now here's the three items you need to eat: their famous fried chicken, fried shrimp and yummy chinese chicken salad. def not health food, with a crazy flaky crust and overdose of sodium that local food is known for, but 'onolicious all the same!
on a side note, i never realized they spelled it this way as i think everyone calls it "hanamalu" cafe. they also have private rooms for larger groups and a serene ambiance with koi ponds and japanese garden. i highly recommend it for anyone's tradition on kauai! -
Review from Chi W.
El Cerrito, CA
6/2/2009
Hanamaulu Cafe almost made me cry! Bf was also extra careful here b/c I was sooooooooo disappointed!
We went on a Sunday night which featured the buffett for $21.95. Unfortunately, I've been gorging myself with snacks previously so I didn't think I had the most available stomach for an AYCE place. I checked out the buffett it looked good, nice ambience (koi fishes etc). However, I turned my back and decided to order from the regular menu.
Bad move!
I ordered something that sounded good - catch of the day in teriyaki sauce bento. Instead I got soggy cold overcooked crap of the day, with tiny shrimp tempura made to look bigger with couple inches of batter, and other junk that my mind repressed. My bf got their "famous chicken" which was boring and overbattered and a salad that had more pork skin than lettuce.
I realized that ALL the locals were having the buffet. Lesson learned, NEVER turn down a chance for AYCE! -
Review from Christine T.
Pleasanton, CA
9/27/2007
*5 stars for their house special fried chicken; otherwise, 3.5 stars for the rest of their food...*
I am waiting for the day to return to Kauai... just for their house special fried chicken.....
...But don't tell my DH. He thinks food should not be the main thing to do when traveling... Silly man.Listed in: AaaLOooHAaaa!
-
Review from Pete S.
7/25/2007
On the 4th day we were here, we came here with our relatives. Luckily we were here on Sunday night when they had the buffet for $21.95. If you can eat more than what's showing on the "deluxe dinner" for $19.95, then you SHOULD get the buffet. It's pretty much the same thing. You can park next door in the strip mall area.
What's good:
Their ginger shoyu chicken
Shrimp tempura
Teri beef
What's not good:
Mac salad
awkwardness of the buffet line
the deserts -
Review from Toshi I.
7/28/2009
Ok, first things first, I would highly recommend you make reservations. Otherwise, you will be seated in what I refer to as the overflow (aka boring, lacking ambience) section of the restaurant. If you happen to luck out and end up seated outdoors, more power to you. I didnt get to try the sushi there but it seemed popular and I would check it out next time.
The friend ginger chicken is decent and the food good overall. It's a very popular place with both locals and visitors but bottomline is, for the experience, be sure to get seated outdoors! The gardens and the tearooms really make it worthwhile. -
Review from Nicole W.
1/1/2011
Great family environment! I always feel very welcome here when I visit. Good food, good service, and comforting hot tea. This restaurant may not initially seem wheelchair accessible, however just ask the hostess, and she will show you were the ramp is (through the right side entrance). This place is also excellent for special events, and feature special party rooms.
-
Review from Craig I.
San Francisco, CA
12/6/2006 1 photo
hanamaulu chicken!!
Sunday nights is buffet night. Great poke selection and lomi lomi salmon, potato macaroni salad, teri beef, hanamalu chicken, spareribs, veggie and shrimp tempura, roasted duck, rice and an assortment of desserts.
great atmosphere if you get a chance to sit in the back private japanese style tatami mat, sunken dining table rooms overlooking the koi pond and garden. -
Review from Anthony A.
Redding, CA
3/24/2011
Good PuPu (appetizer) platter. Sushi was amazing, and prices were more than reasonable. Wish I could have tried more off of the menu. The garden and koi pond near the sushi bar is beautiful.
-
Review from Kasey F.
Kapaa, HI
1/29/2010
This place is great if you are having a party, and on Kauai it is one of a few restaurants in that category! My husband and I had our wedding reception here, and so did his parents and his grandparents.......
They are always there to help too if you need extra help with anything. I love dining in the rooms where you sit down traditional Japanese style on a mat really close to the table and your legs go underneath, everyone must take off their shoes. It totally adds to the whole atmosphere of the place : ) My son loves it because he can go play in the little garden where there is a koi pond and stepping stones!
For the food, everyone seems to love the mochiko chicken. I couldn't tell you about the flavor of that because I'm a vegetarian but their vegetarian meal is totally awesome. My favorite part of the plate is the miso soup, tea, and awesome vegetable and tofu tempura, yum! I've heard that some of the meat dishes can get a little salty, but the tempura is the best that I've had and I love the gingery dipping sauce. The green tea ice cream is also sooo ono : ). -
Review from T C.
San Francisco, CA
8/7/2008
not surprised there are only six other reviews as I imagine very few Kauai locals are yelpers (what's Yelp?!) nor is this a spot many yelpers might bother to review.
their fried chicken is a must try. flavored with ginger and a sweet teriyaki batter.
everything else will probably be deemed as average by a foodie if it's not already comfort food to you e.g. brings back childhood memories on Kauai.
Kauai Revealed dropped their Ono rating in their latest addition as they say it's been "slipping."
My cousin works here, so we get the food for free, take-out, so i can't speak to service and atmosphere much. but, again, if you don't like local or Japanese (local-style) food, you probably won't really like or appreciate the menu. E.g. my dad loves the kow yook, which most non-local people would find offensive and gross (artificially colored fatty pork).
Always has been and hopefully always will be a local favorite.
5-stars for the fried chicken and nostalgia factor (there is only one Hanamaulu Cafe!), akin to Hamura's Saimin.
Sunday night buffet (5:00 p.m.) is probably the best deal. -
Review from Robin S.
Kaneohe, HI
10/19/2009
Everything people are writing is true. Service is horrible, food is mediocre, but it's so local. Gotta love it and we go there every time we're on Kauai.
-
Review from esther l.
Anaheim, CA
6/25/2010
what? only 15 reviews on yelp? i'm surprised! we stop by whenever we're on kauai. you can't go wrong with their fried chicken!!
we tried the buffet before, but it was just okay. the 2nd time we went, we opted to order some entrees, since we really just wanted the fried chicken and a few other items.
we're headed back to kauai in a couple weeks. can't wait to stop by here!! -
Review from jocelyn l.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2010
I think this is more of a nostalgic place for locals than a must-eat place. The fried mochiko chicken is pretty good, but not a must-try.
-
Review from Ian G.
Honolulu, HI
8/12/2009
This is going to be short. Go for the buffet , head straight to the snow crab legs, pile it on, scarf, and repeat as necessary.
-
Review from Christine T.
Menlo Park, CA
3/20/2008
The popular "Kauai Revealed" guidebook gave this place an Ono rating, but I was not impressed at all. I ended up getting chicken katsu, which was alright, but not great. Service was not friendly.
-
Review from R S.
San Francisco, CA
4/14/2009
This was just the worst experience ever; I called to confirm their closing time is 8:30. We called again from Hanalei and they said 8:30 but show up by 8:15 for the buffet because they start taking it down at 8:45. That's very typical for a buffet. We rushed over from Hanalei and got there at 8:05. Very non descript exterior. The wife goes in and I see here gesticulating with the waitress. I go in and see the lady behind the bar giving the throat slash sign
This was just the worst experience ever; I called to confirm their closing time is 8:30. We called again from Hanalei and they said 8:30 but show up by 8:15 for the buffet because they start taking it down at 8:45. That's very typical for a buffet. We rushed over from Hanalei and got there at 8:05.
Very non descript exterior. The wife goes in and I see here gesticulating with the waitress. I go in and see the lady behind the bar giving the throat slash sign, I surmise they want us out of there. I reiterate the calls I have made and everyone has a clueless look about them but looking angry at us for daring to patronize their cafe.
The mgr comes out and says the buffet s/b open, she walks to the back and the waitress asks if I want to follow. I note there are only 2 other diners and the motif hasn't been updated or cleaned since the 70's. We get to the back area, sort of a back room, the buffet is a hodge poge collection of bowls dishes, plates racks and stainless servers on an odd collection of tables, not appealing in the least, the mgr is no where to be seen, a lady at the buffet says go ahead, we will til you are done, no problem. I look at food and it looks terrible not much for a buffet and nothing appealing and everything is just about empty. I take a look at the signature fried chicken and it is tiny, greasy and lookin like the Colonel's extra crispy. Then I see the buffet is $22.95. I say, we'll just have a regular dinner; the reply is 'we're closed'. I say why didn't you just tell me you want to go home at 8 and I would have got a good dinner at Hanalei and not drove over here in a rush. Everyone has a diff story here.
Yet another lady comes out the back, I think she's embarrassed by the horrible service, she says the guys shut down the fryers at 8, 'they always do that to us'.
Scorecard:
ambience 0
decor 0
food 0
service -0
Avoid this dive, looks like everyone else is. -
Review from Waynele Y.
Honolulu, HI
12/26/2006
hanamalu chicken is awesome, but don't forget about the shrimp too! this used to be the place my family had parties at. the tatami rooms and fish ponds are are cool. beware of sticking your legs under the table -- the mosquitoes will chew them alive. you're better off sitting cross legged.
-
Review from James L.
Aliso Viejo, CA
12/5/2009
I ate here with my wife and our two friends on our way to the airport. Best sushi, miso soup and chow mein ever. We had no problem sitting in back with the ambiance. When in Kauai, this place is surely a must.
