Island Manapua Factory Manoa

It’s upsetting to have to post this review because I normally try to support all small, family-owned businesses, but this needs to be said: Straight-up worset Chinese food / dim sum ever. 💔 I NEVER waste food but I actually threw most of what I ordered away. So sad. Noodles swimming in oil. Overly salty manapua. Pitiful excuse of a salad with just lettuce, some shriveled chicken and won ton chips thrown on top, too-sweet dressing. Saving grace was the friendly gal taking orders and payments, but since she was the only one taking orders, I had to wait an additional time for the food; inefficient ordering system. Wish them the best of luck but honestly I will never buy food from here again. 😢

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 2

Love this local shop! They go above and beyond with their service. It was packed when I went in and the awesome dishwasher named Uncle Steve came out to help me with my order. He was quick to get my order and was really nice. Shoutout to Steve!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Oh my Manapua!!!!!!!!! Fresh !!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Picked up three manapua, nine pork hash, and three half moon. They put it all in one lunch bag sized paper bag, and put the half moon uncovered on the bottom. Went home to find all the half moon crumbled to pieces, and the pork hash were more like pork smash. Really went down hill.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

Just went and picked up some Managua, pork hash, and half moon only to open the box to cold food and also their quality of food went way down hill. Sadly this used to be one of my go to spots and now I may not return here anymore. ?

Food: 1

Parking: Shopping center doesn't have enough parking during portions of the day, making it hard to get in and out quickly.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Baked Manapua Char Siu Bao, Pork Hash, Baked Char Siu Manapua

They use to have the best hot dog manapua. They changed the hot dog from Oscar Meyer to Redondos. Taste is wrong.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Haven’t had problems in the past, but I came by this morning thinking I would get fresh Manapua and was extremely disappointed. Was not given items even at room temp, but walked out with COLD manapua and half moon. The guys at the counter were acting weird so I should’ve known. Myself and my friend felt sick after eating them and they were not enjoyable. I know preferential treatment is common but at least don’t put the customers you don’t care about at risk for food poisoning.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

This place is an anti-ad for Chinese food. Not recommended. Worst Chinese food ever. Never buy from them!

Amazing food, prices are such a great deal

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Definitely off the beaten path for most visitors. This is strictly a takeout place. We only tried the dim sum--for 3 days in a row! Great food to take on the plane. The chopsuey cake was different, with a thicker crust than before, but still pretty good. The Mochi or Yip Chai filled with pork, black sugar or coconut was good. We didn't try the coconut, and the mochi would get dried out by late afternoon, but for a morning snack it was so soft and tender. The baked char siu manapua are like large island-style bao with buns that are sweet like Portugese sweet bread--think King's Hawaiian. The peking duck manapua are okay. Don't taste much like peking duck, but the peking duck buns are pretty good. They also have pork belly buns that looks pretty good. Island Manapua has a wide variety of both baked and steamed manapua with all kinds of fillings. Of course, the later you go, the narrower the choices as things sell out. I explained to the lady serving me that although we have very good dim sum in the Los Angeles area, we can't get the same things that Island Manapua has to offer. This is a really good place for those of us who grew up on the food from Char Hung Sut. It's not the same, but reminiscent. And for those coming from the Mainland, the food is not the same as San Gabriel Valley, or New York City, but if you keep and open mind, you might find something new that you like. They also have a huge variety of warm dishes that they make up fresh, but we didn't try them.

Their manapua is really just ok. My favourite is somewhere else but this place is close to my house and that's the only one reason I buy manapua there. April 2023,now both steamed and baked manapua is $2.75 with an exception.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 2

Best chow fun with so much charsiu all over the top! Spicy eggplant/chicken is also yummy!

Hands down, the best Manapua I have ever eaten. The taste is out of this world. The shrimp dumpling is to die for. The Fried chicken is really good too. I went at a really good time and the food was bomb. Chinese food at its finest. Btw little tip try the minute chicken cake noodle?. Good for back to school cheap eats!

Years ago, this was one of my favorite stops in Honolulu. Then, they went through a period when things were not so good. Decided to give them another try. It's a lot more convenient than Chinatown. We tried the dim sum, and thought that the manapua, mah tai soo, and yip chai were pretty good. The peking duck manapua was not so good. So, it's a qualified approval, in that it depends upon what you're looking for. I would go back for some of the items.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 5