I grown up in Hong Kong and this is my favorite Hong Kong style cafe in Hawaii. Best Hong Kong style milk tea, beef brisket noodles, won ton...basically everything is good.
Jennifer Lin
Hong Kong style Milk tea for breakfast and teatime is the main reason to come here. All dishes are good too. Salt and pepper chicken wings is my must
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Dub C.
The OG cha Chaan teng place in Hawaii !If your Chinese and you lived around the area I can guarantee you eaten here, your parents eaten here, and your grandparents eaten here.With all the new ones popping up in Honolulu and how expensive they are they don't got s on kukui cafe. Only drawback is it gets really busy and they don't have much seating. My go to here is jing wonton , bacon egg sandwich , and hot milk tea or persevered lemon drink (haam ling chut). Runs me about $20. Good wok hey here for wok made stuff.
Scott P. Hu
This little “hole-in-the-wall” I’ve been coming to for years, possibly decades, but I haven’t been since new ownership took over. I was hesitant because the previous owners I’ve gotten to know over the years and they put so much effort into their food… I’m happy to report that the food is just as good!I ordered the soup noodles with pork and pickled vegetables and it was like I remembered. The soup base was delicious and the noodles cooked perfectly. I also order the salt & pepper chicken wings for good measure and those were great too!If you have a craving for HK-style cafe food, this is the spot to visit!
Recommended dishes: Pepper and Salt Chicken Wings
Scott H.
This little "hole-in-the-wall" I've been coming to for years, possibly decades, but I haven't been since new ownership took over. I was hesitant because the previous owners I've gotten to know over the years and they put so much effort into their food... I'm happy to report that the food is just as good! I ordered the soup noodles with pork and pickled vegetables and it was like I remembered. The soup base was delicious and the noodles cooked perfectly. I also order the salt & pepper chicken wings for good measure and those were great too! If you have a craving for HK-style cafe food, this is the spot to visit!
Angel H.
My parents used to frequent this place before the pandemic. My dad loves the milk tea. I personally have never been here until this past week. Auntie Nadine suggested we come here after stopping by Lemon Supply. Irene and Donna also came along. Thanks Auntie for taking us here.It's a hole in the wall take out place. They do have a few tables, but it's small. Mostly everyone that came in spoke Cantonese. If you're looking for authentic Chinese food this place is it.They're known for their drinks, especially the milk tea. Since we just came from Lemon Supply, we didn't get any. I ended up getting the wonton mein. The wontons were really good. They were big and filled with pork and a piece of shrimp. I was a little disappointed that they didn't use the HK type of skinny noodles. It was the regular Sun noodles that everyone serves. I ate it with red vinegar and it was perfect. They serve it with bok choy, but I prefer choy sum.They only accept cash, so bring money!
Nadine C.
Lunch in Honolulu, Hawaii...Because metered street parking is free on Sundays, my friends and I went to Kukui Cafe in Chinatown this past Sunday. Located at the end of Cultural Plaza, on the corner of Kukui Street and the Waolani Stream (also known as "the canal"), I've passed by Kukui Cafe so many times, but have never gone inside.Donna said her friend really likes the Hong Kong Style cuisine at this cozy hole-in-the-wall. Angel said her parents dine here a lot. Must be good, right?When we got there, every table was taken. We waited for a family to leave and took their spot. Service was quick and Angel helped by speaking Cantonese to our server. She asked for the Red Vinegar condiment for all of us.I ordered #40: Sze Chuan Pickle with pork Rice Noodles in soup. It was perfect for an overcast, drizzly day. The pork was tender and the pickles added a nice flavored texture. Red vinegar was a plus on the noodles!I kept looking at Angel's wonton min. That's one of my favorite dishes. So - I went back a few days later to get it! Yum! There was a shrimp in each dumpling! The noodles were nice and chewy! The broth was still steaming when I finished my meal!Bonus: I was able to ask for the Red vinegar in English. I failed when they told me my check amount in Cantonese. I should have known that number!Anyway, I sure would return for more Hong Kong cuisine!
Irene M.
Brunch with my besties is always a fun adventure!Here we go to Kukui Cafe...!? It's at the farthest corner end of Chinatown Cultural Plaza as it doesn't even seem it's part of that building which I've probably passed before but haven't noticed it as the signage is quite small and faded but those who know knows it's the place to go.I believe it was Donna who had suggested here so along with Angel and Nadine I happily tagged along for the adventure as I've never been here before but was so excited to see what they have to offer.This is quite small because as we got there we were lucky enough that some folks were leaving but had to wait outside in order for them to have room to leave, and this cozy place has about five tables that aren't socially distanced for those that may hope for but we all sat and didn't mind that at all.Let me tell you it's definitely different in an interesting way...first of all they do offer the traditional local breakfast of rice, eggs and meat..."Sandwiches" like Butter Toast, BLT, Deep Fried French Toast along with traditional dishes using Rice Noodles, Funn, Macaroni, Mein or Spaghetti. Hong Kong style dishes is very new to me and was just fascinated with the familiar items with a slight twist is fun.Ladies ordered the Sze churn Pickle with Pork Rice Noodles in Soup which look like a stir fry noodle soup, loaded with veggies this hearty dish looked so yummy! Also Won Ton Mein in Soup was in my radar but thanks to Angel my translator savior asked an sadly has shrimp in them so here I go to plan B. I really wanted to try something different but kept it familiar so I got the Beef with Vegetable Chow Funn which usually comes with Choi Sum which they were out of and offered Bok Choy instead...not a problem as it was still perfectly yummy! The gravy was not salty just the right amount of flavor though food coma was approaching me fast!This adorable little nook keeps this corner of Chinatown Cultural Plaza quite busy but I'm so impressed with the friendliest staff food came out hot and fast and we enjoyed our Sunday among besties is the something I look forward to as we do have "Brunches" of fun!Thank you!
Kylee H.
Typical HongKong cafe style food. The owner is really nice and the food is always good here. They do have limited seating so I usually order takeout. Had been coming here since High school. Always good price and good food.
Nick H.
It was so good . Best wings and fried rice and I get the hot noodle soup with stew beef and choy sum! Friendly workers.
Fast and Friendly Services. They bring your order to your car in front of the restaurant on the side street. Food Portions are huge and delicious.
M V
This is a small little hidden gem of a cafe that offers authentic foods and drinks of Hong Kong. Nothing fancy, a super casual & authentic. Been here three times (from out of state). If you like wonton, they offer authentic won ton in their homemade bone broth soup w/baby boy choy; along with beef stew in soup w/noodles (to name a few) both delish! Also got some of their drinks, really good. Breakfast and breakfast sandwiches are great (crustless) and yummy too! Very reasonably priced menu.High recommend if you in the Chinatown area (located at the cultural plaza)
Kelly D.
I had a last minute work potluck and I was yelping for a bunch of places the night before to find out which restaurant would open early enough for me to do a phone order and pick up on my way to work. Kukui Cafe was in my top 3 and because they opened at 7 AM and were 10 minutes away from work, it was the perfect match. I haven't been here in over 10 years??? So I was a bit iffy if the flavor was as good as I remembered but I decided to take the chance and call them the next morning. I remember my favorite being the Shredded Pork Crispy Noodles so that was going to be my potluck dish. They made my order in a timely manner and even packed the sauce and noodles separately so my noods would stay crispy! Once it was potluck time, everyone loved the dish! They were just as good as I remembered and definitely brought back some middle school memories. I think I found my go-to "last minute" morning take out. I definitely would like to try out their other menu items like their Red Bean Shaved Icejjj
Andy F.
Kukui Cafe has been at the far end of Chinatown Cultural Plaza, along Kukui Street for decades! You wouldn't think that place is one of the long-standing restaurants there, but it is. I have a couple of friends who used to frequent there as a kid, and still go from time to time. This place was the original Hong Kong Style Cafe in the Chinatown Cultural Plaza. I've never had a relationship with Kukui Cafe in my entire life. I know I've been there 2 or 3 times. Once or twice with my grandpa, and one or twice with my boss. I don't remember the food at all though. So let's revisit! As mentioned, Kukui Cafe is a part of Chinatown Cultural Plaza, so you can park in the garage and get the validation rates. Being that it's right along Kukui St., you can opt for metered parking, or a quick run in to pick up take out. It's a very small place with about 4-5 tables that's not quite socially distanced, but no one seemed to mind as it was quite busy. You can also place your order online, but it comes with a small 99 cent surcharge if you don't want to wait or don't know how to make phone calls. You need to press 808 now.. This place is quite similar to Sandy's Cafe as it offers the usual Hong Kong Style cafe fare, such as toast, simple sandwiches, iced coffee and milk tea, macaroni, pork chop with rice, and etc. I ordered a Beef Brisket Lo Mein. The taste was spot on. The beef brisket had a decent amount of beef tendon mixed in. Both brisket and tendon were tender, tasty, and had excellent flavors. The noodles were thin and good, but it needed to be warmed up and it also needed more sauce. I probably should have waited longer to eat it because the noodles were still on the dry and tough side even after mixing everything around. It was hard to mix because some of the noodles were hard to untangle and loosen. Near the end of the meal, the noodles finally softened up and were able to soak in the amazing sauce, and I did get what I was expecting. Next time I need to request for more sauce and be less dry. Overall, it was a decent lunch. The lack of sauce causing the drier noodles was disappointing, but the taste and flavors were very spot on and delicious. I'll definitely order that again--with more sauce! The staff here were friendly and courteous. It was a nice reintroduction to Kukui Cafe. Hope to get to know more! Food must be good if this place has been here for multiple decades.
Jason C.
Love this place. They have a small menu, but for a guy who missed HK style breakfast, it's the real deal. The workers are friendly and helpful, and the food is authentic.
I grown up in Hong Kong and this is my favorite Hong Kong style cafe in Hawaii. Best Hong Kong style milk tea, beef brisket noodles, won ton...basically everything is good.
Hong Kong style Milk tea for breakfast and teatime is the main reason to come here. All dishes are good too. Salt and pepper chicken wings is my must
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
The OG cha Chaan teng place in Hawaii !If your Chinese and you lived around the area I can guarantee you eaten here, your parents eaten here, and your grandparents eaten here.With all the new ones popping up in Honolulu and how expensive they are they don't got s on kukui cafe. Only drawback is it gets really busy and they don't have much seating. My go to here is jing wonton , bacon egg sandwich , and hot milk tea or persevered lemon drink (haam ling chut). Runs me about $20. Good wok hey here for wok made stuff.
This little “hole-in-the-wall” I’ve been coming to for years, possibly decades, but I haven’t been since new ownership took over. I was hesitant because the previous owners I’ve gotten to know over the years and they put so much effort into their food… I’m happy to report that the food is just as good!I ordered the soup noodles with pork and pickled vegetables and it was like I remembered. The soup base was delicious and the noodles cooked perfectly. I also order the salt & pepper chicken wings for good measure and those were great too!If you have a craving for HK-style cafe food, this is the spot to visit!
Recommended dishes: Pepper and Salt Chicken Wings
This little "hole-in-the-wall" I've been coming to for years, possibly decades, but I haven't been since new ownership took over. I was hesitant because the previous owners I've gotten to know over the years and they put so much effort into their food... I'm happy to report that the food is just as good! I ordered the soup noodles with pork and pickled vegetables and it was like I remembered. The soup base was delicious and the noodles cooked perfectly. I also order the salt & pepper chicken wings for good measure and those were great too! If you have a craving for HK-style cafe food, this is the spot to visit!
My parents used to frequent this place before the pandemic. My dad loves the milk tea. I personally have never been here until this past week. Auntie Nadine suggested we come here after stopping by Lemon Supply. Irene and Donna also came along. Thanks Auntie for taking us here.It's a hole in the wall take out place. They do have a few tables, but it's small. Mostly everyone that came in spoke Cantonese. If you're looking for authentic Chinese food this place is it.They're known for their drinks, especially the milk tea. Since we just came from Lemon Supply, we didn't get any. I ended up getting the wonton mein. The wontons were really good. They were big and filled with pork and a piece of shrimp. I was a little disappointed that they didn't use the HK type of skinny noodles. It was the regular Sun noodles that everyone serves. I ate it with red vinegar and it was perfect. They serve it with bok choy, but I prefer choy sum.They only accept cash, so bring money!
Lunch in Honolulu, Hawaii...Because metered street parking is free on Sundays, my friends and I went to Kukui Cafe in Chinatown this past Sunday. Located at the end of Cultural Plaza, on the corner of Kukui Street and the Waolani Stream (also known as "the canal"), I've passed by Kukui Cafe so many times, but have never gone inside.Donna said her friend really likes the Hong Kong Style cuisine at this cozy hole-in-the-wall. Angel said her parents dine here a lot. Must be good, right?When we got there, every table was taken. We waited for a family to leave and took their spot. Service was quick and Angel helped by speaking Cantonese to our server. She asked for the Red Vinegar condiment for all of us.I ordered #40: Sze Chuan Pickle with pork Rice Noodles in soup. It was perfect for an overcast, drizzly day. The pork was tender and the pickles added a nice flavored texture. Red vinegar was a plus on the noodles!I kept looking at Angel's wonton min. That's one of my favorite dishes. So - I went back a few days later to get it! Yum! There was a shrimp in each dumpling! The noodles were nice and chewy! The broth was still steaming when I finished my meal!Bonus: I was able to ask for the Red vinegar in English. I failed when they told me my check amount in Cantonese. I should have known that number!Anyway, I sure would return for more Hong Kong cuisine!
Brunch with my besties is always a fun adventure!Here we go to Kukui Cafe...!? It's at the farthest corner end of Chinatown Cultural Plaza as it doesn't even seem it's part of that building which I've probably passed before but haven't noticed it as the signage is quite small and faded but those who know knows it's the place to go.I believe it was Donna who had suggested here so along with Angel and Nadine I happily tagged along for the adventure as I've never been here before but was so excited to see what they have to offer.This is quite small because as we got there we were lucky enough that some folks were leaving but had to wait outside in order for them to have room to leave, and this cozy place has about five tables that aren't socially distanced for those that may hope for but we all sat and didn't mind that at all.Let me tell you it's definitely different in an interesting way...first of all they do offer the traditional local breakfast of rice, eggs and meat..."Sandwiches" like Butter Toast, BLT, Deep Fried French Toast along with traditional dishes using Rice Noodles, Funn, Macaroni, Mein or Spaghetti. Hong Kong style dishes is very new to me and was just fascinated with the familiar items with a slight twist is fun.Ladies ordered the Sze churn Pickle with Pork Rice Noodles in Soup which look like a stir fry noodle soup, loaded with veggies this hearty dish looked so yummy! Also Won Ton Mein in Soup was in my radar but thanks to Angel my translator savior asked an sadly has shrimp in them so here I go to plan B. I really wanted to try something different but kept it familiar so I got the Beef with Vegetable Chow Funn which usually comes with Choi Sum which they were out of and offered Bok Choy instead...not a problem as it was still perfectly yummy! The gravy was not salty just the right amount of flavor though food coma was approaching me fast!This adorable little nook keeps this corner of Chinatown Cultural Plaza quite busy but I'm so impressed with the friendliest staff food came out hot and fast and we enjoyed our Sunday among besties is the something I look forward to as we do have "Brunches" of fun!Thank you!
Typical HongKong cafe style food. The owner is really nice and the food is always good here. They do have limited seating so I usually order takeout. Had been coming here since High school. Always good price and good food.
It was so good . Best wings and fried rice and I get the hot noodle soup with stew beef and choy sum! Friendly workers.
Restaurantji Recommends
Fast and Friendly Services. They bring your order to your car in front of the restaurant on the side street. Food Portions are huge and delicious.
This is a small little hidden gem of a cafe that offers authentic foods and drinks of Hong Kong. Nothing fancy, a super casual & authentic. Been here three times (from out of state). If you like wonton, they offer authentic won ton in their homemade bone broth soup w/baby boy choy; along with beef stew in soup w/noodles (to name a few) both delish! Also got some of their drinks, really good. Breakfast and breakfast sandwiches are great (crustless) and yummy too! Very reasonably priced menu.High recommend if you in the Chinatown area (located at the cultural plaza)
I had a last minute work potluck and I was yelping for a bunch of places the night before to find out which restaurant would open early enough for me to do a phone order and pick up on my way to work. Kukui Cafe was in my top 3 and because they opened at 7 AM and were 10 minutes away from work, it was the perfect match. I haven't been here in over 10 years??? So I was a bit iffy if the flavor was as good as I remembered but I decided to take the chance and call them the next morning. I remember my favorite being the Shredded Pork Crispy Noodles so that was going to be my potluck dish. They made my order in a timely manner and even packed the sauce and noodles separately so my noods would stay crispy! Once it was potluck time, everyone loved the dish! They were just as good as I remembered and definitely brought back some middle school memories. I think I found my go-to "last minute" morning take out. I definitely would like to try out their other menu items like their Red Bean Shaved Icejjj
Kukui Cafe has been at the far end of Chinatown Cultural Plaza, along Kukui Street for decades! You wouldn't think that place is one of the long-standing restaurants there, but it is. I have a couple of friends who used to frequent there as a kid, and still go from time to time. This place was the original Hong Kong Style Cafe in the Chinatown Cultural Plaza. I've never had a relationship with Kukui Cafe in my entire life. I know I've been there 2 or 3 times. Once or twice with my grandpa, and one or twice with my boss. I don't remember the food at all though. So let's revisit! As mentioned, Kukui Cafe is a part of Chinatown Cultural Plaza, so you can park in the garage and get the validation rates. Being that it's right along Kukui St., you can opt for metered parking, or a quick run in to pick up take out. It's a very small place with about 4-5 tables that's not quite socially distanced, but no one seemed to mind as it was quite busy. You can also place your order online, but it comes with a small 99 cent surcharge if you don't want to wait or don't know how to make phone calls. You need to press 808 now.. This place is quite similar to Sandy's Cafe as it offers the usual Hong Kong Style cafe fare, such as toast, simple sandwiches, iced coffee and milk tea, macaroni, pork chop with rice, and etc. I ordered a Beef Brisket Lo Mein. The taste was spot on. The beef brisket had a decent amount of beef tendon mixed in. Both brisket and tendon were tender, tasty, and had excellent flavors. The noodles were thin and good, but it needed to be warmed up and it also needed more sauce. I probably should have waited longer to eat it because the noodles were still on the dry and tough side even after mixing everything around. It was hard to mix because some of the noodles were hard to untangle and loosen. Near the end of the meal, the noodles finally softened up and were able to soak in the amazing sauce, and I did get what I was expecting. Next time I need to request for more sauce and be less dry. Overall, it was a decent lunch. The lack of sauce causing the drier noodles was disappointing, but the taste and flavors were very spot on and delicious. I'll definitely order that again--with more sauce! The staff here were friendly and courteous. It was a nice reintroduction to Kukui Cafe. Hope to get to know more! Food must be good if this place has been here for multiple decades.
Love this place. They have a small menu, but for a guy who missed HK style breakfast, it's the real deal. The workers are friendly and helpful, and the food is authentic.