Best Korean food. Kalbi, never over done. BBQ Chicken is moisture and tasty. Lunch prices are reasonable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Casey Carl
We have been here over a dozen times, it’s our favorite restaurant on the east side. Kimchi stew and spicy katsu are our faves and Leah is the best waitress!!!!
A plus, their starter sides are delicious!
Sometimes the wait is long on the weekends but the serves are so kind and attentive. Love this spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicole Harbottle
I'm born and raised here and have been coming to this restaurant for decades! In the last several years I've noticed the service has improved even though it was really very good prior however, I just have to say the last several times I've been there tecently, the service has been on par with semi-fine dining! The atmosphere is homey and familiar (like I said, born and raised here…) and the food is as scrumptious as ever...broke the mouth!!! Mahalo for our delicious onolicious lunch today!!! 🤙🏽
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Turnip Soup, Meat Jhun, Kalbi Ribs, Spicy Pork and Kalbi, B B Q Spicy Pork, Macaroni Salad, Cabbage Salad, Ramen, B B Q Beef and Mandoo
Griffyn Heels
Incredible, big recommendation
Jaels Kaneakua
Great food. Good prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
D W
Excellent service and outstanding food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Justin S
At Willow Tree in Kailua, the vibe is unpretentious—classic local Korean plate lunch spot, with generous portions and the usual spread of complimentary banchan to start.
I went for the Spicy Chicken Katsu, and it was easily the star of the table. The breading was crisp but not greasy, the chicken tender, and the sauce—sweet, tangy, and packing just the right amount of heat—took the dish beyond your standard plate lunch fare. It’s unique enough to stand out and flavorful enough that I’d recommend it without hesitation.
My wife ordered the Meat Jun and Mul Mandoo. Both were solid, but honestly, a little forgettable. The meat jun leaned on the thinner side, and while not bad, it didn’t carry the depth or richness you hope for in a well-marinated cut. The mandoo were fine—light, chewy, and paired well with the dipping sauce—but nothing that begged for a reorder. Interestingly, she ended up enjoying the free appetizers (banchan) more than her entrées, which says something about the balance of the meal.
Overall: if you’re coming here, make the spicy chicken katsu your move. Everything else is serviceable, but not particularly memorable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Glaspell
Food was excellent, a nice experience. We will return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eric Arasato
Been coming here for 30 years or so!!! Wonderful family owned restaurant with a homey atmosphere. The food is out of this world delicious, and authentic!!! We have to come here everytime I come back to visit the homeland.
This place has been a staple for this Marine since 1995.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cara Galeai
Nearly 17 years of trekking over the H3 to come here and I’d say they still do some of the best sizzling kalbi and banchan on island. Has gotten a bit expensive over the years but always feels worth it.
While I love to see the same aunties/uncle keeping it going (the ones who will greet and say hello), I do have to say the other servers over the past few years are standoffish at best but mostly kind of rude and never fail to make you feel like a nuisance. Additionally, the ambiance has started to sag a bit even for a super no-frills hole-in-the-wall type of place. I don’t think it needs a crazy redo, just think clearing out all the office supplies/random stuff on the front tables could free up some chi in the space.
Would never argue against the food quality or the kindness of the owners/long-time staff but hope they can find a refresh in their wait staff and revival of the interior sometime in the near future.
Cara Clayton
We had the 3 combo lunch plate with bulgogi, dumplings, and japchae. It was delicious! We are only here on vacation but would definitely return if we lived here.
Brianna Adkins
My husband and I got the meat jhun and chicken katsu and they were both Phenomenal. The meat jhun here is the best I have ever had, it's perfectly seasoned and sliced perfectly too.
Anthony Stone
This place does have a bit of a wait, if your wanting to dine in. It's a small restaurant and only sits a few tables. The dishes were amazingly fresh. I would definitely give this place another try. The food was amazing
Delicious and affordable!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best Korean food. Kalbi, never over done. BBQ Chicken is moisture and tasty. Lunch prices are reasonable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We have been here over a dozen times, it’s our favorite restaurant on the east side. Kimchi stew and spicy katsu are our faves and Leah is the best waitress!!!!
A plus, their starter sides are delicious!
Sometimes the wait is long on the weekends but the serves are so kind and attentive. Love this spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I'm born and raised here and have been coming to this restaurant for decades! In the last several years I've noticed the service has improved even though it was really very good prior however, I just have to say the last several times I've been there tecently, the service has been on par with semi-fine dining! The atmosphere is homey and familiar (like I said, born and raised here…) and the food is as scrumptious as ever...broke the mouth!!! Mahalo for our delicious onolicious lunch today!!! 🤙🏽
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Turnip Soup, Meat Jhun, Kalbi Ribs, Spicy Pork and Kalbi, B B Q Spicy Pork, Macaroni Salad, Cabbage Salad, Ramen, B B Q Beef and Mandoo
Incredible, big recommendation
Great food. Good prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent service and outstanding food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
At Willow Tree in Kailua, the vibe is unpretentious—classic local Korean plate lunch spot, with generous portions and the usual spread of complimentary banchan to start.
I went for the Spicy Chicken Katsu, and it was easily the star of the table. The breading was crisp but not greasy, the chicken tender, and the sauce—sweet, tangy, and packing just the right amount of heat—took the dish beyond your standard plate lunch fare. It’s unique enough to stand out and flavorful enough that I’d recommend it without hesitation.
My wife ordered the Meat Jun and Mul Mandoo. Both were solid, but honestly, a little forgettable. The meat jun leaned on the thinner side, and while not bad, it didn’t carry the depth or richness you hope for in a well-marinated cut. The mandoo were fine—light, chewy, and paired well with the dipping sauce—but nothing that begged for a reorder. Interestingly, she ended up enjoying the free appetizers (banchan) more than her entrées, which says something about the balance of the meal.
Overall: if you’re coming here, make the spicy chicken katsu your move. Everything else is serviceable, but not particularly memorable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was excellent, a nice experience. We will return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Been coming here for 30 years or so!!! Wonderful family owned restaurant with a homey atmosphere. The food is out of this world delicious, and authentic!!! We have to come here everytime I come back to visit the homeland.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This place has been a staple for this Marine since 1995.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nearly 17 years of trekking over the H3 to come here and I’d say they still do some of the best sizzling kalbi and banchan on island. Has gotten a bit expensive over the years but always feels worth it.
While I love to see the same aunties/uncle keeping it going (the ones who will greet and say hello), I do have to say the other servers over the past few years are standoffish at best but mostly kind of rude and never fail to make you feel like a nuisance. Additionally, the ambiance has started to sag a bit even for a super no-frills hole-in-the-wall type of place. I don’t think it needs a crazy redo, just think clearing out all the office supplies/random stuff on the front tables could free up some chi in the space.
Would never argue against the food quality or the kindness of the owners/long-time staff but hope they can find a refresh in their wait staff and revival of the interior sometime in the near future.
We had the 3 combo lunch plate with bulgogi, dumplings, and japchae. It was delicious! We are only here on vacation but would definitely return if we lived here.
My husband and I got the meat jhun and chicken katsu and they were both Phenomenal. The meat jhun here is the best I have ever had, it's perfectly seasoned and sliced perfectly too.
This place does have a bit of a wait, if your wanting to dine in. It's a small restaurant and only sits a few tables. The dishes were amazingly fresh. I would definitely give this place another try. The food was amazing
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