There are a ton of amazing options in Waikiki for dining, and what I genuinely love about Hawaii is that they offer an impressive and diverse variety of delicious Japanese cuisine.

After spending a wonderful and exciting week in Waikiki, these are the outstanding places I enjoyed and definitely think are worth a visit for anyone traveling in the area.

1. Momosan Ramen

2490 Kalākaua Avenue (map)

Not only was this my favorite spot, but it was also my husband’s favorite as well. We loved it so much that we actually decided to visit twice during our stay. Our first visit was during their happy hour, and we returned another time for a more relaxed dinner experience. If you’re a fan of ramen, this place certainly does not disappoint in any way.

The atmosphere was both casual and inviting, with a lovely choice between sitting indoors or enjoying the outdoor area. We particularly enjoyed the tropical outdoor space and chose to sit outside both times we visited. During their happy hour, we ordered a delectable selection of sushi rolls, savory ramen, and a refreshing frozen draft beer.

As someone who is very picky about the rice on sushi, I can confidently say that theirs was absolutely fantastic. The ramen broth was incredibly rich in flavor, and the noodles were cooked to al dente perfection, adding to the overall delightful dining experience.

2. Monkeypod Kitchen

2169 Kalia Road, Unit #111 (map)

A friend had enthusiastically suggested this restaurant and insisted that we should not miss out on their renowned Mai Tais. We were fortunate enough to snag a table with a breathtaking ocean view and truly loved the restaurant's vibrant tropical decor and its chill vibes.

One of the most popular drinks in Hawaii is undoubtedly the Mai Tai, and I can confidently say that Monkeypod Kitchen’s Signature Mai Tai did not disappoint in any way. All of the ingredients in this delightful drink are house-made, and my favorite part was the honey-lilikoi foam. This foam is crafted from a combination of honey and luscious passion fruit, which added just the right touch of sweetness to the cocktail.

I enjoyed the unique texture of this foam as it was both creamy and surprisingly light. My husband and I both chose seafood dishes that were a bit pricey but were to be expected in such a prime location. I relished my fresh local fish tacos, but what I really savored were the sesame-flavored greens served alongside my husband’s seared Ahi steak dish.

3. Premium Matcha Cafe Maiko

Kūhiō Avenue #143 (map)

For all things matcha, you must visit Premium Matcha Cafe Maiko. The impressive variety and diversity of matcha-flavored items available here is truly remarkable: soft serves, lattes, parfaits, frappés, floats, shaved ice, and numerous other delicious treats.

It’s a matcha lover’s dream destination that caters to every preference. What I love most about this cafe is that it’s not overwhelmingly sweet; instead, the rich matcha flavor is strong and pronounced without crossing over into bitterness.

Although there really isn’t a dedicated space to sit inside, and it functions more like a walk-up-and-order type of cafe, rest assured you’ll easily find a spot nearby to sit down and fully enjoy your delightful matcha experience.

4. Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck

458 Keawe St, Floor 2 (map)

The food truck scene in Hawaii is super popular and some of the best foods on the island are found here. Every time I searched for “best food trucks in Oahu”, the first thing that popped up almost every single time was Giovanni’s Food Truck.

I love shrimp, so I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to try one of their famous garlic plates. I ordered the popular Shrimp Scampi plate and it was a whopping $15.00 plus tax. I was a little shocked at the price for a food truck dish, but it was worth the experience.

5. Musubi Cafe

2427 Kūhiō Avenue (map)

I grew up eating rice balls, a beloved dish in my culture, but it’s not something you can easily find in many Western cultures. Well, you can find them, but it’s usually not the same quality or flavor. Musubi Cafe stood out to me because they are the only establishment in the area that specializes exclusively in rice balls, and they use koshihikari Japanese rice, which makes a significant difference in taste and texture.

Koshihikari is a premium short-grain rice known for its slightly sweet flavor and impressively soft texture. All the rice balls at Musubi Cafe are lovingly handmade, and they offer a wide variety of different flavors that cater to different tastes. If you are planning to head to one of the beautiful beaches for the day and need to pack a light, delicious lunch, rice balls are truly the perfect choice.

6. TsuruTonTan

2233 Kalākaua Ave, B310 (map)

Udon is my favorite comfort food, and during my last visit to Hawaii, I went to the popular Marugame Udon, which is known for its amazing offerings. However, the lines are always notoriously long. So this time, I decided to explore a different udon restaurant option.

TsuruTonTan is renowned for its impressive serving of home-made udon in remarkably large bowls. They certainly weren’t kidding. My bowl was humongous and filled with delicious noodles. We visited during their happy hour, which is a fantastic time when they offer a secret menu featuring dishes at discounted prices—a helpful tip I stumbled upon on their Instagram page.

I thoroughly enjoyed my udon noodles; however, I found the tempura to be rather subpar. If you’re considering where to dine and the lines aren’t long at Marugame Udon, I would suggest choosing that option instead, as their tempura is far superior.

7. Royal Hawaiian Bakery

2259 Kalākaua Avenue (map)

This bakery is located inside the historic Royal Hawaiian Resort and its iconic pink exterior is super cute and picturesque. The bakery offers a variety of dishes in pink and I really wanted to try their pink pancakes, but I arrived a tad too late as their kitchen closes by noon.

Even though I missed out on the pink pancakes, I was glad I stopped by because the hotel itself was such a delight to walk around and sit down to soak in the views. It’s so breathtaking here and all the pink just made me smile. I would love to book a stay here someday.

From the delicious bowls of ramen at Momosan Ramen to the expertly crafted Mai Tai at Monkeypod Kitchen, these are just a few of the dining establishments I had the pleasure of enjoying during my time in Waikiki. Each of these locations offer delightful culinary options that I wholeheartedly believe are worth a visit for anyone visiting the area.

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