Honolulu

Honolulu is one of the more solid places at Lexington Market. I typically bring my friends here and have them get the fried fish platter. If you come during lunch prime hours, the fish is fresh and flaky and the batter has a great crunch and flavor to it. They make their own tartar and cocktail sauce and have some great sides. I usually get their Korean cucumbers and green beans. Also, they just started serving ginger tea which is made from real ginger. You can really taste the kick of the fresh ginger. Great for a cold day. Definitely my go to place at The Market for when I’m in a seafood mood.

I haven’t tried the food yet, but Honolulu makes an awesome hot ginger tea. The owner was explaining to me that he starts with fresh ginger root every day. He uses a cold press juicer (also known as a slow juicer) to extract a concentrated ginger juice, which he mixes with hot water when he makes your drink. It’s a very strong, very gingery drink that doesn’t need any sweetener. He can make it hot or cold. What a great find!

There’s more the urban neighborhood heart & feel of Kalihi or Lower Makiki than the bougie pizazz of Waikiki at this Honolulu. And not one Hilo Hattie hat to be found. As a simple food counter inhabiting Lexington Market’s Arcade, this humble atmosphere’s standard. It’s fare more Asian-​style than Hawai‘ian-style. No poi nor haupia gracing the menu. By keeping mindful of City of Honolulu’s 54.8% Asian population, I avoided decrying «subterfuge».
Their Hawai‘ian Fish Platter gave a good dose of firm baked fish adorned by onion and red & green pepper. Fried fish an option. My side choice of noodles — also complimented by red & green pepper — came off gummy & slightly sticky. Hints of sweet soy sauce? My second side of white rice wasn’t as sticky as preferred. Peas and cubed carrots attempted to liven things up. Not mind-​blowing, but not disappointing. At $ 5.00 portions certainly generous.
On the whole my meal didn’t register raucous raves on the ‘onolicious meter, but it still gave me enough solidity to satiate and satisfy despite my being bummed by not finding fare of a more kanaka maoli nature for kaukau time.