Island Manapua Factory

Im not impressed ‚. First thing in the morning i buy a dozen,.and i noticed i get manapuas from the day before. I knew then they had no fresh ones made! the taste was ok, i rather eat 7 – 11 Manapuas.
NEVER AGAIN!
Y did Libbys have to be closed!

I love the ham and cheese Manapua. It’s like the ham and cheese hot pocket in a steamed Manapua bun.
They don’t make it often, or sell out before six am.
They close really early, but sometimes forget to turn off the
open sign. If it’s past 3pm, don’t bother stopping in. Even if the sign says open, someone will tell you in coarse engrish, «close. No. All done. Leave»
It doesn’t matter, I just go in the morning now.
The pizza Manapua is also good. They do the standard char siu well.

Went in here around 7:30am yesterday to buy a snack before I took the bus for school. I was rushing but I knew what I wanted so I pointed to the 2-​pack of almond cookies in the display but the woman at the counter grabbed a pack from a small plastic bin on the table next to the display. Weird, but whatever, I didn’t have time to ask why she gave me that pack instead of the one from the display because the bus comes at 7:40 so I just threw it in my lunch bag and ran to the bus stop.
When I get to my break at school, I inspect the cookies and see that there were bugs (looks like ants because they were small but some of them had wings)! DISGUSTING. Then I notice there’s two small holes near the top of the package? Pretty sure that lady gave me cookies they were going to throw out anyways but still wanted to make a profit.
Disappointing and most importantly, gross.

Such good Manapua, loved it. Lady was sweet.

Its 545am. But their clock says its 518am. Not open till 530am. Me and three other stay waiting, one came and left… FAIL!

If U want some good «lup chong» manapua (steamed or baked — I like the steamed better Bcuz the bakes is a bit sweet) this is the place 2 go! And why I like 2 come here is also 4 the «jin dui» black sugar (they also have coconut)! The only problem w/​this place is the «parking» but U can call ur order in (they open like 5a during the weekdys) & have some1 drop U off 2 run in or U mayB lucky N find a parking. Have U notice that all these good «manapua» places R busy but their parking is bad or No parking (just something 2 think about) — yes these places do have parking but it’s limited Libby’s has a parking lot but not 2 many vehicles can get in there, Island Manapua Gulick also has limited parking in front of the tiny store, Chun Wah Kam also is limited but at least ALL these places U can call ur order in!
At least here in Hawaii we have a variety of different places we can go 2 — so lucky WE live Hawaii! Enjoy ur «manapua» here at Island Manapua Gulick –Choice Blessings 2 ALL it’s a New Year…

I think the hours for this place are off.
Anyway, Island Manapua Factory is tucked into a side street and I’d have never found it had my dad not bought a living social (or groupon or whatever). Anyway, they have your standard char siu manapua (baked or steamed) as well as other flavors of baked manapuas. They run out of flavors though so either come early or come with low expectations. Three times I’ve been there and three times they’ve been out of the peking duck. :(
All the other baked manapuas are good too though. Lup cheong, chicken curry, hot dog, etc. They have a small menu posted in the window of the manapua case. Like I said though, gotta get lucky because they either run out or they don’t make all the flavors every day.
In addition, they also serve look funn, pork hash, gaugee, half moons and all that good stuff. Some other things too (and I think they also serve plates but would you really get a plate at a place called Island MANAPUA Factory?)
Parking is really awful. A teeny tiny lot located right out front the store. It’s not really a dine-​in spot though and it’s in such an obscure location that there isn’t a whole lot of traffic through the area so I guess it’s actually not «awful» it’s just small.

There are two locations, one in Manoa market place and one in Gulick avenue. However, this review will specifically talk about the Manoa location. To begin, I’d like to say I love the hot dog Manapua and the various food selection they have. But it’s always better to order the daily specials because it comes out hot and fresh. For example, the boneless duck with cake noodle and my all time favorite the fried rice with honey garlic chicken. Go check out, best Chinese food in Manoa

Got the Hot Deals Hawaii deal for $ 18 worth of food here. I was looking forward to using this for a week now. The deal started today 1−2−14.
I went in at 5:45a and showed the grumpy old lady behind the counter that I had the voucher. She immediately said «oh no no I can’t take that because I don’t have the phone to scan» I let her know I came in from Kaneohe and she went on saying «I know but I can’t scan the paper cause I don’t have the phone». We went back and forth with whether or not she would accept the voucher (and there was no way I was gonna leave empty handed), and finally after 10 mins she said she would take it. When I ordered what I wanted (steamed pork manapua and pork hash) she stomped around angry and didn’t bother to be nice about the confusion.
The pork buns were okay, pretty good actually but the pork hash tasted funny.
Final thoughts: I work hard for my money and when I go into any establishment I expect to be treated right. I really could give a crap how good the food is, if you treat the customers like crap I’ll never return.
I wont be returning to this place ever again. Libby’s will get my money from now on.

It was my last day on the island and we were planning on going by Libby’s to get some Manapua to take home, but forgot Libby’s was closed on Mondays… bummer. We Unilocaled other Manapua shops and found this place. They had Char Siu Manapua and they were good. They were not as good as Libby’s but Libby’s doesn’t have Char Siu. The meat to bun ratio was good and the flavor of the Char Siu was good. I got a dozen to take home. This place is a good place to go on the day’s Libby’s is closed.

Take out only. No dine in — Buy to snack on later or while you’re driving :-)
So, why am I a fan? Ever have steamed manapua, that comes out so soft, it’s like a brand new pillow that is just feathery light? It’s so soft that when you take the first bite, you don’t mind that you didn’t reach the meat in the middle. But, it’s also so soft, that you can pretty much stuff the entire manapua into your mouth. Not that I did that but when it’s freshly steamed, it is that soft.
Then there’s the crispy Gau Gee. It’s basically a deep fried won ton. They’re great snacks or finger foods, simple and easy to make. And for me, it’s like potato chips. Once I start with one, I won’t stop until they’re all gone. The crunchiness mixed in with the pork or shrimp in the middle that gives it some substance and a mix of flavors.
This small tiny shop is on Gulick and there’s very little parking. Again, that’s probably because there’s no dining room; you’re ordering and paying, or picking up your phone order. I stopped in because I was craving some manapua and some other place, I won’t mention was closed.

This was the spot. I grew up in the neighbor hood and now live in Ewa Beach. Of all days i take the time to get some manapua and pork hash, they did not have HOT MUSTARD!!! WTF! How do you run out of HOT MUSTARD! Food wasn’t as good as before. Well I might as well drive down the road to get the pink box.

I was craving manapua and happened to be in the area so I stopped in and decided to be a little healthy and get a chinese chicken salad as well. Manapua was terrible, but their «special» chinese chicken salad was a huge disappointment!!! Brown chopped iceberg lettuce with sliced boiled chicken on top. That’s it! No garnishings like celery, peanuts, won ton chips, char siu, etc. Just brown lettuce and chicken.
Don’t waste your money, go elsewhere…

Every time I come here they have been spot on. I’ve bought a couple of dozens to take to the outer island and it’s been great. I’ve tried calling in the order and they get it right!
Over all the food is good. The manapua is up there with the best. I mainly come here to buy in bulk. They pack it well and nothing gets smashed!
G

ok guys this is the best place for steamed char siu bao or manapua where the meat to bun ratio is perfect!
The bun is fluffy and soft right out of the steamer with just enough meat filling to get your through the whole thing unlike the other manapua shops where there steamed ones are dense and heavy with very little meat inside!
This is the main factory that makes it all and owned by Regal Diner. They deliver to their Manoa location etc. They have their hot deli case where you can pick your choices for plate lunches but to me the Manoa location has the best selection of chinese entrees.
This one is the place to get steamed, baked, pork hash, jung, lup chong and other varieties they make. They don’t have a huge selection like their competitor Chun Wah Kam but what they have is solid!
Enjoy!
Reggie!
Remember this is a factory and not a restaurant to dine in. Takeout only! They got tailgate and football special manapua box pricing also! :D

Got some manapua, rice cakes and noodles to take on our way to the beach which always makes for a perfect snack.
Overall, everything was pretty good, but now I’m realizing… born and raised in Hawaii,
but I’ve NEVER tried any of the «Big Boys» of Manapua, Libby’s or Char Hung Sut!!! WTH???
Guess I’m on a «Manapua Mission» next time I come home, or if anyone plans to come to the 9^th island any time soon, I’ll gladly pay for a box full of ono grindz! (HINT, HINT!!!)…ALOHA!!!
Unilocal 365 CHALLENGE-(132/365) «Hot Bunz»

A little hard to find the first time, but well worth the search. Get there early if you want anything other than char siu. Everything is fresh and the place smells awesome. Manapua is not the only goodie you can get here, so check it out!

Unilocal Challenge 365 # ⁵⁰⁄₃₆₅
Heading off island and looking for a Manapua Store… I selected Island Manapua as a means of convenience and proximity from my starting point…
Don’t blink or you will miss this place. Parking is a B****… The 800 block of Gulick Ave needs a repair job. Need to watch for the pot holes. AND MOST IMPORTANT… the south direction will turn you around going north and right back where you started from. So a little tip; Get out the same way you got in… Now, on to the food
Char siu manapua. Okay– not a lot of bun so it looks smaller, but the good part is there is the same amount of meat filling as most other manapua stores.
Pork Hash: Good– larger than most and steamed to perfection
Half Moon: Okay– a bit much on the wrapping. maybe a little more steaming may do the trick.
Get your Surf Pack: 15 manapua for $ 20 That’s got to be the best price around town.
Yep– they have their store in Manoa but I just realized (I should have known… but didn’t) they are part of Regal Diner in Mapunapuna… Same family; same cook and the Gulick location is their cooking facility.
I would phone my order in next time. The counter staff moves like molasses (and the older lady is really really grumpy). I am guessing its because the counter at Gulick is not their main location for income. so they can forego the customer service. Regardless, for the price and the taste (in that order) it’s worth the stop

I just tried their steamed char siu manapua and pork hash this morning and it was just ok. Nice size manapua. Not over bready and just enough filling. I did find the filling to be extra bright red and a little on the sweet side and not savory.
The pork has was a decent size. Nice portion with just enough meat. It was a tad bit salty for my taste.
I also had a pig in a blanket looking bun. It was ok. The bun had a sweet glaze on it. I’m not sure if it was intended to be that way or if it touched something else in the case so it made the top of the bun sticky. The bread was not too sweet and the hot dog was a regular oscar mayer type wiener. Not bad.
I still prefer Libby’s. But when office mates bring it in. I’ll eat anything!

The only thing that keeps them from a five star is hot food choices like Chun Wa kam. Parking is crappy but that’s part of the charm. 1^st come 1^st eat. I’m really biased towards how good the ha gau aka shrimp dumplings, baked manapua, an pork hash.
don’t mind the service been going there for years an the same lady treats me different everytime… an it does say count your change before you leave.
«mark L.» you going for the food not the service.
like going to «steak|» house an complaining about the fish.