Aslew of new Chinese restaurants has cropped up around O‘ahu in recent months, none of them serving the Hong Kong/Cantonese fare that defined Honolulu’s Chinese food scene for generations. Plus, two more are coming soon. From Kapahulu to Kapolei, here’s a look at the newcomers and their cuisines.
Chill N Grill 山海营地
In the former Phuket Thai location in Kaka‘ako, Chill N Grill serves up northeastern Chinese-style skewers, noodles and signature dishes you won’t find elsewhere—such as sour and spicy snail rice noodles—all the way til midnight. Note that the menu has been updated since the restaurant opened last October. Happy hour specials pair various dishes with beer, and seating is indoors as well as outdoors.
Tuesday to Sunday noon to midnight, 401 Kamake‘e St., #102, Kaka‘ako, @chill_n_grill_hawaii
Dahan Skewer
Kapahulu’s second skewer specialist has opened where Honu’s Kalbi & Sushi used to be. Up the street from Honolulu Skewer House, Dahan focuses on Mongolian-style skewers seasoned with lots of cumin and chile powder. Braised dishes, fried sides, dry-tossed and soup noodles, rice dishes, desserts and drinks round out the menu.
Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., 755 Kapahulu Ave., #6, Kapahulu, dahanskewer.com, @dahanskewer
Daji Spicy Pavilion 黔香阁
The sour-spicy notes of Guizhou cuisine permeate the soup and dry mix noodles at Daji, a flavor profile distinct from the spiciness of neighboring Sichuan. If you want to try something new, we recommend a punchy dry mix noodle. If you want something comforting, go for the beef brisket noodle soup. See more recommendations in this reel…