4 King's Kitchen

Not to be confused with 4 King's on Waialae Avenue in Kaimuki, this restaurant, 4 King's Kitchen is located on King Street across Fukuya and Sushi King, right next to Spices. What a gem this place is!! So glad I took Dad's advice and tried it. My dad had read many articles in the paper about this place and was very curious. Trying to live a healthy life means eating healthy, and this was the perfect place for that!

What are they known for? Using fresh and local ingredients to create local favorites, like Loco Moco and Beef Stew, but both with a unique twist. 4 King's Kitchen supports local ingredients first and foremost, and you can see this clearly on the menu. Lehua Honey BBQ sauce, 'Nalo greens, Grass-fed Big Island Ground Beef, North Shore Tomatoes are all special ingredients featured in Chef Kapolanialaimaka Kealoha's menu. Speaking of the Chef, he also came out to check on all of his tables in his restaurant to make sure everything tasted great, and just to talk story. It was such a nice humble touch that I really respect him for. You don't see that a lot nowadays.

Hours are Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm. I highly recommend this place, and I'll definitely be back. I've heard a favorite is the Local Style Beef Luau Stew. It mimics Squid Luau, but instead of squid, it includes beef, and there is no coconut milk in the dish. As enticing as it sounds already, it is also simmered a day before it is served! Sounds extra tasty!! Will post a follow-up very very soon!

What we tried and what I recommend-

Chinese Steamed Fresh Island Fish- Dad had this and enjoyed it very much. Since he is Chinese, he's very particular about his chinese steamed fish, but this met his high expectations. He especially liked that it was topped with lup cheong, being the old Chinese man that he is! I tasted a bite and loved the shiitake mushrooms because it was soaked in the sauce. So yummy!

"Not Your Normal Loco"- This was Mom's dish. I was hoping someone in my family would order it! This is a dish they are famous for. Instead of a regular beef burger, they use a fish burger made with fresh caught Mahi Mahi. So a Loco Moco can indeed be healthy!!! Man, this dish was heaven. The gravy itself was so so tasty. You could taste the shiitake mushroom in the gravy and it was oh-so buttery. This was not your ordinary gravy. The fish burger itself was also moist and not bland at all. Mom ate everything!

Seared Ahi Poke Salad- My dish! This was my favorite. Light and tasty, this was the perfect meal. The ahi poke was plentiful and flavorful, but not too salty, and it was seared perfectly. I loved the thicker-than-usual garlic aioli sauce on top of the "Sassy Mix" salad. It was very creamy- one of my favorite aiolis by far. It was also topped with creamy, local, fresh avocado slices. PERFECTION.

I'd recommend EVERY dish we tried.

There's even a little Keiki Menu featuring Grilled Cheese Sand, Hot Dog Sliders, Mini Burgers,
Fish Slides and Mac n Cheese! Such a gourmet Keiki Menu!

Doesn't the Apple Banana Cobbler Ala Mode sound absolutely delectable?

WHAT in the world are they doing with all that garlic?! YUM!

Chinese Steamed Fresh Island Fish- comes with Kim Chee AND Kim Chee Cucumbers

"Not Your Normal Loco"- comes with white or brown rice,
Kim Chee or Salad
Dressing was light and had a sweet taste- Hawaiian Ogo Vinaigrette

Absolutely delicious Seared Ahi Poke Salad with Garlic Aioli Sauce

After eating, do you ever feel like you shouldn't have taken those 2 last bites? You get that distended stomach feeling, have to loosen your belt, and feel like someone has to roll you out of the restaurant. In short, you feel awful. Well, you won't get that feeling at 4 King's Kitchen. The portions are perfect. All meals come with some kind of veggies or salad, and the plates aren't Big City Diner-gigantic. 4 King's Kitchen is a very healthy alternative to most of the unhealthy and heavy meals you usually find around Hawaii. Very reasonably-priced as well!! If you're looking for fresh, local favorites, this is your place.

Agnes' Portuguese Bake Shop

Another Kailua neighborhood favorite, Agnes' specializes in Malasadas!! But from the taste and look of the Lilikoi Blossom we also picked out, they specialize in baked goods goodness, period! I can imagine it being very busy in the morning hours as a cute coffee shop. Chai Tea Latte with a warm Malasada? Like I said, Baked Goods Goodness!!!

Malasada info-

80 cents per malasada for < a dozen

$7.70 for a dozen

65 cents per malasada for > a dozen

A wide selection of syrups for Italian Sodas!!

Bakery Special, the Lilikoi Blossom, sprinkled with a generous amount of powdered sugar!

Inside of the Lilikoi Blossom- Poundcake filled with Lilikoi jam and frosting

Famous Malasadas!

Kalapawai Cafe and Deli

Also located in Kailua, is the ever famous Kalapawai Cafe and Deli. Having first mentioned it in my Cinnamon's post a month ago, I wanted to at least take a peek firsthand. Although my friend and I were stuffed from Rai Rai Ramen, we passed by and just stopped in. I know they have a deli and also sell pastries, so I thought "hey, why not, I'm in the neighborhood, and can always take some food home..." The menu was vast and everything looked good. I'll have to go back again on an empty stomach. Expect an "Updated" follow-up post soon! The only thing I walked out with was a Blueberry Muffin. I can never say no to a Blueberry Muffin!! And it was everything I had hoped for. Moist, lots of blueberries, and did I say gigantic? Yes, it was GIGANTIC.

Next time, I'm definitely trying the Fig and Bacon Salad or the Apple and Blackberry Fruit Crisp!

Rai Rai Ramen

After a grueling, blazing-hot day playing golf in Lanikai, what could be better than hot ramen!? HAHA. I just couldn't help myself, being the ramen-lover that I am! I know there a lot of hidden gems restaurants and eateries in Kailua, so when I yelped, I was surprised to see Rai Rai Ramen at the top of the list at #3. Rai Rai had a ton of reviews and everyone rated it either 4-5 stars. I was definitely curious......so we went!

At 3pm, they were open, but no one was in there. I honestly like this, because you don't have to wait long for your food, no wait for a table, and parking is a breeze. This place is also tricky for parking- they have a small 4-space lot RIGHT in the front of the restaurant and the spaces are tight, so it was nice to be the only car parked in the lot. There happened to be another car parked in there when we left, but no biggie. 

As far as the food, I have to agree with the Yelpers...I'll be back!! The broth was delicious and I literally slurped up every drop. There were about 20 different ramens to choose from and I had a hard time choosing, so I figured the House Ramen was a safe bet. The House Ramen came with charsiu, onions, pickled veggies, menma (bamboo shoots), half a hard boiled egg, 2 pieces of nori and a fried oyster on top! All this for less than $9? I thought the prices were very reasonable too. Two ramens, one 4-piece gyoza plate for only 25 bucks! Of course I'll be back!!

So, back to the ramen itself. Broth? Check! Broth was so tasty and unlike the usual ramen broths. This had a distinct Rai Rai taste that you just need to trust me on, and go try it for yourself. Noodles? Check! I like it chewy and "Japanese-style," (not overcooked) and this definitely was! Not mushy at all. (Speaking of "Japanese-style," I was really worried when I walked in and the waitress was Chinese... but they proved themselves. Chinese can indeed cook Japanese food! I guess there's hope for me!!) Anyway, where was I.....Charsiu in the ramen? Check! OMG, the pork was so tender and I swear, the pork fat melted in my mouth. Literally melted in my mouth. I just wish it came with more than one piece!!!!!! The bamboo shoots, pickled veggies, and nori were all great compliments to the ramen. I loved it! As for the fried oyster...it was my first time trying an oyster, a fried oyster at that, and hey, give me some credit, I took a bite. But then looked down at it, and it did NOT look appetizing whatsoever, so that might be the last time I ever try an oyster again. Rai Rai, it was a nice touch though!

My friend had the Chicken Katsu Shio Ramen. He said it was tasty as well, and pretty much gobbled the entire thing, just like me! If you don't like your Katsu soggy, I do suggest asking for a plate or asking to have your Katsu on the side.

(They also have Hakata Ramen, which is very hard to find in Hawaii, but many places on the mainland serve this. I need to try this next time!)

Lastly, GYOZA! Ok, let's just say I'm not a big Gyoza fan, but this Gyoza was superb. The gyoza stuffing is homemade...and basically anything homemade is usually tasty. This it was! A lot of Yelpers recommended the Gyoza saying how great it was, and so I took the plunge and ordered the 4-piece. You can also order a 6-piece.....which I should have, IT WAS SO GOOD! I love the fact that they pan-fry the gyoza- it comes out so crispy, which is one characteristic of Gyoza that I prefer. Yummy!!! I definitely suggest ordering the Gyoza for sure. 

Rai Rai Ramen is a small place, and I can only imagine going at lunch or dinner, and definitely having to wait or find street parking. I'd highly recommend going at odd times, like we did, to get in and out fast. I've realized that these tiny, hole-in-the-wall restaurants that some people don't even take a second look at, are the very ones to be hidden gems. Here's to all the hole-in-the-wall restaurants around Hawaii...and here's to Rai Rai Ramen!

Small private parking lot that they share with a Dentist.
Parking can be tight and tricky!

House Ramen

Chicken Katsu Shio Ramen

4-piece Gyoza