When people think of Hawaii, classic dishes like loco moco and poke usually come to mind. However, Hawaii is also home to many amazing Chinese restaurants simply because of its long history with immigrants from China. One of the first immigrant ethnicities to Hawaii, the Chinese have placed deep roots in the state, offering a variety of places that serve authentic flavors.
From dim sum and fresh seafood to casual noodle shops, the gamut is broad. Many Chinese restaurants have abundant seating, making them perfect for family outings and larger gatherings with friends. In this guide, we’ll introduce some of the best Chinese restaurants in Hawaii, from long-time local favorites to newer spots that resonate with visitors.
Information is current as of September 24, 2025.
Dim Sum & Yum Cha – Casual, Shareable, and Fun
Dim sum, or yum cha, feature lighter bites that were ideal for brunch. Mostly hailing from the Canton region, there are other areas of China that enjoy these smaller-portioned savory or sweet plates. One of the charms is being able to enjoy a variety of dumplings and other dishes, often served in bamboo steamers, to satisfy all parts of the palate.
Originally, dim sum was part of a unique food culture in Hong Kong and Guangdong, where family and friends would gather from morning to lunchtime, pick different dishes, and sip tea as they chatted the day away. Today, this culture is practiced in Chinese communities all over the world. Some restaurants have dim sum carts that they roll around the dining room, enticing hungry patrons with wafts of delectable steamed or pan-fried delights. Some may prefer to eat light, but we recommend going all-in, but be sure to bring along hungry family members and friends.
Located on the 3rd floor of Building A at Royal Hawaiian Center, Tim Ho Wan is a dim sum restaurant that started in Hong Kong, known for its all-day dim sum. The original Hong Kong shop earned a Michelin star and was at one time referred to as “the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant.”
Every dumpling here is handmade and steamed fresh a la minute. Har gau or shrimp dumplings with plump prawns, savory siu mai, and sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf—everything comes out piping hot and full of flavor.
Most dim sum dishes here will set you back about $7–$8 per plate, so it’s easy to order a variety of items to share.
One dish that is a must-try is the famous signature BBQ Pork Bun, said to be one of the reasons the restaurant earned its Michelin star. A sweet cookie-like crust (similar to a Japanese melon pan) is filled with a generous portion of barbecued pork for the perfect series of sweet and savory bites.
Ordering is simple: look at the photo menu, write the quantities you want on the order sheet at your table, and hand it to the staff for delivery to your table. The restaurant is spacious, bright, and clean.
Dumpling Factory
Opened in March 2025 on Kapahulu Avenue, Dumpling Factory is just a short drive from Waikiki. And, as the name suggests, it is a spot where dumplings are the star.
Here you can enjoy dumplings that combine traditional Northern Chinese flavors but with a modern twist. Every dumpling is handmade in-house with care.
Fillings include beef, chicken, shrimp, pork, and vegetarian options. Dumplings are available boiled or pan-fried. Each order includes 12 dumplings per plate, priced from $13.99, so be sure to bring a large group to try multiple dumplings.
Boiled dumplings generally have a chewy wrap and a lighter, clean taste, while the pan-fried dumplings have crispy bottoms and a toasted flavor that whets any appetite. Ordering one plate of each and comparing them is highly recommended.
Dumpling Factory is located in the Wong Leong Building on Kapahulu Avenue, close to the popular poke shop Ono Seafood. The area also has several good coffee shops, so it’s fun to walk around and explore before or after your meal.
Kapiolani Seafood Restaurant
Close to Ala Moana Center, Kapiolani Seafood Restaurant is a Chinese restaurant where you can enjoy dim sum all day long. At most places on Oahu, dim sum is only served at lunch, but here it’s available from morning to night. Steaming hot siu mai, turnip cake, pork buns, and other dim sum dishes are served deliciously fresh.
There is also an a la carte menu. One popular plate is the Roast Duck & BBQ Pork. The duck is especially good with a slightly sweet sauce that begs a bowl of rice. Other favorites include hot and sour soup, steamed garlic shrimp, and fried rice.
The dining room is large with ample seating, making it accessible for big groups. It’s a dynamic spot cherished by locals. If you have a large party, consider making a reservation to secure your space.
Cantonese Cuisine – Light, Familiar Flavors for Everyone
Among the many types of Chinese food, Cantonese cuisine is probably the most familiar to most. Popular dishes include roast duck, roast pork, stir-fried seafood, wonton soup, and many other familiar plates.
House of Wong Restaurant
Located on Kapahulu Avenue—which shares the street as Rainbow Drive-In and Leonard’s Bakery—House of Wong Restaurant is a Chinese restaurant near Waikiki that has gained the adoration of both locals and visitors. Many people often say, “Everything is good here.”
The head chef used to be the executive chef at the wildly popular former Waikiki restaurant China Garden, and the food here receives high ratings on the review sites.
You’ll find many classic favorites, such as shrimp with mayonnaise, fried rice, spring rolls, and more. One of the most popular items is the salt and pepper Dungeness crab, which lures many a repeat customer.
For dessert, the mango pudding is a must. Shaped like a lucky fish, the mango pudding is ideal for about 10 people, though smaller portions are also available, making it one of the endings to taste.
On the second floor, there is a private room that can hold about 70 people, making it a great option for group events.
Fook Yuen Seafood Restaurant
Just a short drive from Waikiki, Fook Yuen Seafood Restaurant is another popular Chinese restaurant among locals, located on the second floor of McCully Shopping Center.
The restaurant known for its Cantonese cuisine and fresh seafood is especially frequented because of one of its specialties, live lobster, offered a affordable prices. Of the various preparations, garlic butter or black bean sauce are among fan favorites, adding robust flavors to the plump chunks of lobster.
A perfect complement to the lobster is an order of beef with oyster sauce, packed with umami that goes beautifully with a bowl of rice.
And another must order is the signature Peking Duck, prepared with crispy skin with juicy and fragrant meat–a dish ideal for any special occasion.
The dining room is spacious and calm, with many large round tables that can accommodate larger families or groups. It’s an ideal place to share good food and great times.
Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant
On the Ho‘okipa Terrace located on the 4th floor of Ala Moana Center, Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant is a well-known Chinese restaurant imbued with grandeur and elegance.
Inside, custom chandeliers add sparkle to the ornately designed space. Partitions partitions add some privacy for those who prefer to enjoy a quiet meal away from the main dining room.
Dim sum is served from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM, giving people the option to enjoy it as a brunch or a later afternoon dining session. The menu includes many classics: shrimp har gau, spring rolls, char siu buns, cheung fun (rice noodle rolls), xiao long bao, turnip cake, and more.
The a la carte menu is available all day, offering a full roster of authentic Chinese dishes boasting seafood, poultry, beef or pork, and vegetables prepared in myriad ways, along with tofu plates, soups, noodles, and fried rice to complement. The flavors are wonderfully balanced, with heat, aroma, and richness establishing a sense of authenticity. Jade Dynasty is one of our favorite picks for a memorable family meal.
Kirin Restaurant
Located in the heart of Waikiki on the lower level of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki’s Ewa Tower, Kirin Restaurant is a long-established Chinese restaurant cherished by locals and tourists alike.
Focusing on Cantonese cuisine, the menu ranges from bold seafood dishes using fresh fish and shellfish to delicate dim sum bites with tea. The dim sum lunch, served from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, boasts about 50 selections with dessert. And with most plates priced affordably around $10, the restaurant entices people to sample a wide variety of flavors.
One recommended dish is stir-fried rice noodles with beef and vegetables. The deep umami and perfectly balanced seasoning typical of traditional Cantonese cooking will definitely whet your appetite. It’s simple but very satisfying, even for children.
Another favorite is crispy fried shrimp coated in honey sauce and crunchy walnuts. The sweetness of the sauce, the nutty notes, and the juicy shrimp forge a lovely synthesis of textures and taste.
Boasting 220 seats and three private rooms, Kirin is the ideal space for groups and special occasions. Its central Waikiki location also makes it convenient for visitors seeking a lunch or dinner spot between sightseeing and shopping.
Taiwanese Cuisine – Comforting, Gentle Flavors with Many Fans
From authentic to local style, Taiwanese cuisine is also popular in Hawaii. From homestyle comfort dishes such as lu rou fan (braised pork over rice), xiao long bao, and salty soy milk, to traditional snacks straight from a night market in Taipei, Taiwanese flavors often taste lighter and healthier than most Chinese dishes, making it a popular cuisine among women.
Dew Drop Inn
About a block from the Honolulu Museum of Art on South Beretania Street, Dew Drop Inn is a beloved Taiwanese restaurant with a strong local following. People often call it a true “hidden gem.”
The modest exterior has a wonderfully old-world charm akin to a most people’s favorite neighborhood Chinese haunt. Opened in 1988, it has established a place in many locals’ hearts almost 40 years.
Those unfamiliar with Taiwanese food may take comfort that the menu is replete with a series of familiar dishes: dim sum items, spring rolls, noodles, fried rice, and mapo tofu, with some other mouth-watering selections such as wood ear mushroom plates, spicy “mouth-watering chicken,” stir-fried water spinach, and more. With such a robust menu, the hardest part is deciding what to order.
Popular choices include xiao long bao and “Sesame Bread Pockets (Pork & Tofu)”, where stir-fried pork filling is stuffed into thin Chinese flatbread. The stir-fried noodles with beef and broccoli is another desirable dish.
Come for the food, and stay for the atmosphere.
“Machichuka” Style – Casual Noodles, Gyoza, and Comfort Food
In Hawaii, casual neighborhood Chinese spots—similar to what the Japanese call “machichuka”—are also very popular. These are Japanese-influenced places where you can quickly drop in for noodles, fried rice, and dumpings. They’re perfect when you want a fast, satisfying meal during sightseeing or when you’re missing the taste of Japan.
Many locals visit these places regularly, so you can expect solid, reliable flavors.
In Waikiki, CAMADO Ramen Izakaya serves authentic ramen and izakaya-style small plates in a cozy setting.
The menu includes rich tonkotsu ramen, shoyu ramen, tantanmen, and gyoza, along with many dishes you might find in a casual Chinese restaurant in Japan. There are also plenty of side dishes like karaage fried chicken, kimchi, and chilled tofu, making it an ideal spot if you want both Chinese-style food and drinks with bar snacks.
The daily happy hour from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM is a huge draw: shoyu ramen is just $10, and tonkotsu ramen is $12. Finding a bowl of ramen for $10 in Waikiki is almost impossible, so this is an incredible deal. Even better, with an Oahu’s Best Coupons coupon, you can get these special prices any time, not just during happy hour—meaning you really should visit at least once during your stay.
You can also add a gyoza & rice set or a mini rice bowl set (mini pork chashu bowl or mini beef sukiyaki bowl) for an extra $7, satisfying even the heartiest of appetites.
Sichuan Cuisine – Spicy, Addictive Flavors You’ll Crave Again
For spice lovers, Sichuan cuisine is hard to resist. The signature mala flavor combines the numbing heat of Sichuan peppercorns and the fiery burn of chili peppers. Dishes like mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, and hot pot are typical examples, and many people find them highly addictive because of their piquancy and aromatics.
The best part is that despite the heat, the flavors are beautifully developed with richness and umami, so the food is not just “spicy” but complex and satisfying as well.
On the first floor of 808 Center near Walmart Ala Moana, Mian Honolulu is a popular spot where you can enjoy authentic Sichuan flavors in Hawaii.
The Chinese noodles here are especially in demand, especially among people who know the authentic flavors from China. There are many noodle options, including the classic House Beef Noodles, Sichuan-style cold noodles, and special hot & sour noodles, making it hard to choose just one.
You can customize the spice level: spicy, very spicy, or no spice for those who are spice-averse (though there are a few exceptions). The owner is particular about the noodles, ensuring that they are springy and complementary to the bold, spiced broths. Patrons are offered to opportunity to choose between medium-thick or thin noodles, based on personal preferences.
There are also many side dishes that go well with noodles, such as boiled dumplings and braised pork belly rice bowls. Everything is delicious, and once you come, you’ll definitely want to visit again. Don’t forget to use the Oahu’s Best Coupons coupon for 15% off.
Chengdu Taste
Chengdu Taste is another famous Sichuan restaurant that started in Los Angeles. It’s the sister restaurant of Mian Honolulu, and also located in 808 Center. The shop is most often frequented by locals.
The chefs are from China, and they use spices brought directly from the Sichuan province. Many dishes look dauntingly spicy, loaded with copious amounts of chili peppers, but for the faint of heart, there are also milder options such as stir-fried water spinach, green pepper steak, tomato and egg stir-fry, and fried rice. So fear not, as those who wither with a single bite of spicy food are able to enjoy a full meal plenty to options. Everyone is able to choose the spice level among spicy, very spicy, or non-spicy.
The dining room is clean and spacious, making it ideal for groups and parties. And as we all know, with Chinese food, the more people dining together means more dishes to share and enjoy. Another nice benefit is that the restaurant is BYOB, so you can bring your own alcohol or favorite drinks to really turn up the fun.
Hong Kong–Style Fusion – Unique, Fun Dishes You’ll Remember
Hong Kong’s casual café-restaurant culture, known as cha chaan teng, is famous for its unique mix of Western and Chinese flavors. Here, diners will find milk tea, sweet pineapple buns, macaroni soup, and other beguiling “hybrid” dishes on the menu.
Recently, fusion restaurants that blend Hong Kong traditions with Western-style ideas have become popular around the world—and Hawaii is among one of the destinations that are witnessing this boom.
HK Cafe Cha Kee (HK Cafe)
Located in Chinatown, HK Cafe serves a wide variety of dishes with Hong Kong and Southeast Asian influences, including Malaysia’s famous noodle soup, laksa. It’s also a great place to stop by just for a casual café meal, with items like Hong Kong-style French toast with coffee.
The menu includes Malaysian laksa, dim sum items like xiao long bao and steamed dumplings, and other dishes that reflect flavors from Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, and elsewhere in Asia. Among these, the laksa is a must-try with its coconut milk-based soup and rich yet mellow layers of spice establishing a deeply complex flavor. A touch of spicy chili oil adds a spicy kick. If noodles, spicy food, or Southeast Asian flavors are your thing, this is a must-visit spot in town.
American Chinese – Bold, Saucy, and Perfect for a Quick Meal
In the United States, Chinese food has evolved into its own regional style—American Chinese cuisine. While some rub their noses at this type of adaptation, others embrace the resourcefulness of the Chinese immigrants in modifying their authentic dishes with ingredients that were attainable in a foreign land.
So flavors such as sweet and spicy orange chicken, large format plates of fried rice, and chow mein are among those dishes. It’s a bit different from most Chinese food found at authentic restaurants, but can be very satisfying.
The dishes are usually bold and rich, making American Chinese a great choice when you’re really hungry and seeking impactful flavors. Many places are fast casual spots, so they’re also convenient options for a quick, satiating meal.
P.F. Chang’s
On the ground floor of Building A at the Royal Hawaiian Center, P.F. Chang’s is a stylish Asian-inspired bistro that’s also very popular in major metropolitan areas of the United States. Here, classic Chinese flavors are given a modern, upscale twist.
The restaurant uses carefully selected ingredients and does not use any artificial flavor enhancers. The dishes are beautifully plated, so they’re satisfying both in taste and appearance.
The combined first and second floors can seat up to 427 guests, making it ideal for group dinners, company trips, or pre- and post-wedding meals. You can also enjoy your modern Chinese dishes on the open-air terrace while feeling the gentle brush of the Hawaiian tradewinds.
Panda Express
Birthed in the United States, Panda Express is a Chinese fast-food chain found in many locations across America, and in Hawaii, two locations include the Paina Lanai Food Court in the Royal Hawaiian Center and the Makai Market Food Court in Ala Moana Center. It’s a stable, reliable choice when you want quick and easy Chinese food.
The signature dish here is the Orange Chicken—crispy fried chicken pieces dressed in a sweet, tangy chili sauce with bits of orange peel.
Patrons may build their own plates by choosing among several main dishes and sides, so in addition to orange chicken, consider adding broccoli beef, chow mein, or fried rice to create that perfect Chinese-American combo.
So Many Ways to Enjoy Chinese Food in Hawaii
From authentic flavors that taste just like China and Taiwan to local-style dishes and American Chinese comfort food, Hawaii’s Chinese restaurants are incredibly diverse. From bamboo baskets of dim sum, to fiery Sichuan dishes, and robust Chinese-American flavors—there are many options from which to choose.
If visiting Hawaii but on a budget, Chinese restaurants are a great option. Discover your new favorite among the spots listed in this roundup and find another exciting facet to Hawaii’s diverse culture.
