Despite the financial volatility and prices spiraling to new heights, there is a silver lining. Diners may still enjoy delicious food in Hawaii without breaking the bank. We’ve compiled a list of nine restaurants in the Ala Moana, Ward, and Kaka’ako areas just outside of Waikiki, where you can get a satisfying lunch for around $10-$20, especially with the help of a few great coupons. From popular Japanese ramen shops to delicious sandwiches and classic Hawaiian plate lunches, here are our top picks:
KAMUKURA Ramen, hailing from Japan, is located in the Lanai Food Court on the mall level of the Ala Moana Center. The counter boasts a unique ramen broth that’s neither chicken nor pork bone-based.
In fact, it is a unique, proprietary broth crafted in the style of a French consommé, that is incorporated into the signature Oishii Ramen, a satisfying noodle soup that will set you back less than $15 ($14.99). The broth, loaded with Chinese cabbage, expresses a natural sweetness elicited from the vegetables, and the noodles flown in from Japan help ensure this ramen is consistently authentic with its original location.
- Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI (Ala Moana Center 2F Lanai Food Court)
- Hours: Mon-Thu 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Fri-Sun 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Phone: 808-400-0705
- Website: https://kamukura.co.jp/shop/4801/
Another ramen shop located in Ala Moana Center is Ramen Bario.
Here, the ramen is completely different in style, offering “iekei” (house-style) ramen characterized by thick noodles wading in a rich pork bone and soy sauce broth. This satisfying bowl is offered alongside other delectable noodle soups, including the Kyushu-style tonkotsu ramen with a creamy rich broth, perfect for those seeking a hearty meal. Their tonkotsu ramen is affordably priced at $14.98 and can be found in the Makai Market Food Court.
- Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI (Ala Moana Center 1F Makai Market Food Court)
- Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Phone: 808-942-2025
- Website: http://www.bario.co.jp/shop/aramoana.html
- Jollibee
Another spot in the Makai Market Food Court at Ala Moana Center is Jollibee, a fast food chain from the Philippines known for its fried chicken. The crispy and juicy chicken is popular among locals, and its price being under $15 makes it all the more satisfying. But there are other dishes to explore, including the Bacon & Chicken Cheese Sandwich Combo which includes a sandwich, French fries, and a drink for just $13.99.
Not in the mood for a burger or chicken? Then consider the Jolly Spaghetti & Drink combo for just $10.99. The slightly sweet tomato sauce spaghetti is curiously addicting.
- Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu HI
- Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Sun 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Phone: 808-944-0440
- Website: https://www.jollibeefoods.com/
- Raising Cane’s
Striking in the same vein as fried chicken is the popular nationwide chain Raising Cane’s. While the fast casual spot is known for its chicken fingers made from chicken tenders because the fried chicken is surprisingly juicy.
The signature The Box Combo ($13.19) includes 4 chicken fingers, coleslaw, fries, Texas toast, and a drink for this price. The coleslaw is refreshing and delicious, and the accompanying Texas toast is sublimely fluffy.
The Chicken Sandwich Combo ($11.89) features crispy and juicy chicken tenders in a bun, but is still equally gratifying. Kids will simply love the taste, so mark this down as an option for the entire family.
- Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu HI
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Phone: 808-726-2899
- Website: https://raisingcanes.com/home/
Located in the Lanai Food Court on the mall level of Ala Moana Center near Macy’s, Iyasume is highly recommended for those with small children or anyone craving the taste of Japan.
Savory rice balls with toppings (onigiri) are all around $2, quite a rare discovery at this price in Hawaii. There are also value combos starting from around $6.00 that include two rice balls and miso soup for a satisfying meal.
- Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI (Ala Moana Center 2F Lanai Food Court)
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Phone: 808-304-8558
- Website: https://iyasumehawaii.com/
- Mana Sandwich
Enjoy affordably delicious sandwiches at Mana Sandwich, another vendor in the Lanai Food Court on the mall level of the Ala Moana Center. Part of the same ownership as the popular bakery Brug, Mana Sandwich incorporates the fluffy and chewy fresh made bread crafted by Brug. The bread certainly helps make this sandwich stop stand out against its competitors.
Sandwiches range from around $5 to $8. Consider the fruit sandwiches filled with sweet fruit and whipped cream, or for more savory choices, go for the egg sandwiches and croquette sandwiches. Mana Sandwiches also has a katsu sandwich made in collaboration with Rokkaku Hamakatsu, another restaurant in Ala Moana Center that is prized for its crispy deep-fried pork cutlets.
- Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI
- Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM, Sun 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Phone: 808-201-4948
- Website: https://www.manasandwiches.com/
- Nalu Health Bar & Café
Nalu Health Bar & Café, located in the South Shore Market in Ward Village, is a cafe popular for its acai bowls. While you can get an acai bowl for around $10, the sandwich menu is also worth trying! Among the recommended is the Turkey Kale Pesto ($14.25), a healthy yet generous sandwich featuring turkey, Swiss cheese, and kale pesto sauce on a flaky croissant.
Or try the Caprese Panini ($12.95), a pressed sandwich grilled crispy on the outside and filled with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil. And served alongside the sandwiches is a salad featuring an exquisite dressing.
- Address: 1170 Auahi St. Suite 145 Honolulu, HI (South Shore Market)
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Phone: 808-597-8871
- Website: https://www.naluhealthbar.com/
Seeking a ramen with a rich, hearty broth of extracted beefy proportions? Visit the beef bone ramen shop Kamitoku Ramen also in Ward Village.
The soup boasts a unique sweetness from the beef bones, so first-timers should try the Beefy Wild (from $13.25), its original beef bone ramen. Packed with the savory umami of beef bones and prepared with the love of the Kamitoku family, it’s a taste that will imprint in your culinary memory. And while the orthodox ramen accompaniment is charsiu a braised pork belly, Kamitoku Ramen’s changes things up by serving a beef-based charsiu, which maintains a tender texture with robust flavors.
- Address: 1200 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814 (Ward Centre) (Note: Address found via general search as specific Honolulu location details were not in provided context)
- Hours: Mon-Sun 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Note: Hours found via general search as specific Honolulu location details were not in provided context)
- Phone: 808-591-8855 (Note: Phone found via general search as specific Honolulu location details were not in provided context)
- Website: http://kamitokuramen.com/
- Pioneer Saloon
Pioneer Saloon, which has its original location on Monsarrat Avenue just outside of Waikiki, now boasts a second location at Salt at Our Kaka’ako. The casual takeout counter offers seating outside on its breezy terrace. The unique aspect of Pioneer Saloon is that it offers local style plate lunches but given a Japanese twist. The delectable Mochiko Chicken ($15.00) features a generous portion of chicken complemented by a choice of white rice, brown rice, or wakame (seaweed) rice, along with a salad (daily special). A true gem is the Vegetable Curry, a plate that kids just love, offered at an irresistible price of $10.00! The hard part is determining what to order, but fortunately this is an incredibly affordable dining option.
- Address: 675 Auahi St., Honolulu, HI 96813 (Salt at Our Kaka’ako)
- Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Phone: 808-600-5612
- Website: http://www.pioneer-saloon.net/
Discover that great meals do not have to cost you an arm and a leg. Experience some of these wonderful eateries and happy hours, and be sure to check out the coupons to help make your Hawaii trip even more affordably delicious!
