GREAT EATS HAWAII: MENCHANKO TEI

MENCHANKO TEI

HONOLULU, HAWAII

MENCHANKO TEI

903 KEEAUMOKU STREET

HONOLULU, HI 96814

808-946-1888

HOURS: Monday thru Sunday 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Closed on Tuesday

I have been on a bad streak of restaurants. Sprout Sandwich, Mexico Cantina and Kaimuki Superette all disappointed this month. We literally parked our car off Keeaumoku Street and started walking down the street in a search for a new restaurant to try. Several places were closed on Sunday so we kept walking. There were a series of Japanese and Korean restaurants but they looked dirty. Mechannko Tei caught our eye because it was bright, open and clean. We took a look at the menu posted in front and decided to give it a try. We were seated by the window away from the counter and the waitress quickly brought water for our table. We started with the Gyoza ($5.50). These handmade and not frozen little puffs of pasta were delicious. The six small pieces were gone in seconds and we wanted to order more. I asked the waitress about the Lunch Special Kakuni Don and Mini Ramen ($9.75). She explained that it was a small bowl of either Kikuzo or Hakata Ramen served with a Side Salad, Rice, Pork, Pickled Vegetable and Fried Tofu. I ordered this lunch set with the Kikuzo Ramen. My daughter ordered a full bowl of the Kikuzo Ramen ($9.25) and split it with my wife. My Kakuni Don and Mini Ramen plates arrived and I said "wow". All this for under $10. Looked amazing and really was delicious. I enjoyed everything on the plate and so did my family. The salad was fresh and light. The Ramen was rich and full of flavor. Just enough noodles and meat for lunch. The rice was served with larges pieces of marinated pork that was almost candied on the outside. Even the small bites of Fried Tofu were good. This was a totally good meal at a great price. My daughter rarely came up for air as she consumed her entire bowl of Ramen. After hitting three not so good restaurants in a row it was refreshing to eat at Menchanko Tei where everyone agreed the food was "good". Looking forward to returning here for a bowl of Ramen and the Gyoza. Really cannot beat the Lunch Specials for $9 to $12.