Hawaii Day 7: Helena's, Kasian Kreations

We had lunch at Helena's Hawaiian Food

They're known for their Pipikaula style short ribs.

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Kalua Pig cooked in Imu (an inground oven)

Haupia

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Fried butterfish collar

After lunch we headed to the Lanikai beachLanikai beach to hang out for the day.

On the way back we headed to Don Quijote to pick up some souvenirs and snacks.

We were chatting with my brother's friend who we met yesterday. We got to talking about the food places that we had visited and we asked for some recommendations. We found out he had a food stall Kasian KreationsKasian Kreations so we stopped by for dinner. It's located in a parking lot across from Foodland and it was BYOB. 

The garlic shrimp was excellent. We usually get Giovani's but they have been lacking in quality in the past few years, but this was amazing and my new go-to spot now for garlic shrimp.

Rib-Eye steak plate with mushroom gravy. OMG! this was so tender and the mushroom gravy was so good. I was extremely surprised at how tender the rib-eye was. 

The baked mussels were also very good. The sauce is a recipe from the owner's friend which he's trying to get bottled and on shelves in the future. Kasian Kreations does have their own Cajun Garlic Sauce that you can get at Don Quijote in Oahu.

Garlic Noodles

Viet was really looking forward to the softshell crab roll, but they were out for the day unfortunately, so we tried the crawfish rolls instead and they were also pretty good. 

We wanted to taste as much as we could so we did ala carte. 

The owner's wife also makes homemade pickle veggies which she gave us. 

We've been to Oahu many times and are always looking for new places to eat, but sometimes it's a bit difficult when you have tried some of the best foods on the island. So we tend to return to the same places cause they always deliver. We wanted to come out to support my brother's friend's business and honestly, we were not expecting to have one of the best meals on our trip. The only thing that was a bummer was that we found this place on the last day of our trip.

The next time we return to Oahu we will definitely be stopping by again.

Hawaii 2024 day 6

Met up with my family for dim sum at Legend Seafood Restaurant. This restaurant was recommended by my brother's friend who lives on the island. The food was solid and was quite cheaper than Tim Ho Wan.

After brunch we headed over to my brother's friends place to hang out for the day. 

My mom brought ingredients to cook some authentic Vietnamese Bun Rieu (crab noodle soup)

We hung out the whole day at his place and when we got back we headed back for some more shaved ice from Island Vintage. 

Hawaii 2024 Day 5: Tim Ho Wan, Pit Stop Tacos Burgers and Sliders, Island Vintage

Tomi and Tera took baby Thomas to the playground at our condo Sunday morning. 

For lunch, we tried dim sum at Tim Ho Wan since this restaurant received a Michelin Star in 2010. 

Steamed rice roll BBQ pork. 

Cucumber in spicy sauce. 

Steamed rice roll shrimp and Chinese chives. 

WonTon in spicy sauce

Chicken feet

Sticky rice in lotus leaf. This was delicious. The best I've ever had at a dim sum restaurant. 

Steamed pork dumplings with shrimp. Siu Mai

Deep-fried dumplings with pork and dried shrimp.

Steamed shrimp dumplings (Har Gow)

Baked BBQ pork buns. These were also really good. 

Steamed short ribs with black pepper. 

Overall the dim sum was pretty good, but expensive for what it is. I wouldn't come back but at least we tried it. 

We hung out at the condo for the remaining day. For dinner, I was craving a burger and found Pit Stop Tacos Burgers & Sliders online. It was close to us so we tried it.

Horchata Hawaiiana: Macadamia milk, agave syrup, cinnamon, Mexican vanilla, coconut milk. I didn't like this. It was thick like mango lassi. 

BBQ Kalua Pork slider. 

Kalua Pork Taco with crispy cheese. 

Steak Taco.

Crispy Cheese Burger: Hawaiian sweet roll, 1/4lb patty, cheddar, grilled onions, pickles, island sauce. This is what I came here for and it didn't disappoint. It was really good. 

Roasted chicken taco. 

For dessert, we had shaved ice from Island Vintage. We used to get it from a cart near the mall, but they have more locations now. The flavor combos, mochi, and soft serve are really good. It's my new favorite spot to get shaved ice in Hawaii.

That's it for Sunday. It was pretty chill. We have been trying to meet up with my family since they arrived today, but they were tired. So we'll catch them tomorrow.