Honolulu: Helena's Hawaiian Food

If you want authentic Hawaiian food, head to Helena's Hawaiian Food. When you hear of Hawaiian food, you think of the stuff you get at luau's. That type of quality is not what you're getting here. This is true Hawaiian food. Helena's Hawaiian Food has been serving the finest Hawaiian cuisine since 1946. Founding Chef Helen Kwock Chock was also a James Beard Award Recipient in 2000.

Helena's is not a fancy restaurant. It's just a simple restaurant with great food. It gets packed quickly during prime dining hours, so get here early or expect a wait.

What to get...
You can order food a la carte, or if this is your first time dining here, try the set menu. I recommend ordering off the set menu: Menu B which includes Kalua Pig and Pipikaula Short Ribs with a choice of poi or 2 scoops of rice (priced $9.50 - $10.50). The Kalua pig is cooked in an imu (pit oven) - it's moist and tastes great with chili pepper water. The short ribs are amazing - flavorful, tender, and just so good you might have to order an extra serving (yes, that's what I did).

Kahlua Pork

Pipikaula Short Ribs

The laulau, pictured below, was also very rich and delicious. It might not look appealing, but it's definitely worth trying. Laulau consists of pork and butterfish wrapped taro (luau) and ti leaves.

Be sure to get some haupia, which normally comes with the combo plates. Haupia is a Hawaiian dessert made out of coconut. Think of it as a piece of coconut jello. At Helena's, it's served with sliced onions - and it's a perfect combo. Put all these dishes together and you've got an ono meal.

Laulau

Overall, I was very satisfied with the dishes I had. I had to order seconds, but that was because the food was so delicious. My local friends love this restaurant as well. If you're visiting the island, skip the luau and come to Helena's for a true Hawaiian feast at inexpensive prices.

Side tidbit, Helena's was also featured in Travel Channel's Man vs Food in 2009.

Helena's Hawaiian Food
1240 N School St
Honolulu, HI 96817
Tel: (808) 845-8044