When we visit Hawaii, we soak up everything the islands have to offer. We hike, snorkel, hit the beach, and try to eat at as many restaurants as we possibly can. The food is just too good. Hawaii is perfect for foodies.
Before heading out on a hike up Koko Head, we stopped by Koko Head Cafe in Kaimuki for brunch. Chef Lee Anne Wong opened the restaurant earlier this year. She presents twists on breakfast classics and some Asian dishes with ingredients that are sourced from local farmers that’ll get you fueled up for some kung fu fighting. Name ring a bell? Yup, Chef Wong from television shows Iron Chef America and Chopped.
Thinking of the thousands of steps we had to take to go up, and down, Koko Head, we went for a big brunch. The wait was about 20 minutes on a Friday late morning. We started off with a cocktail and shared a delicious black sesame yuzu muffin. Too pretty to cut, we admired the glistening icing on top and the stoutness of the muffin. A few snapshots and sips of our drinks later, we cut into it. A fluffy muffin speckled with black sesame. The icing wasn’t overly sweet, just right.
Black sesame yuzu muffin
Another item that caught our eye was the Kimchi bacon cheddar scone. It was a unique combination, and absolutely delicious. (Dee now makes a self note to buy extra to-go for breakfast the next day, or even snack.)
Kimchi bacon cheddar scone
The next thing we tried at Koko Head Cafe was Dumplings All Day Wong, aka dumplings of the day. The day we stopped by, they had lemongrass chicken dumplings fried and served over homemade coconut curry.
Dumplings All Day Wong – Lemongrass Chicken Dumplings
For our main course we shared a Fish and Eggs Skillet. Served on a hot cast iron skillet is sweet miso marinated local fresh fish, ong choy, ocean rice, house made pickles. As I enjoyed every bite I thought of how awesome it was and wished they had a breakfast dish like this back home.
Fish and Eggs Skillet
Jay had the Breakfast Bibimbap. Served in a hot skillet was bacon, Portuguese sausage, heritage ham, kimchi, soy-mirin shiitake mushrooms, ong choy, sesame carrots & bean sprouts, sunny up egg, served over crispy garlic rice.
Breakfast Bibimbap
Lilikoi Fizz and The Queen’s Mimosa
The food at Koko Head Cafe was amazing. We only regret not trying their pancakes, but we’ll save that for our next visit. Despite eating so much (we practically cleaned up all our plates), we still went on our hike up Koko Head.
Koko Head Cafe
1145c 12th Ave.
Honolulu, HI
Tel: (808) 732-8920
kokoheadcafe.com
Daily 7am-2:30pm Serving Brunch All Day Walk-ins Only
Side Tidbit:
Chef Lee Anne Wong’s cookbook, Dumplings All Day Wong: A Cookbook of Asian Delights From a Top Chef
The Counter
Inside the Koko Head Cafe
Looking for other dining recommendations, check out LiveYourAloha.com.
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