Honolulu HK Café now in Manila, Philippines
Our turf did it once again! We have another addition that spices up the food scene here in Robinsons Place Manila. Originally from Hong Kong, Honolulu Café can now be enjoyed at the ground floor of the mall (right beside Yabu).
Just like any other foodies, I get excited trying something new. In fact, I was able to check out Tsurumaru (read more) when it opened about a month ago. Now, it is Honolulu’s turn to stir curiosity.
Lukewarm interest over Singaporean and HK cuisine
Upon learning that Honolulu is actually an HK-inspired restaurant, my initial excitement faded a bit. This is because of my lukewarm interest over Singaporean and HK food (with a few exceptions of course). Thankfully, my adventurous spirit turned this around.
Plus, I wanted to figure out why there was always a long queue here in Honolulu. In search of an answer, I brought my family over.
Honolulu has this vibrantly-lit interior that adds up to its inviting aura. Though the cuisine is mostly HK, the vibe blends in some Hawaiian inspirations. But what really attracts the most is the delicious aroma coming from freshly baked egg tarts and other pastries. It’s effective, I’ll say.
Vision-striking prices
I was pretty much enjoying the ambiance, but I was caught off guard upon seeing the prices on the menu. When I walked in, I was thinking that the prices will be similar to that of Hawker Chan’s (read more), which is somewhere near P130 to P180 per dish. Much to my surprise, the average range here is P250 – P300. “Parang napasubo ako”, I thought to myself. Since I already brought my family here, there was no turning back. “Sige lang order lang kayo”, I assured them (yet at the back of my mind I was already computing).
I’ll be sharing the dishes we ordered here so you’ll have an idea of which to order (and which ones to avoid). Let’s begin with the Roasted Pork BBQ.
The Roasted BBQ Pork (P260) came in with its attention-catching vibrance, although the overall plating might have gone a little sloppy. It was juicy, and every bite oozed with sweet-savory taste.
Had I not eaten in Hawker Chan (thus eliminating a benchmark), I would have found a lot of joy in this plate. I just couldn't ignore the fact that for a somehow similar experience, I can avail it with just about P150. It is important to note, however, that Honolulu's serving size is way more generous than Hawker Chan's (which may partially explain the price difference).
If you intend to try two meats at the same time, you may go for 2-Roasted Meat Meal (P280). My mom picked Soy Chicken and Roasted Pork Belly, both were amazing in tenderness and texture. They also had this savory goodness that seeped richly into the meat.
The Baked Pork Chop Spaghetti (P298) was a dish that would really stir curiosity. It's not too common to find dishes such as this, and I think it's one of the unique HK dishes you'll find in the menu.
When the sauce touched my lips, it burst with immense savory greasy tomato taste -- that kind that lingers a bit in the entire mouth. It was not pleasant during the first touch, but it grew on me on my succeeding tries. Later on, I found myself enjoying it along with the tenderness of the pork chop.
The Deep Fried Chicken Curry Rice (P268) was the most artistically presented dish among all that we had for the day. It was deeply crispy, and you can feel and taste it in each bite, making it an excellent dish. I just felt like it was expensive.
I'd recommend this, but since the next curry dish provides more delight, I am recommending that one instead.
The Baked Chicken in Portuguese Style (P278), which was my personal order, was the best dish I had for this dining experience. It featured the same deep crispness for the chicken, perhaps more playful due to the enhanced texture from the baking process. The blend of toasted cheese and curry was spot-on, intensifying the layers of flavors from the dish. A must-try!
The Egg Tart (P50) was remarkable. The pastry came all delicate, hot, crispy and flaky giving my mouth a ticklish feel. The tart itself was gooey and instantly melts upon contact. Dreamy.
Honolulu HK Café - Overall Ratings and Summary
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings reflect my personal experiences on the times I dine here.
| Ambiance: | ★★★☆ |
| Taste: | ★★★★ |
| Service: | ★★★★ |
| Price/Value: | ★★★☆ |
| Budget: | at least of P250 each for a personal dish |
When you think of it, the prices here in Honolulu HK Café are not as extravagant as other restaurants wherein you’ll be spending no less than P400 each. However, in its category, Honolulu Café does seem a little pricier especially when you compare it with similar restaurants.
Despite the relative expensiveness, there are still dishes that are unique to Honolulu. Examples are Baked Chicken in Portuguese Style and Baked Pork Chop Spaghetti. These are the dishes that are worth the price! Oh, plus they have a homemade chili-garlic sauce, that’s so authentic and tasty!
In a nutshell, I still recommend Honolulu HK Café for you to experience and try. Check it out!
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Honolulu HK Café
Location: G/F Robinsons Place Manila (near Kyochon, Pound and Yabu), Ermita, Manila
Service Charge: 10% before VAT
