Top pick1$Fort Street Cafe
Chinatown·Asian Fusion Restaurant
Laid-back Asian-fusion standby with outdoor seating dishing up classics such as pad Thai & pho.
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Chinatown is one of Honolulu's most rewarding neighborhoods for budget-minded eaters. From steaming bowls at Marugame Udon to classic dim sum at Mei Sum, the blocks around Hotel and Maunakea Streets pack more flavor per dollar than almost anywhere else on Oahu. I pulled together the 19 qualifying spots so you don't have to wander hungry.
This is a curated BEST list, meaning Nate's hand-picked recommendations appear first — look for the NateEatsHawaii badge on those spots. The rest of the list is rounded out by the area's highest-rated and most talked-about cheap eats, ordered by visitor ratings on the site.
Whether you're after a quick taco at Taco Kabana, a comfort bowl of noodles at Lam's Kitchen, or a scoop of homemade ice cream at Wing Ice Cream Parlor, Chinatown delivers serious eating without serious spending. Spots Nate has personally visited are marked on the page so you always know where his experience is firsthand.
The ranking
Top pick1$Laid-back Asian-fusion standby with outdoor seating dishing up classics such as pad Thai & pho.
2$
3$Compact Chinese noodle house with a down-home atmosphere, specializing in pork & beef options.
4$Sweet & savory dishes are available at this local cafe roasting its own beans for over 20 years.
5$Cool shop for Japanese soups with cooked-to-order noodles, plus tempura & rice ball snacks.
6$Chinese fixture serving up a menu of traditional dim sum in a snug, bustling setting.
7$
8$Bakery fare in Kalihi. Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery is a well-loved spot and offers takeout.
9$A menu featuring classic, quick service Mexican burritos, tacos, & beer in a brightly painted space.
10$Classic burgers are served with milkshakes & draft beer at this chill, whitewashed-brick locale.
11$
12$Cozy parlor dishing homemade ice cream in classic & unusual flavors, plus shave ice.
13$Quaint counter-serve stop offering Mexican fare such as street tacos & burritos, plus ample sides.
14$Open-air market offering goods such as produce, jewelry & souvenirs plus an array of food options.
15$
16$
17$Casual cafe in Chinese Cultural Plaza focusing on pho (noodle soup) & other Vietnamese classics.
18$
19$This bustling, bare-bones cafe with a menu of Vietnamese classics specializes in pho noodle soup.
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FAQ
Chinatown is loaded with affordable options across every cuisine — highlights include Japanese udon at Marugame Udon, traditional dim sum at Mei Sum, Mexican street food at La Birria and Taco Kabana, and hearty Chinese noodles at Lam's Kitchen. Check the NateEatsHawaii badge on the page for Nate's personally verified picks.
Spots like Fort Street Cafe, Marugame Udon, and Mei Sum are well-regarded for delivering generous, flavorful meals at wallet-friendly prices. Chinatown's dense concentration of eateries also means you can easily graze — grab a pastry from Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery and a coffee from Local Joe Coffee Roasters without breaking the bank.
This is a curated guide combining Nate's verified firsthand recommendations (marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge) with the top-rated spots from roughly 1,900 Oahu restaurants catalogued on the site. The list is reviewed regularly to reflect current ratings and any changes in the neighborhood.
Chinatown