Okdongsik Honolulu Review 2026: Best Korean Food
Is Okdongsik Honolulu worth the price? Discover the famous clear pork gomtang by Netflix's Culinary Class Wars star Chef Okdongsik right here in Hawaii.
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Is Okdongsik Honolulu worth the price? Discover the famous clear pork gomtang by Netflix's Culinary Class Wars star Chef Okdongsik right here in Hawaii.
A Must-Visit on Your Hawaii Trip: My Honest Review of Okdongsik Hawaii
Getting a Sneak Peek of Culinary Class Wars Season 2 at This Honolulu Korean Hotspot
When you search for the best eats in Hawaii,
keywords like "Culinary Class Wars Season 2 Okdongsik," "Okdongsik Hawaii,"
and "Honolulu Korean food" constantly pop up.
One of the most memorable moments of my recent trip
was savoring a steaming bowl of comforting broth right in Honolulu.
Now that I've been there myself, I completely get why everyone is raving about it.
It was already famous as a Michelin Guide-featured spot,
but now it's become the ultimate hot place to be!~
With its clear, deep pork gomtang (soup) broth,
it's perfect for curing a hangover,
and the sleek bar seating and open kitchen make the experience even better.
I don't usually eat Korean food when I travel overseas,
but knowing the chef is appearing on Culinary Class Wars Season 2
made me too curious to pass it up!
Yes, Hawaii is expensive, but the sheer quality of this place
makes it a must-add to your Hawaii food bucket list.
If you have an upcoming trip to Hawaii,
or if you're already getting tired of heavy, greasy American food,
make sure to read today's post all the way to the end!
From reservation tips to menu recommendations,
I'm going to share absolutely everything!~
After my trip to Hawaii in May, I decided to treat myself
and visit this beautiful paradise once again!
Wow, the weather was stunning, the ocean was gorgeous,
and I was thinking, "I'm so glad I came back," when I heard
the exciting news that Okdongsik had opened right here.
It's already famous in Korea as a place where people line up for hours,
and hearing that Chef Ok Dongsik
would be appearing on Culinary Class Wars Season 2,
I knew I had to visit immediately.
Since it's one of the trendiest spots in Honolulu right now,
making a reservation in advance is a must!
The moment I stepped inside, the atmosphere took me by surprise.
Instead of the typical Korean restaurant vibe,
it features a chic, modern bar-style counter,
and you can watch the chefs cook right in front of you in the open kitchen.
The most surprising part was the crowd.
I expected mostly Korean tourists since it's a Korean restaurant in Hawaii,
but to my surprise, there were tons of locals
and international travelers filling the seats.
It turns out that non-Korean travelers also list Okdongsik
as a top Hawaii must-visit restaurant, leaving amazing reviews
about the clean, comforting pork broth.
While its Michelin acclaim initially drew people in,
now with the "Netflix effect" added to the mix,
the hype for Korean food in Honolulu is only going to skyrocket.
Booking a table at Okdongsik Honolulu
is actually super easy.
You just need to select the number of guests, your desired date, and time.
Lunch slots can be booked from 11:00 AM to 1:45 PM,
and dinner slots are available from 5:00 PM to 7:45 PM.
Just a heads up: weekend dinner slots are highly competitive
for both locals and travelers alike.
So I highly recommend booking your Okdongsik Hawaii table
at least 2 to 3 days in advance.
Okdongsik Honolulu Hours
11:00 AM ~ 2:30 PM
5:00 PM ~ 8:30 PM
Don't forget to check the break time!
If your plans change, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance,
but note that arriving more than 10 minutes late is considered a no-show,
so make sure to be on time!
If there is any additional information you need to write down...
Just check and confirm.
You'll receive a confirmation email sent to your registered RESY email,
where you can review your reservation details,
and if you need to cancel, just click "Modify Reservation"
to cancel it.
Super easy, right?
Book OKDONGSIK Hawaii
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Book Your OKDONGSIK Hawaii Reservation Now on Resy
Once we got seated, we ordered their signature dishes:
the Pork Gomtang and the Lard Tonkatsu.
The Pork Gomtang had a much clearer broth than I expected,
and for anyone craving a warm, comforting soup dish in Hawaii,
it's absolutely perfect.
The meat is sliced paper-thin, so it's not dry at all—
it literally melts in your mouth.
The side condiment, gochuji (chili pepper paste),
isn't meant to be dissolved in the broth.
Instead, you place a little bit on top of the meat,
which absolutely elevates the savory umami flavor!
The Lard Tonkatsu was also incredibly crispy, juicy, and tender,
making it an absolute delight to eat.
It comes served with a bowl of rice and a side of gomtang broth,
which is perfect for getting a taste of both!
It really lived up to the quality of a top Hawaii eatery.
If you visit around the middle of your trip when you start craving Korean food,
you'll be incredibly satisfied—
they even serve roasted barley tea! haha 😂
When you consider Hawaii's high cost of living,
Honolulu Korean food of this outstanding quality
actually feels quite reasonable.
It was a thoroughly satisfying choice for a special meal during our trip.
Of course, compared to the prices of Okdongsik in Korea,
it is on the pricier side.
Hawaii's cost of living is no joke...
It came out to about $47 including tip,
but considering local prices and the quality of this Honolulu Korean spot,
I felt it was a Michelin-rated gem
well worth the investment at least once.
Especially getting to experience the culinary renown of Chef Ok Dong-sik from *Culinary Class Wars*
right here in Hawaii is so unique,
and it works wonders as a comforting warm soup dish
to soothe your stomach during your travels!
On top of that, it's mostly bar seating, so even if you visit alone,
there's zero pressure—making it absolutely perfect for solo travelers!
"Do I really need to eat Korean food while traveling?"
Okdongsik Hawaii completely shattered that prejudice of mine.
It might seem like just another meal,
but the seamless blend of local island vibes
and authentic Korean flavors made it a truly special experience.
Since it's right near Ala Moana, it's perfect to visit before or after shopping,
and being located inside the Renaissance Hotel building
made it even more convenient to access.
Just like my last trip, I stayed at the Renaissance Hotel this time too,
and it was absolute perfection once again..!
If you haven't booked your Hawaii hotel yet,
I highly recommend checking this place out!
▼▼▼
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Whether you are traveling with parents, need a hangover cure
after a night of drinking, or are simply looking for
a clean and delicious Korean dining experience in Hawaii, this is the place.
If you're putting together your Hawaii food itinerary,
it will be so much fun watching *Culinary Class Wars* Season 2
and pointing out, "Hey, I've been to his restaurant!"
I hope you use these tips to book your spot in advance
and have an absolutely amazing trip to Hawaii,
See you on the next adventure!
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📍 OKDONGSIK Honolulu
1388 Kapiolani Blvd #3, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA
You can make a reservation by selecting the number of guests, date, and time via the RESY platform. Lunch reservations are available from 11:00 AM to 1:45 PM, and dinner from 5:00 PM to 7:45 PM.
Business hours are from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM, with a break time in between. If you are 10 minutes late for your reservation, it is considered a no-show, so please be sure to arrive on time.
Ordering the Dwaeji Gomtang and lard tonkatsu will cost about 47 dollars, including tip. It is on the expensive side compared to the stores in Korea, but it is reasonable considering the cost of living in Hawaii.
It is located in the Renaissance Hotel building near Ala Moana, and the exact address is 1388 Kapiolani Blvd #3. The interior features stylish bar tables and an open kitchen, making it perfect for solo dining.
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