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OK, I can't find the thread where somebody recommended the oysters at Golden Wheel in 'Aiea. Anyway, I went there and enjoyed the oysters. But I'm writing in this thread to say that I liked the cake noodle--well, with one caveat: the center of the cake noodles were a bit cold. But I was so happy that they were thick, densely packed noodles that were perfectly crisped on the outside, I almost didn't care (thinking that they just had a bad day). I don't often see cake noodle made like this nowadays, so it was a nice treat.
I haven't tried all the Chinese restaurants on the Leeward side ('Aiea-Wai'anae), but I've been to a few. I think this is the best one I've tried so far.
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re: Jazzaloha
The rec. probably came from me Jazz. In exchange for your rec. of Ming's, which we have come to like a lot. Did you get the Chef's Special cake noodle? Much good eating for a very reasonable price. How do you think it compares to the cake noodle at that place on Liliha (Hoy Tin).
Next time you're on the dark side try some of the best pho on the island at Cuu Long and lechon at Thelma's and Elena's.-----
Cuu Long
175 N Hotel St Ste 2, Honolulu, HI 96817-
re: Joebob
I've tried the lechon (kawali and plain) at Thelma's, and I agree it's good. I don't think I've tried the one at Elena's, though. Where's Cuu Long, and what do you recommend?
What else have you tried at Ming's? Did you get the mochi slivers dish?
We didn't get the Chef's Special cake noodle. What's in that? I haven't eaten at Hoy Tin in a long time, but I think the one we had at Golden Wheel was better (although, as I mentioned, the center was cold).
Also, I recall that you recommended something else from Golden Wheel (spare ribs?). I was trying to remember, but to no avail.
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Cuu Long
175 N Hotel St Ste 2, Honolulu, HI 96817-
re: Jazzaloha
Elena's lechon is different (not soy marinated) but just as good. Love that cracklin' pig skin! Perhaps the best home cooking in that area is from Aunties Kitchen in the Waipahu Marketplace. Mongo beans a little bit better than the others mentioned, crunchy pigs ears, good adobos, etc.
Cuu Long is near the NE corner of the Pearl Kai Shopping Center, across Kam. Hwy. from Sears: 98-199 Kam. Hwy. Unit B7, 488-6041. Open all days, 10-10. THE DISH there is pho (bet you can't finish the X-LARGE BOWL), but the stuffed calamari and the chicken lemon grass were good too, though not as good as those types of dishes from Bac Nam.
There are so many noodle possibilities at Golden Wheel. I got Chef's Special mixed up with House (#108). The other dish I recommended was the sizzling oysters, which, I gather, you enjoyed.
We haven't had anything mochi at Ming's yet, but we greatly liked the soup dumplings; Peking duck; shrimp, asparagus and squid, and the smoked fish. (Didn't see any grubs on any of the menus though.)
After tasting the clams with meat, egg and basil, and the Chef's Special Chicken (cold with a garlic, oil and corriander sauce, not on the menu), I think the chef at Moon Garden may be something special himself.
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Pearl Kai Shopping Center
, Aiea, HI 96701Cuu Long
175 N Hotel St Ste 2, Honolulu, HI 96817Moon Garden Restaurant
578 N Vineyard Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96817
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What is the difference between cake noodles and crispy chow mein noodles? I always thought cake noodles were a Hawaii thing but I've had crispy chow mein noodles (basically pan fried egg noodles that are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside with meat/veggies/sauce over or undre them) on the mainland that seemed like the same thing. Am I just not remembering how special cake noodles really are?
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re: akq
Cake noodle are individual 1.5"x2" thick squares of noodles. They noodles are packed together in a way that the squares almost form a "noodle" by itself. (That's going a bit far, but you get the idea.) Crispy chow mein noodles in my experience is looser collection of noodles held together by the frying process.
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re: akq
I'm not sure about the cooking process. My impression is that the cakes are individually made and then fried--although I have eaten cake noodle that seemed to be made of one nest-like piece and then cut up. These weren't that good, imo and they didn't seem like real cake noodle.
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re: Jazzaloha
KaimukiMan
Sep 9, 2010 09:13 PM
you might want to try the cake noodle at mini garden downtown. probably not as dense as you might like but still good. I'm told waimalu chop suey (home of the giant gau gee) has good cake noodle.
I kinda like On On's cake noodle,but you are right, its not as dense as some of the old style chop suey used to have.
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re: Jazzaloha
The squares are not individually made-the whole mound of noodles are pan fried like a pancake then cut into squares.Usually topped by choice of meat and veggies. I am glad someone revived this thread as I will be heading back for Christmas and hope to hear more recs on same subject. So send your updated recs!
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Whenever I have out of town guests, I always think of taking them for cake noodle, as I think it's pretty unique to Hawai'i. Unfortunately, I don't know which place to take them to. My sense is that there really isn't a place that makes cake noodle that stands out above the rest. I saw that Alan Wong likes On On's cake noodle, so I tried that recently, and I wasn't impressed (although I ordered it take out and it was about fifteen minutes.) In some ways, the cake noodle situation may be similar to the Mexican restaurant situation in Hawai'i: there's are bad places, but several OK places, but nothing really outstanding. I would be happy if I were wrong about cake noodle and Mexican restaurants!
Recently, I went to Tasty Chop Suey (I think that's what it's called) at Gulick and School Street. I thought they had a pretty good cake noodle...which reminds me: we should talk about what makes a good cake noodle.
My personal preference is to have a crispy outside and soft inside. The trick is that the noodles shouldn't be falling a part. Also, I like the interior to be densely packed, almost to the point where you can't really see the individual noodles. (There's only one place I can remember having cake noodle like this and that was at Dong Kung Lau--Hakka Seafood in the Chinese Cultural Plaza.)
I haven't tried Happy Day, Mini-Garden, Pah-Ke or Golden Duck's cake noodle, so I'll try to do so. Any other recommendations?
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Chinese Cultural Plaza
Honolulu, HI, USA, Honolulu, HIAlan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S King St Fl 3, Honolulu, HI 96826Tasty Chop Suey
1606 Gulick Ave, Honolulu, HI 96819Golden Duck
1221 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96814Happy Day
3553 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816›4 Replies-
re: Jazzaloha
Jazz, recently I've been ordering from Hoy Tin Chop Suey on Liliha Street. Classic neighborhood hole in the wall, if you blink you'll miss the place, they have maybe 6 tables so they do a lot of take out. Their oyster sauce chicken with cake noodle is well done, better than I've had at a lot of other places. If you take out, ask for the gravy separate or you'll end up with a soggy mess.
They also have a dinner plate at $7 that I might try sometime, beef choy sum chow mein, sweet sour spareribs, pot roast pork, fried shrimp, crispy won ton and fried rice. Dinner plates can be a hit or miss, but when it's good they can be worth getting when in the mood.
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re: Jazzaloha
From what I've tried, the Hoy Tin cake noodle is better than Happy Days and Golden Duck, way better than On On. Haven't had the cake noodles at Tasty or the other places mentioned.
What I've found that really makes a difference when I take out is heating the gravy so that it's piping hot when poured over the dish. Also I don't drown the dish, just enough so it's absorbed nicely, not swimming in it, just a personal preference.
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Sorry, but On On has gone down the hill for me. I don't go there anymore and unless something's changed, I'd much rather go to Golden Duck for most food.
For best cake noodle, Golden Duck wouldn't be on the list, but Pahoa Chop Suey is. I love cake noodle that is a little crunchy when the sauce is put over it and Pahoa makes their noodles at the time of ordering. Others pre-make it partial cooked I think. Plus, I don't know where they get their noodles from, but it has a much tastier flavor than other places. There's something about the noodle itself which I love. Portions are big too. Never tried the Peking Duck there.
I don't have Peking Duck too often (just parties), but Wah Kung at Ranch 99 market complex is good. I'm sure there are others. By the way, if you have a craving for Peking Duck and you're alone, try Island Manapua (I go to the Manoa location). They sell 4 roast duck in a bun pieces with green onion sliver and plum sauce to go. No crispy skin from the peking duck but close to it in a pinch.
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I have not had it, but Little Village House is generally considered best Chinese on Oahu, so they may have the best Peking duck. Pah Ke made a lovely, special, expensive meal for us, so they could do the same for you. Basically, I'm with KMan: chill bro! You're coming to paradise. Not the time to be anal retentive.
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re: Joebob
KaimukiMan
Jul 27, 2009 02:00 AM
I would rate Little Village very high too, except I don't think they have traditional chinese/hawaiian cake noodle. other than that you cant go wrong at Little Village.
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re: Joebob
KaimukiMan
Jul 27, 2009 07:24 PM
i am gonna get roasted for saying this.... i think it depends on if you are asking in cantonese or english. or at least they believe that you appreciate chinese food. but in general, LV is much more hong kong style than local style. a couple of the dishes are listed as crispy noodle, but not cake
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Had a pretty good Minute Chicken with Ong Choy over cake noodles at Happy Days in Kaimuki sometime back. Not necessarily the best I've ever had, but decent enough. Be sure to ask for bone-in chicken otherwise your get cut up boneless chicken breast.
Golden Duck on King Street might also work. Both places are reasonably priced, local style restaurants.While I'm thinking about noodles, Royal Garden at the Ala Moana Hotel has a very good Sam See Mien (pork, chicken and mushrooms over noodles). It's not on the regular menu but you can ask for it, excellent with their dim sum for lunch.
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KaimukiMan
Jul 24, 2009 10:35 AM
best is a debate for both
try On On they have some of the best cake noodle on the island, and they do have peking duck. there food is generally very very good. But ask 4 chinese food devotees which restaurant has the best cake noodle and peking duck an you wlll get 16 answers.
On On is at the Corner of McCully & Young.
Most windward residents swear that Pah Ke's in Kaneohe has some of the best chinese food around.
and remember, you are coming to Hawaii, relax brah, relax. Hurry?? So NYC... LOL
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re: UES Mayor
KaimukiMan
Jul 27, 2009 12:12 PM
woah braddah... tree weeks? planny time, slow down yah? we not going ice you out you know. mebbe if only get like tree days or tree houahs, das time fo panic out.
no hu hu
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re: KaimukiMan
Just back from Oahu-had a chance to try On On-was not impressed with it although a ton better than Waimalu Chop Suey place in the little mall there. If anyone remembers the old King's Palace in Kaimuki-long gone-that's what I'll be looking for on my next trip-thier cake needle was so good. Speaking of King's Palce-they did an oyster roll which have never been able to find elsewhere-anyone remember?
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