Helena’s Hawaiian Food

This place is legit, everyone seems to love this Helena’s, and for good reason. The staff are the most friendliest people ever, and the customers are just as friendly. It felt like I was a guest rather than a customer.
So the food here is on point; you can order a la carte or order from sets. I got menu C which consists of short rib, kalua pork, lomi salmon, and either rice or poi. In addition, I got fried butterfish collar because that is a must. Everything was absolutely delicious, as authentic as it gets. I’m not sure where else I can go for a more heartwarming and comforting meal at Oahu.
Helena’s is cash only and the parking lot is small so be prepared for that. Also, the line can get incredibly long so if you don’t feel like waiting, then come early or late!

I finally got to try Helena’s … a Hawaiian food institution … I was not disappointed. The pork was sooo amazing.
This is what I had and what I would recommend …
— Kalua Pork, tender and juicy, can’t beat the way the Hawaiians do it.
— Kalua Pork & Cabbage, simply delicious, the juiciness of the pork is soaked up into the cabbage.
— Macaroni salad, really balance, not tooo heavy, strikes the right balance when eaten w/​the pork.
— Laulau, I was hoping that it would just knock me off my feet but I thought it was average, not nearly as good as the regular Pork dishes I ordered.
— Poke, not very good, quite bland. Stupid me for ordering this when this place is known for the pork.
— Butterfish, soooo stupid I forgot about this plate.
Overall I am happy I went.

I’ve had Helena’s bookmarked for years now but never really got the chance to try it out during my last few trips to Oahu except for the one time I ordered the fried butterfish collar to-​go many years ago. The moment came for us to try Helena’s when we attempted to eat at Mitsu-​Ken this past Friday to find they were closed until 6÷21÷16. I looked at my bookmarks and found Helena’s nearby and open that day. We arrived several minutes before they officially opened and were seated right away. After reviewing the menu, we went with menu B that included kalua pork and their famous short ribs. We also added a side order of the fried ahi, fried butterfish collar and the chicken long rice. As we were eating, we noticed that more and more people were piling in the restaurant but as we continued to eat, it became clear that the food is just so delicious that’s why it was getting packed shortly after 10 in the morning.
Helena’s is definitely a great option when visiting Oahu and looking for local Hawaiian food that differs from the typical plate lunches. Just get there early to beat the crowds.

After having subpar traditional Hawaiian cuisine at a very touristy luau back in 2012, I wanted to give the cuisine another try. When I knew I was going to visit Oahu again, my one specific request to my friend/​fellow Unilocaler Nadine was to try the native cuisine at Helena’s Hawaiian Food due to its accolades. My particular visit to Helena’s with Nadine was very memorable because it was due to her suggestions that I was able to appreciate native cuisine a lot more — most noteworthy being that I actually like poi.
VENUE: It’s located in Kalihi, driving distance from Waikiki and a bit seedier. There are only 5 parking spots for the mini complex and signs say that you can’t park across the street. There are chairs outside for waiting.
Tables and chairs are simple but they are clean.
SERVICE: We waited at least 30 minutes. At least while we were waiting we were given menus. Service wasn’t too intrusive. They came to collect dirty plates when needed as well as fill up empty water cups.
Nadine and I did Combo D with additional side items. This was enough for 2 hungry people, though I was at a disadvantage as I was fed well on the plane. BTW CASH ONLY.
COMBO D (a little over $ 20)
— Large/​Small poi or 2 scoops rice (We chose small poi).
Nadine: Don’t think of poi as an entrée, it’s bland. Put your lomi or your kalua on top of your poi and eat it like rice.
For those that have read my previous reviews, I used to hate poi because of its very weird texture and bland taste. Nadine says that I probably had the powdered stuff and of course that’s going to taste awful. Fresh poi is a different story, has more body and a slightly sour aftertaste. Her suggestion made all the difference as I was able to eat my kalua pig and lomi salmon just like I was eating it with rice. Even better was that poi is the healthier alternative as it contains more enzymes and less calories. I felt less bloated than if I was to eat everything with rice.
— Kalua Pig (cooked in imu). I liked the texture (similar to pulled pork) more than the taste, which is a bit dry. Didn’t mind that much when I put it on top of poi as it made the pig more moist.
— Pipikaula Short Ribs. Meant to be eaten like a jerky and not to be dipped in poi. Meat was tough yet juicy.
— Lomi Salmon. Not that much salmon pieces but locals usually put their lomi on top of their poi to give it more flavor. For some reason this combination works.
— Luau Squid. It’s rather unique that it’s cooked squid cooked in luau leaves and coconut milk. The coconut milk imparts a little sweetness and the leaves make it slightly more herbal. Usually I’m used to more savory squid dishes so it took a while to get used to the taste. This was the most average of the four entrees but I’m not complaining. Goes without saying don’t dip it in poi.
— Onions with rock salt and haupia. Palate cleanser and small sweet treat. LOVE the haupia. It has the taste of coconut without the harsh texture of coconut «skin» and is not very gelatinous. Onions had a bite and not soggy.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
— Tripe Stew ($ 4.25) with side rice ($ 1.10) Another excellent dish. Lots of tripe pieces with little carrots and a big piece of potato. The tripe imparted a lot of flavor, but I think they used a beef based broth. Made to be eaten with rice.
— Long Rice Chicken ($ 4.25). I thought of this as a noodle soup with chicken pieces. Nadine and I appreciated the gingery broth. Noodles were soft and I could eat this by itself.
Originally my schedule wouldn’t have allowed me to eaten here if the No1DP arrived on time but as he arrived late I was able to hang out with Nadine. Being only open Tues-​Fri doesn’t help with scheduling. No1DP wouldn’t have enjoyed the pork, squid or tripe stew. Nadine saved the day and thanks to her suggestions I was able to truly enjoy Hawaiian food like a local. She’s one of my favorite dining partners for that reason.
The hype is true and it is deserving of the accolades it gets. I’ll go further and say if you only have one opportunity to eat a good meal make the effort to go here. The food/​cost ratio is good, it’s simple comfort fare and one of the best examples of native Hawaiian cuisine Oahu has to offer.

Must stop place for local grinds! Came twice on my last trip to Oahu and ordered the following which was all good and worth ordering: Ribs, Salmon Lomi, Fried Butterfish, Kalua Pork. Everything on the menu was great and is worth trying. The staff is über nice too. Parking is tough so try to come on off hours and be prepared to wait in a short line.

This place was probably the most hole-​in-​the-​wall restaurant I’ve ever been to but I’m damn sure glad I can say I’ve been there — even bought a souvenir shirt for my dad cause I loved it that much. It’s a chill environment that’s full of locals and tourists alike.
If you ask anyone where the best lunch is in town, they’ll point you here. Me and my boyfriend split an order of their Kalua Pig and Pipikaula Short Ribs (upgraded to a large) with 2 scoops of rice. It was plenty of food for the both of us to share but now that I’m out of Hawaii, I wish I ate more of those short ribs when I had the chance! Their Kalua pig was tender and smoky and their Pipikaula ribs were thick and perfectly seasoned (a little sweet, a little salty). The order comes with two squares of haupia (one of my new favorite coconut treats), which I really appreciated as it ended the meal on a sweet note. Didn’t get to try their poi, but I’m sure it’s as deliciously authentic as everything that comes out of their kitchen.
Also, the sweet old lady that works at the front counter is the best! I’d give this place more stars if I could.

A local recommended this place, not to mention I had seen it in various guidebooks and travel articles. Street parking was plentiful. There is a private lot but it’s not large. We encountered a line of people outside and arrived only 40 minutes prior to closing so we decided to get takeout.
The staff were extremely cheerful and cordial. Ordered two combos to go. Within five minutes I had the order in my hand! The portion sizes are large. Incredibly authentic Hawaiian food at affordable prices. Highly recommended.

One of the most iconic restaurants in Hawai’i. It’s always a treat and a privilege to walk through their doors. You will notice that every customer has a big smile on.
Yes, parking is the issue here. We try to get there before 11am. Cash only.
The restaurant has that old island charm. Nice people, plastic plates, ono food. Their signature dish is the Short Ribs Pipikaula, but I also enjoy their tripe stew, raw fish & opihi (with a sprinkle of chili pepper water,) squid luau, and butterfish collar. So ono.
Not much else to say. This place is special.

I want to preface this review by saying that I don’t really like Kalua pig; however, if I did, I would probably like it at Helena’s. This was my first time trying Kalua pig and I didn’t realize how gamey it would be. That being said, the flavors of the pig at Helena’s were good and the meat was moist.
I also tried poi for the first time and I liked it more than I thought I would but it still wasn’t really for me. The only thing I actually liked was the haupia, a sweet, coconut gelatin type dessert. They actually gave us a bit for free with the meal, but we also bought some extra. This stuff was addicting. The perfect level of sweetness and unexpectedly creamy.
There were so many people waiting in line for lunch that we decided to get take out. The lady at the counter was efficient and sweet as pie. The food is also an incredible value for the price. Huge portions for around 8 – 12 bucks.
Overall, the food was not really for me, but it was a nice experience.

What a great place to taste our Aloha!!!
Helenas is one of my favorite places for Hawaiian food, here the reviews:
–Ambience: Place is small and it gets crowed so most likely you will have to wait for a table.
They remodeled the place recently so looks nicer but with a local style still.
–Service: 5 stars!!!
–Parking: is super tight so good luck finding a stall!
–Food: MUST GET:
Short ribs Pipikaula style small ($ 7.75)
Meat is sooo tender and tasty!!! This is a MUST GET for sure!
Laulau ($ 4.75) its a little small comparing to some other hawaiian places but stills yummy!
Fried butterfish collar ($ 5.75)
Another MUST GET! its so crispy and tasty! Hmmm! Makes me want to eat it again!!!
You can get a side order of rice for $ 1.10 (1 scoop) or $ 2.20 (2 scoops) or if you want to eat more local style, you can try the poi ($ 3.25 small or $ 3.95 large)
Overall, this a place to visit if you are a local or visiting our island! Prices are cheap and food is good! What a perfect combination!!! :)
FYI ITS CASH ONLY!!!

Best Hawaiian food on the island! I originally took this off of my list of because my coworker said it was all right but thank god I changed my mind because this place serves amazing food! I loved it so much I bought a shirt to promote them back home! I will definitely come back!
Short Ribs Pipikala Style: I am glad that our waitress recommended this because it was mad flavorful!
Fried Butterfish Collar: A must order! The fish was way tasty & melted in my mouth. I would order 2, that is how good it was.
Macaroni Salad: Best yet!
Haupia: They gave us 2 pieces on the house & it was so yum that we ordered ½ pound to go. Sweet!
Cash only!

Helens you’re always a must visit. I can’t get enough of your friendly welcoming hospitality. Everything on the menu is so Ono! For sure is always «broke da mouth» whenever I visit. Thank you for your yummy deliciousness!
FYI: order menu D

Loved this place!!!
The only reasons I would give it 4, instead of 5 stars, are:
–the wait (2 hours, outside, in the heat, on a random weekday)
–very little parking
–hours are really weird. Closed on weekends
–cash only
Now that we’re past that… can we talk about the food?!
This was the BEST food I ate my entire vacation. I am not a Hawaii native, but I came to Honolulu hoping to experience authentic Hawaiian food, not just to eat at tourist-​trap restaurants in Waikiki. This place was exactly what I was hoping for. What makes the food so good is really the synergy of everything put together. The pipikaula (short ribs) were cooked to perfection, and the flavor was perfect. The pulled pork, not something I eat often, was delicious, and not overly salty. The poke (tuna), served w/​scallions, is very simple but so fresh and satisfying. All of these things, when you combine them with rice, fresh tomato & onion… is heaven on earth. Really.
This tiny, casual, unpretentious place has a lot to offer. Once you get in the door, you will be amazed! :)

The Pipikaula here is bomb! The best I’ve had so far. But the yummy goodness doesn’t stop there… everything on the menu is to die for!!!
Helpful tip… they are closed on Mondays!!! I think I’ve come here a couple of times and also recommended this place to out of town guests only to realize that it was a Monday and they are closed. Total fail!!! But come any other day and you won’t regret it!!!
Another helpful tip… add the chili pepper water to any of your dishes for an extra kick!

First official Hawaiian meal on our trip! The parking is kind of a mess. The street is packed and the spots in the parking lot in front are reserved for the other stores nearby. The place was pretty busy and packed but we didn’t have to wait very long but then again it was like 3 pm. I assume during the lunch or dinner rush, the wait would be quite longer.
So the portions are small but that’s ok because you get to try a little bit of everything!
We had some Kalua pig & cabbage, short ribs, and lomi poke. They gave us complimentary Haupia… which comes with some sliced onions… but they don’t go together. lol You’re supposed to eat the onions with the short ribs with the Hawaiian sea salt. It was all very good! I wish I tried a couple of other things from their menu. My mouth is watering as I’m writing this review.
Definitely a good spot to come while you’re in Oahu!

Whoa man. How did I somehow forget to write a review about Helena’s?! Everything has pretty much been said about this iconic Hawai’i eatery, which I was finally able to experience with my boss a few months ago. He flew in from Portland and I could think of no better place to take him that is more Unilocaly than Helena’s!
We were lucky enough to find parking on the street and waited for a table for two which luckily opened up in less than twenty minutes. We tried all the usual suspects and Helena’s did not disappoint in the authentic Hawaiian food department. I have to say that the highlight of my experience other than the fantastic service were those pipikalua short ribs! I don’t even like to eat meat all that much and I must say it’s the one dish you have to eat while visiting one of my fave hidden gems. Get there early, be prepared to eat your face off and enjoy a truly local business that has stayed legit over decades of being a neighborhood staple.

When you’re on Unilocal’s List of Top 100 Restaurants of 2016, you’d better be better than good.
My friend from Northern California was visiting, so I took this opportunity to have him try «Authentic Hawaiian Food» — NOT Spam Musubi or Loco Moco! LOL!
REAL Hawaiian food includes items like poi (made from taro), lomi salmon (tomato/​onion salad with salted salmon), and squid luau (a coconut flavored spinach-​like mixture).
We arrived at opening time (10am) so that we would have Free Parking in front of the restaurant. School Street is in a busy neighborhood, so plan ahead. Earlier is usually better at any restaurant because there is a good chance of getting a seat without waiting — YES!
Service was so friendly — all of the staff chatted with us and asked where we were from. When they found out that my friend was from Oakland, they talked about the traffic, weather, and helped out with food selections. They suggested that we get a side of poi — good idea! Complimentary haupia (coconut jello) dessert was a bonus! YUM!
Everything tasted great — even the Pipikaula (short ribs) and the Fried Butterfish Collar — so ono! We shared the Combination D which was some of everything, and just the right amount for 2 people!
Notes: this is a Cash Only business with simple décor and a homey feel.
It’s closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
Open from 10am to 7:30pm, Tuesdays through Fridays.
Highly recommended!

My friend kept telling me about this joint before I got to Hawaii. She thought the prices were affordable, and the foods were good.
We got to the restaurant, and I have to admit: it isn’t your fancy restaurant in Honolulu. It is a casual spot, and you have what seems to be family members running the business. The staff is super friendly and professional. The menu is easy to look at and is not overwhelming you. There’s no explanation of what ingredients the foods contain, so you might want to have your phone handy to look up the information.
We had a great dinner! We ordered luau squid (earthy taste), lau lau pork (earthy and leafy taste), Kalua pig (MMMMMM! My favorite!), fried butter fish (SUPER CRUNCHY AND TASTY!), and coconut jelly as part of your dessert. Well, my friend and I didn’t forget the Mac & Cheese salad. We also had a bit of rice, but the Mac & Cheese salad was more important.
Anyway, the meal was so good!!! My mouth is watering as I am reviewing this restaurant and looking at all the photos. Lol! Will come back ! Will come back!

I knew better. I could’ve kicked myself. I felt like such a noob.
It was 2 p.m. on a clear and breezy Wednesday, and I had delayed my errands with the intent of stopping into Helena’s after the lunch rush, figuring the wait couldn’t be too terrible.
Well. Obviously, I’ve been away from home too long. Helena’s is ALWAYS packed; even Chicago doesn’t see a lot of 45-​minute waits for a late-​ish lunch. And I’d been to Helena’s plenty of times. Really should’ve known.
No matter. I got my order, taken by one of those lovable, endearingly talkative aunties, to go so I could scarf it down in my rental car parked along School Street. Soon after getting into the car and cranking up both the A/​C and Amy Hānaiali’i (gotta get in the mood), I devoured the juicy, salty kālua pig, squid luau and chicken long rice (which, though delicious, barely contained any meat), all of which I sprinkled with chili pepper water. I don’t care much for haupia, as I prefer a silkier texture than cornstarch can provide, but Helena’s is passable.
You need to remember three things when planning a trip to Helena’s:
1) Go right when they open to avoid long waits and parking issues,
2) Bring cash, ’cause you can’t pay with anything else, and
3) Order the pipikaula short ribs so I can regret not doing so.

Helena’s was our first meal upon landing in Honolulu, and overall a delicious experience! For all those unfamiliar with the place (like myself), here’s the 411:
— There will most likely NOT be parking in the very small, slanted parking lot, and the neighborhoods are pretty slim pickings. Your best bet for take-​out is to send someone while you wait in the car
— Go inside and place your order at the cash register (back-​right corner)
— Cash only (bring a minimum of $ 25)
— Order and go outside to wait in the heat quietly until your box/​bag comes out
With $ 20, I wasn’t able to get the plate lunch I reallllly wanted, but that’s my fault. I really liked their «Menu C — Kalua Pig, Lomi Salmon & Pipikaula Shortribs». It’s a legit little place, with finicky hours if you’re just there for the weekend, but well worth your time (and cash!).

Authentische hawaiianische Küche mit Poi und allem, was dazu gehört. Immer ziemlich voll und eng, aber preisgünstig. Zeit sollte man genügend mitbringen. Es dauert. Man wartet auf einen freien Tisch und teilweise auch etwas länger aufs Essen. Dafür wird man noch von der Chefin persönlich (der Tochter der Gründerin) verabschiedet.

Ein kleines, von außen recht unscheinbares Restaurant, an dem viele Touristen wahrscheinlich vorbei fahren würden. Zumal es in einer Gegend abseits der Massentouristenströme liegt.
Im Restaurant wird man aufs herzlichste von der Inhaberin Helena begrüßt, die hinter der Kasse steht und den seit 69 Jahren bestehenden Familienbetrieb in 2. Generation führt. Ihr Sohn steht in der Küche.
Helena ist eine der nettesten Personen, die wir jemals getroffen haben.
Die Speisekarte ist ziemlich umfangreich und enthält überwiegend Hawaiianische Spezialitäten.
Da wir am späten Nachmittag bei Helena waren, wollten wir noch nicht direkt dort essen, sondern uns Essen mitnehmen. Es war zu dem Zeitpunkt noch nicht viel los.
Nach kurzer Wartezeit, die uns Helena mit einem Pläuschchen vertrieb, konnten wir unsere Bestellung mitnehmen.
Tipp: Das Kalua Pig ist ein Muss! Gratis gibt’s zum Nachtisch hausgemachten Kokospudding.