Brunch$$kaimukiDaily 07:00-14:00
Koko Head Cafe in Kaimuki Honolulu is chef Lee Anne Wong's brunch room where the cornflake French toast and breakfast bibimbap have anchored 12th Avenue.
Signature: Cornflake-crusted French toast, Breakfast bibimbap, Hangtown fry
Order: Cornflake French toast and the breakfast bibimbap with kimchee bacon.
Tip: Daily brunch; dinner Friday to Monday from 17:00. Walk-in queue steady at 09:00 weekends.
Hawaiian$$kalihi
Helena's Hawaiian Food on North School Street has served traditional Hawaiian plates in Kalihi Honolulu since 1946, now run by the founder's grandson Craig.
Signature: Pipikaula short ribs, Kalua pig, Butterfish collar
Order: Pipikaula short ribs, butterfish collar and a side of poi.
Tip: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00-19:30. Cash and card; closed Saturday and Sunday. Arrive by 17:00 for the full board.
Hawaiian$$kakaako
Highway Inn Kakaako is the 2013 Honolulu outpost of the Toguchi family's 1947 Waipahu original, serving the same kalua pork, laulau and combo plates inside.
Signature: Kalua pork plate, Laulau, Lomi salmon
Order: The kalua pork combo with laulau, lomi salmon and a side of poi.
Tip: Free parking with validation, ninety minutes in the SALT lot. Lunch wait shortens after 13:00.
Local Hawaiian$$ala-moana
Side Street Inn Ala Moana is the original 1992 Hopaka Street bar in Honolulu from the late Colin Nishida, the off-duty chef hangout known for pan-fried pork.
Signature: Pan-fried pork chops, Kim chee fried rice, Spicy fried chicken
Order: Pan-fried pork chops with kim chee fried rice; share among four.
Tip: Open Mon to Fri from 16:00, weekends from 12:00, until 20:30. Bring four people minimum; portions are family-size.
Japanese Udon$waikiki
Marukame Udon Waikiki in Honolulu is the theatre-kitchen Sanuki udon counter on Kuhio Avenue where you watch handcut noodles boiled to order and finished.
Signature: Kake udon, Niku udon, Tempura
Order: Niku udon with sweet beef and a kakiage tempura side.
Tip: Queue on Kuhio moves fast; daily 10:00-22:00. Average bowl is around $6.
Plate Lunch$kapahulu
Rainbow Drive-In on Kanaina Avenue in Kapahulu Honolulu has slung plate lunches since 1961, founded by Seiju and Ayako Ifuku and voted top loco moco.
Signature: Loco moco, Mix plate, Boneless chicken plate
Order: Mix plate with loco moco, BBQ beef and boneless chicken.
Tip: Open 07:00-21:00 daily. No inside seating; eat at the parking lot picnic tables.