Jay Eats Worldwide

There are dim sum places in Honolulu  that are really good, but I prefer heading over to  the manapua shops. Manapua is similar to a steamed bao with bbq pork, but not found in dim sum restaurants. There are many manapua places, such as Char Hung Sut, Royal Kitchen,  Island Manapua Factory, or Chun Wah Kam Noodle Factory, just to name a few. All are good, most people have their favorite place, mine is Libby's Manapua Shop in Kalihi. See What Jay Eats... Pork Manapua, Pork Hash, and Half Moons  The Pork Manapua is a steamed bun with a sweet pork filling, just like a Chashu Bao. Pork Hash are steamed dumplings filled  with  a denser  pork filling, similar to S hu Mai.  Half Moons Half Moons have a Ha Gow type of skin, filled with the same filling as the pork hash. (Hawaii friends please let me know if I've got this one right)  No styrofoam food containers here, ol...

Isn't the saying: "There's a Pot of Gold at the  end of the  Rainbow Drive In" RIGHT? At this Hawaiian Rainbow, you'll find some of the island's  best local food. You've probably seen Rainbow Drive In on Diners Drive-ins and Dives, Unique Eats, or one of the many food shows on TV. Yes, they're popular... Rainbow Drive In photo* To me, it's been an institution since spending  summers on Oahu with my grandparents, their house is just up the street. Rainbow Drive In has been a GO TO plate lunch place on Kapahulu Avenue for 50 years.  See What Jay Eats... I love how they still serve the old skool way, no styrofoam containers here.   Mix Plate BBQ Beef, Mahi Mahi (fried fish), Boneless Chicken, 2 scoops rice, and 1 scoop macaroni salad. $7.95 Except for including their chili, I love the Mix Plate and enjoying a variety of what they do. In addition to plate lunches, t...

I was on Oahu for the  2012 Hawai'i Food and Wine Festival  as guest of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau , I thank them for the invitation and hospitality.   I knew this would be food-filled four days of go-go-go and go...  Arrangements were made for  me at the Hotel Renew in Waikiki.   When I visit Honolulu , I usually stay on the Ala Moana side of Waikiki, so I had no idea where to find Hotel Renew .  It's actually located on the Diamond Head side of the Marriott Waikiki and not far from the beach...  Photo by Hotel Renew You're probably thinking the same thing I did... Well, Hotel Renew is Honolulu's first boutique hotel, designed by acclaimed designer Jiun Ho .  Since I'm a food guy, hopefully my descriptions make sense. First off, it's not a mega resort, only 72 rooms.  It's a modern hotel with a tranquil feed, away from the Waikiki noise and the tons of people.  It didn't have a chain feel to...

After a full day at " The Bounty of He'eia " excursion, it's on to the first night of Hawai'i Food and Wine Festival .  "The MODERN Dragon: Morimoto and Friends" presented by Hawaiian Airlines, is tonight's Asian inspired theme celebrating the Year of the Dragon!   Since I'm a Dragon, I took  special interest in the evening... See What Jay Eats... Photo by Ed Morita East meets West at the MODERN Honolulu Photo by Ed Morita Some of the night's participating chefs (Left - Right)  Roy Yamaguchi, Ming Tsai, Masaharu Morimoto,  Alan Wong,  Hiroyuki Sakai, Chai Chaowasaree, Roy Choi,  and Sang Yoon. Photo by Ed Morita Fish Taco Chef Masaharu Morimoto Morimoto Waikiki Hawaii Photo by Ed Morita Event Co-Founder Chef Roy Yamaguchi  with Hawaii New Now's Guy Hagi, tonight's MC Seafood Tower Chef Scott Toner The MODERN Honolulu Hawaii Photo by Melissa Chang Ru...

Not your typical school lunch... During my trip to O'ahu , I was invited to lunch at the Kapiolani Community College (KCC) Culinary Arts' restaurant, Ka 'Ikena Laua'e .  In Hawaiian, "Ka 'Ikena Laua'e" translates into "many minds striving towards the vision".  You can follow them @KCCCulinaryArts . Ka 'Ikena Laua'e is a restaurant where food is prepared and served by students.  It reminded me of the many times I prepared/served food as a culinary student/intern; getting yelled at in different languages, but also the chance to meet top-notch culinary professionals.   @LinhChic  always posts delicious looking pictures from the Ka 'Ikena Laua'e , so it was a special treat for @Melissa808 and me to join her for lunch. See What Jay Eats... While looking over the menu, in-house rolls were served. Or is that "in-school"? Today's Lunch Menu Too many good choices... Since I worked for...

"Mix with the Masters" an all-star cast of chefs, food producers and celebrity techies for a delicious day of talks, demos and Hawai'i in A Bowl lunch.  This is a full day of stories, information, and food... During the  Hawai'i Food and Wine Festival , I was looking forward to meeting with and learning more about the Hawai'i food producers and this was a great day. Part I of IV Friday, September 7, 2012 The MODERN Honolulu The morning began with slack key guitarist Makana @makanamusic Chef Roy Yamaguchi Co-Founder of the Hawai'i Food and Wine Festival Introducing the morning's discussion "Building a Sense of Plate and Place" Ed Kenney Moderator Got the crowd warmed up with gifts before introducing today's panelist: Daniel Corpuz:  Student Josh Feathers:  Blackberry Farm, TN   Michelle Galimba:  Kuahiwi Ranch Keone Kealoha:  Malama Kaua'i Ed Kenney:  Chef / Owner Town R...