Exploring Honolulu’s Historic Chinatown

The first Chinese immigrants arrived in Hawaii in the 1700s, with Honolulu's historic Chinatown district established shortly after that in the 1840s. Today, it's a vibrant, bustling community where east meets west; world-class chefs weave cuisines from around the world; and a diverse crowd of craftspeople, artists, and even herbalists beckon you to explore hidden alleyways, open-air market stalls, and upscale boutiques.  

 

Directions to Chinatown in Honolulu

While the colorful scents, must-see shops, and cultural events spill out into surrounding areas, the official Chinatown Historic District is roughly defined as the area east of Nu'uanu Stream and west of Nuuanu Avenue, with its southern and northern edges bounded by scenic Honolulu Harbor and noisy Beretania Street. 

From the centrally located Waikiki Resort Hotel, Honolulu's Chinatown is a short 20-minute drive away:

  • Exit the hotel and turn left onto Liliʻuokalani Avenue 
  • Turn left on Ala Wai Boulevard 
  • Turn right onto Kalākaua Avenue 
  • Turn left onto Kapiolani Boulevard 
  • Turn left onto Atkinson Drive 
  • Turn right onto Ala Moana Boulevard and continue to Iwilei Road

Alternatively, renting a Biki Bike and following the Waikiki Strip towards Honolulu, and following Ala Moana Boulevard to Chinatown, will take you approximately 30 minutes.

 

Where to Eat in Chinatown in Honolulu

From gritty hole-in-the-wall eateries to much-fêted celebrity restaurants, Honolulu's Chinatown provides a dazzling smorgasbord of international flavors. Some can't-miss options for visiting foodies include:

  • Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery: Everything sold in this historic Chinese bakery is made in-house from secret family recipes, including savory har gow (shrimp dumplings) and delightful mochi mooncakes.
  • Chun’s Meat Market: Honolulu Magazine calls this meat market a "Chinatown cornerstone for Cantonese-style barbecued meats" where you can find everything from fresh seafood to crispy roasted ducks.
  • Brick Fire Tavern: The owners and chefs spent time in Naples, Italy, and brought authentic Neopolitan-style pizza to the heart of Honolulu's Chinatown. Each pizza, done to perfection in a 900-degree wood-fired oven, features local ingredients (e.g., tomatoes grown in Kamuela, and Italian herbs cultivated in Wai‘anae).
  • Senia: The New York Times' food critics once hailed this restaurant as being "ambitious" and "redefining Hawaiian fine dining." The restaurant takes ordinary ingredients and elevates them with unique flair, such as egg salad topped with caviar, or Maui venison paired with Hawaiian taro and sweet persimmons.

 

Where to Shop in Honolulu's Chinatown

Eclectic shops offer a world of shopping at every corner. Not sure where to start? Consider:

  • Perusing Chinatown's crowded marketplaces, including Hoong Wun Market for fresh bao buns; Chinatown Hawaiian Market for local fruits, veggies, and herbs; 88 Fresh Fish Market for fresh seafood; and the Maunakea Marketplace for a little bit of everything.
  • Browsing Chinatown's fast-growing world of boutiques for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts and eye-catching fashion statements. Options include Fighting Eel for indie womenswear; Ginger13 for houseware, crystals, and jewelry by local designer Cindy Yokoyama; and vintage curiosities shop Hound & Quail.

 

What to Do in Chinatown in Honolulu

Once you've eaten your full and shopped 'til you dropped, take in unique cultural and artistic activities that you can only find in Honolulu's Chinatown:

  • Visit a temple: Chinatown is full of numerous historical and spiritual spaces, including the Shinto shrine at the Izumo Taishakyo Mission Cultural Hall, and the Kuan Yin temple—a bright-red building dedicated to the Buddhist goddess of mercy.
  • Relax at the River Street Pedestrian Mall, marked by a towering statue of Sun Yat-sen (often referred to as the forerunner of the Chinese revolution) and dotted with park benches perched in the shade of lush tropical trees.
  • Catch a cultural performance on the center stage of the Chinatown Cultural Plaza. No performances scheduled? The plaza offers dozens of stores and restaurants, including traditional Chinese calligraphy shops.

At the Waikiki Resort Hotel, you're just minutes from the sights and sounds of one of America's oldest Chinatowns. Book your stay at the Waikiki Resort Hotel online or call us at 1-800-367-5116 to see why our location, friendly staff, convenience, and amenities give us top ratings among our guests.