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Chai Chaowasaree owner and Chef of CHEF CHAI at Pacifica Honolulu is recognized as one of Hawaii’s top Hawaii Regional Cuisine chefs. Known for fusing fresh Hawaii ingredients with the exotic flavors of Asia, Chef Chai has created a culinary style that reflects the cultural diversity of Oahu and the Hawaiian Islands. Winner of the Hale Aina Award every year by Honolulu Magazine readers since opened in 1990 Chai’s restaurants also have been critiqued and recommended by many international medias, from Bon Appetite, Brides, Sunset, Cooking Light, Travel & Leisure to Gourmet Magazine, Food Network and many more.
Sleek contemporary venue with a long bar serving Hawaiian regional fare from a celebrated chef.
Hours
| Sunday | 4–10 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 4–10 PM |
| Thursday | 4–10 PM |
| Friday | 4–10 PM |
| Saturday | 4–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1009 Kapiolani Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814
Phone: (808) 585-0011
Website: http://www.chefchai.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Chef Chai – Honolulu’s Finest Pacific Rim and Fusion Dining
Upcoming Events · Chef Chai’s Prime Rib Special March 25-29 · An Evening with Shafer Vineyards 3/24/26 · (808) 585-0011.
Chef Chai – Hawaii Tours
Chef Chai Chaowasaree is a renowned master of flavor and is the owner and head chef for the Chef Chai restaurant in Honolulu.
Chef Chai (@chefchaihawaii) • Instagram photos and videos
552 followers · 19 following · 59 posts · @chefchaihawaii: “Zagat Award TripAdvisor Award The Culture Trip Award 1009 Kapiolani Blvd Honolulu, HI 96814”
Reviews
Tony Chan
5⭐️ I’ll be back!
One of the best meals I’ve had in Hawaii this trip and the service was also top notch.
Food: recommend the cod (think buttery and melt in your mouth fish). Shrimp curry was also very solid (wasn’t spicy but more curry flavour). Crispy fried fish was also yummy. Every table gets complimentary chicken skewers with peanut sauce and fluffy warm naan bread.
Drinks: old fashion was really good so we had a few of those. Gimlet was very strong if you enjoy some punch.
Ambiance: white table cloth but relaxed. They have a piano for special events and have a private dining area for events.
Service: from the host to our waiter (Brian) was excellent. Very attentive and went above and beyond even though managing several tables.
… moreOne of the best meals I’ve had in Hawaii this trip and the service was also top notch.
Food: recommend the cod (think buttery and melt in your mouth fish). Shrimp curry was also very solid (wasn’t spicy but more curry flavour). Crispy fried fish was also yummy. Every table gets complimentary chicken skewers with peanut sauce and fluffy warm naan bread.
Drinks: old fashion was really good so we had a few of those. Gimlet was very strong if you enjoy some punch.
Ambiance: white table cloth but relaxed. They have a piano for special events and have a private dining area for events.
Service: from the host to our waiter (Brian) was excellent. Very attentive and went above and beyond even though managing several tables.
Erica Kristin
This was my first time here and we did the set menu. The food was decent for the most part. I liked about half of the set menu dishes. The mango sticky rice was fabulous. The soup was a bit off for me and was lacking the sour. I usually love Tom yum soup. The fishe as tasty. The curry dish I was not a fan of. It was as though the noodles did not belong in the curry. The passion drink was delicious. It felt like the focus was on the fancy and less on the food. Valet parking was $7.
… moreCymatic Audio
This place had awesome food and our waiter was reliable and ver7 helpful. Gave us house appetizer flat bread with some awesome sauce and chicken skewers. Then I ordered the Hawaiian sunset and yes it was amazing and that too hit the spot. For food I got the lamb which was good aswel
… moreDavid Chavez
I love the whole experience at Chef Chai! The atmosphere was cozy and modern. The staff were very friendly and accommodating, and the food is amazing! I had never even heard of a vegetable terrine before and now I am craving it! Every appetizer and entree, had a twist of detail and unique flavor.
… moreBriana Kane
If I could give this restaurant 6 stars I would! We were greeted and sat immediately when we arrived. We had two male servers who were incredible. We tried two of the newer cocktails rum infused Thai tea and guava Paloma which were delicious. The food was even better! We decided against the chefs choice and ordered a la cart so we could get exactly what we wanted. They came by with a chicken satay with peanut sauce to start on the house, which was delightful. We shared the tuna katsu – LOVED! Indulged in the lobster tortellini, and for entrees had the oxtail lemongrass soup and the black miso cod. Still dreaming about both of those entrees. They surprised us with a white truffle dessert for our honeymoon which was a treat. Highly recommend visiting Chef Chai!
… moreSylvia Tomasu-Dunn
I’m a local girl. Been going to eat in chef Chai Restaurant from over 20 years. Food is always top notch. Very tasty and also good presentation. Always left feeling happy and satisfied.
… morebrian
Quite literally the best restaurant I have ever been to. This should be a one Michelin star restaurant at minimum!
The food at Chef Chai’s is absolutely amazing. In America we tend to view quantity with satisfaction, but this place will reorient you mind. The tasting menu is not a large volume, but the QUALITY of the food is so high that you are truly satiated. It is a strange feeling to be so overwhelmed by your taste buds that you feel truly content. That is how I feel every time I eat at Chef Chai’s despite portions that regular Americans would scoff at.
The ambiance is also fantastic. It is perfect for a special event, business, or because you want amazing food. It is modern yet cozy and somehow comfortable. The staff are above reproach and make every patron feel like a VIP. they truly epitomize the high end Chef Chai’s stands for.
I could go on for days about how much I appreciate this place, but then I might end up sounding like an AI chat bot. Bottom line, GO THERE and experience the amazing-ness that is Chef Chai’s! While I am no longer on the islands, every time I go back, this is a place I go to…at least once
… moreThe food at Chef Chai’s is absolutely amazing. In America we tend to view quantity with satisfaction, but this place will reorient you mind. The tasting menu is not a large volume, but the QUALITY of the food is so high that you are truly satiated. It is a strange feeling to be so overwhelmed by your taste buds that you feel truly content. That is how I feel every time I eat at Chef Chai’s despite portions that regular Americans would scoff at.
The ambiance is also fantastic. It is perfect for a special event, business, or because you want amazing food. It is modern yet cozy and somehow comfortable. The staff are above reproach and make every patron feel like a VIP. they truly epitomize the high end Chef Chai’s stands for.
I could go on for days about how much I appreciate this place, but then I might end up sounding like an AI chat bot. Bottom line, GO THERE and experience the amazing-ness that is Chef Chai’s! While I am no longer on the islands, every time I go back, this is a place I go to…at least once
Mike Mezack
A week in Waikiki and this was one of the food highlights. A little away from downtown but worth the 10 min ride.
Very thoughtful , well executed menu. The signature dishes were very pleasing to both eye and palate. Appetizers were good and varied. We tried buratta which was well presented and full of flavor. The balsamic pearls were a really nice addition and finished the dish nicely. Crab cakes were solid as well. We didn’t order signature tiger prawn appetizer but it seems every other table did so it must be good!! Mains were really good. Miso sea bass was well portioned and the miso glaze didn’t overwhelm. Had the salmon and it was beautifully done!! Perfect seasoning and presentation. Lastly had the steak and again perfectly cooked and plate was beautiful. Additional side of coconut curry brown rice is not too be missed either. Dessert of Coconut cake with Tahitian vanilla sauce was also a winner!
Nothing left of anything to take home.
Only comment is the complementary chicken satay was a bit incongruent. The chicken was ok, however the peanut sauce was top notch and Naan was a great addition.
Would definitely go back.
… moreVery thoughtful , well executed menu. The signature dishes were very pleasing to both eye and palate. Appetizers were good and varied. We tried buratta which was well presented and full of flavor. The balsamic pearls were a really nice addition and finished the dish nicely. Crab cakes were solid as well. We didn’t order signature tiger prawn appetizer but it seems every other table did so it must be good!! Mains were really good. Miso sea bass was well portioned and the miso glaze didn’t overwhelm. Had the salmon and it was beautifully done!! Perfect seasoning and presentation. Lastly had the steak and again perfectly cooked and plate was beautiful. Additional side of coconut curry brown rice is not too be missed either. Dessert of Coconut cake with Tahitian vanilla sauce was also a winner!
Nothing left of anything to take home.
Only comment is the complementary chicken satay was a bit incongruent. The chicken was ok, however the peanut sauce was top notch and Naan was a great addition.
Would definitely go back.
Jonathan Beck
Amazing atmosphere and location. You must pay to park so bring cash for the valet. The food was very interesting as a fusion Asian twist on traditional dishes. Me and my wife celebrated our anniversary here and would love to come back. Also the duck tacos are the best appetizer I have had in a long time.
… moredan sparks
My wife and I enjoyed our anniversary at Chef Chai’s with the October wine pairing.
The service is always amazing. Big thanks to Richelle, Randy, Dustin and Maikai. Chef Chai, you have an amazing staff and it is the reason we come back time after time. The food as usual was amazing and the Andis wines paired perfectly, with your delicious food. We hope Andis Wines will be back soon!! Thanks to the entire team at Chef Chai’s for always making our dinners and evenings the best ever.
Sincerely
Dan and Dar Sparks
… moreThe service is always amazing. Big thanks to Richelle, Randy, Dustin and Maikai. Chef Chai, you have an amazing staff and it is the reason we come back time after time. The food as usual was amazing and the Andis wines paired perfectly, with your delicious food. We hope Andis Wines will be back soon!! Thanks to the entire team at Chef Chai’s for always making our dinners and evenings the best ever.
Sincerely
Dan and Dar Sparks