Counter-serve joint dishing up large portions of Korean barbecue fare such as kalbi & bibimbap.
Madyun Wilson
This restaurant has very simple flavorful dishes that feature both local and international culinary profiles. The portion sizes are generous, so guests should come prepared with an appetite. The menu frequently changes, with many items unavailable due to daily variations in ingredients, especially for sides. Located within walking distance of most attractions along the beach front, the establishment provides open seating and tables for guests, ensuring a comfortable dining experience.
… moreLitea
We had the BBQ mix plate lunch and it was delicious, broke da mouth,seriously. The short ribs and bbq beef were tender and flavorful. It comes with 4 sides of your choice. We just chilled and slowly ate and enjoyed our meal at their outdoor dining area. We are definitely coming here again to try out their other items on the menu. The staff were super friendly and patient with helping us with our order.
… moreMark Liu
I chose to come here because the sign in the front said they are original Me BBQ. Their old location across the street is now me Bar-B-Q. Right away, I can see what’s going on. Opportunist took advantage of it and became the imitation. No where it’s going to be better than the original if you asked me. Just common sense.
Korean is one of my favorites cuisine. From SF bay area, we have some of the best Korean food like LA. This place is legit!
BBQ Spicy pork – The pork was very tender. The spiciness frankly to me was just subtle. Not that spicy at all. But the taste was really good. Not too sweet, well flavored and lover the grill flavor.
BBQ chicken – It’s not very thick, but the chicken does not feel dry. Very tender.
I love the chap chae (noodle). Very well seasoned, perfect texture.
The grilled potatoes were good as well.
Honestly, I didn’t try other places and they may be good as well. But if I found one of the best, why bothered risking disappointment.
I came here two days in a row. And I may come again tomorrow.
… moreRenae C
We stumbled across this ME BBQ spot (not to be confused with the imposter restaurant across the street) while on vacation, and it ended up being some of the best food we’ve had on the entire trip. Every single bite was packed with incredible flavor. Perfectly seasoned, tender, and cooked just right. You can truly taste the quality and care in each dish.
The marinades were rich and savory with just the right balance of sweet and smoky, and all the sides complemented the meal beautifully. The atmosphere was welcoming, and the whole experience felt fun and memorable.
Hands down one of the best flavored meals we’ve had in a long time. We’re already wishing we could go back! Highly recommend if you’re anywhere nearby.
… moreChihyun Hwang
We had the Kalbi Plate, and it was the best meal we’ve had in Honolulu! The portion was huge, the price was good, and above all, the taste was absolutely amazing. We really like Maguro Spot nearby, so my wife and I ordered one poke from there and one kalbi plate from Me BBQ to share — but we both agreed that Me BBQ was even better. The flavor was just on another level!
Be careful not to confuse it with “Me Bar-B-Que” across the street — it’s just a copy of this place. It was this restaurant’s old location and when they moved to a new one across the street, some other people opened a restaurant under, practically, the same name. This story is really shocking. The Korean sign of the fake place says “내 바베큐,” but no Korean would actually write it that way!
… moreDaniel
It was delicious!! Unfortunately, we found that place too late on our vacation. Delicious food, fresh and self-made sides. Loved it and one of the bests in Waikiki. I strongly recommend the fried dumplings plate with the sides of choice 🙂
… moreNick Low
Food is extremely disappointing. The grilled squid is like rubber sandals. Can’t even chew. Beef soup is bland and radish and meat is really not fresh. For the price, one can dine nicely in a restaurant than this “food court” kind of food. Service is slow due to short of staff. Charged $1.5 for using credit card, which wasn’t told to customers beforehand. I would consider other options before dine here.
… moreSabrina Garcia
The young girl at the counter wasn’t very friendly towards anyone really and gave only myself a small amount of each side when she was more generous with others.
Downfall – They take your order, serve the sides in your container and pass it back to the kitchen for your main dish. If it’s busy, your sides will be cold by the time you receive your order. The sides should be served as soon as your main dish is finished so everything is hot
… moreBoo bang
This is by far the worst service I’ve experienced at any restaurant near Waikiki. I can’t believe a decades-old establishment could be so out of touch with the warmth Hawaii is known for!
The short-haired blonde woman taking orders looked like she was at a funeral—expressionless, cold, and spoke with zero warmth. There was no service to speak of. You had to get your own soda, and there were no straws. The cold noodles were completely bland, and the grilled short ribs tasted like something from Costco slathered in BBQ sauce—not even as good as something you’d make at home.
Honestly, it’s hard not to feel disheartened. Tourist money must be too easy. After eating, you’re expected to throw away your own containers and even return the bowls from your table—what is this, full self-service?
Despite the mediocre food, the lack of service, and being met with a sour face, I was still expected to pay a 15% tip. Tip culture is meant to reward good service—not this. You don’t deserve it!
… moreWinston Cubed
This joint is called Me Barbecue, and it’s got a bit of a k-drama behind it. The story goes like this: they started across the street, then moved into this bigger spot, and some other folks slid into their old location. Instead of coming up with their own identity, they just slapped the same name on the sign. So now you’ve got two Me Barbecues staring each other down across the road. The one I’m in now is the real deal—the original crew, the ones who built the name. The other? Well, let’s just say it feels like a shameless stunt, maybe a hustle to siphon off customers who don’t know better. Honestly, it’s straight out of a K-drama plot with a kimchee slap. I went for the Sunny Special, a greatest-hits plate of kalbi, chicken, meat jeon, and fried dumplings, with four sides for $28.50 But here’s the catch—there’s a sneaky credit card fee baked in, no sign, no warning, just quietly added. If you’re paying debit or cash, tell them to strip it off. That kind of nickel-and-diming deserves a little sunlight. But let’s get to what matters: the food. The kalbi is the star of the show—tender, rich, sticky-sweet perfection. The chicken holds its own too, juicy and full of flavor. Meat jeon? A sleeper hit. And that dumpling—crisp outside, piping hot inside—worth coming back for alone. Just don’t forget the dumpling sauce; it ties the whole thing together. I even poured some over my sides. The kimchi is legit, the bean sprouts and cabbage are light on seasoning but balancing out the meat. Skip the corn, though. Straight from the can, no butter, no salt, no effort. The Sunny Plate is a solid choice if you want to sample a bit of everything. But when I come back, no question—I’m going straight for the Kalbi Plate with kimchee. The Kalbi here is on another level, exceptional. This place has drama, personality, and good food. Just watch your bill, and whatever you do, don’t fall for the knockoff across the street.
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